This was a metal flask, darkened with age, engraved with the story of David from the Bible, and encased in a fuzzy leather sleeve. It possessed both a primitive starkness and an ancient elegance. Fang Senyan had encountered similar small, box-like flasks in the real world; they were usually what Russians used to hold strong vodka. They believed that in cold weather, beside a pleasant body of water, or on a sun-drenched balcony at sunset, taking a sip of fine, aged liquor anytime was absolute bliss. Even the same liquor tasted subtly better from such a small flask, perhaps because the flavor was infused with elements of leisure, enjoyment, refinement, and warmth from life itself, adding a dash of defiant spirit against the cold.

"Hmm?" As Fang Senyan's hand touched the silver-white flask, he registered its metallic texture and felt an unevenness on the back. Turning it over, he saw a stamped red five-pointed star, upon which were raised characters reading: "Victory Commemoration of Stalingrad, Soviet Republic." A wave of suspicion washed over him. This was clearly the world of the Caribbean, so how could it involve the Battle of Stalingrad from World War II? But immediately afterward, the Nightmare Mark displayed a series of prompts:

"You are viewing a Soul Equipment: Endless Vodka."

"When a Contractor dies in the Nightmare World, their equipment has a probability (around 10%) of being acquired by a character within that world’s narrative. Equipment obtained by narrative characters often retains a sliver of lingering obsession from the Contractor before their death. After a period, this obsession transforms the item into Soul Equipment."

"Soul Equipment possesses the following characteristics:"

"Typically, upon acquiring Soul Equipment, it cannot be used immediately. The owner will receive a quest, usually required to be completed in the Real World, which represents the final wish of the item's deceased owner."

"Soul Equipment can be carried out of the Nightmare Space to function in the Real World."

"Because Soul Equipment once served as a vessel for obsession and soul, it is permanently bound and cannot be strengthened by any means."

Looking at this cascade of information, Fang Senyan felt a surge of complex emotions, left momentarily stunned and lost. Soul Equipment, as its name implied, carried the final desires of the departed. Even with his hardened willpower, facing this item brought a faint sadness. An uncontrollable, desolate thought welled up: Which piece of equipment will carry my final wishes after I die?

Fang Senyan’s brief distraction did not escape Old Barry’s notice. The man inwardly rejoiced and refrained from urging him on. The longer Fang Senyan stared, the more value he clearly placed on the item. This made it easier for Old Barry to extract maximum profit. As the Nightmare Mark continued its scan, the attributes of the Soul Equipment were revealed:

Endless Vodka (Inactive) Origin: Stalingrad Second Metal Factory, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Equipment Rarity: Deep Blue Equipment Effect: Excitement (Active) – Upon activation, increases your base running and walking speed by an additional 25% for 24 hours. Note: This effect disappears upon receiving damage, and the skill cooldown ends after five minutes. Note: This effect does not stack with other movement speed-boosting effects (excluding base foot speed enhancements). Equipment Requirement: None Equipment Slot: Backpack (Effective while carried) Material: Stainless Steel mixed with Silver Weight: 34 grams. Item Special Effect: After taking a large gulp of the vodka within, instantly restores 20 Health Points and temporarily increases Health Regeneration rate by 20%. Note: Drinking less than 100 ml of vodka will yield no enhancement effect. Note: Drinking must take 3 seconds; if attacked during the attempt, Endless Vodka will ignite, nullifying the recovery effect and inflicting 40 points of damage to the drinker. Item Special Effect: The vodka within automatically replenishes every 24 hours. Evaluation: Don't let its small size fool you; the vodka inside is enough for at least three serious drinks. Combat Score for this item: 15 Using this Soul Equipment will grant a quest; you must complete this quest to gain the right to use the equipment.

Fang Senyan had to admit this Soul Equipment was the most formidable item he had yet encountered. This wasn't just because it perfectly complemented his title, "The Drunkard," but because it was the only piece of equipment he'd seen so far that offered instant health restoration. Furthermore, Fang Senyan noted that Soul Equipment could be taken back to the Real World. In the Real World, he was likely to face vicious thugs like Hua Shanfei, making this item undeniably significant to him!

Fang Senyan tossed the "Endless Vodka" lightly in his palm, then glanced at Old Barry with a look of genuine surprise: "Is that all?"

Old Barry sprang up like a rabbit shot from a snare, shouting, "All what?"

Fang Senyan feigned incredulity: "You can't possibly think that this old jug is enough to trade for the Heart of the Corrupt Soul Corpse, can you?"

Old Barry's facial muscles contorted. His fists clenched, and he glared with a look that suggested he might devour Fang Senyan: "Don't push it too far."

Fang Senyan drawled, "Perhaps I should hear Blackbeard's offer instead."

Old Barry laughed through his rage, "Fine, fine, fine! Go ahead! I'll be right here waiting to see you thrown overboard naked!"

Without another word, Fang Senyan tossed the "Endless Vodka" back to him and walked directly toward Queen Anne's Revenge. Yet, his heart held a measure of apprehension; his brief show of interest in the Soul Equipment had been witnessed by Old Barry. If he didn't deflate the old pirate's arrogance now, he risked being severely exploited. Fang Senyan's move was a calculated gamble on Old Barry’s patience; clearly, in this standoff, whoever cracked first would fall into the other's rhythm.

One step, two steps, ten steps, twenty steps! Fang Senyan frowned deeply. Had he truly overestimated the allure of that heart for Old Barry? Had he failed to push the old man to his absolute limit? Just as he was about to turn back, Old Barry caught up, sighing, "Alright, you win."

He pulled Fang Senyan aside, and besides the "Endless Vodka," he produced a cross that looked rather unremarkable. The cross appeared simple and plain, dusty gray as if used for many years. Fang Senyan secretly rejoiced but outwardly frowned impatiently: "What's this?"

Old Barry's expression turned solemn: "In Port Royal, there lives a reclusive Alchemical Master. He can sharpen your weapons and fortify your armor. As far as I know, your Captain Armand's silver rapier was tempered by him. However, this master rarely agrees to work; only those bearing his token will gain an audience."

Fang Senyan grunted, "And this cross is his token?"

Old Barry nodded. "Precisely."

Fang Senyan pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Taking this thing there only gets me an audience? Not a guaranteed modification? In other words, I still have to pay his workshop fee out of my own pocket?"

Old Barry faltered but maintained his righteous stance, "Do you realize how rare this opportunity is? I paid a steep price just to acquire this thing—I risked life and limb!"

Fang Senyan waved a dismissive hand, "Cut the theatrics. Trusting half of what you say is already an accomplishment. Fine, fine. Hand over the flask and this cross, plus one hundred gold sovereigns, and that exceedingly rare Heart of the Corrupt Soul Corpse is yours."

"You beast! Your entire being isn't worth one hundred gold sovereigns!"

"Oh dear, old men getting angry so easily leads to sudden blockage… Oh, I mean, stroke. In that case, let's make it ninety-nine gold sovereigns."

"Your damned greed could fill the entire Caribbean! Do you think I'm foolish enough to agree to such an outrageous demand?"

"..."

After a period of intense verbal sparring and haggling, Fang Senyan finally traded the "Exquisite 7.62mm Bullet," the "Still-Beating Heart," the "Identified Cursed Brass Ring," and "One Ancient Gold Sovereign" to acquire the Soul Equipment "Endless Vodka," along with the cross-like token. Predictably, under Fang Senyan's relentless squeezing, Old Barry's goodwill plummeted. After the deal was struck, he turned and walked away, unwilling to utter another word.

Having secured the Soul Equipment "Endless Vodka," Fang Senyan attempted to activate the associated quest. He was informed, however, that he had to return to the Real World to accept it. Fang Senyan immediately let out a long breath of relief. It seemed the original owner's final wish was relatively simple—likely to look after a relative in the real world. His greatest fear was that the owner had died at the hands of giants like Blackbeard or Davy Jones, and the final wish was revenge... H, Y, GD. Fang Senyan was self-aware enough to know that in such a scenario, he would unhesitatingly abandon the quest and toss the item into the Nightmare Space to sell.