Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 140

Chapter 140: Rotten Pterosaur!
“Crackle…”

The crisp, inviting sound of the campfire punctuated the stillness of the evening air as it consumed the wood with a greedy hiss.

Ryan, with practiced ease, flipped the grill over the fire, his gaze alight with anticipation. After a victorious skirmish with the formidable [Upper] Unicorn, he had packed his gear and left the dank, stench-ridden environs of [Campfire Point – Corruption Abyss Outpost]. His destination was the fresher air of [Campfire Point – Gap between Giant Trees], a spot chosen for its clean breeze that wouldn’t spoil the purity of his culinary conquest.

Indeed, not everyone detested the pervasive decay at the outpost, but Ryan was certainly not one to savor his meals amidst the aroma of corruption filled miasma.

At that moment, sizzling on the grill was a thick steak cut from the [Upper] Unicorn Dragon, seared to perfection. The prolonged grilling had imbued the meat with a smoky fragrance, its surface transforming into a golden, crispy crust that promised a delightful crunch.

Ryan, feeling the steak had reached its peak, snatched it directly from the flames. Ignoring the searing heat; thanks to his high resistance to fire, he took a hearty bite. The meat was tender, losing its raw toughness, though the dense muscle fibers slightly marred the texture. Nevertheless, the rich, robust flavor of the unicorn dragon meat masked any imperfections, making each bite a decadent treat.

A satisfied grin spread across his face. Beyond the sensory pleasure, Ryan reveled in the surge of his “gluttony degree” visible on the [Gluttony Heart] gauge. The recent battle with the Unicorn Dragon had depleted his resources, dropping his gluttony level to a meager “3/100” a significant setback. Now, as he watched the meter climb sharply, each succulent bite restoring ten points, he felt a profound sense of vindication.

The flesh of higher-tier monsters was not only a culinary delight but a powerhouse of nutrition, vastly more satisfying to the [Heart of Gluttony] than that of their lesser brethren.

Within seconds, the gauge hit “100/100”. Ryan experienced a surge of warmth that cascaded through his body, an almost euphoric rush, accompanied by the system prompt materializing before his eyes:

[[Gluttony] reaches “100/100”, achieving the first “Gluttony Bliss”. For your indulgence, you gain the following permanent enhancements: Special skill [Dragon Armor (Beginner)] – Receive 5% less damage (effectiveness varies by enemy rank).]

[[Glutton Hunter (Level 1)] compatibility increased by 25%, Spirituality +0.5!]

It took several moments for Ryan to emerge from the rapturous aftermath of “gluttony pleasure”, the satisfaction so profound, it bordered on addictive.

“[Dragon Armor]?” he murmured to himself, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Though a 5% reduction in damage might seem modest, it could very well be the slender margin between defeat and victory in a crucial moment. Moreover, Ryan found the tiered effectiveness of this skill an intriguing aspect to ponder as he savored the last bites of his meal under the twinkling stars.

Unlike the static levels assigned to skills found in loot “lv.1,” “lv.2,” and so forth, the skills bestowed by “Gluttony Pleasure” embrace a dynamic system akin to that of acquiring traditional learning skills, categorized under “entry” and “mastery” levels. This nuanced distinction could stem from inherent variations between the main body’s interface and that of the traveling clone, though the implications of such differences were not entirely clear.

Ryan mulled over this nuanced matter, though it barely scratched the surface of his curiosity.

After indulging in the “Gluttony Pleasure,” he voraciously devoured the remainder of the grilled steaks until his “binge eating degree” alarmingly hit 30. His appetite, far from satiated, yearned for more. Yet, he knew the diminishing returns all too well; the first consumption of a monster’s flesh and blood granted a substantial boon, but any subsequent indulgence offered mere scraps of that former glory. Stuffed to the brim, Ryan knew that achieving another surge of “Gluttony Pleasure” would require either gradual accumulation or venturing into uncharted territories to feast on the flesh of higher-tier monsters yet untasted.

Resigned, Ryan lay next to the crackling campfire, letting the meal settle for a good half-hour at the Corruption Abyss Outpost’s Campfire Point before he reluctantly hoisted himself up, setting his sights on the mysterious depths of the Rotten Miasma Abyss.

Physically, Ryan was far from peak condition. His “blood” reserve from the [Holy Relic·Embrace of Blood] was a meager 10 points, insufficient even to conjure a blood greatsword. His only armament, [Greatsword·Ferocious Ice Flower], served well against lower-tier foes but would falter against the mightier creatures of the abyss. With a “Gluttony Level” of just “30/100,” he was ill-prepared for a confrontation with a formidable beast.

Nevertheless, driven by a blend of curiosity and duty, Ryan was determined to delve deeper into the abyss, spurred by cryptic notes from the deputy leader of the hunting group that hinted at alarming irregularities. The ominous, blood-red sun sinking into the horizon, the faint traces of the ancient dragon’s past presence, it all pointed to the “anchor point” he was tasked to find, a term which could signify a legendary treasure or a formidable beast.

Ryan, with sober self-awareness, recognized his limitations. Having barely managed to best a superior monster, he was a competent hunter but not among the elite. The prospect of facing an ancient dragon with his current capabilities was daunting; the creature’s mere reputation was enough to instill fear in even the most seasoned hunters.

Yet, if confronting this “anchor point” was inevitable, preparation was key.

Pushing through his fatigue and the sharp stench that began to pervade the air, Ryan cautiously approached the site of his last encounter with the Bone Dragon. Keeping close to the rock walls adorned with ghostly gray-white coral, he advanced slowly, every sense heightened, every nerve on edge.

Enveloped in the choking haze of the miasma, Ryan struggled with each breath as the toxic vapors seemed to gnaw at his lungs. His enhanced physical fortitude, however, bought him precious time. It was nearly a quarter of an hour before he felt the piercing edge of his endurance.

With no time to spare, Ryan consumed an Elimination Fruit, which bolstered his resistance. Seizing this momentary advantage, he quickened his pace, pushing through the dense, oppressive atmosphere.

The further they traveled, the more daunting the landscape became. They encountered a rock wall cloaked in a peculiar gray-white fern, its surface speckled with ashen particles. “The environment is deteriorating,” Ryan muttered to himself, his heart sinking with the realization. To stand a chance against the formidable creatures that lurked here, a steady supply of Elimination Fruits was essential. Yet, they were scarce; along his journey, Ryan had found only a handful, certainly not enough for a prolonged confrontation.

Despite this, there was a glimmer of hope. As he delved deeper, the miasma thinned, suggesting they were nearing a zone where the air was less venomous. Just as the potency of the last Elimination Fruit began to wane, Ryan came out from the miasma-clouded area. He barely had a moment to catch his breath when a shrill cry pierced the air. A trio of creatures, with membranous wings stretching nearly three meters, swooped down upon him.

They resembled pterosaurs, albeit smaller. The information panel flickered to life with a timely notification:

[Rotten Pterosaur: A smaller pterosaur variant residing in the Rotten Miasma Abyss, known for its scavenging habits. This species, usually moving in flocks, adapts its diet flexibly. It doesn’t shy away from attacking living prey, killing them to devour once decomposed.]

Ryan exhaled a relieved sigh, realizing they were just ordinary monsters, not the feared beasts of legend. His silver-blue greatsword flashed through the air, slicing through the attackers in a graceful arc. The remaining pterosaur, witnessing the fate of its kin, beat a hasty retreat, fearing a similar demise.

Unconcerned with the fleeing creature, Ryan surveyed his surroundings. A bizarre cave, formed from a vast assortment of giant bones, skulls, ribs, coccyxes, loomed before him. Each bone was massive, dwarfing Ryan in stature. He felt a strange pull to this place, as if he had stumbled upon a graveyard where colossal beasts came to die, their bodies decaying to nothing more than the skeletal remains that now formed this macabre structure.

“Could this be a sanctum where these beasts met their end?” Ryan pondered aloud, the weight of the place pressing down on him.

His contemplation was cut short by the emergence of a bloodied figure from the miasma ahead, drawing his immediate attention. The urgency of the moment left no room for further reflection on the mysteries of the bone-laden cave. Ryan readied himself, sensing that the true challenge of this eerie land was just beginning to unfold.