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

Chapter 125: _His Weakness

"If," Devon started with an uninvested tone," by interrupting you mean ruining what could’ve easily been a relaxing bath—then yes. You are."

He was about to shut the door on the Guide’s face. But Han was stubborn, blocking the door with a foot, preventing it from closing all the way.

"Wow," He chuckled with a bitter smile. "Ambrose really has you wrapped around his fingers, doesn’t he?"

"I don’t know what the heck you’re talking about. Neither do I care to know."

"Oh, but I think you do."

"No," Devon repeated, "I don’t. Now can you leave? This floor is reserved only for the S-Ranks and you know that."

Those words made Han’s expression falter for a beat. Each time he interacted with the Esper he couldn’t help but recall the good old days. When Ambrose and his advances were nothing but background noise.

Now—he was utterly consumed with that Guide.

"You did see the video I sent you though," he pulled up a trump card, revelling in the way Devon’s expression shifted. "Right?"

Devon’s grip on the door handle tightened. He stepped forward, peeking his head out. One glance left and right the hallway to confirm no one was there.

Then, "And?" He arched his brow. "So what if I saw it?"

Han’s mouth curved. "It means now you aren’t as blind as before," he took a daring step closer. Then another, until his face was merely inches away from Devon.

The Guide took in Devon’s smell. The sweaty musk mixed with sea salt and ash—gotten from all the activities he’s had going on today.

He couldn’t help himself as his eyes lowered, assessing his torso... before getting to that tempting bulge. While he made a fool of himself, Devon stared at him with visible irritation.

"Are you done ogling?" The S-Rank scoffed. "I can’t repeat myself, Han. We have NOTHING between us anymore. I appreciate whatever you thought you were doing with that video. But I genuinely don’t care about it."

"... You don’t say..."

"Yes. There’s nothing more going on between Ambrose and Viktor."

"I wasn’t talking about just that." Han was unrelenting. "The way he just... seemingly appeared in that restroom. Hell, all the other odd things surrounding him these past two weeks or so."

"Ha—"

"That kid," the Guide managed to push a button that made Devon’s brows twitch. There they go. "Yes, Devon. Has Ambrose ever told you where that child came from? A little boy randomly shows up, with no explanations of his origins—and he happens to look like the two of you."

Devon could feel something flickering in his chest. Something dangerous. He couldn’t be a part of this conversation any longer.

Without a word, he shoved the door forward, attempting to ignore Han completely.

"I know people who’ll be beyond glad to help me dissect every secret that little pet of yours has," Han sniggered. "And I mean... every secret."

If nothing triggered Devon up to this point, that did the trick. Echoes of Orion’s sobs and Cecil’s confession rushed through his head. He swung the door open, seizing Han by the collar.

The Guide’s eyes widened—too late.

Before he knew what was happening, he had his back slammed against Devon’s wall, the latter’s eyes flaring with a predatory yellow glow.

"Don’t," he sneered, "say anything about that child ever again. And I mean EVER." His face inched forward. "You’re lucky I haven’t incinerated you already based only on Cecil’s confession. Believe me when I say I’ll make sure no one hears your screams."

For the first time since he got here, Jae-won’s heart was in his throat. He kept a calm front—yet his body trembled beneath his hold.

"Tch," Han chortled. "And there... it is." He lifted a hand, fingers wrapping around Devon’s arm. "The proof that I need. You’ve let that child become a weakness."

"Whatever that child is to me is none of your damn business," Devon didn’t waste another second, flinging him out of his suite in one fluid motion. "I’ve been doubtful all this while but Rose was right. You are a snake."

Han fell butt-first to the marble floor. Grunting through his sore bum, he stared one last time at Devon. Their past relationship wasn’t the best.

But this?

As Devon banged the door behind him, Han’s eyes darkened.

"You did it this time," he mumbled, getting to his feet. Once his posture straightened he pulled out his phone, opening a chat with his sister.

Meanwhile, Devon stood at the other end of the door—breathing haggardly as he tried controlling himself.

Fuck!

Why did he snap like that?

Jae-won’s words before he flung him out replayed in his mind.

He’d let the child become a weakness...

"What’s... What’s wrong with me?" He brushed a hand through his fiery red hair, head resting against the door. His ears rang like he was getting a jolt of clarity after waking up. "How did I get here? What is it about Orion that makes him so... special?"

Continuing like this—without answers—was no longer plausible. He made a promise to Ambrose. He didn’t regret for a second the day he decided to play the part of the boy’s other parent.

Still... he couldn’t continue ignoring the unnatural pull. The odd sense of familiarity anytime he looked into the kid’s golden orbs.

He pushed himself off the wall, striding toward the bathroom. No more guessing. No more blind trust.

"... I just need proof." He whispered. "Proof of what everyone keeps saying about that child and me. About the gnawing feeling in my chest."

Tomorrow—he’d start with the child...

★★★★★

Back in Ambrose’s suite, he’d just went to the kitchen to get himself and Orion something to eat. He was famished—rightfully so.

However, as he pulled out some eggs and onions and set them on the counter... his phone buzzed in his back pocket. He was going to ignore it at first but the call came a second time.

Gods, what now?

Pulling out the phone, he blew raspberries when he saw the contact name. "Of course." Yep. Viktor. "Hey." He wore his signature smile when he picked. "I’m okay. Well... I think I am. Listen, a lot happened back here and I really need to get some—"

"I’m at your Guild’s lobby." Viktor’s baritone flowed with that thick Russian accent that only slipped when he was emotional. "Come see me. I brought you lunch."

Ambrose’s fingers stiffened, his heart doing a somersault.