Chapter 474: RogueOverlord vs. DescendantoftheDarkOne
At the cafeteria, Micah pushed his fork aimlessly through the food on his tray, appetite lost. The earlier post on the campus forum wouldn’t leave his mind.
It wasn’t just about his identity being exposed, or that some strangers on the internet were now calling him a "siren" and "heartthrob". No. What really bothered him was Archie.
That stupid post... Micah stared blankly at the table, lost in thought.
What if the post wasn’t just some gossip leak? What if it was a set-up? What if it hadn’t been a slip-up at all, and Zian and Lulu had intentionally revealed that DarkVyne was from QC University?
It didn’t sit right with him. The Archie from the novel was a cunning bastard, the type who used people like chess pieces. He had manipulated the fake heir to gain Darcy’s appreciation and trust back then. So...what was his game now? What did he want to achieve by exposing him or Darcy?
Micah rubbed his temples and let out a long breath. His initial anger had burned away, leaving behind a cold, uneasy feeling. The more he thought about it, the less random it seemed.
If Archie wanted to lure Darcy into his team, this was the perfect bait. A little accidental leak about FrostbiteAshe and DarkVyne, stir up the online hype, then use the University’s publicity pressure to corner Darcy.
Micah’s head throbbed. Damn it. He should warn Darcy.
He pulled out his phone, feeling apprehensive as he opened WeChat. After a second hesitation, he started typing.
RogueOverlord: Sorry. If anyone asks, deny that you are DarkVyne or Darklegend. I got exposed.
The reply came faster than expected.
DescendantoftheDarkOne: Got it. Where are you right now?
Micah’s lips curved faintly. Darcy was worried about him, even though he had been distant lately.
RogueOverlord: Cafeteria.
DescendantoftheDarkOne: want me to come to you?
RogueOverlord: No need. You’d better not appear beside me. I heard a bunch of crazy people tried to sneak into the dorms earlier.
DescendantoftheDarkOne: Then...Don’t be alone. I don’t care if they find out about me. Call if you need me to pick you up.
RogueOverlord: Thanks, but I am with Melissa and Amy, my classmates. We are heading to the hospital later to visit Russell.
DescendantoftheDarkOne: Okay. He is alright, though?
RogueOverlord: Yeah. Just a cold.
At the same time, elsewhere on campus, Darcy leaned back in his chair, phone resting on his lap, expression dark.
He had already noticed the looks Micah got when he walked onto the campus earlier. Whispers had spread like wildfire, and the moment Darcy checked the university forum, his suspicions were confirmed.
The top post practically shouted "FrostbiteAshe Exposed!" in bold letters. Screenshots, fan theories, and even photos of Micah were all on there for the whole world to see.
Darcy’s fingers hovered over the keyboard. He wanted to delete the entire thing, to take down the post like the last time when Micah was photographed with Clyde.
But when he tried to use his authority, a message popped up:
[This post is protected under university media management. Unauthorised deletion is prohibited.]
The university had locked it. Officially, they were calling it a "publicity boost" for the esports teams. Saying no harm was done.
The reflection in his laptop screen looked back at him, calm, but his eyes were sharp, cold. The itch in his fingers grew stronger. He could easily bypass the system, hack into the site, and erase the post entirely. But that would be letting off Archie too easily.
He shut his eyes for a second, suppressing the impulse.
He hated those names: DarkVyne and DarkLegend. Both accounts were tied to memories he wanted buried. They had been in his previous life, too, back when he played under Archie’s team. Back when things went wrong.
Too many unpleasant memories were resurfacing.
And Micah had never been part of that world before. At least, not in his life. He had never heard that the old Micah could play, let alone at the pro level. If he had, Archie would have bragged about it nonstop. So, this was also another change.
Darcy’s thoughts grew heavier. Archie. It had to be him. The whole mess reeked of him. His scheming. His manipulation.
He was sure Archie was behind the identity exposé. He probably had talked to the HR department about the esports recruitment campaign, a free advertisement for the university’s teams. And using the uni publicity stunt to expose Micah’s identity, putting him in the spotlight, forcing him to join his team.
Archie was that kind of person. Using everything and everyone for his benefit.
He clicked his tongue and began tapping rapidly on his keyboard. He wasn’t going to let Archie keep this shit without any consequences. If Archie wanted to play dirty, fine... but he would regret ever dragging him into it.
Truthfully, he didn’t want to go head-to-head with Archie, but right now, with things unfolding, he was forced to take action.
He could let Archie have Micah, but the problem was Clyde Du Pont. What if he went crazy? That man’s fury burned friends and foes.
He’d better do the damage control himself. Right, from the shadows, quietly.
Micah’s name lingered at the top of his WeChat window.
Micah was... Still too softhearted. Going to visit Russell, Archie’s brother. Even though he probably knew it was Archie’s fault, he got exposed.
Darcy sighed loudly. That kind of kindness would get Micah hurt one day.
His hands resumed moving, murmuring. "Archie... I was planning to let you go... but you’ve started this. Don’t blame me when it ends ugly."
Then he changed the course of the conversation, steering it away from the post and mentioning Archie entirely. He didn’t want Micah to focus on this matter or worse... interacting with Archie any more than necessary. What if they clashed over this and ended up getting close? He still didn’t understand what it was about Archie that had made Micah interested in him before.
He quickly replied to Micah.
DescendantoftheDarkOne: Good. Are you coming back with me after that? Or staying in the dorm? Or heading to Ramsy’s mansion?
RogueOverlord: I’ll go back to Ramsy’s estate whenever you finally agree to come too.
DescendantoftheDarkOne: Fool. By the time that happens, with how empty your head is, you’ll be a broke wanderer.
RogueOverlord
: Hey! I know I am not a genius like you, but please, I got my brain from your adopted family. Don’t insult them! I can fend for myself, thank you very much.DescendantoftheDarkOne: Who said being smart is genetic? Don’t blame your stupidity on your parents.
RogueOverlord: Aha! You just don’t want to admit that your good looks and your intelligence come from the Ramsy family. Tsk. Tsk. How narcissistic can you be, insisting it’s all you?
DescendantoftheDarkOne: I see that post boosted your ego. You think you’re capable now.
RogueOverlord: Nice try to change the subject! But I am still saying your ego is the one refusing to accept its Ramsy roots.
DescendantoftheDarkOne: Fine. You don’t need to come back. Stay with your smart family.
RogueOverlord: Tsk, tsk. Playing this card again? I told you I am not going back until you accept you are a Ramsy.
DescendantoftheDarkOne: You are really obsessed. Go see a therapist. It’s not healthy.
RogueOverlord: Wow! First, I’m a brocon, then a perverted, now mentally ill?
DescendantoftheDarkOne: unhappy? Go away.
RogueOverlord: Fine. Fine. Don’t throw a tantrum. I’ll always be your perverted psycho older brother then. 😉
DescendantoftheDarkOne: No, thanks. It still hurts from the last time, you pain in the ass!
RogueOverlord: That’s given, little brother. 😆
Darcy’s gaze softened, just slightly, as he read the messages. He was still a total idiot, but a cute one.
He didn’t mind having him around.