Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Anti-Dragon Treasure!
As Ryan stepped forward, he gently extracted a thumb-sized bead from the stones trough. The orb shimmered with a serene light blue hue, its transparent surface spotless and radiating a soft, hazy glimmer that evoked a sense of pristine purity and flawless integrity.

Holding the delicate bead in his palm, Ryan inspected it closely, marveling at its ethereal quality.

—

[Pure Water Crystal]: An extraordinary gem, birthed only in locales dominated by the potent essence of water. This crystal encapsulates the quintessence of pure water elements. Renowned among alchemists, it serves as a crucial component in crafting potent potions. When positioned in a specific sanctuary for an extended duration, it creates a unique “pure water environment” conducive to the gradual evolution of water element creatures.

In the presence of the [Pure Water Crystal], a strong current of “water vapor environment” materializes within a three-meter radius, expanding up to thirty meters when stationary. This atmospheric phenomenon stifles flames, rendering them impotent. Furthermore, with adept craftsmanship, this crystal’s latent powers can be unlocked, amplifying its capabilities. Activation of this artifact demands an expenditure of 10,000 spiritual points.

—

As Ryan digested the information materializing before him, awe completely seized his heart.

“What a formidable ‘anti-fire attribute treasure’ this is!”

With the [Pure Water Crystal] in his possession, flames spewed by fiery adversaries would extinguish prematurely, quenched by the crystal’s potent “water vapor environment.” Even the most ferocious fire blasts would lose their vigor upon penetrating this moist barrier.

Bolstered by “fire resistance +4,” a synergy of [attribute resistance lv.1] and [fire resistance lv.1], Ryan entertained the exhilarating notion of navigating through infernos unscathed.

“Calm down, Ryan, calm down,” he muttered to himself, taking slow, steadying breaths to temper his excitement. Yet the gleam of elation remained undimmed in his eyes. “The intensity of the male fire dragon leader’s flames is still an unknown. Further testing is imperative.”

He reflected on the convenience of the [Pure Water Crystal], its small size made it effortlessly portable, a potent protector to carry on his ventures.

After securing the [Pure Water Crystal] safely in his pouch, Ryan gave the Water Fish Dragon’s nest one last thorough search. Finding nothing more of value, he made his way back to the cave’s entrance.

Guided by Silver, Ryan navigated through the serpentine tunnels of the underwater cave, eventually emerging into the sunlight of the isolated island’s southern shores.

Stepping onto the sandy beach, he exchanged a farewell with Silver. The sea creature circled nearby waters, showing its reluctance to leave. With a few final graceful laps, Silver turned and surged toward the open sea. Although capable of surviving on land for extended periods, the resource-rich ocean was where Silver truly thrived, providing optimal conditions for growth.

“Goodbye, Silver…” Ryan murmured, the sea breeze tousling his hair as he watched the familiar dorsal fin disappear into the horizon. With a heartfelt smile, he turned back and made his way to the makeshift raft where he had camped.

Seated cross-legged beside the crackling bonfire, Ryan warmed his hands, feeling the gentle heat seep into his skin. He closed his eyes, focusing intently, and whispered, “Teleport, bonfire point, Giant Tree Gap.”

In an instant, the flames before him roared to life, swelling and bursting into a shower of sparks that enveloped him. The world spun, and in a flurry of light and warmth, he vanished.

—

[Bonfire Point, Giant Tree Gap]

Ryan’s eyes flickered open, awe flickering across his face. “First time teleporting, and it feels pretty good,” he mused aloud.

The sensation had been surreal, like a burst of warm light followed by the comforting embrace of a hot spring, swiftly transporting him to his destination.

Without dwelling on the mechanics of his journey, Ryan stood, stretching his limbs with a series of satisfying pops. He was ready to venture forth in search of the elusive Fire Umbrella Bird. Despite the draining battle with the Water Fish Dragon that had left him seriously wounded and spiritually depleted, the recent rest and an invigorating upgrade had rejuvenated him, restoring him to his full vitality. With renewed energy and a clear goal, Ryan set off into the thick of the forest, eager for his next challenge.

Confronting the Fire Umbrella Bird was hardly an insurmountable task for Ryan; the true challenge lay in locating its elusive nest.

Unlike the terrestrial monsters Ryan had previously vanquished, the Fire Umbrella Bird possessing the flight ability, complicating the hunt significantly. In moments of peril, it could simply take to the skies, leaving Ryan, whose physical prowess was elevenfold that of an ordinary man, grounded and frustrated.

Determined to overcome this hurdle, Ryan contemplated various strategies:

Firstly, he considered crafting a trap specifically designed to inhibit the bird’s flight. However, the complexity and material demands for such a trap, coupled with the unpredictability of the bird’s movements, swiftly led him to discard this option.

Secondly, he thought about targeting the bird’s wings directly, aiming to cripple its ability to fly without necessarily being lethal.

Thirdly, the most drastic measure would be to swiftly and fatally wound the bird, denying it any chance to escape into the air.

After careful consideration, Ryan dismissed the first plan due to its impracticality. He then deliberated between crippling the bird’s wings or delivering a fatal blow to its vital areas. Opting for a safer approach, he decided to focus on the wings. Biological creatures, he reasoned, typically guard their vital organs more fiercely. The wings, though less shielded, presented a larger target but required a formidable attack to effectively disable.

Acknowledging that the wings, despite their size, possessed a robust defense, Ryan knew he needed a precise and powerful strike to ground the Fire Umbrella Bird permanently.

With his strategy set, Ryan set forth on his quest to track down the Fire Umbrella Bird, his resolve as unyielding as the weapon at his side.

The ancient forest spread out vast and deep, its canopy formed by towering trees that reached heights of nearly 100 meters, obscuring much of the sky and shrinking the visible area dramatically. Navigating this dense labyrinth required vigilance, as appearances were often deceptive. A seemingly innocuous bush could conceal a slumbering beast, posing a hidden threat to any unwary traveler.

Moreover, the perils of the forest were not solely the province of its monstrous inhabitants. Tiny adversaries could prove just as lethal, mosquitoes the size of washbasins buzzed menacingly, leeches lurked in damp underbrush, and venomous snakes slithered stealthily beneath the foliage.

Ryan continued his pursuit, following the trail left by the elusive Fire Umbrella Bird. However, before any sign of the bird materialized, another creature caught his attention. A large wild boar was fervently digging at the soil under a massive tree, its snout deep in the earth.

Ryan’s interest was piqued. He had noticed this boar during his earlier foray into the forest, but the pressing matters with the Thunder Dragon and other formidable foes had forced him to disregard it. Now, curiosity rekindled, he decided to investigate what treasures or secrets the boar might be uncovering.

With no attempt to mask his approach, Ryan strode boldly toward the animal. Startled by the noise, the boar ceased its digging and lifted its head, fixing Ryan with a wary stare. It snorted, its massive tusks glinting ominously as it pawed at the ground, a clear signal of its readiness to charge.

The boar’s eyes burned with a wild ferocity, and it launched itself towards Ryan with surprising speed, intent on goring him with its sharp tusks.

In terms of sheer bulk, Ryan was no match for the wild boar; he stood only slightly taller, and his frame was considerably lighter. To the boar, Ryan appeared as nothing more than an oddity, a bipedal intruder too insignificant to fear. In this ancient forest brimming with terrifying creatures, Ryan seemed an easy target.