As she spoke, Beidou's gaze swept over the jars displayed on the shelves behind Felix.
Her eyes instantly locked onto the ornate jar resting on the topmost shelf.
Even at a glance, she could tell it was different from the others. The intricate design and aura suggested that whatever was inside had to be far superior to the contents of the standard clay pots.
Xiangling had mentioned these "Exquisite Jars" on the way over.
If possible, she really wanted to crack that one open.
"How many jars would you like to open today, Captain Beidou?" Felix asked with a light chuckle, noticing her interest in the premium stock.
"Captain, should I open a few first to test the waters?" Qianyan offered quietly, eyeing the shelves. She figured she could be the vanguard for her boss.
"No need. Give me ten straight away," Beidou said with a grin, waving off the offer. She pulled a pouch containing one million Mora from her pocket and placed it on the counter.
Her eyes scanned the rows again before settling on the far right section.
"Three from the top row, three from the second, and four from the third."
Felix raised an eyebrow. Most people just asked for ten random ones. Beidou was the first to cherry-pick specific jars like a general selecting troops.
He waved his hand. Ten jars floated off the shelves and landed gently in front of Beidou.
"Amazing little things," Beidou murmured, looking at the clay pots with a bright smile.
Beside her, Qianyan, Furong, and Huixing watched with wide eyes, eager to see what their Captain's legendary luck would yield. Xiangling leaned in, equally curious.
Bang!
Under the expectant gazes of the group, Beidou smashed the first jar.
Clatter.
A palm-sized, circular device fell out.
"Is this... a radar?" Beidou picked it up, examining the round screen and grid lines.
"It looks like one," Huixing, the navigator, said hesitantly. "But the shape is a bit odd. Are those blips actual targets?"
[Specific Person Radar]: Show this radar the image or face of a specific person to memorize them. Once that person enters a 1km radius, the radar will alert you to their location.
"It is indeed a radar," Felix confirmed, reading the system description. "Specifically, a Person-Tracking Radar. If you let it scan someone's face, it will track them. If they come within one kilometer of you, it will ping their location."
"It's excellent for finding missing persons—or hunting down enemies."
"It can do that?!" Beidou looked pleasantly surprised.
That was incredibly useful. When sailing, they often had to search islands for lost crewmates or contacts, which usually involved leaving physical markers and hoping for the best. With this, finding people would be trivial.
"Wait." Beidou paused, a thought striking her. "Shopkeeper, can this thing track sea monsters? Or just people?"
If she could track sea monsters, her job would be infinitely easier. Sea beasts like to attack The Alcor and then retreat into the depths, playing hit-and-run like guerrillas. It was annoying. If she wasn't constantly vigilant on deck, they could slip away.
If this radar could lock onto a monster's face, she could chase it all the way back to its lair and end the threat permanently.
"It cannot," Felix shook his head. "It's called a 'Specific Person Radar' for a reason. It only works on humans. Sea monsters fall outside its recognition parameters."
"Well, that's a shame," Beidou sighed, disappointed.
"Don't be disappointed, Captain!" Huixing cheered. "It's still a huge help for our operations!"
For 100,000 Mora, a tracking device was a steal.
"True." Beidou nodded, her mood rebounding quickly.
She turned to the second jar and smashed it without hesitation.
Bang.
A mechanical bee buzzed out and landed on the counter.
"A bee?" Beidou squinted at it.
It was clearly artificial—a dull grey metal body with mechanical wings.
[Helper Bee]: A mechanical bee that provides assistance when you are in trouble. It often achieves its goals through a series of fortunate coincidences.
"A Helper Bee," Felix explained. "When you're in a pinch, this bee will help you out. It doesn't use brute force; instead, it relies on creating 'coincidences' to solve your problems. It's a gadget meant to bring hope in desperate situations."
"Interesting."
Tiny sparks of Electro danced across Beidou's fingertips as she eyed the gadget. "Shopkeeper, since it's a machine... does it run out of battery? Can it break? Is it waterproof?"
"Uh." Felix blinked, his expression turning strange.
Beidou's thought process was certainly... unique. She always asked the practical, rugged questions first.
"Probably?" Felix said deadpan. "I haven't tested it myself. It's your item now—feel free to experiment."
"Forget it then," Beidou said, dismissing the electricity from her hand. "I paid good money for it. If I fry it testing if it's waterproof, I'm the only one losing out."
She picked up the bee delicately. It didn't struggle, resting quietly in her palm as if recognizing its master. The craftsmanship was exquisite.
Qianyan leaned in to get a closer look. "Just listening to the description makes it sound incredible. A luck-based helper..."
"Seems my luck isn't bad today," Beidou remarked.
She knew from Xiangling that empty jars were common. Two jars, two useful items. Not a bad start.
Bang!
She smashed the third one.
A glass vial containing a red liquid rolled out.
[Excitement Drink]: A beverage irradiated with 'Excitement Rays'. Drinking it causes the consumer to become extremely excited and energetic.
"Excitement Drink," Felix read the label. "Drinking it makes you... well, very excited."
"Excitement, huh?" Beidou raised an eyebrow.
Another situational utility. Long voyages could get boring or depressing. A morale booster in a bottle wasn't useless.
"Next."
Bang.
A red can dropped out.
"I know this! It's Coke!" Xiangling exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "It's super delicious! And really refreshing!"
She had been craving it ever since her first sip. It was a pity it was so rare.
"Delicious?" Beidou smiled at the young chef. "I didn't bring you a gift this time, so take this as a souvenir."
Beidou tossed the can to Xiangling without a second thought. She hadn't tried it, but seeing Xiangling's reaction was enough.
"Ah! Beidou!" Xiangling caught it, surprised. "You're not going to drink it? It's really good!"
"Nah, you have it. I prefer water or booze anyway." Beidou waved her off.
She turned to the fifth jar.
Bang!
The shards fell away, revealing a palm-sized, pitch-black sword.
"Oh?"
Beidou's eyes lit up immediately.
A weapon?
She reached out to grab it. As soon as her fingers closed around the hilt, the small blade suddenly expanded, growing longer and thinner until it was a full-sized katana.
"Mm. Not a greatsword?"
Beidou examined the blade. It was sleek and sharp, but she preferred the heft of a claymore. Smashing things was more satisfying than slicing them.
Still, running her hand along the flat of the blade, she could feel it wasn't made of ordinary steel. The material was alien to her.
While Beidou appraised the weapon, Felix stared at it with a strange expression.
That was no ordinary sword.
Beidou's luck was terrifying. Five jars, zero empties. And now she had pulled a Zanpakutō.
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