Villain Ch 1882. Not Just a Quest Giver
The girl was crying.
"No, please—please, I'll work! I'll sew, I'll clean, I'll—"
Greg's voice cut her off. "It's already decided. The contract is signed."
His wife didn't look at the girl. Didn't blink.
The girl sobbed harder.
And then—
Greg turned.
And looked right at Allen.
Not through him.
At him.
His eyes locked, and for a split second—Allen swore—he saw something real flicker there. Recognition.
"You," Greg said, voice flat. "You don't belong here."
The illusion cracked.
The crowd flickered. The torches glitched. And just like that, the memory popped like a bubble.
The world returned.
The gate now stood open.
Allen stood silent for a moment, jaw tight.
Sira spoke up first, quiet. "He looked at you."
"I know."
"What does it mean?"
Allen's fingers flexed around the grip of his sword. "It means Greg's not just a quest giver. He's part of the curse."
Vivian muttered, "I knew that garlic stench was hiding something."
