Chapter 162: Red Zone 67 (2)

While Lucian and Arstem Viktor had a soft moment as usual, which Lucian would never admit, there was another moment happening not far from them.

Unlike them, the situation on this side was a bit tense.

“You don’t have to do this.” Nolan sighed, helpless. “You know that.”

The esper before him did not turn around and continued what he was doing as though he had not heard anything. Nolan expected this.

Clynne had always been this way. Despite countless hints from him, the other esper never took his words seriously. Or he did, but Nolan knew the esper would do what he wanted anyway.

It was quite tiring.

Nolan brushed his hair back, frustrated. He approached closely and stood before the esper.

“We’re nothing to each other. So, you don’t need to do this.” Nolan firmly drew the line. The last time was necessary because of his condition, but Nolan needed to hold on to his decision.

This was what was best for them.

Clynne noticeably paused after hearing Nolan’s words, but he quickly moved again. He treated Nolan as if he were air. Nolan bit his lips, and before Clynne passed by him, he grabbed his arm.

“Clynne.” His voice was firm. “We already talked about this.”

Clynne’s jaw clenched, and slowly he turned and met Nolan’s eyes. He took a deep breath and finally responded.

“I never agreed.” Clynne swallowed as he paused, afraid that his emotion might get the best of him and scare the other more. “You also know damn well that I won’t let you go.”

Nolan bit his lips, his hold loosening until his hand slid off, but before he could pull away completely, Clynne grabbed his hand instead.

“Let go,” Nolan tried to pull his hand away, but Clynne’s hold only tightened.

Clynne’s lips curled into a bitter smile, but his gaze showed his determination.

“I told you I won’t let you go.” Clynn stared deeply at Nolan. “You can run all you want. I’ll chase you everywhere.”

Nolan closed his eyes firmly and held his forehead. This was truly… tiring. He moistened his lips and finally met those amber pupils that once made him weak on his knees, and he gladly gave all of himself.

He never regretted it, however.

Still, that did not mean things must remain the same.

“Aren’t you tired? Clynne… we can’t be,” Nolan bit his lips and stared at him, pleading. “like you want us to.”

Clynne blinked, and a pained emotion flickered in his eyes. It would be a lie to say he was not tired. It was not about chasing Nolan but about the situation they were in. He wanted to return to how they were used to.

Nolan was extremely stubborn, and so was he. Their opinions clashed, and that was the start of this messy hide-and-seek that had been going on for a year.

“Why?” Clynne muttered in a low tone, but put greater emphasis on his tone.

“You know the reason.”

Clynne nearly cursed, but he resisted. He took a deep breath again and leaned forward to bring their bodies closer. Nolan stepped back, but Clynne only closed that distance with another step.

“Clynne,”

Clynne closed his eyes; the hand in Nolan’s wrist loosened slightly as his hands slid down and held Nolan’s hand instead.

Nolan was quite startled, wanting to pull away, but Clynne only interlocked their fingers, not letting go.

“I don’t care about that.”

“But I do. Clynne, you need—”

Nolan could not continue when his lips were claimed, stopping him. His eyes widened, and he could only push Clynne away. However, Clynne did not want to and instead deepened the kiss.

Nolan almost gave in and closed his eyes, but as he was reminded of where they were and the situation he wanted to avoid, he suddenly grew some strength and pushed Clynne away from him.

Clynne, stunned, touched the corner of his lips. It was bleeding. Nolan bit the corner of his lips, and so a bit of Clynne’s blood was at the corner of his mouth.

Nolan’s chest heaved; the corners of his eyes moistened. He could not stand that painful and startled gaze. It was as though something inside of him was being stabbed countless times.

Yet, he had to draw the line.

“I said to stop it.”

Clynne gritted his teeth and wiped off the blood in the corner of his mouth. “You’re the one who needs to stop.”

Nolan stiffened and lifted his head.

Their faces were still a bit close to each other, as Nolan had only managed to push Clynne a little earlier. He did not want to use so much force either.

“Stop pushing away. Nolan, stop saying I need someone else. I only want you.” Clynne’s tone was a combination of frustration and pleading. Nolan clenched his hand into a fist.

Countless ants crawled in his heart once more, tearing down his defenses. And yet, Nolan had managed to suppress them.

How had he managed to get someone so bright to constantly lower himself for him? They were right. He was becoming his weakness.

Nolan did not want to be the reason for Clynne’s downfall.

“I can’t be your guide.”

Nolan bit his lips, and a tear trickled down his cheek. “I don’t deserve to be by your side.”

Clynne closed his eyes, hands reaching out to engulf Nolan in an embrace. This time, Nolan did not push him away but instead burrowed himself further in Clynne’s arms.

“Why don’t you trust me?” Clynne whispered.

Nolan did not answer.

Since the time Clynne proposed a bond, Nolan knew that was their end. He could not pull such an amazing esper to the abyss just because of his stubbornness and feelings.

A B-class guide could not possibly imprint with an S-class esper. It was like giving a shackle of doom to the esper. Nolan would not be able to satisfy his esper instincts and cleanse all his mana toxins.

Imprinting him meant Clynne’s chances of losing control would increase. That was a limitation of ranks, and both should know that.

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