World's Best Protagonist [BL]

A sickening crack echoed through the room. Norman’s body jerked once, then went limp. Noir let go, letting the corpse drop to the floor unceremoniously. Blood pooled beneath him, seeping into the pristine laboratory tiles.

Noir exhaled, shaking the tension from his fingers. His arms throbbed from the cuts, but he paid them no mind. He glanced down at Norman’s lifeless form, then scoffed.

"Look who’s the waste here. Being arrogant got you dead. If you already knew I’m a member of one of the elite teams, you should have run instead," Noir said, shaking his head.

Turning away, he wiped his bloodied hands on his already-ruined clothes and glanced toward the exit. There was still work to be done.

Two things, in fact.

Save the newbie in distress, and report everything back to the NSA.

Noir pretended like he was betrayed by Jade, to convince the evil minions that Jade was not entirely part of the NSA. But now he realized it was useless. The man who dragged Jade somewhere did not exude murderous intent toward the newbie; thus, Noir was considering doing the second task first.

He walked out of the laboratory while scratching the back of his head.

"Newbie, stay alive," Noir murmured before running to the exit of the tunnel that leads to a mountainous area. He ambushed an entering car carrying more trafficked humans and fled to the NSA as soon as possible.

- - - - -

Meanwhile, back at the NSA building...

The briefing room was tense, a heavy silence hanging over the gathered team members. A large map flickered on the board, displaying a city in the third region of the largest island.

A once bustling city has now turned into a desolate place because of the unnatural energy of an Infernal Vortex. The heat index rose to a deadly level; therefore, the government evacuated the residents.

The swirling, flaming distortion loomed over the displayed terrain on the map, just like a festering wound, its edges crackling with unstable energy.

Claude stood at the head of the room, arms crossed, his expression was unreadable as he surveyed his team. Their usual numbers were incomplete—Noir and Jade were missing—but it was something that sent relief to Claude.

The mission had already been confirmed.

Allen, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.

"Captain... Are we really going without them?" His voice was careful, but there was no mistaking the concern beneath his words.

Claude didn’t hesitate. "Yes," he answered firmly. Noir will be a great help, but having Jade without them was better.

"We don’t have time to wait. The vortex won’t stabilize on its own," he explained to other members, but Allen knew that was not what he truly meant.

He glanced at the map. "Besides, it’s better if Jade isn’t involved in this."

Lexie frowned. "What do you mean by that, Captain? Has Jade still not earned your approval? I thought he’s part of the team, officially, now."

Claude didn’t answer. He simply turned back to the board, scrolling through the mission details.

Lexie rolled her eyes. She felt sorry for the newbie, but she couldn’t refute her captain anymore. It was Terrius who reassured her.

"It’s only because he and Noir are tasked with a different mission. Just like the captain said, we can’t wait for them."

Lexie sighed and looked ahead again.

"We’ll be deploying alongside two other teams: Alpha-02 and Echo-01. Alpha-02 will serve as reinforcement, while Echo-01 handles scavenging and retrieval. Another team will arrive at the scene to guard the vortex."

Claude’s obsidian eyes hovered over each of the present members. "Any questions?"

No one spoke. They all knew what needed to be done.

Fifteen minutes later, the team was geared up and ready.

The transport ship hummed as it ascended, slicing through the sky at high speed. Claude sat near the front, gazing out the reinforced window at the land below.

The city had already started to decay. The ground was cracked and scorched, warped by the presence of the vortex.

"Damn..." One of the team members of Echo muttered, gripping their weapon tighter.

As they neared their destination, a transmission came through.

"Juliet-04 reporting. We’ve arrived at the outer perimeter. No hostiles detected yet. We’re setting up the Aetherlock spheres."

The vortex appeared in an amusement park, and it already burned most of the structures nearby.

"Captain Vanderheinz," a baritone voice called out to Claude. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the captain of the Alpha-02, Kenneth Silverfang, walking toward him. "Let’s do our best."

Claude nodded. They both looked ahead to the massive flaming vortex. All of them were protected by Allen and Iron, a member of the Alpha-02 whose ability is similar to Allen’s Fortress.

Once the Aetherlock was stabilized. The three teams stepped forward, their figures devoured by the fire.

- - - - -

[Jade’s POV]

There was no need for me to hide my ability since the mad dog already knew I was a Seeker. The problem was, he was bigger and taller. Damn it. Of all the characteristics my mother would give me, it was her height.

I’m taller than most women, but compared to men, I’m average.

"What are you thinking, young master?" Diego grabbed my chin and lifted my head, as he inched his head closer, whispering right next to my ear like I’m a goddamn deaf.

"Are you perhaps thinking of escaping? You know, it’s useless. Unless we free you, you won’t be able to escape from here again."

"I could hear you just fine, so move away," I deadpanned.

Diego frowned. He hastily turned my head to look at him. Luckily, my neck did not snap. This mad dog never learned the concept of personal space, even now.

How old is he to be acting like this?

"You still hate it whenever I touch you, don’t you? Why? Because my hands are filthy? I can’t do anything about that, young master. It was you who found me on those piles of garbage. That was why the lord noticed me." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

So? What the hell is he on?

"You reminded me. Now, I feel regretful. I should have let you be buried in that garbage, picked up by the truck, and shredded."

Diego’s eyes gleamed dangerously. He even lowered his head more, his breath hitting my face. Fuck him. If he tried anything funny, I’m the one doing the shredding here!

"You were faking it. The lord thinks you haven’t changed. But what I saw earlier was different. You were afraid for that Seeker’s life, weren’t you?"

My body stiffened.

The mad dog smirked. "See? Unfortunately, that pink-haired boy will be dead soon. So, if you don’t want to end up in the same coffin, behave, young master."

Anger boiled inside me. I grabbed his hand holding my chin, pulled him closer, which surprised him, then struck his head with mine, with all my strength.

Both of us staggered after that deadly headbang.

"You—!"

The mad dog stretched his hand. He caught my shirt. I was going to slap him away when he jumped me. We both rolled on the floor. Then, we stopped. I was on the top, so I took advantage. Activating my ability’s area of effect, I began throwing punches at him.

I could feel his weakened blows and speed, so I managed to take him head-on. However, the door suddenly opened. Our movement froze. Both of us turned to the old man by the door, looking at us with a disgusting expression.

Now, what the hell is he thinking?