Free Web NovelChapter 27: _Still Not Thinking About Me?
Devon’s steps down the hallway to his grandfather’s office were unhurried. Measured. He walked past a couple of Espers who immediately gave him respectful head nods or salutes.
He ignored them all, keeping his head high.
The Guild Master had entrusted him as the captain of Phoenix Flight’s Guild team for the raid. On top of that, Glacier Talon had given way to make him lead them as well.
There were casualties.
Not many—unlike how most S-Rank raids have gone throughout history. But still enough for him to question if he’d been competent in his leadership.
He’ll get his answers soon enough.
"Come in."
His grandfather’s thunderous baritone resounded from the other end of his office door when Devon knocked. He dragged in one breath before opening the door and walking into the office.
At the other end of the room, the Guild Master—the original Ferguson as many called him—had his face buried in what appeared to be tons of paperwork. He occasionally stroked his grey beard, brows furrowed.
Devon was stuck at the door, taking in the office.
It was still as minimalist as he remembered.
A small flower pot stood beside the door... a gift Alisha once gave him. The poor plant has barely been shown love all these months.
But as for the rest of the year office? Organized. Simple with a mahogany black desk where the Guild master sat behind and a sturdy glass wall behind him—giving a view of the city skyline below.
Eventually, the old man decided to grace Devon with his gaze, dropping his pen. He raised his head, golden eyes pinning him as he adjusted his sitting position.
"Come sit."
Devon crossed the office and sat, clearing his throat. "Good afternoon, sir."
The Guild master nodded once, face unreadable as he spoke. "The dungeon raid today. Give me a clear report on everything that happened. The terrain. Creatures you faced. If there were any unregistered anomalies."
The former didn’t waste a second as he began going into detail.
From the desert and how hot it was. To the centipede-type beasts that dominated the place for miles. Then he also explained each death from both Guilds, also adding how he was struck by the queen centipede’s acid attack.
"You were hit?" Something akin to concern edged the older man’s voice. For a beat, Devon thought he felt it too. Then, "It was an S-Rank boss, yes?"
There it was.
No care was expected from someone who was a blood-related family member. Just Guild politics and business.
Pfft.
And Alisha said he was too harsh with the guy.
"An upper S-rank, sir," Devon confirmed. "It took the combined effort of both Guilds to bring it down. And even then... it was too much of a close call."
The Guild master remained silent, his eyes distant as if he was pondering something.
Devon already couldn’t wait to leave.
His mind trailed back to what he left behind before coming here. To Ambrose in that bathtub, head thrown back carelessly as he stroked himself.
He could’ve sworn he heard him moan his name once.
’You’re playing a dangerous game, Ambrose,’ he thought to himself, tapping his left foot on the marble repeatedly to calm himself. ’God knows how long I can contain myself.’
"After the queen centipede," His grandfather’s voice interrupted him, flat and sudden, "the joint team didn’t see any signs of another entity in the dungeon. Right?"
A frown knitted Devon’s brows. "Right, sir."
"But did it at least feel like there could’ve been more beasts in there? Like the centipedes were just one species in a vast ecosystem?"
Now those questions made Devon slow down. Because indeed... it had felt that way originally. Until the dungeon Rift began closing.
"Yes. It did."
A grim light flickered in the Guild master’s eyes but he didn’t say anything to that. He just gave a nod. "Good report, Devon. You can leave now."
Wait... that’s it?
Sigh. What had he even been expecting? Perhaps more prying questions and queries on his leadership skills. Or—
"Guide Ambrose," his grandfather suddenly raised a hand. "The healer assigned to him after you left the dungeon told me his injuries weren’t life-threatening. His body seemed... stable despite the aether energy pressure."
Devon blinked, already on his feet.
His old man’s face didn’t carry suspicion. But it sure was pointed as he continued. "Was he of any help to the joint group at all?"
The S-Rank answered too quickly. "Minimal at best, sir. His passive guiding energy at least helped the others in keeping the Espers stable."
"Guide Han was in this office not so long ago."
That one sentence made Devon stiffen.
Han might’ve seemed to accept the breakup well. But anything involving him and his grandfather together was bad news.
"Anyway, Han told me he saw Ambrose trail away from the team after you were hit," the Guild master went on. "That the C rank went to you. And—"
"Guiding pills." Devon cut him off, voice certain despite him knowing damn well that wasn’t the case. "He gave me guide pills and that helped him in conducting a critical temporary guiding session."
His grandfather lifted a brow.
Not directly saying anything... because his eyes did all the talking. He suspected something even with how sure Devon sounded.
"A C-Rank successfully guiding an S-Rank Esper," His grandfather mumbled. "It’s almost unheard of..."
Shit!
Was he going to keep prying or—
"... But I guess it’s possible if he gave you guiding pills." The older man added calmly. "The poor lad must be in his room exhausted."
Phew.
"That will be all for now, captain." The Guild master waved. "If anything else comes up, I’ll let you know."
As Devon waltzed out of the office, shutting the door, his grandfather’s back straightened. His fingers drummed on the armrests of his seat, eyes squinting.
"His energy readings just now...." He whispered to himself. "They’re more stable than they’ve ever been..."
There was something his grandson wasn’t telling him. And for now, he’ll do the best thing he’s good at.
Watching.
★★★★★
Meanwhile, back in Ambrose’s suite, he stretched his limbs after stepping out of Orion’s suite. Unaware of the conversation being had about him.
The little rascal was still asleep... thank the stars.
"I can’t wait to begin doing daily quests tomorrow," he scratched the back of his neck as he strutted to a sofa. "What can I do now? Sleep? Think about my life?"
He’s never felt so bored. So... empty.
Just when he made himself comfortable on the sofa however, a notification sound rang. Not from the system.
But from his phone.
He brought out the thing only to see a single message. Sent from a contact he least expected so soon.
Viktor.
"You ran quite in a hurry earlier." The message read. "Still not thinking about me?"
Beside it was a winking emoji.
Ambrose’s heart skipped a beat, head subconsciously swinging to the only window in the living room. "What have I gotten myself into now?" he exhaled, jaw tightening.
He let the message marinate for a while. Questioning if he should even give it any attention.
Then he realised it would probably be rude. So—
Ambrose typed back: "Depends."
