World's Best Protagonist [BL]

Glad I have already moved out. Or that woman would barge into Claude’s Sanctum again, demanding I gave her an explanation.

The scent of expensive collagen and something citrusy permeated my nose as soon as I stepped into the hotel suite. My guard was up, but my eyes were actually scanning the entire room, in awe of the polished floors, and expensive pieces of furniture, and gawking at the view so high up it made the city below look insignificant.

Okay, I admit. This is my first time entering this kind of hotel. So, pardon the commoner reaction.

Cedric walked a few steps ahead, approaching the man whose back was turned on me, and was looking out the window panes. His arms were crossed on his back, like an old man normally does, but his shoulder was still upright and his posture straight.

I could feel the commanding aura emanating from him.

"Director, Mr. Dela Torre is here," Cedric said.

Director Alistair Ignacio turned around. His eyes fixed on me as he did, as though he had been peeking at me from the reflection on the window. A small smile appeared on his face, then his right hand gestured to the dining table set for two already.

"Have a seat, Mr. Dela Torre."

I sat politely. No handshake. I guess he doesn’t like touching commoners.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dela Torre. I’d like to introduce myself."

"That’s not necessary. I know who you are."

"I see. Then, you must have an idea why I wanted to meet you."

My hands choosing which cutleries I should use, paused mid-air. I lifted my head, my eyes noticed Cedric eyeing me with a warning, as though he knew I was going to answer rudely.

Well, not rude, but just direct.

"Yes. And I might have to refuse it, Director."

The director raised his brow, clearly unamused by my answer. Are these guys Seekers? If they decided to abduct me and force me to do their bidding, what should I do? Where do I escape?

But a Seeker as the director of NMA? Not quite right.

"Don’t answer too fast without hearing my offer, Mr. Dela Torre. I’m confident I can give you what you want. You can have access to resources beyond what the NSA can provide. Better pay, better protection. Anything you want."

"I’m certain about that as well, Director. But it’s the opposite. I’m not confident I can give you what you want from me. I’ve been telling this to anyone who misunderstood me, I’m a Seeker, sir. Not a Minder."

"You’re ability tells us otherwise."

I knew he investigated me already. So, I guess there was no need to hold back.

"It’s a sub-ability of my awakened power. Even the RDC can confirm this to you, Director. Unlike Minder who can use their power as much as their body allows, a single use of this ability of mine will put me in danger. So, I rarely use it."

"Yet you used it twice."

"During a life and death situation only, sir. Minders don’t work that way."

Yeah. Minders are rare. With the growing numbers of Seekers by the day, and the appearances of vortex—high or lower classes—a Minder’s job became busier than a Seeker. They are where Seekers are, and since their numbers don’t cut it, they have to move where they are needed, one vortex raid to another.

It’s too tiring and troublesome for me. Not that I’m a Minder though.

Director Alistair stared at me for a long time. My eyes hovered at the food on the table. My mouth had been watering ever since I smelled them. When am I allowed to eat? I glanced at Cedric and he just raised his brow.

Damn. I know they will probably pay for it, but wouldn’t it be a waste if it were left untouched? My hands were itching to pick up the fork and knife and all I got was a piercing stare that bore holes in my face.

This guy can stare at me all he wants, but that doesn’t magically turn me into a Minder!

"Do you know why Minders aren’t allowed to enter a vortex, Jade?" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Oh, now, we’re on a first-name basis? Is he pissed off? Seems like he is. What bad things does pissing off the director of a national association can bring me? I should prepare myself.

"Because their lives must be protected at all costs given that awakened Minders aren’t as many as Seekers."

Alistair shook his head once. "Wrong."

"Okay. Because they’ll just be in the way."

He chuckled this time. "Well, technically, those two things are part of it, but I’m asking the main reason. The absolute reason why they should not enter a vortex."

"Why?"

My curiosity was piqued. Claude said it before, during the team’s meeting, but he didn’t elaborate. And there was no way of knowing since it wasn’t on the books I read.

Alistair propped his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his clasped hands, then, he stared at me knowingly, as if I would know about what he was going to say.

"Minders possess an innate connection, once they awakened, to dimensional planes. Entering a Seeker’s dreams is one way to put it. And so are vortexes. A vortex is a one-way door that won’t break if taken care of immediately. Therefore, monsters inside won’t invade the Earth again. "

I don’t get the connection at all.

Alistair must have seen my confusion. So, he explained further. "In short, Minders are keys. Vortexes are dimensional planes. Imagine putting the key inside a cage of beasts, Jade."

"...those beasts aren’t intelligent, director."

I received a glare from both him and Cedric. I’m just stating a fact.

"Monsters aren’t as intelligent as humans, but they can sense things humans can’t. Their instinct is to destroy. They are naturally attracted to it. The key, Jade."

My whole body stiffened. I know what Alistair was going to say. And I might not prepared to hear it.

"They’re attracted to Minders."

He said it. Hearing it directly poured a cold bucket of water into my whole system.

So? That was just a coincidence. It was just a coincidence that among all the Seekers fighting that blasted boss monster, it decided to run toward me.

But Jade, you said it before. There is no such thing as coincidence. Everything leads up to the next...it’s all connected.