Chapter 388: _No Cake. No Party. Nothing

A couple of days later, Hale-Ferguson Residence

[Congratulations!]

[MISSION OBJECTIVE COMPLETED.]

[Host has successfully established first diplomatic contact with an intelligent Rift civilization, managing to gain the support of several orc tribes located in the Orc home world.]

Ambrose watched the system screens hovering before him lazily as he headed for the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee.

These past couple of days he’s had to go in and out of the orc home world to... handle some things. And by ’some’ he meant a lot.

First, he and Beherath managed to put an end to a millennia-old orcish tradition—allowing Keylath to be the ruling monarch of the Mordak tribe.

It wasn’t easy convincing the Elders. But after witnessing the might of their undead king—and him, of course—they gradually bought the idea that their race as a whole needed to evolve.

Which led to another side quest.

The Mordak tribe contacted several tribes tens and even hundreds of miles away from them, including the Veragax tribe who’d just lost a king.

Both tribes were put under one banner, increasing Ambrose’s points for the special mission.

Long story short, he’d managed to convince some of the most traditional orc tribes to be open to allying with humanity.

’The IHC and Pantheon should be thanking me for doing their work for them.’ He thought, stirring some sugar into his coffee. ’By the way, what’s my reward for this mission?’

The system screens faded, a new one appearing in their place.

[RewardObtained: World Bridge.]

[At the host’s command, a permanent portal gate connecting Earth to an intelligent civilisation can be opened. The host can choose to close this portal gate at will.]

[Each civilisation the host builds an alliance with adds another portal gate to your command.]

Ambrose was just about to take a sip from his coffee when he skimmed through the reward details.

"Well, I’ll be a monkey’s grand papi." He blinked. "I mean, I was expecting some EP points, a new ability or something like that. But... this is actually impressive."

[A ’thank you’ would’ve sufficed.]

"Thank you for something I worked for? Girl, bye."

[You’re just ungrateful.]

Shaking his head, he swiped the holographic screens off his face. Just when he took a savouring sip of the creamy coffee—the living room door burst open.

"Ho, ho, ho!" Loki thundered in the deepest, jolliest voice Ambrose had ever heard in his two lives.

The SSS-Rank had their hands on their waist, head swerving to Ambrose who’d just turned from the kitchen countertop with a disapproving look.

"Loki, it’s nine in the fucking morning."

"Yes, and usually people go out by this time to do this magical thing called ’work’." Loki flashed their most sarcastic smile. "What’s your excuse?"

Ambrose’s fingers clung tighter to the warm mug. "You know I quit from Steel Falcon," a shrug. "Plus, Augustus has the ’Young Hunters 101’ class under control."

Loki’s forehead crumpled. "The what...?"

★★★★★

Blue Diamond Academy

"Diana! Stop teleporting during lessons!" A teacher yelled somewhere in the school hallway.

Another Esper student giggled before wiggling his fingers, sending thousands of golden speck-like creatures at the poor middle-aged lady.

"Who’s doing this?!" She swatted helplessly. "You’re supposed to be in class!"

Augustus rushed out of the hall meant for the ’Young Hunters 101’ class, cheeks flustered. "I am so sorry." He grabbed Diana before she could teleport again. "We’ve been over this, young lady."

The little girl pouted. "But you taught us to embrace our powers," a mischievous light flashed in those eyes. "I’m only following instructions."

"This is NOT what I meant—"

She teleported yet again, leaving him standing there like an idiot.

The non-awakened teacher kept on screaming, running into the nearest classroom while the golden specks chased after her.

Augustus rubbed his forehead. "The one day Hunter Ambrose decided to take a day off..."

★★★★★

"The name is a work in progress," Ambrose sighed. "But yep. It’s all under control."

Loki gradually nodded, walking until they stood beside the SS-Rank.

"By the way," The lord of chaos grinned in the way that always meant they were about to tease someone to death. "I found out yesterday from talking to Devon. What do you mean your birthday is coming up in seven days and you don’t plan on doing anything?"

Ambrose paused mid-sip.

God damn it.

"I thought I told Devon not to tell anyone."

"Well, I would’ve found out eventually." Loki shoved his shoulder playfully. "So your birthday in your last world AND this one is September eight? That can’t be a coincidence, right?"

[Nope. One of the criterias for picking out your soul was a shared birthday... although there are millions of twinks in the multiverse with your personality and birthday.]

’Screw you.’ Ambrose managed a smile with Loki. "I guess not. But I’m serious. I have no plans to do anything grand that day."

"Oh, please!" Loki gave him a stink eye. "Your first birthday in this world and you don’t want to at least go for a fancy dinner?"

"Nope."

"Okay, a small party."

"Nope."

"A big party?"

"... What makes you think I’d want a big one?" Ambrose snorted, taking a large gulp from his coffee. "Loki, the decision is final. September eight is gonna come and go like any normal day. And that’s that."

Dropping the mug on the countertop, he made his way to the living room.

Loki folded their arms, studying him for several long seconds before letting out a dramatic sigh.

"Fine." They nodded slowly. "If you don’t want some giant celebration, we’ll keep it small."

"You’ll keep it nonexistent." Ambrose pointed a finger at them. "I’m serious, Loki. No cake. No balloons. No surprise parties. Nothing."

"You’re no fun."

"I’ve been told."

Loki hummed thoughtfully, rocking back on their heels as though genuinely considering his words.

"No."

Ambrose blinked. "...No?"

"No." Their grin stretched wider. "Because whatever happened in your last life that made you hate birthdays this much..." They lightly poked his shoulder. "...I’m officially making it my mission to give you one that makes you forget all about it."

Ambrose opened his mouth to argue.

Loki was already halfway out the door. "Oh, and don’t bother trying to stop me!"

The front door slammed shut.

Silence settled over the house.

Ambrose pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I have a very bad feeling about this."