Chapter 73 The Ripple Effect

The virtual lakeside stretched before me, a serene mirage bathed in the soft hues of twilight. It had been a place of refuge, a haven where I found solace amid the complexities of my virtual existence. The lake itself, framed by ancient, towering trees, held an otherworldly beauty. Their branches, adorned with leaves that shimmered like silver in the ambient light, rustled with a gentle, ethereal breeze.

My avatar stood at the water's edge, its digital form intricately detailed. The play of light on the ripples of the lake gave my virtual body a lifelike quality, making it easy to forget I was in a virtual realm. The scent of the nearby flowers, a mixture of wild blooms and delicate herbs, wafted through the air, adding to the illusion.