World's Best Protagonist [BL]-Chapter 34: AM Class A (3)

If there’s something amusing in these spatial suitcases, it’s the fact that they can load anything, no matter how large, how long, or how heavy the object is, it can carry inside.

I was worried that if we remained in this place for a few days, without any edible food we could get, we’d die of starvation instead of getting killed by monsters.

Fortunately, Etienne was smart enough to pack food, extra jackets, and even bedding in his suitcase. He casually pulled towels and distributed them to us.

"Thank you," I murmured.

I dried myself and secured a seat in front of the fire Allen created. I thought that Seekers just go on fighting as soon as they entered a vortex, who knew they do camping as well?

Grabbing a stick of barbecue on the grill, I started filling my stomach, completely relaxed, while listening to the rest of the members talking.

"Where are they now?" Allen asked. freewebnσvel.cøm

I was also surprised that he didn’t say anything about sacrificing the other team.

A sacrifice. At least, that’s what I see it.

"They’re heading to the sinkhole while fighting those ugly fishes. Seems like they had already figured out where the monster boss is," Noir answered.

I only just realized how Noir was able to tell. It’s because of his ability. Sensory Field. Allows him to detect living creatures and see objects within a certain radius.

That was why he let me go back then. Not because I convinced him to listen, but because he knew Claude was coming.

"How long are we going to stay here?" Lexie inquired, playing with a small dagger in her hands.

Allen replied, "We watch. If they can’t defeat it, we help."

I paused. Help? I looked up and met Allen’s green eyes. "I thought we were going to sacrifice them?"

Everyone’s gaze fixed on me, even Claude who made an effort to glance over his shoulder.

Noir dramatically widened his eyes and covered his mouth, as though he heard something so surprising.

"Hey, newbie~. What do you mean? Why would you think that way?"

I grimaced. "That’s how you made it sound."

"No, it’s not. I didn’t say to watch them until they die. I only said to watch them fight to study the boss monster."

My body stiffened. Is that right? I recalled what he said, and paled after realizing it. How could I immediately think that way?

Noir’s chuckle snapped me from my self-reproach. "It’s not normal to jump to that conclusion that quick. Newbie, aren’t you even concerned about your fellow Earthlings?"

I don’t. Well, if the Earthlings he was talking about were the Charlie team, then I can answer him without hesitation. It’s different when it comes to my team, except Noir since he’s not an Earthling.

"If we’re going to end up fighting the boss, then why did the captain agree to swap places in the first place?" I said, finally asking out what had been bothering me.

Was it only to shame the Charlie team after not defeating the monster and turning to us for help? Or another reason Claude only knows?

Terrius looked away. Wait, did he know the reason? Noir forgot my indifference toward my fellow humans, and focused on the captain as well, waiting for the answer.

"Yeah, why was that, captain?" Lexie jumped in.

Etienne just silently flipped the barbecue sticks over. Allen sighed and looked out into the vast ruins of a flooded city. He wasn’t anticipating an answer, and it seemed like he knew already Claude wouldn’t give any.

He just looked at me with glowering eyes, probably blaming me for bringing up the topic.

In times like this, I sense the wall that separates the team members from each other. Knowing that their team had been for more than a year, you’d think they would at least open up to each other, but I guess I was wrong.

Everyone wasn’t stepping out of their space or letting anyone in. They will just gather in the center whenever a mission is assigned to them. Nothing more.

Suddenly, the fire went out, and the whole place was covered in white mist. I gathered the remaining barbecue and threw them in the suitcase.

A voice rang in my ears, much closer. "Don’t move. Something is here with us."

My heart raced. The mist was thick and I couldn’t see properly. Even silhouettes of the other members weren’t visible. Even if I wanted to move, I couldn’t.

My hand impulsively shot up to grab something. Something warm, and calloused, solid and hard, and...wait, is this a hand?

I pulled it up, brought it closer to my face to see, and saw the silhouette of two hands joined together. I was going to let go immediately when I was pulled sideward. I slammed onto something. I stopped thinking what it was.

"Don’t nullify the mist," he whispered, just above my ear.

"I know."

"Then, what are you doing?"

I just grabbed his hand accidentally and he thought I’m already onto something? The distrust, I say, is too much.

I didn’t answer him, instead I returned the question. "What are you doing?"

"I’m not doing anything, Jade."

My eyebrow raised. "Then, what’s the thing that slithers in my leg?"

"Certainly not my hand...or feet."

I know that already! I wanted to shout and wriggle my foot, but what the hell is this? I could hear squelching sounds, and I sensed Claude moved to my side, bent forward as if looking at my lower limbs properly.

Then, a dreadful voice came from him. "Don’t move no matter what I do."

My body froze on the spot. I felt something...feeling up my left leg? Wait, what is he doing? Something was creeping into my leg, and I shivered from the cold touch on my skin underneath the tight bodysuit.

It’s not a hand. Something like a...moving...tentacles...? Oh, please. No. I hate tentacled creatures the most!

A swoosh was heard, a sword slicing something. My knees buckled. I almost stumbled on the floor if Claude hadn’t caught my waist. Then, my body was lifted and we were moving.

Hand wrapped on my waist as I limped on his shoulder. He was moving fast like he was desperate to reach something.

I couldn’t speak. Is it the fear? I just wanted to wash my left leg right now. I just know a million bacteria were crawling in my skin even if I’m wearing something.

"Etienne."

Oh, we were heading to him.

My body slumped on the floor, and the mist around the three of us cleared. Etienne was kneeling before me already, face filled with worry.

"Heal him."

Who?

I was about to ask when Etienne moved his hand on my left leg, only then did I see my left leg, the flexible fabric was melted, and angry, circular welts marred the skin, each ringed with a sickly blackish-purple hue.

The marks oozed a thin, viscous fluid, the edges inflamed and pulsing as if something wriggled just beneath the surface.

I almost puked at the sight.

Etienne began treating my leg, while Claude was on guard, trying to protect the both of us from what was lurking in the mist.

...I shouldn’t have come.