Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 224

Chapter 224: New Equipment!
The armor Ryan now wore was a striking ensemble, its plates interwoven in shades of dark blue and lava red. The robust breastplate radiated an aura of invincibility, promising an impenetrable fortress against any onslaught. Its design was accentuated with angular, flame-shaped adornments at the wrists and shoulders, lending it an almost mechanical, Punk like aesthetic, a fierce marriage of metal and craftsmanship.

Draped at Ryan’s right side hung a large sword, its design unapologetically bold and flamboyant. The blade was reminiscent of the massive tail blade wielded by the legendary Sword-Tailed Dragon, only more concentrated and personal. Unusually, the blade’s surface was not smooth but featured a series of wavy, uneven ridges tinted a dark, magma red, as if flowing lava was trapped within.

Holding back his urge to explore the armor’s intricate details, Ryan instead retrieved the [Ceratops Armor] and the [Greatsword·True Red Crown Horn] from his collection, presenting them to Master Golden Hammer, along with a holy glass bead that shimmered with a mystical, hazy aura.

“Master, could you check whether the inlays on these items can be removed?” Ryan inquired, his tone deferential yet eager. “Also, if possible, I’d like this bead embedded into my armor or sword.”

Master Golden Hammer, having crafted the mid-level artifacts [Ceratops Armor] and [Greatsword·True Red Crown Horn] himself, was intimately familiar with their construction. He barely glanced at them before responding, “The inlay on the armor was fused during its forging. It’s completely integrated and can’t be removed. The sword’s bead, however, can be extracted.”

“Removing it might damage the sword. Are you sure you want to proceed?” he cautioned.

“Sure,” Ryan confirmed with a nod, his decision clear. The greatsword no longer held value to him compared to the potential of the [Super Heart Chimeric Glass Bead] it harbored.

“OK,” Master Golden Hammer acknowledged, his gaze lingering with astonishment on the holy glass bead. “Though I’m not certain of this bead’s effects, its inherent spirituality marks it as a true rarity.”

Though it breached his professional decorum, Master Golden Hammer felt a fleeting impulse to shake Ryan, half-expecting more treasures to fall from his pockets.

With a calm exhale, Master Golden Hammer instructed, “Wait here for me,” before departing with the equipment and the holy bead.

About thirty minutes later, the master returned, his face betraying a mix of success and regret. “The greatsword was sacrificed, but I successfully removed the inlays and have affixed them to your armor. The holy glass bead is now embedded in your new weapon. Have a look.”

With Master Golden Hammer’s assistance, Ryan donned the revamped armor and hefted his new greatsword, immediately checking the enhancements.

—

[Reverse Blade Armor]: This high-level, man-made rarity is constructed from materials derived from [Crown] Sword-Tailed Dragons, supplemented with rare minerals like Mithril and Fine Gold. The ensemble includes a helmet, chest armor, wrist guards, waist armor, and leg plates, all linked by a unique forging technique that integrates the separate pieces into a unified whole. Worn piecemeal, the components provide basic defense; when fully assembled, they trigger a synergistic reaction.

Attributes of the full set: Damage reduction 40% (based on the wearer’s existential rank), fire resistance +20, poison resistance +5, dragon resistance -5, thunder resistance -5, water resistance -15.

Set Skills: [True Meaning of Sword Slashing], [Concentration lv.2], [High Spirit lv.3].

Inlay Skill: [Fatal Strike lv.1]

[True Meaning of Sword Slash]: Infused with the dragon soul of the Sword-Tailed Dragon, enhancing the skills [Concentration] and [High Spirit] to a potential maximum level of 5.

Ryan surveyed his new gear with awe. The [Reverse Blade Armor] and [Crown Dragon Slayer Greatsword] weren’t just upgrades, they were game changers.

Concentration Level 2 now meant his greatsword’s charging time was slashed by 10%, and his special energy bar filled 10% faster. A subtle but significant boost for his battle rhythm, though the full potential of this skill awaited mastery.

High Spirits Level 3 was a revelation in combat readiness. Initiating a battle at full strength surged Ryan’s critical hit rate by a massive 30%. Even if his condition waned, this heightened alertness persisted for 30 vital seconds, a crucial window that could turn the tides of any skirmish.

Fatal Strike Level 1 promised devastating effects, boosting damage by 30% when striking an adversary’s vital regions. It was the kind of skill that whispered deadly secrets about precision and timing.

As he absorbed the nuances of his new equipment, a note caught his eye: [This item contains a moderate amount of spiritual essence, which can improve the repairability of the [Nameless Ship Sculpture] after absorption.] This intriguing detail hinted at yet another layer of utility waiting to be explored.

“Strong, very strong, extremely strong!” Ryan couldn’t help but muse aloud. The terms seemed insufficient to encapsulate the sheer superiority of his crown-level gear compared to his former upper-level sets. Where his old armor offered a mere trio of special skills, his new armor boasted six, doubling his tactical options.

The first, The True Meaning of Sword Slashing, shattered the conventional skill level cap, transforming Ryan’s existing abilities. For instance, High Spirits originally capped at level 3; now, it could surge to level 5, offering a sustained and significant increase to his critical hit rate over the more transient Sword Drawing Skill.

Meanwhile, the additional Concentration levels raised his existing skill from level 3 to a formidable level 5, dramatically enhancing his combat efficiency.

Turning his attention to the [Crown Dragon Slayer Greatsword], Ryan couldn’t contain his anticipation. Forged from the mammoth, burning red tail blade of a Sword-Tailed Dragon and enhanced with precious materials to meet giant standards, this sword was a masterpiece of both weight and power. Its heavy blade harbored flowing, exploding magma, ensuring that each slash inflicted both physical and scorching fire damage, a deadly combination that resonated with the hunter’s spirit, aiming to sear through the soul of its prey.

“Inlay skills: [Fatal Strike lv.1], [Flaw lv.1],” Ryan read aloud, his voice a mix of satisfaction and contemplation.

“Is there a greatsword with fire enchantments…” he pondered. Though he generally preferred weapons with purely physical attributes, the inherent superiority of the crown materials meant that even with a focus on fire attributes, the physical prowess of the [Crown Dragon Slaying Greatsword] still outmatched his previous [Greatsword·True Red Crown Horn].

Viewing the fire damage as a bonus akin to ‘free money’ Ryan nodded in approval. The effects of the superimposed skills were impressive:

Concentration Level 5 (max) now reduced the greatsword’s charging time by an incredible 50% and doubled the speed of special energy accumulation, albeit waiting for the mastery of corresponding abilities to unlock its full potential.

Fatal Strike Level 2 increased the damage to vital parts by a whopping 50%.

Flaw Level 3 further elevated his critical hit rate by an additional 15%.

Equipped with such formidable enhancements, Ryan was not just prepared, he was transformed, ready to face any challenge with a blend of ancient power and refined skill.

Clad in his newly forged armor, Ryan felt a surge of strength that he had never experienced before. With each movement, the gear seemed to echo his growing confidence, filling him with the conviction that he was now ready to confront the formidable [Crown] Sapphire Behemoth.

“Thank you for your hard work, Master Golden Hammer,” Ryan said, bowing deeply to express his gratitude. “I am truly satisfied with the results.”

“As long as you’re satisfied, that’s what matters,” Master Golden Hammer replied with a weary sigh that resembled the gust of a high-powered bellows. “I expedited your order, knowing you would soon be leaving this island. Though it cost me dearly, I feel it has help me gain alot in my attempt to promote my level. I anticipate a breakthrough soon.”

“It’s indeed time for me to depart,” Ryan acknowledged.

“Before you go, remember the rare ring you requested? Once it’s complete, I’ll send it to the ‘Crystal Chamber of Commerce’ on Thundera via a special courier. You can collect it there with your voucher,” the master smith explained, his voice tinged with exhaustion. “I’m a bit worn out, old friend, so I won’t see you off.”

Ryan could discern the fatigue veiling Master Golden Hammer’s usually impassive face. Bowing again in deep respect, Ryan then turned to leave, his heart heavy with gratitude.

Master Golden Hammer watched Ryan’s retreating figure, a complex sigh escaping him only after the door had closed, a mix of annoyance and relief. He was relieved, partly because he wasn’t sure he had the energy to forge another piece, even if Ryan had brought superior materials.

“Have a good rest, and then leave,” he murmured to himself, thinking of the adventures that awaited his former apprentice.