Regression - Second Chance At Life Chapter 298: Danny’s Life

"Dude, you are too good at this!!!" Danny exclaims with thrill, watching Adam unleash a legendary streak in the fighting game he picked.

Adam notches his 20th straight win, boosting the account's rank he's using to the next tier.

Even though foes grew stronger with every rank climb, not one managed to threaten Adam in the slightest.

Danny, parked right next to Adam and glued to the action, could hardly trust what he was seeing; his stare locked on the display as his hands shook from sheer hype.

Simply witnessing Adam's total domination sent adrenaline surging through Danny's veins.

"I just have very good reaction time," Adam remarks, landing the killing strike on his rival to snag yet another triumph.

"I think I have had enough of this," he adds, dropping 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 declares.

Adam lets out a light chuckle without responding.

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

"I play all of them. I especially like to do impossible Black Soul-type challenges during my free time," Adam claims, fibbing a bit.

Still, it's not a total falsehood, since his top-tier physical abilities would make him crush those games if he dove in.

"Have you thought of going professional?" Danny probes, eyes gleaming. He's totally hooked on this scene, after all.

He burns hours glued to streamers battling in high-stakes video games online. So a pal rivaling their prowess feels like the ultimate brag for Danny.

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

"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 pushes, nudging Adam to get serious about his insane skills.

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

"What do you mean?" Danny wonders, curiosity piqued by Adam's words.

"Well, I am going to go pro with MMA, so I am going to be famous anyway," Adam declares, brimming with easy confidence.

"Wait? MMA? You mean like real fighting? Inside a cage/ring?" Danny presses for confirmation.

"Yes," Adam affirms. "Dude! That’s awesome, you know how to fight? How good are you?" Danny bursts out.

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

"Dude, you are like the coolest friend I ever had," Danny gushes with excitement.

Adam eyes Danny intently, sensing no deceit in his claim.

"Really? I am sure you must have some cool friends, given who you are," Adam notes. As a billionaire's son, Danny likely draws fake pals chasing perks, even if bonds are shallow.

"I do have some friends, but they are all snobs and very rude. Sometimes they make fun of me behind my back," Danny admits, voice tinged with sorrow.

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

"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 laments with a heavy sigh.

Listening to Danny vent, Adam ponders the kind of guy he truly is. Truth be told, Danny mirrors the snobs he's griping about—born into absurd riches, holding elite status above the masses, flashy and boastful. Flaws like those aren't virtues, yet not outright evil.

In the short while Adam's known him, Danny never belittled him over money gaps; quite the reverse. Danny seems desperate for Adam's approval, fueling all the boasts and flattery.

Reaching this insight, Adam sees Danny's craving for validation—he aches for genuine recognition.

Plenty of factors could have shaped Danny into who he is, Adam muses. Above all, he's the lone child of absentee parents.

Dad's swamped with work, Mom too, both deep in the Coronant empire, leaving him isolated in a mansion vast as a shopping center—enough to make anyone feel utterly lonely.

He went on to reveal that his so-called "friends" were merely a group of arrogant snobs ridiculing him behind his back, pushing him deeper into isolation.

A twinge of pity stirs in Adam for the unfortunate guy, yet it alters nothing in his strategy toward Danny. Befriending him serves Adam's aim to forge a vital link and sway, and manipulation becomes necessary if that's the path to his desires.

Who knows, they might end up as closest buddies should things unfold smoothly, though for now, Adam prioritizes his own interests above all.

"Don’t you have other friends, the non-rich kind? The average ones who won’t look down on you," Adam asks. Surely, there must be ordinary gold-diggers eager to latch onto 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, his voice laced with deeper sadness.

Adam stays silent initially, needing time to digest the fresh details from Danny.

Danny’s father isn’t entirely hands-off in his son’s world. He monitors Danny closely, checks his companions, and weeds out those exploiting him.

Adam sees the need for sharper tactics in building ties with Danny; fortunately, he requires little from him currently. Money holds no appeal for Adam. Instead, he covets Danny’s prestige and sway, tools for future gains. At present, his focus remains on solidifying their bond.

"Are you like them as well?" Danny blurts out suddenly, startling Adam.

Gazing at Danny, Adam detects a pure, innocent spark in his eyes. Though eighteen and matured in years from lifelong seclusion, traces of childlike naivety linger, making his query about Adam’s motives free of suspicion or ill will—he simply craves reassurance that Adam differs from the others.

"No, Danny, I am not like them. I don’t need your money," Adam assures him truthfully. Indeed, cash isn’t his pursuit; it’s Danny’s clout and authority, potentials Danny himself remains oblivious to.

Should Adam rise as a key figure in Danny’s world, his position in society would turn impregnable.

Visioning that destiny, Adam vows to handle matters impeccably toward his ambition.

Danny’s face lights up with a joyful grin at Adam’s words.

"That’s great to hear. Let’s continue playing. I have some rare games that I would like you to try," Danny says, swiftly shifting subjects. Evidently, he avoids lingering on heavy topics.

Adam nods in accord, unwilling to dampen Danny’s spirits, aiming for Danny to link him with enjoyable moments.

The remaining hour passes with Adam immersed in games and shared passions. Soon enough, Danny regards him as a trusted companion.

"So, how’s it going with that girl you have with you at the cinema?" Danny asks, appearing focused on his controller. They’re now tackling a co-op shooter featuring 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.

At this revelation, Danny halts the game and turns to 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, heaving a defeated sigh.

Adam eyes Danny, stunned by the confession. Credit where due—Danny proves himself a stand-up fellow.

Despite his brash, boastful demeanor, he’s refrained from pressuring Olivia, despite his ample means and clout to do so effortlessly.

Adam resolves to lend him a hand.