Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 133

I’m wandering through a maze.

There are no biscuits or balls of yarn, but it’s okay.

Because we have Rotmiller.

“Wait, just in case, I’ll leave another mark around here.”

There was a time when I thought, what use is a scout if even the guide can’t find their way properly…?

It was all my arrogance.

Rotmiller, who had climbed up step by step from the bottom, was a truly versatile man.

“May I see the map?”

“Sure.”

He created a map based on the path we had walked.

And it wasn’t just a rough sketch, but a detailed map that resembled a mini-map.

He made it by just stopping for a moment about every ten minutes and scribbling.

“Okay, it’s done, give it here. I need to update the map too.”

“Oh, here it is.”

The way Rotmiller moved his pen across the map without hesitation was amazing every time I saw it, but I didn’t ask how it was possible.

Because I already did that earlier.

[It’s not that complicated, so I can memorize it just by walking. For distance measurement, I just count my steps and write it down accordingly.]

He said that map-making and observation were his most confident areas, as he had been doing it for years in the Crystal Cave on the first floor.

I never knew this old man had such a talent.

It was a bit unfortunate.

It was probably the result of effort naturally gained because he lacked talent, rather than actual talent.

“Sorry for taking your time. Let’s go.”

After stopping for about 30 seconds.

We walk through the dark maze again.

Rotmiller is following closely behind.

For reference, he’s holding a longsword, not a crossbow.

It’s a change that occurred after a few battles earlier.

[I think I can hold one of them off enough.]

Rotmiller, whose stats had increased, began to actively engage in combat.

Just like the top scouts usually do.

He was trying to do his part in combat as well as scouting.

“This time, it’s you guys.”

Soon after Rotmiller’s warning, whose sense of smell was well-developed, four Baikundus appeared in front of us.

Four grade 6 monsters was a scale of a group we hadn’t even experienced on the 4th floor, but…

No one was particularly nervous.

Because we have Dwarki.

Pshoooot-!

At the same time as the monsters appeared, ‘Reinforced Ice Lances’ were fired.

However, even here, it was different from before.

Two ice lances with several times the power of the previous ones.

‘I never thought he’d be able to do double casting.’

When I realized this, I felt a little self-loathing.

I’ve been with them for months, and I didn’t know them at all.

‘Damn it.’

It’s just that his magic power stat is abnormally low.

Dwarki’s magical talent was considerable.

Enough to use additional support magic while double casting.

「Riol Worb Dwarki has cast the 8th grade support magic [Orbit Adjustment].」

Without even stepping aside to make space, the ice lances flew over our heads like cannonballs fired from afar.

Kwaaaang-!

Before the battle even started, two grade 6 monsters disappeared into light.

Therefore…

“Let’s quickly finish them off and move on. This time, Kalstein and I will take one.”

While I was marking one, Misha and Rotmiller cooperated to deal with another one.

And just when Misha had finished off one.

Pshoooot-!

Dwarki’s ice lance, which had finished chanting again, smashed the head of the Baikundus that was beating me up.

The time it took was about 4 minutes.

“Bjorn, what are you doing? Why aren’t you going?”

This is the last change of our team’s half-pint.

“Hehehe, don’t worry about what appears. I, Riol Worb Dwarki, will take care of anything.”

Dwarki became annoying again.

***

Guardian of Balance.

Originally, mages benefit the most from this field effect.

Mages can’t eat essence [a consumable item that increases stats].

It’s an inevitable structure where their main stat, magic power, is bound to be inflated.

But…

‘That’s only to a certain extent.’

I’ve never seen such an extreme case as Dwarki’s.

However, if you look closely, it’s an understandable change.

The mages I had in the game were all talented, so their magic-related stats were high.

Unlike the former half-pint mage, Dwarki.

“I feel truly mysterious. It’s like all the shackles have been released?”

Dwarki is human.

And he has a body that is far from athletic.

Moreover, he had a magic power stat that was below average, not even average…

‘If you look at the stats, there would have been almost a 3x difference between us.’

I wouldn’t know if the whole team was human.

Me, Misha, and the dwarf.

There are three different races with high base stats in the team.

Rotmiller?

He was on the receiving end of the benefits, but it was nothing compared to Dwarki.

He’s a veteran who has filled up four essences.

‘……Somehow, the mage ended up with all the stats.’

After watching the whole day, I finished analyzing the team’s strength.

I was the one who suffered the biggest loss, but…

‘How can things go so well?’

As a whole team, we’ve become at least twice as strong.

[Dungeon & Stone] is a team-based combat game.

The maximum efficiency comes when everyone can do their part, rather than just one person being outstanding.

It’s a bit bitter, but…

That was the reason why I was going to leave the team of half-pints.

‘Is this the first and last proper team play I’m doing?’

Rotmiller and Dwarki.

Today, I was able to see things I hadn’t seen in them before.

But nothing changes.

With a lot of effort and luck, it might be possible for them to reach the same level as today.

However…

‘It’ll take years.’

It takes a long time.

And that would be the final point where they could grow.

Their shortcomings are too clear.

Rotmiller?

His combat power can be filled by feeding him essence.

But to play the way I want, I need a scout with ‘guide’ abilities from the 5th floor.

Dwarki?

Double casting or whatever, the most important quality of a mage is their magic power stat.

That’s why the Magic Tower wouldn’t have accepted him.

It’s a cold statement, but…

Based on the Magic Tower, Dwarki’s talent wasn’t anything special.

When my thoughts reached that point, my chest suddenly felt cold.

Not just a feeling, but really.

「Your character has taken cold damage.」

The cold that penetrated my skin and into my bones.

When I came to my senses, Misha was puffing out her nose.

“Hey, Bjorn!! How long are you going to ignore me!!”

“Ah, what did you say?”

“What do you mean what did I say! I said everyone’s going to sleep now, so keep a proper watch!”

After angrily punching me in the chest, Misha asked in a gentle voice, belatedly worried.

“But… are you okay?”

“I’m okay. It’s still cold, but it doesn’t hurt.”

I genuinely tilted my head.

“Me?”

“Yeah. It’s hard to explain in words… Ah! If I had to say, it’s similar to the expression you make when I tell you to eat carrots.”

Uh, I don’t understand even more.

“Okay, go to sleep. I’ll keep a proper watch, so don’t worry.”

“Okay.”

Misha soon returned to her spot and snuggled into her sleeping bag.

And she chatted with the other companions.

“Ugh, I feel really tired today.”

“Haha, it’s understandable. How many grade 6 monsters did we defeat after being dragged to a place we don’t even know?”

“…Well, it’s a bit awkward to say this, but I was a little happy. It feels like I’m exploring for the first time? Actually, until now, it was different from the exploration I had longed for.”

“Ah, I think I know what you mean.”

“Haha, it felt like I became an explorer in a story.”

A few words of chatter shared while lying down before ending the day.

Of course, it wasn’t long, as it was time for rest.

“Oh, right. Dwarki, you were really amazing today.”

“W-well, it’s not because I’m good? I don’t even need to calculate the formulas repeatedly to save magic power, I just have to shoot it out? Any mage could have done that.”

“Oh… is that so? I don’t really know even if you say that. Anyway, you worked hard today, good night.”

“Y-you too, Misha, sleep well.”

The sporadic conversations ended, and silence fell.

[01:04]

It was an hour after the 20th day had begun.

I checked the surroundings while also reviewing the plan.

‘If I go a few more hours, I’ll be able to get that item, so now I just need to find the boss room.’

With our current strength, the boss fight shouldn’t be too difficult, so I’m not too worried.

However, the problem is that if we’re unlucky, we might not be able to reach the boss room in time.

‘If we had another week, we could have taken everything we needed and left…’

I was smacking my lips at such regret, when it happened.

I turned my head at the rustling sound, and saw Dwarki getting up from his sleeping bag.

“Um, Bjorn…”

“Even if you can’t sleep, go to sleep. Tomorrow—”

“It’s not that I can’t sleep.”

Uh?

Before I could say anything, Dwarki stood up completely and approached me.

And he lowered his voice so that the others wouldn’t wake up.

“I have something to tell you.”

Yesterday, Rotmiller came like this, and it seems like it’s his turn this time.

“…Go ahead.”

“Do you remember what I said about Misha’s taste last time?”

“I remember.”

I don’t forget a lie I’ve told once.

That way, there won’t be any holes later.

Well, it doesn’t matter in this situation.

“So, what do you want to say?”

When I stared at him, Dwarki opened his mouth with a determined look.

“I was going to ask if what I said then was true. But now that I think about it, it doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not.”

Dwarki’s voice was different from usual.

There was no trembling, and his gaze looking up at me was firm.

“Her taste doesn’t matter. It would be cowardly to ask for sincerity without showing my true self.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You know. You already know that I’m secretly in love with her.”

I wish he had said that at least when we returned to the city—

“If we safely return to the city this time—”

“Stop.”

I urgently cut off Dwarki’s words.

Because there’s a clear difference between thinking and actually saying it.

However, perhaps he misunderstood my sincere concern.

“So, Bjorn, you too…”

Dwarki pressed his lips together and shook his head as if to shake off his thoughts. And he continued with a more determined voice than ever.

“But nothing changes.”

“Stop talking. I know what you’ve misunderstood—”

“I will reveal my feelings when we return to the city.”

No, that’s a flag.

‘Damn it.’

I started to feel as uneasy as when I met Hans.

***

“That’s all I have to say. I’ll be going now.”

After that, Dwarki turned around and buried himself in his sleeping bag as if running away.

And soon, he let out a soft snore.

I was worried that he might spend his precious rest time awake because of this, but it seems like today’s journey was tiring.

‘……But he’s not going to propose, so it should be okay, right?’

I also tried to erase my worries and focused on the watch.

Two hours passed, and I woke up the dwarf and went to bed after switching shifts.

And when I opened my eyes again.

[05:07]

It was time to depart.

Because tonight, we were only going to take four hours, and only the dwarf and I were going to take turns on watch.

“You both must be tired, you’ve worked hard.”

“Haha, it can’t be helped. There’s not much time left now.”

“Tomorrow it’s my and Rotmiller’s turn, so work a little harder today and rest well later.”

We quickly packed up the campsite and resumed our journey.

For reference, today’s goal is clear.

“As Bjorn said, it seems like we’ve reached the outer edge of the maze, so from now on, let’s just go in one direction along this wall.”

The corner of the Larcaz Maze, which is a square structure.

Defeat the mid-boss here and get the hidden reward.

For reference, I don’t know which of the four types of mid-bosses will appear.

Even in the game, this changed randomly.

‘Actually, we can easily defeat anything with our current strength. Except for that one, all of them have clear weaknesses.’

[Meeeeeeh-!!!]

We continued to move forward, defeating countless Baikundus that we had already caught hundreds of times.

The essence still didn’t show any signs of appearing, but…

Instead, a huge amount of magic stones piled up.

“Hahaha! This, even just the magic stones, will be quite lucrative?”

In fact, this is the second reward of the maze.

There is no place on the 5th floor where grade 6 monsters appear in a single type, making it easy to catch them. If it were the 4th floor, it would have been difficult to encounter even twenty a day.

“…A dead end?”

After moving for about 12 hours, we reached our destination.

The point corresponding to the corner of the maze.

“There’s no way there’s nothing here.”

“It could be in a different direction. Or it could be in a completely different location.”

“Haha, there’s no way there’s no way out, right?”

“That’s impossible. This is a labyrinth too.”

While the group that had reached the dead end was saying a word each, Rotmiller was carefully observing the wall and muttering something.

“…Wait a moment, something’s suspicious.”

Honestly, I was a little surprised.

Is it because of the sixth sense attached to the Mimic’s essence? Or is it just this old man’s observation skills?

Click, drrrrrrr.

When he touched something, the wall slid to the side, revealing a hidden space.

“Whoa, the door opened.”

“It could be dangerous, everyone step back!”

The dwarf jumped forward and raised his shield, and I quickly joined him next to him.

Of course, no monsters jumped out.

“…Nothing’s coming out?”

Because it’s not that kind of place.

The space inside the wall was covered in darkness, making it impossible to see with the naked eye.

It didn’t really matter to me, though.

“I’ll go first.”

“Bjorn! It could be dangerous!”

“It’s okay. It’s my role.”

Instead of the dwarf who was looking around, I said something befitting a tank and stepped inside, and the torches hanging on the wall lit up all at once, illuminating the room.

I quickly checked the surroundings.

“This is…”

A stone chamber that was about 30 pyeong [approximately 100 square meters].

A magic circle with geometric patterns drawn on the floor.

And even the fact that a pole with a goat’s head was decorating it.

“This place… feels creepy.”

“I don’t see a portal, can’t we just go out?”

I secretly smiled as I watched Misha and Dwarki mutter as if they felt ominous.

Well, they wouldn’t know.

That this is better than the other rooms.

‘Anyway, since this one came up, finding the boss room will be a piece of cake. As for how to use it, I can just give Rotmiller a hint like before…’

Thanks to that, I felt relieved.

It would be a little more difficult to catch the boss, but wasn’t it possible that the exploration could end without even seeing the boss’s face if we were unlucky?

‘By the way, how do I summon him? If I just do it, it’ll look suspicious.’

I was having such pleasant worries when it happened.

“Huh?”

“…Could it be, you too?”

Everyone, including me, flinched at the same time.

So, I wasn’t the only one who felt the change.

“What is it? My magic power has suddenly increased tremendously.”

“Me, me too. Why is my body like this?”

My strength stat decreased, and the pressure of the heavy armor that was slightly burdensome disappeared. It felt like I was wearing a styrofoam armor for cosplay.

Why did this happen?

As soon as I realized the truth, a curse word came out.

‘Damn it…’

Vitality surged through my whole body.

A change that I couldn’t even feel when using [Giantification].

I already know the reason for the change.

“Rotmiller.”

“…It seems like you had the same thought as me.”

The hidden field on the 4th floor, the Larcaz Maze.

Another explorer has entered this place.

‘The number of people is at least one and at most five.’

Logically, it’s most likely a 5-person team, but it’s still too early to conclude.

All possibilities are open.

But…

There’s at least one thing that’s certain.

Whether it’s that guy.

Or, those guys.

「Field Effect – Guardian of Balance is being updated.」

「The stats of the entrants are being adjusted equally.」

It’s overwhelmingly strong.