Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 220

One 3rd-grade explorer.

Nine 4th-grade explorers.

Fourteen regular knights capable of using Aura [a type of life force or energy].

And….

‘One 3rd-grade mage.’

These are the key members for this plan.

Well, given the crisis we’re facing, even with this number, we can’t be sure of anything yet.

‘Still, the fact that this many have gathered is close to a miracle.’

The core members had already escaped through the dimensional gate.

It’s inevitable that there would be a shortage of top-tier personnel.

After all, how many people would refuse a survival ticket and remain of their own accord like these people?

Realistically, it’s safe to say that this is all we have.

‘Not bad.’

Thinking that, I glance to the side.

A 40-year-old white man with black hair is standing there in a robe.

He was the person I was most curious about.

Kyle Febrosk.

A 3rd-grade military mage affiliated with the royal family.

I was really surprised when I learned his grade.

It’s customary in this industry for a mage’s grade to be treated as +1 [meaning their actual power is often considered one grade higher than their official rank].

Of course, it’s not like it’s a courtesy towards mages.

In reality, Raven is only a 6th-grade, but she’s doing the second most work in the team after me.

It’s more accurate to say that the grading criteria are different.

But, a 3rd-grade mage?

‘A 2nd-grade explorer is practically in the quasi-strongest tier.’

Honestly, I don’t know why the captain of the knights left this guy here alone.

A 3rd-grade mage is a top-tier asset that you absolutely have to take with you, even if they scream that they don’t want to go.

‘No, is it possible that the captain couldn’t force him to go because he was that high-grade?’

Well, maybe that’s possible.

From the royal family’s perspective, it would be a bigger loss if this guy died than if thousands of explorers died.

It’s reasonable to assume that the captain tried to take him but couldn’t.

‘Is it a grudge after all?’

Right before we departed, I asked Kyle why he stayed behind, and he replied coldly with a sharp voice.

[I can’t run away and leave him behind. It’s been so long since I’ve had such an opportunity.]

Unfortunately, he didn’t tell me who ‘him’ was.

It wasn’t the atmosphere to ask more, and whatever his motive was, it was good for me, so I immediately set off on the journey.

And time has passed to now.

“…….”

I’m running.

At the very front of hundreds of people.

Clank, clank.

The formation is simple.

After dividing the thousand explorers into three groups, they follow at a certain distance.

The forces are divided appropriately, but most of the key forces mentioned earlier are placed in the front group.

There was no resistance from the rear group.

They also understood.

That when the ‘thing’ appears, it will be this group that will have to break through the path amidst all the dangers.

“…….”

Apart from the sound of running, only a tense silence continues, almost solemn.

Normally, we would have relaxed by having a few conversations with our comrades, but….

That’s impossible now.

My team members are in another place.

Clank, clank.

Behind me, only warriors and knights, heavily armed like me, are positioned.

The mission of these people, including me, is only one thing.

To make sure to open the path when something happens.

Naturally, it’s the most dangerous position.

That’s why I sent my comrades to the back.

In many ways, the situation is different from before.

Since there are many people, the back is much safer.

[Is there anything strange over there?]

As I was running, a voice came from the message stone hanging on my waist.

It was Kyle’s, who was about 70 meters behind.

For reference, all of our team members are placed near him.

“No.”

Even as I answered, it felt awkward.

Since many people have to move and use the terrain widely, this kind of communication is essential, but….

I’ve never done it when it was a team unit.

Will I get used to this method when I create a clan someday?

[I see, I’ll tell the back as well. Tell me immediately if something goes wrong. It’s about to start.]

“Got it.”

I cut off the communication and stared straight ahead.

The thick fog that had been there until a few days ago had completely disappeared, and no explorers from Noark were in sight.

Only traces of time, bloodstains, and corpses were left.

But….

‘Is it about time?’

As time passes, my heart beats uneasily.

Of course, it’s natural.

It’s been over 30 minutes since the long-awaited ninth floor lord appeared, and the crystals on the cave walls began to emit a red light.

“This way.”

Suddenly, a fork in the road appeared, and I turned right.

At the same time, one of the warriors following behind me left a mark on the wall.

That’s also why I’m at the very front.

A vanguard with pathfinding abilities should, if possible—

“Stop.”

I cleared my mind and stopped everyone.

The crystals that had been emitting a bright red light were losing their light and turning black.

After about 3 seconds, the entire passage was engulfed in darkness.

Flap.

I lit the torch I had prepared in advance and said,

“Everyone, brace yourselves from now on.”

Somehow, a saying left by Einstein comes to mind.

He said that he didn’t know what weapons would be used in World War III, but in World War IV, it would be stones?

Of course, this saying isn’t perfect for describing my current situation.

However, one thing is clear.

「Special Condition – Nine Fears are met.」

「The Abyss Lord, Berzak, begins to roam the floor.」

It’s time to return to the basics.

***

「Field Effect – Abyss Fog is applied.」

「All usage effects are deactivated.」

「Magic power efficiency is reduced to one-fourth.」

「Monsters exposed to the Abyss Fog evolve into superior beings.」

***

Click.

I insert the torch into the groove on my helmet.

It’s the so-called Barbarian Candle Mode.

It’s a mode I haven’t used in a long time, but I’m not particularly embarrassed about it.

After all, other warriors are doing the same thing.

“Hehe, I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve used a torch.”

“I agree.”

Everyone inserts torches into their helmets, and the view is secured again. Then, the black fog surrounding us becomes more vivid.

It’s like the darkness of the labyrinth that appears from the second floor.

Darkness that devours light.

‘Visibility is about 2 meters.’

It’s shorter than I thought.

Well, in the game, when we caught Berzak, we always brought several archmages with us.

Since we summoned him after building a perfect environment, we never encountered this situation.

“I’ve heard about it, but it’s more dangerous than I thought.”

Tension rises among the skilled warriors.

That’s how important visibility is in battle.

For example, in the United States, 21 feet (6.4m) is recommended as the ideal standoff distance with a criminal.

Below that, it’s difficult to properly respond when a criminal rushes at you with a knife?

For reference, that was the case with ‘guns’.

That distance was needed to aim and pull the trigger on a ‘human’ who was charging with full power.

But 2 meters….

[We need to move quickly.]

Just as we were about to stop and prepare ourselves, Kyle’s urging came from the message stone.

“It took a while to put in the torch. We’re starting now.”

I spoke to the warriors as if giving a notice, then blocked my upper body with my shield and moved forward.

And….

Clank, clank.

I gradually increase my walking speed.

This is one of the reasons why the current situation is messed up, and why I only formed the front line with sturdy warriors and knights.

To run with a visibility of 2 meters.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaa!!”

I shout as if throwing away my fear and kick off the ground.

How long would it take to reach the destination if we walked slowly?

Yes, we already know it’s dangerous, right?

“L-Let’s go!!”

As I jumped into the darkness first, the warriors also mustered their courage and followed behind.

Well, since I’m lighting the way in front, they should be a bit better off—

“Kyaaaaaaak!!”

A beast howls and rushes out of the darkness.

It’s too big to have come from the first floor.

Well, it’s also because I’m not using [Giantification] unlike usual.

Thwack!

I smack the beast’s jaw with my shield.

Immediately, the warrior on my right slams his double-edged axe down on the beast’s neck.

Crack!

It pierced the skin, but the blade caught on the bone.

I feel a bitter taste in my mouth.

The dwarf who just swung the axe was a 4th-grade warrior. And not a guardian, but a warrior in a melee DPS [Damage Per Second] position.

Yet, he can’t one-shot it….

“Kyaaaaaaak!”

The beast, with a deep wound on its neck, rushes at us again, full of energy.

I hit its head with my mace.

Thwack-!

It probably didn’t die from that either.

I didn’t use my only attack skill, [Swing], either.

Well, to be precise, I couldn’t use it.

「All usage effects are deactivated.」

In the ‘Abyss Fog’, active skills are sealed.

The Corpse Golem’s [Acidic Fluid] remains, but [Flesh Explosion] cannot be used.

That’s also why I can’t use [Giantification] right now.

‘It feels like I’ve really gone back to the old days.’

A strange sense of loss washes over my body.

I’m reminded of the early days when I had nothing.

Perhaps that’s why the other warriors are so afraid of the darkness beyond.

Because one of their greatest weapons has disappeared.

But….

“What are you all doing! Hurry up and follow!”

The raw stats left by the essence remain the same.

We can also use passives, and we have the equipment we worked hard to earn.

Well, we can’t use the usage effects of the equipment or scrolls, but….

Constant options like the ‘50% shock reduction’ of the Guardian Corps’ mark are applied.

“Leave the ones you couldn’t kill to the back!”

We ignored the beast and jumped into the darkness again. We judged that we would never arrive on time if we caught them one by one.

“Kyaaaaaaak!”

“Woof! Woof!”

Beasts appear in groups every few steps.

They are 1.5 times the size of a lion.

However, their form is the same as the Blade Wolves that commonly appear in the eastern district of the first floor.

Their power is vastly different, though.

「You have defeated an Abyss Blade Wolf +EXP 5」

A 5th-grade monster with the same difficulty as a troll.

We have to break through the path by defeating these guys without active skills.

That’s why I recruited mainly warriors.

Classes that rely heavily on skills, such as mages, summoners, and necromancers, are bound to become useless in this event.

On the other hand, warriors tend to have high raw stats.

“Agh, my arm…!”

“Priest, heal him quickly!”

Nevertheless, as we break through the path, casualties are increasing.

Just like my combat power has plummeted after losing [Giantification], other explorers are also not used to their current selves.

Ah, the Abyss Blade Wolf’s skill also played a part.

「The Abyss Blade Wolf has cast [Inner Madness].」

[Inner Madness], an active skill that the Blade Wolf evolved with the Abyss Fog gains.

The effect is simple.

All of the caster’s defense-related stats disappear, and that amount is added as a bonus to stats related to attack actions such as cutting power, destructive power, and penetration power—

“Kyaaaaaaak!”

I clear my mind and quickly cover my face with my shield.

Clack!

I hear something grinding from beyond the shield that blocked the claws.

However, I’m more worried about my body than the repair costs.

Moonstone, a 4th-stage metal, is taking this much damage.

‘I wouldn’t be able to withstand this with my bare body either.’

It’s natural that casualties are increasing.

Their claws were tearing through 2nd-stage metal like paper.

‘Hoo, if the essence comes out, I’ll eat it right away.’

Originally, when this event was opened, it was near the very end, so the essence of these guys wasn’t attractive.

However, it’s different for me now.

First of all, the raw stats are high for a 5th-grade, and….

The skill is also quite good.

With this one skill, I can temporarily change my position from a tank to a DPS dealer.

Well, it’s a skill that I can’t use in the current situation, though.

‘Still, their raw stats were incredibly high.’

Even a slight increase in stats would be a great help.

I can just erase the essence later at the temple.

Now, 1 million stones doesn’t feel that expensive.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaa!!”

I shout to raise morale.

This act is not just for me.

Each person shouts what they believe in to shake off their fear.

“For Lapdonia!”

The loyal knight, without getting tired, shouts for the royal family that abandoned them.

“Aili!!”

Someone shouts their wife’s name.

“May the starlight guide me!”

Someone asks for help from the god they believe in.

How much time has passed?

[It’s time for a shift.]

Kyle’s voice is transmitted through the message stone, and the warriors and knights who had been conserving their stamina from the rear switch places with the front line.

“…Are you going to be okay?”

The dwarf warrior who fought the hardest next to me asked me worriedly.

Of course, if I answered honestly, I would also want to rest.

However….

“There has to be someone to find the path in front, right?”

“You could call another scout to do that.”

“Another scout….”

Suddenly, a chuckle escaped me.

Most scouts have poor combat abilities.

And you’re telling me to call them here, where even heavily armed warriors and knights are at risk of having their flesh torn and their intestines spilling out?

“Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

“…I’ll be back soon.”

Well, we only fought together for a short time, but he’s quite loyal.

“I’ll be waiting.”

After the dwarf warrior retreated, new people filled my back or side.

It’s not unfamiliar.

We already introduced ourselves before we departed.

“Elbertin, Davers, Karkin, you’ve come. I’ll leave my side to you.”

“Haha, it hasn’t been long, but you look terrible.”

“How about resting in the back? We’ll open the path from now on.”

The warriors, seeing my tattered equipment and the blood that was still flowing down without hardening, showed consideration.

“I can still hold on. I’ll tell you when.”

“You’re stubborn.”

“That’s why so many people have gathered, isn’t it?”

“Damn it, those guys don’t even give us time to greet each other properly.”

Before we could finish our brief chat, we had to resume moving quickly due to the beasts that appeared in front of us.

“They’re very different from ordinary Blade Wolves, so be careful.”

“We know without you telling us.”

“They keep popping out of the side paths.”

“It was fierce over there too, though not as much as here. Many have already died.”

What?

“Died…?”

“There aren’t any priests over there, are there?”

Right, that’s right.

All the priests were placed on the front line.

However, that doesn’t mean that this place is safer.

Even so, there were casualties in the battle.

And….

‘Someday, all the divine power will run out.’

To save divine power, we had the injured retreat to the back and use potions whenever possible.

However, that’s only a matter of time.

Then this place will turn into an even worse hell.

‘Misha….’

I shook my head.

I was worried about my comrades in the back, but if something had happened, I would have received a message through the message stone.

‘Let’s focus on what I have to do.’

I cleared my thoughts and put my shield on my shoulder, putting my weight on it.

If necessary, I swing my mace.

Sometimes I shout, lose my balance and fall to the ground, but quickly roll up and get back on my feet.

Thwack! Thwack! Slash! Crash!

The beasts, cut by blunt weapons, swords, or the aura drawn by the knights, spew black blood.

Their fluids cover my body and then cover it again.

And so, time passes again.

“Huff, huff.”

The warriors who focused all their stats on their physique let out rough breaths and groans.

It was that kind of battle.

Even I, who prided myself on having experienced all sorts of chaos, found it difficult to maintain my sanity.

Is that why?

When I came to my senses, another warrior was standing on my left.

Since when?

“Davers, when did Elbertin go to the back?”

“…….”

“Did he die?”

“Yes.”

…I see.

We were going to drink together later.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaa!!”

Like pouring in fuel.

I move forward, burning even the fleeting emotions.

Also, I ordered the priests to heal others rather than me.

Since I have pain tolerance, potions would be enough….

Pfft.

No, honestly, I don’t even know anymore.

Have I been fighting so much that my judgment has become clouded?

Or, is it because there are only warriors next to me that the barbarian instincts engraved in my body have awakened?

Is it because we became acquainted?

Well, maybe it’s because I’ve seen too many deaths recently.

To someone, I was a disposable piece.

And I was also a disposable piece to someone else.

That was a fact that was too obvious until a few days ago.

I wasn’t angry or felt it was unfair.

That was the world, and I chose to conform.

But….

Thump-!

What is this feeling?

I wasn’t this kind of person.

But….

Thump-!

A heart that’s burning hot.

The head.

The warmth of the flowing blood.

The stickiness.

Thump-!

Yes, it might be natural that I’m not in my right mind.

“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

I stopped looking for the reason.

I don’t know why, but every time someone following behind me died, something stirred in my heart.

It was a desire I had never felt before.

Thump-!

Me.

My comrades.

And the countless people following behind me.

Thump-!

I want to go back alive.

「Character’s health is below 20%.」

「Due to the passive skill [Path of the Hero], the increase in all resistance and tolerance values reaches its maximum.」

Even if it means burning everything I have.