Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Miasma and Poison!
[Bonfire Point – Corruption Abyss Outpost]

Ryan set his notebook aside with a heavy sigh. The notes left by Loic, the deputy leader of the Seventh Scouting Hunting Group, had unraveled some mysteries of the enigmatic island but also posed new riddles.

Firstly, the notes spoke of the Red Sun’s influence on humans, it promised benefits to those who could withstand its harsh impact, albeit at a cost. This notion of ‘Red Sun Evolution’ process mentioned by Silver, yet the nature of the “little price” remained a disturbing unknown.

Secondly, Ryan’s instincts about the path ahead were confirmed. The increasing foul stench was a harbinger of substantial peril. Beyond the mere mention of “Ancient Dragon Traces,” the deputy’s warnings about the “miasma poison” had set Ryan’s nerves on edge. The words ‘miasma’ and ‘poison’ alone were enough to chill the spine, and their combination was nothing short of ominous.

Armed with only two detoxifying agents, “Matsutake Mashroom” and “Abundant Pearls” the former a mere suppressant of toxins and the latter a healing agent, Ryan doubted their efficacy against the formidable miasma. Yet, an old adage gave him hope: where there are venomous snakes, an antidote grows nearby. Perhaps the true remedy lay deeper within the dreaded “Rotten Abyss.”

Thirdly, Loic’s notes mentioned two formidable creatures: the True Red Knight, a superior unicorn Dragon seen wandering the desert, and the Roaring Black Tiger, a unique beast apparently guarding the entrance to the central area. Ryan had encountered the former but the latter remained a mystery, its name suggesting a fearsome guardian of considerable might.

Despite these looming threats, Ryan chuckled at the mention of the “ancient dragon.” His current prowess was such that should the dragon dare appear, he was ready to confront it with bravado, he has confidence in his growth.

With nothing more to glean from the cave’s contents, Ryan made brief repairs by the campfire before rising to leave. Time was pressing, and the depths of the Corruption Abyss awaited his exploration.

He navigated through a narrow crevice and emerged at the end of the passage. Stepping into the light, he squinted as his eyes adjusted. Below him, a small rocky outcrop jutted from the cave wall, overlooking a vast expanse blanketed in a grey-yellow fog. The landscape was dotted with grey-white coral-like growths and giant pale ribs protruding from the earth, remnants of creatures far larger than the formidable male fire dragon leader, yet here reduced to mere relics in this corrupted wasteland.

The potent stench of decay assaulted his senses, bringing a slight dizziness. Staring into the swirling mists below, Ryan muttered to himself, “That’s the ‘miasma’, then.” After a moment’s contemplation, he decided to descend into the fog, to experience firsthand the effects of the miasma and gauge the true scale of the challenge that lay ahead.

Following the tendrils that draped from the platform’s edge, Ryan descended effortlessly to the ground. Positioned atop a natural rise, he stood clear of the encroaching gray-yellow miasma. He surveyed the area, his gaze landing on the odd gray-white coral that dominated the landscape. Regrettably, his guide offered no insights into this peculiar flora, a fact that left Ryan quietly lamenting the missed opportunity for knowledge.

Pausing briefly to gather his bearings, Ryan’s hand instinctively found the hilt of his sword, secured at his back. With calculated steps, he ventured toward the miasma-infested zone.

The miasma clouded the air, obscuring his vision and cloaking potential dangers within its murky depths. The threat of unseen predators, poised for an ambush, heightened the need for vigilance.

As Ryan neared the heart of the miasma, the stench intensified, assailing his senses more aggressively than before. Stepping into the toxic fog, the mild irritation he’d previously felt escalated into an acute stinging that pervaded his body. Each breath drew in more of the noxious vapors, sending a searing pain through his lungs, prompting a stern internal warning: “You must not linger here too long, or suffer dire consequences!”

Yet, despite the discomfort, Ryan’s determination held firm. He pressed on, scouring the surroundings for anything of use.

Just as the discomfort neared its unbearable peak, Ryan’s eyes caught sight of a peculiar plant bearing oval fruits. A flicker of hope sparked within him as he recognized the description from his panel.

[Elimination Fruit], a rare species thriving in extreme environments. Known for its quick remedial effects against afflictions such as poison, miasma, burns, and frostbite, though ineffective against unconsciousness and severe negative conditions.

“Found it!” Ryan exclaimed, a surge of relief washing over him as he carefully harvested the three fruits from the plant, each a promise of relief from his torment.

These fruits, he noted, were far more potent in purging toxins than the specialty matsutake and lacked the nutritional or restorative properties of the abundant pearls.

With the miasma’s sting intensifying, Ryan didn’t hesitate. He popped one of the fruits into his mouth. Tiny as a thumb, it burst with a slight sweetness, quickly chewed and swallowed.

Almost instantly, Ryan felt the sharp pains recede. Within seconds, the discomfort vanished completely, replaced by a refreshing coolness that suffused his lungs, even as he breathed in more miasma. Intrigued, he wondered if the fruit not only cleansed but also conferred a temporary immunity, akin to a vaccine.

This fortuitous discovery brought a grin to Ryan’s face. Armed with these Elimination Fruits, he could traverse the blighted lands with newfound freedom, a boon for his continued exploration.

As Ryan savored the fleeting sweetness of the Elimination Fruit, his determination to gather more intensified. No sooner had he plucked another fruit, laden with two ripe offerings, than the earth beneath his feet began to tremble.

“Buzz…Buzz…”

The vibrations grew rapidly, sending gravel dancing violently across the surface, heralding the approach of something colossal, its mass rivaling that of the male fire dragon leader.

Ryan’s expression tightened. He stilled his breath, channeling the spiritual energy within him. Muscles tensed, he prepared for the worst, entering a preemptive “charge” state.

“Boom…”

The ominous rumbling swelled as a gargantuan sphere, nearly ten meters in radius, burst through the miasma, tearing a swath through the veil of fog.

It was encased in a thick armor of pale bone, crushing the ribs and gray-white corals under its relentless roll. The creature, a formidable Bone Armor Dragon, revealed itself in full menace.

[Bone Armor Dragon: A beastly dragon species of the lower apex, native to the “Rotten Miasma Abyss”. Its skin secretes a viscous oil that binds the scattered bones of the abyss into a formidable heavy armor. With a body as long as its tail and stubby forelimbs, it appears ungainly yet possesses surprisingly nimble dark skin underneath the rigid exterior. Capable of curling into a ball, it rolls forward with the ease of a tire. It also harbors a “sleeping bag” organ that emits a hypnotic gas, inducing a powerful sleepy impulse in its foes.]

“The lower apex?” Ryan mused with a smirk, his eyes scanning the creature’s bio on his panel.

It seemed almost providential, a gift perfectly timed to his needs. At this moment, he required just such a challenge to enhance the capabilities of his travel clone.

Though his powers had significantly grown since the awakening of the [Sacred Relic: Azure Medal], defeating an upper-level unicorn remained a daunting task without further enhancement. Ascending one more level would certainly bolster his confidence.

The inner ring of this abyss was notorious for its formidable inhabitants, each creature he had encountered being of at least lower apex strength.

The Bone Armor Dragon advanced swiftly, its massive form spinning like a giant, bone-studded tire, honing in on Ryan with eerie precision. To any ordinary onlooker, such a sight, this immense rolling behemoth, would likely freeze them with terror.

But Ryan, seasoned by countless encounters with the abyss’s unique fauna, saw this not as a threat, but as an opportunity. He readied himself, not just to survive, but to turn this fearsome charge to his advantage.