There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL)-Chapter 486 - 479. The Flower Outside

Trinity had always been gaining attention ever since its establishment. Aside from being helmed by one of the biggest groups in Eastern Federation and home for the new generation’s strongest esper in the continent, the guild was also filled with personnel that were loved by the public; celebrities.

Half of Trinity’s espers had side work in the entertainment industry; from modeling to acting, or a TV personality and showing up in infotainment talk show. Even if it wasn’t about the dungeon business, there was always news articles regarding Trinity and their guild members.

So, when half of those celebrity espers were sent to the worst place on Earth, the media was in a buzz. Not a single day goes by without at least one article about even the most mundane thing--like how the fans of this espers cried in front of the guild compound, or the revenue of a brand went down after that esper ended their contract to go to the Deathzone.

But of course, it wasn’t just the entertainment corner that had fun with Trinity’s material. Mainstream news channels were also busy writing about any crumb they could get from the actual expedition. Trinity wasn’t exactly willing to share too much in the early stages--which was understandable considering there had been sabotage attempts in the past--and the reporters couldn’t just go to the location, unlike their usual scoop.

Well...they could go, but who’s to say they could come back in one piece?

Obviously, Trinity wouldn’t have time or people to provide protection. After all, this was the reason why they made the strike guide division--because they needed trained personnel that didn’t need much protection. And so, when Trinity finally made a press release to inform the public about the progress of the operation, all the media talked about was that.

[The first Base had successfully established in the Deathzone]

After months of nothing, they were finally treated with pictures upon pictures of what Trinity’s operation base looked like. The guild even prepared a video to show that it was real, which had become the most-viewed video these days.

Smartly, the video started from the darkness of the Deathzone itself, telling the public that yes--the place was real. The camera then panned into what looked like a prism of light, and the fortress beneath it. Four watchtowers with gun turrets; stone and steel fence for double security; and then...an area that looked like an old city. frёewebnoѵēl.com

Old buildings and tents stood side by side, with plaques and banners showing their functions; aid stations, logistic warehouses, equipment and weapons barracks, residential areas, guiding clinic, and even a mess hall. What caught their attention the most, however, was of course the big stadium that had become the command center, rally point, and emergency barrack.

Most people had no idea what the Deathzone looked like, but certainly, they didn’t think Trinity would be able to build a small town just months into the operation.

[Eastern Federation’s first cornerstone in the Deathzone; A look inside the first Trinity Deathzone Base]

All news media tried to milk this recording as much as possible, making all kinds of analysis. The press release did include limited information on how they achieved that, along with the devices they used to make everything go smoother, including the purification device and the communication beacon. It fueled many discussions and analyses, including talking about whether or not other guilds would be able to do it had they been the ones to get chosen.

[Trinity’s reclamation project looking strong; Radia Mallarc’s genius or Bassena Vaski’s prowess?]

[A Deepdive into the Reclamation Project]

[What they didn’t tell you about Mortix and the Reclamation Project]

[Reclamation Project is important, but is it so important that we’re allowed to hide beneficial technological advances?]

Radia spelled the title out loud, even reading some snippets, all with a smile on his face. "Aren’t they cute?"

He glanced at the man behind the glass barrier, whose bright orange overall couldn’t make him any less handsome. "Not exactly a new thing, isn’t it?" Joon replied with a smile, tapping the armrest with his shackled wrist.

"I know, it’s just funny," Radia chuckled, turning off the screen so he could look at his inmate boyfriend clearly.

Normally, people who were detained in military prisons were not allowed to receive visitation. But who was Radia Mallarc if he couldn’t tweak the rule a little bit? He would have liked it if they went as far as to give them a private room, but...too bad, there was no private room in a prison that did not allow for even conjugal visits. They had to be satisfied seeing each other’s faces with a glass barrier between them twice a year.

Han Joon looked at the curled crimson eyes--the prettiest things he had seen in the last few months. "Because it’s a bullseye?"

Radia smiled deeply. "You know me so well, darling."

"Let’s see..." Han Joon tapped on his armchair again, recalling the snipper of articles Radia just read to him. "Insider information, keeping items that would benefit the masses to yourself...hmm--sounds like every other businessman and politician."

"The beauty of the world," Radia spread his arms with a little smirk. "It doesn’t matter, though. It’s just...how should I say it? A buzz? Buzzers? Just a bunch of yappers hired by the other competitors."

Han Joon tilted his head, black eyes narrowed in contemplation. "You’re allied with Celestia now, so...the companies, huh?"

"Of course," the deep smile on Radia’s face was filled with pride and amusement rather than annoyance. "It’s Mortix who’ll get the biggest advantage from the project after all."

"Do you think they’ll send people?"

"Let them try," Radia’s voice dropped, eyes gleaming in the dim room. "People started to think the Deathzone is not all that because we do it so smoothly; no death, no massive injury--well, they are welcome to try."

Perhaps, one day, when people undermined the project even more, he’d release some of the battle recordings and give them a bit of a nightmare. He wondered how much the government would censor the video then, especially the one where the Borderland’s scout had melted hands and Zhan lost one of his arms.

"That’ll be a nice spectacle, won’t it?" Han Joon remarked calmly. But Radia knew the man enough to catch the cold, gleaming light inside those black eyes.

"I know you get me, darling."

Han Joon smiled and closed his eyes, taking a slow, deep breath to quell his rage. Once he came out...yes, once he came out...

"Everyone’s alright over there?" the ex-soldier asked after opening his eyes, looking at the observing crimson eyes to calm himself further.

"As far as they told me," Radia pulled out some pictures and selfies that Han Shin had taken in his boredom and sent to Radia through the formal operation channel. "I was worried about the guides the most, but they seemed to adapt well."

"They’re Zein disciple," Han Joon said as if it was a natural thing to expect as he looked at the pictures shot through his little brother’s eyes.

"Shin is whining about not seeing Reina for too long. He’s been messing with Bas and Zein a lot," Radia added with a chuckle. That was actually why Han Shin sent the pictures and selfies--it was for his fiancee, not for Radia.

Han Joon laughed softly when his brother’s many silly pictures and selfies filled the screen. "If he can still whine and be loud, then he’s fine."

"Right."

"If he started to get all quiet, tell me."

"I know that much, so you don’t need to worry," Radia waved his hand in the air. "I’ll take care of him as much as a brother-in-law could."

Han Joon leaned back in his seat and smiled; that quiet, mysterious smile that reminded Radia of their academy days. "What?"

"You’re so adorable when you talk like that."

Radia gripped his own armrest, looking at the man who kept being robbed of his side for years. He didn’t quite understand how the man looked even better now--perhaps because he was locked on the other side and Radia couldn’t fucking touch him even though they were only a meter away from each other.

Staring at the buffed chest and hard stomach, Radia asked vaguely. "When was the last time someone sucked you off?"

Han Joon arched his brow. "What a nice way to say you’re horny."

"Darling," Radia smiled coldly.

"About four years three months and eleven days ago?"

The answer brought a smile to the crimson eyes, and a memory of angry reunion. Radia raised his hands and caressed the faint line on his neck. "If you break that, I’ll erase this scar."

Han Joon tilted his head and raised a corner of his lips. "How scary."

Radia didn’t say anything for a few seconds before cursing. "Ah, fuck--this makes me even hornier."

"Patience, my darling."

"Haa..." running his hand across his red strands, Radia stared hard at the ex-soldier. "What about you? Are you alright inside?"

"Don’t you have some intel already?"

"I can’t infiltrate the military too much," Radia furrowed his brow in frustration. Not having enough information really icked him. He looked at Han Join sharply. "You’re not making trouble, aren’t you?"

The man smirked--not at all reassuring. "Why? You don’t want me to?"

"Of course, I don’t!" Radia slammed his hand on the armrest. "I’m not having you serve even more time! Forget that ring if you’re not going out on time."

"So fierce," Han Joon chuckled at the threat he knew Radia wouldn’t really pull. Nah--they had gone too far and too deep in each other already. If he really ended up serving more time, Radia would move all of his power, using all of his threats and blackmailing every person he could to get his boyfriend out. But seeing that scowl was nice; it was cute. "I can already imagine how our marriage life would be."

Radia’s eyes twitched and he asked mockingly. "Oh? And how would it be, Sir?"

Han Joon smiled with a sparkle in his eyes. "Wonderful."

For the first time since his adolescent days, Radia’s cheeks got as red as his hair.