Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 191

Chapter 191: Great Changes!
In the grand central cathedral of the Libra Church in Santos, Libra Pope Saint Berg stood solitary before a towering stone statue, its features indistinct and shrouded in mystery.

The vast hall, a symbol of supreme divine authority, felt stark and cold, its emptiness amplified by the absence of any other soul but the Pope.

Slowly lifting his gaze to the enigmatic visage of the god, Saint Berg’s voice was tinged with doubt and a quiet despair. “All these temples and relics proclaim your glory,” he murmured, his faith wavering as he spoke to the silence around him.

“But since my initiation into the Libra Holy Church, even I, your presumed closest confidant, have never beheld your face. Do you truly exist?”

His words hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the opulence surrounding him. “In this golden age, do gods really walk among us?”

Saint Berg’s tone shifted, a mix of hope and challenge coloring his final words: “Since I cannot meet the gods in person, let me at least witness the remnants of what once was in the Age of Gods…” His voice trailed off, lost in the shadows that danced along the cold stone walls.

As fervor took hold of his voice, Pope Libra Saint Berg extended a hand skyward, from which a single drop of golden liquid, pure and flawless, fell and seeped into the sanctuary’s ancient stone floor. Had anyone possessed the ability to peer through the layers of earth, they would have witnessed this liquid metal descending through the underground strata, accelerating as it delved deeper into the labyrinth below until it reached the ground at the entrance to the ninth level of the underground maze.

Upon contact, the once inert black mud began to stir, a subtle movement at first that soon propagated throughout the entire mass. After a period of eerie stillness, the form of the “Hanged Man” coalesced anew, distinguished this time by a golden Libra mark etched between its eyebrows.

The resurrected figure approached the colossal stone gate with jerky, puppet-like movements. Placing its hands upon the cold stone, it triggered a spread of golden veins that soon enveloped the entire structure. A large Libra symbol materialized on the stone gate, only to shatter moments later, leaving a terrifying crack down its center.

The quake that followed resonated through the entire underground maze, palpable to every adventurer within. Simultaneously, the eyes of the maze’s monstrous inhabitants turned a blood red, their aggression escalating to frenzied heights. They attacked not only the adventurers but each other, causing immediate and severe casualties among the ranks of the professionals.

Panic ensued as adventurers scrambled for an exit, but the maze that had welcomed them so easily now barred their escape with a thin film of golden light. Even the mightiest blows from a third-level hero could muster no more than slight ripples upon its surface.

Trapped between this impenetrable golden barrier and the newly berserk monsters, despair took hold of the professionals. The air thickened with the scent of blood, and at the entrance to the ninth floor, behind the now-cracked stone door, a massive eye slowly opened from its ancient slumber.

…

When Ryan’s surroundings snapped back into focus, he found himself once again on his makeshift raft bed. A habitual glance toward the mast revealed no new messages for help, prompting him to rise and approach the campfire.

With a scattering of sparks, Ryan was transported to a new location: [Bonfire Point – Volcano Cave]. The immediate rise in temperature prompted him to lick his lips in anticipation.

After a quick inventory check confirmed an ample supply of fresh water among his provisions, he rose from the fireside. Donning his armor with practiced ease, he slung his greatsword across his back and approached the volcano’s mouth with a vigilant gaze, ready to face whatever challenges awaited in the fiery depths below.

As Ryan ventured deeper into the volcanic caverns, the notes he carried echoed in his mind—a warning from the deputy leader of the hunting group about the formidable creatures lurking within. The monsters here were described as [superior] level, a classification that signaled a significant threat even to a seasoned warrior like Ryan.

Though equipped with the robust [Ceratops Armor], Ryan was acutely aware of the inherent risks. The disparity in mass between him and these volcanic behemoths meant that any surprise encounter could result in grave injuries.

His vigilance heightened as he stepped into the magma zone. The heat around him surged, though his enhanced fire resistance shielded him from the worst of it. Scanning the environment, Ryan noted several dark red rocks jutting out from the churning magma. The area seemed devoid of any immediate threats, yet the silence was unsettling.

With a cautious exhale, Ryan gripped the hilt of his greatsword, his senses alert to every subtle shift in the surrounding landscape. He advanced slowly, each step measured and deliberate. After a dozen paces, he halted. No monsters were in sight, but an inexplicable sensation of being watched prickled at his nerves.

His instincts screamed at him, danger was near.

Trusting his gut, Ryan paused, casting a meticulous gaze over every inch of the cavern from the towering rock ceiling to the fissures in the walls. His attention snapped to one of the dark red rocks on the edge of the magma pool. Something was off about its position.

“It wasn’t there a moment ago, was it?” Ryan questioned himself, his memory replaying the scene. “It’s shifted at least three meters!”

Confident he’d uncovered a clue, he murmured, “Got you now…”

Ryan extended his hand, activating the dark gold, blood-patterned gloves he wore. A moment later, a blood-red spiral spear materialized in his grasp. The spear, now fully charged, shimmered with a more transparent hue, intricate patterns sprawling across its length. At its tip, a faint blood flame flickered menacingly, an omen of its lethal capabilities.

His eyes locked onto the suspicious rock formation. A targeting crosshair, a unique feature of the Blood Spear, appeared in his vision, enhancing his aim.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ryan hurled the spear with precision. It cut through the air with a sinister hiss, leaving a trail of blood-red light as it sped towards its target.

The rock, sensing the impending danger, could no longer maintain its disguise. With a dramatic surge of magma, the illusion shattered, revealing a colossal black and red monster fish that emerged with a terrifying roar.

Behold, the [Upper] Melting Fish Dragon!