Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 231

Chapter 231: One-handed Sword!
On the vast ocean, majestic warships cleaved through the waves, their bows cutting a path toward the distant horizon where sea and sky converged.

Ryan reclined leisurely on the bow deck, fresh from a rigorous session of storm sword practice. As he gazed up at the vast expanse of the clear blue sky, a wave of insight washed over him, bringing a serene clarity that had been elusive before.

After some time, he snapped back to reality with a light sigh.

“Where on earth did that creature go?”

It had been two days since his last encounter with the “dark green beast.” Since then, the Black Rose had sailed smoothly, uninterrupted by the usual threats. Each night, as they passed the volcanic region, Ryan noted a peculiar absence, all the significant life forms, barring the smaller, weaker creatures, seemed to have vanished, presumably devoured by the “Dark Green beast.” The emptiness left in their wake painted a stark picture of the power and reach of the enigmatic beast he now sought.

Ryan, who always challenged the darkest corners of every legend, took it upon himself to explore not only the volcanic area but also its surrounding territories. His journey led him through the outer rims and the dense, inner sectors of the volcano. After an exhaustive search, he arrived at a grim realization:

The voracious appetite of the “Dark Green Loofah” was more horrific than he had ever imagined. The creature seemed to possess a bottomless pit for a stomach, leaving the vast, mysterious island utterly devoid of any special species.

What deepened Ryan’s frustration was the discovery of the “Dark Green beast’s” footprints which, despite his best efforts, led to no further signs of its presence. It appeared that the creature, driven by an insatiable hunger, had moved on to richer hunting grounds, leaving the area barren.

This left Ryan’s traveling clone in a dire predicament: without formidable monsters to combat, there could be no progress in strength, trapping his abilities at a frustrating plateau.

With a heavy sigh on the deck, Ryan made a resolve: “If tonight yields no clues of the ‘Dark Green Beast,’ I must venture into the ‘Rotten Miasma.'”

The ‘Rotten Miasma’ was a foreboding region, home to ancient dragons, untouched except by the ‘Land of End and Origin’ as per the hermit dragon folk’s lore. Although Ryan was uncertain of his chances against the formidable ancient dragon, he was prepared to test his mettle.

As he stood absorbed in his thoughts, the sound of approaching footsteps snapped him back to reality. He didn’t need to look to recognize the light, deliberate steps of Furenee.

Joining him by the bulwark, Freni lifted a telescope to her eyes, scanning the horizon. “Hmm… Still nothing in sight,” she noted, her voice tinged with disappointment.

“Mr. Ryan, how much longer until we reach Thundera?”

“Based on the nautical charts, we should arrive in about three hours, around noon,” Ryan replied, rising to his feet.

“Three hours? Finally… It’s nearly time,” Freni exhaled a sigh of relief, the endless sea journey weighing heavily on her.

The [Black Rose], though a marvel of maritime engineering prioritizing speed, offered little in terms of comfort. Its design sacrificed stability for velocity, making the ride significantly more jarring than that of conventional ships.

“Yeah, we’re almost there,” Ryan agreed, a trace of anticipation in his tone.

After thorough deliberation, they had heeded the counsel of Princess Ariel of the Santos, opting to avoid the perilous ‘Magnetic Thunder Sea’ during its volatile season. Instead, they planned a temporary sojourn on the serene waters of Skyio Sea.

Ryan looked forward to the stop for multiple reasons. Thundera, a hub of neutral, or rather, chaotic neutral activity, promised an opportunity to hone his sword skills at the Kendo Competition. Furthermore, the island’s unique political landscape meant that, while it was frequented by formidable figures, including the feared black knights of the three seats, their power was curtailed, unable to exert their will unchallenged.

As their vessel carved through the azure waves of the Skyio Sea, the prospect of landing at Thundera brought more than just a change of scenery for Ryan, Freni, and Cecilia. Improving their professional prowess required more than endless sailing; it demanded real-world experience, something the bustling island could plentifully provide.

In the days leading up to their arrival, the trio hadn’t been idle. Freni had delved into the “Treasure House of Inheritance,” pulling from its depths new resources for them to absorb and master. These past few days were marked by intense study and rigorous practice.

Ryan and Freni stood together by the bulwark, the sea breeze tousling Freni’s hair, lending her an ethereal quality as strands danced wildly in the wind. Ryan, lost for a moment in the serene chaos of the scene, eventually turned his attention back to the panel displaying their progress:

[Spiritual]: 24 → 26 (45.5)

[Physique]: 48.92 → 50.92 (89.11)

The enhancements from the “Apostle of Joy” compatibility and the boost from 10 [Second-Level Spiritual Enhancement Crystals] and 10 [Second-Level Physical Enhancement Crystals] had nudged Ryan’s attributes upwards. While his base stats might not appear formidable, the [Tide of Pain] blessing promised a surge in his capabilities during combat, the values within brackets indicating just how dramatic this boost could be. Unlike the traveling clone, Ryan’s original form benefited fully from such augmentations, the impact of which was nothing short of transformative.

Freni had mentioned that the Black Knights of the middle three seats possessed formidable prowess, ranking at the upper echelon of the fourth level, with a specialization that made them particularly lethal to witches. Ryan was unsure if he could currently withstand a Black Knight of such calibre.

With these thoughts weighing on him, the need to fortify his strength was clear.

More than two hours later, the trio gathered on the deck, their gazes drawn to the vast outline of Thundera looming on the horizon. The island, visibly larger than any they had passed before, signaled their imminent arrival.

“Thundera, we’re almost there,” Ryan declared, his voice resonant with a mix of anticipation and resolve.

At that moment, Freni, spurred by a sudden thought, turned to Ryan with a curious expression. “By the way, Mr. Ryan, something just occurred to me.”

“Hmm?” Ryan, intrigued, faced Freni, awaiting her query.

“Sword competitions typically involve lighter, one-handed swords, like longswords,” Freni mused, her eyes twinkling. “The greatsword is considered a heavy weapon, not a one-hander, right?”

Ryan’s response was a smile, his confidence unfazed. With a resonant “clang,” he grasped the hilt of his massive sword, drawing it smoothly from its sheath. The [Crown Dragon Slaying Greatsword] was no light blade, yet he wielded it effortlessly with one hand.

“Who says a greatsword can’t be a one-handed sword?” His grin was as sharp as the blade he brandished, challenging any preconceived notions with the ease of his stance.

The chill of an autumn evening caressed the sea, its breezy fingers weaving through the air with a kind of melancholy that only the fall season can summon.

Nestled at the juncture of the inland sea routes and in proximity to the famed magnetic mine sea area, Thundera had long been a beacon for seafaring adventurers. This unique geographical stance had, over centuries, nurtured a bustling hub with its own set of customs and codes.

In the bustling port area, an unassuming three-masted sailing ship made its approach towards the dock. Its presence was discreet, a necessity in times where visibility could spell trouble.

Aboard the vessel, Ryan descended the gangway, flanked by Freni and Cecilia, both expertly disguised to avoid any undue attention. Before departing from the island, Ryan had specifically requested this ordinary ship from Ariel, knowing all too well that their usual vessel, the Black Rose, was far too conspicuous for such a mission. In the world of cloak and dagger, subtlety was often the companion of the wise.

Ryan had commandeered the Black Rose himself, stashing it away from prying eyes. As he stepped onto the bustling docks, his eyes widened in astonishment.

“So many people?” he murmured, scanning the throng.

Thundera, deeply nestled within the inner sea area, was typically a quieter destination given its remote location. The throngs of people seemed unusual.

“It’s likely due to the Sky Sword Competition,” Freni whispered back, clutching the baby dragon close. The creature, disguised by Freni’s clever use of a ‘spiritual camouflage’ technique, appeared merely as an adorable, chubby animal to the untrained eye. In reality, Baby Dragon retained his formidable appearance, his scales even tougher after days of good nourishment.

Freni had perfected this art of disguise through her studies of the ‘overturning mask’ principle. With her adept magical skills, she could fool even seasoned professionals into seeing something entirely innocuous.

Ryan was astounded by her prowess. Despite both being second-level professionals, Freni’s ability to innovate and conceal far outstripped his own, a humbling realization in a world where brute strength often ranked lower on the scale of professional esteem.

“That makes sense, but the draw is immense…” Ryan observed, noting the calibre of the professionals milling about. The crowd was speckled with second-level professionals like themselves, though the majority flaunted the prowess of the third level, and he suspected even fourth-level professionals lurked nearby, their powers cloaked by sophisticated means.

Here, away from the more remote outlying islands, the echelons of power shifted. What was once revered as peak proficiency seemed almost common. Thundera, with its allure of competition and mystery, was a place where legends were both made and met.