Chapter 390: - He really does have guts


    ?


    The meeting ce for Leon and Marlene that night was the VIP Lounge located on the mid- level floor of the hotel. Yes, it was the same hotel where Leon was staying. He made his way to the lift, taking it up to the VIP lounge.


    As soon as he entered, soft music greeted him-it was already 9 p.m. He scanned the room, noticing a few people scattered about. But where was Marlene?


    He nced to one side and saw a woman waving in his direction.


    It was a woman in her early twenties, with straight ck hair and a casual indoor outfit. Even though her hair was different, Leon could still recognize her-it was the same face Marlene had in the game.


    Leon walked over, and the woman stood up, smiling at him-a bit more warmly than she ever had in the game.


    "Hi..." she greeted.


    "Hi."


    "Olivia," she introduced herself. "My name is Olivia."


    "Leon."


    Without hesitation, she leaned in and brushed her cheek against his in a casual greeting, surprising him.


    "Nice to meet you," she said, stepping back with that same smile.


    As she stepped back, Olivia gestured to the seat across from her. Leon sat down, still trying to process the sudden change in atmosphere.


    They exchanged nces for a moment, the calm music filling the air in the VIP lounge, creating a rxed atmosphere.


    "That... surprised me," Leon said. "You actually showed up tonight."


    She shrugged lightly and smiled. "Well, I felt like I had to do this... our battle failed, and... I think we need to put in some extra effort to get through it, don''t you?"


    Leon nodded. "Agree."


    "So..." she continued. "I''ll be staying at this hotel for a few days, maybe... and..." she paused, looking a bit hesitant. "You''re staying here too, right, Leon?"


    Leon hesitated for a moment before answering. "Uh... yeah, I''m staying here too."


    "You''re a Divine Champion, so it makes sense you''d get these perks. I''ve got the same benefits," she said, giggling softly.


    Leon sighed at her remark. "You really enjoy knowing that I''m a Divine Champion, huh?"


    "Yes... that''s exactly why I wanted to meet you in person. You''ve been really tough on me, you know..."


    Leon chuckled. "Sorry... I guess I went a bit overboard."


    "Yes, you did," she replied with a yful smile.


    "But you were on the opposite side from me in the game. That was just my defense mechanism," Leon exined.


    "I can understand that."


    "And, I think you''re too smart... I could never quite figure out what you were nning, so it''s not my fault, Olivia."


    She chuckled. "I''m not sure if that''s apliment or not. But thanks." Oliviaughed softly. "And it''s so strange hearing you say my name directly like that. But, well, I''m d this meeting happened."


    "This wouldn''t have happened if we hadn''t crossed paths with that Named Demon."


    Olivia sighed. "Yeah... sorry about what went down. I was the first to die, and then you, eventually, too?"


    Leon nodded and shared a few more details about what happened after Marlene was killed in the game.


    Olivia listened quietly, nodding in understanding. "I just felt so frustrated when that girl showed up in front of me. You can imagine how upset I was, right? I have feelings too, you know."


    "Yes, only then did I truly understand how disappointed you were, and I don''t me you, Olivia," Leon said sincerely.


    Olivia smiled and nodded. "Well, I think I can try to put that behind me. We can always go for a second round, right?"


    "Correct..." Leon responded.


    "And..." she continued, "about your status as a Divine Champion."


    Leon nodded slowly, realizing he couldn''t hide that fact anymore. So far, the people who knew for sure were Freya, who had known from the beginning due to her connection with the Golden Age Company. Now, Laura and Olivia were also in the loop. Even though he hadn''t directly confirmed it to either of them, Gremory''s deration in the game had made things pretty clear. At this point, there was no denying it.


    "Listen..." Olivia continued. "I''m going to keep everything that happened in Gremory''s Throne Room between us. You can trust me," she added with a reassuring smile.


    She looked at him more intently. "You should trust me more! I said I want to be friends with you. Is it really that hard to believe?"


    "Trust isn''t something you can force, you know," Leon said with a chuckle. "But I''m sorry, I guess I haven''t thanked you enough. This time, I''ll say it clearly-thank you for all the help you''ve given me."


    Olivia raised an eyebrow, a bit skeptical. "That thank you doesn''t sound very satisfying... Are you sure you meant it?"


    Leon sighed. "Do I need to stand up and announce to everyone in this room just to make you believe me?"


    She giggled. "Yes, you definitely have to do that!"


    Leon chuckled softly, then stood up and nced around at the few people scattered throughout the room. "Would it really bother them if I did this?" he mused.


    The guests appeared rxed, enjoying the calm atmosphere of the lounge,pletely unaware of what he was about to do.


    "What are you doing, Leon?" Olivia asked, a bit rmed.


    "Responding to your challenge," he replied with a smirk.


    "You''re not serious, are you?"


    "You used me of doubting you-now you''re the one doubting me?"


    Leon considered heading to the stage and maybe even singing something while publicly expressing his gratitude. That might be more entertaining—and a better way to fulfill her


    challenge.


    "Wait here, Olivia," he said, walking toward the stage.


    "Leon!" she called, trying to stop him, but he was already making his way up. Curiosity


    sparked in her eyes as she watched, wondering what he was about to do.


    Leon wasn''t exactly used to singing, and he wasn''t sure if his voice was any good. But Lily had


    told him before that his voice wasn''t bad. At least, he''d sung a few times in his room, and asionally gone to karaoke with their uncle.


    "Hi, is there something I can help you with?" the singer on stage asked, noticing him


    approach.


    "Uh, can I sing for a bit?" Leon asked, ncing over at Olivia. "I need to say something to my


    friend."


    "Of course! What song would you like to sing?"


    "I''m not sure, but there''s a song I know pretty well," he replied and then told them the title. The crew nodded in approval.


    Leon settled onto a tall stool, holding the mic in his hand. It was clear that no one was paying much attention to him—everyone in the lounge seemed busy with their own conversations and drinks, absorbed in their own worlds.


    "Good evening, everyone..." Leon began, his voice wavering with a hint of hesitation. He


    quickly pushed the doubt aside.


    "Damn, am I really this reckless?" he thought, surprised at himself for doing something so bold without fully thinking it through.


    "I want to say thanks to my friend, over there," he continued, pointing at Olivia. She looked shocked, covering her mouth with her hand.


    A few people in the lounge finally nced toward the stage, intrigued by the sudden


    announcement.


    "She said my ''thank you'' wasn''t convincing enough, so I''m doing this. Hopefully, our first meeting tonight will lead to a better friendship."


    "Let me sing a song since I''ve already grabbed your attention. I''m not a professional, so feel free to boo me off the stage if my voice is that bad," he added, grinning as some of the crew


    chuckled, joined by a few amused guests.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Leon..." Olivia whispered in disbelief. "He''s actually doing it," she giggled softly.


    The music began, and Leon closed his eyes, letting himself sink into the emotions of the song.


    It was a 15-year-old track, one he used to listen to during his senior high school days. He knew the song well, having sung it almost every day back then.


    Though it was a romantic song, Leon had never really tried to understand its deeper meaning


    --he just liked the vibe. Back then, the song was popr, often covered and sung by many.


    As he started singing, the attention of more people in the lounge gradually shifted toward the


    stage.


    "Not bad," someone murmured.


    "Yeah, I was almost annoyed that my night was interrupted," another remarked.


    "It''s not perfect, but it''s not bad either."


    The night continued, and Leon made it through the song, finishing with a relieved sigh.


    Olivia smiled, watching the whole thing unfold. "He really does have guts," she said softly, giggling at how far Leon had gone to prove his point.