Bored Then Roaming Around

Chapter 25

Upon receiving the news that the vegetables he sells contain some kind of active substance, Alex felt nervous at first. However, he tried to remain composed and act as normal as possible while speaking with Ethan.

"Once again, I apologize, Mr. Ethan. The plants I cultivate are indeed very challenging to grow, which is why I might not be able to meet all of your requirements," Alex explained sincerely.

Ethan, upon hearing this, was initially displeased, but he eventually calmed down because he knew what the other party said was true. High-quality produce is indeed rare.

"Alright then, Mr. Russell, I won't push any further. However, can you assure me that the quality of the vegetables in the future will be consistent, just like this? Additionally, can you maintain the same level of quality for the fruits you grow?" Ethan inquired.

"Oops, I apologize, Mr. Ethan. The quality of the plants is uncertain, as it can be influenced by various factors such as weather conditions. However, I can assure you that I always take great care of my plants. We can discuss the outcome later. As for the fruits, I can guarantee at least this level of taste," Alex replied, trying to sound more optimistic.

Hearing Alex's pessimistic tone, Ethan became momentarily speechless. They exchanged a few more words before finally ending the call.

Still in shock, Alex checked if the other party's phone had died, finally allowing himself to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Ughh, that was a close call," Alex muttered to himself as he contemplated the situation. On Earth, he was always meticulous about the products he sold, conducting lab tests and clinical trials before releasing them to the market. This experience taught him the importance of quality control and making sure his customers received the best possible products.

After obtaining the appropriate assessment and results, Alex felt confident enough to distribute his goods. He was cautious not only to prevent any adverse effects on people who might be allergic or poisoned by his products but also out of fear that others might notice something extraordinary about them. While it was fine to have some level of attention, drawing too much attention could be dangerous.

On Earth, Alex had always been careful with his products, making sure to enhance their nutritional value and taste without making them too conspicuous. He took a conservative approach to marketing and distribution. However, after arriving in this new world, he became less cautious, assuming that his goods would be safe in the market.

Unfortunately, Alex had overlooked the fact that the world he was in now was far different from Earth, and the things he possessed were much more exceptional. This realization made him fearful for his safety and that of his family.

After his conversation with Ethan, Alex felt a sense of relief. "Oh, it's a good thing Ethan warned me; otherwise, I might have followed my mother's advice and expanded too quickly," Alex thought, grateful for the helpful advice, even though he had no clue about Ethan's intentions.

Recalling his mother's enthusiasm for making money with vegetables, Alex couldn't help feeling a bit bitter. "It looks like I'll have to delay and modify the plan my mother, uncle, and aunt came up with. Otherwise, things could get out of hand," he contemplated, realizing the need for caution and moderation.

With these thoughts, Alex entered the ring room and was pleased to see the lush greenery and a cool environment. The plants in the room had adapted well and were thriving.

Alex called the small floating island where the Tree of Life was located to descend. Afterward, he fetched water from a jug and took a few sips, feeling satisfied.

"I need to be more careful in using this liquid in the future," Alex said thoughtfully, recognizing the value of the precious dew of life and the need to use it wisely.

…

The next day, Alex continued working on his fruit farm. He diligently trimmed the weeds around the plants and then watered them with diluted drops of life dew mixed in gallons of water. Additionally, Alex injected nutrient liquid into the plant stems to expedite the nutrient absorption process.

With great care, Alex also watered each hanging peach with nutrient liquid, aiming to enhance the taste of the fruit. Based on his previous research, Alex knew that not only the roots, but also the stems, leaves, and fruit required nutrient fluids for optimal growth. The drop of life dew was intentionally used to strengthen the tree, ensuring a bountiful and delicious harvest in the future.

After finishing everything, Alex returned home for lunch. Without wasting time, he then headed to his parent's house to borrow a car. Once granted permission, Alex aimlessly wandered the city streets, feeling both idle and unsure about his next steps.

He needed money urgently, but he also craved stability. Moreover, Alex knew that his plans required time and careful development, so he couldn't draw too much attention to himself.

Feeling perplexed, Alex strolled around the city, visiting various places in search of distraction. After a while, hunger and boredom caught up with him. With a grumbling stomach, Alex headed in a particular direction, hoping to find a snack.

Politely, he approached a grilled seafood shop and asked the lady, "Excuse me, madam, how much does one portion cost?"

"Prices range from 5 dollars to 15 dollars."

"Alright, I'll have one."

"What would you like? Fish? Squid? Octopus?"

"Just squid, please."

The seller nodded and started preparing the squid as per Alex's order. While waiting, Alex looked around and found something interesting to observe. Right next to the seafood snack stall, there was a genuine seafood restaurant offering Live Seafood, where customers could witness the process of cooking and preparing the dishes directly.

Alex was particularly intrigued by the butcher who worked there. He watched the man expertly cut various types of marine animals, including large tunas and lobsters. Alex was amazed by the skill and precision required to cut them properly.

While Alex was watching from afar, he was called out by the owner of the seafood snack stall, informing him that his order was ready. Alex paid for the squid and took his order.

"Thank you," Alex said after receiving his order.

"You're welcome, enjoy your meal," replied the seller.

Alex nodded in appreciation and took a bite of the grilled squid. He savored the tender texture and the delightful spiciness of the seasoning that heightened his appetite. Satisfied with his snack, Alex decided to continue watching the skillful fish and seafood cutting at the nearby restaurant.

To his surprise, Alex wasn't the only one interested in this spectacle; many other people were also captivated by the impressive knife skills on display. The skill of the butcher seemed to be a charming aspect of the restaurant, drawing in fascinated onlookers.

While Alex was enjoying his food and watching the captivating seafood-cutting show, he overheard a conversation nearby.

"Did you know that the fish this person is cutting is very expensive?"

"Oh, come on. I might believe you if those were giant lobsters, but these are just regular fish."

"Seriously, it's true! Check it out, the types and prices of the fish are listed on the internet!"

"Ahh, you're right. Huhu, the people eating here must be wealthy!"

The person continued to gossip while being entertained by the show, but Alex was more focused on their words. Due to his heightened senses from his training, Alex could hear the whispered conversation, as if the person was speaking loudly in his ear. Accidentally eavesdropping on their conversation, Alex couldn't help but feel intrigued by the mention of expensive fish being served in the restaurant.

After finishing his snack, Alex's eyes lit up as an idea came to his mind. He quickly finished his meal and headed in a particular direction. Rushing to his car, he opened his cell phone to search for relevant articles on the internet.

Alex carefully searched for some time before concluding. "There are indeed many valuable treasures in the ocean, but I'm not sure if I can use that strange method to dive to the bottom of the sea," he wondered curiously.

After contemplating for a while, Alex finally made a decision. He headed to a shopping mall to purchase the necessary equipment for his venture. With everything prepared, Alex felt a sense of anticipation as he drove towards the beach, ready to embark on his underwater exploration.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Alex finally arrived at the beach. The salty smell wafting in the air relaxed his body. He took out his cell phone to inform his family that he would be home a little late.

After gathering the things he had bought, Alex moved to a secluded corner to change into a revealing swimsuit. Once ready, he double-checked his belongings before confidently swimming into the sea. Despite the slight difficulty of swimming with only one hand, Alex quickly adapted. Thanks to Russell's knowledge and previous experience, especially from his time in the army, he acquired swimming techniques from one of the books in the chest.

Indonesia is an archipelago, various swimming techniques existed in different regions. Some tribes even developed the ability to hold their breath underwater for an extended period. Thus, it was not surprising that such swimming techniques were documented in the books.

After swimming for a while, Alex finally reached a location that matched the criteria mentioned in the articles he read on the internet. He took a deep breath and started diving down to the bottom of the sea to begin collecting valuable items.

As he descended, the sunlight gradually diminished, leaving the area in darkness. The pressure from all directions increased as he went deeper, making Alex uncomfortable. However, he persevered, hoping to reach the bottom.

After a considerable effort, Alex finally reached the ocean floor. As he looked around, he couldn't help but feel a shiver down his spine. The surroundings felt eerie and mysterious.