After going into the sea, I met the witch.

Ryan's eyes narrowed.

The moment he saw this object, images involuntarily surfaced in his mind of the place's owner, Loik Froome, the vice-captain of the Seventh Reconnaissance Hunting Group, and his subordinates capturing monsters for research many years ago. He figured there must have been an "alchemist" in their group, which was why they created this "Crimson Crystal."

"Is this what Da Yin has been longing for?"

he whispered.

Ryan knew very well that the reason why the silverback shark was willing to bring him here, and even risk its life twice during the exploration, was not only because of his life-saving grace and healing methods, but more importantly, because there was something the silverback shark desperately wanted here, so much so that it was willing to risk its life even knowing that it was in danger.

"Unknown things...interesting."

Ryan smiled.

After carefully storing the [Crimson Crystal], he checked the stone chamber again to make sure there was nothing else of use before turning to leave.

……

The southern outer area of ​​the isolated island.

Riding the silverback shark, Ryan quickly returned to the area where he had cleared the monsters.

Jumping off the shark's back, and looking into the silverback shark's desperately yearning and pitiful eyes, Ryan took a deep breath and said in a low voice:

"Big Silver, I know what you want."

"While the [Crimson Crystal] may have the potential to make you 'Crimson Transformation' and become more powerful, it may also cause you to die suddenly."

“You brought me to the cave, so you should rightfully get a share of the spoils. As your ‘comrade-in-arms,’ I won’t stop you. But before you devour them, I need to explain the pros and cons to you.”

"What you ultimately do is your own choice."

After Ryan finished speaking, he took out a [Crimson Crystal] and handed it to the Silverback Shark.

As if it understood Ryan's words, the urgency in the silverback shark's eyes lessened slightly. It circled in the water a few times, then straightened its upper body and nodded vigorously, as if to say, "I understand."

Seeing this, Ryan stopped talking and put down the [Crimson Crystal] in his hand, letting it drift in the seawater toward the Silverback Shark.

Ryan understood that evolution was a yearning etched into the soul of every living being.

Even he yearned to become powerful.

If he were in the same position as the silverback shark, he would make the same choice.

In this world of monsters, only the fittest survive. If you don't become strong, one day you will become food for other powerful monsters.

What's a risk if it's for the sake of evolution and becoming stronger?

Is there anything in this world that is completely risk-free?

As Ryan walked onto the beach, he watched as the silverback shark swallowed the [Crimson Crystal] whole.

Subsequently, the silverback shark swam to the open sea, and its fins exposed above the surface gradually disappeared.

It must have gone back to its nest, right?

If the evolution is successful, perhaps we'll meet again. If the evolution fails, then...

A faint sadness welled up in Ryan's heart.

But he quickly suppressed that emotion.

This was the silverback shark's own choice, and all he could do was respect it.

After estimating the time, Ryan prepared to "return home".

This "journey" lasted about five or six hours, and by then, sunrise was almost here on the other side.

The operation to exterminate the giant crabs on the beaches in the western outer area will have to wait until tomorrow night.

Ryan felt a little sorry, but not too bad.

He has gained a great deal from this trip.

The upgrade to level 2, along with the [Relic - Azure Medal], increased his physical attributes by another 69%, which translates to a 14% overall improvement in his physical attributes.

Self-defense capabilities enhanced!

Of course, before that, you need to materialize the [Relic - Azure Medal] onto your main body.

Ryan returned to the raft and spent 500 spirit points to materialize it.

He sighed as he watched the number in the "Spirit Value" column drop from 570 to a pitiful 70.

Spiritual energy is something that's too fragile.

If he had enough spiritual energy, he would like to materialize the "Necklace of Abundance" as well, but he doesn't have enough right now, so he can only wait until next time.

Ryan placed his other belongings, the "Necklace of Abundance" and the remaining four [Crimson Crystals], onto the raft and silently prayed.

"Return."

About three seconds later, everything went black before his eyes. When his vision returned to normal, he was back in the cabin where his main body was located.

Lying in bed, listening to the sound of the waves coming from the stern of the ship, Ryan smiled knowingly.

He rolled out of bed, took out his iron longsword, and practiced the Storm Sword Technique while feeling the changes in his body.

After practicing for a while, Ryan stopped.

Although it is far inferior to the Traveling Avatar, the approximately 14% improvement in all aspects of physical fitness is a real and tangible result.

Clenching his fist and feeling the real, undeniable power, Ryan felt an urge to roar to the heavens.

With the [Nameless Ship Sculpture], as long as he continues to level up, explore, and grow stronger in the "Wandering Lands," even if his main body cannot find a way to become stronger, he can still quickly acquire the power to protect himself.

Of course, it would be even better if the main body could find information or clues related to the "path profession".

Looking out the window, estimating that there was still some time before sunrise, Ryan decided to continue practicing Storm Sword Technique.

The journey was quite magical. Instead of "returning from the dead," he "returned" on his own, and his spirits were high, as if he had had a good sleep, without feeling tired at all.

However, just as Ryan was about to begin, a sharp and piercing alarm sounded.

Ryan was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening.

It's the ship's alarm!

This situation means that the lookout has spotted the enemy!

"Go out and see."

Without a second thought, Ryan rushed out of the room and onto the deck.

At this moment, the pirates, alerted by the alarm bells, rushed onto the deck with their weapons.

"Captain, we have spotted the pirate ship [Skull] in the northwest!"

The lookout stood on the observation platform atop the mast, shouting in panic.

Upon hearing this, Ryan looked towards the northwest.

On the dimly lit sea, amidst a light mist, a three-masted sailing ship approached the Black Rose menacingly, like a sharp dagger!

Chapter 15 Who said we were running away?

Before dawn, mist floated on the sea.

"Mountain of Flesh" Salem Blois stood at the very front of the deck of the Skull. Standing at 2.2 meters tall with a scimitar at his waist, his obese and bloated figure made him look like a small giant. All the pirates around him looked at him with fear and respect.

Gazing at the Black Rose in the distance through the mist, Salem, the "Mountain of Flesh," had no expression on his thick face, but a different kind of thought was surfacing in his mind.

For pirates, plundering other ships is perfectly normal; it's their way of survival. Generally speaking, however, pirate ships won't attack each other unless there's a significant conflict of interest.

After all, conflict can result in casualties, and no one can guarantee that they will win.

The main reason why "Mountain of Flesh" Salem launched a surprise attack on the Black Rose under the cover of night was not for profit, but because of a secret order.

His success at sea, rising from an ordinary person to become the captain of the Skull and a first-tier professional, is not due to his hard work, but because he has powerful connections.

Before he even set sail, he received financial assistance from a powerful figure whose identity he himself did not know.

Many troubles were secretly resolved for him by this important figure, including the magic potions he needed to advance to the first tier of professional.

In return, "Mountain of Flesh" Salem needs to work for him in secret.

Salem had no complaints about this; on the contrary, he was quite pleased.

After all, he receives a generous reward for each completed secret mission, which is a reasonable deal for someone like him, isn't it?

As for the potential retaliation?

Please, he's already a pirate wanted by the Royal Navy, what is there to fear about retaliation?

Salem, nicknamed "Mountain of Flesh," had a cold and unfathomable gaze.

According to this secret order, he needed to eliminate everyone on the Black Rose, especially a "Bloody Son" named Ryan Reyland. To ensure the absolute success of the mission, the big shot also gave him a secret weapon.

Alem scoffed at this.

Of course, his disdain wasn't directed at the secret weapon, but rather at the Black Rose.

Pirates are also divided into different classes.

Pirates in the waters near Silvermoon Bay are judged by the amount of bounty offered by the Royal Navy.

A bounty of 0 to 999 pounds is for a third-rate pirate; the Royal Navy wouldn't even bother with such a low-level pirate, just issue a bounty and then call it a day. They are usually single individuals or small groups of three to five people.

Those with 1000 to 3000 pounds are considered novice pirates. They pose a certain threat but have not yet entered the professional pirate world. They rely on numbers to win and their pirate crews usually consist of twenty to thirty people.

But bounties of 3000 pounds or more are different. Only pirate captains who have entered the professional pirate world and have a complete pirate crew under their command will be given bounties of this magnitude.

The Black Rose was a novice pirate crew. Whether its captain's bounty was 1000 pounds or 1500 pounds, "Meat Mountain" Salem couldn't remember. After all, in the past, he wouldn't have bothered to even glance at such a pirate crew.

And he, "Mountain of Flesh" Salem, has a terrifying bounty of 18000 pounds!

He was one of the best among professional pirates!

The difference in strength between two tiers is enormous.

"Full speed ahead, kill!"

"Leave no one alive!"

"Mountain of Flesh" Salem drew his scimitar from his waist, pointed it directly at the Black Rose in front of him, and roared.

"kill!"