Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 227

Chapter 227: Blasting Dragon: The Monster Boxer!
In the midst of an expansive, slightly concave basin, which stretched for several hundred meters, a thin layer of magma pooled, its surface shimmering under the faint glow of the overhead skies. Surrounding this fiery basin, an array of densely packed crystal columns jutted out, their edges sharp and gleaming.

At the heart of this volcanic theater, a raised platform of rugged rock stood prominently. Upon this natural stage, the formidable [Crown] Sapphire Giant Beast loomed large, its head bowed as it feasted on an unknown substance. The beast’s massive body was marred by numerous scars, evidence of recent battles. Most of these wounds, characterized by the distinct marks of teeth and the residue of brutal impacts and lashes, were now in various stages of healing.

This rapid recovery suggested that the beast’s meal was not ordinary, it likely possessed remarkable regenerative properties. Given the severity of the creature’s injuries and the swift healing, the value of such a meal was incalculable.

Less than thirty minutes had elapsed since the beast’s last ferocious confrontation. Whatever it consumed had significantly mended its formidable form.

Nearby, hidden from direct view by the beast’s bulk, Ryan observed quietly. With a measured breath, he reached over his shoulder to grip the hilt of his greatsword. Simultaneously, his left hand acted, pulling the trigger of his [Light Crossbow·Ice Crushing].

The air hissed as the crossbow bolt sliced through, striking the Sapphire Beast from behind. The impact, minor to such a colossal creature, barely registered, eliciting a slow, menacing turn from the beast. Its piercing eyes locked onto Ryan, who was advancing steadily.

The successful hit had triggered the [Blood Hunt] effect, layering a “Mark of the Gospel” onto the beast. As Ryan advanced, he skillfully reloaded and fired another bolt.

With a thunderous roar that seemed to crackle with raw energy, the beast countered. Its roar blasted the approaching bolt into fragments.

Unfazed, the [Crown] Sapphire Behemoth launched itself into the air with tremendous force. It soared high above, a dark silhouette against the smoky sky, before crashing down with earth-shattering force where Ryan had just stood.

Ryan, anticipating this, had already moved. The ground where he had been seconds earlier now bore a massive crater, the result of the beast’s devastating descent.

As dust swirled, Ryan shielded his face, then lowered his arms as a digital prompt materialized in his vision:

[Blast Dragon: [Crown]] Known in the hunter circles as the “Blasting Fist King,” this dragon-like beast boasts a body sheathed in hard sapphire shells, evolved to withstand the most violent explosions and the searing heat of magma.

The Blast Dragon’s distinctive forelimbs, shaped like colossal fists, were unlike those of typical theropods, which were markedly reduced. Instead, these were highly developed, ending in formidable claws tucked beneath hammer-like fists. Its horn, forelimbs, and tongue were tinged green, coated with a unique slime mold that thrived only in volcanic climates. This symbiotic mold, sensitive to oxidation, would explosively react to both impact and environmental changes, aiding the dragon in both defense and offense.

Many hunters had fallen to the “fists” and “explosions” of the Blast Dragon. Those daring to engage this beast were cautioned: approach with utmost care.

The Blasting Dragon, now fully recuperated, radiated an even more formidable aura.

A clash of titans was imminent: the skilled hunter versus the monstrous “Monster Boxer.” The air was charged with anticipation as both adversaries prepared for a confrontation that would echo through the annals of hunter lore.

As the hot winds surged through the battle arena, they carried with them a faint, unsettling scent of sulfur, hinting at the fiery chaos about to unfold.

In the center stood the formidable Blasting Dragon, its forelimbs encased in solid blue armor that shimmered ominously under the harsh light. With a subtle shift of its massive body, the dragon seemed to be channeling some ancient power, its dark, piercing eyes locking onto Ryan with an intense glare.

Suddenly, the dragon unleashed a ferocious roar that reverberated through the air. Sound waves cascaded outward, lifting the gravel from the ground in a wild dance. Accompanying the deafening roar was a spray of dark green mucus that splattered across the landscape, adding a grotesque layer to the scene.

Ryan, poised and alert, nimbly sidestepped a pool of the noxious slime. In his hand materialized a blood-red spear, glowing with a sinister light. His movements were fluid, stepping, bending, and channeling his spiritual energy, which manifested as a radiant aura around him. With a surge of power, he thrust the spear forward.

His attack, named “Brave Strike,” combined with his “Throwing Expertise,” caused the spear to break the sound barrier, creating a cone-shaped cloud as it hurtled towards its target. The spear moved at supersonic speed, aiming directly for the dragon’s forehead.

Caught off-guard, the Blasting Dragon could only tilt its head slightly, which inadvertently redirected the spear’s trajectory. Instead of its forehead, the spear struck its chin, covered in a thick blue shell. A crisp, cracking sound echoed as the spear shattered the shell, penetrating deep, yet only enough to mar the surface.

For a creature as immense as the dragon, a thirty-centimeter wound was merely superficial. The dragon, enraged, shattered the blood-red spear with a swipe of its armored limb. Shards flew as green slime quickly filled and healed the wound, preventing further blood loss.

Ryan’s gaze hardened as he assessed the situation. His holy relic, the “Embrace of Blood,” although awakened, was still not at full strength. It was clear now that its power was insufficient against such formidable foes as the Crown-level Blasting Dragon, a stark contrast to its effectiveness in previous encounters with lesser beasts.

The dragon, recognizing Ryan from a previous confrontation thanks to the unchanged scent of his armor, was incensed. It viewed Ryan not as a hunter but as prey daring to strike back, a reversal of roles that fueled its fury.

With a thunderous bellow, the dragon exhaled a cloud of yellow powder, its eyes bloodshot with vengeance. It raised its massive paw, cloaked in what appeared to be a heavy, armored glove, and slammed it down towards Ryan, unleashing a wave of dark green slime mold.

Ryan, ever vigilant, dodged the incoming assault with a swift sidestep. However, he soon noticed a disturbing transformation; the slime mold changed color from green to yellow, then from yellow to red, signaling an escalation in danger. The battlefield was not just a test of strength but a vivid display of the lethal dance between predator and prey, each move more desperate than the last.

The sequence of events unfolded with astonishing speed. As Ryan executed a nimble sidestep, the ground beneath him erupted in a cataclysmic explosion.

“Boom!”

The force of the detonation was fierce, hurling rocks and debris across the battlefield while a plume of deep red smoke billowed out, resembling an angry beast exploding into the sky.

Caught in the shockwave, Ryan was blasted back over thirty meters, his figure momentarily obscured by a cloud of dust and debris. Yet, he emerged unscathed, thanks to a combination of his high-tier protective gear and his intrinsic resistances.

“Nullification of Thermal Damage,” “Explosive Resistance Level 2,” and the “Ring of Thunder” had all conspired to mitigate the blast’s impact on him. Coupled with the 60% damage reduction from his “Reverse Blade Armor” and “Dragon Helmet,” the damage was minimal, a testament to the quality of his equipment.

“As expected of armor forged from top-rank materials…” Ryan mused inwardly, feeling a surge of satisfaction at the resilience of his “Reverse Blade Armor” during its first true test in combat.

Had he been wearing his older “Ceratops Armor,” the explosion’s aftermath would have jolted his internal organs, leaving him with more than just a staggered breath.

Ryan had deliberately chosen not to activate his “Blood Barrier,” opting instead to accumulate “Marks of the Gospel” a tactical choice aimed at enhancing his offensive capabilities. The “Gospel” skill added a layer of “Gospel Mark” with each successful hit on his foe, a process that intriguingly required direct contact with his body or armor, not just a protective barrier.

Armed with the Grand Sword, Ryan had decided to adhere to the defensive strategy he developed during his last encounter with the Grand Sword Dragon, prioritizing safety and observation.

The red smoke churned violently as a massive shadow burst forth, its huge limbs swinging with the force of nature.

In this moment, the lava-strewn battlefield transformed into a veritable boxing ring, with the Blasting Dragon taking on the role of an indomitable prizefighter. Its fists, like sledgehammers, threatened to pulverize all in their path.

“Clang——”

With his eyes alight with battle fervor, Ryan drew his sword, its blade gleaming as he adopted a defensive stance. The sound of clashing metal rang out as he successfully parried the dragon’s blows with his blade, each contact sparking a cascade of blood-red light and enabling Ryan to swiftly build up his power.

His physical attributes, notably enhanced to a level of 219.1, significantly bolstered the protective capabilities of his “Hegemonic Blood Film” from the “Special Sword Skill – Defensive Collision,” a stark contrast to their first encounter where he could barely withstand a hit from the dragon.

The feedback from the vibrating “blood membrane” unnerved the [Champion] Shattering Dragon, causing its attacks to falter.

Seizing the moment, Ryan dashed beneath the towering beast, positioning himself strategically in its blind spot while shouldering his greatsword. With the “Concentration lv.5” skill fully leveraged, he smoothly completed three stages of charging.

Thump—thump—

Meanwhile, the [Crown] Shattering Dragon, regaining its bearings from the initial shock, tried to pinpoint Ryan’s location by scent. Its combat experience, honed against foes of all sizes, meant it was no stranger to adapting strategies, even against smaller, more agile opponents exploiting its blind spots.

The viscous dark green slime mold pooled ominously beneath the [Crown] Blasting Dragon, rapidly morphing into a sinister “green pool.” Ryan knew all too well the peril it posed, for in mere moments, it would ignite into a violent explosion.

Ryan’s greatsword hummed with spiritual energy, glowing with the intense power of his “three-stage charging” technique, though he doubted its effectiveness against a crown-ranked adversary. His resolve hardened, and with a deft flick of his wrist, the space ring on his hand glowed momentarily before he summoned the [Flashing Insect]. Pressing lightly on its head, he unleashed a blinding flash that pierced the murky battlefield.

The light erupted with such brilliance that even closed eyes couldn’t shield from its glare. The [Crown] Blasting Dragon, caught off guard and momentarily blinded, let out a furious roar, its planned leap thwarted as it instinctively recoiled.

“Bang!”

The once dark green slime now turned a threatening red and detonated with ferocity. The ground was ripped apart, layer by layer, exposing the molten magma lurking just beneath the surface. At the epicenter, Ryan’s protective “blood barrier” webbed with cracks, barely holding together against the blast’s relentless force. Despite his efforts to reinforce it, the barrier shattered within half a second.

Yet, those crucial moments afforded by the barrier allowed Ryan to execute a “true charging,” transforming his spiritual energy into a fierce, consuming flame along his blade.

“Take my sword and slash with all your strength!” Ryan’s internal battle cry fueled his adrenaline. His muscles tensed, veins bulging like serpents along his arms, he propelled himself upward, meeting the dragon at eye level. The greatsword, charged with untold power, slashed through the air toward the recovering dragon.

The [Grand] Blasting Dragon, its vision still clouded from the flash, barely registered the imminent threat. The blade struck true, cleaving through its head armor with a critical strike, an outcome Ryan knew hinged on the capricious favor of luck. With his skill combination, the odds of landing such a hit were favorable but never certain.

“Crack!”

The sound of shattering armor filled the air as the dark blue shell of the dragon’s head armor split under the force of Ryan’s [Crown Dragon Slayer Greatsword]. Enhanced by [Craftsmanship lv.3], the already formidable blade cut deeper than any had before, surpassing even the penetration of the earlier “Blood Spear.” The sword didn’t stop until it grazed the dragon’s skull, leaving a deep fissure in its wake.

As pieces of the shattered shell and blood spattered the scorched earth, Ryan’s heart raced not from triumph, but from urgency, as he caught sight of the ominous yellow-red slime beginning to seep from the dragon’s grievous wound.

“?!”

The air trembled with the rumbling echoes of the lava basin, signaling that the battle was far from over. The [Crown] Shattering Dragon, wounded but not vanquished, was about to unleash its fury.