The X Guide

Before they left, there were certain things they had to settle first.

The experiment for Ayen’s request had to continue. Although it only needed his cooperation, samples were not yet included in that. Moreover, about the unconscious esper, they could only wait for her to wake up naturally or if they came up with some solutions.

For now, the matters with this batch of captured espers had to be temporarily set aside. Unless they surrendered to the cold, which might take a longer time.

"Is it okay now for you to show yourself?" Devion inquired one last time.

They did not have to prepare a lot, mostly sorting out the latest news about the mission. Khal and Devion was not oen to rely about government files and updates. They did not trust them.

Again, Ayen nodded. He was fully recovered now, and his aversion to being seen with the SS-class espers in public had almost dissipated.

He already acknowledged that this was also part of entering their world. Ayen, being their guide, had to show himself in the public eye’s scrutiny sooner or later.

Whether he liked it or not.

"If you say so," Devion finished braiding Ayen’s hair, which he could now do perfectly, and smiled.

Khal then returned, carrying the files on the tablet for them to browse. For a moment, the two immersed themselves in the reports. As for the in-depth discussion, they could do it on the aircraft.

Yes, since it was an official mission, they could openly arrive in such a manner. This was a lot different from the first few times. This was also faster.

The situation was urgent, and it was getting worse. The three were very alarmed in this situation. It was especially so considering the three were highly indifferent to the current affairs of the world.

Ayen merely scrutinized the massive but simple aircraft for a moment before he followed the two. This was not his first time riding one, but definitely the biggest one.

The inside was a sight to behold, but Ayen was numb to such luxury by now. He quickly occupied one of the seats inside. Other than them, there wasn’t anyone inside.

Devion and Khal went to the control room as Ayen looked outside, and the ruins unfolded to his eyes. The city below was nowhere to be seen; it was as though they had left such an incredible illusion.

The view outside did not have an appeal for someone living in such a world for decades, but somehow... Ayen seemed to be seeing it in a different light.

"What do you think?"

Ayen heard Devion’s loud voice behind him, which made him turn to him. Devion was already propping his chin in his hand as he watched Ayen, a smile on his lips.

"Just fine," Ayen shrugged, answering simply.

Khal chuckled and sat across from them. There was a huge space inside, but the three decided to scoot closer to each other.

"We’re on autopilot. Unless we encounter something in the air, we’ll reach the city in about eight hours."

Eight hours? That was plenty of time still, but still faster than traveling on the ground.

"Now," Khal looked at the two and unfolded a table before them as he placed several documents. "We can do some discussions first."

Ayen and Devion stared at him. If it was before, Khal was not so proactive to include them in his plans. Sometimes he did do open discussions, but more often, he only told them at the last minute.

Devion sensed it all the more, the changes in Khal’s ways.

However, none of them comment on it, and they eventually went with it. It was not only Ayen who was changing... He also brought that change to the two.

The eight hours passed before they knew it. The aircraft stopped in midair, not far from the city. However, they could already see the city from above.

"This is... worse than we thought," Devion muttered under his breath. He gulped slightly, suppressing his anxiety.

Ayen also did the same. He could not look away. His gaze then went to the cloud above, which was not as obvious as in his dream... Ayen could feel something in the sky.

It gave him both an urge and deep disgust. These emotions he had yet to be accustomed to, and so it showed in his face.

This was the reason Khal had stopped at this point. Knowing his lovers’ acting this way in the presence of a curse. With this, they could calm themselves first.

"How is it?" Khal cautiously asked the two, who were looking outside with almost the same expression.

After a moment, Devion blinked his eyes and turned to Khal. He shook his head slightly.

"I need a moment." He slumped in the seat, leaning on it as he closed his eyes. The mana around him seeped slightly, suppressing something.

Khal’s expression hardened as he saw this. He sighed and went to Ayen. The guide’s complexion seemed paler than usual. He did not carelessly touch him and only stood by his side.

While the chaos could already be felt from this distance, Khal was not in a hurry. He acknowledged his responsibility to the world, but he would not compromise those he cherished for that.

The silence continued for about two minutes. Ayen was the one who spoke first.

"The scenario in my dream was different." Ayen blinked, and he finally managed to avert his gaze from the distance and turned to Khal. "But I felt something so familiar. The same disgust and urge are there. Khal, I think I know why my subconscious warned me about it."

Khal listened to him, expression serious.

"If we don’t act, it’ll devour so many consciousnesses. And... soon, it’ll come for me."

Just as Ayen could sense its threat, this curse, as it grew, would be able to sense Ayen’s threat to it. Just like how that monster managed to sense Ayen’s uniqueness. They had to act fast before that time arrived.

Khal’s gaze turned sharp, understanding it immediately.

"We’ll eradicate it."

And the one who unleashed the damn curse. Khal had already marked them; killing intent coldly surged in his eyes.