The Enigmatic Pharos and the Top-Grade Frigate
He checked it again, but the Status Window was still the same.
That surprised him. God's Eye had never displayed anything like this before.
"Hahaha, pretty mysterious, right?"
Namgung Seojun jumped again, and Pharos spoke while still laughing.
"Isn't a half-elf dimwit like me really something? Hahaha."
He spoke with a subtle smile, and Seojun looked at him with an ambiguous expression.
Then the high priest spoke up.
"It's an order from above. So please, take him all the way to the 40th floor."
The high priest emphasized that they absolutely had to bring Pharos along and made the request. They had no choice but to head to the 40th floor with this unknown man in tow.
After finishing his business at the temple, Namgung Seojun headed to the coast.
When the appointed time arrived, Captain Kang Inho appeared.
"Captain, did you get home safely last night?"
"Hahaha! Thanks to the party leader treating me to some fine booze, I did. Now, let's head straight to the shipyard."
The two had agreed to buy a ship together, so they decided to go first to a shipyard the captain knew well.
Before entering the shipyard, the captain asked one last time.
"You want a semi-medium ship, right? One that can carry about 50 people?"
"Yeah, that size should work."
The captain had explained the types of ships to him over drinks the night before and told him what the passenger capacity meant.
The safest way to travel was on a large ship carrying over 100 combat personnel and crew. Traveling on such a vessel greatly increased the chances of victory in sea battles and thus safety, but it was expensive and slow.
If speed was the priority, a small ship was necessary. Small ships carrying 30 to 40 people at most were fast and highly maneuverable, but they naturally had lower durability and were vulnerable in combat.
That was why semi-medium ships were the usual compromise. Medium-small ships carrying around 70 people struck a balance between the strengths and weaknesses of large and small vessels—they had decent speed, and with quality combat personnel aboard, they could even win against pirates.
Namgung Seojun had requested a semi-medium ship that leaned toward the smaller side for superior mobility. He figured a ship carrying about 50 people would hold up fine in battle too.
The place the two men entered after finishing their talk was a medium shipyard next to a large one.
As Captain Kang Inho entered the shipyard office, the man sitting there stood up with a welcoming expression.
"Oh! Kang Inho! What brings you here?"
Captain Kang Inho pointed at him with a smug look.
"This is our client. We're going together up to the 39th floor."
"Oh! A new adventure!"
The man approached Seojun, offering a handshake and a greeting.
"Pleased to meet you! I'm Joe, president of Joe Shipyard."
Joe welcomed the two men warmly.
Joe put on his outer coat and stepped out of the office. He asked Kang Inho,
"What kind of ship? Medium or small, I assume?"
"Of course. Show us something top-notch that my crew can handle."
"Alright! I'll show you the best ship in our yard."
The captain spoke confidently as they arrived at the area with the medium-small ships gathered.
"The one on the far right is our ship's pride—a frigate. Not built in our yard, mind you. We bought a used one and repaired it perfectly. It can carry 80 people and has patrol-worthy speed. Light armament's possible too."
Even to Namgung Seojun, who knew little about ships, it looked like a good vessel. The beautifully crafted ship had clearly been well-maintained.
But Captain Kang Inho scoffed.
"What? It's just a decent frigate you prettied up. Show us something else."
"Ugh... prettied up? We repaired it down to the last detail."
"You know my style. Show me the best."
At Captain Kang Inho's words, Joe introduced every medium-small ship in the yard.
"Here's a medium carrack with three masts. Not the fastest for easy handling, but it's got a small mana engine so it's not that slow. Not for combat, but solid for adventures."
"Too big. Pass."
"Small caravel. Small size, but a small mana engine gives it decent mobility. Big waves are an issue, but you could handle it."
"Too small. Pass."
"Semi-medium catcher. Built as a combat vessel but modified for adventure use. Add a mana engine if you want real mobility."
"Too outdated. Pass."
"Medium windjammer, a commercial sailing ship with a medium mana engine for mobility. Well-structured for high cargo capacity, good for adventures too."
"You sacrificed turning power for cargo space. Straight-line sailing in battle? Sitting duck. Pass."
Captain Kang Inho meticulously inspected and evaluated every ship.
After viewing all nine ships in the yard without satisfaction, President Joe looked exasperated.
"Kang Inho! Just pick one already? If nothing suits you, what am I supposed to do?!"
At Joe's protest, Captain Kang Inho pointed to the neighboring shipyard.
"Come on, you know the drill. Show us ships from the other yards too."
The captain believed you had to inspect a huge number of ships to pick the right one. Only then could you choose the perfect fit.
"Ugh... ugh... Last time you looked forever and still bought from my yard."
"I might buy from here, but I need to see at least 100 ships."
"Good grief!"
Joe clutched his forehead and finally led the two to the adjacent shipyard.
"Here to browse ships!"
Joe greeted the neighboring shipyard like this upon entry, and the staff simply opened the gate. The nearby shipyards had an agreement to show off each other's vessels.
Joe first approached what he claimed was the best ship in this yard.
"This yard's top ship. A top-grade frigate. Medium-small size, but packed with cutting-edge high-tech for incredible speed."
Top-grade frigate—the moment he saw it, its high-tech nature was obvious. The hull was small but made not of wood, but gleaming metal: a mana special alloy that seemed to shine.
"Impressive."
Namgung Seojun was purely awed by the ship's exterior, and Joe smiled wryly as he explained.
"Made of special alloy for extreme durability, with a medium mana engine for top-tier acceleration and turning. Equipped with a large mana cannon for powerful attacks at sea, and a mana protection barrier for defense."
Mana protection barrier, large mana cannon, medium mana engine... The pinnacle of magitech engineering.
While inspecting the ship, the captain posed a pointed question.
"Looks good. Real good. So, what's the catch? You gonna tell me?"
"Ugh... You know it already. These medium-small frigates are sturdy but pricey with low cargo capacity. For value, the ships in my yard are way better."
In summary, it was a small ship with excellent speed, attack, and defense capabilities. But it cost over 2000 gold, and cargo space was severely limited.
Namgung Seojun and Captain Kang Inho toured other ships with the shipyard president.
But the top-grade frigate lingered in his mind. It was his ideal vessel.
The mana protection barrier and large mana cannon performed even better with strong mana users. Perfect for his high-level party.
The medium magitech engine was fast, though mana battery costs were high. But with his wealth, Seojun could manage.
Cargo was low, but with a small party, it wasn't a big issue.
After spending the whole day ship-shopping, Namgung Seojun and Captain Kang Inho entered a restaurant for dinner.
As they ate, they talked.
"Did the party leader find a ship he likes?"
"Yes, the top-grade frigate is my favorite."
The captain let out a deep sigh.
"That ship's good, no doubt. But the cargo capacity is too low. Didn't you want one for about 50 people?"
The top-grade frigate's low capacity meant it was recommended for only 40 at most. Even then, supplies lasted just 10-11 days per resupply.
For long voyages, even fewer passengers were needed.
"And the cost is an issue. 2000 gold? You sure? Plus, those engine batteries aren't cheap."
Cost wasn't a problem, fortunately. He just needed to solve personnel and supply issues, so he asked about other matters.
"With that top-grade frigate, how long to reach the 39th floor?"
"That ship... probably..."
Captain Kang Inho calculated mentally before answering.
"Non-stop, 7 months at best. Figure 8 months to be safe."
Eight months—that was satisfactory. Faster than a large ship.
Seven months was quick, less than double the speed.
"Cost doesn't matter. If we supplement personnel and supplies, the top-grade frigate works, right?"
"Personnel... max 40, and my crew alone is 20."
"We'll keep it under 40."
He was confident even with fewer people.
"Even so, supplies..."
"What if I get a water spirit summoner? Fresh water solved, just stock food—sound good?"
Captain Kang Inho tilted his head at Seojun's proposal.
"That could work, but finding a water spirit summoner ain't easy."
Fortunately, his party had Garyunmi with the talent for it.
Awaken her talent, buy a spirit stone, contract a spirit—she could handle it.
"Then, under the conditions of 40 or fewer passengers and securing a water spirit summoner, we'll buy the top-grade frigate."
If those conditions were met, the captain was fine with it.
"Deal. With that, the top-grade frigate should get us up there fine."
And so, they decided on the top-grade frigate.
Above all, his Super Sense told him it was the right choice, putting his mind at ease.