Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Azure Medal!
Ryan traced his fingers along the shimmering, silver-blue blade of the great sword, his touch reverent and filled with a palpable sense of awe. The weapon’s core was forged from the rare material of an Icetooth Sabretooth, its midline delicately inlaid with fine fish scales that caught the light with every subtle movement. The handguards, crafted from the creature’s fins, curled around the hilt like the protective embrace of the sea itself. From afar, the sword mirrored the majestic form of the legendary Icetooth Sabretooth fish, albeit in a more compact and menacing guise.

[Item Description: Low-level rare item, Great Sword, Ferocious Ice Flower] — This extraordinary creation, a marvel of craftsmanship, is a great sword primarily forged using the formidable Icetooth Sabre-tooth fish. Enhanced with a blend of resilient metals, it boasts a thick, tough, and razor-sharp edge. Each strike carries with it a lingering enchantment of perpetual ice, inflicting frostbite and a slowing malaise upon its foes.

[Additional Info: Essence of Spirituality] — Embedded within this unique weapon is a faint essence of spirituality, capable of accelerating the repair of the [Unnamed Ship Sculpture] upon absorption.

Ryan’s finger lingered at the base of the blade, then glided upward to the hilt, his touch almost tentative.

“Try it and see if it suits you,” offered Master Bronze Hammer Oruch, his booming voice tinged with weariness. It was clear that the late nights and relentless toil required to forge such a masterpiece had taken their toll on him.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ryan clasped the hilt firmly with both hands. A surge of icy coolness raced through his palms, refreshing as a gulp of ice water on a scorching summer day. For a fleeting second, he envisioned an ice-toothed saber-tooth fish darting towards him through the deep sea at breakneck speed.

The moment the vision’s sharp front end seemed to strike him, the illusion shattered, leaving only the cold, hard reality of the metal in his grasp.

“What a sword!” Ryan exclaimed, his voice a mix of wonder and respect.

Yet, inwardly, he sighed. As a [First-Level Pirate] skilled in [One-Handed Weapon Specialization], he realized with a tinge of regret that he couldn’t wield this heavy, two-handed sword in just one hand. For now, at least, there was no simple remedy to this limitation.

As Ryan’s physical strength continued to grow, he entertained the thought that one day, when he could wield this massive sword with a single hand, perhaps it would technically qualify as a “one-handed weapon.” Observing the young man effortlessly lift the hefty sword, “Master Bronze Hammer” Oruch nodded approvingly, a glint of admiration in his eyes. “You’re quite the powerhouse, despite your lean frame. You handle that great sword like it’s part of you,” he remarked with a hint of nostalgia. “I once aspired to master the great sword myself, but… well, that’s a tale for another time.”

“In crafting this blade, I’ve incorporated numerous rare materials. It’s not just metal in there; it’s a treasure trove of ingenuity, a hefty investment,” Oruch added, his voice tinged with pride yet hinting at the sacrifices made.

“If everything is to your satisfaction, then we’re done here,” he concluded, signaling the end of their meeting with a straightforwardness that matched his rugged exterior.

Ryan chuckled softly, the sound echoing slightly in the vast workshop as he sheathed the great sword. The scabbard, uniquely designed with an opening on one side, was tailored to accommodate the sword’s exceptional size and weight, making it easy to draw and replace swiftly. This great sword was far too large to be worn at the waist and had to be carried on his back instead.

“Master Oruch, I’d like to commission a crossbow made from the same sea monster material. How long might that take?” Ryan asked, his tone slightly sheepish, aware of the complexity of his request.

Oruch grunted, his expression turning thoughtful. “Crafting a crossbow requires fine, detailed work, it’s not a quick job. I’ll need two days just for the build. And after forging your great sword, I really should rest a few days to recover. If you’re set on this, come back after five days.”

“Five days…” Ryan hesitated, weighing his options. “I’m not sure I can stay on Lanya Island that long.”

“That’s no issue,” Oruch replied, waving dismissively. “Your next destination is the Whirlpool Islands, right? With the recent Moon Wolf incident, it’s become a crucial stopover in the Middle Sea Area. My brother, ‘Master Silverhammer,’ runs a blacksmith shop there. We have our ways of transporting materials securely. Once your crossbow is ready, I’ll send it there. Just present this voucher, and you can pick it up at your convenience.”

“Is that really possible? That would be fantastic!” A grin spread across Ryan’s face as he took out the remnants of the ice-toothed saber-toothed fish, its front section mostly harvested. He was about to retrieve his purse when Oruch interjected, a gleam of opportunity in his eyes. “If you’d leave the leftover materials with me after I forge the crossbow bolts, consider your payment settled. Plus, I’ll throw in a set of specially crafted bolts as a bonus.”

“If you’d prefer not to, a simple payment of 1,500 pounds will suffice,” he added.

Ryan’s smile widened, touched by the offer. “You can absolutely have the materials. After all the help you’ve given me, it’s the least I can do.”

For Ryan, the sea monster’s remains held no further value beyond crafting equipment. With a new sword and crossbow in his arsenal, his immediate need for weapons was fully satisfied. As for armor, the cost of using more ice-toothed saber-tooth fish was becoming prohibitive.

Moreover, securing Oruqi’s goodwill by trading some unused materials seemed a wise and beneficial exchange.

Oruch chuckled heartily and tossed a small, round iron token to Ryan. It was about the size of a thumb, embossed with the image of a hammer and marked with the number “0912.”

“When it’s time, take this token to the ‘Silver Hammer Smithy’ to collect your equipment.”

Ryan caught the token and noticed the unmistakable signs of exhaustion in Oruch eyes. He offered a respectful salute, “Thank you for everything, Oruqi. I’ll leave you to rest now.”

As Ryan’s figure disappeared into the night, Oruch stood at the doorway, watching him go. He sighed softly, “Ah, the vigor of youth…”

His daughter, Millie, stood with her arms crossed, her tone a mix of worry and reprimand. “Enough with the ‘youth’ talk! Dad, you’ve overdone it tonight. Please, go rest now, or I’ll really get mad!”

Oruch’s laughter filled the air as he conceded, “Alright, alright, I’m heading off to rest now.”

By the time Ryan made his way back to the ‘Black Rose’, over ten minutes had ticked by. After a brief report to Freni, detailing the events and transactions of the evening, he found himself retreating to the solitude of his room, the clock nudging past 1:30 in the morning.

Resting on the wooden bed, Ryan stared at the ceiling, its features softly illuminated by the flickering candlelight. The scabbard of the newly acquired Great Sword, Ice Flower, rested beside him, its presence a tangible reminder of the night’s accomplishments. A contented smile played on his lips; despite the late hour, the reward was undeniably worth the effort.

With a deep, satisfying exhale, he closed his eyes briefly, allowing the adventures of the day to replay in his mind. Then, with a sense of renewed purpose, he mentally prepared himself for the journey ahead.

Suddenly, the world seemed to tilt and shift. Light and shadow danced across his closed eyelids in an uneven, pulsating rhythm. When his senses finally stabilized, Ryan found himself no longer in his room but standing on a makeshift raft on the beach of a secluded island.

Quickly, he patted himself down, checking his essential items. The ‘Black Eclipse Ring’, the ‘Space Ring’, and most importantly, the ‘Great Sword Fierce Ice Flower’, were all securely on his person. He let out a relieved sigh, thankful that everything was intact.

“I wonder what’s happening over in Silver?” Ryan pondered silently, curiosity weaving through his thoughts about the distant land.

Just as he was about to step off the raft, a sudden, unexpected light caught his attention. It was emanating from his chest, a soft, warm azure glow that seemed almost alive.

Subconsciously, Ryan looked down and noticed the ‘Azure Medal’ pinned to his chest, the source of the mysterious light. The glow grew steadily, bathing him in a serene radiance that felt both protective and empowering.