Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Sword Skills!
On the [Black Rose], high atop the observation deck, Ryan stood poised against the whipping wind. His keen eyes surveyed the horizon before he gave a firm nod, signaling his approval of their course. With the agility of a cat, he leaped from the mast, landing deftly beside the wide-eyed observer.

“Maintain our heading in this direction,” Ryan commanded, his voice cutting through the sea breeze.

“Y-yes, Lord Ryan,” stammered the observer, his nerves jangling as he watched Ryan’s effortless descent from several meters up. It was a feat that would make anyone’s heart race, a display of physical prowess beyond the ken of ordinary men.

Ryan, noting the observer’s awe but choosing to remain silent, strode back to his quarters. The heavy door thudded shut behind him as he entered the solitude of his cabin. He sank into a chair at a sturdy wooden table, his gaze fixated on the object in his hand, a striking azure octahedral crystal known as the Inheritance Crystal, a vital tool for mastering arcane techniques.

The crystal, shimmering with hidden depth, was no ordinary object. It was the repository of the Storm Sword Technique, a universal secret technique so revered and powerful that it eclipsed many exclusive techniques. Such secrets were too profound for mere books, which could neither capture their essence nor ensure their security. The Inheritance Crystal, on the other hand, protected its secrets with a rigorous authentication method, only opening its knowledge to those deemed worthy, lest it self-destruct in the hands of the unworthy.

Ryan was well aware that the process of creating these crystals was shrouded in mystery, guarded by those who feared the misuse of such formidable knowledge. Now, as the crystal recognized him as its rightful user, he felt a surge of anticipation.

“General swordsmanship… I’m really looking forward to it!” he murmured to himself, a spark of excitement lighting his eyes as he contemplated the new heights of skill that awaited him.

Curiosity gleamed in Ryan’s eyes as he prepared to delve into the secrets held within the Inheritance Crystal. With a firm resolve, he activated the crystal, Freni’s recent words echoing in his mind, fueling a sense of urgency.

“The unknown stalker remains a constant threat,” Freni had warned him. “While I will always stand by you as your captain, it is crucial for you to be self-reliant in strength.”

Indeed, Ryan thought, there was a stark difference between being unarmed and having the means but choosing restraint. It wasn’t just about self-sufficiency; it was about being formidable in his own right, not merely relying on others’ protection.

Activating the crystal was straightforward: place it on the forehead and channel spiritual energy into it. For Ryan, a novice at controlling his spiritual energy, this was a challenge. His energy was still mild, harmless to others, a common trait among first-level professionals. It was only through the mastery of professional skills and secret techniques that such gentle spiritual energy could be harnessed into a force of significant power and versatility.

As Ryan focused, the azure crystal flickered, initiating its verification process. Moments later, a surge of magical power burst forth, enveloping him. His surroundings blurred, and his consciousness shifted, transporting him to another realm.

He found himself standing on the deck of a sailing ship, facing monstrous waves that towered over ten meters high. Each wave crashed with daunting power, a vivid reminder of the formidable forces of nature against which even a first-level professional like himself seemed insignificant.

Amidst the roaring waters, a colossal shadow darted through the waves at breakneck speed, its form too elusive to discern. Ryan stood, mesmerized and dwarfed by the vastness, his heart pounding with the thrill of the untamed sea and the mysteries it held.

Monstrous waves, lurking sea monsters, and the relentless onslaught of a heavy downpour, these were the sailor’s most dreaded adversaries. Now, they converged before Ryan in a fearsome tableau.

“In the face of Storm Swordsmanship, all monsters are mere prey,” intoned a voice, deep and unwavering as stone, resonating in Ryan’s ears.

Ryan’s gaze shifted to the bow of the ship where a figure stood defiantly against the chaos. A burly man with bulging muscles, clad in a short shirt, faced the storm. His presence was imposing, with a massive sword sheathed in a dark silver and black scabbard adorned with wavy lines strapped to his back. Despite his height, barely over two meters, he dominated the scene, his aura so commanding that even the towering wave seemed to hesitate before him.

Under Ryan’s intense watch, the man reached for the hilt of his great sword. With a deliberate step forward, he twisted his torso, gathering an explosive force. The timing was critical; as a colossal wave loomed, threatening to engulf the ship, he drew his blade.

“Qiang——”

The motion, though it appeared languid, carried the weight of a mountain. But once unleashed, the sword stroke was lightning fast, a compressed spring releasing its pent-up fury. A brilliant arc of light cleaved the towering wave in two, slicing through the hidden monsters within, which wailed in agony as they were rent asunder.

This display was a profound lesson for Ryan, embodying the essence of “conquering the formidable forces of nature with mere human strength.”

“The first sword skill of Storm Swordsmanship—[Breaking Wave],” declared the swordsman.

“Do you understand?” he asked, his voice calm as he resheathed his sword without even glancing back.

“Huchi… Huchi…”

Ryan’s eyes snapped open as he gasped for air, his chest heaving with rapid breaths. Astonishment flooded his face, the sheer power of the sword technique he had just witnessed had completely overwhelmed him.

“If that sword were aimed at a dragon-headed cancer crab or a giant bird,” Ryan mused, adrenaline still coursing through his veins, “I doubt even such formidable creatures could withstand it.”

The initial shock soon gave way to a surge of exhilaration. The realization that he was on the cusp of mastering such a formidable technique filled him with an intense thrill. Every detail of the swordsman’s movements, from the gathering of strength to the swift, decisive strike, was imprinted in Ryan’s mind with crystal clarity, as vivid as if etched onto a scroll.

“The premier sword skill of Storm Swordsmanship, [Breaking Wave]…” Ryan muttered, his eyes gleaming with an uncanny light.

He carefully stowed the Inheritance Crystal and picked up a large wooden stick, the closest substitute he could find on the ship for a proper sword. Among pirates, heavy weapons like broadswords were uncommon. Such weapons, if dropped overboard, would drag a man to the depths like an anchor. Thus, pirates favored lighter, one-handed weapons such as reaper and scimitars.

Devoid of a proper sword, Ryan had managed to barter for the hefty wooden stick after scouring the ship, a makeshift practice tool acquired from a fellow pirate after much negotiation.

“We need to address the weapon issue soon… Let’s head to Lanya Island and visit the blacksmith there,” Ryan resolved. With this thought firm in his mind, he began to earnestly replicate the sword movements he had learned, each swing of the stick fueling his anticipation to wield a real sword and master [Breaking Wave].