Tower of Truth, Fifteenth Level.
“Today is a great day for a voyage, my friend!”
A merchant with a beaming smile followed Mike, introducing, “You have a keen eye. Our ships here are the best among the three islands. Saint Mary’s Port will not disappoint you!”
As he spoke, he began listing the available ships, “Bronze, Silver, Gold, Flying, Cobra…”
Mike raised his hand, interrupting the merchant’s introduction.
“I want the Razor. Get it ready. We set sail in five minutes.”
The merchant feigned surprise, exclaiming, “The Razor, my goodness! That’s the fastest ship on the entire sea. No one dares to challenge that fierce beast!”
Mike tossed a small bag of gold coins and turned away, “6000 gold coins. If that doesn’t shut you up, I’ll try using my hammer. Don’t waste my time.”
In the fifteenth level, buying a ship, recruiting crew, and setting out to sea were all tasks participants had to handle themselves.
The good news was that although the Exploration Rate reset daily, the entire map did not. Everything that happened would leave traces.
Once Mike bought the Razor for 6000 gold coins, it would always be his ship.
Of course, if Mike’s private space ever included a sea, he could pack up the Razor and take it with him.
After buying the ship, he needed a crew.
Mike couldn’t operate such a large ship by himself.
He could persuade any NPC to become his crew member.
Everyone had potential conditions that, once met, would make them agree to join.
However, Mike’s focus was more on the sea.
Only by setting sail could he achieve a higher Exploration Rate. Everything done at the port was just preparation.
So Mike chose a simpler method-hiring at the bar.
Hiring took less time, but the loyalty of hired crew members was not guaranteed, and they could betray their employer at any time.
Similarly, Mike’s obligation to protect hired crew members was weaker.
If a crew member betrayed Mike, killing them could even increase his Exploration Rate!
Pushing open the saloon doors, the dimly lit bar revealed a tapestry of human life.
As the only bar in Saint Mary’s Port, it was filled with the town’s drunks and whores. For a moment, Mike felt like he was back at the Wolf’s Den.
Unfortunately, there was no Maxen to buy him free drinks.
Mike jumped onto the nearest empty table and shouted,
“I’m recruiting ten crew members to sail with me.”
A whistle came from the corner, and a seductive voice said,
“Handsome guy, for half a gold coin, I’ll make sure you sail any way you want.”
The obviously suggestive remark made the entire bar burst into laughter.
Being teased didn’t bother Mike.
The atmosphere here was like that; being joked with was a sign of acceptance. free𝑤ebnovel.com
When the laughter died down a bit, Mike spoke again,
“I’m setting sail to find the mermaid’s treasure!”
Swish-
The laughter instantly ceased, and all eyes focused on Mike, most of them dark and piercing, staring intently at him.
Anyone else might have felt uneasy under such scrutiny.
Mike, however, remained unfazed, scanning the room for suitable crew members.
From behind the bar, a bartender scoffed,
“The mermaid’s treasure is a myth.”
“Bullshit!”
A pirate with a hook hand retorted, “Mermaids definitely exist!”
“To seek the mermaid’s treasure, you need wisdom, strength, courage, and luck—all in equal measure!”
In the corner, an old man, seemingly reminded of bad memories, shakily raised his glass and said,
“You have to cross the death zone, race against the sea’s rulers, and battle storms in the raging waves… Without a good ship, it’s impossible.”
Most people were skeptical of Mike’s declaration to find the mermaid’s treasure.
Even those interested wouldn’t act immediately.
Mike spoke again,
“I bought the Razor.”
The name Razor caused a stir in the bar.
“Are you crazy? Sailing that ship is suicide!”
“No cannons, no reinforced hull, built purely for speed. Any collision or attack will sink it.” “Reefs, storms, sea monsters, pirates… The sea isn’t your living room. For your own sake, go
back.”
An experienced captain laughed and shook his head,
“Kid, you need to recruit a priest, not a crew. At least a priest can pray for you and comfort
your soul.”
Ignoring the sarcasm, Mike made his final announcement, “We set sail in five minutes. I’m only taking ten crew members.”
With that, he jumped off the table, ordered a rum at the bar, and waited for suitable crew members to approach.
Seeking the mermaid’s treasure and sailing the Razor.
These two conditions would deter most people; no one would risk their life for a joke.
At the same time, it would attract a small number of truly capable individuals, exactly what
Mike needed.
Mike’s goal was a 100% Exploration Rate.
The Razor, being the fastest ship, was perfect for Mike, saving most of the sailing time.
Natural threats like reefs and storms wouldn’t pose any danger to the Razor under the [Eye of
Truth].
As for the mermaid’s treasure, finding it would grant a 30% Exploration Rate, essential for an
SSS rating!
Just as Mike had guessed, these conditions were indeed enticing.
A one-eyed pirate approached Mike, removed his hat, and said slowly, “Captain, my mates and I were crew on the Black Diamond. I swear we worked hard, never drank on duty, and never stole anything! The captain was pleased with us, but that fool Count
Mipoli insisted on firing us…”
After venting his grievances, the one-eyed pirate looked at Mike pitifully,
“My mates and I would be honored to pledge our loyalty to you and sail with you. I grew up
hearing tales of mermaids. If there’s a chance, I’d love to see the legend with my own eyes.”
Mike glanced at the one-eyed pirate.
[Pirate Captain Raven, Lv.100, notorious one-eyed pirate]
[Bounty: 6200 gold coins]
[Besides committing crimes at sea, he also causes trouble on land. Three home invasion
murders reported in the papers were his doing.]
[Has set foot on the mermaid’s island and seen the immortal monster….]
Mike took a sip of his drink, looked at Robert, and after a few seconds of hesitation, nodded.
“You can bring five of your mates. There’s a place for you on my ship.”
Clearly, this pirate captain wasn’t interested in the “mermaid’s treasure.”
He saw Mike as an easy mark!
The Razor wasn’t cheap. Despite its flaws, it was still the fastest ship on the sea, bar none.
Robbing the Razor, even if he didn’t use it himself, selling it back to Saint Mary’s dock would
fetch a hefty sum!
Mike was curious to see what kind of trouble Robert would stir up.
Sinking pirate ships and repelling pirate attacks could also increase the Exploration Rate!
“Thank you, thank you so much. You’re a good captain, I mean it!” Robert’s face was full of gratitude, his hands flailing in exaggerated excitement.
Turning away, Robert’s expression turned cold, and he silently threatened everyone with his
eyes.
Anyone who dared reveal his true identity to Mike would be dead!
As he walked to the corner, a sly smile crept across Robert’s face.
“Once we’re at sea, I’ll find a chance to kill him, and the Razor will be mine!”
“What a gullible fool, a gift from the sea god. Refusing this gift would make me the laughingstock of all pirates!”
