CHAPTER 69: EIGHTEEN

"Morning," Seraphina said as Tyler walked into the guest room. She sat alone on the bed, waiting for him.

He smiled. "Morning. You still look like a demoness. Need a knife to scrub it off?"

Seraphina smiled faintly. "If you have a knife with a high dagger‑proficiency requirement, I don’t mind trying it out. Otherwise, don’t bother."

"Haha. You don’t have to take my joke seriously. Well, it’s good to see you back to yourself. I know this priestess can take you over at any time, but Ace Avalanche told me not to worry about it," Tyler said. He pulled a chair closer, sat on it backward, and rested his arms on the back.

"Yes. He put a collar on me. He can use it to knock me out cold whenever he wants," Seraphina replied, pulling down her robes and showing the black line running across her neck.

Tyler narrowed his eyes. "You wanted it?"

Seraphina nodded.

"All right. If that’s what you need. How much has he told you, anyway?" Tyler asked.

He meant the story he’d told only to Ace—how he’d seen hope in Seraphina. Seraphina tilted her head, not understanding. Seeing her expression, Tyler sighed and muttered under his breath, "He’s really leaving all of it to me?"

Seraphina only mentioned that Tyler had helped Ace a lot, but she didn’t know the details.

Tyler explained everything to her, starting with their day at the Crimson Shore. As she listened, warmth welled up; she cried and bit her lip while Tyler stayed quiet and solemn.

"I... I thought everyone hated me," she whispered.

Tyler shook his head. "Why would Ace Avalanche risk his life for you if he hated you? I decided to believe in that brat until he hurts you. He must have shown you some hope already, since you joined his Sixteen. Hold on to that hope and believe in yourself, and in him, too."

"I will... thanks," Seraphina replied.

Tyler saw she’d only found a spark of hope. Doubts still lingered, and she feared the future. With her will to survive, she wouldn’t let doubt hold her back, but she’d need watching—and a push—when those doubts grew.

Tyler knew it shouldn’t be his job. Even so, Ace had a lot on his shoulders and needed someone with experience to help sort a few things. The more he thought about it, the more he leaned toward going to the Camp with Ace and the others.

If that brat calculated it this far, he’s a shrewd individual. If he didn’t look so young, I would have thought he was at least in his early thirties.

Tyler sighed. "I’ll join his Sixteen as well, so I can look after you both."

"Us both?" Seraphina asked.

"You and Ace Avalanche."

Seraphina tilted her head. To her, Ace seemed on the ball, but perhaps Tyler saw more with his age and experience.

She faintly smiled. "Thanks, Unc."

—

Tyler left the guest room and headed to another room on the same floor. As he stepped in, he found Ace’s Sixteen in an awkward scene. Chaewon had Mercer in a headlock, grinding a noogie into his scalp. He screamed and thrashed.

"It wasn’t... my joke! It was Big Alex’s joke!" Mercer cried.

By the window, Alex stood guard, arms crossed, watching the Heaven Village. When Mercer bailed him out, Alex flinched and gulped. Behind him, Chaewon let Mercer go and unsheathed her katana.

Alex’s bald head shone with beads of sweat.

"Oh. It’s Alex? Yes. He’s become such a big man after doing three girls," Chaewon said.

"Hah! I’m a big man, right?"

At the clang of the katana, Alex muttered, "Oh shit," threw the window open, and jumped out of the second-floor window. People outside screamed that a bear was falling.

Meanwhile, Ace sat at the desk, his head propped on his hand. He enjoyed moments like this, when his friends bonded away from monsters, threats, and other Rankers. Those moments were rare, and he treasured them. When Tyler walked in, he turned to him.

Tyler asked, "What’s going on?"

Ace smiled. "Chae and I made it official. They cracked jokes. You can see how that went."

Tyler saw Chaewon jump onto the window frame and vault through after Alex.

"Get back here, Alex!" she shouted.

Mercer sat on the bed with a throbbing head and messy hair.

Tyler nodded. "Kids. That bubble’s over. I’m joining your Sixteen, Ace Avalanche."

Ace smiled. "Welcome aboard."

"You expected that, didn’t you?" Tyler asked.

"Yes. But I also believe this is the best decision for us. Our chances of making it out alive will increase, and you can still be a weapon blacksmith in the Camp. You will help us survive. We will help you survive," Ace said.

Those words hit Tyler hard. He wasn’t a King or a weapon blacksmith for others.

Survival mattered. Getting out of this Hell did, too. Continuing the job somewhere safer wouldn’t bother him.

Ace’s last words hit hard enough that he didn’t think twice about the decision. At first, he wanted to watch over Seraphina and Ace most of all, but there was more to Ace’s Sixteen. All those Rankers needed someone to watch over them.

"Are you really eighteen?" Tyler asked.

At the same time, Chaewon returned to the room.

She heard Tyler’s question and realized something dangerous.

Five-year gap between us! There’s actually a five-year gap between us!

Shock hit Chaewon hard. Alex came back upstairs and stopped in the corridor. He wore a knowing smile when he saw her standing there, lips parted. She sensed him and turned. Seeing that smile, she snapped again and ran after Alex.

The bear sprinted downstairs.

"You guys don’t match my view of the top rankers," Tyler said.

"Isn’t that better?" Ace chuckled.

Ace saw that Chaewon had finally realized the age gap between them. She wore the same expression she had in his past life. But now things were a little different. He had over ten years more experience than her, and Tyler’s question only highlighted that he didn’t really act his age.

Ace stood and cracked his neck. "Let’s get ready to head back to the Camp."