Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Blazing Flames!
If one visualizes the isolated island as a vast circle, the ancient forest within represents an immense circle in the inner ring, dwarfing the sandy beach that encircles the outermost perimeter. This lush expanse teems with life, its bountiful resources sustaining a diverse array of creatures that bolster a thriving ecosystem, a sanctuary for both common beasts and rare entities.

Ryan tread lightly along the forest path, the soft murmur of a nearby stream accompanying his solitary march. Towering above him, the ancient trees stretched skyward like colossal pillars, reducing his presence to that of a mere speck within this grand natural tapestry.

After what seemed an eternity of wandering, the terrain abruptly transformed as he faced a steep cliff that soared into the sky.

This formidable barrier marked the transition from the ancient forest to the enigmatic inner zone, a secluded area cradled by looming mountain walls, its secrets obscured from prying eyes.

Venturing deeper had never crossed Ryan’s mind; the progression of monstrous inhabitants from the outer regions to the ancient forest alone was daunting. Creatures here boasted strengths magnitudes greater than those on the fringes, even the feeblest species within the forest could rival the formidable dragon headed crab that dominated the beach areas. According to the diaries of Loic, the second-in-command of the seventh scout hunting group, the hierarchy of monster strength on this island intensified as one moved inward.

A brief reflection on these records suggested unimaginable power residing in the core, creatures of lower three-star status at the least, with the mightiest being beyond Ryan’s wildest conjectures.

Today, however, Ryan found himself at this precipice for a specific purpose, an ideal location to confront the male fire dragon leader.

His exploration upstream was motivated by another discovery, the presence of additional water sources on the island. He hoped that the mystical [Pure Water Crystal] would harness these abundant waters to unleash its full potential.

To his astonishment, the stream’s origin was a picturesque waterfall cascading down from the cliff. “This will be the spot,” Ryan decided with resolve.

At the stream’s end, he carefully buried the [Pure Water Crystal] within a small pit he had excavated.

While awaiting the crystal’s magic, Ryan methodically prepared the surrounding area with “hole traps.” Past experiences, such as his encounter with the female fire dragon, had taught him the unpredictability of these traps. Nevertheless, he knew the folly in being unprepared.

Thanks to his robust physical condition, Ryan set the enhanced traps in mere fifteen minutes, adjusting their size to accommodate the bulkier male fire dragon leader, a task that would have taken less time had the creature been smaller.

Soon, a dense “water vapor environment” enveloped a ten-meter radius around the site. “A bit longer now,” Ryan murmured to himself, settling on a stone by the stream to wait.

Hours ticked by, and as the vapor reached its saturation point, Ryan’s anticipation grew, ready for the imminent confrontation.

Ryan stood at the edge of a massive, fifty-meter radius vapor dome, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he observed the dense mist swirling around him. The water vapor had reached levels so high that ordinary flames wouldn’t dare flicker here, let alone sustain their burn.

“Even the formidable flames of the male fire dragon leader will falter in this,” Ryan mused, turning to glance towards the nest of the female fire dragon, where recent battles had unfolded. Everything was in place, and all that remained was to lure the male fire dragon leader into his meticulously prepared trap.

For Ryan, this part was straightforward. With a subtle flicker of the space ring on his finger, a massive, several-meter-long red dragon tail materialized beside him, the tail of a Red Tyrannosaurus.

Throughout his encounters, Ryan had learned much about the male fire dragon leader’s behavior. The creature’s keen sense of smell, particularly for the blood of formidable foes, was almost comically acute. Whenever Ryan had conquered a mighty species, the male fire dragon leader had inevitably appeared, drawn by the scent of blood.

“This time will be no different,” Ryan thought, setting the stage for the dragon’s inevitable arrival. The loss of its mate had infused the dragon with a deep-seated rage towards Ryan, a hatred so intense it was palpable.

As the metallic tang of blood filled the air, it took less than a minute for a thunderous roar to slice through the quiet of the forest. A blur of red barreled towards him from the horizon, propelled by a fierce wind and an even fiercer desire for vengeance.

“Here it comes!” Ryan declared, his expression steeling as he gripped the hilt of his great sword, ready for the confrontation.

The male fire dragon leader charged without hesitation, its maw agape, revealing rows of dagger-like teeth as it spewed a torrent of flames. Ryan, now shielded by the expansive water vapor, watched the familiar flames approach. They had scorched him many times before, but today, they faltered and dwindled before even reaching him.

No longer the novice hunter of his early days, Ryan was equipped with advanced fire resistance gear, turning what once was a deadly inferno into mere sparks against his armor.

He hefted his greatsword onto his shoulder, feeling the surge of energy flowing through him, gathering strength in his hands as he prepared to counterattack. As he observed the predictable air claw attack slicing through the remnants of the flames, Ryan couldn’t help but smirk slightly.

“Still the same old tactics,” he muttered to himself. “Ever heard of a new trick, dragon?”

Despite his earlier complaints, Ryan’s gaze remained intensely focused. He knew all too well the power of the male fire dragon leader’s swooping attack; it had bested him more than once, leading to defeats that were not only brutal but always fatal.

His eyes locked onto the descending dragon claw, Ryan made quick mental calculations of the distance. As the deadly talons closed in, mere meters from his head, he knew it was time to strike.

“Now!” he shouted, timing his move with precision.

In one fluid motion, he unleashed a burst of spiritual sound waves. The potent vibrations surged forth, hitting the male fire dragon leader head-on, causing its ears to visibly tremble from the shock.

The dragon, disoriented by the sudden auditory assault, lost control and staggered in its flight path, its massive body swooping perilously close over Ryan’s head.

With his adrenaline surging under the effect of the “morale boost,” Ryan felt his strength and speed escalate. He executed what he termed “one and a half charging” of his greatsword, positioning himself to target a critical point on his adversary, the tail.

The importance of a dragon’s tail could not be understated. It was vital for maintaining balance and facilitating sharp turns, especially in flight. For a creature as formidable as the male fire dragon leader, whose aerial abilities were unmatched, the tail was not just a tool for balance but can also be used as a weapon in its own right.

Initially, Ryan had considered targeting the wing membrane, but the risk outweighed the potential gain. The tail, on the other hand, offered a direct and impactful target. Its crimson scales, thinner than those of its female counterpart, suggested a weaker defense, a result of the male’s evolutionary adaptations favoring attack capabilities and aerial agility over ground combat.

This evolutionary trait played into Ryan’s hands. Thin scales meant less protection; a vulnerability he was ready to exploit.

Channeling his enhanced strength through his silver-blue sword, amplified by a physique that was beyond ordinary human limits, Ryan prepared to unleash his ultimate move, the [Storm Sword Skill – Breaking Waves]. The air seemed to split as his sword sliced through scales, flesh, and even bone with a gruesome tearing sound.