Chapter 52: Coming

Ayen was too unfamiliar with this feeling. He felt that everything was becoming out of control. Even his emotions, which he painstakingly cultivated not be swayed by anything, were now betraying him.

The two espers at the end of the line did not speak. They were waiting for Ayen to say something more. Ayen chewed on his lips and huddled in the corner, burying his face in his knees.

“I… Suddenly want to talk.” Ayen finally spoke again, voice low as usual. And yet there was a kind of shyness added to it, something that made the two espers suck in a breath.

[What do you want to talk about?] Khal’s voice was then heard. It was like he was whispering beside Ayen’s ears that made them itchy. It could also not be helped that Khal’s voice was so soothing for him.

Ayen reached out and touched his earlobe; it was as though the heat had also spread in them.

“I saw the photos.” Ayen started. “When will you come?” He subconsciously bit his lips again and shut his eyes firmly.

This was the him he was familiar with. He was aware of that, but he wanted to know.

[Are you asking Khal or me?] Devion suddenly interrupted and asked. There was a low laughter that sounded from Khal.

Strangely enough, Devion’s voice calmed Ayen instead. His eyes opened. The bangs concealed most of it, but the light could be discerned well enough.

“Both,” Ayen answered honestly as he repeated, “Both of you.”

There were a few seconds of silence before Devion’s familiar chuckle rang. He seemed extremely pleased by that answer. Ayen thought he was about to respond with a joke or something to tease him, but Devion said something else.

[We found it. The ring.] He said, excitement tinged his voice. [We’re on our way.]

Ayen blinked, posture straightening in an instant.

“Really?” He had not expected that.

[We snuck out and escaped the pursuers. Seriously, those shits needed a wake-up call next time.] Devion began grumbling, and Khal began to calm him down. [It’s sooner than you think.]

Huh? Ayen was confused.

[Huh? What are you talking about?] Devion voiced out his question. Khal did not answer and returned the conversation to Ayen.

[I heard a beast tide happened. Are you alright?]

“It happened a month ago. Also… that Renji, you sent him?”

Of course, he was only saying anything that he thought of, as he was already aware of that.

He was not actually someone that would make an effort to keep the conversation going, but he found himself doing that same thing.

[I’m sorry for not asking your permission.]

“No. I’m not offended. I’m just… surprised

[Did that man meet you already?] Devion cut in. [I don’t like him, but he’s skilled. He can protect you while we’re not beside you.]

“Why don’t you like him?” Ayen asked out of curiosity. It was not that he would meet Renji unless it was necessary.

[He did not like a lot of people. I bet there isn’t any particular reason for it.] Khal’s voice.

[Hey. There’s a reason.]

[Like?] Khal taunted.

Ayen felt like returning to the time that the two bickered with each other; the only difference was that he could only hear their voices and not watch them.

[I won’t tell you.]

Khal laughed at that, and a slap sounded; Khal’s laughter became louder as a result. Ayen guessed Devion had smacked him on the back or shoulder again.

Ayen felt so satisfied just listening to them, but he would have preferred it more if the two were in front of him.

“Should I hang up?” Suddenly, Ayen asked, albeit unwillingly inside.

[Huh? Why? Did we annoy you?]

“It’s a call… it required more mana.” Ayen truthfully wanted to talk with them for longer, but he was thinking of the price.

And considering they were using the channel in the forbidden zone, which meant the call was being transmitted through there, making the expenditure greater than usual.

[No big deal. We have a lot of mana cores as reserves in the forbidden zone.] Devion seemed to sigh after hearing such an answer.

As long as Ayen was not annoyed, the problem was not too big.

Ayen was aware that the two were rich; they also slaughtered monsters every day, and without any shortage of mana cores. If anything, they provided the market with their harvest.

Still, that was their wealth, and Ayen did not feel like squandering it for his own satisfaction. Before he could argue, Khal’s voice cut in.

[The contract is ready. We brought it with us.]

This easily redirected his attention. While they did draft most conditions in the contract, it was not the official one. It seemed the two had met with their legal representatives while in the capital.

“I’ll sign it,” Ayen could only say.

He did not have many considerations, and if he were to ask, Ayen was not too afraid that the two would add a malicious clause to bind him with them forever.

Ayen knew how extreme his thoughts were as he started guiding the two espers. Whether it was the real self’s thoughts or the compatibility pull, it did not matter.

He had nothing to lose. He had no freedom to speak of, and his life had always been hanging by a thread. Ayen welcomed the arrival of the SS-class espers, someone who could easily trample the world if they wished.

[Without reading it?] Devion joked.

Ayen nodded. They could not see it, and as Ayen did not answer out loud, the two could only guess.

“Where are you now?” Since he had already started it, Ayen would not stop.

Ayen was also realizing something about himself. He was too closed off over the years, and perhaps he had long been accustomed to it, but that did not mean that was his real self.

Still, he was confused. What was he like before? He had forgotten about it.

[You’ve missed so much?] Devion teased, but his voice sounded so pleased. [We’re making a detour, so it might take a little longer.]

[Pests.] Khal’s voice, though calm, sounded a little eerie when he spoke.

Ayen furrowed his brows. He was about to ask when Devion also cursed. [How can they follow us?] He muttered and then spoke to Ayen. [I’m sorry, there has been a situation here. Can you call us again later? Ah, no, you don’t need to hang up.]

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