The X Guide

The man had the same thoughts. Yet, millions of people outside would garner attention from the capital. Right, the capital...

There was a war going on, and he was not sure if the capital had enough time to look after his report, but this was something they needed to know.

"Go and report the situation in the capital immediately." He began his order through his second in command; then, he continued. "As for the crowd outside... I’ll handle it."

He put on his coat and decided to talk to them himself. Leaving them outside was not an option, but letting them enter the city when they exhibited strange behavior was also something he was reluctant about.

However, he could not just close the gates forever. Even now, there were still espers and other people in the gates waiting for it to open.

Accompanied by some of his aides, the commander arrived at the city gates. The others quickly recognized him, and so he smoothly passed through the crowd and went over the walls.

His eyes scanned the crowd from above. The man frowned heavily once more. It was more terrifying and concerning up close.

"Commander, uh... Is it all right to let them wait outside? Monsters will soon gather here because of them."

Ah, that too. The man rubbed his head, starting to get a headache. If there were millions of humans gathering outside the walls, of course, the monsters would be glad to have their meal.

"Did you already ask them? What about someone we can converse with?"

The soldier standing guard there shook his head.

"They aren’t answering our inquiries. We tried to talk with them a few more times, but until now, they have only been standing outside." He scratched his head, and finally, he could not help but say. "Sir, they are weird. I feel terrified that I can’t breathe."

The commander sighed and patted his back. He knew what he was feeling so well. There was no solution he could think of other than going there to ask them.

"Okay, I’ll talk to them for now."

When he said that, the guard and his aides suddenly changed their expression.

"Sir... It might not be a good idea?"

"Commander! We can just talk to them through the mic?"

Actually, the millions outside were at most ordinary citizens, but they could not explain this tugging feeling of fear that almost gripped their hearts as they looked outside.

Something bizarre was going on! They could feel it.

The man knew their concern; he was apprehensive as well. Yet, he could not just let the citizens outside, nor had the heart to drive them away.

The area around was safe, but it was not absolute. This was a chaotic era where even green zone vicinities were not devoid of stray monsters.

"We need to talk to them. This is something I should do." He swept his eyes around and patted them. "Don’t open the gates until I say so. And if..." he sighed and looked at his aide, "If something happened to me, set the high alert."

For some reason, the man could discern nothing that this was simple.

"Sir...!" The others were unwilling, but they could only nod under his stern gaze.

The man took a deep breath and looked down. Somehow, the heaviness in his heart skyrocketed. He swallowed, and with a bit of hesitation in his heart, he jumped down from the wall and landed outside.

Now, let’s see what’s going on with you.

The man was about to approach, but suddenly his body seemed to have become frozen. It was not that someone was controlling him, but the fear in his heart rose.

The crowd, which had been staring blankly into the air, slowly focused on him. Their blank gazes flickered slightly, and soon, a bizarre smile appeared on their faces.

The man blinked, and his heart raced. His danger senses go off at that moment. The crowd slowly approached him. He swallowed, and mustering his strength, he shouted.

"Set the high alert to the highest degree! Now!"

As the shout fell, shrieks soon followed. It was not from the crowd... The monsters they were anticipating had arrived.

And what would happen next was something they could never forget.

The death cloud had finally spread in this zone!

Just as another zone was on the verge of another crisis, there was a meeting going on in the capital. The whole conference room was packed, as usual. The president was sitting in the head seat.

"We have received the notice from the Thorne clan." His voice heavily resonated in the whole room. "They are thinking the same thing as us."

His expression was solemn, which the others adopted.

"There’s a third force wanting to fish the troubled waters. What happened with Arstem and the yellow zone nearby has proven this." He then slammed the table in anger. His eyes contained ferocity.

It was one thing for the SS-class espers to walk over his head. They were people he could not offend. He did not like that, but it was true.

However, now, someone actually dared to use this war to earn benefits? How could he just let others take advantage of them?

"We must find them! Order everyone to keep an eye on any suspicious activity in recent years and compile any incidents that have something to do with curses."

They already got the results from the laboratory about Arstem’s condition. For now, that was their only lead. These madmen truly were degenerates and even experiments in curses? Were they tired of living?

Who did not know how ferocious curses were?

He took a deep breath. This was urgent, but unable to vent his emotions without any lead, he could only wait and suffer this defeat.

"Because of this incident, the Thorne Clan Leader has expressed their willingness to withdraw from the city. This can be considered a small win."

Even though he said that and they had reclaimed the city, there was not a slight smile on his face. This was not a result he wanted, but it was better than nothing.

At least, it could be used for media manipulation later.

Just as they were conversing about a few more topics, the door was hastily opened, and a woman appeared. She bowed slightly and frantically whispered to the president.

The others watched and became curious as to what was happening. They saw how the president’s face changed. His eyes went wide, and he looked at the secretary.

"Is that true?"

The secretary nodded, pale and shaking.

"What’s going on?" The other could not just watch anymore and asked.

The president fell silent and leaned in his seat. He sighed.

"Another yellow zone had fallen."

The others were in an uproar. Had the clan managed to claim another zone? However, his next words stunned them.

"It has nothing to do with the war. An unknown disease."

He frowned and cupped his head. What the hell was going on?