Villain MMORPG: Almighty Devil Emperor and His Seven Demonic Wives

Villain Ch 666. Hypocrisy

In the dimly lit tavern of Gorroc, Sophia sat with her guildmates, her usual lively demeanor subdued by the weight of recent events. As Elio stood at the front, delivering his speech, she couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt and shame wash over her.

Elio's words of gratitude for their participation in the war event echoed hollowly in Sophia's ears. She knew that her actions, her desperate attempts to gain the devil emperor's attention, had only brought ridicule upon herself and her guild. The crushing defeat they had suffered served as a bitter reminder of her foolishness and naivety.

Except for those, Elio also discussed their guild's plans for the future, including MVP hunts and conquering the dark tower. Yet Sophia found it hard to focus. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of her own shortcomings.

Sophia's once vibrant aura seemed to dim. Her gaze was fixed on the table in front of her, her shoulders slumped with the weight of her shame. Despite the glow of her equipment, there was a darkness that seemed to envelop her.

She couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness gnaw at her insides. She had put herself out there, given her all in a desperate bid for recognition, only to be met with ridicule and scorn. The whispers of the other guilds echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of her failure.

How could she face her guildmates, her friends, knowing that she had become nothing more than a laughingstock?

The weight of her pride bore down on her heavily, suffocating her with its crushing presence. She wanted to scream, to lash out at those who had mocked her, but she knew it would only fuel the fire of their derision. In that moment, Sophia felt utterly alone, isolated by her own mistakes and shortcomings.

James and Noah stood on the outskirts, their attention drawn to Sophia's somber demeanor. Noah nudged James playfully, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he gestured toward Sophia.

"Hey, don't you think you should go over there and cheer her up?" Noah teased, his voice hushed to avoid disrupting the solemn atmosphere of the gathering.

James shot Noah a sidelong glance, his expression tinged with annoyance at the teasing. "Seriously, dude? Can't you give it a rest for once?" he retorted, his voice barely audible above the murmur of the crowd.

Noah's teasing grin widened as he nudged James, his playful demeanor evident even in the midst of their solemn surroundings. "Just throwing it out there," he quipped, his tone laced with mischief as he prodded James about his thoughts on Sophia.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

James rolled his eyes at Noah's antics, suppressing a frustrated sigh as he focused his attention back on Elio's speech. Despite Noah's jesting, Noah knew James' analysis was rarely off the mark, and Sophia's actions had indeed caught him off guard.

With a snort of disbelief, James shook his head, his brow furrowing in annoyance as he contemplated Sophia's reckless behavior. "I mean, seriously, what was she thinking?" he muttered under his breath, his frustration evident in his tone.

Noah arched an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he watched James struggle to articulate his thoughts. "Looks like she's out of the loop, huh?" he teased, his tone laced with amusement as he poked fun at James's exasperation.

James shot Noah a pointed look, his irritation simmering beneath the surface as he bristled at his friend's teasing. "Yeah, well, it's not like she's doing us any favors," he retorted, his voice tinged with bitterness as he voiced his frustration with Sophia's actions.

James leaned in closer to Noah, his voice low as he shared his thoughts on Sophia's role in their plans. "I was thinking we could use her to our advantage, but now? Forget it," he muttered, his frustration evident in his tone.

Noah's smirk widened into a grin as he listened to James's assessment, his amusement evident in his expression. "So much for that plan, huh?" he remarked, his tone playful as he teased James about their failed attempt to enlist Sophia's help.

James shook his head, a sense of resignation settling over him as he acknowledged the futility of relying on Sophia. "Yeah, looks like we'll have to find another way," he conceded, his tone heavy with disappointment.

Nearby, Darren and Liam exchanged amused glances as they overheard James and Noah's conversation about Sophia. A mischievous smirk playing on their lips.

Leaning in closer to Liam, Darren couldn't resist teasing him about Sophia's potential motives. "Think she'll come crawling to us for sympathy?" he quipped, his tone laced with amusement as he contemplated Sophia's next move.

Liam's lips curved into a wicked grin as he considered Darren's question. "Wouldn't put it past her. After all, she sees us as her loyal minions," he remarked, his voice dripping with disdain as he spoke of Sophia's perceived arrogance.

Darren chuckled dryly at Liam's response, nudging him playfully as he teased him about his newfound villainous demeanor. "Look at you, embracing your inner bad guy," he jested, his tone light despite the seriousness of their conversation.

Liam shrugged nonchalantly, his smirk widening as he defended his stance. "Hey, I'm just playing by her rules," he retorted, his voice tinged with smug satisfaction as he asserted his own sense of justice in the situation.

Darren chimed in with a pointed observation, reminding Liam of their own moral ambiguity. "Let's not pretend we're the good guys here," he interjected, his tone carrying a hint of reproach as he challenged their self-perception.

The words hung in the air, casting a momentary silence over their group as they grappled with the uncomfortable truth of their own hypocrisy. Despite their attempts to manipulate Sophia for their own gain, they couldn't deny the darkness lurking within themselves.

Elsewhere, VirtualValkyrie stood alone in the deserted building, her avatar bearing a vacant expression as she remained AFK. The dilapidated structure served as a stark contrast to the bustling activity elsewhere in the city. The building was an NPC's home and it was nothing more than a display to fill the city. Also, she was alone and not with her guild, the Ironclad Legion.

VirtualValkyrie's player reached up and carefully removed the VR device from her head, revealing short silver hair reminiscent of Emma's. With striking blue eyes and a demeanor that exuded cool confidence, she possessed a beauty that captivated the audience's attention. Unlike Emma's gentle features, VirtualValkyrie's face was marked by a cool allure that set her apart from others in the real world.

Once the VR device was lifted away, VirtualValkyrie's player blinked, adjusting to the transition from the virtual realm to the real world. The contrast between her virtual persona and her physical appearance was striking, yet it only added to her allure.

Her fans admired not only her stunning looks but also her cunning fighting style, which often capitalized on the surrounding battlefield to gain an advantage.

With a sigh, VirtualValkyrie's player set aside the VR device, her mind still lingering in the virtual world even as she returned to reality. The memories of her recent battle and the challenges she faced in the digital landscape remained fresh in her mind.

With a deft click of her keyboard, VirtualValkyrie's stream transitioned seamlessly from the virtual battlefield to her real-world surroundings. The camera feed shifted to reveal her sitting in her room, surrounded by a minimalist interior that reflected her personality. The room exuded a sense of calm and simplicity, with clean lines and muted colors dominating the space.

Despite its minimalist design, the room was not devoid of personality. Gaming memorabilia adorned the walls, showcasing VirtualValkyrie's passion for gaming. Posters of her favorite games and characters added splashes of color to the otherwise neutral palette, while shelves lined with gaming peripherals and collectibles served as a testament to her dedication to the craft.

In one corner of the room, a sleek gaming setup beckoned, complete with a powerful computer rig and multiple monitors. The keyboard and mouse glowed with soft LED lights, ready to be wielded in fierce virtual battles. A comfortable gaming chair sat before the setup, its ergonomic design ensuring hours of uninterrupted gameplay.

The camera captured her relaxed yet focused expression. She adjusted her headset, preparing to engage with her audience in the real world after a thrilling adventure in the virtual realm.

Taking a moment to catch her breath, VirtualValkyrie let out a long exhale. "Whew, that was seriously intense," she confessed, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and nerves. Her heart was still racing from the adrenaline-pumping battle and her unexpected encounter with the emperor.

Glancing over at her computer screen, she was met with a flood of activity in her streaming chat. Expecting to see a barrage of angry messages or heated debates about her decision not to join forces with the emperor, she was surprised to find something entirely different.

NoobNinjaBanana: What's wrong with your face?

CheesePuffChampion: Are you okay?

SaltySasquatchSlayer: You look weird.

She frowned. "What do you mean?" she spoke.

LootGoblinJester: Your face is red.

QueenofQuarters: You look sweaty.

PixelPenguinPirate: Are you blushing?