Chapter 38 of 100

Chapter 38

14 min read3,448 words

Dafei came back online, and the divine protection from the item in the mall disappeared. The wreckage of the sunken pirate ship and the corpse of the great white shark still remained. Truly, it was a time-stopping artifact.

— System Notification: A new day at sea has begun. You have gained 100 experience points for maritime training.

This must be the daily experience bonus for the Navigator profession. Speaking of which, the Navigator profession and the Navigation skill differ by just one character, but they represent the difference between a profession and a skill, with different levels. So, would there be a hidden profession called "Attacker" for the Attack skill, or a "Defender" profession for the Defense skill? Ha.

In any case, the Soaring sailed out to sea again.

Now, with no one to pull the ship, how long would it drift? Hasn't my trial mission been completed? In the future, there won't be any more evaluations; whatever comes, I'll have to face it head-on. If I have to fight, I'm just a lone commander with no cards left to play. Whether I can keep this ship will be up to fate.

A day in the game passed. Dafei didn't sleep well last night and drank a bit of闷酒 (mènjiǔ,闷酒 means "sulking wine" or "wine to drown one's sorrows") at noon. A wave of drowsiness hit him, so he set the system alarm to the maximum and started his afternoon nap.

After an unknown amount of time, the alarm woke Dafei from his nap!

— System Notification: Reconnaissance Alert! Three unidentified ships are approaching! Please be on guard!

Dafei was startled and quickly took out his telescope. Pirates! Pirates again! It's over; the ship can't be saved!

Dafei shook his head with a bitter smile. After all, the trial gift of a ship was just a gimmick. How could the system be so generous as to give a new player such a large ship? They would find a reason to take it back, making it all a false joy.

Fight? Fight what? Of course, he had to quickly pack the ballista and prepare to flee. If he could save one thing, he would save it.

Dafei hurried to the gun deck to dismantle the ballista. The pirate ships were getting closer. Finally, the ship shook as they came alongside. The pirates shouted and swarmed aboard.

The sound of footsteps clattered overhead. Dafei finished packing the last part with a sense of relief.

Splash! Splash! The pirates jumped into the hold. Dafei sighed deeply, threw up his hands, and said, "Kill me if you want! I'm the captain!"

Several pirates rushed forward, knives at his throat, and pushed him up to the upper deck. Hmm? Why not just kill me? Their names are red, indicating hostility. Could I have triggered a plot?

A tall, burly bearded man with a pipe in his mouth glanced at Dafei and said coldly, "Which faction are you from?"

Dafei's eyebrows twitched! Which faction? A gang question? Do I look like a pirate? This can't be another trial, right? No way, the system isn't a welfare agency.

Dafei replied, "I'm a new player, not from any faction." He told the truth and left it to fate.

The bearded man's eyes flashed with a cold light. "Is this your ship?"

What a question, it will be your ship soon! Dafei had to say, "I'm the captain."

The bearded man asked, "Did you kill the shark?"

Dafei replied woodenly, "Yes, I did."

The bearded man laughed. "Take him away!"

Thus, the three pirate ships towed Dafei's ship and began to return. The pirates took control of Dafei's ship and started to sail. For a moment, the fleet surged forward through the waves.

With so many sailors, things were different. But Dafei was more puzzled. They didn't seem like enemies. Could I have triggered a plot? Might as well ask, even if talkative people often get beaten.

Dafei asked, "Where are you taking me?"

The bearded man laughed. "You'll see." He waved his hand, and a pirate put a black hood over Dafei's head, plunging him into darkness. Alright, I get it, you're taking me to your hideout. It seems there's no real danger; otherwise, they would have killed me and taken the ship.

Since it's dark, I might as well check the pirate information on the official website.

Hero Continent has many islands, making it an excellent habitat for pirates. Therefore, pirates are thriving, and players focused on maritime development have plenty of places to level up. There are several major pirate factions: the Innocents, the Blood Raiders, the Blood Sails, the Savage Seas, and the New World's Pirate King Redbeard's New Caribbean. These major factions have extremely hidden hideouts, and even the navies of major countries dare not easily pursue them.

Pirates are enemies of all ships at sea, and they also fight each other. The fact that I survived an encounter with pirates suggests that I've triggered a plot. No choice, one step at a time.

After an unknown amount of time, loud shouts and laughter came from the sea. Dafei's vision brightened as the hood was removed. In front of him was a pirate port, with a dense cluster of pirate ships in the harbor and wooden houses on the shore. Dafei looked around and saw a constellation of small islands. This is the pirate hideout?

The bearded man laughed. "Newbie, welcome to Savage Island. I'll take you to meet our captain, Rock. When he asks you something, answer truthfully, or you'll regret it, hahaha!"

Captain Rock! Savage Pirates! A major faction! Damn, what's going on?

The fleet lowered its sails and docked. A large group of pirates gathered excitedly, chattering. "Ha, they got a big ship!"

"Barak must be rich this time!"

"Hey, such a big shark?"

The bearded man waved his hand. "Men, drag the shark up, and make sure to peel the skin well!"

The crowd responded loudly. "This shark skin is top-notch! It will make excellent sharkskin armor!"

The bearded man and his men escorted Dafei ashore and walked through the streets. Dafei looked around the new and curious island town, with shipyards, blacksmiths, equipment shops, and taverns. Especially the taverns, from which came rough laughter and wild music.

Even a small sparrow has all its organs.

After a short while, Dafei was escorted to a large house. The bearded man didn't knock and pushed Dafei in, shouting, "Boss, I brought you something fun."

As soon as Dafei entered, he saw a giant, muscular, scarred man lying on a large sofa in the middle of the hall, with several scantily clad women serving him drinks and others kneeling on the luxurious carpet in front of the sofa, massaging his feet and legs. Compared to his bear-like size, these small women were like...

This scarred man was, of course, Rock, the leader of the Savage Pirates, as described on the official website. No doubt, an epic hero.

Rock laughed. "Barak, I heard you got a big ship?"

The bearded man shook his head. "Not yet, but I found an interesting guy. This is him."

Rock stared at Dafei and laughed. "Kid, you have potential. At your young age, you've done so much and have a big ship. It's a shame you're not a pirate. How about joining us? I'll train you to be the best pirate and live the most carefree life!"

— System Notification: Pirate Leader Rock will offer you the hidden main hero profession "Pirate." Do you agree?

— Beginner Pirate: The uncrowned king of the seas. Each level increases your naval damage by 10% and ship speed by 5%, stacking with the Attack and Navigation skills. Gain one free attribute point and one system-assigned attack attribute point per level.

— Profession Specialty: Can train the naval unit Pirate Warrior. Learning this specialty requires one skill point.

— Pirate Warrior: Attack 10, Defense 2, Damage 6-10, Health 35, Attack Speed 14, Movement Speed 12. Special Skills: Sailing, Throwing Axe, Agile Dodge, War Plunder.

— Newbie Tip: Once you become a Pirate, you will become an enemy of all kingdoms. Please choose carefully.

Dafei finally understood! They didn't kill me because I'm a new player who hasn't chosen a profession and is already notorious with a red name, meeting the conditions to become a pirate! I didn't expect players could join the Pirate profession, which I thought was exclusive to NPCs. During the beta, many players lived by robbing at sea and called themselves pirates, but they weren't pirates; they were just red-named players.

This is a problem. This is a main hero profession, not a part-time job like Navigator. I can wash away my red name, but once I become a pirate, I'll be a thief for life!

I don't want to be a pirate. That would make me an enemy of all players and NPCs. Although I used to love such things, now I'm a professional player who needs to sell gold for money. How can I trade gold to the website's customer service if I'm a notorious pirate? Asking a level 1 customer service newbie to meet me at the beach? No way.

Moreover, constant fighting and repairs, and the money I rob might not even cover the expenses! Do you think being a pirate is glamorous? If it were, they wouldn't be stuck on this island. Even African lion prides, the kings of the savanna, often go hungry; prey isn't easy to catch. More lions die from the horns of African buffalo than from being eaten by lions. An injured lion is as good as dead. Similarly, for a profession that relies on ships, once the ship is destroyed, it's over.

Not to mention, I have an epic quest. As a pirate, I can't even enter a city, let alone meet Duke Makar. The epic quest would be ruined.

In short, I won't become a pirate. It's not profitable. I'm a good citizen, full of positive energy.

Dafei immediately refused, "I won't become a pirate." So what if they kill me? I don't believe NPCs can reduce a player to level 0.

The bearded man was furious. "Kid, do you think you kept your ship by yourself? Don't get too cocky!"

Rock waved his hand and laughed. "No problem, let him wander around. He'll come to me when he's ready."

The bearded man snorted. "As the boss says, the boss will play with him." He picked up Dafei and threw him out of the room like trash, then walked away.

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