Chapter 40 - 39. Where One Takes No Bullshit
"A breeder," Eugene stroked his chin as if there were a beard hanging there. "Could that be the same creature that trapped Sir Vaski before?"
"Ah..." there was a collective exclaim as everyone turned their head to look at Bassena.
The esper, who was in the middle of moving out the rest of the corpses out of the way, paused. There was a deep smile etched on his face, and Zein, who stood the closest to him, could see the fire blazing inside those amber eyes.
"They better be," he chuckled; a bit eerie, a bit dark. "It'll be nice to focus everything on one single target."
A lot of killing intent.
Zein tilted his head, body swaying a bit from the pressure. It was the first time he was exposed to Bassena Vaski, the Serpent Lord's murderous intent. There was an effect of fear, mettle, that emanated from the imposing frame, which reminded Zein of a dungeon's commander beast.
"Ah," thankfully, the esper snapped and culled his fury before Zein totally toppled over. Swiftly, Bassena took a hold of the guide's waist, holding him tight. "I'm sorry..."
"Hmm..." Zein stared at the ground still, feeling the slight trembling in his hand. It was a sign that his body responded well to the killing intent, and recognized the fear instilled in one body toward such predator.
And yet his mind was calm, his heart was still. He didn't feel the fear in his heart. Such discrepancy was the first for him. Was it because he had become so familiar with Bassena's system? But during his time in Umbra and the Unit, he had guided the same people repeatedly that he could differentiate them just by sensing their mana cores. And yet, he wouldn't say that he became 'familiar' with them. It was like the difference between patients and close acquaintances.
Zein frowned, lips pressed tight at this sudden realization.
Or perhaps...it was because he considered the esper's attribute to be comfortable to have around? His body was grazed with the thick killing intent, but his heart and instinct told him that the fury would never hurt him.