Chapter 53: Arrival (1)

“What’s happening?” Ayen blurted out, frowning.

He disliked being interrupted, especially when this was the first time he found the courage to call them on his own initiative. Ayen did not know if he would be able to do the same next time.

[Some rats casually appeared.]

Rats? Ayen could not ask further; he barely heard any commotion and only silence. After a few minutes, Ayen heard breathing in his ear.

[Are you still there, Ayen?] It was Devion’s voice.

“Yes. What about Khal?”

[He’s cleaning up some pests.] Devion groaned; he seemed to have moved locations. Are you done?] He asked. Then someone answered, but Ayen could not hear it.

[Ayen’s still… What the? Did you kill them?] He asked, and again, Ayen could not hear an answer. Devion groaned once more, but he did not scold Khal; Ayen knew he was talking only with him.

[Just let them be. We can’t find another route. Let’s go.]

There was some rustling, and Ayen waited for them to speak again.

[Ayen?]

Another voice was heard; it was Khal.

“Mhm?” Ayen hummed.

[Are you tired? You can rest now.]

Ayen wanted to ask more, to know the identities of those ’rats.’ However, he became more perceptive with the tone that Khal used. Despite him not saying it directly, Khal had wanted Ayen to rest and to hang up.

Ayen’s hands subconsciously turned into a fist. He suppressed his desire to ask for more and, in the end, finally said goodbye.

“Hmm. I need to rest.” Ayen’s lack of enthusiasm laced his words. It was as though they returned to the first time they met, when he was truly indifferent and cold.

His face was not that; he was frowning. But he wanted to hide it, that he was displeased. That he wanted to talk more, that he wanted to see them.

Ayen wanted to hide it so he could protect himself.

[I’m sorry. I want to talk more, but let’s do that face-to-face, alright?]

Ayen bit his lips again, and the cold that was beginning to consume him stopped.

[We’ll be on our way, so rest and sleep tight.]

Did he sense Ayen’s displeasure and intentions? Khal was someone who could truly guess that. Ayen had always known that sometimes, Khal could easily see through everything, no matter how hard he tried.

[You’re flirting again!] There was a shout.

[Then, come here.] Khal softly urged. It made his voice deeper and so soothing to the ears. It was as though he was talking to the two of them and not just to Devion.

[Don’t fall for his tricks. Definitely.] Devion warned, earning another laugh. But then he suddenly became curious.

[You promised to call us once something happened. I don’t blame you, but next time, please don’t ever hesitate. Because we won’t either.]

Ayen had rarely heard such serious words from him. Although his mind wanted to tell him that he had been saying this because he was important as the guide, Ayen had directly ignored these thoughts.

“I will. Really.”

[Eh? So obedient? Khal, what did you say to him?]

Khal laughed. [Stop it. Ayen needs to rest.]

[Alright. Goodnight, Ayen. And wear the thick coat I prepared, okay! I meticulously made them for you.]

Ayen was stunned. Did Devion personally make them?

“You did?”

Devion laughed, pleased by the reaction, and boasted.

[Of course. Tch. Pity that time is too tight to create better ones.]

Devion wanted to boast more, but suddenly fell silent, and the phone was passed to Khal. [Good night, Ayen.]

Devion had shouted the same thing. A few seconds had passed before Ayen finally hung up. He had nothing to say to continue their conversation.

Ayen sighed and got up. Looking at his phone, he clutched it in his hand and put it inside his pocket. With that, he returned to his room.

The thirst and urge were at least satisfied by the call. Or for now.

The next day, Ayen and Lucian visited Nolan in the Institute after their shift. Although Lucian needed to leave immediately because of an esper alert.

Nolan’s condition had not gotten better. The medicine they could administer to him could only help the surface.

“Can you help me be discharged?” Nolan suddenly spoke.

“Why?”

“He’s… The Esper that will come is a bit famous.” Nolan smiled stiffly. “I want to guide him in our room if that’s okay with you and also with Lucian.”

Famous? Ayen had suspected as much after he asked the esper to come in secret. He understood Nolan’s reservations, and that was something he had himself.

Ayen stared at him for a bit, then he nodded. “Okay, I’ll help you.”

Truthfully, Ayen’s identity was at the bottom of the association. How could he help Nolan be discharged early? Of course, the one to do it was not him.

“You said, Nolan wanted to be discharged early?” Lucian asked when Ayen had visited him in one of the guiding rooms. He was sipping a box juice and leisurely scrolling through his phone.

“Yes,” Ayen told him what Nolan had said without leaving any details.

Sure enough, Lucian’s eyes shone. Ayen had somehow understood Lucian’s personality by now. He was someone with a temper, but when it came to gossip, his attitude would turn 180 degrees.

Lucian’s position in the association was not too high. But compared to Ayen, his words had more weight. And not to mention, he sure had his own connections.

After some exchanges, Lucian had successfully discharged Nolan.

“You really did it,” Nolan spoke in some surprise.

Lucian touched his nose smugly. “Heh, I know this stuff.”

For once, Nolan fed his ego by praising him. Ayen did not enter the conversation at all. Upon returning to their room, Nolan needed to lie down in bed again.

He was still too weak and so was left behind in the room as the two left for their duties.

Ayen had not called Devion and Khal again. He could only wait for their arrival, and so the day ended, and the next arrived.

Nolan suddenly woke up at 5 am, and so did Ayen and Lucian. Nolan’s phone was ringing.

Though weak, Nolan had forced himself to answer it. He merely listened to it and then spoke. “Guide Association. Fifth floor… You know the room.”

Ayen noticed how Nolan forced his voice to sound indifferent or more businesslike, but his hands were trembling, and his expression said otherwise.

After saying that, Nolan hung up. His hand weakly fell to his side with the phone. He gasped for breath and closed his eyes firmly.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. “Sorry, you had to see that.”

“Uh, that’s fine.” Lucian was at a loss for words.

Ayen, on the other hand, asked another question.

“Should we leave now?” He was directly implying it, so he would not meet the esper. If Nolan wanted to keep it a secret even from them, he could understand.

“Please open the door when he arrives.” Nolan merely answered it like that. Ayen understood that there was no need to.

A few minutes had passed, then a knock was heard. It was careful, and it only lasted about three knocks, and none followed.

“Is that him?” Lucian whispered.

Ayen did not answer and stood up. He put on a coat and then opened the door. The esper outside the door anxiously looked over.

His handsome face was pale; he was not even wearing a thick coat.

“Is this… Nolan’s room?” He asked, in a low tone.

Ayen narrowed his eyes and immediately recognized him. Without looking at him, Lucian for sure had his eyes popping out right now.

The esper that arrived was none other than Clynne, the Institute’s ace S-class esper.

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