World's Best Protagonist [BL]

And they were all dead, all ten of them.

I was reading a book when a bright light struck the sky. It's not even raining but a bolt of lightning just flashed across the horizon and thunder roared everywhere. I was sitting on the last seat in the back row. I may look like a nerd, but I hate listening to discussions.

"What's happening?"

The chatterbox of the class looked up at the sky and asked. His mouth was agape and there was a flea attempting to land on it.

I could have called out to him, informing him of the imminent danger, but I simply looked away. Even flies have the right to land anywhere.

"Is it raining? Why is there lightning and thunder on this bright day?"

"Maybe there's a fox wedding."

Another lightning struck. The light flashed all over the room like a beam of headlights hit us. I closed my eyes for a moment. I saw a bright light, then it turned dark.

The chatterbox called out to his listeners and they all looked up in the sky. Soon, everyone in the class was gaping by the window, watching a lightning performance.

Maybe they hadn't seen lightning before, so they were all amazed by it. I flipped the book to the next page, but my focus was broken when someone shouted. I looked up, uninterested, but my droopy eyes widened when I saw something strange.

"W—What's that?!"

"OH MY GOD, WHAT'S HAPPENING?!"

"Holy mother of—

"Ahhhhhh!"

"Run, everyone!"

The classroom full of adults became a chaotic pigpen in an instant. Pigs oinked relentlessly after the windows were shattered by the mere soundwaves alone. I covered my ears and ducked down under the table. Yes, I didn't run. Why, because the ground was shaking, and the stupid college students who rushed out had all stumbled from the quake.

There was a stampede, but I was busy gathering my things under the table.

Another ear-splitting sound roared. It was a screeching noise—like the sound of a crying newborn baby bird—but more intense and shrilling.

Broken shards of glass splattered everywhere, and the floor shook tremendously. Not long after, screams echoed outside the room, followed by the announcement from the speakers installed in the hallways.

"ATTENTION, CITIZENS. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY FROM THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT CENTER. A NATIONAL CATASTROPHIC EVENT IS UNFOLDING. ALL CIVILIANS ARE TO SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY."

Did lightning strike out the building? I didn't know what was happening. So, I tried to find out. A catastrophic event, they said. Peeking above the table, I glanced at the broken window.

Ah, the sky had some holes in it, spewing winged creatures I only ever saw on TV. One of them spun their head in my direction, and I quickly hid my head again. It was a shame. I really would like to examine them for much longer.

But I still consider my life precious, so I gathered my books and was about to dash out too. However, something stopped me.

"H…Help…"

My ears perked. Turning my head to my left, a few feet away, right in the open, my eyes found the chatterbox. A part of the wall fell on his legs and now they were both bleeding. Outside, there was a winged creature roaming, and it wouldn't be long until he was found.

Should I help him?

He was a chatterbox. I was studying silently at this university when he spread rumors about my life situation. People looked at me pitifully, like I was some kid on a charity list. Well, I almost became one.

If only the social welfare committee hadn't found out that I'm the son of a loan shark. They didn't even try to let me explain. I wanted to tell them I was just a baby shark—a swim-away baby shark, but they judged me already.

After that, their pitying looks turned to frightened ones, thus, I failed to find a book buddy. Even true nerds scamper away from me.

Well, no one helped me, so why should I help someone?

"P…Please…J—Jade…"

How did he know my name? I don't even know him. But I guess it's understandable. We've been almost in the same class all throughout the year. It's a pity that just when I was about to graduate, this catastrophe happened.

The floor shook again, and screams echoed from the other side. I stretched my arm and stood slowly.

So, I was right. The winged creature, because his nose is wide and long, his tiny eyes were separated by that breathing mountain. In short, his eyes could only see left and right, but not the front.

The creature was facing me, but it was moving sideways…like a crab. I bit my lower lip tightly. I should not create a sound or else his head will rotate and his eyes will see me. It's a pain in the ass to hold back your laughter, but I still pray that if I am to fart, I wish it was deadly but silent.

I, without a sound, walked to the chatterbox. He was about to speak his deepest gratitude but I clamped his mouth hard with my hand.

"Mmph!"

It was unnecessary. I could have put my index finger on my lips to tell him to be quiet, but I held a grudge, so I did that. Slowly, I reached out the part of the wall to test my strength. But no, it was too much for me.

I'm a 5'7'' guy who only eats twice a day, so imagine how thick my limbs are. The only heavy things I carry are stacks of books. The rest, I kicked away until I reached their places.

To me, books are as important as gold. But if I get my hands on a gold bar, then maybe my views will change.

"Can't lift it. Call someone more buff," I whispered to the chatterbox. I turned away from him and was about to walk away too, but he grabbed my ankle.

He cried to me as he begged, "P-Please, save me…"

For a moment, I was reminded of my father.

He was also like this, looking down at someone coldly, devoid of expression, and all his eyes mirrored were dollar signs, while the poor debtor clung and begged for his life to be spared. He would crouch down, pat the crying debtor on the head, and whisper, "You borrowed something, so you're only paying me."

"I…I'm sorry, J-Jade…I'm sorry…please save me!"

And just like the crawling debtor who gambled and lost his borrowed money, the chatterbox apologized as if saying sorry would magically make the money appear again.

This word we call 'risk', why do we take it?

Why borrow money if you're going to gamble it and risk your life at the hands of a loan shark? Why bully someone if you're just going to ask that person to save your life? Isn't he ashamed?

Though I guess I'm no different. I'm also risking my life to save this chatterbox. And now, I'm close to losing it. This damned guy shouted earlier, so, of course, our hiding spot was found.

I didn't even move an inch.

What for? When the winged creature was already funnily charging at me. Ducking or dancing won't help me now. I'd just close my eyes and pray, please, make it painful.

I imagined it opened its large mouth despite the ringing scream of the chatterbox in my ears. I was ready to be the main course, but my body flew away a few feet from my spot. I felt the gust of wind brush past my cheeks before my back slammed into the wall.

I groaned from the pain. But the sensation of it made me certain I was still alive. I opened my eyes and there I saw someone standing where I used to be. His golden hair fluttered from that gust of wind I'm not sure where it came from, and his broad back was turned to me.

He appeared out of nowhere, so suddenly, yet why does it feel like I know him already? Who could he be?