The X Guide-Chapter 142: The Horror Under The Sea (4)

Ayen frowned slightly. His first thought was that it was an illusion, but this dungeon seemed not to be the type to use illusions. After all, they were mostly being chased by vortexes and waves.

If it could, they had already sent one illusion long ago.

Thinking about this, and with such a desperate situation, Ayen closed his eyes again. He did not hesitate any longer and let his instincts take over.

He was not familiar with how to exactly let Aegi into his heart. Ayen sensed it through their connection and cleared his mind.

Devion, who was carrying Ayen, felt the other’s hold loosen significantly. He checked, and it seemed Ayen was asleep. He did not think too much at first because they were busy running.

Both Devion and Khal continued, tirelessly wandering around and using any means to disrupt anything that was chasing and attacking them.

They failed to notice it for the first few minutes, but both Khal and Devion suddenly frowned. While their surroundings remained the same, they could sense some kind of power attempting to influence their vicinity.

"What’s this?" Devion looked around warily.

Khal furrowed his brows. Was this another trick of this dungeon?

Strangely enough, Khal could not feel any hostility toward this power.

"Just run." Whatever it was, they could not afford to stop.

Devion thought the same. They had been doing the same thing for hours on end, so his mind only focused on that same action.

The situation turned into something more incredulous when obvious shifts in the space could be seen. The scenery blurred occasionally, as though something wanted to pull them into an illusion.

What? An illusion?

"Shit. This dungeon knows illusions, too?"

Devion was frustrated that they had already been reduced to only running, which was embarrassing enough. And now this dogshit dungeon could send illusions, too? Come on, how fucked up of a dungeon could you be?

Khal did not respond to him, but he had long been vigilant. Aside from putting obstructions and blocking the waves, part of his concentration was also split to sense their surroundings.

This was truly taxing even for Khal.

When a wave was about to unleash before them, and Khal pulled up an ice wall as usual, he paused. Devion also did so, confusion in his face.

The wave disappeared, and before them lay a forest.

Devion almost cursed, but the next few seconds made the words get stuck in his throat. The scene around them quickly shifted, as though someone were pulling them into an entirely different space.

It was not long before the two found themselves standing in a very familiar place. The damn inverted sky and sea disappeared and were replaced by a familiar paradise. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Devion and Khal stood side by side, surprised by these sudden events.

"You... Aegi?" Devion stared at the child who was standing just right at the entrance of the walkway towards the platform at the center of the lake.

This was Aegi’s paradise.

The child looked as charming as ever in his green dinosaur onesie. He looked up nervously at them.

Indeed. It was Aegi.

"How come you’re here?" Devion asked, confused.

Khal frowned heavily at first, but he could not help but glance at Ayen, who seemed to have fallen asleep. A thought flashed in his mind, and his expression loosened, and he let out a breath.

He sighed heavily and laughed.

Devion looked at him, raising a brow. "Why are you laughing?"

Khal merely smiled, and without giving Devion any preparation, he already embraced him with Ayen in his arms. He inhaled, and his mind slowly settled.

The tension in his shoulder loosened, and he let himself finally relax. He looked at Ayen, chuckled again, and kissed the crown of his head so deeply.

Devion could witness it, and he also understood it.

"Oh. Ayen did this?" He blinked, surprised, but pride could be discerned in his voice.

Khal nodded heavily and let out a light laugh again.

Devion also sighed and leaned his body towards Khal. The tension was leaving him as well.

Who would have known the one who would save them at the last minute was Ayen? Truly... their lucky charm.

After they recovered a bit, they just slumped on the ground with Ayen still sleeping on Devion’s arm. Aegi was hesitant to come closer, but after Khal waved at him, he still approached and also sat beside them.

"When will Ayen wake up?" Khal asked, much softer. He now considered Aegi as their own, as he was contracted with Ayen.

Aegi bit his lips and looked at Ayen, also confused.

"You don’t know?" Devion inquired softly. Their attitude, which changed from their first meeting, made Aegi comfortable. While still nervous, he was not fidgeting any longer.

He nodded. "Big brother... maybe, exhausted?" He also did not know. After all, this was his first contract as well.

That made sense, and the two also could not see anything wrong with Ayen’s complexion and condition. If not, they would not be able to chat like this with the child.

Khal was already a medical expert at this point, given Devion’s unpredictable condition. Seeing him calm, Devion knew nothing was serious.

The three fell into silence first. Khal and Devion let themselves catch their breath and recover from fatigue. Aegi stood to the side, looking so prim and proper.

He always checked Ayen’s face, obviously waiting for him to wake up.

"Is this the ability you shared with Ayen?" After a while, Devion asked curiously. This paradise was like Aegi’s soul and an independent space.

It seemed they also lucked out with picking the best ability for Ayen. If something truly life-threatening happened, Ayen could hide here until they arrived.

Aegi blinked and tilted his head as if to contemplate the answer.

Devion’s lips subconsciously curled into a smile. Khal’s gaze softened while watching them. Having this child around was not bad at all.

He took a deep breath and smiled. This was indeed a paradise.

Khal had lived in a chaotic world; this place was such a breath of fresh air. Maybe, once everything settled... they could live in a place like this?