Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 165

Chapter 165: New Gear!
The [Ceratops Armor], with its thickness, promised a certain restriction in tactile sensitivity, an inevitable trade-off. Yet, for Ryan, exchanging a bit of agility for a substantial 20% reduction in damage sustained was a worthwhile bargain.

Having adjusted to the fit of his new armor, Ryan turned to Master Golden Hammer, who was inspecting his craftsmanship with a critical eye. With a respectful bow, Ryan expressed his gratitude. “Thank you very much, Master Golden Hammer.”

Master Golden Hammer dismissed the formalities with a casual wave of his hand. “No need for polite words of thanks,” he grunted.

“What did you just say you wanted to see me about?” Master Golden Hammer asked, bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand.

“That’s right.” Ryan, seeing the master’s direct approach, decided to cut straight to the chase. He produced the [Super Heart Chimeric Glass Bead] from his pocket, its luminescence catching the dim light of the forge. “I’ve come across this glass bead that can be embedded into finished equipment. Could you help me affix it to my [Great Sword·True Red Crown Horn]?”

The request cost Ryan a heavy sum of 100,000 spiritual points, reducing his reserves to 322,635 points.

As he spoke, Ryan noticed Master golden Hammer’s eyes fixate on the sparkling bead in his palm, a glint of fascination reflected in his gaze.

“…What a magnificent treasure!” Master Golden Hammer finally exclaimed after a moment of silent appraisal. “Boy, you do seem to carry quite the collection of fine materials.”

“Okay, bring the bead and the sword over. It will take about half an hour to inlay. You can just wait in the lobby.”

“Thank you for your help,” Ryan responded, handing over the precious items with due reverence.

…

True to Master Golden Hammer’s word, the task did not even stretch to half an hour. Merely fifteen minutes later, the blacksmith reappeared, presenting the greatsword to Ryan. “Here you go, lad. Take your gear and scoot. I need to catch my breath too,” he joked, a tired smile creasing his weathered face.

Ryan accepted the greatsword and immediately noticed the seamless integration of the glass bead at the hilt,bit looked as though it had always been part of the weapon. The panel now listed an additional feature:

– Special skill [Fatal Strike lv.1]: Inflicts an extra 30% damage when targeting an enemy’s vital points.

A surge of latent power coursed through Ryan, a dormant force ready to unleash its potential in battle. “I wonder what level of strength I have reached now?” he mused quietly to himself.

With his gear significantly upgraded and the [Super Heart Pearl] embedded in his sword, Ryan felt a noticeable enhancement in his physical and combat capabilities. Reflecting on the transformations of the day, he realized his power had grown in ways he couldn’t yet fully quantify.

But one thing was certain: should he encounter those ominous men in black robes again, they would stand no chance of escape.

“Now, we stand a better chance of completing the special mission,” Ryan thought, a renewed sense of purpose steeling his resolve.

As he sheathed his greatsword, he turned to Master Golden Hammer once more, bowing deeply. “Thank you for your assistance during this period, Master,” he said sincerely, acknowledging the blacksmith’s pivotal role in his journey.

“I wanted to entrust you with another task… I’ll be back in two days,” Ryan announced, already turning toward the exit of the forge.

“Wait,” called out Master Golden Hammer, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and amusement. “Just go if you want to, kid. It’s really cunning to leave such a message behind.”

“But I’m an old man and I just like this,” he continued, a grin breaking across his weathered face. “Please, take out the materials and let’s see what you have. If it’s suitable, my rest can wait a few days.”

Chuckling, Ryan reached into his space ring and withdrew the materials from a [Superior] Thunder Dragon, the action draining a significant 50,000 spiritual points from his reserves.

Master Golden Hammer inspected the shimmering materials with a critical eye, then exhaled deeply. “It seems we really have to postpone our rest. Tell me, boy, what type of equipment do you envision this time?”

“Could we consider something like a ring?” Ryan proposed, having given it considerable thought.

The rationale was clear: although the Thunder Dragon was a formidable creature, its materials were imbued with a distinct thunder attribute. Forging a weapon or armor from them would inherit this attribute, which held little value for Ryan’s current arsenal. His inventory was already replete with weapons and armor, but he lacked specialized equipment like rings and necklaces, which were exceedingly rare.

His existing rings, the [Ring of Black Eclipse] and [Ring of Energy Resistance], were only low-level artifacts. They had served him well against lesser foes, but as his challenges grew, their effectiveness waned to nearly nothing, as painfully evidenced in his recent skirmish with the Thunder Dragon, where the [Energy Resistance Ring] had failed to mitigate any damage.

Now presented with the chance to forge a suitable mid-level rare ring, Ryan was eager to upgrade. Moreover, he was curious about the potential enhancements to the [Nameless Ship Sculpture] after sacrificing these lower-tier artifacts.

“Ring-like items, huh?” Master Golden Hammer mused, nodding slowly. “But let me clarify something beforehand. Crafting items like rings, necklaces, and amulets may seem simpler due to their size, but they are in fact the most challenging to make. A considerable amount of material is consumed just to extract and refine the essence necessary for success.”

“Therefore, while you have plenty of materials, we can only create one ring. Any leftovers will be my compensation.”

“No problem,” Ryan agreed, nodding in understanding. The complexity of forging rare items was well known to him: Special items like rings were the most challenging, followed by protective gear and then weapons. This hierarchy explained why many smiths traditionally focused on weapons, they simply lacked the capability to craft more intricate items.

“Alright then, you go back and wait for news. I can’t specify how long it will take. I will send you a message through the certificate once the forging is complete,” Master Golden Hammer concluded.

“Thank you for your help,” Ryan said, bowing respectfully before he left the forge, his mind already racing with anticipation for the powerful new ring that was to come.

After stepping out of the Golden Hammer Blacksmith Shop, Ryan felt the chaotic energy of the city of Santos buzzing around him. The city was a vibrant tapestry of commerce and conflict, where disputes were as common as the cobblestones paving its streets. Though capable of holding his own, Ryan saw no reason to linger and invite unnecessary trouble.

He slipped through the city’s bustling crowds, maintaining a low profile, and soon found himself back on the familiar path leading to the secluded beach.

Cecilia, steadfast by the closed rock door, greeted him with a subtle nod. Her eyes briefly widened in surprise as they took in the sight of his new, imposing armor. Its fierce and regal design was unmistakably extraordinary, far from the ordinary gears strewn throughout the land.

Ryan caught her look and internally sighed. The effort it took Lady Freni to inscribe the “Dark Moon Magic Pattern” had clearly drained her, a sacrifice not lost on him. He acknowledged Cecilia with a respectful nod and made his way to the coastline to find solitude.

Standing at the edge of the sea, Ryan breathed in the salty air deeply, closed his eyes, and clasped the hilt of his greatsword. The cool sea breeze teased strands of hair from beneath his helmet, stirring the spiritual energy within him. Strength gathered, poised for release.

After a moment, his eyes snapped open, a look of frustration crossing his face.

“Is it still not working?” he murmured to himself.

He had hoped to execute the formidable second move of the [Storm Sword Skill] — “Dividing the Sea,” also known as the “True Charge Slash.” Despite his impressive [Physique] rating of 23.03, which far exceeded the necessary threshold, his [Spirituality] at 7.8 fell short, lacking the requisite power to unleash the skill.

“I thought my physical strength could compensate for my lack of spiritual force…” Ryan muttered, sheathing his sword with a resigned click.

With the time nearing “11:30 in the morning,” the moment “Red Kite” had mentioned, Ryan knew he needed to regroup. He had to ensure he was in peak condition for the impending “recruitment transmission.”

His strength had significantly improved, but humility reminded him not to grow complacent.

As the minutes ticked closer to the appointed time, Freni emerged from the cave. Their eyes met, exchanging a silent, mutual understanding. The unspoken words hung in the air between them:

“Come back as soon as there is danger.”

“Rest assured.”

The moment arrived, and Ryan felt the beckoning of [Overturning Mask No. 7]. He yielded to the call without resistance.

In an instant, a surge of gray fog enveloped him, shrouding his figure completely from view. On the beach, Freni’s eyes narrowed as she observed his disappearance, the dark blue light of resolve flickering in her gaze.

The connection to the “Dark Moon Demonic Pattern” remained intact, reassuring her slightly.