Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Despicable Traveler !
[Observation Deck]

Freni’s agitation was palpable as she gnawed anxiously on her lower lip, her silver teeth leaving a noticeable imprint on her full, distressed lips.

“Nine chances out of ten, something’s off!” Freni muttered under her breath. She harbored suspicions that this panel was deceiving her, though concrete proof eluded her grasp.

And then there was that despicable traveler! How could he, evidently at such a disadvantage, have surged in power at the last moment? The supposed metrics of combat power seemed utterly meaningless!

“An investigation is imperative,” she seethed, pacing back and forth. “Huff… Huff…” She took several deep breaths, attempting to quell the storm of fury raging within her.

As she composed herself, Freni’s gaze landed on the halted display before her. The words “Please come back tomorrow” glared back at her in bold, taunting her at the depletion of her [Spirit Essence]. Without it, further investments were futile; she’d need to wait until midnight to replenish her initial stake of 100 Spirit Essence to resume [Viewing].

With a heavy sigh, Freni approached the observation deck, the enigmatic cube that served as the portal to other realms. Even without the necessary [Spirit Essence], curiosity got the better of her. “Exchange?” she whispered tentatively, hoping to uncover what treasures the [Spirit Essence] could fetch.

As if responding to her inquiry, the screen on the observation deck flickered to life, revealing a submenu with a list of tantalizing items available for trade.

Freni’s eyes widened as she read through the options:

[First-level Spiritual Enhancement Crystal: This is a spiritually infused crystal, specially processed to enhance one’s spiritual capacity. Once absorbed, it permanently boosts your spiritual threshold by 0.1, allowing for a cumulative maximum increase of 1.0. This boost operates independently of any inherent limits set by one’s mystical profession. Required [Spirit Essence]: 200.]

[First-level Physical Enhancement Crystal: Derived from a purified biocrystal, this item offers a significant augmentation to one’s physical prowess. Upon integration, it provides a permanent increase of 0.1 to your physical strength’s upper limit, with a potential maximum enhancement of 1.0, independent of your natural physical conditioning. Required [Spirit Essence]: 200.]

Intrigued, Freni leaned closer, her mind racing with possibilities. How these enhancements could change her capabilities, she pondered, her earlier frustrations momentarily forgotten.

[Observation Deck]

As Freni scanned the menu on the observation deck’s display, her heart leapt at the sight of new additions to the catalogue of mystical items.

[First-order Healing Crystal: This is a pure healing crystal, meticulously treated to enhance its restorative properties. Once utilized, it can swiftly mend injuries, with the extent of recovery directly correlating to the severity of the wounds. [Spiritual Essence] required for exchange: 200 points.]

[First-order Soul Recovery Crystal: Crafted from a spiritually resonant crystal, this item is designed to rapidly replenish depleted spiritual energies. Its effectiveness is swift, ensuring a quick restoration of one’s spiritual vitality. [Spiritual Essence] required for exchange: 200 points.]

The screen also displayed a note: (Accumulate a total of 1000 [Spiritual Essence], including any previously spent, to unlock additional exclusive items.)

Though the list was short, consisting of only four items, each entry represented a significant opportunity to enhance her capabilities.

The [First-order Spiritual Enhancement Crystal] and [First-order Physical Enhancement Crystal] promised to increase the upper thresholds of spirituality and physical strength respectively. What truly astounded Freni was the assurance that these enhancements would not alter the inherent difficulty of progressing within one’s natural limits.

“What does this mean?” she pondered aloud.

For instance, if a person’s physical strength was at level 1 and their racial maximum was 2, as they neared this cap, the challenge of further improvement typically intensified.

However, the boost received from a [First-order Physical Enhancement Crystal] would sidestep this hurdle. Specifically, after integrating such a crystal, enhancing one’s strength from 1.2 to 1.3 would be as manageable as advancing from 1.1 to 1.2 under normal conditions, the additional 0.1 in strength being an extra boon.

“This is revolutionary,” Freni whispered, awestruck. The struggle to enhance physical strength was a grueling one for many professionals, often reliant on intricate skills and spiritual rites during crucial rank advancements.

“If one could integrate ten of these [First-order Physical Enhancement Crystals] and [First-order Spiritual Enhancement Crystals], achieving an additional full point of physical strength and spirituality compared to peers, the benefits during a rank breakthrough would be monumental. The enhanced baptism would yield far greater improvements.”

The possibilities spun through Freni’s mind, each more promising than the last, as she considered the profound impact these enhancements could have on her journey.

In the realm of enhancement, the disparities introduced at the first tier already suggested staggering potential. Freni pondered, her mind racing, “If such gaps exist at the foundational level, what monumental divides must the higher tiers hold?” The mere thought of the growing chasm in capabilities between the levels sent a shiver of unease through her spine. The prospect that one could feasibly combat ten equals from the same level seemed less a fantasy and more a tangible future.

Her contemplation was interrupted by thoughts of the [First-order Healing Crystal] and [First-order Soul Restoring Crystal]. Both items were formidable in their own right. Though the specifics of their restorative powers weren’t detailed in the descriptions, their hefty cost in [Spiritual Essence], equal to that of the enhancement crystals, hinted at their potent effects.

Freni, herself versed in several healing techniques, knew all too well their limitations. Her methods drained spiritual energy, rendering them unusable at critical moments of depletion. The addition of these new healing and spiritual recovery items could serve as vital lifelines, pivotal in reversing dire situations.

She needed that strength desperately, whether for her impending ventures into the treacherous Whirlpool Islands or for challenges yet unseen.

With a heavy sigh meant to calm her surging anticipation, Freni cast one last, longing glance at the [Observation Deck]. Realizing the steps necessary to harness these powers, she decided it was time to leave. The price for each of the four precious materials stood uniformly at 200 spiritual essences; she knew a successful investment was crucial before any possibility of acquisition.

“Despicable traveler…” The words hissed through her clenched teeth as darkness began to envelop her vision, the bitterness of past encounters lingering stubbornly in her mind.

…

On a distant beach in the western outer area, the shifting sands underfoot, Ryan stooped to retrieve a trophy from the vanquished water fish dragon. He examined the artifact’s properties with meticulous attention, pondering the gains each could bring to his own journey.

[Trophy: Fish Dragon Heart Scale]: A bronze-level trophy, composed of the toughest scales from the water fish dragon, infused with rich water elements. It comes equipped with a special skill [Fire resistance lv.1]: Fire resistance +3.

As Ryan examined the newly acquired trophy, his eyes sparkled with recognition of its potential, and a wave of elation surged through him. The enhancement to his fire resistance might not directly bolster his prowess in head-to-head battles, but it crucially increased his endurance against fiery onslaughts.

“This could change everything in the battles ahead,” Ryan mused, contemplating his upcoming confrontations with the male and female fire dragons. His knowledge of the male fire dragon, especially its status as a formidable leader, was already substantial. And though he had yet to encounter the female counterpart, her reputation alone suggested a mastery of fire that could rival her male counterpart.

Armed now with [Fire resistance lv.1], combined with [Attribute resistance lv.1] and his [Energy resistance ring], Ryan felt a newfound confidence. This triple layer of protection seemed promising. “With this setup, I might just stand my ground against the male fire dragon’s fearsome flame breath, unlike last time,” he thought, recalling how quickly he had been overwhelmed in their previous encounter.

To further test his upgraded defenses, Ryan planned a trial against the Fire Umbrella Bird, a creature with its own fiery attacks, albeit less intense than those of the fire dragon. This would serve as an ideal preliminary test before he faced the dragon duo.

However, an immediate practical concern diverted his attention: the massive carcass of the water fish dragon lying before him. His space ring, already housing the body of the Thunder Dragon, could not accommodate another creature of such size.

Pondering his options, Ryan’s gaze shifted to Big Silver, his faithful companion and beast of burden, who might just have the solution to his predicament. “Perhaps it’s time to improvise with what we have,” Ryan thought, a plan beginning to form as he looked over at Big Silver, ready to make the most of their combined capabilities.