Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB]

A month passed in the blink of an eye. Ethan's custom-built Goddess of Dawn had completed its final testing and now rested at the dock, ready for its maiden voyage. All that remained was the official handover and updating his information at the guild. Once that was done, he could set sail and embark on his next journey.

A crowd of adventurers had gathered at the pier. Many of them had been lingering there for days, seemingly eager to witness a fellow adventurer set off toward the Sea of Storms.

As the Goddess of Dawn neared completion, the onlookers weren't just marveling at the ship's power—they were also astonished by Ethan himself. A young man, barely past his teenage years, had managed to amass enough wealth to commission such a vessel after only two years as an adventurer.

"He's not even twenty yet, is he?"

Ethan's background was no longer a secret. As his reputation grew, his story had spread among adventurers throughout the Sea of Calm, earning him the status of a rising legend.

At seventeen, he had left home to become an adventurer, setting sail on a life of exploration. Since then, he had faced and defeated formidable foes, even going head-to-head with Brent, once the strongest adventurer in these waters and now a powerhouse in the New Seas and holding his own. On top of that, he had accumulated an immense fortune in a short span, enough to commission a large warship outfitted with state-of-the-art magic stone technology.

"Is he really the same as us?"

The longer an adventurer spent in the Sea of Calm, the more Ethan's accomplishments seemed almost otherworldly.

In the past, such a young upstart stealing the spotlight might have drawn resentment. But when the gap between them was so vast that they couldn't even hope to compare, all they could feel was admiration or at the very least, reluctant respect. Any lingering jealousy was tempered by fear.

According to rumors, this rising powerhouse was ruthless. Even when Brent himself had tried to mediate on behalf of someone who had offended him, it hadn't helped, the offender had still met his end.

That kind of reputation had its perks. Some were curious about Ethan, and a few even considered seeking him out as a mentor or ally. But no one dared to approach him directly. They simply kept their distance, watching from afar.

Among the unfamiliar faces, Ethan also spotted some acquaintances.

At the edge of the dock, a warship stood out. one of the few large sailing vessels in these waters. Manned entirely by women, the Vengeful Empress always attracted attention. Like Ethan, its captain and crew had a reputation that kept others at bay. As soon as the ship arrived, many adventurers who recognized it instinctively stepped back, wanting nothing to do with the fearsome women aboard.

Meanwhile, Ethan had already boarded his new ship. With Pete guiding him, he familiarized himself with its layout and systems. To make things easier, the shipyard had even provided a detailed structural blueprint and a scaled wooden model.

"Your captain's quarters are here," Pete explained, pointing to the diagram. "It includes a private bedroom, a separate bathroom, a desk, bookshelves, and the personal workshop you requested. Additionally, this room is equipped with magic stone technology that allows you to monitor the entire ship at a glance."

Pete gestured toward Ethan's desk. A barely noticeable white spot marked the surface. When he pressed it, a glowing hologram of the Goddess of Dawn appeared, displaying real-time diagnostics of the entire vessel. This would allow Ethan to quickly identify any issues or make necessary adjustments.

"Impressive."

All that was left was the final step, signing the contract. Once he did, the transaction would be complete, and the last portion of his payment, which had been held in escrow by the guild, would be transferred to the shipyard.

Everything was in order.

During the ship's testing phase, Ethan had already boarded it several times to observe the equipment in action. Now, with the finer details taken care of, he could take his time exploring its more standard facilities. The shipyard had even supplied brand-new bedding for his quarters, leaving nothing to be desired.

"Congratulations. The ship is officially yours now," Pete said as Ethan signed his name. He smiled, pleased with how smoothly the deal had gone. The commission he had earned from handling this transaction would significantly improve his own life on the island.

"As a parting gift, let me offer you a bit of advice," Pete added.

"Oh?"

"Once you cross the Sea of Storms, visit the shipyard there. Checking out the types of ships they sell will give you a better understanding of the competition in those waters."

"That's a great tip. I appreciate it."

Ethan shook Pete's hand, knowing this would likely be their last meeting.

Once he successfully crossed the stormy waters, there would be no reason for him to return to State Island. If he ever did, it would be for matters like Brent's business dealings, not to purchase another ship.

If he failed… well, a sailor lost at sea didn't get second chances.

As Pete disembarked, Ethan continued his inspection of the ship, determined to familiarize himself with every inch of its structure. The better he understood it now, the smoother things would be when he set sail.

Time didn't matter. He was willing to spend as long as it took.

From the dock, the crowd of adventurers watched him closely. They seemed to be memorizing his every move, as if trying to imprint the image of him and his ship into their minds.

Helena, captain of the Vengeful Empress, stood quietly on her own ship's stern, observing him from afar.

Even as Ethan meticulously examined every cable and fixture, she showed no sign of impatience or boredom. To her, this level of caution was perfectly normal.

To these adventurers, the Sea of Storms was a graveyard. The odds of surviving, let alone successfully crossing it, were slim. Even with a powerful warship, the risks were enormous. That was why every careful preparation Ethan made was entirely justified.

Once he finished his inspection, he made one last trip to the guild to use the remainder of his funds. He spent every last coin to fully stock the Goddess of Dawn with supplies.

By the time he returned, the number of people at the dock had multiplied several times over.

There wasn't enough space for everyone on the pier, so some had climbed onto their own ships' masts just to get a better view. All eyes were on Ethan and his vessel.

This time, he wouldn't keep them waiting.

With the ship fully stocked, he stepped in front of the helm.

The console was positioned right next to the ship's wheel, allowing Ethan to steer with one hand while operating the controls with the other. This setup enabled him to manage the entire ship single-handedly.

As he activated the console, a holographic projection of the Goddess of Dawn appeared before him. He quickly discovered that he could manipulate the holographic model with his mind, zooming in and out or focusing on specific sections for detailed adjustments. This method was far more intuitive and efficient than manual controls.

His actions on the holographic model directly influenced the corresponding parts of the ship. This was how a single person could command such a massive sailing vessel.

Anchor up. Sails raised.

Ethan didn't bid farewell to anyone. Once his preparations were complete, he smoothly guided the Goddess of Dawn away from the dock. Without hesitation, he set course for the Sea of Storms, leaving behind the gathered adventurers who watched in silent awe.

Even after his ship disappeared beyond the horizon, many remained at the pier, staring out to sea.

Their expressions carried a mix of emotions—admiration, envy, and longing.

Among them, Helena, captain of the Vengeful Empress, stood at the stern of her ship, gazing into the distance. She remained there long after the sun had set and only withdrew her gaze when the first light of dawn broke over the horizon.

By then, Ethan was already deep in open waters, standing at the console and getting more accustomed to his ship's advanced systems. While marveling at the convenience of magic stone technology, he also noticed how effortlessly he could operate the console. It felt strangely natural, and he soon realized why.

"The magic stones contain energy, and using them isn't so different from how mages manipulate external magical forces. Those with strong mental power have a significant advantage in controlling them."

If that was the case, then in the future, the ability to wield magic stone technology would likely be tied to mental strength. This meant that battles wouldn't just be about raw magical power, mental resilience and control would play an even greater role. Simply launching psychic attacks or attempting to break through an opponent's mental defenses with brute force could prove dangerous, potentially backfiring on the user.

"The world just keeps getting more interesting."

As he continued sailing, Ethan grew increasingly familiar with the ship's operations. His strong mental focus allowed him to navigate the Goddess of Dawn with remarkable precision, eliminating the need for constant manual input. Thanks to this, the ship reached its full performance capacity much faster than his previous Caravel ever could.

Despite its immense size, several thousand tons the ship moved at an impressive speed. Its mainsail, a horizontal rig designed to handle turbulent seas, ensured steady and reliable propulsion. Even Ethan himself was surprised by how well it performed.

As he neared the stormy waters, the sea grew increasingly rough. Ethan activated the ship's stabilization system, something he had yet to use. Immediately, the difference was striking, the ship remained remarkably steady, unaffected by the rising waves. It felt as if he were gliding over a smooth, glass-like surface rather than sailing through open ocean.

Of course, the system had its limits. As he reached the very edge of the Sea of Storms, the waves became too violent for even the stabilization device to compensate fully. The Goddess of Dawn was no longer immune to the ocean's fury.

The moment he plunged into the storm, towering waves sent the ship surging up and down, tossing it like a mere toy. Ethan gripped the wheel tightly, keeping his eyes locked on the churning waters ahead. Navigating through the chaotic sea required him to constantly adjust his course, identifying the safest paths through the relentless swells.

There was no time to think about himself, his clothes were already drenched by the torrential rain and crashing waves, and he couldn't spare a second to wipe the water from his face. One hand gripped the wheel, the other the console, as he fought against the forces threatening to swallow him whole.

In the heart of the storm, with wind howling and waves crashing around him, a fierce exhilaration surged through Ethan.

"This is what it means to sail!"

***

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