The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 201: Breaking News!

Lane left the mansion - which was still a complete mess. The chaos Diana had left behind couldn’t be cleaned up in just a few hours, no matter how much money the Allens were willing to spend on the renovations - early the next morning to go to school.

Except that, not really. He only made the driver drop him off by his high school, but he never even entered the building. He just loitered around for a moment, and once the driver was gone, far, far away, he immediately left.

After what he witnessed at night, he was certain. He had to awaken! He wanted to be like Grandmother Diana!

And so, the first step was to find a Gate he could enter. The one near the school wouldn’t work. He had heard his parents mention it at dinner, and while they were probably too busy to go in person right now, they could still send a scout. Thus, it was safer to check the other locations first.

Asking his driver to take him around town wasn’t an option, since he didn’t want his parents knowing where he went, and so, Lane caught a taxi instead. He chose one of the earliest Gates to appear in the Capital, located at the outskirts, thinking that since it’s been around for so long, the surveillance and interest in it could be lower. A news notification popped out on his phone, but Lane had ignored it, as he always did, watching some funny videos online instead.

It was only when he got out of the cab, and the driver left with his tires screeching - where was he in such a hurry to? - that Lane realized that something was... off. The streets were oddly quiet. Not empty - there were still cars passing by, and people walking to school and work - but the atmosphere was tense, as if a massive storm was about to break out.

Even though the weather wasn’t so bad. A bit chilly, but overall, the sky had cleared up.

And yet, everyone was rushing as if heavy rain was about to start pouring down, while they all forgot to bring their umbrellas.

At first, Lane tried to ignore it. He had his own problems to worry about. But, as he walked down the street, and passed by the people, all jumpy and anxious regardless of their age, gender and profession, it was bothering him more and more. Did something happen in the area? Curious, he took out his phone, finally sparing a glance at the notifications...

[BREAKING NEWS!

Last night, all over the world, waves of monsters started pouring out of the Gates, attacking people and destroying the cities. The reasons behind the sudden attacks are still unknown. While the vast majority of the Gates remain unchanged, showing no signs of activity, people are advised to avoid approaching them whenever possible...

Read more>>]

Oh.

...Huh?

Lane’s first reaction was just calm understanding - ’Ah, so that’s what happened’. It took a moment before the realization fully hit him.

Monsters were leaving the Gates, and flooding the cities.

And he was right by one of the Gates.

His steps faltered, and he came to a full stop in the middle of the pavement.

...Was it really a good idea? If the monsters were leaving the Gates, what was the situation inside? Wouldn’t going in practically be a death sentence? Of course, he didn’t know whether the Gate he chose was affected by those unexpected changes, but...

The barricade blocking the Gate was already visible at the end of the street. And aside from the concrete blocks, there were two guards watching it from twenty or so feet away. Oddly far away, probably because of the last night’s incidents. They were on high alert, but if Lane could distract them somehow, perhaps he would be able to sneak in...

Still, in the end, he turned away. He might have been kind of desperate, but not suicidal! Waiting a few more days, until the situation stabilized and the experts (well, the ’experts’ with hardly any expertise. They had very little actual knowledge regarding the Gates and the awakenings, all they did was to make up some ridiculous theories, at least most of them did) provided the general public with some explanations, wouldn’t make much difference. Lane could just try again then, once he confirmed he wouldn’t be going to a certain death.

No matter how shitty and futureless his life was, it was better than no life, right?

He strolled back the way he came from, and entered a fast food restaurant, getting himself a milkshake - his tongue was still swollen from the piercing, so he couldn’t really get much else, the cookies he ate last night had already made him plenty uncomfortable. He plopped down on one of the plastic chairs of a questionable cleanliness, and sipped on the creamy slush as he thought about what to do next. Ava was at school, and so were most of his friends...

Should he try texting that guy from the other day? But then again, should Lane be making out with anyone with his tongue freshly pierced? Well, they could still just hang out, play games or whatever...

In the end though, Lane decided to return home. Who knew, maybe that woman from the night before - Grandmother Diana, it seemed - would ’visit’ them again? And even if not, maybe Lane would at least be able to get some answers? Or simply enjoy the chaotic state of that unbearably perfect, rich mansion? It was fun to see, since Lane hated the place!

He finished his drink and tossed out the cup, booking a taxi as he stepped back onto the street. Then he just leaned against the wall, waiting for his ride to arrive...

When all of a sudden, he heard screams not far in the distance.

At first, it was just a few incomprehensible shouts. Lane lifted his brows and threw a lazy glance in the direction they were coming from, but wasn’t particularly concerned. Things happened, people argued, very loudly at times, but it was none of his business. Or maybe there was some sort of accident...

Accident?

Lane tensed up, alerted.

No, it surely couldn’t be...

But it was. Before he even so much as moved, a person somewhere down the street suddenly fell down.

In a puddle of her own blood.

With an unidentified creature right on top of her.