World's Best Protagonist [BL]-Chapter 42: Symptoms of What?

After defeating the boss monster, an exit, just like a vortex but much smaller, appeared, connecting that world to Earth.

Once we stepped inside, we were sucked in and then thrown out. We fell in the ocean where the vortex once had been. And a ferry waiting for us rescued us. We were brought back to the island after that.

The cool, salty breeze of the island filled my lungs. The air was refreshingly clean compared to the suffocating and flooded battlefield we came from. The sky was darkening into dusk, which meant that almost a whole day was it took outside the vortex.

I looked up at the horizon streaked with warm hues of orange and purple. The journey back was so quiet the grumbling of my stomach could be heard. I squeezed myself into the corner seat and engrossed myself in finding Nemo in the water.

At last, for goodness’ sake, we arrived at the island. I stood, clutching the towel in my body, while my legs were pressed to each other tightly.

"They’re back!"

"Thank goodness!"

I lifted my head covered by a towel and saw a group of people wearing white uniforms. They were at the shore, waiting for us. I turned to my right where Allen had been staying ever since we exited the vortex, and threw him an inquisitive look.

"Ah, they are Minders. It’s like this every time a vortex is closed and Seekers are out. They are stationed nearby, to give counseling to Seekers as soon as possible."

"I didn’t know they wear uniforms too." I never saw Freya wear one whenever she would counsel me.

The white uniforms look pristine, kind of similar to a Seeker’s uniform but a bit looser. They reminded me of a nursing student’s uniform in my former university.

They welcomed us with smiles mixed with anticipation. Many of them were focused on the Alpha team members. Well, I don’t blame them. Every one of them is pretty charming. I bet they couldn’t wait to counsel the captain, just like Noir said.

However, all team members of both teams weren’t smiling. Judging from the Minders’ change in demeanor, they must have realized that one member was missing.

Someone died inside, and we couldn’t even bring back his corpse.

"Everyone, please follow us for post-mission counseling," the leader of the group instructed. "We’ll assess your mental state and energy level before providing necessary support—"

I didn’t wait for him to finish. Now, that my feet were on land, I bolted out of the group and headed inside the base of the watch tower where the guard’s quarters are located.

I’ve been holding it back since earlier! My bladder was about to explode and my stomach had been grumbling ever since inside the vortex. Is it because of the food I ate? Or the water Claude gave me?

While everyone was mourning the death of our comrade, I was squirming in my seat because of my blasted tummy. I’ve been holding back, afraid to release a deadly gas or something else. I could have dived in the ocean and camouflaged but I was too tired to swim, so I endured.

Haa...glad I reached the toilet in time. After several minutes of observing myself after taking a dump, my body’s temperature somehow decreased.

Once finished, I washed my hands and splashed cold water on my face, trying to shake off the lingering exhaustion. I just wanted to go home and lie on my comfy bed, but it would be weird if I didn’t get counseling.

"Where did you go?" Claude shot at me as soon as I returned.

Lexie laughed. "To the toilet, captain. Didn’t you notice he’d been holding it the entire time we were inside?"

"Oh, you noticed? I thought I was doing a good job being discreet."

"No wonder I smelled something." My head spun toward Noir and gave him a death stare. I never farted. "You know no one would have even noticed if you dip in the water and let it slide, newbie. The flood water wasn’t clear anyway. Hahahahaha!"

I forgot this guy doesn’t know how to grieve.

The Charlie team glanced over us just in time Etienne covered Noir’s lips. He shot the crazy bastard a warning look and did not let go of his mouth even after Noir tried to tear off his hand.

Allen walked beside me again. I’m starting to think this guy feels guilty after what happened to me. I wanted to smack his head and tell him it was not a big deal, but the look he gave me every time I met his green eyes was...well, how should I put it?

Like...like I’m someone who suddenly...became special?

I’m probably just overthinking. Let’s just say he’s guilty. That’s way better. I’ll let him relieve that guilt in his way. And if staying close to me will do it, so be it. But the next time he pulls something like touching my face without permission, I’ll punch him, I swear.

But come to think of it, why are these two...not receiving counseling?

"Are there not enough Minders?"

Claude, who was on my left since my right was occupied by Allen, answered, "I finished when you were inside the toilet?"

"Seriously? That quick? Wasn’t your dark energy level too high?"

Claude gave me a sideways glance. "How long do you think you were inside the toilet?"

"Just a few minutes...?"

"Sure. Thirty minutes is few."

My jaw dropped. I’ve been in the toilet for that long?!

Allen looked at me, worried. "Did you fall asleep inside? Or did you do something else?"

I grimaced at him. What the fuck is he thinking? I was about to answer when at the corner of my eyes, I saw a familiar face. Right. I need to get counseling. I was wondering who would be in charge of me since this is my first post-mission counseling, but I found the answer.

"I did nothing inside, okay?" I turned to Allen and replied, then I waved my hand to them and walked away. "I found my Minder."

Freya looked up, her face brightened after seeing me.

"Jade," she greeted softly. "I was looking for you."

I sluggishly sat on the chair opposite to her and answered, "Sorry. I went to the restroom. You’re in charge of me, right?"

The NMA usually sends the same Minder to a certain Seeker. They sometimes allow exclusive contracts between the two, but it is only if certain conditions are met. One of those conditions is when the two develop feelings for each other.

"Yup. Let’s start."

Freya checked my level first. It was 87. She lifted her head, her face full of shock.

"You were near to explosion! Why aren’t you panicking? Don’t you feel anything at all?!" Freya pulled my wrist and began treating me.

I watched her troubled face, wondering what she meant.

"If you used your power even just a little and this level went passed 90, you will need to be restrained immediately. How can you be this careless, Jade? You should seek counseling as soon as you feel something’s wrong with your body!"

"So, you’re saying my body should be feeling something right now. What? Fever? Stomach aches? Full bladder? Or farting excessively?"

Freya slapped my wrist lightly, thinking I was trying to be funny. But I gawked at her, urging her to answer.

Bewildered, she replied, "Auditory or visual hallucinations. Emotional instability. And yes, elevated body temperature. Also, this!" Freya lifted my arm and took off the blanket covering my shoulder completely. "Have you never noticed these blackened veins?"

"Oh, I did not."

"You, seriously! You should pay attention to yourself more!"

"Yes, ma’am."

She glowered angrily at me. I zipped my lips and just let her nag me, but my mind was already wandering to the past events. freёnovelkiss.com

Hallucinations? Did I hallucinate that dark abyss where I heard my parents’ voices again? But those were real. Those were my memories.

And my fever was due to fatigue and cold. My emotions weren’t unstable either. I’m always the same.

"Next time, Jade, you should run to a Minder as soon as you can once you experience those symptoms. Hallucinations are often what led Seekers to finally lose control and go berserk."

Freya continued as she stared at my wrists blankly.

"They get trapped in that state, so if someone’s not with them to reel them into reality, they end up wandering while the dark energy creeps up their entire body. Before they knew it, they were far gone. Up to this date, only four Minders can pull Seekers out of their Nightmare. And those four are in the top ranks. I don’t think the NMA will send them to lower-rank Seekers like you."

Am I a lower rank?

"He’s not a lower-rank."

Both me and Freya flinched after Claude spoke. Freya panicked and momentarily let go of my wrist, but I grabbed her hand immediately.

Claude added with a frown, "He’s part of my team. Alpha - 03."

After that, he walked away and joined the said team. All of them were gathered near the window, like some high school group of friends chatting during school breaks. And I’m currently their topic, judging by their stares.

What’s with them?

Freya looked away from them immediately. "Sorry. I thought you were just part of the scavenger team."

"I am."

"Huh?"

I shrugged my shoulders and just pointed at my wrist. She continued to absorb my dark energy without asking further. She was trembling and her face was flustered. It seemed that she was getting affected, though I’m not sure if it was because of the counseling or because of those six pairs of eyes staring at us inquisitively.

What the hell are they so curious about?