Ocean Lords: Start Harvesting Double from Dice Rolls Chapter 2: Recruiting Crew Members
Previously on Ocean Lords: Start Harvesting Double from Dice Rolls...
[Basic Firearms Affinity Talent, Priced at: 100 Copper Coins/Month, Hard-working, Very Loyal.]
The youth standing before Fang Yu gazed at him with keen anticipation, eyes brimming with longing.
"Bro, I’m the kind of talent that blooms late, totally worth investing in, and my price is super low. After signing the elite crew contract, betrayal’s off the table for me!"
The youth expressed himself with utmost seriousness and genuineness.
Yet Fang Yu merely shot him a quick look before looking elsewhere.
Basic Firearms Affinity Talent.
Truly, it’s a talent that develops over time. When a vessel gains special powers, its weaponry requires skilled handlers. A team member possessing Firearms Affinity Talent boosts the firepower and precision of those weapons several fold.
However...
How does that benefit my cargo vessel?
Individuals bearing such combat-oriented talents become highly coveted in advanced phases, yet their beginner-stage productivity remains quite deficient. Only cash-strapped skippers opt to nurture such potentials temporarily.
As for myself, with ample resources, I ought to select something more suitable...
"Your talent’s solid, but the cost feels a tad high. Any chance for a discount?"
Fang Yu approached a youth displaying [Basic Ocean Affinity Talent] and inquired with great zeal.
Ocean Affinity Talent provides massive boosts to any ship, effective from start to endgame.
A higher count of ocean affinity traits allows the vessel to sail swifter and steadier across the seas.
It even widens the ship’s sensing radius!
Exploration, delivery, escape, pursuit, travel.
In a realm dominated by ocean covering 90% of the land, this talent commands enormous demand.
Consequently, its quoted price soars as well!
Copper Coins/Month.
This rate applies up to level 5 only; beyond that, it rises by 100 Copper Coins/Month per level gained.
The cost... proves fairly justified.
Still, Fang Yu aimed to haggle a little.
"Sorry, no haggling. Already, 7 or 8 skippers have chatted me up today, and I’m weighing choices..."
"For Ocean Affinity Talent holders, it’s we who pick the captain, not the other way around."
With pride, the fellow declared it, chin up, nose in the air toward everyone.
His ability’s in hot demand, and he’s fully aware.
Thus, pride suits him perfectly.
Observing him, Fang Yu grinned and shifted his attention to a nearby youth.
One with Ocean Affinity Talent too.
300 Copper Coins/Month as well.
"How about you? Up for a lower fee?"
Hearing Fang Yu speak, the fellow turned to him, pondered briefly, then replied: "250 works for me, but first, share your long-term vision."
Fang Yu regarded him curiously, eager for more words.
"Short-term gains don’t drive me. I prioritize future expansion and strategy. Plenty of captains settle for safe-zone routine, shunning adventure. Not for me."
"I’d trail a skipper bold enough for extraordinary realms. Even low pay upfront wouldn’t deter me if that’s you."
Calmly he voiced it, gaze steady without arrogance or meekness, yet bursting with drive and purpose.
Fang Yu’s gaze sparkled; grinning, he asked: "So, up for free labor?"
"Free?" Chuckling, the fellow fixed Fang Yu with a firm stare, enunciating: "I may overlook early payouts, but I won’t sell myself short."
"Excellent! Spot on!"
Deeply pleased, Fang Yu gestured broadly and told him: "Name? 400 Copper Coins monthly—join me!"
His words stunned the crowd, all staring at Fang Yu in shock, questioning their ears.
400 Copper Coins monthly? Has this captain lost his mind?
All there were sailors, no Lords, but guidebooks taught them captains start with just 500 Copper Coins.
Allocating 400 to one hire left Fang Yu merely 100 Copper Coins remaining.
Those 100 had to cover sea voyage provisions too.
Like rations, water cleaners, garb, essentials.
So his craft could scarcely afford this youth’s upkeep?
Just one recruit? An Ocean Affinity Talent one at that.
Cargo loading? Strengthless duo would struggle terribly with it.
"I’m Luu Yuan, er... I’ll join, but first month’s 250 Copper Coins suffices—two of us on deck won’t cut it!"
"No sense paying above market for me."
Softly urged the Ocean Affinity Talent youth, eyeing Fang Yu in mild astonishment before offering counsel.
Fang Yu inwardly nodded with deep satisfaction as Luu Yuan accepted joining his crew and promptly outlined the opening strategy for him.
But...
"No need to pinch pennies on my account. When hiring, I value character just as much as skill."
"Your character paired with your skills merits 400 Copper Coins, and down the line, I'll nurture a handful of key elite crew too, so view this as my upfront stake in your future."
Fang Yu offered a faint smile while saying it lightly.
Crew members might turn on their captains too.
That's entirely expected; binding a crew member to one vessel forever would be absurd.
Fang Yu held great esteem for Luu Yuan's integrity and outlook, and dropping 400 Copper Coins posed no hardship.
Luu Yuan and the nearby sailors hunting for work all paused in shock upon hearing Fang Yu's declaration.
Instantly after, thoughtful expressions dawned in the eyes of the entire group.
"It’s talent... He must possess some money-making talent, hoarding more Gold Coins than the rest, allowing him to splash out beyond standard rates to recruit crew."
A hushed murmur escaped someone, and at once, every stare fixed on Fang Yu brimmed with fiery longing and strangeness.
Talent!
Merely a tiny fraction of Lords ever awaken a Lord Talent.
Yet captains graced with a Lord Talent always showed explosive growth ceilings and potential, their crews surging ahead faster than rivals'.
What the onlookers failed to grasp, though... wasn't tied to Fang Yu’s Lord Talent at all.
It was... a hack!
"Hold on, friend, I'm an Ocean Affinity Talent too, and I'll take 50 Copper Coins below his rate—why not pick me?"
Right then, the formerly haughty youth lunged to yank Fang Yu back.
Arrogance had fled his features, urgency now etched there instead.
A strained grin stretched toward Fang Yu as zeal surged in his chest.
Talent!
He'd badly misread the situation—this captain wielded real talent.
Trailing him guaranteed future triumphs, right?
Still, Fang Yu ignored him completely, departing alongside Luu Yuan.
Proud?
Fang Yu harbored no aversion to pride in others.
Talent naturally breeds a touch of arrogance.
But...
Strutting pride before me? What's that about?!