The youth's misfortune left Ethan dumbfounded; isn't this the old-time wine trap of a new era?
Backward times and yet advanced technology, which skipped the cumbersome drinking process and made the customer part with 1 Gold Lion in just three sentences!
Ethan mingled among the crowd for a while as a bystander, seeing the youth led away by brawny men, the wine trap leading them to high-interest loans. Borrowing a quick loan of 1 Gold Lion that was immediately taken by the wine trap left the youth feeling utterly dejected. His eyes were dull, and he was like a puppet forced to grin.
He had already given up.
Ethan further realized the terrors of Fireplace Bay, which made his mood gloomy. It wasn't only for the unknown youth before him but also for his 'free browsing skills book' plan. Initially, he planned to look without buying at a bookstore, but the danger level of Fireplace Bay merchants suggested that even touching the book's cover might force him to buy the book.
Forget about it.
Ethan moved with the crowd on the merchant ship, observing and roughly understanding the ship's layout, the ship's deck belonged to the tourist area, stalls were temporary, selling a variety of goods from food to wine, and exotic items. The ship's managers charged these vendors 10 Gold Lions per day as venue fees.
Fixed stores were all located inside the cabins, far more organized compared to the chaotic tourist area.
Scroll shop, magic potion store, and an information-buying tavern.
Of course, if a guest wished, they could also indulge in some fun, as Ethan was stopped by a veiled woman in a dancer's dress during his tour.
1 Gold Lion to see her true face and more paid services inside the room.
He immediately claimed he was zero dollars, walked away under the disdainful gaze of the dancer.
Ethan adhered to a principle; he would only browse, no way he would spend money. Despite that, when he passed the mystical bookstore and saw the billboard reading 'Reading Day, half-price across the board,' he couldn't help but be tempted.
Not bringing a savings card was truly wise.
Mugram's equipment store wasn't hard to find, right in the most conspicuous spot inside the second ship cabin.
Old Mu's Spirit Communication Shop, when Ethan saw 'Reception Bureau Pick' behind the sign, he knew he had come to the right place.
No one without connections would dare display 'Reception Bureau' on their signage.
As Ethan entered the shop, the first thing to catch his eye was the myriad of products on the shelves—vials, sprays, tool kits—all piled haphazardly together on the same shelf, creating a massive visual impact for him. The store's layout resembled a library, with shelves lined in a row, leaving just enough narrow space for two people to pass through. Once inside, merchandise surrounded him on all sides.
"Are they recruiting newbies in the Bureau?"
An aged voice echoed from behind the counter.
"Hello, I am...a Tree-man!?"
Ethan extended his hand, pointing at the tree-man standing behind the counter like a mascot. He hadn't greeted earlier because it hardly looked like a living being.
Ave had never mentioned Mugram's racial issues.
Its dried skin, close to brown tone, looked like a witchcraft item placed in the shop.
After crossing over for two years, it was Ethan's first time witnessing such a rare species.
"You are not a tree-man, I am a tree-man."
Clearly, this wasn't the first time he'd been called that, "I'm Mugram, the shop owner, you can call me Old Mu."
Realizing his faux pas, Ethan quickly stated, "Sorry, it's my first time seeing another species, but rest assured, politically, I support racial harmony and development."
"Don't be so nervous. I used to work at the Reception Bureau just like you."
The tree-man's face could no longer show expressions, yet Ethan sensed nostalgia in its words, "That was more than ten years ago; I was young like you once."
"Greetings, senior."
Ethan warmly engaged, despite the incongruity of having a Tree-man investigator, stating his purpose, "I came today to buy basic equipment."
"Hmm, let me see... It's the Ximu Town Intelligence Station, reserved 'Basic Package,' it's all ready."
With unsteady fingers, the tree-man flicked through the list, "Yes, and also reserved counterpart usage tutorials. Have you encountered these devices before?"
It bent down to pull out a box filled with sprays and potions from the shelf.
First was the spray, uncapping it, with a flick of a skinny forefinger the membrane was pierced open, "Dark Creature Dispersion 3.0 spray, increased from 2.0 with ghost toads and goblins, achieved major breakthroughs technically, even affecting humans to some extent."
"Effective on humans too?"
"No actual harm, yet blended with a pungent smell, containing SI-0733 secretion, a substance ten times stinkier than human feces, even a tiny bit would make others believe you've fallen into a cesspit."
"Don't point that spray at me!"
Ethan reacted quickly, dodging behind the shelf, never expecting the first product to resemble a biochemical weapon.
"Hmm? That won't do, you'll have to get used to this smell sooner or later."
"…Why do I have to get used to this smell?"
Ethan felt a hint of ominous premonition.
The tree-man, unfazed, smiled, "Do you know how to use the spray?"
"When a dark creature charges at me, spray it in their face!"
Determined, Ethan believed the spray should only serve this function.
"Ah, a complete newbie; in that case, you'll be doomed. The correct answer is to spray it on yourself when they notice you or when you sense dark creatures around you.
"Don't underestimate the wisdom of the research department, data shows most known dark creatures repel waste matter. Hence, making yourself smell like waste will make them instantly lose interest in you. In that sense, they're somewhat human-like. After all, normal humans wouldn't attack feces."
Ethan suspected Old Mu's comments of personal offense but lacked proof.
He mused over the advice, resembling a suicidal truck scenario doesn't it?
Hence, he made a decision.
He'd refrain from using Dark Creature Dispersion 3.0, at least not on himself.
"Teach me something else instead." Ethan peeked out, his gaze sweeping over the potions, the blackened viscous solution emitting ominous vibes. He opted to skip those unclear liquids, pointing at the box resembling an old pager, initiating the talk, "What's this for?"
"Where are the Dark Creatures 2.1, addressing the flaw of 2.0 being disrupted by Evil God sacrificial rituals. Simply put, it's a probe device, and you'll interact with it daily."
Ethan finally relaxed, as it appeared normal, "Can this probe detect the presence of dark creatures?"
"Precisely, detecting the field wave from their activities, 2.0 added rating setup, blue representing normalcy, yellow nearby weak field wave presence, red—"
The tree-man's introduction abruptly halted.
Typically a routine demo, upon activation, the probe's pointer leaped to the furthest edge of the red junction, seemingly about to burst the tester.
But this is the Lofic Clan's merchant ship; why would there be runaway dark creatures?
"What does red signify?"
Ethan swallowed hard; he already vaguely guessed the answer, just unwilling to admit.
From his standpoint across Old Mu's Spirit Communication Shop entrance, he saw the silhouette approaching with heavy steps. Each step incited tremors on the ground, the mask composed of bloodshot eyes, vision locking on him.
This pitiful world was about to reach its end; Ethan felt this for a brief moment.
Her clothes soaked through, clinging tight and outlining her alluring curves, yet Ethan couldn't appreciate the view. When the silhouette stood before him, he struggled to speak, "Huh, why are your clothes soaked through?"
The laughter from beneath the mask resembled a hellish demon, as she raised a water-drenched leather glove, gently holding Ethan's face, "Indeed, why are my clothes soaked?"
Ethan caught a scent of the ocean.
This left him disoriented, with only one thought in his mind.
This uncontrollable fury and hatred...
Clearly, Uchiha Obito had come seeking revenge!