Villain Ch 394. Challenge
"We?" Allen furrowed his brow, his curiosity piqued as he pressed Emma to explain further. There was an unspoken feeling that Emma and Jordan were hiding something, a plan that he couldn't quite grasp.
Emma, arms folded across her chest, stood her ground. "Yes, we," she declared with unwavering confidence. A self-satisfied smile danced on her lips.
Jordan, for once, fell into a contemplative silence and exchanged a meaningful look with his daughter. He let out a long, exasperated sigh, realizing that Emma hadn't shared this particular detail before. He often scolded her for her impulsive decisions, but this time, he chose to remain silent.
Jordan's gaze returned to Allen, a subtle appreciation hidden in his eyes. He couldn't deny that he'd been intrigued by Allen's combat style long before he had any inkling that Allen might be his son. He frequently observed Allen's gameplay in the virtual world, noting how cunning and resourceful he was, often exploiting his opponent's weaknesses. After all, Jordan himself had once been a professional gamer, and though he was no longer a player, he remained actively involved as a beta tester for his own company's games, alongside Emma.
In response to Emma's unexpected proposal, Jordan chose silence over admonishment.
His unspoken consent sent a ripple of surprise through Emma. She had braced herself for a reprimand, fully expecting her father to scold her for this impromptu plan. The fact that he didn't only serve to shock her further, leaving her wondering what her father had up his sleeve and how this surprise duel would play out.
"So, it's two versus one?" Allen clarified, wanting to be sure of the rules.
Jordan shook his head slightly. "No, it will be one versus one. First, you'll duel Emma, and then it'll be my turn," he replied confidently.
Allen sighed internally but conceded with a nod and a simple, "Fine." He knew he couldn't avoid this challenge, especially since it was Jordan who proposed it. He could sense that there was a deeper motive behind this duel – perhaps both Jordan and Emma wanted to gauge his strength and abilities firsthand. This could be an opportunity to earn their trust and reveal his own capabilities in the process. After all, Allen had faced formidable opponents in the game, including his own doppelganger, so he was prepared to take on this challenge.
Allen and Emma stepped into the gaming arena, they were met with a futuristic sight. The dueling pods stood at opposite ends, gleaming with high-tech sophistication. Each pod was a sleek, rounded capsule with a translucent surface, giving it a somewhat ethereal appearance.
Allen, a bit confused at first, approached one of the pods. The machine seemed to sense his presence and a soft voice emanated from the pod's controls, guiding him through the process.
[Please sit down and put your arms in the gloves]
The capsule's surface shifted, opening to allow him inside. As he entered, the interior was surprisingly spacious, with a comfortable seat, a VR helmet, and a set of gloves controllers. The translucent surface sealed shut behind him.
Across from Allen, Emma went through a similar process with her pod. She entered confidently, having done this many times before. The voice guided her, and the capsule closed around her, cocooning her in its advanced technology.
Inside their respective pods, Allen and Emma were now ready to engage in a one-on-one duel, a test of their gaming skills and strategies. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the match was about to begin.
Once the VR helmets automatically descended upon Allen and Emma's heads.
[Heart rate: Check!]
[Blood pressure: Check!]
[System synchronizes: 100%]
The world around them transformed. They were instantly transported into the virtual realm.
A floating menu appeared before them, offering character options for the duel. Each choice was a character from the game, complete with their own unique set of skills. It was evident that meticulous effort had been put into balancing the strength of all the available characters, ensuring a fair and challenging competition.
Allen selected an assassin character. His usual disguise since he couldn't choose his Devil Emperor character. Emma, on the other hand, chose to embody a knight. Their choices revealed their distinct gaming preferences and strategies.
Once they chose, to everyone's surprise, holographic figures of normal-sized humans materialized within the Duel Dome, filling the arena with a sense of life and anticipation. This addition was unusual and added a layer of realism that caught the attention of those watching.
"W-What…" Allen stammered, his eyes darting around as he took in his surroundings. He could see not only his opponent, Emma, but also the other members. It was like a surreal blend of the real world and the game, an experience he hadn't encountered before. Typically, their duels took place in the familiar in-game duel arena, not within a dynamic environment like this.
Emma wore a smug expression as she surveyed their surroundings. "Isn't it impressive?" she boasted, her pride evident in her voice.
The arena's fusion of reality and virtuality added an exciting twist to the usual duels, leaving Allen and the others in awe of the advanced technology that had brought this unique gaming experience to life.
"Yes," Allen replied, his voice filled with enthusiasm as he eagerly embraced the novel challenge.
Their casual conversation was abruptly interrupted by another announcement that materialized before them, demanding their attention.
[Are you ready?]
[Yes / No]
Allen took a deep breath to quell his jitters, his heart pounding with anticipation. Without hesitation, he selected 'yes.'
[Prepare for the battle! In 3…]
Allen swiftly drew his dual blades, each gleaming with a deadly elegance. With a fluid, practiced motion, he assumed his battle stance, feet planted firmly, body slightly crouched, and blades held at the ready. His every muscle was poised for action, and his eyes locked onto Emma with unwavering focus.
[2…]
On the other side of the arena, Emma brandished her knight's sword with a grace befitting her character's stature. The clash between their formidable characters promised to be a battle not only of strength but also of strategy and finesse. The air crackled with anticipation as they stood poised to engage in this thrilling duel.
[1…]
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