[Basic Firearms Affinity Talent, Priced at: 100 Copper Coins/Month, Hard-working, Very Loyal.]
The young man in front of Fang Yu stared at him eagerly, his eyes filled with desire.
"Bro, I'm a late-bloomer type of talent, very worth cultivating, and my asking price is really cheap. Once I sign the elite crew agreement, I will never betray!"
The young man spoke earnestly, very sincerely.
However, Fang Yu just glanced at him and turned away.
Basic Firearms Affinity Talent.
Indeed, a late-bloomer type of talent. Once a ship evolves an extraordinary ability, its guns and cannons need someone to operate them. A crew member with Firearms Affinity Talent can enhance the power and accuracy of the guns multiple times.
But...
What does this have to do with my cargo ship?
People with these types of warfare talents, in later stages, are in high demand, but their early-stage working capability is very lacking. Only captains with insufficient funds would temporarily choose to cultivate this type of talent.
And for me, being well-off, I should choose some...
"Your talent is good, but the price is a bit steep. Can it be cheaper?"
Fang Yu walked up to a young man with [Basic Ocean Affinity Talent], and asked enthusiastically.
The Ocean Affinity Talent greatly enhances a ship, regardless of early, middle, or late stages.
The more ocean affinity attributes a ship has, the faster and more stable it can navigate through the ocean.
It can even expand the ship's detection range!
Exploration, delivery, escape, pursuit, travel.
In this world where 90% of the area is ocean, this talent is incredibly sought after.
And because of that, the asking price is also quite high!
300 Copper Coins/Month.
This is only the price before level 5, with an increase of 100 Copper Coins/Month for each level up after level 5.
The price... is actually quite reasonable.
But Fang Yu still wanted to negotiate the price a bit.
"Sorry, no negotiation. Today, 7 or 8 captains have already approached me, and I'm still considering my options..."
"For those with Ocean Affinity Talent, it's the crew choosing the captain, not the captain choosing the crew."
The person said proudly, head held high, looking down his nose at others.
His talent is a hot commodity, and he knows it too.
So, he has the right to be proud.
Looking at this person, Fang Yu smiled and turned his gaze to a young man next to him.
Also with Ocean Affinity Talent.
Also 300 Copper Coins/Month.
"What about you? Would you be willing to charge less?"
Upon hearing Fang Yu's words, the man turned his gaze to Fang Yu, thought for a moment, and then said: "I can take 250, but I need to confirm your future plans."
Fang Yu looked at him with interest, waiting for him to continue.
"I'm not focused on initial returns. I care more about future growth and planning. Some captains just want to live a normal life in a safe zone, without any desire or ideas for exploration. That's not my choice."
"I'm willing to follow a captain who is willing to explore extraordinary domains. If you're such a person, then even if you don't have much money to pay my salary now, I can accept that."
The man spoke calmly, his eyes neither humble nor overbearing, but full of ambition and initiative.
Fang Yu's eyes lit up, he smiled and said: "Then are you willing to work for free?"
"For free?" The man laughed, looked at Fang Yu steadily, and said word by word: "While I don't focus on initial returns, that doesn't mean I'm willing to undervalue myself."
"Good! Well said!"
Fang Yu was very satisfied, waved his hand, and said to the man: "What's your name? 400 Copper Coins a month, come with me!"
Upon saying this, everyone present immediately looked at Fang Yu with astonished expressions, wondering if they had heard wrong.
400 Copper Coins a month? Is this captain crazy?
Everyone present, though all sailors and not Lords, knew from the guides that a captain's initial funding is only 500 Copper Coins.
Fang Yu spending 400 Copper Coins to hire one crew member meant he had only 100 Copper Coins left to spend.
And with these 100 Copper Coins, he still needed to purchase supplies for going to sea.
Including food, fresh water purifiers, clothing, and other necessities.
Which means his ship has barely enough to pay for this young man's crew expenses?
Recruit only one crew member? And it's a crew member with Ocean Affinity Talent.
What about cargo handling? Two people without Strength Talents will find it very slow to handle the cargo.
"My name is Luu Yuan, uh... I can come with you, but in the first month, you only need to pay me 250 Copper Coins, we two alone on the ship aren't enough!"
"There's no need to hire me at a price slightly higher than the market rate."
The young man with Ocean Affinity Talent spoke softly, looking at Fang Yu with some surprise, but soon advised Fang Yu.
Hearing Luu Yuan agree to join his team and immediately begin planning the initial phase for him, Fang Yu nodded internally, very satisfied.
But...
"No need to save money for me. Besides capability, I look at character when recruiting."
"Your quality, combined with your ability, is worth 400 Copper Coins, and in the future, I will also be cultivating a few core elite crew members, so you can consider this as my early investment in you."
Fang Yu smiled slightly and spoke casually.
Crew members can betray their captains as well.
It's quite normal; a crew member being tied down to a single ship for life would be unreasonable.
Fang Yu was very pleased with Luu Yuan's character and attitude, and spending 400 Copper Coins didn't bother him.
Hearing Fang Yu say this, both Luu Yuan and the surrounding job-seeking sailors froze briefly.
The next moment, a look of contemplation appeared in everyone's eyes.
"It's talent... He probably has some kind of money talent, more Gold Coins than others, that's why he can spend above-market prices freely to hire crew members."
Someone spoke in a low voice, and immediately everyone's gaze towards Fang Yu was filled with heat and peculiarity.
Talent!
Only a very few Lords would awaken to a Lord Talent.
But every captain who awakened a Lord Talent had very high growth potential and limits, and their crew often experienced faster growth rates than other crew.
However, what the crowd didn't realize was... this wasn't Fang Yu's Lord Talent.
It was... a hack!
"Wait, my friend, I'm also an Ocean Affinity Talent, and I can charge 50 Copper Coins less than him, how about you hire me instead?"
Just then, the previously proud young man hurriedly pulled Fang Yu back.
The arrogance on his face was no longer there, replaced by urgency.
He looked at Fang Yu with a forced smile, his heart filled with fervor.
Talent!
He realized he'd misjudged, this captain actually had talent.
If he followed him, wouldn't he be successful in the future?
However, Fang Yu didn't even glance at him, and walked away with Luu Yuan.
Proud?
Fang Yu didn't dislike others being proud.
If someone has talent, a bit of pride is only natural.
But...
Being proud in front of me, what's the deal?!