Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 95

Chapter 95: Another Successful Investment!
“This thing is outrageously expensive!”

Freni lamented, feeling the sting of financial vulnerability anew despite her recent windfall. With a heavy sigh, she slumped back into her chair, resting her chin in her hands as her gaze drifted across the [Observation Deck] screen.

The “2,388 Spiritual Essence” she had amassed was just enough for her to procure nine [First-level Spiritual Enhancement Crystals], each promising a surge in her spiritual capacity. With these, she would push her power to its current threshold, propelling her into the coveted second level. Once there, she’d undoubtedly become a formidable force among her peers, even if the formidable ‘twelfth seat black knight,’ a second level extreme professional, posed a unique challenge. Yet, such an investment would deplete her reserves, leaving her with a meager 588 points.

“If only I could score another investment win,” Freni mused silently, her heart fluttering with both hope and hesitation. The allure of potential gains tugged at her, drawing her deeper into contemplation despite knowing the risks involved. The possibility of lucrative returns seemed worth the gamble.

Just then, the screen flickered, capturing her full attention. A crimson blur dashed across the sky towards the Traveler, and time seemed to freeze in anticipation.

[The ‘Beginner’s Heart’ Traveler faces a formidable adversary – the Male Fire Dragon Leader. A confrontation looms.]

[Combat power comparison: Traveler (33) vs. Male Fire Dragon Leader (39)]

[Current investment: [Spirit Essence: 2388]]

[Odds – Traveler: Male Fire Dragon Leader = 9.0:1.1, minimum bet: 100 Spirit Essence.]

[You have 30 seconds to make your wager…]

Freni’s face tensed as she quickly parsed through the data. After defeating the female fire dragon, the Traveler’s combat strength had risen from 30 to 33, a significant improvement. Still, the formidable male counterpart boasted a combat strength of 39, maintaining a daunting gap.

The initial memories of their first encounter flooded back; the traveler had a power of 24 against the male leader’s 39, with an investment return ratio of 9.9:1.01 at that time. Now, even though the traveler had bolstered his power to 33, narrowing the gap to a mere six points, the betting odds had barely shifted, still a steep 9.0:1.1.

Freni pondered, “Despite such a significant increase in combat power, the odds are almost unchanged. What does this mean?” Her mind raced as she weighed her options, the ticking clock urging her to a swift decision. The temptation of profit against the backdrop of high stakes painted a vivid tableau of risk and reward, igniting a thrilling pulse of adrenaline as she poised to make her next move.

The daunting odds starkly implied that the traveler’s victory against the male fire dragon leader was nearly unthinkable. Instinctively, Freni’s initial impulse was to bet on the male leader, swayed by the stable return of 1.1, equating to a tidy 10% profit. If she staked all 2388 [Spiritual Essence], she stood to gain an additional 239.

Yet, as her finger hovered over the confirmation button, she hesitated, her mind racing. She remembered the traveler’s meticulous preparation this time, notably his fire-resistant equipment. The echo of potential returns, 9.0, 9.0, 9.0 buzzed like a siren’s call in her mind, tempting her.

As the countdown neared its end, Freni took a deep breath, redirecting her finger decisively towards the traveler. “It’s settled then, traveler, don’t let me down!” she declared, committing 588 Spiritual Essence to her bet.

In that critical moment, Miss Witch managed to preserve a sliver of caution, opting not to risk the full 1800 Spiritual Essence required for nine [First-level Spiritual Enhancement Crystals]. Still, the 588 wagered was substantial.

Should this gamble fail, not only would she lose a significant sum, but her future starting point would be a meager 100 Spiritual Essence, essentially back to square one.

As her choice finalized, the screen locked onto [In battle, please wait for the final result…]. What followed was an agonizing wait, during which Freni oscillated between nervousness, unease, and a resigned numbness. To distract herself, she practiced her spirituality and magic control, each repetition a small escape from the tension.

Time stretched on until the screen of the [Observation Deck] finally flickered to life, snapping Freni back to full alertness. She abandoned her exercises and fixed her eyes eagerly on the screen.

[Battle Record:]

[After laying out three large ‘hole traps’ and burying a ‘special treasure’ to create a ‘special fireproof environment’, the traveler deployed ‘bait’ to lure the male fire dragon leader.]

Freni couldn’t help but smile. “Not bad, not bad at all. Such thorough preparation suggests victory isn’t entirely out of reach.”

[Driven by a mix of new and old grudges, the incensed male fire dragon leader swooped down, unleashing his ‘Fire Breath’. Flames cascaded down, intending to engulf everything.]

[The ‘special fire-proof environment’ crafted by the traveler proved effective, and the diminished inferno couldn’t touch the traveler, shielded by his ‘fire-resistant equipment’.]

The initial lines of the battle record painted a picture of hope and strategic mastery, and Freni felt a spark of optimism flicker within her. Perhaps her faith in the underdog was not misplaced after all.

As the battle unfolded, Freni watched with bated breath. The “Heavenly Cruel Claw” from the male fire dragon leader was a move she remembered all too well, a vicious, descending strike aimed at tearing its target to shreds. This very attack had claimed the traveler’s life multiple times before.

Heart pounding, Freni braced herself for what might come next.

[As the ‘Heavenly Cruel Claw’ bore down, the traveler, well-acquainted with this deadly maneuver, did not attempt to evade. Instead, he timed his ‘secret technique’ to perfection, just as the dragon’s claws were about to strike.]

[The ‘secret technique’ took effect instantaneously, causing the male fire dragon leader to lapse into a ‘fainting state’, his massive form teetering precariously.]

[Seizing the moment, the traveler unleashed a powerful slash at the dragon’s tail, severing it, just as the beast was about to crash land.]

[The male fire dragon leader slammed into the ground, then ricocheted against the cliff wall, suffering massive secondary damage and plunging into a ‘severe fainting state’.]

[Without missing a beat, the traveler delivered a crushing blow to the dragon’s head, embedding it deep in the muddy earth.]

Witnessing this turn of events, Freni was astonished. “How has the traveler become so strong all of a sudden?”

Could a mere increase of three points in combat power truly account for such a drastic transformation? No, that couldn’t be it.

The key difference lay in the traveler’s meticulous preparations. The strategic deployment of a “special fireproof environment” and “fire-resistant equipment” had nullified the dragon’s fiery onslaught. Coupled with the ingenious use of the “fainting secret technique,” the traveler had turned the tables spectacularly.

“Could victory actually be within reach?” Freni mused, her excitement surging. “What nonsense was that ratio of 9.0:1.1? My dear traveler will surely triumph against all odds!”

Her face lit up with anticipation, her eyes sparkling with joy.

[In a final, desperate attempt to end the battle, the traveler swung his sword for a lethal blow. But at that critical juncture, the male fire dragon leader erupted into an explosive ‘Red Flame Rage’.]

[Entering the ‘Red Flame Rage’ state, the dragon’s power surged (+1), pushing him into the ‘weak upper domain’ a level of strength that was nearly mythic in its intensity.]

Freni gasped, her excitement replaced by shock. “What now? ‘Red Flame Rage’? What is this new development?”

“Weak upper domain,” she whispered, the term alien yet foreboding, suggesting a level of power she hadn’t anticipated. “Although I’m not quite sure what it entails, it sounds ominously formidable.”

With the stakes suddenly elevated, Freni’s heart raced as she watched, hoping against hope that her faith in the traveler wouldn’t be misplaced.

Freni gently touched her pale, delicate cheek in an attempt to soothe her racing mind.

“Hoo hoo…” she exhaled softly, her thoughts drifting back to a previous investment in the water fish dragon; a decision that now felt like a weighty hammer pounding against her consciousness with resounding echoes.

With a sense of impending doom, she forced herself to continue watching the unfolding battle.

[In a surge of ‘Red Flame Rage,’ the Male Fire Dragon Leader unleashed a formidable roar. The sound waves forcefully repelled the traveler, inflicting ‘moderate injury’ and temporarily reducing his combat capabilities.]

[The dragon’s roar resonated powerfully enough to shake the cliffs, causing them to crumble and release a torrent of mountain water, sweeping both the ‘Red Flame Rage Male Fire Dragon Leader’ and the traveler into the turbulent flow.]

[Amidst the chaos, a shadowy figure emerged in the water; Silver (Red Flame Silverback Shark, Combat Power 30), the traveler’s loyal combat partner. With a swift motion, Silver rescued the drowning traveler.]

[The mountain torrents disrupted the Male Fire Dragon Leader’s ‘Red Flame Rage,’ leaving him weakened and vulnerable.]

[As the torrents carried them downstream, the battle resumed fiercely.]

[Silver struck a critical blow, shredding the wing membrane of the Male Fire Dragon Leader, stripping him of his ability to fly.]

[Undeterred by the dragon’s flaming breath, the traveler charged forward, delivering a decisive slash that severed the dragon’s head.]

[A mournful cry echoed as the reign of the Male Fire Dragon Leader came to a tragic end.]

[The battle concluded!]

[Your investment was successful. Based on the investment amount and proportion, you will receive [Spiritual Essence]: 5292]

[Current [Spiritual Essence]: 7092]

The flurry of events left Freni bewildered, her emotions fluctuating wildly like a roller coaster ride; plunging into despair and then soaring to exhilarating heights.

“So, did my investment actually pay off?!” she questioned aloud, a tinge of disbelief coloring her voice. After a moment’s pause, realization dawned, and she burst out with ecstatic joy, “A massive win!”

The victory was not just a triumph in numbers but marked a growing faith she had in the traveler’s cunning and resilience, reaffirming her belief in taking calculated risks, even against seemingly insurmountable odds.