Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Trophy: Electric Needle!
The slumbering dragon before him unwittingly offered Ryan the chance to accumulate his power fully for a decisive “sleep kill.”

His contemplation was fleeting; on the expansive tree stump, Ryan’s body was a coiled spring. For three intense seconds, he harnessed his energy, his muscles straining and spirituality surging to near-breaking point. He felt like a boiler under mounting pressure, ready to burst if not swiftly relieved.

With a ferocious cry of “Kill!” he initiated his attack. His battle cry, [High-spirited War Cry], boosted his morale and further enhanced his strength and speed. With a warrior’s grace and the precision of a seasoned hunter, Ryan unleashed his attack, his silver-blue sword slicing through the air toward the neck of the Static Thunder Dragon.

The amalgamation of [Storm Sword Skill – Breaking Wave], [One-Handed Weapon Specialization], and [High-spirited Battle Cry] culminated in a peak strike. As his blade cleaved through the space between them, Ryan was enveloped in a rush of exhilaration so potent it left him nearly euphoric.

With a resonant “Poof!” the blade met its mark.

Flesh and sinew were mercilessly shredded as the [Great Sword Ferocious Ice Flower] cleaved through layer after layer of hide, spraying cerulean blood into the air. With a grim determination, the blade pierced the scales adorning the neck of the Static Thunder Dragon, driving deep until it met the formidable resistance of the cervical vertebrae. Despite its mighty swing, the strong bones halted its fatal plunge.

Yet, the immense cutting force and the razor-sharp edge allowed the sword to lodge firmly within the dragon’s spine, wreaking catastrophic damage.

With a pained hiss that cut through the silence, the intense agony roused the Static Thunder Dragon from its slumber. Faced with imminent death, it lashed out in desperation, its powerful tail sweeping fiercely, flinging Ryan and the great sword from its vicinity.

A dull thud resonated as the sword dislodged from the wound, exacerbating the dragon’s injuries. A torrent of blood surged from the grievous wound, and the damage to its spine rendered half of its body paralyzed. It could do nothing but collapse onto a tangled bed of vines, letting out a mournful cry.

That desperate tail sweep was but a dying reflex, a final act of defiance.

Staggering, Ryan braced himself with his sword, retreating several meters before the mighty tail’s force dissipated. He wiped the blood from his lips, acknowledging the dragon’s last vestige of strength.

Gathering his composure, Ryan stood his ground but maintained a cautious distance, observing as the dragon bled profusely, each moment drawing closer to its inevitable demise.

The protracted battle had sapped the Static Thunder Dragon of its strength. The devastating blow to its neck was merely the last in a series of relentless attacks.

The dragon’s wails slowly subsided until, after a tense minute, silence claimed the vine-wrapped clearing.

At that moment, a notification materialized before Ryan’s eyes:

[Level]: 6 (9%)

[Spiritual Value]: 4635→7635

[Spirituality]: 2.0

[Physique]: 7.90→9.97

A newfound power surged through Ryan’s veins as he eyed the Static Thunder Dragon’s remains. Amidst the carnage, a needle-shaped object caught his eye, emanating a faint glow.

With cautious steps, Ryan approached and lifted the object, receiving an immediate update from the grey text:

[Acquired [trophy: Electric Needle]!]

[Trophy: Electric Needle] – Bronze Level: This trophy, crafted from the specialized discharge organ at the tail of an electrostatic dragon, represents the condensed essence of its formidable power. It comes equipped with the unique skill [Attribute Resistance Lv.1], which enhances all attribute resistances by +1.

—

“Electric Needle…”

Ryan murmured, his eyes narrowing as he studied the scaled-down trophy. The artifact itself bore a striking resemblance to a simple needle, perhaps akin to the spines of a hedgehog, yet it was adorned with intricate light blue patterns that seemed to shimmer slightly in the light.

“What does ‘all attribute resistance +1’ really entail?” Ryan pondered aloud, the details of the [Trophy: Electric Needle] leaving him slightly perplexed.

“Does it directly diminish the damage from various attributes? Or could it possibly provide resistance against the abnormal conditions those attributes might inflict?” Ryan continued, his brow furrowed in thought.

Regrettably, the information panel offered no further clarity, leaving Ryan to unravel its mysteries through personal experience. Nevertheless, he was certain of one thing: the term “attribute resistance” undoubtedly suggested a mitigation of attribute-based damage.

This realization sparked a sense of anticipation within him. Attribute damage was notoriously tricky to counter, and Ryan had his fair share of painful encounters with it.

He vividly recalled the water jet attack from a dragon-headed giant crab and the paralyzing shock from an electrostatic dragon’s assault that had left him temporarily helpless. Such elemental attacks had previously forced him to confront his vulnerabilities head-on.

“Now, with enhanced attribute defense capabilities, things might be different,” Ryan mused, a determined glint in his eye.

With a deft flick of his wrist, the [Trophy: Electric Needle] vanished from sight. Simultaneously, deep within the core of his being, aboard the spiritual vessel represented by the [Unnamed Ship Sculpture], the Electric Needle took its place beside the [Crimson Horn].

Ryan could sense a subtle, yet profound transformation coursing through his body. He exhaled deeply, a wry smile playing on his lips.

“Time to gather some materials from that static electricity dragon,” he decided, straightening up with renewed purpose.

Monster materials, gathered from the beasts he vanquished on his travels, were essential for crafting equipment that could embody their powers in his physical form. While Ryan was well-equipped with weapons, his protective gear was severely lacking. Pirate armor, typically comprised of leather and studded pieces, was sufficient against conventional threats like blades and arrows, but against the supernatural prowess of monsters and enchanted beings, it was practically futile. At least, he mused, it would keep his body somewhat intact posthumously.

With this new trophy, perhaps his fortunes were about to change.

In the world of adventurers, the art of crafting armor is often held in higher regard than the creation of weapons. The disparity between these two forms of craftsmanship lies not only in the complexity and time required but also in the sheer amount of materials consumed.

Ryan, aware of these nuances, was busy with the practical matters of his latest conquest. The electrostatic dragon, a behemoth of a creature, had fallen to his prowess. To save space in his mystical space ring, the dragon needed to be carefully skinned and sectioned. Just as Ryan unsheathed his [Big Sword·Ferocious Ice Flower] to begin the meticulous task, the calm of the forest was shattered.

A roar tore through the sky, a sound so powerful and fierce that the tree crowns themselves seemed to tremble. With the wind whipping violently around him, a fiery red blur streaked across the heavens.

“Damn it!” Ryan cursed under his breath, his face contorting in alarm.

He abandoned his task of harvesting the dragon, pressing his hand against the massive, inert form of the electrostatic dragon. Spiritual light flared as he hurriedly stowed the entire creature into his space ring, which, with a capacity of only ten cubic meters, was stretched to its limits with the dragon’s bulk inside.

Ryan moved with urgency, but the new threat from above was swift as well. The dragon in the sky, witnessing the disappearance of its kin, unleashed a furious, earth-shattering roar. It swooped down, and a torrent of blazing flames burst from its jaws, scorching nearly a hundred square meters of forest below.

The intensity of this dragon’s fire far surpassed the mere fireballs of the lesser fire umbrella bird, it was like comparing a storm to a gentle rain.

In an instant, Ryan was engulfed in a monstrous sea of flames. The terrifying heat blackened his skin, beginning the process of carbonization in mere seconds, a fate only mitigated by some inexplicable force within him that offered a modicum of resistance.

The pain was excruciating, yet Ryan had no time to scream. The dragon descended like a comet, its massive claws, each larger than a man, aiming straight for his head.

In that moment, darkness claimed Ryan’s consciousness.

…

“Hush… Huff…”

The sound of waves crashing relentlessly against the ship’s hull filled the air. In the cabin, Ryan bolted upright, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

The vivid, excruciating pain of being burned alive and nearly crushed lingered in his senses, sending his eyes wide with bloodshot ferocity.

After several moments spent panting and gathering his wits, anger flared within him.

“Damn fire dragon!” he spat venomously, his voice a mix of pain and indignation.

“You lack any semblance of martial honor, attacking me, a newcomer freshly commissioned!” His words echoed in the small cabin, a testament to his resilience and his unyielding spirit in the face of such raw power and unexpected attacks.

Ryan’s complexion turned ashen, a mix of shock and indignation etching his features. It was one thing to face a formidable foe head-on; it was quite another to be ambushed while vulnerable.