World's Best Protagonist [BL]

Noir and I entered carefully. There was no one in sight, to our relief. But as we walked past the frosted glass partition, our eyes widened in shock at the sight.

Countless tubes trapping humans were lines in rows, horizontally and vertically. My gaze looked up at the highest rows, and my whole body couldn’t help but shudder. It was horror. The higher the rows are, the younger the subject.

Kids sleeping, floating in liquid, unaware of all the tubes connected to their bodies.

"Wow. Your father’s the greatest evil I know," Noir mumbled in disbelief.

I could hear suppressed anger in his tone, something he rarely showed. Even my body trembled, and I had a strong urge to smash those tubes and free everyone, so I had to calm myself down, lest we thwart the plan.

Suddenly, we heard footsteps approaching.

Noir and I hid behind the rows of human containers, while the puppet stayed, pretending like he was checking the monitor.

"What are you doing here?"

That voice. It was the mad dog. I gestured to Noir that he was the right-hand man of my father. He nodded and tried to target him as well, but soon, he shook his head.

I mouthed why, he whispered, "Strong mentality."

Fuck. So, only those with weak minds his power works on? Does that mean I’m weak? Anyway, it’s such a shame. That man knows more than the current puppet, so it would have been easier if he became one.

"I asked why are you here? I don’t think I called for you."

Damn it. The fucking mad dog was suspicious. Cold sweat formed on my forehead as I watched what Noir intended to do next, but the bastard looked as clueless as I was. I almost smacked his head, out of irritation.

Thankfully, someone arrived and said, "Oh, you’re here. Then, let’s get to work already. Time’s ticking."

"You called for him?" Diego asked the newcomer.

The newcomer nodded. "Yes, sir. We are to transfer the slaves to Lord Levi today."

Diego eyed the newcomer for a bit, making the guy sweat nervously. After a minute, the mad dog waved his hand dismissively and ordered, "Go on. Make sure not to delay the transport."

"Yes, sir."

The newcomer motioned for the puppet to follow him, but the thug remained still. My head spun to Noir, eyes bulging in silence inquisition.

"Once he steps out of my influence radius, he will certainly snitch us."

I facepalmed myself. Next plan, Jade. Think of the best thing to do.

"Let him go."

"Are you insane? We’ll get caught."

"Not we, me."

I peeked through the gaps. Fuck it. Diego was starting to find the oddity in the thug’s behavior. I nodded to Noir, signaling him to do what I said. He sighed, then surprisingly followed my order.

I turned to Noir again. "How far can your influence expand?"

"If he leaves now, it will take him fifteen minutes to snap out of my control."

"Can’t you control him to sleep?"

I received a deadpan stare. I know. I’m wishfully thinking something absurd. But then, the dusty bulb of idea in my head lit. I turned to Noir, but Noir was already nodding.

"Yes, it’s possible. I can’t will him to sleep in a blink, but I can make him beat himself to death. That’s better, isn’t it?"

I hate to answer this but... "Yes, that’s better."

Do people like them deserve pity?

The puppet followed the newcomer after that. Once they disappeared from our sight, Noir began paying with his hands, like he was a true puppeteer. He was grinning madly, so I scooched away a bit from him.

Noir was focused on killing his target, so it was only me who noticed Diego’s gaze in our direction. A cold chill ran down my spine. Based on Allen’s gathered information, Diego Renzo’s registered awakened ability was enhanced strength and speed.

But what if it was only on paper? Some awakeners do not disclose all their abilities when registering. Manipulation of results is common, that’s why quarterly surveillance is implemented.

Noir shifted. I asked him what happened without averting my eyes from the mad dog.

"I lost control."

Shit.

"Is he dead?"

"I’m not sure."

"Then, you must escape now."

Noir raised his brow. "And you?"

"See that guy?" I jerked my head at the mad dog sniffing our scents. "It’s not long before he finds us out. I think not only his strength and speed are enhanced, but his senses as well. Move behind the tubes. I’ll create a distraction."

"I think it was too late for that," Noir answered flatly.

I turned to him, ready to instill some seriousness in his head, but it was really too late, as he said.

"Hello there, young master." Norman waved at me, while his other hand held a gun...no, it was the gun, pointed at the back of Noir’s head. The hand that he used to wave at me transmuted and turned into a sharp blade, then, he pointed it to my neck. "Move."

I swallowed the growing dread in my throat. I walked out slowly, and so did Noir. He was extremely upset that his ability didn’t work, but something wasn’t right. How did he not see Norman coming?

Noir glared at me accusingly.

"It’s not me."

Before Noir could answer, Diego’s voice chimed in.

"It is certainly you, young master. What do you mean it’s not you?" He chuckled as he walked to me. Then, he grabbed my chin tightly. "The Lord had given you a chance, and look at what you’ve done. You brought someone worthy of our time. Excellent!"

Norman kicked Noir to the ground.

Noir gave me a reproachful stare. He spat and snarled at me, "How could you do this, Jade? I’ve trusted you!"

He rose and lunged at me, but Diego struck him in the chest. Noir skidded a few meters away from us. My body instinctively moved to run after him, but then Norman grabbed my scruff. My gaze did not falter from Noir. I wanted him to know that I wasn’t with them, that this was not my plan.

However, my line of sight was obstructed by Diego. I seethed in anger.

"You’re acquainted with someone from the NSA, doesn’t it mean you’re a Seeker too, hm, young master?" he whispered. "The Lord will surely be overjoyed hearing about this. Let’s wait for his arrival."

He snatched me from Norman, as he ordered, "Make sure that guy isn’t followed or monitored. If he is, kill them all."

"But if he’s not?"

Diego grinned. "He’s got a useful ability. Call the Plunderer before you get rid of him."

Then, he dragged me out of the gated laboratory. I thought he’d brought me back above, but then, he stopped before one of the seven doors and opened it. Looking at the embossed symbol on the double door, the cogs in my head moved.

I’ve seen it before. The other symbols too.

I was thrown inside. Diego loomed over me, but my mind was somewhere else. Pages flipped in my head and stopped on a particular entry in the book The Seven Princes of Hell.

Then, Claude’s voice echoed in my mind.

The Underworld Overlords consisted of seven leaders, and they were named after the seven deadly sins. Beware of them.