Villain Ch 147. Unscathed
A faint smile played on Allen’s lips as he shrugged his shoulders casually. “It’s all about technique,” he said simply, his voice tinged with a hint of confidence. The team’s skepticism lingered in the air, but there was also an underlying curiosity that permeated their expressions. They wanted to witness firsthand the truth behind Allen’s claims, to uncover the secret behind his seemingly boundless reservoir of energy.
“No way,” Gil blurted out, his eyes widening with a mixture of disbelief and awe. He, like the others, had always believed that Mana was an essential resource for all players. ｏｖ𝚕．ｃｏ𝚖
“I’m not kidding,” Allen retorted, his tone calm and assured.
Curiosity piqued, Mac couldn’t resist the opportunity to delve deeper into Allen’s claims. “Can you show us?” he inquired, his voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and excitement. The rest of the team nodded in agreement, their interest fully piqued. They wanted to witness the true extent of Allen’s skills and unravel the mystery that shrouded his unique approach to combat.
Allen simply opened his settings, his fingers dancing across the virtual interface. He made a few minor adjustments, tweaking the display settings to showcase only a limited portion of his true abilities. He didn’t intend to lay all his cards on the table; this was merely a glimpse into his exceptional skills.
As the changes took effect, a subtle yet significant transformation occurred above Allen’s head. His health and Mana bars materialized in the air, shimmering with an ethereal glow. The health bar stood proudly, its vibrant hues indicating a full reservoir of vitality, while the Mana bar displayed a noticeable but still substantial portion of remaining power, three-fourths to be precise. It also didn’t show how much his HP and Mana point was, only the percentage.
“See?” he said, flicking his gaze at them.
The team stood in awe, their eyes fixed on the remarkable display hovering above Allen. It was undeniable proof of his claims, a visual confirmation that left no room for skepticism. The air crackled with a newfound sense of respect, mingled with a touch of envy.
“What the hell…” Gil muttered in disbelief, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and self-doubt. As a fellow dual dagger user, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of inadequacy. How was it possible that he, along with the rest of the team, had been engaged in relentless combat against hordes of goblins for nearly half an hour, yet his HP remained unscathed? The realization struck him like a blow to the gut, unraveling the confidence he once held in his own abilities.
INeedAHotGF voiced the astonishment that echoed within the minds of everyone present. “We’ve been hacking through countless goblins, sustaining injuries left and right, and yet your HP bar remains untouched?” he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of disbelief and frustration. Even the two archers, renowned for their keen aim and precision, had found themselves relying on Yora’s healing skills numerous times throughout the relentless onslaught. The contrast between their struggle for survival and Allen’s seemingly invincible state was stark and disheartening.
“Just make sure you hit the first strike,” Allen remarked casually as if offering a piece of common knowledge.
“You make it sound easy,” Lord*Hunter grumbled, his frustration evident in his voice. As a skilled ranged fighter, even he found it challenging to maintain an advantageous position against the relentless goblin onslaught.
INeedAHotGF couldn’t resist the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. With a sly grin, he glanced in Gil’s direction and remarked, “Yeah, Gil here could use some pointers from our dual dagger prodigy.”
Gil’s face flushed with embarrassment, his eyebrows knitting together in a mixture of annoyance and wounded pride. “Hey! That’s rude,” he protested, his tone laced with a hint of defensiveness. “I may not be a pro, but I’m giving it my all out there.”
The team’s attention then shifted to Arrow_Master, who voiced his own frustrations. “But how are you able to detect the goblins? We don’t have any fancy detectors in this game, and the monsters can easily hide,” he complained, his voice tinged with a sense of exasperation.
Allen furrowed his brow, momentarily lost in thought as he contemplated how to articulate his innate abilities. This was his natural instinct, something that came effortlessly to him, and putting it into words proved to be a challenge. After a brief pause, he replied, “It’s about using your senses, really. Listening for the rustling sound, being attuned to any movement around you. It becomes second nature with experience.”
“It seems you can detect all of that because you’re incredibly sharp,” Mac acknowledged, his eyes fixed on Allen. “You’ve developed a keen sense of awareness and honed your skills to the point where you can effortlessly scan your surroundings and pick up on even the slightest movement. It’s impressive.”
“I guess,” Allen responded with a nonchalant shrug as if his abilities were nothing out of the ordinary. It was clear that he didn’t feel the need to boast or draw attention to himself.
As the conversation carried on, Yora, unable to contain her excitement any longer, interjected into the discussion. “Allen,” she began, her voice filled with anticipation. Her eyes locked onto his, brimming with hope. “Would you consider joining our guild?”
The suddenness of her request caught the rest of the team off guard, their gazes shifting from Yora to Allen. Mac, who had been contemplating extending the invitation himself, found himself momentarily taken aback. However, he couldn’t deny that Yora’s words echoed his own thoughts. Allen’s skills and presence would undoubtedly elevate their guild’s strength and reputation.
Yora, though aware of her own feelings towards Allen, couldn’t help but wonder if he felt the same way. She had observed the reactions of Mac and the others, noting their intrigue and desire to recruit him. It was an unspoken consensus among the team that Allen was a force to be reckoned with.
Allen shook his head, his dark hair ruffling slightly with the movement. “Nah, I don’t think so,” he replied, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Solo hunting suits me just fine. Besides, I’ve got my sights set on something else.”
Yora’s heart sank a little at his response, her hopes of having Allen join their guild diminishing. She had built up the courage to ask him, hoping he would see the potential in their team and the camaraderie they shared. But it seemed that Allen had different priorities.
The other boys exchanged glances, silently urging Mac to step in and salvage the situation. Mac understood their unspoken request and quickly cleared his throat, attempting to shift the focus. “How about we discuss this over lunch?” he suggested, his voice laced with a hint of anticipation.
Allen considered the proposition for a moment, his gaze shifting between the expectant faces around him. “Sure, I don’t mind grabbing a bite with you guys,” he finally agreed, his tone nonchalant. “But I want to make it clear that my decision won’t change.”
“It’s okay. No pressure, okay?” Mac nodded, understanding the importance of having a face-to-face conversation. He knew that trying to convince Allen through the game would only lead to frustration and resistance. The lunch meeting would provide a more personal and relaxed setting for them to discuss matters further.