World's Best Protagonist [BL]

[3rd Person’s POV]

"Captain, what are we going to do with these unregistered awakeners?" Terrius asked Claude.

A beaten man was dragged by him as he walked closer to the captain. Reaching the pile of humans gathered like a mountain of dirty clothes, Terrius threw the guy and clapped his hands, as though removing any unpleasant dirt he contracted from touching the guy.

"Send them to the headquarters for interrogation," Claude replied. He checked the vicinity for any escapees, but he found someone else instead. His face darkened.

"Captain Vanderheinz, it’s been a while."

Terrius stared at the new guy. His impassive face broke into that of silent resentment when he recognized it was. The commander of the 2nd division—Arthur Gomez.

The NSA is divided into three divisions since the country consists of three large islands. The 1st Division is where the headquarters of the NSA is located—the northernmost and the biggest island of the three.

Claude snorted. "The vulture appeared. With that shiny naked head of yours, you only come when the fight is over, and take over the bodies to feed your inflated ego. Do me a favor and go stuff your muzzle in your feathered hole, will you?"

Terrius’s resentful face faltered. He looked at Claude with awe, then back at the bald commander whose face distorted in extreme anger hearing the captain’s speech.

However, Arthur knew that nothing good would come from arguing with the infamous Alpha captain. He inhaled deeply and opened his arm as though he was presenting his product to possible buyers.

"You should watch your language, Captain Vanderheinz. I’m still the commander of the 2nd division. And we had protocols to follow. You caught those unregistered awakeners in my jurisdiction, it’s only right that I take over from here."

"Of course, I’d caught them here. You’re in charge of taking care of the smallest island and yet you can’t even catch all these motherf*ckers wreaking havoc. If you want to take over, then you will have to talk to my commander. He’s the one who sent us."

Arthur’s jaw clenched. "It seems you haven’t received the order yet."

Claude’s brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Before he was answered, Terrius’s voice from behind interrupted them. He was speaking to someone on the phone, then he glanced up at Claude with a disgruntled look. He gave the phone to Claude without a word.

Commander Lan, commander of the 1st division, spoke, "An order came from the Central Chambers. Don’t break the rules. Let the 2nd division take over their job. Return to the headquarters."

"Commander—"

The call ended without giving Claude to complain. His hand clenched the phone tightly the screen broke. The unregistered awakeners they caught were somehow involved with one of the underground overlords, so he wanted to interrogate them himself.

Arthur smirked seeing Claude helpless to the order. He raised his hand and commanded, "Load these bastards and send them to the Tower."

Claude gritted his teeth, but he couldn’t do anything except watch.

Arthur walked toward them. He stretched his arm for a handshake as he said, "Thank you for catching them for us, Captain Vanderheinz. Your diligence is greatly appreciated."

Claude’s eye twitched and veins popped in his neck. He wanted to wring that hand and suffocate that mouth with his poison, but Terrius’s watchful gaze stopped him.

He turned away without shaking the commander’s hand. Terrius followed. From the distance, he could hear the amusement in the commander’s tone as he kept ordering his people.

Claude’s hatred toward the Central Chambers only deepened that day.

His mood only worsened when after stepping out of the counseling room, Patrick approached him and informed him about Jade’s moving out of the Sanctum. He felt an unexplainable irritation.

He went straight home after that.

"Did he leave already?"

Claude went upstairs and entered Jade’s room. Seeing that his clothes were still in his closet, Claude thought that he only went out somewhere. He frowned, thinking that the guy’s arm hadn’t yet recovered.

He took a nap in the living room, waiting for Jade to return. However, the night came and there was no sign of him arriving. He decided to call Patrick and ask him about Jade’s contact information.

After receiving it, he called the number many times, but there was no answer. Frustrated and annoyed, he drove his car to Jade’s address, but even the place was empty. Only the unopened boxes were littered on the floor.

Claude knew that the guy was obsessed with cleanliness, so he was certain Jade wouldn’t just leave those boxes.

"Where did he go?" Claude mumbled to himself. He was reminded of that time when Jade disappeared too, but this time, he had a feeling something was wrong.

He went back to the NSA to ask Patrick and his teammates again.

- - - - -

[Jade’s POV] 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

They say when people are reminded of their past, they tend to feel a barrage of emotions—nostalgia, regret, guilt, sadness, joy, resentment, pride, embarrassment—depending on their past experiences.

I should feel at least one of those emotions, getting kidnapped, tied to a chair, and left alone for twenty-four hours without water and food, reminded me of my gangster’s son’s life.

My father, whose face I had forgotten—is that possible? Had me always get kidnapped, thrown out in the sea, locked in the closet, drowned in a full drum of water, or hung upside down above piles of burning charcoals.

Anyone would think I’m some kind of immortal for getting out alive every time that happened, but then, when I went home and showed my bruises, injuries, or trauma to him, he just felt proud that his only heir was really tough and cut out for being the next gangster lord.

Like wow. I had no words for that excuse of a father.

So, what should that make me feel after waking up in this dark room, all limbs tied in the chair, and mouth gagged?

Honestly, I feel nothing, or maybe just a little bit of boredom.

When you keep experiencing the same things over and over again, you learn to adapt, then exhaustion comes in, and finally, you stop trying and just go with the flow. Since the result will just be the same.

Is it, or am I just trying to comfort myself?

Why would that unsettling guy bring me here, tie me up like this, and then don’t show up for the whole day? Has he fucking forgotten that I need to eat to stay alive? Or does he intend to kill me by starvation?

I would have been a bit grateful if he tied me on a bed, and then left me a few books to read. Swear, I won’t complain if he doesn’t come even for a few days.

My eyes flickered open after hearing footsteps approaching. Preparing myself for what’s to come, I watched the doorknob turn. The door opened, creaking like those doors in horror movies.

Light poured into the room after the switch was turned on. I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the brightness, and then they focused on the man by the door right away.

"Are you one of my father’s enemies? Like a debtor whose house was burned because you failed to pay your debt on time?"

That amused smirk plastered on his face changed into a fake surprised face.

"You have that kind of father? No wonder I felt like you’re a kindred spirit. We’re kind of similar—having an insufferable family that would always bring you into death’s door."

I almost rolled my eyes at his dramatic acts. But then, I paused after remembering an excerpt.

[ The once beautiful and cheerful fourth concubine stroked the face of her newly born son, as she murmured in sorrow quietly, "My love, you will wear a mask to live. Grow up as beautiful as you could be. Like a poisonous flower hiding in the vast field of wildflowers, you will survive. Until these dark times are over, please be safe, my little one. From now on, you will be called Eleanor."

From then on, the fourth concubine’s son, grew up to be the most sought-after flower in the high society. A foolish, weak, yet useful sister to the king, but beneath that enchanting fragrance, lies a deadly flower set to take his bloody revenge. ]

My throat tightened as Noir walked in slowly, pulled a chair, and sat right in front of me. His grin disappeared and was replaced with a sinister glare.

"I should be the one asking you, newbie.’

My back shivered from the intense aura coming off him.

"Are you one of the king’s servants? Set to assassinate me in this peculiar world?"

All my questions were answered. This person...is the same character in that book.