Chapter 1 A Metal Flask

This was a metal flask, darkened by age, and engraved with the story of David from the Bible. It was encased in a furry leather sheath, possessing both a primitive, desolate air and an ancient, elegant charm. Fang Senyan had seen similar small, box-like flasks in the real world, usually used by Russians to hold strong vodka. They believed that sipping a well-aged liquor in cold weather, by a pleasant waterside, or on a balcony bathed in the setting sun, was a true happiness. Even the same liquor tasted better from a small flask, perhaps because the taste was infused with the leisurely, enjoyable, refined, and warm aspects of life, adding a touch of heroism that defied the cold.

"Oh?" When Fang Senyan's hand touched the silver-white flask, he felt its metallic texture. He also noticed some unevenness on the back. Turning it over, he saw a red five-pointed star stamped on it, along with the words "Soviet Republic, Stalingrad Victory Commemoration." He was immediately filled with suspicion. This was clearly the world of the Caribbean, so how could it be related to the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II? But then, the Nightmare Imprint displayed a series of prompts:

"You are inspecting a soul equipment: Endless Vodka."

"When a Contractor dies in the Nightmare World, there is a probability (about 10%) that their equipment/items will be obtained by plot characters in this world. These equipment obtained by plot characters often retain a trace of the Contractor's last obsession before death. After a period of time, it becomes soul equipment."

"Soul equipment has the following characteristics:"

"Usually, you cannot use soul equipment immediately after obtaining it. The owner will receive a mission, which is usually completed in the real world. It is the last wish of the equipment's owner before death."

"Soul equipment can be carried out of the Nightmare Space and used in the real world."

"Soul equipment, because it once served as a container for obsession and soul, is permanently fixed and cannot be enhanced in any way."

Fang Senyan looked at this series of descriptions, and his heart was filled with emotion for a moment. Because soul equipment, just like its name, carries the last wishes of the deceased. Even Fang Senyan, whose willpower had been tempered to be very strong, felt a faint sense of sadness when facing this equipment. He even had an uncontrollable, desolate thought:

Which piece of equipment will my spirit be attached to after I die?

Fang Senyan's brief loss of focus undoubtedly caught Old Barry's eye. This guy was immediately overjoyed and didn't urge him. The longer Fang Senyan looked, the more he obviously valued this item. This made it easier for Old Barry to seek the maximum profit. With further scanning by the Nightmare Imprint, the attributes of this soul equipment were revealed:

Endless Vodka (Unactivated)

Origin: Stalingrad Second Hardware Factory, Soviet Socialist Republics Union

Equipment Rarity: Deep Blue

Equipment Effect: Excitement (Active), when activated, increases your running/walking speed by an additional 25%, duration 24 hours.

Hint: This effect disappears when you take damage. The skill cooldown ends after five minutes.

Hint: This effect does not stack with other effects that increase movement speed. (Except for the movement speed increased by basic footwork)

Equipment Requirement: None

Equipment Location: Backpack (effective when carried)

Material: Stainless steel mixed with silver

Weight: 34 grams.

Special effect of this type of item: After drinking a large gulp of the vodka inside, you can instantly restore 20 points of health, and temporarily increase the rate of health recovery by 20%.

Hint: Drinking less than 100 milliliters of vodka at a time will not produce any enhancement effect.

Hint: Each time you drink vodka, it must take 3 seconds. Once attacked, the Endless Vodka will burn, making the recovery effect ineffective and deducting 40 health points from the drinker.

Special effect of this type of item: Every 24 hours, the vodka inside will automatically refill.

Evaluation: Don't underestimate this little thing, the vodka inside can at least let you drink three mouthfuls.

Combat Power Score of This Equipment: 15

Using this soul equipment will grant a mission. You must complete this mission to gain the right to use this equipment.

Fang Senyan had to admit that this soul equipment was the most powerful item he had ever seen. This was not only because it could complement his title "Drunkard" with a powerful effect, but also because it was the only equipment he had seen so far that had the ability to instantly restore health. Fang Senyan also noticed that soul equipment could be brought back to the real world, and in the real world, Fang Senyan might still have to face vicious thugs like Hua Shanfei, so without a doubt, this item was of great significance to him!

Fang Senyan tossed the "Endless Vodka" in his palm, then glanced at Old Barry, and said with some surprise:

"Anything else?"

Old Barry jumped up like a shot rabbit and shouted:

"Anything else?"

Fang Senyan said in astonishment:

"You wouldn't think you could get the Corrupted Soul Corpse Heart with just this broken flask, would you?"

Old Barry's facial muscles twisted, and he clenched his fists, looking as if he wanted to eat someone.

"Don't go too far," he said.

Fang Senyan said leisurely:

"Perhaps I should listen to Blackbeard's offer."

Old Barry laughed angrily:

"Good, good, good, go! I'll wait here and see you thrown off the ship with your bare ass!"

Fang Senyan didn't say much, tossed the "Endless Vodka" back to him, and walked straight towards the Queen Anne's Revenge. However, he also felt a little uneasy in his heart, because Old Barry had seen his失态when he saw the soul equipment. If he didn't suppress his arrogance, he might be taken advantage of. Fang Senyan's current approach was to gamble on patience with Old Barry. Obviously, in this situation, whoever couldn't help but speak first would fall into the other's rhythm.

One step, two steps, ten steps, twenty steps! Fang Senyan frowned, thinking, could it be that he had really underestimated the temptation of that heart to Old Barry? He couldn't even force out the old guy's bottom line? Just as he couldn't help but turn back, Old Barry chased after him and sighed:

"Okay, you win."

Saying that, he pulled Fang Senyan to the side, and in addition to the "Endless Vodka," he also took out a cross that didn't look very conspicuous. This cross looked very simple and unadorned, gray and dusty as if it had been used for many years. Fang Senyan was secretly delighted, but on the surface, he frowned impatiently and said:

"What is this?"

Old Barry said solemnly:

"In Tortuga, there is actually a hidden alchemy master who can make your weapons sharper and your armor stronger. As far as I know, your captain Armand's silver rapier was tempered by him. However, this alchemy master will not easily take action. Only those who hold his token will be received by him."

Fang Senyan said "Oh":

"This cross is his token?"

Old Barry nodded:

"Not bad."

Fang Senyan pondered for a moment, then suddenly said:

"Taking this thing is just to get his reception? Not an opportunity for modification? In other words, I still have to pay for the modification myself, right?"

Old Barry was speechless for a moment, but he still said righteously:

"Do you know how rare this opportunity is? I paid a considerable price to get this thing, you could say I risked my life!"

Fang Senyan said unhappily:

"Stop, stop, it would be great if I could believe half of what you say. Okay, okay, you take the flask and this cross, plus a hundred pounds, then this extremely rare Corrupted Soul Corpse Heart belongs to you."

"You beast! Your whole body isn't worth a hundred pounds!"

"Oh, oh, it's easy for old people to get angry and have a stroke... oh no, it's a stroke. Since that's the case, add ninety-nine pounds."

"Your damn greed is enough to fill the entire Caribbean Sea! Do you think I'm stupid enough to agree to such an outrageous request? I'm telling you, the preciousness of that cross is beyond your imagination. If you don't add something, I will never exchange these two things for you."

Fang Senyan looked at Old Barry's angry face, which was so red that even pimples were about to pop out, and knew that he had pushed him to the limit.

After a fierce battle of words and bargaining, Fang Senyan finally paid the price of "Exquisite 7.62mm bullet + still beating heart" + "that cursed brass ring that was identified" + "an ancient pound" to get the soul equipment "Endless Vodka," of course, plus that cross-like token. However, as a matter of course, under Fang Senyan's extreme exploitation, Old Barry's favorability towards him dropped sharply. After the transaction, he turned around and left, unwilling to say another word.

After getting the soul equipment "Endless Vodka," Fang Senyan tried to activate the mission on it. However, he was told that he had to return to the real world to accept it. Fang Senyan also breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the last wish of the original owner of this thing should be relatively simple, mostly to take care of relatives in the real world. What he was most worried about was that this guy died in the hands of giants like Blackbeard or Davy Jones, and then his last wish was to ask him to avenge him... oh, my, god. Then Fang Senyan was a very self-aware person. He would not hesitate to give up the mission and sell this thing in the Nightmare Space.