RVN Ch 7
by Ivy
No one could easily open their mouth. The sound of sand-laden winds sweeping over the desolate ruins was deafening.
Technically, people still lived in the outskirts of Earth’s districts—refugees who had lost their homes overnight due to monster attacks, criminals cast out from the inner zones, addicts consumed by drugs, plague victims abandoned by society, and political exiles who had dared to rebel against the government. They hid in these wastelands, barely surviving day by day.
The government had long given up on these places, leaving them as lawless lands where monsters appeared frequently. The ruins, already in a state of decay, only grew harsher with each passing day.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Among these outer districts, none were as notorious as the outskirts of the Central District. Situated at the very heart of the continent, Central District was the largest of all, home to the most significant institutions.
Naturally, it also housed the highest concentration of Espers and Guides. Most high-ranking Espers were stationed there, and with its advanced infrastructure, the population density was immense. As a result, many who were abandoned or driven out ended up in its outskirts, making the region all the more treacherous.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Just as slums form around great metropolises, as shadows always follow light, the pristine, gleaming Central District was encircled by a breeding ground of darkness.
The once-thriving cityscape had been reduced to ruins, abandoned just like this place. The collapsed buildings of the old city carried a ghostly, chilling presence. Between the crumbling structures, figures moved—whether they were people or zombies, it was impossible to tell.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
A lawless wasteland where only the strong survived—that was the outskirts of Central District.
For someone like Raven to have lived in such a place, emerging unscathed and immaculate, only meant that he was anything but ordinary.
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
“…That’s impossible.”
Kevin, a teleportation Esper, muttered in disbelief as he looked Raven up and down.
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
With his refined appearance, he could easily pass for a noble’s heir from the inner districts. But he was from the outskirts? A place where mere survival was a struggle had somehow produced an S-class Guide with a spotless, well-kept frame? How was that even possible?
The same question echoed in the minds of every Esper staring at him.
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
“Yeah, so my words and manners are a bit rough. Never had a proper education, you see. You understand, right?”
Hands tucked into his pockets, Raven flashed a smirk, his eyes narrowing in amusement. But no one laughed along with him. Instead, a sense of foreboding settled over them—the unsettling realization that most of them wouldn’t stand a chance against him.
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Even so, you didn’t have to come along, did you? It’s rare enough for a Guide to be out in the field, and it’s not like you can Guide anyone but me.”
Renault’s words were blunt—practically an outright declaration of uselessness. Raven tilted his head, his sharp gaze locking onto Renault.
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“I’m your Guide. As long as I take care of you, why should I bother with anyone else?”
Renault blinked, momentarily too stunned to mask his reaction. He was so caught off guard that he couldn’t even find words.
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
“Well, aren’t you rude?”
Hena, grinning brightly, strode up to Raven. She was already small, but standing before the towering Raven made the height difference appear even more exaggerated. Yet, she showed no sign of intimidation, tilting her head back to glare at him.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“A Guide coming to the field means exactly that, kid. Your priority is your assigned Esper, sure, but you’re also supposed to assist others when possible.”
It was quite the sight—tiny Hena confidently calling the much taller Raven a kid. But considering she was twenty-seven and Raven only twenty-one, she wasn’t wrong.
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
“Oh, come on. Who here would even want Guidance from an S-class Guide whose only match is the captain? I heard his average match rate is below 10%. If someone like me—a mere B-class Esper—so much as touched him, I’d be dead on the spot.”
“You know how?”
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Chris, who had been sneering, visibly tensed at Raven’s calm response.
“…What?”
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
“There’ve been plenty of Espers who died after touching me.”
The sarcastic jab turned eerily literal in an instant, causing Chris to swallow hard and take a cautious step back.
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
The rumors about the ‘Guide with monstrous strength’ aside, the thought of accidentally brushing against Raven and being crushed under the weight of overwhelming Guidance was enough to send chills down his spine.
S-class Guides never worked with B-class or lower Espers. They were as rare as legendary artifacts, and the moment one appeared, S-class Espers would immediately claim them. Lower-ranked Espers didn’t even get a chance.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
But that wasn’t the only reason. The sheer power gap made it too dangerous.
Trying to Guide a weak Esper with an S-class Guide’s strength was like forcing an entire ocean into a balloon—it would simply burst. If an Esper’s capacity was too small, excessive Guidance could kill them or leave them permanently damaged.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Of course, not all S-class Guides were uncontrollably powerful, but Renault had never actually seen an accident happen before.
Yet, for some reason, a sharp instinct told him that Raven might be one of those rare cases—an S-class Guide whose strength was both immense and uncontrollable. No, rather than being unable to control his power—that bastard probably didn’t even bother trying.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
That was a problem. If any Esper recklessly picked a fight with him and ended up getting caught… just thinking about it was horrifying.
“Enough with the chatter.”
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
Renault patted Chris on the shoulder, watching him with a look of pity.
“Didn’t you hear me say we should hurry up, take down the bugs, and go back to rest? I’m tired, so let’s move quickly.”
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
“You just woke up. How are you already tired?”
Hena chuckled.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Is there anyone here who isn’t tired?”
At Renault’s retort, the others all nodded in agreement. Just being out here on the outskirts of Earth was exhausting in itself. It didn’t help that they’d all had a restless night.
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
Renault unconsciously recalled the unsettling dreams he’d had the previous night. Damn it. A curse slipped out without him realizing it. The best thing to do was to erase such useless thoughts from his mind as quickly as possible—perhaps by beating the hell out of some B-class monsters.
“Chris, go scout ahead and see if you sense anything unusual.”
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
“Sir, yes, sir!”
True to his military background, Chris even raised a hand to his head in a salute before dashing off in an instant. Technically, Espers and Guides operated under their own independent center, separate from the military.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
That meant the center had a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the army, but its chain of command remained just as strict. Chris’s occasional habit of talking like a soldier was half a joke and half ingrained behavior.
Renault watched Chris disappear into the dusty winds of sand before turning to the remaining two team members. He instructed them to split up and search for any traces of monsters. Then, he strode toward Raven.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Let me make one thing clear—watch yourself. I don’t know why you insisted on coming along, but no matter how much of an S-class Guide you are, no one here is going to save you if you get into trouble.”
“Wow, that’s harsh.”
Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com
Raven exaggeratedly hunched his shoulders, muttering under his breath. Then, his blue eyes lifted, locking onto Renault’s with unwavering focus.
“What about you? Are you going to pretend not to see anything, even though I’m your dedicated Guide? Even if I’m in danger?”
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“It’s ‘Captain,’ not ‘you.’ Use the proper title.”
Yesterday, Raven might have feigned ignorance about Renault’s position, but there was no way he hadn’t learned by now. And yet, he still insisted on speaking so informally. Renault found it extremely irritating.
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“But I’m not technically part of your team, am I? I belong to the Guide Division, not the Esper Division. There’s no reason for me to call you Captain.”
The brat was infuriatingly good at talking back. Annoyingly enough, he wasn’t even wrong. If Raven were officially part of the Esper team, then yes, he would have to use ‘Captain.’ But since he was a Guide, it wasn’t required.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
Other Guides still called Renault ‘Captain’ out of respect, but that was a personal choice, not a rule. Most dedicated Guides and their Espers were on a first-name basis anyway. Renault clicked his tongue in irritation. This was exactly why he hated how the center was stuck in this half-military, half-independent limbo.
With no real way to counter Raven’s argument, Renault let out a low, frustrated growl before running a hand through his hair in agitation. What an insufferable brat. Even if Raven’s words weren’t technically wrong, he was still insufferable, so Renault had no qualms about cursing him under his breath as he turned on his heel.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
“But seriously, would you really ignore me if I got hurt? Would you just stand by and do nothing?”
Raven suddenly murmured, drawing closer. Renault stomped down the sand-covered path, but Raven persistently kept up with him, sticking annoyingly close.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
“Why would I?”
“Because I’m your dedicated Guide?”
Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish
“You followed us out here on your own. If you came without asking, then you can handle yourself. Why are you asking me? I have no obligation to protect you.”
When he answered soberly, Raven let out a soft, amused hum.
Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text
“That’s cruel especially to the one person who’s supposed to keep you alive.”
For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com