23 days and 22 nights have passed since we cleared our way through the blue wolf like ice narwhals, the packs of Arctic wolves, cursed snowman's and Ice Ogres. The ice forest, had its horrors did not scare us, instead we marched bravely forward. And, with my unique skill no monster was a match for me. Even when we entered into the dungeon by the 4th day. The Ice warriors and Ice Golems there were of no threat to us. Even though we were in no serious danger, I spent every moment I had beside Hailey, and we grew closer and closer by each passing night. It was joy that we experienced in each passing day, the joy of being together. The bright shine of Hailey's beautiful smile was priceless.

I saw several Ice golems at my front, and I looked at my right and left. My friends took out their weapons, and I heard Luke say: "seven on fourteen, let beat em to a pulp." Peaches added in: "Come on honey, let's go." Luke replied: "Sure, let's go darling." They both charged in and used their sword skills killing five golems through their elegant swordsmanship. Hailey held my hand and I nodded: "You're right Hailey we shouldn't get left behind too. My two swords glowed blue, while Hailey's rapier did as well. With magnificent skill we attacked the ice golems one by one. By using the recoil when our bodies collided with one another we bounced through seven monsters. Jingxi sighed: "If you're going to leave so little for us what's the point of not finishing them off? After that he charged in and activated a ingame sword skill and killed one golem. Terry and Leo, without using any skills killed the last one. I checked my level to see what level I was. I was currently level 382, while the lowest leveled player in our guild should be Terry at level 376. I checked what I received from the monsters, as there was a annoying notification system that only the player being notified could hear whenever they gain loot. Since it’s been buzzing since we killed those mobs, I closed the notification by saying: “Notification received.” Hailey went next to me and held my hand and asked: “What was the notification about?” I replied to her: “I just got more loot, I think it’s those ice swords again.” She then replied: “Yeah… Those notifications are about as annoying as how much ice sword drops we get.” Jingxi then said: “Another miserable day of farming, oh isn’t life great. Let’s head back.” Luke then continued on: “While I agree we should head back, I can’t say it’s miserable as long as I’m with Peaches.” Peaches hugged luke and said: “How sweet of you!” Leo and Terry both sighed, and Terry said: “Well, it’s sure programmed to be damn cold here.” I said: “As long as Hailey’s with me, I’m not cold.” Hailey kissed me and the cheeks and said: “There, you feel hotter now?” I said: “Yep, that felt good.” Hailey laughed and Jingxi and Leo looked at each other for a second and looked at everyone else and said in unison: “Couples, always so lovey dovey.” Hailey and Peaches both stared at Jingxi, like predators being ready to kill their target. Jingxi got on his knees and said: “I’m sorry ma’ams I promise I’ll be a good boy, I won’t interrupt your romance.” The rest of us laughed as we saw Jingxi being forced on his knees, not wanting to be slapped or have worst fates come to him. We all headed back towards our inn, me and Hailey held hands all the way back as she pointed out to the black starry sky, and said: “I think there are stars here, I wish I could go watch them.” I replied: “When it’s your birthday, we could go watch them together. Just the two of us.” She said: “Really? You’d do that for me?” I replied: “Yeah, your wish is my command.” She said: “Yay!” and paused and continued: “But… My birthday is tomorrow.” I said: “Wait… So your birthday is in December 8th…? I thought you were a year younger than me…” She responded: “Well… I’m just way behind in terms of the month, but we’re still just about as old as each other.” I said: “That’s nice, then we can be sure to stick together even when we’re old aged, and we can be able to die together.” She nodded, as we all walked back. She then looked at me and asked me: “Is it ok… If tomorrow the two of us camped out in the safezone at this floor to watch the stars?” I looked at her surprising and replied: “Let’s do it, let’s make a great memory for you for your sixteenth birthday, Hailey!”

When we returned to the inn, and finished changing both me and Hailey got on the bed. Lying on the pillow I was about to sleep when Hailey asked me a question: “Do you… Have a gift? It seems like you have a gift, and I assume it’s from the monsters since you showed no one what you got…” I replied to her: “Maybe… But when we return to the real world, I’ll buy you a present for sure.” Hailey then said: “I’m sure that’s not the only thing you’ll do for me when you return to the real world.” I continued: “When we return, and when we get to the legal age. I’ll propose to your parents. I’m sure my parent would be fully supportive would yours?” Hailey said while hugging me: “I’m sure… My mom and dad… Would not agree on this… But, I’ll make sure they do. No matter what, I promise Jason.” I nodded, and said: “No matter what, I’ll be with you until your last breath. That’s a promise.” Hailey moved in close to me as our lips made contact. After the brief moment she said: “When we return, I want us…” She blushed and continued on: “To get married and start a family.” I blushed a bit and asked her: “Yeah, I’ll be sure to survive the simulation with you, no matter what. In any case, it’s late now so let’s sleep.” I put my arm over Hailey’s body as we slept together peacefully drifting in our separate dreams where we were sure still to be connected with each other.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

In the next day, I woke up early. Especially early even when comparing myself to others. It was 5AM, no one was awake, slowly I moved away from the bed so Hailey wouldn’t notice. She looked cute and beautiful at the same time despite being asleep. I went into the living room, and changed into my usual outfit. My black coat, with red flames on it. I took out the flower, and looked at it. It was a ice bauhinia, a bright blue light came from the flower. I realised why this was a legendary item immediately why I saw it, it was legendary not because of its stats. But it was legendary because of it’s aesthetics, and combining it with Hailey would make her even more beautiful. Such a beautiful flower could only be fit with a maiden like Hailey. Tonight, I promised her to bring her to see the stars. Tonight, I decided I would give her the flower under the guidance of the light made by the stars. I decided to prepare breakfast myself in order to give Hailey a surprise. I started making dim sum, I remembered how Hailey made them as I followed her steps precisely. I made several types of dim sum, including the shanghai styled Xiao Long Bao, steamed pork buns, steamed chicken buns, rice rolls and others.

I placed the Dim sum I made on the table, as I took out all the silverware, plates and bowls and equally distributed them to all 7 seats. Soon after I was done, I heard a knock in the door. I opened it to see who it was, and to my surprise… It was everyone. I was surprised and asked: “Why’re you all so early?” Peaches replied to me: “It wouldn’t be right for us to not show up early, after all it’s Hailey’s birthday.” I asked Peaches: “Do you even have a present for her?” Luke put his arm over Peaches and said: “We bought it together, and the present we chose was ear rings.” Luke took out a case and inside, there was two earrings. Two ruby earrings. Peaches said: “I think Hailey would like them… She did mention about how she loved wearing earrings on special events.” Luke patted her back: “I’m sure she’ll like it darling.” I looked over to the rest of the crowd and asked: “So, let me guess you guys came earlier just to… do what?” Terry said: “Ummm… I thought I would help out with cooking but you’re done so…” Jingxi then went on: “I thought I could uh, congratulate her on her birthday.” Leo said: “I was looking for the toilet when Luke and Peaches came knocking on my door and told me to get dressed.” I sighed and I said: “Well let’s get seated and get ready.” In around 7am, Hailey woke up and saw me fully dressed and asked: “Wait… Why’re you up so early and dressed up… Oh no… Did I oversleep?” I replied: “Relax, relax. You didn’t oversleep, I just wanted to prepare you breakfast for your birthday and be the first one you see in the morning of your birthday. Happy birthday Hailey!” She said: “Thanks Jason! I knew I could always count on you to give me a great birthday!” I continued on: “Tonight, I’ll give you your presents, I promise you’ll like it.” After I said that she hugged me and after I got out of the room, she started changing. I heard the door of our bedroom open as Hailey came outside, and everyone said: “Happy birthday, Hailey!” Tears came out of you guys as she said: “You guys… Worked together to make all of this? Thanks!” Leo spoke: “Don’t thank us, we came here early just to say happy birthday, but Jason made all of that.” Hailey looked at me happily with tears as she cried out: “Thanks Jason! She then wrapped her arms around me, and I accepted her as I too also wrapped mine around her.

Peaches then came out and said: “Happy birthday Hailey! Here’s a present from me and Luke.” She gave the case to Hailey as Hailey said: “It’s beautiful, and it suits me too!” She put the earrings on her ear, and she looked great. The earrings truly matched her. I said: “Hailey, they suit you a lot. You look beautiful with them on!” She blushed and asked: “Really?” I nodded. We all went on the table as we started eating breakfast. Hailey dived in first and said: “Wow! This is so good! Did you really make this Jason?” I nodded, while Jingxi said: “Although it’s not as good as Hailey’s you still managed to make it quite good.” Luke said: “Hey hey, I never remembered you were a cook. Last year in the camp you relied on the girls to cook.” I blushed and said: “I guess Hailey was my teacher and motivator for me to learn how to cook…” Peaches said: “That’s expected, Hailey’s a legend at cooking. No matter what she would whip you into shape for cooking. But I just never expected it to be this fast…” We were all enjoying breakfast. By the time we were finished with breakfast, I suggested to everyone: “Let’s take a day off for today, let’s celebrate her birthday instead!” Everyone agreed, so we just played around with cards, and other games. Ah, the fun we had. However sometime at around noon just when I was about to prepare lunch, we heard a sudden knock on our door.