Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 163

Chapter 163: Dark Moon Magic Pattern!
While Ryan was not bound by the traditional “Blood Oath of the Contract,” he maintained a grave demeanor. Participation was essential, if only to maintain appearances. After all, the Overturned Palace had provided him with significant advantages so far.

“As long as the mission doesn’t jeopardize my safety, there’s no harm in proceeding,” Ryan thought, his pragmatic mind weighing the risks.

The room fell silent, the only sound being the voice of “Red Kite,” resonating with each member, “At 12 noon today, the Holy Libra Church is scheduled to conduct a ‘sacred ceremony’ at the main hall. Despite their efforts, they have yet to locate the ‘holy object,’ which means they cannot activate the ‘Sacred Libra.'”

“Without the Sacred Libra’s suppression, the entrance to the underground maze will inevitably open.”

“Your mission is to secure the entrance to the ninth level of this maze and ensure no one gains access. Particularly, a group of unidentified individuals in black robes have infiltrated the area around the yet-to-be-opened Saint Fellow Underground Rift Valley. They are your primary concern.”

As the details of the mission unfolded, the weight of their task hung heavily in the air, setting the stage for what was sure to be a pivotal confrontation.

As the briefing continued, “Red Kite” delved deeper into the complexities of their mission. “Upon the initial opening of the Dungeon Labyrinth, a deluge of creatures will emerge. These monsters are expected to slow down the black-robed individuals attempting to access the maze. To counteract their lead, Princess Water Drop has secured access for you through a covert passage maintained by the royal family. This will place you at the rift’s entrance on par with the black-robed faction.”

He paused to ensure the gravity of their task was understood, then added, “Your objective is to hold the entrance to the ninth floor for at least one full day, preventing anyone from entering.”

“The challenge is formidable; therefore, all members except myself and No. 2 will participate. Should you face overwhelming danger, you have the option to teleport back to the Overthrow Tample. I will then relocate you to safety, but withdrawing means the mission is deemed a failure. For those who endure until the mission’s conclusion, a mid-level rare item awaits as a reward.”

The mention of ‘mid-level rare items’ sent a palpable wave of excitement through the hall; even Ryan felt his pulse quicken. These items were a substantial leap from the lower-tiered artifacts, typically unattainable until reaching the more advanced fourth-level of hero profession. Ryan owned only one such artifact, the Greatsword, True Red Crown Horn; forged from materials surpassing the strength of typical fourth-level monsters, which only shows its rarity and power.

Understanding the enormity of the reward highlighted the potential dangers of their quest. Yet, after a moment of initial excitement, a collective calm resettled among the assembly.

From his seat, No. 6 “Blue Mountain” voiced the question on everyone’s mind, “How strong are these black-robed adversaries?”

“Very,” “Red Kite” affirmed without hesitation. “Their origins are as mysterious as their abilities, endowed with a unique spiritual power. Direct contact should be avoided to prevent debilitating weakness.”

She clarified their strength, “There aren’t many of them, but each possesses capabilities akin to a third-level hero.”

A hush fell over the group as the reality set in: they were up against third-level opponents with devastating spiritual powers.

“Cyan River and Purple Wind, you’ve had prior encounters with these figures. They can provide more insights,” “Red Kite” suggested, directing everyone’s attention to Ryan and Cyan River.

Cyan River gave a subtle nod in confirmation, a silent signal of understanding between her and Ryan. It became clear to him that she had reported these encounters to “Red Kite,” not out of duty alone but from a stark awareness of their peril. Alone, she could not face such threats, necessitating a collective response from the Tample’s mightiest. Ryan respected her prudence; it underscored the direness of their situation and the need for preparedness against formidable foes cloaked in shadow.

As the assembled members of the Overthrow Tample fixed their gaze upon her, Cyan River’s voice cut through the tension, clear and cold. “These black-robed adversaries wield a nefarious ability they call the ‘Heart Devouring Seal’. Struck by this, the victim’s own spirituality begins to erode internally. The only way to halt this insidious assault is to pause and focus solely on dispelling the effect, a luxury hardly afforded in the heat of battle unless one is shielded by an ally.”

“Their movements are swift, eluding conventional means of concealment with unsettling ease.”

“Furthermore, they utilize a specialized spiritual technique to craft teleportation arrays, complicating the fight further. It’s crucial to disrupt their teleportation with rapid strikes, preempting their escape or regrouping maneuvers.”

With these details laid bare, the room’s attention shifted to Ryan, whom “Red Kite” had mentioned also encountered these formidable foes.

Ryan’s voice resonated deeply, adding gravity to the already heavy atmosphere. “I’d like to add two critical observations.”

“Firstly, these adversaries possess alarming regenerative capabilities. Conventional fatal wounds, like a shattered heart or severed head, don’t suffice to end their threat permanently.”

“It’s unclear whether their physiology is distinctly non-human, but each resurrection bears a cost. Persistent efforts to incapacitate them should eventually lead to their deaths.”

“Secondly, while their mystical powers are strong, their direct combat skills lag behind those of ordinary professionals.”

His additions brought a mix of apprehension and a glimmer of strategic hope to the group.

With the briefing complete, “Red Kite” spoke again, his voice echoing with finality. “At 11:30 a.m., just before the ‘Sacred Ceremony’ begins, Princess Water Drop will facilitate your teleportation and guide you through a hidden passage to the Saint Felix Underground Rift. Make sure you’re prepared to move out.”

“As the mission starts in a few hours, attend to any pending matters swiftly.”

With those words, her puppet form vanished from the head of the table.

Ryan scanned the faces of his allies, his eyes momentarily locking with No. 3 Yellow Sand, before he made his exit. A swirl of gray mist enveloped him, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared from his seat.

Cyan River’s eyes lingered on the now-empty seat No. 7. She pondered whether her report on the black-robed figure had stirred any resentment in Purple Wind. Despite sharing details of the threat, she had kept Purple Wind’s involvement discreet, a choice she hoped was prudent.

With a heavy heart, she too decided to leave, her form fading from the hall.

Now alone, Yellow Sand sat quietly, his gaze fixed on the spot where Purple Wind had vanished. A soft chuckle escaped him as he mused, “Such drive and intensity, Purple Wind is truly remarkable.” His tone mixed admiration with the anticipation of witnessing a peer’s prowess unfold in the trials to come.

On a pristine stretch of beach, lit by the warm glow of a campfire, Ryan reappeared amidst a swirling gray mist, the remnants of his teleportation still hanging in the air.

As he opened his eyes, he was greeted by Freni’s anxious gaze. “How was it? Are you okay?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Ryan gave a slight shake of his head, reassuring her, “I’m fine.”

“But this summons from the Overthrow Tample,” he continued, his tone hinting at the gravity of the conversation that followed, “it’s quite the conundrum.”

He proceeded to outline the details of the special mission. “It appears that ‘Red Kite’ might already have clues about the identities of these black-robed figures. Why else would such an elaborate strategy be deployed and such valuable rewards like a ‘mid-level rare item’ be offered?”

“These black-robed adversaries are not to be underestimated.”

Freni’s brow furrowed slightly as she processed the information. “It sounds dangerous. Are you still considering going?”

“Of course,” Ryan replied with a confident smile. “It’s a chance at a mid-level wonder, after all. And remember, I have the option to teleport away if things get too dicey.”

“Our plan is solid. I’ll head into the underground labyrinth with the others from the Overturned Palace. Their presence should mitigate much of the risk.”

“You’ll stay topside to coordinate and provide backup if needed.”

“Once the situation is more manageable, you can join the others who are trying to break into the labyrinth and seize whatever opportunities arise.”

Freni remained silent for a moment, collecting her thoughts before speaking again. “If that’s your decision, all I can do is support you. But first, you need to take these.” Her voice was firm, underscored by her resolve to equip Ryan as best she could.

From the shimmering space ring on her finger, she took out ten crystals that faintly glowed in the dim light, five [First-order Healing Crystals] and five [First-order Spirit Restoration Crystals]. “Take these with you. They might come in handy. The latter can help restore your spiritual energy.”

Though Freni’s had amassed a considerable 27,932 points of [Spirit Essence], the more powerful [Second-level Spiritual Enhancement Crystal] and [Second-level Physical Enhancement Crystal] were beyond Ryan’s current ability to wield due to his level restrictions. Reluctantly, she opted for the more immediate benefits of the first-level crystals.

Ryan accepted the crystals with a nod of understanding.

“Just a heads-up, Captain, I’ll be visiting Master Gold Hammer at the blacksmith shop in the city later. I need his expertise for something.”

Freni stood and approached him, closing the distance between them. As she drew nearer, a faint, soothing fragrance wafted from her, mingling with the salty sea air.

With a gentle touch, Freni raised her delicate finger to tap lightly on Ryan’s forehead. “This journey is fraught with danger,” she murmured as she began to trace a Dark Moon Magic Pattern on his skin. “This will fortify your protective shield during crises and allow you to contact me at any moment.”

Ryan remained still, trusting in Freni’s intentions.

Her fingers left a trace of warmth on his skin as she drew the intricate pattern. In Cecilia’s watchful eyes, a dark blue line, curved like a crescent moon, appeared on Ryan’s forehead, sealing their pact of protection and readiness for the challenges ahead.