The Double Drop Buff Surviving The Endless Ocean novel Chapter 16

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[That cod stew smells so good! Even though it’s not fully cooked yet, the aroma is already making my mouth water again. I’m getting even hungrier.]

[Is everyone living the good life now? First it’s beef pasta, then cod stew. What is this, a food fest?]

[Please, only two people are actually living well. William’s secret benefactor, and Leeanne!]

Leeanne got a private message.

Danelle: [Wow, Leeanne, you made cod stew? I want two bowls. Rodger told me you’re collecting spatial stone. I happen to have on. Can I trade it for two bowls of your stew?”

Leeanne: [Of course. Do you have a bowl?]

Danelle: [I’ve got a wooden bowl. Is that okay?]

Leeanne: [Sure!]

The spatial stone was super rare and valuable, but Danelle was ready to swap hers for just two bowls of porridge?

Leeanne was honestly speechless.

She realized Danelle really had no clue about the value of things; if you offered her food, she’d trade away anything she had.

Other people were asking how much Leeanne was selling her cod stew and water for, but she always checked what they had to offer first. If it were just wood or nails, she wasn’t interested. She was only after rare stuff.

After sorting through all the offers, she finally scored another spatial stone and a packet of cabbage seeds.

She crafted a backpack first, then made her way to the mystical cherry grove to plant her new cabbage seeds.

[Cabbage: Leafy green veggie, super crisp and tasty. Normally takes 8 days to grow, but with the mystical cherry grove’s double–speed time, it’ll be ready in just 4 days.]

Now, Leeanne’s mystical cherry grove had strawberries, cabbage, and spring onions growing. The cabbage was the speediest. Just four days, and she could dig in.

Leeanne couldn’t be happier; her stash of ingredients just got even better.

Suddenly, an idea popped into her head.

Most of the time, she barely had a chance to check the chat channel, and whenever she did post, hardly anyone was around to notice. She was probably missing out on all kinds of good deals.

Maybe she should have someone help her keep an eye on the chat? Like Rodger?

She was just about to message Rodger, but he beat her to it. Looking for seeds? I’ll keep an eye on the chai for you from now on. Earlier today. I spotted someone selling seeds, but we couldn’t settle on a price. Too bad I can’t track him down now

I thought since nobody had land yet, there was no way to plant anything, so it didn’t make sense to pay a premium for seeds.]

Leeanne: [Thanks, Rodger. If you find any good seeds, it’s fine if they’re a bit pricey.)

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10:19 am P M M

Chapter 16

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Once the seeds were planted, they’d be ready to harvest in just a few days or a week or two. By then, selling fresh veggies could rake in a decent haul.

Rodger agreed without hesitation.

Just then, the cod stew was done. Leeanne gave Danelle two bowls, then turned to Rodger and asked if he had a bowl.

Rodger: [I’ve got a wooden bowl.]

Leeanne was speechless.

She realized Rodger and Danelle were pretty close; they even used the same kind of bowl.

She handed Rodger a bowl of cod stew as well.

In less than 15 minutes, Rodger sent her six wooden bowls.

Rodger: [I got the blueprint for wooden bowls and unlocked how to make them. All of these are freshly made, never used. Each bowl only takes one piece of wood, so they’re really cheap. If you ever need more, just hit me up and I’ll make them for you.]

Leeanne nodded to herself. Rodger was actually pretty reliable when he was acting normal. She gave him a bowl of soup, and he returned the favor with six wooden bowls.

Talk about returning the favor.

There was still some cod stew left, and since Leeanne was already full, she scooped the rest into a brand–new wooden bowl and handed it over to William.

Now that everything she needed for tomorrow was ready, Leeanne finally let out a sigh of relief.

She decided to get some rest and gear up for her big day on the island tomorrow.

Suddenly, the system’s voice rang out. [Your automatic shower cubicle is now being delivered. Please choose a location to place it.]

A hazy silhouette appeared next to Leeanne–a big piece of equipment, easily 6 feet tall.

It took up about 20 square feet of space.

Leeanne’s raft was about 300 square feet, but with a wooden gazebo, a bed, two filters, a stove, and a bunch of chests, space was getting pretty tight.

She moved some boxes around and placed the shower cubicle as close to her bed as possible.

[Automatic shower cubicle placed successfully. You are the first player in this area to set foot on the island Would you like to announce this in the regional chat?]

‘Seriously? They want me to announce it? Leeanne thought.

She wasn’t one for showing off, so she was ready to hit “no” without a second thought.

[If you choose to announce it, you will receive the following rewards a set of loungewear, a set of underwear, a hair towel. and a bath towel.]

Wow, these rewards are generous and actually useful? Leeanne thought. Is that even a question? Of course I’m announcing

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it.‘

Announcing it didn’t mean she couldn’t stay low–key.

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[Regional Announcement: Player Leeanne Dillion has completed her first island landing and received a reward–an automatic shower cubicle!]

The announcement flashed in bold red letters, scrolling across the chat channel three times and pinned right at the top.

It was already past ten at night, and everyone had wrapped up their day and dinner. Most people were glued to their system screens, so pretty much everyone saw it.

[Leeanne? Her name keeps popping up! Wasn’t she just selling cod stew earlier?]

[Leeanne barely shows up, but every time she does, she always causes a stir.]

[Never expected her to be such a low–key boss!]

[Low–key? Come on, don’t forget she was snatching up empty chests on the very first day!]

[Leeanne, add me as a friend! I’m your long–lost sister!]

[Hey, back off! She’s a girl. She’s a real fairy. Leeanne, I have the same last name as you. I must be your long–lost brother.]

[Dude, that’s just gross. You’re in your forties; how can you even say you’re her brother?]

The chat was total chaos, but some folks were actually focusing on what really mattered.

[First time landing on an island? Wait, there are islands out there? So Leeanne’s actually on one? Man, I’m hyped! Can we find an island to live on, too? I’m sick of being stuck on this little raft!]

[Islands must have way more resources than the ocean. Out here, we’re just scavenging for chests, and sometimes you don’t even spot a single one.]

[Islands have coconut trees, fruit, coconuts, and all kinds of animals; you can go hunting for meat. Man, just thinking about it is making my mouth water.]

Islands weren’t all paradise as everyone thought, but Leeanne didn’t have the heart to crush their hopes. Let them dream big and go island hunting. Maybe reality would catch up with them soon enough.

Her inbox was blowing up. Some folks were asking all sorts of random questions, some were begging for food and water. and a few even started hurling insults when she didn’t reply right away.

She was definitely getting a front–row seat to some real oddballs.

Leeanne just blocked anyone who started throwing insults.

Rodger: [Wow, you’re incredible! So, tell me. Did you find a ton of stuff on the island?]

Leeanne gave him a quick summary of what she’d spotted there.

Just then. Jessica pinged her: [Whoa, I saw the announcement. You’re awesome! Is the automatic shower cubicle as cool as it sounds? Ugh, I’m so jealous.

[Did you try it yet? Let me know how it goes after your shower!]

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Leeanne chatted with Jessica for a bit, and honestly, she was itching to give the shower cubicle a spin herself.

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The automatic shower cubicle had curved edges all around and measured 6 feet in length, width, and height. Its surface was a smooth, glossy white, and it even felt a little warm to the touch.

There was a door with a button on it. She pressed the button, and the door opened up.

She stepped inside. The cabin was about 20 square feet, with a huge glass panel that let her see everything outside clearly, and a pink curtain draped above it.

Most of the space was taken up by a big white porcelain bathtub. There were buttons above the tub for adjusting the temperature, turning on the wave massage, or switching to a flower petal or milk bath, and more.

Plus, you could take a shower if you wanted.

All in all, it was high–tech and had everything she could ask for.

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