Free Web NovelChapter 205: _Problematic Pretty Face
Steel Falcon Guild
Devon’s car made a stop in front of the Guild building about two hours later. Viktor stayed back with Orion—but that was also mostly because he and Ambrose were still heated from their little argument earlier.
The building was a large manor surrounded by a vast expanse of greenery. The compound itself was tarred with people moving in and out of the Guild, most barely noticing the two of them.
A perfect sign already.
"Hey, you cool?" Devon tapped Ambrose’s shoulder just when they were about to proceed forward.
The latter blinked before nodding with a smile. "Of course, I am. Why won’t I be?"
Devon didn’t seem convinced, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Well," he began awkwardly. "You seem kinda dull since that argument with Viktor. Just wondering if you want to talk about it or maybe—"
"There’s nothing much to talk about." Ambrose shrugged, angling his gaze back to the large cream-white painted building. "I just got upset at his interference and probably... overreacted."
"Still," Devon found his hand, his grip grounding. "Your reaction and fears are valid. I’d hate to overstep and I also know I won’t like feeling like I can’t make decisions on my own."
Ambrose hid his flushed cheeks.
Now things were getting a little too emotional again...
"Just give Viktor some grace." Fortunately, Devon didn’t push the conversation too hard, tapping Ambrose’s shoulder lightly. "Come on. Let’s go check out this Guild—unless you want me to wait in the car."
Ambrose held back a genuine chuckle. "I’d love for you to accompany me."
They both strode up the wide steps and into the building, hand in hand all the way. Once they made their way through the lobby and got to the receptionist desk, Ambrose naturally spoke up first.
"Good morning." He beamed at the young man looking through his phone behind the desk.
The second the guy saw him, he dropped the phone and smiled in return. "Good morning. Welcome to Steel Falcon. Are you here for Dungeon raid-related requests or..."
He paused just then, squinting as he scrutinised the two men before him. They looked... familiar.
Ignoring the abrupt pause, Ambrose answered: "I’m actually here in respect to a Hunter offer I got. As a Guide here." A pause. Then, he lowered his voice. "I’m Ambrose Hale."
The receptionist’s smile faltered for the briefest second.
Then his eyes widened almost comically.
"Oh." He cleared his throat quickly, turning toward the computer beside him. "Right. One second please."
As the man typed away nervously, Ambrose subtly noticed movement around the lobby.
A woman seated across the room lowered her phone from her face before glancing at him. Then another guy near the elevators did the same thing.
One look at their screens followed by a double take toward him.
Ambrose resisted the urge to sigh.
Great.
So the internet had truly done its thing already.
Fortunately, unlike Phoenix Flight, nobody seemed particularly interested in approaching him. Most simply whispered amongst themselves before moving on with their lives.
Exactly the kind of energy he wanted.
After another few seconds, the receptionist perked up.
"Found it." He smiled politely again. "Guild Master Dorothy is expecting you upstairs in office three zero six."
His gaze shifted to Devon.
"As for you, Hunter Ferguson, I’m sorry but visitors aren’t allowed beyond the third floor without clearance."
Devon raised both hands dramatically. "Damn. Rejected already."
That earned a tiny laugh from the receptionist. "You can wait in the lounge area if you’d like."
"Guess I’ll survive." Devon turned toward Ambrose afterwards, squeezing his hand briefly. "Go on then. I’ll be here."
Ambrose nodded before finally heading toward the elevators.
The moment he stepped inside and the doors shut, his nervousness crept back in full force.
’Alright... calm down.’ He exhaled quietly. ’It’s literally just a Guild interview. Not a death sentence.’
Still, old habits die hard.
As he walked through the upper floors afterwards, his eyes subtly swept over the Hunters moving around.
[Hunter detected.]
[B-Rank Esper.]
[Hunter detected.]
[C-Rank Esper.]
[Hunter detected.]
[B-Rank Guide.]
Ambrose blinked.
That was it?
Compared to Phoenix Flight where S-Ranks practically roamed the halls like celebrities and A-Ranks breathed down everyone’s necks twenty-four-seven, this place felt almost... underwhelming.
Not weak exactly.
Just normal.
And honestly?
That made him relax a little.
Eventually, he stopped in front of office three zero six.
After taking a steadying breath, he knocked.
"Come in." The voice belonged to a woman.
Ambrose pushed the door open and immediately sensed it.
Strong aether.
Not S-Rank or anything like that. But powerful enough to make his instincts sharpen.
An A-Rank Esper.
The woman behind the desk looked to be in her late thirties. Dark skin. Sharp eyes. Long braided hair pulled over one shoulder alongside a crisp grey suit.
She studied him calmly before gesturing toward the seat across from her.
"Guide Ambrose Hale." Her lips curved faintly. "Please sit."
Ambrose obeyed quickly.
"I’m Dorothy Carter," she introduced. "Guild master of Steel Falcon."
"A pleasure meeting you, ma’am."
"The pleasure’s mine." Odd amusement flickered in her gaze. "You’ve caused quite the stir online recently."
Ah.
There it was.
Ambrose smiled awkwardly. "Unfortunately."
Dorothy hummed before folding her hands atop the desk. "I’ll be direct. Your credentials are... unusual. A C-Rank Guide who’s so close to two S-Rank Espers isn’t exactly common."
"Yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck. "My life has been pretty weird lately."
That surprisingly earned the tiniest snort from her.
Thankfully, the questioning itself didn’t last long.
Most of it revolved around his experience as a Guide and why he’d chosen to leave Phoenix Flight.
"They simply no longer align with what I want," Ambrose answered honestly enough. "I needed a change of environment."
Dorothy observed him silently for a moment. Almost like she was trying to figure out if there was more beneath the surface.
Then eventually—she nodded.
"Well. Steel Falcon could use another competent Guide."
She reached into a drawer and slid out an ID card. "Welcome to the Guild, Guide Ambrose."
For a second, he genuinely froze.
That easy? No ridiculous scrutiny? No endless politics?
Relief washed through him embarrassingly fast as he accepted the card carefully.
"Thank you, ma’am."
"Do try not to bring too many scandals into my Guild." Her tone stayed dry. "One problematic pretty face is enough around here."
Ambrose nearly choked.
Pretty face?
Before he could question what the hell that meant, he excused himself and stepped out of the office.
Only to immediately bump into someone rounding the hallway corner.
"Oh—shit. Sorry about that."
A hand caught his arm before he could stumble.
Ambrose looked up.
And promptly forgot how words worked for half a second.
The man before him was ridiculously handsome.
Tall. Dark hair loosely tied back. Warm brown eyes paired with the kind of smile that could probably talk people into terrible decisions.
"No harm done." The stranger chuckled softly before offering his hand. "You must be the new Guide everyone’s whispering about."
Ambrose accepted the handshake cautiously. "Ambrose Hale."
"Leon."
The man’s grip was warm. Steady.
"Welcome to Steel Falcon." Leon smiled easily. "Hope the crazies here don’t scare you off too quickly."
Ambrose found himself laughing a little. "I’ll do my best."
Then after one final nod, he headed for the elevators completely unaware of the gaze lingering on his retreating figure.
The pleasant smile on Leon’s face slowly faded. Or rather—shifted.
Something far more intrigued slithered beneath it.
’Interesting.’ Loki flexed their fingers lightly.
The moment they’d touched Ambrose, they’d attempted the simplest thing imaginable.
Viewing his aether.
Except... Nothing came clearly.
It was there and yet not.
Almost like something massive kept twisting around it protectively whenever they tried getting a proper look.
And that? That was a gigantic red flag.
Their lips curled slowly. ’Oh, Ambrose Hale.’
Now they wanted to know everything.
