Chapter 76

[Suddenly facing so many people, you feel nervous and awkward, keeping your head down and afraid to look up.]

[You're terrified that once the crew sees your face, they'll react just like the merchant ships before—thinking you're bad luck and driving you away.]

[Beidou encouragingly pats your shoulder.]

[Gathering your courage, you raise your head and speak to the crew, "Hello, everyone. My name is Kael. Please take care of me from now on."]

[You've already decided to sever all ties with your former family, and disdain using their surname any longer.]

[After seeing your face, a girl nearby lets out a surprised gasp.]

[Hearing this reaction, your heart sinks.]

[As expected, are you going to be chased away again?]

[You quietly lower your head, but then you hear the girl say, "Did this kid roll around in the mud? His face is so dirty, he looks like a little kitten."]

[Hearing these words, you look up in disbelief.]

[Everyone aboard the ship is looking at you with gentle, friendly gazes.]

["Come on, let's get you cleaned up in the cabin."]

[At those words, tears uncontrollably stream down your face.]

[Finally, you've found a place that accepts you.]

[Age 11: You've been sailing with the Alcor for almost a year now.]

[At first, you took out all the Mora you had, hoping to pay for your passage.]

[But Beidou refused.]

[So instead, you began helping out around the ship, wanting to repay Beidou's kindness.]

[Although the work is tiring, you thoroughly enjoy your current life.]

[Here, nobody discriminates against your appearance, and everyone treats you like a normal person.]

[Gradually, you've grown familiar with the crew and learned about their pasts.]

[Everyone aboard the ship may have their own painful past, but Beidou firmly believes in the principle that heroes aren't judged by their origins. She gives everyone the chance to start anew, reigniting hope in their bleak lives.]

[Just like you, who found renewed hope on this ship.]

[Not long ago, Beidou accepted new business, and the Alcor docked at Inazuma for a while.]

[At that time, Beidou asked if you'd like to leave the Alcor and start a new life in Inazuma.]

[You refused without hesitation.]

[You told Beidou that you wanted to stay aboard the Alcor and continue sailing alongside everyone.]

[Hearing your answer, Beidou gladly accepted.]

[She told you that everyone on the ship had grown fond of you, and if you chose to leave, the crew would likely feel sad for quite some time.]

[You continued performing odd jobs on the ship.]

[One day, Beidou found you and said the crew was very satisfied with your performance. She asked if you were interested in becoming an apprentice sailor.]

[Upon hearing her words, you immediately agreed.]

[For you, becoming a sailor aboard the Alcor was the greatest honor imaginable.]

[The Crux Fleet is divided into two divisions: the Shield of the Crux and the Spear of the Crux.]

[The Shield of the Crux handles logistical tasks like emergency medical care, weather observations, and psychological support. They're the backbone of the fleet, ensuring safe voyages.]

[The Spear of the Crux, on the other hand, focuses on combat training, armed crew duties, and handling the fleet's trade transactions.]

[You hoped to join the Spear of the Crux.]

[Although your greatest dream right now is to keep sailing with the Alcor, that doesn't mean you've lost your thirst for Mora.]

[Rather, you relish the sense of achievement that comes with earning Mora.]

[By joining the Spear of the Crux, you'd have the opportunity to manage trade and cargo transactions!]

[If you could bring greater profits to the fleet, that would be wonderful!]

[Beidou wholeheartedly supported your choice.]

["I want all my crew members to find their own direction. I appreciate sailors like you, who have clear goals. From tomorrow onward, you're officially an apprentice sailor of the Crux Fleet."]

[When the crew learned you'd been promoted to apprentice sailor, they were thrilled and suggested to Beidou that a banquet be held tonight to celebrate the occasion.]

[Beidou happily agreed.]

"System, switch to sensory mode."

Kael was extremely curious about what a party aboard the Alcor would be like.

Moreover, he wanted to see the famous Alcor for himself.

Since he was currently living in Mondstadt, it would probably be some time before he had the chance to see the Alcor in reality.

This would be a perfect opportunity to experience it first through the life simulation.

[Acknowledged. Switching to sensory mode.]

After the familiar transition, Kael blinked and found himself standing on the wooden deck.

The real-life Alcor was dozens of times larger than the one in-game.

When playing the game, Kael had always thought that the legendary Alcor, famous across Teyvat, was surprisingly small and had only a handful of crew members.

Now, standing aboard, Kael understood why the Crux Fleet was renowned throughout the continent.

This Alcor was simply majestic.

The ship was built entirely from wood, its colossal hull stretching far—standing at the stern, he could only faintly see the bow. It had a tapered bottom and broad upper deck, with the bow rising high and the stern even higher.

The sails were mainly wind-driven, but the lower deck was equipped with numerous rowing stations.

During naval battles, these rowers ensured the ship remained agile and responsive, quickly adapting to ever-changing battlefield conditions.

Even at a glance, it was clear this ship was heavily armed and built for combat.

Kael strolled leisurely around the deck of the Alcor, gazing out at the vast seas of Teyvat and feeling the refreshing ocean breeze on his face. It was incredibly relaxing.

Suddenly, he spotted a bucket of clear water and some cleaning tools on the deck.

These must be for the sailors to clean the ship.

Right!

He still had something important to do now that he was in sensory mode.

Kael quickly rushed to the bucket, using the reflection in the water to examine his own appearance.

When reading the text mode, he'd been dying of curiosity.

Just how hideous must this face be to evoke disgust from every single person who saw it?

Now, looking at his reflection in the water, Kael finally understood.

This face actually resembled his real-life appearance quite closely.

His upper face was just as handsome as usual.

But the lower half of his face had clearly been fractured at birth, and as he grew, the bones became increasingly misaligned, twisting into a distorted shape.

The perfect upper half combined with the grotesquely twisted lower half created a staggering visual impact.

Rather than just ugly, it was disturbingly unsettling.

System, you're really something else.

What kind of insane talent was this, even?

Honestly, even he himself couldn't look directly at this face for too long. And this was just a blurry reflection in the water—he couldn't even imagine how terrifying he must look in the eyes of others.

He seriously doubted anyone could ever like a face like this.

"Hey, Kael! What are you doing here?"

A tall, muscular sailor suddenly wrapped an arm around his neck and vigorously ruffled his hair, instantly turning it into a bird's nest.

"This banquet tonight is being held for you, and yet you're slacking off here? Come help us out!"

Before Kael could protest, the sailor dragged him over to the other side of the deck.

Kael saw several banquet tables already set up, with sailors busily preparing. When they spotted Kael, they broke into warm smiles and crowded around.

"The star of the show is finally here!"

"Congratulations, Kael! You're officially a sailor now!"

"I heard you're joining the Spear of the Crux. With those skinny arms and legs, you won't be protecting our Alcor anytime soon. Be sure to eat more tonight, grow taller and stronger quickly!"

Kael couldn't help but smile, warmed by everyone's genuine enthusiasm.

The atmosphere aboard the Alcor really was incredible.

Everyone on this ship had their own painful or troubled past. 

Yet here, aboard the Alcor, they'd found redemption. They had experienced kindness, and now they were eager to extend that same kindness to others in need.

Every person here was warm-hearted, enthusiastic, and full of life.

No wonder his simulated self wanted to remain here so badly.

The banquet was filled with delicious food, fragrant wine, and joyful laughter. 

Most of the crew drank until they were tipsy and laughing freely, while a small number of armed crew members remained sober and alert, prepared for any unexpected events.

Kael was also encouraged by his enthusiastic crewmates to drink a cup of wine, under the pretense of "Every sailor's romance is a good drink. Since you're officially one of us now, you'd better learn to handle your liquor!"

In real life, he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.

But here, he was just an ordinary 11-year-old with average physical strength.

After just one cup, he was completely knocked out, slumped unconscious across the table.

Suddenly, a powerful tremor shook the ship violently.

Kael groggily opened his eyes, just in time to see a massive wave rising up beside the ship, nearly flipping it over.

Fortunately, the Alcor's helmsman was an experienced veteran. He swiftly spun the wheel, steering the ship away and narrowly avoiding disaster.

All the crew who had been sleeping or drinking were instantly awake, their seasoned instincts immediately recognizing something wasn't right.

"Captain, what's going on?"

Beidou rushed to the ship's railing, her expression grave as she stared out across the dark sea.

"A sea monster attack! All armed crew members, weapons at the ready! Cannoneers, get to your stations and prepare to fire!"