Da Fei made up his mind. Give! If I can't even settle an NPC woman in the game, what am I even living for?
Da Fei took out his extra binoculars. "This is for you!"
Even though this is only C-class, it's still a Strategy Treasure. I can sell it for thousands of gold coins to other players! Gifting treasures was the ultimate move that players discovered during the open beta. For instance, if you encountered heroes from opposing factions and could not convince them, treasures would open the door to negotiations for you. Of course, it was only a door-opener.
As expected, the beauty's eyelids jumped. Was she impressed?
She took the binoculars and played with it. Her expression was as if it was her first time seeing something like that. She looked like a child focusing on her new toy. Da Fei was worried. I can only afford to give you this. Please don't kick it away like a coconut.
Finally, she revealed a satisfied smile. "The handicraft is pretty decent."
Da Fei let out a sigh of relief. No shit! This is the extra pair from the Captain's Room. Can the Captain use the same grade of stuff you pauper pirates use?
Da Fei said sweetly, "Only such a high-class item deserves to be paired with the beautiful you."
The female pirate's gaze turned cold. "Boy, are you aware of your current situation?"
Da Fei's eyebrows jumped. Oh! Finally, serious talk. Good. Everyone else on this island is a Red Name to me. I'm ignored everywhere. I need an opening to continue living here.
Da Fei sighed. "I feel very lonely."
The female pirate said coldly, "Of course. This place doesn't trust outsiders. You should know what to do."
Da Fei felt his heart turn cold. Is becoming a pirate the prerequisite to hiring her? What the heck. Then aren't my binoculars gone for nothing? I lost big, I lost big! There's no other way now. I have to give up.
Of course, I mean to give her up! I will never let a female NPC affect my own future. If a man loses a woman, he can still find others elsewhere. If he loses his business, it's game over. I'm that realistic.
Da Fei sighed. "I won't become a pirate. That's too small-minded. There's no future."
The female pirate smiled coldly. "Then, prepare to spend your whole life here. If you don't become a pirate, you won't be able to board your ship. If you can't leave this island, you can't go anywhere." She then ignored Da Fei and continued to drink by herself.
Da Fei was speechless. I'm stuck in this place now. Even if I die, I'll still respawn on this island. I'm really stuck without a way out? Should I hate that Raging Sea of Blood? Actually, if he didn't make me a Red Name, my ship would just be robbed by those pirates, right? At least I still have my ship now. I still have some hope.
But where's the hope?
The beautiful violin music filled the entire tavern. A few heroes were quietly napping at their seats. Da Fei suddenly realized that this tavern was very empty. Apart from those heroes waiting to be recruited, not a single gambler or drunk was in sight. In fact, they had no business at all.
This tavern isn't normal. This female hero isn't normal either? If I really can't pass the initial test of buying her a drink, she wouldn't have said so much to me. She would've just acted like the other heroes and chased me away with a single sentence like "Piss off". Furthermore, her seat is different from everyone else's. She's sitting in front of the bar, whereas normal heroes all sit at the tables in the tavern. Da Fei's eyebrows jumped.
There's something more going on! This artistic female pirate must have something more going on. My door isn't completely shut yet.
Da Fei tried to continue the conversation. "Beautiful lady. I can't just squander my time away on this island without doing anything. I want to take a temporary job here. Can you help me put in some good words…" I gave you a C-class treasure, at least. That must have raised the Affinity a little bit.
As expected, the female pirate smiled. "Sure. You can wash and carry dishes here. 2 gold coins per day."
—System Message: You became the waiter at Blood Moon Tavern. Daily Salary: 2 gold coins.
Da Fei was shocked! Is this female pirate the boss? What the heck! I found myself some support in the most desperate situation! Rich lady, please take care of me!!!
Da Fei hurriedly bowed. "Thank you so much."
The female pirate shook her head and snorted. "Dishwashing Captain… ha…"
Da Fei was surprised again! The hero is leaving the tavern? As a normal hero, this would mean that her time is up and the System would refresh her. However, would the owner be just a normal hero? Of course not, she definitely is an Epic Hero!
Da Fei was completely stunned! If she really is an Epic Hero—What the heck! Don't put me into this dilemma! I can't whore myself out and become a pirate!
As the female pirate left, the violin music stopped. The musician put down the violin and started playing the accordion, the most famous instrument amongst pirates. Then, a few scantily clad dancers entered from the back door and prepared to dance on the dance floor.
No way? This is turning into a normal tavern? All that artistic atmosphere just now was created for her alone?
When Da Fei realized what was going on, he asked the shopkeeper, "Boss, what's that lady's name from just now?"
The fat shopkeeper suddenly opened his eyes wide. "You don't deserve to know! Don't think that you're one of us just because Katerina gave you a special chance. We're about to open. Do your job. If you dare to slack off, I'll throw you to Crocodile Island!"
Katerina! This name… What the heck. I think there really was a Spanish Pirate Queen in history, Redhead Katerina? Is that her? If her game background is designed based on that Queen's story, she's probably a Legendary Hero!
Players don't need to dream about Legendary Heroes. Alright, this is good too. It'll stop the distractions. I'm determined not to become a pirate.
How can a dragon stay in a pond? It will transform back into a dragon the moment it encounters the wind and the clouds! I can't stay in such a small circle like the pirates here. When the storm comes and you all hide, I will sneak back into my ship. Based on the game's resurrection rules, I will respawn within the Light Factions' territory once I leave your Barren Sea territory. Even if the storm costs me my ship, I don't believe that I can't get away!
Just then, some pirates walked in while laughing. "Boss, five bottles of rum! A large serving of grilled fish!"
The shopkeeper immediately said to Da Fei, "Get the rum."
Da Fei hurriedly replied, "Understood."
Then, the pirates slowly filled up the tavern. Their chaotic conversations and laughter filled the room. The artistic tavern turned into an ordinary one. This tavern wasted so much time and business just for her hobby. She must be a highly important person. Even if I can't kidnap her, I must at least maintain a good relationship with her. That way, if I encounter pirates in the wild next time while being a merchant, they might let me go because of her.
Anyways, I have a salary now. I'll make up for that drink I owe her. Before I escape, I'll max out her Affinity towards me.
Speaking of which, a salary of 2 gold coins per day in the NPC world isn't low. 1 gold coin = 10 silver coins = 100 bronze coins. It's more than enough to buy some bread, some small dishes, and some alcohol for survival. However, if I want to use it to repair my sword and purchase new weapons, it'll be pretty tight. As for recruiting and hiring troops, it's basically impossible.
The "cannon fodder" Level 1 Skeleton Soldiers in this game cost 16 gold coins per unit. The Elite Level 1 Pikeman Soldiers cost 50 gold coins each. These soldiers with 5 HP or 10 HP die in giant batches on the battlefield, where fireballs and arrows could rain down any second. This game was not something that the average player could afford to play. As for fixing his ship, that was completely impossible.
Now that the tavern was full and all the dishes were ordered, Da Fei got to relax.
As an expert, Da Fei would not waste his time here. He finally had the opportunity to get close to the pirates. He could not miss out on the chance to gather information.
Da Fei used the opportunity when serving a table of pirates to ask. "Do any of you know about the Pirate King's unique skill, Stealth Sailing?"
Instantly, the entire room full of pirates turned silent. Then, they all stared at Da Fei in unison.
Da Fei tensed up. Did I ask something I shouldn't have?
Suddenly, the entire room full of pirates were all laughing, as if they heard the world's funniest joke.
"Even a little kid like you who's still drinking breast milk knows about the Pirate King's "Stealth Sailing", intimidating across all Seven Seas. How can we not know about it?"
Oh! So famous, intimidating across all Seven Seas? Da Fei was overjoyed. "Then, how can I learn this Skill?"
Chey! The pirates were tired of entertaining him. They went back to eating and drinking by themselves.
No way? Nothing else? Makes sense though. How can these random people know about the Pirate King's unique skill? Furthermore, with my current status, they won't tell me even if they knew. What should I do? I can only encounter these random people when I'm carrying dishes here. Must I wait until that Katerina comes back to ask her? That's a must. However, the more information I can collect, the better. I have one more move.
Da Fei smiled. "However, based on what I know, the Pirate King's unique skill isn't that amazing. It was easily cracked by the Navigator, Renoir."
Suddenly, all the pirates in the room looked over again. Hehe! The prodding worked! I'll see which one of you disagrees and debates with me! The truth will be revealed the more we talk!
As expected, the pirate sitting next to Da Fei asked with a deep voice, "Where did you hear that from?"
Wahaha! Can't keep your cool, right? This is understandable. Renoir died on the journey back. This event was only documented in the seafarer's journal. Markal is probably the only one who knows about this. Nobody else will be aware of this. How should I answer that?
Just then, the fat shopkeeper yelled. "This is a tavern! Eat! Drink!" Then, he pointed at Da Fei. "You! Go help out in the kitchen!"
Instantly, all the pirates in the room started drinking, eating, and gambling again, as if nothing had happened.
Looking at everyone's carefully concealed expressions, Da Fei was even more surprised. Could it be that the Pirate King's unique skill only existed as a terrifying rumor, but not something that could be inquired or researched on?
Anyways, his first day spent as a waiter in-game passed by painfully like that.