Free Web NovelChapter 91: _Cornered By Two Apex Predators
"... Turn around."
He didn’t know when or how.
But something about the finality in that voice made Ambrose turn before his mind could register it, his eyes immediately locking with the person who said it.
Ah... shit.
Of course.
Standing just a few meters ahead of him was none other than Gabriel Silverstone. He had his hands folded in front of him, those iridescent orbs narrowing on him.
Accessing. Curious without apology.
He took two slow steps forward, ignoring the crowd and chatter. "You... are a Guide?" The uncertainty in his voice was clear. "Or, at least, I think you are. A low rank one most likely."
As he inched closer, Ambrose’s muscles grew more rigid. He kept his chin high, simultaneously avoiding eye contact. Yet it was futile. The man stared at him as if he could see right through his soul.
Once Gabriel was in front of him, his eyes scoured Ambrose from head to toes. He circled him, each click of his boots adding an extra knot of anxiety in Ambrose’s chest.
"Ignoring the fact that a low-ranking Guide is attending such a highly classified meeting—"
Ambrose finally found his voice. "I–I came with the Phoenix Flight Guild. Hunter Devon—"
"I wasn’t finished." The edge in Gabriel’s tone was unmistakable. He left no room for explanations, continuing smoothly. "You are... different. At first glance, anyone would mistake you for just a normal Guide. But your aura is vastly different. More defined."
[Ding!]
[Host needs to actively speak and contribute to the conversation to begin progress on the quest.]
Ambrose’s jaw ticked.
God, anymore of this and he might as well shit himself. Still, he couldn’t see himself having anything to say to this man after this.
So, "I am really just that, sir." He forced a smile, bringing his eyes to meet his. "You can ask Hunter Devon or even Guild master Magnus."
[Quest progress has begun! Timer in motion.]
Bullseye!
Gabriel’s head tilted. "I don’t need to ask them anything." The words were firm. "Why were you following me?"
Ambrose’s breath caught but he quickly regained his composure. "I–I didn’t mean to follow or alarm you—"
"Yet you did," the SS-Rank leaned in until their noses nearly touched. That made Ambrose stiffen, heart beat faltering. "And I want to know why. I won’t try lying if I were you. Trust me—I can easily tell."
Whether a threat or not, those words sent chills running throughout Ambrose’s being. He stared at the timer running in front of his face.
[Time left: 4 minutes and 34 seconds left.]
Darn it, that was still a lot of seconds.
"I..." he tried saving the situation, fiddling with his fingers. "... I was just curious, sir. I admired the way you spoke and I... I’ve been thinking about you since the Norfolk incident—"
The moment that last part left his mouth, he knew how weird it sounded. Sadly, it was too late to take it back.
"Thinking about me?" Gabriel’s brows knitted. "The hell are you talking about?"
Heat swelled behind Ambrose’s ears. "No, no... not like that." He spluttered. "I’m referring to your power. You were able to teleport all those ships away from the Echo Rift when all hope seemed lost."
He kept his mouth sealed, hoping that would do the trick. It should—it was part of the truth anyway. Ever since Norfolk, he’s wondered how and when he’d cross paths with the legendary SS-Rank who saved their asses.
Gabriel kept silent, eyes dimmed. Never leaving him. Ambrose wished he could hear his thoughts. See if he bought his words.
’If I didn’t know any better,’ Gabriel thought to himself, ’I could’ve sworn he was trying to hit on me. Hmph. One of those younglings who thinks they can hit it big by getting under a high-ranking Esper’s pants.’
[Time left: 3 minutes 12 seconds.]
Ambrose’s eyes widened.
Just a little bit more.
"Well," Gabriel cleared his throat, adjusting his coat. "If that’s the case, it’s nothing. We Hunters have to stick together, right?"
Although his voice was cool, he prepared something underneath his fingers. If Ambrose were merely a normal low-rank Guide, he shouldn’t feel spatial distortion.
A flick of his wrist was all he needed.
Space distorted just two metres behind the Guide. Like a ripple through ocean waters.
Ambrose’s brows knitted, his head swinging back out of reflex. By the time his eyes locked in that direction, the distortion disappeared faster than it came.
Giving Gabriel his answer.
’I knew it.’ The SS-Rank’s fists curled. ’He’s no Guide. Yet, I don’t sense the aura of an Esper.’
He didn’t say anything about it. But the flicker in his eyes was enough to make Ambrose know something was up.
"R–Right, sir..." the Guide kept his smile up. "We have to stick together. I—"
"Well, isn’t this a surprising sight to behold?" A voice chimed from behind Gabriel, making both of them pause. Their heads spun there.
[Second SS-Rank target approaching.]
[Gabriel: 2 minutes, 23 seconds.]
[Valentine: 4 minutes, 57 seconds.]
Yep.
Valentine Lockwood.
Ambrose bit his bottom lip, suddenly feeling like he was being cornered by two apex predators. Valentine strolled like he had all day, taking off his sunglasses so they could see how his eyes moved between them.
"What’s this?" he began when he got in front of them, first taking in Gabriel. "You know him?"
Gabriel arched his brow. "I was about to ask you the same... thing."
"Well, aren’t you such a good little Esper magnet?" Valentine’s head angled to Ambrose again, his smirk turning into a grin. "Come on. What were you kids talking about?"
Ambrose couldn’t answer. Not when his eyes were glued to the system screens glowing in front of him.
[Gabriel: 1 minute, 46 seconds.]
"I was just leaving." Gabriel raised a dismissive hand, backing away from both of them.
However, before he could move past a few feet, Ambrose grabbed his wrist. The Esper’s eyes bulged while Valentine snorted a laugh.
"Wait..." Ambrose gulped, ignoring the agitation flashing past the man’s face. "I... I know you probably think I’m weird or... abnormal—"
"What did I even walk into?" Valentine chuckled. "Hell, a drink would’ve been perfect now."
"If I thought you were ’weird’ before," Gabriel’s tone became harsh. "Now I think you’ve lost your damn marbles. Why are you acting so desperate to get close to me?"
Saying he wanted to evaporate the heck out of there wouldn’t cut how Ambrose felt right now. He needed this and couldn’t afford to break the conversation.
Regardless of how awkward it was.
"You... you have every right to see me as crazy." Ambrose dragged, refusing to let go of his wrist. "I know I—"
"Get your hand... off me," Gabriel warned, the air thickening with his words. "I will not say it again."
[Gabriel: 59 seconds.]
Yes!
So fucking close.
"Come on," Valentine grabbed Ambrose’s arm. "Let go of the man."
Adrenaline was at an all-time high.
His mind spun, thinking of a way to make this interaction last. Valentine’s timer was ticking as well, but at least he seemed intrigued.
The priority now was Gabriel.
"You really must have a death wish," the SS-Rank sneered, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light. "Get your hand off—"
Ambrose didn’t think twice about what he did next. He shut his eyes slowly, pretending to trip. As he fell into Gabriel’s arms and faked passing out, he watched the timer run.
[36... 35... 34... 33...]
"The fuck?" Gabriel shook Ambrose, his head turning to Valentine with confusion. At this point, people had started looking in that direction, speechless to see the infamous Esper in such a situation. "Hey? Hey! You better not be playing with me right now."
He lowered Ambrose to the hot pavement, checking his pulse. He then placed both hands on his chest, attempting to resuscitate him.
"Help me over here, damn it!" He snapped at Valentine but the latter was unfazed, simply watching from the side.
[15... 14... 13...]
’Come on...’ Ambrose fought the urge not to laugh, keeping the act going.
If it took fainting to get the man’s attention, then so be it.
"Maybe you should give him mouth-to-mouth." Valentine shrugged, rubbing his chin. "He seems fine to me though."
Gabriel’s eyes gleamed with hesitation.
He brought his eyes to Ambrose again, staring like he couldn’t believe what he was about to do. Then—he took in air through his mouth, lowering himself to the Guide’s face.
[Time completed for Gabriel Silverstone.]
[Oh—looks like you’re occupied.]
Ambrose jolted, eyes opening wide when the Esper’s mouth met his.
Meanwhile, Valentine’s mouth parted. "... Oh." A small smile crept onto his lips. "Now this is interesting."
