Chapter 424 Haunting Warning
Villain Ch 424. Haunting Warning
Allen's haunting words reverberated through Darren's mind, echoing long after his body had disappeared from the grim battlefield. As he found himself transported back to the Eyon village's gate, he couldn't shake the chilling sensation that Allen's parting message held profound significance.
The village's serene surroundings contrasted starkly with the horrors he had just witnessed, yet Darren couldn't find solace in the tranquil setting.
Thera, the cheerful NPC, stood at the gate of Eyon village, her welcoming smile ready for any adventurer returning from their quests.
"Welcome back, brave adventurer!" Thera exclaimed with her usual enthusiasm, her voice carrying the warmth of familiarity. "I hope your adventures have been rewarding, despite the challenges," she said, her concern genuine.
Darren nodded. His eyes swept around the peaceful Eyon village, where it was now filled with many players trading with each other. He pondered the warning Allen had presented to him, a choice that transcended the boundaries of the virtual world and seemed to speak to his own life beyond the game.
Darren's gaze drifted through the bustling village until it landed on Liam, seated and quietly sipping a potion. The grim expression mirrored Darren's own, casting a shadow over what should have been a tranquil moment in Eyon village. Liam's eyes occasionally wandered from the flask to the world around him, lost in contemplation.
The flask contained a potion crafted by Darren himself, its quality far superior to the standard fare. The difference in color was evident, a testament to the alchemical prowess of its creator. However, the significance of the potion paled in comparison to the heavy thoughts weighing on Liam's mind.
Allen's words echoed in Liam's thoughts, a bitter truth he couldn't easily swallow. The arrogance that had once defined his actions began to erode, leaving him exposed and vulnerable. Allen's uncanny ability to read him like an open book left Liam feeling exposed, unable to deny the accuracy of the devil emperor's claims.
Sophia's toxicity was undeniable, and she had successfully ensnared both Darren and Liam in her manipulative web, reducing them to mere pawns in her game. The realization was a bitter pill to swallow, and the shadows of doubt clouded their once unwavering confidence.
A heavy silence hung in the air, Darren's thoughts echoing with Allen's haunting words: "Friendship is beautiful, but following the tail will only lead you to destruction." He couldn't deny the truth in those words, no matter how much it stung.
Darren had always considered Liam his best friend, a bond he cherished. Yet, as he reflected on their recent actions and decisions, he couldn't help but see the painful reality. He had followed Liam's lead time and time again, trusting his judgment, only to find themselves ensnared in a web of manipulation and deceit.
Their decision to leave Allen until the last moment before registering for the tournament had been Liam's idea. Even the plan to invite Sophia to the club, with the intention of getting her drunk and engaging in sexual escapades, had originated from Liam.
It dawned on Darren that he had often been led astray by his best friend, dragged into precarious situations and choices that jeopardized their well-being. The weight of that realization bore down on him, leaving him questioning their actions and the path they had chosen to follow.
Darren's inner turmoil left him needing some space to gather his thoughts. He summoned his chat screen and composed a message to Liam, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy.
Player_Eater: Hey. Good game, man. Something came up. I have to log out now. See you later at the event.
With a sigh, he pressed send and promptly logged out. It was an unusual move for Darren, who typically exchanged a few words with Liam before signing off. However, the weight of their recent actions and Allen's piercing words had left him with an unshakable feeling of unease, making him hesitant to engage with his best friend at that moment.
Liam's focus had been elsewhere, his thoughts entangled in the web of recent events. He received Darren's message, which seemed a bit out of character, but he couldn't afford to dwell on it at the moment. His mind was occupied by his own inner turmoil. With a distracted tap of his fingers, he sent a brief reply.
Greg: Okay.
However, the response displayed something unexpected:
[This player has logged off. Do you still want to send the message?]
[Yes/No]
Liam furrowed his brow, his confusion mounting. It seemed Darren had logged off right after sending the message. That was an unusual thing for Darren. But Liam decided to keep sending the message anyway.
Liam sat alone, the bustling virtual world unfolding around him. He slowly raised the potion flask to his lips, finishing its contents in a quiet, contemplative manner. As the cool liquid slid down his throat, he couldn't help but look up at the serene, virtual sky painted with shades of blue.
Amidst the crowd of players trading and interacting, he muttered to himself, almost as if addressing the virtual heavens above, "Tell me, Allen... Is that why you don't want to go back to her?" The question lingered in his mind, a nagging curiosity that had been growing ever since their encounter with the devil emperor.
Liam pondered the main reason behind Allen's persistent rejection of Sophia, despite her persistent attempts to draw him back into her life. It was a question that had haunted him.
But deep down, he knew the answer to his own question. He understood that he couldn't simply avoid confronting the reality of their situation.
Even so, the weight of their predicament bore down on him. He was acutely aware that the struggle to free himself and Darren from Sophia's insidious grasp was far from over. Doubts nagged at him, and he couldn't help but wonder if there was even a glimmer of hope for escaping Sophia's intricate web of manipulation. It was a question that lingered in the back of his mind, casting a shadow over his every thought.
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