The X Guide

Keeran’s reaction was to be expected. But what made her even more dumbfounded was noticing the slight curve in Ayen’s lips.

"You’re smiling..." Keeran blinked, stunned by what he was seeing. It was barely noticeable, but as someone who had been with Ayen for about a year, this change was significant.

Keeran’s mood lightened, and the surprise of hearing about Ayen’s espers was overshadowed by this smile. She only became more intrigued as to who they were, and they must have cared for Ayen so much for him to lower his guard completely.

Ayen was surprised too. These days, he was smiling more subconsciously.

"You met them," Ayen continued. "My espers."

"I met them?" Keeran paused, her brows knitting as she tried to recall the espers he met. He first eliminated the espers in the yellow zone they were in before, as those were scumbags.

If not for her duty, she would not guide them. There was no way Ayen suddenly became partners with them.

Ayen did not say anything more and observed Keeran, who was obviously lost in thought. Slowly, his eyes flickered amusingly. This was exciting somehow.

He admitted that he truly changed; he was even capable of having this kind of emotion.

Keeran found herself becoming confused. They did not meet any espers after the tragedy at all. After they stayed at the forbidden zone... She paused.

Wait, she was missing something. Or more like, her mind refused to suddenly go in that direction. Yet... Keeran could only think of two espers that she met with Ayen that somehow fit the bill.

However, was it presumptuous of her to think of them in this situation?

Keeran slowly looked up and met Ayen’s gaze again. The other was only looking at her and waiting for her realization. She did not really want to think about this possibility, but...

Ayen watched as Keeran’s mouth parted, shocked at her conjectures. He did not confirm anything or say the names of his espers, wanting Keeran to ask.

"Are they..." Keeran finally spoke after her silence. "Them?" her eyes wide but somehow shaking as she asked for confirmation.

Ayen thought he would find it amusing, but he felt strange when people were too scared to say Devion and Khal’s names. He was not accustomed to it after witnessing it too many times.

Perhaps the two hated seeing this kind of interaction too, so they decided to distance themselves. And it might have escalated from their absence.

"They have names." Ayen did not like it. But it was a confirmation. He nodded. "Yes. Devion and Khal, they are my espers."

Keeran noticed Ayen’s displeasure, but it quickly faded when he spoke the two espers’ names, which were known throughout the world.

Her mouth parted, about to say something, but she found herself too mesmerized by the spark in Ayen’s eyes when she spoke Khal and Devion’s names.

SS-class espers. They were terrifying, but also the object of worship for ordinary citizens. Keeran also did not know when she suddenly had this fear of saying their names, as though doing so would provoke their wrath.

When did it start?

Yet, seeing Ayen like this, Keeran felt ashamed that she showed hesitation and fear to ask about her friend’s espers.

Still, she heavily sighed and cupped Ayen’s hands on her own.

"How did it happen?"

Instead of fussing about her shock, Keeran asked this in a casual tone. Ayen should be more comfortable talking about his espers in this way.

Although finding out your friend’s espers were SS-class espers.

Realizing this, before Ayen answered her question, Keeran’s gossipy nature kicked in. Just like Ayen assumed before, she and Lucian would definitely get along.

"Wow, come to think of it, you really snag not one but two SS-class espers!" Keeran almost squealed at that. This was truly mind-blowing, something you don’t even dare to imagine.

Her excitement now overshadowed the fear. This was also to be expected. Keeran was simple-minded sometimes, or most of the time.

Ayen could only shake his head and decided to tell her how it happened, but for her safety, did not tell most of the specifics. Those Keeran was allowed to know, Ayen willingly told her.

Keeran nodded vigorously. It was as though their encounters were such an exciting drama or adventure.

"So... You’re probably an SS-class guide then?" Keeran did not ask much about their relationship and instead focused on this point. her eyes shining. If not for the bruises on her face, she would have looked more radiant. "I have an SS-class guide friend! Seriously, this is so amazing!"

She clapped, though her hands only moved around Ayen’s.

"That’s not confirmed." Ayen did not want to dampen her excitement, but he wanted to address it.

Keeran merely shrugged.

"It’s almost confirmed." She grinned and tilted her head slightly, staring at Ayen. "I knew you weren’t ordinary. Like, there’s something in you that draws me in."

Ayen did not know what to feel about that. But for once, he did not dismiss her seemingly nonsensical words.

After talking so much, Keeran leaned on the bed and looked tired.

"I’m just glad you’re okay. And now, even found your espers." Keeran took a deep breath; the wound at her side began to ache. Ayen noticed it but did not comment on it.

"You can rest for now."

Keeran nodded; her eyes looked particularly heavy.

"That one... he said you knew each other?"

Without mentioning the person’s name, Ayen immediately knew who she was talking about.

Ayen nodded. "He’s my cousin."

For now, he refrained from talking about his affairs with his clan, or Keeran might be implicated in a deeper mess.

"But you’re not close? That guy... he looks so malicious."

Keeran might be naive and a coward, but she still worked as a field guide for a few years and could discern good or bad intentions.

"He kept asking me where you are, heh, like I’d sell my friend." Keeran began to ramble, also an effect of her medicine. Although she fought the drowsiness, any minute now and she would fall asleep.