"Daddy!"
The second Ambrose got into his suite, a little human ran to him, wrapping his small arms around his waist. The former stumbled, his entire body freezing for a second.
Shit.
He knew he'd forgotten something on his way out of the Rift.
Little Orion.
But then could you blame him for forgetting? He'd been traumatised in that damn dungeon. Almost got killed quite a few times. Exhausted most of my energy guiding Devon.
Of course, he'd forget he had a child from the future waiting for him.
"Hey, little one," Ambrose found himself smiling regardless, shutting the door behind him. He ruffled the little guy's blonde hair, making him giggle. "Did you miss me?"
"Yes!" Orion pulled away from the hug, nodding repeatedly. "I kept watching the TV in case they mentioned anything about you and Papa coming back."
That last word made Ambrose's smile waver.
Papa.
Right. He was supposed to be co-parenting the little anomaly with someone else.
'System?' Ambrose called mentally. 'Was there any deadline for the mission of getting Devon to co-parent?'
[No. Still—it's best you get to it as soon as possible. Remember what the penalty is if the child goes unstable.]
Sigh.
Permanent erasure from every timeline and universe.
How could he forget?
"You were on the news, daddy!" Orion's shout jolted him out of his mind. "You and Papa. They called you all heroes. And also uncle Viktor."
At the mention of Viktor, Ambrose frowned. "Uncle?"
"Yes," Orion nodded. "In my timeline, he's my uncle. He's the best! He makes snowmen for me even when it isn't winter. And ice cream too."
Tugging at Ambrose's wrist, he added. "Are you two close yet?"
All Ambrose could do was gawk speechless.
Did the future Ambrose have some sort of harem? Or was it just Devon and Viktor?
"Orion?" He grabbed the lad's hand. "One of these days you'll tell me all you know about your timeline. Is that okay?"
"Sure!" Orion hopped once. "But daddy? I'm… hungry."
Ambrose's head swerved to the wall clock.
One Pm.
The poor thing hadn't eaten since those pancakes he had for breakfast.
"Come on," Ambrose pulled him along with him. "Let's go see what else daddy can prepare, eh?"
"Yay! Can I help out?"
"Uhm… you can help out by watching."
The last thing he needed was the kid burning down his kitchen after the hell he's faced today.
★★★★★
'Aura?' Ambrose called when they were finally done in the kitchen. He and the kid walked out, each holding plates with star-shaped sandwiches. And also yoghurt boxes. 'Do you have any readings on that weird energy I felt? Before I walked into the suite.'
[It was likely from a high-ranking Esper. The signature says as much. But the person was skilled enough not to give away too much. Which means—]
'You can't detect what rank they are.' Ambrose's expression went grim. 'It… it can't be someone looking to cause trouble, right?'
Memories from the past Ambrose let him know not all Espers and Guides were 'good'. Some were rogue, affiliated with zero Guilds or the federations as a whole.
Some of these rogues either keep a low profile. Or use their powers to wreak havoc.
[Relax, sweetheart. Whoever it is, my scanners will be able to detect if or when they make a move against you.]
[Also, I doubt they'd want to cause any trouble here even if they were magically after you. This is the Guild of an SS Rank Guild master after all.]
SS Rank?
That should be—Devon's grandfather!
Damn.
No wonder the guy's aura was much more terrifying than S ranks.
"I love the sandwich, Dad." Orion cheered as they sat on one of the sofas. "Do you have enough? I can—"
"Daddy's fine with these ones, Orion." Ambrose raised his plate, flashing a reassuring smile. "Thanks for looking out for me."
The lad hesitated for a heartbeat before shrugging. He dug into his sandwiches, barely pausing or appearing like he needed any encouragement to eat.
Unlike most five-year-olds.
Ambrose brushed a hand down the lad's hair before focusing on talking to the system. 'Aura? Other than obtaining the powers of Espers through seduction, is there a way to increase my stats as a Guide?'
[Look who's finally getting his head into the game.] Aura teased. [The answer is yes. Through future missions and daily quests.]
Daily quests?
'What are those?'
[Small missions the system will give the host. Daily. Starting tomorrow.]
[Completing daily missions for a consecutive week can attract extra rewards. Including possible stats boosts.]
He clenched his fists with barely contained excitement.
If there's anything the raid today taught him… it was that he was weak. Sure, C-rank Guides were far better than D to even F ranks.
But if he wanted to keep up with Devon or survive this cruel Guideverse world, he needed to become stronger.
'Can you drop a tease of the daily quests for this week?'
[Nice try. You'll get to know them starting tomorrow.]
'Ugh, come on.' Ambrose rolled his eyes. 'Is it bad if I'm a little prepared?'
[Need I remind you that you have an emergency existential mission you're yet to begin? I'll focus more on that if I were you.]
That sobered up Ambrose faster than a dip in the ocean.
'Touche.'
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the other side of the living room door. Ambrose stiffened, in the middle of chewing a sandwich.
"Should I go—?" Orion was about to get the door when Ambrose held him back.
"Never get the door unless I tell you," Ambrose warned the kid, placing his plate on the centre table before hopping off the sofa. He dusted his hands. "Stay here. I'll be right back."
He wiped a hand on his mouth, head tilting as he approached the white door.
[Scanning visitor…]
[Scan completed.]
His eyes slid to the system screen floating in front of him. Then he paused, the hand he placed inches away from the doorknob halting as well.
An S-Rank Esper.
And not just anyone either.
"Devon." He shook his head, drawing in a shaky breath. "He's probably here to question me about the permanent link. Tch."
He summoned enough courage to open the door. When he did, however, he didn't meet an angry face.
On the contrary, Devon had a small smile, dressed in a casual red jacket and black jeans. He held out a flask, waving it in front of Ambrose.
"My mother's chicken soup recipe," the Esper explained. "She used to make some for me whenever I was sick growing up."
Ambrose's mouth parted.
He blinked, gaze fleeting from the metal flask to the sincerity on Devon's face.
His throat bobbed as he struggled to take down saliva.
Was this really happening?
"So…" Devon tapped his fingers on the flask. "Can I come in?"
When Devon stepped closer, the air shifted.
Ambrose felt it immediately — the faint hum beneath his ribs, like a thread being gently pulled.
The link.
Devon's eyes flickered for a second too.
He also felt it.