Villain Ch 335. Suspicious
At the same time, in Ront City.
The Order of Valiance guild members assembled within their majestic guild headquarters. A grand structure adorned with intricate designs, the guild building boasted comprehensive facilities, rivaling even the most esteemed guilds in the realm.
The guild had not always been this illustrious; it had risen from humble beginnings, much like the rise of a hero in an epic tale. Elio had been instrumental in steering the guild toward greatness. Leading by example, he ventured into treacherous dungeons, faced formidable bosses, and completed arduous quests to amass wealth and resources. Every coin earned had been wisely invested back into the guild, transforming their once modest hideout into the grand headquarters it had now become.
Within the guild headquarters, a lively atmosphere buzzed with activity as the members went about their daily routines. The spacious main hall was a hub of camaraderie, where guildmates gathered to socialize and unwind after a day of perilous adventures in the virtual realm.
Near the entrance, a group of guildmates surrounded the daily quest NPC, lining up to report their completed quests and eagerly accepting new challenges. It was a routine they had grown accustomed to, a necessary chore to maintain the guild's reputation and secure valuable experience points.
The meeting room in the guild headquarters was a dimly lit chamber, its walls adorned with tapestries depicting legendary battles and mythical creatures. Elio, who had finished all his daily quests, sat at the head of a long, ornate table, surrounded by his trusted comrades: Gil, INeedAHotGF, and Lord*Hunter.
Having completed all their daily quests for the day, the group decided to convene in the meeting room to discuss recent happenings in the game. Elio's status screen, a holographic display projected before him, showed a wealth of information about his character, from health and mana bars to inventory and skill upgrades. He idly flicked his finger up and down the screen, a telltale sign of his contemplative mood. While Gil showed a different mood.
Gil's excitement was palpable. "Guys, you won't believe what I just heard," he declared, leaning forward in anticipation.
The others leaned in, their interest piqued. INeedAHotGF, who was always keen on investigating new gossip, couldn't resist guessing, "Does this have anything to do with The Mummy King?"
Gil's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?" he asked, impressed by her deductive skills.
"I read a lot about him in the gaming forum yesterday," INeedAHotGF replied with a knowing smile.
Gil nodded, then continued, "Well, it's indeed related to the Mummy king, but it also related to something else. The Sanctuary guild had a run-in with the devil emperor at the pyramid."
"But that's not all," Gil continued, "They mentioned that The Mummy King was aiding The Devil Emperor in the battle."
"So The Devil Emperor seems to be going around looking for an alliance or something?" ventured Lord*Hunter, his keen eyes narrowing as he contemplated the implications of such a sinister partnership.
Gil leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe," he mused, "But what interested me is, they said they heard the villains talk."
His words sparked curiosity among the others. "The villains indeed could talk. That's not new news," said INeedAHotGF.
"Yeah, he talks. Mostly taunt, sneer, and mockery," Lord*Hunter interjected, his voice laced with anger. The thought of the vile Devil Emperor's insults stung like a wound, a constant reminder of the enmity between them.
"I can't wait to end his life for that," INeedAHotGF chimed in, his eyes flashing with annoyance. His desire for revenge burned brightly, fueled by the villain's arrogance and disdain.
Gil raised his hand to speak. "No, I mean they were joking," he stated calmly.
"Huh?" both INeedAHotGF and Lord*Hunter exclaimed in unison, their gazes shifting to Gil in disbelief.
"Yes," Gil continued, "The Sanctuary Guild Leader said that he overheard The Devil Emperor and his subordinates joking with each other."
Both INeedAHotGF and Lord*Hunter frowned, their minds grappling with the implications of the villains' communication. "Is he not hallucinating?" INeedAHotGF questioned, his analytical mind seeking rational explanations.
Lord*Hunter pondered an alternative possibility. "Maybe it's a kind of hidden storyline," he suggested. "You know, something that will trigger if we accidentally counter the enemies in a certain place," he continued, delving into his astute analysis.
Gil chimed in, "Hmm… Maybe," his voice tinged with uncertainty. "But there are lots of other guesses about this," he added, hinting at the wealth of possibilities that the virtual realm held.
Curiosity piqued, INeedAHotGF prodded further, "For example?"
Gil leaned back in his chair, adopting an air of intrigue. "Like the villains are actually pro players or maybe even the admins," he proposed, his mind a labyrinth of creative theories.
"Hmm…" hummed Lord*Hunter, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation. "That could be," he added.
Gil turned to Mac, seeking his input. "What do you think?" he asked, curious to hear his fellow guild member's thoughts.
But Mac remained uncharacteristically silent, his gaze fixed on the holographic screen in front of him. Though physically present in the guild headquarters, it was evident that his mind was elsewhere, lost in some unseen turmoil.
"Mac, are you okay? You're acting weird," INeedAHotGF inquired with genuine concern, his eyes narrowing as he observed his friend's distant demeanor.
It was then that Mac's focus seemed to shift back to the discussion at hand. He blinked, as if waking from a trance, and looked around at his guildmates. A faint smile graced his lips, but the glint in his eyes betrayed a lingering unease.
"Huh? What?" Mac replied, his voice distant, as if he had just been pulled from a trance. He closed his status screen and turned to face the others, a faint furrow forming on his brow.
The members exchanged puzzled glances, sensing Mac's lack of concentration. His usually focused and inquisitive nature was replaced with an air of distraction that didn't go unnoticed.
"Mac, did something happen?" Gil inquired, his sharp intuition picking up on the change in Mac.
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