27 Home

Sky sat down with his crew members with a serious look on his face. 

'I should buy some more furniture.' Sky thought. They were sitting on some uncomfortable wooden barrels as they had nothing better. The barrels were already here when he stole it from one of the Warlord's ships.

In front of him was his crew. Jericho was nervous thinking she was in trouble. Jay however was still grinning from experiencing his first portal run.

It isn't every day someone gets to clear two bosses in the same portal.

"Jay, you once asked me about my dream and I told you I wanted to open a shop, but right now I really want to continue exploring the sea and explore, which is why I invited you to join me."

Sky's goal in the beginning was to make it back home safely to his parents.

But after experiencing what this system has to offer, and after becoming this strong he really wants to keep growing. He had no reason to stop now.

He did want to stop after dropping Jericho off with her family at the Land of the Dead but he just knew he would continue clearing dungeons, exploring the sea, basically everything he has done until now.

He had no good reason to continue with this life, he just really wanted to.

"But Jericho, we had an agreement I would take you back home to your mom and sister, and I still want to keep that promise. But I just want to ask you something before I continue, do you still plan on being a part of my crew after you see your family again? Because I can understand if you won't, we are only together under special circumstances."

Jericho wanted to say something but didn't. It's clear she didn't have an answer now:

She wanted to continue being with Sky but her love for her family exceeded that want. 

"Just so you know you don't owe me anything. I wanted to rescue you that day for selfish reasons and because I felt pity for you. I'm still going to take you home regardless of what you say."

"Can I… first see my mom and sis?"

"Sure. Now I want to discuss something with both of you, something I've been thinking about, your payment."

Sky laid the items on the ground: three scrolls, 16,000 shells, one red scroll, two items of green+ rank, and a new item he got from killing the other boss of the dungeon.

{Scimitar: Green}

{Damage: 120}

{Scales with dex D-grade}

{Requirement: Dex: 10}

It would've been a decent weapon for Sky at the very beginning of the story. But now it was a trash weapon.

"We get 16,000 shells from both chests plus all these other items. I need your help to distribute the items."

Sky had never heard of how to deal with payment before. He knows the Captain should get most of the shares but what about the items?

"Well I don't know about the items, but I know the Captain should keep most of the money, I think about 60% of it is yours and the rest is for the crew." Jay said.

"What about you, Jericho? How did your father's crew distribute his loot?"

"Like Jay just said, the Captain kept most of the money but I think it was 75% of it. However, when they came across many scrolls or items, his Captain kept 1 item every time for himself, and the rest of the crew would settle it between them with a game."

"A game? Yeah, I don't like it that much but I think it's a good idea. For the items I think we should distribute them based on who needs it more: for example items that help Jay with his marksman talent should go to him and if we don't need said items we can either sell them or something.

As for scrolls: Jay needs dexterity because of his talent so dexterity scrolls should mostly go to him. You and I need mana scrolls since we both specialize in it, but I also specialize a bit in close combat. So I think we should play a game to decide on such scrolls."

"Captain." Jay interjected,"sorry for interrupting but I also heard most exterminator Captains have a rule: they get first choice in items or scrolls as they are the captain, the quartermaster gets second choice, and the crew settles it between themselves. I appreciate you being fair but since you're the Captain you should have a higher opinion of yourself otherwise future crew members will take advantage of it."

"I agree with him, Sky. My father's Captain did the same thing, he always kept one item for himself at the end of the day after they finished clearing multiple dungeons a day. It might seem unfair to the crew members who didn't get anything but the Captain is the strongest, as well as the one who leads the crew through tough times."

"Oh… you two have a point. So I get first choice, Jericho second, Jay goes last. I like that but I also feel it would be better if I distribute the items depending on who needs it most. If there is an item no one needs I'll keep it or sell it unless they want it then they can play for it. Is that okay with you two?"

Jericho and Jay nodded.

"Okay, I call dibs on the red scroll."

{Int: 240}

{Mana: 3,945/3,945}

"As for the money I think I'll do 50% by myself." 

Sky kept 8,000 for himself and the other ones got 8,000 which to them was a massive sum of money. To Sky it wasn't a lot.

'Besides, I am earning money by killing, completing quests, and that sub-crew is earning me money daily.' Sky had multiple ways to earn money. It felt like cheating.

Of course this fact he is going to take with him to his grave.

"That's a lot of money." Jay said as he received 4,000 shells.

Most ordinary people like Jay would easily earn that much money in less than two days.

"I'll get a scroll… actually you never told us what the scrolls and items do exactly." Jericho asked.

"These two scrolls let you learn a new spell, curse of slowness, the other one increases your speed. The gloves let you climb walls, the glasses let you see further by 2-8 times the amount. And the scimitar is nothing special."

"I'll take the speed scroll."

{Jericho Haydie}

{Lvl 102}

{HP: 1300/1300}

{Mana: 660/660}

{Str: 98 Dex: 62 Spd: 110 Int: 132 Mind: 68 Vig: 120}

"I'll take the glasses. You said I have a talent as a marksman and I believe you."

There were still two scrolls left, a glove, and a scimitar. 

"This is somehow trickier than clearing a dungeon. It doesn't make any sense!" Sky said, "You know what, you guys decide what you want. I don't need these items for me." Sky went on to set course to Peeves while pushing the flags with his wind ability to speed the process.

Jericho and Jay looked at each other.

"You take a scroll and I take one?" Jay asked.

"Sounds good."

Both ripped the scrolls to learn the curse of slowness.

Two items were left, the scimitar and the gloves.

"I kinda want the gloves. They'll be useful for me to climb things and shoot at a safe distance." Jay proposed.

"I also want the gloves: I can stay and attack at a safe distance."

"Hm, it seems we're in a stalemate. Is this the part where we settle it in a game like your dad's crew?" 

"Seems like it. Do you know how to play liar's dice?"

"Who doesn't know how to play that game? Do you have any cups and six-sided dice?" 

"No. We don't have any but that's the game my dad always played. Next stop we'll buy some. How about some rock-paper-scissors? Best game of three."

"You're on!"

Jay would win the game. Jay also kept the scimitar since no one else wanted it and it was better than the sword he was using.

Jericho sat beside Sky.

"Sky, why are you suddenly giving out money and items to us? You haven't done that before when we cleared all those dungeons."

"I have. You have three daggers with magical properties in them. I just didn't put it as much importance until I figured out I wanted to own a crew, grow stronger, and all that. Since I now want a crew I need to implement this rule to keep them in. Not to mention we were being chased by the Warlord, so obviously I wasn't thinking about it then."

"Right… so you're not going back home after we find my family?"

"I will return again someday, maybe to visit. I have my own ways to keep in touch with my family now."

"Sky, would you hate me if I choose to stay with my family?"

"No, I wouldn't. I would be sad but not angry. I mean I miss my family and I've only been gone for a month and a half. And for you it's been four or five months since you've seen them. I wouldn't make you stay if you want to be with your family. Are you asking because you want to stay with them?"

"I really don't know. Part of me wants to but I also want to stay with you to grow stronger. I've lived on my own for five months and I have never felt stronger, yet I am several times stronger now when you saved me that day. My magnetism even evolved which I have never heard of happening. I even solo'd a green portal and it's all thanks to you. I want to stay with you to grow stronger to protect my family, but I also don't know how strong I can get and maybe it's better if I stay with my family from now on."

"I mean you do have about… how long does it take to reach your home from here?" 

"Two or three months, I think. I spend a lot of time looking for my dad which is why I was here for five-ish months. I tried looking for my home on the map but most of it is grayed."

The map function only reveals places where Sky's boats have been. Even the sub-crew is revealing new places to Sky that he hasn't been to, that was because their ship is under his command.

"Oof. Yeah, you have more than enough time to think about it. But I support whatever choice you make."

"Thank you." Jericho sat beside him with her eyes closed as she enjoyed the breeze of the wind Sky produced.

"You really like that, don't you?"

"I do. It feels really nice."

It didn't take long for Jericho to sleep beside Sky. Sky had to carry her and place her in her bed before resuming speeding up his ship.

If it weren't for his lack of mana he would've arrived home already.

"Captain, a word?" Jay walked towards Sky.

"Yes, Jay?"

"I know I'm a few days too late to ask this but why did you pick to join your crew? It couldn't just be because you somehow knew I had talent as a marksman right?"

"You're right, it wasn't just that. I invited you because I know you are loyal, kind, and maybe adventurous."

"How?"

"The old, overweight lady, the waitress, told me your story. I knew you were chasing after Abigail for years, she kept saying no but you never faltered until recently. That showed loyalty and kindness, I mean if it were me I would have probably never talked to her again after the first or second time I got rejected."

"Harsh, Captain." Jay said with no emotion.

"But that story made me pick you. And perhaps if I extended the invitation to you it would have helped you clear your mind of her."

"It did, I haven't thought of her since you mentioned her just now. So you just knew all that from my failed love story?"

"More or less. But there is something I'm curious about but I don't know if I should bring it up: what did Abigail say to you that made you feel so depressed after countless times of being rejected? You don't have to say anything if you don't want to." 

Jay recalled a fresh memory he had meaning to wipe from his memory.

He chuckled and said, "She made me realize she would never love me the way I loved her. That day I used some of the money I had saved up for a lavish proposal, great quality food and quality wine. It was more than that but it was a great plan and her parents even helped me set it up for her. I am not angry at the money I spent on her as that was my choice.

But, when we were alone, I professed my love to her like never before. It was night, the sky was beautiful, there were fireflies there that I brought, a nice picnic, nothing but just us and the beauty of nature. And her exact words were… "I'm still your little crush? Why don't you just move on from me already?" and when she said that I was hurt. I guess I just realized she would never take me for who I was. I do not know what kind of face I had, but when she looked at my face she reacted in a way I had never seen her. 

That day I went home by myself, cried myself to sleep, which is funny because she rejected me so many times and yet I had never done that. The next day I didn't talk to her or see her. I went to this restaurant, bought some cheap food and wanted to drink my sorrows away. But I didn't want to drink my problems away. I really wanted to. Everyone tried to cheer me up but her, everyone on that island is so friendly to me. Then I met you."

Sky couldn't relate but felt sorry for him.

"If you ask me, and from what I saw that day, she lost a great guy who she never appreciated for all those years until she saw you had options."

Jay couldn't help but let out a tear and smiled. "Thank you, Captain. And thank you for letting me be a part of your crew."

Jay went to sleep in the crew's quarters while Jericho slept in the captain's room. Sky barely slept trying to get back home as quickly as possible.

Sky woke up behind the ship's wheel. There was a pillow under his head and a blanket on top of him.

"What? I don't remember going to sleep. Or getting a blanket and pillow."

He saw Jay cursing birds and fish with his curse of slowness. Jericho was sitting on a barrel experimenting with her frostfire dagger.

Jericho woke up and saw Sky still asleep. She got a pillow and blanket for him.

Sky stood up sore and stretched his arms.

"Morning!"

"Morning, Captain."

"Morning, Sky. You should check out how long it takes till we get to Peeves."

"Okay? How much longer until we reach Peeves?"

{Time until destination: 13;52}

Sky's eyes widened. He was less than fifteen minutes away from home.

To see his parents again after all this time and being this close feels so surreal. Emotions keep piling up and he is unable to contain them.

Sky immediately casted his wind and sped up the ship. They would arrive at Peeve's in less than five minutes.

With his evolved wind runner he could speed up the speed of his boat by 2.5 times. 

"Excited to see your parents?" Jericho asked with a smile.

"More than happy."

In less than five minutes Sky saw a familiar island. To see something he recognized felt incredible after months of aimlessly sailing around.

"Jericho, you're in charge of the ship. I'm going ahead of you two." 

Without waiting Sky jumped and flew to the island using his telekinesis and wind to increase his speed.

"He can fly as well?"

"Kind of." 

Sky landed on the island and ran around looking for his parents and his aunt and uncle's family.

Peeves was a large island nearly as big as the kingdom of Harbot's so it wasn't easy looking for someone on such a large island. 

But Sky knew of a place where his parents would potentially stay. It was an apartment building.

When Sky was little his parents didn't have much money, before he was four his parents managed to fork up enough money they bought a house in another island, opened up a store in said island and ever since then he's been living in that island.

The island in question was never popular or grand, it was just a cheap but safe place to live. Sky had to go to Peeves for school because the island did not have a school, and Peeves had the closest school in the area.

His parents would occasionally tell him of their life in Peeves and would point him to the tiny apartment that they once lived in whenever they passed by it. 

Sky ran to the counter. There was a middle-aged lady reading the newspaper.

"Excuse me! Is Jasmine Rouge or Ben Rouge staying in one of these apartments?!" Sky talked so fast the lady could barely distinguish his words.

"I don't know, who's asking?" The lady had a tone as if she didn't care,

"Their son!"

The lady looked at Sky.

"You're Sky?"

"Yes. Wait, you know me?" 

"Your parents are um… room 137."

Sky ran up to their room as quickly as possible.

Another lady walked beside the counter and sat beside her friend.

"Marge, who was that young man?"

"Jackie, you are not going to believe this! Hint: You owe me 500 shells."

"Are you serious? He's actually alive? I mean I'm happy to hear he's alive but… my money."

Once Sky reached the door he started banging on it.

"Do not disturb! My wife is trying to sleep!" There was an angry, loud voice on the other side of the door.

Hearing the familiar voice, Sky almost teared up.

"Dad?"

There was a moment of pause before the door opened. It revealed a tanned older man who looked like an older Sky.

He hadn't shaved or taken care of his appearance in a while. His hair was messy and greasy. His clothes did not appear ironed or clean.

Sky almost didn't recognize him because he would always wear clean clothes and take care of his appearance.

"Sky?" The man couldn't believe it.

They hugged each other both unable to believe they were finally seeing each other alive and well.

"We thought you were dead! You sent us that letter a month ago but when you didn't arrive we assumed the worst had happened, again."

After a while Ben pulled away from Sky.

"Oh god, Sky, you need to see your mom right now! I gotta go tell Mrs. J about you." 

Sky nodded and ran into the room. 

There he saw in bed a woman who hadn't slept or eaten properly in a while. She was skinnier than how he remembered her. Her eyes were dried and red. There was a ton of used tissues around her. Beside her bed was a tray of fresh fruit and water that hadn't been touched.

"Mom?" 

The woman looked up slowly when she heard his voice.

"Sky?"

'Identify.'

{Jasmine Rouge}

{HP: 200/200}

{Mana: 45/45}

{Str: 5 Dex: 7 Spd: 5 Int: 9 Mind: 8 Vig: 10} 

{Personality: Kind, loving, strict}

Sky ran up to her quickly, "Heal!" thinking it would help her after not seeing anything on the system.

{Target is at full health}

The only thing that would help her is eating, drinking lots of water, and exercising.

"Sky? Sky! SKY!" Jasmine touched her son's face, shoulders, and hair. Once she realized she was him and not a hallucination she screamed out of shock and joy as she hugged him tightly.

Sky wrapped his arms around her and cried. If Jasmine had any tears left she would cry as well.

"Mom, I missed you both so much!" 

"I missed you more! But you're here. My little baby is finally with me! My baby is alive!" 

They embraced each other for a long time before Sky pulled away from her.

"Mom, you haven't been eating properly? You're very malnourished."

"I know. I know. I'll start eating again." She grabbed his hand and didn't let go, as if she was afraid if she let go she would wake up from this wonderful dream.

Sky took out lots of fruit from his inventory.

"Mom, I know you like watermelons and grapes so here are a lot of them." Sky made a bunch of watermelons and grapes float. "I don't know if you should eat solids yet but if you want to I have chicken, fish, beef."

"Sky, thank you. I'll start eating again soon once I am done processing this." Jasmine smiled.

"Sorry. I am just so happy and so worried about you right."

"I'm so happy as well. Where have you been all this time? And where did you get all that food? And your clothes…"

Jasmine didn't know how to feel about Sky's weird clothes.

"A lot has happened. A lot." 

"Well… we have time to catch up."

Just then Ben arrived with an older lady to the room.

"Sky?"

Sky turned around, it was his aunt, Mrs. J. Beside her was her grandson, Julien.

"Mrs. J!" 

Both hugged each other.

"Thank you so much for protecting me that day."

"No, child, don't thank us, we're at fault for losing you to the tsunami. I'm just glad you're back home safe with your family alive and well." Mrs. J couldn't help but tear up a bit.

"Oh, man, that's right, how's Mr. J and Jake?" Sky realized he hadn't thought if they had made it out alive from the tsunami.

"They're doing fine and well."

Sky didn't leave the room for hours telling them what happened to the best of his ability, all while leaving out important details: such as his system, the innocents he killed, and whatever else he felt like leaving out.

"You went through so much. It really is nothing short of a miracle you're alive and safe." Mrs. J said.

"It really is strange you somehow managed to find yourself on an island that's a month away from here. There is no way a tsunami could have taken you that far in such a short amount of time, not to mention still being alive." Ben said.

They all had a hard time believing it at first when they saw Sky's letter come from somewhere far away.

"At least you're here." Jasmine said.

"Mrs. J, where is Mr. J and Jake right now?"

"Working. Once those meteors destroyed the island we practically lost everything we owned. Of course we are all grateful we are all safe and sound but the loss has affected us."

"Your father even took out a loan from the bank to afford this place." 

"Dad, you did? You always said never do that unless you're sure you can pay it back. Can you pay it back?" Sky asked.

Ben looked at Jasmine with a side-glance, unsure if he should tell his son.

'Eye of truth.' Sky thought.

He didn't think the first time he would use this skill would be on his dad.

"It's nothing to worry about, son. Your dad's got it handled." Ben smiled at him like always.

{The target is mostly lying}

"Dad, I know you're lying. How much do you owe? A million?"

"No, not that much."

{Target is telling the truth}

"How much? I can help! I earned a lot of money these past month and a half."

{Shells: 1.2m}

"Sky… I appreciate it but I can't ask my son for money. What kind of father does that?" 

'Right, he was always stubborn.' Sky thought and took out a lot of cards from inventory. One thousand cards dropped on the ground that nearly filled up the apartment, each card had shells inside. In each card there were a total of 1,000 shells.

{Shells: 227,333}

"Sky?" Everyone was beyond flabbergasted.

"I left out some things in my story because I knew you would never believe me, but trust me I am not the same I was before."

"Sky, you didn't steal this or do something bad for it, right?" Jasmine was only worried for her son's safety.

"Not really. Look, I did show up on that island a month away because someone or something protected me and it's why I am still alive. And they granted me a power which frankly I have no idea how to explain because I don't know how to."

Everyone looked at each other.

"Dad, please take this money. I still have a lot more left. If it makes you feel better I earned this and no one will report it stolen because it isn't. Please get mom, and Mrs. J's family a bigger house, good food. Please!" 

Sky has only ever cared about coming back home, now that he's back he wants to take care of his family who has taken care of him for the past 17 years.

Everyone was left speechless. What could they possibly say right now?

Were they supposed to be shocked that so much money was in front of them, or that it all appeared out of nowhere, or both?

"Sky, honey, how much money is this?" Jasmine couldn't help but ask.

"One million."

They had never seen that much money. Before Sky's shop blew up the most they had in savings was 80,000 shells.

"Please take it! I can easily earn it back."

Sky had over 13 million shells once before he decided to spend all of it on the Merchant which he still regrets to this day. But such money can be easily earned again with the help of his system.

"Sky, dear, can we have a chance to think about it?" Jasmine suggested.

"Mom."

"It's a lot of money, Sky. I think it's nice you want to give this much to us and Mrs. J."

"Of course I do. I love you all."

"Before we decide we need to talk about it. Can you get your two friends first? I'm curious to meet them." Jasmine faked a smile for him.

"But… okay." Sky left the apartment after storing all the cards back in his inventory.

Once all three of them were left alone, plus Julien, Ben was the first to say something:

"Notice how he said he was giving 'you' meaning us the money and didn't say 'we' you don't think that…"

"He's leaving. I noticed it, too." Jasmine didn't smile at the thought of her son leaving her.

"We'll talk to him about that once we're alone with him. Just to see if it's true."

Jasmine agreed with her husband.

"Mrs. J you've been to the Land of the Dead, have you seen anyone produce that many items out of thin air?" Ben asked.

"No, I have never heard of it either even in purple scrolls. Whatever happened to Sky… wasn't normal, nothing makes sense but I can tell he wasn't lying."

"Were you using your eye of truth on him?" Ben asked.

"No. I've known that child for his entire life, I don't need such a skill to tell if he's lying or not."

"I noticed that, too." Jasmine said. "It doesn't seem he's in trouble. And did you notice when you hugged him his body was sturdier?" 

"Sky has always had a good build since he always exercised daily. But his hug felt… strong." Ben said.

"I just want to let both of you know that the money is your own property. I don't plan to get a single shell out of it."

"Mrs. J. You, your son, husband, and grandson are a part of our family. Sky really wants us to keep that money. And your family is working hard to earn enough. With a million shells we can all live better until we find a way to repay Sky back. Do it for them."

"Like father, like son. But I am planning on repaying it back." Mrs. J smiled while looking at her grandson sleeping on a couch.

Sky was on the door eavesdropping on their conversation.

'Good thing they're keeping the money but they figured out I won't be staying here long, at most a few days to get Jericho back to her family. But I had no idea Mrs. J was from the Land of the Dead.'

To Sky now it made sense how Mr. J was able to protect his family using a bubble shield, because the bubble shield is an ability one can learn from a red scroll.

There are six green scroll abilities, and there are 27 red scroll abilities. As for how many purple scroll abilities there are, Sky wasn't sure.

Sky went to his ship where he saw Jay and Jericho playing liar's dice.

"Haven't played that game in a while." Sky said, seeing that game brought back memories.

"Captain! How did it go?" 

"It went well. I'm planning on staying here for a few days to make sure my family is going to do well. I'll give you both money to stay here for the time being. Afterwards we'll set off to the Land of the Dead."