Villain Ch 148. Revelation
In another place.
Zoe’s mansion exuded an air of elegance and opulence, befitting her status. The girls had gathered in the luxurious living room, its plush furnishings offering a comfortable sanctuary from the bustling world outside. Soft classical music played in the background, adding to the ambiance as they settled into their seats.
Cups of fragrant tea, steaming gently, were placed delicately on the polished coffee table. The tantalizing aroma mingled with the scent of freshly baked pastries and delectable snacks carefully arranged on dainty plates. It was a spread fit for royalty, a display of indulgence that matched the grandeur of the mansion.
Their attention, however, was not entirely on the extravagant treats before them. Instead, their eyes were firmly fixed on the glossy pages of a game magazine.
Zoe took a deep breath before starting to explain what she discovered about Allen’s past. She sat comfortably on the couch, with the other girls sitting around her, listening intently. A few snacks and a pot of tea were on the table in front of them, but nobody reached out for them as they were too engrossed in the conversation.
She revealed how Allen had once been a part of a formidable team, renowned for their skill and camaraderie in a game. However, in the final moments of a crucial tournament, everything changed. Allen’s teammates, driven by their own desires for personal glory and recognition, turned against him. They betrayed him. It was a heart-wrenching moment of abandonment that no player should ever have to endure.
Left with no other choice, Allen had bravely entered the tournament’s solo category, determined to prove himself despite the treachery he had experienced. The victory he achieved in that tournament, which he thought would be a triumphant moment, now held a bitter undertone.
The revelation hung in the air, and the room filled with a low murmur as the girls processed the information. Questions tumbled out, voices overlapping in their curiosity and concern. They turned to Zoe, hoping she could shed more light on the incident that had shattered Allen’s trust.
Zoe, her brow furrowed with empathy, did her best to answer their inquiries. But soon, apologetically, Zoe admitted that the details were scarce. The incident had occurred two years ago after all.
But amidst the noise of the girls’ chatter, Shea remained strangely silent. Her fingers danced across the screen of her phone, her attention consumed by whatever she was typing. While the others were engrossed in their discussion, Shea had already received all the information from Zoe beforehand.
Suddenly, Shea’s voice cut through the chatter, capturing everyone’s attention. She looked up from her phone.
“I just stumbled upon another thing,” Shea announced.
Intrigued, the girls turned their gaze toward her, their curiosity piqued by her cryptic remark.
“What is it?” Zoe asked, her eyebrows furrowing in curiosity.
With a dramatic pause, Shea lifted her phone and pointed to a man that stole Allen’s team in the magazine that lay open on the table.
“See him?” she said, her voice filled with anticipation. “According to Kafra,” she continued, “this guy here also plays Hell’s Gate. The game company has been keeping tabs on him and even considers him as the potential backup candidate for the role of the devil emperor, in case Allen doesn’t accept it.”
“Are you serious?” Bella exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Shea nodded, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. “I’m serious. This guy seems to be a formidable player in his own right.”
“No way!” Alice exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief. She exchanged a worried glance with Bella, realizing the gravity of the situation.
A deep frown was etched on Shea’s face as she nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s a harsh reality we’re facing here,” she replied, her voice tinged with bitterness.
Vivian’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her concern evident in her tone. “But you won’t let them take that away from Allen, right?”
Shea’s eyes flashed with determination as she met Vivian’s gaze. “I’ve made it clear to them. The role of the devil emperor belongs to Allen and Allen alone, as long as he doesn’t violate the terms of the contract,” she declared firmly.
A collective sigh of relief filled the room as if a weight had been lifted off their shoulders. The girls nodded in agreement, their trust in Shea’s determination evident.
“Good then,” Larissa chimed in.
“Did Kafra tell you who this guy is? And which guild is he from?” Jane’s curiosity got the better of her. It was only natural for them to wonder about the identity of this player who seemed to share a similar gaming background with Allen, as they both had a reputation as top players.
Bella couldn’t resist throwing in her own speculation, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I bet he’s that guild leader, you know, the one from Game of Groans? The guy who claimed to be the strongest?” she suggested, her tone laced with a hint of mockery.
But Shea had something even more shocking to reveal, her voice tinged with bitterness. “Actually, we know him better than that guild leader,” Shea stated, her voice filled with a mix of resignation and frustration.
“Really? Who?” Zoe’s curiosity was piqued, her eyes fixed on Shea.
Shea’s attention returned to the magazine, her gaze fixed on the photo as if trying to find solace in the picture. “This guy’s name is Elio. He’s the Order of Valiance’s guild leader,” she began. “And his character is a swordsman named… Mac.” .𝘤𝘰𝑚
Once again, their eyes widened in shock as the weight of the revelation settled upon them. The realization of the connection between Allen and Elio sent a chill down their spines. It seemed that fate had a twisted sense of humor, pitting Allen against his past rival once again within the realm of the virtual reality game.
“No way…” Zoe’s voice was barely a whisper, her mind struggling to comprehend the implications of this unexpected encounter. The mere thought of Allen facing the one who had betrayed him before stirred a mix of emotions within her—anger, worry, and a flicker of hope for redemption.
Shea’s voice cut through the heavy silence, her determination shining through. “Yeah, fate has brought Allen face-to-face with his past rival in this game,” she declared, her tone filled with resolve. “But this time, that guy won’t be able to steal his team again. We won’t let history repeat itself.”