Fever?
Ayen did not trust the two, but did not mean he did not believe them. There was no reason for them to lie.
Thinking about it, what happened was indeed abnormal, which made even two SS-class espers astounded by his condition.
"Still, I'm fine." While the situation was not normal, he did not feel any discomfort either.
There was not a hint of worry in his eyes, prompting the two men to drop what they were about to say. If the person who had an abnormal fever was not worried at all, why would they?
Devion only clicked his tongue, displeased but without the right to bug Ayen, straddling the lone chair inside the room. Khal remained standing at the foot of the bed.
Seeing the fuss was over, Ayen finally could comment on the state of the room. He was not picky and could sleep on the ground just fine.
He could still not help but notice how the room appeared run down, and aside from a medium-sized bed, a chair and a table, and an old cabinet, nothing else was inside.
The walls had cracks, and the paint had long since faded. He was a little surprised, that was all.
As, in his mind, Espers, especially the higher rank ones, lived in luxury. There was a reason everyone wanted to awaken to be one, even a lower rank one, as the pay was good.
He did not expect... two SS-class espers, who were supposed to be modern-day kings, to live in this kind of place.
"What? Feeling disappointed?" Devion snickered at the side, looking like a troublemaker. "You're in the most dangerous forbidden zone on earth. This is the best place you'll ever get."
Ayen gave him a side glance. "Do I look disappointed?"
Now that he said it... Devion became speechless and could not answer. Ayen truly did not look like one. Khal was the one who chuckled this time, enjoying Devion's being put in place, earning a glare.
Ayen appeared listless like usual, but for some reason gaining energy to bicker normally with Devion. If Keera were already awake and saw him like this, she would definitely feel surprised.
Though it might not have looked like it, Ayen was talking and responding more with Devion and Khal.
Khal cleared his throat and decided to take a stage, as Devion and Ayen did not have a serious conversation anytime soon.
"As he said, we're in the most dangerous forbidden zone. I know you know this place." This was famous and had to be so.
Currently, there are only four known forbidden zones in the world. It was a no-human activity zone, where no ordinary people could live.
The other three were relatively controlled by the government, at least S-class espers could venture in the vicinity or organize a raid once in a while. With precaution, one could return alive.
However, one lone forbidden zone, which was a league of its own, was infamous for years. It was like a voracious monster that devoured anyone who went inside; no one had returned alive since it appeared.
Because of this, its area was the biggest, having expanded incessantly throughout the years as no one managed to clean even its vicinity.
Countless espers and 15 S-class Espers have been recorded to have perished in this place in history since the dungeon gates appeared. Since then, the government stopped sending espers to their deaths, and no one would be a fool to receive the mission...
For years, this was the zone that created many stories of terror and unrest. No one could stop it, no matter how unwilling they were.
Until... Devion and Khal appeared, the very first SS-class Espers. The only two who successfully managed a raid and returned alive.
And they finally found out why no one had survived inside. It was because of the extremely toxic miasma that would surround the whole place that no espers under SS-class could ever handle.
Ayen thought of this, nodding his head. His impression of these two was always vague, but he never doubted how strong they were.
"Are you curious why you can survive inside?"
He wanted to say, not really... but Ayen still nodded.
"Say it directly, what are you getting mysterious for?" Devion chimed at the side.
Ayen noticed how Khal's lips twitched, but he pretended not to and remained silent.
Khal sighed. Thanks to Devion spoiling the mood, he spoke dryly.
"We created a device that makes this place invulnerable to the miasma and scares off beasts. We're staying here, even if not like a home, at least comfortable enough to rest." He spoke without pause, then added after a breath. "You're safe while you're inside."
His voice carried an assurance, and Ayen subconsciously nodded his head.
Again, he heard a click of the tongue at the side but ignored it.
"Thank you." Though sounding lazy, the two appeared to have accepted it.
"Are you hungry?" Khal asked, the only reliable one. But what he said next made him do a double-take at Devion. "Devion prepared a healthy meal for you."
"Surprise?" Devion smirked.
Ayen did not argue and nodded since it was indeed the case.
Devion laughed and was satisfied with the reaction. He looked at Khal. "Come on, bring the food I cooked here." He emphasized his words to make Ayen more aware of what he did.
Ayen did not show it, but he expected Khal to scold Devion for casually ordering him, yet the other only nodded and left. He glanced at the two... now, he wondered about their relationship.
He was then reminded of what he stumbled upon in the cave. Oh, were they together? Ayen only thought of that but did not dwell deeper.
That was their life, and Ayen was not interested in gossiping.
"Your friend's next door." Devion spoke after a moment of silence.
Ayen leaned against the headboard, nodding. He combed his now loose hair with his fingers.
"You sure are quiet..."
"Hm, and you're loud." Ayen nonchalantly responded, looking for a substitute hair tie.
Devion chuckled, devoid of a mocking tone this time.
"Have I told you, you're prettier with your hair down?"
"No." Ayen paused, then looked at him. Devion was still in the same position, looking like an arrogant young master. "Aren't you ashamed of saying this when your boyfriend just left?"
His eyes bore on the other man, watching how his face showed confusion, then a light of enlightenment, before he laughed so hard, head bent forward, almost banging at the back of the chair.
This was a scene that greeted Khal when he entered the room carrying a food tray. His eyes narrowed deeply and immediately eyed the possible suspect, the laughing Devion.