Tae tried swinging his staff around again but I was ready for that. While blocking I picked up the sword with my left hand and grabbed his staff with my right. His arms might be strong but his legs are an entirely different story. I threw him over my shoulder and before he could do anything the sword was already by his throat.

[ Tae ]

“That was reckless of you.”

[ Eric ]

“That’s just part of my charm.”

With all the money I got from the bets I thought about buying a ship for myself. In Dalir we only have boats and no ships since they were destroyed after monster attacks. There were two small ships but at least it was something. For now, I wanted a ship that needs at least three people to operate. With a space under the deck to use as a storage and place to sleep.

I took a look around the docks. It was hard to find the ship I wanted. Some were bigger, some didn’t have much space under the deck and some had too high prices for their quality. There was one shed by the docks with a sign “Ships for sale” that got me interested. In the shed sat an old man with a bandage on his left eye.

[ Eric ]

“Excuse me. I’m looking for a small ship that needs at least three people to sail and with some space for storage or for people to sleep.”

[ Old Man ]

“You know what you want. I like it. I might have a ship like that but it’s not in the best shape.”

[ Eric ]

“Depending on the price and its state I might buy it.”

[ Old Man ]

“Yeah, yeah. Everyone is saying that.” He said as he left the shed, heading toward the dock. “Can you even afford a ship? You’re not trying to rob me?”

[ Eric ]

“I’m not trying to do anything bad. And I have money. A lot of it. I may not look rich because I just got the money.”

[ Old Man ]

“So this place brought you luck.”

[ Eric ]

“I would call it hard work. I did some betting but I was the one fighting for it.”

[ Old Man ]

“You were fighting at the arena?! Are you a slave trying to escape? Then I can’t…”

[ Eric ]

“I’m not a slave. I didn’t steal the money. I did it all to save my friend.”

[ Old Man ]

“How touching. Anyway. That’s the ship.”

It was a perfect ship. Just what I wanted. Not too big. Around ten meters in length and four meters wide. There was a lot of space under the deck only downside was that it was perfect for someone with a hundred sixty centimeters but it was better than nothing. The damage the old man was talking about was probably the paint coming off and a few planks that needed to be changed.

[ Eric ]

“I like it very much. What’s the price?”

[ Old Man ]

“Let’s say that gold coin because of the damage.”

[ Eric ]

“Finally a fair price.”

I bought the ship and went back to the mention to tell Dian and Tae that we were almost ready to leave. I don’t think any repairs would be even necessary now. The broken planks were only on the deck. I found Tae sitting in the garden watching the flowers.

[ Eric ]

“I got the ship! Just what I wanted.”

[ Tae ]

“You did? For a good price?”

[ Eric ]

“Of course. Since it was a little bit damaged like the paint and a few planks he downed the price to one gold coin.”

[ Tae ]

“It sounds like a good price. Can I see the ship?”

[ Eric ]

“Sure. Now we need someone who knows how to sail.”

[ Tae ]

“I know.”

[ Eric ]

“You do? Where did you learn that? What were you doing on earth?”

[ Tae ]

“In Korea, we have obligatory army service. I was in the navy for two years. Before I could find a job I died…”

[ Eric ]

“Good for you. Life of a worker is hard.” I said as I patted him on the back and refused to talk further.

We reached the docks and there was a wooden sign attached to the ship with “SOLD” painted on it. I was happy to present the ship to Tae but his expression was different. He didn’t look happy or interested at all. At first, he was confused and then shocked. I have never seen him open his eyes so wide.

[ Tae ]

“You said it had only minor damages right? Or was I deaf?”

[ Eric ]

“Like I said. Few broken planks and old paint.”

[ Tae ]

“Then explain this!” He said as he pointed at the middle of the ship where something in the shape of a circle was built.

[ Eric ]

“That’s a table right?”

[ Tae ]

“They're supposed to be a mast! MAST!”

[ Eric ]

“OH! So that was the missing part… Hard to notice.”

[ Tae ]

“Hard to notice?! It’s the most important part of the ship from this era! Otherwise, it would be just a big boat!”

[ Eirc ]

“Aren’t ships just big boats?”

[ Tae ]

“AAAAA!!!” Screamed Tae as he was thrashing around. “Find some material for a sail while I’ll make the mast.”