Chapter 904: Chapter 451: Sudden Mission (2)

Seeing Druid Hai Yin just entered the shipyard, quickly walking towards his direction.

"You get up too early, unlike an adventurer at all. I heard from Hera that your morning exercise is already finished?"

Someone as disciplined as Xia Nan is rare, even among those professionals who have achieved some success. If you expand the reference to the entire group of adventurers, it’s even rarer.

It’s perfectly normal to indulge a little after returning safely from countless dangers and under high pressure, having earned a high task reward.

In some ways, compared to card tables and alcohol, sleeping in is already the most strict way of relaxation for oneself.

But honestly, Xia Nan doesn’t find anything painful about this lifestyle. He has gotten used to a regular life since transmigrating.

For now, if he were to sleep until noon every day or squander money on the card table, it would instead make him uncomfortable.

Of course, he is not some emotionless training machine and often feels pressure under various circumstances.

It’s just that Xia Nan has his unique way of relieving pressure.

And it’s very effective.

Knowing that Hai Yin wouldn’t come find him without reason so early, there must be something to convey.

Xia Nan nodded towards her.

"What’s up, is there something?"

"Nothing urgent, just here to inform you." Under the subconscious protest of the silver-black bracelet tightened on his right wrist, the Druid stopped six steps away from Xia Nan, explaining.

"The fleet has a new commission, the departure is three days later."

"Remember to make some preparations during this period, don’t delay when the time comes."

"So soon?"

Xia Nan was surprised.

After all, when he met their captain Lorin for the first time three days ago, the female captain with a head of red long curly hair told him they would rest in the town for a period before setting sail.

Unexpectedly, just three days have passed, and there’s a new plan.

"Hmm..." Hai Yin’s expression was somewhat strange in response to Xia Nan’s question. Clearly, this was unexpected for her as well, "It seems it’s because Captain Lorin discovered something of interest in the black market a couple of days ago and decided to continue the investigation, thereby taking another commission near the destination." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"I don’t know the specifics either. If you’re interested, you can ask the captain when you return to the tavern."

Since he has already become a temporary member of the "Sword of Vengeance," participating in tasks as part of the team is deservedly expected.

Regarding the "Moon Tide Banquet" three months later, Xia Nan places a lot of importance on his future crew life during this period.

Besides, he truly has nothing else to do lately apart from training, be it the armor forging at "Pearl Spinning" or the renovation of the "Flying Fish Oil Barrel," both require a long wait.

He doesn’t resist going out for tasks.

"Alright, I got it." Xia Nan nodded to show understanding and inquired from the druid in front of him, "Do you know the specifics of the task and the destination?"

Out of caution and to maximize his preparations, he certainly needs to learn some detailed information regarding this task.

"Task details... I just woke up today and was a bit dazed and didn’t quite understand it. You can ask the captain when you return to the tavern."

Somewhat embarrassed, Hai Yin shook her head and smiled awkwardly.

"But the destination, I heard it clearly. They mentioned heading to..."

"Twin Ocean?"

...

...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

It’s early morning again, the Wave-breaking Pier was as lively as ever.

Seagulls chirped as they hovered high up, mixing with the shouts of fishmongers, the air filled with a fishy smell.

Fully armed, Xia Nan walked over the pier, accompanied by the well-prepared Half orc Alton beside him.

Notably, unlike the transitional studded leather armor before, Xia Nan learned from the experience during the Horned Shark Gang battle. He spent over a hundred gold coins, buying a reasonably good quality plate chain composite armor from a reliable blacksmith shop recommended by Hera, slightly increasing his error tolerance in combat.

No choice, as the enchanted equipment ordered from "Pearl Spinning" is not completed yet, and he’s about to go on a sea adventure, he could only spend some money to buy equipment.

He recalled that when consuming at the blacksmith shop, Hera mentioned she had some channels to substitute purchase with rental by paying a deposit, recoverable upon task completion.

Considering his armor explosion rate, those deposits would likely not be recoverable even if paid, so he politely declined the offer and directly spent money on a brand new set.

Fortunately, after the compulsive design preparations by the store owner, a mixed Sea Elf with perfectionist tendencies, the two pieces of enchanted armor in the "Pearl Spinning" tailoring shop finally entered the production process.

Considering the time needed for this task’s round trip, Xia Nan estimated he’ll be able to wear his new equipment the next time he returns to Suo Yu Bay.

For this, he has paid a 1000 gold deposit to the Half Elf.

Leaving Xia Nan’s current bank savings, combined with the spoils from the Horned Shark Gang, outgoing supply expenses, daily expenditures, and such, still at a sufficient 1932 gold, 6 silver, and 5 copper.

They’re still ample.

The "Sword of Vengeance" ship isn’t hard to find. Hai Yin led Xia Nan once through the place where it’s docked on the pier a few days ago.

In less than five minutes, a three-masted ship much larger than the "Flying Fish Oil Barrel" came into view.

Apparently also undergone special modifications, the "Sword of Vengeance" is wider and has a deeper draft compared to similar types of sailing ships, which helps it sail more stably in storms and stores enough miscellaneous items gathered by the fiery captain during tasks.

The ship’s body is in an extremely deep reddish-brown, like long-set coagulated blood, with only a faint blood-red tint visible when squinting under direct sunlight, nearly identical to Lorin’s eye color.

Three masts stand tall, sails furled; a black flag embroidered with two crossed, blood-dripping scimitars flutters at the mast’s highest point, the fleet emblem of "Sword of Vengeance."

The figurehead looks like a Sea Siren with arms outstretched.

The wooden material is hard to distinguish, its surface painted in mottled hues after years of facing sea winds and sun exposure, yet seemingly often maintained, keeping overall details intact.

Only the Siren’s face towards the sea is blurred, with just the outlines of facial features visible.

When Xia Nan first saw it, he thought the ship suffered damage during the last task, unrepaired yet.

After Hai Yin explained, he learned the figurehead’s blurred face was intentionally designed by Lorin from the beginning.

Recall the Druid’s original words were, "Everyone’s feared person is different. The captain wants her enemies to fill in that face themselves."

Originally just contemplating the sea ship design of this renowned adventurer group as a reference for future pirate ship modifications.

After such an introduction, although just a brief sentence, Xia Nan, who joined the "Sword of Vengeance" not long ago, gained a rough understanding of the team’s style and overall ethos.

Not bad at all, it quite suits him.

When Xia Nan arrived at the ship’s bottom, the team’s pre-departure preparations were nearly complete. Rein, the brother of the twin warriors, was standing on the deck, counting the crew.

Like most adventurer groups in Suo Yu Bay, the "Sword of Vengeance" structure is "professionals" + "ordinary crew."

The former has relatively few members, the ship’s core; the latter mostly work as sailors and help handle various chores.

Seeing Xia Nan and Alton on the dock, Hai Yin standing beside the railing waved and greeted:

"Come aboard, we’re ready to set sail!"

Raising his head to follow the sound, the first thing catching his eye was a tail, lightly swaying in the air, with dark brown spots, bushy and furry.