After the leader of the pack died, the morale of the wolves plummeted. Without their leader, most of the lower-ranking wolves could not be contained and left while their tails were stuck between their legs.
This was mostly the case for monster groups with a clear leader. They also did not pursue, since what was important was for the members to rest.
And it would not be for long before they encountered each other inside the gate; they could clean them up once the wolves provoked them again. Which would mostly not be the case unless a new leader had come up.
It was not long, and they were organized. The camp then became ready and busy. After the fight, it was now the Guide's responsibility to calm the wavelengths of the Espers.
"Guild Leader," Hayes approached Kamille, who was standing before the wall, beside him was a woman, a guide. His intention was obvious at a glance.
Kamille glanced at him and the woman before shaking his head. "No need; I don't need any guiding yet."
It was true. His battle against the wolf leader was not enough to exhaust him and to require him to be guided.
"But..." Hayes was about to argue, but Kamille immediately interrupted him.
"I'll seek a guide when I really need to." With this issue, Kamille was extremely firm in his decision.
It was no secret that Kamille did not seek guides often, and his compatibility with them seemed to always be average, just enough not to be repulsive about it.
Kamille also did not make a fuss about it; no one could say anything as he seemed to always be in good condition.
Not far away from them, Rise's eyes were watching. His chin was propped in his hand as he held a guide's hand. When guiding, skin contact was necessary, but it did not need to be intimate about it either.
Just hugging would do. Rise was not like other Espers who seek momentary pleasures, exploiting Guides while they are at it. He prefers the latter...
The one to be exploited.
Rise bit his lips, giggling in his eyes.
"It's... Okay, now, Mr. Rise."
Rise heard the guide speak, but he did not even spare him a glance and only nodded before withdrawing his hand. He was rude; that was a given and well-known fact.
He also would not feel grateful about it either; it was the Guide's job, and Rise also saved their lives and protected them as he did his job as an Esper. There was no need to say thank you.
This was an equal exchange. No need to be overly polite about it.
His eyes were only focusing on Kamille, rejecting Hayes. Rise smiled; a delight seemed to blossom in his heart. Kamille seemed not fond of guides or the idea of being guided.
Rise's smile widened. There was no need for another guide. Kamille only needed him, nothing else.
Soon...
In the danger of the gate, lay an opportunity. Rise was waiting for it.
They did not linger at the place for long, Kamille organized them again, and they set off. It was not yet time to rest. After preparing again, they left the makeshift wall.
Just like before, the white plain welcomed them endlessly. Kamille and the group even prepared for another encounter with wolves or other monsters, but they did not see anyone besides the white snow.
Even the scouts, when they returned, did not find anything. That alone was suspicious.
Kamille signaled for the group to stop. His gaze was deep; those gray eyes roamed over the surroundings. Everything was laid out before him; nothing was overlooked.
Rise continued to stand beside him obediently, making sure to fulfill Kamille's instructions on not leaving his side.
"It's too quiet for a dangerous gate..." Rise did not shy away from voicing his opinions when necessary. Like others, Rise was well aware of how unusual it was for a gate, which was supposed to be an evolving gate, to be so tranquil.
The wolves were decent, but for a supposed to-be-evolving A rank gate to S rank... That was not enough.
Rise just enjoyed this serene atmosphere and the beautiful view, treating it as a date and being delusional as always.
Kamille glanced at him and then at the others before returning to Rise.
"I'll scout ahead," Kamille then told his intention.
Earlier, he was not doing so, as it was quite risky for him as the leader to leave the group. However, this situation, where they were only walking blindly, was inefficient, making the mission harder than it already was.
"You all stay here and wait for me. Hayes, make sure the group is organized. No one is to leave here until necessary." Kamille did not think something crucial would happen to the group without him.
His ability was more effective as a scout than that of the actual scouts they had. It would also be faster.
"In case something happens, you have the authority to execute the plans and your decisions." Kamille continued, instructing his second-in-command.
Hayes was not a top-ranker, but one thing that was most commendable about him was his ability to create opportunities and make decisions under huge pressure. Kamille trusted him and the members; they were competent in their own areas.
Seeing it was urgent, Hayes immediately agreed, and so did the members. In gates, some situations would really not go as accurately as the plan.
While Kamille was giving his instructions, someone suddenly butted in.
"What about me? Will I come with you?"
Rise's voice suddenly became the main attention; his conspicuous figure beside the Guild Leader was also not something to be overlooked. No one also sneered or glared at him, having witnessed how all the wolves were basically pummeled to pieces by him alone.
Kamille's gaze naturally landed on him, and suddenly he was at a loss. Rise was indeed something—for him to be the first person to do this.
"About you..." Kamille really wanted to scout alone, and with Rise here, the chances of the group being in a dangerous situation would decrease.
Kamille thought highly of Rise after the event with the wolves.
Rise could see this through, but why would he agree? He came here for Kamille, not to be a babysitter! Now, that he had the opportunity to become alone with Kamille, would he have missed this opportunity?
No way in hell!
Before Kamille could finish, Rise finally opened his card, which was very effective in this stage.
"Guild Leader, you said I shouldn't leave your side." Rise pursed his lips, then glanced at the members, "Do you think me being here will... make the situation better?"
Rise as a troublemaker card, he was using it again!
At this, Kamille fell into contemplation and looked at the members. Clearly, Rise was not on good terms with the members, and... Rise's temper was not good, to say the least.
Watching Kamille ponder deeply about it, Rise smiled inside and decided to give him another push. He moved closer, only inches away from Kamille. It was not enough for their skin to touch, but enough for their gazes and breaths to intertwine.
"I'm not familiar with anyone... Guild Leader, I don't have anyone to rely on after you leave."
His implication was: He was worried he would be bullied after Kamille left.
This time, not only Kamille was speechless, but everyone!
How shameless. No one will bully you, but you will bully anyone! Everyone with a mouth seemed to want to shout this but held it in, afraid to provoke this devil incarnate.
Hayes even wants to choke on his words.
Rise did not care about them, his attention was focused solely on Kamille and his reactions. His eyes also softened, seemingly pitiful.
Kamille opened his mouth, then closed it again. A few seconds later, he sighed. It seemed Rise was right, if he were not here, what trouble would he cause then? Kamille was not there to stop him anymore.
"Okay, you'll come with me. Hayes... take care of everything while I'm gone." Kamille did not say anything more than that; they were still elites of the guild and could handle matters on their own. Otherwise, what was the point?
Rise's eyes lit up, and he smiled. If he could, he would even hug Kamille, but sadly, it was not yet time for that.
Hayes, who was still speechless from Rise's words, could only nod in response.
After looking at his members, it was time to leave. Kamille then gazed at Rise and suddenly found the situation tricky. At least, he had never experienced taking anyone to fly before.
Rise was excited though and reached out Kamille's hand, placing them in his waist with a big smile on his face.
"Come, Guild Leader, the time is running! We have to leave quickly!"
He placed Kamille's right hand on his waist so naturally, making the man himself unable to react immediately.
Kamille's gaze could not help but glance at his hand at Rise's waist. He was only snapped out of reality by Rise's voice.
Right, time was of the essence. Since he had to take Rise with him, holding him wherever was not important. Kamille convinced himself of this.
The wind then gathered around him, and slowly, Kamille, with Rise beside him, floated. Rise acted as though he was taken aback and took advantage of that to hug Kamille tighter.
Heh... So lucky!