Chapter 67: The Seven Wonders Upon his return home, Xin found Xiaxia in the kitchen, busy preparing dinner.
"Why did you take so long?" Xiaxia inquired without lifting her eyes from the stew she was tending to. "Your classes should have ended two hours ago. It’s already six in the evening."
"Where’s Mom?"
"She’ll be home late. Meetings are running overtime."
"I went shopping."
"For art supplies?"
"Among other things. And I’ve got something for you."
Xiaxia finally shifted her gaze from cooking to Xin, her eyes widening at the sight of the numerous paper bags he was carrying.
"Here," Xin said, placing the multitude of bags into Xiaxia’s arms before making his way to the living area to organize his belongings.
Xiaxia stood there in astonishment before quickly following Xin to the living area.
"You bought all of this?" she exclaimed.
"Yes, some are for Mom too."
Xiaxia carefully checked the bags in her hands, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Whoa! Sneakers from Jorge! These easily cost five hundred dollars a pair! And this dress, plus the backpack . . . They’re from Emely’s, a high-end brand! And there are even multiple new outfits, a couple of exquisite bags, and even skincare and makeup!"
She turned her gaze to Xin, her expression incredulous. "Seriously, what benevolent spirit possessed you? You’ve turned into a shopping angel who knows my size and style preferences!"
Xiaxia didn’t bother asking about the source of the money. She knew that Xin must have struck gold on the Newbie Island. Plus, his gaming secrets were well-guarded territory, and she had learned not to waste her time prying.
Rather than addressing his shopping spree, Xin shifted the topic. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"Thank you! I’ll treasure these!" Xiaxia exclaimed, hugging her new acquisitions with enthusiasm.
"Not that," Xin persisted.
Xiaxia halted, her gaze fixed on Xin. Observing him closely, she detected a hint of something unusual –– anger, perhaps?
It was a rarity to witness any semblance of emotion on his usually stoic face, making Xiaxia even more curious.
"What’s wrong?" she inquired.
A tense silence hung in the air before Xin spoke, his voice unusually stern. "Aren’t you going to talk to me about something?"
Perplexed, Xiaxia tried to fathom his meaning. "About what?"
"This Tristan situation."
Xiaxia couldn’t feign surprise; she knew it was only a matter of time before Xin caught wind of the news. Sharing a school and a gaming world made it inevitable.
"Oh, that." Xiaxia’s response lacked any noticeable emotion.
"That’s it?"
"What do you want me to say?" Xiaxia shrugged nonchalantly. "Our relationship was strictly for the benefit of the guild. Tristan is a Level 92 Templar and an experienced player. With his resources, he’s highly sought after by any guild."
She paused, crossing her arms, her expression becoming more serious. "Thanks to him, our guild made it into the top 200. However, when he broke up with me, we tumbled down to five hundred . . . and the rankings just kept plummeting."
Xin’s question hung in the air, laden with concern. "If you didn’t like him, why did you get involved with him?"
Xiaxia’s gaze bore into Xin’s eyes, her seriousness not wavering. "Back then, it was just Mom, me, and the debt. I needed a way to keep us afloat, and Guildbane presented itself as an opportunity."
Her words struck Xin like a lightning bolt, leaving him at a loss for a proper response. Though Xiaxia hadn’t explicitly said it, the pressure she was under was palpable –– forced into situations to earn money in the game.
As the weight of their conversation bore down on them, Xiaxia swiftly shifted the topic, sensing the suffocating atmosphere.
"Enough about him," Xiaxia declared her tone firm. "I used him to climb in the ranks, and he used me as a trophy girlfriend. We’re even. Besides, he’s the one who gifted me a Celestial Scripture that allowed me to change my race into an Angel, so I can’t really complain."
She managed a forced smile. "By the way, you’re finally entering Eternia tonight, right?"
Xin’s attention shifted, his earlier thoughts momentarily set aside. "Yeah."
"Then how about we clear a dungeon together? Have you considered which guild to join? What’s your plan? Where are you headed?"
Xin grumbled softly, overwhelmed by Xiaxia’s rapid-fire questioning. "I’m not planning to join any guild," he interjected, putting an end to her onslaught.
"Huh? Seriously? What are you going to do then?"
Xin pondered for a moment, his mind void of any concrete answers. Yet, that persistent feeling inside him refused to dissipate.
Xin decided to voice his own question instead. "If someone manages to defeat one of Eternia’s Seven Wonders, would their guild reach the top?"
Silence hung between them, Xiaxia grappling with disbelief, wondering if Xin was joking. She soon burst into laughter. "Are you out of your mind? Hahaha! No one has ever cleared the Seven Wonders of Eternia! It’s utterly impossible!"
Still chuckling, she tapped Xin’s shoulder. "I get that dreaming is free, but that’s simply unattainable. Even the top guilds have attempted to clear at least one, the easiest one mind you, and failed every time."
Xiaxia shook her head, her laughter fading. "Even to this day, those dungeons remain untouched. Not by the top guilds nor by the top players. Nobody. They’re just that incredibly challenging. So, don’t even entertain the thought of stepping foot in there."
Xin’s resolve didn’t waver despite his sister’s reaction. He pressed on, undeterred. "But hypothetically speaking, if someone were to clear one . . ."
Huffing with mild exasperation, Xiaxia interrupted, "Didn’t you hear a word I said?"
"Just humor me," Xin insisted.
". . . Fine. If you miraculously manage to clear one of them, then yes," Xiaxia replied with a mixture of disbelief and resignation. "Your guild would undoubtedly shoot to the top. Those Seven Wonders are filled with incredibly rare chests, monsters, and materials that can’t be found anywhere else. They hold enormous EXP, gil, and rewards for those skilled enough to conquer them."
That was all Xin needed to hear.
"Wait, you’re serious?" Xiaxia’s surprise was evident in her voice. She recognized that look on Xin’s face –– the determined one that meant no one could sway him once he set his mind on something.
"Just give me a month," Xin declared, rising to his feet and making his way toward the bathroom.
Xiaxia was left flabbergasted, her jaw hanging open. Before she could gather herself, the tantalizing smell of her stew burning in the kitchen hit her senses, snapping her back to reality.
"Shit! My stew!" Xiaxia panicked, abandoning her surprise over Xin’s bold proclamation.
At the bathroom door, Xin paused, looking at his sister. He knew her well. Behind Xiaxia’s tough exterior and loud demeanor, she cared deeply for those she loved, willing to sacrifice for them without a second thought even disregarding her own self.
Unlike him, who usually remained silent and reserved, but harboring a burning desire for revenge against those who wronged his family.
Sorry, Xiaxia . . . Your brother isn’t that forgiving.