Chapter 110 - Black Sail XV (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“You wish to learn the art of wielding the dagger?” Owen asked, surprised. Considering the extreme dangers pirates faced each time they went out to sea, they were mostly hedonists, living from each day to the next. Few made any plans for tomorrow, which was why Owen made it a point to remind Zhang Heng of what he was about to face.

“It’s not something you can pick up in two shakes. It would take at least a good month or two before you see any results at all, not to mention that the drills are very monotonous. Aren’t you already good with guns? Why learn how to use a dagger?”

“I’m terrible at close combat, and the flintlock can only fire one bullet at a time. Reloading is a pain. I don’t want to stand by and watch from the sides each time I’ve fired a shot. In any event, I can defend myself if I learn some fencing.”

“Mm, that’s true.”

The muskets in this era differed greatly from their newer counterparts. Although flintlock pistols were an improvement from matchlock muskets, reloading it was still a complicated process – the shooter had to refill the barrel with gunpowder before shoving down the charge with a long rod. The chances of it misfiring was also terrifyingly high. For that reason, whenever there was a battle, both sides would usually engage in a shootout first before moving on to the more physical sword fights.

However, the vast majority depended on sheer adrenalin and brute strength to get through combat, utilizing neither skill nor talent. Hence, those who had undergone official military training like Owen always had an edge in battle.

“Err, well then… be at the deck at sunrise tomorrow. I’ll teach you some basic moves like swinging,” said Owen. “You can practice your swordsmans.h.i.+p, but don’t you neglect your duties.”

“Thank you. I won’t,” Zhang Heng replied with sincerity. It was not without reason that Owen won the favor and support of the other pirates; he was generous but also upright. Rather than keeping his excellent swordsmans.h.i.+p to himself, he was ready to impart what he knew to Zhang Heng.

The same, however, could not be said of the others. Zhang Heng found the bosun of the s.h.i.+p, an old man named Rothko. According to the crew, he had been out at sea longer than living on land. Wind reading, weather forecasting, and sailing were three skills that he took pride in.

Having such expertise earned him the respect of the captain and the crew, even if he did not partic.i.p.ate or contribute much in battles. He dearly valued and treasured his own skills, keeping his knowledge close to his chest lest others might learn from him and subsequently overtake his job. Zhang Heng wasn’t the first to approach him, and like all the others before him, his request was flatly rejected.

Zhang Heng attempted to offer a handsome 500 silver pesos to him, which would be paid within the year, but Rothko still insisted that he would impart his skills only after retirement.

Taking into account the present circ.u.mstances, it appeared that Zhang Heng would have to wait a very long time for that to happen. The old man was one tough son of a gun. Even at his age, he had an appet.i.te healthier than most who were younger, and he was not a picky eater either–able to swallow anything given to him. At this rate, Zhang Heng suspected Rothko would continue to linger around long after he’d left the game.

After disembarking the s.h.i.+p for the third time, Zhang Heng looked for old Pirate Frazer in the tavern.

“How are your close-quarters combat skills coming along? Are you ready to be my debt collector?” asked Frazer as he tossed a chunk of peanuts into his mouth.

“No,” Zhang Heng answered truthfully.

After two months on the sea, his swordsmans.h.i.+p still remained at level 0. Like Owen had said, it was a lengthy process that required consistent practice and perseverance. The results would only show itself once he was able to integrate his basic moves with combative instincts. At the moment, he was still miles away from his goal.

Thankfully, Owen had already begun sparring sessions with him.

On top of that, the good news was that after such a long period of recuperation, Zhang Heng finally regained his weight, and his strength even exceeded his level when he first entered the quest.

Although no match to those born with divine power, he was already considered a prodigy among the regular crowd.