Chapter 410 - 400: Sailing Carnival 2

They saw someone standing not far away, wrapped up from head to toe and holding a blue Light Screen.

The person looked them up and down before speaking. "You’re planning to explore a new sea route dressed like that?"

Although they couldn’t see the person’s face, everyone could still make out the disdain in their eyes.

The look seemed to say, ’You might as well go and get yourselves killed.’

Just then, a player stepped forward and asked humbly, "Uh, this is our first time on a mission like this, so we’re not really familiar with it. Is there anything else we should prepare?"

Upon hearing this, the person gave them another once-over, seemingly accepting the explanation. They pointed to a nearby store and said, "Go there. You’ll find what you need."

They looked in the direction the person was pointing and, sure enough, saw a store. But...

None of them had any money.

Since the others weren’t moving, Moira Lynch and her group didn’t make a move either, even though they had money.

After all, this mission was slated to last an unprecedented three months, and they would likely be working together. Standing out now wouldn’t do them any favors later on.

Seeing them still standing there, the person frowned. "You don’t actually plan on boarding the ship like this, do you? Are all adventurers so reckless these days?"

But he soon figured out why they weren’t moving.

’So they’re broke.’

He gave them a look that clearly said, ’Are you guys *really* adventurers?’ before explaining, "Normally, for an operation like this, the employer covers equipment. You can just put whatever you buy on the employer’s tab."

The moment the words were out of his mouth, the people who had been standing around bolted.

Seeing this, Moira Lynch and her group ran toward the store as well, not wanting to be left behind.

By the time they arrived, the store was already packed.

Moira Lynch knew why they were all so excited. ’They probably figure someone else is footing the bill, so they want to grab as much as they can.’

But as a registered adventurer, Moira Lynch knew their efforts were destined to be fruitless.

Through the dense crowd, she heard someone shout, "Give me one of everything! The best equipment you have in the store!"

The clerk had a pair of snow-white wings, and he appeared to be some sort of avian species.

He merely glanced at the person who had spoken. "You’re one of the pioneers hired by the Aurelian Chief. The Aurelian Chief has provided a budget of two million Gold Coins per person for equipment. Any amount exceeding that you will have to cover yourself. A single set of all the best equipment in this store would cost roughly two billion Gold Coins. Will that be cash or card?"

The clerk said all this in one breath, then looked up at the man with a completely serious expression.

The man who had just been bragging so shamelessly was now beet red. His lips moved, and he muttered under his breath, "Only two million..."

After a long moment, he said, "Never mind. I was just messing around."

After that incident, the players who had also been hoping to fleece their employer quickly gave up the idea.

Still, some people started getting ideas about that two million Gold Coin budget.

"If I don’t use the full two million on equipment, can I cash out the rest?"

"No," the clerk stated flatly.

Moira Lynch had Patience print out a list of necessary marine equipment, starting with the ocean temperature-regulating clothes—a suit specially designed for people who spend their lives at sea.

It could be worn directly against the skin without hindering movement, kept the body dry, and, most importantly, was compatible with diving gear.

Diving equipment, a single-person life raft, and so on.

The total price for all these items came to exactly two million Gold Coins.

While the others were still agonizing over what to buy, Moira Lynch and her group were already on their way out.

The ship was set to depart at one o’clock that afternoon. It was currently around eleven in the morning. With some time to kill, the group decided to split up to look around and meet back at the port later.

Moira Lynch walked down a bustling street where all sorts of things were for sale.

Being so close to the port, the majority of goods were seafood.

’Considering we’ll be at sea for the next three months,’ she thought, ’we shouldn’t be short on seafood.’

So Moira Lynch’s gaze slid right past the seafood stalls.

Next up were various types of canned goods.

Canned food of all kinds was very popular for sea voyages.

Moira Lynch had plenty of canned goods nearing their expiration date in her inventory space, but she rarely ate them, preferring fresh food.

She bought two cases of every type of canned meat. When she saw they also had canned fruit, she bought a good deal of that as well.

Fruit was essential at sea.

Then she bought some Energy Bars.

She hadn’t expected this mission to take so long; the food they’d originally prepared wouldn’t be nearly enough.

Although the freighter would provide food and drink, there was no telling what it would taste like. It was better to have some backups.

Afterward, she bought a few fishing rods for large fish, several automatic fish catchers, an ocean sonar, and a fish camouflage device.

When activated, it could temporarily disguise a person as a sea creature.

After finishing her shopping, Moira Lynch checked the time. Figuring it was about time, she headed for the port.

As she arrived at the port, she suddenly felt the light around her grow dim.

She looked up to see a vast bank of clouds obscuring the sun. That wasn’t a good sign.

Fortunately, a moment later, a gust of wind blew the clouds away.

However, Moira Lynch didn’t feel relieved. Instead, her brow furrowed.

The gust of wind hadn’t just blown the clouds away; it had also carried an utterly disgusting, fishy stench.

The smell was like freshly caught fish left to bake in the sun all morning.

Just then, several people worked together to haul a large crate toward the ship.

As the crate passed by her, the foul odor became even more potent.

Moira Lynch stopped a crew member. "What’s in that crate? It smells like it’s gone bad."

"It’s full of cured salted fish," the crew member said. "Smells awful, but it tastes amazing. It’s a local specialty of this port."

The crew member smiled, and as if afraid Moira Lynch wouldn’t believe him, he pointed to a spot not far off. "If you don’t believe me, you can go check it out. They sell it right over there."

Moira Lynch followed his finger and saw a filthy stall. Dead fish, their eyes wide as if they’d died with a grievance, were strewn about haphazardly on the ground.

The price was truly cheap, but their appearance was indescribably awful. It was enough to kill anyone’s appetite.

In contrast, the neighboring stall, which also sold salted fish, was much cleaner.

Seeing that the others hadn’t arrived yet, Moira Lynch thought for a moment before walking over. "How much for one of your fish?" she asked.

The stall owner glanced at Moira Lynch. "Twenty Gold Coins each. No haggling."