Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 214

Chapter 214: Searching For The Crown Beast!
Far removed from the dark events unfolding at Ryukin Island, light and shadows swirled and then vanished as Ryan opened his eyes. He found himself lying on a simple “raft” beached on golden sands. The familiar scent of saltwater and warm breeze washed over him, easing the tension in his body.

As usual, Ryan’s eyes drifted toward the mast, scanning for any sign of a distress signal from Silver. Seeing none, he refocused his attention on his panel, eager to check his latest stats.

With his main body recently promoted to the second level, the traveling clone had undergone significant upgrades as well.

—

[Level]: 16 (2%)

[Spiritual Value]: 722635

[Spirituality]: 9.0 → 25.8 (32.3) – The figure in parentheses represents the boost from [Tide of Pain]

[Physique]: 164.3 → 169.3 (169.3) – The figure in parentheses represents the capped value after [Tide of Pain] is applied

—

Compared to his original body, the traveling clone’s [Spirituality] was slightly higher, largely due to the effects of dual-career promotion and his special skill [Storm Combat Body]. However, what caught Ryan’s attention most were the bracketed values, indicating the extra enhancements.

With the support of [Tide of Pain], his clone’s [Spirituality] broke past the typical upper limit, reaching 32.3, a level that could be considered “weak fourth order.” It was a leap in power that put him just shy of the ranks where legends might tread.

On the other hand, his [Physique] showed no improvement from [Tide of Pain]. The base value of 169.3 had clearly exceeded the skill’s enhancement cap, rendering it ineffective. Though slightly disappointed, Ryan had expected as much; there was only so much a skill could do when a stat reached such an advanced stage.

Satisfied with his analysis, Ryan shifted his focus toward the heart of the mysterious island sprawled before him.

The goal of this journey was clear: to challenge the [Crown]!

With six skills from two second-level professions and his devastating “True Charge Slash,” Ryan was confident, yet curious. Just how powerful had he become?

At this point, the so-called “top three stars” would stand no chance against him. The only question left was whether he could hold his own against a true [Grand Rank] opponent.

There was only one way to find out.

With a determined smile, Ryan steeled himself for the battle ahead, the thrill of the unknown coursing through his veins.

As the scattered sparks converged in a dance of fiery choreography, they coalesced into a human-shaped figure. Amid the flickering glow of a nearby campfire, surrounded by the reddish-brown rocks of the Volcano Cave, Ryan awoke.

[Bonfire Point-Volcano Cave]

Ryan took a moment to gather himself, resisting the urge to venture forth immediately. Instead, he methodically checked his equipment, ensuring everything was in perfect condition for the challenges ahead.

Weapons:

– Great Sword·True Red Crown Horn: A massive blade capable of splitting boulders.

– Light Crossbow·Ice Crusher: Enchanted with ice, effective for immobilizing foes at a distance.

Protective Gear:

– Ceratops Armor: Crafted from the hide of mythical beasts, offering formidable protection.

Accessories:

– Thunder Ring: Crackles with static, ready to unleash storms at a touch.

Relics:

– Blue Medal (Awakening): Enhances agility and awareness.

– Blood Embrace (Initial Awakening): Boosts vitality, preparing Ryan for prolonged encounters.

Satisfied with the state of his arsenal, Ryan nodded approvingly. His melee capabilities were beyond question with his trusty Great Sword. However, he acknowledged the limitations of his Light Crossbow·Ice Crusher for long-range engagements, particularly against more formidable monsters of the “Upper” rank or higher. Despite its shortcomings, the crossbow’s ice-enchanted bolts were invaluable for drawing out elusive creatures.

For more effective long-range combat, Ryan relied on the formidable “Blood Spear,” a gift from the Holy Relic: Embrace of Blood.

“If the opportunity arises, I should definitely upgrade my ranged weaponry,” Ryan mused to himself, weighing his strategic options.

With his preparations complete, Ryan was ready to embark on his first foray against the formidable [Crown] beasts. His target was not the elusive [Crown] Sapphire Beast, but rather the [Crown] Sword-Tail Beast, a creature he had previously encountered and driven away.

Ryan understood that, much like the classifications among the [Upper Ranks], distinctions existed within the [Crown Ranks] as well. Although the exact rankings of the Sapphire and Sword-Tail Beasts were unknown, it was clear that the Sapphire Behemoth possessed superior strength.

Opting for a strategic approach, Ryan decided to start with the ostensibly weaker [Crown] Sword-Tail Beast to gauge his own capabilities against these daunting foes.

Exiting the warmth of [Bonfire Point – Volcano Cave], he was greeted by a wave of oppressive heat that would have overwhelmed a lesser adventurer. But Ryan, armed with his special skill [Nullification of Heat Damage], pressed on undeterred.

Descending deeper into the volcanic labyrinth, he soon arrived at the expansive entrance to a vast lava lake, the very place where he had last crossed paths with the [Crown] Sapphire Behemoth.

Standing at the threshold, Ryan surveyed the scene. The vast, bubbling expanse of molten rock stretched before him, ominously quiet and devoid of any monster tracks.

“Could the [Crown] Royal Blue Beast be absent today?” Ryan pondered, his gaze intense and focused.

Recalling his last encounter here, where the Sapphire Behemoth had emerged unexpectedly from a distant passageway, Ryan remained vigilant. He paused, closing his eyes to enhance his perception, a skill greatly improved by his recent advancements and the potent [Tide of Pain] relic.

After a moment of silent contemplation, Ryan opened his eyes, a sense of calm assurance washing over him as he whispered to himself, “It’s really not here?” He was prepared, either way, to face whatever challenges this volcanic fortress might throw at him.

Ryan stood on the brink of the large magma lake, enveloped by a palpable tension that seemed to thrum through the air. The faint oppressive aura that lingered hinted at imminent danger, reminiscent of a prelude to an explosion. He recognized this sensation; it was the residual presence of the formidable [Crown] Sapphire Beast. Yet, the aura felt diluted, weaker than before, leading Ryan to speculate that the beast might have ventured out in search of food.

Such a theory made sense considering the colossal energy demands of such a creature. The [Crown] Sapphire Beast, with its massive size, required a significant amount of sustenance daily. The volcano’s ability to support such a titan suggested a hidden ecological richness, a natural pantry adequate to feed the beast’s voracious appetite.

With cautious steps, Ryan advanced into the vast expanse of the lava lake. The absence of the [Crown] Sapphire Behemoth was a fortunate turn, allowing him safer passage.

His path led him toward a cave previously inhabited by the [Upper] Princess Fire Spider. Minutes later, Ryan emerged from the cave, his expression marred by frustration. As he had feared, the remains of the Princess Fiery Spider and her Guardian Spiders had vanished, likely consumed by some ravenous creature of the deep, leaving behind no trace of their existence.

Instinctively, Ryan doubted that the [Crown] Sapphire Behemoth was responsible for this. The disappearance of these creatures hinted at the intrusion of another “crown” monster into this territory. Could the departure of the Royal Beast also be connected to this new threat?

After a brief contemplation, Ryan decided to redirect his focus toward the area where he had previously encountered the Sword-tailed Beast. Dwelling on the unknowns served little purpose; the best strategy was to confront challenges as they arose, adapting to each new situation with resilience and fortitude.

As he moved away from the lava lake, surprise flickered in Ryan’s eyes as he navigated the cave’s twisting passages. He had anticipated a lengthy hunt for the elusive [Crown] Sword-Tailed Beast, especially considering its previous defeat by the more dominant [Crown] Sapphire Beast. Yet, the fresh scars etched into the rocky walls suggested the Sword-Tailed Beast lingered nearby, perhaps nursing its wounds while bracing for a rematch.

This unexpected turn of events played to Ryan’s advantage. Shortening his search time meant he could potentially catch the beast while it was still recovering, a significant edge in the imminent confrontation.

Fuelled by this realization, excitement coursed through Ryan, propelling him deeper into the cavern’s heart. As he advanced, the air grew tense, charged with an invisible force. The walls, marred extensively with sword marks, bore witness to the beast’s relentless training regimen. It seemed the [Crown] Sword-Tailed Beast was not merely surviving; it was honing its skills, sharpening its prowess daily.

The distinction was clear. A monster that honed its combat skills was far more formidable than one driven solely by primal instincts. Approaching the end of the corridor, Ryan entered a surprisingly spacious cave. The ground was unnaturally flat, as if meticulously polished, while the crisscrossing sword marks on the walls narrated silent tales of fierce battles and relentless practice.