Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 193

Chapter 193: Super Strength Fruit!
As the dragon writhed on the ground, grappling with the intense shock of the sound waves, Ryan seized the opportunity. He sprinted towards the dragon, simultaneously activating the [Holy Relic: Embrace of Blood]. He drew heavily upon his own life force, fueling his “blood energy” while pushing his body into a state mimicking severe injury to enhance his power.

Approaching the dragon’s vulnerable head, Ryan had fully triggered the potent third phase of his power.

[Secret of Fire lv.1] combined with [Liberation of Power lv.2] fortified him: increasing his damage output by 10%, reducing the damage he sustained by the same, boosting his critical strike chance by 20%, and lessening his physical exertion by 30%.

With his power peaking under the influence of these buffs, spirituality surged through his blade, cloaking it in brilliant flames. Energy swelled within the weapon, compressing to its utmost limit until, at last, it burst forth in a dazzling explosion of force.

“Thump—thump—thump!”

Ryan executed three swift, consecutive charges with his greatsword, each attack seamlessly flowing into the next. The critical hit rate soared to an impressive 60%, making it almost inevitable that his strike would land with devastating impact.

“Strike down!”

His battle cry echoed as the greatsword, the [Great Sword·True Red Crown Horn], enveloped in formidable energy, descended like an avalanche upon the Molten Dragon.

The force of this blow surpassed any previous attempt, magnifying its ferocity. As the sword made contact, it unleashed a roar. The ground beneath them fractured, fissures racing outward, before the earth itself caved in. A towering spout of magma burst forth, scattering a fiery rain across the sky.

“Boom!”

Caught in the midst of this molten downpour, Ryan stood undeterred. A shimmer of light flashed from his space ring as he summoned a light blue orb, the [Pure Water Crystal]. Instantly, a dense mist unfurled, transforming the area into a steam-filled zone. This barrier of vapor interacted with the molten rain, significantly mitigating the direct assault of the lava, allowing Ryan, armored and resolute, to remain steadfast.

Beneath him, within the newly formed crater, the once impenetrable “lava shell” armor of the Dragon’s head lay shattered, revealing the softer scales beneath.

The Molten Dragon, overwhelmed by the ferocity of the strike, now lay unconscious, incapacitated by the severe trauma to its skull.

Ryan, seizing the moment, raised his greatsword once more. Spiritual energy and raw strength converged within the blade as he prepared another powerful three-stage charge, aiming to strike before the dragon could regain consciousness.

“Boom!”

With a forceful chop, the black and yellow blade cleaved through the now-exposed scales, slicing deep into the flesh beneath. Each successive strike tore further until the white of the dragon’s skull was laid bare.

A sharp “crack” resounded as a deep fissure split the skull, nearly breaching the creature’s cranial cavity.

The proximity to death jolted the Molten Dragon from its stupor. It thrashed wildly, its gargantuan tail, laden with molten rock, swung ferociously towards Ryan.

Despite the blistering heat and imminent danger, Ryan held his ground. Mere feet from the dragon, he could see a fierce red glow deep within its eyes, an ominous sign that retreat could trigger the dragon’s lethal “Red Flame Frenzy.”

His dark gold, blood-patterned gloves shimmered as two thorn-covered blood orbs materialized over his shoulders, unfolding into a formidable “blood barrier.” After replenishing with high-quality blood, the [Relic·Embrace of Blood] now fully charged, the barrier not only appeared thicker but also featured deep red striations, enhancing its protective capabilities.

The tail swipe from the Molten Dragon managed to only slightly dim one of Ryan’s two “Blood Cores.” The dragon, intent on assault, was instead rocked by the rebounding force of the “Blood Barrier,” leaving it momentarily stunned.

“Roar–”

From within its low, throaty growl, a myriad of red spots emerged across the dragon’s scaly hide, clustering primarily around the degenerated fins. It almost seemed poised to sprout a set of formidable, aggressive wings. Yet, fate had other plans.

Safely behind his “blood barrier,” Ryan quickly rallied his strength. The “three-stage charging” of his greatsword completed in less than three seconds, a swift preparation despite the lack of a “critical hit.” Even so, the impact was decisive.

His blade struck true, crashing into the already fractured skull of the Molten Dragon. With a formidable force, the greatsword shattered the bone, plunging deep into the vulnerable brain tissue beneath.

The dragon, teetering on the brink of “Red Flame Rage,” was abruptly stilled.

Seconds later, its massive form collapsed with a thunderous crash, its life extinguished. As the magma from the pit began to fill the crater, a lustrous jade stone, shimmering with a silver glow, floated beside the defeated creature’s corpse.

Ryan, standing at the precipice of the lava-filled pit, exhaled deeply. The “blood cores” at his shoulders disintegrated, their crimson particles swirling around him in a spectral dance.

Despite the formidable nature of the Molten Dragon, a creature only slightly less daunting than the Black Roar Dragon, Ryan had faced it with relative ease. The victory was buoyed by his recent level-up following the defeat of the Black Roar Dragon, and the initial awakening of the [Holy Relic: Embrace of Blood] had been crucial.

Whether through the prowess of the “Blood Spear” or the resilience of the “Blood Core,” Ryan’s performance remained impressive, even at full health.

Now, victorious at the start of his venture into the volcanic region, Ryan felt a surge of satisfaction. It was an auspicious beginning to their challenges.

Before venturing deeper, it was time to reap the rewards of his conquest.

Firstly, a notable rise in level.

[Level]: 15 (5%) → 15 (36%)

[Spiritual Value]: 522,635 → 722,635

Although the defeat of the [Upper] Molten Dragon hadn’t advanced his level, it had significantly boosted his experience by 31%. To level up again, Ryan would need to vanquish at least two or three more creatures of similar stature.

Though the Blue Sky Ring that adorned Ryan’s finger was already a prized artifact among space rings, boasting a generous capacity that many adventurers could only dream of, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was something even more extraordinary out there. Perhaps stacking several rings could solve his dilemma? The thought of entering battle with a collection of glowing rings on each finger brought a chuckle to him.

“Maybe there’s a space ring out there that can trump the Blue Sky Ring,” Ryan mused aloud, a grin flickering across his face before he shook his head, dismissing the thought with a lighthearted shrug. “Let’s see what we find, though, right?”

Once his preparations were complete, Ryan resumed his journey, venturing into the volcanic expanse. Armed with his unique ability, [Nullification of Heat Damage], what would have been an oppressively hot environment transformed into a surprisingly soothing one. The heat that once seared now caressed, enhancing his comfort as he delved deeper into this fiery domain.

As he navigated the terrain, his gaze was suddenly drawn to a vivid anomaly amidst the swirling magma, a plant, a rarity against the molten orange. Its leaves were sleek, diamond-shaped, and it bore fruits that pulsed like rubies in the heat haze. Wading through the knee-high lava with ease, Ryan approached for a closer inspection.

The plant was a bearer of the [Strength Fruit], a botanical rarity that thrived in harsh climes, often in places steeped in the lore of fallen monsters. The fruit promised a significant, if temporary, surge in strength, a boon in the unforgiving wilderness.

“Three of them, no less,” Ryan exclaimed softly as he plucked the fruits, each nestled in his palm like a precious gem. “What a delightful surprise!”

Ryan pondered the peculiarities of the isolated island’s flora, each extreme environment harbored its unique botanical wonders. Whether it was the [Elimination Fruit] from the dank depths of the Rotten Miasma Abyss or the [Super Strength Fruits] he’d just harvested, each had its critical uses, though their scarcity demanded judicious use.

After a thorough search of the area, Ryan’s collection grew to eight of the vibrant fruits. Finding no further signs of the rare plant, he pressed on, the terrain sloping steadily beneath his feet as he ventured deeper into the volcanic bowels.

The constant burble of magma bubbles and the occasional crack of the fiery lake breaking the silence underscored the stark beauty and peril of this place. Minutes into his trek, a vast lava lake unfolded before him, its massive scale punctuated by multiple entrances, each a gateway to further mystery and danger.

Taking a deep breath, Ryan’s journey continued. Along the way, he encountered wildlife adapted to the inferno, creatures like the [Little Red-Armored Beast] and the [Red Raptor], each formidable in their own right but mere curiosities to a seasoned explorer like Ryan.