The X Guide-Chapter 64: Feelings (2)

Khal had lived without a guide for years, but he never got tired of finding who was capable of guiding him and Devion. Throughout the years, a secret mission for those under him was to look out for guides who had the possibility to guide them.

A team in the institute had the task of compiling guides who had E-class ranks because it was possible that one of them could be the guide they were looking for.

Unlike the populace’s belief, Khal and Devion looked out for E-class Guides more because of what happened to them. The current guide class measurements were incapable of telling ranks beyond S-class yet.

When they met Ayen, and Devion said that he had not seen a pretty guide like him in the association before, he was actually serious.

No file about Ayen had reached their desk. Thinking about it, this was unusual when there were already directives that any guide files, whether recent or old, be submitted to the institute team handling the SS-class matters.

Khal stopped at the veranda, sitting on the railings, lost in his thoughts. His attire was unusual for such an extremely cold area; Khal was only wearing minimal clothing, without a coat on him.

He did not need to. This place was actually like a home to him.

Someone or a team hid Ayen’s files.

Khal landed on this conclusion as he breathed, cold smoke escaping his lips. He looked up and narrowed his eyes.

Complicated. Khal had sensed it. Ayen had a complicated background. Should he have looked it up? Whatever his past was, Khal would be able to find it soon enough with little or no effort.

Khal sighed and pinched the space between his brows.

Was it worth it? Betraying Ayen’s trust definitely was not worth it for that. Ayen was too important to them at this point. Unless someone also managed to guide them, Ayen was an indispensable part of them.

Khal glanced at the desolate appearance of the stronghold. His sharp gaze swept everything, and he thought of another thing.

Should he ask Ayen if he could return with them? Ayen did not deserve to be isolated in the forbidden zone, but they could not be separated from them for too long now.

Khal had thought of an alternative scenario. Devion could stay with Ayen, and he could return alone. He could just visit whenever. However, Khal immediately dismissed that idea as soon as he thought of it.

Between forcing Ayen to live with them in the forbidden zone and Devion leaving his side, he would choose the former without hesitation.

He was torn but not too conflicted not to recognize what was more important for him.

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, the shadow at his side blurred, and a new person had arrived.

The newcomer did not say anything and only bowed his head. His figure was not too tall, and he appeared thin. His hair was a bit of a mess to the side, and a sword was slumped on his back.

Khal remained silent for a few seconds before he stood upright and turned around. He eyed the newcomer, a popular and strong esper.

Renji Kanzaki. A weapon-type esper.

"Did anyone from the capital visit this stronghold?" Khal’s voice was not loud, but in Renji’s ears it was enough for his body to stiffen.

They met hours ago, but only for a minute, and only to prepare the house.

"No one visited in the month I stayed here. But I heard someone from the capital met the stronghold commander two months ago. No one besides him and the visitor knew the content of their conversation," Renji answered almost formally. His whole body was stiff, but he managed to speak smoothly.

Khal touched his chin, contemplating what he just heard.

"Should we..." He paused as Khal stared at him. He bowed in apology.

Khal stared at Renji, someone he assigned as Ayen’s bodyguard. He was not the strongest subordinate he had, but he was the most compatible for protecting someone from the shadows.

He did not intend to dismiss him as Ayen’s bodyguard; he had to remain, as not every time he and Devion would be by Ayen’s side, especially when they were on missions.

Khal tapped his fingers on the surface of the railings. He temporarily set aside the matters with Ayen, and another important matter occupied his mind.

"The situation has become worse than I thought. You and the others should lie low. This is not the time to enter the fray yet," Khal instructed. Renji would be tasked with sharing his intentions with the others.

Renji hesitated for a second but ultimately gritted his teeth and asked. "Leader... What about the capital?"

The capital would surely be the first to take the brunt of the chaos.

Khal’s expression did not even change, but a dangerous glint tinged his eyes.

"This world had been at peace for too long. It sounded ironic, didn’t it? The people of the capital have already forgotten what real chaos looks like." Khal turned and looked at the desolate street once more.

Khal was no hero. He was not one to save everyone’s lives and end this chaotic era. That was not his obligation.

Whether those guys destroy the capital or make it more of a paradise than before, Khal did not mind at all. They could even spread the chaos however they wanted to.

They could shout his name to save them and worship him like a god. Khal would not bat an eyelid. He could not even care less who ruled the world and who won the battle for hegemony.

"Soon we’ll return to the forbidden zone," Khal spoke in a neutral tone. He did not look at Renji or pretend to notice what he was feeling.

Before the chaos started, Khal planned to return with Devion as soon as possible. Devion could not be triggered by this chaos, no matter what.

Or he was the one who would destroy them once and for all.

"Your duty won’t end. You can stay here or run around. Save whoever you want. I don’t care. But don’t forget to return." Khal then turned his head and looked at him; his whole demeanor was as cold as the place they were standing on.

"My mission comes first. Remember that, Renji."

Renji shivered, gulped, and lowered his eyes in fear.

"I understand, Leader." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The moment they became part of his group, they already vowed to put the leader as the sole priority over their own. If ever they failed to do so...

Khal would capture them even if they ran to the depths of hell.