Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 222

Abyssal Lord Berzak.

Though his actual combat power is lower than that of Lyakis on the 3rd floor, he is a floor lord whose difficulty is several times higher.

That’s because the ‘Abyssal Mist’ is a cheat.

It seals active skills and various use effects.

It reduces magic power efficiency by three-quarters.

5th-grade abyssal monsters appear as mobs throughout the capture and interfere.

Due to these adverse conditions, it’s difficult to even attempt to take him down unless it’s the latter half of the dungeon.

There are too many things you need to have to capture him.

Top-tier number items that have constant effects, not use effects.

A top-tier tank that can hold him alone.

A damage dealer who can use aura or is equivalent to it.

As many priests as possible.

Several mages who are powerful even with a quarter of their efficiency.

It’s recommended that all participants have equipment of at least Tier 5 or higher, and even then, the damage will be significant if you don’t prepare some special consumables.

However, even with all of this.

If it’s the 7th day, you can consider it a failure.

Because from then on, additional attack patterns are unlocked regardless of the phase.

In short, it means that it’s impossible for us to catch him even if we die and come back to life.

But…….

[We’ve finally caught his eye. He’ll be here soon.]

We can at least buy some time.

While waiting for Kyle to join, I checked the time.

[19:34]

Day 5, 7 PM.

We, who had fiercely broken through the path, confirmed the portal to the east, and now we were only about 2 hours away from the goblin forest.

A valuable result achieved through the sacrifice of warriors.

However, it would be a lie if I said that there wasn’t a bit of luck involved.

“Yandel, are you okay?”

“What’s not okay? I thought we’d run into him at least once anyway.”

It’s actually more of a stroke of luck that we’re only running into him now.

Perhaps the expedition that chose a different direction instead of us would have suffered extreme damage.

“…….”

How many more people would have died in vain?

Suddenly, my head cools down, but I don’t feel sorry.

We’re all in the same situation.

We decided to be each other’s bait.

If we had encountered him earlier, other expeditions would have been able to break through the path more easily.

“You’ve been waiting.”

After about 5 minutes, Kyle arrived with the forces for Plan B.

Six 5th-grade mages.

Three knights, three warriors.

I quickly scanned the forces and couldn’t hide my doubts.

“Why are there so few?”

The number of mages hasn’t changed, but the number of others has decreased drastically.

What could be the reason?

“The rest are all dead.”

Right, they weren’t just playing around in the back either.

Six people are missing.

Then, who should fill those spots?

“Ah, by the way, your companions said they would follow, but I stopped them. You’ll have to listen to some nagging later.”

Nagging, huh…….

But still, six isn’t enough, is it?

Ah, maybe the fairy sisters also offered to come.

“……Thank you.”

I thanked Kyle and then scanned the warriors around me.

And I opened my mouth brightly.

“As you all heard, six people are missing. I’m sorry that you’re all in such a state, but is there anyone who will go with me?”

Before I finished speaking, someone answered.

“I’ll go. I’ll follow you.”

A 5th-grade warrior, Alexandro Bell.

He was from a large clan, but he was pushed down the priority list and abandoned here.

“I was bored of just stepping on traps, so this is perfect!”

Karkin, the third son of Tion.

A thirty-year-old barbarian warrior who was active as a warrior in a clan of 10 people.

It was amazing to see a fellow tribesman who was 4th grade.

“Hey, you better keep your promise to buy me a drink when we get out!”

Milton Teterud.

The leader of a clan made up of only dwarves.

That doesn’t mean they explore together, but usually, they lend their clan members to affiliated teams as mercenaries?

It was a clan that felt closer to a guild.

“…….”

It was time to say thank you, but I was speechless without realizing it.

Honestly, I didn’t expect this situation.

Because it’s different from what it has been so far.

It’s only 2 hours to the portal now.

Even if it’s a hope that will be extinguished the moment it reaches despair, hope is still hope.

Even those who risked their lives to break through the path wouldn’t have no desire to live.

They’ve already taken this much damage while fighting mere mobs, so I thought there would be almost no one who would volunteer to be bait for a boss monster.

But, what was the reality?

“Oh, if I follow you there, can I join that drinking party too?”

“I’m more drawn to something else. If I just close my eyes and follow you once, I feel like I’ll have an achievement to brag about at drinking parties for the rest of my life.”

“Behel—raaaaaaaa!!”

“Please take me. I was curious about what that Berzak or whatever his face looks like anyway.”

Numerous explorers volunteer, shouting.

Is it just because they believe in the plan that Kyle and I made?

Or is it because their brains, swept up in this heated atmosphere, are just releasing endorphins?

Well, that’s probably part of the reason.

However, even if that’s the case, one thing is clear.

“You all… have something wrong with your heads.”

It’s not a choice you can make with a sound mind.

But, did that sound strange?

There was a moment of silence.

“……You’re not wrong. If we talked about this outside, everyone would say the same thing.”

Someone agreed.

“But, is that coming from your mouth?”

Someone laughed as if they were dumbfounded.

There was nothing I could say.

I just did what I had to do.

But…….

‘Does that mean they’re the same?’

My heart is pounding as if something is really wrong with my head.

However, my head needed to cool down.

I chose six people from the many volunteers.

The only criterion was one.

Who would be the best fit when I take them?

Since they were comrades who had fought together all day long, it was no problem to choose.

I already knew their fighting styles roughly.

“You! Why are you leaving me behind!”

When I finished making my decision, Teterud, the leader of the dwarf clan, protested.

“Are you worried that I’ll be a burden?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then why? I won’t let you go until you tell me the reason!”

Geez, this little guy is stubborn.

Looking at Kyle, it seemed like the magic circle was almost complete, so I briefly explained the situation.

“We need someone to lead this place even when I’m not here.”

Teterud is a 4th-grade explorer.

He’s skilled, and since he’s the one who leads the clan, he knows how to handle people.

If we were to entrust the front line, this guy would be perfect.

In fact, I heard that he showed leadership every time I fainted.

“……Tsk.”

He was dissatisfied, but he seemed to understand, and he didn’t bother me anymore.

“Yandel, the preparations are complete. It’s about time he comes.”

Ah, I see.

As soon as I heard Kyle’s words that the magic circle was set up, I sent them away.

“That’s enough, you guys go. This explorer that Kyle brought will show you the way. I heard he’s pretty tough, but just in case, make sure he doesn’t die.”

“You’re talking like you’re a dad. Anyway, we’re going. See you later. For sure. Got it?”

“You’re the one who sounds like a dad.”

“I do have a kid in the city. Let’s go!”

I stood against the wall so as not to block the way, and Teterud opened the way again by stepping on a trap at the front, and the warriors followed behind him.

Everyone threw a word as they passed.

“Don’t die.”

“Hmm, strangely, I don’t think you’re going to die. See you later!”

Most of them were words of encouragement and support.

Those words continued for a while even after the warrior group had passed. Some thanked me, and some apologized.

It wasn’t just once or twice, it was repeated endlessly.

“Why are they all like that?”

Kyle chuckled at my question.

“Well, your message stone has been on the whole time, hasn’t it? Everyone already knows what’s going on up front.”

Right, that’s how it is.

“Bjorn…….”

As the procession continued, the members of Team Apple Narac also appeared.

Misha looked like she was about to cry when she saw my state. Raven and Bear Uncle were also just as gloomy.

“Don’t be so pathetic and go quickly. If you guys block the way, the people behind you can’t go.”

“Really… if you come back hurt, I won’t let it slide.”

Um, telling a tank not to get hurt, isn’t that like saying you’ll never let it slide?

I had that thought, but I swallowed my words.

‘Not bad.’

What if I get scolded a little?

All of this is to get that everyday life.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, don’t worry. Even without Yandel, I will definitely protect our team. Now, Ainar? Let’s go?”

“Ugh, a, okay! Don’t pull my hair!”

After that, Raven left, riding Ainar, who was stubbornly insisting that he should follow too.

Even after that, the procession continued.

It was like refugees fleeing through a tunnel during wartime.

Flicker.

The burning torch.

The groans of the injured being carried on their companions’ backs.

Broken equipment.

Bloodstains.

The sadness that appeared in their eyes.

The sweat that fell as they followed with limping steps.

I didn’t even need to ask Kyle to know.

Just as much as I had a lot of things happen to me, today must have been particularly long for them too.

“Okay, everyone’s gone.”

Not only the first group at the front, which I belonged to, but also the second and third groups that followed the marks left in the passage had all passed us.

It didn’t take long.

Because we were at least running at a jogging pace.

The number had also decreased a lot compared to the beginning.

“It’s gotten kind of eerie.”

As soon as everyone left, the surroundings became dark.

Was it because the flickering torches were lighting up the surroundings when the procession was passing us?

I feel the contrast clearly now.

It feels like we’re the only ones left in a desolate world.

‘By the way, it’s about time he came…….’

I raised my shield.

And I stared beyond the passage.

“He’s here.”

Visibility 2m.

In the darkness of the labyrinth beyond that, hundreds of eyes were watching us.

Abyssal Lord Berzak.

He came.

***

The biggest concern when we first made the plan was, of course, Berzak.

No matter how I thought about it, it was impossible for hundreds of people to escape from this bastard.

It was safe to say that we would be annihilated the moment we encountered him.

Well, if we scattered and ran away, the aggro [aggression or attention of a monster] would bounce around, so quite a few would survive…….

What could we possibly do if we were scattered?

It was clear that we wouldn’t even be able to reach the portal, let alone fight on the 2nd floor.

Therefore…….

“Can we use the magic circle right away?”

We made Plan B.

However, we can only use this strategy once with the resources we have.

“I’ve checked the magic circle several times, so don’t worry.”

If Plan B fails, everyone will die.

Even if it succeeds, if we encounter the Abyssal Watcher again, we will not be able to avoid annihilation.

Ah, by the way, this is also one of the reasons why we assumed the maximum number of portal searches to be 2.

By that time, many expeditions would have disappeared.

We judged that even if we managed to get through it once, the probability of meeting Berzak again was too high.

“Prepare for battle.”

The moment the eyes appeared in the darkness, everyone drew their weapons and prepared to fight.

They knew from Kyle’s explanation what these eyes meant.

“…….”

These intangible eyes are effects that appear around Berzak.

For reference, the radius in the game setting is about 2km.

However, it’s not just a simple background screen.

All of these eyes share their vision with him.

In other words, Berzak is already looking at us.

“As you all know, our goal is to hold out as long as possible. Until the other explorers escape beyond his line of sight.”

Kyle seemed nervous, as he repeated the explanation he had given several times.

“Do you think we’re fools? We remember everything. If your prediction is correct, you said we only need to hold out for about 10 minutes, right?”

“That’s right. I’m sorry. But I’ll say one more thing. I forgot to say it earlier, but… no matter what happens, protect Yandel, this friend.”

“Huh? Yandel? Sure.”

“Aren’t you going to ask why?”

“Everyone knows without being told. It’s because we can only survive if this guy survives.”

Everyone nodded at the words of a warrior.

“I was going to say that it’s because if Yandel, who defeated the Abyssal Watcher, dies, he might target the main force…….”

Kyle smiled awkwardly and trailed off.

“Well, it’s okay. It doesn’t seem like it would make much of a difference even if I said it.”

“Haha! Right, whatever the reason, as long as the result is the same, isn’t it?”

“That’s a very good point, but in this respect, it seems that warriors and mages are no different?”

The light conversation made the tense atmosphere a little more relaxed.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last long.

Whoosh!

A shadow shot in a sharp, needle-like shape.

Clang-!

The moment I blocked it with my shield, I felt pain in the back of my hand.

It’s not deep.

It’s just a slight prick on the skin.

‘Hoo, this is the first time I’ve met him in such an unprepared state, so I can’t calculate the damage.’

I never thought that a normal attack would pierce the Moonlight Stone Shield.

Is it because I’m not in [Giant] state?

The expressions of the warriors who saw my pierced shield hardened coldly.

Kyle chanted as if to boost morale.

“……Let’s hold out for 10 minutes.”

It already felt like an eternity.

Even so, I somehow laughed.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Warriors laugh when they’re having a hard time.”

I looked ahead.

I could see the shadows swaying in the darkness.

Abyssal Lord Berzak.

One of the bosses that can only be captured in the latter half.

A monster among monsters that we can only get hit by right now.

But so what?

“Behel—raaaaaaaa!!”

Even so, this guy is just one hurdle.

To end this unusually long day.

And to welcome tomorrow.