Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 135

Emotions are contagious.

When you see someone close to you crying, you feel sad for no reason, and when they’re laughing, you feel happy. It’s the same with fear.

Even if you think, ‘Nah, that’s not going to happen,’ if you see someone next to you constantly anxious, you can’t help but feel a little worried. That’s just how humans are.

“If you keep going on like that, it feels like it’s really going to happen.”

“W-well, it wouldn’t hurt to be careful…”

My face, devoid of any laughter, slowly brought my companions back to reality. A situation I couldn’t help but welcome.

Of course, Lotmiller’s words were the deciding factor here.

“I still can’t wrap my head around it, but for some reason, I feel like something very ominous will happen if I don’t follow your lead.”

Lotmiller, who had consumed the essence of a mimic, had the ‘Sixth Sense’ stat. And our team’s half-wit had received a lot of help from that stat. But for him to suddenly say something like this? The weight of his words was different.

“B-Bjorn. Instead of this, let’s move quickly. Okay?”

“Ha, ha, ha! Yes! That’s better! We just have to suffer for one more day!”

It was a bit anticlimactic. They were saying it was just my mood when I said it, but they were completely sold on Lotmiller’s words.

‘Well, I’m getting more anxious because this guy said it too…’

The sixth sense is just that, a sixth sense. However, isn’t this a situation where all stats have increased dramatically with the arrival of uninvited guests?

‘Hoo, I really need to prepare myself.’

It felt like the veil of ominousness had been lifted, revealing its form. Even while assuming the worst, I secretly hoped it was all just my mood. But I guess that’s not going to be the case.

Thump-!

My heart tightened a little more. But nothing changes. I’ll just do what I can right now.

“Let’s move again.”

The short break ended, and we resumed our movement. Even though I increased the pace, none of my companions showed any signs of complaint and followed behind.

It was during a long period of heavy silence as we ran through the maze.

“Now that I think about it, Bjorn, you might be similar to me.”

Lotmiller suddenly spoke.

“Similar? What are you talking about?”

“I gained this ability through the essence, but you might have been born with a good sense, or something.”

Oh, I’ve never thought about that. It’s not entirely impossible. In [Dungeon & Stone], when you chose a character, the base stats were randomly set within a default range.

‘I think the default setting for the sixth sense was between 0 and 50, right?’

Considering that the sixth sense stat attached to the mimic’s essence was only 50, the maximum default value was quite high. Since it wasn’t a main stat like strength, no one bothered to remake their character just to raise their sixth sense.

“I’ve always thought you had a sharp edge to you.”

“That’s right! You even took down that Elissa bitch back then. Everyone was panicking because she was a priest.”

Hmm, is that so? Since everyone is saying this, I’m starting to think it might be true. Like I said before, that’s how humans are. There’s a possibility that Bjorn’s sixth sense stat was naturally high. But that’s not what I should be focusing on right now.

“Enough, just keep up.”

I decided to think about this later and focused on clearing the path. Everything has a priority. Therefore……

Thwack-!

Swinging the mace.

Whoosh-!

Shooting out ice spears.

Slice-!

Cutting down the Baikundus, we continued to move forward. How much time had passed?

[05:13]

It’s already been this long since the 21st day started. We’ve been running almost non-stop for 12 hours since we caught Baphomet.

“Hoo, hoo, hoo…”

The breath coming from my nose and mouth is hot. And it wouldn’t be any different for them. I checked my companions’ faces one last time. They all looked tired and exhausted. Well, even if their stats have increased, it’s only natural since they haven’t slept properly for two days. But, the end is in sight.

“If we turn this way, it’s the end!”

After running through a long, straight passage, we arrived at our destination. A huge stone chamber, not a cramped maze-like passage.

Clang-!

The moment we stepped inside, iron bars descended on the three entrances connected to the chamber.

“Eek! We’re trapped!”

“Everyone, get a grip! We don’t know what’s going to come out!”

Surprised by the unexpected situation, everyone prepared for battle while adjusting their formation. And naturally, our eyes focused on one place. That’s because that was the only place something could come out.

“…It’s not like a 4th-grade monster is going to come out, right?”

The imposing stone door on one side.

「The master of the labyrinth detects the challenger.」

Soon, the geometric patterns engraved there began to glow and open. And……

Drrrrrrrrrrr.

A large stature of about 4m. A massive body to match. Threatening horns protruding from its head. Short brown fur that revealed the texture of blood vessels and muscles, and hooves on its legs that supported its massive thighs.

Thud-!

A monster emerged from the fully opened stone door, letting out a unique roar.

[Moooooo-!!]

The final boss of the Larcaz Labyrinth.

“Minotaur! It’s a Minotaur!”

It was a famous monster that Misha recognized at a glance.

***

A 5th-grade monster, Minotaur. It wasn’t a 4th-grade monster like Misha had feared, but… ‘If I had to say, it’s about a 4.5 grade.’ This one is different from a normal Minotaur. A named individual with the unique name of Larcaz. In other words, a superior variant with skills from other individuals.

Thud-!

The moment it took its first step towards us, everyone noticed something was off. How could they not? It was obvious. It was clear that it wasn’t a skill a Minotaur would normally use.

[Moo!]

The moment it let out a short shout and raised its arm.

「The master of the labyrinth, Larcaz, has cast [Burning Hide].」

A huge flame covered its skin. Whoosh! The intense heat could be felt even from a distance of 30m. Everyone couldn’t hide their astonishment.

“H-hey, did it know how to use fire?”

“T-that can’t be. There was nothing like that in the books.”

“Then it must be a superior variant. Like the Baphomet we met in that hidden room on the map.”

“Ah! Now that you mention it, it’s similar to that monster’s ability!”

Dwarki, looking like he had realized something, quickly shared the information.

“Ifrit! It must be Ifrit’s ability!”

That was the correct answer. It seems like he’s been reading a lot of labyrinth-related books for the past few months, and now he’s finally showing his wizardly side. Well, there was no time to praise him.

[Moooooo-!!]

The guy, looking at us with an expression that seemed to say, ‘What the hell are these guys?’, charged at us. With heavy footsteps. Thud-! Thud-! The sight of a 4m-tall monster, burning with flames, was beyond bizarre. However, it was nothing compared to Liakis.

“Behel–raaaaaaaaaa!!”

Instead, I shouted and dashed forward. Tap. The distance quickly closed. The moment I entered its attack range, a huge double-edged axe came crashing down from above.

Clang-!

Well, that’s about it, as expected. I smiled as I felt the weight transmitted through the shield. It seems I don’t need to use [Giantification]. As expected, I can withstand [Burning Hide]. Whoosh! Even though the crimson flames were flickering right in front of me, there was no significant damage. Just a little hot? It’s all thanks to the fire resistance from the 3rd stage of the Undead Mark.

Of course, it would be different if this continued.

「The character has taken fire damage.」

「The damage increases with duration.」

Fire damage becomes more powerful as it stacks. It’s similar to how meat will cook if you leave it in hot water for several days. But this is also easy to solve.

「Riol Worb Dwarki has cast the 8th-grade enchantment magic [Cold Blood].」

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

Dwarki’s magic seeped into my body, and my body, which had been burning hot, cooled down. I was a little surprised.

‘To think he’d use magic on his own before I even gave the order.’

I guess people learn through experience? ‘It feels like just yesterday he was struggling to hit anything with an ice spear.’

“I’ll help too!”

“Oh, it’s not hot at all now!”

After hesitating for a moment at the sight of the blazing flames, the dwarf and Misha, who had received the buff, joined the front line. And……

「Hikurod Murad has cast [Lightning].」

「Misha Kalstein has cast [Poison Infusion].」

They easily toyed with the so-called final boss, inflicting electric shocks, slashing through its thick hide with their swords, and even adding poison damage.

[Moooooo-!!]

Of course, it also struggled, swinging its fists, feet, and axe. It also used its unique skills without holding back. But nothing changed. It was still too slow to catch Misha, and it lacked the power to overwhelm me and the dwarf. And in the meantime, magical support continued.

「Riol Worb Dwarki has cast the 8th-grade curse magic [Worsen].」

「Riol Worb Dwarki has cast the 9th-grade curse magic [Slow].」

「Riol Worb Dwarki has cast the 7th-grade curse magic [Soften]…….」

Dwarki’s magical support, who would have been knocked out just by casting ‘Cold Blood’ due to lack of magic power. Lotmiller was protecting Dwarki’s side just in case, but… That situation never came. How could they get there when they couldn’t even break through one tank?

Clang-!

It didn’t take long. Soon, Misha cut the monster’s Achilles tendon, causing its massive body to crash to the ground, and the battle ended with her plunging her sword deep into its brain.

「You have defeated the Minotaur. EXP +5」

「Superior variant kill bonus. EXP +1」

The monster’s body, which had turned into a cluster of light, scattered. I checked the time first.

[05:21]

Only 10 minutes had passed since the last time I checked. For some reason, a strange sense of disappointment arose.

‘How great would it be if everyone was like this even after we leave?’

If there was a final form of Team Half-Wit, it would probably look like this. A highly stable two-tank formation. A melee dealer who moves more aggressively based on that stability and consistently puts out damage. A mage with high levels of AoE [Area of Effect] and single target damage, who can also provide support when needed. And even a scout who isn’t a burden in battle.

‘…What am I thinking?’

Such unnecessary sentiments are not like me. Especially when the real problem hasn’t been solved. I shook my head as if to shake off the useless thoughts. And I thought. What do I need to do right now to save even a little time? ‘Quickly grab what we need and leave.’

Just as I was reorganizing my goals, it happened. Whoosh! The scattered light completely dispersed, and everyone let out a sigh.

“Ah…”

“It didn’t drop this time either.”

The Minotaur didn’t drop an essence. Well, even though it was a superior variant, it wasn’t a boss we met in a rift, so this was probably more realistic. Well. If a yellow essence had dropped, it would have been quite useful until the later stages. ‘…But the real reward is separate.’

I tried to shake off my disappointment and checked my surroundings. Clunk! As if to signal the end of the boss battle, the bars in the passage had risen again.

“The portal? Why isn’t the portal opening?”

“Maybe it’s a different method than the rifts?”

“O-or maybe there are other monsters besides the Minotaur.”

The three, unable to hide their confusion, threw out various speculations. Just as I was about to say something, Lotmiller spoke first.

“I have a feeling there’s something inside there. How about we check it out?”

As expected, this guy is a natural scout.

“Ah, right! That place was left, wasn’t it?”

“Let’s go quickly. Maybe the portal is open there.”

Soon, we entered the door where the Minotaur had appeared. Of course, there was no way the portal that would have opened at the starting point would be here, but… Even if we’re in a hurry, we have to take this. It’s something you can’t buy with money.

“This place… looks very suspicious.”

A cave located inside the door. Like the mid-boss room, there was a summoning magic circle drawn on the floor.

“I can feel a tremendous amount of magic power from this object.”

“Then it’s better to take it with us.”

As Dwarki muttered, I put the gem embedded in the center of the magic circle into my backpack. And without any regrets, I headed back outside. Dwarki’s advice that it would be better to investigate further was dismissed with the word ‘ominous’. Because this is the end of the rewards here.

“Hoo, this is a headache? To think there wouldn’t be a portal here either.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Lotmiller, I think there was a blue dot in the center of that map, is there a chance the portal opened there?”

“Actually, I was thinking that might be the case. I have a strong feeling about it.”

Is this what a sixth-sense scout is like? I was thinking that when we came out of the cave where the Minotaur had been trapped.

“See, I knew it would be like this.”

A male voice, which I was hearing for the first time, was heard softly from the front passage.

***

The final boss room is generated at a random location in the maze. And we rushed here as soon as we obtained the map, and we defeated the final boss in less than 10 minutes. But… ‘How they found their way here so quickly doesn’t matter.’ The deed is already done. There’s no way they could have found it by wandering around, so they must have had some kind of ability. Even in a place where the ‘Guide’s’ trait is useless, essences, items, and other abilities still work. But I’ll leave the question of what that is for later.

“See, old man. Am I right? If I hadn’t sacrificed another arm, we might have missed it?”

A man whose face and even the slightly exposed wrists were covered in burns. One person.

“I beg you. Please, just take what you want and let them go.”

An old man in a black priest’s robe, speaking pitifully to the man. Two people.

“…”

For some reason, a middle-aged man with both arms cut off, blankly following them. Three people in total. ‘Damn it.’ I scrapped all the plans I had made in case I encountered them. From Plan A to Plan D.

“Hey, why isn’t anyone saying anything?”

My instincts, honed by meeting all sorts of bastards, were telling me. That won’t work on this guy.