World's Best Protagonist [BL]

The fight was chaotic but familiar—like rehearsing a deadly dance we knew too well. Maybe it was because the enemies were kind of similar to the other ones we already fought. Or perhaps, our teamwork improved.

Claude cut through with precision, Lexie hurled bombs like confetti, Terrius froze anything that came out of the ground like a certain princess, Allen and Etienne supported them like clockwork, and Noir, bless his sparkly, slippery soul, was still missing.

While my job will begin after the fight.

After what felt like a rock-themed mosh pit, the last golem finally crumbled. Dust coated our clothes, and statues of frozen giant centipedes stood everywhere.

I hacked up a wad of dust and rubbed my itchy nose and watery eyes. I think I swallowed half a hill.

We regrouped in the middle, panting, bruised, but alive.

Etienne looked around, still worried about the missing Noir. He opened his mouth, probably was about to suggest that we search for the guy already, but the battle wasn’t over yet. We still have a boss monster to defeat.

However, we couldn’t move forward from here. We need confirmation from Noir first. The end of the fight will conclude once he returns.

Fortunately, it didn’t take too long.

Before we even saw him, we already heard his melodious laugh from afar. All of us exchanged glances, and understanding flickered in our eyes. We did it. We found his home.

"This is the first time I heard that guy laugh like this," Lexie muttered, shaking her head solemnly. She knew what it meant.

Allen and Etienne chuckled. I caught the captain staring at me, so I raised my brow, but he averted his gaze instead. What is he thinking?

Everyone turned as Noir sprinted ahead of us and jumped up onto a flat rock that looked like it might be housing some hibernating, rocky beast. He was just like an excited kid taking up the stage with so much confidence and a big smile.

"I know this place!" he shouted, arms wide, eyes glowing with emotion. He was so animated. "This is the place where I vanished!"

For a moment, the wind was the only thing speaking.

Then, the captain’s calm voice came through.

"Are you sure?"

Noir nodded enthusiastically. "How can I forget? This is the place where I was thrown after being kidnapped!"

My lips crooked. I don’t think that’s something you should share with a happy face. Someone tried to kill him by feeding him to those monsters while staging it as a simple kidnapping.

Noir spun, nearly tripping off the boulder in his excitement. "I also remember that mountain! That crack! That stupid, jagged rock that looks like a shoe!"

We all stared at the rock. It did look like a shoe. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Claude’s brow furrowed again. "Are you absolutely certain?"

Yeah. We need to be sure. If he isn’t certain and we step out of the monster lair to search for his mother, we will only be wasting our time and risking our lives keeping the boss monster alive until Etienne returns.

However, Noir was very adamant.

"I checked the exact place and nothing changed even after two years had passed!"

I cleared my throat. "Maybe because it hasn’t been two years since you disappeared from here?"

Noir stiffened. He probably remembered that time isn’t the same on Earth. Because we fight inside the vortex, time seems to pass quickly or sometimes slower, so when we return to Earth, we barely notice the difference.

"Let’s check the date here from when you disappeared later, Noir," Allen stepped forward. "First, let’s discuss what to do now that Noir confirmed this is his world."

Etienne’s eyes lit up. "I’m happy for you, Noir. You will finally be able to reunite with your mother."

Noir let out a little squeal and punched the air. "Yeah! I’m going back home! Finally!"

"Good for you," Terrius muttered, a rare smile twitching at his lips.

Lexie smiled faintly too. "One down. Several more to go."

I couldn’t help but grin. Noir just stood there, still looking overwhelmed.

Claude tapped him on the back and interrupted his cheerful vibes by saying, "Now, let’s put you to use one last time and tell us where the boss is located."

- - - - -

The terrain turned jagged and cruel as we followed Noir through a narrow path, one that twisted deeper into the heart of the mountain like a wound splitting open. We left the valley, only to enter a more cramped space.

"We’re heading to a cave," Noir said, his bright voice filled with excitement, died down already, replaced with seriousness.

"The place we arrived at is called the Valley of Death. It was named like that because it was literally a place where many lives were taken," Noir added.

"A war," Claude stated, certainty dripping in his voice.

Noir nodded. "Yeah. The valley separates two kingdoms. This mountain is within the territory of my kingdom, while the other belongs to the enemy. After the war, the two mountains were suddenly occupied by monsters, so they became dead and dried like this."

"Shouldn’t the monster be chasing Jade now?" Lexie asked.

That’s also what I wanted to know. Noir stopped. He crouched and touched the ground, his crimson eyes glowing faintly.

"The cave is deep underground. It’s a giant centipede’s lair. It spans deeper, passing through my field. Probably the reason why it isn’t yet aware of Jade’s presence."

"So, it will be fine even if I stand outside the cave entrance?"

"Let’s see about that."

Well, it will certainly be a surprise if suddenly, a long ass segmented body shoots out of the hole and hugs me with its hundred legs. Yeah, Noir. Let’s see it happen.

We reached a wide cavern mouth—if you even call it that. Slabs of stone, sharp as blades, stood like jaws, adding an eerie vibe to the air. The tall, rocky mountain walls surrounding it obstruct the sun rays from ever reaching it, hence, the hole was very dark.

No signs of life nearby, as if any other species are afraid to build life next to the cave.

Claude stepped forward.

"Centipedes are nocturnal creatures. Let’s stake here first, install binders and nets, and wait until it gets dark."

"We won’t be able to fight once it’s dark, captain," Allen commented.

"I know. But the boss will only move at that time. We camp here, build a fire, while Noir and Etienne search for his mother." He turned to Noir and strictly gazed at him. "Make sure to return Etienne once everything is done."

"I will," Noir answered.

"Safe return." I waved at Noir, who nodded at me. Then, he bowed, something unexpected and surprising to all.

"Thank you so much for everything."

Lexie stood and hugged him. "I hope for your mother’s recovery and your happiness, Noir. Goodbye, my friend."

Everyone said their goodbyes. While I stayed behind, thinking that this isn’t the last time. Noir still has to return Etienne, hasn’t he? I’ll say my goodbye later.

Silence reigned as we watched Noir and Etienne go down the ravine. After that, we began installing the binders and nets Lexie created.