Free Web NovelChapter 23: _The Game Is On
As one S-Rank Esper worried about where Ambrose was, another sat comfortably—his eyes pinned on the C-Rank Guide who sat anxiously across the table.
Yes... They were sitting. In a restaurant.
While the system’s timer blinked in front of Ambrose, a reminder of why he was here to begin with.
[Time Remaining: 04:12]
Fuck.
"So," Viktor cleared his throat after taking an agonisingly long sip from a glass of wine. "You said you want my number?"
Ambrose nodded without thinking twice. "Y–Yes... I... I’m very impressed by your work and expertise and would like to make myself acquainted with you."
His words hung in the air between them. Heavy. Unintentionally charged.
Viktor’s brows rose. "Acquainted?" He repeated. "Just that? Nothing more?"
A literal chill gripped Ambrose’s bones as he watched the other man lower his glass of wine with deliberate care.
"I’m amused to say the least." Viktor grinned, twirling two fingers on the table. "Usually when someone wants to get ’acquainted’ with me it’s because they want something. Or wish to use me."
Frost coated his words despite the grin he had.
Ambrose hid his trembling hands beneath the table. "N–No. I would never use you."
God, the audacity to say that while he was actively using him. Wait—it wasn’t his fault this was happening.
It was the bloody system!
[Time Remaining: 03:35.]
"And how am I supposed to trust your words?" Viktor mumbled unhurriedly, his expression lazy and bored. "Anyone can say anything once their minds are set on getting something. It’s basic human greed."
’Can he stop talking already and just give me the damn number?!’ Ambrose’s mind was a wildfire. ’Fuck me, at this rate I’ll fail the mission.’
He couldn’t afford that. He couldn’t afford to have five points slashed from his physical stats. Not when he’d made up his mind to grow stronger in this forsaken Guideverse.
"Just state what you want without beating around the bush." The Esper lifted his chin. "Money? A relationship? Sex?"
Ambrose’s cheeks reddened. "No, no... none of that, sir."
"What?" Viktor snorted. "I gathered a little about you. You’re gay and currently single."
"Y–Yes, sir—"
"Then," Viktor’s cold hand slid over the table, finding and grabbing Ambrose’s. The latter’s breath hitched, eyes refusing to meet him. "Why would you say no to the idea of a relationship with me? Am I not your type?"
What the fuck was happening right now?!
With the system, he already knew Viktor was gay. Still, that didn’t mean he wanted to jump his bone like a dog in heat. He could barely handle the whole permanent link madness with Devon.
Adding another guy right now would tip him over the edge.
"Uhm," Ambrose laughed, a short, brittle sound. His hand pulled out of Viktor’s grip, rubbing against the other one due to the cold. "It’s not that, Hunter Viktor—"
"Please," Viktor gave a laugh of his own. "We survived an S-Rank dungeon together. Drop the formalities."
Welp.
If he insisted, "Viktor... you seem like a nice guy. And you’re honestly super attractive and all that," Ambrose’s lips pursed. "But I can’t. I don’t want a relationship."
[Time Remaining: 01:54 minutes.]
’Can you stop freaking me out with that thing?!’
"Hmm." Viktor leaned back on his seat, arms folded in front of his chest. "Well. I admire your honesty if that’s the case. And I respect that you aren’t here begging."
Phew.
"However..."
Oh, come on!
"... You seem... interesting," Viktor’s eyes scanned him. "I’d like to keep in touch. If you don’t mind."
Oh?
Ambrose’s smile widened. "Of course. That’s the purpose of taking your number anyway." He pulled out his phone, almost dropping it when he saw the timer on the holographic screen. "So...?"
Viktor still stared at him in a way that made Ambrose imagine smashing a bottle on his head and stealing his phone to get the number himself.
Fortunately, the Esper shrugged. "Very well then."
He called out his phone number, much to Ambrose’s relief. As he saved it, the system dinged with a new notification, the timer screen dissipating into tiny light specks.
[SIDE MISSION COMPLETED.]
[REWARD: +200 EP points have been added to the Host.]
As Ambrose’s lips quivered with a smirk, he pulled in a deep breath. A rejuvenating energy surged through him. His hands balled as a fresh wave of aether energy streamed into him.
Meanwhile, Viktor’s eyes dimmed. ’That’s odd. I could’ve sworn I felt an energy spike from him just now.’
Pleased with the successful mission, Ambrose gingerly got on his feet. "Thank you, Viktor. I’ll be on my way now."
He’d only taken two steps out of the table when Viktor blurted:
"Give me your number as well."
The words came out smooth and easy. Like he knew the other party would have no choice but to comply.
Which would be an accurate deduction.
Ambrose gave Viktor his number, watching the S-Rank dialling it just to confirm.
"See?" He laughed when Viktor’s name flashed on his phone screen, declining the call. "It’s correct."
Viktor nodded once, fingers clasping around his wine glass. "I know. But it’s good to be sure." Frost seeped into the wine, chilling it to perfection. As he raised it slowly to his mouth, he added. "You’re free to leave."
When Ambrose walked out of the restaurant, the doors ringing behind him, Morozov exhaled. "What an odd interaction."
He drummed his fingers on his wine glass. Rhythmically. Controlled.
Something was intriguing about that Guide. It’s been ages since he got so curious about someone. Or since he found it hard to read someone.
And Ambrose Hale just happened to tick all those boxes.
"Too bad he doesn’t wish to play," he drawled to himself with a chuckle. "That would’ve been a pretty little bird to break."
His mind already went feral with images. Of the Guide, fragile and squirming beneath his hold.
How exciting.
"The game is on, naughty bird." He took another long sip from his wine. "No one rejects Viktor Morozov without a reason. And I’ll find out yours soon enough."
