Chapter 368: _#Miracle Guide

Hale-Ferguson Residence

"Daddy!" Orion barreled into Ambrose’s waiting arms later that day after Devon picked him from school. As the SS-Rank picked him up, the boy went on excitedly. "I heard some of my teachers talking about you. One of them called you a ’miracle’."

Ambrose’s smile faltered for a beat.

"That’s... great, buddy."

His eyes turned to Devon. "So? How was the ride back here?"

"Take a wild guess." The S-Rank huffed, rubbing his right shoulder. "I got to the school and met an entire swarm of reporters and fans waiting there. They didn’t even give us breathing space."

Ambrose’s eyes narrowed. "Fans?"

"Yep. You’re growing a fan base already."

[Ahem. Is now a good time to say ’I told you so’ about the whole celebrity thing?]

’Aura, I’ll—’

[I guess not.]

Just when Ambrose lowered Orion back to the ground, his phone rang. He brought it out, frowning when he saw the contact name.

Captain Killian of the Steel Falcon Guild... who’d been upgraded to ’Guild Master’ after the corruption and death of Dorothy Carter.

"Ugh. Now what?" He groaned a second before picking the call, voice instantly becoming friendly. "Hey, Killian. I’m guessing you’ve seen the news."

"Are you kidding?!" The man practically yelled, forcing Ambrose to push his phone as far away from his ear as possible. "Ambrose, this... this whole thing has shot Steel Falcon’s publicity off the damn roof!"

Now Ambrose was slightly curious. "In what way?"

"We got over a hundred applications from Hunters around the country."

"Wow. That’s—"

"Within the last sixty seconds."

... Well, shit.

Killian cackled at his speechlessness. "Yeah, everyone, even A-Ranks want to get a chance at working with the Guild that allegedly led to your reawakening. Although, from what I’ve heard, there are people also trying to get into Phoenix Flight. But that’s not the point!"

"Killian," Rose moved to the countertop, ignoring the sound of Devon attempting to get Orion to go freshen up. "About my... stay at Steel Falcon. I think it’s obvious that I—"

"Can’t be a member anymore?" Killian’s tone was beyond understanding. "Of course, Ambrose. You’re part of the big leagues now. With power like yours, you should be looking forward to starting your own S-Rank Guild."

The faintest smile flashed across Ambrose’s face.

He didn’t see himself creating his own Guild even in his wildest dreams—but this warmth came from hearing how far he’s come from an outsider’s lips.

"Thanks, Killian."

"Nah, I should be thanking you. These Hunters are basically throwing themselves at our—oh." There was a short pause at the other end. "Oops. I’ve got to go. The lobby’s becoming too crowded with people wanting to apply in person."

Ambrose shook his head. "I guess you should get right to it."

"Yeah. I’ll wire the rest of your salary in a minute."

With that, he hung up.

Magnus’ name appeared on the screen before Ambrose even had the chance to lock his phone.

He blinked.

"Well, that’s unexpected."

Accepting the call, he barely got out a greeting before the Guild Master’s booming laughter filled the speaker.

"So!" Magnus barked. "The entire damn world knows before I even get the chance to congratulate you."

Ambrose chuckled despite himself. "Good afternoon to you too, sir."

"Double S-Rank." Magnus clicked his tongue. "You really hid that one well."

"I wasn’t exactly trying to advertise it."

"No, you weren’t." The old man sounded oddly satisfied. "Although, truth be told... I always knew there was something off about you."

Ambrose leaned against the countertop. "Oh?"

"After that S-Rank Rift in Aurelia." Magnus didn’t hesitate. "A supposed C-Rank surviving that mess? I accepted the reports, but I never truly believed them. Either you were the luckiest Guide to ever walk the planet..." He laughed. "...or there was far more to Ambrose Hale than anyone realised."

Rose smiled sheepishly. "I remember that raid."

Another voice suddenly broke in.

"Grandpa." Devon had wandered close enough to overhear, rolling his eyes as Magnus immediately brightened.

"There you are!" the Guild Master exclaimed. "Tell your partner congratulations from me."

"I think he heard you the first five times."

"Nonsense." Magnus scoffed. "Congratulations should be repeated."

Devon snorted. "I’ll remember that next time you complain about your back hurting."

"Ungrateful brat."

Even Ambrose laughed at that.

Magnus cleared his throat dramatically, tone becoming deliberately casual. "Now that you’re officially an SS-Rank..."

"...Yes?"

"You want your old post back?"

Ambrose blinked before bursting into laughter. "I appreciate the offer. But I’ll have to pass."

Magnus hummed knowingly.

"I thought as much." There wasn’t an ounce of disappointment in his voice. "Still, if you ever need anything... Phoenix Flight’s doors remain open."

"Thank you."

After exchanging a few more words, the call finally ended.

No sooner had Ambrose lowered the phone than applause erupted behind him, making him turn.

Every single member of the household had somehow gathered.

Viktor was already walking toward the liquor cabinet.

"This," he dramatically pointed upward, "calls for champagne."

Gabriel folded his arms. "You just want an excuse to drink as usual."

"I can multitask."

Valentine placed a hand over his chest before giving Ambrose an exaggerated, theatrical bow.

"My sincerest congratulations to our household’s newest Double S-Rank."

The front door clicked open.

Loki sauntered inside carrying several shopping bags.

"Rude!" They clicked their tongue. "Imagine throwing a party before the guest of honour’s favourite Pantheon member arrives."

"You basically live here at this point." Devon deadpanned.

"Daddy!" Orion rushed over and tugged Ambrose’s hand excitedly. "Are we really throwing a party?"

Rose looked around at all of them.

A warmth spread through his chest that no amount of system notifications about levelling up could ever replicate.

His phone vibrated again just before he could give Orion an answer.

Curious, he unlocked it.

"Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me."

On the screen were hundreds of posts from different social media platforms—each having the following tags:

#AmbroseHale

#SSRank

#MiracleGuide

#ReAwakening

His name dominated every trending page.

People had somehow unearthed clips he’d completely forgotten existed.

One showed him casually walking through a park months ago. Another was shaky footage from the Pride parade.

Someone had even stitched together random recordings of him entering cafés, crossing streets and shopping for groceries as though he’d been a celebrity all along.

"How do people even find this stuff?" He muttered.

[The internet is a terrifying place.]

Rose rubbed his forehead.

He suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to disappear upstairs, take the longest shower imaginable, and bury himself in a system mission before anyone else recognised him in public.

Behind him, however, the laughter continued.

For just a little while longer... He decided he didn’t mind staying right where he was.