Chapter 44: Sailing in the Night As the moon hung high in the inky-black sky, casting a silvery glow over the vast expanse of the sea, a blanket of stars sparkled like diamonds. The night embraced the waters, shrouding them in a mysterious darkness that seemed both inviting and foreboding.
With every gentle stroke of the oars, ripples of phosphorescent light trailed behind the boat, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of bioluminescence that illuminated the surrounding waters. It was as if stars had fallen from the sky and nestled themselves within the ocean, enchanting the night with their celestial dance.
The sound of the waves, soft and rhythmic, whispered a lullaby to the night, accompanied by the distant cries of seabirds soaring through the cool breeze.
The gentle rocking of the boat on the calm waters added to the tranquil symphony, creating an atmosphere of serenity and peace.
šš£šš²š°ššš§š š§šš.šššŗ As Xin rowed, the sea seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon, its boundaries blending seamlessly with the dark night sky. The shimmering stars above gave the illusion that the boat was sailing through a sea of stars.
In the distance, the faint glow of the beach outpost of the Reef Raiders punctuated the darkness, searching the darkness for any potential threat. Its light swept across the water, providing brief glimpses of hidden islands and rocky formations that lurked in the shadows.
Occasionally, a school of fish would leap gracefully from the waterās surface, their bodies briefly illuminated by the moonlight before disappearing back into the depths.
The night seemed alive with secrets and untold stories, whispered by the rustling leaves of unseen palm trees on distant shores.
A symphony of sounds emerged from the heart of the ocean āā the distant call of whales, the creaking of wooden ships in the distance, and the haunting cries of nocturnal creatures.
Xin couldnāt help but feel a sense of wonder and awe at the sight, realizing that even in this virtual world, natureās beauty and magic were perfectly replicated.
Time seemed to stand still as Xin rowed, lost in his thoughts. He couldnāt help but be excited about this virtual world that stretched before him, a realm of endless possibilities and adventures waiting to be explored.
Xin found solace and a sense of freedom that he had never experienced before. It was a night of revelation, of finding unexpected beauty in the most unlikely places and of discovering that even in the virtual realm, the wonders of nature could still touch the soul.
"You know, talking to you actually makes me mad and amused at the same time," Skylark said, breaking the moment.
Skylark broke the moment with her words, making Xin aware of her presence on the boat. He didnāt pay much attention to her before, almost as if she were invisible.
"Iām not talking to you, though," Xin replied.
"That!" Skylark pointed at him, canines barging. "That stoic face, that bored tone, and those uninterested lines. Those are the reasons that make me mad and amused at the same time."
Xin remained silent, still uninterested in her banter.
Skylark let out a sigh, her face showing a bit of relief. She gazed into the water, and her expression softened.
If she could just be calmer like this, Xin thought to himself, sheād look really cute. He could now understand why she had so many viewers.
"I remember when I started," Skylark said in a hushed voice, her eyes fixed on the ocean with a small smile. "For a year, I had no one watching me. The best I got was around two hundred views on that video where I streamed with a cosplay on.
"I remember how frustrated I was back then. I felt so depressed and spent countless nights and days questioning my life and choices . . . but I just couldnāt seem to stop streaming. It felt like my calling, you know" Skylark said, her smile fading as she gazed at the moon.
"It was a rough period in my life, and I even thought about . . . unexplainable things."
Her eyes seemed to quiver as if holding back the tears, but she forced a smile. "And when Guildbane was introduced, and the world of e-sports began to dominate the world, I started getting more viewers."
"When I got my first million views, I was so happy that I cried the whole day. I guess I canāt really complain about a shortage of viewers now.
"I just got used to the fame and acknowledgment, and itās hard to stop, you know. Once you reach the top . . . it became very addicting," Skylark expressed, her smile tinged with sadness.
"I even deleted my old account just to regain my viewers. Now that I think about it . . . it just sounds desperate and idiotic," she sighed heavily. "I suppose my haters would rejoice at how low I had become."
Xin remained silent, face unreadable.
Skylark let out a laugh that didnāt quite reach her eyes. "Oh, dear. Look at me, talking about my problems to you."
She playfully knocked her head and stuck her tongue out. "I guess because weāre strangers, and youāre like a block of ice than a person that I got carried away."
"Itās not idiotic," Xin responded.
Skylark paused, her eyes widening in surprise. "Huh?"
"It just shows that youāre determined to succeed in something youāre passionate about. I donāt see anything wrong with it," Xin added.
Skylark was momentarily speechless, then burst into genuine laughter. "Ahahaha! Whatās this about? Are you trying to comfort me?" she asked, her eyes squinting with joy and gloating.
"Iām just stating my opinion," Xin said nonchalantly.
Skylark grinned, her expression softening. "Youāre not bad after all. Do you want a signed autograph from me?"
Xin continued to row the boat, looking uninterested. "Iād rather not."
"Egh? Why not? A lot of my fans are killing each other for my signed autograph, you know. Come on now, give me your address so I can send you one."
"Donāt bother. Iāll just throw it away."
"Geh!" Skylark clutched her heart and growled. "I take back my words. You really are infuriating!"