The X Guide-Chapter 97: Mana Disturbances (1)

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. They finally exit the area of extreme cold. While the temperature remains low. Ayen did not need to cover himself with a thick coat.

However, he was still draped with a fur cloak. Using their route, they did not encounter any espers or villages. It was more because the area was dangerous.

Along the way, Devion and Khal had eliminated monster nests. For a period of time, that area would enter an unprecedented peace in a long while.

And finally, they could use a car to travel. The road was not that smooth, but it was better than nothing. The only thing they needed was to find an actual usable car.

"It’s abandoned," Ayen could not help but comment.

They arrived at an abandoned town. The traces of monster invasion could be seen everywhere. The stench of blood remained, though it was obvious it had been a while since the town had been abandoned.

He wondered if they would be able to get a car or anything at all inside.

"Are you scared?" Devion glanced at him; his eyes had a playful glint.

Ayen almost rolled his eyes at him.

Khal snickered. "Don’t tease him," he then went ahead.

Ayen wanted to say that was not enough to tease him, but he did not want to sound guilty or whatever.

"I’m not scared," Ayen pursed his lips at Devion and followed Khal without paying attention to Devion.

Devion’s amused laughter resonated in the place, making the abandoned appeared more eerie. He also followed, walking behind them.

Khal was ahead of Ayen while Devion was behind them. They remained at this pace, walking around the town. It was truly straight from a horror movie.

"A dungeon break or a beast tide?" Ayen commented as they walked. His eyes swept over his surroundings.

While both had somehow the same outcome, it came from a different reason.

"I can’t say from the traces alone," Devion answered from behind them.

Khal paused, causing the two to also stop. He observed an outdoor post lamp first, then turned to Devion and Ayen.

"It seems we’ve stumbled upon something interesting." Khal pointed at the post. "The mana around here is still active."

Ayen and Devion looked at the lamp and quickly realized that, as Khal said, the lamp had a light on. Though a bit faint, it proved that the power lines connected to it were still intact.

"What about it?" Devion inquired. "It’s a small lamp. It only needed a small amount of energy to operate." He walked closer to the lamppost and touched it.

Ayen also agreed with him. Lampposts were generally only opened at night and did not require a large formation to be installed, unlike some large appliances or devices.

Just as he was thinking about it, Devion showed surprise and quickly withdrew his hand. His face looked incredulous, and he turned around to face Ayen and Khal.

Ayen was clueless, while Khal seemed to have anticipated it and only had a small smirk on his lips. Seeing him not show any concern, Ayen knew that it was not dangerous.

Devion pursed his lips; he focused on the lamppost again and touched it again. Once more, he was stunned and quickly pulled his hand away.

"What the fuck is this shit?" Devion could not help but exclaim.

Khal finally could not suppress his laughter. Devion heard it and looked at him, glared, and pointed with suspicion.

"You knew. But you didn’t warn me?" Devion stepped closer, wearing an expression as though he wanted to devour Khal.

Khal stepped back and bit his lip to prevent his laughter from leaking out again, but judging from his expression, he was still thoroughly amused.

"You didn’t ask." Khal tried to protest, but Devion was adamant about making him pay.

Soon enough, Devion jumped behind Khal and hooked his arm around his neck to pull him into a headlock. Khal did not resist but only acted as though pushing Devion away, but he lacked the strength.

Ayen watched them with a calm expression. He knew they were only playing around, and he liked seeing them like this. It only took a few minutes, and the two finally stopped.

However, Devion still rested his arms around Khal.

"What was that about?" Ayen finally asked.

Khal grinned, and Devion tightened his arm around his neck, making him cough. It was actually to suppress his laughter again.

"I’ll answer, so shut up." Devion gave him a threatening glare; his eyes quickly softened when they met Ayen’s. "There’s a mana disturbance around this place."

He explained to Ayen. "I didn’t sense it at first. Only after touching that lamp did I become aware. Thanks to this hateful bastard for not warning me, I feel like my hand is numb."

Ayen glanced at Khal, who touched his nose, a playful smile hooked into his lips.

"As I’ve said, you didn’t ask."

"Fucker. At least, warn me."

Seeing that the two were about to start again, Ayen chose to intervene. As much as he loved watching them bicker, there was an issue at hand. Ayen was also quite curious about this.

This was his first time encountering a possible mana disturbance. From Devion’s words, Ayen had deduced that he had suffered something similar to an electric or mana jolt. Which was why he was startled earlier.

"Khal, is that the interesting encounter?" Ayen glanced at Khal and asked.

Khal quickly nodded. The two stood much calmer now, and he began to explain.

"I sensed the mana disturbance, albeit faint at this area. I chose this location for a reason." There was a faint smile on his lips.

Ayen noticed Devion tightening his arm around his neck without much change in his expression. Ayen chose to ignore and not comment on it.

He realized that Khal’s attention was piqued by something else and did not really think a usable car could be found in this abandoned town.

"What should we do?" Ayen stared at the lamp.

"You can’t touch it," Khal directly advised. Unlike Devion, who could only feel a sudden jolt, Ayen might be injured.

Devion also warned Ayen.

"I’m not a fool," Ayen retorted.

He was not going to touch it. The two became assured and watched him.

"Do you want to explore?" Devion suddenly asked. Since they were already there, why not explore the reason for the mana disturbance?

Ayen quickly turned around at the two. Khal and Devion easily saw the light spark in those once indifferent eyes.

It was truly endearing.