Chapter 64: Running to the Edge of the Sky (1)

“What do you mean, first VR game?”

The movements on screen, playing around with a nearly semi-pro opponent.

Dodging bullets, deflecting them, even catching them with her teeth.

Even if it was her first time playing Raid & Master, maybe she was just naturally skilled at similar games?

But all of that—done by someone brand new to VR games?

[?? Is this for real?]

[Look at Argon’s face lol dude’s brain just short-circuited]

[No way that’s possible for a first match, even with insane reflexes]

[This can’t be real…]

[No way she’s a total beginner]

Chat exploded in disbelief.

‘I’ve never seen anything like this—not even as a pro.’

Argon had met countless prodigies and experts during his pro gaming career.

He had seen talents so good they left him speechless.

But even then, this level of talent was unprecedented.

Like comparing a tiger to a housecat.

“Haa… seriously… I’ve got nothing to say. She’s incredible. Really.”

He held back his amazement and replayed the footage absentmindedly.

‘What if…’

What if he—at his peak—had faced Silverhair one-on-one?

Would he win?

No.

Argon shook his head.

He couldn’t even imagine a scenario where he came out on top.

---

Pixelwars Streamer Server.

It was a warm, lazy afternoon, sunlight dancing softly across the river.

By the calm riverside, two women sat side by side, holding fishing rods.

Yoo Seo-yeon, using her shimmering long silver-haired avatar that resembled her real self,

and Raidel, humming as she hooked a worm onto her line.

As if they had prearranged it, they both were enjoying a peaceful break.

Thanks to the mountain of gold she swept up at the underground casino—

money was no longer a worry.

There was no longer any need to chase item drops with desperation.

Well, that only applied to Yoo Seo-yeon.

‘I want to try something other than hunting.’

She had handed Raidel a pouch of gold and asked for other content recommendations—

so Raidel happily tagged along.

“Ahh… now this is happiness.”

Raidel stretched out with satisfaction.

“Sometimes, taking it easy like this is really nice, huh, Silverhair?”

“Yes. I like it too.”

Yoo Seo-yeon nodded softly.

Her golden eyes sparkled under the sun as they fixed on the bobber at the end of her line.

After all those monster-slaying marathon streams,

this peaceful scene felt refreshing even to Raidel’s viewers.

[She made enough money, now she’s just chilling lol]

[Honestly, this is nicer than just wiping mobs all the time]

[Healing stream vibes aren’t bad]

[Feels like a grandma who retired and went to the countryside lol]

“Grandma? I’m still young and sprightly in my twenties, okay?”

Despite the words, Raidel didn’t care much.

She, too, enjoyed the current peace.

“Come to think of it, there are only two big events left now.”

Raidel suddenly recalled the remaining major server events:

a large-scale defense event against the final monster invasion,

and the grand finale concert that would close the server.

“Silverhair, how’s concert prep going?”

Yoo Seo-yeon let out the tiniest sigh.

And because she normally showed so little emotion, that little sigh felt much heavier.

“…Honestly, that’s what I’m most worried about.”

“Wait, more than the monster invasion event?”

Raidel blinked in surprise.

“That’s… I can just fight like I always do…”

Yoo Seo-yeon trailed off.

“But the concert… I’ll have to sing. In front of so many people…”

Her faint voice seemed to tremble slightly.

Raidel almost laughed.

‘Yeah, monsters don’t scare her at all…’

But seeing the fearsome goddess of PvP and monster hunts so scared of performing on stage—

somehow, it was endearing.

[The final boss isn’t the monsters, it’s the concert lmao]

[Silverhair’s reaction is gold lol]

[I mean, singing in front of thousands would shake anyone]

[I’m hyped for Silverhair’s concert fr]

[Is Delbung practicing songs too?]

“I’ve been practicing singing a ton lately! How about you, Silverhair?”

“I’m… doing a little bit.”

Yoo Seo-yeon answered, fiddling with her rod.

“On YouTube… I just play karaoke instrumentals and sing along alone.”

[Cute lolololol]

[Singing with YouTube karaoke tracks hahaha]

[Just go to a coin karaoke already lol]

[She’s preparing for a concert from her room lololol]

Honestly, preparing like that didn’t seem right—

But… ‘It’s Silverhair. She’ll be fine, right?’

Raidel thought maybe she should be more worried about herself.

---

“Haa…”

The next day, around noon.

Lying in bed, a heavy sigh slipped out.

On her phone was the announcement for the “Pixelwars Streamer Server – Finale Concert.”

The concert was coming up soon.

Way too late to back out now.

But she had no idea what to sing.

‘There’s really not much time left… This is bad…’

Maybe a mellow song?

Something soft, a ballad?

But she couldn’t imagine how that would go.

It was supposed to be a celebration with tons of streamers and viewers.

What if she suddenly sang some sad ballad and killed the mood…?

‘Would people call it boring? Will I lose my popularity?’

Maybe not, but—

Still, the anxiety crept up.

If she went for an upbeat song, even if she sang poorly, it’d at least be fun, right?

‘…Nope. I can’t sing that kind of song.’

She couldn’t even imagine herself bouncing around on stage.

‘Ugh… my head hurts.’

She turned off her phone.

Then sluggishly got dressed and headed outside.

The fresh air helped her adjust a bit.

Her destination: a small café tucked away in an alley near her house.

The building looked old, but it had a calm and quiet atmosphere she liked.

‘Maybe if I experience something new… I’ll get inspired?’

Artists and creatives often visited places like this.

Normally, her introverted self wouldn’t bother—

But in need of creativity, she hoped for something.

Ding—

The gentle chime rang as she opened the door.

It was a weird time—after lunch—so the café was relatively empty.

‘Now what do I order…’

It had been too long since she visited a café.

She stepped inside on a whim but hadn’t thought ahead.

Worse, the menu was all in fancy cursive English.

“If you’re having trouble choosing, I can recommend something.”

A soft voice by her ear.

She looked up.

A neat black-haired part-timer offered her a faint smile.

Mid-20s. A bit tired-looking, but her eyes were gentle.

“Ah… yes…”

“It’s gotten a bit chilly, so how about a warm vanilla latte? It’s our café’s signature. Not too sweet, smooth—very popular.”

The kind tone made her nod automatically.

“Yes! I’ll take that.”

As she reached to pay, maybe from nerves—

Her card slipped and fell.

“Ah!”

It slipped… and stopped right at a narrow gap under the counter.

She bent down in a hurry, but the part-timer was quicker.

“Let me get that for you.”

At that exact moment, as he reached—

Her cloth bag, sitting at the edge of the counter, tipped.

Thud.

Its contents spilled.

A small makeup pouch, some pens—and…

Several sheets of sheet music.

“L-let me help.”

She scrambled to help her gather the scattered items.

And picked up one sheet.

Letter to the Sky.

Seemed like the title page.

Under the musical notes, she saw the lyrics and the title.

‘Huh?’

She froze.

A strange sensation wrapped around her.

It was just a piece of sheet music—

But it felt like a melody formed in her head.

Sad, yet stirring.

She stood still, dazed, eyes locked on the page.

“Here’s your card.”

The part-timer handed it to her, and hastily shoved the other sheets into her bag.

She looked a bit flustered.

She finally snapped out of it and took her card.

“Th-thank you…”

“No problem. That window seat is quiet and nice.”

When she returned the music sheet she was holding,

she gave her a gentle smile and recommended a spot.

Letter to the Sky…

A song title she’d never heard before.

Even seated, the sheet music lingered in her mind.

She took out her phone and searched for it.

No results.

‘Then what song is it?’

As she stared out the window—

the part-timer came over.

“Your vanilla latte.”

She placed the steaming cup on the table with a faint smile.

“Um… about that sheet music.”

She was surprised at how loud her voice came out.

“Can I ask what song it is?”

Just the unfamiliar title and a few lyrics—

Yet it stuck with her.

She wanted to hear it someday.

“It just… seemed like a really beautiful song. Even at a glance.”

She rambled her feelings, not knowing much about music.

“It just looked… good.”

She smiled.

A bright, heartfelt smile.

But only for a second.

It vanished like a mirage.

With a bitter curl of her lips, she replied quietly—

“That’s a song I wrote a long time ago.”

“What? R-really?”

No wonder it didn’t show up in a search.

She saw her surprise and added with a sad smile—

“It doesn’t mean anything anymore.”