Villain Ch 149. Lone Wolf
Another hour had passed. Allen, Mac, and the others, finally returned to the bustling city of Ront. Their armor was stained with dirt and blood, evidence of the intense hunting session they had just experienced.
As the group appeared at the gates of Ront City, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The dense forest, filled with the echoing sounds of battles and the rustling of leaves, changed into a bustling and vibrant cityscape. The cacophony of noise replaced the tranquility of nature, with merchants hawking their wares and adventurers boasting of their conquests.
They all gathered around, examining the loot and discussing their achievements.
Mac couldn't contain his excitement as he surveyed their spoils. "We really scored big today!" he exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with delight. The group had managed to take down an impressive number of goblins, earning them a substantial amount of experience points and valuable items. It was definitely a successful hunt.
Then he turned to Allen with a grateful smile. "Thanks for joining us on this hunt. Your skills and support made a huge difference out there."
Allen shrugged nonchalantly. "No problem, just doing my thing."
Yora chimed in. "Why don't you reconsider joining our guild? We could use someone like you," she tried her luck.
"Nah, thanks for the offer, but I'm more of a lone wolf. I prefer my freedom," Allen replied with a hint of reluctance in his voice. "Besides, I've got some other things I need to take care of. Gotta go now." His Disguise skill almost reached its time limit, so he had to return to Cursed Crypts.
Yora's expression fell slightly, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. She understood that Allen had his reasons and respected his decision, but she couldn't help but feel a tinge of longing for his company.
"Well, if you ever change your mind, our guild doors will always be open to you," Yora said with a warm smile.
Allen answered her with a nod.
Before Allen could go, Gil turned to him and suggested, "Since we're done here, how about we go sell our loot together?"
Allen, already preparing to leave, shook his head apologetically. "Sorry, but I've got some urgent matters to attend to. Maybe next time."
Mac approached Allen with a smile. "No worries, Allen. We understand. Just don't forget our lunch. Meet us in the lobby."
"Sure, I'll wait for you," he agreed.
Allen left the party, he blended seamlessly with the crowd of players bustling about in Ront City. His agile movements allowed him to navigate through the throngs of avatars, his presence almost blending into the virtual world. Yora's eyes followed him for a moment, a hint of curiosity and intrigue lingering in her gaze, but soon he disappeared from her sight amidst the sea of characters.
Lost in her thoughts, Yora remained standing, her attention still drawn to the spot where Allen had vanished. Suddenly, a gentle tap on her shoulder broke her reverie, causing her to startle and turn around. It was Mac, wearing a warm smile on his face.
"Yora, are you okay?" Mac asked, his concern evident in his voice. He had noticed how Yora had been fixated on Allen for quite some time now, and it was starting to worry him. He wanted to understand what was going on with her.
Yora sighed softly, her gaze shifting away from Allen's disappearing figure. "I don't know, Mac," she admitted, her voice tinged with a mix of confusion and curiosity. She couldn't quite put her finger on what intrigued her about Allen, but there was an undeniable pull that she couldn't ignore.
Mac furrowed his brow, trying to decipher Yora's cryptic response. "Is there something specific about him that caught your attention?" he probed, hoping for some clarity.
Yora hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether she should reveal her inner thoughts. Finally, she met Mac's gaze and shook her head. "It's hard to explain," she confessed, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "There's just something about him that draws me in. Maybe it's his aura or the way he carries himself. I can't quite put it into words."
INeedAHotGF, who had been listening in on their conversation, couldn't resist interjecting. "I think you're wrong, Mac," he chimed in with a mischievous grin. "The real question is, do you like him?" His statement was met with a mixture of surprise and skepticism from Mac.
Mac's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "But they've never even met before. Isn't that a bit of a stretch?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with incredulity. The idea that Yora could have developed feelings for someone she had just encountered on their first hunting session seemed far-fetched to him.
INeedAHotGF shrugged, his playful grin still in place. "Well, you know how unpredictable matters of the heart can be. Sometimes, all it takes is a single encounter to spark a connection," he explained, his tone filled with a hint of wisdom acquired through his own romantic misadventures.
"Maybe Yora likes his charisma," Gil chimed in, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. He seemed eager to contribute to the ongoing conversation.
Lord*Hunter raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What makes you think that?" he asked, genuinely intrigued by Gil's line of thinking.
Gil's grin widened as he recalled a past conversation with Yora. "Remember when she mentioned being attracted to guys with a bad boy appearance and a hint of coldness?" he reminded them. Yora had once shared the story of her previous breakup with David, providing some insight into her preferences.
"I did say that." Yora nodded, acknowledging Gil's recollection. She had indeed made that remark, but of course, she didn't tell her about Allen at all.
"And this Allen guy fits that description perfectly," Gil continued, his voice filled with conviction. He couldn't help but analyze Allen's demeanor and draw parallels to Yora's preferences. "He's got that tough exterior and an air of aloofness, but at the same time, there's something approachable and friendly about him."
"Huh?" Arrow_Master interjected, his voice filled with skepticism. "Are there people like that?" He couldn't fathom the existence of someone who embodied both the enigmatic allure and approachable nature that Gil described.
Gil smirked confidently, raising an eyebrow in response to Arrow_Master's disbelief. "You just have to see him yourself," he retorted, his tone oozing with conviction. He turned to Yora, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "That's why I have a hunch that's what draws Yora towards him."
Yora remained silent, deep in contemplation. She couldn't deny that there was something intriguing about Allen, but she couldn't fully comprehend her own feelings. The idea that she might be attracted to him based on such superficial traits seemed absurd, but she couldn't shake off the subtle fascination he ignited within her.
Mac interjected, breaking the momentary silence. "Alright, let's save this discussion for later," he suggested, reminding them of the task at hand. "We need to sell all our loot and log off. We don't want to keep Allen waiting for too long, do we?"
The group nodded in agreement to answer him.