Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 277

The hidden piece of Parune Island, ‘Wrath of the Sea.’

The difficulty of this event, which occurs when a tribute is destroyed with fewer than 20 people on the island, is determined by the number of people.

For 5-9 people, the number of normal monsters increases.

In 10-14 person mode, a fourth wave is added and the final boss appears, and in 15-19 person mode, some of the penalties that the final boss had disappear…

‘To think I’d be doing a 3rd grade raid in this unprepared state.’

The more I think about it, the more I sigh.

What I was aiming for was the boss of the third wave.

Originally, if the event was done with 6 people, the fourth wave wouldn’t even start.

I wanted to get a large number of mobs to obtain magic stones and essences for sale, and if possible, even obtain 4th grade essences to feed Misha or Erwen.

But nothing went as planned.

‘……Why is my fate always like this?’

Not only did the event start at the highest difficulty, but the number of people decreased, and we ended up doing the last wave with 10 people.

Even the Elprot essence that was the goal didn’t come out.

Of course, if the final boss drops the essence, that’s a minor issue that I can laugh off…

‘I probably won’t be able to catch it.’

It’s a situation where I have to prioritize survival rather than loot.

Because 3rd grade monsters are like that in this game.

No matter how much of an explorer you are who has reached the 6th floor, it’s a monster that’s almost impossible to hunt safely with ten people who have never even coordinated.

‘But what can I do? I have to try.’

I get up.

“Your authority will disappear soon.”

The priestess spoke as if she had been waiting.

“How much time do we have left exactly?”

“10 minutes.”

Right, 10 minutes…

I nodded and scanned the surroundings.

I could see Partsran and Amelia talking in the distance.

“A 3rd grade monster, are you sure about that?”

“The truth doesn’t change just because you don’t believe it.”

“You’re talking as if you’ve seen it with your own eyes? [Danger Detection] isn’t that accurate of an ability, is it? I’ve heard that it often exaggerates or reduces information because it conveys it in the form of senses—”

It was a meaningless suspicion and conversation.

I turned my attention away from their conversation and approached one person.

“Bjorn…”

Misha Kalstein.

A colleague who has been with me in the labyrinth for the longest time, and…

‘I can’t call her a lover.’

I smiled wryly and opened my mouth.

“Are you okay?”

“I think that’s what I should be asking you…?”

“I’m fine. I’m a little stiff, but it’s probably because I slept for too long.”

After that, I talked with Misha for a while.

It wasn’t like I was telling her secret plans that I couldn’t tell others.

Because I haven’t had a proper conversation with her yet.

After reuniting, I spent a day unconscious, and after waking up, the last wave started, so there was no time for that.

“I was very worried.”

“That’s… I’m sorry. That woman seemed to know you, so I couldn’t just leave you—”

“In that case, just say you won’t worry me next time.”

“Okay. I won’t.”

Okay, then that’s settled.

What should I talk about now?

“Anyway, I’m glad everyone is okay. I was actually very worried. I felt strange…”

“Strange feeling?”

“…It’s nothing to worry about. Thinking about it now, I think I was just anxious because I was left alone after being separated from you guys.”

Well, that’s how people usually are.

Usually, negative thoughts are more vivid in your head.

“…But, is it okay for us to be like this?”

What’s not okay?

There’s even a priestess sitting there praying.

Even Bear-ahjussi is writing a letter.

Is it because he almost died and came back to life?

As soon as he heard that a 3rd grade monster had appeared, he seemed to remember the things he hadn’t said to his wife…

“Urakburak! What are you doing! You can tell her the kid’s name in person when you get out!”

“Forget it, just tell me. What name would be good for a girl? First of all, you too… ahem, aren’t you a girl.”

What, are they seriously naming a kid right now?

That’s making me anxious too.

I wish they would stop setting up death flags…

“…It feels like that time.”

“Ah, you mean when we were trapped on the first floor?”

“Yeah. It was exactly this kind of atmosphere back then.”

What kind of atmosphere?

It’s much better now than it was then.

Even that Raven left a will, asking to deliver it if he couldn’t return to the city.

Oh, by the way, most of it was about his assets.

“By the way, Bjorn, you’re the same this time too.”

“You mean not leaving a will?”

“Yeah.”

I chuckled.

In the first place, there’s no one outside the labyrinth to deliver a will to, and even if I die, I don’t want to reveal my identity.

That would be a much better memory.

“But Misha, you didn’t leave a will either, did you?”

“That’s true, but…”

Misha trailed off.

She seemed like she wanted to tell me something, so I cut her off firmly.

“Let’s stop talking about dark things. After all, we all came back alive back then. We will this time too.”

“…Okay. I believe you because it’s you.”

After that, we had a casual conversation, escaping from the present.

How much time had passed?

“Barbarian.”

Amelia called me.

“It’s time.”

Peaceful time always passes quickly.

“Hehe, a 3rd grade monster. How exciting!”

Iinar was holding the greatsword he had been sharpening with a whetstone during the spare time.

“Seriously, Iinar… Is this the time to be excited? We might all die?”

Raven scolded Iinar.

“Okay, okay, stop fighting. Everyone, take this.”

Bear-ahjussi handed out letters covered in crooked handwriting to his companions.

“May the light shine on our path.”

The priestess also finished her long prayer and stood up.

“Misha.”

“Yeah.”

I sent Misha back to her position, then grabbed my mace and shield and stood at the front of the formation.

Soon, the barrier that had been surrounding us shattered.

「[Declaration of Evil Extermination] is canceled.」

It’s time to roll the dice.

***

[Kieeeeeeeek-!]

As soon as [Declaration of Evil Extermination] was canceled, the monster group that had been stationed in front of the barrier began to rush in, and Raven recited the activation words of the magic circle she had prepared in advance.

“Sartum Ebehel!”

A military magic that is not allowed to be learned by ordinary mages because its lethality is abnormally high for its grade.

「Arua Raven has cast 4th grade attack magic [Collapse].」

At the same time as the drawn magic circle emitted light, red targets appeared on the vital points of about a hundred monsters rushing towards us.

And about 2 seconds later.

Kwajijijik-!

Explosions occurred from the inside, and many monsters burst apart. An average of 6th grade monsters were swept away by a single magic spell.

Of course, the result was not obtained without a price.

“…I’m going to rest for a bit now.”

Raven, who had used up most of her magic power with this one spell, could no longer be expected to provide support.

Her role is to conserve as much magic power as possible and replenish MP until the final boss arrives.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaa!!”

Therefore, the remaining enemies are our responsibility.

[Kieeeeeeeek-!]

The densely packed monster group was annihilated, but monsters were still appearing everywhere.

Kwajik, kwajik, kwajik-!

I only activated [Giant Form] and focused on the role of a ‘barrier’ so that my companions could deal damage comfortably.

Because we still have enough firepower against mobs.

Whieeeeeeet!

Puk-!

Kwaaaaaaaang!

A three-way ranged dealer composition consisting of Erwen, Nebarche, and Bear-ahjussi.

「Iinar Pnelin has defeated an enemy.」

「[Devour] is activated and soul power is restored.」

Iinar, a berserker [a warrior who fights in a frenzy] who shows his true value when dealing with a large number of weak enemies.

Partsran, a 4th grade explorer, also did his part, and Misha used her unique quick movements to defeat enemies heading to the rear, passing by me.

And…

‘She’s really good at fighting.’

The most impressive was Amelia.

She refused the position I had assigned her, saying she would take care of it herself, and I had to admit that she had the talent for it.

Seogeok-!

The number of monsters that have disappeared into light from that woman’s dagger skills, which roam through the monsters like a separate unit, has already exceeded ten.

If you count the number that her clones summoned by [Self-Replication] have defeated, it would increase by 1.5 times.

Because of that, I was a little worried.

“It would be better to save some strength?”

MP is MP, but the most worrying part is mana.

Another resource that is consumed when using ‘aura’, which is also a symbol of a knight. If she uses it like this, she might not be able to use it later when fighting the boss.

But…

“I know my condition best, so stop giving me advice.”

“…If you say so.”

What can I say when she says that?

Besides, if she has any sense, she’ll be adjusting it herself.

She has much more practical experience than I do.

‘I should just do my job well.’

I focus all my attention on blocking the incoming monsters with my shield. I swing my mace occasionally, but only to push the enemies away.

I decided to save MP for later.

Unless I use [Swing], I have to hit them more than ten times for the mobs to die.

“The monsters are starting to decrease.”

As the magic stones that the monsters spat out piled up around us, the number of monsters that rushed in decreased.

“Maybe this is because the priestess’s prayers worked!”

Everyone, including Bear-ahjussi, looked delighted at this fact, but I was indifferent.

Because I already knew it.

The monsters we had been fighting so far were just the ones that had been wandering around the island without being caught in the third wave.

There are no normal mobs in the fourth wave.

Well, if they had any conscience, they would have to do this.

How can you catch a 3rd grade monster as a boss if there are mobs swarming around it?

“Let’s try a little harder!”

Anyway, the morale of the group rose a little more with the positive news.

And…

“It seems like there are no more around.”

Time passed, and finally the mob cleanup was over.

We quickly picked up only the magic stones and reorganized our formation, and waited while taking a short break.

About 10 minutes or so passed.

“It’s here.”

No one asked which direction it was.

At Amelia’s murmur, everyone looked up and stared at one place.

Kooong.

Beyond the bushes where the heavy footsteps could be heard.

Kooong-!

It was breaking trees and revealing its appearance.

[Kuoohhhhhhhh-!!]

The first 3rd grade monster we faced.

As soon as we witnessed it, Raven shouted and shared the information she knew.

“…I, it’s a Stormgush!”

It was also called the Ogre of the Sea.

***

Stormgush.

A 3rd grade sea monster with the nickname Ogre of the Sea. To classify it in more detail, it is close to a crustacean [a type of animal with a hard shell and multiple legs, like a crab or lobster].

It doesn’t mean it looks like a lobster.

Its huge body, reaching 5m, is covered with thick and hard shells, but its basic form is similar to a lizardman.

Kooong-!

A long tail that acts as a counterweight.

A protruding snout.

Even the fact that it is bipedal, and that it uses weapons despite having that crazy physical ability.

Kooong-!

As soon as it fully revealed its appearance, everyone swallowed hard.

“That’s a 3rd grade monster…”

An out-of-standard monster that clans that have entered the 7th floor have to hunt with dozens of people.

I’ve fought many large monsters of this size, but the ominous presence it emits was different from those monsters.

But it’s nothing compared to a floor master.

I quickly shouted.

“Prepare for battle!!”

What are you all spacing out for?

We’re already within its range.

[Kuooh—!!]

The monster, holding a huge harpoon in its hand, moved as agilely as its massive size would not allow and rushed towards us.

So I immediately turned on Giant Form (Transcendence) mode.

Right, to fight a monster like that, you have to match its size first.

「The physique increases in proportion to strength.」

The warrior’s body began to swell in an instant.

The monster’s eyes change a little.

From eyes that were simply looking at prey to eyes that were facing an enemy.

Well, when I measured my height in this state last time, it was a little over 5m, right? It probably didn’t expect that there would be a human at the same eye level as it.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaa!!”

I rushed out, inflating my physical stats with [Wild Outburst]. I judged that if I was pushed back by force in the first exchange, I would be looked down on.

Kwaaaaaaaang-!

Almost as soon as I took a few steps, the monster’s trident struck my shield.

A blow that was not enough to be described as heavy.

‘I’m still being pushed back even in this state.’

My body is thrown backwards even though it was a collision, not a block. It’s an experience I’ve rarely had since obtaining the soul imprint [Unification].

It’s not like there’s a knockback bonus, but since [Giant Form] was applied to my equipment, it’s much easier to use tons when talking about my weight.

“What are you all doing, not attacking!”

As soon as I was thrown back, Iinar swung his adamantite greatsword.

「Iinar Pnelin has cast [Wild Control].」

「All conditional activation effects of the next attack are converted to cutting power.」

One of the various ‘conversion’ skills that converts the bonus effects of a hit into cutting power. On top of that, the weight of the greatsword and the force of the downward strike were added.

But…

Kagak-!

Iinar’s greatsword only penetrated about 1cm, only making a scratch on the shell.

It’s not that Iinar’s ability is lacking, but rather that the monster is a monstrous beast.

It’s not called the Ogre of the Sea for nothing.

Its physical resistance is insane.

Well, it doesn’t matter since there’s a separate main dealer.

“Wait, let me borrow it.”

Then, Amelia stepped on my shoulder and leaped, slamming her dagger into the monster’s shoulder area.

The dagger was overflowing with an aura that had the effect of ignoring 90% of physical resistance.

Puk-!

Amelia’s dagger was deeply embedded up to the handle and then pulled out.

Pishuuuwoot-!

Dark green body fluid gushed out from the wound due to the pressure difference.

But it wasn’t a meaningful blow.

It’s not a monster that’s so weak that it would be affected by that kind of wound or feel pain, and…

Its regeneration is also very high.

Huuuwoong-!

The monster then scratched Amelia with its sharp claws. A fast movement that would be twice my agility stat.

However, it was not enough to catch a real agility character.

Tap.

As soon as Amelia took a backstep and avoided the monster’s counterattack, I closed the distance again to prevent it from rampaging further.

Is it a problem that I’m not good enough to mark it one-on-one because I’m lacking in strength?

It wasn’t a big problem right now.

Jiiiiiiik.

I’m the main tank, but it’s not like I have to block it alone.

“Shell lizard! Get away from Bjorn!”

Even if I’m pushed back by a single spear attack, there are several warriors who can distract the monster’s attention from the side.

“Misha, Partsran! You guys help too!”

I quickly gave orders.

“Never get close and only stick to it when it attacks me!”

That’s also what melee dealers have to prioritize during a raid. As the front line was formed according to my instructions, the battle was still established.

[Kuoohhhhh!!]

I’m in charge of tanking the big normal attacks.

When I’m pushed back, the melee dealers approach and distract its attention.

In the meantime, I stick to it again and draw aggro, and in the meantime, Amelia deals damage from time to time.

“The wound is already healing. Raven, cast ‘Worsen’ first! And tell me everything you know about it!”

While repeating a series of processes, Raven cast support magic and briefed information about the monster in real time.

“F, floor! When Stormgush slams the floor with its feet, you have to get away! It’s a movement when using the ability called [Eye of the Storm]…”

Data that is insufficient to be called a strategy.

However, even this was something I had failed to tell my companions in advance.

How can I tell them about a strategy?

Also, in a situation where we only know it’s a 3rd grade, and no one knows what kind of monster it is.

‘But Raven knows it well, so I don’t need to step in.’

If Raven hadn’t been there, I would have had to do the briefing.

It’s too risky to pretend to learn while getting hit together. In a fight with a monster like this, one hit can lead to a fatal injury.

For example…

「Stormgush has cast [Eye of the Storm].」

Right, just like what Raven said just now.

Kooong.

After the monster slammed the ground with its foot, a vortex swirled within a 5m radius in less than a second, sucking in everything inside.

Whieeeeeeet!

The wind pressure that could be felt even one step behind.

“Get back!”

Those who had moved out of the radius in case they got caught moved even further away.

Ah, of course, I was the opposite.

Tap.

Instead of retreating from the radius, I thrust my body into the whirlwind.

“B, Bjorn? Where are you going!!”

[Eye of the Storm] is an aura-type skill.

The whirlwind lasts for 5 seconds around the monster, not at that point.

In other words, if the monster rushes towards us, it means that someone is likely to get caught.

Someone has to take charge of holding it to be safe.

Whieeeeeeeet-!

The moment I entered the radius, the wind swirled and enveloped my whole body, but I was not sucked into the monster like a magnet.

「The character’s total weight is over 1,000kg.」

「Ignores the special effect [Eye of the Storm].」

Right, if a body like this was blown away by just the wind, that would be even stranger, wouldn’t it?

Whiek-!

The real problem was the trident that was thrust in the environment where it was difficult to even open my eyes.

To be honest, I didn’t even see it.

But…

Kwaaang-!

My hand moved on its own and blocked the spear.

Is it thanks to moving my body around so much?

‘Wow, I reacted to that.’

Now my body really reacts before my head.

Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaang-!

After blocking the spear about three more times, relying on my intuition, the whirlwind subsided.

Okay, then I can move away now.

Tap.

As I stepped back, I heard Raven’s shout, which had been buried in the sound of the wind.

“Mr. Yandel, what was that just now!! I told you just before…!!”

A rebuke towards a member who did not follow instructions.

But there was only one thing I, a barbarian, could say. It’s a bit much to say I forgot, even for me…

“Ah, sorry. I just felt like I had to.”

In the first place, you, a mage, should have told me first.

That heavy people can’t be sucked into that, so go in and hold it.

Tsk, that’s why they’re local mages.

‘Hah, is that kind of basic thing not written in books?’

It’s a lamentable thing for me.