The wavelength and energy of a guide determined their rank, but it was even more important at how they could handle and calm an Esper’s chaotic energies. In theory, a single S-class guide could provide enough guiding to multiple higher-ranked espers and even S ranks with energy to spare. And that went to other guides until the D-class guides, who could barely handle a C-rank esper and three more D-ranks. 

E-class guides were rare, and unlike with a higher ranking’s prestige, no one could get interested in their ‘rarity’. In most cases, E-class guides were there as a support for higher-class guides with their negligible wavelength, but it was still possible to guide one D-rank Esper.

They were far above normal people, yet also the lowest bunch in the hierarchy of the extraordinary. So, being the lowest E-class guide and even the lowest of the low in terms of energy, he could barely handle one E-rank esper; it was no wonder that Ayen was called a useless guide. 

He remained mostly expressionless, ignoring the gazes of the people before he stepped out casually. His listlessness was truly a sight to behold; no one kept on mocking him through the years and acted like he was invisible. It was like they were only talking to a wall when they tried to insult Ayen.

Ayen stood at the open window, the wind breezily enveloped him. His intimidating, half-lidded black eyes gaze at the aftermath of the battle. There were some cleaners and espers still there, cleaning the corpses of the monsters and even hauling the crystals and valuable parts. 

This sight was reflected in his eyes. He was already used to this scene and the stench of blood and burned flesh. However, most of his experience came when he was assigned to one of the orange zones, where most B-rank dungeons were located. It was still a rare sight to see in a yellow zone, which was categorized as a relatively safe zone other than the green zones. 

His eyes flickered as he blinked, and he stood there without any waves in his expression. "A yellow zone... huh?" He mumbled, even his voice had a hint of laziness in it. 

Ayen stared at it for a few seconds before he turned back and continued on his way. For him, no matter what happened in this zone, that had nothing to do with him. If the situation became grave, that only meant he was to be assigned to another zone, nothing more. 

He was a guide, and yet not, being tossed around to different zones, Ayen... never cared. And yet, as he passed by the guiding area, a rare emotion flickered in his eyes before it vanished as he continued walking, never looking back. 

A few more days passed, and the frequency of the red alerts and monster tide had magically ceased. It was as though what had happened in the past months had become a dream and life in the yellow zone had come back to its usual tranquility. 

"Do you think it’s only a false alarm?" Keeran nudged Ayen, who was eating a sandwich, while facing him at one of the tables outdoors. 

Ayen lifted his gaze and shrugged before continuing to eat. He didn’t care; that was the silent meaning of his response. False alarm or not, what does that have to do with him? 

Keeran pursed her lips, dissatisfied with his lack of reaction. However, she wasn’t really angry, as she was already accustomed to Ayen’s attitude of not caring about the world; even if it were to be destroyed, he would still stand motionless and watch it. 

"But I have a point, right?" She recovered and began blabbering again: "It’s suspicious that everything seems normal again after those months. Look, it suddenly feels peaceful without even any sign of any dungeon sighting at all," she exclaimed, extremely worked up with stating her opinion. 

While Ayen only continued to eat, to other people, it seemed like she was only talking to herself. However, although Ayen might have appeared snub most of the time, he was actually listening to everything she said. 

"You agree with me, right?" she nudged him again and leaned, widening her eyes, "There’s no way things are that simple. It must be the calm before the storm." nodding her head and biting into her sandwich once more, as though tired from talking too much. 

Ayen nodded at her, not saying anything, but he agreed with Keeran. She seemed a blockhead sometimes and had a talkative mouth, but Keeran was actually perceptive, and what she said made sense most of the time. 

As she said, this was a calm before the storm. In fact, Ayen knew that they were not the only ones who could sense it. The sudden peace and even the silence of the active dungeons already indicated this. 

But no one knew what was going to happen, and everyone could only be alert, even the headquarters. 

"Just be ready." After a moment, he spoke. 

Keeran paused. "Be ready for what?"

Ayen drank the water before he wiped his lips, eyes dark as the night. "Be ready to pack up," he vaguely said before he stood up, not waiting for Keeran, and walked back. 

With the situation, Ayen knew this zone was not going to be a yellow zone anymore. An orange zone might be born... or even a red zone. 

However, Ayen had yet to enter their building when the wind suddenly blew violently, and he almost stumbled before he found his footing again. He frowned, his hair swaying in the breeze. As he lifted his head, the surroundings now appeared dim, as though the sun were covered. 

He turned back, and he couldn’t help but be frozen in place, stunned by what he saw. Not far from him, in the middle of the city, a huge dungeon gate emerged. It was the biggest dungeon gate he’d ever seen. And even the energy coming off it gave everyone an indescribable chill and terror. 

Not only that, but monsters and creatures began to come out of the gate. The moment that he saw it, only a thought flashed in his mind, a dungeon break!