Besides Raven, several other volunteers approached Mike.
However, they were neither pirates nor had any special backstories.
Ultimately, Mike ruthlessly rejected them.
With Raven and his five pirates taking up six spots, four more were needed.
Just as Mike was about to try his luck elsewhere, a burly, fierce-looking man approached.
“Kid, I heard you’re looking for mermaids?”
The man had a face full of scars, an ugly gash on his left cheek, and arms covered in knife and gun wounds. He looked even more like a pirate than Raven.
Mike glanced at him, and a lot of information popped up above his head:
[Bounty Hunter, Wes Landy, Lv.105]
[As the name suggests, he makes a living capturing pirates and has recently set his sights on Raven]
[Note: He has also seen the immortal monsters]
[…]
Immortal monsters.
This was the second time this term had come up.
Mike focused, trying to glean more useful information.
[Immortal monsters: creatures that cannot be killed no matter how many times you try]
[You have dealt with her sister before]
Sister?
A name instantly popped into Mike’s mind.
Medusa!
According to some myths Mike knew from Earth, Medusa had two sisters, known as the Gorgon Sisters.
Among the Gorgon Sisters, Medusa was mortal.
Her two sisters, however, were immortal, meaning they couldn’t die!
All three sisters were daughters of Phorcys, so their presence on the sea made sense…
But there was a problem.
Mike downed a gulp of rum, showing no outward reaction.
These thoughts were based on his pre-transmigration knowledge.
Back then, Mike played some games that included many mythological stories, which is how he knew about the Gorgon Sisters.
But encountering the Gorgon Sisters in the Tower of Truth?
That was no coincidence!
The secrets behind this were deeply unsettling.
With his current strength, exploring these secrets was clearly inappropriate.
Hiding these thoughts, Mike said, “You can join my crew. I’ll pay you 50 gold coins each time we set sail.”
This price clearly exceeded bounty hunter Landy’s expectations.
Even for just one silver coin, he would have followed Mike.
After all, his target was originally the pirate Raven.
Fifty gold coins were no small amount for Landy.
Even if he captured Raven and claimed the 6200 gold coin bounty, after various deductions
and bribes, he would end up with less than 800 gold coins.
And he would have to share that money with others.
The amount left for Landy himself would be minimal.
But following this generous employer to sea, he could earn 50 gold coins in one trip.
Landy didn’t hesitate and nodded, “Happy to serve! As long as my life isn’t in danger, I’ll do everything I can to protect you. Even if you meet an unfortunate end, I’ll bring your remains back to land. That’s my promise.”
With that, Landy raised his hand and made a few gestures in the air.
“Stick with me, and speak positively. I’ve always had good luck.”
Mike put down his glass and instructed, “Find three experienced sailors who can operate the Razor and meet at the port.”
With that, Mike took out 60 gold coins and placed them on the table.
“As you wish!”
Landy pocketed the coins and left the bar.
As a bounty hunter, he had his own network, and finding three experienced sailors was no problem.
Mike’s generosity was impressive.
Ten gold coins were enough to splurge at the port. With that money, he could sleep with any woman in the bar for a week.
Such an employer was highly favored.
Six pirates, one bounty hunter, and three sailors. The crew of the Razor was quite an
interesting mix.
Besides these NPCs, Mike could also summon his subordinates from his private space.
Werewolves and vampires might not know how to sail, but they were formidable in battle.
However, with Mike’s strength, he probably wouldn’t need their help in combat.
Better safe than sorry.
With the crew sorted, Mike had no reason to stay in the bar.
Pirate Raven arrived with his men, reeking of filth and wearing ill-fitting sailor uniforms,
likely stolen from somewhere.
“Captain, we’re ready to set sail anytime!”
Raven grinned obsequiously, his one eye scanning Mike with undisguised greed.
Once at sea, in his territory, this naive young man would be as helpless as a lamb!
“Let’s go.”
As they were about to leave, the bartender suddenly spoke up, “Sir, you haven’t paid for your
drink.”
Mike raised an eyebrow, “I already paid.”
Though no one was treating him, Mike wasn’t the type to drink for free!
The bartender insisted, “You drank two glasses but only paid for one.”
That sounded familiar.
Mike decided to reason with him.
He drew the Thunderclap Hammer.
Raven also got agitated, “Are you looking for trouble?”
The bartender stepped out from behind the counter and stood before Mike,
“Sorry, I made a mistake. You did only drink one glass. But I heard you say you’re looking for the mermaid’s treasure?” The bartender whispered, “Can I join you on your voyage?”
Above his head, a prompt appeared:
[He has seen the mermaid]
So, everyone here had a story. Mike liked having people with stories on his ship.
Mike smiled, “My ship can only hold ten crew members. As you can see, it’s full.”
Raven sneered and cursed,
“Get lost, kid. Don’t get in our captain’s way!”
Bang-
A gunshot rang out.
The bartender produced a shotgun, blasting a pirate away and spraying blood everywhere.
The gunshot silenced the entire bar, even Raven, who had been cursing, fell silent, not
expecting such a ruthless move.
“Now there’s an open spot.”
With the barrel still smoking, the bartender looked at Mike, lowered the gun, and bowed
slightly, asking again, “Can I join your crew?”
“Sure, but I have one condition.”
Mike appreciated the young man’s boldness. “Whenever I come to this bar, you cover my
tab.”
Spending money in a bar was something Mike wasn’t used to.
Not having someone to cover his tab made him uncomfortable.
The bartender didn’t hesitate, “Deal!”
The young man might never understand the true cost of this simple condition.
…
“Hoist the sails, set course!”
Driven by the wind, the Razor slowly sailed out of the port.
Onboard, besides Mike, were five pirates, three sailors, a bartender, and a bounty hunter.
Even without external pressure, such a group was a powder keg.
Mike stood on the deck, gazing into the distance.
The sky was clear, the sea calm.
Mike’s journey to a 100% Exploration Rate had officially begun.
Five minutes later, the Razor was tossed like a leaf in the waves, with the crew struggling
against the storm and gale.
Raven, trying to steer, cursed in the storm,
“This is the sea god’s curse!”
“There’s someone cursed by the sea god on this ship! He shouldn’t be here!”
“Damn it, do you want us all to die here?”
Listening to his curses, Mike remained unfazed.
Cursed by the sea god?
What does that have to do with me?
Who says killing his daughter automatically brings a curse?
Looking at the pitch-black clouds, the roaring thunder, and the torrential rain, it felt like the
apocalypse.
Mike even spread his arms and shouted to the sky, “Let the storm rage on!”
