Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 220

Chapter 220: Ending The Travel!
The air of exclusivity surrounding the location hinted at its significance, it was undoubtedly the “anchor point” of the isolated island. For Ryan, gaining strength in the volcanic area through rigorous training before venturing to this point seemed like the prudent course of action.

Guarding this crucial location was likely no minor adversary but the stuff of legends, an ancient dragon.

Yet, before embarking on the perilous journey to the “Land of End and Origin,” Ryan harbored a strategic detour in mind: a foray into the “Rotten Miasma.” There, he intended to assess the mettle of an ancient dragon residing deep within. He suspected that this dragon, though formidable, would not possess the sheer might of its counterpart in the “Land of the End and Origin.”

This course of action was driven largely by the potential of the [Holy Relic: Azure Medal]. Awakening the medal was an achievement, but not its final form. Upon full awakening, the azure medal radiated brilliantly, yet above this shimmer, a celestial starlight beckoned, a symbol of hope and further ascension. Beyond the azure, a deeper hue of blue hinted at the possibility of a profound transformation, triggered by the successful hunt of an ancient dragon species. The progress bar stood tauntingly at zero.

Such was the cryptic guidance offered by the relic upon its awakening. The “Blue Star” referenced by the Hermit Dragon likely alluded to this very phenomenon.

At present, Ryan felt undeserving of the title “Blue Star.” If he could enhance and evolve the awakened [Holy Relic: Azure Medal], his odds of confronting the challenges in the “Land of the End and Origin” would significantly improve.

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“That’s fine,” the reclusive dragon man responded with a subtle nod. He reached under his hat, retrieving an item which he handed to Ryan. “When you are ready, come find me here at any time.”

“But please, do not delay overly… The final red light is nearly upon us… Time… is running out…”

With these ominous words, the hermit dragon exerted his legs, leaping back onto the cliff, his figure merging with the shadows of the cave entrance.

“The final red glow…” Ryan muttered, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

He focused on the object now resting in his palm, a bead gleaming with an ethereal light. This was his reward for obtaining the “Certificate of Overlord,” given by the hermit dragon man.

[Super Heart·See Through·Double Embedded Holy Glass Beads]: These beads, rare treasures born in the glass bead mines, came with a mysterious origin. They could be embedded into equipment by a skilled craftsman to bestow unique abilities [Fatal Strike lv.1] and [Flaw lv.1] upon them. To integrate these abilities into the main body of the equipment, a staggering 50w spiritual points were required.

Note, however, that each piece of equipment had a capacity limit for such enhancements. Overstepping this limit risked destroying both the bead and the equipment itself. Furthermore, only equipment crafted from [Grand] materials could host these potent beads.

Gazing at the luminous bead, Ryan was momentarily overwhelmed. He had expected a generous reward for defeating the [Crown] beast, but the rarity and utility of this holy glass bead surpassed all expectations.

Colored glass beads and holy glass beads may differ by just one word, but the distinction between them is vast, like comparing earth to heaven. The holy glass beads require an astounding 500,000 spiritual powers to fully integrate into the wearer’s body, underscoring their immense rarity and value. Indeed, in all his travels, Ryan had never encountered anything as unique and potent.

And the effects of these beads were nothing short of formidable.

The first skill, Level 1 [Fatal Blow], was the most powerful special skill Ryan had come across. It had the potential to drastically amplify the total damage of an attack, turning even a minor strike into a devastating blow. The second skill, Level 1 [See Through], also held significant value by enhancing the awareness and reaction speed of its bearer permanently. Together, these skills formed a lethal combination that could turn the tide in any battle.

However, the immense power of the holy glass bead came with a limitation: it required crown-level equipment to harness its full capabilities, a caliber of gear that Ryan did not currently possess. He would need to return to Master Golden Hammer with materials from the [Crown] Sword Dragon Slayer to craft such formidable equipment.

“I’ve really struck it rich this time,” Ryan mused with a grin, carefully stowing the holy glass bead away.

After a final glance at the shadowy entrance where the reclusive dragon man had vanished, Ryan turned and exited the cave.

…

At the [Bonfire Point-Corruption Outpost], Ryan sat contemplatively by the campfire, the flames casting a warm glow across his features.

He held the [Ceratops Armor] in his hands, his expression turning somber at the sight of its damage. In the recent brutal encounter with the Sword-Tailed Dragon, the armor had absorbed a critical strike at a crucial moment, saving his life but at the cost of its integrity. While the special abilities of the armor remained intact, its protective capabilities were severely compromised, reducing its efficacy against formidable foes.

“Originally, heavy armor was like paper folded in half. Now, it feels like there isn’t even paper left,” he lamented, acknowledging the futility of facing a crown monster without adequate protection. Without reliable armor, his flesh and blood stood little chance against such overwhelming force.

“Alas… It seems I can only challenge the Crown Beast after securing new protective gear,” Ryan sighed, resigned to the fact that his next adversary, the Sapphire Behemoth, demanded preparation he was currently lacking. This beast was even more formidable than the [Crown] Sword-Tailed Dragon, making an unprepared encounter tantamount to suicide.

Though death for his traveling clone meant resurrection, Ryan preferred to avoid the experience of death entirely, if possible.

“It’s almost time to go back,” he murmured to himself, watching the flames dance in the darkness. The brief journey had been taxing, far more than he had anticipated. The battle with the Sword-Tailed Dragon had pushed him to his limits, every nerve strained, every movement a balance between life and death.

Despite the restorative powers of the “gluttonous heart” mending his physical ailments with the warm currents of upgraded magic, the mental fatigue Ryan harbored was not so easily dispelled.

“So…”

With a resigned sigh, he conceded to his body’s plea for a genuine respite. “Let’s go back.”

Raising his hand above the flickering flames of the campfire, he initiated the teleportation spell. Tiny sparks swirled around him as his figure vanished from the wilderness, returning to civilization.

…

Santos City, Outlying Island, grand hotel.

Ryan’s eyes fluttered open, revealing the soft glow of a luxurious metal chandelier overhead. This enchantment-laden lamp, though simple and not particularly rare, emitted a gentle light reserved for the opulent “noble rooms” of grand hotels.

Turning his head toward the window, Ryan noted the dawn’s early light slicing through the night’s remnants, the rising sun spreading warmth into the world. He stretched languidly, the comfort of the hotel bed having restored his energy to its peak.

Upon leaving his room, Ryan almost immediately bumped into Miss Cecilia Wolf, who was also coming out from her quarters.

“Morning, Miss Cecilia,” he greeted her cheerily.

Cecilia, known for her rigorous daily training, likely rose early to prepare for her morning sword practice. “Morning, Mr. Ryan,” she replied, her usually stoic demeanor softened by a faint smile.

Their initial encounters had painted Cecilia as distant, but over time Ryan had learned she was not cold-hearted; she simply struggled with unfamiliar faces.

“I have to step out for a bit. Could you let the captain know when he wakes up?” Ryan asked, his smile unwavering.

Cecilia nodded in acknowledgment, watching Ryan’s departing figure blend into the distance. She lowered her eyes, her thoughts swirling with complexity.

It hadn’t been long since Ryan had evolved into a formidable professional, capable even of defeating the Libra Pope. Cecilia had hoped that by claiming the Moon Wolf’s inheritance, she might close the gap between them. Yet, despite fully integrating her ancestral powers, Ryan seemed only to drift further ahead.

“How can anyone keep pace with you…” she murmured, a mix of admiration and resignation in her voice.

Shaking off her contemplative mood, Cecilia redirected her focus and headed to the hotel’s practice room. She might never match Ryan’s strides, but she was determined not to become a liability to Lady Freni or Mr. Ryan.