Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Preparing To Face The Behemoth!
Freni, observing Ryan from the upper deck, had been watching Ryan’s practice. Initially, she hadn’t been overly concerned.

She knew well that Ryan possessed an exceptional talent for swordsmanship. Even when he was barely beyond the novice stages, at Level 1, to be precise, he had successfully executed the second sword skill of the Storm Sword Art, “Dividing the Sea,” a feat beyond many who were ranked at Level 3.

Though Freni herself did not practice the Storm Sword Technique, she was well-versed in its lore within the Augustus royal family. This technique, known for its formidable power, was infamously difficult to master, ranking as perhaps the most challenging among the secret arts housed by the royal lineage.

Legend held that the founding king of Augustus, allegedly blessed by the sea god himself, had wielded the Storm Sword Technique to profound depths, conquering formidable foes to establish one of the continent’s mightiest nations.

Since then, the mightiest of Augustus could only reach the second technique. There was a tale of a legendary swordsman who, unbeknownst to the dangers, ventured to master it further. When inquired about his progress, his bewildering reply was simply, “Who are you?” A testament to the disorienting power of the art that even legends approached with utmost caution.

If you’re not well-acquainted with someone, it’s wise to hold back on probing questions.

Thus, a technique that could have radiated brilliance across ages was gradually relegated to obscurity.

It’s not that I lack the desire to master it; the truth is, I simply can’t!

When Freni first entrusted Ryan with the legacy of the [Storm Sword Skill], her expectations were modest. She hoped he would grasp just the “First Sword Skill.” After all, while the technique was notoriously complex, the initial sword skill was relatively accessible. For a level one melee professional, mastering a single-stage charge was challenging but achievable.

Once Ryan had a handle on the “First Sword Skill,” Freni planned to introduce him to other inheritance crystals. These might not be as potent or tailored as the Storm Sword skills beyond the first, but they would certainly be more within his reach.

However, Ryan displayed an uncanny affinity for the [Storm Sword Skill] that Freni hadn’t anticipated. It didn’t take long for him to adeptly navigate through the “three-stage charging” of the first sword skill, and he even mastered the “Second Sword Skill of Storm Swordsmanship” during a sacred duel, a feat that eluded most third-level melee professionals.

Freni could accept these surprises; Ryan’s unique physique made his rapid advancement conceivable. But now, he was attempting the “Third Sword Technique” of the Storm Sword Art? This was beyond what she expected.

Typically, to safeguard inheritors from overreaching and inflicting irreversible harm upon themselves, the “Storm Sword Skill Inheritance Crystal” necessitated mastering each technique thoroughly before unlocking the next. Yet here was Ryan, seemingly perfecting the “Second Sword Skill” in just a few days.

Freni, who prided herself on her composure, found herself utterly astonished by Ryan’s audacity and prowess.

Cecilia, standing beside her, might not have understood the depths of the [Storm Sword Skill], but even she felt a chill in those fleeting moments, sensing the immense spiritual power Ryan wielded, a level she couldn’t yet fathom.

“Sorry to have disturbed you,” Ryan said, sensing their intense scrutiny. He sheathed his sword and bowed slightly to Freni and Cecilia.

“It’s… nothing,” Freni replied, her voice a mix of awe and concern. She managed a weary smile, “I’ll head back to my room now. You’ve been pushing hard, Mr. Ryan. Try to get some rest early.”

Watching the two women turn away, Ryan’s gaze lingered for a moment before shifting back to his own concerns.

The Black Knights were drawing closer, and although the [Black Rose] sailed swiftly, Freni had warned that the warship carrying the three Black Knights was no ordinary vessel. Caution was paramount.

Improving his own abilities swiftly was the optimal strategy; fleeing was not in Ryan’s nature.

He returned to his room and lay down, the [Black Rose] now linked with the [Unnamed Ship Sculpture], allowing him to navigate freely, as long as he was aboard. Still, from long-standing habit, he preferred to initiate his travels from the comfort of his bed.

Somehow, it just felt safer.

Ryan closed his eyes, whispering a command into the stillness of his quarters.

“Travel, start!”

As my vision gradually sharpened, the disorienting blur that clouded my eyes lifted, replaced by a newfound clarity. The previous sensation of tumbling through the air eased into a smooth descent, akin to transitioning from a rocky mountain path to the seamless glide of a highway.

Ryan, his eyelids fluttering open, found himself gazing upon a warship both oddly familiar and strangely alien. He rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over the vessel, and he fell into contemplation. This grand battleship bore a striking resemblance to the Black Rose, yet subtle differences marked it as distinct.

Unsure of the underlying principles, Ryan pondered, “Does the journey’s end feel different depending on the ship’s quality?” Previously, his travels had been confined to the modest confines of a bamboo raft. Now, aboard this upgraded vessel, the enhancement in comfort was both impressive and unsettling.

Wandering the decks, Ryan discovered that the trophies that once adorned the mast were now carefully arranged within a dedicated cabinet in the captain’s quarters. He examined the nineteen trophies collected from his adventures, a proud display of bronze, silver, and prominently, gold, each piece a testament to his journeys, stirring a sense of satisfaction within him.

After surveying the ship, he made his way to the bow deck, where the teleportation bonfire crackled. As the sparks faded, Ryan’s surroundings shifted, and he found himself at Bonfire Point, within the Volcano Cave. The lively flames of the bonfire mirrored the fierce determination in his eyes.

Armed with updated gear and bolstered strength, Ryan was ready to face his next challenge, the formidable [Crown] Sapphire Behemoth residing in the vast lava lake. This creature, known for its daunting size and strength, promised a battle worthy of his newfound capabilities.

Before setting out, a thorough check of his equipment was essential:

– Weapons: The [Crown Dragon Slayer Greatsword] and [Light Crossbow·Ice Crusher] were primed for battle.

– Armor: The [Reverse Blade Armor] stood ready to deflect harm.

– Accessories: An additional [Thunder Ring] was included to mitigate energy damage.

Although the true performance of the [Crown Dragon Slayer Greatsword] and [Reverse Blade Armor] would only be revealed in combat, the [Light Crossbow·Ice Crusher] had been revitalized with the skill [Gospel]. While its base attack was modest, the “Mark of Gospel” it placed on its target proved invaluable.

In preparation, Ryan had also refined his skills to specifically counter the [Crown] Sapphire Behemoth’s explosive nature. He had acquired [Thermal Damage Nullification lv.1 (max)] and [Explosive Resistance lv.2] skills adept at mitigating both the immediate and residual effects of explosive attacks.

From a previous encounter, though brief, Ryan had discerned that the Sapphire Behemoth employed a blasting attribute in its assaults. Understanding this, he equipped himself to reduce the beast’s explosive potency to a minimum. Yet, he was acutely aware that beyond the explosive threats, the sheer physical might of the behemoth posed a significant challenge. Indeed, compared to the [Grand] Stegosaurus, the [Crown] Sapphire Behemoth was a colossal adversary, its massive bulk hinting at overwhelming strength.

Alongside his abilities of [Thermal Damage Nullification lv.1 (max)] and [Explosive Resistance lv.2], Ryan had acquired another crucial skill that promised significant advantage in his forthcoming battle against the [Crown] Sapphire Behemoth. This was the celebrated core skill of the “Apostle of Joy” called [Tide of Pain].

After his recent triumph over the formidable [Grand] Sword Dragon, Ryan had not only completed his inaugural “Joy after Pain” ritual, but during his moments of respite, he had stoically endured an additional 25 bouts of pain. This perseverance increased his pain value to a substantial 50 out of a possible 100, bestowing upon him a potent 50% enhancement to all his attributes during combat.

Now, as Ryan examined the stats of his adventuring avatar, the figures were impressive:

Spirituality: 27.3 (enhanced to 40.95)

Physique: 219.1 (unchanged)

While his [Physique] remained constant, his [Spirituality] had surged past 40 points, a vital boost given that many of Ryan’s abilities were governed by this attribute, indirectly amplifying his effectiveness in combat.

After meticulously ensuring he had overlooked nothing, Ryan rose from the warming glow of the campfire. Clad in the formidable [Reverse Blade Armor], he mirrored the visage of a diminutive [Crown] Sword Slayer Dragon, his appearance exuding a sharp and commanding aura.

Stepping out of the [Bonfire Point-Volcano Cave], Ryan followed the pathway, his progress flanked by rivers of molten lava. Small creatures that crossed his path fled in terror at his daunting presence, an instinctive survival response in these perilous times.

Uninterested in these minor adversaries, which offered no experience points and merely wasted his time, Ryan pressed onward. Soon, he reached the expansive lava lake, a site he approached with a vastly different mindset than before. Initially fraught with hesitation and fear due to his inadequacies and the unknown, he now stood there as a prepared and determined hunter.

As he advanced, a blast of hot air greeted him, and the vast red lava lake spread out before him. The [Champion] Sapphire Beast was nowhere to be seen, but Ryan was unfazed; it had been absent during his previous visits as well, seemingly always elsewhere.

Reaching the spot of their last direct confrontation, Ryan surveyed his surroundings with a slight frown. “Why are there so few of that dark green slime mold?” he mused aloud. Normally, the [Crown] Sapphire Behemoth would leave behind a trail of explosive slime molds. Now, the sparse molds appeared old, suggesting the beast hadn’t returned for days.

“What’s happened?” A heaviness settled over Ryan, his instincts tingling with unease.

His concern grew as he recalled the scene he’d stumbled upon the night before: the [Upper] Princess Fiery Spider’s carcass, its shell entirely devoured. The small creatures’ panic earlier hinted at a significant upheaval in the volcanic region.

Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed in the distance, sending a tremor through the gravel underfoot. Ryan’s head whipped towards the sound, originating from the very passage that the Sapphire Behemoth had previously used to make its dramatic entrance.