Chapter 25 Are You Going with Him?

Chapter 25: Are You Leaving with Him?

Not far away, a cave entrance gaped on the cliffside. An arched gate, fashioned from an unknown metal, framed the opening, seemingly extending deep within. Its metallic sheen shimmered under the sunlight.

Fang Liyu also cast a glance out the window.

"It's a newly developed composite metal from the Center, capable of temporarily stabilizing the magnetic field."

"Is this the entrance to the mission area?" A premonition of unease stirred in Fang Ran's heart.

"Yes. After the infection, DT332 generated a barrier around its perimeter."

"The Center only began developing this area after this composite metal was invented last year."

"So, it's a restricted zone?"

"Mm," Fang Liyu checked her terminal again, "and due to the magnetic field, Guides below Class A require Sentinel assistance to enter or exit."

Fang Ran felt as if he had been tricked.

This didn't seem like a place where one could come and go as they pleased.

Just as his thoughts spiraled into disarray, the hovercar began its slow descent.

Once the vehicle came to a complete stop, Fang Liyu stood up.

"Everyone, please change into your protective suits after disembarking. Those below A-class, please seek assistance from your Sentinel or colleague to enter."

"Fang Ran," Zhong Wan slung his backpack over his shoulder, "let's go too."

"Alright," Fang Ran sighed.

Now in a difficult position, he could only adapt to the situation.

By the time they exited the vehicle, a dozen tents had already been erected on-site. Two full rows of hovercars were parked; those with orange icons belonged to the Center, while the black-and-blue striped ones were, naturally, Guardian vehicles.

"Quite a few Guardians have arrived too," Zhong Wan remarked, walking alongside Fang Ran.

"They don't seem to have many Guides?" Fang Ran noticed that almost all the Guardians passing by were Sentinels.

"Guides are scarce everywhere," Zhong Wan whispered, leaning closer. "They've even secretly tried to poach colleagues from my team."

Oh.

No wonder Director Jin, that old fox, was so furious.

The two had now reached the Center's logistics camp, where a staff member quickly handed them protective suits.

"Two Guides, since the outer barrier requires the outward projection of psychic energy to resist, please find your Sentinel or partner and transfer to a two-person vehicle after changing into your suits."

Fang Ran looked up at the archway not far away, where pairs of Sentinels and Guides approached the cave entrance. The Sentinel in front would project their psychic energy to envelop them before swiftly charging inside.

So that's how it worked.

Although both Sentinels and Guides in this world possessed psychic energy, their roles were clearly defined. Guides were hardly combat-capable, and even Class A Guides rarely managed to project their psychic energy externally.

"But won't the instruments malfunction? Can these vehicles handle it?"

Hearing his question, the staff member replied, "The electric vehicles are equipped with the latest anti-interference technology. They've passed outer perimeter tests, but their performance will gradually degrade after exiting the cave."

Fang Ran and Zhong Wan nodded in understanding.

"Zhong Wan."

Lu Wenchuan, having completed his task, precisely located his Guide and strode towards them.

Class S Sentinels were all strikingly attractive, and this handsome Sentinel stood out in the crowd, drawing many gazes toward the trio.

Lu Wenchuan approached Zhong Wan and then looked at Fang Ran beside him.

"Fu Zhangzhou seems to have taken on an emergency mission. I'll take you in as well."

Fang Ran was eager and about to nod in agreement when a mini hovercar with black and blue stripes suddenly pulled up in an empty spot beside them.

"I can take Guide Fang Ran in."

Zheng Mingyu, clad in black, smoothly disembarked from the vehicle.

Frankly speaking, the male lead looked quite dashing in his form-fitting protective suit.

But Fang Ran was truly afraid this guy would cause trouble.

It was the law of transmigrating into a book—those who opposed the protagonist never came to a good end.

Even if the plot seemed to be taking a different turn now, what if...

"No need to trouble Captain Zheng. Fang Ran is a Guide from the Center; someone will naturally take him in," Lu Wenchuan stepped in to help him out.

"Regardless of where one is employed, Guides are precious beings," Zheng Mingyu, though rejected, still smiled gently.

"If I were Guide Fang Ran's Sentinel, I would never leave him alone here."

Fang Ran offered an awkward smile.

This protagonist truly had the makings of a "green tea bitch."

"Sentinel Zheng Mingyu, you should just... go look after the Guides in your own team."

Before Fang Ran could finish his sentence, a scorching fireball suddenly appeared in the air, hurtling toward Zheng Mingyu.

Lu Wenchuan reacted swiftly, pulling Zhong Wan and Fang Ran back several steps.

Zheng Mingyu nimbly leaped aside, generating a psychic shield in front of him.

The fireball struck between him and the two-person vehicle, instantly erupting into a blaze. Immediately after, a mini hovercar came flying through the air and crashed into his vehicle.

"Boom—"

The flames surged, engulfing both vehicles in a towering wall of fire.

A water-affinity Sentinel from the Center moved to extinguish the fire but was stopped by Lu Wenchuan.

"Wait a moment."

A tall figure gradually emerged from the flames.

Fu Zhangzhou, enveloped in psychic energy, stepped out of the fireball unscathed.

"Sorry about that," he slowly removed his face shield, "I slipped up when I heard someone was trying to take my Guide away."

The man exuded dangerous energy, his eyes carrying a sinister glint, causing the onlookers to instinctively back away.

Fang Ran caught a brief red flash in his eyes.

Damn it!

Fang Ran sighed inwardly.

It seemed he had recklessly used his psychic powers again.

"Fu Zhangzhou, get over here." He couldn't just leave him like this.

"Ah," the Sentinel glanced at Zheng Mingyu, who was still holding up his psychic shield, "My Guide called me. Please excuse me."

Ignoring the stares from everyone, Fang Ran pulled him into an empty tent.

The tent was small, only big enough for two or three people.

Fang Ran held the Sentinel's hand, standing very close to him.

Fu Zhangzhou's expression was somewhat odd, as if he was lucid, but his eyes held a strange look.

"Fu Zhangzhou, did you go on a mission?"

"Fang Ran," the Sentinel seemed not to hear his question, "I missed you all day yesterday."

"Fang Ran, do you want to go with him?"

Fang Ran rolled his eyes and began focusing on purifying the dark energy within him.

A slightly bitter orange scent flowed through the tent, wrapping around them tightly.

Watching as the Sentinel's gaze gradually cleared, he finally spoke:

"Who said I wanted to go with him?"

"You were the one who disappeared without a trace. He was just trying to be helpful and bring me inside."

"Helpful?" Fu Zhangzhou snorted disdainfully.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, a spark lit up in his eyes.

"I made a deal with the Central Department yesterday."

"Want to know what I asked for in return?" The Sentinel's eyes brimmed with unconcealed excitement.

"No," Fang Ran said, pushing him out of the tent.

"What's wrong?"

"I need to change into my protective suit. Wait outside."

"Can't I watch?"

"Get lost!"