Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 539

540. Verdant Spear (2)

No.7777 Garphas’s Necklace.

It’s not actually a very efficient item.

While it’s true that you can get a guaranteed number above 35, you have to dump 1.5 billion stones to get there in the first place.

‘It’s only beneficial if a single number drops.’

If a ‘Ten Number’ appears, from 10 to 19, it’s pretty much break-even.

Above 20, it’s generally a loss.

And there’s also the possibility that the necklace could explode during a reroll, and then you’d suffer a catastrophic loss, as the word implies.

In other words, it’s a high-risk, gambling-type item…

“Bjorn…? Why are you so quiet?”

I snapped out of my thoughts, looking at Ainar, who was asking with some concern.

“Is it… bad?”

Of course not.

It’s the opposite.

“You did great, Ainar. You’re the only one for this.”

I expressed my affection sincerely, but Ainar didn’t even acknowledge it.

“Oh! It must be a good item if you say so! So, what’s this shield?”

Ah, that.

Ainar’s reaction was a bit disappointing, but it was a minor issue.

Yeah, I almost ended up in the abyss with the Narak Scythe.

Honestly, I’d be willing to laugh it off up to three times even if she punched me in the face for no reason.

And in that sense.

‘Let’s get it out quickly.’

I quickly took out the item contained in the necklace before any other variables could occur.

Swoooosh-!

As soon as I pressed the confirm button, a colorful array of lights bloomed.

The light that floated in the air soon clumped together like clay, taking on a proper shape.

「The designated item has been created.」

No.3 Aegis Barrier.

In-game notation: The Wall of Aegis.

It’s the ultimate shield for a shield barbarian, no need to say more.

‘Now that I only need one shield, is this the end of my shield journey…’

Actually, there was something else I was hoping for.

No, to be precise, there were things that, if they appeared, I would realistically stop at.

Like my tenth-level graduation armor.

Or the second graduation shield, the 21st shield.

Or a single number, which is the core of a frost dual-wielder.

If a ‘Rift Generator’ that helps with farming came out, I would consider it for the future, and even if not, if a graduation weapon that Erwen or Amelia could use came out, I would be willing to stop there.

But…

‘I can’t believe I actually got this.’

I still can’t tell if this is a dream or reality.

「Due to excessive mana condensation, the power of Garphas within the necklace has been permanently damaged.」

One number item has now turned into an ordinary necklace, but that was an insignificant fact.

I carefully lifted the gray shield.

「The character has equipped No.3 Aegis Barrier.」

「The overall item level increases by +18,600.」

With this, I have become stronger.

Very much so.

***

The shield itself is far from flashy.

Its color is gray, and it doesn’t have any gem-like decorations on its exterior.

But so what?

A shield just needs to be sturdy.

“This shield… is it a single number?”

“Wait a minute… if it’s number 3, there are only two above it… This is an incredible treasure!”

“The Aegis Barrier! I’ve only heard about it in old stories, but to actually see it!”

My companions, having learned the identity of the shield, were buzzing with excitement.

Surprisingly, Amelia was the most excited among them.

“Oh! It must be a very great treasure if everyone is reacting like that?”

“Tsk, it’s more than that. The Aegis Barrier hasn’t appeared since an explorer died in a labyrinth 120 years ago.”

No, actually, it’s not surprising anymore.

She really likes this kind of thing.

You could call her a labyrinth maniac?

“At this point, aside from the one the royal family possesses, Yandel, that guy, is the only one. According to records, that shield has the property of never being destroyed…”

Amelia, wanting to show off her knowledge, explained the equipment’s options to everyone in my stead.

Well, the explanation itself was quite professional…

‘The information in this world always lacks precise figures.’

As a hardcore gamer, I can’t tolerate that.

So, let’s organize it properly.

‘Top-tier indestructible.’

‘Immune to all damage when ‘guarding’ with the shield.’

‘All magic damage taken by the user and allied party members within a 10m radius is reduced by 30%, and immune to magic below 5th grade.’

‘Increases all defensive stats of the wearer by 20%.’

‘When using an aura skill, the radius and effect are doubled.’

‘If the threat level is above 500, all monsters will prioritize attacking the wearer.’

And finally.

‘One active use effect.’

Ah, this is what a graduation equipment should be like.

My heart is pounding so hard I might die.

Should I say I want to go out and fight with this right now?

My body is already itching, but I barely held back because I had clearly stated that today was a day off.

Well, I need time to adjust.

‘It’s so light.’

Is it because the one I used before was ridiculously heavy?

It’s much heavier than an ordinary steel shield, but it feels much lighter in comparison.

‘Then, should I try holding the hammer too?’

I held the Demon Crusher in my remaining hand and checked the weight balance.

This place where I am is not just a game.

Even a small change in sensation and weight can lead to big trouble.

Whoosh! Whoosh-!

While I was swinging my weapons in the air alone in the cave, getting used to the changed weight.

A thought suddenly occurred to me.

‘How come I’ve finished graduating from the weapon side first?’

No.87 Kraul’s Demon Crusher and No.3 Aegis Barrier.

In fact, with these two, there’s nothing more to look at on the weapon side.

The Demon Crusher still has room for upgrades, but the return is small compared to the difficulty of obtaining it, so it can be considered that you’ve graduated with the Demon Crusher.

‘All that’s left is armor, shoes, and a belt.’

That’s the case if we only look at the core items that are essential for growth.

The Barbarian’s Genesis Relic is also a core item, but that’s something that can’t be obtained anymore.

It’s a regrettable part.

The reason why the shield barbarian is overpowered is also because of the Genesis Relic.

‘Anyway, I think I’ve gotten used to it…’

After getting used to the new equipment, I did various experiments.

I also used the active effect and checked the performance of the magic immunity aura on the shield.

And…

‘A 10m radius…’

I clearly grasped the sense of that 10m distance.

I judged that there would definitely be a time when this would be important.

After that process, I also took a rest during the remaining time, and the leaders gathered to discuss the exploration plan for the future.

Well, it was more like a notification than a discussion.

“Lord Baron, does that mean we’ll resume exploring Giant Island starting tomorrow?”

“No, this island is on hold for the time being.”

“Yes?”

“We’ve searched all over, but we haven’t found anything yet.”

I understand that there’s some secret hidden on Giant Island.

But in the end, it seems that the secret can only be discovered by catching the super-giant we saw back then.

The problem is…

‘I haven’t seen it since then, and even if I did find it, I’m not sure if I could win.’

“Then… where are you planning to go?”

“Our next destination is Library Island.”

“Yes? Ah… you mean that island you told us about back then.”

“Yes.”

First, I plan to go to that island to level up my stats.

Back then, we only hunted up to the 3rd grade due to the numerical limit of seven people, but now it’s different.

Above all, I’m also a little curious about what happens over time.

‘Back then, we cleared almost all the books on the lower level, I wonder if they’ve respawned?’

Well, I’ll know when I go there.

As the meeting was about to end, Amelia questioned me.

“Yandel. Does that mean you’re giving up on Hipramajent?”

“It’s not giving up, it’s on hold for the time being.”

“Why? I remember you coveting his essence.”

That’s true.

But I’m not confident that I can break through the triple probability of the distortion magic succeeding, the essence dropping, and that essence being [Giant].

Above all, even if I break through that probability, the return is small right now.

‘No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t seem like the skill will be used twice in a row.’

Hipramajent is a superior substitute essence for the Orc Hero essence.

And currently, I have two essence slots left.

It’s much more helpful for strengthening my power to fill these two slots with other essences.

Even if Hipramajent’s essence comes out, I can’t just erase the Orc Hero essence and eat it right away.

But…

“Hmm, I see. I understand.”

Actually, this is just a secondary reason, not the main one.

‘I’ve taken care of Erwen and Ainar to some extent…’

I also need to level up the stats of my remaining companions.

Everyone has at least one essence slot left, right?

If we farm in the library, we can fill them up frugally.

Ah, of course, that includes Amelia too.

‘She’s been stagnant for too long.’

“…What’s with that look?”

“Nothing.”

I was just thinking.

I don’t know when I’ll be able to escape from here.

But when that time comes.

‘It’ll be fun.’

How strong will we be?

***

After sharing the exploration plan, I spent the remaining time thinking about my future growth alone.

What should I do to become a bigger and stronger shield barbarian? I prioritized and organized them step by step, focusing on this.

The only thing I can do right now on the first basement floor was one thing.

Eating essence in the library.

For reference, there’s only one target essence.

Bellarios, a 3rd grade monster.

If I eat that, the next growth is only possible after I succeed in escaping.

Replacing the Orc Hero essence with the Hipramajent essence.

Reaching the 9th stage of Soul Imprint.

Farming 2nd grade guardian essences and number items by going through the 8th floor rift. Then, removing the Storm Gush essence and farming the layer essence.

Everything that can be done at level 8 can only be tried after returning to the city.

Therefore, the day that was designated as a day off ended.

Day 75.

As soon as the day began, I came out of the cave.

And after heading to the coast to move to Library Island.

Just as I was about to summon and launch a boat in a suitable place.

Whoosh-!

Something suddenly flew quickly from the sea.

「Defense successful.」

「The Aegis Barrier absorbs all damage.」

Fortunately, I instinctively raised my shield to block it.

But what is this again?

“It’s an ambush…!”

Leaving behind the stunned members from the sudden attack, I checked below.

I saw a red spear lying limply on the sandy beach where the silver waves were washing in and out.

‘Verdant Spear…?’

What is this?

Why is this here?

Such a question that arose for a moment did not last long.

「The Celestial Spearman, Milayel, has cast [Recursion].」

Far away, something slowly walked up between the receding silver waves, revealing its appearance.

And…

「The Celestial Spearman, Milayel, has recovered the Verdant Spear.」

「The power of [Recursion] slightly increases until the battle ends.」

As he picked up the spear that had fallen on the ground, he said to me.

[I will not let you escape, mortal.]

It’s a line I’ve heard countless times when I ran away last time, but this time it felt different.

‘…Is he crazy?’

Did he really follow me all the way here across the sea?

***

The Celestial Spearman, Milayel.

A rift guardian that appears in the City of Light, Calheum.

The first emotion I felt when I met him again in an unexpected place was bewilderment.

But after calming down a bit, I felt a different emotion.

Welcome.

And…

“That’s good.”

Joy.

“I thought I wouldn’t see you again.”

[I will not let you escape, mortal.]

I smiled at Milayel, who replied with the same line without getting tired.

‘Whatever, I have no intention of running away now.’

Back then, Erwen was unable to fight.

Also, at the same time, there were monsters all around.

It was a situation where a monster of 2nd grade or higher could appear at any time.

So, I had to charge towards the coast with all my might.

But now it’s different.

I don’t know if this stupid guy is properly aware of that fact.

The odds, they’re already over.

And just in time, I even got a new shield.

Yeah, so…

‘He wouldn’t be bad as a combat power measuring tool.’

I shouted with all my might towards the members who seemed to be waiting for instructions.

“Prepare for battle! We will defeat him here!”

Yeah, it’s not polite to kick away a pumpkin that rolled in on its own.