The Edge of the Star Field

The first day

As the golden sunset slowly descended, illuminating the entire coastline, the sea water created a gentle orange halo, as if endowed with life, shining with enchanting brilliance. The entire sea resembled a warm gemstone ocean.

In the distance, sea birds glided across the backdrop of the sunset, leaving behind a beautiful arc. Their calls echoed in the air, adding a sense of tranquility and harmony.

Leaning against a tree trunk, Lin Fan felt the sea breeze brushing against his face. He now understood the capricious nature of the sea, transitioning from a serene azure canvas to a furious spectacle, unleashing towering waves that could destroy anything in their path.

After a long rest, Lin Fan felt the dissipating pain in his body and a partial recovery of his strength. He surveyed his surroundings, hoping to find some food to satisfy his hunger.

Soon, his attention was drawn to a large tree toppled by a giant wave. The tree was laden with elliptical fruits of considerable size.

Approaching the tree, Lin Fan carefully observed the fruits. They exhibited a brown or light yellow color, with surfaces covered in intricate patterns and uneven textures. The upper part was slightly pointed, while the lower part was more rounded.

Through careful identification, Lin Fan recognized them as a type of fruit specifically growing by the seaside: "Coconuts."

With their tough outer shells, coconuts were filled with sweet coconut water and flesh, providing hydration and temporary sustenance for Lin Fan's energy and nutrition needs.

His gaze fell upon the scattered 20 coconuts on the ground. Although sufficient to last a while, the challenge now was how to open their tough shells without any tools.

Given the hardness of the coconut shells, Lin Fan hesitated to attempt without proper tools, considering his limited strength.

He began searching for a suitable tool and soon found a protruding rock in the sea waves. Its surface appeared relatively smooth with some sharp edges, seemingly suitable for breaking open the coconut's tough shell.

Lifting a coconut, he smashed it against the sharp edge of the rock. Initially, the effect was not evident, but Lin Fan persisted, continuously adjusting the force and angle, attempting more precise methods.

Sweat poured, and finally, he heard an encouraging sound—the coconut shell had cracked. Coconut water flowed from the fissure, revealing the coconut flesh.

He raised the coconut high, pouring the sweet coconut water directly into his mouth. The cool liquid swiftly hydrated his parched throat, and the sweetness of the coconut water lingered on his palate.

The white, juicy coconut meat provided a delightful taste and texture. Lin Fan closed his eyes, indulging in the unexpected realism of taste within this virtual space.

Having cracked open three coconuts, hunger was alleviated. Now, before darkness fell completely, Lin Fan needed to find a place to sleep overnight.

Ensuring safety was crucial. A suitable location meant staying away from the shore to avoid high tide engulfing the shelter. There also needed to be objects for cover, such as large trees or rocks.

Carefully observing the surroundings, Lin Fan noticed a recess in the mountain wall not far away. It was spacious enough for him to lie down comfortably and elevated from the ground.

Climbing the mountain wall cautiously, he approached the recess. After a thorough check and confirmation of safety, he relaxed. Sitting in the recess, spacious and smooth, it provided the ideal shelter.

Having found a sleeping spot, Lin Fan collected some coconut leaves, spreading them on the shelter's floor to create a comfortable sleeping environment.

After completing these tasks, the sky was finally completely dark.

Lying in the shelter, Lin Fan faced total darkness due to the absence of a fire. The night breeze lightly touched his body, bringing a chill.

The continuous sound of waves echoed in his ears, a ceaseless symphony of noise and turbulence. It made it impossible for him to find tranquility and sleep.

Loneliness gradually enveloped him, making Lin Fan feel forgotten by the world. The inner sense of solitude, devoid of familiar voices and companionship, intensified the feeling of endless loneliness.

In his heart, Lin Fan continuously encouraged himself. This was merely a test in the virtual space. If he couldn't endure these short seven days, he would only hinder the group during the exploration mission four months later.

Lin Fan started shifting his focus, recalling training moments to calm his mind. However, the dark and noisy environment still hindered his ability to fall asleep. He lay there silently, attempting to calm himself, and began counting sheep.

Closing his eyes, concentrating hard, he imagined a flock of sheep jumping over a small river. Each sheep was white and fluffy, leaping lightly, one after another, crossing his mind.

"One sheep, jumped over." Lin Fan silently recited, trying to focus his attention on this simple task, and he continued counting.

"Two sheep, jumped over... Three sheep, jumped over..."

Lin Fan hoped this monotonous and tranquil imagery would bring him some peace.

However, the incessant sound of waves in the dark continued to disrupt his thoughts. He felt the mental fatigue but couldn't enter the realm of dreams.

He had no choice but to persist since he couldn't find a better solution.

"Four sheep, jumped over... Five sheep, jumped over..."

Lin Fan kept counting sheep, despite occasional interference from the noisy waves. Eventually, he persevered, finding a state of calm.

Gradually, Lin Fan's breathing steadied, and his body relaxed. The simulation of the first day of wilderness survival came to an end.