Game Era – Lost Odyssey

“Steamed buns! Freshly baked, fragrant, and crispy—five coppers each!”

“Noodles! Tender, savory noodles—just eight coppers a bowl!”

…

Wandering the streets of Eastern Ling City, Xia Feng listened to the vendors’ calls, feeling like he’d stepped into a costume drama—novel and amusing.

Too bad his stomach growled relentlessly. Never having gone hungry before, Xia Feng felt glum, inwardly cursing himself: Why ditch a life of luxury to starve in this damn virtual world, all for no reward? I must be the dumbest guy alive.

Luckily, those hundred li of mountain roads were roughly seventy li in real terms—about thirty-odd kilometers. A full hundred li trek would’ve left him starving even worse.

Swallowing hard a few times, Xia Feng instinctively patted where his pocket used to be, only to touch the cloak and snap back to reality. He grumbled inwardly: Damn it! Not even a stick of gum!

Glancing at his cloak, an idea sparked, but he quickly dismissed it. If other players knew I used this super gear to steal food, they’d laugh their heads off.

“Hey, a bowl of noodles—load it with chili!” A bell-like voice drew Xia Feng’s attention. Turning, he saw a girl in red settling at a noodle stall by the street.

Xia Feng wasn’t some country bumpkin, but even he paused, marveling silently: Didn’t expect this game to spawn such a stunning chick!

The girl sensed his stare, looked up, and locked eyes with him. Unlike most girls’ coyness, she flashed a radiant smile before casually taking the bowl and chopsticks from the vendor, eating daintily.

Xia Feng swallowed again—unclear if it was for her or her noodles. Sauntering over, he pointed to the stool opposite her, asking politely, “Mind if I sit?”

“Of course not!” She beamed again, revealing cute dimples and white canines. Up close, fine peach fuzz dusted her face, like an unripe May fruit—she couldn’t be over eighteen.

“Two big bowls of noodles!” Sitting down, Xia Feng mimicked her earlier tone.

Confident in his looks and charm, he had no cash but figured she’d cover the bill after—maybe even spark something beyond friendship. He always paid for girls back home, but desperate times called for a lapse in chivalry.

After wolfing down the first bowl, Xia Feng finally sized her up. She carried a sword, casually laid on the table, and beneath her pure beauty, a spirited, heroic air shone through.

This feels like a scene from a cheesy martial arts flick, he mused, slipping into clichéd dialogue: “May I have the honor of knowing this heroine’s name?”

“Heroine?” She blinked, then giggled, covering her mouth. “I’m Ji Xuanxuan—you can call me Xuanxuan. Heroine? You’re hilarious!”

“Xuanxuan?” Xia Feng’s heart fluttered. First-name basis on meeting? Just as he’d predicted. A seasoned flirt, he rarely struck gold this fast.

Maybe Atlantis folk are just more open? he reasoned.

“And you?” She gazed at him with big eyes.

“Xia Feng—call me A-Feng!” He flashed his most captivating smile.

“A… Feng!” Her eyes softened, her voice melting.

“It’s my first time in Eastern Ling City. Care to show me around, tell me about the local vibes?” His smile grew sweeter, though he thought: Now it’s veering into rom-com territory.

“We’re not that close yet…” A shy blush crept over her face, halting her words.

“Love takes one glance; forgetting takes a lifetime,” Xia Feng gazed at her soulfully, letting corny lines flow. Her cheeks flared redder, eyes shimmering. Sensing the moment, he dropped his killer verse: “How deep’s my love? The moon speaks for my heart.”

Regret hit instantly. Fine for a modern girl—she’d laugh it off as a joke—but to an ancient-setting stranger? She might peg him as a sleazy creep.

Her reaction defied expectations. Eyes wide with awe, she asked, “Are you a poet?”

“Poet…” Xia Feng nearly choked, then swelled with pride. Real-world memory’s a cheat code—even chasing girls is easier. Spout some love song or rom-com lines, and they’re swooning.

Bet the best poets here can’t match that romance!

“Uh, sure, I guess.” Thick-skinned with girls, he owned it shamelessly. Seeing her starry-eyed for poets, he didn’t blush or falter.

“Amazing! I’ve never met a poet!” She nearly leapt up. Seizing the chance, Xia Feng pressed, “Would you guide a poet around Eastern Ling City?”

“Absolutely—I’d be honored!” She paid the bill. Xia Feng kept his head down, slurping the last dregs, then “forgot” the tab, wiping his mouth. “Let’s go. What’s fun around here?”

“Follow me—I’ll take you to the Sun Temple first.”

They strolled the bustling streets, chatting and laughing, growing closer. Passing a stall of trinkets and jewelry, Xia Feng froze, staring at an ornament, hand drifting to his bare neck. In Real Illusion, his real-world gear didn’t carry over.

“Let me see that!” He pointed to an aquamarine amulet, eerily like his brother’s. Trying it on, the resemblance grew. He wanted it, but penniless, he reluctantly returned it.

“How much?” Xuanxuan, sensing his attachment, asked the vendor—an old, wiry man who replied without looking up, “Twelve silver coins.”

“That cheap?” Surprised, she bought it and fastened it around Xia Feng’s neck. Embarrassed, he mumbled, “Xuanxuan, I’ll pay you back!”

“Pay me back?” She shot him a playful glare. “Why so formal?” Her cheeks flushed, avoiding his gaze.

Sweetness flooded Xia Feng as he took her hand, strolling on together. Neither noticed a pair of dark, icy eyes watching from a shadowy corner nearby.

Only when they’d gone far did the figure emerge—a slim, short man in a black robe, pale face half-hidden, radiating a stark, lofty aura.

Approaching the jewelry stall, the vendor whispered, “Sir, as you ordered, I sold that amulet to the guy in white.”

He nodded silently, tossed a few gold coins, and vanished around the corner. Moments later, the vendor clutched his throat, collapsed, eyes rolling back, face purpling as if strangled alive. Onlookers crowded around, stunned.

“Where are we headed?” After a bit, Xia Feng noticed the streets thinning into a narrow, deserted alley. Xuanxuan didn’t answer, instead counting his steps: “One, two, three—down!”

As she spoke, dizziness struck. The world spun, and Xia Feng crumpled. His last sight was Xuanxuan’s triumphant, innocent grin.