Chapter 328
“…E-Esper?”
Meanwhile, the Esper with the key stuck in his thigh exchanged a quick glance with his colleague.
If they recognized she was a Guide just by touch, it meant the other person was an Esper. Why was an Esper from the Center included in the evaluation team?
Was there only one? Was it a coincidence? If neither, then perhaps…
In all the past decades, this had never happened before. The overwhelming difference in power had always kept the Guides obedient and helpless.
Despite this, there was a protocol for the unlikely event of a witness. If the Guides’ existence were to be discovered, eliminate the witnesses immediately.
Of course, if the evaluation committee members dispatched to the institution died, it would certainly arouse suspicion. But it would buy enough time to hide the Guides before any investigation began.
Weighing suspicion against the loss of the hidden guides, there was no question about which was more important.
However, if the witness was an Esper, the situation became more complicated. The Espers at the Center underwent rigorous, organized training daily. Regardless of how many Espers were among them, even one could not be taken lightly.
But even the Espers from the Center had weaknesses.
“You rat of a girl…!”
The Esper with the key in his thigh reached out lightning-fast to grab Helga’s hair.
The Espers from the Center considered the life of a single Guide to be as valuable as the lives of ten Espers. Sacrificing Espers for the sake of a mere Guide was laughable, but it was a leverage that could be used to easily subdue them.
While callous non-ability people might not care if a Guide or two died, it was different for the Espers. If even one of the many Guides in front of them were taken hostage, the Espers wouldn’t dare to act recklessly.
Just grab one…
But his hand never reached her.
The evaluators, who had quickly assessed the situation, simultaneously shielded the Guides behind them and swiftly blocked the two Espers.
Their seamless movements were hard to believe from people who were supposedly there just for an institutional assessment.
In the blink of an eye, standing before the bewildered Espers, they produced a document.
[Presidential Emergency Order Authorization]
It declares a severe national crisis due to forces causing the death of innocent citizens of Arteon and attempting to overthrow the government. Espers within the Center are to exert their utmost efforts to apprehend these national traitors, and all institutions of Arteon are required to cooperate unconditionally.
Non-cooperation will result in temporary arrest and detention by the judgment of the Center’s Espers.
“In connection with the recent Guide abduction cases, we are here from the Center’s security department.”
The man, who had locked eyes with a cold gaze, growled.
“You will need to explain this situation thoroughly.”
Realizing they no longer had a chance, the two Espers turned pale.
***
If I get caught, I’ll die.
That was all I could think about. So, I crawled for my life.
I couldn’t even feel for the markings I had left to avoid getting lost. I had no idea where I was heading—I just crawled forward wherever there was a path.
How did they catch on? Did they notice the key was missing? But how did they know it was me who stole it?
The Espers had burst into the room, shouting for me from the start. It was as if they already knew what had happened and were ready to deal with me as soon as they found me. Maybe I had left some hair behind when I stole the key.
Whatever the reason, having been discovered crawling through the ducts left me with no choice. Even if I still had some utility, the Espers would have no qualms about killing me to set an example for the other Guides.
Though I had braced myself for death when I started this, giving up without even attempting to escape wasn’t an option.
I continued to crawl as far as I could, not knowing where the path would lead.
Suddenly, I saw a faint light in the distance.
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