World's Best Protagonist [BL]

I was woken up by light taps on my shoulders. I blinked and yawned, and found Allen staring at me.

"We're here." Allen opened the door and stepped out. I followed him while rubbing my eyes, then glancing up at the tall building, the headquarters of UAO.

Unlike the NSA where all employees that work there are awakeners, the UAO is like a normal government agency that deals with vortexes manifestation and awakenings.

We entered the building and a spacious, modern reception area with a calm yet tense atmosphere greeted us. I was amazed at how high the ceiling in the lobby was, and gazing up, there were layers of glass-covered hallways where doors were equally spaced from one another, and people were going in and out.

They sure are busier than bees.

"Good morning, sirs. Welcome to the United Awakeners Organization. How can I assist you today?"

I turned ahead and saw Allen already by the desk, received by a pleasant-looking female clerk in a blue vest over a white long-sleeved shirt and blue skirt. I approached them silently and just let Allen explain the matter.

"Good morning. I'm Allen Jose, a seeker from the NSA Alpha Team – 03." Allen showed his Seeker ID to the female clerk, and the latter nodded. "I'd like to request assistance for this person to help him claim compensation. A vortex appeared inside his house yesterday, and the NSA had already sealed off the property."

The clerk nodded understandingly. She looked at me with a polite smile, and despite my bad mood, I tried to offer her one back, but judging from her next expression, I must have frightened her.

She looked away restlessly and typed on the keyboard fast. I was dumbfounded until I saw Allen's shocked expression while looking behind me. I turned around, only to be greeted by a muscled chest, hitting the tip of my nose. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

What the heck? This smell... like sewage. Who dares to flaunt their chest-smelling drainage in my face?

"Vi...Vice Captain...Terrius...?"

I heard Allen mutter. So, this is a person? I looked up and saw the man called Terrius glaring down at me. His clothes were dripping with dirty water, and there was even a particle of wet tissue stuck to his wavy hair.

I stepped back and covered my nose. I had this urge to blow my nose because I could freaking taste the smell, but the man was glaring at me as if he was ready to strike me down if I so much as moved my hand again.

"What made you come here, vice captain?! Did the captain send you here?" Allen asked, obviously confused.

The female clerk behind the desk was slowly backing away from the smell, and I could see her gesturing for the janitor mopping the floor on the other side to come. I ignored the seekers and asked the clerk.

"When will I get my compensation?"

The female clerk blinked and finally remembered she was in the middle of receiving me. She quickly went back to her position and gave me another polite smile. Ah, so, she was scared by the person who came, not by my smile.

"We have to conduct a formal investigation first, Mr...." I showed her my driver's license. "Mr. Dela Torre. But let's begin by confirming some details. Mr. Jose mentioned that a vortex appeared in your home. May I know what kind, and when exactly did this occur?"

"A Zephyrix Tempest. And I don't know when because—

"It was last night, at eleven in the evening. Someone had reported to the UAO so, you can check the details on the system. The NSA was sent there as soon as the appearance was confirmed, and we sealed everything off."

I looked back at Allen and noticed that the vice-captain was gone, meanwhile, the janitor was mopping a straight line to the restroom. "I'm sorry, Miss, but can you make this quick? Our captain ordered us to bring Mr. Dela Torre back to the headquarters. Sir Terrius came to pick him up."

What? Do these guys don't have cellphones? But what does he mean by that?

The female clerk nodded enthusiastically. "Ah, yes. I see the report now. The vortex is classified as a ZT Class – A, which appeared in your living room. Under the UAO Vortex Manifestation Act, when a vortex appears within privately owned property, that property is immediately designated as a federal resource. This is for public safety and to prevent potential disasters that could arise from an unmonitored vortex.

"You are indeed entitled to compensation, if it's proven that the properties belong to you solely, then you will receive the compensation alone. One of us will confirm it soon, so please, cooperate accordingly. Once it is proven, you will have to file a formal compensation claim. After that, we will assess the market value of your home before the vortex manifestation. Then, you'll be compensated based on that valuation, along with an additional payment for personal belongings lost due to it. Our appraisers will also take into account the emotional impact this may have had on you and your family."

"And how long does all this take? Because I've already had to move out, and finding a new place isn't exactly easy." Not to mention, I really wanted to lie down right now. Your headquarter's shiny floor is now very inviting in my eyes.

"The process usually takes three weeks after the confirmation of ownership, sir. After that, a check will be issued in your name, and you may claim it to any of your preferred banks. We also offer temporary housing to those affected by the vortex manifestation. I can arrange one for you today if you have nowhere to go, Mr. Dela Torre."

"Yes, please, thank you. Another thing, Miss, how do I know I'll be fairly compensated?" I asked what had been bothering me.

The clerk leaned forward reassuringly. "I assure you, Mr. Dela Torre, the UAO works with independent appraisers to ensure that all valuations are fair and reflective of the true market value of your property. You also have the right to dispute the initial valuation if you believe it's too low. I'll provide you with all the necessary paperwork."

She gave me a short form to fill up, before instructing me to appear again after the confirmation was finished. Just as I finished writing, the vice captain came back in neat clothes and Allen guided me outside.

"Why do I have to go with you?" I asked them before stepping inside the car. I suddenly have a foreboding feeling. If I ran away, I'm sure I haven't even landed my first step and I'm caught already.

The vice captain named Terrius whose hair was still dripping with water, as if flaunting to everyone who smelled him before that he had already taken a bath and now smelling nice, answered me, "Captain Vanderheinz has something to ask you."

Vanderheinz? Sounds familiar...where did I hear that name again?

"What is it?"

Terrius dropped his gaze at me. Yes, he's one tall man, taller than me by just a bit. "I have no idea why the captain would call for a midget like you."

He whirled to the driver's seat and disappeared from my sight after insulting me like that. I shrugged my shoulders and ignored him, meanwhile, Allen smiled and opened the backseat door for me. I mumbled as I slipped in, "I'm 5'7". I'm no midget."

"Please, don't mind him."

Allen said, which I did the whole trip because as soon as I leaned at the backrest, I was snoring. It wasn't a pleasant trip at all. Imagine having the driver constantly glance at you as if you're a passenger planning to bolt out without paying. I've been judged many times, but this is the first time I felt like I'm a microscopic being under scrutinizing eyes.

Why does he stare at me like that? I usually don't get bothered by blatant staring and deliberate gossip, but that one...seems different. Like... he wanted to say something, but he didn't want to talk either.

"Is there something you wanted to say to me, sir?" I finally asked after the back of my head was filled with holes he drilled.

I walked between them, Allen ahead of me, and Terrius behind. I was walking while I glanced over my shoulder to look at him. He raised his brows, pursed his lips and I waited for him to speak, but Allen interrupted us.

"Let's head straight to the interrogation room."

Screw him. I really, really, really wanted to ask why he arrived smelling like shit earlier. It was the first time I encountered a seeker who wasn't trying to look good in public. Usually, they always walk the street like people modeling their outfits and inflated egos, since the media was still all over them.

But wait... "Why the interrogation room?" I halted. But Terrius grabbed my shoulders from behind.

Then, I finally heard his voice. "Just follow us obediently if you don't want to end up behind bars."

"What did I do?" I really am clueless. Is it because of the robber I encountered last night? But I'm the victim...?