Free Web NovelChapter 209: _Someone Might Think You’re Trying To Seduce Me
Phoenix Flight HQ
In the building’s lobby, an elegant-looking woman, dressed in a black coat over a wine-pink dress, walked in. Her long black hair whipped behind her as her almond-shaped eyes scanned the lobby.
Many heads turned to her instinctually. But one in particular brightened the instant he saw her.
Han Jae-won rushed up to his sister, bowing his head slightly once he was in front of her. "Welcome, sister. Do you want to head to my suite so we can discuss or—"
"I plan to do no such thing." She lifted a hand, arching a brow as she picked up something.
An invisible crimson thread that had always been prominent here was no longer present. Instead, it swerved out of the building—seemingly connecting to somewhere further in the city.
"So the rumours are true." She shook her head. "Guide Ambrose not only moved out but quit."
Jae-won frowned. "Quit? I thought those were only rumours."
"Of course, you did." Ji-Hoon scoffed. "His fate is no longer tied to this building. There’s basically nothing connecting him here. Maybe except..."
Her gaze swept over her brother from head to toe. Then she harrumphed. "You," a pause. "And maybe Devon Ferguson as well."
Without another word, she turned on her heels and headed for the exit. Jae-won’s brows furrowed with confusion before he chased after his sister.
"S–Sister." He called after her once they were out of the building, struggling to keep his voice low. "W–What does this mean for our plans though? Has there been any luck in your attempts at... at controlling—"
"What this means is that you’ve become an incompetent source of information regarding the Guide. And honestly? Useless." She turned sharply. "I gave you only one job. Keep me updated."
"Yes, but I told you he moved out. How was I supposed to know he also—"
"So the little rodents you keep around you—your so-called allies—don’t offer any informatory benefits at least?" Her voice oozed contempt. "They’re only useful for helping you bully others?"
Han Jae-won’s mouth parted and closed under the same breath.
There was nothing he could do to smooth his sister’s reaction. Perhaps he’s been... slacking too much recently.
After glaring at the A-Rank for a moment too long, Ji-Hoon sighed. "Do you at least have his current location or any updates at all? Or do I need to find that out myself as well?"
"N–No," he lowered his head. "But... but with time I’ll—"
"We don’t have time," Ji-Hoon shot. "Not when the Pantheon has finally been alerted for the first time in years. I sensed an odd fate strand in the city the other day and have a feeling one of them is here."
Jae-won’s heart skipped a beat.
Here? In Aurelia City?
"But why?"
"How should I know?" His sister snorted. "What I do know is I won’t like to find out. Being discovered by one of this continent’s SS-Ranks would be bad enough already. But one of THEM?"
She inched away from him slowly, pausing when she got beside an Uber waiting patiently for her. Her eyes swept the area cautiously before locking on Jae-won again.
"Be alert—but most of all be useful. I’m getting so close to understanding what makes this Guide tick. But I can’t accomplish that if information proves worthless."
Ji-Hoon finally entered the Uber without another glance backwards.
The car pulled away from the curb smoothly, disappearing past the Guild within seconds.
Han Jae-won remained standing there long after it left.
His brows stayed knitted tightly while his sister’s words replayed in his head over and over again.
The Pantheon had finally been alerted.
A chill crawled beneath his skin.
Just the mention of them alone was enough to make even powerful Hunters uneasy.
No one knew their real identities. No one knew where they lived. Hell, there were even conspiracy theories claiming they weren’t fully human anymore after surviving the first Extinction Level Rift.
And now Ji-Hoon suspected one of them was in Aurelia City?
Why?
Jae-won’s fists slowly clenched.
His instincts screamed that whatever was happening in this city was becoming far bigger than Ambrose Hale.
Much bigger.
★★★★★
Ambrose sat cross-legged on his bed with his laptop open before him.
Yet instead of paying attention to the Guild files on the screen, his mind kept circling back to one thing.
Strength.
He needed more of it fast.
Especially after Josiah’s little visit.
That encounter alone made one thing painfully obvious.
If the president ever cornered him again without interference, he was fucked.
Completely and utterly fucked.
A low groan escaped Ambrose as he flopped backwards against the mattress. "This stress is going to age me horribly."
[At least you’ll age beautifully.] Aura chimed.
"Not helping."
Still... the system window floating before him gave him an idea.
A dangerous one.
Valentine Lockwood.
[Current attraction points: 72.]
Ambrose narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
If he could somehow push those attraction points all the way to a hundred, he’d gain access to a copy of Valentine’s abilities.
And honestly?
That sounded disgustingly overpowered.
Necromancy.
Soul manipulation.
Shadows.
Not to mention whatever terrifying nonsense Valentine still hadn’t revealed.
The problem was obvious though.
How exactly was he supposed to push the points higher?
The Necromancer already acted weird enough around him.
Ambrose’s ears reddened faintly at the memory of that intense eye contact from earlier.
Then suddenly—an idea formed in his head. Slowly, a devious grin spread across his face.
"Oh," he muttered. "This is either going to be genius or the dumbest thing I’ve ever done."
[With you it’s usually both.]
Ignoring Aura’s slander, Ambrose quickly grabbed his phone.
He stared at Valentine’s contact for several seconds.
Then typed.
> "Hey. Thanks again for earlier. Josiah would’ve probably turned my brain inside out if you didn’t show up."<
A pause.
Then another message.
> "So... I was thinking. Could I maybe thank you properly? Like dinner or something?"<
The second he hit send, his confidence evaporated instantly.
"Oh my God." Ambrose buried his face into a pillow. "Why does that sound like I’m asking him out?"
Because technically... he kinda was.
His phone buzzed barely thirty seconds later.
Way too fast.
Ambrose snatched it up immediately.
Valentine’s response read:
> "A nice dinner with you? Careful, Guide. Someone might think you’re trying to seduce me."<
Ambrose choked on air.
Before he could recover, another text came in.
> "But yes. I’d love to."<
