Protagonist?Antagonist? I Reject Both-Chapter 401 : 401

Leon sank into the plush bed with a contented sigh, mumbling to himself, "Nothing beats a soft bed and good sleep." Finally, he could relax after a day that seemed to drag on forever. The accommodations he'd been given were more than adequate, though he noticed the base was eerily empty, the personnel likely deployed on missions or patrols.

After some negotiation, Lucien had been allowed to stay as well, thanks to Leon's insistence. It was a rare act of patience on his part. He couldn't help but smirk as he thought about it. "These protagonists really know how to ride on other people's coattails," he muttered, shaking his head. "If I hadn't been here, he'd probably have stirred up even more chaos… yet somehow, I'm the one everyone blames."

He glanced around the room, his thoughts wandering to the strange and vast number of people he'd encountered in his journey. "Three protagonists so far… I wonder how many more are going to appear. And who was supposed to take the lead in the first place?"

With a growing sense of curiosity, he began mulling over the villains he'd yet to encounter. Their absence made him uneasy; they should have shown themselves by now, and their silence was prickling at his senses. He couldn't shake the feeling that something dark was lurking just out of sight, waiting for the right moment to strike. But he was done worrying about what fate had planned for each of them. Whatever awaited, he'd face it on his own terms.

All he needed to do was crush any obstacle that appeared with absolute power, leaving no trace of mercy.

As he continued mumbling to himself, he gazed at the sky outside his window. The peaceful scene was a stark contrast to the chaos he often faced. Slowly, his eyelids grew heavier, and he drifted into a deep, restful sleep…

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RING… RING…

"Hmmm?" Leon groaned, jolted awake by the persistent ringing.

He sat up, still groggy. "Which idiot is calling me at this hour? And wait... I don't even have a phone," he muttered, squinting around the room in confusion.

His eyes landed on an old-fashioned telephone on the table beside his bed, a relic he hadn't noticed before. Raising an eyebrow, he picked up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"[Sir, there's someone here who wishes to greet you,]" said a voice on the other end, formal but impersonal.

Leon frowned. "Who is this?"

"[I'm not sure, sir. She isn't revealing her identity, but she insists you know her. She said it's... a surprise.]"

A flicker of irritation crossed Leon's face. He didn't like surprises. Who knew what nuisance or pest this could be? But something made him mask his irritation. Better not to jump to conclusions—yet.

"Fine," he replied curtly. "I'll be there in a few moments."

Hanging up, he tossed the phone back on the receiver, muttering under his breath as he made his way to the washroom to freshen up. Whatever or whoever this "surprise" was, he'd deal with it soon enough.

Leon entered the reception room, a modest space with high ceilings and minimalist decor. The dim lighting cast soft shadows across the sleek black walls, and a few framed landscapes added a touch of color to the otherwise austere setting. A low table with neatly arranged magazines and two armchairs occupied the center, giving the room a quiet, almost meditative atmosphere. Across from him stood the reception desk, where a young woman seemed preoccupied with a tablet.

He strode over, his presence commanding the receptionist's attention. "Hello! I'm Leon. You called me to say that someone wanted to see…"

Before he could finish, a pair of hands covered his eyes, and a playful, husky voice whispered from behind, "Say, who am I?"

Had it been anyone else, they might've regretted such a bold approach. But Leon knew exactly who it was, even through the feigned rasp. Chuckling, he replied, "Who else could it be but my Love?"

With a swift turn, he pulled the woman into a warm embrace, pressing his forehead to hers. "Yo, Sophia… It's been a while."

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"Yeah… it has," Sophia murmured, her gaze steady, unembarrassed, meeting his with a boldness Leon had always admired. She was unapologetically herself, never hiding her feelings, and that maturity captivated him.

"Truly, there's nothing like a confident, mature woman," he thought, smiling to himself.

"You…"

Sophia's words were cut short by a sudden cough. Both of them turned to see the receptionist, now beet-red and quickly averting her gaze.

The receptionist cleared her throat, visibly uncomfortable. "Sir… Ma'am… Could you please take this somewhere else? This is a public space, so, please, no displays of… intimacy."

Leon grinned, casting Sophia a playful look. "Oh, sorry."

Without another word, he scooped Sophia into his arms, carrying her like she was something precious, and they left the reception area, moving swiftly down the hallway toward his room. Once inside, Leon gently closed the door, shutting out the world, leaving just the two of them in the quiet space.

As soon as they were alone, Sophia started to say something, but Leon didn't give her a chance. He leaned in and captured her lips with his own, his kiss both tender and intense, pouring all the longing he'd held back into that moment. Their lips moved in harmony, a slow, unhurried rhythm as they reconnected after the time spent apart.

Sophia's fingers wove into his hair, drawing him closer as the kiss deepened. Leon's hands moved to the small of her back, pulling her flush against him, his hold firm yet gentle. Their breaths mingled, and the air between them grew charged as Leon's hand moved to cradle her face, his thumb brushing her cheek with a touch that spoke of both longing and care.

Their lips parted slightly, and Leon met her gaze, his eyes filled with warmth and a spark of mischief. Sophia didn't look away, meeting him with equal intensity, her gaze softened by a quiet joy.

Without another word, Leon swept her up again, gently laying her on the bed. He stepped back, unbuttoning his shirt with a smirk. "Sorry, Sophia. I've been holding back too long."

Sophia's lips curled into a smile, her eyes bright with amusement.

"You aren't the only one.I have been waiting for this moment just as much."