Villain Ch 139. Crowded
Allen parked his motorcycle near the bustling VR game café’s entrance. Rather than the VR game café nearby the gym like what he and Gilbert had talked about at their first meeting, he was in another bigger VR game café. This place was quite famous among gamers and was close to shops that sell a lot of gaming needs. One of their stores was Alice’s Digital Dominion.
It was Gilbert’s idea. Gilbert found this place when he visited Alice’s shop a few days ago.
The VR game café was located in a modern building that had a strikingly futuristic design. Its exterior was covered in reflective metallic panels that caught the light and reflected it in a myriad of colors. The front of the café was adorned with a large sign that read “Virtual Realm: Enter the Game of Your Dreams.”
Stepping inside, he was immediately hit with the sound of electronic music and the chatter of excited gamers. The interior of the VR game café’s lobby matched the futuristic theme of its exterior. The walls were adorned with sleek, digital panels that displayed vibrant graphics and dynamic animations. The lighting was dim, with colorful neon accents that created an otherworldly ambiance.
In the center of the lobby, a large holographic screen hovered in mid-air, displaying the queue number for each gaming station. Nearby, there was a row of comfortable seating areas, where gamers lounged, discussing strategies or sharing their virtual conquests. The seats were equipped with charging stations for mobile devices.
Allen looked around the lobby and observed the people lining up at the counter and waiting for their turn. He noticed that most of them were in groups, eagerly chatting about the Hell’s Gate game. It seemed like the game had become the topic of conversation for gamers everywhere. But despite scanning the lobby several times, Allen couldn’t spot Gilbert.
He took his phone out of his bag and texted Gilbert.
Allen: Where are you? I’m in the lobby.
They promised to meet in the lobby with Gilbert and his friend and register together. That way, they could secure their spots and ensure they would be seated close to each other.
Allen appreciated their thoughtfulness, knowing they didn’t want him to feel like an outsider on their team. But the café was bustling with gamers, and finding available seats seemed like a daunting task.
A couple of seconds later, his phone buzzed with a message from Gilbert.
Gilbert: Wait there. I will pick you up. We entered first since this place is full. If we didn’t take it, we would have to wait for the next turn and we don’t know how long. But don’t worry, we have secured your seat.
Allen waited for Gilbert. It wasn’t long until Gil arrived at the lobby in a rush, navigating through the crowds with ease. As soon as he spotted Allen, he made a beeline for him.
Gilbert approached Allen with a wide grin on his face. “Hey! Sorry for the wait. This place is way more crowded than we anticipated,” he said, slightly out of breath. His eyes scanned the bustling lobby as he continued, “It’s all because of the buzz around Hell’s Gate. The game’s got everyone hyped up.”
Allen shrugged, understanding the situation. “No problem. I didn’t expect it to be this crazy either. Let’s just roll with it,” he replied calmly.
“Exactly!” Gilbert exclaimed, relieved that Allen was taking it in stride. “All right, follow me. I managed to secure a spot for us,” he urged, motioning for Allen to follow him through the labyrinth of gamers.
Gilbert and Allen made their way through the bustling VR game café, passing through a series of glass rooms. The transparent walls revealed a captivating sight—a multitude of tables and seats filled with enthusiastic players. Each station was occupied, and gamers of all ages and backgrounds were engrossed in their virtual adventures.
Their steps came to a halt in front of a third glass door. Gilbert reached into his pocket and retrieved a card, holding it securely in his hand. It was a key to unlock the room and ensure that only authorized individuals could gain access. ｂｎ𝚘ｖ𝚕．𝚘𝚛𝚐
With a swift motion, Gilbert swiped the card onto a small device mounted on the side of the door. The device emitted a soft beep, signaling its recognition of the card’s authentication. The glass door responded, sliding open smoothly, granting them entry into the exclusive space beyond.
Entering the room, a soft, dim light enveloped the space, casting a cool and serene ambiance. It was a welcome contrast to the vibrant energy outside. Allen’s eyes scanned the room, taking in the rows of gaming stations and the lockers lining the walls behind them.
The lockers were a practical addition, allowing guests to securely store their personal belongings while they immersed themselves in the virtual world. Each locker boasted a combination number lock, giving users the freedom to create their own unique codes. It was a thoughtful touch that ensured peace of mind for the gamers, even in a public space like this.
Gilbert pointed towards a particular gaming station, its number clearly displayed. “Your seat is at number 87. I’ll be at number 99,” he explained, his hand gesturing towards their respective spots. The room was fairly crowded, with only two vacant seats left amidst the avid players. “The rest is in another room, but I’ll introduce you to them during lunch,” Gilbert added.
Allen nodded, a sense of anticipation building within him. “I’ll quickly put away my gym bag and join you,” he replied, referring to the bag slung over his shoulder.
“Sure thing. I’ll be waiting for you in front of the Ront City gate,” Gilbert said, a playful twinkle in his eye. He was eager to embark on their virtual adventure together. “By the way, what’s your character’s name?”
“Al,” Allen replied simply, opting for his usual alias.
Gilbert chuckled in amusement. “Ah, a man of simplicity, just like me. All right, don’t keep me waiting too long, okay?” With a final wave, he made his way to his designated seat, leaving Allen to attend to his belongings.