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

Chapter 128: _It’s Not You, It’s Me

"... Uh," Devon inched into the room by a few steps, head swivelling from Ambrose and then to Viktor. "What did I walk into?"

Ambrose’s mouth parted and closed repeatedly as he backed up from Viktor like he was the black death personified. "D–Devon. It’s... It’s really nothing. Viktor needed a new shirt after I got wine spilt on—"

"We kissed," the words made Ambrose’s organs plummet all the way to his ass. He blinked, jaw tightened with disbelief as Viktor went on shamelessly. "I mean sure—we originally came here because I needed a new shirt. But honestly? There’s been a lot of unspoken tension. Blurry lines that we’ve finally crossed."

Viktor’s nonchalance didn’t end there.

He reached for Ambrose’s waist, tugging at him until they were staring into each other’s eyes. "Isn’t that right, little bird?"

Devon’s stomach dropped.

He didn’t want to believe it at first. He’d decided to rush here the second he finished freshening up. He’d already planned a special meal to prepare...

and now...

Literal fire consumed his eyes, the permanent link blazing with his fury. His fingers dug into skin, muscles straining from the pent-up pressure exerted by his aether.

Ambrose saw and felt the emotional spike. He slipped away quickly from Viktor, raising his hands. "Devon, please. Don’t do anything—"

"You humongous piece of shit!" Devon roared, charging straight at Viktor. Before the latter could process what was happening, he’d been seized by the throat, shoved backwards until his back crashed hard against Ambrose’s wardrobe. "Why?! Why the fuck do you have to soil everything?"

Yellow flames licked out of his skin, his fiery red hair rising with his rage. Before he could unleash his power—Viktor pushed back violently.

"Soil everything?" The ice Prince snapped, an icy blue light swallowing his eyes. "It’s not my fault you’re a dense, emotionally closed-off man-child. I didn’t touch what was yours."

On the side, only one thing crossed Ambrose’s mind. And that was how this could end horribly fast if he didn’t intervene somehow.

"Guys," he tried pleading. "Orion... he’s literally in the other room and—"

"You know what the fuck you’ve been doing." Devon pounced on Viktor again, this time tackling him from the waist. The latter stumbled back but held on. "You’ve always known, Viktor. You see a guy I’m no longer ’interested in’ and take him."

"You’re acting like you ever liked any of those young men." Viktor spat. "Spare me the sentimental bull shit."

They broke out of the grapple only for their fists to flare with their respective elemental power.

[WARNING: Emotional state of linked Espers reaching critical levels. Host is advised to either evacuate or stop them.]

[SPECIAL MISSION UNLOCKED!]

’You’ve got to be fucking with me, Aura!’ Ambrose felt like pulling out his hair. ’A mission? During something like this? You—’

[OBJECTIVE: De-escalate conflict between the two Espers within five minutes.]

[REWARDS: +5 intelligence points boost and a new special skill.]

[PENALTY: Both linked Espers will be at high risk of going berserk.]

’Wait. What’s the special skill going to be?’

[Time starts... now.]

Shit.

"B–Boys," Ambrose gathered whatever shred of courage he had left, dragging his feet forward. "This is going anywhere. I–I might’ve fucked up by... by—"

"Please," Viktor snorted. "You didn’t do anything, Rory. Devon never made it clear if you two were dating. Never claimed you to be his. It’s not your fault someone else stepped in to do the work."

Devon chuckled dryly. "Work? Heaven knows what hidden agenda you have. What? Do you have a kink for sleeping with people I’ve slept with?"

"If I did, perhaps I would’ve gone for Guide Han Jae-won. But I haven’t, have I?"

"Ironic since you two are basically snakes of the same species."

Ambrose kept glancing back at the closed room door. Afraid Orion would barge in or overhear them.

"Why are we even fighting?" Viktor said something that Ambrose could get behind for once... until he didn’t. "The decision lies in Ambrose’s hands. So..." he turned to the Guide, making him stiffen. "Who’s it going to be? The man who keeps going in circles? Or the one who’s open about what he wants with you?"

The question hung heavy in the air, adding to the lump in Ambrose’s throat. He tried swallowing, avoiding Devon’s piercing gaze with everything in him.

[Time left: 3 minutes, 53 seconds.]

"I..." Ambrose stuttered. "I... I’m sure I’ve been pretty clear with what I... what I want. At least, with you, Devon."

He couldn’t even meet Devon’s eyes. He could already tell how broken those words left him. And he hated it. Hated himself for treating these men this way.

"I... I can’t," his shoulders slumped as he shook his head. "Neither of you is the problem. You’re both amazing men despite the flaws. And everyone... Everyone has their flaws. But I—"

His voice broke toward the end, vision darkening at the edges. His legs wobbled, making him lumber a couple of steps.

Viktor and Devon caught the shift, exchanging a quick look before pinning all focus on their permanent Guide.

"Rose?"

"What’s wrong?"

Ambrose pressed a finger on his temple. "I’m... I’m fine," he slurred. "I just—we just need to..."

The world tilted as something wet trailed down his nose. He lazily touched it, his fingers trembling when he saw what it was.

... Blood.

[WARNING: Host’s emotional state is at a critical level. Aether instability detected—body functions shutting down to prevent fatal damage.]

Ah—there it was.

The consequences of flouting the doctor’s orders.

"Ambrose!" Devon bolted to him the moment he fell sideways. He wrapped his arms around him, cradling him to the floor. "God—I’m such a fucking idiot! Valentine... Valentine warned us not to stress him out."

Viktor rushed to his side, visibly lost on what to do. Devon went straight into emergency mode.

"Make sure Orion doesn’t see him like this. Go!"

"Why can’t you be the one who—"

"Viktor!" Devon sneered. "Just go. We’ll slit each other’s throats later."

As Viktor made a run for the bedroom door, Devon pressed Ambrose against his chest, whispering into his ear: "Stay with me, Rose. Please... I’m so sorry. I–I should’ve known you were getting too stressed..."

In Ambrose’s mental space, although the S-Rank’s voice became fainter by the second—the system’s notification ring was sharp as ever.

[CONGRATULATIONS! Special mission completed in record time.]

[Rewards loading...]

A pause.

Then, something slightly more shocking.

[Viktor Morozov’s Attraction points at 100%.]