Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 161

Chapter 161: Lustfull Pleasure?
Ryan mulled over the prompts on his panel as he chewed on another piece of succulent “Thunder Dragon Steak.” When he first took on the role of “Gluttony Hunter (Level 1),” the panel had clearly stated that fulfilling the “Gluttony Pleasure” task four times would pave the way to the second level. Now, as he eyed the qualifications for the [Original Sin Path], the challenges loomed larger yet enticingly tangible.

For starters, the fundamental requirement demanded both [Physique] and [Spirit] to exceed the threshold of 5.0, a milestone Ryan had just surpassed, but not without considerable effort.

[Gluttony Hunter (Level 1)] had granted him a boost of 1.5 in spirituality upon initiation and an additional 3.0 upon achieving 100% job compatibility. Sourcing the elusive 0.5 to meet the minimum was no trivial task, given the rarity of items and methods that could enhance one’s spiritual prowess.

The requirement for 5.0 in [Physique] was an even steeper climb. The “Gluttony Hunter” offered no physical bonuses, leaving Ryan to scavenge for his own means of enhancement, a feat as daunting as scaling the heavens.

Who, Ryan wondered, had the [Original Sin Path] been designed for? Were only non-human races, naturally endowed with robust physiques, supposed to reach these heights? Humans, he suspected, were hardly the intended candidates.

Shaking off these doubts, Ryan’s focus shifted to the second, more perplexing condition for advancement, the “pleasure ritual.”

The second-level hidden profession was dubbed [Apostle of pleasure]. Considering the connotations of “original sin,” and how “pleasure” often aligned with “lust,” Ryan’s mind raced as he contemplated the implications. A public act of “pleasure,” recognized by over a hundred people at a grand event, seemed a daunting, if not scandalous, challenge.

The mere thought sent a shiver through him. The spectacle required to satisfy such a criterion must border on the outrageous!

Ryan exhaled deeply, attempting to temper his racing thoughts. Perhaps he was misinterpreting the true nature of the “pleasure ritual.” Although “lust” traditionally hinted at debauchery, the panel offered a broader interpretation: a deep craving and the pursuit of extreme excitement.

Understood in this light, “lust” manifested as the raw, uninhibited expression of desire. This could potentially encompass a myriad of extreme, thrilling activities, broadening the scope of what could qualify as a “pleasure ritual.”

Yet, how to orchestrate such a ceremony remained an enigma Ryan would need to unravel.

Turning his attention from his own contemplations, Ryan looked over at Silver, now sprawled contentedly on the shore, surrounded by the remnants of his feast, a modest pile of bones that Ryan had diligently collected earlier. Bones from such formidable creatures were invaluable for crafting and forging.

Their gazes met, each reflecting a mutual sense of fulfillment. The bond between man and mythical beast, strengthened by shared trials and triumphs, was palpable in the quiet of the desert night.

The night breeze was refreshingly cool, brushing against Ryan’s skin as he stood by the tranquil waters of the oasis lake. He glanced at Silver with a warm smile. “I owe you big time for this one, thanks.”

“But how did you make it all the way to this lake?” Ryan’s curiosity piqued as he gestured towards the vast expanse that separated them from the open sea. “It’s quite a trek from the island’s coast.”

Silver, with an air of mischief, traced a circle in the sand with his fin, then sketched a straight line leading from the circle’s perimeter to its center.

Ryan’s eyes lit up. “You mean you followed the underwater passage we discovered last time? The one that forks off to the inner areas?”

With an enthusiastic nod, Silver confirmed.

Ryan’s mind raced with possibilities. “It seems there’s a network of underwater passages beneath this island. We should explore them sometime.” He pondered the idea, though he knew the ocean’s depths held dangers that made him hesitant. On land, his strength was formidable, but underwater, it dwindled dramatically, a mere fraction of its usual potency. Even with Silver’s protection, the risk was formidable.

The skill enhancements from his [Pirate (Level 1)] profession improved underwater breathing and swimming, offered little comfort in the face of such peril.

After a brief exchange, Ryan rolled to his feet in a smooth motion, energized from his meal. Silver, with a splash, submerged into the lake, only his sleek, shark-like head visible.

Stretching his limbs, Ryan peered into the reflective waters. “It’s getting late. I should head back and rest. What about you? What’s next on your agenda?”

Silver’s response was a dance of ripples across the water.

“You’re thinking of diving deeper into those seabed passages? Something down there draws you…” Ryan mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Your strength’s definitely up to par now. Guess I don’t need to worry too much.”

“Go on then. And if trouble finds you, just signal me like before. I’ll meet you at our usual spot.”

Silver’s enthusiastic nod sent waves cascading around him. After a lingering, reluctant glance at Ryan, he sank beneath the surface, his red-patterned fins the last glimpse Ryan caught as his friend disappeared into the depths.

Turning away, Ryan reflected on their simple, yet profound connection. They helped each other without expectation, a bond as clear and refreshing as the water itself. It was a friendship that transcended usual bounds, though calling it akin to the ‘friendship of gentlemen’ might stretch traditional definitions. Still, no other phrase seemed to fit quite as well.

With a final look over the serene lake, Ryan gathered his gear and started back towards [Bonfire Point – Corruption Abyss Outpost]. The journey back was quiet, a chance to process the fatigue from the battles and the gains from his adventure.

Sitting beside the crackling campfire later, Ryan relaxed into the familiar warmth, his mind already turning to future quests. The elusive “Roaring Black Tiger” would have to wait.

“Can’t remember the last time a return journey felt this good,” he mused aloud, letting the fire’s warmth seep into his bones. It was a well-earned respite, marking the end of an intense yet rewarding chapter.

The thought amused Ryan, and a smile tugged at his lips. He shook his head, reaching out to touch the campfire. As his fingers brushed the flames, a shower of sparks erupted, and his body transformed into countless tiny fire points, vanishing into the night.

—

[Observation Deck]

Freni sat at the [Observation Deck], a satisfied grin lighting up her face, eyes crinkling with delight. The tip of her fluffy witch hat quivered with joy as she glanced at her [Spiritual Essence: 19023]. Luck had favored her tonight, her previous two investments in Travelers yielding bountiful returns.

The most exhilarating moment for Freni was witnessing the Traveler’s first battle of the night, a fierce showdown with the [Upper] Blood Claw Dragon. The odds were against the Traveler, with combat power ratios at 41 to 43 respectively. The investment return ratio was a staggering 1.2:8.

Although the Traveler had gained a combat point since their last encounter, the gap between their strengths was still daunting. Most would have bet on the [Upper] Blood Claw Dragon without hesitation. But Freni, having learned from numerous experiences, knew that the most unlikely battles often turned in the Traveler’s favor.

Confident in her intuition, the Witch boldly wagered 2,000 spiritual essences on the Traveler. There was another reason behind her choice, the payout for backing the Blood Claw Dragon was dismal. Moreover, a loss would mean the end of the Traveler’s journey, making it a high-risk, high-reward scenario.

Despite her bravado, Freni’s heart pounded throughout the battle. Her nerves peaked when the term [Ancient Dragon] appeared in the [Battle Record]. Though the exact nature of an “ancient dragon” was unclear, its nearly fatal strike on the [Superior] Blood Claw Dragon highlighted its immense power.

The memory of a previous investment flooded back, a tie caused by a third monster’s intervention. Freni silently pleaded, hoping to avoid such an outcome this time.

Her wishes seemed heard. After a series of tense moments, the Traveler managed a surprise attack on the critically injured Blood Claw Dragon, securing victory. Relief washed over Freni as the words “Investment Successful” appeared. Only then did she realize she had been holding her breath, nearly depriving herself of oxygen.

The second battle the Traveler faced was far less dramatic, a confrontation with the “Sickle General,” a giant crab with a combat power of 39, even lower than the Traveler’s. For the first time, the Traveler’s return on investment was more favorable than the monster’s.

Without hesitation, Freni invested 10,000 of her hard-won spiritual essence in the Traveler. She refrained from betting it all, mindful that even a “98%” certainty could be derailed by unexpected variables. A backup was always wise.

As she watched the Traveler’s progress, Freni felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. Tonight had been a success, but the journey was far from over. The stakes were high, and the path ahead was uncertain, but that was what made the adventure so thrilling.

The battle concluded swiftly, and just as predicted, the Traveler emerged victorious. Freni watched as her 10,000 Spirit Essence transformed into a rewarding 12,000, bringing her total to an impressive 19,023 Spirit Essence.

For the first time, Freni found herself in possession of such a vast sum, her eyes sparkling with delight. She began to daydream about how to spend her newfound wealth when the [Observation Deck] interface suddenly switched back to the battle screen.

“So soon?!” Freni exclaimed, her heart racing. The Traveler had barely triumphed over the Scythe General when another challenge arose. Her excitement turned to concern as she read the new prompts.