Chapter 522 Who Betrayed Whom?
Villain Ch 522. Who Betrayed Whom?
Sophia, despite the excruciating pain and the shocking betrayal, gritted her teeth and swallowed her fear. Her mind raced, a surge of determination overriding the terror that threatened to overwhelm her. No, she wouldn't succumb so easily. Though she was a healer, she wouldn't go down without a fight.
Summoning every ounce of her strength and willpower, Sophia lunged forward, channeling all her might to push the emperor's body as hard as she could, attempting to release his claw from her stomach.
A surge of adrenaline coursed through her as she staggered backward, the exertion finally allowing her to wrench herself from the emperor. As she stumbled away, her movements were labored, her body aching and her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The wound in her stomach seeped blood profusely, staining her white priest robe in a vivid and alarming crimson hue.
An announcement appeared in front of her.
[Warning! You are bleeding!]
[Your HP will decrease by 2 points per second]
The sight of her deteriorating health sent a jolt of panic through her veins, but Sophia fought to maintain her composure even as the warning seared across her screen.
The emperor, reveling in his cruel triumph, let out a low, menacing chuckle. "What's the matter, Lil' kitten? Why are you giving me that look? Where's your blushing face?" he sneered, his tone laced with mockery as he taunted Sophia, audaciously licking her blood from his claw.
Refusing to succumb to his mockery, Sophia responded by using her skill. "Healing Light."
A radiant and soothing light emanated from Sophia's trembling hands, enveloping her entire body. The Healing Light spell, a luminous aura of restorative energy, glowed brightly, bathing her in a warm, comforting glow. The radiant magic focused on the grievous wound in her abdomen, knitting the torn flesh together and sealing the injury. Her health points were swiftly restored to their maximum. The excruciating pain that had wracked her body moments before now dulled to a faint ache.
However, even with her health replenished, the ominous feeling persisted, casting a shadow over her temporary reprieve. Glancing at the timer, she noticed there were only five minutes left. It was ample time for the emperor to overpower her once more. The urgency of the situation pressed upon her, the countdown a cruel reminder that the danger was far from over.
Sophia's heart pounded rapidly in her chest, each beat echoing the tension and fear that coursed through her veins. Her eyes fixated on the figure before her. Confusion and a chilling realization crept through her thoughts. Had the emperor stolen Elio's identity, manipulating and deceiving her right from the start?
Her mind swirled with a whirlwind of emotions and questions, entangled in the web of deceit. The doubt and fear gnawed at her, leaving her to grapple with the unsettling reality.
The emperor let out a scoff, his voice dripping with mockery. "You seemed all sweet and mushy when I had you in my arms. But now, look at you! So cold," he sneered in a cynical tone, reveling in twisting the situation to his advantage.
"Don't twist the truth!" Sophia retorted, swiftly using her Barrier skill in a desperate attempt to shield herself. It was her last line of defense against the emperor's attacks.
However, before she could fully activate her protective shield, the emperor executed his Shadow Step skill, vanishing from sight only to reappear right behind Sophia. The Barrier materialized too late, unable to form in time to fend off the sudden, close-range attack. The abrupt appearance of the emperor behind her left Sophia defenseless, her Barrier skill activated too late to provide the intended protection.
The atmosphere grew tense as the emperor held Sophia at his mercy, his bloody claw poised perilously close to her neck. The chilling sensation of the sharp, menacing claw at her throat left Sophia paralyzed with fear. The emperor's presence loomed over her, his voice near her ear, dripping with malevolence and eerie charm.
"Now… you are in my arms again. Will you give me the same look and expression? Hm? Lil Kitten?" His voice slithered into her consciousness, a seductive purr that evoked an odd mix of fear and a strange allure. It was different from Elio's voice, carrying its own dangerous charm that entangled her senses.
"N-No," Sophia stammered, her voice trembling, finding it difficult to form the words. Fear and apprehension wrapped around her like a suffocating shroud, leaving her feeling vulnerable and powerless.
"Hm… you disappoint me. Don't you understand? I want you to be with me. Aren't you interested in that? I need a healer…" The emperor's voice continued to weave its sinister melody, an unsettling blend of desire and threat. He leaned in closer, his breath grazing her skin as he whispered. The sensation made her shiver uncontrollably, his nearness invoking an inexplicable mixture of fear and an eerie fascination.
"And you are the perfect one," he declared, his voice a sweet, haunting melody that struck a dissonant chord within her. The chilling reality of the situation contrasted with the dangerous allure of the emperor's words, leaving Sophia in a state of disconcerting vulnerability.
Sophia fought against the entangled emotions of fear and a strange allure that the emperor's words and proximity evoked. She was repulsed by the situation, but a disturbing pull, a fascination with the dangerous charm, gripped her.
There was a bizarre fascination intertwined with the emperor's demeanor. His menacing aura had a captivating allure that, amidst the danger, drew her into a web of conflicting emotions. Her mind reeled, grappling with the paradox of terror and disturbing captivation as the situation unfolded in an unexpected and terrifying manner.
Sophia's voice trembled as she spoke, a mix of fear and uncertainty tingling in her words. "W-What do you want from me?" she questioned, her voice wavering with a blend of dread and an underlying curiosity.
"I want you with me, Lil' Kitten. But it seems you are more interested in that Allen guy. It breaks my heart…" The emperor's growl carried a strange mix of longing and veiled threat, an unexpected glimpse into a vulnerable side that contradicted his menacing demeanor.
Hearing those unexpected words from the emperor, Sophia fell into an uneasy silence. The revelation of the emperor's yearning for her was jarring, a side of him she hadn't anticipated. It intrigued her, stirring a blend of fascination and an odd sense of power. The realization that someone as formidable as the emperor had a soft spot felt both unexpected and intriguing.
Sophia's mind whirled with thoughts, contemplating the possibility of manipulating the emperor. The revelation of his apparent weakness, an unanticipated vulnerability, sparked a sense of curiosity within her. She wondered whether she could leverage this insight to her advantage, to gain an upper hand in this treacherous encounter. The unexpected revelation offered a glimpse of a potential opening in the emperor's formidable facade, planting the seed of a daring thought – the prospect of exploiting his weakness to secure an opportunity for herself.
Swallowing hard, Sophia summoned her courage to speak again, navigating the treacherous conversation. "I am indeed interested in Allen. But I don't mind being with you," she attempted to negotiate, her words laced with a sense of persuasion and submission.
"Really?" The emperor's voice was low and calculated, his scrutiny palpable.
"Yes. You are strong and powerful. I can't possibly refuse you," Sophia asserted, her attempt to flatter and appease evident in her tone. "And... I think you are kinda handsome," she admitted, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of nervousness and strategy.
"But being with me means you have to leave your guild… You have to leave that paladin," the emperor pressed, laying out the conditions.
"I-I don't mind leaving him for you," Sophia stammered, her words revealing a certain desperation to gain favor, her resolve waning.
"Are you sure? Cause you can't go back anymore," the emperor emphasized, testing her commitment.
"Yes! I'm sure," Sophia affirmed with an air of determination, trying to mask the wavering uncertainty in her voice with false conviction.
The emperor's sinister laugh echoed through the air, sending a shiver down Sophia's spine. She initially interpreted it as a sign of approval, but her hopes were soon dashed as the emperor continued his twisted game.
"Did you hear that, Paladin? She doesn't mind being with me and leaving you," the emperor declared, directing his words toward Sophia with a dark glee.
"Paladin?" Sophia's voice wavered, confusion clouding her mind. She searched the area, trying to grasp the context of the situation.
In a sudden, the emperor unleashed his Telekinesis Blast skill, causing nearby crates to crash down, revealing a chilling scene. There lay Elio, weakened and wounded, blood pooling around him. His injuries were severe. His arms and legs were gone. A huge wound was on his throat, rendering him unable to speak, but his eyes conveyed a grim understanding of the situation. Despite the dire state he was in, Elio's huge HP points and immense endurance as a tank class had kept him alive, though barely.
The realization struck Sophia like a lightning bolt. 'Oh no... Don't tell me he heard it all,' she panicked in her thoughts.
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