"Host, you're a time traveler, yet you chose the identity of a naval handyman? Are you planning to become a top-notch servant?"
"Anchor, you've already claimed to be the king of the offshore seas. If you aren't broadcasting live from the ocean, how can you still say you're time traveling?"
"The plot keeps getting more complicated, yet more clichéd. I can't wait any longer. Everyone's performing so attentively; I won't turn off the live broadcast. I'm going to indulge myself."
"Anchor, you could keep it simple, but you've made it so complicated. There are countless TV dramas out there. Who wants to watch the plot? Let's get straight to the point; everyone is busy."
"The anchor is teasing the young woman like this, and then she asks you to deal with the king of the offshore sea. Are you going to resolve this issue, or just leave after having your fun and not care at all?"
"Can you perform a fight scene first? I don't dare to use a knife, but fists will do. It'd be great if three people could fight the anchor alone. If the performance is good, I'll give you a thousand Berries."
"Same as above, plus one hundred Berries."
"Ah, the more I watch, the more it feels like a pre-recorded micro-movie. I checked the live streaming platform, and the state hasn't registered it at all."
…
Ririka looked at Ren for a moment, ensuring he wasn't teasing her. Her face flushed slightly as she began to tell her story. "Helmeppo—he arranged for people to collect tributes far beyond the standard every day to win me over. Before, there weren't any problems at sea. Although handing in the tribute was challenging, with everyone's help, we managed to cover it. But ever since the King of the Near Sea appeared..."
"It seems that the plot of this real world resembles the comics but has its differences. At least in the comics, helmeppo is just a bit domineering, not lustful. But the helmeppo here is not only lustful but also enjoys playing with romance. He not only likes young women but also feels entitled to take them without hesitation."
After Ririka finished speaking, Ren's mind raced as he contemplated his next steps. Just as he was about to inquire about the King of the Near Sea, a large knife sliced through the air, landing with a thud on the table in front of him.
"Handyman boy, after asking so many questions, are you going to keep collecting tribute or get lost?" Kaida stood beside Ren, his imposing figure blocking half of the sunlight streaming through the window. The large knife in his hand glinted ominously. Compared to Ren's frail, scholarly appearance, Kaida was far more intimidating.
"Haha, don't worry, Sister Ririka. From now on, our big brother Kaida will be here. No navy will take tribute from this place again." One of the three men accompanying Kaida laughed while eyeing Ririka.
Though the navy was a colossal force not to be trifled with, it didn't mean that a new recruit's handyman status was inviolable. As a well-known mercenary from several nearby islands, Kaida was even ready to eliminate helmeppo. Why would he care about Ren, a mere marine?
As long as he could win Ririka's affection, the worst-case scenario was moving to another small town to live.
Calmly eyeing the large knife, Ren picked up the juice drink on the table, took a sip, and then chuckled. "Sorry, but I don't feel like sharing my choice with you."
——
"The anchor is an idiot. Why is he pretending to be so profound instead of just punching him right now? Damn!"
"Anchor, this plot is poorly arranged. He's threatening you with a knife; you should just take action! Why are you hesitating?"
"Is the anchor stupid? Is he actually drinking juice at this moment? He could just throw it at the guy. Damn, he's so foolish, and he's still talking about time travel? If he can travel through time looking this cowardly, I'd be a god."
…
"Damn it, I'm going to lose it!" Seeing these comments, Ren felt an urge to curse. He was trying to act cool and arrogant, yet he was still being insulted? Didn't they see Kaida's face turning purple with anger after just a few words?
"Then go to hell!" Ren's words truly provoked Kaida. When did a navy recruit dare to speak to him like that? He roared, swinging his sword toward Ren's hand.
If this blow had landed, Ren would have been utterly defeated.
"A performance partner delivered right to my doorstep!" Ren sighed internally, sweeping out with his right hand. With minimal movement, the juice cup in his grasp had been replaced by Kaida's sharp sword.
"You look pretty cool swinging that knife. How about taking me to the King of the Offshore and showing me some moves?" Ren patted Kaida's belly with the large knife and chuckled.
"I..." Kaida was taken aback. Ren's speed had been too quick for him to react. The sword slipped from his hand, and fear filled his body. The coldness of the blade against his belly made him break out in a cold sweat. He wanted to speak, but his tongue felt like it weighed a thousand tons, and he couldn't move it at all.
"Brother Kaida!" The three men following Kaida hadn't seen how Ren had disarmed him. Ignorance breeds courage; they roared, grabbed their weapons, and surrounded Ren.
"Boy, put down the knife! Otherwise..."
One of the three yelled, but Ren ignored him completely. Without waiting for the noise to die down, he turned the sword in his hand to the blade side and pressed it directly against Kaida's large belly.
"Stop talking nonsense and tell me whether you're leaving or not."
At that moment, Kaida, who had previously been shouting, trembled in fear and could hardly stand.
However, it was clear that the Sea King of the Near Sea was more terrifying than Ren at this moment. "Well, little brother, the Sea King of the Near Sea isn't just a small fish; it's a king of the sea. We..."
"If you don't leave in three seconds, I'll kill you right now. Three..." Ren was tired of talking nonsense. He stood up and pressed the large knife against Kaida's neck.
"Go, go, go, go now! Calm down, brother, calm down!"
——
"Did the anchor just perform a magic trick? How did the knife get into the anchor's hands?"
"Damn, I'm increasingly impressed by these actors. The way the uncle is sweating and the younger brother is nervous and shouting—they could definitely win the Best Supporting Actor Award."
"Is there a technical expert here? I couldn't see clearly how the knife was taken away. Come out and analyze it; was it the host's brilliance or just a skillful trick?"
"Wait a moment, I recorded it. Let me play it back in slow motion to analyze it."
"The host really traveled through time; why don't you believe it?" Hannah typed a comment with a smile. She didn't dwell on how Ren snatched the knife; she simply thought it was a clever magic trick.
"I still stand by my word. If the anchor truly travels through time, I'll eat shit live."
"I'll say the same. If the anchor travels through time, I'll give him 10,000 Berries."
"I won't say anything unreliable. If the anchor travels through time, I'll do a live stream running naked"