Chapter 508 Honest
Villain Ch 508. Honest
Allen strolled back into the Cursed Crypts, walking from the gate to the mansion. The atmosphere in this place always gave off a mysterious, somewhat eerie vibe, fitting for its name. He made his way swiftly to the NPC room.
As he entered, he was surprised to find all the girls already gathered there. The room was abuzz with chatter. But somehow, something amiss.
"Hey, everyone's already here?" Allen called out as he entered the room, a slight surprise in his tone.
Allen made his entrance, canceling the Disguise skill, reverting to his original in-game persona, the Devil Emperor. His transformation was met with immediate reactions from the girls, who had been engrossed in a serious conversation moments ago. As his distinctive appearance and voice took center stage, the atmosphere in the room underwent a sudden shift.
Vivian and Alice, not missing a beat, abruptly halted their conversation. Their gazes darted in all directions, their expressions veiled in a facade of innocence. The others scrambled to do the same, pretending to be absorbed in their inventory screens or status checks as if they were caught red-handed for some grand indiscretion.
With Allen's approach, they gradually gathered their composure and faced him. Jane was the first to break the awkward silence with her cheerful greeting. "Uh, hey, Allen. You came earlier than we thought."
Bella chimed in, her smile carrying an air of nervousness. "You surprised us, appearing just like that."
Allen, in return, met their remarks with a wry smile. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and playfully quizzed them. "Okay, spill the beans. What were you guys just talking about?"
Zoe quickly responded to Allen's inquisitive question. "We were talking about usual stuff. You know, the events and equipment." It was a subtle attempt to veer the conversation back onto safe terrain. After all, they couldn't possibly reveal the true nature of their discussion, which revolved around the considerable alterations they'd had to make to accommodate their unplanned visit to Allen's place. Everyone had juggled their schedules and commitments for the day to be there, proof of their deepening connection with him.
Due to their sudden visit to Allen's place, Shea had to reschedule her appointment and change one of her meetings to an online one. Zoe was almost late for her class. Jane almost forgot to send the email to her work and Larissa had to ask to switch class schedules with her colleague. If Allen found out about this, they were afraid he would feel guilty, so they decided to cover it up. It wasn't his fault after all, it was their decision.
Nevertheless, Allen's narrowing eyes indicated that he wasn't entirely convinced by the explanation. "Really?" he asked skeptically, clearly sensing that something was being held back. "Why don't I feel that way?" he pressed further.
Shea met his skepticism with a confident smile. "Because," she replied, leaning forward with a playfully secretive tone, "we're also talking about you."
The moment she dropped that bombshell, the room seemed to hold its collective breath. It was a bold move, and everyone's eyes darted between Shea and Allen, eager to see how he'd respond. Allen, who had grown accustomed to keeping his emotions in check, allowed himself to display a perplexed expression for a moment, caught off guard by their admission.
His mouth curved into a half-smile. "Me, huh?" he murmured with a glimmer of curiosity, leaning in slightly as if he'd fallen into their conversational trap. n-.o/-v)/e-(l/)b//I(.n
Allen stared at Shea, his silence weighed heavily in the room. There was a peculiar unease that lingered, something that hadn't been there before. His instincts were telling him that the confession he'd overheard was somehow out of the ordinary. Typically, when they discussed such matters, it was filled with laughter, smiles, and an air of light-heartedness. But this time, their demeanor was markedly different. They looked serious, and that was unusual.
Allen, a person who valued honesty above all else, was firm in his conviction. He wasn't the kind of person who would prefer sweet lies over painful truths. It was a matter of principle for him, a pillar of his character that he'd never compromise. If they wanted him to open up and trust them completely, then they needed to be equally honest with him.
"You know," he began, his voice steady and measured, "I prefer honesty. Even when it's difficult, even when it hurts. If you guys want me to open up to you, you need to be honest with me, too. Show me what's true."
His words carried a gravity that emphasized the significance of the situation. Allen understood that building a strong and lasting relationship required trust and transparency. It was something he genuinely desired, an outcome he hoped to achieve. The only way to ensure that was through open and honest communication. His serious commitment to this principle reflected the depth of his feelings and the sincerity of his intentions.
The room was fraught with tension as Jane took a deep breath and decided that transparency was key in this situation. She believed Allen deserved to know the truth. He had trust issues, and demonstrating their trustworthiness was crucial to fostering a strong bond.
"I think he deserves to know," Jane said, breaking the heavy silence. The weight of their hushed conversation loomed in the air. She hoped this step would solidify the foundation of trust they were building with Allen.
The others exchanged fleeting glances, a silent conversation that conveyed uncertainty about divulging the truth. With collective exhalations, they resigned to the gravity of the moment. Larissa, taking the lead, began to address Allen.
"Okay. But remember, we don't blame you and understand the consequences," Larissa spoke with caution. It was a warning tethered with an underlying understanding of the implications of the forthcoming revelation.
"Tell me, you have my full attention," Allen said, his tone a mix of concern and curiosity, eagerly awaiting the revelations that were about to unfold.