Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Silver-level trophie!
Before, Ryan had tirelessly pursued mastery beyond the “Second Stage” limit of his sword skill. Despite his relentless efforts and gritted determination, he could never breach the elusive boundary that veiled the ultimate mastery.

He always sensed something crucial was missing.

Now, as he confronted the massive chin of the Unicorn Dragon, vast as a tidal wave threatening to engulf him, Ryan’s understanding crystallized. What he lacked was a genuine resolve to face death, to battle against overwhelming odds with the will to survive.

This realization was the true essence of the [Storm Sword Skill-Breaking Waves], the very spirit that his old mentor, a rugged figure standing resolute with his back to Ryan, had sought to impart when he first bequeathed the sword skill to him.

As the sword reached its charge limit, Ryan’s newfound insight stilled the frenetic shimmer of white light along its blade. To an onlooker, this glow might have seemed to halt, but it was, in fact, moving at such a speed that it appeared perfectly serene.

At this pivotal moment, Ryan’s skill level in [Storm Sword Skills] ascended from “Mastery” to “Supreme Mastery” on his skill panel, though he was oblivious to this digital confirmation. All he knew was that he must unleash his strike, or be torn apart by the internal force building within him.

“Die!” Ryan roared hoarsely, channeling everything into the “three-stage charged” [Storm Sword Skill – Breaking Waves].

“Crack!”

The sound of his sword slicing through the air was grating, like heavy metal being rent apart. The formidable backlash rattled Ryan, catapulting him backward through the air. Yet, as he arced through the sky, he laughed heartily, triumph blooming in his heart.

For there, frozen in its tracks, was the Unicorn Dragon. Ryan’s bloody sword had carved a devastating path from its jaw up through the fractured horn, nearly cleaving the creature’s head in two.

As the black fog surrounding the beast thinned and its body shrank back to its original size, the unicorn’s stubborn stance held. Even in the throes of death, it stood like a knight undaunted by defeat, its spirit unbroken even as its physical form was shattered.

Landing hard in the sand, Ryan coughed up blood, the cost of his monumental effort. With laborious steps, he approached the valuable carcass of the Unicorn Dragon. Raising his right hand, he delivered a firm salute to the beast’s chest, a final gesture of respect to a formidable adversary.

At that moment, the desert winds whipped fiercely around them, as if nature itself was paying homage to the fallen knight. The sands swirled in a salute mirroring the grandeur of their initial confrontation.

After a while, as Ryan gathered his strength, he reflected on the profound differences of the “three-stage charging”. This ultimate level of his skill not only amplified his power but also exacted a severe toll on his spirit and physical reserves, marking a transformation in both his technique and his warrior’s soul.

Only then did Ryan truly comprehend the formidable power of the spirit. A soothing warmth coursed through him, a welcome surge of energy from his recent leveling up that revitalized both his body and spirit, staving off the darkness that threatened to overwhelm him.

Shaking his head vigorously with both hands, Ryan sought to clear the lingering fog of battle. He turned his gaze to the lifeless form of the Unicorn Dragon lying before him. The beast’s defeat marked not just a victory in combat but the beginning of the rewards phase, a time to reap the benefits of his arduous battle.

First and foremost was the significant level increase.

—

Level: 13 (13%)

Spiritual Value: 72635 → 172635

Spirituality: 6.0

Physique: 58.80 → 75.69

—

Defeating such a formidable opponent had yielded astonishing gains. Previously at level 12, the substantial experience from this victory not only advanced him to the next level but also filled 13% of his new level’s experience bar. The leap in experience was something ten lower-level monsters combined could not have given him.

With the level up, his Physique had jumped impressively from 58.80 to 75.69, a surge so potent it sent a thrill through his veins. Energized, Ryan couldn’t help but release a long, triumphant roar, feeling the raw power pulsating within him.

The next reward was the loot dropped by the Upper Unicorn. Unlike the lesser treasures yielded by lower-tier monsters, the items before him shimmered with a silver glow, each piece bright and alluring.

—

Silver-level loot!

[Loot: True Red Horn]: Silver-level item, a relic of the Upper Unicorn symbolizing the honor of knights and the courage of hunters. Comes with an attached special skill [Defense to Attack lv.2]: Increases damage by 10% for the next 40 seconds after a successful defensive parry with a weapon.

—

Ryan’s eyes widened as he scrutinized the attributes of the silver loot. “Level 2 special skill?” he murmured in awe. This was his first encounter with a level 2 special skill directly attached to an item. His previous treasures, though valuable, had only included level 1 skills.

“Not bad, not bad at all…” Ryan murmured, a grin spreading across his face. The special skill attached to the [Loot: True Red Horn] was a formidable addition to his arsenal, especially when combined with a similar skill from [Loot: Mud Dragon’s Big Water Bag].

This fusion of skills promised to elevate his combat effectiveness to new heights, showcasing a synergy that could potentially redefine his fighting style.

[Defense to Attack lv.3 (max)]: After a successful defensive parry with a weapon, the damage will be increased by 20% in the next 60 seconds.

The upgrade to level 3 brought monumental changes to [Defense to Attack]. The duration extension was noteworthy, but the true game-changer was the damage boost. Instead of the expected 5% incremental increase per level, it jumped straight to 20%.

This boost was extraordinary, propelling his attacks to a whole new level of potency. However, this powerful enhancement came with a downside. Seeing the “max” tag behind the skill, Ryan felt a twinge of regret.

“Max” indicated that the skill had reached its peak. No matter how many more items or equipment with this special skill he acquired, it wouldn’t grow any stronger.

“Ah…” Ryan sighed, then turned his attention to the severed horn of the Upper Unicorn lying nearby.

[Trophies: True Red Horn] was not merely a part he had cut off. In reality, trophies were more like the essence of the monster, condensed and embodied.

The Unicorn Dragon’s horn was its most valuable material. When discussing unicorns in the past, it was always emphasized that this horn was an exceptional material for forging equipment.

Ryan planned to use it to forge a new greatsword for himself, the ultimate weapon material.

“A Heroic Great Sword? Just the thought of it excites me,” he mused, a smile curling his lips.

After gathering as much material as he could from the Upper Unicorn, Ryan felt a pang of regret as he gazed at the remaining flesh and blood.

“Next time, I need to get a bigger space ring,” he resolved. “Even if I have to beg Freni for it, I’ll make sure I have one.”

His eyes gleamed with determination.