Chapter 256: Why Give Him a Hand?
Before Faye Yardley could say another word, time was up. Three beams of light flashed past, and in an instant, the dock was empty.
Meanwhile, Leah Chandler, who had been staring at the dock to confirm they had all appeared before disappearing, felt a great deal of relief.
Cole Kensington, who had been waiting on her raft, vanished as well, holding Blackwood.
Suddenly, she was all alone on the raft. Staring at the dark and gloomy dock, an uncontrollable panic surged in her heart once more.
She couldn’t say why she had wanted to return. The last time she left, she’d sworn never to come back. But after receiving an Island Entry Order, she found herself wanting to set foot on the island one more time.
[Congratulations to player Leah Chandler for completing the mission: Land on the Isle of Damnation twice and help The Remnants find a way to continue their lineage. You have received a gift from their ancestors—the Ancestor’s Legacy Medal. Constitution +1, Space Stone ×2.]
[Ancestor’s Legacy Medal: Upon use, it will guide you to where you are meant to go. If merely worn without being used, you will gain the favor of elders during certain events, making it easier to receive their guidance.]
Leah Chandler stared down in astonishment at the seemingly rusty medal in her hand. ’When did I even accept this mission? Why don’t I know anything about it?’
This place...
To Leah Chandler, the cursed island before her was as terrifying as a giant beast with a gaping, bloody maw. She chose to leave.
As her raft vanished into the thick fog, a dense crowd of figures appeared on the dock. None of them looked quite human. Compared to a normal person, having an extra head, an extra arm, or a few extra ears was considered relatively normal among them. Some were straight out of Otherkin legends, like those with a human head and a serpent’s body, and there were many of them.
"They probably won’t come back again, right?"
"So frustrating! They killed my Goldie and didn’t even leave his body behind."
"And why did you help that young man just now? If you hadn’t given him a push, he wouldn’t have been able to leave. This place needs new blood, wouldn’t it be good to have him stay? Your Faye will also need to get married when she grows up, too."
Of course, Faye Yardley knew nothing of what transpired after she left. The moment she returned to her raft, she went to check on Cole Kensington and Blackwood, who had appeared alongside her.
The moment the Bronze Cat Statue was back in her hands, it reverted to the soft and cuddly Blackwood.
"Huh, Blackwood, you’re back? What happened this morning?"
With a panicked MEOW, Blackwood leaped onto the thorny branches and disappeared into the tangle of thorn flowers and leaves in a couple of bounds.
Following Blackwood’s disappearing form, Faye Yardley noticed that Bramble, which had been wilting just moments ago, was now full of vigor.
"Whoa, Bramble, what did you do, eat a Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Pill?"
Faye Yardley commented, then, seeing Cole Kensington nearby, she remembered to ask, "Kingston, are you all right? Does it hurt you to be peeled directly out of a shadow like that?"
"I’m fine. It’s nothing."
"That’s good to hear."
With that, Faye Yardley walked over to her grass hut and looked out at the black sea. Maybe it was because she had just returned from that cursed island, but she could have sworn the patch of black water had shrunk a little.
"Kingston, does that look a little smaller to you?"
Cole Kensington looked in the direction she was pointing and nodded. "I think so, but I can’t be sure."
"Never mind. I’m going to go wash up. You should get some rest too," she said, then walked off.
Cole Kensington let out a soft sound and muttered, "Do I even need to rest?"
After a quick shower, Faye Yardley lay in bed, feeling a growing sense of dissatisfaction.
’This trip’s haul was so-so.’
’It wasn’t bad, exactly. It just paled in comparison to the last one.’
’There’s no way I could have cleaned out the entire island in just two trips.’
’Come to think of it, my Legendary Island Order has been in my bag this whole time. Since it didn’t activate on the island, does that mean...’
’...the island’s master is still alive?’
’Can an island even be inherited?’
’If not, then that island’s master has been alive for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years.’
’Does the immortality that Veridia has always sought actually exist?’
’Is this survival game at sea really just a game?’
She rolled over.
’Sigh. It has to be a game. If it weren’t, there’s no way I could have gotten this strong so quickly on my own.’
With a flip, she jumped out of bed.
’Daydreaming won’t solve anything. As long as I’m strong enough, nothing will be a problem.’
She went downstairs. With Willow gone, the place suddenly felt much emptier.
She went to the dining area and took out a meal that Willow had prepared earlier from her storage.
It was still steaming, wafting an enticing aroma.
"MEOW~"
Blackwood leaped onto the dining table and meowed at Faye Yardley.
"Ah, I brought back some more meat from that island. But can you still eat that special kind of meat?"
Blackwood’s eyes sparkled as he nodded eagerly. Oh, he could. He definitely could!
She took out the meat from the tiger-elephant Savage Beast. After being processed by the system, it had once again become meat imbued with Divinity.
Blackwood just stared, not daring to make a move without Faye Yardley’s permission.
After a moment’s thought, she cut off a chunk of meat and tossed it to Blackwood. He gulped it down in one bite, swayed for a moment, then passed out again.
She moved the sleeping Blackwood back to his Pet Sofa, then returned to the table and quietly ate her dinner alone.
’Habit is a terrifying thing,’ she thought. ’Willow wasn’t with me for that long, but I’ve already grown used to having someone by my side, checking in on me, just being there.’
’Sure enough, people always find themselves unconsciously doing the exact opposite of what they think they prefer.’
’Just as she’d believed she was more comfortable alone, she had somehow, without realizing it, grown accustomed to the people and things on her raft.’
After finishing her meal and cleaning up, Faye Yardley shrugged and muttered softly, "Well, if I’m used to it, I’m used to it. You get used to anything, eventually."
Full, satisfied, and in a good mood, Faye Yardley decided it was the perfect time to open some treasure chests.
She sat down on the rug in front of the fireplace and lined up the treasure chests.
"Come on, System, bless me with the best items."
[Obtained Ocean Train Ticket ×1, Nightfall Citadel Fun Pass ×1, Space Stone ×1, iron block ×20, Patterned Cloth ×3]
Talent triggered... Loot doubled.
"’Huh, is there a new event coming up? Nightfall Citadel... what an interesting name. I wonder what kind of place it is. It should be fun.’"
[Obtained Ocean Return Train Ticket ×1, Nightfall Citadel Food Street Ticket ×2, Bobblehead Doll ×1, Nightfall Citadel Miniature Train Ticket ×1, wood ×45]
Talent triggered... Loot tripled.
’There’s a separate return ticket? What happens if you don’t get one? Do you get stuck there?’
’This new event seems like some kind of leisure trip, but with hidden traps.’
Still, it was impossible not to feel a little excited.
Seeing the two remaining Wooden Treasure Chests, Faye Yardley opened them both at once, one with each hand.
[Obtained Candied Hawthorn Skewers ×2, Century Eggs ×5, Salted Duck Eggs ×5, wood ×20, stones ×20, Ocean Train Ticket ×1, Oil ×3, Pure Water ×3]
Talent triggered... Loot doubled.
As expected, the loot from Wooden Treasure Chests was much worse than what she got from the Iron Treasure Boxes.