Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 408

It was remarkably easy to lure the Dragonslayer and his underlings out.

After all, they say the enemy within is the most dangerous, right?

I had Noark’s explorer, Gwangmyeong, who had been moved by Jun and found the light, feed them false information, and they took the bait immediately.

[…There are about thirty royal explorers?]

“Yes! It seems they came over Ice Rock!”

[You said you were secretly tracking them from behind, right? Maintain your current position until I arrive.]

“Yes!”

Heh, you’re falling for it again, you fool.

I sensed it in Larcaz’s maze, but in some ways, he’s quite naive.

If he hadn’t given up on ‘Restrained Desire’ back then and given me time, he wouldn’t have been cornered and had his sword stolen.

“Alright, let’s move.”

After luring out the Dragonslayer, we headed south of the ‘Dragon’s Heart’.

There was no risk of running into them along the way because our paths didn’t overlap.

We had Gwangmyeong, after all.

[What is your current location?]

“We are in the western region of the Dragon’s Heart.”

[You keep moving west. Are you trying to go to ‘Iron Falls’?]

“Based on their movements, it seems like it!”

[Understood. We’ll head that way too, so if their movements change, contact me immediately.]

“Yes!”

At this rate, by the time he arrives at ‘Iron Falls’ in the west, we’ll be in front of his base.

Even if he gets the message and rushes back, we’ll be long gone by the time he returns here.

“There’s a Noark group ahead.”

“Stop, we’ll hide here and wait until they pass.”

We continued our forced march for two days, minimizing combat, until we reached a vast wasteland.

Well, the range of vision was limited, so the distance we could see was restricted.

Anyway, that’s not the important thing.

“Finally, the Gray Plains.”

The Gray Plains.

It’s an intermediate area located between the Dragon Mountains in the center of the continent and the Dragon’s Heart in the far north, and…

It’s the starting point for the Noark faction where you can directly enter the 7th floor.

“It’s quieter than expected. I thought there would be more people around since it’s used as a base.”

“It means the main force is drawing their attention well.”

This expedition plan is a kind of diversionary tactic.

While the royal army, which entered the Dark Continent through the standard route, engages the Noark main force along the Dragon Mountains, we’ll strike from behind.

“From here on, we’ll move as secretly as possible, even if it means slowing down.”

“I’ll order the distance between the scouts and the main force to be increased. That way, we can detect the enemy from further away.”

“Alright, I’ll leave the detailed troop management to you.”

After entering the Gray Plains, we moved more cautiously, but battles still broke out constantly.

After all, the labyrinth is originally full of monsters.

We could avoid people somehow, but we couldn’t avoid monsters.

「You have defeated a Void Ant. EXP +4.」

「You have defeated a Dark Crystal. EXP +6.」

「You have defeated a Mynum. EXP +5.」

「You have defeated a Hell Ghoul. EXP +4.」

「You have defeated a Zambet…」

「…」

Various monsters crawled out of the cracks that were as cracked as a dry rice paddy.

Among them were 3rd-grade monsters.

“It’s a Boll-Herchan!”

That’s the one that’s also in my final growth tree for my shield-barbarian.

Of course, the battle itself wasn’t very difficult.

“What are you all doing? Is this your first time catching one? Spread out!”

“Warriors, just block! The mages will deliver the finishing blow anyway!”

We used to catch three 3rd-grade monsters at once in Ice Rock, so what’s one?

Moreover, we’re at full strength now.

Kooong-!

As expected of an individual with the highest defense, it lasted a long time, but eventually, the Boll-Herchan fell to the ground and disappeared into light.

「You have defeated a Boll-Herchan. EXP +7.」

The essence didn’t drop, but I wasn’t particularly disappointed.

I already got this guy’s essence anyway.

‘It’s a bit ironic.’

I didn’t expect to get this guy’s essence before the first kill. Unlike the game, where things progressed smoothly, the order of essence looting is random in reality.

‘Is this how the snowball of getting the ogre essence in the early to mid-game rolls?’

I suddenly had that thought, but if you think about it, the starting point of this abnormal growth is still the ‘Corpse Golem’.

If that essence hadn’t come out, I wouldn’t have been able to kill the vampire duke, Cambormier.

“Schuetz, the scouts have reported that they’ve found their base.”

After moving for about a day after entering the Gray Plains, we finally arrived near our destination.

There was a huge tower-shaped structure, and about a hundred explorers were guarding it, so it was clear we had found the right place.

However, there was one question.

“…There are far fewer numbers than expected.”

“It seems Regal Bagos took more troops than expected to catch us.”

“Really? That’s good, but it’s not certain, so I’ll get information about the surroundings first.”

“Then I’ll send the scouts again.”

“What about the remaining members?”

“Tell them to recover their stamina as much as possible since there will be a battle soon.”

“What about the Declaration of Annihilation?”

“Tell them not to use it, in case they find us. We can’t lose everything by being greedy for small things. If monsters appear, tell them to just kill them as quietly as possible.”

“I’ll pass it on.”

After sending the scouts, who were made up of stealth-type characters, to explore the surroundings, the rest of us hid in the space below the cliff and recovered our energy.

And so did I.

“You look tired.”

As I was leaning back and resting, Amelia came over and handed me a piece of jerky.

She didn’t give me a single piece of jerky in Ice Rock.

Does she have a lot to spare here?

Crunch, crunch.

I took it and was chewing on it when Amelia said something ominous.

“Schuetz, things are going too smoothly.”

“Nimi-ral…” [A phrase expressing a sense of foreboding or unease]

She finally said it.

They say words have power, and I’ve been thinking about it alone without mentioning it.

“…?”

“I wasn’t talking to you, so don’t worry about it. So, what are you trying to say? Did you find anything suspicious?”

“It’s not that, but…”

Amelia trailed off at my words.

It seems she didn’t have any particular reason for saying that.

“Don’t worry, it’s not that things are going smoothly, it’s because we’ve already done all the hard work beforehand.”

“Done beforehand?”

“We went through all sorts of hardships while crossing Ice Rock, didn’t we? There was also a traitor hiding.”

“That’s… true. Sorry. Don’t mind what I said.”

Even though she said that, I was already very worried, but I didn’t show it.

I just kept thinking to myself.

‘A hundred people…’

With this many troops, we should be able to succeed in the mission without any problems.

The scouts only saw them from afar, but it seems there aren’t many named-level people.

‘This is probably because they didn’t think an enemy would come from behind.’

The Noark main force is all being used to maintain a wide front line to prevent the royal army from crossing the mountains.

Of course, they have troops on standby, led by the Dragonslayer Regal Bagos, as it is a key base…

‘He’s leading his troops outside right now.’

It’s a completely empty house right now.

‘Hans isn’t around either.’

Now, the only problem is the variables that the scouts might bring…

“Schuetz, the scouts have arrived.”

“What did they say?”

“They said there’s no one within a 5km radius.”

As a result, there were no significant variables around.

Well, things were going too smoothly, so I was worried that they might have set a trap.

I shook off the unease.

“Tell those who went out that they did a good job, and let them rest. Well, they won’t be able to rest for long, though.”

“…Are you going to carry out the plan?”

“Yes, get ready.”

It was time to end the long expedition.

***

I stood alone in the dark wasteland.

Although it was not visible to the naked eye due to the darkness of the labyrinth…

I stared at the Noark base beyond.

“…”

I waited in silence.

Along with the expedition members who had finished preparing to run at any time.

Kooong, kooong, kooong, kooong-!

Soon, a loud noise began to echo from the darkness.

A noise that anyone with some experience as an explorer would immediately recognize as the sound of a large monster walking.

“M-monsters!”

“Everyone, come out!”

The quiet darkness beyond became noisy.

Although I couldn’t see them, I could clearly picture each of their expressions.

“Damn it, what the hell is this number!”

Confusion.

“Sigh, they’re so unlucky. What are you all doing! Hurry up and get your weapons out!”

Annoyance.

“Why are the monsters gathering here?”

And question.

Of course, there were some who spoke the correct answer.

“Get a grip! It’s the enemy! Someone led the monsters here!”

As expected of the Noark people who study all sorts of looting methods.

They’re quick-witted.

Of course, it was no coincidence that hordes of monsters were pouring in from all directions.

After confirming that there was no one within a 5km radius, I had the scouts gather all the monsters nearby.

Since the aggro [Aggression or attention of monsters] was passed, the scouts would be returning here with stealth activated by now.

“What?”

“The enemy…?”

“Damn it, could it be them that Regal Bagos mentioned?”

“Support! Request support right away!”

Oh, are you trying to call for support?

Even if they come, it’ll all be over by then.

“Kaislan.”

As I muttered briefly, Kaislan, who was next to me, raised the flag with the royal family’s emblem and shouted.

“Fire!!”

At the same time, the mages, archers, and ability users who had already finished casting fired their ultimate skills all at once.

Kwaaaaaaaang-!

The attack was launched in a situation where monsters were rushing in.

One part of the enemy’s formation was completely destroyed, creating a hole, and the cunning monsters did not miss the gap.

“Damn it, where are they! Where are they!”

“Aaaaaaack!”

The monsters crossed the collapsed front line and entered.

“Block that place first!”

They tried to reorganize their formation in a hurry, but we weren’t going to let them.

“Kaislan, one more time.”

After that, we used all our firepower to launch ranged attacks as soon as the casting was finished, and the enemies also figured out our location.

But…

“They’re over there!”

“The enemies are over there!”

If you know, what are you going to do?

While you’re busy fighting the monsters.

Kwaaaang-!

Kwang!

Wheeeeeeeek!

It was while we were launching ranged attacks for a while longer.

Ziiiiiiing-!

The message stone I had in my pocket vibrated.

The sender was obvious.

After all, there was only one person who had contacted me with this message stone every day while coming here.

Click.

Since there was nothing else to do but watch, I connected the communication without much thought.

[You! Where are you right now!]

A harsh scolding came as soon as the connection was made.

Ah, come to think of it, the last message was a report that I was at the edge of the continent, so I had to go there, right?

[I’ve arrived at the place you mentioned, but there’s no one there! There’s also a report that a battle is taking place at the Eye of the Sky.]

The Eye of the Sky is the name given to the magic wave emitter that acts as a transmission tower.

‘Well, I guess the news reached there in the meantime.’

I can see why the royal family is so eager to destroy the Eye of the Sky. They must have suffered more than one or two losses through that wide-ranging communication network.

[Are you ignoring me now! Answer me! Where are you right now?]

There was no need to lie anymore, so I answered honestly.

“Me? Your backyard.”

Appropriate trash talk is a tactic.

After saying that, I waited for a funny reaction, but surprisingly, he didn’t say anything for a long time.

I was checking if the connection was lost when the words I heard weren’t particularly funny either.

[…Who are you?]

Did he bite a live octopus or something?

He’s acting all serious.

“What if you know? Are you going to come find me?”

[…It was your trick from the beginning.]

“Well, you’re stating the obvious. Hey, that’s enough, I’m busy now, so let’s meet later. Since you went all the way there, enjoy the sea.”

[I don’t know who you are, but don’t think you’ll die peacefully. Even death won’t be able to save you.]

His voice was full of killing intent, but I just poked my ear and let it go in one ear.

Even death can’t save me.

Isn’t this a line you said before?

“Yeah, good luck.”

[What? Do you think it’s a joke? I will definitely—]

It was time to move on to the next chapter, so I cut off the call.

At the same time, a report came from Akuraba.

“Schuetz, the monsters are almost all cleared!”

The enemies had desperately fought back and had already defeated most of the monsters.

Therefore…

“Charge formation!”

“Front line forward…!”

Before they could reorganize, we rushed into the battlefield.

“Chaaaaarge!”

A battle formation with veteran warriors at the front.

The Noark guys also created a wall of warriors to stop them.

A shield wall, which is the basis of a large-scale battle.

“Block them!”

“Kill them!”

Soon, the warriors at the front collided, and a full-scale tug-of-war began.

And…

“Waaaaaaaah!”

The winner of the tug-of-war was obviously us.

After all, our warriors’ average level was far superior to theirs, and…

Decisively.

「Nialo Campbell has cast [Wave of Healing].」

「Benjamin Orman has cast [Moonlight of Regeneration]…」

「…」

They don’t have a priest, do they?

How can they stop the warriors who are charging recklessly, taking injuries?

“They broke through!”

The warriors broke through the front line with the momentum of a hundred men, and our expedition quickly rushed into the gap.

Not completely empty, but the center was empty.

“Shield wall!”

We changed our formation to a circular defensive formation.

And…

“We’ll move while maintaining the front line!”

Now the situation had changed, and we moved towards the center while fighting off the enemies pouring in from all directions.

After all, our goal is not annihilation, but a strike.

“T-they’re heading for the Eye of the Sky!”

“Stop them!”

The guys who realized our goal rushed in even more aggressively, but it was not enough to break through us, who had become one while crossing Ice Rock.

Besides, we have a lot of priests on our side.

“Stop!”

As we were moving while fighting the enemies, we arrived in front of the ‘Eye of the Sky’.

We stood with our backs to it and desperately held on.

Because there was something we had to do before destroying it…

“Schuetz! Come over here quickly.”

Then Akuraba shouted loudly and called me.

“Hurry! There’s a problem!”

What? A problem?

“Gregson. I’ll leave this to you.”

“Yeah, leave it to me! Go!”

I quickly left my position to the warrior next to me and headed to the rear.

Akuraba was waiting for me, standing awkwardly in front of the ‘Eye of the Sky’ that we were surrounding.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ve entered the communication coordinates and tried to contact the main force several times, but I can’t connect at all!”

Sigh, this is a big problem.