World's Best Protagonist [BL]

I gaped at him. Chains? So, they are really treating them as slaves! And these...are allowed by the UAO?! Just because they aren’t Earthlings doesn’t mean they are less human!

"So, what happens if you disobey them?" I asked carefully.

Claude slowly began regaining his normal color, and his breathing steadied as well. Counseling him made me somehow sensitive to his emotions. I could feel the rage boiling inside him, but also the rein that keeps it in.

"Torture."

I stiffened. My ears could not believe what I just heard.

Claude continued, "The 10th Chamber’s awakened ability is called Scan. He puts these barcodes in his targets, a copy. If one disobeys the orders, he scans the code that disobedient one has, and it will torture them depending on the punishment he inputs."

If it’s an ability, then I can cancel it. So, why did no one ask me to do it? Not even Noir?

"The 10th Chamber knows if we tried to remove it. It is not that it can be removed, but someone tried to peel this part of his skin, and nothing changed. The 10th Chamber only got mad," he added as if he read what was on my mind.

"This code comes with a tracking device. But it doesn’t work if we’re inside the vortex."

"Did someone try to stay inside the vortex instead of here?" If the barcode doesn’t work inside the vortex, then it’s the only place they can be free.

Claude scoffed. "The bastards know we can’t stay inside. If we stay, we get trapped inside forever. We won’t be able to go back once the exit portal closes. Every one of us still hopes that we will be able to go back one day."

They were thrown on Earth because of those vortexes, and those things only appear in this world, being the center of imbalance, as the World Tree explained.

"I didn’t say anything because what’s the use? Nothing will change whether they know or not. Your people don’t care about our rights."

My jaw clenched. I feel ashamed about sharing the same world with those people. "I’m sorry you had to go through all that."

Claude did not answer.

A few minutes later, I was done cleansing him. The blots disappeared, and I could feel the change in his aura.

"I’m done."

I immediately stood, but my knees trembled and bent. Claude caught my waist to steady me, while he was still sitting on the floor. I tapped his hands to let him know it was fine, even when I felt feverish, and my body quivered.

I expected him to let go, so I was surprised when he pulled me back. My eyes widened. He can’t do this. I feel like exploding. My throat’s burning. I need something to drink.

"What are you doing? I need to drink..." I said while panting lightly. I touched my chest to calm its rapid movement.

"Water won’t immediately help you with it."

"...why not?"

My head was starting to be hazy, so I couldn’t think properly anymore. I was able to release the contaminated level I absorbed from Allen just by peeing a lot. So, why is it different when it’s Claude?!

Is the difference because of their level? Or because Claude isn’t from here?

"It will take 15 minutes before you urinate after a drink. You’re losing consciousness now. Force yourself to stay awake."

"It’s fine... I’ll wake up...like before..."

"Yeah. After a week or so. Don’t you get it? Otherworlders are different from your people. If it’s that woman, I don’t care if she faints or dies after cleansing me, but it’s you. I can’t let you fall asleep that long."

What the hell is he talking about? Dying after counseling?

"She didn’t know...?"

I felt his hands grab my chest and pull me closer. He leaned me on his chest, my head rested on his shoulder.

"I can’t tell her I’m an outworlder. Hence, she didn’t know the danger of counseling me in this state."

"She was your exclusive—"

"Outworlders’ ranks are higher than most Seekers. Our abilities too. So, the NMA only sent high-ranking Minders to us before. She wasn’t my exclusive Minder. But she used to be the only one who treated me."

I closed my eyes tightly. I can’t move my body now. Just trembling, and a burning heat. I wanted to take a shower.

"Later on, I found out she was using her connection, so the NMA would send her instead. Any other Minder that was assigned to me was dragged out by her."

Claude kept talking. My senses were dulled, but I could hear the rustle of my clothes, particularly the zipper of my pants being pulled down.

"At first, I didn’t care about that. She did her job well. She was sweet, kind, and respectful."

I groaned when I felt his hand touch me. I jerked my head up, gripping the little sanity I had in me. I pushed myself away from him, but my arms felt weak and wriggly.

I shuddered when I thought that if, back when I saved him from his Nightmare, I didn’t lose consciousness, I would have to deal with this itching, tormenting feeling of wanting to release something until it satisfies me.

"S–Stop...Claude...."

I sensed his body stiffen. But later on, his head bumped on my nape. I turned around to look at what he was doing, but all I saw was his fluff of hair. His forehead was on my shoulder, and his hands still refused to let go.

Then, a gruff voice came from him.

"It’s fine, Jade. I won’t look. I promise. Let me help you. If we go back to the NSA now and ask Juris for help, this secret will be over. I’m fine if it’s only the team members you counsel, but if they send you to others, fuck, I’m not sure what to do."

I bit my lip. I’d be forced to work as an official Minder. I’d be removed from his team. I won’t be able to do my duty as the Keeper.

I won’t be able to see him often.

That last reason cut it for me—the last thread of my sanity. Slowly, my hands wrapped around Claude’s hand, which still gripped me. I moved them with my own volition.

Then, as I was filled with embarrassment and shame, I whispered, "Please, talk."

Claude’s head moved, but it wasn’t lifted. Then, he continued telling me about his stalker, his words occupying my mind, and pulling me away from the pleasure I was feeling.