Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: New Skill [Ingenuity]!
As the pale golden hues of dawn filtered through the window, they danced across Ryan’s vision, mingling with the fine dust motes swirling in the air. He gazed out with a vacant stare, the stark light illuminating his grimace.

The agony of his fractured limbs was so profound that it blurred the lines between the reality and simulation, had he returned from the “travelling place,” or was this still part of that otherworldly journey?

Time seemed to stretch indefinitely as he lingered in this liminal state. Slowly, the sensation of clenching his fists brought him grounding relief, confirming the presence of his arms and easing the turmoil in his heart.

Back…

Though the demise of his travel clone wouldn’t spell the end for his physical form, the excruciating pain and the engulfing despair he felt as darkness crept upon him remained as intense as ever.

With a heavy exhale, “Huh…” Ryan pushed himself upright, the bed creaking under his weight.

He made his way to the wooden table and slumped into the chair. Picking up a carved wooden cup, he gulped down water, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat. As he sat, the distant sound of waves played a calming rhythm near his ears, yet Ryan’s eyes reflected a turmoil of emotions.

During his latest expedition, he had braced himself for defeat at the claws of the dragon-headed giant crab. Unexpectedly, Silver intervened, altering the battle’s course dramatically.

“I wonder how Silver fares now… Can the ‘Necklace of Fertility’ truly save it?” Ryan pondered with a heavy heart.

He had done all within his power; the rest was up to Silver.

Feeling somewhat settled, Ryan turned his attention to the panel before him, his eyes alight with anticipation.

In the throes of battle, he hadn’t the chance to check his status before succumbing to death’s embrace.

Now was the moment to assess his gains.

First up was his [Level] – “Level 5 (43%)”.

The formidable dragon-headed giant crab had proven to be a worthy foe, providing Ryan with a substantial boost in experience. This encounter had catapulted his level from “Level 4 (84%)” directly to “Level 5 (43%)”, marking significant progress in his journey.

Truth be told, the rewards garnered from this encounter fell short of Ryan’s expectations. Given the formidable prowess of the dragon-headed Cancer, the experience gained seemed disproportionately small.

Two theories presented themselves: perhaps the intervention of Silver had diluted his experience share, or maybe advancing to level 5 had significantly upped the experience required for further growth. Possibly, it was a combination of both factors.

This mystery could only be unraveled during his next foray into the travelling realm.

The level advancement had notably augmented the physical strength of Ryan’s Traveling Clone, now a staggering 6.60, and this enhancement resonated back to his primary form, boosting his [Physique] to 2.36. This marked a seismic shift from the previous 1.58 prior to his latest journey.

In the realm of physical combat, a 20% disparity in fitness could suppress an opponent, and 30% typically guaranteed dominance. Now, with nearly a 50% increase, Ryan possessed the capacity to wield immense force with a mere flick of his sword, power that was once beyond his control.

This newfound strength alone, he mused, could easily overpower the Skull Pirates who had nearly bested him before.

Beyond the leaps in level and physique, Ryan’s gaze turned to a newly unveiled section on his panel – [Trophy]! Currently, it held a singular entry under the [Loot] category: the formidable sharp horn from the dragon-headed giant crab, which he had seized just before his demise.

[Trophy]: What captain doesn’t boast his own collection of conquests? Only items of sufficient power and rarity earn the right to be called trophies. These are not merely symbols of valor but also provide tangible aids to their owner. (The enhancements from trophies affect both the captain and his travelling clone without diminution.)

– [Trophy: Crimson Horn]: A bronze-level trophy, it represents the pinnacle of strength and sharpness from the back of the dragon-headed crab. It symbolizes courage and the bloody battles fought by its original bearer, a solitary “knight” of yore. This trophy comes equipped with the special skill [Ingenuity lv.1]: increases weapon sharpness by +1.

Ryan’s eyes sparkled with unbridled excitement as he surveyed the prompts arrayed before him. Inside the mystical [Unnamed Ship Sculpture] embedded deep within him, he visualized a miniature crimson horn suspended from the mast of the “raft.” This bronze-level trophy, effective for both his body and his traveling clone, promised no diminution in its “boost,” imbuing him with a special skill to enhance weapon sharpness, [Ingenuity lv.1]. While the precise impact of “weapon sharpness +1” remained a mystery, the prospect of accumulating such trophies from formidable creatures in his travels opened a new realm of possibilities.

Indeed, the creatures were formidable, and without Dayin’s intervention, today’s victory might have been unattainable. Yet, what was impossible today might not be so tomorrow.

With a resolute “Huh…” and a deep breath, Ryan stood and approached his weapon rack. He reached for his iron long sword, feeling an immediate difference upon grasping it, his strength surged while his body felt inexplicably lighter.

A curious glint appeared in his eyes. Could this be the effect of [One-Handed Weapon Specialization]? He pondered the dynamics of passive professional skills and whether they suffered from diminished feedback.

A thrill of joy surged through him. If [One-Handed Weapon Specialization] remained undiminished, then surely [Water Warfare Specialization], another passive skill, retained its full potency as well.

The effectiveness of his active professional skill [Souled Battle Cry] still required testing.

With a thoughtful gaze, Ryan lowered his head to inspect the iron sword in his grasp. In a swift motion, he brandished the blade and sliced through the leather armor draped over the bulwark.

The sword cut through with a satisfying “Stab…” echoing in the air, its enhanced sharpness immediately evident. Ryan’s heart swelled with the potential of his new capabilities, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead in his fantastical travels.

The crisp sound of slicing leather reverberated in the quiet morning. A precise, long, and narrow gap appeared on the chest of the leather armor, stopping just shy of cutting it entirely open.

Ryan, gazing at the outcome, was momentarily stunned. He had merely flicked his wrist, exerting less than 10% of his strength… If he had used just 20% of his force, the armor’s defense would have been utterly negligible against the long sword’s edge.

Such a feat would have been impossible with the old iron sword. Despite leather’s lower defense compared to iron armor, it was still robust, well-equipped to resist slashes and cuts typically inflicted by bladed weapons.

“Is this the true value of [Ingenuity lv.1] ‘Weapon Sharpness +1’?” he wondered aloud, awe mixing with the burgeoning thrill within him.

Ryan’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he pondered the strategic advantage this improvement could bring. In the heat of battle, the ability to slice through an opponent’s weapon could turn the tides decisively.

Feeling an invigorating surge of strength and vitality coursing through him, a slight smile played on Ryan’s lips. He reached out, grasping the beam of sunlight streaming through the window, as if anchoring himself to this revelation in his world.

The morning rays cast his fists in shades of golden orange, highlighting the moment of triumph.

“Finally, I have become a professional…” Ryan murmured to himself, a quiet declaration of his newfound prowess and the dawn of a new chapter in his adventures.