Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 142

Chapter 142: Giant!
As dawn unfurled with warm, blazing light across the sky, Ryan and his companions had already tackled their breakfast and were gearing up for the day’s challenges.

Seated near the remnants of their morning campfire, Ryan meticulously packed away the last of their supplies. “Captain, I’m heading back to St. Thomas today,” he declared, his voice steady but with an undertone of resolve. Freni, her gaze fixed on the dancing flames, nodded in acknowledgment.

“Then you must tread carefully,” Freni replied, her voice low yet firm. “You possess the Mask of the Overthrow Temple, which shields you from the ‘Holy Eye,’ but caution remains paramount.”

She paused, her expression serious. “Should you find yourself cornered by an enemy too formidable to escape, use what I’ve given you previously. I’ll come to your aid at once.”

As she spoke, a flicker of light danced from the dark blue space ring adorning her slender, pale finger, revealing eleven crystals glowing intensely in her palm.

“These crystals are akin to the ones I gave you before; however, they enhance physical strength rather than spirituality. This white one here,” she continued, handing him a luminescent crystal, “is for healing wounds.”

Ryan, momentarily transfixed by the glow of the crystals and the sincerity in Freni’s eyes, hesitated before accepting the gift. He glanced at her, a mixture of gratitude and resolve flashing across his features, before nodding firmly. “I’ll be careful,” he assured her, his voice more a vow than a statement.

With those words, he turned and exited the cave, his silhouette merging with the light of the new day.

Freni adjusted her hat, her eyes reflecting the flickering flames and the memories of last night, or rather, this very morning. The outcomes of the recent battles had left her astonished. She hadn’t anticipated the ‘Traveler’ would exhibit such formidable power after merely a day’s absence.

In the throes of combat, her emotions had been a tumultuous sea. Yet, at each perilous juncture, the ‘Traveler’ had unveiled his hidden skills and unearthed secret treasures, turning the tide of battle to his favor, culminating in his victory over the formidable ‘Upper’ Unicorn, Dragon a foe ranking significantly higher in power.

Her investment of 800 spiritual essences had ballooned to 6640, an impressive return of over eightfold, adding to a total of 7132 with the residue.

However, triumph often accompanies loss.

Her subsequent bet on the ‘Traveler’ against the ‘Upper’ Blood Claw Dragon, a creature of slightly higher rank, had not fared well. The battle was disastrously brief, lasting less than a minute, resulting in the loss of 1000 spiritual essences.

Despite the ‘Traveler’s’ previous victory over the ‘Superior’ Unicorn, Freni had overestimated his chances against an equally ranked adversary. The brief, brutal encounter left her staring at the cold reminder on her screen: “Friendly reminder: Investment is risky, be cautious when placing bets, please come back tomorrow.”

Freni sighed, a mix of frustration and resignation clouding her thoughts. The subtleties of combat were elusive from her vantage point, making it challenging to judge the encounters accurately.

Still, with 6132 spiritual essences remaining from her initial ventures, it had been a fruitful endeavor overall, a silver lining in an otherwise unpredictable game of power and prowess.

Before exiting the bustling viewing area, Freni deftly exchanged 10 [First-level Physical Enhancement Crystals], 1 [First-level Healing Crystal], and 2 [Second-level Spiritual Enhancement Crystals]. This strategic selection cost her 4,200 spiritual essences, a significant portion of her stash.

She saved the remaining 1,932 spiritual essences as seed money for her upcoming bets, planning to invest more strategically next time due to the high cost of second-level items.

The enhancement crystals were a calculated choice. The [First-order Physical Enhancement Crystals] and [First-order Healing Crystal] were specifically for Mr. Ryan, whose combat prowess was exceptional yet still ranked within the first-order, rendering him incompatible with the more potent second-order crystals. While Freni herself relied little on physical strength, preferring a strategy of finesse and skill, Ryan’s close-combat style benefited greatly from such enhancements. The [First-order Healing Crystal] was a precaution, allowing for swift recovery should he sustain injuries.

The [Second-Level Spiritual Enhancement Crystals] were for Freni’s personal use. Her compatriot Cecilia was still acclimatizing to the profound legacy of the Moon Wolf, making her a poor candidate for further spiritual enhancement.

With the potential opening of the Dungeon Labyrinth in the city of Santos, the region was teeming with undercurrents. This looming chaos could attract droves of sea adventurers and pirates, turning the maze into a lucrative yet perilous venture. In such turbulent times, bolstering her strength was not just an option for Freni, it was a necessity for survival and success.

With the weight of captaincy on her shoulders, she felt an intensified resolve as she gazed toward the rising sun from within the cave.

…

Meanwhile, Ryan treaded alone towards Santos, the weight of the shiny crystal in his hand sparking a blend of gratitude and unease. Accustomed to self-sufficiency, he was conflicted about relying on enhancements provided by another, yet the allure of the [First-level Physical Enhancement Crystal], a marvel that could directly amplify his physical attributes was undeniable. Was the wealth of the Augustus family truly so vast?

His thoughts wandered briefly to the implications of such wealth. With a self-deprecating cough, he banished those thoughts and focused on the task at hand, tossing the crystals into his mouth. They dissolved instantly, unleashing a warm surge that invigorated his body.

Moments later, as the effects settled, he checked his attributes:

[Spiritual]: 5.3 (Increased by 0.5 due to enhanced compatibility with [Gluttony Hunter (Level 1)])

[Physique]: 17.44 → 18.44

Clasping his fist, Ryan felt the newfound strength coursing through his veins, the slight upturn of his lips betraying his readiness. Now, even a confrontation with a third-level hero might swing in his favor.

Ryan took a determined stride towards the city of Santos, the powers of the [Overthrow Mask No. 7] warding off unwanted attention from the Libra Holy Church. Yet, his journey was not solitary; scattered along the path were figures moving stealthily towards the same destination. Their crude disguises did little to conceal their true identities from Ryan’s seasoned gaze; pirates.

It appeared that these seafaring opportunists had caught wind of potential plunder, converging on the outskirts like predators drawn to a scent. Ryan maintained a vigilant watch on these interlopers. Although distance muffled any spiritual emanations, the survival of these groups in the perilous waters of the inland sea hinted at their formidable capabilities, likely possessing at least second-level elite prowess.

Upon reaching Santos, the atmosphere was less tense than Ryan anticipated. With the “Day of Plenty” and its accompanying ceremonies on the horizon, the city gates were surprisingly lax. Entry was granted to anyone willing to pay the modest fee. Ryan could sense the thrum of malevolent intentions weaving through the crowd; surely, the city’s stewards were aware yet strangely passive, opting only to increase street patrols to maintain a semblance of order.

This deceptive tranquility set Ryan on edge.

Blending seamlessly into the crowd, Ryan adopted the guise of an unremarkable middle-aged man, a face easily swallowed by the masses, another cunning feature of [Mask No. 7].

His steps eventually paused before the most reputed blacksmith in Santos, as marked on the map given by the Fantasy Beast Witch, Meloye. The sign above read “Golden Hammer Blacksmith Shop,” eliciting a quirk of Ryan’s brow, golden, silver, bronze… The names suggested a pattern that piqued his curiosity.

With a speculative air, Ryan pushed through the entrance.

The blast of heat from the forge was immediate, sweeping over him like a desert wind. The first sight to greet him was the monumental back of a figure, its musculature like coiled steel, exuding a raw, formidable strength capable of shouldering mountains. Ryan craned his neck slightly to take in the full sight.

The figure, seated cross-legged on the ground, was a giant, the likes of which Ryan had only heard of in tales. Even in a seated position, he neared three meters in height, a standing giant would easily tower over six meters.

A revelation dawned on Ryan, his pupils contracting in awe and recognition.

“Giant tribe?!” he whispered under his breath.

The existence of other races beyond humans was a known fact in his world, but confronting such a being in the flesh was a starkly different reality. The information panel flickered into view, confirming his suspicions:

[Gold Hammer Master Orulon: Giant, apparent strength at level three, true strength concealed by mystical means, enjoys island hopping, settles temporarily in various locales to forge rare equipment and delve into the deeper arts of metallurgy.]

Ryan stood, momentarily rooted to the spot, absorbing the gravitas of the moment. Here, in the swelter of the forge, stood a bridge between myth and man, a living testament to the diverse tapestry of beings populating his world.