69. Three Ships at Sunset
After successfully hunting several mechanical Shantungosaurus, Rangga and Fajar decided to take a short break around the oasis. Among the date trees and desert shrubs, Rangga’s attention was drawn to several shallow basins of grayish-white soil scattered along the water’s edge.
As he approached, a golden screen appeared before him.
GYPSUM DEPOSIT
[TYPE: MINERAL DEPOSIT]
Description: A natural gypsum deposit formed through the evaporation of water in desert regions over thousands of years. Commonly used as a primary material for cement, mortar, and high-strength construction materials.
A few steps away, another golden screen lit up.
SODA ASH DEPOSIT
[TYPE: MINERAL DEPOSIT]
Description: A natural sodium carbonate deposit formed in dry desert basins. An essential material in the glass and ceramic industries, as well as various advanced chemical processes.
Fajar walked over, observing the two basins.
“What’s that, Ngga?”
Rangga crouched in front of the first deposit. He picked up a bit of the white material with his fingertips and examined it.
“This looks like gypsum.”
He then moved to the other basin. The material there looked finer. Rangga picked some up and rubbed it between his fingers.
“And this one… looks like soda ash.”
Fajar frowned.
“How do you even know that?”
Rangga froze for a split second. His smile stayed in place as he quickly searched for a reasonable excuse.
“I used to be a construction worker.”
He lifted a bit of gypsum in his hand.
“Gypsum’s usually used for ceilings. And this one…” he said, pointing at the other deposit, “…I’ve seen it used for cleaning paint.”
Fajar nodded slowly.
“Oh… makes sense.”
Hearing that his explanation was accepted so easily, Rangga let out a silent sigh of relief.
“Alright,” he said, pulling out his pickaxe. “Let’s mine it. We’ll probably need it later.”
“Let’s go.”
Fajar took out his own pickaxe.
Before long, the sound of metal striking echoed around the oasis.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
They moved from one basin to another, collecting as much gypsum and soda ash as possible before continuing their exploration.
After mining all the deposits around the oasis, Rangga stored everything in his inventory. He glanced at Fajar, who was brushing sand off his hammer.
“Continue?”
Fajar nodded, then looked toward the distance. Beyond the stretch of sand, a cluster of trees was faintly visible.
“Ngga, looks like there’s another oasis over there. Wanna check it out?”
Rangga followed his gaze and nodded.
“Let’s go.”
“I still need a lot more Heat Regulators.”
Without wasting time, they set off across the desert toward the next oasis.
The hunt resumed.
The mechanical Shantungosaurus they encountered this time no longer posed much difficulty. With their strategy refined, Rangga simply baited its electrical attack while Fajar helped guide its movements until the creature’s energy was depleted.
Once its electrical protection faded, they charged together. Rangga’s explosive arrows shattered its joints, while Fajar repeatedly hammered its front legs until the massive creature collapsed.
They repeated the same method several times.
Each fallen Shantungosaurus dropped Heat Regulators, Conductive Coils, and Capacitor Modules. Material after material filled their inventories.
After a while, Rangga opened his inventory and checked their haul.
“Alright.”
He nodded in satisfaction.
“I’ve got enough Heat Regulators.”
Fajar rested his hammer on his shoulder.
“So, heading back?”
“Yeah.”
Rangga glanced at the sun, which was beginning to descend.
“Don’t want to get back too late.”
Fajar nodded.
“Let’s head to the beach.”
They left the oasis, making their way back across the desert toward the shore where their ships were docked. Their nearly full inventories were proof of the day’s successful exploration.
By late afternoon, they arrived at the beach. Their inventories were packed with loot from both hunting and mining.
Rangga stopped beside his ship and turned to Fajar.
“Jar.”
Fajar, who had just stepped onto the small dock, turned.
“Yeah?”
“Wanna come over to my place tonight?”
Rangga grinned.
“Let’s eat together.”
Fajar chuckled.
“Sounds good.”
“What time?”
“After we’re done sorting stuff. No rush.”
Fajar nodded.
“Alright.”
Before parting, they raised their left hands. The Nautical Scanners on their wrists were brought close together.
Beep…
Beep…
Small screens on both devices lit up simultaneously.
Pioneer coordinates successfully added.
Rangga checked his list. A new name had appeared.
Fajar [Pioneer Garuda] – X-629541
Fajar saw the same on his screen.
“Got it.”
Rangga nodded.
“Alright. See you tonight.”
“Sure.”
They boarded their respective ships. Engines hummed softly as both vessels sailed away from the shore in different directions.
On the way back, Rangga opened the regional chat as usual.
Rangga: Andre.
Andre: Yeah, bro?
Rangga: Don’t head back to your own island yet.
Rangga: Wait at Mayor Deri’s island.
A few seconds later—
Andre: Okay.
Andre: Why?
Rangga: We’re having dinner together.
Rangga: And a chat.
Mayor Deri joined the chat.
Deri: Feel free.
Deri: We’ll head to Rangga’s island together from mine.
Andre: Roger that, Mayor.
Before the conversation ended, the regional chat became lively.
Bima: Man, that sounds nice.
Rio: Hey, I wanna join too.
Yusuf: Bro, that’s turning into a gathering.
Fajar: LOL.
Andre: Then level up faster.
Bima: I’m jealous.
Rio: We’re still eating alone every day.
Rangga chuckled as he read the messages.
Rangga: Just upgrade your ships quickly.
Rangga: We’ll eat together later.
The chat filled with laughter emojis and playful complaints. Even through the blue screen, the atmosphere among the Garuda Pioneers felt much warmer compared to their first days trapped in that world.
After more than an hour of travel, Rangga’s ship finally docked at his private island. He immediately transferred all the day’s materials into his warehouse—Heat Regulators, Conductive Coils, Capacitor Modules, gypsum, soda ash, and more—filling it further.
Without resting, Rangga raised his left hand and activated the Nautical Scanner.
He selected a saved name.
Deri [Pioneer Garuda] – X-620873
Moments later, the Nautical Radar spun to determine direction. The ship’s engine roared back to life, carrying Rangga toward Mayor Deri’s island.
When he arrived, two people were already waiting at the dock.
Mayor Deri stood calmly as usual, while Andre waved as soon as he saw Rangga step off the ship.
“Whoa, Bang Rangga! That’s awesome!”
Rangga chuckled as he approached them.
“Hand over your armor and weapon materials.”
He extended his hand.
“And exchange coordinates with me. We’ll talk more at my island.”
Andre nodded enthusiastically.
“Got it.”
He opened his inventory and handed over the materials they had agreed upon as payment for crafting armor and weapons.
After that, Andre raised his left hand. Rangga did the same. Their Nautical Scanners were brought close together.
Beep…
Beep…
Both screens lit up.
Pioneer coordinates successfully added.
Rangga glanced at his updated list and nodded in satisfaction.
“Alright. Let’s go to my place.”
Mayor Deri nodded.
“Very well.”
Andre grinned.
“Let’s go. I’m curious what your island looks like now.”
Without wasting time, the three of them boarded their ships. One by one, the vessels departed from Mayor Deri’s dock, sailing side by side toward Rangga’s island to spend the night together.