Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Whirlpool Islands In Sight!
[The Second Mate’s Quarters on the Black Rose]

Resting on the creaky wooden bed within the confines of the ship’s second mate’s room, Ryan’s eyes fluttered open, revealing a haunted, vacant stare. As his surroundings slowly came into focus, the fog of confusion lifted from his mind.

“Fire Dragon Leader, not him again!” he murmured under his breath, his voice laced with bitterness.

For the past three days, his every attempt to explore had been brutally cut short by the relentless attacks of male fire dragons. This particular beast seemed hell-bent on tracking him down, swooping in to assault him just as he triumphed over other formidable creatures of the ancient forest. It was as though the dragon viewed him as a rival, or worse, a thief encroaching on its territory.

Despite the adversity, these encounters had honed Ryan’s understanding of the dragon’s usual tactics. His initial mere seconds of survival had stretched into nearly a minute of resistance against the beast’s fiery onslaught.

Still, the disparity in their strength was glaring. Each battle, while longer, underscored the near impossibility of defeating the formidable Male Fire Dragon Leader.

With a heavy sigh, Ryan shifted his gaze inward, contemplating the recent additions to his collection of trophies housed within the [Unknown Ship Sculpture] deep in his being were the [Trophies: Fire Monster Beak] and [Trophies: Broken Giant Fangs], each a testament to a hard-fought victory.

The [Fire Monster Bird], a behemoth far surpassing the size of the sleek Fire Umbrella Bird, boasted an enormous girth that hindered its flight. Though capable of short bursts in the air, it primarily lumbered on the ground, its massive beak as threatening as a war hammer with it being unusually shaped like one. Ryan recalled the bone-jarring impact when it struck him, a vivid memory of pain.

Then there was the [Great Wild Boar King], a colossal beast towering nearly three meters at the shoulder. This creature, an amplified version of the common Great Boar, wielded its gigantic, spear-like tusks with the prowess of a knight in battle, virtually indestructible. Ryan had learned quickly that direct confrontation was futile; agility and tactical evasion were his only means to outmaneuver the beast and secure the kill.

Among his trophies, the [Fire Monster Beak] held a special place: a bronze-level trophy with a pale yellow hue and deep sword scars etched across it, it granted him an attached special skill [Attack lv.1], boosting all inflicted damage by 5%.

Each trophy not only marked a victory but also a crucial step towards strengthening himself and eventually overcoming the might of the Fire Dragon Leader who has been hunting him.

[Trophies: Broken Giant Fangs]: Bronze-level trophy, the massive tusks that the Great Boar King wore like crowns of warfare, embodying its sheer brute force. Attached special skill [Physical Strength lv.1]: Grants an additional +5% to the upper vitality threshold.

The trophies Ryan had collected from his encounters with the Fire Monster Bird and the Great Boar King, along with their rudimentary yet effective special skills, considerably enhanced his capabilities in the wild. The [Fire Monster Beak] elevated his prowess in head-on battles, while the [Broken Giant Fangs] significantly toughened him, making him substantially more resilient in the face of danger.

Beyond the physical spoils, the most significant advancement from Ryan’s treacherous three-day odyssey was the leveling up of his avatar, which had profound effects on both his spiritual and physical attributes.

——

[Level]: 8 (46%)

[Spiritual Value]: From 15,635 to 25,635

[Spirituality]: 2.5

[Physique]: From 12.66 to 16.16

[Spoils of War]: 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), Fire Monster Beak (Attack lv.1), Broken Giant Fang (Physique lv.1)

——

The enhancement of his avatar had significantly bolstered the strength of Ryan’s physical form, with his [Physique] attribute having gone from “3.43” to “4.33”. Although his [Spirituality] remained at a modest 1.3, his now robust physique dramatically amplified his combat abilities, transcending the limitations of his initial level.

Enemies who dare to underestimate him based on his seemingly low spiritual power were in for a rude awakening.

With a deep, contemplative sigh, Ryan gazed at the morning light filtering through the porthole. He rose from his bed, secured his sword at his side, and made his way to the deck.

As he swung open the door, the bright sunlight kissed his face, and the cries of seabirds filled the air, instilling a fleeting moment of peace.

On deck, Ryan noticed Freni at the bow with Cecilia by her side. Days of recovery had restored some color to the knight girl’s cheeks, yet the weight of her experiences shadowed her eyes with a premature weariness.

Suppressing the heaviness in his heart, Ryan approached with a resolved stride.

“Good morning, Lady Freni,” he greeted with a respectful nod.

“Good morning, Miss Cecilia,” he added, offering a gentle smile.

“Morning~,” Cecilia replied, her voice carrying a hint of cheer that contrasted with the somber mood that lingered in the air.

Freni’s face lit up with a rare smile, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Mr. Ryan, do you think we’ll reach the Whirlpool Islands within ten hours?”

Ryan joined the two women at the ship’s bulwark, gazing out over the rolling waves. “If the nautical charts hold true, we should,” he affirmed, his voice mixing hope with caution.

The novelty of their sea voyage had long since faded, replaced by a monotonous grey that stretched across days and nights. The thought of arriving at the Whirlpool Islands brought a sigh of relief even to Ryan, a man accustomed to the vibrancy of a bustling nightlife.

Curious, he turned the conversation towards their plans. “What’s the first thing you’re planning to do once we arrive at the Whirlpool Islands?” he asked.

Freni bit her lip thoughtfully, her enthusiasm dimming slightly. “It’s hard to lay plans when we’re sailing into the unknown,” she admitted with a shrug.

Ryan’s voice deepened, hinting at the gravity of their situation. “Lady Freni, the Moon Wolf incident is bound to draw alott of attention. I expect a large surge of pirates, not just the small-timers from nearby waters, but also the heavy hitters from the outer regions, all eager for a share of the chaos.”

He continued, his brow furrowed with concern. “And let’s not forget the Black Knights… If we’re to successfully navigate the challenges surrounding the Moon Wolf, we will have to be cautious with our plan.”

“I understand,” Freni nodded, her expression serious.

Ryan then turned to Cecilia, who had been quietly observing their exchange. “Miss Cecilia, once we land on the Whirlpool Islands, I’d advise you to keep a low profile. Given your current condition, it’s vital that you avoid any further confrontations, as to not aggravate your illness.”

Cecilia looked down, her silence stretching for a few heartbeats before she gave a small, resigned nod.

As the conversation drew to a close, the two women excused themselves, retreating to the captain’s quarters. Ryan remained on deck, his gaze fixed on the horizon while he practiced his storm sword techniques, each movement precise and fluid.

Time ebbed away slowly, and as the sun traced its arc from east to west, bathing the sea in a golden afterglow, the vague outline of a vast archipelago emerged through the mist.

In the distance, the silhouettes of other ships became visible, all converging toward the same destination.

“Whirlpool Islands…” Freni’s voice, filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension, broke the silence.

Ryan nodded, confirming her observation. “Yes, the Whirlpool Islands. We’re almost there,” he echoed, his tone steady yet tinged with the weight of the unknown challenges that lay ahead.