Chapter 4: The Shadow of Port Blackwater

On Jared's side, he wondered how to make a contract with the baby animals. Spotting a baby panda, he walked over and bent down, saying, "Hi there, would you like to make a contract with me?"

Unexpectedly, he heard a ding from his system. Checking it, he found a quest from the baby panda.

Quest Title: The Perfect Snack

Quest Giver: Baby Panda

Quest Background: The baby panda, eager to form a friendship but still learning about trust, wants to test Jared's willingness to help. The quest involves gathering a specific type of bamboo shoot that the baby panda loves. This type of bamboo is not only delicious but also helps the baby panda grow strong and healthy.

Objective: Find and collect 5 tender bamboo shoots from a nearby grove that are known for their sweetness and nutritional value.

Quest Stages:

Locate the Bamboo Grove

Gather the Bamboo Shoots:

Within the grove, collect five specific bamboo shoots. These shoots are distinguished by their lighter green color and softer appearance compared to the mature stalks.

Rewards:

Panda's Approval

Gentle Forager's Badge

Contract with baby panda

Jared accepted the quest and looked around, wondering where to find the bamboo grove. Before setting off, he decided to seek similar quests from other baby animals. He spotted a baby dragon in the distance and headed towards it.

Quest Title: Spark of Friendship

Quest Giver: Baby Dragon

Quest Background: The baby dragon, mischievous and fiery by nature, is intrigued by Jared and wants to test his bravery and playfulness. The quest involves collecting a rare gem that the baby dragon covets for its nest. This gem, known as the Starlight Opal, is said to glow softly in the dark, mirroring the fire within a dragon's soul.

Objective: Find and retrieve the Starlight Opal from the Crystal Cavern located at the edge of the enchanted forest.

[Quest]

[Finding the Crystal Cavern, collect the Starlight Opal, return to the Baby Dragon]

[Rewards]

Dragon's Trust

Adventurer's Glow

Contract with baby dragon

On Atlas's side, she found the artifact the map pointed to. Just as she was about to take it, the ground trembled, and a menacing growl echoed through the clearing.

Instead of waiting to see what made the sound, she grabbed the artifact and rushed to the edge of the island. Her heart pounded with every step, wishing she could move faster as she felt the creature gaining on her.

Her luck held as she reached the edge of the island. Turning around, she saw a pack of shadowed skeleton wolves approaching. Above their heads, the words "Shadow Skeleton Wolf Lv 5" were displayed.

She decided to use her skills to level up by killing the pack of wolves. First, she activated Captain's Command: Blackbeard's Fury, then Kraken's Call: Maelstrom.

Using Blackbeard's Fury together with Maelstrom, she amplified her damage output and gained resistance to damage, while the Kraken's Maelstrom create havoc among the wolves. The wolves were easily wiped out.

She walked towards where the wolves had stood and picked up the loot they dropped. She collected a variety of loot:

[Shadow Bone Shard]

Description: A piece of the wolf's skeleton imbued with dark energies. Can be used in crafting to create or enhance dark magic weapons or armor.

[Ectoplasmic Essence]

Description: A viscous, glowing substance that can be used to brew potions or craft items that require spiritual or ghostly properties, such as phasing through walls or temporary invisibility.

[Moonlit Pelt]

The ethereal remains of the wolf's fur, shimmering with a faint lunar glow. Useful for crafting light armor that grants minor stealth bonuses at night or increases resistance to dark magic.

[Howler's Claw]

A claw from the Shadow Skeleton Wolf, still sharp and sturdy. It can be used as a component in weapons or as a talisman that boosts critical strike chance during night hours.

[10 Gold]

[Spirit Orb]

A rare drop that grants the player a passive ability to detect ghostly or undead creatures nearby and increases experience gain from defeating such enemies.

[Shadow Veil Potion]

A consumable potion that, when drunk, grants the player a temporary aura that reduces damage taken from shadow or dark magic attacks.

She checked her status page and saw she was now at level 7. After killing ten level 5 wolves, she realized that leveling up required more experience as she progressed.

She checked the artifact's details:

Name: Mirror of Meridian Passage

Description: The Mirror of Meridian Passage is an ancient, ornately framed hand mirror, encased in shimmering silver and engraved with maritime symbols—anchors, waves, and compass roses. Its glass is not ordinary, but a mystical portal infused with the essence of both the celestial and oceanic realms. Legends say the mirror was once owned by a sea witch who could navigate between different realms and times at will.

She drank a mana potion, activated her shark form, and headed back to Port Blackwater. Undetected by the undead, she surfaced to tell the pirates she had found a way to leave the cursed place.

After sharing the great news, she asked, "Does anyone know how to use this mirror?"

Henry, the hooded figure, unveiled himself again and stated, "You have to be at a geographical location that resonates with your desired destination, which you are already at. Then, at sunrise —when the veil between worlds is thinnest —you hold the mirror aloft, speak the incantation engraved on its frame, and the surface shimmers to life, revealing a swirling portal. Stepping through the portal will transport you to the real Port Blackwater."

Atlas asked, "How do you know how to use it?"

Henry did not answer. However, Javin Blackwater intervened and asked, "Bring us with you?"

Atlas looked around at everyone and asked, "How? What would I gain from bringing you all out of this cursed plane?"

Javin Blackwater stated, "Everything here that belongs to us is yours, as well as our loyalty."

Atlas thought it over and nodded. They sneaked around the city, staying undetected by the undead sentinels, and gathered everything, including the boats and ships in the port. Once collected, it was time to leave.

Atlas turned to Javin Blackwater and asked, "How do we sign a contract?"'

Javin Blackwater took out a scroll with all the members' signed names already on the contract, along with the clauses:

[Pirate Contract: Accord of the Loyal Corsair]

[Introduction]

The document begins with a formal introduction of both parties, identifying Atlas as the captain and master of the vessel, and the NPC as the newly inducted crew member agreeing to serve under her command.

[Terms of Service]

Duties: The NPC is expected to perform all duties assigned by Atlas or her appointed officers, including but not limited to sailing, maintenance, combat, and looting.

Loyalty: The NPC pledges absolute loyalty to Atlas and the ship, agreeing to follow her commands without question and defend the ship and its crew with their life if necessary.

Conduct: The NPC must adhere to the pirate code set by Atlas, maintaining discipline and order aboard the ship, and abstaining from acts that could bring harm or disrepute to the crew.

Compensation: The NPC is entitled to a share of any plunder, the size of which is determined by their rank and contributions, as evaluated by Atlas.

Additional privileges, such as better quarters or specific rations, are awarded based on performance and loyalty.

Atlas read the contract, saw it was solid, and signed it. A golden light indicated the contract was in effect. They then walked through the portal and arrived at the real Port Blackwater.