The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving

She felt disappointed that the eminent admiral of the Association was different from what she expected. The Zeke Valearion she imagined was cold and empathetic, indifferent to the lives of other people for the sake of the goals of the Association. Even the Commanders of the Golden Wings and Silver Fangs would choose to sacrifice their men for the greater good.

But it was fine.

If she became his matched pair, she could fix that and ensure he’d be more selfish and think of protecting only her.

”We should go back and report this to the Chief Master. This is the first time we’ve encountered a dual contaminated zone, so we should postpone everything and rethink how to deal with this.”

Galithe’s suggestion was only logical. Since this was a new type of contaminated zone, we have absolutely no way of knowing what could be living inside and how much miasma could be gathering within it.

Leaving the contaminated zone to rethink their plan for conquering the zone was a priority.

”I’ll stay behind with the Admiral.”

Ares suddenly announced.

Galithe frowned and looked at him. ”Are you sure the Admiral would want to stay here? Isn’t it too risky for him to stay with his position?”

She was sure that Zeke Valaerion would have the same thoughts as her.

”I will stay.”

”What?”

Galithe didn’t expect him to agree so quickly with Ares.

Then, seeing that he was serious about this, she could only respond in a way that would make her look more sincere and compassionate.

”Fine, I’ll stay behind, too.” She placed a hand on her hip and looked at Zeke with gentleness. ”After all, I can guide you when it gets too dangerous. You’ll need me to stay behind.”

Unfortunately, she didn’t know him personally like the other veterans in the team.

”No,” Zeke said. ”You will stay with the others here. Either guide the other Sentinels or get out of the contaminated zone. The choice is yours. You’re from the Federation and your life and death are something the Association cannot bear.”

Simply put, Galithe was being treated as an outsider and was cast out of the team. It was all up to her as to how she would choose her next action.

”Then, who will guide you if I leave? Are there any other S-ranked Guides in the team? There aren’t!” Galithe was annoyed that he refused to see her concern for him. She had never been treated like this in the Federation. All other Sentinels begged and wanted to be guided by her!

She refused to think that he’d be so capable of letting go of a powerful S-rank Guide like her!

But Zeke had already turned around and called out four other people to join him in exploring the annexed contaminated zone to search for their team members.

He had completely ignored her in front of everyone!

Hmph! He’ll soon crawl under my feet!

When he realizes that he couldn’t go on without someone guiding him, she’ll show him how he shouldn’t act so arrogantly in front of her in the future!

Inwardly, Galithe was already hoping that the new assembled team would fail in their mission.

Zeke discussed the next course of their plan with the sudden appearance of a dual contaminated zone with his team. ”The four of us will go inside the other zone and get our team members out. While inside, try to observe and see if there’s anything that will make our trip more meaningful. However, that is the last thing we will think about.”

”Our priority right now is to get the survivors and our team members. I suspect they must have been pulled into the zone’s strange gravity. Hence, do not go alone. Make sure you’re in a pair of two or three so that no one gets left out when there’s danger.”

”Ensure that your battlesuit and gear are in top condition. Anyone who needs repairs must stay out. I’ll find a replacement this instant. Anyone who needs repairs can say it now.”

When no one said anything, Zeke continued. ”If you feel your mental pool has signs of pollution, notify me immediately. Do not engage in an unprovoked battle against monsters you come across . Observe and only act when you’re absolutely certain you can win.”

”Now, recite the rules of the team.”

The four Sentinels nodded.

Ares began the recitation, memorizing the rules by heart.

”Contamination zones are not your homes. Do not lurk around alone.”

”When faced with monsters above your rank, survive until the end and wait for rescue.”

”If rescue doesn’t arrive, hide and minimize your presence.”

”Prioritize your life, but absolutely do not abandon your team members!”

”If there is no hope... ensure that your enemies are annihilated!”

The first half of the rules were to remind them what to do inside the zone. The second half was to choose their own lives over others, but not without reason. But what resonated deep within their souls was the last rule!

Entering the contaminated zone with several others does not mean a high chance of survival. But if there was really no way out and their entire team was wiped out, they should choose to take down their enemies with them no matter what.

It didn’t matter how strong their opponents were, they’d rather become martyrs than food.

Because of the deaths of their comrades, this led to these rules being born.

Now, Zeke’s original elite squad had nothing to fear.

Time passed by slowly, and Zeke and the four members of his original squad entered the zone.

But just as they completely disappeared into the bottomless darkness, Galithe tried to insert herself into their team. She reasoned that the Federation would like to know about the dual contaminated zone as well.

In the end, they had to bring her with them since the Association and the Federation were still trying to cooperate. And Galithe was a person of the Federation. The dual contaminated zone could not be hidden forever either. It saved them time and paperwork to give to the Federation.

The instant they entered the unknown annexed Contaminated Zone, the extreme coldness was what they noticed immediately. It felt like they had been submerged in a pool of ice.

Noticing that the temperature was getting worse the deeper they were inside the zone, each of them activated a special feature of their battlesuit. They no longer felt the cold, but another problem appeared.

They couldn’t see anything beyond the void. Even with their senses fully heightened and the use of their light tools, only a slight window of light was given to them for several steps ahead. But what was beyond that was still unknown to them.

At that moment, they all stopped.

The tunnel with roughened walls suddenly split into two distinct paths.