Chapter 76 The Player's Trouble
"What, what did you say?"
The passenger ship captain stared stiffly at Vera, who was reaching out her hand to him: "Are you... are you kidding me?"
"No, I'm very serious. Once you pay, I'll let you go."
Vera had no moral burden of demanding repayment for her kindness. Wasn't it only natural for the NPC to reward her after she completed a stage of the game's mission?
"What are you talking about? That money is clearly ours! Are you trying to steal our money?"
"Exactly! You're just a kid, you can't be corrupted by pirates!"
"Stop playing around and give us back our things."
Zeff couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Standing beside him, Sanji stared in disbelief and astonishment at the group of guys who had been as silent as quails but were now suddenly talking non-stop as if possessed by something.
Zeff: "You think they're idiots and incomprehensible, right?"
Zeff swept his gaze across the chaotic casino and Tezzolo, who was frozen solid.
Three hundred thousand Berries is a huge sum even for the passengers on this ship, so it's best not to spend it if possible...
Let's give it a try. What if they give up because they outnumber us? Do you really think those kids can just kill us like pirates or Tesoro if we don't cooperate?
It's human nature to bully the weak and fear the strong, which is understandable. Otherwise, why would he rob a merchant ship instead of directly robbing the celestial gold being transported to the Holy Land?
But Zeff really wanted to ask them, "Can't you use your brains? Look at the horrific battle scars on the field, and then look at yourselves and Tesoro, who aren't even making a move to fight back. Can't you tell which side is stronger and which side is weaker?"
Zeff: "Sure, 300,000 Berries, I can pay my crew."
Violet, who was pondering whether she should give these NPCs another beating before they would obediently drop gold coins, looked at Zeff upon hearing this.
As Zeff spoke, the two braids on his chin jiggled up and down: "But we don't have that much cash. Could we use an equivalent amount of jewelry or gold to replace the 300,000 Berries?"
Vera: "Okay."
Zeff waved to the crew, then suggested to Violet, "I'll have them move the stuff from the pirate ship. The ransom for eighteen people is all easily redeemable gold and gems."
Vera was pleased with Zeff's understanding: "You can leave once the things are moved over."
Seeing that even the terrifying Tesoro and the ferocious pirates had succumbed to Violet, the passengers who had initially been hoping for a lucky break and egging the captain on also fell silent and reluctantly began rummaging through their backpacks to gather 300,000 Berries or equivalent supplies.
As Zeff looked at the stacks of boxes the crew brought over, his hand, which had been stroking his beard, trembled and pulled out several hairs.
I feel sorry for you.
So much treasure was basically what they had accumulated during their year or so of adventures on the Grand Line. That terrifying place was both a paradise and a graveyard for pirates. Zeff saw sights there that were absolutely unseen in the four seas and accumulated treasures that he could not accumulate in decades in the four seas, but at the same time he lost many of his companions.
Those figures who were full of vigor before setting off have completely disappeared into that vast sea, without even stirring up a ripple.
He might really not be suited to be a pirate captain.
Every pirate who boards a pirate ship is prepared to give his life for his captain at any time, and every captain is responsible for weighing the pros and cons and guiding the fleet in the next direction.
This responsibility was too heavy, and Zeff felt he was starting to feel overwhelmed.
In addition, there was another point: during his year on the Grand Line, he had seen far too many prodigies, those rising stars of the pirate world who were famous throughout the seas. They entered that sea with confidence and ambition, only to soon discover in despair that they were nothing on the Grand Line.
Looking at the three children counting the treasure, Zeff realized that he was really getting old, otherwise why would he be thinking so many pessimistic things for no reason?
Otherwise, we could use the remaining money to open a floating restaurant in the East China Sea with our old friends.
Luo watched as Tesoro removed the gold dust from the group's bodies. After being defeated, Tesoro behaved himself and didn't do anything underhanded.
Sabo: "Island Lord, several people say they don't have enough money and goods to make up for 300,000 Berries."
"Not enough for 300,000 Berries? No problem."
Hearing Vera's relaxed words, those who hadn't taken the money yet showed delighted expressions and were eager to try, while those who had taken the money were full of resentment, and a fight seemed imminent.
Vera: "Then let's just go. A little gold dust in the body isn't a big problem."
Those who haven't paid: ...
Let's take it out then. Although 300,000 Berries is a painful amount for them, it's nothing compared to having a bunch of gold dust in their bodies that may cause unknown harm.
Sanji quietly slipped into the crowd who had finished cleaning up the gold dust and were about to leave, but suddenly felt a huge pull on his collar.
Looking back, he saw the pirate captain with two strange mustaches easily pulling him out of the crowd by the collar with one arm.
Zeff looked down at Sanji and said, "You're going the wrong way, kid. The team cleaning up the gold dust is on the other side."
Sanji's face suddenly turned bright red, his little arms and legs kicked and thrashed in the air, and his body twisted wildly like a live fish that had just come out of the water.
Zeff almost failed to catch him.
Sanji: "Mind your own business, you old geezer, let me go!"
“I can’t admit that. The most important thing for us chefs is to keep things clean and tidy.” Zeff stroked his beard. “Kid, you’re not broke, are you?”
Sanji, whose prediction had come true, suddenly stiffened.
Zeff was stunned: "It really is! Where are your family?"
"What's it to you!" Sanji, his sore spot hit, turned around angrily, grabbed Zeff's thick forearm with both arms, and bit him hard on the tiger's mouth.
"Hiss..." The chef's hands must not be injured, so Zeff quickly shook them up and down, making Sanji dizzy and seeing stars.
“Hey kid, contact your family right now and pay the ransom. Those gold dust stuck in your lungs are no joke.”
family?
Many images flashed through Sanji's mind: his mother lying thin and pale on the hospital bed, his father's ambitious smile, and his brother's cruel and indifferent execution of innocent people who conflicted with their interests...
He thought of the tears in his sister Reiju's eyes when she let him go, and the despair she felt when she refused to leave with him.
Sanji, like a little hedgehog, raised all his sharp quills and fiercely stabbed at Zeff.
Vera, who walked over slowly with her hands behind her back like an old cadre, looked up curiously: "What happened?"
Having a younger brother is great. No wonder that in an era where starting a business is like gambling, there are still waves of unlucky people who refuse to believe in the dangers and plunge into this bottomless abyss.
With only three official islanders, Violet was already living a life where all she had to do was give orders and enjoy fighting. As for farming and counting spoils, she could leave those to Chopper and Law.
The joy and sense of accomplishment from defeating the seasonal boss for the first time, coupled with the fact that Law and Sabo were two capable assistants who allowed Violet to be a hands-off manager without any worries, led her to stroll over to the arguing Sanji and Zeff.
"Miss Violet!"
He learned the name of this capable and beautiful young woman, who didn't look much older than him, from Violet's two companions.
Sanji's face turned bright red, and he dared not meet Violet's gaze.
But who is Vera? In the beginning, when she was busy planting and cutting down trees every day, she was able to keep the energetic Luo so that he would fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow every night. Now, although she has just gone through a battle, she is in the midst of a passionate moment when her adrenaline has not completely dissipated.
If Sanji had greeted her openly, Violet might have quickly lost interest and left, but Sanji was too shy to make eye contact with her.
That's what interests me.
She approached Sanji with a wicked grin: "Why don't you dare look at me? Did you do something bad and you're feeling guilty?"
"I didn't!" How could Sanji possibly do anything bad to a beautiful girl who had just saved his life?
No, even if he hadn't saved her life, and even if he had an ordinary appearance, Sanji's inherent gentlemanly nature wouldn't allow him to use schemes and tricks against women.
Vera blinked curiously: "Why is that?"
"I, I, I..."
Too, too close.
Sanji felt as if a dazzling firework had exploded before his eyes. A powerful, beautiful, and confident girl stood less than half a step away from him, bending down to speak to him...
Sanji even held his breath, afraid that the scent emanating from Violet would cause his sanity to slip further into the abyss—that would be far too rude.
Violet watched as Sanji closed his eyes, his incredibly curly eyelashes trembling pitifully along with his body, but even so he remained standing there, letting Violet scrutinize him.
So pitiful.
It makes the players seem really mean.
Violet noticed the small, swirling shape on his eyebrows; the game really does have some clever little touches when modeling NPCs.
And what's with this submissive attitude? Isn't this tempting players to do something even more outrageous?
Just as a cat owner can't resist stroking the fur their cat has just licked backwards, Violet can't resist the urge to continue teasing this adorable NPC.
"I can't hear you very well..."
Then, Violet saw two unusually conspicuous streaks of red flowing down Sanji's nose.
It really came down in a flash, no exaggeration, it was just like turning on a tap.
Violet's smile froze on her face.
No, oh what? Why is my nose bleeding?
Sanji swayed unsteadily: "I feel like I'm in heaven?"
Seeing Sanji looking completely satisfied, smiling as he leaned back, Violet screamed inwardly.
This is a staged accident, absolutely a staged accident!
Violet instinctively rushed forward and picked up the disoriented Sanji, who was suffering from excessive blood loss, then looked around blankly.
"hiss--"
Zeff sighed as he looked at the two more whiskers he had pulled off.
Vera abruptly turned to look at Zeff, her sharp gaze giving Zeff a sense of foreboding.
Vera: "Are you his father?"
"...Could you please not wear your 'finally we can get rid of this huge problem' mentality on your face?" It would be better if you didn't make it so obvious.
Vera looked at Zeff helplessly.
Zeff inexplicably hallucinated a black and white cat that had made a mess of the house playing with yarn and had its paws and paws all tangled up in it, watching him.
No, Zeff, calm down. Do you remember that the little monster in front of you can defeat Tesoro?
Don't be fooled by her appearance. You've clearly seen plenty of her on the Grand Line, haven't you? She may seem carefree and irresponsible, but when she gets serious, she can unleash terrifying attacks from that seemingly颓废 (颓废 is a difficult word to translate directly, but it implies a state of being listless, dispirited, or decadent) body.
Zeff: "This kid probably won't be able to pay the 300,000 Berry ransom."
“He’s the sous chef on this passenger ship. I’m planning to open a restaurant on the sea, so I’ll pay for it and let him work on the ship to pay off his debts.”
Vera: "Hmm, what did you say?"
Zeff thought for a moment and repeated what he thought Vera would be interested in: "I will help him pay the ransom of 300,000. Please have that man remove the gold dust from the child's body."
"No, no, no, that's not it. You mean you want to open a restaurant on the sea?"
"...Yes, what's the problem?"
“No problem, there’s no problem, how could there be a problem?” Vera exclaimed excitedly. “It’s a wise choice. This is a blue ocean market, and it needs someone as smart, capable, meticulous, and bold as you to join us!”
Zeff couldn't help but take a step back. Although he didn't want to say it, after Violet's praise... Zeff began to doubt whether his choice was correct.
It sounds a bit like a scam, huh.
Violet had no chance to regret it. Rather than finding a restaurant on the sea with no idea about its background or level, it would be better to cultivate one herself.
Violet grabbed Zeff's hand—heaven knows how she managed to do such a difficult move while holding Sanji—and shook it up and down forcefully.
"How about learning about the R'lyeh fruit and vegetable supply route?"
"The captain of the future sea restaurant."
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Author's Note: Vera: A little misfortune every day, but each one is different.
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