Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 522

Two ships sliced through the silvery waves.

Swish, swish, swish.

Our ship led the way, with the Armin Exploration Team’s ship following behind.

After much deliberation, we had decided on our destination.

The very island where someone from the Hekz Clan had sent out a distress call through the community.

The reason for choosing this island as our first destination was simple.

‘There’s no reason not to go if we can get some free labor.’

The Armin Exploration Team was a completely different story.

The explorers trapped on that island had survival as their top priority. By now, they’d be willing to do anything to return to the city.

‘Besides, that island is somewhere we’ll have to explore eventually.’

This first basement floor is a very unique level.

Like the library, and the tree island we had until recently, the difficulty keeps rising without end.

‘Even the tree island was starting to spawn 4th-grade monsters.’

For reference, we hadn’t even climbed halfway up the tree island at that time, so maybe we’ll even see 1st-grade monsters later on.

Therefore, we need to increase our numbers even more.

Because the chances of finding clues about escaping are higher if we clear all the end-game content of any island.

“Auyen, how much further to our destination?”

“If the navigator’s route is correct, about nine hours, Captain.”

“I see.”

During the remaining time to our destination, I spent my time thinking about how to distribute personnel and form formations when our numbers increased.

About three more hours had passed since then.

“Mister! The exploration team’s ship! It’s, it’s sinking!”

A problem had occurred.

***

The situation was sudden enough.

However, unexpected situations are like daily life for explorers.

“Erwen! Report the situation over there!”

“Something is pulling the ship down from under the sea!”

“A monster?”

“I don’t know! What came out looks like a human hand, but…”

Erwen shouted, looking down from the lookout.

“It’s huge!”

“Like that giant we saw on the island?”

“Yes!”

What, is it really that guy?

If it really is, it’s a bit ironic.

It didn’t show its face when we looked for it after the rainy season, but now it suddenly appears in the middle of the sea.

“Captain! It will take some time to turn the ship around!”

“I understand, hurry as much as possible. And Erwen! Can you provide support?”

“I’ll try!”

Erwen, following my instructions, drew his bowstring from the lookout.

And then….

「Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has cast [Concentrated Fire].」

The energy grew stronger and stronger as time passed in that state.

However, unfortunately, a full charge was impossible.

“Uh, uh…?”

“The, the ship is flying…!!”

The exploration team’s ship, which had been half-submerged as if something was pulling it, rose into the air.

A huge hand that had emerged from the water was holding the sides of the ship, supporting it.

It was such an unrealistic sight, but for some reason, I could predict the next scene in my head.

‘Could it be… is it going to throw it while holding it like that?’

I didn’t know.

Whether he saw the same scene as me or not, Erwen finished charging and released the bowstring.

Pshew-oo-oo-oo-!

The spirit arrow, shot with a sound like a jet plane taking off.

Kwaaaang-!

The arrow accurately pierced one of the wrists holding the ship.

And then….

[Uuuuuuuuuu!!]

The creature’s cry, hidden beneath the sea, vibrated through the water.

A strong vibration that was transmitted through the bottom of the ship that was in contact with the sea.

Kuuuung—!

When the creature was startled and let go, the ship, having lost its support, tilted and fell onto the surface of the water.

However, perhaps they had invested a lot in the ship? Even in a situation where a normal ship would have sunk, the exploration team’s ship regained its balance like a tumbler [a toy that rights itself when tipped over].

‘I guess we put out the immediate fire….’

Of course, it was too early to relax.

It didn’t look like the type to run away after getting hit with a single arrow.

There would definitely be a second attack soon.

“Emily! It’s the diving situation we talked about last time!”

“Understood, I’ll get ready, so go quickly!”

We had already simulated and practiced for this situation, so there was no need for long communication.

I immediately stepped onto the deck and jumped high.

And then….

「The character has cast [Transcendence].」

「The character has cast [Giantification].」

Activating Transcendence and Giantification right before falling into the sea.

Kwaaaang!

The moment my body touched the surface of the water, a roar like a cannonball falling erupted, and the water surged in all directions.

Yeah, that’s how you dive.

“……”

The moment I entered the water.

The body of a barbarian clad in full armor quickly sank.

Also, darkness like being in the deep sea shrouded the surroundings.

Of course, that time was only for a moment.

Swish, swish, swish-!

Several dozen light orbs summoned by Bersil descended into the sea, illuminating the surroundings.

Well, it was still quite dark though.

‘It’s better than nothing.’

The sea of the record archive was different from a normal sea.

Silver water that was clearly different from blue.

No, in fact, it was hard to even call it water.

As a result of the experiment, the Elemental Barbarian (Water) mode did not work here.

It should be seen as something with properties similar to water.

「Bersil Gowland has cast 7th-grade magic [Oxygen Tank].」

Fortunately, the representative diving magic of [Dungeon & Stone] worked in this sea.

Well, wouldn’t it be strange if it didn’t work?

Unlike Erwen’s ‘underwater breathing’ judgment, this magic is a type that focuses on ‘oxygen supply’.

In fact, it was possible to counter things like respiratory poisons with this magic in the game—.

Kuuung-!

Then my feet touched the ground.

I had roughly guessed it when I saw the giant reaching out its hand, but as expected, it wasn’t that deep.

Tap, tap.

As I ran towards the huge silhouette in the distance, its shape gradually became clearer.

Hipramant.

It looked exactly the same as when I briefly met it on the island before.

Two arms and two legs.

A long neck and a head on top of it.

The overall proportions were not much different from that of a human, but….

Rotten skin that looked like it was swarming with maggots.

Strange bumps like warts were also protruding.

Also, eyes, nose, ears, etc.

The facial features that a person should have were missing, and in the place where the face should be, there was only a huge maw with hideous teeth.

‘So that’s what its head looked like.’

I couldn’t see it back then because it was hidden in the darkness.

‘Even with Transcendence Giantification activated, it only comes up to my thigh.’

Ah, is it also in a [Giantification] state?

But still, even so.

In the case of the Chaos Lord Liakis, it was hard to feel it because it was quadrupedal, but seeing a bipedal creature of that size felt unreal.

But….

‘Hey, have you never seen a barbarian before?’

It seems like the other side is also curious.

Looking at it staring blankly like that.

Tap, tap.

Dash forward, stomping hard on the muddy ground.

And swing the hammer at its Achilles tendon.

Thwack-!

Ugh, even with [Swing], it didn’t even flinch.

It was a tougher opponent than I imagined, but there were no major problems.

As I had hoped, the aggro [the act of drawing a monster’s attention] was properly drawn.

[Uooooooo-!!]

The creature no longer showed interest in the ship floating on the surface of the water.

It was only focusing all its attention on the ‘threatening’ enemy.

The creature let out a zombie-like cry and slammed its palm down.

‘How is its attack speed so fast?’

It would be one thing outside.

It was difficult to avoid in the water, where movements were sluggish.

Therefore, I raised my shield high and guarded.

Kwaaaang-!

The ground I was standing on caved in, burying me up to my waist, but the damage wasn’t that great. It felt like my waist would break if I got hit a few more times.

‘Its strength is average for its size.’

Of course, this was based on a 2nd-grade monster. At this level, it was comparable to an ogre, which is considered one of the best physical damage dealers among 3rd-grade monsters.

‘The problem is the skills….’

The skills of this creature recorded in the village chief’s book were three, including [Giantification].

But….

‘There must be more.’

From 3rd-grade monsters, there are plenty of creatures with five or six active skills.

In the first place, even its passive skills were not revealed.

‘I wonder what its passive skill is.’

I hope it’s a type of skill that a shield barbarian can use—.

「The 3rd-grade space magic [Target Designation] has been cast.」

Kwaaaang-!

Then the creature kicked me like a soccer ball, causing my body to float up.

Of course, it wasn’t that high.

To compare it to a ball, I was a ball filled with sand.

Kuuung.

My body landed in a gentle parabola.

At that time, support continued from above the water.

「Bersil Gowland has cast 4th-grade detection magic [Soul Outline].」

First, it started with [Soul Outline].

That magic was especially useful on the 6th floor, where the background is the sea.

After casting this magic, you can clearly see the shape from above the water, even if it is hidden under the sea.

Just like how I can see it now.

[Uooooooo-!!]

The giant, shining in various colors, as if seen through a thermal imaging camera.

As soon as the target was confirmed, various ranged attacks poured down from above the water.

「Charlotte Amblet has cast 4th-grade attack magic [Spiral Drill].」

「Müll Armin has cast [Eternal Weakness].」

「Garton Cultner has cast [Catapult]…」

「……」

Seeing that there were many skills I hadn’t seen, most of them seemed to be skills of the Armin Exploration Team….

‘Well, we lack ranged attacks.’

Only Erwen and Bersil can do ranged attacks.

Somehow, the rest are all melee types.

This is also something that needs to be improved over time.

[Uooooooo—!!!]

The creature lets out a ferocious roar at the attacks pouring down from above the water.

Watching this, I unknowingly swallowed my saliva.

I hadn’t even properly coordinated with the exploration team members yet. I never even imagined that we would be fighting underwater like this.

But….

‘We have no choice but to try.’

With that resolve, I was about to start the raid in earnest.

[Uooooooo—!!]

The giant, whom I had to look up at, started running at a speed that was hard to believe given its physique.

“……?”

I watched the scene with a bewildered look.

Kuuung, kuung, kuung-!

Stretching its long legs, the creature was running.

To the opposite side of where I was.

***

‘It… ran away…?’

At first, I thought it was some kind of skill preparation motion.

However, the creature, which had disappeared in an instant, showed no signs of returning no matter how much time passed.

‘……What is this?’

I couldn’t understand it at all.

Because with my threat level right now, even a 2nd-grade monster wouldn’t lose aggro.

Of course, like goblins, monsters also give up fighting and flee when their health is low or they feel like they are about to die, but….

‘I hadn’t even dealt any proper damage yet….’

Seriously, what is that bastard?

It’s huge, but does it have a coward trait?

Since coming down to the first basement floor, phenomena that cannot be explained by my labyrinth common sense have been discovered almost every day.

‘…Let’s go up for now.’

I wrapped the specially made exploration rope that was lowered from the ship around my body and pulled it down three times, and they started pulling me up from above.

That’s how I came back outside.

“Mister! Are you okay?”

As I was wiping off the water with a towel Amelia gave me after getting on the deck, Erwen ran over.

“Don’t worry. I’m not hurt anywhere.”

“It’s a unique individual….”

“Let’s talk about the one that ran away later. What’s the situation over there? How much damage did they take?”

“Ah, well…! It wasn’t a situation to talk about that….”

The distance between the two ships wasn’t that far, so I just released [Giantification] and jumped over.

“L-Lord Baron?! Are you alright!”

“Ah, I’m fine. How about you guys?”

“We are all safe as well. However… the ship is like this, so it seems difficult to operate until we dock and repair it properly.”

“Don’t worry, you can just come over to our ship.”

“Ah… Thank you.”

After that, we continued sailing with the members of the exploration team who had lost their ship on our ship.

Even though our ship was classified as a medium-sized ship, it felt cramped with 27 people on board.

‘……What will we do when the number of people increases?’

We will definitely need more ships then.

As I was worrying about that, Müll Armin approached me and bowed once more.

“Lord Baron, thank you so much. If we had been crossing this sea by ourselves, I don’t even want to think about what would have happened….”

This incident seemed to have had a big impact on Müll’s state of mind.

“Haha, why are you thanking me, we’re comrades.”

I laughed heartily and thought to myself.

‘I think they’d follow me even if I lowered the conditions more?’

Well, not right now though.

I’ll bring it up later when the situation is right—.

“Mister!! G-Giants! Giants are swarming towards us!!”

“…Huh?”

At the news from the lookout, I hurried to the deck.

Without even needing to activate [Giantification], I could see the giants approaching rapidly in the distance.

Perhaps because the water was shallow, only their fish-maw-like faces were floating above the water….

‘This is like Gyarados [a large, serpentine Pokémon] or something.’

First, I counted the number of heads floating around.

One, two, three, four, five, six….

Seven….

For reference, the one that ran away from us earlier was among them. Only that one was marked all the way down with [Soul Outline].

‘Did it run away to call its friends?’

I never thought they were creatures that lived in groups.

Apart from getting new information, I quickly regained my senses and shouted.

[Uooooooooooooo——!!!]

“Auyen! Put all the magic stones into the thrusters!”

We need to run away right now.