The X Guide-Chapter 133: Next Stage (4)

"Where are we going next?" Devion asked their designated driver. Ayen leaned his head on Devion’s shoulder, a little sleepy. He was still listless most of the time, and the two never bothered him once he was in this state.

Khal looked at them through the rearview mirror.

"I don’t know."

Devion chuckled at the answer. They did not really have a destination in mind, but red zone 67. In fact, they were almost out of the way using a different route.

They would arrive there somehow, but there was no urgency either.

It had been a while since he and Khal left the forbidden zone, and Ayen was also the same. Exploring and enjoying their time together and nurturing deeper feelings, they needed this before the chaos truly affected them.

They did not have plans, and so more of their stops were rather eventful.

"You can sleep," Devion whispered to Ayen.

Ayen did not say anything and closed his eyes to sleep. With a vehicle, the trip had gone more smoothly. Khal could avoid most of the areas where huge people or monster activity took place.

Riding in a car was good until they had to abandon it again. They were not using armored trucks or vehicles specifically suited to the current terrain, and walking had become the only option.

Fortunately, Ayen already slept, and he was no longer that drowsy. His eyes occasionally observed the surroundings, but there was nothing special.

Ruins upon ruins were everywhere, the remnants of the past. Since they met in the small village, Ayen noticed they did not encounter anyone after that.

It might be a coincidence, but it was impossible as zones were definitely located in this area.

The two seemed to specifically avoid any crowded area. They were espers, so they could sense it.

However, the next zone was somewhat unavoidable. Especially if they planned to go via sea route, something Ayen had already expected. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

One of the few established ports of the current world.

For the first time in Ayen’s life, he saw the sea.

Devion also exclaimed and pointed at the sea.

"Look how beautiful it is! Wow." Devion was fascinated. If he remembered correctly, Devion had suggested before that he wanted them to take a trip to the sea.

It had not been long, and they had already fulfilled that.

There was a kind of innocence in his gaze, and his excitement resonated within Ayen. After finding out the circumstances behind Devion, he fully understands now why Khal was so overprotective of him.

He also wanted to protect that smile. Although Ayen did not think he deserved it.

Ayen agreed, taking the initiative to hug Devion’s arm. He had done it many times, and so Devion was not too surprised now compared to the few times.

"I’m hungry." Ayen stared at Devion. "I want to eat seafood."

Devion laughed heartily and nodded his head.

"Let’s go! Khal! Buy fresh ones." Khal could only nod his head, but the ghost of a smile on his lips was too obvious.

The three of them entered the port city. It was considered a green zone by the government standard, but not officially one.

Ayen was a bit surprised that the port, especially as it was near a perilous sea where sea monsters thrive, became so busy and lively.

It was like they time-travelled to the time when dungeons had yet to emerge on earth. It made him wonder if they were still in some kind of anomaly.

"Are you surprised?" Khal suddenly asked.

Ayen stood between them, protecting him from the crowd entering the port. He nodded almost immediately, not leaving his eyes off the busy crowd.

"They seem to be living in a different world," Ayen could not help but comment.

Ayen had been in a green zone, considered a haven by the current world, but he had not felt this kind of... free-spirited atmosphere. It was like they were so alive.

He could not believe he would set his eyes on such a scene, something that Ayen could not easily comprehend.

"Because they are." Devion was the one who responded first.

Khal then added. "They are lucky but also unfortunate."

Ayen glanced at him, but Khal did not continue. Devion also did not add anything.

He guessed it was a sensitive issue and was not something to talk about outside. Not continuing further, they went straight to the seafood market, the largest one in the city.

As usual, the market was also lively with loud voices everywhere. Ayen was not accustomed to it, so he was a little uncomfortable.

After the surprise faded, the sense of oddity occupied him. He did not know where this was coming from. Or perhaps because it was not easy for him to connect to such a scene.

The two sensed Ayen’s mood and did not start any small talk. They only focused on buying the ingredients and asking Ayen what he wanted.

The seafood varied; some were normal-looking, while others were peculiar. Ayen even encountered a hideous-looking sea creature; he could not imagine eating that.

However, it seemed a very popular delicacy, as there was a queue in front of the store.

"Do you want it?" Devion curiously asked; Khal also turned to what they were looking for.

"That’s a special sea monster. It’s quite delicious." It seemed Khal had already tasted it. Devion nodded and agreed.

Ayen could not help but look at them with a strange gaze. Their tastes were peculiar as well. He was not one to judge based on appearance alone, but Ayen would have to do so in this case.

"What?" Devion was confused; Khal was the same. "You don’t want to?"

Ayen merely shook his head and averted his gaze.

"I don’t."

Devion and Khal exchanged glances, and both shrugged.

"Okay, then." That was the end of it.

Ayen thought that Devion and Khal would be recognized because they were not disguising themselves. It seemed he was thinking too much.

The crowd was too busy doing their own thing to bother with others. And how would two SS-class espers, the symbol of humanity’s hope, be in this port?

Everyone always had that mentality.

In the same way, Ayen had not imagined once that he would cross paths with Devion and Khal in his life. The whole world thought so as well.