Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 159

Chapter 159: Thunder Dragon, subjugated!
The [Upper] Thunder Dragon, now grievously wounded, let out a pained wail as another heavy strike from Ryan caused its massive form to roll over and hit the dirt hard. Ryan’s relentless assault, enhanced by the special skills [Sword Drawing Technique·Force] and [Stun Enhancement], had effectively rendered the dragon unconscious.

Seizing the perfect opportunity, Ryan, fueled by the “gluttony degree” to replenish his diminished strength and heal his injuries, advanced toward the prone dragon. After a brief moment to gather his energy, he unleashed another “three-stage charged” heavy slash.

The sound of cracking echoed through the air as the second horn of the [Upper] Thunder Dragon snapped off. The sharp pain jolted the dragon from its stupor. In a desperate attempt to defend itself, it slammed its powerful front paws against the ground, triggering a violent tremor that rippled through the earth like a localized earthquake. Leveraging the force of its own blow, the dragon gathered the last remnants of its electrical energy to strike at the momentarily unbalanced Ryan.

“Boom…”

The vibrant glow of the “Blood Core” dimmed completely as the blood barrier shattered, its final act absorbing the brunt of the Thunder Dragon’s electric strike.

Ryan, roaring defiantly, stumbled back, evading the thunderous swipe of the dragon’s claws. Regaining his footing, he charged his sword for a swift, powerful cut. Though this strike lacked the buildup of his previous attacks, its timing made it devastatingly effective.

The Thunder Dragon, overwhelmed by the impact, reeled backward, its head lifting in agony as it staggered, nearly collapsing once more. Now visibly diminished, its eyes dulled and body devoid of any electrical charge, it was a shadow of the formidable beast it had been moments before.

Struck repeatedly and hard, even a resilient creature like the [Upper] Thunder Dragon was on the brink of defeat.

Panic flared in the dragon’s eyes as it saw Ryan advancing. Gone was its earlier calm and dominance; now, it turned tail, fleeing into the enveloping darkness of the night. Despite its weakened state, the dragon’s powerful limbs propelled it forward at a speed that outmatched Ryan’s.

Ryan watched the gap widen between them, knowing a foot chase was futile. His expression hardened as he tapped into the [Relic: Embrace of Blood], draining his own life force to replenish his “blood energy” while simultaneously using his “gluttony degree” to offset the blood loss.

This strategic choice allowed him to rapidly regenerate, turning one point of gluttony into two points of blood energy. As his vitality surged from empty back to half-full, Ryan prepared for his final maneuver.

He stopped, gathered his strength, and summoned a blood-red spiral spear into his right hand. With a powerful thrust, he launched the spear. Its crimson light, swift and deadly, streaked through the night, overtaking the fleeing dragon.

The spear struck true, piercing the chest of the [Upper] Thunder Dragon. The force of the impact skewed its trajectory, sending it crashing to the ground in a defeated heap. The night stilled once more, the echo of battle fading into a heavy silence.

Ryan exhaled deeply, a mixture of relief and residual tension lining his breath. He had harbored a flicker of doubt about whether his “Blood Spear” would successfully penetrate the thick hide of the [Superior] Thunder Dragon. Had it failed, the dragon would have undoubtedly escaped, and Ryan would have been powerless to stop it.

Fortunately, his fears were unfounded.

With the dragon no longer in its “Super Charged State,” its defensive capabilities appeared significantly diminished. In its weakened state, the dragon was utterly unable to fend off the piercing strike of the “Blood Spear.”

Ryan sprinted forward, his sword poised for the final blow, when a sudden, primal instinct screamed a warning inside him. At that moment, he noticed an alarming change, the Thunder Dragon’s skin began to streak with ominous bright red stripes.

It was igniting “Red Flame Rage”!

Ryan’s pupils constricted in alarm, but it was already too late to retreat.

In mere moments, the dragon’s body erupted in a furious display of red and violent lightning, the previously sluggish arcs invigorated into a blazing tempest.

“Damn it!” Ryan cursed under his breath, halting in his tracks.

He knew it would take just one, perhaps two, more concerted strikes to fell the dragon under normal circumstances. Yet, facing the dragon now inflamed with “Red Flame Rage,” those calculations crumbled. His depleted “gluttony” reserves left him without the means to summon another blood barrier, and a direct confrontation could very well be fatal.

The intense threat emanating from the dragon in this frenzied state surpassed even its earlier prowess. Logic dictated a retreat if he was to survive, yet Ryan still felt reluctant to concede when victory had seemed so close to him.

The notion of possessing a similar transformative power, his own version of “Red Flame Rage” flashed through his mind, a wistful fantasy against the harsh reality that no such ability lay within his grasp.

After a moment of internal conflict, Ryan knew retreat was his only viable option.

But as he turned to flee, the Thunder Dragon, driven by a raw, unprecedented fury, refused to release its prey. For too long, it had not known the sting of defeat, and now, spurred by this rare indignity, it was consumed by rage.

The dragon’s heart, fueled by anger and the shock of vulnerability, saw no reason to spare the “upright walking creature” that had dared to challenge it.

The Thunder Dragon surged towards Ryan, its body crackling with a fearsome red lightning that scorched the earth in its wake, creating a sinister trail of black and red.

The dragon’s speed and strength, already strong, were now heightened by its wrathful state. Even at its weakest, Ryan had struggled to match its pace; now, escaping seemed a delusion.

If fleeing was impossible, then standing his ground was the only choice left.

With a defiant turn, Ryan faced the oncoming storm of scales and lightning, sword in hand, ready to confront the relentless fury of the Thunder Dragon.

Even from afar, Ryan could sense the terrifying power of the red lightning crackling around the Thunder Dragon. He knew well that even the slightest brush with it could reduce him to ashes. But he was undeterred.

“It’s just a fight,” Ryan muttered with a wry grin. Reaching into his pack, he pulled out a slab of pre-roasted “Blood Claw Dragon Steak” and wolfed it down, the rich flavors bolstering his resolve. With newfound vigor, he charged headlong towards the [Superior] Thunder Dragon, ready to carve his mark on the beast, come what may.

As Ryan sprinted forward, the gap between man and dragon swiftly closed. A fierce, bloody light enveloped both his body and his blade.

[Food War·Blood Claw Dragon’s Sorrow]: Wrapped in blood shadows, this effect boosted his movement speed by 20%, and granted his attacks additional bleeding and rending damage.

This boost, a result of consuming the meat of a higher-level monster, enhanced Ryan’s attributes from the standard 10% to a formidable 20%. His sword, now a blur, carried a deadly momentum fueled by the increased speed.

Facing the oncoming surge of red lightning, Ryan couldn’t help but laugh in the face of his seemingly inevitable demise. “Take my sword!” he shouted, as his blade, gleaming with a sinister mix of black and yellow, cut through the air towards the dragon.

Just as the clash seemed imminent, a blast of red energy pierced the air and struck the Thunder Dragon forcefully, knocking it sideways and halting its charge.

“What the—?!”

A surge of relief and surprise flashed through Ryan as he recognized the familiar style of the energy attack. Only Silver, his unlikely ally in these forsaken lands, could have delivered such timely support.

How had Silver found him here?

While part of him buzzed with questions, Ryan knew this was not the moment for inquiries. The Thunder Dragon was down, and this unexpected turn provided a golden opportunity to strike a decisive blow.

“Die!”

Ryan bellowed a war cry, not to affect the dragon but to stoke his own fighting spirit. Empowered by the [High-spirited War Roar], he felt his speed and strength surge as he approached the downed dragon.

“Thump—thump—thump!”

Channeling all his power, Ryan prepared a three-stage charged attack. Each step he took gathered more energy until, with a mighty swing, he brought his sword down on the dragon’s vulnerable head.

This strike was the culmination of all Ryan’s skill and strength, the most powerful blow he had ever delivered. As the sword sliced through the air, a white shockwave burst forth, the sound barrier shattering under the force.

The crisp sound of cracking filled the air as the red lightning fizzling around the Thunder Dragon began to fade, and the fierce glow in its eyes dimmed into nothingness.

Exhausted and exhilarated, Ryan collapsed to one knee, his sword planted in the ground beside him. A wild, triumphant laugh escaped his lips.

Upper two-star, Thunder Dragon, subjugated!