Picked up by the Protagonist of a Tormented! MC Novel

Translator: Sen

Editor: Kleep

Xi Wei was acting strange. Zeno came to that conclusion after careful observation during the start of the Mercenary Guild's competition. As for just what was so strange… for example, he wouldn't allow Zeno to go find Suji by himself. He could only do so when Xi Wei was accompanying him, even if he was only standing to the side, listening to medical jargon he couldn't understand. Actually, apart from the times when he'd been forced from Xi Wei's side, they'd pretty much never separated ever since they'd met. No need mentioning the time when he was still an infant, even when he was a bit older, they'd stuck together no matter what they did. After their reunion, they hadn't been as sticky with each other. They couldn't just do as they pleased when they were living in the dorm, so it gave Zeno the illusion that they could have some sort of normal contact with each other.

That's right, illusion. He didn't know what button which action of his had pressed, but Xi Wei once again expressed the desire to have him under Xi Wei's control.

There was no mistake in those words. It truly was the desire to be in control.

Actually, there had already been signs of this in the past. Xi Wei had had an instinctual distrust towards others since he was small, but at the same time he'd also hidden, deep in his heart, a sliver of loneliness. Readers had all thought he was naturally cold and heartless when it was actually that he wasn't able to place his trust in anything beyond his control. One might ask, how could a person develop unconditional feelings for someone they didn't trust? That was why he tested people. He left alone the betrayals and evaluated everything with the detachment of an outsider, until in the end all of his meager hopes had been exhausted, and he dragged everyone with him to hell.

It was only because he'd thought Zeno was nothing but an infant, ignorant and innocent of all, upon their first meeting that Xi Wei was able to regard him with uncharacteristic warmth and patience from the start. Afterall, an infant with no mother or father wouldn't harm him, and moreover wouldn't even be able to survive without him. He would be able to wholly dominate and control the infant.

Actually, taking into consideration how Zeno now loved Xi Wei more than he loved himself, he wasn't at all averse to this kind of control and domination. On the contrary, he was faintly happy about it. It meant Xi Wei was attached to him and cherished him. Perhaps that was abnormal, but who had the right to judge? Others were all nothing but insignificant and unrelated, that's all.

Xi Wei wanted him to shave his head bald, he obediently served as a small monk for five years. Everything Xi Wei arranged for him, he unquestioningly complied with. Xi Wei's indulgence was only because he had never broached the line of Xi Wei's sensitivities.

Thus it was something he'd perceived ages ago, but had never thought of as anything to be concerned about. If Xi Wei wanted to oversee everything, then he'd wholeheartedly entrust his everything to Xi Wei. Subconsciously, he wanted to acquiesce to Xi Wei's nature and provide him with the sense of security he so longed for. Never betraying him, forever belonging to him, that was how he loved Xi Wei.

Recently, that love changed, giving rise to something implicitly sweeter and more romantic. Zeno still didn't hate Xi Wei's control over him, but he no longer wanted to indulge that kind of control anymore.

He could accept it, but that wasn't fair to Xi Wei, nor was it conducive to Xi Wei returning his feelings. There had to be a change.

Zeno pensively turned the matter over and over in his mind. He looked back at Xi Wei, his gaze full of determination and resolve.

Xi Wei didn't know what he was thinking. He only felt that it was good as long as Zeno didn't go anywhere out of his sight, Zeno was still safe and sound.

The 'safe and sound' Zeno was actually quietly sharpening his claws and had already started running along the path of seeking death.

It was while he was harboring these ulterior motives that Suji's research started to take shape. It turned out that certain theories were applicable across worlds. If it was just extracting the components in the Xue Nu that treated fever symptoms, then it wouldn't impact any of their other natural, remedial effects. People wouldn't have to ingest the entire thing and waste the rest of its healing properties. A waste-not methodology, if you would. Zeno was beyond excited. With that one success, the rest would soon see progress as well. He believed that with Suji's ability, it wouldn't be long before they'd deliver a huge shock to this world.

Zeno could already see himself as a tall, rich and handsome Mr. Perfect, walking the aisle with a CEO (Xi Wei), on the path to the peak of life.

But…how should he break through the frigidity of his partner? In the book, Xi Wei was an absolute virgin 'til death. His childhood circumstances and environment carved too deep of a scar in his heart. His mother's prostitution resulted in her being strangled on the bed. There were also a lot of men and women who seduced each other for their own purposes… then turned and pointed a knife at each other in the next second. All of those people who'd died on the bed or in the throes of ecstasy had caused Xi Wei to always be too repulsed to have any sort of intimate relationship with another.

Yet, what one reader had said wasn't unreasonable. Partners in sex could be without love, but partners in love couldn't go without sex. That was an unchangeable reality unless Zeno planned to stay platonic with him forever.

Bullshit! A normal man wouldn't be able to bear it.

While harboring ulterior motives, the curtains finally opened for the Mercenary Guild Meet's competition. The first round was typically known as a weed-out round that eliminated the majority of the weaker competitors in a huge battle royale.

Belle also showed up. In the presence of a pure-light-constitution practitioner like Xiao Wu, Belle's injuries posed no problem. Other than the occasional gazes she sent over containing repressed bloodlust, she didn't do much else.

Xiao Wu had been startled out of her wits when she'd seen Belle's heavy injuries. The physical wounds were actually secondary. The disgrace to her dignity had been even more damaging. It was just that her internal organs had been in such a mess that, had Xiao Wu not been the saint with godly healing ability and had been exchanged with an everyday healer, it would have taken her about half a year to fully heal. Xiao Wu was also wholly perplexed. Just what kind of enormous grudge did Belle-jiejie and Xi Wei and Zeno have between them, to have escalated things to such a bloody extent?

She'd also asked Belle, but of course Belle hadn't told her anything, much less revealed her demonic nature. She'd gone to ask Xi Wei, but Xi Wei's mouth had also been sealed shut for the sake of ensuring that Zeno's demon ancestry wouldn't get leaked. Xiao Wu could only remain helpless, though of course she also wouldn't interrogate Xi Wei over this matter, nor be biased towards Belle.

Xiao Wu was kindhearted, not stupid. Xi Wei wasn't someone who'd seek trouble on his own. Though they hadn't met for a few years, Xiao Wu was certain of this. However, Belle had also been very good to her, so she felt guilty deep down and wouldn't point fingers at Belle. She could only helplessly remain neutral over this matter.

To no one's surprise, Xi Wei and Zeno held their own in the midst of the chaotic battle. As for Belle, that kind of preliminary elimination match posed no difficulty to her even if her wounds hadn't fully healed yet.

The real thing followed after. The remaining participants numbered probably no more than a hundred. They would split into groups of four and depart for the Jade Overgrowth Wasteland on a mission to locate an artifact that the Mercenary Guild president had hidden.

President Thunder puffed out his large belly and made a rousing mobilization speech, "Warriors and mages, the prize for this year's competition is within Jade Overgrowth Wasteland. It is my Mercenary Guild Presidential token, as I've grown old and require a successor. I hope you all won't let me down."

The way Thunder spoke was very amiable. As he spoke, he casually glanced over at Xi Wei, though no one discovered his minute movement.

The crowd was immediately impassioned. To be the Mercenary Guild President's successor! This implied that whoever sought out the artifact would be personally and wholeheartedly trained by Thunder himself. What kind of entity was the Mercenary Guild? It was a behemoth that covered the entirety of the continent. Thanks to the restraints placed by its founder, the legendary Xia Zuo, it would also never become a military threat to the major powers of the continent. Thus, it became a target of desire that every country tripped over each other to approach and rope in. To act as the president of such an organization was like standing at the top of the pyramid. The allure was difficult to resist.

There was a method to forming up groups. One had to be confident in his teammates' strengths and abilities, while also ensuring that he wouldn't be secretly stabbed in the back by those same teammates, while also ensuring that he would be able to turn around and easily stab his teammates in the back. Thinking about it, those conditions were actually pretty hard to achieve. It could go unsaid that Zeno would be on Xi Wei's team. Under some sort of tacitly agreed upon reason, Belle also entered their team. All that was left was just one more person.

The eyes of the other mercenaries nearly popped out of their sockets. They all knew how badly Xi Wei had beaten up and humiliated Belle just a few days ago, so how come those two were teaming up now? Were they all dreaming or what? They were massively afraid of Xi Wei's ruthlessness that wasn't even swayed a bit by someone as beautiful as Belle. Could they even hope to snatch food from the mouth of a tiger such as Xi Wei?

There were also those who didn't care for their own life, or who just hadn't put any thought into it and merely wanted a piece of the glory. If Xi Wei turned out to be the victor, then wasn't this group match the perfect time to get close and build up some good feelings, and some good opportunities in the future?

It wasn't only a few who retained these kinds of thoughts, but all were tossed far away without exception by Belle before they even had a chance to open their mouth. In the end, all that remained was a timid looking girl who glanced all around her in fear.

Belle pointed at her and said, "Take this one."

The girl was very surprised, having had had no inkling that she would be the one chosen. Xi Wei glanced at her. Surprisingly, she possessed a pure darkness constitution- a warrior far stronger than she appeared. Zeno was suited for pursuing magic, but this girl was suited for the physical arts.

Xi Wei's expression remained unreadable and quickly gave his approval.

The girl dipped her head and her lips turned up in a smile.

The transportation magic circle lit up time and again, sending the groups over to the Jade Overgrowth Wasteland one by one. When it was Zeno and co.'s turn, Xi Wei gripped Zeno's hand until the transfer ended, roughly a half hour later.

Each group was transported to a different location. They'd truly arrived to a bonafide wasteland.

The Jade Overgrowth Wasteland had a wide perimeter, but those transferred over by the Mercenary Guild were clustered in the northwest region. The northwest region contained both wasteland and vast forests. Those who were lucky hadn't been transported into the forests.

Zeno felt his clothes for the gold ring among the items he'd gotten Suji to refine and silently thought, 'Sorry for this, Xi Wei.'

Glancing over the two women present, Zeno silently thought, whether or not this succeeds is up to you two.

The martial artist girl, Sasa, tactfully conveyed that she had no stray thoughts about obtaining the president's token and would definitely not snatch it for herself. She was even willing to sign a magic contract.

Of course Xi Wei, who was thoroughly prudent, wouldn't refuse. With two magicians present, setting up a magic contract was simply child's play.

Sasa solemnly recited, "I, Sasa Meinhili, agree to never forcibly take the president's token from Xi Wei. If these terms are breached, I am willing to fall under the possession of evil spirits and undergo demonification."

Sasa and Xi Wei each dripped a drop of blood onto the magic circle floating in the air, and with that the contract was established.

With the contract completed, Sasa appeared much more at ease, most likely because with this she also gained the trust of her teammates. She wouldn't have to worry about being guarded against the others all of the time.

Zeno stealthily gave her a glance, and Belle only sneered before turning away.

Hi everyone! Long time no see. In case you didn’t see my little post from yesterday (visit it for bonus content hehe), know that whatever others do I will continue to translate this novel. That said, I know that it’s been a long time with very sparse updates. However, we have finally moved into our new home (it’s been one week)!

To add onto the busyness of a family with three young children, school, sports, and renovating, a few weeks ago I picked up some babies of a different species. I found an abandoned litter of kittens (only 3/6) were still alive, so I found myself caring for some tiny kittens. They’re now thriving, fat, aggressive little babies. I just wasn’t prepared for how much extra work it was.

I’m working through the next chapter steadily and it should be out soon. Thank you for sticking with me despite the delays, we’re almost at the end.

Next Chapter –>