(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 174

Chapter 174: The poison gate strikes back Chapter 174: The poison gate strikes back Hill tilted her head, as she unwrapped another lollipop and shoved it into her mouth.

Kellen noticed how tired she looked, but how well she was keeping on a brave face.

He winced.

He wanted to help her, since she was probably in need of guiding, but it wasn’t his place to do so.  Not right after he’d just solidified his relationship with the Captain.

He had a feeling that it wouldn’t go well if he was caught guiding another person the next day.

Even if it was Hill.  Especially if it was Hill.  “Well, I’m sure it’s not anything you wouldn’t have expected, Kellen.” She started, and Kellen grabbed his tea cup and sat back in his chair, happy that they had gotten over his stuff, and were now onto things he had more knowledge in.

More comfortable knowledge in.  “I’m not sure I know what you mean.” Kellen told her, and she chuckled.  “Well I’m sure you could figure out on your own it was a fucking gong show.” Brent rolled his eyes, leaning back into his own chair.

He crossed his arms behind his head again and closed his eyes.

It was obvious from his actions that he had already heard everything, so turning his attention away from Brent, Kellen focused on Hill.  “Well, a new gate with a strange base is always going to keep others on edge.

Especially when it is what it is.” Kellen said, and Hill’s smile was a little tight.  “Oh yeah, no argument from me there.

But, with Captain Sergei on the front lines, his Lieutenants have stepped in to manage the Guild that’s still here.

As you know, we had to pull all of our members from the front lines when we decided to try to get the gate rights.

Captain Sergei was the same.

So he’s been working on rebuilding his base camp, and so have we.

But we can’t have all of the Captains on the front lines.

So even though Captain Sakura ducked down to the front lines, she had to come back.

Captain Donaldson is going to the front lines in her place, since they obviously have more of their people there.

The D.E.C.

never take their people away from the front lines.” It took Kellen a moment for him to realise who she was talking about.

When he did, he moved towards her, his eyes wide.  “Uncle Tom is going to the front lines?” He was shocked, and his expression and words showed so.

Uncle Tom hadn’t been to the front lines in the seven years Kellen had been there.

This was a big fucking deal.  Hill’s mouth firmed into a thin line, before she nodded, pushing her hair out of her face.  “Yes, he is going to the front lines.

It took quite a bit of thre-convincing on our part.

It happened when Captain Thatcher was being…difficult yesterday.” Kellen’s cheeks heated but he nodded.

He couldn’t fault the Captain for feeling the way he had, not after how long it had taken Kellen himself to calm down.

He cleared his throat.  “So how long is he going to be down?

And who is covering for him?” He asked, and Hill sighed.  “That’s the problem.

It’s a newbie we’ve never worked with before.

A fresh-faced idiot who hasn’t earned their stripes by working on the front lines yet.” Hill muttered angrily, while Kellen was intrigued.  “Oh?

What’s their name?” Hill scrunched up her face, trying to remember their name.

That alone told Kellen that she really didn’t like that she was dealing with someone who didn’t spend time on the front lines.

He couldn’t blame her.

He also had a hard time respecting those who hadn’t tried to close the gates like they were supposed to, but Kellen was going to hold his judgment until he met them in person.  “I think it was Lieutenant Fisher?

I hope I’m remembering it correctly.

Anyway, we’re now dealing with them for things in the city, while Captain Donaldson makes his way out there.” Hill blew her cheeks out before looking at Kellen.

“No one died, which I think is a miracle, but if one person had been closer to it, things could have gone south.” Kellen nodded.  “I think you said something about it, but I can’t remember.” Kellen admitted and she smirked.  “Well, you’ve been a little bit distracted, which is very unlike you, Kellen.” She nudged his shoulder a little too hard as his cheeks heated at the reminder.

“But I forgive you.

The gate, as we’ve now discovered, mini exploded?

There just isn’t another way to describe it.

No monsters came out, but poison did, and it rapidly grew in size on the outside.

It took up several more meters, feet, whatever you want to use to describe it.

All I know is that several tents, research and otherwise, got swallowed, and if people hadn’t been wearing hazmat suits like was suggested, we would be dealing with fatalities.

More than the first scouting party.” Kellen winced at the reminder.

“No one was close to the gate?” She shook her head.  “It just so happened to be a break in security and research.

No one was near the gate.

Now, that doesn’t mean that people aren’t injured, but all the life threatening things have been dealt with.

No one is going to die now.

Which is why Captain Sakura came back.

She looked like a demon was on her heels.” Kellen had an idea why.  “That sounds…too convenient that no one was there.” Kellen told her, and Hill sighed.  “Yeah, we also thought so, but no one has ever had control over gates, Kellen.

Like, ever.

Some whispered about Captain Sakura running like a bat outta hell to get back into town, but we’ve all seen her powers.

No one has awakened two types of powers yet, and if you ask me, if anyone was going to do it, it’d be the Captain.” Hill said, and Kellen grew silent, thoughtful.

She was probably unable to convince who Kellen had asked her to.

Knowing Sakura, he had a feeling he knew why, and he also had a feeling she was going to swing by at some point to ask for his help.

Luckily for her, he was going to have to leave the building tomorrow, so he might be able to do it.  Shaking his head, he sighed, and Hill narrowed her eyes.  “You know why she’s rushing back?” She asked, and Kellen made a face.  “Well, it might have to do with what I said to her previously.

About our mutual acquaintance.” Hill’s eyes narrowed further, but it was more in thought.  “Ah.

That would make sense then.

They must be a handful to deal with then.” She said calmly, as if they didn’t also have handfuls to deal with in their own Guild.

They had several popular A Class Espers who were known to have a temper, along with several Espers who were known to get into ‘complicated’ situations with other Guides from all Centers, Guilds, what have you.

Kellen didn’t envy Casper for how much work he always had to do.  “Speaking about things we’re going to have to deal with, and along the same topic, Brent.” Brent, who had been slowly relaxing into his chair, blinked and looked at Kellen.

“I’m going to have to leave the Guild tomorrow to do some recruiting of more Guides, temporary ones, for the Guild.

I’m going to talk to Miro and see if we can do a plant tour, which I think you’ll be able to manage on your own.

Technically you’d also have Miro, and I don’t think he’d let anyone hurt his babies.” Brent blinked, before a small, warm smile crossed his lips.  “Ah, you’d be right about that.

I’m in charge of guiding him, and getting him to sit for a few minutes without his plants around is difficult.” Kellen thought back to the times he’d run into him in Taylor’s office and how he’d always fall asleep.  “Does he get tired?” Kellen asked and Brent’s smile widened.  “Yeah, very.

When he’s around his plants, he’s very animated.” Brent told him easily, and Hill nodded.  “I can confirm that.

He was on his best behaviour when he came to visit you with us.

He’d probably used months of energy to do that too.” Kellen was touched when he heard that.

He’d been so quiet he’d worried that he’d had a bad time, but that wasn’t the case.

He was just one of those Espers who felt the most comfortable around his ‘powers’.

It happened, and was considered an ‘anomaly’, but Kellen didn’t think it was a bad thing.

Some Espers just felt comfort from their powers.

It did mostly affect nature Espers, and elementals though.

Kellen had a bet that Gunther had a fish tank somewhere in his personal home.  “Wait, but you’re doing the recruiting, Kellen?” Brent asked, and Kellen nodded.  “The Captain and I decided that Casper is doing too much, and I have some free time, and the Guiding Centers know of me.

I’ll send out some emails when I have time to test the waters, and I’ll use my contact as a base for the mock up I’ll make.

Pamela is also busy, and since I haven’t taken on any of the Guiding duties, I can move around freely, unlike you.” Kellen told Brent, and Brent nodded.

Hill smiled at the two Guides.  “Awe, you two are really feeling like part of the Guild now.

It’s sweet.” She said, and Brent nearly gagged.  “Ugh, this feels too found family to me.

I might hurl.” Kellen smiled at Brent, and Brent’s eyes went wide as Kellen got up and wrapped the other Guide in a warm, crushing hug.  “Awe.

Is someone embarrassed to show familial love?

That’s so cute, Brent.” Hill’s arms wrapped around the two Guides and the hug got significantly tighter.  “Brent is just a soft little guy, isn’t he?

What a cutie.

Scared of family bonds?

Too bad.

You’re stuck with us now.” Brent groaned, but Kellen knew that he wasn’t actually upset at the two of them.

Whatever shit Brent was working through, he wasn’t a heartless man, he just had to appear to be.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS CalyB Uncle Tom leaving the safety of the city?

Nothing bad could happen, right?