World's Best Protagonist [BL]

[3rd Person’s POV]

Inside the dimly lit office of the National Minder’s Association, the soft rustle of papers echoed as Director Alistair Ignacio flipped through the latest mission report.

The documents in his hands detailed the events of the Abysmal Maelstrom raid that appeared in the northern sea of the country, carried out by teams Alpha and Charlie. It is a document that usually does not concern him or the association, as the business of the NSA isn’t part of their job, but someone tipped him of an interesting find.

The individual they’ve been eyeing since the captain of the 3rd Alpha team, Claude Vanderheinz’s Nightmare occurred and his survival reached their ears.

Currently, there are four Minders capable of doing that, but compared to tens of thousands of Seekers appearing in the country, and an alarming percentage of them mutating due to their Nightmares, four doesn’t even help that much.

Not to mention, those four Minders are highly regarded and protected by the UAO, despite being part of the NMA, and won’t let them dispatch to take care of lower-rank Seekers.

As the director of the NMA, Alistair is doing his best to provide fair service to all Seekers, to high or low rankers. So, if he managed to pull that person in their side, his goal might come true.

He stared at the documents, at the name that appeared repeatedly throughout the pages. Even the NSA was focusing on that person, seeing that the report was mostly about him.

Jade Dela Torre.

Alistair’s fingers tapped lightly against the polished mahogany desk as he skimmed through the report.

"Another Nightmare was stopped because of him. I must bring him in our side," Alistair declared. He gave the report to his assistant waiting at the corner. "Shred these documents."

"Right away, Director."

Post-mission reports are kept and recorded by the NSA’s Archives and Intelligence Division, or what is known as The Library, managed by three of the Central 12 Chambers. These documents are deemed confidential.

Sometimes, Seekers are forced to do something inhumane to survive inside the vortex, and ordinary people might not understand these sacrifices, so what occurred inside the vortex is only known to the Seekers involved and the three chambers.

The media only gets to know the results and the casualties. Everything else is a secret. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

That was why Alistair ordered for the documents to be shredded, because on top of it being confidential, it was also copied, delivered to him by the spy he planted in the NSA.

Alistair leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.

Jade Dela Torre was registered as a Seeker, but he was certain the man was a Minder. And a Minder like that was rare. Valuable.

After a long pause, he reached for the intercom and pressed the button. A soft beep followed before a voice responded, "Yes, Director?"

"Schedule a meeting with Jade Dela Torre. As soon as possible. It’s high time that he realizes where he truly belongs."

"Understood, sir."

As the intercom clicked off, a small, determined smile played at the corner of Alistair’s lips. Jade Dela Torre might just be the one he had been waiting for. Once Jade was in his palm, he won’t ever let him go.

- - - - -

[Jade’s POV]

Three days after the vortex raid passed, I decided to move out of Claude’s Sanctum. If anyone asked why, I’d slap them for what happened the past three days I was recuperating inside his home.

I was already uncomfortable sleeping in a storage room with barely a thick mattress, but then the bastard started acting strange again, worse than before. I’m not sure why, but I’ve been catching him stealing glances at me, but then if I ask, he’d get cranky and ignore me the whole day.

However, the catalyst of my decision was when a Minder appeared at his door, ambushed me when I stepped out, and declared war against me. Apparently, that Minder thought I was Claude’s new Minder.

I explained the whole thing and even showed her my Seeker’s ID, but then she asked if I was the captain’s lover instead. I could feel my head steaming dealing with that woman, and I didn’t want to experience that, so I moved out.

"If you’re ever in danger," Claude said as he watched me pack the last box. I’m surprised that he’s willing to let me reach out to him, if ever that is. "Good luck."

My face frowned. He shrugged his shoulders and walked out. He was adamant that I stay with him before, so I wondered why he suddenly changed his mind.

Once I was done packing, I carried the boxes down and found him by the door, talking to someone outside.

"Jade. You’re moving out?"

I sighed. Another headache appeared. I nodded at Allen and lifted the box, showing him the obvious.

"Let me help you then. I can drive you to your address."

I shook my head and jerked my head at the incoming taxi I called before. "Thanks for the offer, Allen, but I feel sorry for the driver if I suddenly cancel."

Claude scoffed.

Of course, he knew I was lying. Me, feel sorry? I can just pay since I already received my salary after that vortex raid, but right now, I want to be alone. Call me dramatic, but Allen, is...uh, way more dramatic and stranger than Claude, so yeah, no thanks.

Besides, there is something I have to do after dropping the boxes in my home. I can’t let Allen or Claude know about it.

As planned, I just brought my things home and took off again. I arrived at the destination not long after. Honestly, I’m reluctant to go, but after the person who called named the one who wanted to meet me, I was rendered speechless and had no choice but to agree.

Once I walked inside the hotel, someone from the lobby stood and approached me. A young man probably in his twenties, reached out his hand to me for a handshake.

"I’m Cedric Chen, Mr. Dela Torre. I’m the one who called you."

I shook his hands while observing if he was to be trusted or not.

Meeting in a high-end won’t put me at risk, right? I’m the one who suggested it since it’s a lunch meeting, and I wanted to taste food made by a 3-star Michelin chef.

"Please, follow me."

Cedric led the way. I glanced around, admiring the interior of the hotel while checking out for any familiar faces. Then, I met those haughty eyes. I looked away immediately. Of all the people that could see me, why is it that woman?

I could already hear her high-pitched voice telling me I was a liar. If she’s a Minder, then she must have recognized Cedric. She’ll misunderstand again. Haa...