Multiverse Drift

After quickly rescuing the two people who had fallen into the water, Ethan asked if there were any other survivors. Upon receiving a negative answer, he wasted no time in turning the ship's bow and steering away from the area as quickly as possible.

His boat was far too small to withstand the chaos of the storm, and even though they were some distance away from its core, the aftermath alone made him feel as if the fragile vessel could capsize at any moment.

It wasn't until Ethan had sailed far enough for the waves to calm that he finally let out a sigh of relief. Glancing back, he saw that the storm wasn't advancing in their direction, giving him the chance to check on the two survivors he had saved.

One of them, a slightly frail man in his forties, had a handsome face marked by the passage of time. The other, a man in his early thirties and in the prime of his life, was muscular and well-built. His soaked clothes clung to his body, emphasizing the corded muscles beneath.

"Thank you so much for saving our lives."

The older man, after taking a few sips of water, immediately expressed his gratitude before handing the wooden spoon back to his companion.

It was evident that both were seasoned sailors. Even after surviving such a harrowing ordeal, they drank with care, ensuring not a single drop was wasted. Ethan couldn't help but notice their restraint, it seemed they hadn't had fresh water in a long time.

"You're welcome."

After the younger man finished drinking, Ethan took the wooden spoon back and put it away. He then asked what had happened to them.

The older man introduced himself as Wood, while the younger man was named Rodney. Both were veteran sailors who had spent years navigating this stretch of ocean. From their conversation, Ethan gleaned that they were experienced and knowledgeable about life at sea.

Wood explained that he owned a decent-sized sailboat and had a capable crew working under him. For years, they had been venturing through the region, but just days ago, they had made a bold decision: to cross the Sea of Storms in search of new waters.

It was during their explanation that Ethan began to grasp the bizarre nature of this world.

According to Wood, the ocean they were currently on was called the Sea of Calm. Despite its name, this sea wasn't entirely tranquil, it was vast and unpredictable, but compared to other regions, it was considered relatively safe.

"How big is the Sea of Calm?" Ethan asked.

Wood shook his head. "I couldn't say. It's enormous, that much is certain. But I do know it's not endless."

Surrounding the Sea of Calm was the Sea of Storms, a region perpetually ravaged by violent tempests, torrential rain, and constant lightning. This natural barrier encircled the Sea of Calm like an impenetrable wall, making it nearly impossible to leave.

The closer one sailed to the edge of the Sea of Calm, the more dangerous it became. Conversely, the closer one stayed to the center, the safer it was. In these central waters, the weather was mostly stable, and marine life was plentiful. Sailors could survive for years as long as they had a reliable source of drinking water.

"Even if we can't find an island, the sea provides enough food to last until we return to State Island to restock supplies," Wood said.

Ethan furrowed his brow. "So… there aren't any islands nearby?"

Wood sighed. "Not a single reef, let alone an island."

Ethan found this hard to believe, but Wood quickly explained.

The most astonishing feature of the Sea of Calm was the islands themselves. Unlike anything Ethan had ever heard of, these islands would appear and disappear without warning.

"They can emerge suddenly," Wood said, his tone serious. "In just a short span of time, they'll be covered with vegetation and fruit-bearing trees. But just as quickly, the plants will wither, and the entire island will sink back into the ocean, leaving no trace behind."

Ethan listened, incredulous, as Wood described these phantom islands. Some islands lasted only a few days, while others remained for weeks or months before vanishing. The only permanent landmass in the Sea of Calm was State Island, a large and stable island that served as the center of life for the sea's inhabitants.

"State Island doesn't sink?" Ethan asked.

Wood nodded. "It's the only one that doesn't. Its size and stability have made it the hub for everyone who lives in this sea. All trade and supplies flow through it."

But State Island, as Wood explained, wasn't a paradise. Its resources were limited, and it couldn't accommodate the sheer number of people trying to settle there. Most people had to continue venturing out to sea, relying on the transient islands to gather resources and sustain themselves.

"So, all the people who left their islands to explore the sea were heading for State Island?" Ethan asked.

Wood shook his head. "Not exactly. State Island can't take in everyone. Most people who leave their islands end up wandering the Sea of Calm, searching for those transient islands to collect resources they can trade for necessities."

Wood glanced at Ethan. "You must have just left your home, haven't you?"

"Yes," Ethan admitted, keeping his explanation vague. He mentioned that his parents had passed away and that he had no reason to stay on his island, so he decided to leave.

Rodney, who had been silent until now, shot Ethan a glance that could only be described as skeptical, as if silently saying, "This guy must be out of his mind." He quickly schooled his expression, but Ethan's heightened senses caught the slip.

Wood chuckled. "It takes courage to set out on your own, but the Sea of Calm isn't as peaceful as it seems. Wandering these waters for years, searching for fleeting islands… it's not the kind of life most people dream of."

He didn't try to persuade Ethan to turn back or give up, likely because he'd seen plenty of young dreamers before.

"So, what kind of resources can you find on these islands?" Ethan asked.

Wood leaned back slightly. "Anything and everything—food, minerals, timber… anything you can carry. You take what you find back to State Island and trade it for supplies. You can even commission a boat or hire a crew if you've got enough to trade."

Ethan nodded slowly. It made sense. In a world dominated by endless seas, every resource was precious.

State Island functioned much like a central hub in an online game, where adventurers could trade the resources they gathered for necessities, repair their gear, and prepare for their next journeys. This system kept the community alive in a world dominated by endless seas.

"There must be a powerful authority controlling this island," Ethan thought. Without an absolute ruler enforcing the rules, it would be impossible to maintain order among so many people.

Wood continued sharing his knowledge with Ethan, teaching him the basics of survival in the Sea of Calm and explaining the strange customs and realities of this world.

One of the first things Ethan learned was that this world didn't have the concepts of north, south, east, or west. Directions were determined entirely by the position of the sun sailing in the direction of the rising sun or the setting sun was how sailors navigated.

"We're heading toward the rising sun now," Wood explained. "That'll take us to State Island. If you really want to make a living at sea, I recommend joining the Voyagers' Guild when we get there."

"The Voyagers' Guild?" Ethan asked, intrigued.

Wood explained that the Voyagers' Guild was an organization designed to support adventurers who made their living at sea. It offered a variety of services, such as providing basic necessities like food and clothing, storing excess materials, helping members sell goods, and even offering a secure account system for storing wealth.

The guild also provided exclusive benefits to its members, like access to rare resources, assistance with ship repairs, and even help with commissioning new ships.

"And when you've got a sturdy enough crew and a well-built ship," Wood said, "you can try crossing the Sea of Storms along its safest route. That's the first step toward reaching the legendary Endless Land."

Wood explained that the safest route through the Sea of Storms started from State Island and followed the direction of the setting sun. Compared to other parts of the stormy seas, this route had fewer storms, less lightning, and more manageable waves.

"Of course, 'safest' is relative," Wood added with a wry smile. "Even that route is still dangerous. We thought we were ready, but… well, you saw how that turned out."

Wood and Rodney had attempted the crossing when they believed they were strong enough, but they hadn't made it far. A violent storm had forced them to turn back, and they barely escaped with their lives.

As Wood finished his explanation, his exhaustion finally caught up with him. After spending so long adrift at sea, surviving on sheer determination, the adrenaline that had kept him going finally wore off. He slumped back and fell into a deep, unshakable sleep.

Rodney, too, was out cold. Curled up awkwardly in the cramped boat, he didn't stir even when discomfort should have woken him.

Ethan glanced around the crowded little boat. Between the supplies and the two sleeping men, there was hardly any room to move. After some consideration, he decided to sit by the rudder, leaning against a pile of debris to rest for the night.

Though he was tired, Ethan didn't dare let down his guard completely. The lesson of "never trust too easily" had been drilled into him by life's hardships. Using the excuse of wanting to make progress during the night, he stayed awake as much as possible, only taking short naps when absolutely necessary.

The following days were uneventful. The trio continued their journey toward State Island without any major incidents. Ethan remained cautious, but Wood and Rodney showed no signs of hostility.

Wood continued to share his knowledge of the Sea of Calm, while Rodney maintained his quiet demeanor, rarely speaking unless absolutely necessary. The three of them, cramped together on the small boat, steadily made their way to the largest, unsinkable island in the Sea of Calm: State Island.

When they finally reached the bustling port of State Island, Ethan felt an immense sense of relief. Stepping onto solid ground again after days at sea was a small but significant victory.

As they prepared to part ways, Wood turned to Ethan with a sincere expression. "It's hard to repay the kindness of saving our lives, but if you ever need help, leave a message for me at the guild. Just ask for Captain Wood of the Swordfish."

Ethan noticed that most people in this world didn't seem to have family names. To avoid confusion with others who might share the same given name, extra identifiers like a ship's name were used instead.

"And take this." Wood reached into his belongings and pulled out a small, red stone, pressing it into Ethan's hand. "It's a fire-attribute magic stone. Think of it as a small token of thanks for helping us out."