Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 66

Chapter 66: Confronting the Dragon!
“Crack!”

With an ear-piercing snap, Ryan’s greatsword, imbued with a faint spiritual essence, struck true against the delicate neck of the Fire Umbrella Bird, shattering bone with chilling precision. The creature, barely recovering from its stunned state, let out a piercing shriek as it collapsed once more onto the ground.

To Ryan’s amazement, the frost from the blade, known as the Great Sword·Ferocious Ice Flower, formed more rapidly and extensively in the humid environment, encasing the wound on the Fire Umbrella Bird in frost. Could this be the advantageous interplay between humidity and ice, a serendipitous boon indeed.

Breathing deeply, Ryan hoisted the greatsword onto his shoulder and surged forward once more.

Now that his physical prowess had been enhanced to 12.66, performing multiple charges within such a brief interval proved less taxing. Aided by the mystical Necklace of Fertility, he swiftly completed another charge in mere seconds.

The sword descended mercilessly on the same vulnerable spot.

“Crack–!”

The sound was louder, more definitive this time, signaling the end of the Fire Umbrella Bird’s struggle. The greatsword had severed its vertebrae cleanly.

It was over.

Exhaling sharply, Ryan’s face washed over with a hint of pallor as he approached the fallen beast. A cluster of radiant, fan-like feathers detached from the carcass, shimmering faintly in the twilight.

Bending down, Ryan claimed his prize.

—

[Trophies: Fire Umbrella Crown]: A bronze-level trophy, comprising the foremost feathers of the Fire Umbrella Bird’s crown, a symbol of liberation and flight. Accompanied by a special skill [Concentration lv.1]: Reduces the charge time of the great sword by 5%, and increases the accumulation rate of the special energy bar by 5% (unutilized currently, effect dormant).

—

“[Concentration]? It reduces the charge time of the great sword?” Ryan murmured, marveling at the skill attached to his new trophy.

Though a mere 5% reduction seemed minor, in life-or-death moments, even 1% could prove vital. What possibilities would arise if he could enhance this skill further with similar trophies in the future?

After reveling in his victory, Ryan glanced at the status panel of his wandering avatar.

—

[Level]: 7 (17%→67%)

[Spiritual Value]: 12635→15635

[Spirituality]: 2.5

[Physique]: 12.66

[Loot]: Crimson Horn (Craftsmanship lv.1), Electric Needle (Attribute Resistance lv.1), Fish Dragon Heart Scale (Fire Attribute Resistance lv.1), Fire Umbrella Crown (Concentration lv.1)

—

“It’s just a 50% improvement, but why can’t it be upgraded?” Ryan pondered, contemplating the limits of his newfound power and the paths to unlocking its full potential.

Ryan exhaled a heavy sigh, his mind clouded with realization. He had long been aware that as he advanced in levels, enhancing his Wandering Avatar would pose increasing challenges. Yet, he hadn’t anticipated encountering such a hurdle so soon.

The Fire Umbrella Bird, despite being a formidable “special species,” had failed to grant him the level up he earnestly sought. To ascend further, he would now need to vanquish at least another “lower one-star” special species.

As Ryan bent down to attend to the remains of the Fire Umbrella Bird, gathering materials for later use, a startling dragon roar sliced through the silence of the ancient forest, rapidly drawing closer. His face blanched at the familiar, fearsome sound.

Lifting his gaze, he spotted a vast crimson shadow slicing through the sky towards him, the male fire dragon leader, a fearsome beast known to dominate these woods.

A shiver ran down Ryan’s spine. Was this monstrous creature hunting him specifically? Why did it seem to emerge every time he defeated a special species?

His thoughts raced until a snippet from the panel’s description of the male fire dragon leader clicked into place: “Affected by the approaching ‘Red Sun’, the male fire dragon hunts more frequently in the ancient forest area.” It dawned on Ryan that the dragon’s presence might not be tied to him directly but rather to the special species inhabiting the forest. The battles’ tumultuous noise, or perhaps the distinct energy fluctuations from his attribute attacks, likely drew the dragon’s attention.

But forsaking his quest against these creatures wasn’t an option for Ryan. He had no time to dwell on these revelations, as the male fire dragon leader was swiftly closing in, estimated to arrive within ten seconds.

Quickly, Ryan touched the slender body of the Fire Umbrella Bird, deceivingly large yet considerably smaller than the quiet thunder dragon, and stored it in his spatial ring. With his spoils secured, his resolve hardened.

Instead of fleeing, Ryan stood his ground, determined to confront the male fire dragon leader. He was curious to measure the breadth of his strength against this “lower top” tier adversary.

The dragon arrived sooner than expected, within eight or nine seconds, hovering ominously over the dense canopy. Its anger palpable, the dragon surveyed the area, infuriated by the absence of the prey it had anticipated.

Its majestic, tyrannical eyes narrowed, focusing on Ryan, the perceived “ant” below. With a fierce roar, the dragon unleashed a devastating blaze from its maw.

The inferno surged like a tidal wave, dwarfing even the fiercest fireballs of the Fire Umbrella Bird during its “Red Flame Rage.” The moisture on the surrounding foliage evaporated instantly, leaves curling and yellowing as the flames engulfed nearly a hundred square meters, scorching the giant trees to charcoal within moments.

With a solemn expression, Ryan hoisted his greatsword onto his shoulder, ready to face the onslaught. As the roaring sea of fire engulfed the area, entering the “water vapor environment” around him, it hissed violently, sending clouds of steam into the air. The battle was about to begin.

As the flames, now tinged a paler hue, tore through the veil of mist, they engulfed Ryan. Pain seared through him immediately, an intense, piercing sensation that paradoxically brought him relief rather than fear.

Pain meant survival. The absence of it would have signified instantaneous carbonization.

At this critical juncture, his “Fire attribute resistance +4” proved its worth. Although engulfed in agony, Ryan wasn’t overwhelmed as he had been in past encounters; this time, he could still fight back.

Vision blurred by thick steam, Ryan could only discern the looming shadow of the male fire dragon leader above. The air shifted violently as the dragon descended with predatory speed.

“Hula…”

With a battle cry tearing from his throat, “Ha!” Ryan summoned all his strength, his greatsword glowing with accumulated power. He swung upward in a defiant arc.

“Ding——”

The clear, resonant clash of steel against scale filled the air as the greatsword met the dragon’s descending claw. Ryan felt the impact reverberate through his arms; the dragon’s claw hesitated under the force of his strike.

However, the reprieve was fleeting. A crushing force followed, sweeping Ryan into darkness. As his consciousness waned, the last image etched in his mind was the dragon’s eyes, widened in an unmistakable glint of surprise.

…

Silver Moon Bay shimmered under the gentle caress of the morning light as a level 5 sailing cruiser bearing the naval flag of the Kingdom of Augustus slowly navigated away from the port.

On deck, navy personnel cast reverent glances towards three figures clad in black armor at the bow. The insignia of the black knights, a silver face on black steel, signified a formidable presence recognized throughout the kingdom.

Among them, two knights stood slightly behind, their faces marked by respect as they observed the lead knight. The hierarchy within the Black Knights was rigid and deeply respected; they were merely ordinary members. Their leader, distinguished by a light golden number “12” emblazoned between his eyebrows on his mask, symbolized his rank as one of the twelve elite seat knights.

These seat knights were renowned for their formidable prowess in battle, each wielding power immense enough to sway the outcomes of significant conflicts.

In the hand of this seat knight fluttered a wanted poster, the image of a figure donned in a witch’s hat, the Dark Moon Witch, Freni. Her visage was well-known and feared.

“Dark Moon Witch, Freni… heretic, I finally found you…” The seat knight’s voice was a frigid whisper, slicing through the salty air with a chilling resolve. “This time, you will never have a chance to escape!”

The intensity of his tone, laden with cold, murderous intent, seemed to freeze even the harsh sea breeze, promising a relentless hunt that was about to unfold across the turbulent waters.