Villain Ch 169. Envy

Allen’s eyes fell on the two players in front of him.

Player_Eater, the herbalist, had a vibrant mane of purple hair that cascaded down to his shoulders. His bright purple hair served as a striking testament to his individuality. His player’s name was Darren.

Greg, the craftsman, possessed a head of sleek, jet-black hair that complemented his stoic demeanor. His obsidian short hair was neatly styled, lending an air of sophistication to his appearance. Standing at an average height, his character had a sturdy build, a testament to his dedication to physical strength in the virtual world. His player’s name was Liam.

There was a time when they formed an unstoppable team, a force to be reckoned with in the virtual realm of Shadow Cosmic Combat. They were like a well-oiled machine, working seamlessly together to achieve victory in every battle.

But then, the winds of change blew, and the harmony they once shared was shattered. Elio exploited the growing discontent within the team. Allen couldn’t deny that Elio had played a part in their betrayal, but deep down, he knew the root of the problem lay with Darren and Liam.

Jealousy had silently festered within his former comrades’ hearts. They harbored feelings of resentment towards Allen, believing that he hogged the spotlight and overshadowed their own contributions. In their eyes, Allen was the center of attention, while they were relegated to the sidelines as mere supporting characters. The vast gap in their gaming skills only amplified their frustration, as they witnessed Allen’s ability to single-handedly dominate the game.

They made the decision to align themselves with Elio, hoping that by doing so, they would no longer be overshadowed by Allen. They believed that with Elio, they could finally step out of the shadows and claim their rightful place in the limelight. Their plan seemed to work as their gaming skills, though not significantly different from Allen’s, allowed them to shine brighter when they were together. They became a formidable trio, dominating the tournament and dividing the spotlight evenly among themselves.

Their victory was a moment of triumph, and they reveled in the adulation of the crowd. The audience’s attention was no longer solely fixated on Allen; it was shared among the three of them. Darren, Liam, and Elio stood side by side, basking in the glory of their accomplishments. It was a satisfying feeling, knowing that they had finally broken free from the role of side characters.

However, their satisfaction was short-lived when Allen won the solo category of the tournament. They had not anticipated this, and their annoyance resurfaced as they watched Allen once again captivate the audience with his exceptional skills. Despite their own victory as a team, Allen’s individual triumph overshadowed their achievements. Once again, the spotlight seemed to gravitate towards Allen effortlessly, and it irked them to no end.

“Long time no see, Allen,” Player_Eater hissed, a hint of animosity evident in his voice. The name sent a jolt of memories through Allen’s mind, bringing back the bitter taste of betrayal. It had been a while since their paths had crossed, and the tension between them was palpable.

Allen’s gaze hardened as he locked eyes with Player_Eater. He bet Elio had told Darren about their meeting and how it had taken a turn for the worse. Elio had spilled the details, leaving no room for doubt.

The air crackled with an unspoken challenge, and the weight of their past grievances hung heavily between them. Allen’s mind raced, considering his options. He believed that Darren and Greg were trying their luck in an attempt to locate Alice and the rest of their group after their rampage. And about why they could find out Allen’s in-game nickname, they knew it from Elio.

But Allen was not one to back down from a challenge. His competitive spirit ignited, fueled by the desire to prove himself once again. On the other side, he knew that the herbalist class, despite being primarily a support role, possessed formidable offensive capabilities. Underestimating a skilled herbalist in a duel could lead to dire consequences.

A wry smile tugged at the corners of Allen’s lips as he responded to Darren’s provocation. “Are you sure you want to challenge me?” he taunted, his voice laced with a mix of confidence and disdain. Allen was determined to assert his dominance.

“Why not?” Player_Eater responded in a nonchalant tone, a smug smirk playing on his lips. “This is just a game, after all,” he taunted, his words dripping with mockery. It was clear that his intentions went beyond merely seeking victory; he wanted to gauge Allen’s strength after his mysterious two-year absence.

Allen’s eyes narrowed as he regarded Darren with a mix of determination and irritation. He understood that this duel held deeper implications than a simple clash of skills. It was a test of his growth, a chance to demonstrate that he had not stagnated during his time away. With a firm resolve, he accepted the challenge, his voice laced with confidence. “Fine then,” he replied, his words carrying a subtle undertone of determination. ｂ𝚍ｎｏ𝚟ｌ.

Without hesitation, he chose yes.

Duel will start in 3… 2… 1…

As the countdown went, Player_Eater waved his hand, using his summoning skill.

At Player_Eater’s side, suddenly, a menacing presence emerged—a towering mandragora, its massive form was intimidating. The creature stood tall, reaching the height of a full-grown adult, its gnarled roots and tendrils coiling around its body like serpents seeking their prey.

The ground beneath the mandragora trembled as its tendrils pierced deep into the earth, anchoring itself firmly in place. Its vibrant leaves rustled with an eerie whisper.

At the same time, with a quick flicker of his fingers, Allen activated his Hiding skill, vanishing into the shadows. He knew it was a futile attempt to evade the mandragora’s detection, but it was worth a shot. The earth elemental monster had a keen sense for detecting intruders, especially those who dared to challenge its master.

Start!