Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 682

The Siege Slaughterer is a very good item.

Its performance is great, but it’s especially valuable because it’s valued more generously than other Numbers of similar rank.

‘There are quite a few mace warriors in this world.’

Sword, hammer, mace, polearm, spear….

There are countless weapons in the world, and in most games, the ‘mace’ is treated as a non-mainstream weapon.

But….

‘It’s not a bad weapon.’

In [Dungeon & Stone], maces are quite decent weapons.

They have a penalty of slow attack speed, but they have the advantage of having higher damage than any other weapon.

Isn’t that right?

Assuming the user’s stats are the same, there is no weapon that can match a mace that uses centrifugal force.

Ah, of course, for beginners.

‘I used to level them up often in the early days….’

Of course, I switched to other weapons later due to the limitations of the mace, but that’s just my story.

These people don’t have a second or third playthrough.

The more you use a weapon, the more proficiency you gain, and most explorers who depend on it for a living can’t easily change the weapon they’re used to.

In other words, they often use the weapon they used in the beginning even in the later stages….

‘I saw one in every place even above the 7th floor.’

In fact, there are quite a few mace users among explorers above the 7th floor.

However, the problem is that the supply cannot keep up with the demand.

That’s because there are not many mace-type items among the Numbers items.

‘It’s practically their graduation weapon.’

It’s only a level 600 piece of equipment, but if you use a mace as a weapon, there is no better option than this.

And the mace users know that very well.

That’s why it sells for a high price just by listing it on the auction house….

‘That’s not what’s important right now.’

I shake my head and forcibly erase my *japnyum* [distracting thoughts].

No.687 Siege Slaughterer.

A valuable item that can be sold or used as a swap weapon.

That item is in my hands.

I even won the ‘dice’ roll to get it.

Thump-!

At first, it was hard to tell.

Whether my heart was pounding because I was happy or because I was anxious.

However, as time passed, I realized.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump-!

This feeling is definitely not excitement in a good way.

Even when I got the ‘Aegis Barrier,’ my heart didn’t beat this much.

Even though it can’t be compared in terms of happiness.

“What are you doing? Still?”

I was a bit embarrassed to be standing there blankly, so I snapped out of it and picked up the ‘Siege Slaughterer.’

「The character has equipped No.687 Siege Slaughterer.」

「The overall item level increases by +2,800.」

As soon as I held it in my hand, I felt a change in my physical stats.

That’s because this item has stats attached to it.

And it’s a percentage.

「Strength stat increases by 40%.」

「Agility stat decreases by 80%.」

Agility decreases and strength increases.

My overall stats are nothing compared to the Demon Crusher, but it’s still the biggest reason why I decided I could use it directly from time to time.

I can use this to boost my strength when I need it.

‘But my body is really getting sluggish.’

Of course, there are things I gained in return.

Well, I’ll have to check to know for sure.

‘Swing.’

I try casting a skill in the air.

Well, the ‘mace’ is also considered a ‘blunt weapon.’

“Huh? Baron, why are you so slow—”

Just like this.

Whoosh-!!!

The sound of the wind pressure created by the mace cutting through the air.

Everyone, including me, flinched at the sound.

“Huh?”

Looking at their expressions, I made my decision.

‘It’s better to keep it than to sell it.’

I got a new weapon.

Of course, I’m not completely comfortable with it.

The more I like the Siege Slaughterer, the more anxious I feel.

But….

Thump-!

…Yeah, let’s just think of it as a reward.

A reward for the months of suffering in the dream world.

Thump-!

Uh… but let’s be careful.

Maybe this is a sign of the next misfortune.

Let’s stay alert so that we can prepare for any situation that may suddenly occur.

Okay, then—.

“E, e, e…!”

At that moment, the archer suddenly shouts urgently.

“Everyone, get out of the way!”

…Huh?

Is it happening this fast?

***

What on earth is going on?

As soon as the incident occurred, I quickly scanned the surroundings.

It’s one of my habits to see and judge everything for myself.

Perhaps it’s because my agility stat has decreased and my senses have dulled.

I didn’t feel any immediate threat.

But….

“…Shit!”

“…!”

The expressions of the people around me are too urgent.

No, beyond just their expressions, they are moving frantically to get out of the way.

“Jaina!!”

The archer is helping the priest, who has low mobility.

“Grandpa!”

Baekho is helping the Old Man of Destruction.

“Hop on!”

Rex Aureus, who was nearby, quickly picks up the dazed GM and carries him away.

Even then, I didn’t know what was going on, but one thing was very clear.

Thump-!

This place is dangerous.

I have to run away with them.

With that in mind, I tried to move my legs, but….

‘Damn it.’

My body, which had become 80% slower after equipping the Siege Slaughterer, was too slow.

I belatedly realized my current state and tried to put the weapon back into my subspace, but unfortunately, the golden time had already passed.

“What are you doing! Look up!!”

Baekho, who had moved away while carrying the Old Man of Destruction, turned around and shouted at me.

‘Up…?’

Realizing that Baekho’s gaze was directed towards the sky, I unconsciously looked up.

And….

‘Ah, that’s why they ran away.’

Only then did I realize why they were so urgent.

[Kkyaaaaaaaaak-!]

A gigantic flying creature descending from the sky with a chilling pterosaur cry.

The only unique case in the Dragon Bone Mountain, which generally has a moderate difficulty.

One of the so-called ‘Star Tomb Trio.’

A 1st-grade undead.

‘Bone Dragon….’

It has ‘Bone’ in front of it, but it’s not a drake or a draconian.

「The character is within the range of [Dragon Fear].」

A real dragon with the passive that is the symbol of the dragon race.

Ah, by the way, the effect of this passive is very simple.

「There is a gap in level.」

If you are below level 10, it applies a debuff that is not affected by ‘magic resistance’ or anything else, depending on the level difference.

Of course, at level 9, it only causes ‘paralysis,’ but….

Level 5 or below is instant death.

From level 6, it’s ‘stun’ and ‘soul exhaustion.’

At level 7, it’s ‘stiffness’ and ‘soul exhaustion.’

And for level 8, which includes me….

「The character is in a ‘stiff’ state for 10 seconds.」

You fall into a terrible state where your body freezes for 10 seconds, and that’s not all.

The stiffness doesn’t end with the first time, but it activates again after a certain period of time, and if the number of stacks increases as the battle time gets longer, special effects are activated.

Therefore, dragon raids are recommended to be level 10, and the minimum cut is level 9.

…But that’s not what I should be thinking about right now.

‘Transcendence.’

I quickly cast a skill while in a ‘stiff’ state.

「The character has cast [Giantification].」

First, I boost my base stats with Giantification (Transcendence).

「The character has cast [Iron Fortress].」

Physical resistance.

「The character has cast [Greed’s Scales].」

Maximizes magic resistance.

And at the same time.

Whoosh-!

The front paw of the creature that landed as if it had fallen crushes my body, which had hardened like a stone.

The physical impact was bearable.

“Cough…!”

I couldn’t help but open my mouth and cough up blood, but it was bearable.

The problem was what came next.

「The character has taken physical damage.」

Like [Dragon Fear], it’s a common passive skill that all dragons have.

「The condition for [Dragon Claw] is met.」

The effect is very straightforward.

「Magic damage is applied equal to the physical damage taken.」

That damn passive skill inflicts additional magic damage when physical damage is inflicted, and conversely, it inflicts additional physical damage when magic damage is inflicted.

In other words, hybrid damage is coming in….

Beep-!

A feeling of something exploding inside my body arises, and at the same time, I hear tinnitus.

The shield barbarian I had worked so hard to raise was almost in a near-death state after being hit once, but it wasn’t strange.

That’s because this is the game [Dungeon & Stone].

1st-grade monsters are all unreasonably strong, and among them, dragons are especially vicious.

「Jaina Flier has summoned [Healing Leech].」

「Jaina Flier has cast [Curse of Regeneration].」

「Jaina Flier has cast [Emergency Blood Transfusion].」

「Cursed blood…」

Fortunately, she had been casting in advance, so healing began as soon as the damage came in.

Well… is it too early to say it’s fortunate?

「The body is rapidly regenerating.」

「The body is rapidly regenerating.」

「The body is rapidly regenerating.」

「The body is rapidly regenerat…」

The injury, which could have led to a fatal wound, began to heal in an instant, but that doesn’t change anything.

I counted the numbers as soon as my body froze.

‘4 seconds.’

There are still 4 seconds left before the stiffness is released.

And in the meantime, if this bone dragon bastard hits me with two normal attacks or one skill properly….

‘I’ll die. That’s what a 1st-grade monster is.’

No matter how well-raised a character is, if they get hit by a 1st-grade monster in a defenseless state, they have no choice but to die.

Just like this.

Whoosh-!

The Bone Dragon attacks me again with its front paw.

A light movement, like a cat playing with small animals.

But it was not light at all from the receiving end.

“Cough…!”

I felt like two-thirds of my health had been blown away.

But in the meantime, this guy’s front paw is moving again.

But it’s not moving to strike down again….

‘Looking at the way its wings are spreading.’

Damn it.

「The Bone Dragon is casting [Bone Breath].」

It’s going to shoot that.

The moment I sensed the next action, my vision became hazy.

‘If I get hit….’

I’m 100% going to die.

A dangerous situation that made me feel that way.

“You son of a bitch!!”

At that moment, I heard Baekho’s voice from behind.

Tap!

What is it? Is he coming to save me?

Tap tap-!

But how is he running here?

As if he’s not affected by [Dragon Fear]….

‘Ah… he’s already level 10….’

One more piece of information about Baekho has been added.

Given the situation, I wonder if this is still meaningful—.

‘…Bullshit.’

My mind, which had become hazy after being hit a few times, snapped back.

Even if it’s the 9th floor where it wouldn’t be strange to die while breathing, would I die here so futilely?

Whoosh-!

The Bone Dragon once again pulls its bone wings back and sticks out its mouth.

And….

Whoosh-!!

A black beam-like breath is fired from its mouth.

But I never closed my eyes.

I can’t even close them because I’m in a stiff state, but anyway.

Clench.

Isn’t that right?

I turned my back on the dream world without any regrets after making that resolution, so if I give up already, there’s nothing more ridiculous than that—.

“Safe!!”

At that moment, I heard Baekho’s voice nearby, and something pulled me back strongly.

‘This might be a bit touching.’

I didn’t expect him to come to save me when the dragon was about to shoot its breath.

‘0 seconds.’

The moment I shouted the last count in my mind.

「The ‘stiff’ state is released.」

My frozen body softens.

At the same time, Baekho, who was pulling me, shouted.

“What are you doing! Raise your guard!!!!”

What, did he see the same angle as me?

Did he even count the stiffness time?

I’ll have to ask him about the details later, but for now, I immediately raised my shield and covered my whole body.

「Defense successful.」

「Aegis Barrier absorbs all damage.」

Ha, I thought I was really going to die.