Chapter 11: Opportunity
Saboundy Island Archipelago, Area 13, Guild.
"Hmm," Allen who was currently sitting relaxed on his seat suddenly felt the presence of someone who entered the guild through the dungeon. Allen immediately lifted his body and found the people who entered were Rayleigh and Shakuyaku who could see the clothes they were wearing were full of dirt, blood, and dust. Not only that, on several parts of their clothing there appeared to be a large amount of damage.
"You guys seem to be engaged in quite a fierce battle," Allen said in a tone full of interest, "What's wrong? Isn't the mission you did today not much different from the mission you did yesterday? Why did you guys come back with an even worse appearance than before?"
"We were ambushed by several monsters just as we were completing a mission." Rayleigh's face darkened as he said that.
"You were ambushed?" Allen was surprised to hear Rayleigh's words, "Didn't you check the condition of your battle area?"
"We already did," Shakuyaku said then sighed, "It's just that, once the battle had started, we no longer focused on the surrounding area and only focused on the enemy we were facing. In the end, after the battle ended, suddenly an army of Goblins who had come from nowhere suddenly attacked us while we were resting. We can only use the remaining stamina we have to escape from that place."
"You can see the results right now" Rayleigh continued, "We managed to escape, however, we couldn't be one hundred percent safe. Our clothes were damaged and in several places, I suffered injuries from the arrows fired by the archers from the Goblin side."
Rayleigh immediately showed some of the wounds he currently has. Allen could see that there were a large number of wounds Rayleigh was currently receiving which were stab wounds.
"Hmm, well, that means you guys are out of luck for now." Allen shrugged his shoulders, "Next up, you should start paying attention to your surroundings even if it will be difficult for you to do so later. Still, you have to pay attention. Luckily you were attacked shortly after you completed the mission you carried out. It will be very bad when it is in the process of completion. There is a team that comes and then starts to bother you guys. You will find it difficult to complete the mission."
"Well,"
Allen then took out the money from the mission carried out by Rayleigh and Shakuyaku then said, "Here is the money from your mission, and other prizes in the form of Exp have arrived. You can check it now."
Rayleigh and Shakuyaku quickly opened their status panels.
Status Panel
Name: Silver Rayleigh
Title: -
Fellowship: -
Level: 1 [2,285/3,000]
Status
Strength: 5 [+15]
Speed: 5
Defense: 5
Stamina: 5
Free Points : 0
Ability :
Conqueror's Haki [SS]
Armament Haki [S]
Observation Haki [S]
Sword Skill [B]
Equipment :
Sword [Normal] [Level 1] [Strength +15]
Skills :
Friend :
Animal :
Status Panel
Name: Shakuyaku
Title: -
Fellowship: -
Level: 1 [1,585/3,000]
Status
Strength: 5 [+15]
Speed: 5
Defense: 5
Stamina: 5
Free Points : 0
Ability :
Armament Haki [S]
Observation Haki [A]
Arrow Ability [C]
Equipment :
Bow [Normal] [Level 1] [Strength +15]
Skills :
Friend :
Animal :
"Hmm? There are only 700 plus exp points left for you to advance to level two, Ray-san" Allen who saw Rayleigh's status panel immediately said with great interest, "Supposedly, as long as you can complete a few missions or individual missions like you did yesterday, you can level up. to level two today"
"...You also seem to be carrying a mission sheet, not intending to take a break?" Allen asked immediately.
"Hahaha ~ It's just a shallow wound. How could this kind of injury stop me?" Rayleigh laughed then continued "I'll just go bandage this wound and carry out the mission again"
"Just like yesterday?" Allen asked with great interest.
"Well," Shakuyaku nodded, "Our stamina is depleted now and it's hard for us to complete any combat-related missions."
Rayleigh and Shakuyaku, who had gotten the results of their mission, immediately canceled the team they had made.
Rayleigh then gave his mission sheet to Allen, "I want to carry out this mission"
Allen took the mission sheet and looked at it.
[It takes an individual or a group to help collect 100 units of Judeum Plants. The mission reward is five silver coins and 500 Exp points. This mission was issued by Celine Ogier]
"Oh? A mission to collect materials for the manufacture of an elixir"
"An elixir?" Rayleigh and Shakuyaku immediately showed interest in Allen's statement.
"Judeum plants are the main ingredients for making low-grade elixirs that can help heal small wounds such as slash wounds, stab wounds like you have right now, and several other minor wounds. As long as someone drinks the drink, the small wounds they have will heal instantly."
"Incredible…" Rayleigh exclaimed in surprise.
"The person who issued this mission is a low-level Alchemist or let's say this person just graduated from Alchemist school who might just want to open a medicine shop right now since at the time she issued the mission, she didn't write down the name of the shop and just write her name" Allen then looked at Rayleigh, "This could be a good opportunity for you"
"Good chance?" Rayleigh was interested in Allen's words.
"The person who issued this mission is a novice Alchemist which means you have a chance to get close to her" Allen said casually, "Unlike an Alchemist who has many contacts and relationships with people who can help her find the materials she needs, Alchemists beginners do not have relationships or relationships that can help her to find plants or materials that can be used to make her elixir. In addition, Alchemist was a profession that was considered an ordinary profession in dungeons since there were already many people who had this profession, this also caused the cost of medicines made by Alchemists to be much cheaper to sell to the citizens in the room. underground instead of selling it to you guys."
"...You can try to make a pact with this novice Alchemist."
"Agreement?"
"You can enter into a contract with her" Allen continued back, "A contract where the two of you work together. You will help her find the medicinal ingredients she needs while you get benefits such as the selling price of these items. You can ask her to sell the medicines sold by her at the prices sold to the residents of the dungeons."
"Is that even possible?!" Shakuyaku immediately asked quickly.
"Hmm? Well, as long as the party agrees, such a thing can be done." Allen nodded, "But, it also depends, usually the party disagrees and usually the parties who disagree are people who already have relationships or relationships with several parties, or also maybe that person did have very large funds when he started building the business. As long as the one you meet is a novice Alchemist or perhaps a novice Blacksmith and then they come from a village or a poor family, you can make this kind of contract with them. Usually, they will agree to it because it is also profitable for them. They get free labor where they don't have to spend any money every time they want to find ingredients for their medicine."
"No need to spend money? Don't they still need to spend experience points?" Shakuyaku asked with great interest.
"Exp points don't belong to them." Allen shook his head, "That's something that is governed by the rules of dungeons. People who want to issue a mission will usually go to a place called the "Mission Publishing Place" then they only need to write down the mission they want to issue along with the amount of money that will be given as a prize. The mission will then immediately appear on the prepared mission board where it is recorded on a sheet of mission paper that you usually bring to me."
"…Surely there are other ways for you guys to get missions. Like getting a mission directly from the residents who live in the dungeon. Usually, these missions are issued by residents as long as your relationship with these residents is very close indeed you usually often carry out missions issued by them or just say two people who have a contract. Usually, that person would immediately give a mission to an adventurer they know firsthand."
"...Also regarding the friendship section in your status panel. It can not only add friendship between adventurers but you can add citizens who live in dungeons as your friends. It's just that it requires approval from them, just like you add friendship for other adventurers. As long as you get approval then the name of the resident appears in your friendship column, you can communicate with each other. As long as that happens, those citizens can directly assign missions to you guys."
"That's a lot more practical than us having to go to the mission board and check out the missions there," Rayleigh said while stroking his beard.
"Well, however, you should pay attention that you should find people you have a close relationship within the dungeons," Allen said casually, "For example this Apprentice Alchemist, as long as you, Ray-san, can make a work contract same with her. It should be easy for you to add him to your friend list." Allen paused for a moment and continued, "You know, as long as you can contract this Alchemist, there are a lot of advantages that can be obtained by you especially as long as this Alchemist is a very talented person."
Rayleigh didn't say anything and chose to wait for Allen to continue.
"As long as the Alchemist contracted by you is a talented or perhaps very talented Alchemist, you will have a path to obtain elixirs that are usually very difficult to obtain or in the step category. It's not even impossible, as long as the relationship between the two of you is very close or she has feelings of gratitude towards you, she might generously give you various kinds of failed products."
"Failed?"
"What's so good about a failed product?" Rayleigh asked in a strange tone
"A failed product here is not a failed product that cannot be used. The failed product I mean is a failed product that can still be used, it's just that the effect it has is lower than a product that is really in the good category. As long as the relationship between the two of you is close, the failed product made by the Alchemist may be given to you. She can't sell failed products to residents because it is certain that these products will not be purchased by residents. She could only throw away the product and then make another product. Here, you can get the product. As long as the relationship between the two of you is close, she will surely give you the product and as long as it is not, she will refuse it. Even though the effect given was only half compared to the usual effect, still, it was a good value for you. You may not need to use them, however, you can sell them to adventurers at a much lower price than a good quality product. As long as the price you give adventurers is reasonable, adventurers will of course buy the product provided there are no adventurers in the dungeon who can become Alchemists."
"...Well, it's fine as long as there are adventurers who can become Alchemists given their numbers aren't that many. As long as the number of adventurers who became Alchemists was small, the prices for elixir products would still be very high. They will use any means to gain an advantage, especially Alchemists who have joined an alliance. You can use this where those of you who have failed products sell these products at a much lower price. Of course, the adventurers will buy yours over everyone else's."
"This is indeed a good thing" Rayleigh stroked his beard then said, "Regarding the matter of selling goods…Do I need to have a certificate or something?"
"No, you don't have to" Allen shook his head, "As long as you don't sell it inside a building or let's say, you just sell it by spreading mats or cloth in an open place, there's no need to worry about certificates or anything like that. You can try opening your small shop near the exit from the kingdom or near the mission-taking board. Those were two places that would be impossible for adventurers to desert. They will always be there and you can use that opportunity to make a lot of profit"
"Interesting." A lively smile appeared on Rayleigh's face.
"But…Remember that you must be able to form a contract and relationship with that rookie Alchemist." Allen immediately continued, "As long as the contract can be made, you can do as I say, and even then if it can be like that. If not, well, that means you're out of luck."
"Hehehe ~ This old man's luck is still very good, especially with regards to youngsters" Rayleigh smiled back without the slightest bit of fear, "I will be able to get a cooperation contract with her."
"Hmm, well, good luck to you"
Allen then immediately confirmed the mission Rayleigh wanted to carry out.
[Ding!]
The mission board immediately appeared right in front of him and he immediately stepped back to give Shakuyaku a chance to confirm the mission he wanted to carry out.
"Still the same as before" Shakuyaku immediately handed over the mission he wanted to do.
[It takes a woman who has good skills to be a maid. The mission reward depends on the amount of work time done by the woman where the calculation of the mission reward for one hour of work gets a reward of 20 bronze coins plus 50 Exp points. This mission was issued by the Axis Restaurant]
"Hmm? You seem very attached to this place." Allen asked with great interest, "Is there anything good there?"
"The reward from this mission is quite good plus the work done there is only serving the guests. Nothing else, this Mission is perfect for me to take a break while also spending a lot of money and Exp points as well."
"Hmm, I see" Allen nodded and asked, "You two still have plans to carry out a team mission today?"
"That's the plan" Shakuyaku nodded "We will carry out the team mission again after Ray-san completes the mission carried out by him this time."
Allen nodded and then immediately confirmed the mission that Shakuyaku wanted to carry out.
[Ding!]
The mission board instantly appeared in front of him.
"By the way, Hancock and the others have come to this place"
Allen's words immediately made Rayleigh and Shakuyaku pay attention to him.
"They have arrived? When did they arrive?" Shakuyaku asked excitedly.
"This morning, it has been twenty minutes since the two of you entered the dungeon to carry out the mission," Allen said casually, "They have also registered as adventurers and are currently carrying out the mission in the dungeon."
"The mission they took on…It wasn't a high-difficulty mission, was it?" Rayleigh asked nervously.
"They didn't do it." Allen shook his head "Seems like Hancock listened to the advice given by me."
Hearing Allen's words, Rayleigh and Shakuyaku immediately breathed a sigh of relief. The two of them were very familiar with Hancock and knew of the arrogance and conceit that she possessed.
"The mission he took on is still in the category that can be completed by them only… Well, they should be returning in a state that might not be much different from your current state or maybe even worse"
"As long as they don't die, that's enough" Shakuyaku said casually, "Then Allen. We're back first. We need to change the clothes we have"
"Well,"
"Let's go, Ray-san"
"Um, we are going"
"Uhm"
Rayleigh and Shakuyaku immediately turned around and started walking out of the guild to return to their house so they could change their clothes as well as cover the wound Rayleigh was currently receiving.
Meanwhile, Allen, who had no duties, immediately returned to his seat.
*******
Area 65, Saboundy Island Naval Headquarters.
Currently, in the port owned by the branch headquarters, it can be seen that a large number of Marines are currently there led by a Vice Admiral. The gathering of a large number of Marines is due to welcome the arrival of a warship that is currently slowly about to dock at the port belonging to the branch headquarters. The guests who were present were not ordinary guests because the one who came to greet them was the Vice Admiral.
The battleship finally docked properly and soon a tall figure with a lazy appearance walked off the ship.
"Welcome to Saboundy Island Branch Naval Headquarters, Admiral Aokiji"
The Vice Admiral immediately saluted followed by the other marine soldiers. The person who came was Admiral Aokiji who had previously been assigned by Sengoku to temporarily command the Marine Headquarters Saboundy Island Branch.
"You don't need to do this kind of welcoming act, Glazed. This is troublesome"
"How could it be?!" The vice admiral whose name was Glazed immediately refused, "I can't possibly do such an impolite act."
"That's up to me." Kuzan sighed then continued, "You should have heard the information regarding my coming here, right?"
"Well," Glazed nodded and said, "Is that information correct, Admiral Aokiji? Is it true that the Akagami pirate group is coming to this place?"
"That's just part of the forecast from headquarters" Kuzan replied, "There are possibilities and there are possibilities not. However, they will likely come here due to the existence of the former Deputy Pirate Captain Roger on this island."
"Silver Rayleigh…" Glazed muttered in a serious voice, "I met him several times while on patrol in the lawless area. Are we not…"
"Don't think too far into it, Glazed" Kuzan immediately interrupted his words, "As long as we try to make a move to catch that old man, we will pay a very heavy price. There's no point in catching him now, especially since that old man has no intention of turning back to being a pirate or causing any unwanted chaos. "
"I see" Glazed breathed a sigh of relief hearing that.
"Is there some incident currently happening here?' Kuzan quickly switched the subject between the two.
"There is one thing that might be a matter for Admiral Aokiji to pay attention to. It is related to the existence of the Kuja Pirates"
"Kuja pirate group?" Kuzan raised his eyebrows, "Are they currently here?"
"Well," Glazed nodded, "Based on the information I received from my previous troops who were patrolling around the waters of Saboundy Island, they informed them that this morning the Kuja pirate group came to Saboundy Island and are currently in area 13 of this island."
"They came to this island? Is this a coincidence?" Kuzan thought seriously, "The sudden movement made by Akagami and Whitebeard coupled with the movement of the Eagle Eye…An unexpected group of pirates has suddenly arrived on this island…"
"What are they doing on this island?" Kuzan asked immediately.
"They didn't do anything"
"Doing nothing?" Kuzan was confused by the answer Glazed gave him.
"Well, until now there is no information regarding what their group members are doing. I didn't even get any information regarding members of the Kuja Pirates group being in the commercial area. Information from the troops currently patrolling the waters informed them that not a single member of the Kuja Pirates had disembarked from the ship. They were all there and did nothing."
"They didn't do anything?" A sense of confusion was running high inside Kuzan at this moment.
"Do we need to send someone to inquire about them on this island, Admiral Aokiji?" Glazed asked seriously.
"No, there's no need to do that" Kuzan waved his hand, "As long as you do that, it's very likely that our army will be attacked by Hancock. That person had an unpredictable temperament and was easily angered. Besides, we bond with them. As long as they don't do anything that could threaten their status, we can't do things that get into their private sphere."
Kuzan paused and continued, "Rather than asking the soldiers to do something like that, you should order the soldiers to start clearing the area. Carry out security on the border of areas where there are no laws and commercial areas. Do not let any civilians enter the lawless area indefinitely. We don't know when Akagami will get here and as long as we arrive and don't properly prepare, it will only hurt us"
"I will do it right away" Glazed immediately said respectfully, "Then, Admiral Aokiji, would you like to prepare a place to rest?"
Glazed knows Aokiji very well, it can even be said that the two of them are actually in the same rank in the Marines. Because of that, Glazed knew very well that Aokiji was lazy and only serious when something required him to be serious.
"No, you don't have to do that." Kuzan shook his head and said, "It's been a while since I've been here and maybe, I want to take a walk to see how things are going. Maybe I can find some interesting stuff"
"Do you need anything-"
"You don't have to. I can do it myself" Kuzan immediately cut him off and started to walk away, "Just do what he ordered beforehand and you don't have to think about me. Call me if there's anything that needs my attention."
"Good"
"What caused Hancock to come to this island? He couldn't come to this island because he seldom sailed outside his usual sailing area. There must be a good reason for him to sail to this island. Moreover, coupled with the absence of any movements made by members of the other Kuja pirates, this only adds to some of the oddities regarding his arrival on this island…Is it possible that these movements made by him have something to do with the movements made by Akagami, Eagle Eye, and Whitebeard? If so… What caused these four people to make their move?"
Kuzan sighed then looked ahead, "I guess I can only find out while monitoring the area around this place. Uhm, I thought this mission was just a surveillance mission, I didn't expect…" Kuzan again sighed tiredly, "Hopefully it's not something troublesome…"
Kuzan immediately walked slowly toward Area 13.