Chapter 588 Once A Snake, Always A Snake
Villain Ch 588. Once A Snake, Always A Snake
In the Hell's Gate game, Allen, in his disguise, decided to take a leisurely stroll through the bustling streets of Debaris City. The girls, engaged in their own covert operations in different cities, would rendezvous later to swap intel. Alone, he weaved through the crowded street.
Skirting the market this time, Allen aimed for the heart of the city's pulse—the tavern. A hub of information and whispers, it usually served as his go-to spot for gathering tidbits about the city's happenings. But today, the usual chatter fell flat, devoid of the juicy rumors that usually fueled his intrigue.
Shrugging off the lack of interesting gossip, Allen redirected his steps toward the towering structure that dominated the skyline—the tower. It was the gathering ground for the city's cre?me de la cre?me, the famous guild members.
Once he approached, the hum of conversation grew louder, drawing him closer to the epicenter of attention. A lively crowd had congregated, orbiting around a player who held court. The scene was a kaleidoscope of guild emblems, and Allen's curiosity surged at the sight of familiar names and faces from renowned guilds with at least ten players. One of them was a deputy guild leader.
With anticipation, Allen drew closer to the gathering of players. A buzz of excitement hung in the air, and he couldn't help but be curious about the commotion. As he approached, a radiant white light emanated from beneath the players' feet, catching his attention and sparking a flicker of recognition.
A mental lightbulb illuminated Allen's mind. 'Mass Healing Light?' he speculated, identifying the rare skill responsible for the luminous display. It wasn't a skill every player possessed, making it a notable rarity in the gaming realm.
His curiosity piqued, Allen instinctively activated his Hiding skill, melding seamlessly into the backdrop as he observed the unfolding scene. Invisible to the naked eye, he edged closer to the cluster of players who were showering gratitude upon a healer.
As the players voiced their thanks, Allen's suspicions were confirmed. Sophia stood at the center of the appreciative crowd, her proficiency in the healing arts evident in the glow that surrounded her. The revelation prompted Allen to wonder about the Order of Valiance and its potential recruitment efforts.
'I wonder if the Order of Valiance is recruiting new members,' Allen pondered, connecting the dots based on Sophia's conspicuous use of her healing skills. Casting his invisible gaze around the scene, he sought familiar faces from the esteemed guild but found none, no sign of Elio or Gil or any other the Order of Valiance 's members among the gathered players.
Allen's sharp gaze lingered on Sophia, contemplating the possibilities that danced in his mind. 'Or is she a recruiter now?' he mused, considering the informal role within a guild responsible for sniffing out and recruiting potential members—a gaming counterpart to the HR department in the corporate world.
However, his speculative thoughts took an unexpected turn. It wasn't Sophia assuming the role of a recruiter; instead, it was another guild member taking up the mantle.
Jake, the Magic Scholar from Ironclad Legion, leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Yora, we've been watching your moves in the raids, and your skills are top-notch. Imagine the possibilities if you joined us!"
Sophia, her cheeks tinged with a shy blush, offered a modest smile. "I appreciate the offer, but I've got a good thing going with the Order of Valiance. Mac's been a great guild leader."
On her right, Lily, the Assassin from Phoenix Reborn, chimed in. " Well, you might want to reconsider. The Phoenix Reborn is always on the lookout for skilled players. We value discretion and agility, something an adept healer like yourself would complement perfectly. With your healing prowess, we'd be unstoppable. What do you say?"
Sophia's gaze softened, and she twirled a strand of her hair nervously. "Thanks, Lily, but I don't want to betray Mac and the Order. They've been like family."
Across from her, Derek, the Knight from Sanctuary, nodded solemnly. "We respect loyalty. But imagine the strength we could bring together. Sanctuary values honor and unity above all else."
Sophia chuckled softly, trying to diffuse the tension. "You all make compelling arguments, really. But I've never thought about leaving the Order. It's where I started, and Mac's been a mentor to me. I can't just up and leave."
The trio exchanged glances, sensing Sophia's hesitation. She continued with a teasing smile, "Besides, have you seen how grumpy Mac gets when someone mentions guild-hopping? I'd rather not face that wrath."
Allen let out a slow exhale, his breath forming a fleeting mist in the air. 'Oh, right, I forgot about that,' he mused, realizing he had momentarily overlooked a crucial detail. Rumors had circulated about the strained relationship between Sophia and Elio.
It seemed she opted for a subtler approach, choosing not to immediately sever ties with the Order of Valiance. Instead, she treaded a delicate path of defaming Elio, subtly showcasing her loyalty while insinuating that it was Elio's demeanor that nudged her away.
'Once a snake, always a snake,' Allen mused, his mind processing the unfolding drama. He continued walking again and looked in all directions to search for information about other guilds' strategies. But again, the conversation made him return his attention to Sophia and the crowd around him.
"Fancy joining me for a hunt today? Our usual healer is MIA (Missing In Action, he means the healer hasn't online yet, not really missing), and we could really use your skills," Jake proposed, enthusiasm lacing his words.
Sophia considered the offer before responding, "Jake, you know I don't like hopping into someone else's hunting session midway. It feels like stopping a movie halfway through."
Jake scratched his head, contemplating her words. "I get it, l but we're in a tight spot. Plus, we really need a healer, and you're the best."
Sophia crossed her arms, a determined glint in her eyes. "Fine, I'll join, but we will complete at least one full hunting session. Minimum one hour, no interruptions. Deal?" she made her bargain.
Jake hesitated for a moment, weighing the terms. Sophia's demands were a bit on the heavy side, but her healing prowess was unparalleled. He nodded, "Deal. One full hour. No interruptions. But what's with the loot?" he asked the crucial things.
Sophia leaned in, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Simple. We split the loot 50-50, but all healer-related gear or equipment goes to me. Fair?"
Jake chuckled, appreciating her shrewd negotiation. "You drive a hard bargain, Yora, but considering the circumstances, deal. Let's get the loot rolling!"
As Allen overheard Sophia's negotiation with Jake, a subtle shock rippled through him. 'Wow, she surely doesn't hesitate to exploit her fame and skills,' he mused, his mind processing the unconventional terms of their agreement. While a 50-50 split for loot was standard practice, the caveat about gear and valuable equipment caught him off guard.
In Allen's gaming playbook, the routine involved selling valuable gear and divvying up the proceeds equally among the party members. It ensured a fair distribution and kept everyone on a level playing field. That principle extended to the gear upgrades as well, resulting in a synchronized ensemble of equipment among his group of comrades, the girls.
He reminisced about the collective effort they invested in maintaining a uniform gear standard, fostering a sense of unity. The only outlier in the group was Alice, driven by a thirst for higher-level equipment and upgrades that set her apart.
Lily, the Assassin from Phoenix Reborn, and Derek, the Knight from Sanctuary, joined the scene.
Lily flashed a mischievous grin. "Forget about him. How about joining the Phoenix for a round? We could use your healing touch."
Sophia, maintaining her composure, replied, "Thanks, Lily, but I've already committed to a session with Jake. Maybe next time?"
Derek chimed in, "Well, if you've got an hour to spare, Sanctuary's got a slot for an esteemed healer like yourself. What do you say?" he also tried to bargain.
Sophia, now facing a trio of recruitment attempts, wore a playful smile. "You guys are really making it hard for me to choose. I'm flattered, really." No, she was really happy. This what she wanted! She wanted the attention and how the others fought over her.
Lily nudged Derek with a sly grin. "Come on, Yora, one round with the Phoenix, and I promise you, you'll be hooked."
Derek interjected, "Or you could join Sanctuary, and we'll make sure you feel like family."
Sophia, enjoying the banter, raised an eyebrow. "Tough choices, tough choices. How about this—I'll join each of you for one hunt. That way, everyone gets a piece of the action. But remember, it's got to be an hour-long session, no shortcuts."
Lily and Derek exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement. "Deal!" they chorused.
The realization of Sophia's fame hit Allen like a lightning bolt. He couldn't escape the buzz surrounding her—players greeting her, guild invitations flooding in, and hushed conversations acknowledging her prowess.
'Whoa, she's a digital celebrity,' Allen marveled inwardly, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. It dawned on him that Sophia was a beacon of recognition in this game.
'Guess I underestimated her influence,' Allen thought, momentarily taken aback.
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