Translator: CinderTL
"Confirm job change!"
[Job change successful. Current class: Fisherman]
[Attribute bonuses gained: Strength +1, Agility +1]
[Trait gained: Hydrological Intuition]
[Hydrological Intuition: Automatically senses the location of aquatic creatures when near water bodies, marking optimal fishing spots with surface ripple effects. Detection range depends on the mental attribute.]
As the system notification faded, a cool sensation spread from the back of Roland's neck throughout his body.
Suddenly, his consciousness felt like ink dissolving in water, rapidly expanding across the surrounding sea.
Focusing his mind instinctively, the previously murky seawater instantly became crystal clear.
Schools of tuna darted beneath the ship, their movements traced like golden threads, while groupers lurking among the reefs shimmered with orange-red auras.
Even the usually elusive sardine shoals now appeared as distinct as constellations in the night sky.
"Hydrological Intuition, huh? Better than nothing, I suppose. Wait a minute!"
His fingers unconsciously tapped the ship's rail as his gaze locked onto the first line of the trait description.
"Fish-type creatures? Then..."
Recalling the fishman attacks he had endured in the deep sea, Roland slowly furrowed his brow.
"Do fishmen count as fish-type creatures? If so..."
Thinking of those elusive demonic beasts that appeared and vanished without a trace in the deep sea, often ambushing when one's guard was down, Roland's lips curled into a slight smile.
"If I could sense the fishmen's movements, this trait would be incredibly useful in combat!"
As he pondered this, a line of golden text reappeared before his eyes.
Unexpectedly, the Job Panel displayed not the usual additional buffs triggered by job resonance, but a passage of text unfamiliar to Roland.
Host has been detected to have acquired the basic class: Fisherman.
Host has been detected to have acquired the advanced class: Warrior.
Searching...
Upon detection, the Hidden Profession: Pirate can be acquired.
Requirements: Strength 7, Agility 9, Maritime Survival Skill 2/4, Short-Handled Weapon Related Skill 2/2, Plundered 0/5 large ships.
Host does not meet the acquisition requirements.
"A Hidden Profession?"
As the golden subtitles fully unfurled, Roland's eyes widened in astonishment.
He vividly recalled that the game he had downloaded earlier had advertised a specialized class progression for naval combat.
However, it began with the Sailor class, progressing through various promotions to the final class of Captain, with no mention of pirates whatsoever.
In fact, within the game, pirates typically appeared as hostile NPCs.
"So, beyond triggering job resonance for stat boosts, you can actually unlock Hidden Professions?"
Roland gazed thoughtfully at the Job Panel.
Including the Fisherman class, he had already acquired ten professions, yet had only unlocked one Hidden Profession.
"Could there be hidden requirements beyond just job combinations?"
Shaking his head, Roland temporarily dismissed these tangled thoughts.
"Regardless, unlocking a new profession is always a good thing. As for the requirements..."
His gaze lingered on the final requirement, and his brow furrowed.
"My strength and agility already meet the criteria, and the two Maritime Survival Skills are no problem. But plundering five large ships..."
The problem wasn't finding large ships.
In the River Domain Nations, massive merchant vessels crisscrossed the waterways in abundance.
With his current strength, plundering a large merchant ship lacking a transcendent aboard would be child's play.
But such an act would not only completely antagonize the merchant factions of the River Domain Nations but also violate his moral principles.
Considering his likely long-term stay in the River Domain Nations and his recent recruitment by Colin, he had already been branded with the Merchant Faction's mark.
If he were to plunder a Chamber of Commerce ship now...
He only wanted to fulfill the job advancement requirements, not truly become a notorious, fugitive pirate.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the distant lighthouse chimed its melodious bell, urging fishing vessels to return to port before nightfall.
Roland followed the sound, glanced at the darkening sky, and shook his head slightly. Without even checking the buffs triggered by his [Fisherman] class, he skillfully turned his boat toward the harbor.
I'll need to reconsider this whole Pirate job advancement thing, he mused inwardly.
Under his skillful control, the small boat sliced through the calm water, quickly reaching the shore.
After landing, Roland casually sold his freshly caught fish to a nearby fishmonger.
Now that his Fishing skill had reached its maximum level, he no longer needed to rely on fishing for a living.
As for improving his Cooking skill, he could easily do so using other ingredients.
Having dealt with the fish, Roland returned home to change into formal attire before accompanying Galvis to Masdon's mansion.
"Whoa! Look at all the people!" Galvis exclaimed, plucking at his harp as he gazed at the bustling crowd gathered before the mansion gates. "No wonder he's the leader of the Noble Faction in the River Domain Nations—his extravagance is truly extraordinary."
Roland ignored his companion's dramatic gestures, instead carefully observing the passing nobles.
Like the nobles of the Golden Valley Kingdom, these individuals wore lavish garments.
However, unlike their counterparts, their every gesture, though adhering to proper etiquette, seemed stiff and forced.
It was as if they were clumsily imitating noble mannerisms, lacking the innate grace and elegance that Roland remembered from his past life.
"Let's go, Roland!" Galvis called out from the mansion entrance, his nostrils twitching as if he could already smell the wine and roasted meat wafting from within.
The bard, who had subsisted mainly on fish for days, suddenly felt his appetite surge. He eagerly grabbed Roland's arm and pulled him toward the mansion.
The guards at the entrance didn't stop Galvis; instead, they greeted him with familiar smiles and banter, confirming his claim of moving through noble circles like a fish in water.
Under his guidance, Roland easily navigated the lavishly decorated corridors and entered the banquet hall.
"Roland," Galvis said, taking a wine glass from a passing servant and draining it in one gulp, then smacking his lips in satisfaction. "I'll be performing soon, so I need to prepare. See those distinguished guests over there?" He gestured with his eyes. "That one, that one, and that one—they're all influential figures in the Noble Faction of the River Domain Nations. If you're not in a hurry, wait here, and I'll introduce you later."
He patted Roland's shoulder, whispered a few more instructions, and then left to prepare.
Nodding slightly, Roland surveyed the hall, finding the atmosphere identical to banquets at Far Ocean Port. Nobles gathered in small groups, raising glasses in toasts and discussing trivial matters of romance and gossip.
Just as he was about to find a quiet corner to check his Job Panel and study the synergy effects between the Fisherman class and other classes, a series of steady, powerful footsteps echoed through the hall.
Following the sound, Roland saw a middle-aged man in a tailored formal suit, surrounded by a retinue, slowly advancing toward the center of the hall.
(End of the Chapter)
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