Surviving as the Second Main Lead: Second Lead's POV

Despite Mark’s look of disapproval and the uneasy look, Principal Marble gave the pair, both Horas and Jack left the Esper’s academy.

Horas was led to Jack’s car but it was a different one from the last time. It was far less luxurious and a lot more used in comparison to the last one. But even this one felt well-loved and gave Horas a warm feeling.

“Are you looking at my car? This beauty here is my ex and I decided to finally take it out today. I love cars so much but they get outdated so soon. It’s best to move on when you no longer need something, right?”

Jack’s words were spoken in an ambiguous tone which betrayed his real thoughts. Horas had a feeling he was not talking about cars but human relationships when he made that comparison.

‘What a cold and heartless man. Even calling this car his ex he took pity on.’

Horas got into the car without much question. He was worried that he would be questioned by Jack if he showed an abnormal understanding of his words.

“Buckle your seatbelt tight, kiddo because we will be going fast. Before we get to your brother, there is another place I want to visit with you. Remember kid, there is nothing like free lunch in this world.”

“Wait, what? Lunch-”

Jack’s foot rested on the car accelerator the second Horas buckled his seat belt and then they were zooming off. Horas’s heart was in his throat the entire ride as he tried to hold his scream in.

There were some moments when Horas was sure that they were about to collide with another car. He even closed his eyes, expecting the impact to come. But Jack somehow managed to avoid it every time.

In the end, they both got out of the car in front of a small mountain range alive (somehow) and Horas finally got a second to rest his heart.

“Where are we?”

Horas questioned as he looked up. The mountain range did not look familiar to him.

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[[[Location name: Seer range.

A mountain range filled with precious herbs. But be careful because it is guarded by ferocious beasts from beyond.

Danger level: D class]]]

‘Seer range? Isn’t this the cheat place I created for the protagonist to find his first hidden power? Why did Jack Hollow bring me to such a dangerous place?’

Why such a dangerous place? Why in the world had Jack brought Horas to such a dangerous place?

“This is Seer Range, a D-class dungeon-like environment. Don’t look so shaken since you have me with you. I will not let anything happen to you as long as you stay with me.”

‘Yeah, that’s the problem. I feel like you would abandon me the first chance you get.’

Horas’s mind was filled with dark thoughts but he kept calm and patient. He needed to keep his inner voice inside his mind for the time being.

“What are we doing here? Is there something you need from this place, mister Jack?”

Horas wanted to gag as he spoke those words. They did not sound natural coming out of his lips and he was disturbed to see Jack’s smile brighten when he looked at the mountain.

“I guess you could say that ‘you’ are looking for something. You want to see your brother but you can’t go there empty-handed, right? That is why we are going to look for a grass called Miracle seed.”

Horas was slowly beginning to draw it all together. Miracle Seed was a type of herb that could boost a child’s potential but it was also a double-edged sword.

It grew together with another plant called Devil’s snare and they both looked similar to each other. It was often easy for even experts to confuse them.

Now, consuming either the Miracle Seed or the Devil Snare would not cause much of a problem for adults. But it was different for small children.

Horas had written such a story in the protagonist’s background to cause conflict for him.

One day, the protagonist received a rare plant called Miracle Seed from an unknown source and he decided to eat it. But just as he is about to eat it, another child in his daycare steals it and eats it.

But the plant the protagonist received had not been a Miracle Seed but a devil’s snare which causes the other child to become critically ill. And the poor protagonist gets blamed for everything that happened.

To atone for his mistakes, the protagonist decided to serve that ill mistress for as long as she does not get better.

And that is how the bullied childhood of the protagonist starts. And it is also how we meet the protagonist’s first harem member - that young and ill but rich master known as Emma Dew.

‘No way. I don’t think I ever wrote who sent that plant to the protagonist but can it be? Did Horas Spencer was the one to send that plant? It happened later in the story as well so why did the events change?’

Horas could feel a small headache develop as he thought more and more about his situation. There were too many things not making sense.

But worst of all, the future seemed to be changing at a rapid rate.

If this continues, then won’t the future change from the one Horas knew about? What if the villains ended up winning? Or the dungeons ended up taking over the world?

“Horas, hurry up. Don’t you want to see your brother again?”

‘Maybe it will be better if I don’t meet my brother again.’

It was a selfish wish Horas could not help but entertain. After all, nothing would happen to Howard Spencer if he did not receive the Devil’s snarl. He might even get to live a decent childhood.

‘Then again, I have no evidence that nothing would happen even if I don’t send the plant.’

Since Horas finally made a decision, he took a step toward the Sneer range. Since he was here, he might as well go the whole way.

And maybe, just maybe he will swipe the hidden powerup that the protagonist was not able to get himself. It would certainly help him out with a tone. And since it belonged to cannon fodder anyway, Horas might as well put it to good use.

Horas did not have a solid idea about what this ‘extra’ hidden power was since the cannon fodder died too early, but he wanted to try to gain it anyway.

“Before we go up the mountain range, I will give you a quick rundown of what kind of creatures you should avoid and which ones are safe. Make sure you pay attention.”

Horas did not think how odd it was for Jack Hollow to do this until he was down with the lecture and following after the man.

What kind of five-year-old would remember this much information and manage to retain it? They did not have such an impressive attention span.

‘So, does Jack Hollow want to kill me? Or just use me? I don’t understand this man.’

Despite having written Jack Hollow, Horas could not even come near to understanding him. This man was an enigma to even the author of the story.

Horas tried to keep up with Jack but it became apparent quickly that Jack was not intending to follow Horas’s pace. The adult man quickly disappeared from Horas’s vision and into the mountain.

‘I had a feeling this would happen sooner or later. So, should I start looking around now?’

Horas knew about the hidden ‘cheat’ that was located on this mountain range but even he did not know the exact location.

He had just mentioned that the extra found the cheat inside an old chest in a cave near the river valley. But Horas had no clue where these places were.

Horas had a map he could read but he had no idea where he currently was. So the map was useless to him and his small legs would not be able to clear bigger boulders.

‘First of all, I should look around and see where I am. Then, I can make a plan about where I should head next.’

Horas was not worried about being left behind by Jack Hollow. Many did not know it, but Jack Hollow’s ability to collect information was not a talent, but rather a skill. It was a mana skill that could help him find anything.

Be it information, people, or location. As long as the required price did not cross the mana amount Horas had, he could find it. And that was what made him such an efficient person to be on your team.

‘Well, I am sure that Horas will be able to find me once he decides to come for me.’

Horas had just made his decision when he felt the bush rustle behind him. Horas was instantly on alert once he noticed the noise. This forest had a lot of dangerous creatures after all.

The bush parted and came out a small and fluffy animal. It was cute with its red eyes and black fur. It looked like a rabbit, small and fluffy enough to steal anyone’s heart.

But Horas held his scream in as soon as he noticed the small creature.

‘Fucked. I am so fucked.’