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Chapter 31|Aftershock

Chapter 31: 31|Aftershock

The footage went viral within hours — millions of views multiplying into tens of millions by the following morning, clips of Allen’s decisive final strike circulating across every major Hunter media outlet, commentary flooding in from analysts who, only weeks earlier, had dismissed Fallen Crown as a curiosity destined to fade quietly into irrelevance.

"Guild recognition requests," Myria said, scrolling through her tablet at the kitchen table, disbelief coloring her usually composed voice. "Seventeen separate inquiries overnight. Two of the top five guilds included."

"Seventeen?" Allen set down his coffee, startled. "For what, exactly?"

"Alliance proposals, sponsorship offers, one particularly bold request for exclusive media rights to document our next six dungeon clears." Myria’s mouth twitched with dry amusement. "It seems defeating an A-rank Veton heir in a nationally broadcast duel tends to change people’s opinions rather quickly."

Irene, sprawled across the couch with her usual restless energy, let out a delighted laugh. "Should we frame one of the rejection letters? I feel like that’d be satisfying somehow."

"We haven’t sent any rejections yet," Myria pointed out, amusement flickering behind her otherwise composed tone.

"Details," Irene said, waving a dismissive hand. "I’m just saying, when we do, I want it laminated."

"Let’s not get ahead of ourselves," Allen said, though he couldn’t fully suppress his own small, satisfied smile. "One duel doesn’t erase two months of sabotage and attempted murder. I’d rather focus on consolidating what we’ve actually built before entertaining alliance offers from guilds who wouldn’t have spared us a second glance a week ago."

Vivian, seated nearby with her usual sharp attentiveness, nodded slowly. "Wise. Sudden interest after a public victory says more about opportunism than genuine respect. Better to let them prove their sincerity before extending trust."

---

Halden’s office, when Allen visited later that afternoon, carried a noticeably different atmosphere than their previous meetings — the Association president’s usual composed reserve replaced by something closer to open, genuine satisfaction.

"You’ve caused quite a stir," Halden said, gesturing toward a stack of media requests piled on his desk. "The financial inquiry into Veton guild accounts has gained considerably more public attention following yesterday’s duel. Damien Veton finds himself under scrutiny he can no longer quietly deflect."

"Is he in real trouble?" Allen asked.

"Formal charges remain pending further investigation," Halden said carefully. "But public perception matters enormously in guild politics, Hunter Veton. A guild leader whose own son publicly humiliates their family’s golden heir in a fair, regulated duel, while simultaneously facing credible assassination allegations against that same disowned son—" He shook his head slightly. "That’s not a position easily recovered from, regardless of the legal outcome."

"Good," Allen said, quiet satisfaction coloring the single word.

Halden studied him for a long moment, something thoughtful behind his composed expression. "I’ll admit, when you first walked into my office two months ago, I expected a promising anomaly, perhaps a useful ally in balancing some of the more entrenched guild politics I’ve grown tired of navigating." He paused. "I did not expect you to become quite so central to reshaping this city’s entire Hunter hierarchy within a single season."

"Neither did I," Allen admitted honestly.

"Regardless," Halden continued, "I’d advise caution going forward. Success this rapid attracts scrutiny from directions you may not anticipate. The World Hunter Regulatory Inquisition Board doesn’t typically concern itself with individual guild disputes, but anomalous growth patterns like yours occasionally draw their attention regardless." His expression turned faintly serious. "I mention this not to alarm you, but simply so you understand the scale of what you’re beginning to represent."

Allen absorbed that carefully, filing it away alongside everything else he’d need to consider as Fallen Crown’s reputation continued expanding beyond anything he’d originally anticipated.

"Is there anything I should be doing to prepare for that kind of scrutiny?" he asked. "Assuming it does eventually arrive."

"Document everything," Halden said. "Every dungeon clear, every ability manifestation, every decision made along the way. Transparency is your strongest asset here, Hunter Veton. Anomalies that hide tend to invite suspicion. Anomalies that operate openly, ethically, with a clear and consistent record — those tend to earn considerably more patience from oversight bodies, even ones as cautious as the WHRIB." He leaned back in his chair. "I’ll continue advocating on your behalf through Association channels, for whatever that’s worth. But I won’t pretend I can shield you from their attention entirely, should they decide to look closer."

"I appreciate the honesty," Allen said. "More than the false reassurance would have been worth."

Halden’s mouth curved into something that might have been the beginning of genuine respect. "That," he said, "is precisely why I don’t mind extending it."

---

That evening, back in Hegeville, Allen found the house filled with a warmth that had nothing to do with Irene’s flames or Everlyn’s garden — simply the quiet, contented atmosphere of four women who no longer carried the guarded distance of their first weeks together.

"World Hunter Regulatory Inquisition Board," Myria repeated thoughtfully, considering Halden’s warning with careful, strategic attention. "That’s considerably higher stakes than guild politics."

"One step at a time," Allen said, settling onto the couch amid the comfortable, familiar chaos of the household. "Right now, I’m more interested in celebrating that we’re all still here, together, after everything these past two months have thrown at us."

Irene grinned, flopping dramatically across his lap without preamble. "Now that’s a sentiment I can get behind."

Everlyn’s notepad appeared briefly, a small, warm smile accompanying her written words.

’We earned this moment. Let’s enjoy it before the next challenge arrives.’

"Agreed," Vivian said, settling comfortably against his other side, her enhanced hearing already picking up the contented rhythm of the household around them. "Though I suspect, given everything that’s happened so far, the next challenge won’t wait very long before making itself known."

Allen huffed a quiet, tired laugh, wrapping an arm around Irene while Myria wheeled closer, resting her hand lightly against his. "Let it wait a little," he said softly. "Just for tonight."

For once, the universe seemed inclined to agree, and the evening passed in quiet, uncomplicated peace — the first truly restful night Fallen Crown had shared since the challenge letter first arrived a week earlier.