Chapter 19: Ch 19: Last Chance to run

Noah knew he was panicking, but he could not help it. The situation was not his fault, and he knew that in his mind.

But the circumstances kept trying to tell him that it was his fault and that he could have stopped this from happening.

’This is not good! The door closed before Alan could get out. What if he gets stuck in here along with me? I cannot allow that to happen! My mission...and Daniel...what about him? I need to go and get him...’

Alan would somehow be found in this dungeon because he was an esper, but Daniel was a different matter.

He was a guide and had had no training to protect himself. Noah needed to be by his side as a shield and—

"Darn it! You are pissing me off now. Stop thinking about Daniel for a second and think about our situation. We are stuck here as well. Don’t you feel even a little bit worried?"

Alan’s voice was not loud, but it was commanding enough for Noah to blink and look at him. And the expression on Alan’s face made Noah lose his voice.

"I..."

"Besides, Daniel and your lazy partner were near the entrance, so they would be among the first ones to be evacuated. Stop worrying about him and start worrying about me."

Alan was still holding Noah’s face when he demanded this. His harsh grip was going to leave marks on Noah’s face, but Noah had no strength to push him back.

Finally, Alan decided to let go, and Noah took a deep breath to calm himself down.

"Do you feel better now?"

Alan asked, and Noah nodded. He was about to say something more when he noticed that Alan’s face looked flushed. He was panting even harder, trying to control himself, but his legs were shaking as well.

This all pointed in one direction, and Noah immediately pulled his mind out of the hole it wanted to go down.

Instead of asking the obvious question, he decided to pretend he did not notice Alan’s condition and ask something else.

"What should we do now? Should we start looking for the academy professors who will come and save us? Or should we try to look for another way out?"

Noah was trying to distract himself from what was happening. He was not actually interested in knowing the answer to his question since he was just speaking to avoid the obvious situation.

But Alan did not allow him to run away. Instead of allowing Noah to walk away, he dragged him back into his embrace and rested his head on Noah’s shoulder.

"Hey, are you pretending not to notice my condition? Don’t you think that’s rather cruel of you? I am suffering so much here."

Alan was experiencing corruption all of a sudden, and Noah wanted to complain that he had not seen it coming. But that would be a lie.

In fact, he was surprised at how long Alan had been able to last while being in a guidance-deprived state. So it was safe to say that this was bound to happen sooner or later...

’But why did it have to happen now while we are stuck in a dungeon? Isn’t this too much?’

Objectively, Noah knew that Alan would be fine. But knowing this in his heart and mind were two different matters.

His instincts as a guide kept urging him to help Alan out while his rationality held him back.

It did not help that Alan was caging him in with his taller frame, and he was far too close to Noah right now.

"Hey, can you give me some space—"

Noah started to say, only for Alan to disregard his words and instead clasp his hand tightly. The esper was panting harder and harder by the second.

"Noah, I am in a bad state right now. My control is barely going to last. You need to help me."

Alan panted as he said this, but Noah was already ready to say no.

"I cannot do that! I won’t be able to deep guide you since I am not a high enough level—"

"Don’t make that excuse. You know you can give me deep guidance. There might be a massive difference between our levels, and I wouldn’t usually ask you for this, but consider this an emergency. I promise you won’t have to go all the way with me."

That...was not even something Noah had considered. He wanted to decline this offer immediately, but one look at Alan’s face was enough to tell him that there was no point in saying anything anymore.

Instead, it was better to just accept his fate. But that would make the situation worse...

"I still think it would be better if we get out of here. Once we are out, Daniel can take care of you—"

But Alan was not listening. Noah had no idea when he lost his mind, but one second he was trying to get away, and the next he had been grabbed by Alan and bitten on the shoulder. Alan’s teeth were sharp, intending to draw blood.

It hurt, and Noah immediately thrashed, trying to throw Alan off. But the esper was locked tightly around him with his fangs buried in Noah’s shoulder.

"Hey, you are going to tear a piece out. Stop it!"

Noah complained while trying to hit Alan, but the esper gritted his teeth and forced himself to regain consciousness.

"Listen, I don’t think I will be able to last long. This dungeon is affecting me much more than I expected. But I will allow you to run away from me for now. Make sure you hide well...or else..."

Alan sounded like he was in pain as well, and Noah suddenly had a feeling that he was not acting this time.

"Hey, you—!"

"We don’t have time. I am about to lose my mind and my consciousness. I will not even remember what might happen next. So make sure you run away as far as possible."

Alan warned Noah before suddenly shoving him away. Noah took one look back before he ran...

But where could he even run from an SSS-Class esper? And did Noah even have the right to do it?

"My mission...will it truly be fine like this?"