Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 666

There are dozens of materials needed for the Undying Engraving. Of course, most of them can be easily obtained on the market, but the three core ones are different. They are byproducts of monsters that are a whopping level 3. ‘Moreover, all three have high essence value, so there are hardly any who catch them using ‘Distortion’ magic.’ In other words, to obtain their byproducts, you have to bring a mage and catch them while using ‘Distortion’. However, I haven’t even properly started the grind yet. That’s because the 7th floor is more than half occupied by Noahrc, so I haven’t been able to set foot there properly for years. Anyway. “Hahaha! Finally, an opponent has appeared where I can show off my skills!” As soon as the level 3 monster appeared, Lex Aures, the tank of Lee Baek-ho’s team, stepped forward. And then…… “Uooooooo-!!” With a fierce shout, his bones and muscles swelled rapidly, just like when I use [Giantification]. 「Lex Aures has cast [Giant’s Blood].」 A transformation active skill possessed by the deep-sea giant. This skill is very similar to [Giantification] in that it increases body size. However, if ‘threat level’ is the main focus of [Giantification], [Giant’s Blood] is mainly about boosting pure physical stats. Also, as it is a level 3 essence, the stat increase is much higher. But…… ‘There’s a fatal flaw.’ Because his body grows, he can’t wear proper equipment. Of course, this is a disadvantage that also applies to [Giantification]. However, unlike [Giantification], the [Unification] effect of the Undying Engraving does not apply to [Giant’s Blood]. “So that’s why… I was wondering why someone who seems like they’d be a guardian in the team always goes around shirtless.” In a way, it’s a very similar way of training to mine, so as I examined it closely, I quickly found familiar parts. Even though his body had grown so large, the underwear-like tights that came down to his thighs were intact. ‘Stretchy magic pants.’ I used to wear those too. Before getting [Unification], they would tear every time I activated [Giantification], and even after that, my underwear would melt whenever [Acidic Body Fluid] was used. ‘As expected, the equipment is taken out of the subspace after transforming.’ Afterwards, I nodded involuntarily as I watched the giant Aures put his hand into the air and take out a super-giant shield and a super-giant mace. ‘Yeah, a shield and a mace are the truth.’ For muscleheads like us, these blunt clubs are much more efficient than blades. “Hahahahaha!!” Perhaps to draw aggro, Aures immediately rushes to the front and slams the mace into its head. Thwack-! The speed of the swing and the heavy sound. Just by this, I could tell that it had the power to break the neck of a level 5 monster in one hit, but…… The opponent is clearly a level 3 monster. “Kuaaaaang!” Far from being an effective hit, it only seemed to provoke it, and it let out an even more ferocious howl. Well, it was expected. Since he can’t wear armor, he must have focused on physical resistance and magic resistance with raw stats in his essence settings to perform the tank role. ‘Anyway, with this much damage, I can consider him a pure tank.’ Then, what is his level as a tank? I could see it right away. 「The Biterion has cast [Bite].」 The hand with teeth grew grotesquely and stuck to Aures’s shoulder. But…… “Hahaha! Monster attack! This is not even ticklish!” As if he hadn’t taken any damage, he laughed cheerfully and lifted the Biterion as if wrestling, then slammed it to the ground. Kwaaaaang-! Come on, it’s still a level 3 monster. To have the strength to lift that size and the sturdiness to only get a scratch after being bitten directly. ‘…They’re more skilled than I thought?’ While I was impressed, I was also convinced. Well, he has to be this good to hang out with Lee Baek-ho, right? Swishhhhh-! Even the small scratches on his shoulder were quickly healed by the healer, Jeina. And then…… 「Belbeve Ruinjenes has cast level 3 attack magic [Wind Moon].」 The magic that flew in the shape of a crescent moon cut off one of the monster’s arms. 「Layton Briat has cast [Seal’s Poem].」 A semi-transparent arrow, shot from who knows when, pierced the monster’s body and emitted light. Chichik, chijik. The light that flowed out at this time transformed into the form of chains, wrapping around the monster and binding its entire body…… 「All of the Biterion’s abilities are temporarily sealed.」 Wow, he ate that essence? This is a level 2 essence that is particularly difficult to obtain. ‘Crazy.’ It’s common knowledge among ordinary explorers that level 3 and above are treated almost like raid bosses. But to deal with a level 3 monster so easily? I was once again reminded that their skills were top-notch— “Baron.” As I was watching the battle as if evaluating them. “Why don’t you finish it off, Baron?” Lee Baek-ho spoke to me in a subtle voice. In short, it meant, don’t just watch from behind, show us something too…… Well, just as I’m curious about them, he must have a lot of questions about me too. “Alright.” However, even knowing his psychology, I coolly stepped forward. That’s because, since we’ll be together for a while, I can’t just keep not showing anything, and…… ‘…If I want to demand spoils of war with dignity, I have to contribute anyway.’ So…… 「The character has cast [Transcendence].」 「The next skill used is enhanced.」 In conjunction with [Transcendence], I first used [Giantification]. “Get out of the way.” “Ah, a… al-alright.” I moved Aures, who was unfamiliar with looking up at someone, to the back. Well, I think there’s a difference of more than 1m. ‘The important thing is not that.’ Not just a plain mace that is just ridiculously large and has no unique name, but No.87 Crawl’s Demon Smasher, which has become even larger due to the [Unification] effect. After raising it high above my shoulder. 「The character has cast [Swing].」 Now, I’ll show off my skill that is practically my signature. Although it’s a skill without any dazzling light or wind effects. The effect was certain. That’s because, isn’t it strange? Whooshhhhh! Even if I’m a tank. And even if this guy is a level 3 monster. Kwaaaaang-! Not being able to catch a guy with this much gear and whose abilities are sealed with a skill— “Krrrk…….” What, why isn’t it dying in one hit? Slightly embarrassed, I quickly gave it three or four more [Swings], and only then did the monster, which had been drooling and staggering, stop moving. “Oh.” The moment the short and intense scene of violence ended, a meaningful exclamation came from behind. “……Wow, a tank with that much damage?” Fortunately, it seems to be a compliment. Judging by the way Lee Baek-ho teases his colleagues with that voice. “Our warrior wouldn’t have been able to catch it even after hitting it twenty times. Baron, do you want to join our team? I’ll kick him out. Huh?” “…Baek-ho! How can you say that! I followed you because I trusted you, and now I’m being treated as a traitor by the lord!” Perhaps he has a tender personality unlike his size. Aures shouts as if he was hurt by Lee Baek-ho’s words. ‘Whatever the case, they’re quite close.’ I roughly ignored the two of them bickering and looked down at the Biterion, which had stopped moving. ‘It feels a bit awkward.’ In the labyrinth, the corpse disappearing into light is a symbol of completion. But since there is no such effect, it doesn’t feel like I’ve caught it even though I did. It feels like it might get up again at any moment? ‘It’ll take a while to get used to this.’ Also, unlike in the labyrinth, it seems like I have to make sure it’s dead. If I just leave it thinking I caught it, it might suddenly get up and attack. In many ways, it’s more inconvenient than the labyrinth…… ‘Well, that’s both a disadvantage and an advantage.’ “Havelion! You know how to butcher monsters, right?” “Of course.” “Then quickly collect the byproducts that are worth money. Take out the claws separately and give them to me.” After the battle, I immediately asked GM to butcher it. For reference, the claws are not like the claws of ordinary beasts, but the teeth attached to the hand…… At that time, Lee Baek-ho stopped teasing his colleagues and spoke to me. “Why are you taking the claws, Baron?” Because it’s one of the 8th stage materials for the engraving. …I was a little reluctant to say that honestly, so I hesitated for a moment, and Lee Baek-ho gave me a sly smile. “Ah, is it because of the engraving material? But the only ones who need this guy’s claws are… Berserkers and Undying, and there’s no way you’d get a Berserker engraving, Baron…….” “…….” “It must be the Undying Engraving? Seeing you get this, you must still be at stage 7. Ah, wait, then is the reason you can wear equipment and use [Giantification] also because of the engraving? Because of [Unification] at stage 5?” Ha, that’s why I hate guys who came from games. *** Unfortunately, Lee Baek-ho’s nonsense didn’t end there. “Wow… but that’s how it was judged? Amazing.” “…….” “I roughly know what essences you have, so should I get a well-behaved barbarian later and raise him exactly like you?” “Baek-ho……? I… I’m listening right next to you…….” “Huh? Cover your ears, then.” “…….” His words about making a replica of me might not be serious, but it feels very bad to hear. Essences and essences, or the synergy between items. In this world, they call such things ‘visions’ and keep them secret? That’s because they are all valuable assets. “Haha, Baron, I’m just kidding, just kidding. Ah, and those claws? You can take as many as you want.” Well, regardless of how unpleasant it was, I diligently took what I needed. ‘Anyway, if I collect two more, I’ll have all the materials for the 8th stage engraving?’ It’s not too late to punish Lee Baek-ho later. If I wait, that time will surely come. The time when that guy won’t dare to make such jokes in front of me. “Alright, everyone, what are you doing? If you’re done looting, let’s go!” After that, we left the Noahrc frontier and continued to move northwest. And we encountered monsters about once every hour or two. ‘They said there are far fewer monsters than in the labyrinth, but coming here, I can really feel it.’ As the number of battles accumulated, I could understand why Lee Baek-ho said that the intelligence of the monsters outside the walls was far superior to that of the labyrinth. It’s like they each have their own hunting methods? They don’t just rush in blindly, but use the terrain as a basic. Some would wait for us to rest, or chase us and then give up the ambush and turn away. Ah, in the case of individuals living in groups, there were also cases where the leader strategically commanded the battle throughout…… ‘…It really feels like the wild.’ It really feels like each one is a superior variant that could be called a ‘named’ monster? There were differences in size between individuals, and some had large scars, or in severe cases, were limping due to aftereffects. Unlike the labyrinth, where everything is uniform. “Then, let’s rest here for today! You can do whatever you want, but be here by 7 AM! Okay?” As we finished today’s journey and were preparing to camp a little away from Lee Baek-ho’s group, I heard a commotion from Lee Baek-ho’s side. “Hahahaha! Jeina! Hahahahahaha! Hahahahahaha!” “…Please stop, Aures.” “What do you mean stop? You burned all the precious food! Hahahahahaha!” The atmosphere of Lee Baek-ho’s group, which I had been watching for a few days, was more friendly and cheerful than I thought. Well, the biggest reason for that was that the warrior Aures played the role of mood maker. ‘Lee Baek-ho is grinning too. He said he wouldn’t give his colleagues any affection.’ “…Huh? Where are you going?” “I mean, there’s nothing else to do…….” Soon, as I was finishing the preparations for camping, GM left my side and went to Lee Baek-ho’s team. And he blended in quite naturally. “We prepared a lot of food, so how about you have some?” “Oh! Really? Thank you! I was about to have my stomach stick to my back because of our chef! Hahaha!” I felt a sense of incongruity, wondering if GM, who seemed like a recluse, had such an extroverted side, but after listening to the conversation, it was just information gathering. “Ah, I see. I had no idea. I never thought you were from Noahrc.” “Haha, is that so?” “Ah, but I think I’ve heard of it. There’s a story about a fearsome warrior guarding the gates of Noahrc.” “Hahahaha! It’s not that much!” GM, maintaining a light tension, diligently absorbed the information that was dropping. But that didn’t last long. “I have a question, can I ask you?” “Ask me anything!” “Why is this team a 5-person system? Not 6?” The moment that question came out, the atmosphere suddenly turned cold and a silence fell. “…….” “…….” What is it? Is that a question that would cause such a reaction? I couldn’t guess the reason at all, so I listened even more intently. “Huh? Why do you all have that expression?” Lex Aures, a member of Lee Baek-ho’s team, tilted his head as if he didn’t understand the situation, and at the same time. “Right?” “Yes, I think so.” Lee Baek-ho and the archer had a short conversation. “It’s not a monster, it’s a person.” ……What kind of situation is this?