Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 456

“Oh! That’s quite fascinating—.”

Just as Ainar bent down and reached out his hand.

“Stop!!!”

I shouted, using a Lion’s Roar to halt Ainar.

Only after pulling the bewildered Ainar far away did I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“…Wha, what is it! I didn’t do anything wrong!!”

Ainar, confused, immediately started defending himself.

Of course, I didn’t intend to scold him.

“What is this flower that makes you act like this!”

Ignorance isn’t a crime.

Well… at least not for a barbarian.

“It’s No.9999 Beginner’s Luck.”

Only Amelia reacted when I revealed the item’s name.

“…You’ve obtained a rare item right from the start.”

Indeed, it’s rare.

This is something you can’t buy even with money.

“So, what does it do?”

“Hmm… it’s one of the 109 treasures of the labyrinth. Didn’t you read much when you were young?”

“……I wasn’t asking you.”

I don’t know what the 109 treasures Amelia mentioned are, but I intervened to answer because it seemed like they would start fighting if left alone.

“Beginner’s Luck is a charm item.”

For reference, in the game, it was labeled as a ‘Charm’.

“A charm…?”

Since it seemed like an unfamiliar term, I first explained the concept of a charm. Erwen, who had some experience as an explorer, quickly understood.

“Ah, so it’s a type of equipment that activates its effect just by possessing it, right?”

“That’s right.”

There are twelve Numbers items in the charm category, but their effects don’t stack. Only one effect is active at a time.

“And Beginner’s Luck is bound to its first owner.”

“…Like that ‘Orb of Fire’ you mentioned before?”

“Yes.”

“…That! I, I really didn’t know!! Really! Believe me!!”

As soon as he heard ‘bound item,’ Ainar’s face turned pale as he made excuses. Of course, everyone ignored him and continued the conversation.

“Then, what effect does this flower have?”

Ah, that.

It’s simple.

This Numbers item doesn’t help in combat. It doesn’t increase item level when equipped, nor does it increase stats.

But……

“It increases the probability of essences dropping from the first monster you hunt.”

“Ah, I see… That’s a fascinating item!”

Surprisingly, Erwen seemed to take it in stride.

Ainar also seemed a bit deflated.

“What’s with that ambiguous effect? It doesn’t guarantee an essence drop! And it only works on the first monster you catch?”

It wasn’t an unreasonable reaction.

They wouldn’t know the detailed probabilities.

According to my statistics, the drop rate increase due to Beginner’s Luck is about 5%.

This increase is not multiplicative. It’s added as a fixed value.

For example, if it’s a Guardian’s essence, the drop rate of 33% would increase to 38%.

If you only look at this, the effect seems insignificant, but……

“So, how much does it improve the drop rate?”

If you consider a normal monster, the situation changes completely.

The difference is significant.

Between 33% becoming 38%, and

0.01% becoming 5.01%.

“It’ll be roughly one out of twenty.”

As soon as the approximate probability came out of my mouth, not only Ainar, but also Erwen and even Amelia showed surprise.

“Re, really! One out of twenty!”

It was a somewhat expected reaction.

Even if they don’t know the exact drop rate, all explorers learn through experience. The drop rate of essences is so low that ‘extremely low’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.

I added an explanation.

“Ah, of course, twenty is based on 9th-grade monsters, and it’s a bit better if the grade is higher.”

As the monster grade goes up, the base drop rate also tends to increase slightly.

Some 3rd-grade monsters have a drop rate of 5%.

Well, they’re incredibly difficult to encounter though.

“Indeed… it’s worthy of being included in the 109 treasures.”

“That’s certainly true. Even if it’s the first monster you catch, with this probability, you could make a lot of money just by bringing a mage along.”

“Bjorn… I’m sorry. I didn’t know what it was, and I tried to touch it carelessly……”

Then, Ainar suddenly apologized.

Did he get discouraged because I didn’t react to his excuses? I didn’t have anything to say, so I ignored him and focused on the conversation.

Besides, the loot appraisal was over, wasn’t it?

“So… who’s going to take this?”

Now it’s time to decide who the item belongs to.

Since it’s a bound item, it’s impossible to sell it.

“You said that as long as we’re bound by a binding magic, we don’t have to hunt directly, right…?”

“Considering efficiency, it would be best for the one with the fewest monsters killed so far to take it.”

As Amelia said, it’s best for the lowest level person to take it.

Currently, our levels are Amelia at 8, and me, Erwen, and Ainar at 7.

“Auyen, what’s your spirit rank right now?”

“…Huh? Ah, yes! It’s 6…!”

Therefore, giving it to Auyen, who is level 6, and carrying him around like a totem could be one way, but……

‘I can’t give this precious item to a non-combatant who won’t even be able to come along during a real raid.’

I made a decision.

“Ainar, you take this.”

Erwen has experience defeating Bellarios, but Ainar doesn’t.

And most of all……

“…Huh? You’re giving this to me? I, I’m happy, but! Still, it would be better for you to have it, Bjorn……”

Didn’t I say that you can only equip one type of charm?

Yeah, I can’t waste an equipment slot.

It’s bound, so I can’t take it off as I please.

“It’s better for you to have it than me. So, you take it, Ainar.”

“Bjooooooorn!!!!”

Fortunately, Ainar was also happy.

***

「The luck imbued in the flower permeates Ainar Pnelin.」

***

After clearing the Steel Tomb, we headed straight to the Beast’s Lair.

And……

“Ughhhhh! How long do I have to stay in this smelly place! This isn’t the kind of exploration I imagined!!”

We waited for the rift to open until the 8th day.

With ‘Beginner’s Luck,’ I considered bringing a mage later, but……

‘Considering the cost of the test tubes, there wouldn’t be much profit even if I sold them.’

In the end, the only thing we could make a killing on was the Guardian’s essence, and since I planned to give that to Erwen if it dropped, I decided there was no need to postpone it.

Well, in the end, it was just wishful thinking.

“…Really? Are we really just wasting time like this and going up?!!”

“That’s how it always is, so stop complaining.”

When we actually headed to the portal on the 8th day, we saw mid-to-upper-level explorer teams everywhere.

They were explorers doing ‘rift runs’ like us.

Since the rift doesn’t open on the 2nd floor after the 7th day, they go up to the upper floor without hesitation.

「You have entered the Pilgrim’s Path on the 3rd floor.」

After arriving on the 3rd floor, we went straight to the Orc colony after passing the Steel Rock Hill and focused on grinding.

The monster we were going to catch this time also had a deep connection with me.

The very monster that the Dzarwi Clan raided when the Lord of Chaos was summoned in the past.

It was the Orc Hero.

“Oooooh! Then [Giantification]! I can do [Giantification] now too!!”

Ainar was overjoyed to hear about the third target of this route, but in fact, none of us could use the essence of this target.

[Giantification] turns into an essence with too many penalties unless you have the [Unification] of the Undead Seal.

So, we were originally planning to just collect experience or try for a Numbers item drop and leave.

But……

‘With Beginner’s Luck, one should drop, right?’

I couldn’t bear to see an essence go to waste, so I talked to all the mages I met while mining the Orc Great Warrior’s stones to offer to the altar.

Thanks to that, I was able to find one.

“Test tubes…? I do have one, but……”

“Good. If an essence drops later, put one in there. I’ll pay for the test tube right there.”

“…What are you talking about? Do you know who you’re—”

“Louis! Are you, are you crazy? That’s Lord Yandel!”

“…!!!”

Thanks to my reputation, the recruitment was easier than expected.

I also got some helpful information.

The rift hasn’t opened on the 3rd floor yet?

‘Okay, then it seems like we can stay on the 3rd floor until the 13th day and then leave……’

After that, we started grinding for magic stones again.

Since we all scattered and hunted, we collected all 777 magic stones in less than a day. After collecting them, we found the mage nearby and had him wait.

“Just in case, don’t ever come near me until I come. If an Orc Lord pops out, I won’t have the capacity to take care of you too.”

“Orc Lord, you mean……”

“It’s a 2nd-grade monster.”

“2… 2nd-grade!”

“Still, you’ll be safe as long as you don’t come near, so don’t worry too much.”

“Ye, yes, I understand……”

Then, the preparations are complete.

After explaining how to deal with the Orc Lord one last time, I offered the magic stones to the altar.

「The soul of a great warrior has been offered to the vessel of a warrior.」

「The soul of a great warrior has been offered to the vessel of a warrior.」

「The soul of a great warrior has been offered to the vessel of a warri……」

The magic stones disappeared into light as soon as they were placed on the altar.

「Special condition – The overflowing vessel is fulfilled.」

As if signaling the start of the boss fight, the shell of the statue standing behind the altar began to peel off.

Rustle, rustle, rustle.

Fortunately, the Orc Lord’s statue remained intact.

Considering the summoning probability of the Orc Lord, it was a given, but……

‘I get nervous for no reason when it comes to probability battles.’

It felt like I had just overcome one hurdle.

“Everyone, get ready!”

As soon as I shouted to my companions who had moved away from the altar.

「The ancient hero Danish awakens.」

「The ancient hero Belta awakens.」

「The ancient hero Tarugas awakens.」

The Orc Hero trio.

Commonly known as the Hero Trio, they broke out of the statues and immediately started the battle.

[Gul-kaaaaaaaaaaa!!!]

“Behel-laaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Axe, hammer, sword.

The Hero Trio, each wielding a different weapon, rushed at me. Thanks to the combination of [Transcendence] and [Giantification], I didn’t feel like I was being pushed back in terms of size.

Koo-oong-!

Also, it didn’t hurt even when I was hit by their weapons because I couldn’t block them.

Just a slight throbbing in my bones?

Honestly, I felt like I could endure it for a day if I just let them hit me.

But……

‘This is perfect for trying out our teamwork.’

Since I wasn’t doing anything other than taking hits, the battle turned into a long one.

It was for a very obvious reason.

Just three 5th-grade monsters.

It’s not that simple, as their difficulty is quite high.

[Twee-ee-ee-eek-!!!]

From the moment the raid started, a swarm of orcs below 7th grade began to pour out of the forest.

Kwaaang! Kwaang! Puh-ung-!

As briefed, Ainar was fighting them hard, but because of that, one more dealer was missing from the boss fight.

In other words, Erwen and Amelia had to take down all three of them.

Of course, they had a history of blowing up a Death Worm in one shot in the Rocky Desert, but……

「The ancient hero Danish has cast [Agony].」

These guys are 5th-grade monsters, but they are superior variants with 4th-grade essences.

Moreover, the essences they have are all different.

「The ancient hero Belta has cast [Holy Battlefield].」

「The ancient hero Tarugas has cast [Guardian Shield].」

A combination of essences that complement each other’s weaknesses and maximize their strengths.

But it doesn’t end there, there’s one more crazy thing left.

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

「Danish has used [Great Sword of Control].」

「The trajectory of the ranged attack is modified.」

These guys use Numbers items.

「An Orc Shaman has cast [Fervor].」

「Danish’s physical resistance increases threefold for 10 seconds.」

Also, even if they get hit, they take greatly reduced damage……

「An Orc Great Shaman has cast [Mark of Regeneration].」

「Tarugas’s natural regeneration is greatly increased.」

They even receive healing in real-time, showing a power that a normal Orc Hero encountered in the field could not even imitate.

In fact, it’s a superior variant kill bonus. If it weren’t for the ‘Numbers item drop possible’ trait, there would be no reason to do this raid.

“What are you guys doing! Kill them quickly!! You killed that worm just fine!”

“No, it’s not as easy as it sounds!”

“Don’t worry about us and do your job, Barbarian.”

As expected, when we got into a slightly difficult situation, discord began, but……

Still, everyone was a professional.

“Ainar, could you prioritize taking out the shamans?”

“Tersia, focus on the one with the hammer first. I’ll block the one with the sword.”

“Behel-laaaaaaaaaaa!”

As time slowly passed, they realized that there was no answer like this, so they gave each other feedback and cooperated to create opportunities.

“Ughhhhhhhhh!”

Even Auyen, who was supposedly level 6, was diligently swinging his weapon near Erwen to help with the mob clearing.

And finally.

「You have defeated the ancient hero Belta. EXP +5」

「Superior variant kill bonus. EXP +1」

We were able to defeat one of the trio, and from that point, we quickly gained the upper hand and the battle ended.

「You have defeated the ancient hero Danish.」

「Superior variant kill bonus. EXP +1」

「You have defeated the ancient hero Tarugas.」

「Superior variant kill bonus. EXP +1」

When I checked the time, the total battle time was about 35 minutes. Considering that it was a raid with four people, it was quite fast, and……

“Nothing dropped. After all that hard work……”

The loot was 0.

No essences, no Numbers items.

But so what?

This kind of disappointment is something you always experience when playing [Dungeon & Stone].

“Okay, then let’s quickly collect the magic stones and move on. Ah, Emily. Tell the mage over there that it’s okay for him to leave now.”

Soon, we manually farmed the magic stones and left the Orc colony as it was.

Up to this point, there were no problems.

However……

“Mister……?”

While staying near the Witch’s Forest and trying to create a rift until the 13th day.

A strange omen began.

「The fifth sacrifice has been offered to the hut.」

「The sixth sacrifice has been offered to the hut.」

「The seventh sacrifice has been offered to the hut……」

The surroundings became so bright that torches were unnecessary.

From the ceiling above, a bright red glow was scattering.

「Special condition – Seven sacrifices are fulfilled.」

Ha, it seems like a jinxed person will break their teeth even if they fall backward [Meaning: bad luck will always find them].

I don’t know who it is, but.

「The Lord of Chaos, Liakis, begins to roam the floor.」

This has become troublesome.