Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 114

Chapter 114: Reclusive Dragon Man!
[Spirit Deer Horn: Spirit Deer are gentle and timid creatures, known for their curiosity. They are rare and swift. Their horns contain rich vitality and are prized for recovery potions. When pursued, they break off a piece of their antlers to escape. It requires 3000 spirit points to materialize it into the body.]

“Good stuff!” Ryan exclaimed, delighted by his unexpected find. The vitality in the [Spirit Deer Horn] was significant, and he wondered if it could help Miss Cecilia’s condition.

Unfortunately, capturing a spirit deer would be nearly impossible at his current speed. If not for the overly timid deer that shed its antler, Ryan would have come away empty-handed.

“Is this considered a blessing after surviving a disaster?” he mused, smiling wryly at his good fortune.

Stowing the [Spirit Deer Horn], Ryan pressed on. The appearance of the spirit deer suggested the underground cavern was larger and more populated than he initially thought.

Turning a corner, he encountered a fork in the path where the river split into two tributaries. The decision of which path to take loomed ahead, each route promising new discoveries and dangers.

Ryan stroked his chin thoughtfully before deciding to take the left passage. The ground was peppered with more spirit deer footprints compared to the right passage, suggesting a higher likelihood of discovering something interesting.

As he ventured left, the passage grew increasingly illuminated. By the time Ryan reached the end, the sight before him took his breath away.

An ancient tree stood solitary with a single, gnarled branch, its trunk deeply embedded into the rock. Several spirit deer knelt beside the tree, their earlier panic replaced by an aura of tranquility. They eyed Ryan with wary curiosity but didn’t bolt, as if the presence of the old tree offered them some sort of mystical reassurance.

Just as Ryan was about to step closer, a rhythmic “thud, thud” echoed through the air, the sound of a wooden stick striking the ground. He looked up and saw a figure standing on a raised platform carved into the rock wall. The figure wore a bamboo hat woven from dark leaves and vines, standing silently, almost blending into the surroundings.

Is that a person? Ryan’s eyes widened in surprise. It was the first time his travel clone had encountered another living soul on this enigmatic island.

“&*…%&…” The figure’s voice was raspy, speaking a language Ryan had never heard before, yet somehow, he could grasp its meaning.

“…hunt…the dragon in the mud…prove…your qualifications…exchange with me…”

Ryan’s eyes widened further, and a gray font prompt appeared before him.

[Hidden Dragon Man: Dragon Man is an indigenous inhabitant of this mysterious island. They are rare and possess extensive knowledge about this place. Try to communicate, trade, or obtain information from them.]

“Dragon Man? And he knows a lot about this island?” Ryan blinked, his mind racing.

Until now, all his information about the island came from the deputy head of the hunting group’s notes. The deputy head was also an outsider, just one who arrived earlier. Now, here stood a native willing to trade with him, albeit after proving his worth.

“I agree,” Ryan said firmly, nodding at the “recluse dragon man” standing above. “But where can I find the ‘dragon in the mud’? Can you give me a hint?”

The dragon man seemed to possess a unique linguistic ability, understanding and making himself understood despite the language barrier.

“… Follow it… Go to the ‘dragon in the mud’…”

Ryan’s pulse quickened. He had a chance to learn from a native, to uncover the island’s secrets. As he prepared to set off on this new quest, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation and determination. The path ahead was uncertain, but the promise of knowledge and the thrill of the hunt spurred him forward.

A spirit deer emerged gracefully from behind the ancient tree, its ethereal form gliding through the air as it circled around Ryan, eyes wide with curiosity. Its gaze, filled with intelligence and wonder, lingered on him.

“Okay,” Ryan murmured, giving a slight nod before turning to leave.

With the “hidden dragon man” vouching for Ryan, the spirit deer’s initial wariness melted away. It bounded ahead with newfound confidence, leading the way through the labyrinthine tunnels.

The underground expanse was far more vast than Ryan had anticipated. It consisted of numerous caves of varying sizes, interspersed with countless branching paths. Under the spirit deer’s guidance, Ryan navigated the winding passages until they reached a large cavern, its floor a treacherous mire of muddy wetlands.

Suddenly, the spirit deer halted, its previously bold demeanor giving way to trepidation. It hopped nervously around Ryan before retreating to the safety of some ferns in the corner. Its large, expressive eyes seemed to convey, “I’ve brought you here. The rest is up to you.”

Ryan gave the deer a reassuring smile. With a flash from the ring on his finger, a large sword materialized, which he slung over his back.

He cautiously made his way along the firmer ground at the edge of the wetland. As he ventured further, he paused, eyes narrowing at the sight before him. Several spiked fins glided ominously above the murky waters, and in the distance, a much larger fin lay still.

“A dragon in the mud?” Ryan muttered to himself. “And another species, like beach crabs to dragon head crabs?”

A chill ran down his spine. Ryan didn’t rush in but picked up a stone and hurled it toward one of the smaller fins. His plan was to draw out the lesser creatures and deal with them first. Having multiple threats at once could be disastrous.

To his surprise, the thrown stone triggered a cascade of reactions. The smaller creatures surged toward him, and even the distant, more formidable “Dragon in the Mud” was roused.

The mud churned violently as the massive fins cleaved through the muck, the dragon advancing with alarming speed. With a mighty splash, a colossal black shadow erupted from the mire, its gaping maw lunging at Ryan.

Prepared for this, Ryan deftly evaded the attack. The “Dragon in the Mud” landed with a crash, burrowing back into the wetland. As expected, a gray prompt materialized in front of Ryan:

[Mud Dragon]: Lower apex, fish dragon species!

Ryan’s lips curled into a smile. Just as he had hoped, the creature was not of the upper echelon.

“A lower apex… perfect,” he murmured, eyes glinting with determination. “You’ll be the final offering to awaken the [Azure Medal]!”