Seducing the Guideverse With My System — Raising an Anomaly [BL]

Chapter 118: _A Storm Of Emotions

[REWARDS: +1000 EP boost and one teleportation crystal.]

[By crushing the teleportation crystal, the host can teleport to any location of their choice. One-time use.]

[Host has also acquired a System title: Cataclysm Breaker.]

[Activation of System title will give the host a temporary total buff of 2000 EP and +5 to physical stats. Time limit of 10 minutes.]

These system notifications ran in front of Ambrose’s vision in a blur. He was placed on a stretcher now. He and the others had landed on an American battleship.

And the Echo Rift?

It shut down moments after they came out, the only trace of its presence being the increased sea level and black water. On top of that, he overheard whispers that the void entity had escaped at some point.

An SS-Rank entity from an anomalous Rift was somewhere out there. Its intentions were still wildly unknown. Welp. That was the International Hunters Council’s problem now.

"Someone’s awake already," Devon was at his side, forcing Ambrose to turn his head with a grunt. The Esper had the warmest smile, signalling to the doctors attending to Ambrose to give them space. "How are you feeling?"

Ambrose managed a dry laugh. "Like I’ve been rammed by ten trucks then got stitched back together."

Devon let out a genuine chuckle. "Drama Queen."

"Hey, you could go find another Echo Rift and try overriding its core too."

This time as Devon chortled, Ambrose found his lips twitching with a smirk of his own. He sighed, staring at the skies above Norfolk.

The dark clouds were slowly retreating, giving way to the sun’s golden rays. A small flock of seagulls flew past, adding to the scenery.

"About that," Devon lowered his voice, leaning closer after taking a quick look around, "the Federation’s Vice President is currently questioning Valentine and Gabriel about what happened. In the dungeon."

Those words almost made Ambrose shoot up from the stretcher—until the screaming of every bone in his body made him give up. "What?"

"Listen," Devon grabbed one of his hands tenderly. "I know... You have your secrets. Things you probably don’t want anyone else knowing about."

"Devon—"

"And the others know that too." The S-Rank’s voice was reassuring. "Regardless of how you look at it—you saved us. And we all understand you might have some hidden trump card you don’t want the world knowing about."

As sweet as the words were, each of them made Ambrose’s chest tighten with a harder knot.

Shit!

[Would you relax? He’s literally letting you know he doesn’t plan to pry on your secrets.]

’Yes,’ he responded humourlessly. ’But this also means they know I have a secret now. One helpful enough to make me survive direct contact with an SS-Rank core.’

’Devon might be safe but it’s only a matter of time before Gabriel or Valentine tries digging deeper to get to the truth.’

He swerved his head gently to his left.

At the far end of the ship, Gabriel and Valentine stood side by side, speaking to the Federation vice president. He was no lip reader but the conversation seemed serious.

"They’re telling the Federation that they destroyed the core," Devon answered the question brewing in the back of his head. "Other than that, they’re being truthful about the rest of what we experienced."

Ambrose released a relieved breath so loud that Devon picked it up.

"Must be some world-breaking secret," he arched a brow. "I hope you’re... able to share it with me someday. Also, I—"

The Esper wasn’t given the chance to finish. An arm wrapped around his shoulders from behind, making him stumble forward a step.

He frowned, neck snapping to his side.

Of course.

Viktor.

"You boys conniving without me?"

Devon grunted. "I swear you’re like an STD that never leaves."

"Well. That’s oddly specific."

"Guys, please," Ambrose inhaled once. That made them stop, both men staring down at him like a precious egg they couldn’t afford to break.

Then the Guide’s eyes slid to Viktor. "Seems your shoulder is already doing better."

The Ice Prince had a sling holding up his arm. He smiled. "Yeah, it’s almost as good as new. Valentine had a special potion in handy."

That brought a frown to Ambrose’s face. "How come I didn’t get one?"

"Because your wounds go beyond the physical," a familiar baritone reached them.

They turned their heads as one only to see the Necromancer heading for them, Gabriel lumbering lazily behind.

"You’ll need way more time to recover. And from the doctor’s reports... no Guiding or emotionally stressful situations for at least a week."

Ambrose took down saliva.

Well, damn.

He could feel how badly the core destabilisation had wrecked his body, but he didn’t know it was that bad.

Once Valentine joined the rest of the group, he reached for his coat’s inner pocket. He pulled out a small glass vial with a golden white liquid, handing it to Devon.

"Here. He can take that now," he explained simply. "Just... make sure you go easy on him when you get home."

The implication behind those words—intentional or not—made both Devon and Ambrose flush red.

Valentine proceeded to put on his sunglasses, giving Gabriel a nod. "Come on. You’re my ride."

The other SS-Rank rolled his eyes but didn’t complain, shoving his hands into his pockets as they strode away. He cut Ambrose one last look.

A silent reminder that he was still watching him.

"Viktor, darling?!" A sharp female voice pierced through the chattering on the ship.

Viktor stiffened, taking in a long breath. "Coming, mother." He shook his head, eyes flicking between Devon and Ambrose before he also left.

The corner of Devon’s mouth curved. He didn’t say anything until Viktor was far away from them. "What a day, huh?"

Ambrose snorted. "A day? It felt like it’s been weeks."

Devon joined him in laughing, grasping his hands between his. He rubbed his thumb over his knuckles, staying silent for a beat too long.

Then, "Surviving that dungeon. Seeing you almost lose your life like that..." he paused, throat tightening. "... It’s made me realise something."

Ambrose’s heart skipped a beat before racing like he was back in the dungeon, standing against another sentient ball of energy.

"W–What’s that?"

The Esper’s lips pursed. He avoided eye contact for a few more seconds before bringing them back to him.

"I... I..." he stuttered, every breath harder than the last. "I love you, Rose."

Literally every sound around them died. Time itself seemingly came to a standstill. And yet he wasn’t finished.

"I want to be yours. So desperately it hurts." He raised Ambrose’s hands to his chest, pressing a kiss on them. "And... I want to be your boyfriend. No—your partner. For as long as time lets us."

Silence.

Ambrose’s fingers trembled. He blinked once. Then twice, ensuring he wasn’t dreaming. The moment he understood that he wasn’t—panic and a storm of complicated emotions swirled in his chest.

’Bloody fuck...’