Free Web NovelChapter 33: _Two S-Ranks, One Guide
As Ambrose came to a haunting realisation, the mysterious man observed from a different corner of the hall. Drink in hand. Eyes glued on the stage and the peculiar Guide who kept noticing him.
"Could he possibly be able to sense death energy?" He murmured to himself with an amused smirk. "I’ve kept my aether energy hidden so he can’t possibly be sensing my Rank..."
This only strengthened his suspicions about the Guide. He might have fooled everyone else into thinking he was weak. Or normal.
But there was nothing ’normal’ about that young man.
"I’ll take my chance once he’s alone," his smirk widened as he took one long sip from his drink.
A man got out of his seat to go use the restroom just then. As the man clicked through his phone, he didn’t notice the mysterious Esper ahead.
By the time he did it was already too late.
"Oh my God, I’m so sorry." The man was quick to apologise, accidentally knocking down the Esper’s sunglasses.
Revealing those glowing red orbs.
Terror rolled out of the deepest crevices of the man’s mind, his body freezing. He trembled under the gaze of this ordinary-looking man.
What... what kind of overwhelming pressure was this? What were these voices whispering around him all of a sudden?
The mysterious man only gave him a brief once-over before bringing his gaze back to the stage. ’It’s been a while since I willingly approached someone I didn’t see as a mere flesh puppet.’
He grinned, ignoring the other man, who hurried his footsteps with clear horror.
"Let’s see what you’re truly capable of..."
★★★★★
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen!" the MC echoed after awarding the Hunters medals from the federation. "It’s time for a slow dance. Grab your partners and get ready to move to the dance floor."
Ambrose could barely breathe, eyes still occasionally flicking through the hall. Many people got on their feet.
Devon glanced at Ambrose as they got off the stage. He noticed the distance in his eyes and wondered if he was nervous to ask him for a dance.
So... he stretched a hand to Ambrose, forcing his gaze to meet his.
"Would you—?"
"Care for a dance, Guide Ambrose?"
A baritone interrupted behind them, the words flowing out cool and casual.
For a second Ambrose thought he’d misheard.
They both spun around in time to take in Viktor, advancing toward them with a smirk and unreadable light in his eyes. Ambrose’s limbs stuck to the rest of his body while Devon’s head tilted.
"You?" The fire-type S-Rank mumbled when Viktor got to them. "Why would you—"
"It’s merely a dance, Devon." Viktor laughed heartily, drawing a few looks from them. He patted Devon’s shoulder before adding. "I’ll only be borrowing the Guide for a few minutes at best. You know I’ve always been a lazy dancer anyway."
Devon’s jaw clenched. "More reason why I’m surprised by your abrupt... desire."
Ambrose stood between them—an unmovable force and an unbreakable force. He was torn. On one hand, he’d been intentionally avoiding Viktor’s flirting and felt... guilty?
On the other hand, he still had this odd sense of commitment toward Devon. Perhaps it was the fact that they shared a child.
The orchestra had just begun a slow melody, couples drifting toward the dance floor beneath the glow of chandeliers.
Devon didn’t move.
His golden eyes shifted slowly from Viktor to Ambrose, studying the Guide’s expression.
Around them, conversations continued, glasses clinked, and laughter floated through the hall. But in that moment the space between the three men felt strangely isolated.
Viktor extended his hand again. "Guide Hale?"
Ambrose swallowed.
This was awkward.
Painfully awkward.
He could practically feel the heat of Devon’s gaze burning into the side of his face.
"Well..." Ambrose forced a small smile. "It’s just a dance, right?"
Viktor’s lips curved slightly. "That’s usually how they work."
Devon exhaled quietly through his nose.
For a brief second, it looked like he might refuse on Ambrose’s behalf. But then his expression smoothed out, the practised composure of an S-Rank Hunter returning.
"Your call," he said.
Simple words.
But Ambrose could hear the restraint behind them.
With a hesitant motion, he placed his hand in Viktor’s.
The Esper’s grip was cool.
"Thank you," Viktor murmured as he led Ambrose onto the dance floor.
Devon watched them with curled fists, trying to keep his emotions at bay. A bit too late for that though... His eyes were already glowing like stars about to go supernova.
"I was wondering when we’d get some real alone time," Viktor breathed into Ambrose’s ears, placing a hand on his waist while the other held his hand. "You’re not an easy bird to pin, are you?"
Ambrose barely managed to look into his eyes.
There he went again.
Calling him "bird".
He answered regardless. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean you’ve avoided me since you took my number."
"No I’ve not." Ambrose held back a scoff. "Like I said, Viktor, I—"
He didn’t get to finish. Viktor’s grip on his waist tightened as he pulled him closer until their bodies pressed together. Ambrose’s breath hitched, his bulging eyes locked on the Esper’s face.
"There he is," Viktor rasped with amusement. "So much fire for a C-Rank guide."
Keeping calm was nigh impossible for Ambrose. He felt cornered. Trapped. His free hand rested on Viktor’s shoulder as he struggled to find his words.
"So the signals I’ve been getting these last few days weren’t imagined then," he sighed. "What do you want, Viktor?"
"Isn’t it obvious?"
"I want you to say it. Plainly."
Viktor’s smile glitched.
The Guide was trying to get him to do the chasing, eh? Very well.
Once the music reached a crescendo, Viktor lowered Ambrose’s body, his fingers slipping down until he was one stroke away from his bottom.
"I want you. In my bed. Squirming and utterly ruined as you beg me to fuck you."
Ambrose’s heart would’ve probably dropped straight to hell if that were possible.
His mouth parted but no words came out.
’No hello? No, how are you? No, let’s get dinner first?’
The most annoying part was that between his legs, he felt a small tension. That only grew the more they moved around the dance floor.
He needed space.
Fast.
"Uhm..." Ambrose’s hand slipped to Viktor’s, prying it off his waist. "I–I think I need a drink."
Viktor chuckled. "Already bashful?"
He had no fucking idea.
Carefully, Ambrose backed away from him, adjusting his suit and pants with an awkward smile. He rushed for the bar, lowering his head and praying no one noticed his little friend peaking between his legs.
When he got to the bar, he let out a relieved breath, sitting on one of the stools. "Tequila. One shot," he said to the guy behind the counter.
God, that was intense.
Too intense.
"Make that two."
A deadpan voice echoed beside him, causing the hair on his arms to rise with goosebumps. All the sensations that came with his Death Sense hit him at once.
Much stronger this time.
He snapped his neck to his right only to see that mysterious man sitting on a stool there. A small smirk lined his mouth as his head angled to the Guide.
"We finally got the chance to meet."
