Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 546

[Greed Scales]

If you have sufficient magic resistance, this high-potential active skill can even grant you a ‘magic immunity’ status.

And there’s more to it than that.

「Bellarios’s physical resistance increases in proportion to the magic damage he has reduced.」

This skill doesn’t just block magic; it also increases physical resistance. It’s like having an all-purpose scale that gets tougher the more magic it absorbs.

It truly is a greedy scale.

But, unfortunately, he picked the wrong opponent today.

‘When it comes to greed, even explorers can’t be beaten.’

Isn’t there even a saying that an explorer’s ‘greed’ is the same as ‘greed’ itself? [This is a humorous exaggeration, implying explorers are exceptionally greedy.]

Ah, for reference, I just made that up.

And in that sense…

“Beheeeell-aaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!”

I rush forward, expressing the greed within me.

Essence, essence, essence, essence.

Essence, for sure!

I feel like if I looked in a mirror, I’d see a madman with clear eyes.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been this fired up in front of a monster.

But how can I hold back?

How much trouble have I had because of magic damage, my only weakness?

With that one thing, all those problems will be solved.

Yes, so…

‘First, this guy.’

The goat-headed blacksmith blocking my way.

I swing my hammer down at Hellsmith’s head.

Kwaaang-!

His jaw was slightly twisted from the hammer blow, but as expected of a tough Tier 3 monster, he didn’t even flinch.

No, he immediately counterattacked.

「Hellsmith has cast [Hammering].」

「The flames dwelling in the earth awaken.」

The ground cracks and flames surge up.

When our tribal chief used it, it was a buff skill close to a finishing move with a duration, but for this guy, it was more like a constantly active skill. [This refers to a previous encounter where a similar skill was used differently.]

Most skills obtained from essences tend to have reduced performance anyway.

「The damage of all fire skills is greatly increased.」

「Physical stats are greatly increased in proportion to the fire sensitivity value.」

「Continuously burns the surroundings.」

Flames, so red they were almost blue, flickered on his body, but the continuous damage was bearable.

They say explorers rely on their gear, right?

Ah, that’s actually a real saying.

「Activated the Orb of Fire.」

「All fire-type continuous damage within a 15m radius is reduced by 50%.」

The damage was reduced even further with the activation of the ‘Orb of Fire.’

And the same was true for the melee fighters around me.

「Versil Gowland has cast the Tier 8 enchantment magic [Cold Blood].」

「The character’s fire resistance is greatly increased.」

With the addition of the ‘Cold Blood’ magic, the continuous damage was reduced to a level that could almost be ignored.

Therefore…

“Attack!”

Amelia draws her aura, and Misha swings her longsword, exuding a chilling aura.

Also.

「Ainar Fnellin has cast [Trident].」

Ainar unveils his newly acquired skill in actual combat for the first time.

Whoosh-!

A spear extends forward with a sound like an arrow piercing the air.

Two translucent spears are added to either side of the spear.

Due to the effect of [Trident], these spears were originally meant to pierce two enemies near the target.

But…

‘It’s a Tier 3 essence, it would be disappointing if that was all.’

[Trident] is an area-of-effect skill, but it actually shines more when used for single attacks.

Like this.

「There are no enemies around the attack target.」

「All attacks hit the target.」

Three spears pierce the goat head.

Of course, it wasn’t a hit detection that would cause skills like [Repeated Slash] to activate, but that didn’t mean it was weak.

1,200% increase in piercing damage using spears.

With just this one option, the damage output of a Tier 4 or lower essence combination is more than enough.

Thwack-!

The moment the three deeply embedded spears are pulled out.

Red blood gushes out from the holes that have widened to the size of the spears.

However, that time was extremely short.

「Hellsmith has cast [Patch Up].」

The wounded area turns red like lava, and a silver film covers it, like a filling in a cavity.

Hellsmith, who had healed his injuries in an instant, roared and cast another of his main skills.

「Hellsmith has cast [Hellfire].」

[Hellfire].

It’s a decent attack skill that was once the basis of a training method. [This implies the skill was used in the past for practice.]

Boom-! Bang! Kwaaaang-! Kwaaaang-!

Soon, like a volcano erupting.

The crimson liquid from the lava pouch on his back explodes, splattering everywhere.

And from this point on.

「Bellarios has cast [Disaster].」

Bellarios also enters the battlefield, and the full-scale raid begins.

***

[Disaster] is a very unique skill.

Especially in that it applies effects to the field itself.

「Field Effect – Typhoon is applied.」

A field effect that is randomly applied within the radius when used.

Whoooosh-!

A strong wind blows, and a gray vortex swirls.

Thanks to this, the field of vision has narrowed a lot, but this is just an additional effect due to the visual effect.

「The activation rate of all skills is reduced to 50%.」

If you use a skill inside the typhoon, it will be canceled halfway one out of two times.

‘This is annoying. A typhoon from the start.’

Still, it’s a relief that this isn’t the Dragon Mountains. [This implies the Dragon Mountains have even more dangerous field effects.]

There, the inherent field effects are much more burdensome.

“Take care of Hellsmith first!”

As soon as the order was given, the ranged fighters began to unleash their prepared skills.

Joint magic that had been cast for a long time unfolded, and various powers were fired at exquisite angles, avoiding the melee fighters.

And at that moment.

「Bellarios has cast [Dragon Orb].」

「The resource consumption of all characters within the radius is increased by 12 times.」

A yellow light, exuding a sacred atmosphere, bursts out in the typhoon, where it’s hard to even open your eyes.

Yes, I was wondering when he would use it.

‘The skill activation mechanism was when a certain amount of resources were consumed, right?’

[Dragon Orb] was also a unique skill like [Disaster].

A cheat skill that increases resource consumption by 12 times and returns the consumed amount as MP [Mana Points].

Of course, that’s only on the surface; this skill has a fatal flaw.

「Hellsmith has cast [Patch Up].」

「Resource consumption is increased by 12 times due to [Dragon Orb].」

「Skill failed due to Field Effect – Typhoon.」

「[Dragon Orb] steals the consumed resources.」

[Dragon Orb], like [Disaster], is applied to both enemies and allies.

Because of its unique mechanism, I even created a training method based on this skill.

A one-person carry-type character who set up extreme damage and sucked up the resources of his teammates with [Dragon Orb], dealing insane levels of damage.

Well, even then, it felt like a lower version of Erwen, so I only did it a few times for fun and then abandoned it.

Anyway.

“Don’t stop!”

Ignoring the typhoon and the increased resource consumption, all the damage was poured onto Hellsmith.

And as a result.

「Field Effect – Earthquake is applied.」

「All effects related to movement are sealed.」

Bellarios used [Disaster] once more with the MP he had recovered, but still, the goal was achieved.

「Hellsmith has been defeated. EXP +7」

The guy who had his MP stolen by his fellow fighters and his skill casting blocked, met a miserable end.

Whoooosh-!

Soon, his body turned into a flurry of light and scattered, but the reward was just one thing.

Thud.

A Tier 3 magic stone.

‘I was kind of hoping for more since it was the first kill…’

The essence I was hoping for didn’t drop.

It was a little disappointing, but I didn’t dwell on it too much.

The main course was still to come, and…

‘It’s actually better this way.’

If the beginner’s luck had activated here, I would have been more uneasy. [This implies that getting a good drop early might lead to bad luck later.]

Originally, sacrifices are needed for gacha. [This is a reference to gacha games where players spend resources for a chance at rare items.]

“Now, all that’s left is that guy!”

“You know, right? Mages, please only use support magic and help! Absolutely do not use attack magic!”

After defeating Hellsmith, all efforts were focused on Bellarios.

The mages changed their position from damage dealers to supporters, and the ranged fighters intercepted the guy who was floating in the air, firing skills.

And…

“He’s coming!”

The melee fighters swung their weapons at the timing when the flying guy came down for the only time.

「Bellarios has cast [Wave Swim].」

「Bellarios has cast [Breath of Death].」

「Bellarios has cast [Shatter]…」

The scales of the guy who was becoming more and more battered as the battle dragged on.

「Bellarios has cast [Disaster].」

「Field Effect – Drought is applied.」

「All beneficial effects are removed, and all negative effects are enhanced.」

It was around the time when the guy used his third [Disaster].

Whoooosh-!

Erwen’s arrow, shot from afar, pierced the guy’s forehead, and the battle was over.

Did it take about 10 minutes?

While calculating the battle time in my head, my eyes were fixed on Bellarios, who was turning into a flurry of light and disappearing.

「Bellarios has been defeated. EXP +7」

Soon, his corpse disappeared, and the light that had formed in the air turned into a magic stone and fell to the ground.

Thud.

None of the explorers here were interested in the one magic stone that had fallen.

「No.9999 Beginner’s Luck has been activated.」

The essence dropped.

But the problem is…

‘……It’s yellow.’

It wasn’t [Greed Scales].

***

The active skill of the yellow essence is [Shatter].

It’s basically a ranged attack, but it’s an unavoidable instant skill that greatly increases in power when used up close.

“Ugh… that’s a shame. It’s yellow, so it’s not what you wanted, right, mister?”

“Hah… then what’s going to happen to that essence? There seem to be many who want it…”

While everyone was focused on the essence, Amelia approached, shaking off the blood from her dagger.

“Yandel, are you okay? You seemed pretty hurt.”

“Ah, I’m fine. My gear isn’t too damaged.”

“……”

I, who had barely been injured even when fighting Milayel, a Tier 2, even a rift guardian, had sustained some injuries in the battle with Bellarios.

[Shatter] is impossible to guard against due to the nature of its attack.

It’s because the space around the designated target warps and inflicts damage…

Whoooosh-

Still, it was just minor injuries, and I started to recover quickly with a little healing.

“It’s good that you’re okay, but what are you going to do with the essence?”

“Ah, that…”

After my body returned to normal, I quickly organized my thoughts.

‘Why did it have to be [Shatter]?’

Just looking at the skill alone, it’s not bad.

Unavoidable, instant, and even with a guard-ignoring effect.

Moreover, the damage is decent, the MP consumption is low, and the cooldown is short.

But…

‘It’s hard to grow.’

As much as it has those advantages, there is a fatal flaw that makes it difficult to create synergy with other skills.

It means that no matter how you set up your skills, there is little room for growth…

“I’ve decided.”

It didn’t take long to decide who the owner of the essence would be.

“Auyen Locklove.”

The navigator, the only non-combat personnel in our clan.

“……Yes?”

“You’ll take this.”

“…………Y-yes?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“B-but… this isn’t an essence related to navigation, is it…?”

Ah, so that’s why he didn’t say anything when the Tier 3 essence was discarded.

I chuckled and patted him on the shoulder.

“Even if you’re a navigator, you’re still a member of our clan. You should have an essence to protect yourself.”

I was planning to give him one if I found something suitable anyway.

And if it’s an essence that performs similarly no matter who uses it, I judged that Auyen, a non-combat personnel, could use it well enough.

‘He can also get basic stats with the passive skill [Ring of Circulation].’

But perhaps he couldn’t believe it?

“O-oh, oh…”

Auyen just blinked his mouth like a person who had lost his soul.

And how much time had passed?

“Thank… you. Thank you… really… thank you so much…”

For some reason, the navigator started to shed tears.

***

「Bellarios’s Essence seeps into Auyen Locklove’s soul.」

***

What, why is he crying all of a sudden?

As I was panicking at the sudden situation, Amelia approached me.

“It seems like the pent-up emotions have come rushing out. From the old stories, it seems he’s been quite looked down upon while working as a navigator.”

…Really? I didn’t know that.

“So, you gave him an essence to protect himself, so he must have been overwhelmed. It must have felt like he was being recognized for the first time.”

Well, it doesn’t really hit me that hard.

Just that he must have had a lot of hard times?

At this point, I lost interest.

“Ahem… ahem…”

“Ooh! Bjorn is being shy!”

No, that’s not it.

‘And why is Amelia smiling so happily?’

I didn’t want to be misunderstood, so I quickly shouted to change the subject.

“Everyone, rest as you see fit!”

That was the rest time given to everyone.

As I was also sprawled out nearby, resting, Erwen came trotting over.

“Mister, are you resting?”

“Yeah. But?”

“I have a question.”

A question?

“Tell me.”

“Why didn’t you let me participate in this battle? It would have been much easier if I had taken down one of them first.”

“Ah, that?”

That was definitely true.

If Erwen had used her finishing move, it would have ended quickly even with two Tier 3 monsters.

She would have instantly killed Hellsmith with a dark sphere and blown away Bellarios with [Concentrated Fire] in one shot.

But…

“There’s still plenty of time left, isn’t there?”

“Huh?”

Once she uses her finishing move, Erwen can’t participate in battle for a while.

And the current time is 5 PM.

Simply put, if Erwen, a high-level asset, is already out of the picture, the number of monsters we can catch will decrease.

‘Okay, then, it seems like everyone has rested enough…’

I got up and gave the assembly order, and after everyone gathered, we formed a formation and summoned the monsters.

After repeating the grind until 11 PM, we finished the day’s work and prepared for camping.

And the next morning.

“Chew it well! I didn’t put in much vegetables!”

I started the new day by eating breakfast as soon as I woke up.

Okay, the food is delicious today too.

“Based on a total of 38 people, we have 60 days’ worth of supplies left.”

No problems with supply management either.

“We’ve found some strange values in Mr. Fnellin’s body. It might be a clue to the manifestation of Hipramant’s power.”

The research team also had no results as usual.

It was a morning where everything was fine.

Except for one thing.

“Yandel, let’s talk for a moment.”

As I was strolling around to digest my food, Amelia, who was in charge of the guard team, called me out.

And after hesitating for a moment, she opened her mouth.

“It’s hard to just dismiss it as a hallucination since there are more than one or two people who claim to have seen the same thing.”

“What did they see?”

“I’ll say this in advance, but when I checked, there was nothing in this library.”

“No, so what did they see?”

At my question, Amelia carefully looked around and whispered softly.

“There are stories of seeing… ghosts at night.”

…Ghosts?