NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 729: Bad Light
Villain Ch 729. Bad Light
Sophia let out a long exhale, the frustration evident in her body language as she folded her arms tightly across her chest. Her tone, firm and assertive, carried across the tavern, ensuring that the surrounding players couldn't miss her words. It was her turn to speak up, to assert her side of the story in the face of Noah and James's apparent allegiance to Elio.
"I get it," she began, her voice ringing out with a hint of defiance. "You guys take Elio's side and are trying to say this is all my fault." Her words were sharp, cutting through the air with a clarity that demanded attention. Sophia wasn't about to let anyone push her around, especially not when her reputation was on the line.
With a scoff, she continued, her tone dripping with irony. "I won't blame you guys since I was the one who brought this problem to the gaming forum." There was a hint of bitterness in her voice, a sharp edge that betrayed her frustration with the situation. Sophia knew that she was facing an uphill battle, but she refused to back down.
"That's not the case, Sophia," Noah interjected, his tone firm but not unkind. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking with hers as he sought to convey the seriousness of his words. "The problem is that you are trying to create a narrative that puts Elio and Father^Alex in a bad light."
Noah's words hung in the air, the weight of their implications settling over the table like a heavy fog. He knew that Sophia was a skilled manipulator, adept at twisting the truth to suit her own agenda. But he wasn't about to let her get away with it, not when the stakes were this high.
"We and the high-level players there already know about your manipulation," Noah continued, his voice steady and unwavering. "It won't work for us. Unfortunately, you are trying to take away the mid-level players' empathy."
Instead of Sophia, James turned to Noah, leaning back to the wall with an air of nonchalance. "It was suicide though," he remarked, his tone relaxed yet purposeful, making sure his words carried to everyone in the tavern. "I mean, sure, we can let her do it if she wants, right? The worst that happens is our guild rank takes a hit. But think about it—" He glanced back at Sophia, his expression serious.
"You're gonna have a hell of a time finding a team to hunt with. Top guilds might as well slam the door in your face. And let's be real, entering a regular guild ain't gonna be a walk in the park either."
With a pointed look, he continued, "Most guilds out there are chock-full of mid to low-level players. You, with your healing skills, you're in demand. But without the right DPS and tanks, folks with gear and levels on par with yours, you're gonna struggle to keep up the pace. Progress won't come easy, that's for sure."
His words hung in the air, laced with a subtle hint of threat and a dash of sarcasm. James knew he was laying it on thick, but he couldn't help it. Sophia needed a reality check, and he wasn't about to sugarcoat it. This was the harsh truth of the game they lived and breathed—a cutthroat world where every decision could make or break her journey.
Liam and Darren, they were Sophia's ride or die. They had her back, no doubt about it. But that was because they couldn't escape Sophia's grasp, whether they liked it or not.
"Your progress is determined by your circle of friends," James reminded her, his words hitting the mark with a weight that couldn't be ignored. He knew what he was talking about. In a game like this, the crew was everything. They could lift the player up or drag her down, and right now, Sophia had the reins in her hands. Explore new worlds at empire
It wasn't that Sophia hadn't considered the consequences. She was smart, sharp as a tack when it came to gaming. But frustration, it could cloud your judgment like nothing else. And this time, it had gotten the best of her. She'd charged ahead without a second thought, consequences be damned.
Sophia was good, no doubt about it. But she wasn't some esports prodigy, living and breathing the game 24/7. She was just a regular player, trying to make her mark in a world that didn't give two cents about fairness. But she was clueless when it came to guild politics. Never dipped her toe in those murky waters before. And why would she?
In the real world, that stuff didn't matter. But here, in the game world, it was a whole different ball game.
There were rules here, unwritten laws that governed every move you made. And James was about to learn that the hard way. Because in this world, ignorance wasn't bliss.
Sophia couldn't help the flicker of frustration that danced in her eyes, but she fought to keep her cool. "Do you think I'm afraid of your threats?" she shot back, her voice steady despite the storm raging within her.
Noah merely shrugged in response. "It's not a threat," he retorted, his tone as cool as ice. "Just stating the facts and logic, Sophia."
His words hit her like a cold splash of water, jolting her back to reality. She couldn't deny that Noah had a point. There was no malice in his words, just a simple truth staring her right in the face.
But Sophia wasn't about to back down that easily. She squared her shoulders, meeting Noah's gaze head-on. "Fine," she said, her voice tinged with defiance. "Bring on your facts and logic. I'm ready for whatever you've got."
Noah's lips quirked in a small smile, a silent acknowledgment of her resilience. He respected her spunk, that much was clear. "Alright then," he replied, his tone softening just a touch. "But just remember, Sophia, sometimes the truth hurts. And it's up to you whether you let it break you or make you stronger."
Mila stood at the edge of the tavern as she listened intently to the conversation unfolding nearby. Her eyes flickered between the speakers, her attention fully captured by the drama unfolding before her.
As James and Sophia exchanged barbs, Mila couldn't help but feel a pang of disbelief. The revelation sent a shiver down her spine. She had never suspected the depth of Sophia's manipulation, the way she had twisted Allen around her finger with such ease. It was chilling to think about, to realize just how skilled Sophia was at playing the game—both in and out of the virtual world.
But as James continued to lay out the harsh reality of Sophia's decision, Mila found herself nodding in silent agreement. Sophia's attempts to paint herself as the victim, to shift the blame onto others—it was all too transparent. And yet, there was something about the way James spoke, the way he cut through the lies with such precision, that made Mila pause.
In that moment, she found herself understanding Allen in a way she never had before. His guarded demeanor, his reluctance to trust—it all made sense now. How could he not be wary, when faced with someone like Sophia? Someone who could weave a web of deceit so effortlessly, leaving destruction in her wake.
And yet, despite it all, Mila couldn't help but see another side to Allen. A softer side, hidden beneath the layers of cynicism and suspicion. She could see it in the way he held himself, in the flicker of emotion that passed through his eyes when he thought no one was looking.
It was a reminder that, beneath the cold exterior, there was still a heart beating, still a soul searching for connection in a world that often felt devoid of it.
Mila found herself grappling with a newfound understanding of Allen. Allen may be guarded, may be distant at times, but he was still human. And in that realization, she felt a sense of empathy bloom within her, a desire to stand by his side, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
The chatter in the tavern was suddenly drowned out by a chorus of frightened screams echoing from outside. Heads turned, eyes wide with alarm as the noise pierced through the air like a knife.
The banter among the group came to an abrupt halt, their expressions shifting from casual to serious in the blink of an eye. As one, they turned towards the entrance of the tavern, a sense of foreboding hanging heavy in the air.
The once lively atmosphere was now tinged with tension as the cacophony of chaos and fighting spilled in from outside. Skills being unleashed, swords clashing, and the eerie sound of malicious laughter sent shivers down their spines.
Sophia's heart raced as she exchanged worried glances with the others. "What is going on out there?" she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.