Villain Ch 237. I Need To Walk My Fish!
"One question, Shea," Allen said right after Kafra's avatar disappeared. His voice was laced with curiosity and a hint of skepticism.
Shea met his gaze with a calm expression. "Go ahead, shoot," she replied, her tone inviting further inquiry.
"Can I believe everything Kafra said about the contract and the A.I.? It all sounds... well, a bit too convenient, don't you think?" His voice held a tinge of doubt, reflecting the lingering uncertainty in his mind.
"Yes, you can believe her. The company is mine after all, and I can kick out any official who tries to violate the contract," Shea explained, her voice filled with a sense of authority. "I've also ensured that all of them are bound by strict confidentiality agreements. They are forbidden from divulging any company secrets and prohibited from working for companies engaged in the same field after they leave."
Drawing a deep breath, Allen decided to voice his thoughts. "Then, what do you think about this A.I.?" His voice carried a mix of curiosity and skepticism, his desire to understand the situation driving his inquiry. He already had a mind of his own so he wanted to know Shea's. He knew this technology could help him and also get rid of him at the same time, but from the way the Doppelganger fought, he knew a pro player like him or Elio could beat it just like he beat a final boss in any other VRRPG. Once they knew how far the A.I had learned from him, all he needed to do was prepare a counterattack strategy.
"Though this might sound like a threat to you or us, an A.I. is still just an A.I.," Shea began, her tone thoughtful yet matter-of-fact. She leaned forward, her eyes conveying a sense of understanding. "Humans possess the power and intellect to adapt, to think outside the box, and to showcase creativity. These are qualities that an A.I. lacks. While it can mimic certain aspects of your gameplay, it will never possess the same level of intuition and strategic thinking that we have."
Allen nodded, absorbing Shea's words. It made sense to him. After all, he had spent countless hours honing his skills, learning from both victories and defeats. The A.I., on the other hand, was limited in its programming and lacked the human element that made gaming truly engaging and unpredictable.
Shea's expression grew serious as she continued. "However, we cannot underestimate the potential usefulness of the A.I. It can serve as a valuable tool when we need it the most. As much as we hate to admit it, some competitors in the gaming industry play dirty. They would stop at nothing to tarnish our reputation or gain an unfair advantage." She sighed, her frustration evident. "That's why I can't deny the truth in what Kafra said. There may come a time when you, us, will have to step into the spotlight, not as the villains, but as ourselves. And when that time comes, you have to face the doppelganger again."
"Hmm, I see," he hummed, his eyes narrowing. The corners of his mouth curled into a thoughtful frown.
"Does it bother you?" Shea guessed, her voice filled with gentle empathy.
He sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair, his face etched with a hint of weariness. "Yes. It's certainly bothered me since the final test," he confessed, his voice tinged with a touch of vulnerability. "I intended to ask Kafra about it once I'm logged off."
Shea flashed a confident smile, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Don't worry about that, Allen. I've got your back," she reassured him, her voice filled with a sense of unwavering resolve. Her words carried a hint of mischief, revealing a side of her that Allen hadn't seen before. "I've had my fair share of dealing with legal matters and I have my own company. Trust me, I'm no stranger to agreements and business like this. If anyone dares to mess around, I'll unleash my legal wrath upon them. They'll regret the day they crossed us."
Allen let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing as a weight seemed to lift off of him. The tension that had gripped the group began to dissipate, replaced by a newfound sense of reassurance.
"As expected from our sugar mommy," Bella chimed in, her tone playful and teasing.
"You know, sometimes I'm confused," Allen mused, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. " I don't understand why you still spare me, even though I refuse your request. I mean, you could crush me right there if you wanted to," he added, his words tinged with a mix of curiosity and vulnerability. He was referring, of course, to their first erotic encounter in the game.
Shea's cheeks flushed crimson, the color spreading across her face like wildfire. Her eyes darted around the room as if searching for an escape route. Her fingers instinctively reached for her inventory screen, their movements almost automatic. With a quick swipe, she took an HP potion.
"Is this about my request regarding the...uh...sugar baby thing?" Shea stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She avoided meeting Allen's gaze, unable to face the intensity of his eyes.
Allen nodded, his gaze fixed on Shea's downcast figure. "Yes," he admitted, his voice filled with a mix of gratitude and confusion.
"Well, I guess I'm just someone who prefers a thrill over something ordinary," Shea confessed, her voice tinged with a hint of mischief. "You know, the richer you are, the harder it is for you to find a thrill. But I found it with you," she admitted, her words carrying a sense of raw honesty.
Without hesitation, Shea's hand reached for the bottle's cork, deftly twisting it open. She raised it to her lips and took a long, satisfying gulp. The liquid flowed down her throat, its rejuvenating effects coursing through her veins.
"And what exactly is that thrill?" Allen asked, curiosity dancing in his eyes. He leaned in closer, eager to hear Shea's answer.
Shea lowered the empty potion bottle, her eyes locked with Allen's. A mischievous smile played on her lips as she prepared to reveal her secret. "That's…" But just as the words were about to escape her mouth, a sudden realization hit her. Shea's gaze shifted downward, looking at the empty potion bottle that shattered.
Her face twisted into a mixture of surprise and regret. "Why did I drink the potion?" she whined to herself, her voice laced with a tinge of frustration and regret.
"Cause you have to fill your HP, right?" Alice chimed in, her confusion was evident on her face as she furrowed her brow. She tilted her head slightly, trying to make sense of the situation.
"I know, but I had planned to fill it in another way," Shea responded, her voice carrying a hint of whine. Disappointment was evident in her tone as she realized that her impulsive act had disrupted her plans. She had intended to ask Allen to refill her HP, but her unconscious decision to drink the potion had thrown a wrench into her strategy.
He quickly processed the situation and offered a reassuring response. "Uh, well, we can still do it, even though your HP is full. I mean, I don't mind," he said, his voice laced with sincerity.
Shea's eyes flickered, uncertainty etched across her face. "But…" She glanced up at Bella and Alice.
Alice and Bella caught on to the underlying tension in the room, their eyes widening with understanding. They realized it was the perfect opportunity for a timely exit.
"Oh, right," Alice chimed in, her voice betraying a hint of amusement. "I think I need to go now. I, uh, need to walk my fish. Yeah, it's a thing. Bye!" With a hastily concocted excuse, Alice swiftly logged off.
Bella followed suit. She feigned an air of importance as she proclaimed, "Well, my pet rock is going through an existential crisis. It's in dire need of emotional support, I must provide my expertise. Farewell!" With a final wave, Bella disappeared from the virtual world, leaving Allen and Shea alone in the quiet room.
The sudden hush enveloped the space, and Allen could feel the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air. He turned his attention to Shea.
Shea, her face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and anticipation, nervously played with a lock of her hair.
"Since it's just the two of us," Allen began, his voice laced with a hint of mischief, "why don't we have a bit of fun?" He shamelessly extended his hand toward Shea, a playful glimmer in his eyes.
Shea's face lit up with a radiant smile as she eagerly stepped closer to Allen, drawn in by his charismatic energy. The room seemed to fade away as she reached out and took his hand in hers, the warmth of his touch sending a thrill coursing through her veins.
Without a moment's hesitation, Shea leaned in closer to Allen, her lips gently meeting his in a tender kiss.
'Right... Round two,' thought Allen.
Little that they knew, a pair of eyes were looking at them from outside the hall.
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