Surviving The Game as a Barbarian (Novel) Chapter 223, 224, 225

  

C223, 224, 225

Chapter 223: Like a Flame (3)

The Lord of the Abyss, Verzak.

A Floor Master whose actual combat power is lower than the 3rd floor’s Riakis, but whose difficulty is several times higher.

It’s because the ‘Abyssal Fog’ is OP.

Active skill and usage effect seal.

Mana efficiency reduced by 75%.

And 5th-grade Abyssal Monsters that constantly appear as trash mobs and interfere.

Because of these harsh conditions, it’s difficult to even attempt to defeat him unless it’s in the late game.

There are too many prerequisites.

High-grade Numbered Items with permanent effects, not usage effects.

A top-tier tank capable of solo holding.

A damage dealer who can use Aura, or someone of a similar level.

As many priests as possible.

And several mages who can still be effective even with 25% mana efficiency.

It’s recommended that all participants have at least 5th-tier equipment, and even then, the casualties will be high if you don’t prepare special consumables.

But even with all that…

…it’s practically a guaranteed failure from Day 7 onwards.

Because additional patterns are unlocked regardless of the phase.

In other words, it means that it’s impossible for us to defeat him in our current state.

But…

[It seems like he’s finally noticed us. I’ll be there soon.]

…we should be able to buy some time.

I checked the time while waiting for Kyle to arrive.

[19:34]

Day 5, 7:34 PM.

We had desperately fought our way through and checked the eastern portal, and we were now only about two hours away from the Goblin Forest.

It was a valuable result achieved through the warriors’ sacrifices.

But it would be a lie to say there wasn’t a bit of luck involved.

“Yandel, are you okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be okay? I expected to encounter him at some point.”

Actually, it was a stroke of luck that we only encountered him now.

The expedition party that chose a different direction instead of us was probably suffering heavy losses.

“…….”

Just how many people died needlessly?

My head suddenly cooled down, but I didn’t feel guilty.

We were all in the same situation.

We agreed to be bait for each other.

If we had encountered him earlier, the other expedition parties would have been able to break through more easily.

“Sorry for making you wait.”

Kyle arrived after about 5 minutes, bringing the forces for Plan B.

Six 5th-grade mages.

Three knights and three warriors.

I couldn’t hide my doubt as I quickly scanned their numbers.

“Why are there so few of you?”

The number of mages was the same, but the rest had significantly decreased.

What was the reason?

“The rest are all dead.”

Right, they weren’t just playing around in the back.

Six people short.

Then who should I fill those spots with?

“Ah, for reference, your companions said they wanted to come, but I stopped them. I’ll have to hear them complain later.”

Complain…

But six isn’t enough, is it?

Ah, maybe the fairy sisters also volunteered.

“…Thank you.”

I thanked Kyle and then glanced at the warriors around me.

And I spoke brightly,

“As you all heard, we’re six people short. I’m sorry you’re all in such a state, but is there anyone who wants to come with us?”

Someone answered before I could even finish my sentence.

“I’ll go. With you.”

Alexandros Bell, a 5th-grade warrior.

He was a member of a large clan, but he was abandoned here because he wasn’t a priority.

“I was getting bored just stepping on traps, this is great!”

Karkin, the third son of Tion.

He was a barbarian warrior in his thirties, who was active in a clan with 10 members.

I was surprised to see a tribesman who was 4th grade.

“Don’t forget your promise to buy me a drink when we get out!”

Milton Teterud.

He was the leader of a clan composed solely of dwarves.

But they didn’t explore together, they usually lent their clan members to other teams as mercenaries.

It was a clan that was closer to a guild.

“…….”

Although it was the time for me to express my gratitude…

…I was speechless.

Honestly, I didn’t expect this situation.

It was different from before.

We were only two hours away from the portal.

Even if it’s a fleeting hope that will disappear the moment we reach despair, hope is hope.

Even those who were clearing the path, treating their lives like straw, wouldn’t want to die.

I thought there would be very few people who would volunteer to be bait for the boss monster, especially after suffering this much damage just from fighting trash mobs.

But what was the reality?

“Oh, so I can join that drinking party if I follow him?”

“I’m more interested in something else. If I just close my eyes and follow him once, I’ll have a story to brag about for the rest of my life.”

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

“Take me with you. I’ve always been curious about that Verzak bastard’s face.”

Countless explorers volunteered.

Just because they trusted the plan Kyle and I made?

Or because their brains were releasing endorphins due to the heated atmosphere?

Well, that’s also a reason.

But one thing was clear.

“You guys… are all crazy.”

It wasn’t a choice a sane person would make.

But did my words sound strange?

A brief silence fell.

“…You’re not wrong. I think everyone would say that if we told them this story outside.”

Someone agreed.

“But coming from you?”

Someone laughed incredulously.

I didn’t have anything to say.

I just did what I had to do.

But…

‘Does that mean they’re the same?’

My heart pounded as if I was also going crazy.

But my head needed to be cold.

I chose six people from the countless volunteers.

The only criterion was this:

Who would be the best fit.

It wasn’t difficult to choose since we had been fighting together all day.

I already knew their fighting styles.

“Hey! Why are you leaving me behind?!”

The dwarf clan leader, Teterud, protested as soon as I made my decision.

“Don’t tell me, you think I’ll hold you back?”

“There’s no way.”

“Then why? I won’t let you go until you tell me!”

Geez, he’s so stubborn, even though he’s so small.

It seemed like the magic circle was almost complete, so I briefly explained.

“Someone needs to lead this place while I’m gone.”

Teterud was a 4th-grade explorer.

He was skilled, and he knew how to handle people since he was a clan leader.

He was the perfect person to take charge of the front lines.

Actually, I heard that he had been taking the lead whenever I fainted.

“…Tsk.”

He didn’t bother me any further, as if he understood, although he seemed dissatisfied.

“Yandel, we’re ready. It’s about time for him to come anyway.”

Phew, right.

I sent them off as soon as I heard Kyle’s words that the magic circle was complete.

“That’s it, you guys go now. The scout Kyle brought will guide you. I heard he’s quite tough, but just in case, make sure he doesn’t die.”

“You’re talking like you’re a father. Enough, we’ll be going. See you later. Definitely. Got it?”

“You’re the one who sounds like a father.”

“I do have a child in the city. Alright, let’s go!”

I moved to the side so I wouldn’t block their path, and Teterud took the lead, stepping on traps and opening the way, and the warriors followed.

They each said something as they passed by.

“Don’t die.”

“Hmm, strangely, I don’t think you’ll die. See you later!”

Most of them were words of encouragement and support.

Those words continued for a while even after the warrior group passed. Some expressed their gratitude, and some apologized.

It happened over and over again.

“Why are they doing that?”

Kyle chuckled at my question.

“Because your message stone was on the whole time. Everyone knows what’s happening at the front.”

Right, so that’s how it is.

“Bjorn…”

My team members also appeared as the procession continued.

Misha looked like she was about to cry when she saw my condition. Raven and the bear-like man also had troubled expressions.

“Don’t make a fuss and just go. You’re blocking the path if you stay here.”

“I, I won’t let you off the hook if you come back injured.”

Hmm, telling a tank not to get injured? That’s practically a threat.

That thought crossed my mind, but I swallowed my words.

‘It’s not bad.’

What’s wrong with being scolded a bit?

After all, I’m doing all this to have that kind of everyday life.

“I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yes, don’t worry. I’ll definitely protect our team even without you, Mr. Yandel. Miss Ainar? Let’s go.”

“Ugh, o, okay! Don’t pull my hair!”

Raven then left, carrying Ainar, who was whining about wanting to follow me.

And the procession continued.

They looked like refugees escaping through a tunnel during wartime.

Whoosh.

Flickering torches.

The groans of the injured being carried on their companions’ backs.

Broken equipment.

Bloodstains.

Sadness in their eyes.

Sweat dripping from their limping steps.

I didn’t even have to ask Kyle to know.

Just like how I had a lot going on, today must have been a long day for them too.

“Well, they’re all gone now.”

The first group, which I was a part of, as well as the 2nd and 3rd groups, which were following the marks we left on the passage, had all passed us.

It didn’t take long.

After all, they were running, even if it was just a jog.

And the number of people had decreased significantly compared to the beginning.

“It’s gotten eerily quiet.”

The surroundings darkened as soon as everyone left.

Could it be because the flickering torches were illuminating the surroundings while the procession was passing by?

The contrast was clear.

It felt like we were the only ones left in this isolated world.

‘It’s about time…’

I raised my shield.

And I looked beyond the passage.

“He’s here.”

A visibility of 2 meters.

Hundreds of eyes were watching us from the darkness of the labyrinth beyond.

The Lord of the Abyss, Verzak.

He had arrived.
__________________

The biggest concern I had when I first made the plan was, of course, Verzak.

No matter how I thought about it, it was impossible to escape from this bastard with just a few hundred people.

It was practically a guaranteed wipeout the moment we encountered him.

Well, quite a few people would survive if we scattered and ran away since the aggro would be all over the place…

But what could we do after being scattered?

We wouldn’t even be able to fight on the 2nd floor, let alone break through the trash mobs and reach the portal.

Therefore…

“Can you use the magic circle right away?”

…we came up with Plan B.

But we could only use this strategy once with the resources we had.

“Don’t worry, I’ve checked the magic circle several times.”

We would all die if Plan B failed.

And even if it succeeded, we would be wiped out if we encountered the Abyssal Watcher again.

Ah, for reference, this was also one of the reasons why I set the maximum number of portal searches to two.

By that time, countless expedition parties would have disappeared.

I judged that the probability of encountering Verzak again was too high, even if we managed to get past him once.

“Battle stations.”

Everyone took out their weapons and got ready to fight as soon as the eyes appeared in the darkness.

They knew what those eyes meant because of Kyle’s explanation.

“…….”

These intangible eyes were an effect that appeared around Verzak.

For reference, the radius was about 2 kilometers, according to the game’s setting.

But they weren’t just background images.

All those eyes shared vision with him.

In other words, Verzak was already watching us.

“As you all know, our goal is to endure as long as possible. Until the other explorers escape from his line of sight.”

Kyle, as if he was also nervous, repeated the explanation he had already given several times.

“Do you think we’re idiots? We all remember. You also said we just have to endure for about 10 minutes, right?”

“That’s right. I apologize. But there’s one more thing. I forgot to mention it earlier… no matter what happens, protect Yandel.”

“Huh? Yandel? Alright.”

“Aren’t you going to ask why?”

“Everyone knows. That we can only return alive if he survives.”

Everyone nodded at a warrior’s words.

“I was going to say that if Yandel, who killed the Abyssal Watcher, dies, he might target the main force, but…”

Kyle laughed awkwardly and stopped talking.

“Well, whatever. It doesn’t really matter even if I say it.”

“Haha! Right, it doesn’t matter what the reason is as long as the result is the same.”

“That’s a very valid opinion. But it seems like warriors and mages are no different in this aspect.”

The light conversation softened the tense atmosphere.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last long.

Whoosh!

A shadow shot towards us, sharp as a stiletto.

Kwaaang!

I felt pain in the back of my hand as soon as I blocked it with my shield.

It wasn’t deep.

Just a small puncture.

‘Phew, I can’t calculate the damage since this is my first time encountering him in such an unprepared state.’

I can’t believe my Moonstone shield was pierced by a normal attack.

Is it because I’m not in [Gigantification] state?

The warriors’ expressions hardened as they saw my pierced shield.

Kyle muttered as if to boost morale,

“…Just endure for 10 minutes.”

It already seemed like an eternity.

But I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Warriors laugh when they’re in pain.”

I looked ahead.

A shadow was flickering in the darkness.

The Lord of the Abyss, Verzak.

One of the bosses that could only be defeated in the late game.

A monster among monsters that we could only endure against in our current state.

But so what?

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

He’s just one of the many hurdles we have to overcome.

To end this unusually long day…

…and greet tomorrow.

-------------------------------------

Chapter 224: Like a Flame (4)

Darkness, just a few steps away.

We maintain a tight formation, relying on the flickering torches.

Unfriendly gazes surround us.

‘Geez, they’re staring.’

Hundreds of eyes gleaming in the darkness.

It’s like we’ve entered a cruel fairy tale, characterized by a gloomy and eerie atmosphere.

Of course, it’s just the atmosphere.

The outcome depends on us.

If we overcome this adversity, it will become a story of hope.

And if we crumble, it will just be a cruel tale.

Whoosh!

The stiletto-shaped shadow that was embedded in my shield is pulled back into the darkness.

It’s already happened several times.

This bastard is being shy since it’s our first meeting, just poking us from afar with normal attacks.

‘Is this a good thing for us, who are trying to buy time?’

I check the condition of my equipment with that thought.

My shield is riddled with holes.

A warrior next to me mutters,

“You’ll have to buy a new shield when we get out.”

It’s a statement based on the premise that we’ll survive.

I chuckle and answer,

“Ah, I’ll have to.”

We’re going to survive.

As many of us as possible.

Swoosh.

After four consecutive normal attacks, I hear movement from the darkness.

Right, the probing is over?

Swoosh.

He appears with an eerie gust of wind.

He’s about 2 meters tall.

He’s wearing a ragged robe, like something a dead person would wear, and he has no weapons.

His silhouette is that of a basic human form.

But like an incorporeal monster…

…only dark blue smoke billows from the parts of his body that are exposed outside his clothes.

And…

Flash!

…where his head should be.

Only crimson eyes gleam in the shadowed area beneath his hood.

It’s clearly different from a human’s structure.

First, there’s only one eye emitting light.

And it’s not even on the left or right side, but in the center of his face, making the proportions off, and…

…it’s huge.

As if his entire head is a giant eyeball.

“Try not to make eye contact with him.”

I fixed my gaze on his shoulder as soon as I saw him.

The reason is simple.

[Don’t be afraid.]

There’s a certain probability of being afflicted with the ‘Fear’ status effect if you make eye contact.

And…

[Look at me.]

…if Fear stacks nine times, that character permanently becomes a subordinate of the Lord of the Abyss.

Just like the countless monsters in the labyrinth.

They become enemies and attack us.

‘It was a bullshit pattern.’

It’s practically an instant death move.

‘Monsterization’ doesn’t even disappear after the boss is defeated.

‘Well, we’re not trying to defeat him, we just have to endure for 10 minutes…’

I don’t think anyone will reach ‘Monsterization’ within 10 minutes.

But I can’t relax.

We didn’t come here fully prepared.

We haven’t done any Fear-related setup.

In other words, even the ‘Fear’ status effect alone is a threat.

“Ugh…”

A warrior next to me groans and clutches his head.

It seems like he made eye contact with him.

If he was afflicted with Fear, he would have either dropped his weapon and run away or attacked us—

“Bjorn!”

“Watch out!”

A shadow shoots out from Verzak’s chest while I’m briefly checking on my companion.

It’s the same stiletto that attacked my shield several times.

But it’s a different pattern from before.

Whoosh!

The stiletto, which was flying towards me menacingly, splits into dozens of strands and envelops me.

Like a net.

Thwack.

The shadows cling to my body like octopus suckers.

I feel a pulling force from all directions.

His intention is clear.

He’s trying to drag me into the darkness since it would take too long if he just used normal attacks.

Huh, we’re not that weak.

“Ekobir Iheran Aiphoun.”

Kyle casts a spell he prepared beforehand.

The 7th-grade support spell, ‘Attribute Imbuement’.

For reference, the attribute is Sun, which is the opposite of dark-type monsters.

Whoosh!

A white flame, a combination of fire and holy attributes, envelops everyone’s weapons except for the knights’.

The reason he didn’t use it on the knights is simple.

Slash!

They can damage him even without ‘Attribute Imbuement’ since they have Aura.

“Save Bjorn!”

The warriors charge forward and cut or smash the shadows that are binding me with their flame-engulfed weapons.

My body is freed in an instant.

But dozens of shadows shoot out from his body again before I can even catch my breath.

Whoosh!

It’s a different pattern again.

He’s targeting everyone, not just me.

I hurriedly adjust my shield.

‘It’s starting now.’

It’s time to start the real battle.
_____________________
The eye monster I killed earlier.

The ‘Abyssal Watcher’ is a summoning skill that Verzak uses to choose his next target after finishing a battle.

It’s summoned throughout the cave, and it searches for sacrifices.

For reference, once you encounter it, that’s it.

There’s no way to shake off the aggro.

That’s why I crushed its eye without hesitation.

We wouldn’t be able to lure him out if someone didn’t draw aggro.

As you can see, he only recognized me as an enemy until my companions attacked to save me.

[But wouldn’t it be better for someone to step up and sacrifice themselves?]

Someone suggested that when we were making the plan, but it was an impossible strategy.

Leaving aside the question of who would take on that role…

Verzak’s line of sight is about 2 kilometers.

It’s meaningless unless they can endure until the expedition party completely escapes from his sight.

‘10 minutes.’

Kyle estimated that time to be about 10 minutes.

If we collapse before then, he’ll chase after us and start a massacre.

Therefore…

Thud!

…we endure.

Not just me.

But with the mages and warriors who followed me.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

We resist the darkness, wielding our burning weapons.

It’s not easy.

Whoosh!

His normal attack is a stiletto-shaped shadow with high penetration.

Normally, I would have been able to react easily.

I wouldn’t be seriously injured as long as I blocked it with my shield, although I don’t know how long it would last.

But…

‘Damn game.’

…the problem is that I can’t see properly.

I can’t react in time because I’m looking down to avoid making eye contact.

For reference, it was the same in the actual game.

[Don’t make eye contact with Verzak.]

If you applied this instruction to your character, their evasion and block success rates would plummet, no matter how high their Agility stat was.

Just like now.

Thump!

A shadow pierces deep into my shoulder.

「Body regenerates quickly due to [Moderate Healing] effect.」

I can’t drink enough potions.

Even though the aggro is somewhat dispersed, I’m still the main target.

And in the midst of that…

“Ah, aak!!”

…he doesn’t just stab us, he throws shadows in the shape of nets, dragging companions into the darkness.

Although we’ve been blocking them by cutting them…

‘Damn it.’

…we can’t block them forever.

The first casualty.

“Sillian!!”

Sillian Nerf.

The guy who followed me because he thought it would be a cool story to tell at a drinking party.

“Aaaaaak! Aak! Ack!!”

Horrible screams come from the darkness where he was dragged away.

I feel a strange sensation.

In the game, I just thought it was an effect to enhance the atmosphere.

“…….”

Anger boils inside me.

But I have to get a grip.

Someone has to be rational in this situation.

“Stop.”

“But!”

“You’ll die too if you go.”

It’s impossible to save him now that he’s been dragged in.

Not at our level.

“Damn it!”

A warrior vents his anger.

I can understand.

He couldn’t even watch his comrade, who he had fought alongside all day, die.

He just heard the screams from beyond the darkness.

Powerless.

It’s an emotion I’ve felt countless times today.

But the battle continues, whether we’re powerless or not.

「Body regenerates quickly due to [Moderate Healing] effect.」

Verzak also used a skill.

[Abyssal Call].

It’s a skill that summons all trash mobs within his line of sight to one location.

“Grrr! Grrr!”

The Abyssal Goblins who were called swarm, throwing Monster Pouches and summoning monsters, and scattering traps from afar.

One person died because of this.

Thump.

A chaotic battle where traps are triggered and monsters summoned from Monster Pouches run rampant.

A stiletto-shaped shadow pierces a companion’s body.

Even the mages, who were casting Mana Shield to prevent fatal blows, couldn’t react in time.

Thud.

Another one dies.

“Kyle! How much time is left?!”

“4 minutes.”

What, 3 minutes?

“4 minutes have passed.”

Phew, I almost got my hopes—

Kwagic!

That’s when the first variable occurred.

“It’s a troll! Push it back!!”

Another one dies.

The cause of death was a troll that was summoned right in front of us.

The problem wasn’t the troll, but the fact that the casualty was a mage.

‘Damn it.’

I considered the death of a warrior to be inevitable, but a mage was different.

We placed them in the center to protect them.

‘At this rate, we’ll run out of mana quickly…’

This is the worst.

I continued moving despite that thought.

Time passed.

“5 minutes left.”

“4 minutes!”

Kyle told us the time every minute, as if to boost morale.

“Just endure for 3 more minutes!”

There were no casualties after the mage died.

As expected of veteran explorers, their combat proficiency was starting to increase.

But that’s when, after 8 minutes…

“I can’t cast any more spells. It’s all I can do to maintain the imbuement spells.”

…Kyle made an announcement.

‘We have to endure for 2 more minutes without the mages’ support…’

It’s earlier than expected, but it can’t be helped.

One mage died.

He probably had no other choice if he wanted to save enough mana to activate that magic circle.

“Kyaaaaaak!!”

Monsters summoned from the pouches start to pile up as the mages’ AoE spells stop.

Our numbers have decreased.

And we don’t have magic.

Verzak didn’t stop, shooting shadows like arrows from afar as the burden on us increased.

Thump!

Another one dies.

‘I can’t keep that promise.’

You can’t leave a last will and testament in the middle of such a fierce battle.

Whether the enemy is a monster or a human.

They’re not kind enough to give you the time.

So we talked about it beforehand.

[If you can take their equipment, take it and give it to their companions.]

That was the last will and testament of the guy who just collapsed.

But as I said back then, it doesn’t seem like there will be any time for that.

“Aak! He, help me!”

The guy next to me was dragged away by a shadow and disappeared into the darkness.

“Aak! Aaaak!!”

I clenched my teeth, listening to his screams.

[Deliver the news to my son. I have a feeling you’ll be famous when you get out. He’ll be happy.]

I’ll be able to keep this one.

If I can return alive.

“We’re using the magic circle now!”

One minute left until the 10-minute mark.

The mages activated the magic circle they had drawn beforehand.

I swung my mace mindlessly.

I couldn’t see my shield anywhere.

Ah, I threw it away earlier, saying it was useless.

It’s not like I can repair it anyway.

“Yandel, come here!”

Oh, is it done already?

A brilliant light erupted from the floor.

Verzak also stopped attacking and looked at us, as if wary.

It was the same for the other monsters.

“…….”

The battle stopped for a fleeting moment.

I quickly scanned the surroundings.

I couldn’t see all the corpses.

It’s only natural.

Some were dragged away into the darkness.

‘He must be nearby… ah!’

The corpse I was looking for was at the edge of the light.

I quickly approached it and retrieved the sword and shield.

I had to use quite a bit of force.

He was still holding onto his weapons, his eyes open even in death.

“Bjorn!”

Someone shouted, and I rolled on the ground and entered the magic circle.

The warriors didn’t ask why.

“That was… right, we had that promise.”

“His companions will be grateful.”

I quickly got up, and I saw monsters approaching us.

They hesitated for a moment at the light emanating from the magic circle…

…but they judged that it wasn’t a threat.

“They’re annoying us until the very end!”

“Hey, mage! It’s time to go!”

“Just a little longer!”

I looked straight ahead.

Verzak, he was there.

[I’ve seen you.]

Seen my ass.

I fixed my gaze on him and repeated the names of the dead.

Sillian Nerf.

Neil Famez.

Paul Agmus.

Garpen Gullun.

Matt Elvans.

Lefrey Siaberus.

Six people in total.

‘Right, I’ll see you again someday.’

Riakis, the Lord of Chaos.

Regal Vagos, the Dragonslayer.

And Verzak.

「Kyle Pebrosk has cast the 4th-grade spatial magic [Mass Teleportation].」

I hope these bastards know.

That I won’t always run away.
__________________

When I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by people.

Right, we made it.

“How far did we get from him?”

“Well, it should be about 3 kilometers. He won’t be able to follow us since we’re completely out of his sight. Ah, it would be a different story if we encounter the Abyssal Watcher again.”

I instinctively looked back.

There wasn’t a single one of those damn eyes in the darkness. It meant we really succeeded in teleporting that far.

“Amazing.”

“Amazing my ass. Even I wouldn’t have been able to teleport this far if I hadn’t left the coordinate designation medium here. Ah, and I also shared mana with the other mages.”

Well, although he said it awkwardly, it wasn’t something just anyone could do.

Even with the other mages’ help…

…it wasn’t easy to cast that kind of magic in a place where mana efficiency was reduced by 75%.

“…Then I’ll be going.”

“Without resting?”

“We can rest while we’re moving.”

I opened a potion and poured it over my head.

And I moved forward while the other warriors were receiving treatment.

I soon found the people I was looking for.

It was Garpen Gullun’s companions.

They were so close that they even came to the front lines to drag him back, asking why he was trying to suffer needlessly.

“You’re…”

They also recognized me.

And they froze.

Their gazes were on the sword and shield I was holding.

“Here.”

“…Is he dead?”

A female explorer asked tearfully, and I just remained silent. She spoke again after a moment of silence.

“I, I’ll take this. But please take this.”

She took the sword and then handed me the shield.

“I thought you… might need it.”

“…Thank you.”

I decided to accept the shield without refusing.

After all, I lost my shield.

And it seemed like refusing would only hurt them more.

“Then I’ll be going.”

I continued forward.

And before I knew it, I reached where my companions were.

“Anyone get injured while I was gone?”

“…….”

No one answered my question.

They just stared at me blankly.

Misha’s hands were even trembling.

Ah, are they going to scold me for getting injured?

I should run away.

“It’s good that you’re not injured. Then I’ll be—”

“Stop.”

“…….”

“Please, just rest for a bit. You’ve done enough. Okay?”

“Yes, Mr. Yandel. Do as Miss Kaltstein says. It won’t help if you go to the front now. You said we might have a big fight later.”

I gave up.

Raven was right.

Although we had gone through so much, there were still mountains to climb.

It would be better to conserve our strength.

Thud, thud.

I recovered my stamina, following the procession next to my companions while other warriors were clearing the path at the front.

After some time…

[Halt!]

…an order to stop the procession came through the message stone.

I instinctively knew.

That we had reached our destination.

[The portal… is the portal open?]

I heard Kyle’s voice, and then Teterud, the leader of the dwarf clan who was in charge of the front lines.

[It’s open.]

Right, so we came to the right place.

My legs felt weak.

If this one was also destroyed, I would have lost my mind.

“Raven, I’ll leave this to you.”

“Okay, go ahead. You’re going to go anyway even if I stop you, right?”

“…….”

I pushed past the explorers and headed towards the front lines.

Teterud greeted me as soon as I arrived.

“So, what are you going to do? Are you going in right away?”

“As soon as the preparations in the back are complete.”

“Are you going to take the lead again this time?”

“Does it matter? You’re just going to follow us anyway.”

“Haha, that’s true.”

I then stood in front of the portal.

After about 10 minutes, I received a message from Kyle through the message stone.

[We’re ready. You can enter now.]

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Even I could feel my ragged breathing.

But I tried to focus on the positive aspects.

‘There might be no one there.’

Noark would have thought the same.

That even if someone survived, it would only be a small number.

‘It’s more advantageous for them if we return to the city and testify about what the royal family did, causing chaos.’

Of course, it’s just a possibility.

They might have stationed troops and tried to eliminate even the few survivors.

But…

‘They wouldn’t have left many behind.’

No matter how much equipment they looted on the 1st floor, they couldn’t live off of that. The core forces would be on the upper floors, mining magic stones.

‘Damn it.’

I couldn’t be certain, even though I thought that.

But I took a step forward.

‘It’s not like it’s my first time.’

When was I ever truly certain?

We didn’t have a choice anyway.

If we just waited here, our strength would only decrease as we were harassed by Abyssal Goblins.

So…

Thud.

…I took another step and entered the portal.

「Entered 2nd Floor Goblin Forest.」

My vision went black for a moment.

And then I felt a sensation of weightlessness.

I opened my eyes, and a green forest came into view.

“Damn it.”

There was good news and bad news.

The good news was that there weren’t many enemies nearby.

And the bad news…

‘Damn it, I can’t believe these bastards are still here.’

My prediction that the core forces would be on the upper floors, mining magic stones, was wrong.

Thud.

I landed on the ground and observed the three people in the forest.

I could tell who they were just by their appearances.

At least two of them.

“You’re the first survivor.”

The Ruin Scholar.

The one who destroyed all the portals.

“Haha, I told you someone would come if we waited, didn’t I? Hey, barbarian! Congratulations. It must have been a tough journey.”

An unidentified beastman.

And…

“Hoo, we meet again.”

The man who was still wearing that white mask.

“It seems like we’re fated.”

The Corpse Collector.

“Pfft.”

He smiled, looking at me.

-----------------------------------------

Chapter 225: Turning the Tables (1)

The Goblin Forest is one of the brighter areas on the 2nd floor.

It’s dark, but the starlight that fills the sky provides some illumination.

Well, it’s not usually this bright, though.

Whoosh!

Dozens of light orbs are floating in the air, illuminating the surroundings as if it were daytime.

It’s like a stadium at night with the lights on.

‘Just how much surplus mana does he have?’

The difference in our levels is clear just from this, and it makes my heart pound…

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

“Yandel, those guys…”

“The Ruin Scholar and the Corpse Collector. And I don’t know about the other one.”

I briefly share information with the warriors who followed me through the portal, but my eyes are fixed on the front.

“Oh, so he didn’t come alone?”

The beastman, whose identity I haven’t figured out yet, chuckled.

He seemed to be in a good mood.

“We’ll earn quite a bit even if we split this three ways.”

His greedy gaze sweeps over us.

It’s like we’re just trash mobs in a good hunting ground.

Ha, I was hoping they might let us go if we congratulated them.

“How low-class.”

The old mage with white hair, the ‘Ruin Scholar’, clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Why? Isn’t this why you decided to stay behind?”

The beastman asked, but the Ruin Scholar didn’t answer as if he was annoyed.

That’s when the Corpse Collector chuckled and interjected.

“Pfft, you still don’t know that old hag? He just wants to go back quickly, loot or whatever.”

“Hmm, is that so? Then it’s just the two of us who are low-class.”

“Ha, what are you talking about? You think I stayed behind just to get some equipment?”

“…Then what is it?”

The beastman tilted his head at the Corpse Collector’s words.

I also pretended not to know and listened closely.

I judged that if I knew each individual’s motivation and goal for staying here, it might increase our options.

Hmm, right, but…

“Of course! It’s because it seems fun!”

The Clown shouted exaggeratedly, just like he did at the Round Table.

“To be able to kill explorers who barely made it here after going through all that hardship with just a sliver of hope! Isn’t that the best?!”

The Ruin Scholar frowned again.

“What’s with that tone? You’re suddenly acting.”

“Ah, that? It’s because I thought there might be someone I know here! Pfft.”

“Someone you know…?”

“Tsk, there are. I’ve always wanted to kill them, but it wouldn’t be fun if I just killed them, right? It’s more fun if they at least know who I am before they die!”

“You’re talking nonsense. Do whatever you want. I’m going to rest.”

Although the Ruin Scholar had a confused expression, I was different.

‘This crazy psycho bastard.’

He was hoping that if there was a Round Table member among us, they would recognize him.

That’s why he even bothered wearing a mask and revealing himself.

It was a gesture that showed his resolve.

That he wouldn’t let anyone here leave alive.

“Hmm, but there are a lot more than I expected?”

The beastman, who had been chatting casually while my companions were entering through the portal and forming a line, looked at us and expressed his doubt.

But there wasn’t a shred of nervousness in his expression.

The leftovers abandoned by the royal family’s core forces.

He must be confident that he can handle them, no matter how many there are.

‘This is better.’

I decided to think positively.

In the first place, the situation would have been much worse if they had attacked us as soon as we arrived on the 2nd floor.

It’s a good thing that the enemy underestimates us.

So…

“Pfft, it seems like this is the end since no one else is coming.”

…we can use that to our advantage, whether it’s arrogance or not.

“It’s a good thing they didn’t send more people, it would have been troublesome.”

“Pfft, troublesome, my ass.”

The Corpse Collector, a high-ranking Necromancer who’s also called a one-man army.

The Clown snapped his fingers.

Whoosh!

A giant subspace pocket opened in the air.

And…

[Groaaaaaaaaar!]

…he unleashed an army of hundreds of corpses.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”

It’s time to start the final battle we’ve been waiting for.
____________________

An army of corpses is charging towards us from the front.

They’re even properly equipped, as if he diligently collected them.

The pressure is immense.

But…

“Hey, we can go back if we just win this battle, right?”

…no one is running away.

At least not around me.

“Phew, I can finally fight properly.”

The warriors, who are exhausted, smile and take out their weapons.

“I can finally save face. I’m even one rank higher than you.”

It’s different from when we were clearing the path on the 1st floor.

Various weapons like swords, hammers, axes, maces, and flails emit a bright light.

「Alexandros Bell has cast [Fury of Fire].」

「Ralph Kel has cast [Gale Blade].」

「Milton Teterud has cast [Banner of Struggle].」

「Stamina consumption greatly reduced during battle.」

The skills they couldn’t use because of the field effect.

“Waaaaaaaaaa!!”

“Let’s gooooooo!!”

The warriors charge towards the corpse army, unleashing their skills as if they’ve been waiting for this moment.

I also activate [Gigantification] and join them.

Right, we might be out of stamina, but are we out of MP?

Kwaaang!

An explosion occurs as the vanguard clashes with the corpse army.

It’s a sound that should accompany an explorer battle.

[Grooooowl…]

Support follows from the rear as soon as the corpse army’s charge is stopped.

Arrows fly towards us.

Attack magic of various attributes.

And ranged abilities.

Of course, they’re not just watching.

「Abet Nekrapetto has cast [Stone Curse].」

Bodies turn into stone statues during battle.

「Abet Nekrapetto has cast [Corpse Explosion].」

Corpses modified for self-destruction charge in and explode.

Boom!

The power of the explosion is about that of a 6th-grade fire spell.

It wasn’t strong enough to instantly kill the warriors, who were tougher and more agile after using their active skills.

But…

Sizzle.

…as expected of corpses handled by a Poison Necromancer, the bodies of those who were splashed with blood at close range melt away in an instant.

“Aaaaaak!!”

And in the midst of that…

“Hey, barbarian! Are you the leader here?”

…the beastman, one of the three, leaps high and lands in front of me.

His appearance is completely different from before.

Sharp fangs protruding from his mouth.

Fur covering his entire body and a blue mane.

His height and build are similar to mine in [Gigantification] state.

He’s transformed into a beast that resembles a werewolf.

‘No wonder he didn’t have any equipment.’

I scan him and quickly analyze.

‘Enhancement type.’

‘Spirit Beast’, a beastman’s unique ability.

It seems like this guy is an enhancement type like Misha. He must have a transformation skill among the abilities he obtained by raising his Spirit Beast level.

‘I wonder what essence he absorbed.’

I dismiss the question, which I’ll naturally find out later, and cover my face with my shield.

He’s swinging his giant paw at me.

Kwaaang!

A heavy impact that shakes my bones.

‘His Strength is higher than mine.’

As expected, it’s going to be a tough fight—

Whoosh!

Just as I’m retreating to avoid a strength contest, a sword swings.

Towards the wolf bastard, not me.

“I’ll take care of this guy, you step back!”

It’s Melter Pend, the leader of the Nartel Clan.

“You’ll take care of him?”

“It’s Kyle’s order.”

Then it’s fine.

I readily yield and step back.

There’s a saying, ‘the right person in the right place’, right?

Melter Pend is the only 3rd-grade explorer in our expedition party. And he’s been conserving his strength with his clan members for the 2nd-floor battle.

‘He said he was an apprentice knight before.’

He’s much better at PvP than me.

[Yandel, can you hear me?]

Kyle’s voice comes through the message stone as soon as I turn around after leaving the wolf bastard to Melter.

“I can hear you.”

[Sorry, I was a bit late because I was dividing the forces.]

“Skip the apology, just get to the point.”

[You focus on leading the people and fighting the Corpse Collector. Melter Pend and his companions will take care of Blue Mane.]

“Blue Mane?”

[Ah, you didn’t know? He’s the one who became famous during the Noark subjugation. He was the successor of the Blue Wolf tribe, but it seems like he committed a crime and escaped, and then he was hiding in Noark.]

Hmm, so he wasn’t a member of Orculus.

No wonder I couldn’t think of anyone when I saw him.

“Okay, I’ll take care of this side.”

[That’s reassuring. Then I’ll focus everything on blocking that old man.]

By old man, he must mean the Ruin Scholar, right?

Maybe the person Kyle wanted to take revenge on was that old man.

“Right, then I’ll trust you with that.”

I say it as if ending the conversation and swing my mace at the surrounding corpses.

That’s when I hear another voice.

[Ah, and one more thing.]

“…?”

[Your companions will be arriving soon.]

“What?”

[…….]

There’s no answer.

Kwagic!

That’s when, as I’m crushing a corpse that was protecting its head with a shield, shield and all…

Slash!

…an Adamantium greatsword is embedded in the temple of a corpse that was aiming for my side.

“We’ll help too from now on!!”

Ainar.

And…

“Bjorn!”

…Misha.

The melee damage dealer duo naturally takes their positions behind me, ready to fight.

It’s the formation that Team Apple Nark usually uses.

“You’re not going to try to fight alone again, are you?”

I turn around and see Raven riding on the bear-like man’s summon, Woongie.

‘Wait, if Woongie is here…’

As expected, I look around and see the bear-like man.

“Why are you guys here when you should be in the rear…?”

I can understand the melee damage dealer duo, but why did these two come all the way here?

It would be much safer in the back.

The bear-like man answers as he loads an arrow into his large crossbow,

“Indirect fire isn’t my specialty.”

Hmm, that’s true.

But I don’t think that’s the real reason.

‘I should give him the [Leap Shot] essence later when we go up to the 6th floor.’

I think about the essence I’ll give the bear-like man later and swing my mace.

But the corpse collapses before it even reaches it.

Whoosh!

An arrow of fire embedded in its forehead.

“Mister!!”

Right, you came too.

Her sister, Daria, is also next to her.

She was just trying to protect herself with her sister, but did she suddenly change her mind?

I don’t know, but it’s not bad.

“Protect the leader!”

Melter Pend and his clan members are diligently fighting the wolf bastard, creating their own territory within the battlefield.

“These leftovers…!”

Judging by the compliments that are erupting, it seems like they’re successfully clearing it.

Although the Ruin Scholar is still quiet…

‘Let’s trust them.’

Kyle will take care of it if he tries anything.

I just have to do my job.

Therefore…

“…….”

…I scan the front.

It’s not difficult to find the Clown since I’m in [Gigantification] state.

He’s sitting on a giant corpse monster, watching the battlefield.

As if he’s truly enjoying the show.

‘Geez, there’s a limit to looking down on people.’

I can’t help but laugh.

Come to think of it, that Dragonslayer bastard also had that kind of look in his eyes when we first met.

“Misha, Ainar, we’re breaking through.”

I then start advancing through the corpse army.

My target is the Corpse Collector.

And my goal is to smash his head and see if there’s anything wrong with his brain.

“Yandel! Yandel is doing something again!”

“Don’t tell me, is he aiming for the Corpse Collector?”

“Follow the great warrior!!”

“Let’s gooooooo!!”

Explorers start gathering around me.

Trial

I like Korean novels (Murim, Dukes, Reincarnation, etc, etc, etc)

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