Bones

Chapter 102 Bones

Eddie brought Luca to report the statistical results.

Chalice listened silently and nodded slightly.

Such casualties.

It's not very common.

Don't be fooled by the fact that a shipwreck might result in a mass sea burial for all crew members.

Actually, the sea conditions in the Gran Islands are quite good, and there aren't many rampant pirates or sea monsters.

The chances of a merchant ship traveling between the islands sinking unexpectedly are very small.

Even if attacked by a sea monster, the death toll would not be too high if prepared and dealt with properly.

This incident resulted in the deaths and injuries of almost half of the sailors.

This is enough to show that the situation of the Homecoming was absolutely abnormal in the event of an accident.

After a moment's thought, Cherries approached the sailors, whose morale was somewhat low.

The faces of these exhausted men bore the marks of fear and relief at surviving the ordeal.

Although I had long anticipated death.

Although this was not the only time we had experienced danger.

But to live—

Ultimately, it's a happy thing.

They slowly approached, forming a loose and not very orderly queue.

In the air thick with the smoke, blood, and nauseating stench of decay, the surviving sailors awaited Chalice's address.

"The usual rules."

Chalice's voice wasn't loud, but his calm tone immediately silenced the otherwise noisy chatter.

This is the authority he commands as captain.

The true power holders.

There's no need to shout at the top of your lungs.

Because Chalice could bring them benefits, the sailors were willing to obey obediently and dared not refute him from the bottom of their hearts.

"The casualties this time are indeed considerable, but I will provide five times the compensation to the deceased and the injured will also receive compensation."

"I, Chalice, captain of the Homecoming, need not make any further promises to you. I will always keep my word."

He looked at Eddie, who had a solemn expression, and said, "All the lists must be checked carefully. I will not let any of my brothers who have risked their lives feel disheartened, but I will also not tolerate anyone cheating others out of their own benefits."

"Of course! All the brothers who participated in the battle and did not back down will receive double the reward after this run! This is my reward for the brave!"

A few excited footsteps echoed from the crowd.

The sailors, who had been somewhat dejected, instantly perked up again.

Why did they go to sea?

It's all about money!

Chalice watched with satisfaction as their morale rebounded.

Actually, he also wanted to give a long speech to boost morale.

Unfortunately, I'm not good with words; I can't learn how to say it properly.

Fortunately, Cherries found that the "giving money" trick actually worked.

The key is to grasp the core demands of the target.

For sailors who are eager for money, just give them money directly.

He genuinely cooperated with Jack, who wanted to recruit him.

When faced with the Corleone family's attempts at cooperation, engaging in negotiations and demonstrating sincerity is a skillful tactic.

Before we knew it.

Chalice has learned to be selective in his approach to people.

It can only be said that practice is the only way to test the truth.

In just two or three years, his experiences have given him a maturity far beyond what one would expect for his age.

Chalice watched as the sailors dispersed happily.

He sighed softly for no apparent reason.

That's human nature.

This is human life.

One will be a million bones.

Isn't the captain the same?

But he can't stop.

So more crew members will continue to die —

Chalice's generous spending somewhat made up for his guilt, but this guilt could not stop him.

Because Chalice had risked his life.

Without the resolve to risk everything, how can one expect to achieve their goals?

Chalice closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

It's getting closer —

Closer —

Upon returning to Simon Island, I will soon be able to advance to the second-tier connoisseur level.

I am already on the path to an extraordinary level.

As long as we keep going—

We will definitely reach the highest point!

Chalice will climb to the top of the sequence step by step!

Only that great power, existing only in legends, can help me realize my long-cherished wish.

"There really is something there."

Buck's words made Cheryl open her eyes.

"Who?"

"A sailor named Stanley."

"What did he bring? Tracking markers?"

"uncertain----"

Buck said softly, "The only thing in the sailor's cabin that showed a very faint spiritual fluctuation was his luggage. I didn't search it, for fear that he would notice something was wrong."

Upon hearing this, Chalice pondered for a moment.

"Don't worry about him finding out—"

"What do you mean?"

Stanley — is dead.

Chalice looked up at the sky. "He was just bitten to death by a corpse shark. Only half of his head is left."

"How could this happen—"

Buck asked, somewhat puzzled, "Did Stanley accidentally bring that thing onto the ship? Or is he the one who controlled the corpse shark to attack us?"

"The dead can't testify—the dead can't testify at all!"

Chalice let out a long sigh.

"Let's take his things out first! Since he's dead, there's no need to care about his privacy anymore."

soon.

Captain's cabin.

Chalice saw Stanley's luggage.

A few silver coins, a bag of copper coins, identification documents wrapped in waterproof cloth, and a change of clothes.

Besides.

Buck carefully pulled a piece of bone wrapped in leather from the purse.

Untie the thin ropes binding the leather.

The thin leather slowly unfolded, revealing the lining covered with intricate lines and patterns.

The leather appears to be a seal.

The full picture of the bone was revealed, and the suppressed spirituality was released.

The workmanship is rough, and the color is grayish-white.

Chalice sensed a faint spiritual presence.

That familiar aura of decadence was exactly the same as the corpse sharks that had been rampaging on the deck not long ago.

"That's really true—"

Cheryl clicked her tongue.

"So it turns out we're keeping a ghost in the house. We don't know if it was intentional or unintentional, but at least we have a clue—"

Only two people were present.

Buck then revealed his form.

He examined the slender bone in his hand that resembled an infant's arm bone.

"Do you need my help to seal it?"

Chalice thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No rush. Since this leather can isolate spiritual energy, let's put it back first. You keep an eye on it for me."

"you mean----"

Buck pressed further, "Could there be other sailors who know about this?"

"That possibility cannot be ruled out."

Chalice said calmly, "We're playing the long game. If we catch something, great; if not, it's okay."

"Okay, I understand what you mean."

after that.

Under Cherry's overt management and Buck's covert observation, the Homecoming completed the remainder of its voyage.

No accidents.

It went very smoothly.

Aside from the fact that the remains of the corpse shark were quite foul-smelling.

Everything is fine.

The Return Home ship originally had a "refrigerated" cargo box.

However, these items prepared for transporting goods were naturally removed during the modification and upgrading process to make room for more space and load.

The Homecoming arrived at Simon Island carrying a ship full of "rotten meat".

Routine inspection.

But this time it didn't go as smoothly as before—