The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving

Or so she tried.

The first attempt came only minutes later, when she let out a soft gasp and stumbled dramatically, one hand flying to her chest. ”Oh! I thought I saw something move over there...”

Her sudden outburst did take the attention of the two Sentinels who were with her. But when they glanced at the wall where she was pointing, they saw nothing there but rough bumps on the wall.

Zeke turned his gaze away nonchalantly. ”If you’re frightened, you can walk in front of us. Or you can stay here and wait for us to explore ahead and come back.”

How could she not understand the underlying meaning behind his words? He was suggesting to leave her behind!

Galithe’s smile strained. ”N-no, that’s alright. I’ll keep walking.”

A few minutes after that, she deliberately misstepped, letting her ankle wobble just enough to make her lurch sideways with a small cry. Gwen, walking a step behind her, instinctively reached out to steady her—but Zeke had already moved on ahead without so much as glancing back.

”Careful of the uneven ground,” was all he said, voice utterly devoid of concern.

Her third attempt was to feign curiosity over a strange marking on the icy wall, hoping he’d stop and explain it to her, perhaps standing close enough that their shoulders might brush. She’d heard it would make anyone’s heart beat fast from accidental touches like that.

But Zeke’s response was, once again, the same cold offer: ”If you’re here to sightsee, you can stay behind. You can also record some things here that you can bring back to the Federation.”

Who wants to record things for them!

Galithe’s fingers curled into fists at her sides. Her eyes had turned bloodshot already; the only thing amiss was the tears falling from them.

Every attempt, every carefully crafted moment of vulnerability that should have drawn out even the smallest flicker of protectiveness from any normal Sentinel, was met with nothing but detached indifference.

Was he even a man? No... was he even a Sentinel?!

Gwen, sensing her mounting frustration, cleared her throat awkwardly as they continued forward.

”Don’t take it personally,” she said in a low voice, careful to keep enough distance so Zeke wouldn’t overhear.

Though they both knew it was useless with their senses fully active now. Still, she continued to explain so that the Chief Master of their Association wouldn’t get wind of how badly the Guide from the Federation was treated by him.

”The Admiral has always been like this. Even back when he was younger, he never let anyone get close enough to guide him. I’ve heard he’s been picky about the Guides who can stabilize him. I honestly haven’t seen him guided by anyone. Though I’m sure that wasn’t the case before I became a member of the squad.”

Galithe’s stomach dropped. ”And how long have you been a squad member?”

Seeing that she was finally showing some interest other than their Admiral, Gwen honestly answered, ”Two years. I’m the newest member of the squad, but I’m doing quite well to keep up with the team.”

Gwen honestly felt proud of herself. Out of the hundreds of recruits who had joined the Association two years ago, she ended up joining Zeke’s squad. Fortunately, her performance rate had been spectacular, so she became a permanent member and earned her status as an elite member of the Association.

”Two years... and you’ve never seen a Guide appear next to him?”

Sadly, Galithe was more focused on this information. Her heart started to beat faster, and the glee on her expression was almost uncontrollable. If that were truly the case, she had to work harder and tempt him more!

”Exactly what I said,” Corin murmured, apologetic. ”I’m sorry if his coldness offended you. It’s not personal, truly—he treats every Guide the same way.”

Galithe nodded with a smile.

Feeling relieved at seeing how understanding Galithe was, Gwen turned back to focus on their surroundings.

On the other hand, Galithe was thinking deeply again. She was glad to know that no Guide had ever come close to Zeke since it meant that he had been clean and untouched for two years or more. Not many Sentinels could achieve that feat with the amount of miasmic energy and mental pollution they’d end up having after entering a contaminated zone.

This also proved the suspicion the Federation held about the Association. And all the more she should get Zeke to be paired with her. In that way, she could gain access to the new miasma blocker crystals and gain a powerful protector at the same time!

But a wave of distress crashed through her. The man she was targeting didn’t try to even glance her way and had always dismissed her so coldly. It even felt like her mission was already failing before it started.

No... I can’t let this happen. I need to think of something!

Desperation clawing at her chest, Galithe made one final attempt.

She quickened her pace, closing the distance between them until she was close enough to reach out and grab his arm, letting her fingers dig in as she gasped theatrically, feigning terror at some imagined shadow ahead.

But her foot caught on something solid and slick beneath the ice.

She tripped for real this time.

For one fleeting, triumphant second, humiliation gave way to pure joy—because Zeke’s hand had shot out and caught her before she could hit the ground, fingers wrapping firmly around her arm.

But the warmth of victory lasted only a heartbeat.

In the very next instant, Zeke shoved her backward into Gwen’s chest, his voice sharp and urgent as he barked, ”Stay alert!”

And that was when Galithe realized what she’d tripped over.

The thing beneath her boot writhed lively, its midnight-purple carapace glistening under their light tools. It was the very same creature that had lunged at Cavendish earlier.

Cruuuckk, cruukkk.

Ahead of them, in the darkness swallowing the tunnel whole, hundreds more of them stirred awake, their bioluminescent fins flickering like a field of malevolent stars.