Villain Ch 309. Conflicted

After the strange encounter with BattleGoddess, the group decided to push the unusual event to the back of their minds and focus on their daily quests. There weren’t any significant events, just some encounters with several high-level players. Some chose to run away and some chose to ambush them. It had become a regular occurrence for them and became their daily meal. There would be a new event in two days. So, they were simply just hunting normally, slaughtering here and there before they returned to the Cursed Crypts.

The time showed almost 06.00 PM, Allen was ready with neat clothes and headed to the restaurant to dine out with Geralt.

The restaurant was buzzing with activity, the clinking of cutlery and the murmur of conversations filling the air. The aroma of delicious dishes wafted through the space, teasing Allen’s senses and making his stomach growl with anticipation. He approached the hostess stand, where a friendly waitress greeted him with a warm smile.

“Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?” she asked politely.

Allen nodded, “Yes, it’s under Geralt.”

The waitress quickly checked her reservation list and found Geralt’s name. “Ah, yes. Right this way, sir,” she said, leading him through the bustling restaurant to a secluded corner table. The dim lighting and soft music created an intimate ambiance, perfect for a private dinner.

As Allen approached the table, he spotted Geralt waiting there with a warm smile on his face.

Geralt was a striking figure, with a youthful charm that belied his 23 years. His blonde hair, neatly styled, framed his chiseled features, giving him an air of elegance and sophistication. Unlike Allen’s more casual attire, Geralt’s outfit exuded professionalism and formality, reflecting his meticulous nature.

His athletic physique was evident in the way he carried himself, with a natural grace and confidence that commanded attention. It was clear that he took great care of his appearance, and every detail, from the way he walked to the way he held his posture, spoke of his self-assurance and discipline. His keen eyes twinkled with mirth as he saw his old friend approaching.

“Allen, buddy! It’s been too long,” Geralt greeted, standing up to give him a good pat on the shoulder. “You’re looking well.”

Allen returned the gesture with a genuine smile. “You haven’t changed a bit,” he said, appreciating the familiar camaraderie that came with being in the presence of an old friend.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Geralt motioned for Allen to take a seat. As they settled down at the table, the waitress quickly brought over menus and poured the wine.

They opened the menu books and started perusing the extensive selection of dishes available. After a few minutes, they made their choices.

“I think I’ll go with the baked fish,” Allen said, closing the menu book and placing it back on the table.

“Sounds good,” Geralt agreed, also closing his menu book. “I’ll have the Chicken Pasta Bake.” 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝑙．𝑐𝘰𝘮

“Excellent choices,” the waitress said with a smile. “Your orders will be ready shortly. Is there anything else I can assist you with?”

“No, thank you,” Geralt said.

“That will be all,” Allen added.

“Very well. I’ll be back with your dishes in a moment,” the waitress said before excusing herself and leaving the table.

Amidst the pleasant ambiance of the restaurant, Geralt took a moment to look at Allen, concern etched into his features. “Hey, man, how have you been? You’re looking better than ever,” he remarked with a smile, genuine happiness evident in his eyes.

Allen returned the smile, appreciating his friend’s compliment. “Thanks, Geralt. Yeah, I’ve been doing much better lately. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve managed to get through some tough times,” he replied, his voice carrying a sense of determination and resilience.

Geralt nodded understandingly. “I know it must’ve been rough, especially with the whole thing with Sophia and your teammate’s betrayal. But you’ve handled it like a champ, and I’ve got to say, you seem stronger than ever now,” he praised, admiration evident in his tone.

Allen’s shoulders relaxed as he reflected on the challenging moments he had faced. “It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. But I learned a lot from those experiences, and I think they’ve made me a better person and player. I’ve come to realize that sometimes things fall apart so that better things can fall into place,” he said, a newfound sense of wisdom present in his words.

Geralt raised his glass to toast. “Here’s to growth and becoming even better versions of ourselves,” he said, and Allen clinked his glass against his friend’s in agreement.

“I’ll drink to that,” Allen said with a smile.

They sipped their drinks, and then Allen took a moment to ask about Geralt’s well-being. “So, how about you?” he asked. “How’s everything going with you?”

Geralt’s smile faltered slightly, and he looked down at his plate for a moment. “Well, you know about my father’s accident two years ago,” he said quietly. “It was tough for a while, but he’s doing much better now. He’s fully recovered and back to his old self.” It was the reason why Allen couldn’t come to Geralt.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Allen said sincerely. “It must have been really difficult for you and your family.”

“It was,” Geralt admitted. “But we’ve come out of it stronger too. It made us appreciate each other more and cherish the time we have together.”

“That’s true,” Allen said, nodding in understanding. “Sometimes, it takes going through tough times to truly value the people we care about.”

Geralt smiled, grateful for Allen’s understanding. “Exactly,” he said. “And it also made me realize the importance of living in the present and not taking anything for granted.”

“Yeah,” said Allen with a smile, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. Somehow, Geralt’s statement had struck a chord with him, making him want to ask about his own family. His parents. But he hesitated, unsure if it was worth it or if he was ready to hear the answers.

Geralt, being the perceptive friend that he was, noticed the change in Allen’s expression and let out a long exhale. “Let me guess… You want to ask about your family, right?” he said gently.

Allen sighed, feeling a mix of emotions. “Yeah, I do,” he admitted. “I’ve been curious about them, but at the same time, I’ve been afraid of what I might find out.”

A bitter smile bloomed on Allen’s face. “But I know they’re fine. I follow my brother’s Instagrome after all,” he added. From there he could find out about his family, how they took a family trip together, and all the fun he missed.

“So… you don’t want to see your family anymore?” Geralt asked, his voice gentle and understanding. “Or does that mean you’ve cut ties with them?” he inquired once again. “I mean, I know your stepfather is a stubborn person. He always talks about the perfect family and stuff while we all know the perfect family doesn’t exist. All families have their own problems,” Geralt added, trying to offer some perspective.

Allen took a moment to process Geralt’s words. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see his family anymore, but rather that he was conflicted about it.