The Rogue System [BL]
Chapter 297 - Third world

Chapter 297: Chapter 297 - Third world

Days went by with Eric keeping watch over Kai. Every so often, Kai would drift awake, mumbling something barely coherent before slipping back under. At first, it freaked Eric out, so he went to Mark, only to be told, "There was anesthesia, plus the extra sleep’s helping him heal faster." Not exactly the reassurance he’d hoped for, but it was something.

Finally, after ten long days, Mark announced Kai’s wounds were healed, and it was time to get him out of the pod. Eric stood there, nervous as hell, as Mark worked to pull Kai free.

The moment Kai was lifted out, a thick, sticky liquid covered him, dripping slowly from his hair, his shoulders, and all the way down to his bare legs. His skin looked pale, and he was shivering slightly as the cool air hit him. Eric’s heart twisted at how fragile Kai looked, his face groggy, blinking up at Eric with bleary eyes.

"Kai," Eric whispered, moving in to help as Kai’s legs wobbled beneath him, barely holding his weight. The second his feet touched the floor, he started to sway, and Eric had to quickly slip an arm around his waist to keep him steady.

Kai let out a soft, weak laugh, rubbing at his face with one hand to clear away the goo. "Eric..."

Eric let out a breath, pulling him close, feeling the chill of his skin against his own. "God, you’re freezing," he muttered, rubbing his hand up and down Kai’s back to warm him up.

Kai just gave a tired smile, leaning into the warmth, and his hands came up to clutch Eric’s shoulders for balance. "Can’t feel my legs," he mumbled, voice thick with exhaustion.

"Yeah, I noticed." Eric kept his hold firm, glaring half-heartedly at him. "Kai, you idiot. If you get hurt like this again, I swear I’ll kill you myself."

Kai chuckled, weakly but genuinely, as his arms tightened around Eric’s shoulders. "I’ll... try my best."

"Not good enough," Eric muttered, leaning back to give him a mock glare. "Don’t get hurt. Period."

Kai smiled, nodding faintly. "Alright, alright... I’ll listen to you."

A loud clapping sound jolted them both, and they turned to see Mark watching them, arms crossed and looking bored.

"Alright, happy reunion, lovebirds. Very touching," he drawled. "Now, are you guys ready for your little transmigration? We need to move fast—the agency’s already sniffing around, and lover boy here breaking in to steal a machine didn’t exactly help our low profile." Mark rolled his eyes and tossed a bundle of clothes at Kai. "Chop chop. Don’t take all day."

Eric barely caught the clothes before they hit Kai in the face, shooting a glare at Mark. He quickly helped Kai get dressed, struggling to ignore the blush creeping up his cheeks as he pulled Kai’s pants on for him. Kai’s smirk didn’t make it any easier.

"Oh, you’re enjoying this, aren’t you?" Eric muttered, giving Kai’s waist a playful jab.

Kai just laughed softly, but the sound was a bit too weak.

"Are you really okay to go through with this? You can barely stand," Eric said, concern etched across his face.

Kai held his gaze, a gentle but confident smile on his lips. "Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Everything will be fine."

Eric nodded, swallowing down the gnawing worry in his chest. Kai’s reassurance helped, but there was still something uneasy lingering in the pit of his stomach.

He hooked Kai’s arm over his shoulder, supporting him as they made their way down the hall and over to the machine. It was an old, clunky device—one he’d used before, back when it had been the difference between life and death more than once.

The sight of it brought back a flood of memories, but also a trace of fear he couldn’t quite shake.

Kai looked down at him, his gaze steady. "You ready?"

Eric nodded, his heart pounding as they both stepped into the machine. He hesitated, then pressed the familiar button.

The lights around them started to flicker, casting erratic shadows. Just then, Kai’s voice broke through the hum of the machine. "Oh, I, uh... might’ve forgotten to mention something..."

Eric looked up, catching a glimpse of guilt in Kai’s eyes. "What?"

"This machine... it’s, um... a little faulty. And there’s a slight chance that I might..."

A blinding light flashed, and an ear-splitting ring filled Eric’s ears. Everything went white.

The next thing Eric knew, he was in a tent, the smell of damp earth and canvas surrounding him. Disoriented, he sat up quickly, his mind racing. "He might what?" he muttered frowning. Kai hadn’t finished his sentence...

Eric got up, heart pounding, and hurried out of the tent. But as he stepped outside, he froze. The scene before him was like something out of a historical drama. Rows of warriors, clad in chainmail armor and metal helmets, stood ready for battle. Swords and arrows were being restocked as soldiers moved with practiced, steady focus.

"Your Highness, we are ready," someone said nearby.

Eric turned, startled, to find a young man in full armor standing beside him. His armor was fancier than the others, intricate designs etched into the metal as though he were someone important.

’Oh... okay... I think I just got transmigrated into an ancient war zone...’ He swallowed hard, his mind racing. ’And I might be leading it? Oh, this is bad...’

"Your Highness?" the man repeated, looking at him expectantly.

Eric blinked, feeling the weight of the title settle uncomfortably on him. ’Yeah... definitely leading it,’ he thought with a growing sense of panic. Without another word, he dashed back into the tent, panting slightly.

"It’s fine. I can run away. Yeah, that’s exactly what I’ll do—I’ll just run," he muttered under his breath, looking around desperately.

Spotting a large chest in the corner, he made a beeline for it, hoping to find supplies he could take on the run. As he opened it, though, he groaned—a massive silver armor lay on top, gleaming ominously.

He reached out, intending to shove it aside, but before he could, the young man from earlier appeared in the tent, eyes bright with urgency. "Oh, do you need help putting on your armor, Your Highness? We don’t have much time left."

Eric’s eyes went wide, and he shook his head furiously.

But the man didn’t seem to notice. Moving swiftly, he began fastening the heavy armor onto him, securing the chest plate, tying straps, and even adding a chainmail layer.

Eric felt like a puppet, each piece of metal weighing down on him, but the man worked with such practiced ease that soon, he was fully suited up.

Finally, Eric caught sight of himself in a small mirror hanging on the tent flap. His reflection was... startling. Long, blond hair tied back, pointed elf-like ears, and piercing green eyes that sparkled like gemstones stared back at him.

’What in the fantasy hell...?’

"Let’s go, Your Highness!" the young soldier called excitedly, already halfway out of the tent.

Eric forced a shaky smile. ’So much for running away...’