Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 179

Chapter 179: New Bonfire Spot!
As Ryan scrolled through the loot panel on his display, his eyes widened in astonishment.

The item listed was the “Blackroar Jaw,” a formidable artifact from the mighty Black Roar Dragon, complete with a newly acquired special skill: Earplugs Level 2. This skill promised to diminish the disruptive effects of monstrous roars; a capability Ryan hadn’t valued much until he faced the dragon’s earth-shattering bellow earlier that day. Now, he understood just how vital it could be to dampen such overpowering sonic attacks, allowing him to stand his ground without being overwhelmed.

Feeling upbeat about acquiring such a practical ability, Ryan shifted his focus to his personal stats on the panel.

—

Level: 14 (40%) → 15 (5%)

Spiritual Value: 322,635 → 522,635

Spiritual Ability: 9.0

Physical Strength: 98.65 → 127.20

—

The victory over the stronger Black Roar Dragon had yielded a rich haul of experience, catapulting his progress from 40% at level 14 to 5% at level 15. This level up significantly enhanced his physical strength.

What did a physique score of 127.20 mean? Ryan wasn’t entirely sure. It seemed far beyond what one might expect of someone at his professional level, almost as though he could single-handedly cause a mountain to crumble with a mere flick of his wrist.

Of course, that was just his imagination running wild with the thrill of newfound power. Yet, he couldn’t help but think that any ordinary stone would now crumble like glass under his punch.

Ryan exhaled deeply, savoring the surge of strength within him, then suddenly darted forward. The rush of wind against his face grew as his speed increased, and soon, the air itself seemed to thicken and drag at him.

He skidded to a stop, his eyes reflecting sheer amazement.

He realized the peculiar, sticky resistance he had felt was due to his speed approaching a critical threshold, where air itself becomes a tangible barrier. Pushing past this barrier could potentially lead to a sonic boom, a mind-boggling concept for someone powered by sheer physicality!

Though Ryan was exhilarated by the prospect, he knew he was still some ways off from actually breaking the sound barrier. He estimated his current speed at somewhere between 180 and 200 meters per second, a blistering pace, but without precise tools, it was hard to measure exactly how fast he was truly going.

Ryan’s speed, while impressive, still lagged behind the speed of sound, which clocks in at 340 meters per second. Even so, with the potential boost from skills like “Morale Boost” and “Food War,” he was edging toward subsonic speeds, a thrilling prospect for any fighter.

After his quick experiment, Ryan’s gaze fell on the number 9 under “Spirituality” on his panel, a figure that seemed increasingly out of place. His “Physical Strength” had hit the triple digits, yet his “Spiritual Strength” was still languishing in the single digits. This imbalance hadn’t caused any immediate issues, yet Ryan sensed it was something he couldn’t ignore for long.

“The ‘Gluttony joy’ and the pirates’ rebellion against the ‘rules’… both are urgent,” he murmured to himself, his mind weaving connections between the two challenges. “Perhaps there’s a way to tackle them simultaneously.”

Lost in thought, Ryan began to process the remains of the Black Roar Dragon. The beast’s scales and bones were incredibly tough, challenging even his Greatsword·True Red Crown Horn, which wasn’t particularly known for its sharpness. The greatsword’s primary attributes were its weight and durability, ideal for delivering crushing blows rather than precise cuts.

“I definitely need a sharper tool, maybe a knife or a short sword, for gathering materials,” Ryan thought, considering his next steps.

With the dragon successfully dismantled and stored, Ryan turned his attention to the “door” leading to the “third petal area.” The clues he had gathered from the loot and the subtle shifts in the environment led him to believe that this new zone was volcanic in nature. The progression of terrains through the Wasteland, from deserts oases to volcanoes, suggested a fiery challenge ahead, likely centered around a massive heat source.

Resolved to face whatever awaited him, Ryan stepped through the “door.” Immediately, the temperature surged, confirming his suspicions. He followed the passage downward until it opened up into a vast, deep red world. The ground and rocks bore a reddish-brown hue, and at the fringes, boiling red magma flowed, painting a daunting yet mesmerizing volcanic landscape.

The soft gurgle of the flowing magma filled the air as bubbles formed on its surface, growing larger before bursting in a display reminiscent of tiny fireworks. Despite his formidable 17-point fire resistance, Ryan couldn’t help but feel the oppressive heat of the environment. Unlike the brief flare of a monster’s flame attack, this volcanic heat was relentless and constant.

As he neared the exit of the passage, a narrow crack along the wall caught his eye. To the monstrous inhabitants of this land, it would appear minuscule, but for a human like Ryan, it was just wide enough to squeeze through if he turned sideways. A sense of familiarity washed over him, prompting a quick decision to shed his bulky armor and sword for easier movement.

The crevice stretched only about five to six meters and led Ryan into a surprisingly moderate-sized cave. The cave featured a small ventilation hole at the top, which allowed a bit of cooler air to circulate, making the temperature inside more bearable than outside. Inside, a stone bed and several stone racks hinted at previous occupation, but what really drew Ryan’s attention was the extinguished bonfire at the cave’s center.

A grin spread across Ryan’s face as he took in his surroundings.

—

[You discovered a place where spirituality gathers – the Volcanic Grotto.]

[You can set up a ‘campfire’ here to achieve fast transmission between the ‘starting point’ and other ‘campfire points’.]

[While at the ‘Bonfire’, you can access all functions except ‘Return to Home’.]

[Whether you’re a navigator or a hunter, adequate rest is crucial.]

—

Excited by the prospect of a new campfire spot, Ryan stepped forward and extended his hand toward the old campfire. As he let a cluster of flames fall from his palm, tiny sparks danced and caught on the old wood. Within seconds, the long-dormant fire crackled back to life, casting a warm glow around the cave and washing over Ryan with a comforting warmth.

Relief washed over his face as he basked in the firelight. Discovering a new campfire spot was a significant boon, it meant he could “return home” at any time without resorting to desperate measures. Moreover, it drastically reduced his travel time. What would have been at least a thirty-minute trek from the Bonfire Point at Corruption Abyss Outpost was now just a quick teleport away.

Turning, Ryan’s eyes landed on a roll of animal skin perched on a stone shelf. With eager anticipation, he reached out to uncover what secrets or maps it might hold.

Ryan approached the animal skin with a mix of nervous anticipation and reverence. Carefully, he unfolded it, his eyes widening as he recognized the familiar handwriting. It was a note from Loic, the Vice-Captain of the Seventh Scouting Hunting Group!

Throughout his adventures on this enigmatic island, Ryan had relied on Loic’s notes far more than the cryptic ramblings of the hermit dragon man. These written words were a beacon in the fog of mystery that shrouded the place.

The note read:

“Under the relentless assault of the red light, my body has grown in ways I never could have imagined… Yet, this is no blessing, it’s the cruelest curse imaginable.”

“To date, all hunters who landed here, save for myself, have perished… Those who survived the initial exposure to the red light eventually succumbed to its deeper, more lethal effects…”

“Currently, I find myself in a bizarre state, alternating between consciousness and oblivion…”

“I see no way out.”

“Our last mission in the Rotten Miasma Abyss was both a success and a failure. Deep within, we discovered an ancient dragon, the Dragon of Death, the Lord of the Rotten Abyss. Alas, he was not our intended quarry.”

“I’ve made my way to this volcano.”

“I’m uncertain if this note will ever be found… but to any who do, heed this warning: Be extremely cautious. The strength and frequency of monsters within this volcano have surged. Deeper still, entities far surpassing the ‘Upper’ class lurk. Without the ‘Master Medal’, do not venture further.”

“Loic Frum, Vice-Captain of the Seventh Scouting Hunting Group, remains here.”

Finishing the note, Ryan exhaled deeply, a grave expression clouding his features. This note was terser than previous ones, a stark indication that Loic’s moments of lucidity were fleeting.

“Red Flame’s Corrosion…” Ryan murmured, the weight of the words sinking in.

He had once thought himself invulnerable after undergoing the “Red Flame Evolution,” but Loic’s warnings painted a grim picture. The panel indicated that Loic and his comrades had initially thrived after their exposure to the Red Flame, embarking on a path they called “Red Flame Evolution.” Yet, over time, all but Loic had fallen.

Could his own fate mirror theirs? The thought sent a shiver down Ryan’s spine.

Feeling a sense of helplessness creeping in, Ryan shook off the despair. He refocused on the note, pulling actionable insights from its ominous message. The identity of the “Lord of Death” was crucial; titles often revealed more about a creature’s nature than names.

With a deep breath to steady himself, Ryan stood up, his resolve hardened. He had much to prepare if he was to survive the dangers that lay deeper in the volcano.