Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 176

Chapter 176: Black Roar Dragon!
At the entrance to the eighth floor of the Dungeon Labyrinth, a dark figure lingered silently. He studied the traces of the battle that had taken place in the redstone basin, the residual blood, the lingering life force now extinguished. A cold, low chuckle escaped him, resonating ominously through the cavernous space.

As he laughed, his form began to dissolve into a dark, viscous substance. Centered at the maze entrance, a sinister “black spider web” slowly unfurled, creeping across the basin until it enshrouded the entire area.

“The time for reckoning has come… hahaha… hahahaha…”

…

Ryan’s eyes fluttered open to a scene illuminated by a flickering bonfire, with trophies hanging from a nearby mast. He glanced toward where the “help signal” had previously appeared, relieved to see no new message, suggesting that Silver was likely safe.

He approached the campfire and initiated the teleportation sequence. With a burst of scattered sparks, Ryan was transported to [Bonfire Point-Corruption Abyss Outpost].

Navigating through the “secret passage,” he ascended to the surface in the “Second Petal Area” and revisited the site of his last encounter with the [Upper] Thunder Dragon. The formidable presences of the Oasis Overlord and the Peerless Hunter, though fallen, still permeated the area, their residual auras deterring any local monsters from daring to approach.

With a deep breath, Ryan pressed deeper into the wilderness, sword slung over his shoulder. This expedition was different, more perilous, more urgent. His objective was clear: to engage with monsters and level up as swiftly as possible, ideally within two hours.

The circumstances were extraordinary. After two hours, gains or not, Ryan was prepared to “return home” and reunite with his original body.

His target was a formidable creature known as the roaring black tiger at the gate, an absolute powerhouse, a daunting barrier on his path…

Having previously defeated the [Superior] Thunder Dragon, the level of his Wandering Clone was now “Level 14 (34%)”. Should he conquer another formidable beast, stronger than the [Superior] Thunder Dragon, his clone could potentially level up in a single, decisive battle.

A monster accorded the title of “absolute strongman” was sure to be a more daunting challenge than even the “unparalleled hunter.”

Ryan’s journey through the wastelands had hardened him, transforming his traveling clone into a far more formidable force than when he first vanquished the Thunder Dragon. Not only had he ascended a level, securing elusive silver loot in the process, but he had also upgraded his armor, embedding it with the potent [Super Heart Orb]. This bolstered strength was the cornerstone of his audacity to confront the [Absolute Strongest].

Trudging through the shifting sands, the landscape around Ryan reverted back to a stark desert as he ventured away from the oasis. All around, endless stretches of yellow sand sprawled under the baking sun, the only landmark being the shadowy outline of a distant cliff that kept him from losing his way.

After a half-hour’s trek, Ryan approached the cliff that marked the threshold to the “third petal area.” This boundary was starkly different from the earlier divisions; the cliff wall here was not the usual yellowish-brown but a dark reddish-black, emitting a faint scent of sulfur that tinged the arid air.

A naturally formed archway in the cliff wall beckoned. Eroded over eons by the abrasive dance of wind and sand, and the unrelenting kiss of high temperatures, the arch had expanded into a circular passage. Deep within, a soft, ominous red glow hinted at mysteries or dangers, lying in wait.

Ryan’s eyes narrowed, his face set in a determined frown. The absence of visible threats did nothing to ease the growing sense of foreboding. The arch was clearly the “door” the hermit dragonman had spoken of; the presence of such a portal almost certainly meant that the [Absolute Strongest] lurked nearby.

With a deep, steadying breath, Ryan gripped the hilt of his greatsword more firmly and made his way towards the daunting archway. Each step felt heavier than the last, an oppressive feeling weighing on his chest as if he were not merely approaching a ‘door,’ but a ‘gateway to death,’ its maw agape, eagerly awaiting fresh prey.

As Ryan neared the entrance, just twenty meters from the threshold, the sense of dread peaked.

“Crack!”

The sharp echo of fracturing rock sliced through the ambient noise of whistling winds and shifting sands. Ryan’s head snapped up to see a shadow emerge at the top of the cliff, a monstrous form cloaked in black and red.

“Roar–!”

A fearsome roar shattered the heavy silence as the creature lunged. It was a behemoth, its massive body propelled by powerful limbs as it pounced, claws outstretched, hurtling through the air straight towards Ryan.

The sky churned with a storm of yellow sand as the wind screamed its fury across the barren landscape.

From deep within the crevices of the cliff wall, tendrils of black smoke seeped out, snaking their way upwards into the turmoil above. The air itself seemed to cry out in pain, tearing under the assault of dark, lethal claws that carved through it, twisting it into visible yellow vortices.

Near the ominous “doorway” etched into the cliff, Ryan’s expression twisted in sudden alarm. His muscles tensed, springing into action as he leaped aside with agile grace.

“Boom——!”

Massive black claws struck the earth where he had just stood, unleashing a storm of sand and dark, crumbled earth. It rained down like gravel, a testament to the force of the impact.

Ryan’s face was etched with intense focus, his eyes locked onto the emerging shadow within the swirling dust, a monstrous silhouette that grew clearer as the wind swept the air clean.

The creature that loomed before him was a behemoth, stretching over thirty meters in length. Its skin was the color of volcanic basalt, devoid of any fur, replaced instead by a dense armor of thick, rugged scales tinged with dark red at their edges. Twin spikes jutted menacingly from its tail, merging seamlessly into its formidable body.

The beast’s stance was predatory, its massive body supported by muscular limbs; the forelimbs ended in powerful paws, each tipped with claws that extended into a wing membrane, hinting at its capacity for flight. Its head bore a striking resemblance to the Tyrannosaurus Rex, complete with a pair of draconic horns that traced back from its menacing eyes to the nape of its neck, adding to its fearsome visage.

—

[Black Roar Dragon: [Upper]] This towering dragon, a fearsome subspecies of the Dragon, makes its home around volatile volcanoes. Its skin, infused with elements of basalt and volcanic rock, boasts an unparalleled defense capable of withstanding the scorching embrace of magma. The Black Roar Dragon’s heart and lungs are remarkably robust, empowering its roar to exceed the decibels and ferocity of its lesser kin. Though primarily grounded, its wing membranes enable short, agile glides, enhancing its already formidable mobility in battle. The dragon’s claws, naturally hardened further by the blood of its foes, serve as a dark testament to its longevity and battle-hardened life.

—

“Roar–!”

As the smoke cleared, the Black Roar Dragon unfurled its wing membranes dramatically, filling the air with a bone-rattling roar that sent shockwaves rippling through the ground. The force of its cry was like a barrage of sonic booms, shattering the silence as it exploded the air, sending mud and debris hurtling in all directions.

Ryan, though positioned dozens of meters away, felt a disorienting buzz in his ears, a stark reminder of the lethal power housed within the beast’s throat. The air still vibrating around him, he knew the stakes were high, he was in the presence of a true titan of nature.

Ryan’s gaze locked onto the midnight-black claws of the Black Roar Dragon, the deadliest creature in the known realms. The dragon’s claws, tinged with an ominous shade, spoke volumes of its brutal history, each stain a testament to the countless battles it had weathered. The sheer sight of such a beast triggered a visceral reaction in Ryan, a chill of terror that seeped into his very bones.

This fear was new to him, overpowering and relentless. The dragon’s aura, thick with the scent of carnage and the unmistakable air of dominance, sent a clear message: this creature was an embodiment of sheer, unbridled power.

Ryan, despite his formidable prowess as the [Unparalleled Hunter], recognized the disparity between them. The power radiating from the dragon suggested it was not merely a match but possibly superior to any foe he had encountered. If the [Upper] Thunder Dragon was a force to be reckoned with, the Black Roar Dragon before him was a cataclysm waiting to unleash its fury, possibly the zenith of what Ryan had ever faced.

Their eyes met, a pair of dark yellow orbs piercing into Ryan’s soul, challenging him, judging his every intent. The silent standoff was broken abruptly as the dragon lunged forward, its massive claws tearing into the earth. With a violent thrust, it heaved a gigantic boulder into the air.

The ground beneath shattered with a resounding ‘crack,’ and the rock hurtled toward Ryan like a meteor streaking across the sky, its presence an ominous shadow of impending destruction.