Free Web NovelChapter 24: Chapter 24: Crisis of the Black Curtain
Kevin walked over to the broken mast and placed his hand on the snapped edge.
Right after, a blue glow lit up from his palm.
[Starting scan of mechanical structure: Sail and Steering Mechanism.]
[Scan progress: 0.01%... 0.02%...]
The structure of the mast system slowly began to fill his mind.
Only now did Kevin truly feel the mechanical kingdom deep within his soul start to run.
It was turning the scan data into a digital model. A complete 3D model of the Sail and Steering Mechanism slowly appeared in his mind.
Meanwhile. In the crew quarters.
Leo and Stephanie were in a heated argument.
Leo’s body was burning hot. His amputated arm wound was infected, and he was running a high fever.
Taking advantage of his weakness, Stephanie snatched the bread and fresh water from his reach and sneered, "You’re about to die anyway. What do you need these for? Weren’t you always saying you loved me? This is your chance to prove it."
Leo glared at her, opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His eyes were filled with pure anger and killing intent.
Stephanie shivered under his stare, took a half-step back, and forced herself to calm down. "Don’t look at me like that."
"I still have to live if you die. You helped me, and I’ll remember that. You’re a good guy. In my heart, you’ll always be that loving, generous, handsome, and wealthy young master who adored me."
"Don’t worry. Even if you’re dead, I’ll keep your photos safe. I’ll tell every man I meet that once, a boy loved me with his life."
Hearing those words, Leo was filled with deep regret.
Thinking that his current fate was all Stephanie’s fault, Leo wanted nothing more than to tear her throat out.
He raised his left hand, trembling as he pointed at Stephanie, and croaked, "You... you bitch!"
The dying curse hit her hard, and for a moment, she looked utterly panicked.
[Sanity -3]
Feeling her sanity drop, Stephanie grabbed the door latch in panic and trembled, "You’re not thinking straight. Just stay here by yourself."
With that, she pushed the door open and stepped out.
But she found Amelia standing at the door, looking extremely worried.
Seeing the police uniform, Stephanie suddenly felt guilty. "Officer Amelia... what are you doing here?"
Amelia didn’t say much.
She glanced at Leo first, then fixed her eyes on the bread and water in Stephanie’s hands.
She took a deep breath and spoke as fast as she could. "Ms. Stephanie, Mr. Leo, we’re facing a life-threatening crisis. We need to collect all ship supplies and hand them over to the captain for distribution. Please cooperate."
Before Stephanie could even respond, she reached out and snatched the bread and water from her arms.
When Stephanie finally snapped back, she shrieked, "You’re a cop! How dare you steal from people!"
Amelia ignored her complaint and turned to sprint toward the captain’s quarters. "Like I said, this is for the safety of everyone on board."
Stephanie stomped her foot in rage. "Safety of everyone my ass! This is just your Gypsy bad nature showing! Your kind only knows how to steal and rob! You don’t deserve to wear that police uniform!"
The remark hit a nerve. Veins instantly bulged on Amelia’s forehead. She suddenly drew her pistol and spun around, pointing it straight at Stephanie.
Bang!
The bullet hit the ground right next to Stephanie’s feet. She screamed and collapsed backward, her face draining of color, too scared to make a sound.
Seeing her cowed, Amelia calmed down and gave a cold sneer. "Didn’t anyone tell you that Gypsies are good at killing, too?"
"Listen closely. This badge means I try to reason with everyone. But it doesn’t mean I’ll take your crap. If I have to, I’ll use this gun to teach you a hard lesson. Clear?"
Stephanie felt the threat in her voice and nodded in fear.
Amelia spat on the ground and turned to head into the captain’s quarters.
As Amelia’s figure disappeared, Stephanie finally shook off the fear. Rage and shame flooded her chest.
She screamed at the door, "You crazy bitch! You’re just a thief!"
Before she could finish, the captain’s quarters door swung open.
Amelia stepped out again. The sight made Stephanie scramble backward into a corner. "W-what do you want? I already gave you the bread and water! Stay away!"
Amelia looked down at her with a smirk. "Ms. Stephanie, I owe you an apology for my outburst."
"What?" Stephanie was stunned. "What is this, some kind of act?"
She gave a formal bow. "I was sloppy. The captain ordered me to collect all ship supplies. So in addition to the bread and water, I need everything else you got last night. Iron, wood, even those condoms. Hand them over."
Stephanie let out a bitter laugh. "So, you robbed me once, decided it wasn’t enough, and came back for a second round?"
"It’s called requisition," she said flatly.
Her hand rested on her gun holster.
Stephanie flinched and threw up her hands. "Okay! Okay! I’ll hand it over. Just don’t draw that gun."
On deck.
Kevin’s scan had hit 20%.
His walkie-talkie crackled to life. Luna’s voice came through, sounding exhausted. "Honey, Amelia told me everything. What do you need me to do?"
Kevin’s voice was low. "You’ve got four sets of rations and three bottles of Holy Spring. List them all on the global channel. Set the price at five kilos of wood or iron for two bread loaves or two water bottles."
Luna sounded shocked. "That’s way too high. The market rate is five kilos of iron for half a loaf and half a bottle of water."
Kevin took a deep breath. "We can’t haggle. We need supplies fast. I can make thirty Holy Springs a day. I won’t starve, but if we don’t get enough wood and iron in two hours, this whole ship gets dragged into that black curtain." freewebnøvel.coɱ
Realizing how bad things were, Luna’s voice shook. "Got it."
Kevin kept scanning the blueprint but kept Amelia busy too.
He figured they’d need hands to set up the new mast and rig the sails, so he ordered Amelia to drag Stephanie up to the deck.
The second Stephanie stepped on deck, she rushed behind Kevin, grabbed his shoulder, and started whining. "Kevin, this woman Amelia is totally unhinged! Watch out for her. She’s not as honorable as she looks. She’s got serious anger issues. She actually pulled a gun on me just now!"
Kevin raised an eyebrow and gave her a knowing look.
Amelia shifted uneasily. "The situation was tight. I was just trying to save time..."
Kevin chuckled and cut her off. "Don’t worry. I’m really impressed with your work."
Truth be told, Kevin was always a bit bothered by Amelia’s strict sense of right and wrong.
On a ship with no laws or order, being honest is a luxury. Sometimes it can get the whole crew killed.
After last night’s chaos, it seemed Amelia was finally starting to adjust to how the world works.
Kevin was genuinely impressed.
Seeing Kevin look at Amelia with that impressed expression, Stephanie’s spoiled tone chimed in again. "Kevin! I’m Bella’s only sister. Aren’t you gonna help me?"
At the name "Bella," Kevin’s shoulder twitched. He shoved Stephanie aside and said coldly, "I have nothing to do with that bitch. Don’t try to use her to get close to me."
He turned to Amelia. "Make her clear the debris around here. I need to mount the new mast soon."
Amelia immediately grabbed Stephanie by the collar. "Go get a broom. Get to work."
Stephanie looked deeply wronged. "I’ve never done chores in my life! Why should I clean up? Leo wouldn’t even let me do this kind of stuff..."
Before she could finish, Amelia’s hand rested on her gun holster again.
Seeing that, Stephanie instinctively shook. "D-don’t touch the gun. I’ll do it. I’m getting the broom right now."
Kevin watched Stephanie’s nervous act and couldn’t help but smirk inside.
Pretty soon, the deck was clear.
At the same time, a system chime rang in Kevin’s ear. Luna’s trade was done.
[Detected covenant-bearer "Luna Cassabreya" has acquired 15kg of wood and 10kg of iron.] fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
[Initiating refund...]
[Reimbursement rate: 10x...]
[Congratulations! You have obtained 150kg of wood and 100kg of iron.]
At that moment, the scanning process was almost finished.
Once the progress hit over 100%, the mast, pulley system, and rigging that had been under his hand turned into streams of data and rushed straight into Kevin’s mind.
