Chapter 323: The Departing Fleet
Chapter 323: The Departing Fleet
"Hmm?"
Standing on the boat, Lindsey suddenly turned his head and looked behind him.
At this moment, he was blending in with the group heading towards the forest, and he abruptly turned to look back at the distant direction where the river extended, the same direction as Nine Bays City, which they had left behind.
As if something was happening there.
"Mr. Drake, is something wrong?"
Lindsey suddenly changed his movement.
A young man on the same boat noticed and, calling out Lindsey's alias, asked curiously.
Lindsey shook his head and sat back down on the boat:
"Nothing, just feeling a bit tired from sitting. I wanted to stretch my legs."
Lindsey's gaze was somber, and his expression held a hint of suspicion.
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination.
Although it had been three days since they left Nine Bays City.
But just now, he felt as if something significant had happened in that direction, as if a power had suddenly increased and broken some kind of boundary.
"It must be my imagination..."
"What could possibly happen in Nine Bays City? Surely the escort team didn't run into trouble?"
Lindsey shook his head slightly.
He opened the map to its maximum range on his attribute panel but couldn't find any clues.
Regardless of what was happening behind them.
At least Lindsey himself was safe.
Having changed his appearance and blended into the crowd for three whole days, even a close friend like Elini wouldn't be able to pick him out.
...
Along the riverbanks, the greenery cast shadows.
The quiet forest moved slowly with the sailing boat, at a rhythmic pace, as if someone were unrolling a scroll with their hands.
The Organizer's influence over the city's residents was still strong.
In the past few days, people had been continuously departing from the city to explore the outside world.
If Lindsey were to jump off this boat.
He would only need to wait by the shore for less than an hour to see the next group in the river.
The river they were currently on was the Echo Ancient River.
It got its name from flowing through a massive Echo Canyon and was also the main waterway deep into the forest.
Awakeners seeking opportunities, ordinary people with courage, and those with no other options had all joined this grand adventure.
Take Lindsey's boat as an example.
The young man who had just spoken to him was a resident of Nine Bays City, wandering without a chance to make a name for himself. He had joined the team leaving the city, hoping that this adventure would change his fate.
After all, there were Awakened individuals leading the way.
Adventuring at this time was much safer than venturing into the forest alone.
"Bug-repelling herbs! Anyone need bug-repelling herbs?"
At that moment, a hawker's voice rang out from the side.
Lindsey turned to look, and indeed, a merchant was sitting in a small boat, shouting to those around him. Behind him, a servant-like figure was rowing vigorously, making their boat move faster than the fleet.
"Does anyone need bug-repelling herbs?"
"There are plenty of troubles in the forest, so it's best to be well-prepared before setting out..."
"I also have various items necessary for outdoor survival."
"Brand new flint, fishing nets, tent cloth, all offered to you with sincerity!"
"..."
Lindsey had left the city on the first day after the rain.
The others on the team had done the same, seizing the opportunity to be the first to depart after the rain.
In such a situation, it was inevitable that some people would be ill-prepared.
Some even lacked essential items and had no choice but to trade with the merchant rowing his small boat.
Lindsey listened intently from the side of the boat.
The merchant didn't seem to be up to any tricks or using Essence Skills for malicious purposes; he was just charging higher prices than in the city.
"These merchants, they never let go of any opportunity."
Lindsey muttered, and his gaze shifted to the trees on either side of the river and the river itself.
He had a slight urge to go fishing, but he had to forcefully suppress such thoughts at this moment.
The ability of a [Game Player] to drop wooden chests from the water was hard to conceal.
It was fine if he was at home or traveling with friends, but he didn't want to expose this to strangers.
Even if he had changed his appearance and no one could recognize him, he didn't want to reveal his identity.
"Hey!"
"This thing is too expensive!"
Suddenly, a dissatisfied complaint came from the front of the fleet.
The merchant's explanation followed immediately:
"Sir, if you want something cheap, you can go to the city! I took the risk of bringing the goods here, and there's a cost to that."
The voice from the boat was a bit annoyed:
"Of course, you can raise the price."
"But you can't sell me a gold coin for a rotten leaf!"
The merchant responded with a polite smirk:
"Look at what you're saying. I bought a boat and hired people, it's not a small expense. If I lower the price, I'd be making a loss."
"If you really can't afford it, then let's call off the deal."
The person on the boat was indeed provoked:
"Who do you look down on? Let me tell you, I have plenty of money..."
Bang!
At that moment, the burly bodyguard behind the merchant stood up from his paddling position.
He grabbed the adventurer who was about to curse and threw him into the river.
Splash—
The person who fell into the river floundered, trying to struggle back onto the boat.
But the merchant paddled his small boat closer, lifted his foot, and stepped on the adventurer's face, pressing him underwater and causing him to choke as he was dunked up and down.
"My respected customer," the merchant said.
"In a place like this, people should respect each other, and I expect you to learn that as well."
"Of course, I won't charge you for this lesson."
"..."
Lindsey frowned at the scene, recalling his own experiences.
These things were not secrets, and he felt a bit emotional, so he began to explain the rules of the Awakened to the young man.
"You should know about Harvest Day," he started. "Every ten years, the Essence Tide awakens some people as Awakened."
"And for an Awakened to become stronger, the key lies in cultivating their skills."
"Take this merchant, for example."
"His ability stems from trading with people, so what you see here is not a robber but a merchant who charges a higher price to earn more profit for himself..."
(End of Chapter)
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