Chapter 12

Thunk!

"..... I think that's good enough"

I said, as I stood up and look at the boat I just made, to be precise, an upgraded version of my long boat. I made it a bit wider and longer than before, so I can carry much loot, and it can support more weight. And to make it a bit faster, I choose the *deep-V hull design for this, which gives speed and stability when sailing. With the upgraded boat, though a just a little bit, I was planning on exploring another island than here, especially when I already gathered more and more minerals in this place. With the stacks of [Lapis Celeritatis], I can expect my boat to run at much faster speed.

I then heave a sigh, before I entered my house. It's been 19 days - 12 days took to finish the boat - Summer is over, and it's Fall season already. I used all my time just tending my crops, collecting some ores, minerals, and checking the whole island for any resources. The small cave I once saw when I 1st meet that {Bear}, was merely an unfinished nest of some monsters, maybe the {Nero Rabbits}, or the Snakes. The cave is quite shallow and empty.

I tried to learn anything about blacksmithing, and just learned the other day that the pointy area of the Anvil, the one that looks like a horn, is the place where you can curve the Iron you are forging, while I tried to experiment how to extend the length of the Iron. The 1st try was hammering it until it was flatten enough, then I hammered the Iron side, which ended on it arching to the side.

2nd try was doing the same, but just a half way through when flattening it, the result was much better the 1st, but not the result I wanted. The 3rd try was a quite a success, I tried hammering it with 10 strikes, before I flip it to the side, and did the same, and repeat, I was able to extend it to the size I wanted, which was a success. I wasted a couple of Irons to this experiment, and they are now unusable for me, but I still store them, they might be sold for a cheap price.

Oh by the way, I was able to find the culprit of that howl, it was during the full moon yesterday, I accidentally forgot about the time when I was digging underground, so I just rested in the former nest of those {Goblins}. I locked the entrance using some piled logs I chopped, bundle them together, and place them atop of each other. It might not be a strong blockage, but as long as I keep my mouth shut, I will be safe.

And before I could go down, I then heard a howl, and when I looked where it came from, through the gaps of the stack up woods, I was able to know where it is, it was quite near to the nest really. I then made my way to the treasury. The nest is quite hot, so I slept naked, but as it was Fall, the air in the night is quite cool, though it was still hot, I at least slept, not well anyway.

When the sun came up, I then hurriedly packed all the loots I have gathered towards the boat. I then checked the area where the howl originated, and found the culprint

<> [Midnight Howler]

[Description: A beautiful silvery flower, that only blooms during the night. And at full moon, this flower will start howling, indicating its release of its seeds, as it blows it away using a wind magic from its inside, making a low howling sound. A dozens of this plants can be mistaken as a {Wolf} when they howl]

<> [Midnight Howler Seed]

[Description: A seed from a [Midnight Howler]. A hundredth of this seeds can be used a toxin substance when grinded, comparable to a low level poison]

Its a 10 inches flower with 6 petals on it, coated in silvery white with a bit of light gray hue, while the seeds are merely at 2 inches, painted in chestnut brown. They got blown a few meters away. And after it released its seed, it will turn gray, then black as it withered. I collected a bunch of them, though only those that blooms already, I needed to check if I can collect their seeds. After that, I then went hope, and rested properly after a warm bath and a delicious meal.

.....

In the afternoon, after I woke up, took my meal, tended the crops, I then went to the dock, and went back to the island no. 2. It's already Fall season, and my stack of firewoods are almost gone, so I need to restock for the upcoming Winter. I also started restocking my Vegetables, and will start hunting for some meat in the 2nd or 3rd month of Fall.

I reached the island quite faster than before, thanks to all the [Lapis Celeritatis] that I have dug, the time I took to reach the [Island of Unexplored Treasure] was 1 hour and 30 minutes less than the previous.

.....

Chop!

Hnghhnnn.... Thud!

The giant tree I cut down, then fell. I then started cutting off it bit by bit, until I have cut it to a half meter long. I started from the tree's branches, before the trunk. Raising my Iron Axe, I then

"[Pierce Strike]!"

Thuck!

It seems I can use [Pierce Strike] to some weapons, some as I only have axe, sword, spear, shovel, pickaxe, and hammer in hand, and some knives too. With the exception of the hammer and shovel, I can use [Pierce Strike] to any of them. And thanks to it, it cut down the hours I needed to cut down a tree.

Thunk!

.....

3 hours of chopping some woods, I was able to gather a lot of them. I then carried - 2 in each hand - 19 bundle of firewoods - with 9 each - to my boat, as I can only fit that much. I placed the remaining ones inside the nest, before I then head home to rest.

.....

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Swish

'I am against the wind ha'

I said, as I sat down in my boat, sterning. I then looked up, and saw a lot of floating islands above me, while placing my left hand above my forehead, blocking the sun's ray. Some are quite near, while some are far, and some looks like a small dot, hovering above.

After I woke up in the morning, tended my crops, took a bath, and ate my meal, I then decided to explore further east of my home, as the 2nd island I discovered, is almost explored by me. I didn't found anything anew to the area, so I needed to find some other island to explore.

3 hours or so as I sail, I then saw just a few distance from me, a large floating island. The size of it was massive, maybe comparable to the 2nd island that I own. It has a streaming waterfall to its side, with a dense forest surrounding its top.

Swoosh

I then stern the ship to move up, as the island is a *bit higher. As I reach the top, I then saw a rundown dock. The ceiling is already destroyed, with only the top right still hanging. Unlike mine, it has a tattered and holed deck and ramp, with a broken wooden railing placed.

I place my boat to the side of the dock, as the dock itself is already unusable. I then tied it to a nearby tree, and then explored the place, as I carried my weapons with me. I followed a stone pathway, with some growing wild plants can be seen around.

The forest isn't dense, so when I got out, I was then greeted by a once home of some people. 2 storey building, or was once, with a broken rooftop, holed and peeled walls, and tattered windows and doors. The pillars that was holding the Porch is already broken, the rails also gives in, while some still stood.

Ferns, fungus, and other plants already grown on the building walls and top. Upfront was a camping site, with logs - that was already covered with fungus growing on them - and an unused, molded campfire.

At the back is a small garden, with crops over growing, and overextending their territory. Eggplants, Squash, Potatoes, Carrots, and some Cabbages were planted, nearby were some Berries. At the side of the garden is a Well, with a hole to its side, and no roof, or anything covering it. Looking at it, it still has water inside, don't know if it's safe to drink here or not.

I then went inside the house. The floor is covered in dirt and dust, while the inside was a mess. Debris of fallen ceilings in the floor, broken staircase, tattered walls, and etc. the whole place is like a dumping site. Moving along the area, I then reached the Kitchen - the 1st place I entered was the living room, and twice wider than mine - where I then found a pile of bones, with a tattered clothes and 1 missing shoe. The bones were completely massacred

I frown when I saw it. I then moved to the 2nd floor, as the other room in the 1st floor was basically nothing on them. The 2nd floor was a mess also, it has 2 rooms, 1 room is much bigger to the other. I carefully made my way as the floor was filed with holes, and it's already old. Moving my way, I 1st entered the bigger room. It has a double sized bed - which is broken - with windows, a cabinet - where I found some small clothes, with some small holes - and some other furniture. I then moved to the 2nd room, where it was blocked by something from behind. It was stack, so I decided to use force to break the door open.

Bang!

After breaking the door

"....."

I then saw another skeleton, with the same state with the other one. The thing that was blocking the door was some rocks, and some remains of a furniture. It seems there was someone living here, a couple maybe, seeing there's a double sized bed. I then left the house after. Though I believe it is better if I made a grave for both of them, but as I don't know if they are cursed or what, so I didn't risk it, and merely pray for them. I do believe in a almighty being that made us, but I also believe in scientific research.

Looking around the area, I then continue moving upfront. It took me an hour before I reached the other end. The height of the island is comparable to that of the 2nd island I explored, but its width is just double the size of my home island. And also, along the way, I didn't found any monsters, which is surprising

I then made my way to the other side, which surprisingly much quicker. The area is also quiet, so I move on, and headed to the other side of the island. The other side is twice the size of the left area, but upon arriving there

"... A family huh"

I then saw 3 tombstones, just a bit far from the edge, with blooming flowers around them.

[May you find peace in heaven]

Was the only thing written, with the name "Jess", "Mist", and "Cess". Looking at it, I then went back to the house. Making my way back to the kitchen, I then used [Appraisal] to the skeletal remains. It didn't work to the skeleton, so I checked its belongings instead

<> [Lurk's Old Shoe]

[Description: An old, dirty shoe of Lurk]

<> [Lurk's Old Clothe]

[Description: An old, tattered clothe of Lurk]

I then went to the 2nd floor, and did the same.

<> [Mesia's Old Ring]

It has a simple circular design, coated in gray with a red orange stone at the center.

[Description: An old, broken ring of Mesia. A once ring that was passed down on her family as a heirloom. Only given when a woman of the family get married]

<> [Mesia's Old Clothe]

[Description: An old, tattered clothe of Mesia]

After finding who she was, I then sigh, scratch my head, and looked around the area. I then used the broken part of the door, and scoop the remains of Mesia. I then brought her to where her children's were. I did the same to Lurk. I then - because I still have some time in hand - dig a grave for the 2. Afterwards, I then slowly placed the 2 inside the grave I made, covered it with some dirt, and a rectangular shaped rock I placed as a tombstone. I then place the old ring on their grave.

"May you find peace"

I said, as I prayed their departure before I then turn around. As I was moving away from the grave

Swish

A gentle breeze of wind then suddenly pass through me, caressing me with its touches

"Thank you"

A sweet voice then whispered to my ears, with a sudden cute laughter resounding, followed by a rough, yet gentle tone. When I turned around, it then vanish. The wind was suddenly gone, leaving only the flower's swaying. I stood still as I stared at the grave, before I smile and turn around

"!!"

And was surprised

"..."

And completely stunned, as I saw in front of me, was the ring I took from Mesia's remains. I then hurriedly looked behind me, and just then realized that the ring I placed in their grave was now gone. Overwhelmed, I just stated at the ring, before I get near it.

<> [Blessing of the Departed Ring]

[Skill:]

<> [May Fortune Guide You]

<> A simple blessing from Mesia and Lurk's family, unto you.

<> The wearer will have 5% fortune increase everytime it sells its product. If it exceeds 10% of the usual fortune, wearer will receive additional 5%.

<> [Thy Misfortune Lurks Your Side]

<> Anyone who dares to wear it without the owners permission will be cursed

<> The wearer will have 15% decrease in fortune.

[Description: A heirloom from Mesia's family, wore by the 1st daughter who are about to be married. Misfortune followed Mesia and Lurk, ending their life in this small island, buried beside their unborn children]

I just grin before I crouch down, and wore the ring.

Dook!

"Oooaahhhh!"

(Author's POV)

Face palming himself as he sat down, heart still thumping loud like a drum, Shin can't help but smile, pissingly. He then took a long sigh as he sat down cross leg, gaze above the sky

"Fuck you!"

And cursed, to whoever that was.

<><><><><>

*A deep-V hull is a type of boat hull design characterized by a V-shaped bottom that extends deep into the water. The V-shape typically forms an angle of 20 degrees or more at the bow, gradually tapering towards the stern. This design is commonly used in various types of boats, including powerboats, offshore racing boats, fishing vessels, and military craft.

**The new island is 12 meters higher than 2 previous island