Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 419

Dragon’s Mountain Range.

There, the forces of Noark and the royal army were locked in a fierce struggle, forming a long battle line.

“Traitor! There’s a report that the traitor, who had been out of sight for a while, has appeared on the western front!”

Elthora Terserion, the commander of the 3rd Legion, frowned as he received the report from his subordinate.

“A traitor… I understand, you may leave now.”

“Yes!”

The subordinate thought that the traitor’s existence had displeased his superior, but the real reason Elthora was frowning was different.

‘The traitor has reappeared…’

Elthora was not a fool.

A few days ago, the movement of Noark’s western front forces heading north was detected.

The reason they moved their forces was likely to chase the expedition team trying to escape on their own.

‘……Then does that mean they’ve finished the pursuit?’

Elthora clenched his fist without realizing it.

‘Father… No, what on earth is the Marquis thinking?’

Just before leading the army into the labyrinth, Elthora received two secret orders from his father.

One was to ignore the expedition team’s request for rescue.

And the other was…

‘If they manage to return alive on their own, eliminate them without anyone knowing.’

It was fortunate, or perhaps not, that Elthora didn’t have to carry out the second secret order.

The path the expedition team had chosen was the opposite of this place.

‘Are they really all dead…?’

It was a truly contradictory feeling.

He, too, had played a part in abandoning them.

And he would also be in trouble if the expedition team were to return alive.

But…

Thump-!

It was somehow unbelievable.

Could they really be dead?

Bjorn Yandel, who had returned alive from that crystal cave, like this?

“……”

Elthora closed his eyes and pondered.

And he imagined what he would have done if he had been the commander of the expedition team.

‘Escaping north instead of south, where our allies are, must have been to catch the enemy off guard.’

It was not a bad move.

Especially considering they avoided two lions.

‘Did he know and avoid them…?’

Well, I don’t know about that.

However, even if he did know, the result wouldn’t change.

Just because they headed north doesn’t mean there’s a clear path to survival.

Enemy territory where they can’t expect reinforcements.

The encirclement is gradually tightening.

The members are getting exhausted.

What decision would I have made if I were in that situation?

No, not me, but Bjorn Yandel… what would that man, who was so recklessly decisive, have done?

‘……Ice Rock.’

Suddenly, his thoughts led him there.

If they didn’t give up until the end and kept running away, the only remaining option was there.

But…

‘Even if they headed there, they wouldn’t be able to return alive.’

No matter what he imagined, he couldn’t picture a choice that would lead to a hopeful future.

It’s not that he was underestimating Bjorn Yandel’s abilities.

Ice Rock?

The Eye of the Glacier?

He would surely overcome adversity.

Considering the capabilities he showed in the crystal cave, it wouldn’t make sense for him to crumble in such a crisis.

However, he had met the wrong opponent.

‘There’s no way the Marquis wouldn’t know this.’

Heading to Ice Rock.

A move that seemed unconventional to anyone.

But as a result, it was a move that he himself could think of.

But wouldn’t his father have done anything?

That man who wanted to prepare for every situation, to an excessive degree?

‘Bjorn Yandel returning alive… is impossible.’

Elthora Terserion came to that conclusion.

Ignoring the inexplicable pounding of his heart.

***

Our current formation is simple.

A narrow side path, just wide enough for about four people to stand side by side.

“Schuitz, are you really going to be okay?”

“Didn’t I tell you? If you guys are there, it’ll be too narrow to move.”

I’m the only one in the first line, blocking the enemy at the front.

Well, that’s the answer I came up with.

How to save even one more person and return.

“Don’t push yourself too hard. We’re behind you.”

“Yeah, that’s reassuring. I’m counting on—”

“Bjorn Yandel…!!”

At that moment, the dragonslayer’s murderous shout echoed loudly.

“You ran all this way just to end up here!!”

Judging by his triumphant voice, it seems they still haven’t grasped their situation.

However, unfortunately, not everyone is as clueless as that guy.

“Regal Bagos, calm down.”

An explorer reached out and stopped the dragonslayer, who looked like he was about to charge forward.

Crunch.

Someone gritted their teeth upon seeing the man’s face.

In fact, my feelings were no different.

“That guy killed Naria…”

Troll summoner Milburn Naria.

Whether her essence was an evil spirit or not, that woman had wished for our safe return until the moment of her death.

And that guy was the one who killed her.

“Bjorn Yandel, is that you?”

The guy who had stopped the dragonslayer stepped forward and spoke to me.

‘Is this guy the real leader…?’

His actions were so natural that I couldn’t help but think that.

Usually, if you don’t have the authority, you’d be looking at others’ reactions when doing something like that.

And the dragonslayer is just standing still.

“Yes, I am Bjorn Yandel.”

After some thought, I decided to engage in conversation.

I was curious too, anyway.

“And who are you?”

He answered my question without much hesitation.

“Manua Repelles.”

The name that will be written in my kill list.

“I’ll kill that guy…”

No, should I say it’s a name that will be written in all of our kill lists?

From the moment he started talking, the eyes of the members behind me began to burn with murderous intent.

However, no one acted rashly.

“Manua Repelles… I’ve never heard that name before.”

“Well, that’s to be expected. I’m in a position like a secret weapon, after all.”

This further confirms my guess.

I had a hunch when I saw them armed with high-level essences obtained from the 8th floor.

It seems these guys are really one of the 8th floor raid teams.

“So, what do you want?”

Now that I’ve heard the name to put on my kill list, I decided to get to the point. He didn’t seem like the type to enjoy long introductions either, as he immediately opened his mouth.

“I have a proposal for you.”

“A proposal…?”

“As I said before, we’re in a position like a secret weapon. Even if we succeed in eliminating all of you, it would be a great loss if one or two of us die in the process.”

“Enough, just get to the point.”

At my words, he spread his palm.

“Five.”

“……?”

“We have our pride, so just hand over five people. Then we’ll be satisfied and leave it at that. Oh, of course, it doesn’t have to be Bjorn Yandel, you.”

Ha, what was he trying to say…?

They say that sometimes when you hear something too absurd, you don’t even get angry, and that’s exactly how I felt right now.

“Isn’t it a good proposal? If you just give us five people, all of you can return alive and well.”

“Well, it seems like it’s a proposal I should be making. If five of you stick out your necks, I’ll let the rest of you go back alive. Oh, of course, you and Regal Bagos must be included.”

“You’re choosing a penalty.”

What is this idiot saying?

No matter how bitter the alcohol is, it’s still alcohol, and no matter how sweet the poison is, it’s still poison.

“It’s no use regretting it now.”

“Regret is what your mom does.”

“……What?”

He flinched, probably because he hadn’t heard such words often, even in the rough Noark. Since we’re not in a relationship where we can laugh and joke around, I just continued speaking without hesitation.

Looking at his bald head, reddened by the flare light.

“Maybe even your mom didn’t know. That the child she gave birth to would be a coward who only talks big in front of the enemy.”

“……”

“Maybe you’re so scared that you’ve pissed yourself? There’s so much stench coming from you guys that it’s hard to tell.”

“……”

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Oh, maybe it’s because you don’t have a mom—”

“You bastard…!!”

“Oh dear, it seems you really don’t. You’re so agitated. Don’t get too worked up. I understand. The reason you grew up to be a coward is probably because you didn’t get a proper education when you were young.”

“……”

“The reason your hair all fell out is because you went through a lot of hardship back then—”

“……I’ll kill you!!”

Ugh, why does he keep interrupting me?

Now that I see it, he’s not just reckless, he’s also rude.

I felt a bit offended, but I had achieved my goal.

Because that’s how the world has always been.

“Yeah, you won’t.”

“……Eek!”

The one who gets agitated first loses.

***

Repelles, the bald guy, was baited by my thoroughly rational taunts and charged forward.

“Repelles! He’s always been like that, don’t get agitated! If you fall for his tricks, you’ll only be doing him a favor…”

Surprisingly, the dragonslayer tried to stop him.

But…

Smirk.

As if that would work.

His blood-rushed bald head was already turning red.

Tap.

Soon, he rushed towards me with his fist clenched.

His class is a boxer.

It’s a rare job in the labyrinth.

It’s somewhat useful in the lower levels, but it’s a class that doesn’t have useful core essences in the mid-levels.

Well, there are many good skills in the later levels.

Like the one he just used.

「Manua Repelles has cast [Iron Fist].」

[Iron Fist], which can be obtained from the 8th floor rift.

The effect is simple.

Flash-!

A dash of about 4m, close to teleportation.

And…

KWAHAAAAANG-!

Unconditional knockback that ignores the laws of physics.

And…

「Deals fixed damage proportional to the caster’s strength stat and the target’s physical resistance stat.」

True damage that hurts more the tougher you are.

In the last battle, everything went wrong because of this skill.

My mana shield was broken after taking just a few hits, and the front line collapsed as I was pushed back. In the meantime, I chose evasion over defense, so I couldn’t properly hold the enemy, which is one of the main goals of a tank.

But things are different now.

“……Kuh.”

The shock of my internal organs being shaken?

Since I don’t have a mana shield, I can feel the pain directly, but…

So what?

「Loyta Mermander has cast [Emergency Regeneration].」

Healing that comes immediately after being hit.

「Benjamin Orman has cast [Moonlight Sanctuary].」

A field that increases natural regeneration is also laid between them and us.

Swish.

I looked down at his fist embedded in my abdomen and shouted.

“Behel—RAAAAAAAA!!”

He flinched, probably because his ears hurt from the sudden loud shout.

Then, as I swung my hammer, he retreated.

He’s trying to use [Iron Fist] again after creating some distance.

That skill is good in every way, and it doesn’t have a cooldown, but it can only be used if you dash a certain distance.

‘As if I’d just let him do that?’

I immediately linked [Transcendence] and [Eye of the Storm].

A response that I couldn’t do back then because the front line was collapsing and many enemies were passing me by.

Swoooooooosh-!

“……!”

I swung my hammer at the right time, towards him as he was being sucked in with a flustered expression.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t very effective.

Well, this guy is also a tank, after all.

「Manua Repelles has cast [Unbreakable].」

He blocked the hammer with his hands crossed above his head.

As soon as that short exchange ended, the guys behind him joined in and started charging.

「Ricky Eimond has cast [Thunder Target].」

「Kyle Elbad Jeneger has cast [Land’s End Thorns].」

Abilities were fired at me.

Some skills ignored physical resistance and penetrated my body, but I quickly recovered thanks to the concentrated healing from the priests.

「Ann Parbella has cast [Lightning Dash].」

A melee explorer passed me in an instant, without me being able to block her.

And…

「Ann Parbella has cast [Rally].」

A skill that teleports two allies within a certain distance.

「Puruan Cullin has cast [Divine Possession].」

「Marionette Trider has cast [Dance of Upheaval].」

They look like some kind of assault unit.

Well, at least the field effect is canceled when they cross over to this side. Even if it’s in the middle of the enemy, they must have judged that it’s better to fight on this side.

‘They must have been underestimating us quite a bit.’

Even if their individual skills are a bit better, did they really think they could break us with just three people?

“Don’t worry about this side! We won’t let them send anyone else over here!”

I decided to leave the assault unit to my companions.

I was sure that even if they stabbed us in the back, we would never die on the healing field.

Besides, it didn’t seem like they would give me a chance to be targeted in the first place.

“Kill them! It’s time to draw the sword of revenge!”

“Do you think we’ll be helpless like last time!”

“Waaaaaaaah!!”

Thus began the chaotic battle.

The bald guy and the enemies beyond the boundary line charged to break through me, and the three who had crossed the boundary line stood back-to-back, swinging their weapons to try and break the front line.

Swoooooosh-!

The priests, located on a safe hill, indiscriminately cast divine spells, dealing damage and healing at the same time.

“Priests! Take out the priests first!”

In response, the enemies tried to target the priests first, pouring out various skills, but…

Swoooooosh-!

They couldn’t reach the hill where the priests and mages were gathered and disappeared into the air. That’s because the magic circle I had been drawing diligently as soon as I came up here was this.

If we just protect the priests, we can’t lose this fight.

“A barrier magic…!”

The enemies, realizing that projectiles wouldn’t work, began to devise other methods.

「Mike Roymus has cast [Slime Walk].」

「Ria Andes has cast [Flame Swim].」

The enemies were trying to climb the cliff directly using their abilities.

「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has cast [Rapid Fire].」

Of course, they were stopped by our team’s ranged units.

How much time had passed?

“……These insignificant bastards!”

The battle was going much more favorably for us than I had expected.

The three who had crossed over with great momentum were being thoroughly beaten due to their numerical disadvantage, and I stood firm like an iron wall, continuing to keep the remaining enemies from crossing over.

“Damn it…!”

“Why doesn’t that monster ever get tired!”

“Kill him! Kill him no matter what!!”

The more unfavorable the situation became, the more aggressively the enemies charged.

The reason was very simple.

They were all injured.

They had judged that if they retreated here, there would be no next chance.

“Don’t hold back!”

“No matter how much we get hurt, it’s over if we win this battle!”

The more injuries they accumulated, the more intense their attacks became.

The same was true for the dragonslayer, who was matching blows with the bald guy in front of me, swinging his sword at me.

“Hey, let me ask you one thing.”

“……?”

“I’m just curious, but when is it going to come? The moment when even death can’t save me?”

“……Crunch.”

After stabbing me with his sword for a while, he seemed to have reached his limit and stepped back, glaring at me.

“Yes, you always forced sacrifices on me.”

After muttering that, he pulled out his ultimate move with a determined expression.

「Regal Bagos has cast [Dragon Word: Soul Silence].」

Oh, so he’s finally using this.

「The character’s soul power is insufficient.」

「[Giantification] has ended.」

My body shrank in an instant.

The hammer and shield, which had felt as light as a feather, now felt as heavy as a ton.

「The character has fallen into a soul exhaustion state.」

「All stats are temporarily reduced by 70%.」

The same state I had experienced in Larkaz’s Maze.

Wow, it’s nostalgic.

Back then, I really thought it was all over with just one hit—.

“Cough! Keh-cough! Keh-cough…!”

What, what’s with this guy?

Why is he suddenly spitting blood?

Ah, did using the Dragon Word just now put a strain on his body?

This is just like a bee that dies after shooting a single poison needle.

“Regal Bagos! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine… kill that guy… Keh heh heh…”

I couldn’t quite understand, but it felt strange to see him staggering and still glaring at me with hatred.

「The character has cast [Soul Dive].」

「Soul power is regenerated in proportion to the soul power consumed.」

I felt a bit sorry, I guess?

「The soul exhaustion state has been lifted.」

But still, it’s resolved with just one skill…