Villain MMORPG: Almighty Devil Emperor and His Seven Demonic Wives

Villain Ch 963. Dangerous Mindset

Red_King's eyes narrowed as he spotted the source of the spell, a smirk forming on his lips. "Talk about 'leveling the playing field'," he said, his tone dripping with mockery. His gaze locked onto Sophia, who stood in the midst of a small group of players, her staff still glowing with the aftereffects of the healing spell.

Sophia looked like a devoted healer—someone who was there to mend the broken, to restore hope. But to Red_King, her appearance was nothing more than a thin veneer.

"She never misses a chance to make herself look like the hero," Red_King continued, his voice low but filled with disdain. "Even after everything, she's still playing the same game."

Father^Alex followed Red_King's gaze and let out a sigh. "Well, at least she heals everyone," he said, though the note of uncertainty and sarcasm in his voice was unmistakable. Sophia's betrayal still stung him, but he had come to expect it in some way, which made the hurt more manageable. He had accepted it, albeit reluctantly, and he bore no lingering malice toward her.

It was a wound that had scarred over but had not fully healed.

Red_King scoffed, his arms crossing over his chest in a gesture of clear disdain. "It's not the healing that bothers me, Alex," he replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "It's the way she uses it. Healing should be about helping others, about doing what's right. But for her, it's just another way to make herself look good, to boost her reputation.

It's all about her." The bitterness in his tone was undeniable, a reflection of his wounded pride. He still felt the sting from earlier when he had been forced to accept Sophia's Mass Healing despite his dislike of her. It wasn't just about her betrayal; it was about the fact that he had no choice but to rely on her, and that grated on him. Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire

Father^Alex nodded, understanding the root of Red_King's frustration. "It's true," he admitted quietly. "She always has to be the center of attention, doesn't she? Even in the midst of battle, she's more concerned with how she looks to others than actually leading or strategizing. It's like she's playing a different game, one where the goal is to be admired rather than to win."

"Pfft! She is not a leader type. I know that kind of person if I see one," Red_King sneered in disdain. He clenched his jaw, his gaze never leaving Sophia as she continued to bask in the attention of the other players. "She's always been like that," he said, his voice hardening. "Even before everything went south, she was always about appearances.

I used to think it was just her way of coping, of keeping things together. But now… I see it for what it really is."

Mastercraft, who had been listening silently, finally spoke up. "It's a dangerous mindset, thinking you can win people over with just appearances and gestures. But it's even more dangerous when those same people start to see through it. Eventually, it's going to backfire on her."

Red_King's smirk returned, but there was no humor in it. "I hope you're right. Because if she keeps this up, she's going to find herself alone when it matters most. And in this game, being alone is the last thing you want. Checkmate. Mac (Elio) wins."

Father^Alex exhaled slowly, leaning back against the bench as he tried to push aside the bitterness that was threatening to take hold. His eyes were downcast, and he rubbed his hands together, as if the friction could somehow dissipate the frustration building inside him. "Maybe she'll change," he said, though the words sounded hollow even to him.

His voice lacked conviction, the statement more of a hope than a belief. "Maybe she'll realize that being a leader isn't just about looking good or having the right words. It's about the decisions you make, the risks you take for your team."

Red_King and Mastercraft exchanged a flat stare, their expressions reflecting the same skepticism. The word 'leader' hung heavily in the air, a title they found hard to associate with someone like Sophia. Father^Alex noticed their reaction and exhaled a long breath, his shoulders slumping slightly as he cringed inwardly.

"Leader of the healers," he corrected himself quickly, the words coming out in a softer, almost apologetic tone. He tried to muster some defense for her, knowing it was a losing battle. "You have to admit her skills as a healer are above average," he reminded them, though his voice lacked the usual confidence.

Red_King shook his head slowly, a grim expression darkening his features. His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched reflexively. "People like her don't change, Alex," he said, his tone laced with frustration. "Not unless they're forced to. She's too comfortable with the way things are, too used to being praised for doing the bare minimum.

Why would she change when it's gotten her this far?" His eyes, usually sharp and focused, now held a trace of weariness, as if the very idea of Sophia's complacency weighed on him.

Mastercraft shrugged, his gaze flicking back to the crowd, his face impassive. His fingers drummed lightly against the hilt of his sword, a habit he had developed when deep in thought. "Maybe she won't," he said, his voice indifferent, almost resigned. "But in the end, it's not our job to worry about her. She is Mac's and Order of Valiance's problem.

We have our own battles to fight, our own challenges to face." His eyes scanned the horizon, as if searching for the next challenge, the next enemy to confront. "If she wants to play her game, let her. We'll just have to make sure we're ready for whatever comes next."

Father^Alex nodded slowly, though a part of him still felt conflicted. His fingers tightened around the edge of the bench, knuckles whitening as he tried to suppress the nagging doubt gnawing at him. "I guess you're right," he murmured, more to himself than to the others. His gaze dropped to the ground, lost in thought.

"We have to focus on what we can control, on getting stronger and finding a way to beat the villains next time." There was a hint of resolve in his voice, but it was tinged with the fatigue of their earlier defeat.