Chapter 4: Morals

The building of the official espers and guides in this yellow zone was built on the premise that it could withstand the attack of the monster tide in this zone. However, it didn’t include the attack of higher-level monsters that were rampaging outside at the moment.

Ayen didn’t even think of going to the higher floors, as for sure there were already monsters on the rooftop, and they might be tearing this building down from the top as well.

This building could persist for another ten minutes at most, and everyone inside would become the meal of those monsters. And one that was highly nutritious for them at that, espers and guides had the scent and energies that enticed these monsters that came from the otherworld gate the most.

“W-Where are we going?” Keeran, who was following him behind, asked nervously.

“I don’t know.” Ayen nonchalantly answered as he continued on his pace. He spoke calmly, as though the urgency of their situation were nothing to him.

This answer almost made Keeran stop; she was in despair even more. She thought that Ayen had a plan to get them out of their situation.

Ayen cast a glance at her when he heard a suppressed sniffle. The woman was sobbing again, but at least it was controlled, and she seemed afraid to annoy him.

He only looked at him, and he began to look ahead once more. He wouldn’t say any comforting words to her. There were no assuring words that could calm them, but only after they were safe could they sigh in relief.

And he wasn’t the type to give comforting words, even to himself. As they went far from the gathering of guides on the second floor, it was noticeable that the sound had weakened and there was no one attacking this side.

“Gathering together will only make our scents more prominent for those monsters.” Even without Keeran asking, Ayen casually spoke, informing her if she ever asked. “They know the location based on the smells and will attack immediately in that direction; the monsters will be busy for a while. This is our chance,” he continued. He kept his pace before he stopped and opened a door using his access card; the inside became exposed to them.

He swept his eyes over the weapons inside; most of them were weapons for espers and could only be used with their unique energy. Of course, there was also equipment that guides and authorized normal civil servants could use.

As he was looking for weapons, he caught sight of Keeran, who was looking at him with a horrified expression. She appeared to want to say something.

“What?” he raised a brow and asked her before concentrating on finding the weapon he was thinking of.

There was also a perk to being the only guide available at all times. He could almost access the floors in this building, and he was the one in charge of the storage room. The majority of the powerful weapons were taken out, but he didn’t need those, as he couldn’t even operate them if they were here.

“Wh-Why didn’t you tell them?” Keeran spoke in difficulty, and yet there was an accusation in her tone: “A-Are we only using them as… a bait?” She finished, and guilt filled her voice.

Ayen stopped just as he dragged some light equipment inside a secure storage box. He glanced at Keeran; his expression was still calm, and what she said didn’t make any waves in him at all.

“As I said… If they all died, what’s that got to do with me?” He tilted his head and stared deep into Keeran’s eyes. “And, are we using them as bait? No, are we the ones who tell them to huddle in one corner?” Ayen’s deep black pupils were like the abyss that made Keeran change her impression of him.

He shrugged, not feeling any guilt in the slightest as he completely dragged the weapon; it was a blaster gun.

“It’s not my responsibility to tell them what is supposed to be the most obvious knowledge for everyone.” Holding the gun, he turned his face around to Keeran, who fell silent, her mouth a bit parted. “I’m not using them, I’m taking advantage of their stupidity.” His eyes narrowed, more sinister than he had ever been.

Keeran had no courage to say anything more. In fact, it was obvious why Ayen didn’t care for those people and why Keeran was the only one he took away. She might not like the idea, but what she wanted was to survive the most; morality always had a thin line with survival.

Ayen didn’t mean to scare her, but he didn’t want someone who was only there halfheartedly. Using someone and taking advantage of someone were the same, but the latter had the extreme meaning of the two and fully described his intentions.

He was always the one who took note of everything, and he never thought of saving the people who made his life harder every day for the sake of the word morality and humanity.

This was the world; he was weak, to begin with, and he only had himself for everything.

The people who only cried when something came up and never thought of fighting for their lives, just waiting for mercy and the protection of others, Ayen disdained them even more.

“Let’s go,” he called, and they increased their pace as well.

Ayen was in a hurry; the monsters could get in any minute. This was racing for time; he didn’t even know if he could survive.

And yet, his heart was as calm as it got. Being alone and mocked for years had made his will far stronger than most people’s.

“Just follow me, get behind me.” He glanced at Keeran, who was beginning to be shaken even more, and he added, “If you become a burden, I won’t hesitate to leave you.”

He turned around and didn’t look for her expression; it was only half the truth. It was because he might not have had any opportunity to leave her before they died together.

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