The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 257: Leaving Urgently

Lade fled... that is, went to the roof to have his conversation. It was one of his favorite hangout spots in the Zone, not to mention it was safer than his apartment here, at least as far as the risk of being listened to was concerned. In the apartment, with all the furniture and so on, there were many places where someone (for example Blanc. Most likely Blanc, or someone working on his orders, as it was unlikely anyone else would dare) might hide listening devices. It would take a while for Lane to clear the place.

As for the roof? It was just a plain slab of concrete. With no place to hide even a tiny listening device. Not that no one had tried - the place was bugged - but Lane just crushed them into dust under his military boots. Then, he sent small blobs of Toxic Ooze to destroy the spy cams on the nearby buildings, activated Mana Scan to check the area one last time, and only then did he finally pull out his phone, and call Ava.

She picked after only three signals. "So? Are you coming?"

"Yeah, no, that’s kind of... difficult right now. I’m in 74," Lane scowled, kicking the sad remains of the listening device off the roof.

"In 74?" Ava’s voice instantly became more enthusiastic, Lane could almost see her sparkling eyes. "Are there any new samples for me?"

"There are some... There’s a new Esper test subject that I think you will find interesting... But let’s talk about that later. Now, about Nyla!" Lane quickly got back to the important topic. "What did she come for?"

"I’m not sure, some equipment adjustment, I think."

"Damn it..." Lane clicked his tongue.

It was such a bad timing. He wanted to talk to Nyla for a while now... Since that incident during the summit, in fact. At first, he was still hesitant, but after she helped him get out of the mansion with Ava - how did she do it, he still didn’t know - he knew he should try to... discuss some stuff. Especially now that he was going to break his deal with the Allens. He should at least find out what her agreement with their parents was...

But having a private chat with Nyla was easier said than done. Lane couldn’t exactly barge into the Allens’ mansion, nor could he visit the Allen Guild. Her number could be obtained, maybe not easily, but it could be done, however, Lane was reluctant to talk to her on the phone. Or schedule a meeting. He still didn’t trust her. After all those years of Nyla being a perfect, obedient daughter, a pawn of the Allens, how could he possibly have much faith in her? Just because she had said a few words and shared snacks with him...

Well, alright, that had some significance, but that was precisely why he even bothered trying to reach out somehow.

"Do you think you could make her come back again? Tomorrow, or in a few days?" he asked. "Preferably so that she wouldn’t know you are involved."

Everyone knew that Ava was Lane’s bestie, so even if she didn’t mention him, Nyla or the Allens might suspect he had something to do with it if Ava asked her to come back later.

Luckily, Ava answered, "I can message the guy who’s handling her request. But I can’t guarantee anything."

"Okay! Let me know once you know anything!"

"Mn," Ava hummed in response, and ended the call.

Meanwhile, Lane just plopped down on the edge of the roof, and took out the remaining pastries from his spatial bag. He bought a whole load of them in the morning, and that was a good decision, as the bakery was now already closed. There were still other shops, and plenty of bars and pubs where he could stop to eat, but nothing could compare to the Puff’s (at least as far as Forbidden Zone No. 74 was concerned, because otherwise, Damien’s baking was the best).

Besides, there was no point going anywhere now, when he might have to leave the Zone soon, depending on Ava’s response...

Actually, perhaps he should leave regardless of whether Ava was able to set him up with Nyla or not. Just say that he had an emergency at home, and had to go back immediately. This way, he could temporarily avoid Blanc’s questions... Because honestly, Lane had no idea how to respond. He thought that he would be able to shut them all up with a few orders without any clear explanations, but...

Perhaps this whole trip was a mistake. The only good thing that came out of it was the fun Lane had hunting monsters. Plus the samples he picked up for Ava.

His phone pinged again.

[She will be back to pick up her equipment on Friday.] ƒгeewёbnovel.com

On Friday. So Lane had more than a day left. It was still only Wednesday evening...

But, the fact that there was some time left didn’t stop him from rushing back down to the offices. Blanc was still around, in his own office. A clean and sterile room with white walls, white floor, and even white furniture, all straight and proper, with not even a single speck of dust out of place.

At least until Lane stepped in, his boots immediately dirtying the pristine floor - he had spent most of the day at the training center, and although most of the dirt and mud had already chipped off, some still stuck to the leather boots, as if waiting for that exact moment to stain the perfect whiteness.

Blanc’s brows twitched at the sight, but he only pressed some button, and turned to Lane, speaking politely, "Yes, Boss? How can I help you?"

"I have an emergency at home, so I need to leave urgently. We will have to get back to our earlier conversation some other time. Before I go, though..." Lane paused, narrowing his eyes as he stared down at his subordinate. "I just wanted to remind you not to act out of line. Remember your place."

The tension hung heavily in the air between them, as the office fell into silence. Blanc was able to maintain eye contact for a moment, but soon he was forced to lower his gaze. Not from the use of any ability, or his shyness or cowardice, but rather because of his understanding of the massive power gap between them. Blanc was a smart man, after all, he knew better than to act insolent in front of someone who could crush him in mere seconds, if he chose to.

"Yes, Boss. I understand," he said calmly.

Whether he really did or not, Lane couldn’t tell for sure. However, he let it go for now.

Perhaps he should ask Vulcan to keep an eye on Blanc. Although Vulcan was nowhere as smart, and his strength lay primarily in military affairs, at least he was loyal to Lane. And he was an A-ranker, so Blanc couldn’t read his mind.

"Good. We’ll be in touch." Lane nodded his head, and stepped out. As he went down the corridor, heading toward the elevator to get to the parking garage, a cleaner passed him by, rushing toward Blanc’s office. It seemed that she was summoned as soon as Lane came in, to clean up all the dirt that he had brought.

Well, whatever. Blanc’s OCD or whatever was none of Lane’s concern. He just got in his car, and sped back home. He didn’t even bother going on another hunting spree before he left.