Villain Ch 192. Wild Theories
The aftermath of the devastating battle left a bitter taste in the mouths of Mac and his guild. The once-confident leader now found himself facing the harsh reality of his overconfidence. The failure to breach the evil tower and the clear lack of progress was a blow to his pride, and the whispers of dissatisfaction from other guilds and parties only added salt to the wound.
Mac had been so sure of his plan, convinced that it would yield positive results or, at the very least, some progress. But the outcome had been the complete opposite. It seemed that not only had the players learned from their previous encounters, but the devil emperor and his subordinates had also adapted and honed their tactics. The realization hit Mac hard, fueling a mixture of disappointment and frustration.
As news of their defeat spread throughout the players, Mac couldn’t help but feel the weight of the mocking remarks and sneers directed at him. Those who had participated in the first event, witnessing his confident claims, now taunted him, questioning his leadership skills and his ability to devise effective strategies.
Despite the harsh backlash and the mocking remarks from other players, Mac faced it all head-on. He understood the weight of his mistakes and took responsibility by offering sincere apologies to those he had disappointed. It was a humbling experience, but one that brought forth a valuable lesson. Mac realized that no matter how well-intentioned his actions may be, he would never be able to please everyone. However, he also recognized that his guild’s bond had grown stronger.
The second event commenced. The evil tower once again unleashed hordes of menacing monsters into the Eyon Village. It was a familiar sight, but this time Mac and his guild were better prepared. They swiftly organized themselves, ensuring other players’ safety by evacuating them from the village.
Once the players were safely evacuated, Mac and his guild replenished their energy with potions and regrouped. They were determined not to let the previous defeat dampen their spirits. They knew that the double experience points offered during the event were too valuable to pass up. As for the information exchange with the Ironclad Legion, the leader gave Mac time until tomorrow. He knew losing in the second event was a hard blow for Mac.
But instead of Eyon Village, Mac, and his guild ventured into the vast desert of Gorroc, seeking a change of scenery and a fresh challenge. They had chosen this new hunting ground not for the cactus monsters that usually inhabited it, but for the desert worm monsters. These creatures posed a greater EXP and promised greater rewards.
Sandshrieker <Level 36>
As they embarked on their hunt, Yora shared the short conversation she had with the devil emperor, recounting his chilling words to the group.
“He actually said that to you?” Gil exclaimed, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion once Yora finished her story. The notion that the emperor’s answer to why he was specifically targeting Yora seemed incomprehensible to him. After all, they were just ordinary players in the game. What could have possibly made Yora stand out among the countless others?
Yora nodded, her expression somber. “Yes,” she confirmed. “But there was something in his gaze, something that didn’t quite match his words,” she admitted, her voice tinged with a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. Yora couldn’t shake the haunting image of the pain that she had glimpsed in the emperor’s eyes during their encounter. It hinted at a deeper story, one that begged to be unraveled.
“What do you mean?” INeedAHotGF chimed in, his voice filled with curiosity and the excitement of battle. He unleashed a powerful firebolt toward a Sandshrieker, the flames engulfing the creature as it writhed in agony. Mac swiftly moved to intercept the creature’s attention, tanking it.
Yora, her gaze focused on the unfolding battle, paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. The adrenaline coursing through her veins was accompanied by a nagging feeling that there was more to the emperor’s motives than meets the eye. She knew she had to share her suspicions with her companions.
“He looked in pain,” Yora began, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. “Like there’s something that has wounded his soul, something deeper than just his desire for domination,” she added, her words laced with a tinge of sympathy.
Mac, intrigued by Yora’s observation, turned his attention away from the Sandshrieker and fixed his gaze on her. His sword swung effortlessly, dispatching the creature with a final blow before he spoke. “Mind explaining further?” he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Yora took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before continuing. “Perhaps, just perhaps, the key to defeating the emperor lies not in killing him, but in understanding the pain that drives him,” she suggested, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Her theory seemed far-fetched, even to her, but she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that there was more to the emperor’s story than met the eye.
“So, your point is?” Greg asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
Yora hesitated, her uncertainty evident in her voice as she spoke. “Well, maybe… just maybe, instead of seeking to defeat the emperor through force, we should strive to heal the wounds that have plagued his heart,” she offered, her tone laden with doubt. She braced herself for the anticipated backlash from her companions, fully aware of how unconventional her proposal sounded.
The boys were left speechless, their eyes wide with incredulity. Lord*Hunter was the first to find his voice. “Wait, let me get this straight,” he said, his tone filled with disbelief. “You actually want to heal the villain? Are you taking your role as a healer a bit too seriously?” he questioned.
Player_Eater chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “Yora, I know you are passionate about your role as a healer, but this is taking it to a whole new level,” he remarked, a playful smirk on his face. The absurdity of the suggestion was not lost on him.
“Uh, I know this sounds weird. But that’s just my guess,” Yora said sheepishly, her cheeks turning slightly pink. She couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed by the unusual direction her thoughts had taken. It was clear that her suggestion had fallen flat among her companions.
Mac shrugged his shoulders and offered Yora a reassuring smile. “Hey, it’s fine, Yora. We all have our wild theories and ideas sometimes. At least you had the courage to voice yours,” he said, trying to alleviate the awkwardness that lingered in the air. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he signaled the end of the peculiar conversation, shifting his attention back to the ongoing hunt. The others followed suit, their interest in the matter quickly dissipating.
Yora felt a mix of relief and disappointment. While she understood that her theory was far-fetched and perhaps too unconventional for her comrades to embrace, a part of her had hoped for a more thoughtful discussion or at least a moment of genuine consideration. But she respected their decision to move on and decided to join them, pushing her idea to the back of her mind for the time being.