Villain Ch 140. Unexpected
Allen carefully stowed away his gym bag in the empty locker, ensuring its contents were secure. Then, he closed the locker door and turned his attention to his assigned seat. As he walked towards it, his eyes couldn’t help but wander around the room, taking in the sight of dozens of players engrossed in their virtual adventures.
The atmosphere was electrifying, filled with a mix of focused concentration and audible excitement. It was evident that gaming was more than just a hobby for these individuals—it was a passion that consumed them and he could deduce from the conversations he overheard in the lobby that a significant portion of the gamers in this room were devoted Hell’s Gate players.
He reached for his seat, an ergonomic gaming chair for maximum comfort, and sat down.
‘I feel like a fox among the sheep,’ he thought. Fierce sheep to be precise, since those players might kill him if he let his guard down.
With a deep breath, Allen slipped the VR headset over his head, immersing himself in the world of Hell’s Gate. The moment the headset locked into place and scanned his retina, his surroundings transformed, transporting him to the virtual world. The bustling VR game café vanished, replaced by a realm of mythical landscapes, towering castles, and ominous dungeons.
As soon as Allen entered the game, he found himself standing in the cursed crypts, in Zoe’s chamber to be precise. Quickly, he walked through the corridor to the portal room and utilized his Disguise skill.
His imposing figure, adorned with the dark and extravagant attire of the devil emperor, gradually shifted into that of a normal dual dagger user. The Shadow Cloak that once enveloped his body dissipated, leaving behind a simpler and more practical outfit befitting a skilled dual dagger user.
Gone were the intricate details and luxurious attachments that characterized his devil emperor persona. Instead, he now wore a plain and streamlined uniform, designed for agility and ease of movement. The extravagant symbols and embellishments were replaced with functional pockets and straps, allowing him to carry his daggers and other essential equipment without hindrance.
A couple of seconds later, Allen stood before the glowing portal, its ethereal energy pulsating with anticipation, he decided to take a moment to check his friend list. He wanted to inform the others that he was now with Gilbert and their fellow players. With hopeful anticipation, he opened the friend list interface, only to be greeted by an empty online status. None of his friends were currently online.
‘That’s unusual,’ he thought with a frown. But it was still morning, they might have a lot of work today. With a shrug, he simply closed it and entered the portal after he chose Ront City.
The eerie atmosphere of the cursed crypts was replaced by the vibrant, bustling city of Ront. The change was striking as if he had been transported to an entirely different realm within a heartbeat.
The city streets were teeming with players, their avatars engaged in lively conversations. Some groups of players huddled together, discussing strategies and sharing tales of their previous conquests. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation, as players prepared themselves for their next grand adventure.
Merchants lined the streets, their stalls adorned with a list of colorful displays of weapons, armor, and magical trinkets. It was a veritable marketplace of possibilities, where players could equip themselves with the finest gear and accessories to aid them in their quests. The chatter of eager customers mingled with the persuasive calls of the merchants, creating a lively symphony of commerce.
Allen decided to take a seat on an empty bench, strategically positioning himself in a quieter area of the bustling Ront city. He knew that choosing a spot slightly away from the main thoroughfare would make it easier for Gilbert to locate him amidst the sea of players. He settled onto the bench and took a deep breath, enjoying the energetic ambiance of the player city around him.
Lost in his thoughts, Allen was jolted back to reality when a voice broke through the background noise. He turned his head and there stood Gilbert, a wide grin spreading across his face. It was the same enthusiastic expression Allen had come to associate with his friend.
“Allen, right?” Gilbert confirmed, his voice filled with warmth and familiarity. 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘭．𝘦𝘵
Allen couldn’t help but be taken aback, even though he had anticipated Gilbert’s presence. It was the realization that struck him. Gilbert’s character name and appearance were all too familiar to him.
Gil (Deputy) <Order of Valiance>
‘He is Gil?!’ Allen nearly screamed in shock. Now, he understood why Gilbert said he was just like him. That was because they both used their first three words as their character names. The name behind it showed he has joined a guild.
Suppressing his surprise, Allen swiftly composed himself, allowing only a flicker of a surprise to pass across his face. He mirrored Gilbert’s smile, eager to maintain the illusion of nonchalance.
“Yeah,” Allen replied, rising from his seat. He altered his devil emperor’s deep voice, opting for a friendlier tone that would align better with his current appearance.
Gilbert’s eyes lit up with excitement as he took in Allen’s character’s appearance. “Your character looks cool. I didn’t expect you to be unaffiliated with any guild,” he exclaimed, referring to Allen’s decision to remain independent.
“I just prefer the freedom of solo hunting and exploring,” Allen explained, his voice casual yet laced with a hint of mystery. It was a valid reason for any solo player type.
Gilbert tilted his head, his curiosity was evident. “But don’t you feel lonely? Guilds provide a sense of camaraderie and support.”
“No, thanks. I even plan to buy a pet to keep me company. I’m still saving up,” Allen added, attempting to sound confident.
“Ah, pets can be great companions!” Gilbert exclaimed, his tone filled with enthusiasm. His friendliness was evident in the way he spoke.
Before Allen could respond, he sensed someone rapidly approaching from his side. Acting on instinct, he turned and readied himself for a potential attack, a habit that had developed since he took on the role of the game’s main villain. But to his surprise, a female player grabbed his hand to steady herself, preventing her from stumbling.
“Thank you,” Yora said, her eyes locking with Allen’s. A warm smile played on her lips.
“No problem,” Allen replied, managing to hold back a cringe.
‘Ah, of course. It’s her… which means the guild leader must be—’ Allen’s train of thought was abruptly interrupted by a familiar male voice.
“So this is your friend you were talking about, Gil?”
Completely ignoring Gil’s reply, Allen turned towards the source of the voice and laid eyes on a swordsman clad in magnificent armor that outshone the surrounding players. All eyes seemed to be drawn to him. His armor boasted an impressive +7 enhancement after all.
Mac (Leader) <Order of Valiance>
“Nice to meet you, Allen. I’m Elio,” Mac greeted with a friendly tone, a warm smile gracing his lips.
‘Right… It seems like I’ve stumbled right into the enemy guild,’ Allen inwardly sighed.