Chapter 196: It’s Very Personal Finally, the bride and groom made their entrance.
The bride, a vision in the game’s intricately designed fantasy bridal gown, moved with grace, her gown trailing behind her like a cascade of moonlit waves. Its fabric shimmered in the sunlight, adorned with delicate lace and ethereal embroidery that seemed to come alive with every step.
Beside her stood Tristan, donned in a suit of armor so rare that it gleamed like polished starlight. The craftsmanship of the armor hinted at a very high price –– both their clothes were.
The couple’s faces lit with joy, and they shared a loving glance. In the presence of the game’s mesmerizing sunset, they exchanged vows with a sincerity that was faker than plastic.
Observing the blissful scene of Tristan and Tiffany’s wedding, Xin couldn’t help but feel a pang of cynicism deep within him. It wasn’t merely a fleeting thought; it was a studied observation based on his research into Tristan’s past behavior.
Xin had delved into the man’s history, piecing together a pattern that spoke of restlessness and fickleness.
In Xin’s mind, he envisioned a future where the initial euphoria of marriage would eventually wear thin for Tristan. The allure of novelty, coupled with a restless spirit, might lead him down a path of dissatisfaction.
Xin knew Tristan would grow weary of his current marriage, perhaps blaming monotony or finding fault where there was none.
. Tristan would surely get divorced and move on to the next Chapter of his life with another woman.
He was a picture of a man perpetually in search of something elusive, something that marriage alone couldn’t provide.
It was a narrative Xin had woven in his mind, a story of Tristan’s future based on the patterns of his past.
He just couldn’t fathom why Xiaxia hadn’t saw the signs and patterns. Or maybe she did, but she didn’t care because she needed Tristan to save her guild at that time.
The priest began the ceremony, their words weaving a tapestry of promises, love, and eternal commitment. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Sunken Shore, the couple radiated happiness.
The soft lapping of the waves provided a soothing backdrop to the heartfelt vows, and the sun, now descending toward the horizon, cast a warm, golden glow upon the sand.
As Xin observed the smile gracing Tristan’s lips, his eyes narrowed to mere slits. In his mind, Xiaxia’s face emerged, intensifying his simmering anger.
Within him, a tempest of emotions raged — hatred and revenge, twin flames that devoured his thoughts.
Raising his cup, Xin whispered a name into the water, "Elysia."
In the midst of the joyous celebration, where laughter and music filled the air and the newlyweds basked in the glow of their love, the atmosphere took a sudden, ominous turn.
The once clear sky darkened swiftly as if a colossal hand had pulled a heavy curtain over the sun. Thunder grumbled in the distance, its ominous rumblings foretelling a tempest about to be unleashed upon the unsuspecting celebrators.
Then, without warning, the storm struck with a furious vengeance. Raindrops, like shards of glass, lashed at the wedding attendees, soaking them to the bone within seconds.
The violent wind whipped through the air, tugging at hair and clothing, transforming the once joyful occasion into a chaotic tempest of wet, bedraggled figures desperately seeking shelter.
But nature’s wrath had only just begun. A deafening roar echoed over the crashing thunder, heralding the arrival of a colossal tidal wave. It surged from the depths of the ocean, a wall of water towering impossibly high, its crest glinting menacingly under the ominous, darkened sky.
In an instant, the wave crashed upon the beach, swallowing the bride and groom whole and enveloping everyone else in its icy, turbulent embrace.
The impact of the tidal wave was translated into a swift and brutal decrease in health points. The once jubilant wedding attendees, now trapped within the violent vortex of water, found their HP reduced to zero in an instant.
Gasps of disbelief mingled with the roars of the storm as the virtual world seemed to shudder under the weight of the catastrophe.
As the dust settled, or rather, the raindrops ceased their assault, the souls of the players floated in the air, suspended between the world of the living and the void of the game’s afterlife.
Confusion reigned supreme. Questions hung like unspoken curses.
Chaos ensued when the game’s system, in its cold, automated voice, demanded compensation for the players’ untimely demise.
The price was steep — they were asked to sacrifice their hard-earned experience points for resurrection.
Almost all members of Serenity Wisp suffered a sharp decrease in level due to the unexpected setback.
It was a blow that resonated far beyond the initial shock, a setback that ultimately doomed Serenity Wisp to plummet in the rankings. Their dreams of glory washed away with the receding tide.
Tristan’s fury was a raging storm. His shouts and curses seemed like they could cut mountains.
Beside him, Tiffany trembled, her tears mingling with the rain, shaken by the storm of emotions that engulfed her after the catastrophe.
It was her first time getting married, but what was this?
Everything was supposed to be perfect!
What would she say about this?! This would surely come out on every social media online, and she would be a laughingstock for months!
The guests, once joyful and jubilant, were now a sea of anger and accusation. Eyes that were once filled with laughter were now clouded with resentment.
They pointed fingers at Tristan and Tiffany, their voices sharp with blame. In their eyes, the couple bore the burden of responsibility for the disastrous turn of events.
Bitter murmurs spread like wildfire among the attendees. They couldn’t comprehend how attending a wedding, an event meant for joy and celebration, could lead to such dire consequences.
The EXP penalty, a heavy toll exacted by an unknown assailant, loomed over them like a shadow, a reminder of their ill-fated decision to participate in the ceremony.
Regret hung heavy in the air, mingling with the scent of the rain-soaked earth. If they had chosen not to attend the wedding, they might have been spared the colossal EXP penalty that now weighed them down.
The items that were handed to them for free for attending the wedding couldn’t even compensate one percent of their loss.
The collective anger of the guests swirled around the beach like a tempest, adding another layer of bitterness to the already chaotic aftermath of the wedding.
In the tavern, players and NPCs alike were drawn to the commotion outside.
Weirdly, the tidal wave only reached where the wedding was happening, leaving the tavern completely intact.
While the players were gossiping about what happened, Xin only stared at Tristan’s miserable face without any emotion on his face.
Xin wouldn’t let them be happy after what they’ve done to his sister and her guild.
He wanted to kill Tristan himself, but he was no match to him in a one-on-one at his current level or against Tristan’s entire guild, so he had no choice but to rely on Elysia to ruin this wedding.
But soon . . .
’My wrath . . . ,’ Xin thought as he stared at Tristan, ’. . . is personal –– it is very personal. I’ll strike with a vengeance from the shadows you least anticipate. When your end comes, and it will –– just remember . . . it will be very personal.’