Chapter 592 The Real Saint!
Villain Ch 592. The Real Saint!
Allen and the girls' gaze fell on that male healer. The simplicity of his appearance didn't escape Allen and the girls' discerning gazes. However, what truly caught their attention wasn't his attire but the familiarity of the name and guild affiliation that accompanied him.
Father^Alex <Celestial Vanguard>
A collective silent cheer resonated within the group's consciousness. The jackpot had been hit. Unexpectedly, the esteemed priest from Celestial Vanguard stood before them. Allen, suppressing his internal excitement, couldn't believe their luck. Of all the healers they could have recruited, the renowned cleric from one of the top guilds was expressing interest in joining their party.
Maintaining their composure, they exchanged glances, attempting to conceal the thrill of this unexpected turn of events. The prospect of having a skilled and well-known healer like Father^Alex in their party added a layer of excitement.
"Sure. But we will hunt in Black Castle's Hall, is that okay with you?" Allen queried, adopting a calm tone to ensure there were no reservations.
Father^Alex responded with a reassuring nod, "It doesn't matter to me. I have some experience there. Just make sure our party has good cooperation. That should be fine," he stated.
Vivian, exhibiting a hint of doubt, raised a valid concern. "Uh, also, is your team okay with this?" she asked. "I mean, I don't want them to suddenly call you in the middle of our hunt session," she clarified, pointing out a potential issue.
Father^Alex chuckled, dissipating any worries. "Don't worry about them. They have busy lives in real life and won't be online until two hours later. So around this time, I usually hunt alone or join random groups. Sometimes I help lower-level players to hunt," he explained in a relaxed and accommodating tone.
Allen and the girls exchanged glances, their eyes seemingly screaming, 'Did you hear that? He's the real saint!' The irony wasn't lost on them – while Sophia held the title of the most popular healer, the true virtuoso among them stood before them. Father^Alex had proven his worth countless times, fighting valiantly alongside his main team and earning a reputation as a dependable healer.
Silent communication flowed between the group, unspoken words passing through their exchanged looks. Larissa furrowed her brows, casting a doubtful glance around. 'Wait, but could he be lying?' she wordlessly conveyed to the others.
Zoe replied by pressing her lips together and subtly shaking her head, 'No, he's telling the truth. I read about this on a gaming forum once, and I can confirm this is true. But he only does it once in a while,' her eyes conveyed the assurance.
A collective silent nod circulated among the group, signifying a shared understanding. Father^Alex's credibility as a healer and his occasional altruistic endeavors had been corroborated by Zoe's prior knowledge.
"Okay, welcome to the party, Alex," Allen said, extending a virtual invitation to Father^Alex.
[Al has invited you into his party. Do you want to accept it?]
[Yes / No]
Upon Father^Alex choosing 'yes,' his screen glitched momentarily, and another announcement appeared in front of him.
[Congratulations! You have joined Al's party!]
Father^Alex's brows furrowed in confusion. "What's that? A glitch?" he muttered spontaneously, expressing his uncertainty.
Allen and the others exchanged glances, sensing that Father^Alex might have noticed something unusual. It might be because he has joined the villain's group. However, openly acknowledging it was out of the question; they couldn't risk revealing their true nature.
"I don't feel any glitch at all," Allen remarked casually, trying to downplay the situation.
"Same," Shea chimed in, echoing Allen's sentiment. The group maintained a facade of normalcy, concealing the underlying peculiarities of their party mechanics. The glitch, if it was indeed a glitch, remained unspoken among them.
Father^Alex, though momentarily puzzled, decided not to dwell on it. After all, he had joined the party willingly, and the glitch didn't seem to affect the functionality of the group. With a shrug, he redirected his focus to the task at hand.
"Maybe it's my connection. Just ignore that. Hopefully, it's nothing," Father^Alex said, dismissing the glitch with a casual shrug. Though he still curious about the anomaly, he chose not to delve deeper into the matter, opting to focus on their impending hunt.
"So, do you need time to restock first?" Allen inquired, ensuring Father^Alex was adequately prepared with potions and supplies.
"I'm ready. Let me open the portal for you," Father^Alex volunteered. Healers possessed the unique ability to create portals, typically linking to their guild headquarters. They could also save several destinations, ranging from dungeons to open fields. However, this skill couldn't be utilized during events, and some maps or dungeons were off-limits, especially those tied to specific quests.
Father^Alex extended his hand, a radiant glow emanating from his fingertips as he conjured the portal. Unlike Allen's ominous Dark portal, Father^Alex's entrance to other realms was a luminous white, exuding an air of purity.
They stepped through the glowing gateway, feeling a brief disorienting sensation before finding themselves once more at the entrance of The Black Castle's Hall.
"I know eight DPS is too much for a healer. We just need your buffs and your healing power a bit. We'll try to avoid any wounds as best as possible," Allen said, trying to calm Father^Alex.
Father^Alex nodded, his calm demeanor showing that he was willing to accommodate the unconventional setup. He understood that their party composition was far from the norm, especially with the overwhelming number of DPS. However, the confidence in Allen's voice reassured him. Father^Alex knew that Allen's reputation as a skilled player was not unfounded, and he had witnessed the group's prowess in previous encounters.
"Okay," Father^Alex replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. The unique dynamics of their party intrigued him, and the prospect of working with Allen and his team piqued his interest. He was ready to contribute in whatever capacity they required, even if it meant deviating from the standard healer role.
Entering the Black Castle's Hall, the group's perspective shifted. No longer the feared entities known as the devil emperor and his subordinates, they were now players named Al and his party. The ominous atmosphere of the ruined medieval castle, which had once been their hunting ground, took on a different hue.
The grandiosity and dread that accompanied their previous visits seemed to diminish, replaced by a sense of curiosity and exploration. The dilapidated walls and haunting corridors became a backdrop for a fresh experience, as if they were venturing into the dungeon for the first time.
The eerie glow of the mystical environment now held a certain allure. The echoes of their footsteps bounced off the cold stone walls, and the distant sounds of lurking monsters created an ambiance of suspense and excitement. As players, they observed the architecture with a newfound appreciation, examining the details that had previously been overshadowed by the weight of their villainous personas.
Father^Alex raised his hand, invoking the power of his buffs with a gentle glow surrounding the party members.
'Agility, Holy Blessing, Protection!'
The announcements echoed in the virtual space, detailing the significant enhancements bestowed upon them.
[Your Speed has increased by 120%]
[Your Defense has increased by 150%]
[Your Accuracy, Magic Power, and Strength have increased by 100%]
The sudden surge in their abilities left Allen and the girls pleasantly surprised. The collective gaze they exchanged spoke volumes of their appreciation for Father^Alex's support.
'Should we kidnap him and make him part of our villain group?' Shea quipped, half-jokingly, her eyes reflecting the awe inspired by the buffs.
'I wish we could do it,' Allen responded, a hint of longing in his expression. The idea of having such a formidable healer permanently on their team was enticing, and for a moment, they entertained the fantasy.
However, with the reality of their roles as villains and Father^Alex's standing in a prestigious guild, the notion of recruitment remained nothing more than a fleeting wish.
Father^Alex's buffs had an almost jaw-dropping effect on Allen and the girls, though they managed to restrain their reactions. The sudden enhancement of their abilities left them momentarily stunned.
"Let's go hunt," Bella said, effectively dispersing the shock, and they proceeded further into the hall in search of their prey.
Unbeknownst to them, Sophia and her new party arrived just as they ventured into the depths of the castle. Sophia, at the entrance, spotted a familiar figure within the group not far ahead—a distinctive assassin she could recognize anywhere.
'Allen?' she thought, her surprise evident.
Tailing Allen, Sophia remained unnoticed by the group. She hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to approach or observe from a distance. A mixture of curiosity and the lingering emotions from their past encounters held her in place.
Meanwhile, Allen and the girls moved deeper into the hall, oblivious to Sophia's presence. Or ignoring her, to be precise. They acted as if she wasn't there.
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