Chapter 8 of 10

Chapter 8

7 min read1,688 words

I stopped laughing at the sound.

"By the way, isn't it tough working under such a meticulous captain?"

"No, I'm learning a lot."

I meant it.

Even in my past, when I worked as a navigator, I considered Captain Lee Hee-yeong my role model.

Some of the other navigators on board were reluctant to sail with him, thinking he was too meticulous, but his rational approach and experience had a lot to teach.

"Have I ever told you about my early days as a navigator?"

"No."

To be honest, I was a bit surprised.

Because even when I sailed with Captain Lee Hee-yeong in the past, he never told me long stories about himself.

"There was a big fire on the first ship I sailed on. I ran with a fire extinguisher, but I was so scared I couldn't move properly."

"What happened to the fire?"

"Eventually, the captain came running, took the fire extinguisher from me, and jumped onto the container to put out the fire."

"He must have been quite a person."

"Yes, he was the senior I looked up to."

"Is that captain still with Hae Shin Shipping?"

"No, he retired because of the fire accident."

"Really?"

"It seems the fire was thought to be extinguished, but there was still a spark. A big explosion happened, and he suffered severe burns, so he decided to leave the company."

"Um..."

It was a story I had never heard before.

But a fire on a ship is one of the most terrifying accidents that can happen. It was a story I could easily relate to.

The captain continued.

"Since then, I think I've developed an obsession. I might have gotten into the habit of being harsh on my juniors and navigators."

"No, I feel like I'm learning a lot thanks to the captain. Please continue to teach me."

"Really?"

"Yes, sincerely."

"You've improved a lot in your social skills."

It's true. If you count my past life, I already have as much experience as the captain.

The captain continued.

"It's fortunate if you're learning. That's why I decided to trust you this time."

"Really?"

"If you're right, you'll have saved this ship, won't you?"

"Thank you for trusting me."

"Let's see how it goes. If you're wrong, I'll have to write a report and accept a pay cut, won't I? Hehehe."

"..."

"First-time navigators not listening to the captain and deviating from the course. I've never heard of such a thing in my sailing career. Hehehe."

"..."

"My youngest daughter is entering medical school. It's quite expensive, you know. Hehehe."

"..."

"Third navigator, do you think we'll get fired?"

"..."

Suddenly, my mouth felt dry.

At that moment, I realized that if this went wrong, many people on this ship would have to write reports because of me.

Damn it! But we won't get fired, right?

You have successfully completed the side quest.

Reward:

- Title: [Master of Prediction]

'Hmm? Has an hour passed?'

That's when it happened.

I felt the ship shake slightly and heard a thud.

It was a different movement from the usual rolling of the ship at sea.

A veteran like Captain Lee Hee-yeong would have definitely noticed it.

"Captain!"

"Hmm?"

"Did you feel it just now?"

"What?"

"Just now. Didn't you feel a vibration?"

"Are you hearing things? I didn't feel anything."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing, not even a twitch."

"..."

Damn. Am I hearing things?

That's when it happened.

Crackle. Crackle.

The awkward atmosphere was interrupted by the crackling of the radio in the captain's hand.

"Captain, this is the first navigator."

"Yes, first navigator. This is the captain."

"Captain, you should come to the bridge quickly."

"What's the matter?"

"The navigation team and the headquarters have sent us urgent weather information and navigation instructions."

The captain and I looked at each other.

After a quick exchange of glances, we both jumped up and started running.

* * *

- On the bridge of M.V. Venus.

Most of the crew was already on the bridge.

It was rare for all the crew members to gather here under normal circumstances.

But they must have gathered to see the spectacular conclusion of the commotion I caused.

As I ran into the bridge, everyone's eyes turned to me.

They all looked at me with curious eyes.

'Oh, yes, it's me. The troublemaker of Hae Shin Shipping, that's me.'

I gave an awkward smile. I thought I had become a max-level crew member, but now I felt like a troublemaker.

After a moment, the captain rushed in.

Was it because of the age difference? There was a significant time gap between me, the fastest man on the ship, and the captain. I felt a bit proud.

"So, the first navigator, what did headquarters say?"

As soon as the captain entered the bridge, he asked the first navigator urgently.

The first navigator's face was as red as an apple.

He looked quite flustered.

"Captain, we've received an emergency order to seek shelter."

"Really? What's the reason?"

"A major earthquake of magnitude 8.5 has occurred in the Ring of Fire near Indonesia, close to our planned route!"

People gasped at the first navigator's words.

"Ah, ah!"

Some people let out short gasps.

"And?"

The captain asked, and the first navigator continued.

"Due to the aftershocks of the earthquake, a tsunami of at least 8 meters and up to 20 meters could occur! We are instructed to maintain a distance of at least 500 nautical miles from the epicenter and to avoid or circumnavigate it!"

"A tsunami could occur? What's the expected radius?"

"The Indonesian Meteorological Agency has issued a warning to prepare for possible tsunami damage within a radius of about 500 nautical miles (approximately 926 km) from the epicenter!"

The captain, whose face had stiffened at the mention of a tsunami, continued to question the first navigator.

"First navigator, what's the distance between the ship and the epicenter?"

The first navigator nodded and quickly calculated the distance.

He turned around with wide eyes and a shocked expression. Then he said,

"The distance between the ship and the epicenter is exactly 510 nautical miles (944.52 km)!"

"......!"

A moment of silence followed, then a loud cheer erupted on the bridge.

"Wow!"

"We're saved!"

"Wow!"

The bridge of M.V. Venus echoed with the loudest cheer since the ship's maiden voyage.

And.

<Beep!>

A window popped up.

Thanks to your efforts, the Venus has escaped the danger of the tsunami.

Reward:

- Reputation + 20

- The crew begins to respect you.

- The first navigator and the captain's favor towards you increases.

- Your navigation skill experience increases.

- Your ability to read ocean currents improves.

So many rewards?

"Status window"

<Beep!>

Name: Jang Bogo

Age: 23

Class: Navigator

Sub-class: Third Navigator

Level: Lv.1

Skills: [Navigation Lv.1], [Taekwondo Lv.3], [Gomu Gomu Kick Lv.3], [Rescue Lv.1]

Reputation: + 25

Title: [Master of Prediction Lv.1]

Remark: Your stats are still significantly low. Try harder!

First Navigator Yang Hwajong

- Bridge of the ship "M.V. Venus"

Cheers echoed throughout the ship.

People were patting each other on the back, giving high fives, and smiling at each other.

Crackle. Crackle.

The thrill of changing the past sent goosebumps down my spine.

The people who had been cheering on the bridge suddenly turned their heads. Their eyes began to focus on me.

Captain Lee Hee-yeong, who had been watching me carefully from the crowd, approached me and said,

"Third navigator, was this the situation you were worried about?"

"Yes, Captain. But I wasn't sure."

"Really?"

"Yes, I just remembered my father's advice to learn from the crew of long-distance fishing boats. It was just luck."

"Hmm, well done anyway."

The captain knew that my father had a long history of serving as a deck officer with Hae Shin Shipping.

He pursed his lips and nodded, then lightly patted my shoulder.

There were no embarrassing words of encouragement, but it was the highest praise from the usually stern Captain Lee Hee-yeong.

"Third navigator! Great! Third navigator! Great!"

Helmsman Joseph looked around and clapped loudly, shouting. He encouraged the others to clap.

Everyone followed Joseph's lead and clapped.

The people on the bridge cheered and came up to me, patting my head and back without hesitation.

Behind them, a man appeared awkwardly.

First Navigator Gomchi Yang Hwajong.

Even his usually unlucky-looking face now had a big smile.

We couldn't know what would have happened if we had followed the planned route, but the first navigator could feel how lucky we were to avoid the worst-case scenario of a tsunami.

The first navigator approached me and slowly extended his hand.

I looked into his eyes and quickly extended my hand to shake his.

"Third navigator, well done. I'm sorry."

"No, First Navigator."

"Still, you should have told us earlier."

"Would people have believed me if I told them?"

"Hahaha. True, that's a good point."

First Navigator Yang Hwajong gave a bitter smile and chuckled.

'Hmm? Is this the first navigator's style?'

I was a bit surprised by his willingness to admit his mistake.

I never expected him to show this side because I only got scolded by him in my past life.

'Maybe it's my fault? After all, in my past life, I often made mistakes and got scolded.'

Maybe I had misunderstood him.

I shouldn't judge people I meet in this life based only on my past memories.

I felt that my relationship with Captain Lee Hee-yeong and the first navigator was slightly different from my past life.

"So, it was your father's advice?"

"Yes, that's right."

"I've heard he was a great sailor. I'll have to remember that. Thank you for saving us all."

"Thank you. I'm sure my father will be happy to hear that."

I thought of my father, who suddenly became a great sailor thanks to me.

'This is filial piety, isn't it?'

Father! I'm doing filial piety here that I couldn't do in my past life.