Chapter 167: Red Zone 67 (7)

Ayen, confused, looked back where Arstem Viktor stood. The one he had only seen on the videos before was standing before him. While they met last time, it was only a glimpse, and the other was sitting.

This time, he finally noticed just how massive the other esper was. While he seemed to be at the same height as Khal, he was more muscular.

Arstem glanced in the direction Lucian ran to and sighed. He nodded at Ayen and met Khal and Devion’s gaze.

“You’re back,” he spoke in a baritone voice.

Devion’s smile had faded by this time, or at least he suppressed it. He pointed at his back. “Aren’t you chasing him?”

They were acquaintances and saw each other countless times, but they were not exactly close. On the other hand, Khal was closer to Arstem and could be said to be friends.

Arstem looked back. “I should be.”

However, he could not just leave when Khal and Devion were in front of him.

Khal did not make it hard for him. He went and held Ayen’s hand. “Go chase him.”

Devion did not say anything, a silent agreement. Arstem glanced at Ayen as though seeking his opinion. Ayen only stared at him, not exactly knowing what he was supposed to say. Should he nod or say he agreed?

Arstem took his silence as an agreement and excused himself. Soon, he was already walking in the direction Lucian went. It was not far, just the next building.

They sure had a weird dynamic. Ayen already noticed it, but only confirmed it this time.

The three exchanged glances and soon did not mind it anymore. Other relationships were not something they had to worry about.

The three went inside the building. Unlike the outside, there were quite a few people lingering inside the lobby. Ayen went to the reception and stated his purpose.

The staff there was quick, as if she already knew who Ayen was. Ayen observed her and saw that she also seemed unsurprised about Devion and Khal’s presence.

Ayen narrowed his eyes slightly.

“This is your official place.” She gave a card and smiled.

Ayen took it, stared at it, and waited. He lifted his gaze again and stared at the staff. The staff locked gazes with him.

“Is there anything else?” The staff asked.

Ayen intended to ask if that was it and if she had to add anything more, but he paused and looked at the two espers with him.

“No… nothing.”

Things were definitely not simple. Ayen remained tight-lipped and was not asked anything. With the card and the simple instructions on the paper given to him, they found the place the staff designated to him… which might also include the two espers in the scenario.

They decided to remain together from their last conversation, which was different from the initial plan, where Ayen could stay in this red zone while they returned to the forbidden zone.

After all, this place was already so close to the forbidden zone. And the work here was… almost nonexistent.

Ayen stood on the top floor of the Guide Association; the door-to-ceiling windows overlooked the whole compound and even the ruins behind.

It was not a good view by any means, but it gave a sense of reality.

“What exactly is going on here?” Ayen turned to the side where Khal stood, also looking outside.

Devion had gone to the kitchen for a bit. Ayen was not even the least bit surprised when he saw how well-equipped this floor was. It was as though the whole floor was renovated according to their needs.

It had now become a place solely for them.

Khal smiled slightly. “I thought you wanted to discover it yourself.”

Ayen was not even annoyed at the teasing tone.

“I don’t think just observing is enough.” Once Ayen’s curiosity was piqued, it would be hard to turn it off again. Similarly, if he was not invested in something, it would be hard to draw his interest in.

“This is a place where we’ll live… I need to familiarize myself.”

This was big coming from Ayen. He generally did not care about the situation of the zone he was assigned to. This was because he had no reason to have grown attached to them.

His mind only saw everything as temporary. He would only be assigned to another place in another year or even just a few months.

This place was different. Ayen wanted to be familiar with it because he was trying to open himself to the idea of staying in this place in the long term.

Not just temporary or a passerby.

This place might be an extension of that place from the forbidden zone. He had that inkling that everything here had something to do with Devion and Khal.

Ayen was beginning to truly see him as part of them.

Khal went behind Ayen and embraced him. Ayen shifted his body, but not to move away; instead, to lean his weight on the esper.

Ayen loved skinship the most, and the two were as clingy as he was. This was also a progress; both of them were surprised at first. It had to be known that Khal was more skeptical of this relationship than Ayen and Devion were.

And now they easily fell into this kind of rhythm without being forced to do so.

“This city had nothing to do with us,” Khal started, and Ayen listened even if he was unconvinced. “At first.”

Khal smiled when he felt Ayen pinching his arm. He liked how Ayen was trying to integrate with them as much as they wanted to with his world.

He began to explain how the city came to be.

“The earlier residents came to this place because of us. But they have no connection with Devion or me.” Khal had to make it clear again.

Basically, they stayed in the vicinity of the forbidden zone because they felt safe here. It was ironic at first, but if one heard that the one staying inside said a dangerous place was the two SS-class espers of humanity, then it was a different story.

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