The X Guide-Chapter 47: Photo

"Someone?"

Nolan was the first who reacted; he was already lying on the bed. However, his tone lacked curiosity, and his drowsy appearance made it seem he was only forcing himself to ask.

Ayen had already gotten up to wash up. Lucian had taken the hint that the two were not interested in who the S-class esper was after in this zone.

"I only heard that. I don’t know if it’s reliable." Lucian’s enthusiasm to gossip waned, and he, too, dropped the subject. In any case, talking about an S-class esper was extremely dangerous.

Who knew if they could hear them? That was unlikely, but there were always such chances. Just like how they were immediately thrown into a dangerous situation upon their arrival.

In the end, Ayen and Lucian were the only ones who ate Nolan’s takeout since he had already fallen asleep. Soon, they also took a rest.

Days passed like that. And in the blink of an eye, a month had passed. Nothing noteworthy happened. Ayen’s life had begun to stabilize in the red zone.

He could even consider that he had an even better station than his previous ones. At least, he did not often hear Guides disdaining his rank. Although not all acknowledged him either.

Ayen actually preferred it that way. Everyone was just minding their business and striving to survive. The biggest difference was probably the company of the two Guides, and being roommates with them.

Saying they were already friends might not be accurate, but they were definitely more than acquaintances at this point.

About the red zone stronghold itself, because of the confirmed stay of the S-class esper, it had entered a relatively peaceful environment.

His presence alone gave such a massive degree of security.

As a result, during the month, the stronghold had suddenly welcomed groups of reporters hoping to get a glimpse of him. Of course, not one had succeeded yet.

For Ayen, this was not too important, and his whole attention was entirely on another matter. A month since he left the forbidden zone, Ayen had received a message from the two.

It was a message that was clearly sent about a week ago, but Ayen had only received it now. The distance, mana disturbances, and the fact that it came from the most dangerous forbidden zone meant that the time gap only made sense.

Of course, since it was also sent through the phone and not through the urgent channels. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

[critical season just ended. so, upon careful discussion, we decided to leave and find the ring. and we’ll delivered it ourselves.

wait for us, Ayen.]

From how it sounded, it was obvious that Devion sent it. Ayen read it again, and he immediately fell into deep thought while feeling surprised inside.

Huh? Were they coming?

Ayen thought that it would be inconvenient for them to deliver it because of their identities. And as he made it clear that they should not be seen associated with each other, the two surely would not neglect that request.

If so, the two sure had a plan. Devion might not, but Khal surely would.

A few minutes later, Ayen looked at his bracelet. His eyes glimmered, and the usual listlessness disappeared. Without him knowing, his appearance softened significantly as he stared at his wrists.

He was excited. Ayen admitted that he missed them.

Biting his lips, Ayen put his other hand and gripped his wrist where the bracelet was and pulled it closer to his face and closed his eyes.

His heart beat faster, and he imagined the faces of the two.

Ayen stayed like that for a moment. Soon, he shut down his phone, and as if nothing happened, he went back downstairs to continue his shift.

But it could be seen just how his footsteps had lightened, and his whole demeanor appeared more relaxed.

Two days later, Lucian had suddenly gone to their room after opening it recklessly.

Nolan, who had increasingly been short-tempered lately, snapped at him.

"Why are you barging in like that?" His eyebags seemed to become darker each day. Lucian usually met his temper, but this time he also noticed this change, and so he apologized.

"Sorry, I just..." He took a deep breath and then looked at the two, as if what he was about to say was the biggest gossip he had. And his voice became so low that he was barely audible. "...heard, THEY are spotted at the capital."

Ayen was confused, ’they’? Who were they?

However, Nolan, who was always in a bad mood lately and had exhaustion written on his face, suddenly exclaimed.

"Really? THEY have not been seen for about two years."

Nolan became so invested that he even put down his clothes, which were on the way to the laundry area. Even his demeanor had shifted, and he was not scowling anymore.

"I’m sure of it. I have their photos." Lucian lifted his phone with a smug look. "And, this had not been released."

Lucian had always been someone with established sources. Ayen had long understood this and therefore did not become suspicious of his sources.

In fact, if he were not a Guide, he might be a reporter now.

"Let me see!" Nolan reached out his hand and requested. His eyes were shining, overwhelming the dark circles below them.

Ayen merely watched. He could not understand them and did not even know who they were talking about.

Lucian smirked. He did not answer immediately and also looked at Ayen.

"How about you, Ayen?"

While not overly curious, Ayen still nodded.

"Me too." Standing up, they went to Lucian’s side as he opened his phone to show the photo.

The photo was not clear, but it was not too blurry, and the faces could be discerned. It was a photo taken outside the Central Esper Research Institute Headquarters.

Two figures wearing black combat suits could be seen entering the building. Their expressions were solemn, and the unfathomable presence they exuded devoured their surroundings.

The two of them would immediately catch anyone’s attention who looked at the photo.

"It’s really them..." Nolan sighed, though a simple exclamation, admiration, and awe filled his words.

"I’m also surprised when one of the sla—uh, espers I know there sent this to me." Lucian scratched his cheek. He was about to say something else when he happened to glance at Ayen.

The only one who had not reacted yet was looking at the photo intently.

"Ayen?" Lucian called, then joked. "Don’t tell me you don’t know them." Of course, he was not serious.

There was no way. These two were the very pillars of humanity; even little kids knew their faces. Their photos were widely spread, something that each household had. It was almost like a belief and a sense of protection.

Ayen blinked and answered without looking at Lucian.

"I know them." Ayen’s tone sounded normal, but the peculiar glint in his eyes said something else. The two did not notice it.

"Of course, I know them."