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

Back in The United States

"Devon, have you seen the news?"

"Huh?"

Viktor had just returned from Glacier Talon early that afternoon. He’d barely taken off his boots when he grabbed the remote and switched the cooking competition Devon was watching to the news.

Before Devon could protest, a reporter’s voice echoed from the television.

"This is Madelyn Vance with the BBC live at the scene of something I’ve gathered might be the most serious Rift event since the Echo Rift."

Both S-Ranks exchanged looks before leaning in.

"Although journalists and the press aren’t being allowed past these barricades, the reports we’ve gotten from a few eyewitnesses—here outside Calgary, Alberta—suggest that a normal S-Rank raid quickly became disastrous when the Hunters who got in were declared trapped."

"According to these reports, the Rift appears to restrict any more entrance into it, so much so that its surface seems solid. Federation vehicles have already been spotted nearby so it’s safe to say that this case is quickly escalating."

"This coming so soon after the world was rid of the walking Extinction known as the Void Entity makes one wonder... Can humanity keep up with all these odd dungeon phenomena? Or are we—"

Viktor switched the channel with a grunt. "Fucking right to free press," he murmured, head turning to Devon. "Discussions about this have already gotten to Hunters in Glacier Talon today. Specifically my mother."

Devon swallowed.

He didn’t know what to make of this at all.

"I mean," he rubbed his throat, "maybe they can handle this with Gabriel’s help. Right? At least before it escalates."

Viktor shook his head. "You mean like the way he and other SS-Ranks ’handled’ the Echo Rift before it became as bad as it did?" He placed his hands on a couch’s headrest. "Humanity is running out of time. With each passing day, I can feel it."

The red-haired Esper blinked cluelessly.

"I fail to see what two S-Ranks like ourselves can do about it," The defeat in his voice couldn’t be clearer. "I’ve always thought we were at least high in the Hunters’ food chain. But with people like the Pantheon, Gabriel and Valentine? Dude, what can we do?"

The Ice Prince’s jaw worked.

Yet he couldn’t say anything.

Because the man made a huge point.

As Devon rose to his feet, eyes lingering on the wall clock—he couldn’t help but think of someone.

"If there’s one thing all of us can agree on though," he pinned his gaze on Viktor again, "it’s that there’s hope of some kind. With Ambrose. Wherever he is now he’s far from the puny C-Rank we used to know."

Viktor followed Devon’s gaze for a long second before releasing a quiet scoff.

"Yeah," he muttered, dragging a hand through his snow-white hair. "That idiot would probably look at this whole mess and somehow make it worse before making it better."

Despite the insult, a faint smile tugged at Devon’s lips. "That sounds exactly like him."

Silence settled between them once more.

Not the suffocating kind they’d endured over the past week.

Just... quieter. A bit more hopeful.

Devon eventually drew in a slow breath, glancing toward the living room door. Orion was almost done with school by now.

"Come on," he said at last. "We’ve both got work to do. Sitting around worrying isn’t going to bring him back any faster."

Viktor nodded.

"No." His expression hardened with renewed resolve. "But when he does come back... I’m punching him."

Devon snorted. "I’ll probably help you. But maybe not too hard, eh?"

★★★★★

Meanwhile, several miles away... Inside one of the Pantheon’s temporary meeting halls.

"So let me understand this correctly." Apollo rested both palms against the conference table, golden eyes fixed on Kali.

"An S-Rank Rift abruptly changed colour, trapped everyone inside and began displaying completely new properties?"

Kali gave a slow nod. "So far, yes."

Around the table, Wukong folded his arms while Yemoja leaned thoughtfully against the wall. Loki occupied the nearest chair with both feet propped shamelessly atop the table, twirling a dagger between lazy fingers.

"Sounds fun," Wukong remarked. "When do we leave?"

"That’s your solution to everything," Yemoja sighed.

"It usually works."

"Until it doesn’t."

Apollo ignored them. "Have we confirmed this isn’t another Echo Rift?"

"No." Kali shook her head. "And that’s precisely what concerns me."

She projected a shimmering image above the table.

The footage showed the now-infamous purple Rift.

Unlike ordinary dungeon entrances, its surface pulsed inward then outward.

Almost rhythmically.

"It isn’t behaving like any spatial anomaly we’ve documented," Kali explained quietly. "Every instinct I possess tells me reality around that Rift is changing."

Loki finally lowered their feet. "Who’s to say this isn’t somehow connected to the Void Entity?"

The room grew noticeably quieter.

Kali studied the footage for another moment before answering. "I’ve considered that possibility."

"And?"

She slowly exhaled. "I doubt it."

Loki frowned. "You sound awfully certain."

"Because I can no longer perceive the Void Entity anywhere within our reality." Her violet eyes narrowed. "If it still exists, it’s somewhere beyond my reach."

Apollo crossed his arms. "Meaning?"

"Meaning," Kali replied, "this may simply be another anomaly altogether. A new one."

The words landed heavily.

None of them liked that answer.

One Extinction-level crisis disappearing only for another impossible phenomenon to emerge wasn’t exactly reassuring.

"So," Wukong broke the silence with a grin that carried far too much enthusiasm, "are we finally going to Canada or are we planning to stare at recordings until the problem solves itself?"

Yemoja rolled her eyes. "For once... I agree with the monkey."

Apollo nodded once. "We can’t afford another Echo Rift."

"No," Kali agreed. "We’ll send a small team first. Observe. Intervene only if necessary. If this develops beyond containment the rest of us follow immediately."

Everyone slowly nodded. Everyone except Loki.

Their attention drifted toward the window. Toward nothing in particular.

No matter how much the others discussed new disasters... One feeling refused to disappear.

That strange, persistent tug buried deep inside their chest.

The permanent link still pulsed. Weakly. But undeniably alive.

’You’re still out there...’ they thought. ’Wherever the hell you are.’

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