Lucien instantly scooted back.
After all, life came first!
Even in this dangerous moment, he just couldn't shake his habit of cursing, and a low curse slipped out past his pale lips.
"Fuck me—"
It was at that moment that a cold hand shot out and seized his retracted hand.
Lucien's earlier commanding, loud voice trembled, turning into a whisper as Zephyr, who had kept his head bowed all this time, finally looked up, his gray eyes gleaming like molten silver, staring straight at him.
"I messed up..."
Zephyr had finally gained a semblance of consciousness after feeling that familiar, soothing energy enter his body. But when he felt the fear in Lucien's trembling voice, he lowered his eyelashes. His body was in immense pain, his head pounding—yet he still retracted all the power that had been trying to invade Lucien's body in search of relief when he realized it was hurting him.
Although he had used a large amount of power and his mana had become heavily corrupted, he was an SSS-rank Esper. This much was hardly enough to push Zephyr into a rampage—at least, that was what he could tell about his own condition. He had only fainted for a while, drained after using so much power to kill so many monsters in the dungeon. It was hard, but he knew that if he tried, he could still control his powers.
Slowly, he pulled Lucien's hand closer to himself and pressed his face against its palm, pleading in a low, hoarse voice.
"Cien… guide me."
"It's so painful. I feel like…"
"…dying. Save me, Cien."
Although he sounded deeply pitiful, his reason had clearly returned. It showed in the way Zephyr fought to keep the faint curve of his lips from rising into a smile.
Still, the flicker of greed that had sparked within him after meeting Lucien only grew—something evil inside him whispered that if he devoured this person, all his pain would disappear. And yet, he didn't dare act on it.
After all, being too greedy wasn't good.
It would only drive away this kind person.
So, over and over, Zephyr repeated it in his mind as if it were an absolute command: even if he lost control today, he must not, under any circumstance, harm Lucien.
In his panic, Lucien didn't notice that the power trying to enter his body had quietly withdrawn. He tried to yank his hand back. Although touching Zephyr's face felt good, this was not the time to think about such things—but he failed to pull his hand free—the hand holding his was gentle, yet firm.
Ultimately, Lucien blurted out.
"I can't!"
"It's not you—I'll die if I keep going!"
Lucien thought he would have to endure a long struggle before he could finally break free. But to his surprise, just as he finished speaking, Zephyr let go of his hand. It was so abrupt that he fell onto his back. And then Lucien heard Zephyr's hoarse voice.
"Leave..."
Just one word.
Nothing else.
Yet, that one word was enough to stun Lucien, who scrambled to sit up straight.
His panicked blue eyes stared straight at the silver-haired Esper kneeling before him as Zephyr lowered his gaze, trying to move his body back, away from him, as if even in such a state, he could tell that the violent energy around him was harming Lucien.