Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Safe Point!
Deep within the vast expanse of the giant forest, Ryan diligently tracked the trail of iridescent blue blood that dripped onto the mossy ground beneath him.

To his astonishment, the resilience of the Static Thunder Dragon exceeded all expectations. Despite its grave injuries, it had managed to traverse several hundred meters, its trail growing fainter with each step. The diminishing blood stains suggested that the dragon’s wounds were gradually healing as it fled through the dense foliage.

“It truly is a formidable creature,” Ryan muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the shadowy undergrowth for any sign of the elusive dragon.

Amidst his search, Ryan stumbled upon an extraordinary site, a natural sanctuary formed by several colossal trees whose trunks had grown intertwined. The space they enclosed provided an ideal haven for rest.

Yet, what caught Ryan’s attention was not just the shelter these great trees offered, but an eerie glow of gray text that appeared before him as he stepped into the clearing:

[You have discovered a spiritual nexus, the gap between the giant trees.]

[Here, you can establish a ‘Bonfire’ for swift transportation back to the ‘Starting Point’.]

[While resting at the ‘Bonfire’, all functions except ‘Return’ are accessible.]

[Whether navigator or hunter, rest is essential.]

[Bonfire – Gap between Giant Trees]

Elated by the discovery, Ryan promptly designated this secluded spot as his bonfire point. This strategic setup would save him invaluable time that would otherwise be spent traversing from his makeshift raft at the island’s edge. Now, with the magical capabilities of the ‘Bonfire’, he could delve deeper into the island’s mysteries with more time for exploration and combat.

At the zenith of the [Bonfire – Gap between Giant Trees], branches and vines wove together forming a natural canopy. This barrier not only shielded him from the rain but also allowed slivers of sunlight to permeate through, illuminating the area.

As he explored his new refuge, Ryan noticed signs that others had once made use of this space. In the center, there lay remnants of a campfire, while a rudimentary wooden structure with a bed frame nestled in one corner. Time had left its mark on these items, they were enveloped in moss and showed signs of long disuse, yet the echoes of past inhabitants lingered.

His curiosity piqued, Ryan soon uncovered a dusty diary buried beneath a pile of fallen leaves. As he brushed off the cover, a sense of anticipation washed over him, what secrets would this forgotten journal reveal about the mysterious inhabitants of this secluded grove?

From a material standpoint, the diary Ryan held closely resembled the one he had previously discovered in a cave beneath the cliff, although this one was considerably thinner, suggesting it served more as a provisional record than a comprehensive journal.

The diary was encased in a sheath resembling the intestinal lining of some large beast, which had marvelously preserved its contents. Inside, the inked words stood out crisply against the worn pages.

[July 11th, forgotten Era: It’s hard to recall… How many years has it been since I arrived on this cursed island? Five? Seven? The days blend together. I once believed that the “Red Obsidian” affected only the monstrous inhabitants of this land, but I was dreadfully wrong. Humans too are susceptible to its eerie “red light,” which sows confusion, irritability, and madness. It is a slower, more insidious effect than on monsters, and this subtlety is what terrifies me most.]

[This discovery is critical and must be conveyed back to the headquarters of our hunting group.]

[I wonder, have you come across the notebook I left in the seaside cliff cave in the outer area? By the way, the two alchemy stone statues guarding the entrance will not attack if you wear the “Hunter Medal.” If you faced their wrath, it matters not, for after inheriting my legacy, please, if possible, deliver this knowledge to our headquarters. It concerns the very survival of our species!]

[At times, my consciousness falters… There are mornings I awaken drenched in blood, surrounded by the bodies of my fallen comrades. My exposure to the “red obsidian” and the forbidden experiments I’ve conducted strip me of the right to wear the Dawn Medal, our symbol of hope. I know our time is dwindling.]

[To mitigate the effects of the “Red Sun,” we must delve deeper into this secluded island. Death may await, but if we can unearth the secrets behind the “Ancient Dragon,” the migration of spirits, and the “Red Sun,” our deaths will not be in vain.]

[The native beasts of this mysterious island are formidable. The matriarch and patriarch fire dragons of the forest region are giants compared to those in the New World. It’s staggering to imagine what colossal creatures lurk in the inner areas.]

[There was no time to linger after the encounter with the male and female fire dragons. After repelling them, I pressed onward toward the heart of the island.]

[To those who follow, heed this warning: this place is fraught with peril.]

[Seventh Scouting and Hunting Regiment, Deputy Commander, Loic Frum, signing off.]

Ryan’s hands trembled slightly as he absorbed the gravity of Loic Frum’s words. Here in his hands lay not just a diary, but a beacon that connected past struggles with his current quest. He steeled himself, knowing that the path forward was fraught with dangers, yet essential to understanding the deeper mysteries of the island.

As Ryan perused the faded words of Deputy Commander Loic Frum’s, translated into eerie gray fonts before his eyes, a profound sense of unease settled over him. Frum’s name, a recurring echo in his journey, brought with it a heavy weight of unspoken tales and dark secrets.

“Red Obsidian,” Ryan mused, the words tasting bitter on his tongue as he considered Froome’s plight. Confusion, madness, what insidious force did this island harbor that could twist both beast and man alike? And what of the forest’s rulers, the male and female fire dragons he had heard of? Were they the same monstrous creatures he had glimpsed through the trees not long ago?

His brow furrowed in contemplation. “Is it fortune or folly to encounter such formidable creatures?” he wondered aloud, shaking his head as he stowed the makeshift diary in his space ring. There was no time for rest; the hunt for the Silent Thunder Dragon awaited.

…

The forest enveloped him in its lush embrace as he ventured deeper, the dense foliage whispering secrets of ancient times. After a near ten-minute trek, Ryan’s persistence was rewarded. He found the Quiet Thunder Dragon at last, resting atop a sprawling network of vines that draped over an ancient, severed tree stump, a makeshift bed in the wild.

The vines that cascaded down the stump offered a natural ascent, resembling a rustic ladder that invited him upward with ease. Ryan marveled at the sheer size of the stump, its diameter spanning over ten meters. It was hard to imagine the original majesty of the tree it once was, and the colossal force required to fell such a titan.

With careful steps, Ryan ascended the vine ladder, reaching the broad summit of the stump where the dragon lay. His hand gripped the hilt of his great sword, which he pulled from its sheath with a resonant clink, as he advanced toward the slumbering beast.

The dragon, ensnared in the throes of deep sleep, likely due to its grievous wounds, remained undisturbed by his approach. “What a golden opportunity,” Ryan whispered, his voice a mix of awe and resolve as he readied himself for what might come next. This was the moment he had prepared for, a chance to confront the enigmatic creature head-on, with the hopes of unraveling more of this island’s cryptic lore.

Ryan’s heart raced as he edged closer, his steps deliberate and measured. He positioned himself meticulously, ensuring he was slightly more than a meter from the Static Thunder Dragon’s head, the optimal distance for his attack.

From this vantage, the dragon’s laborious breathing was unmistakable, its chest rising and falling with a gentle rhythm, marred by the scars of battles past. A subtle scent of charred flesh wafted through the air, heightening Ryan’s senses. He held his breath, his focus sharpening as he rested the hefty sword upon his shoulder. His entire body tensed, muscles taut and spirituality peaking as he began to gather his strength.

The technique he was about to employ, [Storm Sword Skill – Breaking Wave], required charging in three progressive stages, each amplifying the subsequent slash’s potency. This charging was not merely a physical strain but also a profound test of his spiritual endurance.

Physically, Ryan’s Traveling Clone surpassed ordinary human limits, though it lagged somewhat in spiritual capacity compared to his main body. By his calculations, achieving a full charge demanded both [Physique] and [Spirit] to simultaneously reach a level of 2.0. Normally, Ryan could only manage half a charge, but his clone, in the stillness of the moment, might just muster enough to complete a full cycle.