Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Failed Investment!
As the water fish dragon unleashed a ferocious high-pressure torrent from beneath, Ryan, grasping the hilt of his colossal greatsword, braced himself and managed to intercept the attack. His sword met the deluge with a resonant clash, sparks of energy dancing off the blade.

However, the sheer magnitude of the torrent was overwhelming. Even with Ryan’s enhanced clone physique, nearly ten times that of a regular human, the brutal force of the water pummeled him relentlessly. Blood seeped from the corners of his mouth as the impact drove him backward, carving a ten-meter-long trench in the earth. His skin was lacerated by the razor-sharp droplets, leaving behind a trail of crimson wounds.

Clad in the protective aura of his [Attribute Resistance lv.1] and the shimmering [Energy Resistance Ring], Ryan weathered the storm. Without these defenses, his injuries would have been catastrophic.

As the torrent finally subsided, Ryan, drenched and trembling, lowered his greatsword. His breaths came in heavy, ragged gasps. Across the battlefield, the water fish dragon’s wings drooped slightly, its own energy evidently drained from the exertion.

Time seemed to slow. One second. Two seconds. Ten seconds passed in a tense silence before the dragon, gathering its strength, surged forward once again. It charged toward Ryan with the unstoppable force of a locomotive, intent on crushing anything in its path.

Gritting his teeth, Ryan hoisted his greatsword onto his shoulder, feeling a surge of vitality from the mystical [Necklace of Fertility]. The necklace’s magic had somewhat mended his wounds and rejuvenated his stamina. He eyed the oncoming beast, shifting his stance to better dodge the impending assault.

This time, the distance between them was greater, hundreds of meters, affording Ryan crucial seconds to plan his move.

“3, 2, 1… Now!”

With fierce determination, Ryan bellowed a command that resonated through the air, imbued with his indomitable spirit. “[High-spirited War Roar]!” The powerful sound waves, laden with spiritual energy, blasted towards the water dragon.

The dragon recoiled as the waves hit, its advance halted abruptly. The creature’s massive form buckled under the sonic assault, causing it to leap into the air, its body writhing as if in agony.

Ryan watched, a mix of surprise and strategic calculation in his eyes. His intent had been merely to disrupt the water dragon’s charge with the roar’s intimidating force, yet the effect was profoundly debilitating to the creature. This unforeseen advantage ignited a spark of opportunity in Ryan’s battle-weary spirit.

Though unexpected, this turn of events was undoubtedly fortuitous for Ryan, offering him a critical moment to regroup and plan his next move in this epic confrontation.

Seizing the moment as the water dragon writhed in agony on the ground, Ryan advanced, positioning himself strategically by the beast’s head. He anchored his feet into the earth and began channeling his energies, his muscles tensing as power surged within him.

In merely two seconds, Ryan completed the initial phase of energy accumulation, a testament to his enhanced abilities. Yet, he held his greatsword steady, not yielding to the impulse to strike immediately.

Ryan was acutely aware that the unforeseen advantage provided by his sound wave attack might be his singular chance to triumph over the formidable water dragon. The aftermath of the sonic blast had left the dragon disoriented, a crucial vulnerability he couldn’t afford to squander.

Despite the rejuvenative boost from the “Necklace of Fertility,” the toll of the battle weighed heavily on him. His mental and spiritual reserves were drained, challenging to replenish swiftly. From the onset, Ryan had deployed his [Storm Sword Skill-Broken Waves] twice and the [High-spirited War Roar] once, consuming a significant 1.5 points of his spiritual energy.

Now, with only a single point of spirituality remaining from his initial 2.5, Ryan knew the dire consequences of depleting his spiritual reserves entirely. Relying solely on physical prowess would be insufficient against the water dragon.

Determined, Ryan’s [Black Eclipse Ring] glimmered ominously on his left ring finger, unleashing a swath of black fog that enveloped the area within a five-meter radius. Though the dragon’s twenty-meter length far exceeded the fog’s reach, Ryan’s target was precise, the dragon’s injured head. The fog’s corrosive properties began to work on the vulnerable scales, weakening them further.

Ryan’s face turned ashen as the effort cost him a significant portion of his own vitality. Yet, his resolve remained unshaken. He tapped deeper into his reserves, pushing beyond the ordinary limits of power accumulation. While his clone’s physique and spirituality significantly surpassed those of his original form, they hadn’t quite reached the threshold needed for a second full stage of power accumulation. Nevertheless, with his robust physicality supporting him, he ventured into what he termed “one and a half stages of power accumulation.”

The rhythmic pounding of his heart filled his ears, a resonant drumming that paced his escalating fervor. With each throb, his blood coursed faster through his veins, fueling his muscles and sharpening his focus.

Under the relentless assault of the black fog, the texture of the water dragon’s skull subtly shifted. Once a solid dark white, it now exhibited a pallid gray hue, its structure evidently more fragile.

Ryan stood ready, his greatsword poised with precision, as he prepared to capitalize on the critical advantage he had engineered. With every fiber of his being primed for the final confrontation, he awaited the perfect moment to unleash his full might.

After an arduous two seconds, Ryan achieved yet another formidable milestone, the “one and a half stage of power accumulation” was complete!

“Strike now!” Ryan bellowed, his voice echoing with determination.

With a surge of intense white spiritual energy, his greatsword became a beacon of raw power. He swung it fiercely, targeting the vulnerable skull of the water fish dragon. The blade, surrounded by a luminous aura, met its mark with a thunderous crash.

“Snap!”

The dragon’s skull, weakened and brittle from the relentless assault of the black fog, crumbled under the force of the mighty greatsword. It split with a sharp, resounding crack, sealing the dragon’s fate. The once formidable creature’s brain stood no chance against the sharp, enchanted steel.

In its final throes, the dragon’s body convulsed in agony before becoming eerily still.

Exhausted and bleeding, Ryan collapsed to one knee, his vision blurring and his breaths shallow and labored. Each breath was a battle, but slowly, strength crept back into his limbs.

He rose unsteadily, leaning on his sword for support, and gazed upon the defeated leviathan, a 20-meter-long testament to his valor. A wave of triumphant pride washed over him as he beheld the slain beast.

“Conquered at last, lesser two-star, water fish dragon,” he murmured, his voice a mix of fatigue and satisfaction.

From the wreckage, a mystical object caught his eye, a glowing scale from the dragon’s brow. It shimmered with a soft, magical light.

[Obtain [trophy: Fish Dragon Heart Scale]! ]

…

[Viewing Place].

The screen flickered as Freni made her selection, choosing to “invest in Water Fish Dragon.” The static image before her transformed.

Displayed were the mighty contenders: “Big Silver (Red Silverback Shark)” on the left and “Traveler” with its intricate designs, alongside the “Water Fish Dragon” on the right. At the center of the screen, an announcement appeared: [In battle, please wait for the final result…].

The ellipsis at the end of the message pulsed slightly, a subtle indicator that the battle was underway.

Freni let out a sigh. “I expected a bit more than static images and text,” she mused, slightly amused yet disappointed by the simplistic representation of such a climactic battle.

“It’s more of a word puzzle than an actual viewing experience, isn’t it?” she pondered aloud, her voice tinged with bemusement.

She exhaled softly, settling in to wait. Her choice to back the Water Fish Dragon was calculated, based on the known strengths of the combatants.

Minutes ticked by slowly. Finally, the display updated, heralding new developments in the ongoing clash.

The screen displayed a dramatic sequence where “Traveler” and “Big Silver (Silverback Shark)” clashed tumultuously with the “Water Fish Dragon” on the opposing side. Soon, a new line of text appeared, unfolding the tale of their epic battle.

[Battle Record:]

[Initial Maneuver: The Traveler deployed a cunning ‘hole trap,’ catching the unsuspecting Water Fish Dragon off-guard, resulting in its fall…]

[Aggression: The Traveler seized the opportunity, launching a fierce attack on the prone dragon’s head…]

[Counterstrike: Dazed, the Water Fish Dragon lay vulnerable as the Traveler, deemed despicable by some, delivered another piercing blow to its forehead…]

[Retaliation: Enraged, the dragon unleashed the ‘Fish Rush,’ a desperate move to turn the tides!]

[Narrow Escape: With Big Silver’s timely intervention, the Traveler narrowly avoided a fatal blow…]

[Fury Unleashed: Undeterred, the dragon escalated its assault, invoking the ‘High-Pressure Rapids,’ overwhelming the Traveler with a torrential force!]

[Critical Damage: The Traveler sustained severe injuries…]

Witnessing the unfolding events, Freni breathed a sigh of relief.

Despite the Traveler’s initial advantage with the clever ‘hole trap,’ the Water Fish Dragon’s superior strength became evident as it took the battle seriously, swiftly dominating the skirmish.

“Stable!” Freni exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

She eagerly read on.

[Fatigue: The Water Dragon paused, gathering strength. After a brief respite, it charged with renewed vigor in a ‘Salted Fish Charge’…]

[Climactic Turn: In a life-or-death moment, the Traveler, driven by desperation, unleashed his secret skills, which proved devastating against the dragon…]

[Final Gambit: Employing a ‘secret treasure,’ the Traveler broke through his limits and turned the battle’s tide!]

[Conclusion: The Water Dragon falls, defeated!]

[Outcome: Your investment failed. Current [Spirit Essence]: 0]

[Cautionary Note: Investment is fraught with risks. Exercise caution when wagering. Please return tomorrow.]

Staring at the final words on the screen, Freni was momentarily stunned.

“?” Her confusion was palpable as she processed the unexpected turn of events, her emotions a mix of disappointment and disbelief at the outcome of the battle she had so confidently invested in.