Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 34

My mind is blank, and my vision is blurry.

Pain? Don’t even mention it. It feels like my whole body is being diced and then soaked in saltwater.

I want to give up on everything right now, but…

‘Bullshit.’

I forcefully push away those weak thoughts. When faced with a crossroads, humans must choose. What to abandon, and what to protect in return.

Thwack!

Something sharp pierces my thigh deeply. It’s okay. It’s not a part that will immediately endanger my life.

However, perhaps he was enraged by seeing prey that wouldn’t die no matter how much he tore it apart.

“Kyahhh!”

The vampire bastard’s movements become even more violent. But what I have to do remains the same.

I lift the shield, which has been cut and torn to half its size, and try my best to protect my vital points.

Crack!

The shield, unable to withstand the attack of a Rank 5 monster, is torn apart, leaving only the handle. Without a moment’s hesitation, I raise my arm instead of the shield to protect my head.

In that instant.

Clang!

Something, not a fingernail, crashes onto my head and shatters, scattering sharp fragments.

「The ‘Essence of the Corpse Golem’ permeates the character’s soul.」

The pain dulls instantly.

「Pain resistance +70.」

New vitality settles into my body, which has reached its limit.

「Strength +15.」

The fogginess in front of my eyes clears. The first thing I see is the vampire’s sharp fingernails swinging down on my arm, which is covering my head.

As soon as I see this, I imagine my own arm being sliced off whole, but… What actually happened was completely different.

Slice!

The fingernails easily pierced the soft flesh. However, that was all that was allowed.

Clack!

The fingernails are blocked by the bone and cannot go any further. Only then did I realize what the identity of this mysterious power was.

「Bone density +55.」

「Poison resistance +12.」

「Perception -5.」

「Appetite +9.」

「Weight +21.」

「Due to the passive skill [Acidic Body Fluid], the character’s blood becomes acidic…」

A sense of relief and regret washed over me at the same time.

‘They fed me the essence of the Corpse Golem…’

Because of this, my growth method will have to undergo a huge revision. However, if I look at the present with a short-sighted view for the first time in a long time… It’s very positive. The possibility of survival has increased.

Tap!

I roll backward on the ground and get up. Is it thanks to the effect of pain resistance? Now that the pain problem is somewhat resolved, it’s not impossible to move.

‘But what about the Guardian’s essence? Since I ate the Corpse Golem’s essence, does that mean it’s nullified?’

The thought that flashed through my mind was immediately dismissed. That’s something I can think about later.

“Kyahhh!”

The vampire, as if fascinated by the suddenly fresh prey, rushes at me enthusiastically. My body also moved to avoid him, but what happened afterward was not much different from before.

After all, there’s no way that eating one Rank 7 essence would allow me to overwhelm a Rank 5 monster. The meat shield that was lying down and getting hit has now stood up and can move.

‘That’s probably the only change.’

Even while making a self-deprecating self-assessment, I chuckled.

Thwack! Slice! Clack!

The fingernails tear through flesh and rip apart my insides. The potions I had swallowed and stored in my stomach must have been completely digested, as the regeneration speed is slow. But it doesn’t matter.

The passive mage must have finally realized that his own life is in danger, as he has started pouring in his assets.

Clang!

A glass bottle flies and shatters, pouring its contents over my body.

「Due to the [High Recovery] effect, the body regenerates rapidly.」

Could it be a high-grade potion? It definitely performs better than the potion the blonde guy gave me.

Sizzle!

The wounds begin to heal even faster than before. I actively charged at him. So what if my flesh is cut and my muscles are torn? They’ll all heal in a few seconds anyway.

“Kyahhh!”

“Waaaaaah!!!”

I shouted to avoid being pushed back by the vampire and engaged in close combat. There was no other choice. The hammer was far away, and the shield had become a pile of scrap metal.

“Kya, kyaak?!”

Perhaps he’s never met an explorer who uses ground techniques, as he’s greatly flustered when I cling to his back like a cicada and squeeze his neck. Well, is it flustered or in pain?

“Kyahhh!”

Smoke rises from the parts where our skin touches.

Sizzle!

Whether the smoke is from the acid in my blood touching him or from the potion healing my body, it’s impossible to tell exactly… But it doesn’t matter.

‘It’s probably both.’

Even in that standoff, another potion bottle flies and shatters with a ‘Clang!’ sound.

「Due to the [High Recovery] effect, the body regenerates rapidly.」

So, potions and acid were just a hair’s breadth apart. At the same time as the potion shattered, the vampire, who was being strangled, let out an even louder scream and threw me off with ease. The overwhelming difference in strength is clearly felt.

But…

“Shit, you’re nothing, you bastard.”

I’m starting to see a way. In this state, that is, in Barbarian Immortal mode, I can hold out against this bastard for several minutes. I’m sure of it.

“Bjorn! I’ll help!”

Even Ainar has rejoined the battle.

“What about Murad?”

“That porter is taking care of him!”

Ainar’s joining was a positive development. I take on the role of the main tank while drinking potions, and whenever it gets a little dangerous, Ainar swings his greatsword to create a moment to catch my breath. The battle has become much easier.

“Kyahhh!”

“Ainar! Get out of the way! Crows are about to fly in!”

The moment Ainar stepped back at my shout, the vampire’s body transformed into hundreds of crows and flew in. But they didn’t reach us, as we moved first.

“As expected, Bjorn is amazing! How did you know this was coming?”

Well, he always squinted one eye before using this. Rather than a racial characteristic of vampires, it felt more like a habit unique to this guy. It really seems like the end is in sight.

“I’m sorry! You all held out well! Hahaha!”

Soon, the dwarf, who had healed his injuries with potions, rejoined the battle. He even brought the porter with him.

“I’ll help from now on too.”

“We’ll assist you from the side!”

It was natural that I would continue to play the role of the main tank. It’s not like everyone is holding back. It seems they think that’s the most efficient way. A 3-year veteran dwarf warrior said to a 2-month barbarian.

“Bjorn, son of the great warrior Yandel! You can do it well enough! Hahaha!”

He seems to mean it as a compliment… ‘It means I have to keep working like a dog until the end.’ I guess I’m not destined to just coast through life? It’s not even surprising anymore.

“Behel–laaaaaaaa!”

As the four of us faced the vampire in a formation centered around me, the moment I had been waiting for so desperately arrived.

[It’s all done.]

If that ‘it’s all done’ means that she has finished recovering her magic power, completed the incantation of ‘Dark Sphere,’ and even completed ‘Attribute Enhancement’…

Then it means that all the preparations are finally complete. In other words, it means that it’s time to end this dog-like long fight and go outside.

[I can use magic anytime.]

The moment I heard the confirmation, I shouted loudly.

“Murad! Now! Use ‘Electric Discharge’!”

A command that was never promised or even mentioned once. However, the dwarf immediately carried out my instructions without saying a word.

Zzzzt, zzzzt!

Yellow light flickered on the dwarf’s hammer, and sparks began to fly.

「Hikurod Murad has cast [Electricity].」

The ability of the Rank 7 monster, Illatrek. Its effect is to make a strong current flow through a part of the body. In that state, the dwarf held the hammer low, as if he was about to do an uppercut.

“It would be best for everyone to step back for a moment! Hahaha!”

The dwarf, who gave a short warning, swung his hammer into the air with all his might. Being far away from the target, the vampire? Such a trivial thing was not a problem.

「Hikurod Murad has cast [Discharge].」

One of the rare ‘Transformation’ abilities in [Dungeon & Stone], ‘Discharge’. Its effect is to ’emit’ the ‘energy’ acquired through other abilities to the outside.

Whoooosh!

The electric current that had been lingering in the hammer was shot out like a cannonball in the form of a sphere… And it exploded, just like the word.

Boom!

The physical power was low compared to the sound. There was no crater in the ground, nor were the vampire’s limbs torn off, or anything like that. However…

「Vampire Duke Cambormier has fallen into a [Stun] state.」

The core of this combo was not power in the first place. Leaving the dwarf, who had instantly put a Rank 5 monster into a groggy state, behind, I sent a signal to the back. In a very analog way.

“Raven——!!!!”

Fortunately, the signal was well received, and a strong light immediately condensed on the roof about 200 meters away. I quickly took out an item hidden in my boots. A small gem the size of a fingernail, ‘Tears of the Goddess’. I had saved and cherished it for this moment, even through all those crises.

Tadat!

Holding it tightly, I ran forward. And after shoving it into the bastard’s mouth.

Whack!

I threw an uppercut with all my might and closed his mouth.

Crack.

I heard something breaking, and soon a pure white light burst from his mouth.

「Tears of the Goddess has been destroyed.」

「[Grace] is bestowed at the location of destruction.」

「Due to [Grace], all resistances of Vampire Duke Cambormier are temporarily sealed, and he suffers great damage.」

Blood gushes out of the vampire’s mouth like crazy. He looks fine on the outside, but it seems like he’s a mess on the inside. It was surprising again. He’s not dying with just this, huh?

「Due to the strong impact, Vampire Duke Cambormier’s [Stun] state is adjusted to [Paralysis].」

His fingers twitch, as if the stun has ended. ‘Is it not over yet? It shouldn’t be any later…’ I thought as I turned my head back.

「Arua Raven has cast the Rank 6 attack magic [Dark Sphere].」

A dazzling sphere, as if blackly undulating, brushed past my face. Regret washed over me belatedly.

Kwahhh-!

Ah, shit, I should have run away sooner…

***

「The character is caught in the explosion of [Dark Sphere] and falls into a [Stun] state.」

「Vampire Duke Cambormier has cast [Pain Sharing].」

「Hikurod Murad has fallen into a [Stun] state.」

「Ainar Fnellin has fallen into a [Stun] state…」

***

Beeeep-.

A clear sound, like a terrestrial channel after the national anthem, rings in my head. And through that ringing sound, I hear voices talking. A conversation with a tone like a comedy duo on TV.

[How can you sell grilled meat at a butcher shop!]

[No! This is raw meat!]

[No, it’s grilled, how is this raw meat!]

[But…]

Listening to their conversation, I opened my eyes. [You’re alive, aren’t you?]

I saw a dark sky. I could smell grilled meat. Is it coming from my body?

“Guh-huh…”

When I opened my mouth, a scratching sound came from my parched throat. My ears are fine too. I decided to think only about the positive aspects as much as possible.

“Cough! Ugh!”

The attack magic ‘Dark Sphere’, which has the solar attribute that combines fire and holy attributes. Of course, its power is weaker than the same rank ‘Fireball’. That was the only fortunate part for me. Otherwise, I might have really died on the spot.

‘But, why is it so quiet…?’

I was temporarily stunned by the ‘Dark Sphere’. That was clear, but there was not enough information to understand the current situation. Why haven’t I been treated yet, and why can’t I hear any sounds around me?

“…”

I pushed myself up, placing my pus-filled hand on the ground. And I forced my eyes to focus and checked ahead. First of all, I saw the vampire bastard.

“Shit.”

Why is that thing still alive? Of course, that bastard was also in tatters. Both arms were torn off, and bones were visible in the upper part of his chest, which had been dug out. He even seemed unconscious. But…

「Vampire Duke Cambormier’s regeneration is greatly increased by the [Eternal Life] effect.」

Even at this moment, his wounds are healing. Considering that it’s proportional to the lost health, it won’t take long for the flesh on his chest to heal and for his torn arms to grow back.

“You, mi…”

Looking around, I saw several people collapsed. The dwarf, Ainar, and the porter. Somehow, the mage on the roof far away seems to be in the same situation… It’s confusing. What the hell is this? We caught them all, so why are they all unconscious? What the hell happened while I was unconscious? It doesn’t seem like much time has passed?

All sorts of questions are popping up, but… I decided to ignore them all and took a step with my barely moving feet.

Thump.

The situation is still not understandable. But one thing was very clear. What do I have to do now?

Thump.

Vampire Duke Cambormier. I have to take him down before he regains consciousness. There is no other answer. No matter how rich the mage is, potions are not infinite. In fact, it would be right to say that the strategy of holding out with potions like before can no longer be used.

Thump.

So, I walked, even while staggering. Pain that even pain resistance can’t overcome? I ignored it as if I didn’t feel it and stretched out my legs that smelled like steak.

Thump.

Pain is a signal to live. At least, that’s what I think. It’s not like there weren’t times when I thought the opposite, but that’s how it is now. So, I kept walking.

Thump.

As I got closer, this vampire bastard also smelled like grilled meat. I released the strength in my knees and fell on top of him.

“You, son of a, bitch…”

The chest wound, where the bones were visible, had already healed quite a bit while I was walking. I can’t help but swear.

Thud!

So, I punched him in the chest. The vampire’s weakness is the heart. These bastards can come back to life as long as their heart is fine, even if their brain is destroyed.

‘Ah, so that’s why this bastard’s arms were torn off. He blocked the ‘Dark Sphere’ with his arms?’

Belatedly, I imagined the moment I didn’t see, but as always, I just let it go.

Thud!

I punched him again. The absence of equipment is felt more than ever. However, if you don’t have teeth, you have to chew with your gums.

Thud!

I don’t know where the mace is, and the shield has long since become waste and was thrown away haphazardly. Of course, Ainar’s greatsword and the dwarf’s battle hammer were lying on the ground, but… ‘I didn’t even think about picking them up.’ I probably didn’t have the strength to pick them up anyway.

While I was punching him, the seams of my crumpled and holed half-armor were torn off and fell to the ground. ‘My 360,000 stones [currency]…’

Looking at the half-armor, which was stained with acidic blood and corroded here and there, it seems difficult to repair. It’s the other parts that really mess with my mental state.

“Shit.”

This is like pouring water into a bottomless pit. No matter how much I hit him, nothing changes. How are his ribs so strong? I thought that if I kept hitting him, they would break and pierce his heart. ‘Okay, let’s give up on this plan.’ I always like to make a Plan B. Because Plan A has almost never succeeded. Whether it’s because of my unfortunate fate, something always goes wrong at the end, no matter what I do.

‘By the way, I’ve never tried this before…’

…Is this how you do it? Erwen said it’s important to image it accurately. ‘Flesh Explosion.’ Well, it actually works.

Boom!

The hand I placed on his chest exploded. The explosive power is not that great, but due to the acidic substance mixed with flesh and blood, his chest was slightly dented. Even that was quickly regenerated, but… ‘I didn’t expect it to work with just one try anyway.’ I cast [Flesh Explosion] in succession. How many times did I use it, about ten times?

Boom! Boom! Boom!

My left hand was completely messed up. Perhaps because my bone density had increased, only the flesh had disappeared, leaving the bones intact, like some kind of skeleton. Anyway, I can’t use my left hand anymore. ‘Then it’s the right hand’s turn.’ While thinking that this is not something a sane person would do, I continued to chant the spell in my mind. After placing my right hand on his chest. ‘Flesh Explosion, Flesh Explosion, Flesh Explosion…’ I kept exploding it. I ignored the pain that was breaking through the limit and reaching new heights as much as possible. It feels like I’m going to die, but I’m not doing this to die. I will definitely survive.

Boom!

After using it about eight times. My body swayed. It seems like I only need to do it a few more times, but…

「Warning: The character’s health is less than 1%. If not treated immediately, the character may die.」

I felt it instinctively. That I had reached a realm that could no longer be endured with willpower alone. I have to stop now. Otherwise, it might be possible to kill the vampire bastard, but I would also die. While I had that intuition, my reason judged. ‘If I’m going to die anyway even if I stop…’ I shouldn’t stop. It’s definitely not because I’m going to sacrifice myself for my companions.

Boom!

To some, I might look like a crazy bastard, but… In that fleeting moment, I was certain. That this was the only way to have even a slight chance of survival.

Boom!

The moment I exploded the flesh one more time.

「Warning: The character’s health has reached 0%.」

I felt that something had changed. It was as if something was leaving my whole body, but at the same time, it felt strangely lighter? Soon, I was able to realize.

「Starting the countdown.」

Ah, so this is it. That thing I called the ‘dying flash’.

「Consumes 3 points of mental power per second. (43/46)」

「Consumes 3 points of mental power per second. (40/46)」

「Consumes 3 points of mental power per second. (37/46)」

Even while feeling like the grim reaper was right behind me, I exploded the flesh again.

Boom!

His chest was dented again. But is this the barbarian’s combat intuition? Somehow, I could feel it more clearly than ever. ‘One more time.’ One more time. That’s all I need. So… ‘Flesh Explosion.’ Instead of my right arm, which had almost no flesh left, I pressed my chest against him and caused another explosion. And at the same time.

「Vampire Duke Cambormier has been defeated. EXP +5」

The vampire bastard’s body turns into particles of light. Yeah, so you can die too.

「Superior Variant Kill Bonus. EXP +1」

「Guardian Kill Bonus. EXP +3」

My chest swelled. Not a psychological description, but literally. Having experienced it before, I accurately grasped my current situation.

「The character’s level has increased.」

「Soul power +10.」

「Maximum absorbable essence +1.」

My level went up. I wasn’t particularly happy. It was just time for that, and… [Dungeon & Stone] is not a game where your health is restored when you level up.

「Consumes 3 points of mental power per second. (16/46)」

How many seconds do I have left? I don’t know, but it’s probably only about 5 seconds at most. ‘…In the end, I have to leave the last part to luck.’ Again, no matter how many times I think about it, it’s not a situation I can be happy about. However, I decided not to regret it. ‘In the game, the probability of a guardian spitting out essence from a rift is about 33 percent.’ 33%. A possibility that is too low to risk your life on. But, it’s a possibility that is incomparably higher than 0%. ‘Thinking about it again, there’s no reason not to do it.’ As if shaking off my lingering feelings, I grinned. Until the very last moment, I struggled. So, now I can only wait for the result.

「Consumes 3 points of mental power per second. (13/46)」

「Consumes 3 points of mental power per second. (10/46)」

「Consumes 3 points of mental power per second…」

1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds. My eyes are closing as time passes. ‘Did I fail…’ It’s not a failure due to a mistake. It’s just that luck didn’t follow me. ‘Maybe this is the ending that suits me best.’ I closed my eyes as if entrusting myself to the flow. Hoping that when I open my eyes again, I will be back to being 29-year-old office worker Lee Han-soo.

“Heh.”

Well, that’s not going to happen. ….「The [Essence of the Vampire-Guardian] permeates the character’s soul.」

「Natural regeneration +45.」

「Strength +15.」

「Agility +15.」

「Magic resistance +30…」

…「Due to the passive skill [Source of Darkness], the character does not die until the heart is destroyed.」

「The character’s regeneration is greatly increased by the [Eternal Life] effect.」

「The character’s health has recovered to 1% or more.」

「Ending the countdown.」

「Achievement Unlocked」

Condition: Survive after the countdown.

Reward: Mental stat permanently increases by +10.

「Bjorn Yandel」

Level: 3 (New +1)

Physical: 199.1 (New +87.7) / Mental: 105.3 (New +10) / Ability: 152.4 (New +129.4)

Item Level: 114 (New -104)

Total Combat Index: 485.3 (New +201.1)

Acquired Essence: Corpse Golem – Rank 7, Vampire(Guardian) – Rank 5 (New)

.

.

.

「Abnormal growth rate.」

「The administrator is watching the character.」