Chapter 70: Shadow (2)

The shadow laughed, but there was an obvious displeasure in his eyes.

Devion grinned seeing that.

Although it was an affirmation, Devion had not formally told the shadow, ’Yes, you’re right. I’m crazy.’

As long as Devion did not declare that, no claims from the shadow were acknowledged. This was a principle they had discovered after repeated failures.

What happened to those failures? That was not something Devion would remember specifically in this situation.

He then returned his attention to what he was doing. He planned to create a homemade pizza. It had been a while since he had baked something for Khal.

And Ayen had never tried it as well.

Since there was a critical season, Devion had not cooked a lot of complicated dishes. Although a pizza was not too complicated, they prefer easy dishes that can be cooked in under ten minutes.

While he continued working on the pizza, he spoke once more.

“Khal surely has reasons for not letting me come. Is he tired of me? There are a lot of situations where he should give up. I don’t know why he’s so fixated with me.”

Devion had finally begun to grumble. Although the shadow was very problematic, Devion always rambled on about it, pissing it off.

As it once said, it did not want to hear any drama.

The shadow sneered.

“A fool. Khal’s a fool.”

Devion paused and looked up; he glared at the shadow. Static began to flicker around him, and it made all the appliances become unstable.

The shadow’s figure also became glitchy; despite this, it was not too intimidated, but it did fall silent.

Devion lowered his gaze and continued with what he was doing.

“I am the only one who can call Khal a fool.” He then paused and thought about it. “Also, Ayen’s qualified to do so.”

About Ayen, Devion was actually fond of him. It was not because he was their guide, but there was something about him that went perfectly with them.

They had not known each other for long, and their feelings were not deep yet. So, the shadow had not targeted Ayen to actually shatter Devion’s mind barriers.

Devion genuinely wanted to get to know him. Although he himself did not want to let Ayen know how messed up he truly was.

“Heh. Sooner or later, he will be afraid of you.” The shadow began again.

This time, Devion was not easily swayed. He stopped talking with it and soon became immersed in what he was doing. He planned to make two pizzas with different flavors.

Since they always packed a lot of ingredients whenever they traveled far, it was enough for Devion to experiment a bit.

He did not even notice when the shadow had disappeared. The ringing in his ears had stopped, and Devion’s mind cleared; he was completely focused on cooking.

As time passed, the door of the house was opened.

Khal had returned.

Devion was still busy in the kitchen; he was now grilling a beast’s meat. Some monster meat was edible and a delicacy, fetching a good price in the market.

And what he was grilling was a rare monster meat that could only be seen in their forbidden zone. Although it was weak, it thrived the most in miasma-infested areas. Strangely enough, the meat was not poisonous but instead had a medicinal effect.

Ayen should eat more of this. Thinking so, Devion did not notice when Khal had already walked towards him.

Khal also did not disturb him; he lowered his presence and became one with his surroundings. He watched Devion, focused on cooking, and he sighed in relief.

After settling Ayen in the association building and promising to fetch him later, Khal had quickly returned.

He always got anxious whenever Devion was alone. Although the curse had not appeared as often as before, he always made sure Devion was preoccupied with something before he left.

Seeing him cooking normally, Khal thought nothing had happened. However, his eyes suddenly became drawn to Devion’s right ear.

Instantly, Khal’s expression sank, and he frowned.

Was that blood? He could not care less anymore and went directly closer to Devion.

Devion was startled at first but paused.

“You’re back?” Devion was confused. Did something happen? Khal’s expression was not right.

Then, his right ear was touched. Devion blinked, and he remembered.

Oh. Right, his ear.

“What happened?” Khal carefully inspected the wound. It was not deep; the blood had mostly dried.

Devion, having wounds, was actually normal, since they often fought with monsters. Sometimes they get injured. The main issue was that… It was most likely self-harm.

Khal’s jaw clenched, and he began to regret leaving Devion alone. Did that curse appear?

“It’s fine.” Devion saw the concern in those eyes. He patted Khal’s hand. “It’s a small wound.”

Yes, it was small. But its reason was not.

“Tell me, did that… appear?” Khal stared straight into Devion’s eyes.

Devion met his eyes. He would not lie regarding such matters, and so he nodded. Then, he averted his gaze and returned to the meat he was grilling.

“Yeah, but it disappeared now.”

“Why?” Khal paused, then took a deep breath. “No, let me just, let’s clean your wound.”

He did not need to know the reason.

“I’m cooking.” Devion pursed his lips and lowered his head.

“I know,” Khal gently whispered. “But we made an agreement. If it appears, you must call me. And you didn’t. As per the agreement, you have to listen to everything I say.”

Devion sighed.

He did not forget that.

“I’m sorry.”

In the end, Devion could not help but apologize. He was actually guilty. Khal had done a lot to minimize the curse’s influence, but he just went and talked with it.

“No need to say sorry.” Khal touched the injured ear carefully. “Let’s clean this wound first.”

Since they had an agreement, Devion followed Khal.

They fell silent as his wound was being treated.

“How about Ayen?” Devion asked. He wanted to start a conversation.

He purposely did not mention the shadow again.

“He’s back at the association,” Khal answered, and then he continued. “We’ll fetch him later.”

Devion was taken aback.

“We?”

Khal nodded.

“Yes, we, both of us.”

Devion understood. Khal did not want to leave him alone.

The guilt spread again, and Devion leaned and pressed his head in Khal’s abdomen as he wrapped his arm around Khal’s waist.

“Sorry. I broke my promise.”

Khal was not really angry; in fact, he was more afraid than angry.

“Next time… Call me, if not me… Call Ayen.” Khal touched Devion’s head and stroked his hair.

Devion nodded slowly, tightening his arms around Khal.

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