Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 187

Chapter 187: Spirit Man!
The flickering flames cast a reflective light in Ryan’s eyes as he mulled over their narrow escape from disaster. If not for his intervention, Huang Bing and the others would have stood little chance against such a formidable foe.

Lost in thought, Ryan suddenly noticed a change in his gloves. The dark gold blood-patterned gloves vibrated with an unusual, pristine blood light, clearer and more vibrant than ever before, reminiscent of the finest ruby.

Startled by this transformation, he was about to investigate further when a notification appeared before him, catching his immediate attention.

[Notification: With the defeat of entities linked to the “Spirit Man,” your [Relic – Embrace of Blood] has begun its initial awakening process…]

This unexpected development piqued Ryan’s curiosity and concern, heralding new, uncharted territories in his journey, filled with as much potential peril as promise.

Ryan stood before the shimmering panel, his eyes widening in intrigue and perplexity as the glyphs shifted before him.

“Wait, how does the demise of a ‘Hanged Man’ from unknown place relate to the ‘Spirit Man’ born of the Golden Tree?” he murmured, fingers hovering over the illuminated script.

“And this unit linked to the ‘Spirit Man’… Could the enigmatic black heart have originated from this very lore?” His voice trailed off, thoughtful, as he pieced together the ethereal puzzle laid out before him.

Truth be told, ever since he’d learned the conditions required for the “awakening” of the [Holy Relic: Embrace of Blood], Ryan had steeled himself for a lengthy quest, possibly fraught with challenges insurmountable for now. The ‘Spirit Man’ was tied to the Golden Tree, the very crux of power and origin of the [Golden Law] in this world. To encounter even a mere shadow of the Golden Tree’s derivatives before ascending to the fifth-level legend was a daunting thought.

And yet, against all odds, Ryan found himself now on the precipice of revelations concerning the spirits.

His gaze returned to the panel, settling on the phrase “initial awakening” that seemed to throb with a latent force.

“So, the units tied to the ‘spirits’ remain unslain, leading to only a preliminary awakening of the [Relic: Embrace of Blood]?” he conjectured aloud. “Does a full awakening necessitate the felling of more spirit-linked beings, or perhaps, confronting a true spirit itself?”

These thoughts wove through his mind as he shifted his focus back to the relic that had stirred with an ancient power.

——

[Holy Relic: Embrace of Blood (Initial Awakening)]: In a bid to capture his profound yearning for the [Enchant Benevolent God], the [Lord of Blood] harvested the finest filament from the sacred canopy… weaving this vengeful essence into the relic. Centuries have not quenched its fervor.

Equipment requirements: [Physique] ≥10.0

Blood gas capacity: 200 points, with automatic replenishment at a rate of 20 points per hour. This can be hastened by the sacrifice of one’s own blood (the purer the blood, the more efficient the restoration).

Current blood gas: 200/200.

The [Embrace of Blood] morphs adaptively, manifesting in three forms: melee, ranged, and defensive:

– Melee: Utilize 50~100 blood points to craft a blood sword (other melee shapes possible, quality contingent on [Physique]). This blade rends and bleeds its foes; greater blood expenditure amplifies damage. At full capacity, the sword’s lacerations are devastating.

– Ranged: Expend 50~100 blood points to forge a blood spear (quality dependent on [Physique]). A three-second focus culminates in a “lock-on” trait. Upon impact, the spear pierces and bleeds adversaries. Consuming more blood enhances the damage, and at peak blood levels, targeting takes but a moment, with increased penetration against shielded foes.

– Defensive: Channel 100~200 blood points to create a “blood core” (quality reflects [Physique]). Until this core shatters, you are impervious to enemy strikes. Consuming more blood bolsters this barrier. At full capacity, the “blood barrier” that unfurls triggers a “recoil” effect, rendering foes momentarily incapacitated. The greater the attack, the stronger the recoil.

Relic directive: Seek out and subdue “spirits” or entities connected to “spirits.” ——Profound animosity has seeped into this sacred relic. Only the lifeblood of “spirits” or their kin can erode this deep-seated rage, unleashing the full might of the “blood.” Current tally: 0/1 (spirits) or 1/10 (spirit-linked creatures).

——

Ryan examined the updated description on the display, his heart pounding with newfound wonder.

Post the “initial awakening,” every attribute of the [Holy Relic: Embrace of Blood] had surged dramatically. The base and most crucial capacity, the “blood” reserve, had escalated from a mere 100 points to a robust 200 points, effectively doubling its potency.

Moreover, the relic now boasted three distinct modes of assault: the Blood Greatsword, Blood Spear, and Blood Core. The damage inflicted not only depended on the amount of “blood” utilized but also unleashed additional formidable effects when fully charged.

Of these enhancements, Ryan found the “Blood Spear” and the “Blood Core” most vital. Given that he already wielded the [Greatsword·True Red Crown Horn], the “Blood Greatsword” served merely as a supplementary armament for emergencies.

At full power, the “Blood Spear” required only a second to initiate its “lock-on” capability, a critical upgrade. Ryan often deployed the “Blood Spear” in heated skirmishes where three seconds to target lock was a luxury he couldn’t afford. His proficiency with the spear was crucial in these moments, especially since his throwing accuracy against agile or smaller targets was notably lacking.

The newfound one-second lock-on was a game-changer, enhancing his ability to strike accurately and the spear’s penetration against shielded adversaries.

The “Blood Core” brought surprises of its own. At full charge, the thickened “blood barrier” allowed him to endure more hits. Furthermore, the stiffness inflicted on foes by the barrier’s recoil offered Ryan precious windows to strike. As a wielder of the greatsword, whose strikes were slower compared to lighter blades, precision was paramount. Each attack had to count, ensuring he wasn’t left vulnerable.

The evolved “Blood Core” more than met these tactical needs, it surpassed them.

“Could the trajectory of the [Holy Relic]’s evolution be intricately linked to its bearer?” Ryan pondered, eyeing the dark gold, blood-etched gauntlets that now glimmered subtly on his hands.

This wasn’t mere speculation. His experience with the [Sacred Relic: Azure Medal] suggested as much. The transformation and specific enhancements of the [Holy Relic: Lord Azure] had materialized only after adapting to his combat style and needs, as reflected on the display.

Perhaps this adaptability was a hallmark of the [Holy Relics] themselves? Ryan contemplated, a notion taking root in his mind.

After examining the enhancements to the [Relic: Embrace of Blood], Ryan settled cross-legged near the crackling campfire, allowing the gentle light to wash over him as he waited for the final moments of the mission to tick away.

With time to spare, he withdrew the [Holy Seed] from his pouch, rolling it between his fingers contemplatively. The seed was potent, capable of not only boosting his spiritual capacity permanently but also significantly enhancing it temporarily. In a state of “spiritual burst,” its effects would be formidable, potentially pushing his [Spirituality] to 10.8, just enough to meet the threshold for unleashing the “True Charge Slash.” Although qualifying for the technique didn’t guarantee mastery, the possibility was tantalizing. However, Ryan decided against consuming the seed just yet, preferring to wait until his [Spirituality] naturally reached the threshold of 10.0, at which point mastering the “True Power Slash” would become a more organic progression.

As the final seconds of the mission ebbed away, Ryan’s attention shifted to his companions, Huang Bing and the others, still ensnared in a deep slumber from their exertions. He shook his head slightly, muttering “Overthrow Temple” under his breath. Three seconds later, a thick gray fog enveloped them. Just before they were whisked away, Ryan reached out, gathering his comrades close.

In the blink of an eye, the fog whisked them from the scene, leaving behind only the scarred earth as testament to their fierce encounter.