Free Web NovelChapter 199: _Unprecedented Times
Morozov Private Manor
Viktor sat quietly at the dining table, occasionally taking bites from his caviar while placing most of his attention on his phone.
On the screen were tab after tab from different social media platforms—all talking about the latest news on the Void Entity.
Since the Federation came out earlier in the day and revealed it was officially classifying the Void Entity as an Extinction Level threat, more discourse erupted around it.
Some still went ahead to call the United States Federation incompetent because of how all those S-Ranks died before they could come to their new analysis.
Others wondered if there really wasn’t a way to contain the beast within US soil—obviously to prevent it from moving anywhere else.
Everyone dreaded a repeat of the Chicago incident. Most of all... no one wanted this to escalate as much as the very first Extinction Level Rift event.
Or worse.
"Who has your attention divided, Viktor?" His mother’s curious voice cut through his line of thought.
He blinked, eyes lifting to meet hers at the very other end of the dining table. He cleared his throat. "Not a ’who’, mother. It’s—"
"I mean, it’s fine if you were, don’t get me wrong." Irina lifted a hand, leaning in as if she wasn’t several feet away. "Just don’t forget to tell me if it happens to be that Guide of yours."
The words only took a couple of seconds to settle before he realised who she was referring to. Come to think of it, who else would she be talking about?
"I don’t think I’ll be comfortable sharing my private affairs with you, mother."
"Oh." She arched an amused brow. "Now it’s become ’private’."
Red flooded his cheeks. "Mother, please don’t."
"What?" She shrugged innocently. "I’m only saying—the way you worded that makes me think I might’ve been right about your relationship with him after all."
Viktor decided to pull an Ambrose and swerved the topic to something else entirely. "Anyway," he took a quick sip from his wine. "You never shared how the SS-Rank meeting went. President Josiah thought of a replacement for the late vice president yet?"
"Viktor," His mother looked speechless. "The man’s body hasn’t even gotten cold yet."
"The Void Entity didn’t leave a body to begin with." The words were meant to drip with snark but all that came out was a solemn tone. "I’m genuinely worried, mother. An Extinction Level threat is no joke, even to you SS-Ranks."
Irina stared at her son for a silent beat.
She dropped her utensils, then picked up a wine glass and refilled it. Once she’d taken a good sip, she spoke. "I’m aware of that."
"So what the hell was the meeting about?"
"Language, darling." Irina didn’t sound or appear to care much. "We simply came to a unanimous decision to call in people who can bring down this entity much faster and hopefully with fewer losses."
The Ice Prince’s brows knitted.
People?
"I mean the Pantheon, boy." His mother blurted. "You know... the world’s only SSS-Ranks? The ones who closed the first two Extinction Level Rifts?"
Viktor’s eyes already flickered with recognition and surprise when he heard the name ’Pantheon’. He zeroed in on his mother.
"THE Pantheon?" He echoed. "The same group who no one even knows their actual names—they’re going to chip in now?"
Irina chortled in the middle of chewing. "I don’t know why you say it like that. But indeed." Her eyes landed on the food before her again. "We’ve officially entered unprecedented times, boy. It’s why I’d advise anyone with something as precious as a partner they care about... to fight to keep them close."
Viktor’s eyes batted shut as his nostrils flared.
As much as he’d hate agreeing with her—she was right. But it begged one question in his head.
After everything they’ve been through, does Ambrose Hale feel the same way?
★★★★★
Phoenix Flight HQ
Just like Ambrose predicted, it didn’t take long after dinner before Orion got knocked out like someone’s drunk uncle on a Saturday.
The boy was already snoring on the sofa thirty minutes after finishing his tacos. Devon didn’t complain, picking him up and helping him onto his bed like it was routine.
As for Ambrose, he took a quick shower and crept into his bed easily. Devon joined him soon but tonight there wasn’t anything too heated between them.
The S-Rank merely took off his shirt before pulling Ambrose into his arms and kissing him goodnight. Not that the latter was complaining anyway.
However, discomfort began setting in as the minutes turned into half an hour and then almost a whole hour. He stared blankly at the ceiling, racing through thoughts faster than any Hunter in his Rank.
Most of those thoughts circled two things: the safety of himself and those he cares about and the blood-chilling mysteriousness of the system.
At one point he could no longer take the pressure. He sat up, careful not to wake Devon who was already sleeping soundly like a baby.
’There was never a DNA test needed for you two.’ Rose thought to himself, holding back a chuckle.
Then he crawled out of bed, sneaking into the bathroom and closing the door carefully behind him. Once the locks were placed, he got in front of the mirror.
[So you’re really about to do what I think you want to do...]
He didn’t answer Aura immediately.
Instead, he raised his chin and gave a simple command. "Pull out the black mask."
Instantly, a blue light flashed in his vision. The mask appeared hovering in front of him then landed smoothly on his palm.
For a few seconds, Ambrose merely stared at the mask resting on his palm.
His reflection stared back at him through the bathroom mirror—silver eyes heavy with hesitation and exhaustion alike.
The last time he wore this thing he’d gotten dragged into a prehistoric nightmare and met a future version of himself that practically spoke in riddles like it was a damn profession.
Yet somehow... curiosity still gnawed at him stronger than fear.
’If I wear it again maybe he’ll appear.’ Ambrose swallowed. ’Maybe this time I’ll get actual answers.’
Slowly, he lifted the black mask toward his face.
The second it slid over his skin, a cold sensation spread through him.
Nothing happened immediately.
No voice.
No strange reaction.
No ancient prehistoric death birds trying to eat him alive.
Ambrose frowned beneath the mask. "Seriously?" He muttered. "Don’t tell me I
snuck into the bathroom for nothi—"
The world twisted.
His breath hitched violently as the bathroom around him shattered like broken glass. The mirror. The tiled walls. The lights above.
Everything dissolved into darkness.
Pitch blackness stretched endlessly around him.
Ambrose staggered, boots scraping against absolutely nothing as his consciousness settled into the void.
And standing several meters ahead of him was a familiar figure.
Black cloak. Black mask.
Silver eyes hidden beneath shadows.
The older version of himself stood calmly with his arms behind his back, almost as if he’d been waiting.
Then the man tilted his head slightly.
"Never thought you’d willingly come here yourself, otherworlder."
The ghost of amusement entered his voice. "Looks like I’ve indeed underestimated you."
