Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 102

Chapter 102: The Brave” and “The Original Witch”
The onslaught was a deluge of crimson, swift and relentless. Before Ryan could brace himself, the surge of blood-colored force had ensnared him, dragging him into its murky depths alongside Freni.

This malevolent force, manifesting as a viscous, blood-colored mire, wielded a suffocating power that dulled Ryan’s spiritual senses to a near standstill, rendering them inert and unresponsive.

Darkness enveloped his vision, thick and absolute. The only sensation that pierced this void was the unsettling awareness of his own blood coursing through his veins, a stark reminder of his helpless state.

Desperation clawed at him, and he fought against the oppressive force with all his might, yet his efforts felt futile against the insidious strength of the sinister crimson.

But the shroud of darkness was fleeting; after a mere ten seconds, it began to recede. Ryan’s eyes snapped open, and he frantically scanned his surroundings for Freni.

What greeted him was a sight that rooted him to the spot.

A vast circular arena stretched out before him, its expanse exceeding a hundred meters in radius, all crafted from shimmering, blood-colored crystals. Towering pillars of the same macabre material encircled the stage, topped with elaborate audience seats, adding a chilling formality to the scene.

Across the arena, a blood-red crucifix stood ominously. Freni, bound and unconscious, hung from its cruel structure. Her witch’s hat drooped sorrowfully over her face, obscuring her closed eyes, while blood-red chains ensnared her body, pinning her above a pile of kindling ominously arranged below.

“Freni!” The cry tore from Ryan’s lips, his face contorting in horror as he prepared to dash forward.

But a sinister voice curled around his ear, stopping him cold. “I advise you not to move, Mr. Knight~”

Clang! Clang!

From beneath the ground, a cage of blood-red bars shot up, trapping Ryan within its confines.

His gaze snapped toward the source of the voice. Perched in the ‘audience seats’ atop the crystal columns, he spotted three figures. Among them, two were clad as ordinary knights in black, their identities a mystery. The third was none other than Caius, the usually unassuming tavern keeper, now looking rather out of place as he surveyed the scene with a curious glint behind his gold-rimmed glasses. His lips moved silently, mouthing an encouraging ‘Come on’ to Ryan.

Hovering above them all, the Blood Witch Serena, her form suspended midair, a smirk playing across her lips as she reveled in the unfolding drama.

At that moment, Ryan truly beheld her, The Blood Witch Serena. Her identity was obscured by a silver mask that clung to her face, hiding any glimpse of her true features. However, the cascade of pure white hair that tumbled to her waist was starkly visible, providing a vivid contrast to her enigmatic presence.

Her attire was an elegant ensemble of light red, the long skirt trimmed with intricate black lace that danced at the hem, weaving a tapestry of mystery and allure around her.

“Mr. Knight, welcome to my ‘stage,'” Serena’s voice was both melodious and chilling as she began her eerie narration. “Today, I shall present to you the tale of the ‘brave man’ and the ‘original witch.'”

She continued, her voice weaving the fabric of an ancient story through the air, “The witch’s existence was an affront to the theocracy. Persecuted by many a church, she was condemned to the stake.”

“Yet, it was then that the legendary ‘brave man’ emerged to defy her fate.”

“His identity remains shrouded in mystery, with only fragments of history speaking of his formidable power.”

“He vanquished numerous church knights, bested the Pope armed with a sacred weapon, and even celestial beings bled beneath his blade.”

“At last, the ‘brave man’ liberated the original witch, thus ensuring the survival and resurgence of witches in this realm.”

“And now, Mr. Knight,” Serena’s tone shifted, imbuing the air with a palpable sense of foreboding, “you are to assume the mantle of this ‘brave man.’ Your quest is to rescue the ‘original witch’ from the flames of persecution.”

She detailed the staged challenges with a sardonic smile, “Of course, since this is but a ‘performance,’ you won’t face actual church knights or celestial foes. Instead, I’ve tailored adversaries of ‘suitable strength’ to challenge you.”

“You will confront three waves of formidable foes. Should you prevail, the ‘original witch’ shall be saved.”

“Remember, time is of the essence. You have only ten minutes. Fail, and the flames will claim her, and your role as the ‘brave man’ will end in tragedy.”

“The ‘performance’ commences now, Mr. Knight. Prepare yourself.”

“3, 2, 1… Begin!”

With those final words, Serena dissipated into a constellation of light spots, vanishing into the ether as the blood-colored cage imprisoning Ryan clattered away into nothingness.

Instantly, the ground before him roiled, and from the upheaval emerged three wolf-like creatures, their eyes glowing an ominous scarlet. They swiftly arranged themselves into a tactical formation and lunged at Ryan.

Ryan’s expression hardened. Gripping the hilt of his greatsword, he eyed the advancing beasts, his mind racing.

“Performance… Starring… Audience…”

It all seemed so ludicrously staged, yet ominously real. Serena, the orchestrator of this chaos, had not just ensnared him and Freni in her twisted play, but perhaps she had set this trap for any witch who dared to trace the steps to the Whirlpool Islands.

The realization struck Ryan with chilling clarity. The Moon Wolves, it seemed, held a potent allure for witches, acting almost like a siren call to their kind. Could this explain why Freni, who had ventured alone to the Whirlpool Islands during this turbulent period, had been so specifically targeted?

It dawned on him then, upon their arrival, the crew of the Black Rose had already fallen under the ominous watch of the Blood Witch Serena. This elaborate “performance” she had orchestrated, what was its true purpose? Ryan was mired in confusion, unable to unravel the witch’s intricate plot.

However, one stark truth cut through his bewilderment: the formidable power of the Blood Witch Serena. She had effortlessly ensnared him and Freni, a testament to her overwhelming strength. This was no ordinary adversary. While Ryan had never directly confronted a Level 3 professional before, the sheer magnitude of Serena’s power suggested she transcended even that formidable rank. She was not merely a higher level; she was in a league of her own, a monstrous force surpassing even the male fire dragon leader they had encountered on their travels.

Under normal circumstances, had he possessed the might of his travel clone, perhaps he might have dared to mount an offensive. But with his current, less potent form, such a course was foolhardy at best.

Faced with such insurmountable odds, Ryan saw only one viable path forward, to play along with Serena’s twisted game. From what he could gauge, the witch bore no explicit malice towards him or Freni. If they could successfully navigate this lethal theatre, there might still be a chance for them to emerge unscathed.

As these thoughts cascaded through his mind, the three wolf-like monsters closed the distance, their menacing forms now merely ten meters away. Steeling himself, Ryan murmured under his breath, a resolve hardening within him.

“Ten minutes, then. Let’s begin this deadly dance!”