Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 99

Chapter 99: Freni’s Gift!
Cecilia’s expression softened into a smile, a rare joy flickering across her usually stoic face. “That’s wonderful.”

However, her smile soon gave way to concern. “Lady Freni, such treasures must be incredibly rare. Are you sure…”

Freni cut her off with a reassuring wave. “Don’t fret, Cecilia. These crystals were secured from the Augustus family’s ancestral treasury. Each person can only benefit from ten; any more would be redundant. And there’s no need to worry about my well-being or the risks I might have taken to obtain these.”

Her space ring flickered again, revealing another set of nine crystals, which she playfully jingled in front of Cecilia. “We’re short on time, use them as soon as you can. I’ll be starting the second-level promotion soon.”

Turning her gaze to Ryan, she added, “I’ll perform the ritual in the captain’s compartment. Should any threat arise, I’m counting on you to handle it.”

“Leave it to me,” Ryan responded with a nod, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders.

Freni offered a warm smile, playfully adjusting the blue and white gradient of her fluffy witch hat as she prepared for the task ahead. The room, filled with a newfound sense of purpose, seemed less foreboding than moments before.

At the threshold of the captain’s room, Ryan paused, his back resting against the bulwark beside the door frame. He marveled at the crystal he held between his fingers, turning it over to catch the light. Engraved in a subtle, gray font were the details of its remarkable properties, revealing just how invaluable this artifact truly was.

“One [First-order Spiritual Enhancement Crystal] alone boosts spiritual capacity by 0.1. To think, ten of these could increase it by a full point…”

He shook his head in disbelief. “Such potency is staggering.”

He recalled his early days refining his bond with the [Pirate] profession, where mere increments of 0.5 in spiritual enhancement were considered significant, hardly comparable to the 5 [First-order Spiritual Enhancement Crystals] equivalent. Moreover, this crystal’s enhancement wouldn’t interfere with the spiritual gains from his original Tao profession.

“This could mean surpassing the first-order threshold, a 33% increase in spirituality over my peers,” Ryan mused. His unique path and the feedback from his traveling clone suggested he might even reach beyond second-order spirituality once he hit the cap.

A deep sense of gratitude washed over him as he stared at the crystal. “Freni…” he murmured, acknowledging the depth of her generosity.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Ryan placed the crystal on his tongue. Unlike its solid appearance suggested, it dissolved instantly, no risk of choking, just a swift melt into nothingness. Within seconds, a warm surge flowed through his body, akin to the soothing embrace of a hot spring. His [Spirituality] meter ticked up by 0.1.

Emboldened by the initial effect, he continued consuming the crystals one after another. Within minutes, he had ingested all ten, his [Spirituality] increasing exactly as Freni had promised, from 2.8 to 3.8.

The transformation in spirituality differed vastly from physical enhancements. Where strength brought immediate, tangible benefits, the increase in spirituality felt more ethereal, more profound. It didn’t just augment his physical capabilities; it expanded the horizons of his skills and potential applications.

Now, with his enhanced spirituality, Ryan could explore techniques previously beyond his grasp. The [Storm Sword Skill – Breaking Waves], with its three progressive stages of charging, suddenly seemed within reach. Each stage required increasing levels of [Physique] and [Spirituality], with the first stage demanding a balance of 1.0 in each, the second 2.0, and the third a robust 3.0.

With his newly elevated [Spirituality], Ryan felt a door had opened, not just to new powers, but to deeper, more profound connections with his skills and the mystical energies they commanded.

Previously, Ryan’s innate [Spirituality] was so meager that, despite his utmost efforts, his original body could barely muster “one stage of charging,” while his wandering clone could push only slightly further to “one and a half stages of charging.”

Now, however, the situation had dramatically transformed.

With a [Spirituality] level of 3.8 and [Physique] at 9.46, Ryan found himself well-equipped to attempt two or even three stages of charging. The primary barrier he now faced was not capability but mastery, his perception and understanding of [Sword Skills] had yet to catch up with his newfound power.

Despite the urge to practice and refine his skills, Ryan refrained, his duty to safeguard Freni during her ascension taking precedence. He stared out at the haunting blood-red moon that dominated the night sky, a deep sigh escaping him.

“Why must survival be laden with endless challenges and adversaries?” he pondered, a mix of frustration and resolve simmering within him.

Meanwhile, as Freni engaged in her rank upgrade, a grave gathering unfolded at the edge of Minin Forest. Here, a seated black knight and two ordinary black knights convened, their expressions marked by a severe solemnity.

Throughout the island, chaos reigned. Ordinary citizens, untouched by professional training, succumbed to madness under the blood moon’s influence. Sea monsters, both terrestrial and aquatic, converged on Mingjin Forest, the land creatures making their way inland while their marine counterparts amassed around the central island. By rough counts, the seas swirled with over fifty formidable beasts, a staggering force compared to the island’s professional defenders.

The seated black knight’s gaze was dark with concern. “The epicenter of this witchcraft lies deep within Minin Forest,” he intoned gravely. “Our observations show that the nearer we draw to the forest, the lesser the blood moon’s effects become, and the pervasive whispers slowly fade.”

“This phenomenon seems designed to herd all beings towards the forest,” he continued, his voice laced with determination. “Whatever the intentions of this enigmatic witch are, we, as black knights, the empire’s sharp blades cannot allow her machinations to go unchecked.”

He paused, considering the perilous path ahead. “Minin Forest is teeming with creatures. Our journey through will be fraught with danger; potential injuries, perhaps even fatalities. We must remain vigilant and preserve our strength for the confrontation with the witch at the forest’s heart. Will you escort me through these treacherous woods?”

Both knights responded without a moment’s hesitation, their hands clasped over their hearts in a solemn salute. “We are at your service!”

With that, the black knight nodded gravely and led his companions into the depths of Mingjin Forest. Under the eerie glow of the blood moon, the forest was cloaked in shadows, making navigation difficult for any but the most adept.

Yet, for those known as Black Knights, or Seated Night Knights, an elite class honed by the Augustus royal lineage from the ranks of Night Watchers, darkness was an ally. In the night, they were at their most formidable, each step deeper into the forest a testament to their prowess and their title.