The X Guide-Chapter 100: Mana Disturbances (4)

Ayen was at a loss for words for a second. He thought of why they actually needed such a huge bed. He was about to ask, but then he paused.

An answer clicked in his mind; he pressed his lips together and chose not to ask. He already knew the reason.

Ayen could not help but remember what happened last time. He reached out and rubbed his neck, feeling the heat. He sat in the bed and calmed himself.

He planned to help Devion in the kitchen, but he did not want to let him see how affected he was. Unlike the two, Ayen was inexperienced and was still easily embarrassed.

Devion glanced at the living room. While he could not see Ayen’s figure, he had already figured out something because of Ayen’s silence.

He merely smiled and did not speak anymore, continuing with what he was doing. There was no need to tease Ayen.

When Khal went downstairs, the silence greeted him. Ayen busied himself with an old book he found in one of the cabinets; Devion already started cooking in the kitchen.

He was quite surprised, since he thought the two were busy in the kitchen. Khal did not comment about it. He walked towards Ayen first.

Ayen already sensed his arrival and lifted his gaze.

"Any findings?" Ayen casually asked.

Khal shook his head. "This house merely belongs to a normal civilian."

They would still need to make a trip to some important buildings, like the mayor in charge, or if the association and institute had a branch in the town.

"You okay here?" Khal gently inquired.

Ayen nodded.

"I’ll just help Devion." Khal was about to turn around when Ayen grabbed his wrist.

Surprised, Khal glanced at Ayen again.

Ayen put down the book and used Khal to help him get up.

"I’ll also help."

He had already calmed down. Also, he had to admit it. Ayen was more inclined to be closer to them than to stay alone in the corner.

Khal did not ask further and led Ayen into the kitchen. Devion was concentrating inside and did not notice them at first.

Ayen already knew that if Devion concentrated on something, he cleared his mind of anything. And the reason for that was also clear to him now.

Once he noticed them, he merely let the two help him without a word.

After dinner, Ayen proposed something once more.

"Let me guide you both."

It was genuine and did not have other intentions or a suggestive nuisance. He had yet to guide them after that last time.

One was that they had not used their abilities, and their wavelengths did not have a trace of mana toxins at all. Their initial assumption was proven correct.

Just by being at Ayen’s side, the accumulation of mana toxins slowed down. It was as though his presence was enough to stabilize their wavelengths.

For Ayen, he knew the reason why. He could even see their wavelengths manifesting before him, and this much of an effect was not a surprise anymore.

Still, regular guiding sessions were not a waste.

Unlike the first few times, they quickly settled into the routine. However, they did not indulge this time. Aside from passionate kisses and some heated touches, they had not done more than that.

The place was not appropriate. For Khal and Dveion, they could do it wherever, but Ayen was an exception. The two did not want Ayen’s first experience to be only done casually.

Once they were done in the guiding session, they talked for a few minutes before they decided to sleep. It was such a peaceful night.

However, that night was not destined to be peaceful for a large group of people. Thousands of miles away, the impending chaos finally erupted.

A new era had begun.

Now, there was not only a war against the monsters; the humans’ blades also pointed against each other. The next hegemon of the new era would be decided by this war.

The trio went at their pace the next day. The chaos had yet to reach them, and none of them had the intention to intervene.

"This is the association building?" Ayen stared at the building, stunned.

It was not because it was destroyed but because it was too well-maintained. The building did not have any damage or traces of time at all. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Compared to the surrounding buildings next to it, it looked too conspicuous. Just by looking at it, he knew that something abnormal was at play.

It even looked better than the association branch building in the red zone 21.

He glanced at the two, waiting for their decision.

"What do you think?" Devion let Khal make the call.

Between them, Devion was more focused on frontal combat. He was not a strategist and often used brute force. If he were younger and alone, he would ignore the red flags and already go inside.

That reckless attitude was what gave him a harsh lesson. He became cautious and let Khal make decisions, not trusting his judgment.

Ayen also looked at Khal.

Khal fell silent and observed the building. He was contemplating whether it was enough to test it outside or if they had to get in to be sure.

He threw out the idea of entering alone; the two would not let him. After thinking it over, he had already made a decision.

"The danger’s unknown but not life-threatening. We can enter, but we can also ignore this place." Khal looked at Devion and Ayen.

They were not there to solve the anomaly. In fact, Khal was reluctant because it might risk Ayen. Devion and he were combat espers, but Ayen was a guide with little to no combat power.

"What do you think? Enter or not?" Devion turned to Ayen.

The two espers looked at him, and Ayen knew the decision lay with him.

What did he want? Part of him was curious, but he also knew it contained risks. It was only risky because he was with them.

Should he be stubborn? Ayen was not that foolish.

"If it’s too dangerous, then forget it," Ayen nonchalantly answered.

His meaning was clear, but he was also letting the two decide.