Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Hidden Path profession!
“Of all the low, disgraceful tactics!” Ryan muttered under his breath, the realization dawning on him that the fire dragon must have been lurking nearby, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

After his initial outburst of frustration, Ryan’s thoughts quickly turned to the contents of his space ring. He urgently checked inside, sighing in relief when he found the body of the Static Thunder Dragon intact.

“It’s still there, thank goodness…” he whispered, the tension easing from his shoulders.

The loss of the dragon’s body would have been a devastating blow, not only would he have endured the dragon’s fiery onslaught in vain, but he would also have lost a valuable prize.

His gaze then shifted to his panel, where he noted that revealing the Static Thunder Dragon would cost a substantial 2,000 spiritual points. To Ryan, who possessed over 7,000 points, this was a manageable expense. Yet, the real challenge lay in figuring out how to efficiently store such a massive entity once materialized.

After mulling it over, Ryan opted to keep the dragon concealed within the space ring on his traveling clone’s hand for the time being.

It’s worth noting that while Ryan could bring spiritual items like space rings into his adventures, ordinary items stored within didn’t automatically accompany him. In essence, the spiritual equipment he brought along functioned more like a projection in these fantastical realms.

Assured that his trophies were secure, Ryan reclined once more and accessed the panel. During the chaos of the earlier attack, when the fire dragon had crushed his traveling clone with its formidable claws, a prompt had appeared in gray fonts. It had gone unread in the heat of the moment, but now Ryan had the opportunity to revisit and scrutinize the information.

—

[Male Fire Dragon (leader)]: Recognized as a formidable apex predator within the lower echelons of mystical creatures, this fire dragon commands the skies. Adorned with vivid red scales that shimmer with latent heat, its powerful wings enable effortless flight. The spikes adorning its tail carry a deadly toxin, and from its maw, it can unleash torrents of scorching flames, solidifying its reign as the overlord of the aerial domain.

The scar on the chest of the male fire dragon was an ominous reminder of its violent past encounters. Left by an exceptionally skilled hunter, this deep, unhealed wound was a testament to the creature’s resilience. With the “red sun” looming closer, this formidable beast had become increasingly active, patrolling the ancient forests with a renewed ferocity, driven perhaps by instinct to fortify itself against the celestial threat.

[Be warned! This creature surpasses the might of any you have faced and is deemed invincible. Withdraw immediately for your safety!]

Ryan had barely finished reading about the fearsome Fire Dragon when another notification caught him off-guard, his eyes widening in surprise.

[The typical male fire dragon spans between ten to fifteen meters in length. However, the leader of their kind stretches a terrifying twenty-three meters due to a mysterious fruit it consumed, containing a mystical shard.]

[Key Element Detected: Mysterious Shard!]

[Defeat the Fire Dragon (leader), extract the mysterious shard from its heart, and you shall be granted the elusive Hidden Path profession.]

[The Hidden Path profession exists outside the conventional twelve sequence system. It remains undetected by the “unknown entities” even within the main world, offering a unique tactical advantage.]

Staring at the text, Ryan’s initial shock gave way to a surge of excitement. The prospect of obtaining a Mysterious Shard and unlocking a Hidden Path profession was more than just an opportunity; it was a solution to his longstanding dilemma.

Ryan had been grappling with the limitations of his current role as a [Pirate (Level 1)], bestowed by his Traveling Clone. The spiritual feedback from this clone was a mere fraction of what a typical professional received, sustained only by his unique talent, [Soul of Another World]. Without it, his true nature would have been exposed to Freni long ago.

Yet, the approach was unsustainable. As his professional stature grew, the spiritual discrepancy would only become more apparent compared to his peers.

This Hidden Path profession could be his breakthrough, a chance to operate under the radar of the imposing “unknown entities” that even now, he dared not openly discuss. The panel’s first message had been ominously vague, but now, with the promise of a Hidden Path, Ryan saw a beacon of hope.

The screen before Ryan flashed with the promise of a “Hidden Path Occupation,” a beacon of safety in the shadowy world of “unknown beings.” Embracing this path meant his true self could boldly undertake the profession, cloaked from the prying eyes that governed the realms of power.

Once he secured this clandestine occupation, Ryan’s physical form would hold one profession, while his avatar mirrored a fraction of his spirituality and professional aptitude. Effectively juggling dual roles, he mused on the advantage this would grant him. Competitors at his level would struggle to match his prowess; even higher-tiered adversaries might not be out of reach.

“Breathe… just breathe,” Ryan whispered to himself, taking deep, steadying breaths to quell the storm of excitement within him. With a renewed focus, he recognized that the immediate challenge lay in conquering the formidable “Fire Dragon (leader).”

The creature, according to the cryptic hints on his panel, resided at the “peak of the lower level”—a vague classification, yet clearly indicating a formidable foe beyond his current capability. Ryan knew he needed to enhance his traveling clone, amass greater trophies, and refine his storm sword technique to a razor’s edge before daring to confront this draconian titan.

Gathering intelligence on both the male and the female fire dragons was also crucial, after all, the ancient forest hid not one, but two of these majestic creatures. The note from the “Deputy Commander of the 7th Scouting and Hunting Regiment” was clear: if he aimed to defeat the male leader, he must also brace for an encounter with its female counterpart.

The path ahead was fraught with peril, yet Ryan’s spirit soared with potential. Lying back on his wooden bed, the rhythmic lull of the waves coaxing him toward sleep, he closed his eyes. Rest was vital; the confrontation with the “Fire Dragon (leader)” had drained him, and dawn was still a few hours away.

…

In the captain’s cabin of the [Black Rose], the atmosphere was charged with urgency.

“We must head to the Whirlpool Islands!” Freni declared, her voice resolute as she leaned forward in her chair, hands clasped firmly on the table. The captain’s decision was clear, her gaze sweeping over her two closest confidants.

Silent yet ever-watchful, Cecilia stood by her side, her expression unreadable. Opposite them sat Ryan, still feeling the weight of his earlier revelations.

This was no ordinary gathering; it was a pivotal meeting for the [Black Rose], deciding the course of their next voyage. After a night of meticulous preparation, the ship was laden with supplies, ready to embark on whatever challenges the Whirlpool Islands might hold.

Under the typical governance of pirate collectives, it’s a customary practice to grant the sea marauders a period of shore leave at supply points. This respite is not merely recreational, it’s a necessary reprieve for the weary, a safeguard against the psychological burdens of the ceaseless sea that, left unmitigated, could ferment mutiny among even the most loyal crew.

However, the pirate ship Black Rose operates under no such norms. Ensnared by a dark enchantment cast by their enigmatic leader, Freni, the crew’s loyalty is secured not by camaraderie or fear of the lash, but through a curse that binds their fates directly to her will. Disobedience is not an option when your very life is tethered to the caprices of a witch.

In a tone laden with the gravity of their forthcoming journey, Freni elucidated her plan:

“The Whirlpool Islands mark the last haven for resupply before the perilous stretch of the ‘Central Sea Area’. It is critical that we provision there.”

“Moreover,” she continued, her eyes narrowing slightly as she divulged more, “the recent sightings of the Moon Wolf are portentous. Though its appearance often signals hidden treasures, my interest lies elsewhere. I seek a rare component that this celestial creature possesses.”

“And let’s not overlook the needs of our own. Cecilia requires a particular ingredient for her advancement, a potion of considerable power. Similarly, Mr. Ryan advancement potion demands extracts from a sea beast known to lurk in these waters.”

“In essence, our path is clear. We must navigate to the Whirlpool Islands,” she concluded with finality.

Cecilia nodded in silent agreement with Freni’s directive, offering her tacit support, while Ryan, furrowing his brow, voiced his concerns with a hint of trepidation.

“Lady Freni, while your strategy is sound, the Moon Wolf’s arrival has attracted numerous pirates to the Whirlpool Islands. Our security there could be compromised…”

His voice trailed off diplomatically. After all, the trio were not just ordinary pirates. Ryan bore the “Blood Mark,” a perilous identifier among pirates, and the histories of both Freni and Cecilia were a themselves cloaked with complexities, any of which could spell disaster if exposed in such a crowded and lawless setting.