Free Web NovelChapter 82: _Lewdness Vs Realism
The walk down the hallways felt longer than it should. Ambrose kept replaying everything that had happened within the past few minutes.
From Devon’s call. To his decision not to answer. Then... whatever the heck was about to happen at the restroom. What was that anyway?
A kiss? Had he really been about to kiss Viktor Morozov?
Worst of all was the system screen flashing in front of him as he rubbed the back of his neck, which was still sore from the grey desert quest.
[Viktor’s Attraction Points: 52.]
Fifty-two.
Just that brief interaction had shot it up so much?
"He’s not getting shit from me," Ambrose muttered to himself when he finally got in front of his door. "I know what he wants and I’m not about to lessen myself to partake in it."
[You mean sex?]
His fist shrivelled away from the door. ’How can you be so lewd as an AI?’
[It’s not lewdness. It’s realism.] Aura was unbothered as always. [You established a permanent link with the man. One that he isn’t aware of.]
’And?’
[You should know how consuming a permanent link can be. In fact, you might have things ’under control’ now but those feelings can only stay hidden for so long.]
Ambrose’s jaw worked.
He was about to knock when he felt something. Or rather, someone. Heading straight for the door with big, heavy footsteps that made it seem like they were out for trouble.
He already knew who it was and didn’t want him to come out and see him waiting here. So, with his heart in his ass, he knocked on the door.
"It’s me, guys."
The footsteps came to a halt.
Another pair joined in, these tinier and even more hurried. Once they got in front of the door, it clicked before swinging open.
"Daddy!" Orion beamed, running into his waiting arms. "You got Papa upset. He’s been worried about you all day."
Ambrose didn’t know when he picked the boy up. He hesitated before pressing a kiss on his temple, sighing with relief.
Not so long ago he was so close to losing this life. To die and probably be sent to another world or worse... nothing at all. It was that brief brush with death that made him realise how much he’s grown to cherish this new life despite the little time he’s spent here.
"Ahem." Devon’s forced cough interrupted the father-son moment. He stood a few meters ahead of them, his arms crossed over his chest. "You’re back."
Ambrose avoided those piercing golden orbs, walking in with Orion still in his arms. When he kicked the door shut, he heaved. "Yeah, sorry for keeping you boys waiting. It’s been such a long day—"
"A long day where?" The glow of Devon’s eyes in contrast to the living room’s dim lighting was almost haunting. "I called. Twice. You didn’t see them?"
Orion gave Ambrose a look just then.
The latter huffed, dropping the boy and gesturing for him to give his parents space. Once the little urchin skipped over to the TV, Devon broke the distance between himself and Ambrose.
Without saying anything, Devon sniffed. His breath touched Ambrose’s neck, making him stiffen.
"W–What are you—"
"This isn’t your cologne," Devon stated plainly. "And these clothes... they aren’t yours either."
"They aren’t."
"So who were you with?"
"... Are you—"
"Viktor, right?"
Ambrose was about to snap but then his eyes slid to Orion. The lad already grabbed the remote, scrolling through channels, oblivious to the tension in the room.
That made Ambrose’s shoulder relax as he lowered his voice. "... It’s not what you’re thinking. He just helped me with a change of clothes."
Devon’s eyes narrowed, a mechanical smile stretching his mouth. "A change of clothes?"
"Yeah?"
"And what did you need a change of clothes for? Hm? Where were you while I looked after your son?"
Ambrose bit down hard.
For a split second, he thought of coming clean. Telling him about the system and how he got transported to another dimension.
But then he thought about how that would force him to reveal other things. Like how he was transmigrated here. Or how this world was supposed to be nothing but a silly manhwa in his past life.
Yeah... no...
Saying the truth would only send him straight to a white room.
"Can you just stop with the questions?" He said instead. "I appreciate you looking after Orion. I’m sorry for burdening you with that—"
"It’s NOT a burden," Devon’s voice rose. "If you pay attention to anything I say you’d know I... I see the boy as mine too. There’s just something about him that I—"
"Devon." Ambrose placed a finger in front of his face. "Please. I just want to go have a long bath and take a nap. Can we do this tomorrow?"
The light in Devon’s eyes died. "... You’re just going to keep pushing me away, aren’t you?"
Ambrose’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly, yet he had no response to that. A long silence stretched through the room, suffocating.
"I—"
The words barely made it past his lips when the television crackled loudly, the volume spiking as Orion must have pressed something on the remote.
"We interrupt this program with breaking news."
Both men stilled.
On screen, a reporter stood before a cordoned-off zone, flashing lights painting the night in urgent reds and blues.
"This is an update on the Norfolk Echo Rift. Authorities have confirmed the area has been completely sealed with a spatial lock by SS-Rank Esper, Gabriel Silverstone."
Ambrose’s breath hitched.
"The International Hunters Council has now issued a global state of emergency. Preliminary reports suggest this Rift anomaly may be evolving beyond standard classification—possibly approaching an Extinction Level threat."
Devon’s hand tightened at his side.
"If confirmed, this would mark the emergence of a potential SSS-Rank anomaly. All active Espers are being advised to stand by for immediate deployment—"
The broadcast droned on, but Ambrose barely heard it.
Because suddenly... Everything felt a lot bigger than just lies, jealousy, and a mere missed call.
