Chapter 755: Carry The Group
Villain Ch 755. Carry The Group
'Yep, as I expected,' he thought wryly. It wasn't the first time he had found himself in this situation – a high-level player, idle and alone, becoming a prime target for lower-level players in need of a helping hand to boost their progress. It was a common occurrence in the gaming world, and Allen had learned to recognize the signs.
After all, most high-level players didn't mind lending a hand to fellow gamers if they had nothing better to do. However, Allen had other plans for the day, and he wasn't about to let himself be roped into someone else's agenda.
"Sorry, folks. I'm actually waiting for someone," Allen replied politely, his tone firm but friendly.
The healer persisted, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation. "Come on, just five or ten minutes. We're planning to tackle a dungeon nearby, and an extra hand would really come in handy," she pleaded, trying to sway Allen's decision.
Allen hesitated for a moment, feeling a twinge of guilt at their earnest request. However, he knew he couldn't afford to delay his meeting with Azura any longer. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I can. She'll be here any second now," he explained, hoping they would understand.
The tank nodded in disappointment, his expression crestfallen. "Okay, no problem. Maybe next time," he conceded, his disappointment palpable as they turned to leave.
Unfortunately, Allen's anticipation turned into mild frustration as Azura failed to make an appearance. He felt a pang of disappointment, wondering what could be keeping her.
To distract himself from the growing unease, Allen feigned busyness, pretending to be engrossed in his inventory user interface. He scrolled aimlessly through his items, hoping to appear occupied and avoid attracting any more unwanted attention.
But despite his efforts to blend in, he couldn't shake off the curious stares of nearby groups. They whispered among themselves, casting furtive glances in his direction, their curiosity piqued by his solitary presence.
Meanwhile, Allen couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of unease gnawing at him. According to his killing list, Azura was already online, so where could she be?
'What is she doing?' Allen wondered, his mind racing with possibilities as he awaited her arrival.
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As if on cue, another group approached him, their eagerness palpable as they eyed him expectantly. Allen braced himself for yet another round of invitations.
A burly warrior approached him with a hopeful expression. "Hey there, buddy. We're short on players for our group today, and we could really use someone of your level to help us out. We've been searching for a healer all day, but no luck. Can you join us and help us level up?" the warrior asked, his tone earnest as he appealed to Allen's sense of camaraderie.
Allen sighed inwardly, accustomed to these kinds of requests. "Sorry. I've got plans already," he replied apologetically, hoping to politely decline the invitation without causing offense.
The warrior's expression fell, disappointment evident in his eyes. "Can't you help us out for just a moment? We really need another high-level character to carry us through this dungeon," he pressed, his tone pleading as he tried to sway Allen's decision.
Before Allen could respond, a voice interrupted their conversation. "I'm sorry, I'm late!" Azura exclaimed, rushing over to where Allen was sitting.
Allen's face lit up at the sight of her, relief washing over him. "No problem," he assured her with a smile, immediately closing his inventory screen and standing up from the bench.
The warrior glanced between Allen and Azura, realizing that his efforts to recruit Allen had been in vain. "Oh, I see. Well, maybe next time then," he said, his disappointment evident in his tone as he turned to leave.
Azura smiled gratefully at Allen, her eyes sparkling with appreciation. "Thanks for waiting," she said, relieved to have finally arrived.
Allen returned her smile, feeling a sense of relief that they could finally start their gaming adventure together. "Let's get going," he replied, eager to leave the bench behind.
Allen and Azura walked away from the gate, leaving behind the disappointed warrior. Azura couldn't help but notice the crestfallen expression on the player's face. "Is he your friend or something?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Allen shook his head, his lips quirking up in a wry smile. "Nah, I don't know him. He just asked me to carry his group," he replied, his tone tinged with a hint of amusement.
Azura nodded in understanding. "Ah, one of those players," she remarked, a note of sympathy in her voice. It wasn't uncommon for players to seek out higher-level characters to help them progress through difficult dungeons or quests, often without considering the other player's plans or preferences.
"Yeah," Allen agreed, his expression mirroring Azura's understanding.
Azura's gaze drifted to Allen's avatar, taking in his appearance with mild surprise. "I didn't expect you to choose a simple appearance," she admitted, her tone filled with genuine curiosity. "I mean, an assassin class suits your fighting style, but I always imagined you'd be decked out in flashy gear or something," she added, unable to hide her astonishment.
Allen chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Nah, I've never been one for flashy gear," he confessed, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I prefer to keep things simple and practical."
Azura raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Really? I would've thought you'd be all about the glitz and glamor," she teased, nudging him playfully.
Allen grinned, enjoying their banter. "Nah, not my style," he replied, his tone light-hearted. "Besides, flashy gear tends to attract more attention than I'd like."
"I get what you mean. There are definitely some flashy gears in this game that offer practical benefits too," she agreed, her tone thoughtful. "It's all about finding that balance between style and functionality."
Allen shrugged casually, a relaxed smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I get that. But personally, I've always been more focused on reaching the endgame and getting those top-tier gears," he admitted, his voice tinged with a hint of determination. "I'd rather save my resources for that instead of splurging on mid-game items."
Azura raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his approach. "That's a smart strategy," she remarked, nodding in approval.
Allen sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Yeah," he admitted, his tone tinged with disappointment. "Unfortunately, with my new identity, it feels like I'm being pigeonholed into just playing for fun.
I can't really get involved in the more serious aspects of the game like joining political guilds or participating in major events.Even if I manage to defeat powerful villains or win challenging battles, there's always that lingering suspicion that I'm somehow cheating or getting special treatment because of my status."
Azura nodded in agreement, her disappointment mirrored in her expression. "Yeah," she said, her tone tinged with frustration. "But hey, at least we can still enjoy the game together, right?"