Khal and Devion knew that what Ayen just said was the truth. If Arstem could be off guard and be injured by a B-class esper, that same situation could also happen to them.

Knowing was one thing, but that did not mean they could agree to him.

"It will be painful." Khal’s voice was calm, but there was emphasis in his words. "Do you think we’ll let you suffer?"

What Ayen would be subjected to was not just simple tests. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Ayen would undergo several tests, not just physical but also through his wavelength. They would observe him and get every sample they might need from him.

It would not be a one-time thing.

Ayen would be like... a test subject.

Then, what was different from what those madmen wanted Ayen from?

"Ayen," Devion also called his name, pleading laced in his tone. His gaze flickered as though wanting Ayen to drop this topic.

Ayen leaned his back; he looked up at the ceiling for a moment.

He was thinking about how to convince them. It was not that he could not understand their concern; he was also grateful for it, but Ayen wanted to do this.

"Before, I always thought I was useless." Ayen did not return their gaze on them, but he could feel theirs focusing on him. "I was measured as an E-class guide, and with pitiful energy, almost no different from ordinary people."

He was not saying this to make the two espers back down.

"You already know what happened after that." Ayen blinked as he stared at the ceiling. "Then, I found out I’m not that useless."

Ayen swallowed and returned his gaze to the two. A small smile now cracked on his lips.

"My uniqueness... Let me make it useful."

The two espers did not immediately answer, their expressions filled with conflicted thoughts. Ayen remained silent and let them contemplate what he said.

A few minutes had passed, and it was Devion who spoke first.

"Do you really want to do this?" His pupils seemed to be trembling as he asked.

Ayen nodded.

He closed his eyes firmly and opened them again.

"Okay." Devion took a deep breath and lowered his gaze.

Khal met Ayen’s gaze. He could see the reluctance in the esper’s eyes.

"Before we agree... I want to tell you the reason we don’t want you to experience the same pain." Khal glanced at Devion, who was only holding Ayen’s hand. "Ayen, Devion and I... also experienced this. Twice."

They were very familiar with what it would be like. Even if they were SS-class espers, the tormenting pain of your core being invaded or extracted was like hell itself.

The first time was when they were being observed because of their unusual mana. The two of them spent a year of that same torment. However, it was not comparable to their second time.

Khal was not a part of it, but the pain that gripped his heart was the same. He did not want to witness it the second time with Ayen.

Devion also requested it at that time. To observe and examine the curse inside him. Each session, Devion would be subjected to excruciating pain, and Khal would watch him helplessly.

He decisively ended it and resorted to the samples they acquired and searched for unique potions in the dungeons.

Recalling that was painful.

Ayen fell silent as he heard Khal tell him their past. The two now stared at him, waiting. He could see the hope in their eyes... that Ayen would not let himself be subjected to that kind of pain.

They were destined to be disappointed.

"It’s fine." The two esper’s expression sank. "Really, it’s fine." Ayen could only repeat those words. He also did not know if he would be fine... But there was this nagging feeling inside him.

As he said, he did not want to regret anything. The moment he saw Lucian, he cried for Arstem... Ayen had this sudden urge to do something. It was as though a crisis had already sprouted inside him.

What if... Devion and Khal were in that same position? Would he only cry in the same corner, waiting for him to get better? No.

Ayen was not that useless and powerless Guide anymore.

He would not let things spiral until it was too late. This was his newfound family. No one could take it away from him.

His eyes gleamed in determination.

Once the two espers noticed it, they knew it was over. There was no convincing Ayen anymore. They sighed defeatedly and had no choice but to agree.

Devion hugged Ayen and closed his eyes.

"So stubborn," he whispered, his hands around the guide tightened.

Ayen bit his lips and buried his face in Devion’s shoulder.

All of them were stubborn.

Khal watched them and let out a deep breath; concern lingered deep beneath his eyes.

Even if the two espers noticeably had complicated feelings about it, Ayen’s decisions mattered more, and so this had been decided. It just so happened as well that they were traveling towards the headquarters.

So, it seemed their return to the red zone would truly be delayed.

Before they set them off again, since they only detoured in this place to send the two guides and also to check Arstem’s condition, Khal decided to stabilize Arstem.

As he expected, even the drop from the jar would not cure the curse poison in Arstem. After all, Devion could only be stabilized and not really cured.

For now, this was already the limit of what they could do. Arstem could also wake up in a few days when his body healed a little.

Ayen bid goodbye to Lucian and Nolan, who would stay in the city for a few more days, or until Arstem finally woke up.

They were already on the road when the city got the news about the yellow zone city’s catastrophic civilian casualties, so they had not heard of it yet.

The city was in an uproar when the news arrived. For a moment, a chill lingered through everyone’s spine. The civilians wept at their despairing situation.

This war... When would it stop?