Regression - Second Chance At Life

Chapter 298: Danny’s Life

"Dude, you are too good at this!!!" Danny says excitedly as he sees Adam go on a generational run in the combat game he chose.

This is Adam’s 20th consecutive victory, taking the account’s ranking that he is playing on to the next rank.

But even as the opponents he faced got better with each rank improvement, they didn’t even come close to defeating Adam once.

Danny, who just sat beside Adam and watched this happen, couldn’t believe his eyes; his eyes were fixed on the screen while his hands trembled with excitement.

Just watching Adam dominate made his blood pump with excitement.

"I just have very good reaction time," Adam says, delivering a final blow to his opponent, winning another match.

"I think I have had enough of this," He says, putting down the controller.

"Dude, seriously, you are too good. If I didn’t see you play right before my eyes, I would have thought you were cheating," Danny says.

Adam chuckles but doesn’t say anything.

"Is it just this one, or do you play other games as well?" Danny asks.

"I play all of them. I especially like to do impossible Black Soul-type challenges during my free time," Adam says, lying.

But it’s not a complete lie, because if he did try to play those kinds of games, he knows he would be amazing at them, given his superior physical traits.

"Have you thought of going professional?" Danny asks with a shine in his eyes. After all, he is really into this kind of shit.

He spends hours watching online streamers play competitive video games. So, having a friend who is just as good as them feels like a flex to Danny

"No way, I do gaming for fun and to pass time, I don’t think I would like going professional with it," Adam says.

"Your loss then. I think you are good enough to be the world champion. Imagine all the fame you are going to have if you manage to become a world champion?" Danny says, hinting at Adam to take it a little seriously, given how good Adam really is.

"Not for me, but when I come to being famous, I don’t think that would be a problem for me," Adam says.

"What do you mean?" Danny asks, as he gets a little curious about Adam’s statement.

"Well, I am going to go pro with MMA, so I am going to be famous anyway," Adam says, sounding confident yet nonchalant.

"Wait? MMA? You mean like real fighting? Inside a cage/ring?" Danny asks to clarify.

"Yes," Adam confirms it. "Dude! That’s awesome, you know how to fight? How good are you?" Danny asks.

"Yes, I do, and I’m really good. That’s why I am going pro with it," Adam clarifies.

"Dude, you are like the coolest friend I ever had," Danny says excitedly.

Adam studies Danny with his careful gaze, and he doesn’t seem to be lying about it.

"Really? I am sure you must have some cool friends, given who you are," Adam says. After all, Danny’s a son of a billionaire, even if the friendships he has around him are not real, Adam’s sure some people will still try to leech onto him to get some benefits.

"I do have some friends, but they are all snobs and very rude. Sometimes they make fun of me behind my back," Danny says, sounding a little sad.

"They don’t sound like friends at all," Adam says.

"Well, I can’t help it. They are sons and daughters of my father’s friends and business associates, so I have to keep a friendly relationship with them even if I don’t want to. My father says, friendships don’t matter; money does.

Since they all come from wealthy families, I have to continue maintaining the relationships my father built, even though I don’t like hanging out with them.

They all act high and mighty, looking down on others just because they are born into wealth," Danny says, sighing.

Adam hears Danny’s words and starts to wonder what type of person Danny is. After all, he is no different than these people he is complaining about. He was born into wealth that is absolutely ridiculous. His status in this world is higher than that of most people. He is loud. He likes to show off. These are not good traits, but they can’t be considered bad either.

For the little amount of time Adam has known Danny, he has never made Adam feel less just because he is richer than him; instead, it’s the other way around. It feels like Danny’s the one who is trying to earn his recognition, hence all the showing off and praises that Danny has been throwing at him.

As Adam comes to this conclusion, he realizes that Danny is begging for attention; he wants someone to acknowledge him.

Adam could think of multiple reasons that have led to Danny ending up becoming the person he is. First and foremost, he is the only son of parents who are barely around him.

His father’s too busy, and so is his mother, as both of them are involved in the Coronant business, being all alone in a mansion bigger than a mall, anyone can feel alone.

Then he also mentioned how his "friends" are just a bunch of rude snobs who make fun of him behind his back, isolating him further.

Adam starts pitying the poor fellow a little, but that won’t change his approach with Danny. He is befriending Danny because he wants to build a connection and influence, and if that means he has to manipulate Danny to get what he wants, then so be it.

And what’s not to say that he and Danny won’t become best of friends if everything goes well, but right now, Adam’s all for himself.

"Don’t you have other friends, the non-rich kind? The average ones who won’t look down on you," Adam asks. After all, there should be normal money-hungry people who should be trying to leech off Danny.

"I don’t... I thought I did, but they all turned out to be fake. All they cared about was my money. When I wanted to hang out, they always made up some bullshit excuses. They only needed me when they wanted something from me. I wouldn’t have known this if my dad had not told me about them," Danny says.

"Your dad?" Adam asks.

"Yes, he didn’t like me hanging out with what he calls ’A bunch of nobodies,’ So he had them investigated and found out what they really thought of me," Danny says, sounding even sadder.

Adam didn’t say anything at first. After all, he needs to process the information he just got from Danny.

Looks like Danny’s father’s not completely absent from his life. He still keeps tabs on Danny and sees who he’s hanging out with and filters them out if they are taking advantage of Danny.

Adam realizes that he needs to be more strategic with his friendship with Danny; luckily, Adam doesn’t need much from Danny right now. He doesn’t care about Danny’s money. What Adam’s after is his name and influence, which he can leverage in the near future. Right now, Adam’s goal is to just strengthen his friendship with Danny.

"Are you like them as well?" Danny suddenly asks a question that catches Adam by surprise.

Adam looks at Danny and sees a childlike innocence behind Danny’s eyes. Since he is an eighteen-year-old who has been isolated all his life, he has grown up but is still very childlike in some ways, so his question regarding Adam’s intention held no malice or doubt; he just seems to need a confirmation from Adam that he is not like his other friends.

"No, Danny, I am not like them. I don’t need your money," Adam says, and he is being truthful. Adam doesn’t need Danny’s money; he needs Danny’s influence and power, which Danny has no idea that he has.

If Adam can become a major influencer in Danny’s life, his own status and standing in this society will become untouchable.

With a future already in sight, Adam makes an oath to do everything properly so that he can achieve his goal.

Hearing Adam’s answer, Danny smiles happily.

"That’s great to hear. Let’s continue playing. I have some rare games that I would like you to try," Danny says, and hurries on to a different topic. He is clearly someone who doesn’t like to dwell on serious matters.

Adam nods his head in agreement, as he also doesn’t want to sour Danny’s mood, as he wants Danny to associate him with a fun time.

Adam spends the rest of the hour playing games and bonding over similar interests that they have. It doesn’t take long before Danny already starts treating Adam as a fast friend.

"So, how’s it going with that girl you have with you at the cinema?" Danny asks while seeming busy with the controller in his hand. Right now, they are playing a co-op shooter game with extraction mechanics.

"You mean Candice? Well, there’s nothing new," Adam says.

"Have you fucked her yet?" Danny asks.

"I have been fucking her for quite a while. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal," Adam says.

Hearing this, Danny pauses and looks at Adam.

"How do you do it, man?" He asks.

"Do what?" Adam asks.

"Girls. I tried everything in the book, dude, but all I could get from Olivia is a hand job. Whenever I try for something more, she makes up an excuse," Danny says, taking a defeated sigh.

Adam looks at Danny and is surprised by what he hears. He has to give it to Danny for being a decent guy.

Even with his loud and show-off personality, he has not forced himself on Olivia, even though he can easily do it, given his power and influence.

Adam decides to help him out.