Chapter 32: Sold for Silence, Born in Shadows

"My answer is that whoever bids the highest will win my account," Evan declared, shocking James and everyone else who had expected him never to sell his account.

"Hey, bro, what are you doing? Why are you trying to sell your account? It's a unique element, bro!" James protested, pulling him aside from the group.

"Why do you ask? Can't you see those guys who just took my picture? I'm sure they're going to post it on social media, which will waste a lot of our gaming time, and I don't think you'd appreciate that," Evan explained, trying to make James understand his reasoning.

"But how? I thought it would make you popular, and I don't see how it could affect our gaming time," James asked, still confused.

"Well, you see, when we play games and someone who's seen this post comes over, they'll start asking whether my account is for sale or not. That will waste time, and if I sell it here, then no one will bother the guy who buys it. Or if they do, then it's his problem," Evan elaborated.

After a long contemplation, James finally agreed with his plan and decided to let him sell the account.

"Okay, whoever wants to buy it, raise your bid by raising your hand," James shouted, signaling the start of the bidding again.

The value of the account soared even higher, now reaching around 970,430 points.

Evan could hardly contain his excitement, knowing that he was about to receive a windfall that would support him for a long time.

Little did he know that this money would vanish as quickly as the weekend.

After selling his account to the man who had requested his bank details, Evan received the money within minutes of providing them.

As he contemplated what to do with this unexpected windfall, he decided to anonymously donate half of it—about four hundred thousand—to his orphanage, fearing they might reprimand him if they knew the source of the funds.

With the remaining half, he planned to treat himself, buy gifts for Rossy and Jason for their birthdays, and throw a modest party for his friends at a nice restaurant, postponing any further plans for later.

Snapping back to reality, Evan provided the buyer with his account details, allowing him to log in and make changes at his discretion.

The new owner, initially liking the name "Tenebris Revenant," decided to change it to his own after Evan's earnest request. And so, the name "Tenebris Revenant" was erased.

Evan, with a determined look, decided to create a new account and awaken a talent that would blow everyone's mind.

Initially shocked, he looked around to see if anyone was watching him, but no one seemed to notice. The crowd was too absorbed in the gameplay of another player, who was exceptionally skilled with his new ID.

James was also impressed, watching the players' game, not even noticing Evan's work.

Evan turned off his ID after naming it Tenebris Revenant, reflecting on his past as he stared at the new, darker identity he had just created.

He then noticed his friend, who seemed amazed by the new player's skills. The player wielded the character's abilities so expertly that he appeared like a professional, while Evan, by comparison, seemed like a novice.

Evan pulled James away from the crowd, who was still watching the skilled player.

"Hey, bro, why are you pulling me away? Can't you let me watch a bit more? He's much more skilled than you—and even both of us combined!" James said, looking satisfied.

"Okay, okay, but what I've got is something far more powerful than this shadow ID and that guy's skills," Evan replied with a grin.

"But what is it? Is it about your new ID? Which element did you awaken—fire, earth, or air?" James inquired, remembering that Evan was creating a new ID.

"No, it's something much more shocking. You'll be shocked too," Evan said, his smile widening.

"Bro, did you do something crazy again?" James asked, his suspicion growing that his friend might have discovered some new, insane element.

"Let's set that aside for now and tell me what you're going to do with this money," James said, glancing at Evan's bank account, which displayed an impressive sum. While it might not have been a lot for James, for Evan, it felt substantial.

"Oh, nothing much. I'm planning to donate a portion to my orphanage, and the rest will go towards gifts for my uncle and aunt," Evan replied as the two of them left the arcade.

Subsequently, the two friends relaxed outside for a while and had dinner at the arcade. Around midnight, they retired to their respective rooms.

Evan, who was particularly joyful during those days, vividly remembered the following day, which was a bit of a blunder when he was introduced to everyone as a family member of Jason and Rossy Valor.

Now, everyone in hisgh society knew him, and being recognized as a member of the Valor family was no small feat.

But those days were wonderful, and Evan would never forget them.

As he packed his school bag, preparing to head to school, he reflected on those times, realizing that even the most unexpected decisions could lead to unforgettable memories.