Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Fishing!
Ryan, seasoned yet technically an amateur in fishing compared to his other skills, listened intently. He knew that Freni might outclass him in magical prowess, but in the calm art of fishing, he was determined not to be bested.

Glancing back at Freni who was skillfully baiting her hook, a competitive grin spread across his face.

“Ah, young witch lady, you think fishing is just throwing the line out there?” he chuckled silently. “Well, let the old ‘God of Nesting,’ as my friends used to call me, show you how it’s really done!”

Ryan scooped up a hefty clump of sea worm bait from the bucket beside him. With practiced hands, he kneaded it into a dense ball, slyly incorporating a sprinkle of “abundant pearl powder” into the mix. Although merely a novice at maintaining spiritual essence, Ryan had his own magical resources to draw upon.

With a confident grin, he watched Freni, who was immersed in her own fishing setup, waiting patiently for a bite. Ryan then calculated his throw, expertly launching his specially prepared “nest material” into the sea with a satisfying splash.

He allowed the aroma of the bait to permeate the water before casting his line precisely near the baited area. As he waited, he occasionally adjusted the bait to ensure it remained enticing.

Gazing out at the bobbing float on the distant waves, Ryan felt a surge of confidence.

“With all this prep, how could the golden spirit fish resist? Time to show the young witch a few tricks of the trade!”

Meanwhile, as Ryan and Freni were engaged in their strategic fishing, a naval cruiser was swiftly cutting through the waves toward the Whirlpool Islands.

The vessel, a fifth-level sailing cruiser, moved at a speed unmatched by others in its class, thanks to the potent spiritual energy emanating from a black-gloved hand on the helm. Captain Saddam, pale and focused, felt the drain from the powerful artifact he wore, the black glove was a remarkable tool, but it demanded a high price.

At his side, a member of the Black Knights spoke in a measured tone, “Captain, your dedication is appreciated. Rest assured, the Black Knights will handsomely reward your efforts upon our return.”

“The Black Knights do not forget those who aid them,” he added.

Saddam managed a weak smile, nodding, “Thank you, sir.”

With that, the knight left the captain’s quarters, stepping out onto the bow deck to report to a formidable figure overseeing the voyage.

“Sir, we should reach the Whirlpool Islands in under five hours.”

The response was a terse “Well.”

The mood shifted as the knight hesitated, then admitted, “However, sir, there’s an issue. Since we’ve entered within a hundred nautical miles of the Whirlpool Islands, the bloody compass used to track our quarry has malfunctioned. An unknown force has disrupted its function, and despite all attempts, it remains inoperative.”

His head bowed in frustration, he finished, “My apologies, sir. It has completely failed us.”

The black knight, seated at the stern of the ship, shook his head dismissively. He stretched out his hand, letting the brisk sea breeze sift through his fingers, and whispered with a hint of intrigue, “I can’t sense anything, yet I can disrupt this damned compass… Whirlpool Islands… Ah, what a curious place.”

“It seems the tales of the ‘Moon Wolf and Treasure’ are more than just idle rumors,” he mused aloud.

“Prepare yourselves,” he declared to his comrades, his voice carrying a sense of foreboding. “I have a premonition that our journey to the Whirlpool Islands might yield some unforeseen revelations.”

At this, the two accompanying knights nodded gravely, their expressions taut with anticipation: “Understood!”

The [White Whale] sailed onward, but as it approached within 30 nautical miles of North Island 1, it abruptly came to a halt.

Captain Saddam approached the trio of black knights, his face ashen. Bowing slightly, he reported with due respect, “My lords, the Whirlpool Islands have been overrun by a sizable band of pirates. Advancing further might provoke unnecessary conflicts.”

“If your lordships are indeed set on reaching the Whirlpool Islands, might I suggest disembarking via a smaller craft?”

After a moment’s consideration, the lead knight nodded in agreement: “Very well.”

Soon, a dinghy bearing the three black knights detached from the [White Whale] and made its way toward the Whirlpool Islands.

…

[Black Rose].

Furenee propped her chin on her hands, her forehead creased with frustration as her gaze shifted from the bobbing float to the empty barrel beside her. An hour of fishing had yielded nothing, where was this so-called “beginner’s luck”?

Contrastingly, on the opposite side of the deck, Ryan stood next to a barrel brimming with large fish, his laughter ringing across the air.

Glaring at the giggling Ryan, Freni’s irritation boiled over. “What a useless fishing rod!” She exclaimed, kicking the rod aside before diving into the sea. Moments later, she clambered back onto the deck, triumphantly brandishing two sizable fish in each hand.

“This whole fishing charade is futile! If you want fish, you just have to grab them,” she declared scornfully.

Ryan watched the spectacle, his expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief. “Blasphemy!” he sputtered. “This is complete and utter blasphemy to the fishing god!”

Just as he was about to retort, his fishing rod jerked violently, nearly yanking him off his feet.

“Here comes a big one!” Ryan shouted, instantly focusing all his efforts on the monstrous catch, his earlier irritation with Ferni forgotten in the thrill of the chase.

As Ryan grappled with his catch, his high-performance sea fishing rod formed a precarious arc, showcasing the intense battle between man and the aquatic giant.

Miraculously, thanks to Ryan’s quick infusion of spiritual energy, the rod held firm, not snapping under the immense pressure.

On the other side, Freni, witnessing Ryan’s struggle, hastily dropped the large fish she had just wrestled from the sea. A deep blue glow ignited in her eyes as she spotted the catch: “It’s a golden spirit fish!”

“Leave this fish to me, Mr. Ryan. I’ll handle it from here,” she declared confidently.

Without waiting for a response from a bewildered Ryan, who could only muster a startled “Wait!”, Freni leapt from the deck. Dark blue magical energy swirled around her, crystallizing into a solid platform under her feet. With graceful, light steps, she moved closer to the shimmering golden spirit fish.

With a swift motion, she extended her hand, now engulfed in a deep blue aura, and grasped the nearly two-meter-long fish, which thrashed wildly in her magical grip.

Back on the deck, Ryan watched dejectedly as he set down his rod, feeling both defeated and redundant. “So much for my big catch,” he muttered to himself, his efforts feeling futile.

…

Inside the captain’s quarters, Freni emerged from a small compartment, placing a bottle filled with luminescent spots on the table: “The second-level soldier’s path potion is ready!”

Her face beamed with excitement as she turned to the quiet knight beside her, “Cecilia, just gather more Moon Wolf Blood, and your recovery can begin.”

Cecilia looked down somberly, “Lady Freni, perhaps you should prioritize your own second-level potion, for your safety and to enhance our chances of obtaining more Moon Wolf Blood…”

“Don’t worry about that,” Freni interrupted briskly, dismissing the concern with a wave of her hand. “The next full moon is still a ways off; it doesn’t matter whose potion is prepared first. Let’s not fuss over it.”

Though she spoke lightly, Freni harbored deeper plans: She intended to bolster her spiritual capacity with a series of [First-level Spiritual Enhancement Crystals] before advancing. Her goal was not only her advancement but also to accumulate enough spiritual essence for Cecilia and Mr. Ryan to benefit from a complete [First-level Spiritual Enhancement Crystal] as well.

Cecilia, biting her lip, chose not to argue further, quietly pocketing the potion.

With a flourish, Freni changed the subject, “Our next target is the ‘blue-spotted electric ray’ near East 4 Island.”

Ryan, feeling somewhat sidelined but intrigued by the new mission, nodded in agreement.

As the sun reached its peak, the [Black Rose] navigated into the perilous waters around East 4 Island.

“The blue-spotted electric rays are most active at noon,” Freni explained, her voice carrying over the ocean breeze. “These first-level sea creatures are notoriously dangerous, capable of releasing potent electric shocks from their bodies, a true nightmare for anyone who dares engage them in close combat.”

She continued, consulting a digital map displayed on her handheld device, “According to our intel, two of these creatures, drawn by the Moon Wolf in the vicinity, exhibit exceptionally aggressive behavior. Virtually every vessel passing through here faces their wrath.”

“But against me,” Freni chuckled, a confident smirk playing on her lips.

Ryan nodded, fully trusting in Freni’s prowess. In their partnership, he often felt more like an observer than an active participant, despite his own growing capabilities.

After his latest upgrade, his avatar’s feedback had improved his [Physique] attribute significantly, he noticed a shift. The warning in his vision that once cautioned him to avoid confrontation had now moderated to an acknowledgment of the pressure Freni’s presence could exert. He had crossed into the second level of ability, narrowing the gap between them, though he still had a long way to go to match her strength.