Chapter 1869: Welcome to The Dark Side!
Villain Ch 1869. Welcome to The Dark Side!
Steam curled lazily against his face, water lapping at his chest. For the first time since last night, he allowed his muscles to fully loosen, to give up the tension he usually wore like armor.
And that was all the invitation they needed.
Vivian slid up behind him again, her arms draping over his shoulders as if he were her personal throne. Her lips brushed the edge of his ear. "You earned a massage, darling. Consider this... payment."
Allen chuckled, low in his chest. "Since when do you pay your debts?"
"Since you railed me against a window," she purred, her hands already working into his shoulders.
On his other side, Zoe moved closer, her fingertips brushing along his arm. She didn’t say anything, just leaned into him, cheek pressed against his bicep, humming quietly like she could nap right there in the water.
Shea cracked an eye open from across the spring. "You two hogging him already?" She pushed off the stone and swam over, grabbing one of his hands and placing it on her thigh like she was issuing a challenge. "He’s mine for a while."
Allen raised a brow. "That’s not how this works."
"That’s exactly how this works," Shea said, sinking against him with a sigh.
Bella was next, of course, bounding over with her usual energy. She tugged Allen’s legs into her lap and started massaging his calves like she was kneading bread dough. "Oh my god, your muscles are rocks," she complained. "No wonder you didn’t die last night."
Allen smirked. "High praise."
"Shut up," Bella muttered, cheeks pink.
Larissa lounged nearby, her glass of wine somehow still in her hand, and watched them with lazy amusement. "You’re all vultures."
"You’re jealous," Vivian shot back.
Larissa sipped her wine and smirked. "Correct." She set the glass on the stone edge and finally slid over, her manicured nails grazing down Allen’s chest before settling on his stomach. "Fine. My turn to spoil our emperor."
Allen groaned—half pleasure, half disbelief. "You’re all unhinged."
Alice popped up suddenly, stickers in one hand, water dripping down her grin. "Correction. We’re unhinged and loyal."
Everyone laughed.
Jane was the only one not moving. She floated near the edge, notebook safely left on dry stone. When Allen tilted his head toward her, she shrugged. "I’m watching. Observing. Collecting data."
"Join or shut up," Shea muttered, eyes still closed as she enjoyed rubbing Allen’s hand across her thigh.
Jane sighed dramatically, then swam over and rested her head against Allen’s other shoulder. "Fine. But if he dies of overstimulation, I’m writing the obituary."
"Thanks," Allen said dryly.
Alice tilted her head, water dripping from the ends of her hair. "So... are we actually going online after this? Or are we just gonna rot in here all day like melted dumplings?"
Allen smirked, eyes half-lidded. "I guess. We need to complete some quests and all."
Zoe gave a lazy groan, sliding closer to him until her chin rested on his shoulder. "Just a quick online then. Maybe a fast hunt? Nothing marathon-level."
"Fast hunt?" Vivian snorted, kneading Allen’s shoulders like she was trying to stake a claim. "When has anything with him ever been fast?"
That earned a ripple of laughter around the pool. Allen rolled his eyes but didn’t argue.
Azura had been the quietest, sitting on the far edge of the pool, her knees drawn up, steam curling around her like a shield. She looked almost too shy to breathe.
Allen noticed. He always noticed.
"Azura," he said softly.
Her eyes darted up, then away. "I’m fine."
"No, you’re sulking," he said.
"I’m not—" she started, then sighed. "...Maybe a little. I mean... you’re all villains of the game. Me? I’m not."
He crooked a finger, beckoning her over. Slowly, hesitantly, she slid through the water until she was at his side. He lifted a wet hand and patted her head, gentle.
"Don’t be sad," Allen murmured.
She bit her lip. "It just... feels weird. Like last event."
"What do you mean?"
Azura glanced at the others, then back at him. "Like you’re clearly letting me slide."
Silence pressed in. Even the playful splashing stopped.
Allen’s hand lingered on her hair. "Did the others ask you about it? Like, suspicious?"
Azura shook her head. "I don’t know... but I pretend. Hopefully they don’t notice."
Shea rolled her eyes. "Don’t overthink it. You’re here, you survived last night, you’re in the hot spring. That’s the only membership test that matters."
Alice grinned. "Exactly. And I’ve got a sticker that says Villain-in-Training with your name on it."
Azura flushed deeper, torn between embarrassment and relief. "...You’re all ridiculous."
Allen smiled, brushing her cheek with his thumb. "So am I. So get used to it."
She stared at him. Then nodded. "...Okay."
Bella splashed her playfully. "Welcome to the dark side!"
"Shut up," Azura mumbled, but there was a smile tugging at her lips.
Allen leaned back again, letting their laughter echo in the steam. His chest felt warm—not just from the water, not just from their hands kneading his muscles, but from the strange, terrifying comfort of belonging.
Azura’s throat bobbed. "...That still feels weird."
He reached out, patted her head again, softer this time. "Then let it feel weird. Doesn’t mean it’s wrong."
Her lips parted, trembling just a little. "...Okay."
Zoe wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into the circle. "See? Easy."
Vivian hummed. "Nothing about us is easy."
Allen chuckled under his breath, sinking deeper into the water as their laughter swirled around him.
Vivian tilted her head. "So... when exactly are we logging in?"
"After this soak," Allen muttered. "I’m not going in sore."
Shea smirked. "You’re always sore. Doesn’t stop you."
"True," Allen said, eyes half-lidded.
Bella splashed him lightly. "Bet everyone’s already talking about us. The great villains sleeping in."
Jane snorted. "Let them. Fear builds anticipation."
Alice giggled, leaning forward. "I say we show up late. Make an entrance. Fireworks. Dramatic music."
Azura shifted nervously. "I’ll... just try not to look out of place."
Allen reached over and ruffled her hair. "You won’t. You’re mine. That’s all anyone needs to know."
Zoe grinned. "And there it is—the Emperor card."
Allen smirked. "Damn right."