Survival on the Internet: A Bizarre Start at Sea

The outlines of islands of varying sizes are like scattered pearls, adorning the azure canvas.

On some islands, you can even faintly see wisps of smoke rising from chimneys.

"The waters off Hydeland...we've finally arrived."

"These islands...are inhabited."

After sailing for half a day, a ship appeared ahead.

It was an old-looking two-masted sailing ship, its hull weathered by time, but still in relatively good condition, flying a blue flag embroidered with a pattern of interwoven gold anchors and wheat ears.

"A ship from the Hydeland Trading Company?"

Su Zhixu remembered that Kyle Crane had mentioned this organization during their previous conversation.

He maneuvered the Redemption, maintaining a safe distance, and slowly followed.

The merchant ship seemed to have also noticed the strangely shaped vessel, the Redemption, and appeared somewhat wary, but did not show any hostility. It simply headed towards the small island it was originally intended to reach.

Su Zhisu did not follow, but maintained the original course. Only after the merchant ship was out of sight did he turn the ship around and head towards the small island.

As you approach the island, you can see simple wooden and stone piers built along the coast, with several small fishing boats moored beside them.

Stone or wooden houses are built on the hillside, and salt-tolerant crops unique to the island are planted in the cultivated fields.

The people on the island are simply dressed, their faces bearing the marks of years of hard work, but their eyes hold a glimmer of peace and tranquility.

Su Zhisu steered the Redemption to a secluded bay on the other side of the island. After confirming that no one was around, he retrieved the pendant.

He straightened his clothes, wearing the conch shell badge prominently on the chest of his jacket.

Then, he walked toward the island's only small pier.

On the dock, several dark-skinned fishermen were tidying up their nets. When they saw Su Zhisu, a stranger, approaching, they stopped what they were doing and looked over warily.

Their gazes swept over Su Zhisu's slightly peculiar but neat attire, finally settling on the gleaming silver [Seashell Badge] on his chest.

His wary expression softened slightly.

An elderly fisherman who appeared to be the leader stepped forward and asked in a heavily accented but barely understandable Common Tongue, "Outsider? Where are you from? Where's your boat?"

Su Zhisu stopped in her tracks, trying to keep her expression calm.

He pointed to the insignia on his chest, then to the vast sea.

"I came from the east. I was caught in a storm a few days ago and drifted all the way here."

"As for my ship, I've put it away."

He gave a vague explanation of the ship's origin, then focused on the emblem: "This was a gift from a friend. He said that wearing this would make things easier when he got to Hedland."

The old fisherman leaned closer, examined the exquisitely crafted emblem bearing the iconic Hedland design, and nodded.

"It's the emblem of old Henry's fleet... It seems you do know our people."

The wariness on his face lessened a bit, and he turned around and waved to the others.

"It's alright. They're strangers with a token, not those corrupted lunatics."

Upon hearing this, the other fishermen relaxed and continued with their own work, but their eyes would still occasionally glance curiously at Su Zhisu.

"This is Gray Rock Island."

The old fisherman said to Su Zhisu, "I am one of the managers here. You can call me Old Bal."

"Our place is small, but we can barely be self-sufficient, though we don't have anything good. Are you just passing through, or...?"

"We're just passing by, so we'll rest for a bit and gather some information," Su Zhisu said. "And maybe we can get some fresh water and food."

Old Bal nodded: "Fresh water and food... we're not exactly well-off either. See if you have anything to trade."

He paused, glancing at the merchant ship that was slowly approaching the port.

"If you want more, or want to go to a bigger island, you'll have to wait for the Conch Merchant Guild's ship."

"They usually come once every three months to exchange supplies and also take people with them."

"Look, that's the 'Conch Shell'."

Su Zhisu looked in the direction Old Bal pointed and saw that the two-masted merchant ship had docked and the crew was busy setting up the gangplank to unload the cargo.

"The Conch Merchant Guild...when will they leave next?"

"I estimate I'll stay for two or three days, collect the island's specialties, and replenish my fresh water supply before leaving."

Old Bal looked at Su Zhixu. "What, you want to take a boat?"

"I have that idea." Su Zhisu did not deny it. "I want to go and see the mainland of Hydeland."

"Then you'll have to talk to their manager."

Old Barr pointed to the middle-aged man on the ship who was directing the crew and was dressed in a more presentable manner.

"However, taking a boat is not cheap, and they generally don't bring outsiders of unknown origin."

Su Zhisu silently made a note of it.

Thank you for letting me know.

Guided by old Bal, he used some of the mediocre emotional fragments (calmness) he collected from himself while sailing through the stormy seas—fragments that seemed to have a calming effect—to exchange for some fresh water and a few dry rations.

"Happy trade, stranger; these fragments are useful for our writing."

"Happy deal, at least I don't have to eat fish this time."

The transaction was simple, and the islanders seemed unfazed by these "specialties" from the strange sea.

They have their own valuation method.

Su Zhisu did not linger. After replenishing his basic supplies, he bid farewell and returned to the small bay where he had landed on the island.

He needs to make a good plan.

Should we try to contact the Hydeland Chamber of Commerce and take a boat to Hydeland?

Or should we rely on the Redemption to continue sailing alone in this sea dotted with islands, slowly searching?

The former is faster and safer, but it comes at a cost and may make you vulnerable to external control.

The latter offers more freedom and allows for greater exploration, but it takes longer and is fraught with unknown risks.

"There's certainly a safer environment for the inauguration ceremony to take place in Hydeland itself..."

"But dealing with these large forces requires extra caution, but I have the [Conch Badge] given to me by Kyle Crane, which is like a pass."

Su Zhisu gazed at the "Conch" ship, whose outline gradually became clearer in the twilight as the lights gradually lit up on the distant dock.

Inside the cabin, the marine iguana egg emitted an extremely faint but steady pulse, as if it too was quietly waiting.

The pocket watch on my wrist felt warm against my skin.

Is it an attempt to reach the well-organized Hydeland Chamber of Commerce and enlist their help to get the ships to their destination faster and safer?

Or should we continue to trust our Redemption and sail alone in this unfamiliar and scattered sea, facing the unknown while retaining all freedom and initiative?

The former implies a faster path and a relatively safer passage.

The latter is a longer road, requiring one to face the storms alone, but one can come and go freely and explore at will.