World's Best Protagonist [BL]

Connected, my foot. Fated or not, I don’t care. I’m weaving my own fate.

"I’m helping the government and the people as I am now. So, I don’t understand why you want me in the NMA that badly. Seeker or not, I’m contributing to this country’s peace. Isn’t that what should matter?"

Alistair leaned back on his chair.

"The government is at a point where they are willing to deny awakened individuals to be registered as Seekers, due to their growing numbers. But times have changed. It’s a new era. People are getting tired of 9 to 5 jobs that pay them just the minimum. If you’re awakened, you’d go for a high-paying job, are you not?"

"Not everyone is willing to risk their lives."

"That’s true. But there are 70 million people in this country, Jade. 40% are awakened. 50% of awakened people are Seekers, and 80% of them are willing to risk their lives for a higher income. The numbers keep rising. On top of that, only 10% of the awakened turned out to be Minders."

With all those numbers, my appetite was lost. Now, I couldn’t even appreciate the rich smell of the steak before me.

I sighed. The remaining 40% of the awakened people must be unregistered. If the government decided to stop accepting Seeker’s registration, where else those unregistered individuals would go?

The UAO version 2.0?

It’s not far-fetched, considering that they’ve been running that underworld organization no longer than the good UAO. If that happens, their numbers will only increase.

However...

"One person won’t balance that huge gap, director."

"I know. But a capable Minder on the side of the good might influence Seekers to work for the good. It’s not about balancing the gap, it’s about taking steps to show the evil forces the UAO still got the upper hand."

Alistair looked at me, his eyes sparked with determination and unyielding resolve. But in the face of my stubbornness, his eyes were just sparkly to me.

"Yeah. But I’m still no Minder."

I could see Cedric’s eye twitching. Quite a loyal assistant you got there, eh? Alistair pinched the bridge of his nose. He seemed resigned, but he was still calm and composed. He turned to me, stared at me for a good minute, then offered a subtle smile.

"I’ll give you time to think about this, Jade. Although I hope to hear from you soon."

He stood and nodded at me, then headed to the door. Before they could leave, I called out.

"Director, can I eat the food?"

Cedric opened his mouth, ready to rebuke me, but Alistair chuckled. He turned slightly to look at me, amusement danced in his eyes.

"You can. And if you work for me, you can eat them every day."

"I’ll think about it."

The door closed. I punched the air as I went back to the table. The food turned cold but who cares? I only came here for free lunch after all.

Once I finished everything, I decided to burn the food by walking around. I reached the lobby not long after. I was about to walk to leave when a hand grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to the corner.

"What is it this time?"

That pungent smell of her fragrance spook my nose. I rubbed it unconsciously and pulled my hands back.

"You liar! You said you’re not a Minder but what are you doing with the Director?!" She hissed, giving me a vicious glare.

I scratched the back of my head. If this wasn’t a woman, I would have taken off my sock and shoved it inside her mouth.

"Answer me!" She stomped, just like a bratty child whose Mom refused to buy her a doll.

I looked down at this petite woman. I reminded myself to grip my patience and not let it fly off, since this lady is a famous public figure. Yeah. An influencer whose influence came from her family’s generational wealth.

Sabrina Aquino. A billionaire’s daughter. A high-rank Minder. I know nothing, but judging from the way she acted and the things she said, I think she used to be Claude’s exclusive Minder, but not anymore, as of currently.

As far as I know, Claude didn’t have one. So, yeah. This lady was fired. Maybe it was before I became a Seeker.

"I told you to answer me!" She raised her hand and was ready to slap me.

I stepped back, which only made her slap the air like a lunatic. Her face reddened, whether out of embarrassment or anger, I don’t care.

"I told you I’m a Seeker—"

"That’s a lie! I already know you helped my Claude with his Nightmare! I should be the one helping him! Not you! You’re a man and it’s disgusting!"

Wow. Money does work wonders. That information, according to Juris, wasn’t disclosed to anyone aside from the NSA and NMA.

And what the heck was she thinking when she said it’s disgusting?! Is sleeping with the Seeker a Minder’s only way to release their contaminated energy?

This girl is crazy. She’s obsessed and delusional. What? My Claude? I scoffed. The captain will flip if he hears that.

"That’s part of my ability. And I don’t think I’m obliged to answer your every question, so excuse me, lady."

I walked past her, looking ahead, but she grabbed my upper arm tightly. I could feel her fake nails digging in my skin. I bit my lip hard, restraining myself.

I could be a jerk, a bastard, a criminal—wait, no, Jade, no. Forget your origin. Raise the halo in your head and breathe calmly, be more patient and understanding.

"Don’t fuck with me. I know you convinced the director to assign you as Claude’s exclusive Minder! You...manwhore!"

Something snapped in me. The halo of patience.

We were in the corner, hidden behind a very large column, a blindspot to any surveillance camera. So, I was confidently mad when I turned to her, pushed her on the wall, and leaned closer to her as I whispered.

"Lady, my senses dull when I’m angry. So, if I strangle you, stash you in my 4D belt bag, and throw you in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, know that I mistook you for a man."

My hands hovered over her neck. A part of me rejoiced to see her pale and sweaty. I really have no time to deal with her nonsense, so it’s better to make her fear me than let it pass.

"And miss, the ratio of Minder to Seeker is 1 to 4. If your life is at stake here, you don’t get picky on which hole you enter." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

I left her in shock after that. Whatever she took my words for wasn’t my business anymore.