Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 56

The curses I had been carrying around vanished. But instead, the words of the curse kept echoing in my ears. [Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!] Yeah, I’m not gonna die. [You motherless bastard!] Yeah, I have a mom in real life. [Keeheeheehee! Keeheehee!] I just smiled, letting the hallucinations that came every few seconds wash over me. It was a bit annoying, but so what? It’s just a hallucination. No matter how much they curse, there’s no real damage, and even the real curses disappeared without a trace thanks to them, didn’t they? ‘Besides, the mental attacks they’re throwing out are all lame.’ If you’re gonna do it, do it properly. There’s no originality or sincerity. Well, I guess they think differently. “Bjorn! How can you just laugh off these insults! Are you crazy? It’s been so loud that my head hurts!” Misha, the dwarf, and Rotmiller, who had experience in the Witch’s Forest, were relatively okay, but Dwarki was the problem. “…Ugh, ugh…” His eyes were glazed over, and his cheeks were sunken, as if he was about to throw up everything inside him. Well, in this environment, it’s understandable to feel nauseous. ‘I didn’t expect it to feel like this, it’s fascinating.’ Everything looks distorted due to the effects of [Hallucination] and [Disorientation]. I clearly looked to the right, but I saw what I had seen in front of me, and the sense of distance was blurrier than usual. It’s like seeing the world through a convex mirror. “Wark, waaaak!” Soon, Dwarki couldn’t hold it in and threw up a thick stream of stomach acid. I was a bit worried, so I asked. “Can you use magic in that state?” “Bjorn is mean. Your companion is having a hard time, and that’s what’s important to you!” What’s with her again? Last time when I threw up, she told me to grow up or something. Sigh, this is why you should refrain from getting attached to people. It makes you unable to make rational decisions. “Misha, I wasn’t asking you. So, Dwarki, what’s the answer?” “D-don’t worry, everyone. Magic is no problem… Uwaaak!” Well, I guess we should assume there’s no magic until he adapts. Why are mages so weak-stomached? As I was clicking my tongue at his incomprehensible behavior, Rotmiller looked at me with a curious expression. “Still, it’s impressive. Even the most mentally strong barbarians struggle a bit on their first visit…” Well, I’ve heard that’s the case. But I was too tired earlier. As I was laughing it off, the dwarf, as expected, stepped forward, being tsundere [a person who is initially cold but later shows a warmer side] for his best friend Dwarki. “Tsk tsk, no wonder your body is so weak when you’re always sitting at your desk.” “Hey, I still exercise more than most mages—” “Enough, let’s rest for a while until you adapt. You didn’t sleep well last night either. You’re probably feeling worse because you’re tired.” “Your consideration… I won’t forget it.” In the end, we decided to stay at the entrance for a while until Dwarki adapted to the environment. I didn’t object much either. No matter what, the presence of a mage is important here, and I also needed to replenish my depleted energy a bit. “I’ll take the watch, you all rest.” As soon as the dwarf finished speaking, I collapsed on the ground and rested. I couldn’t even be bothered to take out my sleeping bag. But what’s this now? “Bjorn, you know…” Just as I was about to doze off, the dwarf approached me stealthily and whispered. “About that Elisa girl earlier—” I was wide awake. What the heck is he talking about? “It’s not Elisa, it’s that bitch.” “O-oh, right, anyway, that bitch. No matter how much I think about it, I feel like I’ve met her before…” What? I thought he was just talking nonsense as usual, but it seems like it’s quite important. I sat up and listened attentively, and the dwarf hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth. “Remember when you advised me to go to the guild to raise my explorer rank? When I was filling out the application, someone next to me asked me a bunch of questions.” “I’m tired, just get to the point.” “Now that I think about it, it seems like it was her.” Good, it’s much better when it’s concise. Not that there aren’t any frustrating parts. I calmly asked back. “Then why didn’t you recognize her right away?” “Well… unlike in the city, she looked dirty. O-oh, her clothes were also torn here and there!” Ah, he was so busy staring at her chest that he didn’t properly check her face. But now, one question has been answered. Why Elisa’s group targeted us. ‘It was all because of that item.’ No.3112 Guardian’s Wrist Guards. A high-priced numbered item that sells for a whopping 50 million stones on the trading market. Since it was an application for promotion, the information about it must have been written there. It’s more than enough motivation for a plunderer. Money is always good to have. ‘So, we’ve been a target since then…’ As I acquired new information, the connections I didn’t know about were drawn in my head. Most of our team meetings were held in pubs. If they were determined, it wouldn’t have been too difficult to find out that we were using the Beast’s Lair route. It would have been possible to arrive first and set a trap. “Sigh, they say treasures always bring trouble, and that saying is absolutely true, isn’t it?” The dwarf sighed deeply. It was as if he was looking for sympathy, but unfortunately, he chose the wrong person. Treasures bring trouble, my ass? “Don’t blame it on the wrong thing. It’s all your fault for writing it in the application that everyone can see.” “W-wait, are you blaming me now! You were there with me then!” That’s true, but I didn’t know I had to worry about you even when you’re writing an application. As I looked at him with a pathetic gaze, the dwarf shut his mouth as if he had lost his words. ‘Sigh…’ I didn’t bother to say anything more. It’s already in the past anyway. It’s more rational to rest a little more during that time. *** The rest time wasn’t very long. Just enough to close my eyes? We had to wake up from our short nap because a monster appeared in less than 30 minutes. Ah, is it right to say ‘we’? “You really slept well.” “How can you sleep while hearing that noise?” It seems like I was the only one who slept so deeply that I even had a dream… It’s all because they’re too full. “Enough, where’s the monster?” “Over there.” When I checked the place the dwarf pointed to, I saw the figure of a winged person. For reference, the size is about the size of a palm. “It’s a fairy.” A 9th-grade monster, a fairy. For reference, its only skill is to emit a poisonous powder mixed with narcotics, and in the game, it was a non-aggressive mob. However… “We’ve got a troublesome one from the start.” The fact that the fairies are gathered in one place like that means that the other one is nearby. “Are we going to fight?” “It’s not an easy opponent, and Dwarki seems to be doing a bit better now.” So, we’re going to fight. Well, it’s not bad. From my perspective, it’s also a monster that I haven’t gained experience from yet. And if an essence comes out, that would be great. Although it’s an essence that I don’t need right now, it’s a precious essence, so it’s clear that it will be sold at a high price no matter who eats it among us. “Then, if everyone is ready, I’ll call them out.” After a brief battle preparation, the dwarf took a stance with his battle hammer. And he used his signature combo. 「Hikurod Murard has cast [Electrocution].」 「Hikurod Murard has cast [Discharge].」 It’s called Electrocution Discharge. At the same time as swinging the hammer, the crackling current was fired in the form of a cannonball. And it mercilessly blew up the fairies that had physical damage immunity. 「You have defeated a fairy. EXP +1」 I’m jealous of this, if nothing else. I wish I had an elemental damage skill like that. “Kieeeeeeeek-!!” The moment a dozen or so fairies were blown up, a chilling sound was heard from afar. A roar as if hundreds of beasts were unleashing their anger. Soon, the monster revealed itself from the darkness. Making heavy footsteps befitting its size. Thump-! A 7th-grade monster, a half-troll. As the name suggests, it’s not a real troll, but rather something that looks like a half-human, half-troll. For reference, this is a monster that only appears in the Witch’s Forest, and it has a habit of stalking fairy groups. Unfortunately, I don’t know the reason why. That kind of setting doesn’t appear anywhere in the game. Anyway, let’s stop the chatter here. “Grrr…” The creature, which is about 2.5m tall, lowers its stance and stares at us warily. However, as a monster that is faithful to its nature, its patience did not last long. “Kaaaak-!!” The half-troll swings its huge club at us, who had slaughtered the fairy group it had been following. I’m right next to the dwarf, but why me? Thump! It’s heavy. It feels even heavier than the ‘Iantro’ of the Steel Rock Hill. Well, even though they’re both 7th grade, Iantro is a creature that lives in groups, so is it natural? It’s been a while since my arm felt this sore. Swoosh. So, I tilted my shield and deflected the half-troll’s club to the side. Then, the aggro [the focus of an enemy’s attacks] naturally shifted from me to the dwarf. It’s a pro tip that can only be used when there are two tanks on the team. It’s unfair if I’m the only one having a hard time, right? I also learned that sharing the hardship is what makes a comrade. “Kaaaak-!!” The second club attack followed with a roar. The dwarf, who blocked it with his small shield, let out a small groan as if his bones were aching. Then I realized one more thing. “Kkeuk…” Ah, he doesn’t have pain resistance. That’s one of the biggest reasons why the Witch’s Forest is avoided by warrior types. Warriors are beings who are used to being beaten up on the front lines. But here, the pain is increased several times due to [Enhanced Pain]. ‘And more than half of the monsters that appear are immune to physical damage, and they even use mental skills…’ It’s no wonder Rotmiller tried to give the dwarf and me the first and last watch last night. In the Witch’s Forest, it’s inevitable that the warrior has to take on all the hardships. I have pain resistance stats, so it’s just at a level that I can just accept it. ‘Turns out pain resistance is OP [overpowered].’ Is this what they call the ups and downs of life? The essence of the corpse golem that I absorbed by chance continues to be a great help. Whoosh-! The half-troll swung its club again. And the dwarf, who had stubbornly engaged in a power struggle unlike me, shouted. “Is the magic ready yet!” Not yet. As you know, he’s slow at chanting, right? “Behel—laaaaaa!!” The dwarf seemed to be having a hard time, so I hit the half-troll with my mace to help him out a little. Of course, it didn’t mean much. Thwack! The hard bones and muscles were not fazed by a single mace strike, and even though it’s a half-troll, it’s still a troll. Its regeneration is amazing. But it’s not comparable to a vampire. 「Riol Worb Dwarki has cast the 8th-grade support magic [Frost Enhancement].」 「The power of the next frost spell is greatly increased.」 「Riol Worb Dwarki has cast the 8th-grade attack magic [Ice Spear].」 As I was ping-ponging the aggro with the dwarf, the magic spell was finally completed. Dwarki’s ultimate move. Enhanced Ice Spear. Pshew-! The ice spear, which was twice as large as usual, flew and pierced the half-troll’s abdomen. In fact, in terms of power alone, it’s an output that none of us can imitate. However, from the perspective of the viewer, it’s frustrating. ‘When will he ever get some sense?’ I gave him advice last time, but he still stuck the spear in a random spot. If he had hit the heart or head, he could have taken it down in one shot. Why is he so wasteful? Is it that hard to aim? “Kieeeeeeeeeeeek-!!” Soon, the half-troll writhed in pain and screamed. Of course, that time didn’t last long. 「The half-troll has cast [Frenzy].」 「Pain is temporarily gone, and physical stats are greatly increased.」 Even though a spear was stuck in its stomach, the half-troll started moving dynamically, like a fish out of water. Ha, this is why we should have killed it in one shot. ‘…Will he get better someday?’ I hope so. Otherwise, there’s no point in going through these trials and errors. “Uwaaah! It was a bit shallow!” While confronting the rampaging half-troll. Misha stabbed a poisoned dagger into its heart, but unfortunately, it was too short to pierce the thick muscles. The crossbow that Rotmiller, the scout, was shooting only barely managed to stick its tip into the skin. ‘In the end, do we have to wait until the spell is completed again?’ No matter what, Dwarki is the dealer who can show the greatest power in the team. I’m newly aware of our team’s weaknesses. The tank line is sturdy enough to withstand the half-troll’s [Frenzy] state, but the dealer line doesn’t support it. But this is the kind of problem that can’t be solved right away. “It’s ready! Step back!” After continuing the power struggle for about 10 more minutes, Dwarki unleashed his ultimate move once again. Fortunately, this time it hit the head. 「You have defeated a half-troll. EXP +3」 The half-troll disappeared into light as its head was blown off. Of course, there was no essence that I had expected. Only a fist-sized magic stone fell to the ground. “That’s a shame. It wasn’t an easy monster to deal with.” Misha and Rotmiller smack their lips, as if they had been expecting something. I can’t blame them. If I hadn’t eaten the vampire essence, I would have been drooling like crazy. Because a 7th-grade regeneration essence is not common. Well, I’ve become someone who can’t be satisfied with that kind of thing anymore. [07:13] The morning of the 4th day has just begun. Tomorrow, we will reach the 4th floor, and that’s when the real journey will begin. From there, 6th-grade monsters will also appear. I just hope I can eat one 6th-grade essence, no more, no less. *** “Then let’s move on.” After defeating the half-troll, we decided to resume our journey. Everyone looks tired from staying up all night, but the Witch’s Forest is not a good environment to rest in. Our conclusion was to reduce the time to reach the 4th floor, even if it meant pushing ourselves for a day. However… “Explorers.” Just as we were about to resume our journey. Unfamiliar explorers appeared from the darkness. It wasn’t that surprising. Even in the Witch’s Forest, if we had been loitering around the entrance for this long, it was time for a new group to enter. But there was one problem. ‘One, two, three, four…’ What? Why are there six of them? Generally, a team consists of a maximum of 5 people. Because the binding magic only works for up to five people. But a 6-person explorer team? Suspicious of that fact, I was carefully observing the faces of the unfamiliar explorer group, and I saw a familiar face. Unfortunately, they seemed to have recognized us too. “…Explorers! They’re the ones! They killed my companions!” Shit… I really didn’t expect this. When our entire team was stunned by those words, without anyone saying anything first. “May the star that rises at twilight guide us…” A man who seemed to be the leader of the opposing explorer group makes a long sign of the cross. Judging by the fact that he’s covered in Leatlas Church merchandise, it’s presumed that this bastard is a rare true religious fanatic in this world. Damn it, that bitch is so lucky. How did she find someone like that in the dungeon? “Oh God, give me the power to destroy those evil seeds…!” It seems like a conversation won’t work.