Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 379

Subterranean Island, Atlantis.

Located in Grand Rock in the Far East Sea, it’s the second place where core essence appears after [Giantification].

Finding this place isn’t too difficult.

A ship capable of sailing to Grand Rock.

Whether it’s magic, spirits, or skills, the ability to freely dive deep into the sea.

And most importantly, the perseverance to continue repetitive labor.

If you have these three things, finding the subterranean island of Atlantis isn’t too difficult.

‘It’s going to be a grind from now on.’

Having arrived at Grand Rock, we carefully navigated the ship, avoiding the reefs and exploring the surrounding area.

To reach the hidden subterranean island beneath the Far East Sea, there was something we needed to do first…

“Could you perhaps tell me where our destination is…?”

As we aimlessly wandered around, the navigator couldn’t contain their curiosity and asked. I pondered for a moment before answering.

I decided there was no need to hide it now.

“Huh? A red rocky island…?”

The navigator tilted their head upon hearing my answer.

“Yes, it should be about the size where twenty people can stand on it.”

Whenever a labyrinth opens, three red rocky islands are randomly generated in Grand Rock. And only after completing the unlock events on all three of these rocky islands does the hidden subterranean island reveal itself.

“…Understood.”

Surprisingly, the navigator didn’t question my instructions.

“So, that’s where you were trying to go.”

It seems they knew something about the subterranean island event. Surprisingly, many people don’t know about it, so I guess their experience as a navigator is quite extensive.

“Then, I’ll focus on the search and plan the most efficient route.”

“Ah, I’ll leave that part to you.”

Having figured out my goal, the navigator steered the ship with more initiative than before, and on the fourth day, we found the rocky island we were looking for.

Splash.

A flat rocky island where the water reached our ankles.

Going to the center of the island and checking the crevices inside, we found ostrich egg-sized eggs neatly placed.

“Eggs? What do we do with these now?”

Erwen, who had been sticking close to me, asked with a curious voice, and I chuckled.

That’s how hidden elements in [Dungeon & Stone] usually are.

Crack-!

If something looks suspicious, you just break it.

That’s what exploration is all about, right?

***

「The character has destroyed the Murmel’s nest.」

***

How much time had passed after smashing all the eggs without leaving a single one?

“The reaction is starting to come.”

“Huh?”

“Prepare for battle!”

No sooner had I shouted than sea monsters began to appear from beneath the rocky island.

Well, are they really sea monsters?

Splash.

I examined the monster, who was glaring at us with a trident, from head to toe.

First of all, it was bipedal and had proportions close to a human.

However, the texture of its blue skin was reminiscent of scales, and its shiny skin was covered in glowing tattoos.

Also, the important parts of their bodies were covered with cloth, and their hairstyles were all unique, making them different from the monotonous appearance of other monsters.

Well, their intelligence was still not much different from monsters.

[Kyahhhhh-!]

A ferocious howl that showed no sign of any language system.

Along with this, the creatures that had surrounded us on all sides charged at us simultaneously.

And…

「You have defeated a Murmel. EXP +3」

「You have defeated a Murmel Warrior. EXP +3」

「You have defeated a Murmel Archer. EXP +3」

「You have defeated a Murmel Shaman. EXP +3」

「You have defeated a Murmel Great Warrior. EXP +4」

As the classes were diverse, new experience points poured in.

The battle difficulty itself wasn’t very high.

It was an event where hundreds of monsters attacked, but after all, their average grade was less than 6.

Crack, crack, crack-!

Since I was drawing most of the aggro with [Giantification], the hunt ended smoothly without anyone getting hurt.

But, was this scene impressive?

“To do such a thing against these monsters… It was only natural that you ended up like that.”

The mage muttered in a disheartened tone, and the navigator nodded in agreement.

Well, regret is always too late, no matter how early it comes.

“Mage, if you have time to be amazed, collect the magic stones.”

“…Understood.”

After the battle, we used the mage to collect the magic stones scattered everywhere.

“The essence has appeared, what should we do with it?”

“Leave it. It won’t be worth much even if we sell it.”

“……”

The Murmel’s essence appeared, but we didn’t bother to collect it.

We had a mage, and the mage also had test tubes, but it wasn’t cost-effective, so to speak?

We couldn’t waste the only two test tubes we had here—

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

What is it?

Why is the ground shaking all of a sudden?

“Mister?”

“Just a moment.”

We, who were about to get back on the ship, waited for a moment and watched the situation. The tremor that was transmitted through the sea surface continued for about a minute and then stopped as if nothing had happened.

However, I thought I knew the cause of this phenomenon.

「A submarine city appears from somewhere deep in the sea.」

No way, someone else broke another rocky island.

If that’s the case, there’s no need to waste time looking for two more, right?

“Should I call this lucky…”

I couldn’t quite judge the current situation.

It was good that we reduced the grinding time, but the fact that the events of the other two islands were over meant only one thing.

There was a competitor somewhere aiming for the subterranean island.

Of course, it’s not 100% certain yet.

It’s also possible that they just cleared the event on their way and went somewhere else.

But…

‘I’ll find out later when I go there.’

I decided to think about this problem later.

After all, I had no intention of changing my plan even if there was a competitor.

‘Now, how should I handle the members…’

I thought about it one last time, but I came to the conclusion that it was best to take everyone with me.

If an unusable essence came out, we would need to put it in a test tube.

First of all, the mage was a must.

And the same goes for Erwen, who could solve the underwater breathing problem, and Amelia, who was needed to find the subterranean island.

Well, we could do without the navigator, but…

‘I’m also worried about leaving him behind.’

“Mage, you said you could use underwater magic, right?”

“That’s right…”

“How long can it last?”

“Should I say how long it would last if I cast it on a few people?”

“Three, including you.”

Since Erwen and I could solve the water pressure and breathing problems with [Spirit Transformation], we only needed to cover three people with magic.

We could also solve Amelia’s breathing problem with a water spirit, but to keep [Spirit Transformation] active, it was better to minimize resource consumption as much as possible.

“If I don’t use other magic, it will last for a maximum of 4 hours.”

“It’s shorter than I expected, but that should be enough. Everyone, prepare. We’ll all go down together.”

“……”

At my command, the navigator and the mage swallowed hard and nodded.

They’re being unnecessarily dramatic.

They won’t even have to fight.

Splash.

After finishing the preparations, I jumped into the water first.

Since the [Spirit Transformation] link with Erwen, who was following right behind me, was over, I didn’t feel any stuffiness in the water.

My vision was also as comfortable as if I was wearing goggles.

Whoosh.

Without having to swim, the Barbarian’s body, which had the property of sinking in water, quickly sank below the sea.

Looking up, I could see Amelia following behind.

She had tied ropes around the navigator’s and mage’s waists and was holding them like reins.

Ah, for reference, the navigator’s feet were bound with heavy steel shackles.

Thump-!

After sinking for more than 10 minutes, my feet touched the ground with a heavy thud. After waiting a bit, Amelia’s group also arrived.

Click.

Since it was so dark that we could barely see anything, I first activated the light gem and inserted it into the slot on my helmet.

Ah, the reason I didn’t turn it on earlier was simple.

If you dive with the light on, monsters will attack you even while you’re falling.

Swishhhhh-!

The light spread in a much narrower range compared to on land.

Swish, swish.

Since we couldn’t speak out loud even if we didn’t have any breathing problems, I gestured with my hands to hurry up and leave.

The dark deep sea where even the compass didn’t work.

However, finding our destination wasn’t too difficult.

After all, our team had Amelia, the guide.

「You have defeated a Deep Diver. EXP +4」

「You have defeated a Sea Worm. EXP +3」

「You have defeated a Shell Armor. EXP +4」

「You have defeated a Mad Clopter. EXP +5」

「You have defeated a Marimoer…」

After moving for about 2 hours, defeating various sea monsters that were attracted by the light, our destination appeared.

Ruins that were submerged, corroded, and destroyed.

As we stepped inside, the pillars that were still in relatively good shape emitted light, illuminating the surroundings.

Swishhhhh…

And so, the huge temple located in the center revealed itself from the darkness.

[Wow…]

Erwen, the only one in the group who could communicate freely, exclaimed.

Actually, I felt the same way, even though I couldn’t make a sound.

‘It’s really magnificent when you see it in real life, not just in 2D.’

It felt like I was doing a real exploration for the first time in a long time. If I had arrived here by chance without knowing the game information, I would have felt even more thrilled.

Swish, swish.

After stopping and admiring the distant temple for a moment, we passed through the empty ruins and climbed the stairs to enter the temple.

And…

[Huh…?]

A narrow room located at the top of the pyramid-structured temple.

Erwen’s eyes widened as if she was amazed.

[It’s a portal…?]

Ah, didn’t I tell you?

I expected that they would know to some extent since I put Amelia, the guide, in the lead from the beginning.

Since I couldn’t answer anyway, I just shrugged my shoulders and stepped into the portal.

「The character has entered Atlantis.」

I hope the essence comes out in one go.

***

Subterranean Island, Atlantis.

A hidden island that can be found by diving into the deep sea after clearing the event on the rocky island.

Unlike normal islands, you pass through a portal, but that doesn’t mean this island is a ‘rift’ [a special type of dungeon].

Because the most important guardian doesn’t appear.

The drop rate is the same as outside.

Since there is no guardian, rift stones and number items do not appear.

That’s why I usually called such places hidden fields.

Typical examples would be ‘Larkaz’s Maze,’ where I first encountered the Dragonslayer, and ‘The Otherworld,’ which I entered with the mirror I got after catching Milaroden on the 5th floor.

「Field Effect – Atlantis is applied.」

「Status ailment [Hyperventilation] is applied.」

「Instead of being unaffected by water, all resource consumption is doubled.」

「Status ailment [Challenger] is applied.」

「If a battle occurs, you cannot escape.」

As is usual with such special fields, changes came as soon as we entered.

A red aura rippling on the ground where our feet touched.

‘This must be the ‘Challenger’ effect…’

In the case of ‘Hyperventilation,’ there is no effect, but it must already be working.

As proof, I can now speak properly.

“Now, you can release [Spirit Transformation].”

Whew, I feel like I can finally live.

I felt like I was going to die of frustration trying to communicate everything with my hands.

[Huh? But…]

Erwen, who was trailing off, flinched.

[Huh? Mister, are you talking in the water right now?]

“That’s why I told you, you can release it.”

[It’s an amazing place…]

Soon after Erwen released [Spirit Transformation], the mage glanced at me and then canceled the underwater magic.

“It’s a very unfamiliar feeling. I definitely feel like I’m in the water, but I don’t feel any discomfort at all. Moving is no different from outside.”

As always, Amelia started by checking her condition as soon as the environment changed.

“This is the subterranean island, Atlantis…”

“I’ve been on the 6th floor for over 10 years, but this is the first time I’ve actually come here…”

The mage and the navigator also expressed their impressions with somewhat excited voices.

However, did they become a little uneasy later?

“So… what do we do now? We won’t be of any help in battle…”

The navigator cautiously asked for my opinion, and I chuckled and gave instructions.

“All four of you wait here and slowly follow me after 5 minutes.”

“…Huh?”

The navigator tilted his head as if he had misheard, and the mage just frowned.

And…

“Schuitz, you said that 3rd grade monsters appear here, right?”

“Yes. That’s right. Even if it’s you, Mister, you can’t do it alone…”

Amelia and Erwen expressed their concerns.

It wasn’t a strange reaction.

The difficulty of the subterranean island is among the highest even on the 6th floor.

The number of monsters is also enormous, so it’s common to attack it as an expedition team.

But…

“Enough, just listen to me. When have you ever seen me take on a dangerous task?”

“……Yes.”

“It’s hard to find a time when you haven’t.”

…Well, that makes me feel awkward.

“Anyway, that means you don’t have to worry. Just because you can breathe and talk properly doesn’t mean this isn’t underwater.”

“I guess… that’s true.”

“If you’re ever in danger, please call me right away! Okay?”

Soon after I presented a reasonable basis, Erwen and Amelia didn’t add anything more and let me go.

Okay, then the persuasion is over.

Step, step.

I slowly descended the stairs from where the portal was located.

And the moment I stepped on the last step.

Swishhhhh-!

In the darkness where the light gem’s light didn’t reach, dozens of red eyes flickered.

The monsters that appear in the early part of Atlantis, the Sea God Stones.

For reference, their grade is 5.

They are tower-type monsters with high physical resistance and slow but powerful long-range one-shot damage, and they cannot move from their designated location, but…

Step.

I stopped in the middle of them.

There was no need to take out my weapon.

This is much more efficient than hitting them directly.

「Reflects 30% of the damage taken back to the enemy.」

「Reflects 30% of the damage taken back to the enemy.」

「Reflects 30% of the damage taken back to the enemy.」

「Due to the passive skill [Origin], the natural regeneration rate has reached its maximum.」

「Powerful Luck.」

「Reflects 150% of the damage taken back to the enemy.」

[Gyaaaah-!!]

「You have defeated a Sea God Stone. EXP +5」

Well then, shall we try to get a free ride?