Free Web NovelChapter 193: _Comparable To An S-Rank
Phoenix Flight HQ
The spike of aether from Ambrose was felt all around the building. Mostly by the higher ranking Hunters—Guides and Espers alike.
Han Jae-won lifted his head from a magazine he was looking through on his way back to his suite. He squinted, arching his head at the ceiling.
’That... aether.’ His brows furrowed. ’I’ve never felt anything like it. Except maybe from...’
His pupils blew wide at the only other possibility he could think of. A non-human one.
Meanwhile, at the top floor reserved for the Guild’s S-Ranks, Augustus stilled the instant he felt the pulse of aether. He arched a brow, angling his head to the elevator door.
’That can’t be right.’ He thought, glancing one last time at his suite door. ’Aether that intense... dungeon beast?’
He’d been hoping to take some rest for the rest of the day... but it seems that could wait. Spinning on his feet, he darted straight for the elevator’s metal doors.
Back in Ambrose’s suite, Devon and Viktor took stunned steps back from his bedroom door. They’d been considering if they should break it down when it suddenly began rattling.
"I’m not the only one sensing those aether fluctuations, right?" Viktor’s eyes slid wearily to Devon.
The latter shook his head. "No," he glanced over his shoulder at the living room door. "And I fear others might be sensing it too."
He didn’t know what the heck was happening at the other end of the door—but he knew damn well Ambrose won’t want anyone else knowing about it.
"Rose?!" He banged a hand on the door but nearly withdrew. Pure aether sparked through every inch of it like electricity. "What the heck is happening in there?"
Viktor’s expression shifted into something grave. "Wait—remember he’s linked to both of us and then Valentine?" He tapped Devon’s shoulder. "What if this is his body finally reacting to the overload? Guides were never meant to be permanently linked to more than one Esper at once."
The growing concern flickering past Devon’s eyes showed how much he was buying into the idea.
If only these two S-Ranks knew the so-called ’Guide’ hasn’t been one for a long time...
[Host’s permanent links adapting to change in rank.]
[ALERT: Host’s body readjusting to spike in aether.]
In his bedroom, Ambrose knelt on the marble floor, his fingers splayed as he struggled to catch his breath. Sweat trickled down his forehead in small beads.
His eyes kept shifting between its natural silver colour to a bright blue shade.
[Leveling up completed!]
The second that last notification popped in front of him, Ambrose inhaled through his mouth like a man at the brink of drowning. He shuddered, gnashing his teeth as he lifted his head.
’... Show me my updated stats.’
[Loading stats. Please standby...]
He rose off the ground with a small grunt as the storm of aether exploding out of him receded.
[Host’s stats updated:]
[Name: Ambrose Hale.
Age: 22
Category: A-Rank Aether Hybrid (Infinite Esper Bond-linking.)
Occupation: Guide at Phoenix Flight Guild.
Strength: 30
Speed: 26
Durability: 20
Healing factor: 23
Reflexes: 23
Senses: 20
Intelligence: 25
Powers: Infinite Guide-Link. Death Sense. (Passive) Aether Protection Field. (Passive) Fire resistance. (Passive) Fire manipulation (A-Rank) Cold Resistance (Passive) Spatial Awareness (passive) Frost/Ice manipulation (A-Rank)
Special skill: Charm Aura (passive)
System Titles: Cataclysm Breaker, Death Racer
Current linked Espers: 3 (S-Ranks and SS-Rank.)
HP: 4100
EP: 20000
Total Evaluation: Higher A-Rank monster or lesser S-Rank Esper.]
His eyes lit up like stars when he saw the total evaluation.
Comparable to an S-Rank Esper!
[A lesser one. I’m talking about the bottom of the S-Rank food chain. So S-Ranks like Devon and Viktor would still give you a run for your money.]
While Aura brought disadvantages all Ambrose saw was opportunity. He still had lots of aether to gather before he can level up again.
Before then his aether should be dense enough to rival S-Ranks like Devon and Viktor if he just kept stacking it up.
"I’ve come so far..." a small smirk ghosted his lips as he recalled moments where he’s almost been killed by A-Ranks.
From dungeon beasts. To that one encounter with Devon’s berserk nephew. Heck even imbeciles like Han Jae-won and his crew. With his current power level—they were all beneath him.
"Ambrose?!" Devon’s thunderous voice snapped him back to the present. He blinked, swinging his head to the door as he continued. "If you don’t answer in the next five seconds I’m breaking this door down."
Oh, shit—right.
Dusting his knees, he fixed his posture before quickly reaching for the door knob and all the locks. The door opened right when Devon drew back his fist like he was ready to punch it open.
The Esper froze, several emotions flashing past those golden orbs. Then they settled on relief as he pulled Ambrose into his arms.
"God, you’re okay." He heaved. "What the fuck was all that, Rose?"
Ambrose stiffened in his hold for a beat. All he could recall was the horrors he faced in the prehistoric dungeon. The pterodactyl’s devastating sonic attacks still made his bones quiver.
Then the revelation from the masked figure—it was all too much for him to process.
But somehow, being in Devon’s arms eased the residue tension from it all. "I have no clue." He managed to say, unable to ignore the intense stares from them. "I was in my room to rest but then... my aether—"
"Sounds like a reason to check in with your Guild’s infirmary." Viktor muttered, eyes flicking between them. "Right? Because all that aether we felt—"
"We can’t!" Ambrose didn’t mean to raise his voice. He pressed his lips together, realising how suspicious that sounded. "I–I mean, I can’t. What if the doctors look too deep and... discover the permanent links?"
The Ice Prince only paused for a breath. "Maybe they could give us an explanation on why that’s possible." Ambrose gawked at him like he’d suggested suicide. "What? Aren’t you even a little bit curious as to why you can suddenly do that?"
Regret flooded Ambrose’s chest. ’I should’ve never told him about the permanent links.’
"Ambrose can’t do that." Devon shook his head. "You know how the Federation is about things they can’t understand."
Just like that, Viktor and Devon began bickering about what he should and shouldn’t do like he wasn’t standing right there.
Ambrose would’ve loved to say something sarcastic... but his mind diverted. He brought out his phone—ignoring the cracks gotten from the dungeon.
He searched for the number Valentine used in calling him when he and Devon went house hunting. Once he found it, he sent a text:
>"I know I owe you already. But... I kinda need your help. With a lie. And you can’t ask me why I’m making said lie.<
He clicked send and waited patiently for what felt like aeons. Surprisingly, the Necromancer didn’t take long to respond.
>" Well, well. What have you gotten yourself into this time?"<
Right before Ambrose could type a response, three sharp knocks echoed through the suite.
The bickering between Devon and Viktor halted instantly.
Ambrose frowned, slowly lifting his head from his phone.
[WARNING: High concentration of aether detected beyond suite entrance.]
[Presence identified: S-Rank Esper.]
His stomach dropped.
Then Aura’s next words appeared.
