Shadow Husband:I Have a Hidden SSS-Class System-Chapter 67: RIVAL GUILD CONTACT

Three days after the perfect clear, Rama received a message that couldn’t be ignored.

Unknown: Coffee. Neutral ground. One hour. Kopi Kenangan, Plaza Indonesia. Come alone. We have much to discuss. -Hendra Wijaya, Dragon’s Gate Guild Master

Not a request. A statement of intent.

Rama showed it to Sekar. Her reaction was immediate.

"No."

"He’s a guild master. Ignoring him completely could create political problems."

"I don’t care. Dragon’s Gate has been our rival for three years. They poach our hunters, undercut our contracts, spread rumors about our operations. Now they want my husband?" Her eyes flashed dangerously. "Absolutely not."

"What if I meet him publicly? Neutral ground, witnesses present. Just to hear what he wants."

"What he wants is to recruit you. To steal you from Eternal Bond."

"Which I’ll refuse. Publicly. On record. That could actually strengthen our position—show that other guilds tried to recruit me and I chose Eternal Bond."

Sekar considered, jaw tight. "You’re not going alone."

"He said come alone."

"Then he’ll be disappointed. Because you’re not meeting rival guild masters without backup." She pulled out her phone. "I’m coming with you. As your wife and your Guild Master. Non-negotiable."

"Sekar—"

"Non-negotiable, Rama. Either I come, or you don’t go at all."

The yandere energy was strong. But Rama understood—she wasn’t being irrational. Dragon’s Gate was legitimately their rival. Meeting their guild master carried risks.

"Fine. We go together. But let me do the talking."

"I’ll behave. Mostly." Her smile had an edge. "As long as he keeps his recruitment pitch professional."

Kopi Kenangan at Plaza Indonesia was upscale, public, and neutral territory—no guild claimed it.

They arrived fifteen minutes early. Sekar wore her Guild Master formal attire, projecting authority. Rama dressed casually but carried himself with Champion presence.

Hendra Wijaya arrived exactly on time.

He was impressive in person. Early forties, tall, commanding presence. Level 64 A-rank according to the subtle System scan Rama did. Expensive suit, confident stride, the kind of man used to getting what he wanted.

Two bodyguards flanked him. Both S-rank by their aura.

He spotted Rama and Sekar, smiled, and approached alone—leaving the bodyguards at a distance.

"Champion Rama. Guild Master Aditya." He extended his hand. "Thank you for meeting me."

Rama shook it. Firm grip, assessing gaze. Sekar shook it too, smile polite but cold.

"You asked for alone," she said. "But my husband doesn’t meet rival guild masters without me present."

"Understandable. Though I’d hoped for a more... private conversation." Hendra sat, gesturing for them to join. "I’m not here to cause conflict. Just to talk. Professional courtesy between hunters."

"Professional courtesy," Sekar repeated. "Is that what we’re calling recruitment attempts now?"

Hendra smiled. "Direct. I like that. Yes, let’s be honest. I’m here to recruit Rama. Or at least discuss the possibility."

"The answer is no," Sekar said immediately.

"I haven’t made an offer yet."

"The answer is still no."

"Sekar," Rama said gently. "Let him speak."

She sat back, expression tight, letting Rama take the lead but radiating protective energy.

Hendra ordered coffee for the table, then turned his attention fully to Rama.

"Your performance at Corrupted Tower was extraordinary. Twenty floors, zero deaths, record time by three hours. Perfect coordination. Perfect prediction. Perfect execution." He leaned forward. "That’s not just skill. That’s game-changing ability. The kind that defines eras."

"Thank you."

"I’m not flattering you. I’m stating facts. You coordinated thirty hunters to perfection. Against a Level 55 boss. While being Level 50 yourself. That suggests abilities beyond standard Champion classification."

"System-granted perception. Enhanced battlefield awareness."

"More than that. I’ve studied the footage. You predicted attacks ten to fifteen seconds before they happened. You knew trap locations no guide has documented. You understood enemy behavior patterns no one has cataloged." Hendra’s gaze sharpened. "You’ve fought that dungeon before. Multiple times. Haven’t you?"

Careful. Can’t reveal regression.

"System visions. Prophetic insights. Champions see possible futures."

"Convenient explanation. Also possibly true." Hendra sipped his coffee. "Regardless of how you gained the knowledge—you have it. And you can use it to lead teams to impossible victories. That makes you the most valuable hunter in Indonesia. Possibly Southeast Asia."

"I’m aware of my value."

"Are you? Because Eternal Bond isn’t treating you like the most valuable asset they have. They’re treating you like the Guild Master’s husband who happens to be useful."

Sekar’s expression went dangerous. "Excuse me?"

"No offense intended. But facts are facts. Rama led a perfect clear and Eternal Bond’s response was what? A celebration? Some trial preparations? That’s it?" Hendra shook his head. "Dragon’s Gate would treat you differently."

"How?" Rama asked, curious despite himself.

"Full strategic coordinator position. Lead role in all major operations. Personal team of elite hunters under your command. Resources for any project you wanted. Salary commensurate with your value—easily triple what Eternal Bond pays S-ranks."

"I’m not interested in money."

"Everyone says that. But money represents respect. Resources. Freedom to pursue your goals." Hendra pulled out a tablet, showing a contract. "This is what I’m offering. Strategic Coordinator position. Fifty million rupiah monthly salary. Full benefits. Command authority over Dragon’s Gate operations. Access to our international network—we have partnerships with guilds in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines."

Rama glanced at the numbers. It was staggering. More money than he’d seen in both timelines combined.

"And in return?"

"You coordinate our raids. Lead our teams to victories like Corrupted Tower. Help us become Indonesia’s number one guild." Hendra smiled. "Dragon’s Gate has the resources. The hunters. The international connections. We just need the coordinator who can make it all work perfectly. That’s you."

"No," Sekar said flatly.

"Guild Master Aditya, with respect, this is Rama’s decision."

"With respect, he’s my husband and Eternal Bond’s Champion. The decision affects me and my guild. So no. The answer is no."

"Rama?" Hendra looked at him directly. "What do you say?"

Rama considered carefully. The offer was genuine. Generous. Tempting, objectively speaking.

But also completely missing the point.

"I appreciate the offer. Genuinely. But I’m not interested."

"May I ask why?"

"Because my priority isn’t career advancement or salary or guild rankings. It’s void defense preparation. In thirty-four days, a Level 73 entity called the Herald arrives. That’s the real threat. Guild politics are irrelevant compared to that."

"Then join Dragon’s Gate and coordinate void defense through our network. We have international connections. We can mobilize across Southeast Asia. Eternal Bond is just one guild in one city."

"Eternal Bond has eighty-seven volunteers for champion trials. Resources committed to void preparation. And most importantly—they believe. Your guild doesn’t even believe the void threat is real yet."

Hendra paused. "You’re serious about this void threat."

"Completely serious. It’s why I became a Champion. Why I’m coordinating trials. Why guild recruitment attempts are irrelevant to me. I’m not building a career. I’m building an army to save humanity."

"Then build it with Dragon’s Gate’s resources. We can give you more than Eternal Bond ever could."

"You can give me money and connections. Eternal Bond gives me something more valuable—belief. Trust. Partnership." Rama glanced at Sekar. "My wife believes in the void threat. My guild believes. We’re preparing together. That’s worth more than any salary."

Hendra sat back, reassessing. "You’re turning down fifty million monthly because of loyalty to your wife’s guild?"

"I’m turning down fifty million because my wife’s guild is actively preparing for extinction while yours is focused on rankings and politics." Rama stood. "Thank you for the coffee and the offer. But the answer is no. Permanently. Please don’t contact me again."

"Rama—"

"The answer is no."

Sekar stood as well, satisfaction clear in her expression. They turned to leave.

"One more thing," Hendra called out.

They paused.

"When the void threat doesn’t materialize. When thirty-four days pass and no Level 73 entity appears. When you realize you’ve wasted preparation time on delusions—" He met Rama’s eyes. "—the offer will still stand. But the terms will be different. Because then you’ll be the Champion who cried wolf. And your value decreases significantly."

"The Herald will arrive," Rama said quietly. "Exactly on schedule. Level 73, void entity, capable of destroying cities. When it does, everyone who dismissed the threat will realize their mistake. But by then, preparation time will be wasted. Lives will be lost that didn’t need to be."

"You’re very certain."

"I’ve seen it. In the visions. In the possible futures. The Herald arrives in thirty-four days. Humanity’s only hope is Champions. Prepared teams. Coordinated defense." Rama smiled coldly. "Dragon’s Gate will realize this. Eventually. When it’s too late to prepare properly. When you’re scrambling to recruit Champions while we already have armies. That’s when you’ll understand what you missed today."

"Bold words."

"True words. You’ll see."

They left the café together, Sekar’s hand finding Rama’s immediately, possessive and protective.

Outside, she exhaled sharply. "That was stressful. I wanted to throw coffee at him."

"I noticed the restraint. I’m proud."

"Fifty million monthly. That’s... that’s an insane amount."

"It is."

"And you turned it down without hesitation."

"Of course. Money’s irrelevant compared to what we have."

She stopped walking, pulling him into a side alley away from crowds. "Thank you. For choosing us. For choosing me."

"Always. No amount of money changes my commitment."

"I know. But hearing you say it—rejecting that offer because of partnership and belief—" She kissed him. Hard. Possessive. "You’re mine. Forever. No matter what rival guilds offer."

"Yours. Always yours."

"Good. Because if you’d even hesitated, I might have actually become the yandere everyone jokes about."

"You are the yandere everyone jokes about."

"Only for you." She kissed him again. "Let’s go home. We have trial preparations and I want to celebrate you rejecting Dragon’s Gate properly."

They headed to the car, Sekar staying close, territorial and satisfied.

But as they drove away, Rama noticed something.

One of Hendra Wijaya’s bodyguards was watching them. Intently. With an expression that wasn’t professional courtesy.

It was assessment. Calculation. Planning.

And when they made eye contact, the bodyguard smiled.

Not friendly. Not respectful.

Predatory.

Then he pulled out a phone and made a call, eyes never leaving Rama’s car.

Sekar didn’t notice. She was too focused on celebrating the recruitment rejection.

But Rama noticed.

And a cold feeling settled in his gut. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Hendra Wijaya accepted the rejection too easily. No argument. No pressure. Just... acceptance.

That’s not how ambitious guild masters operate. Especially not when they’ve identified valuable assets.

Which means he has a backup plan.

Something he didn’t mention in the café.

Something involving that bodyguard who’s now making calls while watching us leave.

Rama watched the rearview mirror as the bodyguard grew smaller in the distance.

Still on the phone. Still watching. Still smiling.

What did I just walk into?