Chapter 28: Black Knight!
Beneath the expansive canopy of a towering coconut tree, Ryan drew in a deep, steadying breath, allowing the serene tranquility of the lush, verdant island to soothe his spirit. The dense forest, filled with majestic trees that seemed to pierce the sky, ignited a flame of valor within him.
Before him, the formidable giant bird, a relentless predator of the beach crabs, showcased a prowess that currently eluded Ryan. Yet, he understood that present impossibilities did not dictate future limitations.
"How much knowledge might one gain from conquering such a formidable creature?" Ryan pondered, his imagination alight with visions of the riches and secrets that might lie hidden within the creature's nest. The thrill of such prospects caused his heart to pound with anticipation.
Ryan's encounter with the colossal bird had been a harsh lesson in the unpredictable nature of the island's beasts, which, though typically territorial, sometimes roamed beyond their usual confines. This realization pressed upon him the need for heightened vigilance in his subsequent explorations.
...
In the serene ambiance of Silver Moon Bay's Inner Harbor, a distinguished training hall exuded an air of timeless grace. Emerging from its doors was a middle-aged man clad in a black cloak, his waist adorned by a sheathed long sword. His features were marked by rough, succinct eyebrows that lent him an aura of unwavering calm and indomitable strength. Those who met his piercing, sword-like gaze often found themselves averting their eyes, overwhelmed by his formidable presence.
As this swordsman, known as Mr. Il Chester, made his way toward the boundary between the Inner and Outer Harbor Districts, he paused, his keen senses picking up the presence of another.
"Your Excellency has tracked me thus far. Speak plainly, what is it you seek?" Chester's voice, low and resonant, broke the silence.
"The esteemed swordsman of Silver Moon Bay indeed possesses a perception as sharp as his blade," came a raspy response from the shadows. A figure clad in a dark, silver-etched light armor stepped forward, his face obscured by a hooded robe and a metallic mask of silver and black. "It appears the outside world has greatly underestimated you, Mr. Chester. I suspect you are but a step away from ascending to the second level."
Clad in his distinctive garb, "Swordsman" El's eyes narrowed abruptly. "The Black Knight?!"
"Ah, Mr. El recognizes us; that simplifies matters," the Black Knight responded, his voice emerging from the shadows with a calm authority. "You're off to aid Lord Sproul, I presume?"
El's surprise was palpable. "How could you possibly know that?"
"You needn't concern yourself with the details of our sources," the Black Knight replied with a low chuckle, his tone both mysterious and intrigued. "The Son of Blood... It's a matter of great interest to me as well. Might I have the honor of joining you on this quest, Mr. El?"
Master Il's brow furrowed slightly in confusion. To his knowledge, the Black Knights' duties didn't typically include pursuing the Son of Blood, that was a task usually reserved for the Royal Navy. Despite his reservations, he realized he was in no position to deny such a formidable figure; after all, none of the shadow knights scattered across the kingdom were known to be anything less than second level in strength.
"If you wish to accompany me, I won't stop you," El conceded with a reluctant nod.
With that, he turned and continued on his path, hearing only the faint sound of a "smile" from the knight before he vanished back into the shadows.
...
With a sharp "schwing" of his blade, cyan blood sprayed into the air, and moments later, a giant beach crab lay lifeless before Ryan. He looked around; four more crabs lay similarly defeated, their carapaces cracked and still.
These creatures were the last line of defense in the western outskirts of the isolated island, near the crab nest on the beach.
---
[Level]: 3 (66%)
[Spiritual Value]: 65 → 765
[Spirituality]: 2.0
[Physique]: 3.42 → 4.14
---
After two grueling hours, Ryan had methodically hunted down and eliminated every beach crab in the entire western sector, securing his dominance over the area.
In the western part of the island, the population of beach giant crabs slightly outnumbered their southern counterparts. Including the formidable crab that had earlier attacked a silverback shark, and subsequently met its end at Ryan's hand, there were a total of eight such creatures.
Unfortunately, with his recent ascent to level 3, the experience required for further advancement had steepened significantly; the experience yield from each crab had halved from 22% to a mere 11%. Thus, even after clearing out all the crabs in the western territory, Ryan found himself quite a distance from the next level up.
Sheathing his long sword, Ryan cast a wary eye towards the sky, vigilant for any sign of the giant bird's return. Confident of his safety, he made his way toward the nearby giant crab's nest, his steps deliberate on the sandy beach.
Next on the agenda was the part he relished most: treasure hunting.
As he walked, he enjoyed the coconut meat from a large coconut he'd found along the way. Its flesh was surprisingly tender, glutinous, and sweet, perfect for replenishing his strength, despite lacking any spiritual properties.
Torch in hand, Ryan ventured deep into the crab's lair. The structure was similar to that in the southern area, though slightly more expansive.
His search within the lair proved fruitful. By the time he emerged, he was cradling 15 "pearls of Fertility" in his arms. Depositing them into a rudimentary basket he'd woven from rattan, he paused to reflect, the sunlight warming his face.
Curiosity tugged at him. Where did these crabs find these pearls? Could the enigmatic "Oyster Shell," the source of the pearls, be lurking somewhere beneath the ocean's surface?
It was a plausible hypothesis, but after a moment's hesitation, Ryan decided against a marine expedition. The pearls he had gathered were sufficient for his needs for the foreseeable future, and despite his proficiency with [Water Warfare Specialization], he knew he was outmatched by the creatures dwelling in the depths. Thus, he chose prudence over curiosity, opting to remain on dry land.
Ryan knew better than to engage a sea monster in its own element. Instead, he retraced his steps back to the makeshift "raft" he had constructed earlier. From the stash, he carefully selected three "Pearls of Fertility" for immediate use, storing the remainder securely on the raft. With his supplies in order, he set his sights northeastward, leaving the notoriously challenging northern area, home to the "Dragon Head Cancer," for last.
About an hour later, Ryan returned to the raft, his expression bright with triumph. The eastern region of the island had proved less populated by beach crabs than he had anticipated, with only four encountered.
His victorious crusade through the eastern sector had nudged his experience bar to "Level 4 (5%)." In the nest of the eastern beach, he uncovered five additional pearls of abundance, bringing his total count to twenty. Ryan pondered the crabs' peculiar affinity for these pearls. Were they merely treasures to hoard, or did they hold some vital significance to the crabs' survival and growth?
Back at the raft, Ryan began strategizing for the upcoming challenges. His immediate concern was the condition of his weaponry. After the repeated confrontations with the beach crabs, his long sword had accrued numerous nicks and gaps, a liability against the formidable dragon-headed crabs.
Investing 30 spiritual points, Ryan procured three pristine long swords, ensuring he was well-armed for the battles ahead. His leather armor and log shield, having barely suffered due to his superior combat skills against the beach crabs, required no replacement.
With his gear refreshed and his resolve fortified, Ryan set forth towards the north. His target loomed ahead: the formidable Dragon Head Cancer, the apex predator of the island's northern reaches.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone