Villain MMORPG: Almighty Devil Emperor and His Seven Demonic Wives

Villain Ch 860. Unintentional Bodyguard

Gerry's loud exclamation about the motorbike reverberated through the gym, drawing the attention of several members. Allen winced, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him. "Dude, lower your voice," he hissed, trying to keep his own voice down.

Gerry's enthusiastic announcement had made them the unintended center of attention once more. Allen could feel the curious eyes returning, even more intense than before. People were glancing their way, some with knowing smiles, others with outright curiosity.

"Oops, sorry," Gerry said, glancing around with an awkward smile, clearly aware of the sudden focus on them. Despite his apology, the damage was done.

Gerry turned back to Allen, lowering his voice to a whisper, though the excitement still shone in his eyes. "Tell me, how did you get it? Are you doing it to attract the attention of the gym members? To beat Sophia?" he guessed, his eyes wide with intrigue.

Allen sighed, running a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the moment. "Even without it, I would still use that bike," he said, trying to sound casual.

Gerry's eyes narrowed, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Sure, sure. But you have to admit, it's a pretty badass way to make an entrance. Even Sophia can't compete with that."

Allen couldn't help but chuckle, despite his embarrassment. "It wasn't about competing with her. It already belongs to me so I will use it."

Gerry nodded, his expression shifting from teasing to understanding. "I get it, man. Sometimes you need something that's just for you, something that shows who you are without all the other stuff and gets others' attention in a snap." He glanced around the gym, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know, you're getting more attention than usual," he said, his voice carrying a hint of teasing.

Allen raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Really? What makes you say that?"

Gerry nodded subtly towards a girl who was doing lunges nearby. She had been observing them but quickly looked away in panic once she realized Gerry had caught her. "Yup! Even they are bolder now," he said with a grin.

Allen frowned, processing Gerry's words. "Wait, what? So you mean they do watch me sometimes?"

Gerry turned to Allen, his face innocent but with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "Yeah. But they don't openly show it to you, and you usually put a lot of focus on your workout. But yeah, sometimes I catch one or two."

Allen's frown deepened. "But I'm usually sensitive to my surroundings. How did I miss that?" Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

Gerry gave him a dry smile, shaking his head. "Yeah, but your instinct is only for danger, not something like this. And like I said, you usually put a lot of focus on your workout routine—your posture, your sets. You're in the zone, man."

Allen leaned against the bench press, absorbing what Gerry had said. The idea that he was being watched, even admired, was both flattering and unsettling. He had always prided himself on being aware of his environment, on staying vigilant. But Gerry was right—when he was at the gym, his concentration was almost entirely on his workout.

He saw the gym as a place of solitude and self-improvement, not as a stage.

He glanced around the gym, noticing a few more subtle glances in his direction. It was like seeing the world through a new lens, where previously invisible threads of attention now became apparent. The girl who had been caught watching them was now resolutely focused on her lunges, but there was a faint blush on her cheeks.

Allen sighed, a mix of emotions swirling within him. "I guess I've been pretty oblivious, huh?"

Gerry chuckled, clapping him on the back. "Hey, don't beat yourself up about it. It's not a bad thing. And… well, let's face it, you're not exactly hard on the eyes."

Allen couldn't help but laugh at that, the tension easing a bit. "Thanks, I think."

Gerry laughed heartily as they moved to the squat rack. "I'm surprised you didn't notice. I mean, I'm usually enough to drive them away. Maybe they're afraid I'll catch them and tease them."

Allen couldn't help but smile at that. Gerry's boisterous personality and quick wit were often enough to put people on edge, especially those who were shy or unsure of themselves. "Ah, I see. That's why they're watching me," Allen said, his tone teasing.

Gerry grinned, racking up the weights with ease. "Yeah, I'm your unintentional bodyguard, keeping the admirers at bay with my charm and sarcasm."

Allen chuckled, appreciating the humor. But beneath the surface, he felt a growing awareness of the dynamics around him. He took his position under the bar, squaring his shoulders and adjusting his grip.

'This is what I need! Perfect!' he thought. It means he just needed a bit of socializing to boost up his influence.

The weight pressed down on his shoulders, demanding focus and precision. Each squat was a controlled motion. Allen's mind settled into the routine, but now, with a heightened sense of his surroundings, he couldn't help but notice the occasional glance in his direction.

Gerry stood by, spotting him and offering encouragement. "Come on, man. Push through it. You got this."

Allen grunted in response, pushing himself harder. He could feel the burn in his muscles, the strain that signaled growth and progress. When he finished his set, he racked the bar with a satisfying clink and stepped back, breathing heavily.

"Nice work," Gerry said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You're in beast mode today."

Allen wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thanks. I needed that."

Once Gerry took his turn under the bar, Allen glanced around the gym, more attuned to the subtle shifts and glances. It was a strange feeling, being the center of attention without actively seeking it. He had always been more focused on personal goals and self-improvement, never really considering how others might perceive him.

Gerry finished his set with a flourish, racking the bar with a triumphant grin. "Alright, my turn to shine," he said, flexing his arms dramatically.

Allen laughed, shaking his head. "You never miss a chance to show off, do you?"

"Hey, you know me," Gerry replied, winking. "If you've got it, flaunt it."

"Hey, sorry to interrupt," a blonde girl suddenly approached them, her voice carrying a mix of shyness and resolve. A tall brunette girl on her side. "We just wanted to ask you guys something."