Chains Broken, Proc Sets Sail
As she was freed from slavery in Harama Port City, Isu-yeon finally gained the ability to acquire a class. The priest led her deeper into the temple, where she received her class from the high priest.
"Dagger Rogue."
Her new class was Dagger Rogue, a normal class, but it lifted her level 30 restriction and granted +1 Agility per level-up, promising to aid her growth going forward.
"Take a look at the class skill too. It costs 1000 Merit Points to purchase."
Dagger Backstab
Grade:Unique
Mana Cost:500
Strike powerfully from behind an enemy.
"Unique?"
Jackpot. A Unique skill as her basic class skill. Sure, Dagger Backstab had activation restrictions and high mana cost for a Unique, slightly lowering its value, but it was still Unique.
"Whoa! That's awesome, right?"
Namgung Seojun chuckled, patting her shoulder, and Isu-yeon gazed at the Unique skill with ecstatic bliss. Now free from slavery, with a class and a Unique skill in hand, he asked her,
"What do you want to do from here?"
"I... I want to stay in Master's party."
Thankfully, she said exactly what he'd hoped. He pulled out the contract he'd prepared in advance.
"Good. Then let's start you as a monthly salary party member in our party."
He proposed 15 gold per month, and as Isu-yeon signed, she said,
"Please take good care of me, Master."
"You're not a slave anymore..."
She hooked her arm through his and murmured,
"Even if I'm free from slavery... I'll continue serving you as Master."
"......"
Her words made her even more endearing. He stroked her hair, and she pressed even closer to him.
With Isu-yeon's former slave status resolved, Namgung Seojun bought a suitable slave from the market to fill the spot. Hamsanggi, a 2nd Class Slave with the Rare class Berserker. He was a melee warrior worth investing in—skills, traits, and stats all had potential. He could handle both defense and offense normally, but his Rare skill Rage unleashed devastating attack power. Plus, his extensive shipboard combat experience justified the steep 105 gold price.
With the party assembled, Namgung Seojun gathered everyone.
"First, let me introduce our new party member. Pharos, who joined us for the temple quest."
"Hahaha, nice to meet you all. I'm Pharos, a recovery mage. I'm great with healing spells, so come to me anytime you're hurt. Looking forward to working with you all! Hahaha."
Pharos introduced himself laughing heartily, and the party welcomed him with applause.
"Our other new member is Hamsanggi. He's a slave, but he brings solid combat prowess. Get along well, everyone."
"Hamsanggi."
He gave only his name curtly, but the party still applauded him warmly.
"And one more announcement: Isu-yeon, who was a slave until now, has been freed. She'll join us as a regular party member on a salary basis and climb the tower with us."
Isu-yeon gave a slight bow, and the party erupted in applause. The other slaves' eyes lit up especially bright at her freedom, silently praying it would be their turn next.
Moments later, Captain Kang Inho's crew entered the tavern where the party was gathered.
"This is Captain Kang Inho and his crew, who'll sail with us up to the 39th floor. Greet each other."
After Namgung Seojun's brief intro, party members and crew exchanged handshakes and friendly words of excitement.
Everyone for the 30th floor sea voyage was now assembled. Kang Inho checked the party, and Namgung Seojun verified the crew. No major issues—19 party members and 20 crew for a total of 39, under the 40-person limit. With Garyunmi summoning Undine, water supply was no problem either.
"All conditions met."
"Good. Then let's talk real sailing plans."
Satisfied, Namgung Seojun and Kang Inho led the group to the shipyard.
At Shipyard Owner George's yard, modifications on their top-grade frigate were in full swing.
"George, no issues with the work?"
"Of course not! It's getting a perfect refit. Don't worry!"
Under George's direction, the shipwrights were wrapping up the frigate's overhaul.
"Three days and it'll be done. Once finished, I'll inspect it personally with the crew."
Namgung Seojun nodded at Kang Inho's words, then asked,
"You prepared all the ship's supplies and provisions?"
"Ordered sailing gear and hardtack with the 20 gold from the party leader."
"Then? Bedding ready inside? And..."
As Namgung Seojun chatted details with Kang Inho, the party members watched the ship in awe.
"This is a small ship? It's huge!"
"Look over there. The large ones are way bigger."
"Fits Seojun's pick perfectly. You can tell from the finish alone."
"Ours looks the classiest by far."
The top-grade frigate clearly stood out as premium. Pharos inspected it and whistled softly.
"Ooh! Must've cost a fortune. Magic engine, mana cannons, mana shield array... impressive stuff."
Pinara, who knew the specs from briefings, eyed him curiously.
"Pharos? How'd you know without checking inside?"
Pharos laughed it off.
"Ah... just a guess. Hahaha! A high-end ship like this probably has all that. Hahaha!"
He dodged with laughter and casually drifted away from Pinara, who watched him suspiciously.
Namgung Seojun wrapped up with Kang Inho and announced to all,
"Ship mods finish in three days. We sail at dawn on the fourth. Get everything ready by then."
"Yes!"
With the voyage imminent, the group dove into final preparations.
Four days later, at George's shipyard on launch day, the refitted top-grade frigate Proc stood ready.
"Ship's in perfect shape!" George declared, with Kang Inho confirming,
"Me and the lads checked it out. No problems."
With the ship complete, Kang Inho turned to Seojun.
"Name the ship."
Namgung Seojun glanced at the party for ideas. Suggestions flew.
"Hyungnim, Adventure! Adventure! Let's go with Adventure!"
"Nah, lame. How about Big Blue?"
"Seojun! Titanic! I loved that movie!"
"Why name it after a ship that sank jinxed? Hurricane?"
Various names came up. Then Namgung Seojun offered his.
"How about Proc?"
"Proc?"
Kang Inho smirked.
"Had a few ships like that. Honoring old comrades, party leader?"
Proc (PRay for Old Comrade)—a name to honor fallen friends. The party fell silent, sobered by the meaning.
Ship named, they held the christening.
"Throw!"
The 37 boarding crew hurled wine bottles at the hull.
"Board now!"
They followed the captain aboard. Passengers stowed gear in cabins, prepped for sail, and took positions. Namgung Seojun led Garyunmi to the water hold.
"Garyunmi, you're on water hold duty."
"Water hold?"
She scanned the empty oak barrels.
"Produce water via Undine during the voyage to keep them filled."
Pointing at the barrels, he explained. She asked timidly,
"H-how much?"
"Keep filling them."
"Huh? Nonstop?"
He nodded.
"Summon Undine till mana runs dry, refill barrels, recover mana, repeat."
"...... You're serious."
"Dead serious."
Leaving, he added,
"Fighting!"
Garyunmi slumped in dismay as he exited.
Gear stowed, all at stations. Captain Kang Inho did final checks.
Click. He activated the mana mic in the captain's cabin, broadcasting shipwide.
"Final pre-sail inspection!"
"Yes!"
"Captain's cabin: all clear. Helm responsive, gear perfect. Second steersmen standing by."
He confirmed his area first.
"Deck? All good?"
"All clear!"
The deck master bellowed. Combat crew and deckhands ready.
"Gun deck?"
"All clear."
Mana cannons pristine, sights good, crew assembled.
"Engine room?"
"Clear."
The engineer verified the mid-grade mana engine.
"Cargo hold?"
"Yes, stocked for 20-22 days. All good."
Mostly hardtack, but ample—one load for 20 days.
"Water hold?"
"Y-yes! All good!"
Garyunmi stammered, mid-summon with Undine.
"Here too! Clear!"
Kim Hoon yelled from the sex slaves' quarters before even asked—reporting while indulging. Kang Inho chuckled inwardly at the incorrigible man.
All ship sections confirmed clear, he bellowed,
"Cast off! Hoist sails!"
"Yes!"
Proc departed Harama Port City amid cheers.
Shortly after, pirates appeared at sea.
"Forward! Pirates at 2km!"
The lookout reported. Kang Inho called to Namgung Seojun on deck.
"Party leader! Fight 'em for practice? Or evade?"
Proc's speed could outrun them, but he deferred.
"Test run—let's fight."
"Oho! Got it."
Kang Inho throttled back deliberately. The mid-size pirate ship closed in.
"Enemy at 1km, approaching!"
"Fire mana cannons!"
Blasts hammered the pirate ship's topside.
"Li Zhangwei! Pinara! Skill attacks!"
Li Zhangwei hurled Spear Throw, Pinara unleashed Sword Wind at the rocking foe. New ranged skills learned for ship combat.
Thud!! Boom!
Skills breached the hull, flooding began. Pirates fired back desperately.
"Lee Guho, defense magic!"
Lee Guho finished casting.
"Ice Shield!"
The shield formed—no need for mana barrier. Pirates closed for boarding, but as they neared, Seojun drew his sword.
"Radiant Strike!"
The Unique skill obliterated the bow. Balance lost, the pirate ship sank.
"Oho."
Pharos grinned at the party's firepower.
"Way overkill for this crew. This'll be fun."
A subtle smile, anticipating adventures with Namgung Seojun's party.
The pirate ship sank. Survivors clung to debris, begging mercy, but Namgung Seojun called to the captain's cabin.
"Captain, full speed ahead."
"Great fight! Resume course!"
Proc sailed on, ignoring the pleas.