Free Web NovelChapter 69: _I Don’t Believe You
The ride back to Phoenix Flight HQ was a short, quiet one. But once Devon parked in front of the skyscraper and got out of the car, that broke.
Ambrose was still woozy from the permanent link creation with Viktor, sitting in the back seat of the car. He had a hand on his forehead as the system reflected his reward for the mission.
[REWARDS: Passive cold resistance skill and +700 EP.]
Cold resistance.
He didn’t need Aura to explain what that meant. Now all he could imagine was testing the skill in an ice-type dungeon.
’This means I can see Viktor’s attraction meter for me now, right?’
The system didn’t give a straight response, instead switching the screen to one where Viktor’s attraction points were shown.
[Viktor: 30%.]
"Hey," Devon’s knock on the car window made Ambrose jolt before he could peer at the screen more. The Esper opened the door, leaning down. "Come on. Time to head upstairs."
Ambrose squinted due to all the bright lights coming off the HQ building. "Why the hell are you treating me like I’m drunk?" He grunted. "I’m a grown man and I don’t—"
He didn’t get the chance to finish as Devon lifted him off the seat. The guy slung him over his shoulder again, careful to make sure his head didn’t hit the roof as he pulled him out.
Ambrose paled. "Don’t tell me you plan to carry me in there like this."
"I already am."
"No, no... fuck no! Devon, put me down." Ambrose kicked and smacked the Esper’s back but it was all fruitless. As Devon strode toward the building after locking the door, the former added. "... This is humiliating. We already have people on the internet saying we’re... we’re..."
He was going to say ’husbands’ but found it difficult to roll the word out of his throat. His cheeks heated while Devon snorted.
"Husbands?" The S-Rank blurted knowingly. "Well if it makes you feel any better, they’re also saying things about you and Viktor now."
That brought a frown to Ambrose’s face. "W–What?"
Devon ignored him completely now, waltzing into the lobby with the Guide on his shoulder like he weighed nothing. Ambrose couldn’t make out the faces of the people walking around due to his dizziness but he heard a few whispers.
At one point, once they approached an elevator, a voice chimed behind.
"Devon?"
Devon paused in his tracks while Ambrose’s vision cleared almost instantly. The Guide glanced back a bit, his throat constricting when he saw who it was.
"Guide Han." Devon spun around, his brow arched. "Good evening."
Han had his arms folded, eyes flicking from Devon’s face to Ambrose dangling from his shoulder. Then he smiled. "Don’t be like that, Devon. You don’t have to call me so formally."
While Han seemed so friendly right now, in reality he was agitated. He’s been watching Ambrose’s interactions with Devon closely. Noting things that just didn’t make sense.
Like how Devon appeared to be one outburst away from going berserk back in Norfolk. He’d been on standby in case he needed guiding. A way of proving to the Esper that he needed him after all.
That’s when HE came out of nowhere.
Ambrose.
The useless C-Rank hadn’t tagged along with the Phoenix Flight ship that day. Yet somehow he made it to the city and was even on the harbour side by side with Devon.
Most of the other Phoenix Flight Espers needed guiding that day. Not Devon.
"What do you want?" Devon questioned. "As you can see I’m busy here."
Han’s little smile faltered. "Well, I—I just wanted to check in on you. After everything that happened with your nephew I—"
"He’s stable and fine," the S-Rank was already turning back to the elevator doors. "Thanks."
"But—"
The doors slid open, Devon walking in without a word. Once they shut and cut off Han from seeing his face—his features twisted into a scowl.
"You’re hiding something, Devon," he murmured to himself. "Sooner or later I’ll find out what. Have fun with your new toy while it lasts."
He was about to make his way to the lobby when a member of his entourage got beside him with a giddy expression.
"Guide Han, have you seen these pics yet?" The young man showed him his phone. "It’s Hunter Devon, Guide Ambrose and some... kid. The internet is saying he’s their secret love child. So cute."
Han glared at that last part, making the guy shrink back. The Guide grabbed the phone and stared at the pic in question.
"This was taken today?" He asked himself, zooming in on the face of the young boy laughing on a swing.
The blonde hair and golden eyes... did eerily remind him of Ambrose and Devon. In a weird way.
"Well, isn’t this rich?" He handed the phone back to his follower absent-mindedly, head already swirling with something sinister.
★★★★★
"We’re in my suite?"
"Yep."
"So can you drop me off now?" Ambrose didn’t even try raising his voice, a headache piercing his temple. "Just... place me on a sofa. Please."
Devon did just that, lowering him onto one of the sofas gently. He crashed beside him with a heavy exhale, head arching to the ceiling.
Ambrose reached out to Aura as he caught his breath. ’System... Why am I feeling this way? Creating a permanent link with Devon wasn’t this... draining...’
[It’s because the host’s mind and body are now having to deal with the strain of being linked to two powerful Espers at once.]
[The symptoms should wear off soon. The nausea, dizziness and random flashes of Viktor’s emotions and thoughts aren’t permanent.]
He would’ve smiled at that if he didn’t feel like he was knocked down by a truck while hungover. He sniffled, adjusting his sitting position.
"Y–You can go to sleep, Devon. I’ll—"
"Not a chance," the Esper shook his head, arms folded across his chest. "I’m not leaving you."
Ambrose angled his head to him. "Devon. I’m telling you, I’m fine. I’m just... sleepy."
Devon lowered his head, meeting his silver eyes. "Sleepy?"
"Yes."
"Just that?"
"Mmhm."
A smile that didn’t reach Devon’s eyes played in his mouth. He leaned closer to Ambrose until their faces were inches away from touching, keeping eye contact.
"I don’t believe you," he whispered flatly. "Tell me, Rose. What were you doing with Viktor?"
