Ed muttered the Stone Mother's name softly and looked up to see Andre writing something at his desk, seated in his superbly comfortable, deluxe luxurious leather chair.
Does he also believe in the Stone Mother? Was he once from the island? Or are there actually many people in the outside world who follow her? It seems the Stone Mother is truly a significant figure. I should use her name more in the future; maybe she'll be impressed and grant me a blessing, like instant stamina recovery or something?
While Ed was lost in thought, wondering what kind of blessing he could ask for given the chance, he suddenly heard Andre's voice. The man hadn't even looked up, still focused on the work before him. "Just sit over there."
Ed followed the direction of his finger and saw a three-legged stool buried under documents. He casually moved everything aside, pulled out the stool, placed it near the wall where maps were displayed, and sat down. Not wanting to disturb his grumpy boss, he simply picked up a map and began examining it for treasure with the System's help, even though he had no idea which areas the maps depicted.
After a short while, Andre seemed to have finished his work and looked up at Ed, who wore a strange smile and had golden money signs in his eyes as he scanned the various maps. Andre didn't think much of it and spoke in a serious tone, leaning back in his comfortable chair.
"I have some understanding of you from Pakchi, and I know what you desire."
What do I desire? I'm not even clear about that myself. How could he understand it just by watching me three times at most? Ed thought, doubting his own life and wondering if it was really that easy to see inside him.
While Ed was busy pondering his true desires, Andre, unaware of his new team member's thoughts, paused for a moment and asked, "Do you know anything about this world's extraordinary side?"
"Not at all," Ed said without hesitation, shaking his head. He was telling the complete truth; he really had no idea about this world's extraordinary aspects. Of course, it was a completely different matter if one asked about another world.
Andre nodded, not the slightest bit surprised by his answer.
"The number of people with extraordinary powers is limited. Without new treasures appearing, that number will always remain fixed. Therefore, every chance to obtain extraordinary power is very precious. I have the channel, but I can't give it to people who don't know enough or don't have enough potential. That would be a waste. Do you understand what I mean?"
Ed nodded with a serious expression, temporarily setting aside his joking personality. In other words, extraordinary opportunities were limited in number and not something to be shared with everyone, which was perfectly reasonable. If he had a chance to share a limited amount of money, there was a 99% chance he wouldn't give it to just any random person on the road; he'd rather let it go to waste.
Back to the topic, Andre's meaning was clear: only if Ed showed enough value would Andre be willing to spend such a precious spot on him. Otherwise, it would only be a matter of time before he was sharing a room with Hamo or returning to Golden Wheat Island with a few thousand Golden Sails in his pocket but, sadly, no magical powers.
Andre then continued, "We are a treasure-hunting group, and I owe Pakchi a favor, so my requirements for you are not too high."
"Twice. As long as you can make a significant contribution on two treasure hunts, or let me see your talent and potential, I will give you the spot."
"But the time limit is two years. I can't always be your nanny and give you opportunities, got it? If you have any problems, say so now. I don't want to discuss this matter again later."
Hearing such a simple request, Ed was momentarily lost and wondered if Andre was joking with him. But seeing the other party's cold, stone-like serious face, he nodded his head, indicating he had no problem.
Twice? What a joke. It might be difficult for others, but for him, it was not difficult at all. It would be more surprising if he didn't become the captain of this treasure hunter team with the System's help in a few years, let alone take two years to prove he was worthy of staying with them.
Hmm? For now, providing them with information they don't know and giving more specific locations would be considered a significant contribution with a low-key performance, right? This way, not only could I get the chance to enter the extraordinary world, but I could also avoid attracting much unwanted attention. The only problem is that I'll have to burn a lot of brain cells thinking up all kinds of strange excuses to make them believe I didn't get the treasure locations out of thin air.
Thinking of this, Ed couldn't help but sigh at his upcoming dark life, full of work and suffering, with no beauties to comfort him.
After seeing Ed nod, Andre pointed to the bookshelf behind him.
"Do you see those three books with blue covers on the second shelf behind you? Take them and read them in your room. Remember not to damage them. They can give you a general but detailed understanding of the extraordinary world."
"Our destination is Meister Island. At the speed of the Blue Fist, it will take about five days. During this time, you should get to know the world you are about to face well enough that you don't die without even knowing why."
Hearing Andre's instruction, Ed stood up from his stool, removed the panel of the bookshelf, and took out the three mentioned books.
Touching the book covers made of unknown animal leather, he felt their coolness.
He waited for an entire minute. Seeing that Andre had nothing else to say and was just creepily staring at him, sending a chill down his spine and making him think of some dark fun facts he'd seen on the internet, Ed quickly nodded to Andre and said, "Then I'll take my leave." Without waiting for a response, he quickly walked to the door, opened it, and got out as if running from a monster.
"Huh? Why is he running as if I will eat him alive...?"
...
Night.
The bright full moon rose from the sea. Its soft moonlight shone on the water, providing the only light in the dark night.
A three-masted sailing ship moved across the sea, its dim lights still visible.
Ed, after having a wonderful dinner until his stomach was swollen to the point of looking like a balloon, shocking everyone at the dining table, who gave him looks that seemed to say, Bro, are you seeing food for the first time in your life?
But he showed no embarrassment. The open-minded Ed ignored their gazes. Uncle Matt was indeed a god-level cook, he had to admit, and he decided to learn a few things from him in the future, for Raila's sake, of course, she also deserves to eat something nice and new. After saying goodnight to everyone, he returned to his room.
He sat at the table, reading the book in his hands by the light of the oil lamp, yawning every once in a while.
Two other books were stacked nearby. These blue-covered volumes were filled with densely packed text and some vivid illustrations.
"Treasures, Spells, and Humans (Part 2)" was the title of the book in his hands.
The three blue books formed a complete set, divided into three volumes: upper, middle, and lower.
They contained records of the unknown side of this world.
In the silent room, the only sound was the rustling of Ed turning pages.
He didn't know how long it had been; even the flame in the oil lamp had grown a little dim.
Ed closed the book, placed it on the shelf with the other two, and reinstalled the baffle.
He took the oil lamp and came to his bedside, this was the bed he had bought from the market, not the one provided with the room, whose quality was not very good.
In the dim light, Ed lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling while his mind digested all the information he had acquired from the books.
After reading those three volumes, Ed finally had a general, if not deeply detailed, understanding of the extraordinary side of this world.
He was no longer the utterly confused ordinary person he had been a few days ago, like a country bumpkin visiting the city for the first time with no idea what was going on around him.