Free Web NovelChapter 257: _Too Many Uncertainties
Pantheon Underground Base
"We did all of that," Wukong was the first to speak once the group walked into the room, "only for us to be uncertain of whether we even killed the Void Entity."
Yemoja crashed into a couch, crossing one leg over the other. "Oh, we definitely didn’t kill it. That one’s for sure."
Kali settled before the round table. Her eyes glinted with a trace of unease. "It’s still alive," she muttered loud enough for everyone to hear. "I can feel it. The worst that could’ve happened to it is getting injured."
"And that’s far from enough," Apollo joined her at the table. "Tonight has made us reevaluate everything we thought we knew about the Void Entity. Before, non-existence manipulation and erasure seemed to be the only abilities in its arsenal. But THIS?"
Loki who lazily lingered behind the rest of them chimed. "Possession and power bestowment upon a host. Corruption. Unknown levels of spatial manipulation... this thing is packed."
"Right." Apollo nodded. "Which begs the question of why it hasn’t used these abilities all this while. I believe we’re all thinking of the same answer to that."
The grim lines on all their faces told him he was correct. Yet he spoke regardless.
"It’s evolving faster than we thought. All while it’s still actively hiding from us. Now that it’s capable of possessing people there’s no telling who else it’ll use. Or if it’s already using more people we don’t know of."
Everyone exchanged looks.
Today it was an A-Rank Guide and even then all five of them plus two SS-Ranks struggled to bring him down. Tomorrow it could be an S-Rank.
Or worse.
"We confirmed something though." Wukong raised his hand. "It’s definitely after that Ambrose Hale guy. No doubt this time. We all saw how Han Jae-won tried erasing him."
"Yes, but that could be because..." Kali was about to make a point. But then her eyes lit up. "Wukong, you genius!"
Wukong blinked with confusion as Kali turned her attention to the others.
"The A-Rank Guide and Ambrose clearly had history. Bad blood." A pause. "What if that’s the main requirement for it to fully possess someone? It did need to corrupt him first. What if there wasn’t much ’corrupting’ needed?"
Yemoja nodded with agreement. "It honestly makes sense."
Loki seemed sceptical. "Hold on," they folded their arms in front of their chest. "What does this mean for us then? Should we start fishing out people who despise Ambrose?"
"Looks like it." Apollo was already mentally buying into the idea. "Although I doubt he has many enemies."
"Tch." Loki snorted. "You’ll be surprised. While I was undercover in Steel Falcon he managed to ruffle a few feathers by simply being a recruit from a bigger Guild."
"So this guy has a unique skill in annoying people?" Wukong sighed. "Of course, he does. Just our luck."
"Looks like it’s up to you Loki." Apollo gestured at the lord of chaos. "You’ll use your Hunter disguise to search for anyone with a vendetta against Ambrose in Steel Falcon. Then you’ll also have to infiltrate Phoenix Flight."
At first Loki got agitated at the idea of more work. But then they recalled the look on Ambrose’s face when he saw them at the hotel.
Pushing the Guide’s buttons was proving to be an amusing means of passing time. This mission would get them naturally closer to him—they still had the objective of watching him anyway.
"Very well." Loki heaved as though they were exhausted. "Then what about the rest of you? I can’t be the only one working my pretty ass off."
This time Kali spoke. "We’ll focus on finding the actual Void Entity." She squinted. "I’m not sure yet but its recent activities—the possession and hotel shutdown—might’ve left enough aether for me to track."
"We’ll be working with her," Apollo added. "We’re getting closer to bringing down this thing once and for all." His eyes swept past all their faces slowly. "Let’s make this move count."
★★★★★
Ambrose’s House
The next morning, the first thing Viktor did after getting out of bed was calling his mother. If there was anything last night’s jumpscare with the city taught him it was that he couldn’t do without the woman.
No matter how annoying Mama Irina gets.
"Well, well, well." Came the woman’s voice when she finally picked up. "Look who’s finally calling his poor, old mother."
Viktor sniggered. "Poor and old are two words that should never be associated with you, mother." He made a pause at the foot of the staircase. "How have you been?"
"Oh, you know," She let out a small breath. "The usual. Glacier Talon has gotten double the amount of dungeon raids for probably the rest of the month."
"That’s... good. Right?" Viktor hesitated. "I mean, more raids means more resources and money."
"Right." Irina didn’t sound so enthusiastic. "But now that the cases of unusual dungeons being reported by the Federations are becoming too frequent it also means more uncertainties. Not to mention possible losses."
Viktor was about to respond to that when an excited giggle interrupted him.
"Uncle Viktor, is that a new phone?!" Orion ran to him from the kitchen, wrapping his little arms around his waist before he could think.
The ice Prince’s mouth parted, closed then opened again. "It’s... not, little one," he tried and failed to slip away from him. "I had two phones."
Orion was clearly not getting the hint that he needed space. "Cool! I thought you had just one. I was so worried. I told daddy to buy you a new phone last night."
The worst happened before Viktor could take control of the situation:
Irina cleared her throat. "Is that a little boy, dear?"
Viktor’s face reddened. "N–No, mother."
"Darling, please. I can clearly hear a child talking to you. Who is he?"
Fortunately Devon—already dressed for the new day—rushed up to the two of them, pulling Orion off Viktor.
"Okay, buddy. It’s time for school. Come on."
Orion whined dramatically as he was carried away. "But I wanna see uncle’s second phone!"
"You’ve seen enough phones for one lifetime," Devon shot back.
The moment they disappeared into the kitchen, silence settled over the call.
Then—
"I know what I heard."
Viktor groaned. "Mother."
"No, really." Irina sounded entirely too pleased with herself. "There was definitely a child."
The ice Prince pinched the bridge of his nose. "Anything else you’d like to investigate while we’re at it?"
"Actually, yes." Her voice became far too innocent. "I also know you’re staying somewhere with Ambrose."
Viktor nearly dropped the phone. His eyes widened.
"What? H–How did you—?"
"Oh, sweetheart." Irina laughed softly. "You should know by now that I always have my ways."
"That sounds disturbingly close to admitting you’re spying on me."
"Spying is such an ugly word."
"Because that’s exactly what it is."
Irina ignored him completely. Instead, her tone softened. "I hope whatever it is you have with that boy turns into something real."
Viktor froze.
For once, his mother wasn’t teasing.
"It’s about time you settled down," she continued quietly. "You’ve spent too many years alone."
The ice Prince found himself looking up.
Across the open kitchen, Ambrose stood at the island, talking with Devon while helping Orion pack his school bag.
A small smile tugged at Viktor’s lips.
"Yeah," he murmured despite himself. "I know."
For the first time in a long while the future didn’t only seem certain. It felt really close to becoming reality.
