Villain MMORPG: Almighty Devil Emperor and His Seven Demonic Wives

Villain Ch 1637. Forgotten Investigation

The candlelight flickered between them. Smoke curled upward from the hearth, softening the edges of the tavern in a haze of woodfire and roasted meat. The background chatter had died to murmurs.

A group of players at another table debated the price of enchanted runes. A solo bard now played a somber, eerie melody in the background. Nothing lively. Just something that lingered.

“I should go,” Allen said, standing smoothly.

Elio blinked. “Already?”

Allen gave him a faint, apologetic smile. “Yeah. Got things to prepare. You know how it is.”

James raised a brow. “Tomorrow’s photoshoot? I heard it from Mila.”

Allen chuckled once, the sound low and amused. “Something like that.”

Noah sat up straighter. “Hey, uh… thanks. For talking. Honestly, it’s nice.”

That got a real reaction—subtle, but real. Allen’s expression softened just a notch. “Same. I can’t exactly show up around players too often. So this?” He gestured vaguely to the table, the empty mugs, the quiet atmosphere. “It’s rare. I appreciate it.”

James nodded. “Thanks for the drinks, by the way. You didn’t have to. We were actually joking about it. “

Allen waved a hand. “Don’t mention it.”

Elio gave a tired smile. “Still generous. Even if you did almost cut me in half earlier.”

“I was holding back,” Allen said with a smirk.

“Sure you were,” Elio muttered under his breath.

Allen stepped back from the table, his boots making a soft tap on the wooden floor. “Take care, all right?”

“Yeah,” Noah said. “You too.”

Allen walked through the tavern like shadow, slipping between tables and idle players.

James leaned back in his chair, exhaling. “That guy’s something else.”

Noah glanced toward the now-closed tavern door. “Yeah. He’s intense. But he’s sharp. Knows way more than he lets on.”

“Like way more,” James muttered. He raised his mug, frowned at the emptiness, and set it down again. “You ever get the feeling he’s already five steps ahead of the room before he even speaks?”

Noah gave a dry laugh. “Every time. It’s like… he’s not even in the same conversation as the rest of us. Just drops in, says what he wants, and leaves while we’re still trying to catch up.”

James drummed his fingers on the table. “He’s got that aura, y’know? Like a boss NPC pretending to be a player.”

Noah leaned on his arm, smirking. “Or a final raid boss on vacation.”

“Don’t joke like that,” James muttered.

Noah chuckled, but his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Still… I get why Mila likes him.”

James leaned in a little, grin playing at the edge of his mouth. “She still head over heels?”

“More like neck-deep and asking for the shovel.” Noah sighed. “She’s been talking about him non-stop. Even Mom noticed.”

James barked a laugh. “Your mom? No way.”

“She asked if he was courting her.” Noah rolled his eyes. “Like we live in a feudal village.”

“Well, maybe she’s right. Mila’s a top-tier model. He’s… whatever Allen is. Loaded. Dangerous. Mysterious. Probably built like a sin.”

Noah made a face. “Please don’t describe him like that.”

James smirked. “C’mon. It makes sense. He’s even gonna be in her next shoot.”

Noah nodded reluctantly. “Yeah. Tomorrow. Some urban fantasy theme. Dangerous CEO or mafia boss or something.”

“So you’re telling me your sister, who’s clearly in love with this guy, is doing a sensual shoot with him tomorrow?”

“…Yes.”

James whistled low. “Dude. Just marry her off already. He’s obviously the final boss of all hot brooding types.”

Noah shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Mila does what she wants. I can’t make her do anything.”

“But you want her to, right?” James asked, grinning.

Noah paused, shoulders rising slightly before he shrugged. “I don’t know. If he makes her happy… maybe. But Allen’s dangerous. You saw how he talks. How he plans. He’s not the kind of guy who gives his heart away. But yeah, he is a Goldborne so… maybe it will be a good corporation.”

“Maybe he already did,” James offered. “And he’s just good at pretending he didn’t.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “Romantic.”

“I read, okay?”

Noah snorted, shaking his head. “You read smutty dating sims.”

“Still counts.”

As the two bantered, Elio sat quietly, nursing his half-drained mug. The laughter didn’t quite reach him. Not tonight.

His gaze lingered on the table, then drifted to the flickering firelight again.

Allen’s movements earlier…

They were too fast.

Too precise.

And that thing that bothered him the most—it wasn’t the damage or the skill synergy. It was how clean it all was. Like Allen wasn’t reacting—he was orchestrating. Like every swing Elio made had already been predicted two turns ahead.

He gritted his teeth and took another sip.

Two years ago, they were on the same tier. Rivals. Back then, they sparred a few times. And Elio had landed blows. Real ones.

Now?

He couldn’t touch him.

Not once.

And the worst part was how Allen didn’t even seem pressed. That first duel today? That wasn’t serious. That wasn’t even a warm-up. Allen had been playing. Like a cat batting a toy before the kill.

Elio’s fingers clenched his mug tighter.

That kind of precision… that eerie, detached cruelty masked behind half-smirks and soft words…

It felt familiar.

Too familiar.

Like that devil emperor.

That kind of cruelty.

That kind of control.

‘Ugh… yeah, I forgot to investigate if the Devil Emperor is the same as him or not in the last event!’ Elio cursed internally, slumping forward slightly.

He’d meant to. Really. He was right there.

But… he got distracted. Caught up in the battle heat. In the party drama. In the succubi’s charms.

Now that he thought about it…

No.

It couldn’t be.

Could it?

“Elio?” James asked suddenly.

Elio blinked. “Huh?”

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” he said too quickly. “Just thinking.”

Noah raised an eyebrow. “About Allen?”

“…Maybe.”

James smirked. “Don’t tell me you’re developing a crush too.”

Elio groaned and flicked a peanut at him. “Shut up.”

They laughed again, but Elio just smiled tightly and looked toward the tavern door once more.

And Elio knew—he knew—that if he didn’t figure it out soon…

Then next time they crossed paths, it wouldn’t be as friends. Or even rivals.

It’d be as prey.

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