Genius Inventor? #22

Auhtor''s note: since everyone seemed so emotionally deprived, we'll do it like this.

Donate power stones, and I'll personally come to kiss you goodnight! Leave a comment and a review, and maybe I'll even tuck you in and read you a bed time story you sick bastards!

And now we've moved from begging to prostitution.... the woes of being a writer...

...

Seated in my room, I sifted through a mountain of system notifications, scratching my head at the sheer volume of them. Let me tell you, there were enough to fill a library. But let's start from the top.

First up was the notification congratulating me on completing the second tutorial quest, a milestone achieved once the Jackdaw had sailed a fair distance from Tutorial Island. 

True to its word, the system delivered the promised reward: a martial arts manual. But this wasn't your run-of-the-mill strength training technique. No, this manual focused on weapon mastery, and I had the freedom to choose my weapon of choice. 

Naturally, I went with the sword since it was the weapon I was most familiar with.

Now, what made this manual special wasn't just about swinging blades. It delved into something called internal, teaching techniques like the flying sword slash and other equally strange moves. 

I'd already learned to create flying sword slashes on my own, but it sounded like something straight out of a martial arts movie, and I was eager to dive in and give it a whirl when I had the time. 

In essence, the manual worked by honing your understanding of a weapon through a series of exercises and meditations. It wasn't limited to just one type of weapon, which meant I could potentially master these peculiar techniques with various armaments. However, it was clear that my proficiency would vary depending on the weapon; swords would be my forte.

Then came the notifications about selecting a career path, but we've already covered that ground. Lastly, there was the notice about the new tutorial quest: recruit a crewmate to join the journey. I argued that Sif should count, but apparently, the system disagreed. Despite its simplicity, this quest wasn't a cakewalk for me; I had standards.

Finding someone willing to travel with me should've been a breeze in a world teeming with pirates. But for me, it wasn't about just anyone tagging along. They needed to be self-sufficient and capable of growth; I wasn't looking to play babysitter. Nonetheless, I figured I'd encounter one or two satisfactory companions sooner or later as I traveled.

As for the reward for completing this quest, it was straightforward: a sword named Tidebreaker.

"Tidebreaker, huh...?" I pondered, intrigued by the prospect of wielding a blade with such a captivating name. 

The system had consistently delivered impressive rewards thus far, so I held high hopes for this Tidebreaker. However, before I could delve deeper into my thoughts, a boisterous exclamation rang out from the main deck.

"Land ahoy!"

A grin spread across my face at the welcome announcement. After nearly a week at sea, the sight of land was a sight for sore eyes. Without hesitation, I bounded out of my room and made a beeline for the deck to catch a glimpse of the awaiting island. 

Scaling the hatch, I rushed to the bow of the ship, eager to take in the scenery.

As I gazed ahead, my eyes widened in awe. Swallow Island sprawled before us, living up to its name in every sense. It resembled a lush expanse blanketed in patches of snow, with its most striking feature being the central mountain formation shaped like a swallow. 

Trees dusted with snow adorned the mountainside, creating a picturesque scene with the sun setting behind the swallow's head. 

Beside me, Sif let out an excited howl, her pent-up energy mirroring my own eagerness after days at sea. I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. "Looks like we're both itching to set foot on solid ground," I remarked, extending a hand to scratch behind her ear. 

Surprisingly, she didn't react with her usual snap and bite, but instead closed her eyes in contentment, her focus fixed on the island ahead, not that I was complaining. The softness and warmth were divine!

Lost in the picturesque scene, I was brought back to reality by Jack's approach from behind. "Quite the sight, isn't it?" he remarked, a smile playing on his lips. "Apparently, even the island's landmass takes on the shape of a swallow, according to the map," he added with a chuckle.

Raising an eyebrow at his comment, I pondered aloud, "Sounds and looks like it could be a great tourist spot..." 

Jack's expression shifted to one of wearyness at my words. "It should have been," he sighed, his tone tinged with disappointment. 

"But the locals have an obsession with swallows... Everything they sell here is shaped like one that turns most people away after one visit," he explained, shaking his head in exasperation. "Swallow-shaped cookies, swallow-shaped figurines, they even sell actual swallow birds..."

I couldn't help but laugh at Jack's explanation. "Bwahahaha! That sounds interesting in its own way..." I said, already imagining a swallow-themed town. "Either way, I'll see it for myself soon enough..." 

...

Strolling through the streets of Pleasure Town on Swallow Island, Blake couldn't contain his grin as he absorbed the vibrant atmosphere, paying no mind to the curious stares from the locals. With his imposing build and towering height, he naturally drew attention wherever he went, prompting whispered comments from passersby. His oversized backpack, almost as tall as he was, only added to his conspicuousness.

While the islanders were bundled up in heavy winter attire, Blake sported nothing more than an open fur coat and a pair of well-worn pants that seemed to have weathered countless adventures. 

Trailing behind him, with an air of regal indifference, was Sif, the massive wolf with her piercing blue eyes captivating the attention of those they passed, eliciting both fear and awe from all passersby. 

Spotting a clothing shop ahead, Blake halted in his tracks, casting a glance at his worn attire. Without hesitation, he made his way inside, eager to acquire some fresh garments.

Blake gestured for Sif to wait outside and stepped into the store, only to find it deserted. Unfazed, he decided to browse the collection of clothes while he waited for the owner to appear. "The shopkeeper would turn up eventually," he muttered to himself, scanning the neatly arranged racks of garments.

The store, though modest, boasted a tidy layout, with each type of clothing neatly categorized. Blake's curiosity piqued when he stumbled upon a small section filled exclusively with aloha shirts that had swallow patterns and shorts, a stark contrast to the heavy winter wear displayed elsewhere in the shop. 

Before he could ponder the reason behind this odd assortment, the owner approached him, having noticed his presence. "Curious about those?" the shopkeeper inquired with a knowing grin. 

Blake turned to face him, nodding in response. "Somewhat... It's not exactly beach weather here in North Blue, especially so close to the North Pole..." he remarked, scratching his head in confusion.

The shopkeeper chuckled. "You're not wrong. These clothes aren't exactly practical for our climate even in summertime, but they're reserved for a rather unconventional individual," he explained cryptically.

Intrigued, Blake raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's this person like?" he asked, eager to learn more.

The shopkeeper's smile widened at Blake's inquiry. "Oh, he's just a peculiar old man who keeps to himself outside of town... fancies himself a brilliant inventor, but most of his contraptions end up as little more than scrap," he explained with a chuckle. 

Blake's curiosity deepened. "Sounds like quite the character. I'd love to have a chat with him sometime," he said, his interest piqued. The shopkeeper shrugged nonchalantly. 

"That old coot pops up every now and then to stock up on supplies, so you're bound to cross paths with him sooner or later if you stick around," he remarked. "Tough he isn't exactly sociable, so I think you'll be greatly disappointed..." 

Blake gave the shopkeeper a strange look. "You've been bad-mouthing him for a while now, but he can't be that bad if you went out of your way to put these kinds of clothes on display just for his sake..." He said with a smile. "I don't imagine this kind of clothes selling like hotcakes here...." 

The shopkeeper gave Blake a surprised look before breaking into a weary grin. "Well, you've got me there... the people of this town owe him a big debt, and he's known for taking care of kids with nowhere else to go..." He said with a sigh. "He's a good man, albeit a bit too stubborn," He added, shaking his head in disapproval. 

"Now then... are you looking for something specific or just browsing?" the shopkeeper inquired, steering the conversation back to business.

...

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