A woman?

Chen Qi turned his head, blinked, and felt a slight surprise.

Someone actually wanted him voluntarily!

Standing before him was a black-haired woman wearing a half crow mask, dressed in black apothecary robes.

She was the only ship doctor on this vessel and one of the few educated people aboard. Most crew members didn't know her real name, only calling her Little Crow.

From the exposed half of her pale, delicate face, one could still tell she was a young woman, creating a stark contrast with the bloodthirsty pirates around her.

Chen Qi's gaze involuntarily fell upon this ship doctor, his pupils slightly contracting!

He recognized her!

To be precise, he had seen her in popular videos.

As a transmigrator from the gaming world, he had finally encountered a character he recognized!

This was a very popular game character in New Sun.

She was a mad pirate doctor obsessed with researching deep-sea creatures, possessing an insane affection for deep-sea life. Yet beneath her crazy behavior, she had a second identity.

That of an undercover agent planted within the Black Whale Pirates by the authorities.

She had been secretly leaking information about the Black Whale Pirates, covertly sabotaging many of their operations and saving numerous lives.

During the mid-game, to stop the Black Whale Pirates' city massacre operation, she injected herself with a lethal mutation potion, transforming into a banshee. In desperate weeping, she defeated thousands of pirates and nearly a hundred players participating in the city defense.

Thanks to her stunning mutated appearance before death and her unique story, she became quite famous among players, spawning numerous fan creations.

Many Witch Sea players joined evil factions, spamming 'revive her' under official videos, wanting to resurrect the deceased Miss Crow and change her fate.

Of course, with Chen Qi's current strength, he couldn't even control his own destiny, let alone change someone else's.

Although he could defeat Black Bull, ultimately, he was just an ordinary person who hadn't yet stepped onto the transcendent path, forced to entrust his fate to others.

But this was still quite good news. If he could work under Little Crow, at least his life would be much safer than under other fierce pirates.

Captain Blackeye stood up, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke:

"You want this person? Did your last assistant die again, Little Crow? This is already the seventh one."

Seven dead... Chen Qi instantly felt slapped in the face. Working under this ship doctor didn't seem particularly safe either.

Little Crow leaned forward, her medicine-scented face approaching slightly, red eyes scanning his face:

"Yes, I repeatedly warned him, but he still made mistakes handling medicinal ingredients. I need a new assistant, one who's literate and learns quickly."

Captain Blackeye asked:

"Can you read, kid?"

"Yes."

Chen Qi confidently nodded. Like the ship doctor, he was also educated.

Captain Blackeye thought for a moment, then patted Chen Qi's shoulder:

"Alright, kid, work well with Little Crow.

Our Black Whale Pirates never treat capable people poorly. With us, the money you earn will be ten times what you made through hard work before!

When we return from this voyage, you'll get ten gold coins. By then, everyone who looked down on you will be kneeling to lick your shoes."

Ten gold coins! What did that mean? That was enough to buy a decent small house in a major city!

What an impressively large and round promise, Captain. Chen Qi could only pretend to be happy and nod.

From now on, he was a ship doctor's assistant.

Little Crow turned around:

"Follow me to the medical bay. You have tasks starting today."

"Yes, Little... Crow... ma'am."

Chen Qi followed, nearly calling her Little Crow because of the forums.

Although players saw her as the cute and sly Miss Crow, right now, she was his genuine superior, the kind he couldn't defy!

When she said one, he absolutely couldn't say two!

The medical bay was located on the ship's second level, a quite spacious independent cabin.

His previous 'living' area was the slave quarters, where over fifty people were crammed together densely, with stifling and foul air.

The medical bay before him was three times the size of the slave quarters alone.

The room was filled with the mixed scent of faint herbs and disinfectant.

Light filtered through frosted glass windows and copper hanging lamps, casting mottled shadows on the wooden paneling and copper medical instruments.

On the left wooden platform stood seven glass jars containing sea creatures.

Chen Qi excitedly scanned the room before him. His starting situation was utterly basic - back in his original self's hometown of Damarro Town, he only had an extremely cramped house.

How wonderful it would be if he could have a room like this in another world.

Little Crow entered the medical bay, confirmed the door was closed, then said softly:

"Take off your clothes!"

"???"

Chen Qi blinked, hardly believing his ears.

Take them off?

On the forums, he'd heard long ago that the Witch Sea region in the game was blessed with talented people and simple, honest customs, but he never expected it to be this intense!

He'd never been commanded like this before, momentarily stunned.

Not giving Chen Qi time to think, Little Crow repeated in a commanding tone:

"Take them off."

"Okay..."

Though very reluctant, he currently lacked the power to resist and needed to lay low for now.

Only when he became stronger could he turn the tables!

Chen Qi immediately removed his blood-stained, sweat-smelling shirt, revealing his upper body.

His transmigrated body couldn't be called robust - in this world, such ordinary bodies were countless.

Except for the azure 'tattoo' on his back. Due to the sea creature infecting his spine, a spider-like, tentacle-like blue pattern was clearly visible on his back.

Little Crow bent over, her gaze focused and sharp, staring at the pattern on Chen Qi's back.

"Just as I thought, you've been infected by a special sea creature. This creature didn't suck blood, didn't damage subcutaneous tissue, and lacks the unique fishy smell of sea creatures. It can actually be this gentle..."

As a ship doctor specializing in deep-sea creature research, she possessed a terrifying obsession with deep-sea life!

Most sea creatures exhibit strong aggression toward humans, but even with her extensive experience, this was her first time encountering such a unique sea creature!

And this sea creature's quiet state seemed to have merged with Chen Qi as one!

"Huff, huff... Truly marvelous. Pity this ship lacks equipment to safely examine your deep spinal bones."

This sea creature might yield a medical paper that could shake the entire medical field!

And it seems quite cute!

Little Crow's body trembled slightly, her face flushed crimson, even her tone becoming extremely excited. Unconsciously, she reached out her hand, slowly stroking forward:

"Ah, ah~"

"Crow... ma'am..."

Crow Sister, calm down!

Chen Qi reminded her, clearly feeling Little Crow's burning breath on his back.

Her obsession and madness toward sea creatures somewhat exceeded his expectations!

Deep-sea enthusiasts are truly terrifying!

If he didn't remind her, her hand might directly reach into his body next second, pulling out his spine alive!

Though she appeared delicate, she was a genuine transcendent!

"Ahem, ahem..."

Hearing the reminder, Little Crow coughed twice, adjusted her mask,

"Change your clothes later, then wash up properly. Oh, find a hidden spot to change, preferably not seen by outsiders. Among that bunch, there are those who'd fancy someone like you."

She immediately resumed a professional ship doctor's posture, taking out a set of clean clothes from a cabinet.

Cotton jacket, shirt, trousers, along with non-slip boots and gloves.

"Thank you, Crow Ma'am."

Chen Qi's body carried heavy scents of blood and sweat, and his torn clothes indeed needed changing.

He took the clothes, feeling the fabric - the workmanship was fairly good.

Hmm?

Beneath the clothes was something hard!

Chen Qi retrieved the hard object, and blue ethereal text appeared before his eyes again.

[Collector:

Description: A copper steam pistol made with special craftsmanship, possessing twice the penetration power of ordinary handguns.]

A pistol? Why give this to me?

Chen Qi's mouth slightly opened, startled by this sudden surprise.

This thing was much better than a cutlass!

In the Witch Sea, pistols weren't rare, but this particular pistol was specially crafted. Its higher penetration power gave it capability against monsters.

Though this weapon lacked transcendent elements, it was quite famous on player forums. Made by Hammer Armory Company, it could absolutely be called an early-game divine tool!

In a pay-to-win game, this would require at least a 648 recharge plus bonuses!

"Why, Crow Ma'am?"

Chen Qi shed a cold sweat, looking at Little Crow.

After all, the value of this gun could probably buy five slaves like him!

Seeing his flustered expression, Little Crow revealed a pleased smile:

"You're my assistant. I don't want another assistant dying so easily. Plus, you have significant medical value.

In short, it's for self-preservation. You'll need it soon."

Little Crow picked up her notebook and pen, sketching the back pattern she'd just seen, smiling obsessively.

"Soon need it... the gun?"

Chen Qi tilted his head, completely confused.

Little Crow placed a finger on her chin:

"You don't know? Ah, I remember - you were previously a slave, completely unaware of the Sawshark's destination."

"The Sawshark's destination isn't a major city?"

The Sawshark held numerous slaves, so Chen Qi subconsciously assumed their target was some city.

Men like him were highly likely to be sold to some perverted wealthy female merchants! To experience the flower names of endurance and wealth!

Little Crow picked up a medicine list from the table:

"No, the Sawshark's next destination isn't a city, but a dimensional rift, a dangerous rift above the deep sea."

She calmly stated this terrifying fact.

"Dimensional rift!"

A simple word instantly made Chen Qi's heart pound rapidly.

In New Sun's setting, dimensional rifts were passages connecting to other worlds. Within rifts existed transcendent power, technology, and resources.

The entire New Sun World could survive in a world without sunlight precisely because of rift power.

The transcendent items, power, and technology within were treasures pursued by countless people.

Of course, the rarer the transcendent item, the more dangerous it became.

Risk and opportunity coexisted!

For most ordinary people, dimensional rifts were places to change destinies.

For players, the fastest way to grow stronger early-game was to go to a dimensional rift and obtain transcendent resources!

As expected, with his talent's rarity, the crisis wouldn't end so quickly...

Chen Qi lowered his head, stroking the beautiful Collector in his hand.

His intuition told him that the dimensional rift the Sawshark was heading toward was no simple beginner's rift.

The danger of dimensional rifts would bring fear and chaos, and within that fear and chaos lay his best opportunity to escape.

A chance to flee the Blackfin Crew!

Chen Qi's heartbeat quickened, and he couldn't help looking outside through the medical bay window.

Black waves rolled, and increasing fog began engulfing the Sawshark.

Bringing so many slaves to a sea dimensional rift...

The survival rate in the upcoming rift probably wouldn't be very high.

A glimmer of light flashed in Chen Qi's eyes.

Transcendence, and the freedom that rightfully belonged to him, might be right before his eyes.