The Rogue System [BL]
Chapter 295 - I care

Chapter 295: Chapter 295 - I care

Eric’s heart pounded as he reached for the back door, the cold handle under his palm. I have to go. I have to find him. The thought ran through his mind over and over like a broken record, his chest tight with the weight of it. He cursed under his breath, frustration and guilt gnawing at him. We shouldn’t have fought. I should have been with him.

But the argument... Eric shook his head, trying to push the memory away. It was just a stupid fight. He knows I didn’t mean half the things I said. Still, the bitterness of it lingered, mixing with his growing panic.

Just as he was about to yank the door open, a hand clamped down hard on his shoulder.

"Going somewhere?" Mark’s voice was steady, but there was a warning in it. Eric barely registered the words—his mind was only on Kai. He spun around, shoving Mark off with a rough push, more frantic than forceful.

"Let me go!" Eric’s voice was tight, desperation seeping into every word. He didn’t care if he was being reckless, if Mark was stronger. He had to get out, had to reach Kai. What if something happened to him? What if he’s already—

He couldn’t finish the thought. He refused to.

Mark’s grip tightened, pulling him back as Eric struggled against him, trying to pry himself free. His limbs felt heavy, slow, panic making his movements clumsy. "You don’t understand," Eric spat, pushing harder, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "I have to find him—"

"You don’t even know where he is!" Mark’s voice was a growl, but Eric barely heard it. The pressure in his chest was building, and with every passing second, his mind flashed with worse scenarios. Kai could be hurt, lying somewhere alone...

He twisted again, trying to break free, but Mark shoved him hard against the wall. Eric winced at the impact, the fight draining from his body for a moment. But his mind raced. Why didn’t I go after him sooner? Why did we have to fight?

"Kai’s out there, and I—" Eric’s voice cracked, and the words stuck in his throat. Mark’s grip loosened just a fraction, and Eric pushed again, but this time his body was betraying him. I can’t lose him. I can’t.

Mark moved quickly, too quickly for Eric to react. There was a sharp, jarring pain at the base of his neck, and everything went black.

Eric woke with a start, the familiar ceiling of his room slowly coming into focus. His head pounded, and for a moment, he couldn’t remember where he was. But then it hit him—Kai. The last thing he remembered was struggling with Mark, trying to leave.

How long have I been out?

His eyes darted to the window—it was night now, the soft glow of moonlight barely filtering through the curtains. Panic surged through him again as he shot up from the bed, ignoring the wave of dizziness that followed. Kai could be out there alone, and I’m here, stuck doing nothing.

His legs wobbled slightly as he stood, but he forced himself to move, pushing through the weakness. I shouldn’t have fought with him. I should’ve been there, not wasting time arguing. He clenched his fists, guilt gnawing at him as he made his way down the dim hallway.

His pace quickened until he almost ran into the living room, his heart hammering in his chest. And then he froze.

The transmigration machine stood there, its hulking, beat-up form looking even worse than he remembered. The metal was scuffed and dented, the console in the middle flickering weakly, like it could give out at any moment. It looked ancient—barely functional, as if it was held together by sheer willpower.

Eric’s heart skipped a beat. That machine... the reason I’m here... the reason I met Kai. His breath hitched as memories flooded him. He could still remember that moment, stepping into the machine for the first time, the rush of uncertainty and excitement—and then, seeing Kai. Their first meeting, the way his smile had made Eric forget everything else.

And now... now Kai might be gone because of the same machine.

Footsteps echoed behind him, and Eric spun around, his heart jumping. Mark walked in, yawning like nothing had happened, like he hadn’t just knocked him unconscious.

"Enjoy your nap?" Mark asked, his tone light, as if this was all some kind of joke. As if he hadn’t just stopped Eric from finding Kai.

Eric’s anger flared, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "Where is he?" The words came out before he could stop them, sharp with the panic that had been simmering inside him since the fight. "Where’s Kai?"

Mark didn’t even blink. He crossed his arms, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Calm down. You need to rest. You were in pretty bad shape before."

"I don’t care!" Eric snapped, his voice shaking. I don’t care about rest. I care about him. He pointed to the machine. "Start it. Now."

Mark’s relaxed expression faltered, just for a second. His eyes flickered with something Eric couldn’t place—guilt, maybe? But he didn’t move. "You shouldn’t. Not yet."

"I’m not waiting!" Eric’s voice rose, cracking slightly. His mind raced with the image of Kai out there, alone, maybe hurt, or worse. I should’ve been there for him. I should never have let him leave angry. The thought twisted inside him, turning his frustration into a raw ache.

"You can, but..." Mark hesitated, looking away. "Just wait a few days, okay? If you go too soon, it could cost a life."

Eric’s heart clenched. A life? He swallowed hard, his thoughts immediately jumping to Kai. "What do you mean, a life? What are you talking about?"

Mark didn’t answer. Instead, he grabbed a bowl from the kitchen counter and handed it to Eric. "Here. Eat something. You’re no good to anyone if you’re falling apart."

Eric stared at the bowl, his hands trembling slightly. He couldn’t focus on food, not now. How can he act so casual? How can he expect me to sit here when Kai might be in danger?

But he sat down anyway, his mind racing. The warmth of the soup barely registered as he spooned it into his mouth, each bite mechanical. I shouldn’t have let him leave. I shouldn’t have said those things. I was angry, but... it wasn’t worth this.

The guilt weighed heavy in his chest, suffocating him. He should’ve gone after Kai the second he walked out, should’ve swallowed his pride and apologized. Now what? What if I never see him again?

He was halfway through the soup when a thought hit him, hard. He froze, the spoon clattering against the bowl as he shot up from the table.

"Kai..." His voice came out barely above a whisper, his panic rising. "Where’s Kai? Is he okay?"

Mark didn’t even turn to look at him. He stayed leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, looking bored. "Why do you care? I thought you hated him."

Eric’s breath caught in his throat. Hate him? I could never hate him. I was mad, sure, but that doesn’t mean— His hands clenched into fists, trembling with the mix of fear and frustration. "Where is he, Mark? Is he okay?" His voice was louder this time, more forceful.

Mark sighed, finally looking up at Eric. "None of your concern," he muttered, pushing himself off the doorframe and walking away without another word.

Eric stood there, frozen in place, his heart pounding painfully in his chest. None of my concern? How can he say that? Of course Kai’s my concern. Of course I care.

He stared at the empty doorway long after Mark had left, his mind racing with a thousand possibilities, each one worse than the last. I...I care.