The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]
Chapter 333: Inhabitable

Chapter 333: Inhabitable

"I’m sure you have read the reports regarding the monsters in the dungeons in the Restricted Zones," Lane took a sip of his frappuccino, before continuing to explain. The drink was already getting warm, but it was still as sweet as before, so Lane didn’t mind. "We already have S-rank monsters with hypnotic ability in the Lapis Lake, and now those high-ranking monster parasites have appeared... If we act rashly, the Capital will turn into a true Forbidden Zone, which hardly anyone would be able to enter... Including you. As a B-ranker, you would also be in danger."

Blanc listened to Lane’s explanation calmly. And once Lane was done, he simply asked, "Is that all?"

Lane’s brows furrowed. He had pondered over this explanation for quite a while, and yet, Blanc sounded as if he was ready to dismiss it in a minute...

Which shouldn’t be all that surprising, all things considered. Blanc was very smart, much smarter than Lane. Not to mention, he spent every day working on it, going through all the information they had, and creating countless plans... Meanwhile, Lane spent his days leisurely, playing games, watching movies, and flirting with his boyfriend. In recent days, the secret organization was more like an afterthought to him... It was only after the dungeon break that he had started paying more attention to it again. As such, whatever he came up with, there was a high chance that Blanc had already considered it...

Lane knew it. But that didn’t stop him from feeling annoyed...

"Why, do you have a solution?" he scoffed, barely holding back his displeasure.

"It’s not necessarily a solution... It’s just that I believe that is not a reason to feel concerned," even if he had sensed Lane’s emotions, Blanc remained calm. "To begin with, the monsters with the hypnotic ability are water creatures. They had been restricted in the Lapis Lake. As long as we maintain the barrier that stops them from entering the river, they will remain in the lake. The area around the Lapis Lake would be locked down, but the rest of the Capital would be unaffected."

Blanc’s words made sense. Just because the Capital would undergo Manaforming and transform into a Forbidden Zone, the nature of the monsters wouldn’t change. Underwater monsters would still be unable to survive on land, thus they would remain stuck in the lake. No matter how Lane thought about it, he couldn’t find a way to refute Blanc’s explanations.

As for the part that an area of the Capital would be inaccessible to most... That wouldn’t be much different from how any large Forbidden Zone was. Even in No. 74, which was a functioning city where a lot of people lived, both civilians and the Awakened, there were areas that hardly anyone dared to enter, because higher-ranking monsters resided there! Besides, even if they didn’t have S-rank monsters now, there was no guarantee that they wouldn’t appear in the future. New Gates emerged every day. A place that was safe today might not be so the next day.

Lane thought for a moment, tapping his fingers on the table. Although he knew it was most likely pointless, he still tried asking next, "What about the parasite monsters?"

However, just as he feared, Blanc had an answer ready even to that.

"They won’t be a problem as long as they are all exterminated. I believe the Association and the high-ranking Guilds are already working on that. Afterwards, we would just have to ensure to keep that one Gate clear at all times... Wouldn’t that solve the problem?"

Lane clenched his teeth. Smart people were so annoying sometimes!

And Blanc wasn’t even done yet. Just as Lane thought that it couldn’t get any worse, Blanc asked, "And even if the Capital becomes inhabitable... Why would that be a problem?"

Of course, it wouldn’t. The world was big and vast. There were also plenty of cities and towns in the country. Even if a few of them were destroyed, it’s not like people wouldn’t have anywhere to live! They would just develop new settlements in the places that were still habitable. As the world experienced Manaforming, it was only natural that things would change...

A while ago, Lane wouldn’t care. Once the Capital turned into a Forbidden Zone, he would just grab his things and move somewhere else. Actually, that was the initial plan - take care of the Capital, and then pick another large city to spread the Manaforming there. It was just that Lane had gotten so comfortable, that he didn’t want to leave...

And then there was Damien.

Back when things had first started, Lane was all alone, with only Ava by his side. He didn’t have much to loose. Diana was far away, so once the Capital had fallen, he would just have to ensure that Ava escaped the city safely, and as for the rest, it wasn’t his problem. But now... His boyfriend was a dedicated member of the Association. If things escalated, Damien would surely fight to stop the Manaforming and defend the Capital from the monsters...

As for Lane? What was he going to do, then? Support him? Or the secret organization? Either option wasn’t great...

On the other end of the line, Blanc was slowly getting impatient with Lane’s silence. "Are there any other issues? If not, we should proceed with the plan as soon as possible..."

"There are still other problems," Lane cut him off, snapping of his thoughts. "I have a lot of businesses in the Capital. If we act rashly, it will cause me a lot of financial loss... I need to settle it all first."

"...I understand." At the mention of businesses and money, Blanc suddenly found himself not able to argue back. Not because he didn’t know what to say, but as a former businessman, he understood Lane’s position. If he were in Lane’s shoes, he wouldn’t want his businesses falling into ruin either. So, he could just suggest, "Boss, if you have any difficulties, would you be willing to accept my assistance?"

"I appreciate the thought, but that won’t be necessary," Lane turned him down coldly.

"I understand. Please try to settle it as soon as possible, then."

"Mn," Lane only hummed in response, before ending the call abruptly, and tossing the phone to the side in anger.

Actually, the businesses were just an excuse. Lane didn’t care so much about a little financial loss, he could easily afford it. He just needed time to think things over...

But even if his current excuse bought him some time, he knew that he couldn’t drag it on forever. Sooner or later, he had to make a decision... Either to work with the secret organization and proceed with the plans...

Or to try to exterminate them.