Free Web NovelChapter 194: _How Long Can He Hide It?
[Target identified by name: Augustus]
Ambrose’s brows creased. ’Augustus? As in, the disciplinary guy?’
Shit. What could he possibly want now?
"Who’s there?" Devon barked when the knock came again.
"Hunter Augustus," came the man’s response. "I’m coming in because I sensed an unusual aether fluctuation from this suite. The guards here say they sensed the same thing but didn’t wish to intrude."
"You should probably listen to them on that last part!" Viktor took the words right out of Ambrose’s mouth. "There’s nothing out of the ordinary here."
"Explain the aether fluctuation then."
"Why do I have to—?"
The door burst open before the argument could persist. Augustus stood right outside with his arms behind his back, his brows arched as he strode in like he owned the place.
Ambrose’s eyes widened with surprise while Devon and Viktor snapped.
"... The fuck?"
"You have no right barging in here like that!"
Augustus ignored them, his sharp gaze roaming to Ambrose. He squinted. "I do have the right, actually. Especially when it involves a potential threat to this Guild’s safety."
"You’ve got to hear how laughable your words are." Viktor snorted. "A C-Rank Guide is who you call a threat?"
"Until the Guild master has reason to say otherwise, then yes," Augustus didn’t budge. "I’ll ask again. WHAT caused that aether fluctuation?"
The tension in the air was strong enough to choke. Ambrose knew he wouldn’t have been able to breathe if this were some weeks back.
But now? He was more than capable of defending himself.
"Me, sir." He stepped forward, lifting a hand with the shyest mask he could don. "Hunter Viktor needed a Guide and also promised he’d meet with me. So I can hone my guiding skills more."
Seeing the man’s expression didn’t falter, he went on with the spectacular lie. "We were in the middle of a session when I... lost control for a second. Accidentally let out his aether and some of mine."
He could feel the subtle speechlessness from Devon and Viktor but pretended not to notice. Soon enough, they bought into the act.
"Exactly what happened." Viktor’s lips stretched in a sarcastic smirk. "Hence why I insisted it’s none of your business, September."
That irked the other S-Rank. "It’s Augustus—"
"Whatever," Viktor waved dismissively. "You’ve gotten an explanation now so leave."
Silence settled in the living room for a beat. The tension was still so thick Ambrose feared someone would react rashly.
Fortunately, Augustus merely straightened. "Although I’m still confused on why you’ll meet a C-Rank to lead you through something as delicate as guiding... very well."
He spun on his feet and stepped out, looking over his shoulder once he held the door knob. "Just don’t blow up the building next time. Hm?"
With that he shut the door, giving Viktor and Devon room to breathe. Both men swivelled their necks to Ambrose who barely seemed fazed.
"Your ability to lie is extraordinary." Viktor remarked first. "Seriously though... when are you going to tell us what truly happened in your bedroom?"
Ambrose nearly groaned out loud at Viktor’s question.
There it was again.
That curiosity. That sharp look in the Ice Prince’s eyes like he was trying to pry apart every layer Ambrose wrapped around himself.
The Guide forced out a tired laugh instead. "What truly happened is that I almost exploded from too much aether, apparently." He shrugged loosely. "You guys heard the same thing I did."
"Rose—" Devon started carefully.
"Nope." Ambrose lifted both hands in surrender before backing away. "I’m exhausted, mildly traumatised and one step away from developing a drinking problem. I genuinely can’t do another interrogation today."
Viktor narrowed his eyes. "You always dodge when things get serious."
"And yet here you are still tolerating me." Ambrose flashed him a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Crazy, right?"
The Ice Prince took a step forward like he intended to stop him from retreating again. But Devon suddenly caught Viktor’s wrist first.
"Let him go." The red-haired Esper muttered quietly.
Viktor blinked. "Devon—"
"He isn’t going to talk if he doesn’t want to." There was no irritation in Devon’s voice. If anything, he sounded resigned. Tired. "I’ve learnt to live with that already."
That sentence hit Ambrose harder than expected.
For a second guilt curled unpleasantly in his stomach.
Then survival instincts buried it again.
"Catch you later, boys." He gave them one final two finger salute before slipping back into his bedroom and shutting the door behind him.
The playful expression vanished instantly once he was alone.
His shoulders slumped as he dragged a hand down his face. "This is getting messier by the day."
[Host appears mentally unstable.]
"Thank you so much for your input, Aura." He deadpanned while walking deeper into the room.
His mind drifted back to the prehistoric dimension almost immediately. The monsters. The loot potential. The sheer amount of aether he’d gained just surviving there.
At this rate ordinary dungeon raids weren’t going to cut it anymore.
"I need stronger monsters." He muttered underneath his breath. "More dangerous dungeons. More missions."
His silver eyes darkened thoughtfully.
And maybe... he didn’t need to clear those dungeons with everyone else either.
Why split rewards when he could swerve off on his own?
Pretend to lag behind the group. Pretend to be weak. Then quietly gather loot, absorb more aether and grow stronger behind everyone’s backs.
A slow grin tugged at his lips.
Honestly? The idea sounded sexy as hell.
Unfortunately, one major issue remained:
Phoenix Flight.
Between Magnus practically putting him under house arrest and now Augustus sniffing around, there was no way he’d keep freely moving around for long.
Maybe joining a smaller Guild wouldn’t be so bad.
Less publicity. Less powerful Hunters breathing down his neck every five seconds. Less Federation involvement if weird shit happened around him.
The more he thought about it, the more tempting the idea became...
★★★★★
Outside the suite meanwhile, Augustus walked down the hallway with his hands tucked behind his back.
His expression remained unreadable but his thoughts churned quietly.
That aether spike hadn’t felt normal.
Not even close.
"Hunter Augustus?"
The S-Rank paused mid-step.
Han Jae-won approached from further down the hallway, magazine tucked beneath his arm. His expression carried the same punchable arrogance as always—except this time there was caution mixed into it too.
Augustus arched his brow. "Yes?"
Han hesitated briefly before lowering his voice. "I... might have information you’d want."
Augustus’ gaze sharpened immediately. "About who?"
Han’s lips curled slowly.
"Ambrose Hale."
