Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 237

Chapter 237: Corpse Dragon!
In the heart of a vast underground cavern, an ethereal scene unfolded. Tiny, grayish-white specks fluttered through the air, dancing like minuscule insects invisible to the naked eye. These were not mere particles of dust but carried the essence of an ancient, mysterious world concealed beneath the earth.

From the depths of this place, a figure emerged, stepping through the swirling gray mists with a grace and composure that belied its noble stature. It was only now that Ryan could fully perceive the true form of the ancient dragon that had dwelled for centuries within the suffocating embrace of the rotten miasma.

This creature was a magnificent skeleton of the classical draconic archetype; four legs, two grand wings, all framed by a sleek and powerful form devoid of flesh yet not of intimidation. Its body was armored in spliced skin that gleamed silvery-white, tough as metal and unyielding as stone. Spiny barbs adorned its back, limbs, and tail, creating a formidable silhouette against the cavernous backdrop.

Atop its skull sat what appeared to be glowing yellow organs, but these were deceptive; they were not its eyes. The dragon’s true vision came from smaller, crimson orbs, glowing ominously and perched in front of the yellow lights. Its mouth, vast and eerie, resembled that of a deep-sea megamouth shark, equipped with a double set of jaws, the inner ones small yet robust, hinting at the dragon’s predatory capabilities.

The wings, though majestic, bore signs of degeneration, with curved claws and barbed bones supporting tattered membranes, a testament to a life spent more in the shadows of the cave than in the skies above.

As Ryan absorbed the sight, a detailed description materialized on the panel before him:

[Crown] – Corpse Dragon (Adult): An elusive dragon breed born amidst thick miasma and decay. These dragons surpass the might of typical monsters of similar stature. Known for manipulating ‘Miasma,’ microorganisms thriving on decay, corpse dragons possess specialized organs to store and harness this miasma. Emitting it through gill-like structures, they activate the miasma to become fiercely aggressive and resilient against fire.

Corpse dragons thrive on the energy released from decaying organic matter, draining both miasma and life force, leaving their prey desiccated and mummified. This sinister method allows them to hunt effortlessly, conserving their energy. Human encounters with miasma lead to severe weakness and diminishing vitality, making recovery nearly impossible without specific antidotes. In battle, corpse dragons emit or forcefully expel miasma, wreaking havoc and weakening their foes continuously.

As Ryan read, the significance of the corpse dragon’s abilities sank in, filling him with a solemn reverence for the power held by this ancient creature. Its very existence challenged the boundaries of ordinary life, marking it as a formidable entity not just in strength but in the ancient wisdom of survival in the harshest of realms. His gaze fixed on the dragon, now fully aware of the formidable nature of the beast that walked slowly from the mists, an emblem of ancient power and dread.

In the shadowy depths of the ancient cavern, a malignant force known as “miasma” pervaded the air, sapping the strength of any who dared to venture close. This miasma, a potent and deadly enhancement of its already lethal predecessor, weakened its victims dramatically, draining them of their vital energy.

However, not all was lost in this dire scenario.

The miasma, at its core, comprised a swarm of microorganisms, tiny, fragile beings particularly vulnerable to fire. Ryan, armed with the [Crown Dragon-Slaying Greatsword], found himself well-equipped for this challenge. His sword wasn’t just a formidable weapon of physical destruction; it also boasted powerful fire attributes, making it an ideal tool for combating the dreaded corpse dragons.

As the corpse dragon emerged from its miasmic shroud, it fixed its indifferent red gaze upon Ryan. Eons had passed since this ancient creature last encountered a bipedal being bold enough to confront it. Flickers of those distant memories crossed its mind, but they were quickly dismissed by the dragon, uninterested in the faded echoes of the past. Its focus was singular and clear, eliminate the intruder who dared trespass into its domain.

With majestic steps, the dragon advanced, the surrounding miasma swirling around it like a royal guard rallying to their sovereign’s side.

Ryan, undeterred and analytical, decided against immediately activating his “Blood Core” for protection. Instead, he chose to gauge the miasma’s corrosive power firsthand. As the toxic cloud enveloped him, he could feel countless microscopic organisms invading his skin, leeching away his vitality. His body’s immune response was futile; his vitality plummeted to merely 10% of its usual capacity. It was only when a precarious balance was struck between his immune system and the miasma that the onslaught momentarily paused.

But the relief was short-lived. The miasma adapted, intensifying its attack, and Ryan’s vitality began to wane once more. The severity of this new strain was chilling, far surpassing the natural hazards of the cavern.

Reacting swiftly, Ryan retrieved an [Elimination Fruit] from his space ring and consumed it. The fruit coursed through him, purging the invasive miasma, yet the vitality it had stripped away was not restored.

Feeling weakened yet determined, Ryan activated the “Heart of Gluttony,” a powerful artifact designed to replenish his depleted energy. The entire ordeal, though intense, lasted less than three seconds.

The corpse dragon, having paused its assault, now stepped closer, observing Ryan with a newfound curiosity. In its long, dreary existence, it derived sparse amusement from watching presumptuous adventurers falter under the miasma’s grip, succumbing to weakness and despair.

However, this encounter took an unexpected turn. The dragon noticed the expelled miasma and sensed Ryan’s resurgence in strength. Its rare enjoyment was thwarted, fueling a deep, resonant roar of frustration.

With this roar, a denser, more oppressive wave of miasma billowed forth, blanketing the cavern in a thick, gray-white fog, signaling the escalation of their confrontation.

As the oppressive miasma thickened in the cavernous space, Ryan’s gaze sharpened, and he swiftly retreated, maintaining a strategic distance to avoid the brunt of the potent miasma’s initial assault. During this calculated withdrawal, his right hand was charged with blood, manifesting a blood-red spear adorned with intricate patterns, the Blood Spear.

In Ryan’s focused vision, a virtual crosshair, slightly hazy at first, locked onto the distant silhouette of the corpse dragon. This targeting system was a unique feature of the Blood Spear when wielded at full health. Within seconds, the crosshair snapped into sharp focus, its center aimed directly at the dragon’s forehead, signaling that the targeting lock was complete. The next throw of the spear would not miss.

Fuelled by the potent [Tide of Pain], Ryan’s spiritual energy surged to a remarkable 52.28, enhancing the [Brave Strike]’s damage by a fearsome 71%. Gathering his strength, Ryan launched the spear with precision. It transformed into a blur of blood-red light, slicing through the thick miasma and hurtling towards the dragon’s head at a speed that shattered the sound barrier.

The spear struck true with a resounding “clang!” Yet, Ryan’s heart sank as he watched the spear barely penetrate the silver-white skin of the corpse dragon’s forehead before shattering into countless blood-colored fragments that floated eerily in the air. Though Ryan had anticipated the dragon’s formidable defenses, the failure to breach even a supposedly weaker spot like the forehead was a stark and disheartening revelation.

Despite the spear’s failure to inflict significant damage, it incited fury within the ancient beast. With a swift motion that belied its massive form, the corpse dragon covered the ground between them in an instant and swung its massive claw towards Ryan, accompanied by a surge of thick, gray-white miasma.

Ryan, his expression grave, chose not to evade. Instead, he surged forward, a blood-red aura flaring around him, strengthening the surface of his “Blood Demon of Tyranny” armor. Though it cracked under the immense force, it held together, a small yet vital victory that buoyed Ryan’s resolve.

With his protective “dominant blood film” holding firm against the dragon’s onslaught, Ryan felt a glimmer of hope. His blood and energy, now cycling back to full potency, prepared him for the next phase of attack. Just as he readied his next strike, the dragon’s claw smashed into the ground before him, releasing a burst of miasma that expanded explosively upon contact with Ryan’s blood barrier.

In less than a tenth of a second, the barrier took on a sickly gray-white hue and then disintegrated into nothingness. With no barrier to shield him, the corrosive miasma struck Ryan directly, disrupting his combat rhythm and rapidly eating away at his vitality. The dragon’s attack left Ryan vulnerable, his body visibly corroding as his life force drained away at an alarming rate.

As the miasma’s suffocating embrace weakened Ryan’s body, it wasn’t merely a draining of his physical strength, it seeped into his very essence, sapping both his mental and physical vitality. His movements became sluggish, each motion a struggle against an invisible force.

In that critical moment, the corpse dragon’s claw came sweeping toward him. With no time for thought, only instinct, Ryan swung his greatsword in a desperate counterattack rather than a defense.

The collision resonated through the cavern with a thunderous boom, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The impact was monumental; Ryan felt as though he had been struck by a high-speed train. He was hurled backward, his trajectory only halted after he carved a long trench in the rocky ground, a testament to the ferocity of the blow.

Blood seeped from the knuckles of his sword-wielding hand, torn by the force of his defensive strike. Thankfully, his recent mastery of [Dragon Power] had bolstered his strength enough to somewhat mitigate the dragon’s devastating attack.

Ryan’s gaze fixated on the silver-white claws of the corpse dragon, still lingering in the air. The gray-white miasma enshrouding them flickered ominously with a crimson glow, the residual fire damage from his [Crown Dragon-Slaying Greatsword]. It was a small victory; the microorganisms comprising the miasma were vulnerable to fire, and for a brief moment, the flames had checked their advance. Yet, like a mirage, the fiery damage dissipated swiftly, overwhelmed by the relentless miasma.

The dragon, stunned by the sudden burst of flame, momentarily ceased its advance, granting Ryan a brief respite.

“This is really quite the challenge…” Ryan murmured under his breath, his voice a blend of awe and trepidation.