The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving

The place she planned to go to before heading toward the contaminated zone the Susa Merchant Corp owned was a privately owned residence.

It was located in the highest-end area of houses on the island and most probably a popular spot that tourists wished they could get a glance at. But due to high security and permits that granted people entry, no one could easily get in.

Aisha thought that what Nykos suggested to her earlier had been reasonable. Informing someone as great as Zeke could make the act of rescuing her older brother much easier and faster. It would also prevent any trouble of getting found out or letting the people who were responsibility of this escape.

Though this would end with her owing him again, Aisha did not have a choice, did she?

She was just a student in this world with no authority or claim on anything in this world. Unlike in her past life, where murdering and stealing for survival was normal, this second life was bound by too many rules and laws.

Even the use of the Novalis family name no longer held any worth as she was adopted. And Aisha had no intention of using it in the future.

Thus, there were too few things she could do in this world.

And that was also why she had to graduate quickly and plan for her future ahead. What she would become would decide how she’ll survive in this world.

She booked a rental shuttle, and it would arrive in a minute. Aisha stood in the corner of the street when her eyes caught on something.

In a store near her, a display of masks was lying on a table. Each depicted different monstrous faces; some had an almost fairy-like design with elongated ears, but they were three times more expensive than the rest, while most had child-friendly designs.

Aisha’s gaze fell on a mask with a beak. She lifted it and wanted to try it on when she was suddenly reminded of something...

Little bird.

That was what Nykos had called her. She honestly couldn’t understand what made him call her with that kind of endearment that held no similarity to her.

She placed it back down and lifted another mask, finding it more suitable for her aesthetic. It was a mask derived from a beast that looked like a demon.

”Miss, are you planning to buy that for your boyfriend?”

The stall owner went around to serve her.

Aisha didn’t want to explain that it was she who wanted to use it, so she only gave the stall owner the money for the mask.

Finally, the shuttle had arrived.

The ride to the residential area took a few minutes. After using the same permit she used at the teleportation array, the shuttle passed through security and arrived quickly.

But just as she was getting off the shuttle, Aisha saw two association guards roaming the street discussing something.

At first, she was going to ignore them and head toward the residence just several meters from her. But her feet didn’t move as her ears listened to what they were saying.

”Haa... this is exhausting.”

The first guard kicked the ground, grumbling under his breath.

”Can you shut up and seriously patrol with me?”

The second guard rolled his eyes at the other guard.

”What patrol? The island is safe, and there’s no sign of invasion. Why do we have to patrol so late in the night? Besides, aren’t there soldiers whose turn it is tonight? Why do we, soldiers who are not on shift, have to be dragged out here as well?”

Now that explained why she saw more guards than usual. Even in this place where high-ranking people of the Association and their only Admiral lived, there were guards surveying the area.

Did they receive a threat message? Aisha stepped out of the shuttle.

But the two guards weren’t done talking to each other.

”Can you stop complaining?” The second guard snapped. ”Do you think the Association ordered this to us because it’s fun to torture us? No. Something happened.”

”What happened?”

Aisha slowed down her steps and took a detour, hiding herself on the other side of the shuttle as they passed by.

From the corner of her eye, she saw the second guard look around warily, his gaze staying on the empty shuttle for a longer time. Then, when he knew there would be no one around to hear them, he leaned to the first guard and whispered something that made the latter’s eyes grow so wide.

”Wh—what—!”

The first guard covered the other guard’s mouth to stop him from shouting.

”Don’t tell anyone! Or you’ll have our heads rolling!”

The two guards continued on their way, unaware that someone had heard what had been said just now.

Fortunately, Aisha had always been great at sneaking around and making sure not a sound could be heard from her when she was trying to evade mutated creatures to survive. This had become a handy skill to have.

After making sure that the guards were no longer in sight or wouldn’t come back, Aisha glanced at the mansion in front of her. She hadn’t taken her time to look at it when she first came here, but now, looking at it, she felt that she and Zeke were slightly more alike.

The house was big and grandiosely designed, that held no doubt about how much money had been spent on it. However, behind that glamour, coldness, emptiness, and gloominess hid deep within.

Just like how even with everything around her that gave her peace and made her look forward to the future, Aisha could never truly feel that peace when every one of her loved ones was left behind and died in her former world.

”I guess I wasted my time coming here.”

She turned back and got in the shuttle again.

Aisha was glad that she hid in time and heard what had been said by the guard because she would’ve gone inside an empty house.

As it turns out, Zeke was not in his house.

He was also not on the island. But inside a contaminated zone.