Free Web NovelChapter 90: _A Guide With A Death Wish
After Valentine made his suggestion and the representatives discussed it for a while, the council speaker finally put a pause to the meeting.
"This meeting is adjourned till five PM this evening. Then we’ll make final decisions on whether Mr Lockwood’s plan is plausible and how to execute it with... minimal losses."
One by one, people trooped out of the Aegis Council Chamber. Devon stood up, walking up to his grandfather who was on a call with the United States Hunters Federation President.
Irina pulled Viktor aside, asking him questions about how things had been in Aurelia City while she was away. Alisha and Bruce murmured something amongst themselves.
And as for Ambrose?
He just sat there, arms folded in front of his chest as his eyes flitted from person to person around the hall.
’I can still sense Valentine observing me,’ he thought to himself, too shaken to look back and confirm. ’Why do I feel like I’m supposed to thank him? For that day at Norfolk.’
[I mean, if you want to, do it.] Aura sounded detached as always.
But then Ambrose couldn’t help but realise something as his gaze trailed to Gabriel.
From the very beginning, the system has been giving him passive abilities linked to the two SS-Ranks he was supposed to have a future link with.
First, Death sense. Obviously linked to the notorious Necromancer, Valentine. Then, recently, Spatial awareness, linked to the Lord of Space himself... Gabriel.
It was too much of a coincidence.
Was this the system’s way of preparing him for when he’ll have to link with them and then acquire a copy of their powers in the process?
[You make some of the cutest theories.]
’Oh, please. Just tell me if I’m right or not,’ Ambrose scoffed. ’There’s no way those were just merely normal system rewards. You—’
[DING!]
[DAILY QUEST GENERATED.]
Colour drained from Ambrose’s face instantly. ’... Daily quest? Right now?’
[You better believe it, sweetheart. Let’s give you something to talk about.]
[OBJECTIVE: Initiate conversation with both Gabriel Silverstone and Valentine Lockwood and keep them going for at least five minutes each.]
[REWARD: Intelligence boost of +5 and HP boost of 500.]
[PENALTY: System malfunction.]
[Time starts... now.]
Ambrose blinked for a few seconds longer than necessary at the system screens. Once they faded away, he snapped. ’How the heck am I supposed to start a conversation with Valentine? Let alone, Gabriel?’
[That’s for you to figure out and for me to do absolutely nothing but watch.]
His heart pounded so hard he could hear it in his eardrums. He inclined his head, catching Gabriel talking to a woman from another country. His back faced Ambrose from this angle—but for a couple of seconds, the SS-Rank looked over his shoulder.
Directly at him.
Ambrose jerked with a mix of shock and embarrassment, cutting his eyes away from him. ’That man has already been stealing looks like I owe him rent. Now you want me to... God, I’m screwed.’
His breathing hitched, chest tightening so bad he had to take slow, deep exhales. He was so distracted with that that he didn’t notice Devon approaching him.
"Hey," the Esper held his shoulder, jolting him out of his spiral. "Whoa—someone is a bit jumpy. Are you okay? Is this place getting too much for you?"
Ambrose’s mouth opened and closed as he stared at the worry on Devon’s face. He was about to say something, anything.
Then out of nowhere, Valentine went on the move, waltzing down the steps while adjusting his coat. He put on his sunglasses, head angling to Ambrose one last time.
Letting him know that he’d indeed been watching him.
In a flash, he tore his eyes from the Guide, brushing past Gabriel who gave him a nod of acknowledgement.
"So many SS-Ranks gathered in one place," Devon huffed, voice sounding equally reverent and jealous. "You’d think you’re above it all as an S-Rank... until you come across one of them."
He sighed, fingers tightening on Ambrose’s shoulder. "Why don’t we go get ice-cream? It’s a little sunny outside. We could get one for Orion too."
Unfortunately, those words became nothing but background noise as Ambrose witnessed Gabriel pivoting away from the woman he was talking to with a polite smile.
He sauntered down the steps, trailing behind Valentine as they became further away from his line of sight.
Hell nah.
"Rose?" Devon lowered himself to his ear, whispering. "You aren’t answering. Still mad about our conversation at the suite? I—"
"I have to handle something real quick," Ambrose got on his feet, adjusting his jacket. He was about to sneak after the two SS-Ranks when he realised how suspicious he must be right now.
So, his head swung back to Devon, a smile stretching his mouth. "Ice cream sounds like a good idea. And no... I’m not upset about our conversation. You made valid points and I..."
His eyes travelled back to the receding figures of the SS-Ranks. Valentine had already gotten to the exit while Gabriel was still a bit held back answering a few greetings.
"... I understand where you’re coming from." Ambrose sputtered too hurriedly, his smile widening. "Let me just handle something real quick. Okay?"
He brushed a hand over Devon’s cheek before taking measured steps down the stairs, not too fast so he didn’t alert Gabriel.
Devon stood there—on one hand, his chest warmed up after Ambrose touched his cheek. On the other hand, his eyes narrowed, noticing how tense he was.
A couple of seats beside him, Viktor also saw the interaction. He arched a brow, following Ambrose’s movements as he descended the stairs.
"What are you up to now?"
★★★★★
Outside The Apostolic Palace
Ambrose’s chase after Valentine and Gabriel led him outside.
Pigeons flew overhead, the afternoon sun shining at its peak. Other representatives had ambled out of the Palace as well, some chattering with themselves while others headed to their respective hotels and residences.
In other words... too many people for his spatial awareness to keep track of two high-ranking Espers.
"Come on," he glanced left and right, placing his hands on his waist. "You two couldn’t have gone too far."
He squinted, pulse ticking with anxiety.
Just when he was about to close his eyes and focus deeper on his Spatial awareness—
—A small chill crept up his spine, his hair standing on end.
"Most people would see someone like yourself following SS-Ranks and think you have a death wish." A baritone resounded behind him, amused.
While also making him stiffen straighter than an arrow.
"... Turn around."
