Chapter 197: The Unforeseen Trouble Amidst the chaotic scene outside the tavern on the sun-drenched shore, where angry voices clashed like thunder and accusations filled the air like a charged storm, Xin watched with a bored look on his face.
He had to do this, not only as revenge for what Tristan did but also to give Snow Angels some time while Serenity Wisp recovered their losses.
After what had happened here, Serenity Wisp wouldn’t be able to trouble Snow Angel for a while. They wouldn’t be able to issue challenges or pay others to bring down Snow Angels.
Xin was ready to log out and conclude his day, but just as he was about to disconnect, a figure emerged in front of him, a silhouette bathed in the tavern’s warm, flickering light.
O.J. Sky, the owner of the Orange Tree Tavern, approached him.
O.J. Sky wore a tight pirate attire, her clothing hugging her figure in a way that was both alluring and daring. Despite the snug fit, her attire hinted at a playful disregard for convention, with her ample curves almost spilling out.
Her face possessed an angelic beauty, a contrast to the audacious spirit her attire suggested. Her long, curly blue hair cascaded around her shoulders, resembling the sky itself, and added a touch of mystique to her presence.
"You can’t hide it from me," she started, her voice cutting through the tumult like a blade. "I know what you did."
Xin’s eyes widened in genuine shock, his eyebrows knitting together. He didn’t know what was more surprising, her talking to him or the prospect that she knew what he had done.
How could she have found out?
His mind raced, trying to fathom how his secret actions had been unveiled, or was that even what she was talking about?
Was it a special ability of hers?
Xin faced O.J. Sky with a deadpan face. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," he stated, despite the uncertainty that gripped him.
O.J. Sky’s eyes bore into Xin’s, her gaze unyielding. Despite his denial, she seemed to see through him as if she had peered into the depths of his virtual soul and uncovered the truth he tried to conceal.
"Elysia, the Sea Elf. I don’t know what your connection with her is, but I crossed paths with her during my pirating days," O.J. Sky stated, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken stories.
Xin’s expression remained impassive, though his curiosity piqued.
’Can NPCs know other NPCs on Newbie Island? Xin pondered, his thoughts weaving through the game’s rules.
Elysia’s unique case lingered in his mind –– a character who defied Newbie Island’s confines.
He contemplated the possibility of a deeper narrative, something beyond his understanding.
Was there a secret interwoven within the island’s coded fabric, connecting NPCs in unexpected ways? Or was it merely the complexity of the game system, crafting intricate stories based on their quests?
Shrugging off the unknown, Xin dismissed the notion, attributing it to the game’s complex systems that wove together the lives of NPCs, creating a tapestry of interconnected stories based on their quests and interactions.
"Anyway," O.J. Sky continued, "I won’t tell anyone what I know."
Xin knew that there was a catch in her phrase. "If . . ."
O.J. Sky chuckled. "I like that you’re quick to catch up," she remarked, her eyes glinting with mirth.
With a graceful wave, she retreated, her figure disappearing behind the bar counter. "Let’s discuss this when you’re free. I’ll be just here in the tavern."
As O.J. Sky withdrew, Xin’s gaze lingered on the spot where she stood. He knew there was more to this encounter, a story waiting to be unraveled.
He didn’t know if it was his CHA working or because of the coincidence of summoning Elysia out of nowhere, even though Elysia didn’t show her face to avoid players recognizing her.
Xin sighed and let it go for now. He had too many things on his mind, and he didn’t want to add this up to the things in his brain.
However, he would return to this shore one day to conquer every quest, unravel every NPC’s tale, and unlock the island’s deepest secrets.
For now, Xin logged out and went to sleep.
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The next day, it was a serene Sunday afternoon. The golden hues of the sun bathed the digital realm in a warm, ambient glow.
The virtual world seemed to come alive as everyone logged into the game.
Weekends were the busiest time for the game, and most guild activities happened.
But for Xin, Victor and the others, this day of rest marked not an end but a brief pause in their pursuit of the Abandon Fortress.
In his room, Xin studied the holographic map of the final dungeon. There wasn’t much information since only a few managed to enter the last phase of the Abandon Fortress.
The game mechanics didn’t allow you to proceed to the next dungeon without clearing the previous one first, so there was no skipping over.
The intricate details of the Abandoned Fortress, etched on the holographic display, held the promise of untold treasures waiting to be unearthed by brave souls.
With a collective decision, the group agreed to postpone their expedition into the last dungeon of the Abandoned Fortress.
The reason was clear –– Sundays were a cacophony of activity in the gaming world. Guild matters, meetings, and strategic discussions consumed the day as players synchronized their efforts for their goals ahead.
Victor had his own affairs to attend to, while Rever and Yuzuro had guild responsibilities.
Xin took that time to rest and just laze all day. He didn’t have the heart to do anything, even playing the game. He just wanted to sleep and do nothing while looking at his phone.
He deserved a good rest after a very busy day.
As the day slowly succumbed to darkness, casting elongated shadows across the room, Xin lay in his bed, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing on his phone.
In the quiet of his room, he had silenced his phone, seeking uninterrupted rest.
However, when he finally stirred and checked his notifications, he was jolted upright in shock.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the screen. There it was — a photo stolen without his knowledge, capturing a moment between him and Seraphina as they strolled down the hallway of the Japanese restaurant.
The shock rippled through him, shattering the tranquility of his night.