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

Ambrose strode through the foyer with cautious steps, his brows knitting once he got outside. Aether energy rippled at his fingertips, ready to strike the person waiting outside—if they proved a threat at least.

However, nothing would’ve prepared him for who he saw once his boots crunched on the perfectly mowed lawn.

"Valentine?" Ambrose quickly hid his fingers behind his back, a shaky smile stretching his lips. "What... how did you..."

The Necromancer stood at the gates with folded arms. He wore a dark grey trench coat that blew into the wind, his long black hair tied into a man bun for once.

Behind his sunglasses, Valentine scrutinised the Guide closely. He could rationalise into believing that he was imagining things, but he trusted his senses.

There was something... different about him. As though he’d undergone some changes between the time of the Echo Rift raid and now. And he wasn’t talking about physical changes—although, he had to admit, those silver eyes seemed brighter and his shoulders slightly broader.

’If I can notice changes in him from a first glance,’ he thought to himself, ’then I reckon other SS-Ranks can as well...’

"Hello?" Ambrose’s voice dragged him out of his mind. "You didn’t answer my question."

Valentine arched an amused brow. "Did you ask me any?"

"... Yes."

"Pretty certain you ended up being a stuttering mess before you could push out anything coherent." He took a few steps forward. "Why don’t we try again?"

Ambrose’s eyes twitched but he tried his best to hide his frustration. Truth be told, he was nervous as fuck for obvious reasons. Ever since the Echo Rift raid he’d hoped he wouldn’t have to see Valentine or Gabriel again.

Devon and Viktor were much easier to distract from mind-boggling questions and suspicions.

Example: How was a mere C-Rank Guide able to destabilise the core of an anomalous Rift dangerously close to being an Extinction Level event?

And survive.

The two SS-Ranks had said they wouldn’t give the full details of what happened in the Rift. But now... with Valentine showing up unannounced...

"How did you find me?" Was the first question Ambrose was able to conjure. "You’re not spying on me again are you?"

Valentine chuckled. "First off... ’again’?" He shook his head. "Secondly, I have my ways. I needed to discuss something and decided it’d be best we see each other in person."

Ambrose balled his fists discreetly. "Okay then. Here I am. What is it?" He pointed at the house behind him. "If you didn’t know, I’m house hunting. Can’t really do much of that if you’re here to distract me."

"Relax." The SS-Rank blew raspberries with a sly grin. "I’ll go straight to the point. I’m here to warn you that despite me and Gabriel’s best efforts... whatever secrets you may have are at risk."

Alarm bells rang instantly in Ambrose’s head. "I knew it," he muttered loud enough for Valentine to hear. Then he laughed, a dry, humourless sound. "I fucking knew it."

"You did?"

"Yeah—you’re trying to blackmail me. Aren’t you?"

Silence stretched between them as Valentine slowly narrowed his eyes. "Huh?"

The genuine confusion on the older man’s face took Ambrose by surprise. Yet he went on. "Why else will you tell me something like that? You—"

"Well, golly." Valentine sniggered, his head tilting slowly. "When did you become this paranoid? Accusing ME... of blackmail?"

Before Ambrose knew what was happening, the Esper had crossed the distance between them until he was only a couple of feet in front of him.

He took off his sunglasses, revealing those blood red orbs. "What would you have to offer me if I truly wanted to do that?" When Ambrose tried looking away he caught his jaw with his index finger and thumb. "No, no... don’t try avoiding the topic now. Humour me."

Shit!

He’d let his paranoia get the best of him and sputtered out the worst-case scenario his mind could bring up. Worse still, Valentine hadn’t even finished speaking.

’Maybe Devon was right about me worrying too much.’ he gulped, shuddering as he stared into Valentine’s eyes. "I–I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—"

"Yet you did." The Necromancer clicked his tongue, withdrawing his fingers with an almost disappointed look. "Whatever. No, I’m not attempting to blackmail you. But the Federation has begun digging into you."

The relief that came when Valentine let go of him went into the wind as those words settled.

Ambrose’s throat tightened. "... The Federation?"

"Specifically the President of the United States Hunters Federation." Valentine nodded. "He’s questioned Gabriel and me about you twice already. Something tells me the third time... he might just go directly to the horse’s mouth."

The Guide found it hard to breathe all of a sudden.

This... was much worse than being blackmailed.

"Isn’t that guy one of the most powerful Hunters in the Americas?" He found himself questioning out loud.

Valentine sniggered. "Gabriel and I could probably give him a run for his money... but yes." He put on his glasses again. "He’s an SS-Rank Esper. And his ability?"

He leaned closer until his chilling breath prickled Ambrose’s earlobes.

"There isn’t a clear classification but most call it: Sovereign Tongue. His words reshape situations and people to his whim. If there was traffic and he had somewhere to be he’ll just speak and whatever road block causing it fixes itself. So... if he were to come to you and ask what secrets you have..."

Colour rushed out of Ambrose’s face.

He’d be quacking like a duck about every damn secret he had! What the actual fuck? Meeting Gabriel and Valentine, he thought their dominion over space and death respectively was already insane.

But this? This was basically the closest thing to full-on reality warping!

As his mind spiralled, Valentine straightened, adjusting his coat. "Now you see why I said your secrets are at risk." He gave him a light tap on his shoulder. "Stay hidden if you must. I’ve done my part in warning you."

With that, he spun on his feet, giving the house one last glance before waltzing to the gates. Ambrose stared blankly at his receding form, his chest rising and falling in raspy breaths.

Fucking... hell!

"Rose?" Devon called from behind him just then, forcing him to look back. "What’s wrong? I thought you came out to answer a call—wait. Is that Hunter Valentine?"

Ambrose didn’t even bother answering. He bolted, heading for Valentine just when he was about to cross the gates.

"Valentine, wait!" He grabbed his elbow before he could stop himself, his hands trembling. "I... I know it’s asking for too much. You’ve already helped me a lot by telling me this."

Valentine stood still, waiting patiently for him to get to the point. And he did.

"... Can... Can you please help me avoid this interrogation if it happens?" Ambrose swallowed his pride. "There has to be a way you can help. P–Please."

The Necromancer didn’t answer. Not yet. Because at the back of his mind—he’d already predicted this kind of reaction. Hoped for it, in fact.

’It was only a matter of time before you broke...’ his eyes slid over his shoulder, the shades glinting under the sunlight.

Ambrose Hale was finally desperate enough to reach for him willingly.

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