"Not bad..."

Roland nodded slightly after carefully reading the description of the benefit.

’At least when I’m in a humid environment, I won’t have to worry about equipment maintenance anymore...’

With that thought, his gaze moved further down.

[New Recruit Profession detected. Professional Resonance can be triggered.]

[Professional Resonance]

[Fisherman + New Recruit]

[Obtained Extra Benefit: Anchor Stance]

[Anchor Stance: When fighting on unstable terrain such as boats, wetlands, or reef areas, your steps will automatically adapt to the current and turbulence. Your evasive maneuvers will be as swift and precise as hauling in a net, and your blocking stance will be as immovable as an anchor sinking into the seabed.]

"This is great!"

After reading the description, Roland’s eyes lit up. He immediately recalled the scene of his fight against the Fishmen on the deck.

Although the battle had been completely one-sided, with Roland suppressing the Fishmen with his absolute strength, he knew very well that fighting on the turbulent sea was completely different from fighting on solid ground.

At the time, the surging waves had forced him to divert his attention to steadying himself, which had invisibly weakened his combat effectiveness.

Otherwise, his stamina wouldn’t have been so depleted after dealing with those Fishmen.

’If I had this Trait back then, dealing with those Fishmen would have been much easier... And in the future, when I’m fulfilling the conditions to become a Pirate, this benefit will surely be a great help.’

Roland already had a preliminary plan for the "Plundering five large ships" requirement needed to become a Pirate.

As long as he was Plundering large ships, it didn’t matter who the targets were.

In the seas near the River Domain, besides Merchant ships, there were also Pirates who preyed on others.

Roland wouldn’t feel the slightest bit of guilt about Plundering these notorious villains.

’However, according to the Fishermen at the port, these guys are elusive and their movements are hard to track. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to run rampant on the outer seas for so long...’

’Tomorrow, I’ll go ask Avril or Nelson. The well-informed Merchant faction might have more detailed intelligence on these Pirates...’

As for the "Wolf King," Roland had considered him as well.

But for one, the strange phenomenon that appeared in the Land of Mist was a bit suspicious.

And for another, anyone who could act so brazenly within the territorial waters of the River Domain was likely no simple character.

After weighing his options, he still decided to start with the Pirates in the nearby seas.

Having made up his mind, Roland refocused his attention on the Professional Panel before him.

[Student Profession detected. Professional Resonance can be triggered.]

[Professional Resonance]

[Fisherman + Student]

[Obtained Extra Benefit: Observing the Sea]

[Observing the Sea: When activated, by capturing subtle changes in the wind, waves, and living creatures (such as cloud patterns, the sudden halt of seabirds, or diving schools of fish), you can discern the weather forecast for a period of time. It’s like deciphering a nautical log etched by the waves, allowing mist and raging torrents to become a compass that guides your way. The effectiveness of the observation depends on your Spiritual Attribute.]

"Holy cow!"

Seeing this description, Roland shot upright in bed.

’Doesn’t this mean that when I’m sailing, I can rely on this ability to predict weather changes and even accurately determine my direction on the vast, open sea?’

His recent experiences as a Fisherman had given him a deep appreciation for the value of this benefit.

He had already experienced some of the dangers of the sea.

Attacks from Demons were manageable, but the truly fatal threat was the unstoppable power of nature.

Gale-force winds, torrential rains, tsunamis...

Even the most seasoned captains were helpless against these natural disasters. The slightest mistake could send them to a watery grave.

And the ability he had just obtained was the very guarantee of survival that countless people who made their living on the sea dreamed of!

’I never would have thought that the seemingly unremarkable Fisherman Profession could produce such a powerful benefit when combined with other Professions in a Resonance...’

After murmuring this sentiment, Roland continued to read down the list.

[Hunter Profession detected. Professional Resonance can be triggered.]

[Professional Resonance]

[Fisherman + Hunter]

[Obtained Extra Benefit: Deep Sea Exploration]

[Deep Sea Exploration: While sailing, you will automatically perceive hidden clues nearby that are difficult for ordinary people to notice. The range of your Perception depends on the strength of your Spiritual Attribute.]

’Hidden clues... Does that mean treasure hunting?’

Roland frowned.

’With my current Spiritual Attribute, I wonder how large of an area I can cover...’

He had heard many legends about treasures of the Deep Sea, even back in Black Water Territory.

But most of those stories only existed in adventure novels. In reality, cases of people actually finding sunken treasure were few and far between.

’Although it doesn’t directly increase my combat power, it might come in handy at a critical moment...’

With this thought in mind, Roland continued to browse.

[Groom Profession detected. Professional Resonance can be triggered.]

[Professional Resonance]

[Fisherman + Groom]

[Obtained Extra Benefit: Shallow Water Sprint]

[Shallow Water Sprint: When Riding a mount, you can easily cross shoals and streams, no longer affected by the speed reduction from water terrain. Additionally, your mount’s stamina consumption while wading is significantly reduced.]

"This one’s not bad either!"

Roland’s eyes lit up.

’Combined with the Riding Harmony Trait from the Knight’s Attendant Profession, this can definitely achieve an effect greater than the sum of its parts!’

After reviewing all the Extra Benefits again, he nodded in satisfaction.

Closing the Professional Panel, Roland lay back on the soft bed with his hands behind his head, lost in thought.

’Although the Attribute Bonus from Basic Professions doesn’t provide a huge boost to my current strength, the Extra Benefits from these Professional Resonances always bring pleasant surprises...’

’It seems that even after I get a Knight’s Breathing Technique, I don’t need to rush to pursue High Tier Professions. Digging deeper into the potential of Basic Professions first might actually lead to more stable growth in strength. However...’

Thinking of High Tier Professions, he naturally recalled the only one whose conditions he had triggered: Enchanter.

’When I left Distant Harbor, Colin mentioned he would arrange for a letter of introduction from the Blacksmith Guild as soon as possible. I wonder how that’s progressing...’

Roland gently shook his head.

Without the guild’s certification, even if he could get into a Blacksmith Shop, he could only work as an apprentice’s assistant.

Not every Blacksmith was like Hawke, willing to let a newcomer touch the forge.

As long as he could increase his proficiency in the Basic Forging Skill, he would willingly sweat day and night in a Blacksmith Shop, even without pay.

But the reality was that most Blacksmiths were either eccentric and would deliberately make things difficult for apprentices, or they were stingy with their true skills, afraid that teaching an apprentice everything would leave the master with no work.

Even if he was lucky enough to meet a Blacksmith willing to guide him, the number of orders in the shop would be limited.

He wouldn’t be able to use the forging tools and materials as he pleased; after all, they came at a cost.

As for getting his own set of forging tools?

Setting up a private forge without guild certification was a serious crime that would land him before the Judicial Court.

The River Domain had always been strict in punishing such illegal activities. The penalties ranged from confiscation of all property to exile and hard labor.

Although he currently had the favor of the Merchant faction, he didn’t want to needlessly stir up trouble.

’Forget it. I’ll ask Nelson tomorrow. Right now, the most important thing is to get my hands on a Knight’s Breathing Technique as soon as possible.’ 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Remembering the Power he had personally witnessed displayed by those Extraordinary Knights, Roland’s heart couldn’t help but beat faster.

That devastating destructive force, that suffocating sense of pressure—just the memory of it made his blood boil with excitement.

"But..."

Something Nelson had said before suddenly surfaced in his mind, causing him to frown unconsciously.

’Colin also mentioned that there are superior and inferior Knight’s Breathing Techniques, but what exactly is the standard for judging them?’

’Is it cultivation speed? Power amplification? Or some kind of special effect?’

With this unanswered question in mind, Roland slowly closed his eyes.

The gentle sound of the waves outside gradually became a lullaby, and before long, his breathing grew even and deep.