Chapter 549 Over Explaining
Villain Ch 549. Over Explaining
Allen's curiosity lingered in the air as he probed into the intriguing timeline of Shanty's connection to his in-game persona.
"You know, I'm quite surprised that you've been following me since two years ago until now," he remarked, a genuine smile playing on his lips. The idea of having a dedicated follower sparked a mix of curiosity and caution within him. While the concept of having fans was flattering, the shadow of Sophia's obsessive tendencies cast a wary note over his newfound revelation.
In response to Allen's probing, Shanty's laughter chimed like a sweet melody. "I know it sounds strange, and I don't understand either, but somehow you managed to catch my attention," she shared, her words carrying a lightness that revealed the genuine warmth of her admiration. Her friendliness echoed through the conversation.
Shanty's heartbeat resonated like a drum in the quiet ambiance of the space as her eyes lingered on Allen's avatar. The nervous flutter in her chest, though not as intense as facing him in the real world, painted her cheeks with a subtle blush. The peculiar mix of tension and excitement danced in her veins, creating a captivating symphony of emotions.
The absence of Vivian in their rendezvous heightened Shanty's awareness, a sensation akin to having the stage all to herself. In this private space, it was as if the curtain had fallen.
Shanty's gaze traced the contours of Allen's presence, she felt a newfound confidence taking root. The gaming realm allowed her a sense of control and dominance in this moment of shared connection. The blush on her face, a subtle testament to the emotional currents running beneath the surface, mirrored the nuanced dance of vulnerability and assertion.
In this private corner, Shanty embraced the delicate thrill of being alone with Allen.
"Is it because of my gaming skills? My looks?" he probed, delving into the mystery of what held Shanty's attention for two long years. Allen's genuine curiosity hung in the air like a lingering question mark, a puzzle he hoped Shanty could help unravel.
The notion of someone remembering him from a single encounter, one that he barely even registered, seemed like an enigma for his logic. He couldn't understand that. Most people would forget the missing players within a few months, a fact that intensified Allen's curiosity about Shanty's persistent memory.
Shanty, caught in the swirl of her own musings, hummed contemplatively. "Hmm…" Her thoughtful pause hung in the air, a brief interlude before she confessed, "I think it's both." The uncertainty laced her words, a candid admission that even she found perplexing. The inexplicable pull of Allen's gaming prowess and his virtual appearance had left an indelible mark on Shanty, a phenomenon neither could easily decipher.
Shanty's vivid recollection played like a movie in her mind, capturing the electrifying moments of Allen's battle prowess. The memory was etched in technicolor, each move eternally imprinted on the canvas of her thoughts. She couldn't tear her eyes away; it was as if the entire spectacle had cast a spell on her, rendering her incapable of even blinking.
The tenacity emanating from Allen, the fiery spirit in his every move, held Shanty in a trance. His eyes glowed with an unwavering determination that sent a shiver down her spine. It was more than just a captivating display of skill; it was a glimpse into the essence of Allen's fighting spirit.
In those chaotic moments, surrounded by a multitude of battling players, Shanty's attention zeroed in on Allen. It was as if he had a magnetic pull that eclipsed the rest of the chaos. Not even Noah, her older brother, could divert her focus. The warmth that welled up inside her, fueled by Allen's resolute gaze, created a strange but undeniable attraction.
'Okay, that's confusing,' Allen cringed internally, his mental gears trying to decipher Shanty's peculiar explanation. Despite the mental gymnastics, he opted for a simple nod and a half-hearted smile. "Oh, okay," he replied, accepting the information with an air of mild confusion.
Noticing Allen's evident bewilderment, Shanty, determined to clarify her seemingly cryptic statement, offered another rationale for her continued interest. "Just for your information, you actually have a lot of fans," she boldly declared, her tone carrying a mix of assurance and excitement.
Allen, brows furrowed in disbelief, responded with a skeptical, "Really?" The idea of having fans seemed inconceivable to him, considering his recent foray into the limelight.
Shanty, undeterred, doubled down on her claim. "Yes," she insisted. "You should check on Urban Enigma magazine forum," she suggested, her enthusiasm evident. A snap of her fingers punctuated her suggestion, a gesture that hinted at the urgency of unveiling a hidden truth.
As if unlocking another piece of the puzzle, Shanty continued, "Oh, and also, you should check on the modeling forum. You even have your own thread discussing you." Her words spilled out with an eagerness that mirrored a secret treasure trove waiting to be uncovered. "Unfortunately," she added, a note of disappointment seeping into her tone, "they only have a few photos, and your background is considered mysterious since you are a newcomer without any agency history. They had a hard time finding out about you," she explained, the excitement in her voice undiminished by the mystery surrounding Allen's enigmatic modeling presence.
In this unexpected twist of conversation, Allen found himself caught between the perplexing revelation of newfound fans and the intrigue of a burgeoning modeling reputation.
"I honestly didn't expect that," Allen exclaimed in genuine shock. The revelation about his unexpected fanbase in fashion and modeling forums left him dumbfounded. His usual stomping grounds were gaming forums, and the realms of fashion and modeling were uncharted territories for him. It was like discovering a secret fan club in a parallel universe that he had inadvertently stumbled upon.
Vivian, despite her multifaceted lifestyle juggling modeling, makeup tutorials videos, and gaming, seemed equally blindsided by this facet of Allen's newfound popularity. The challenge of balancing these diverse pursuits within the constraints of a single day was a daily tightrope walk for her.
A proud smile spread across Shanty's face, basking in the revelation she had just dropped on Allen. "Luckily, I already knew you from the tournament. So, I immediately recognized it was you. I have information they don't have since I know you are also a gamer," she explained, her happiness evident in the animated glow of her expression.
Allen couldn't help but suppress a cringe as Shanty continued with her enthusiastic declarations. It was becoming increasingly evident that her attempts to project normalcy were unraveling, revealing an undercurrent of obsession beneath the surface. Her insistence that there were others equally infatuated with him only added another layer to the peculiar interaction.
Holding back his amusement, Allen responded with a dry smile. It was clear that Shanty's attempt to assert a shared sense of fandom was a thinly veiled effort to justify her own passionate interest. The situation, with each passing statement, seemed to escalate from an innocent fan interaction to a peculiar dance around unspoken sentiments.
The realization of her inadvertent slip-up dawned on Shanty, and her reaction was swift. Panic painted her features as she instinctively covered her mouth, a desperate attempt to contain the unintended admission. In her eagerness to establish a connection, Shanty had unwittingly peeled back the layers of her own fascination, exposing a vulnerability that contradicted the composed demeanor she had initially presented.
Shanty, caught in a moment of panic, hastily clarified her intentions. "That is not what I mean!" she exclaimed, her words rushed. "I just feel proud that I have more information about you," she added, attempting to rationalize her earlier statements. "I found your photo on Urban Enigma also by chance. That is a famous magazine. There is no way if I don't notice it," she explained, hoping to dispel any misconceptions. Yet, a nagging doubt lingered—had she over explained?
"I see," Allen responded flatly, his expression betraying little. He couldn't help but notice the subtle nuances in Shanty's attempts to justify her actions. Over explaining, he knew, often hinted at attempts to conceal or mislead. However, at this point, Allen decided to give Shanty the benefit of the doubt. Despite the peculiar nature of their conversation, he hadn't detected any alarming red flags beyond her intense admiration.
Allen caught the shift in Shanty's tone and appreciated the redirection. "Oh right, you haven't said your job yet. You just entered modeling and you've been gone from the gaming world for two years, what was your previous job?" she inquired, attempting to steer the conversation toward a different avenue. The question held a subtle purpose—a veiled exploration into Allen's financial standing and past occupations, perhaps a precursor to a potential proposition.
"Just those two," he responded, keeping it intentionally vague. Disclosing that he was a harem writer was out of the question. The potential fallout from Shanty discovering his unconventional literary pursuits seemed too risky. He could already envision the shock on her face, and the prospect of such information finding its way to an online forum was a scenario he was keen to avoid.
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