Surviving The Game as a Barbarian (Novel) Chapter 142, 143, 144

  

C142, 143, 144

Chapter 142: Awakening (5)


It's been three minutes since Dwarkey's magical support stopped.


Well, maybe it was even shorter.


But it feels like at least 10 minutes have passed.


“I admit it, barbarian. You’re the first one like you I’ve ever seen.”


I didn't look back, not even once.


Whether it was his attempt to sow discord or not.


Even if Dwarkey was actually panicking in a state of mental breakdown.


I judged that nothing would change.


But did he find my unwavering attitude boring?


“I’ll put your soul to good use. So just die.”


As if the game was over…


…he thrusts a dagger he took out from his waist towards me.


It came in at such a perfect angle that it seemed impossible to block or dodge.


The best I could do was choose the lesser evil.


Twisting my body as much as possible to offer my lung instead of my heart.


It would be a near-fatal injury, but I still have a top-grade potion, don’t I?


After drinking it and healing…


Let’s somehow endure.


Misha and the dwarf will wake up soon.


And Soul Exhaustion won’t last forever either.


Just as I’m making a plan in a split second and about to put it into action…


…a blinding light pours down from behind me.


Swaaaaaaaaaa!


Dozens of Magic Missiles, bending and twisting, shoot out with a brilliant white light. He’s flustered and steps back at the sight, which resembles a heavy downpour.


But just like Dwarkey, Rotmiller, and Misha before…


…it’s not a meaningful response.


Whoosh!


Each arrow of light chases after him as if it has a will of its own.


He stops running away and starts deflecting the arrows one by one with his small dagger.


It doesn’t look much different from trying to scoop out a river with a single gourd…


‘Crazy.’


…but surprisingly, his actions work.


Although he’s become a porcupine with arrows of light piercing his entire body, he’s succeeded in protecting his vital points.


Thud.


Suddenly, I hear footsteps from behind, and I come to my senses.


Honestly, I was expecting it to some extent…


…but Dwarkey is standing behind me.


In other words, he’s the one who cast that magic just now.


“Sorry for making you wait. It took me a while to make up my mind.”


“Make up your mind? More importantly, how did you—”


“That’s… let’s talk after we take care of him.”


Dwarkey averts his gaze as if avoiding the question.


Seeing him like this, he’s definitely not someone else…


‘What the hell?’


I can’t understand it at all.


A dense magical energy that even a barbarian with 0 magic aptitude can feel is emanating from his body.


And it’s not just me who’s curious.


“Mage, what the hell did you do?”


He asks, even though he’s bleeding profusely.


Geez, if it were me, I would have run away—


“You already know, don’t you?”


What? He knows?


He looks at him coldly, and the guy becomes speechless.


What the, does he really know?


“If you’re trying to buy time, I’m sorry. I’m the one who knows that we don’t have much time.”


What? What the hell is going on?


No, wait, was he always this articulate?


It’s been a long time since I’ve been so confused.


But I can still judge one thing.


That it’s a very positive variable for me.


‘I can ask him how he did it later…’


I focus on the situation.


Tadat.


And Dwarkey speaks to me.


“Step back. You might get hurt.”


“Ah, uh, okay.”


I follow his instructions, even though I’m not used to the change in his character.


But what is this again?


「Liol Wobu Dwarkey has cast the 8th-grade attack spell [Ice Spear].」


An Ice Spear is shot.


A giant Ice Spear that fills half the passage.


And twice in a row.


Whoosh!


They’re shot towards him with overwhelming force.


But is he experienced in dealing with magic of this scale?


He calmly looks at the Ice Spears and then quickly takes out his Akro longsword from his subspace pocket.


Crackle!


Sparks fly from the sword as if rejecting his touch. His hand, gripping the hilt, is red and steaming. But he manages to hold onto it and swings.


Kwaaang!


As expected of an Akro longsword, which has the property of countering magic, the giant Ice Spear shatters into pieces and disperses into mana as soon as it comes into contact with the blade.


And in that state…


Tadat.


…he pushes off the ground again and closes the distance.


Dwarkey’s eyes waver slightly, so it seems like even he didn’t expect this.


But it doesn’t last long.


「Liol Wobu Dwarkey has cast the 7th-grade attack spell [Blizzard].」


He finishes chanting and casts another spell in less than a second.


Swaaaa!


At this point, it’s more like small Ice Spears are pouring down, not just ice shards, but…


…that damn Akro longsword is the problem again.


His figure, approaching through the blizzard, becomes visible.


He’s deflecting the large chunks of ice with his sword and advancing.


‘Right, he’s not going to make it easy until the very end.’


I let out a silent sigh and prepare for what’s to come.


There’s nothing special.


My life has always been far from easy…


…and it’s a tank’s duty to protect the damage dealer.


“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”


First strike wins.


I swing my mace, aiming for the moment he emerges from the blizzard.


But was he also paying attention to me in the midst of all that?


Despite my surprise attack, he reacts quickly and blocks the mace with his sword.


The clash of 1st-tier steel and 6th-tier Akro.


Slash!


The mace is cut in half like tofu, regardless of its thickness or density. But he’s not satisfied with that and aims for my neck.


However, at that moment…


Crackle!


…sparks fly from the sword, and he flinches.


His hand, gripping the hilt, is red and steaming. I don’t know the details, but I wonder if his burns are related to this sword. He must have judged that he can’t push it any further, as he puts the sword back into his subspace pocket.


And…


Tadat.


…he draws his dagger again and closes in on me.


His intentions are clear.


Right, I was wondering why he was so desperate to break through the magic, so this was his goal.


“Bjorn, get away from him!”


It’s a similar strategy to the Barbarian Leech Mode I used earlier.


To use me as a shield and suppress Dwarkey’s magic.


Phew, I didn’t expect to be on the receiving end of this.


「Liol Wobu Dwarkey has cast the 9th-grade curse spell [Slow].」


Although curse spells are stacked on him instead of attack magic, it’s not easy to shake him off as he clings to me and swings his dagger.


Therefore…


‘Alright, let’s do this.’


I thrust the mace, which has become like a spear, into him.


It’s not like you can only die from magic, right?


Thump.


Thanks to the enhanced ‘Slow’ effect, he’s not as difficult to deal with as before.


And Dwarkey is also meticulously controlling small Magic Missiles instead of Ice Spears or Blizzard to provide support.


It’s clearly a situation that’s advantageous to me.


But that’s why I’m even more alert.


‘There’s no way he doesn’t know about this.’


He knows that Dwarkey can’t maintain this state for long.


So why did he charge towards me?


[I’m the one who knows that we don’t have much time.]


The answer is time.


The time that Dwarkey can maintain this state is limited.


Maybe this bastard knows more about the remaining time than Dwarkey does.


“Dwarkey, use Blizzard!”


I make a decision.


“……!”


Judging by his expression, it was the right call.


However, Dwarkey hesitates.


“But…!”


He’s changed a bit, but he’s still Dwarkey.


“Just do it!!”


As soon as I urge him again, Dwarkey casts the spell.


Cold air swirls above his hand.


“Are you good with cold?”


“You’re insane.”


Geez, he’s praising me again.


I raise my shield and create distance between us.


I’m planning to somehow endure by blocking the ice chunks with my shield.


Swaaaaaaaaa!


The blizzard then engulfs the passage where we are, and my skin freezes.


But what’s this again?


He thrusts his dagger through the blizzard that’s so thick I can’t even see an inch ahead.


Thump!


The blade pierces deep into my lungs.


“Keuheok!”


I can’t breathe.


And in the meantime, ice chunks are flying towards me and hitting my body. The sharp shards graze my skin and pass by.


But I can’t just stand there and take it.


Thump!


My body reacts first, and I thrust the spear that used to be a mace with all my might.


And at that moment…


Swaaaa-


…the blizzard ends earlier than expected, and my vision returns.


I quickly check the surroundings.


Surprisingly, three unexpected things have happened in that short time.


“…….”


First, Dwarkey is kneeling, blood pouring out of his nose, mouth, ears, and even his eyes.


“…….”


Second, the spear I randomly thrust pierced his heart.


「The activation condition for Regal Vagos’s [Second Heart] has been met.」


And third, there’s another Numbered Item that he hasn’t used yet.


Ha, I was really trying to stop cursing, but…


You crazy son of a bitch.


「The character receives absolute protection until the heart is healed.」

_____________________


Something red that resembles muscle covers his body.


Looking at it, I think…


How the hell can I kill this guy?


Is he even mortal?


I don’t know, but I vomit blood.


“Kueeeek! Keuk, keuheuk!”


The heart-shaped shell doesn’t even corrode despite being covered in acidic blood.


I turn around without hesitation.


No. 3120 Second Heart.


It’s a consumable Numbered Item that activates when the heart takes fatal damage.


There’s no way I can break through that barrier at my current level.


So I have to do what needs to be done first.


Thud, thud.


I drag my body, which can barely breathe, and slowly take a step forward.


It’s a good thing Dwarkey is an ice-type mage.


If it weren’t for the ‘Frostbite’ effect, blood would be gushing out by now.


“Dw, arkey.”


Dwarkey, who has lost consciousness and is kneeling, is in a state beyond description.


Blood is flowing out of every hole in his body.


I check his pulse, and I can feel his heart pounding.


As if its speed limiter is broken.


“Pl, ease… hold on.”


There are no external injuries, so I pour half of the top-grade potion into his mouth.


Just half.


Because there’s another person who’s dying.


Thud, thud.


I quicken my pace as much as possible.


My stomach churns and I feel breathless with every step, but I use the spear as a cane and increase my speed.


“Rot, miller…”


Fortunately, he’s alive.


Well, at least for now.


He’s heading towards death in a completely different way from Dwarkey.


His heart is beating faintly, as if it’s about to stop at any moment.


I pour the rest of the top-grade potion on his wound.


Sizzle!


The wound starts to bubble and heal.


I lean against him and focus on his breathing.


He keeps coughing, and blood splatters.


But all I can do is endure and wait for Rotmiller to recover.


Because the remaining two potions are both in this man’s [Treasure Vault].


After about a minute…


“Bjo, Bjorn…!”


The dwarf, who was unconscious after hitting his head against the wall, comes to his senses.


“Dwarkey? Where’s Dwarkey?”


Geez, even I’m dying here.


So his best friend comes first, huh?


I point in Dwarkey’s direction, too exhausted to even speak.


“What the hell happened…!”


He rushes over to check on Dwarkey and then carefully carries him back to us.


That’s when…


“Keugh…”


Misha, who was collapsed about 4 meters away from the wall I’m leaning against, raises her head with difficulty.


“…Bjorn.”


“You’re alive.”


“That’s a relief…”


Right, as expected, she’s the only one.


Misha struggles to get up, clutching her broken ribs.


And she approaches me and sits down next to me.


“Rot, miller…?”


“Po, potion… keugh… I gave him one.”


Phew, this isn’t a gathering of the sick, is it?


Just as I’m trying to rest, the dwarf, who has finished transporting Dwarkey, approaches me and wraps a bandage around my wound.


“Bjorn, what happened! What’s with that strange shell over there?”


I don’t want to explain.


I don’t have the energy, and what would change even if I did?


I close my eyes, focusing on my breathing.


“I’m sorry. You must be tired too, so rest. I’ll try to handle the rest.”


The dwarf apologizes and then goes back to check on Dwarkey.


About a minute later…


「Soul Exhaustion status effect is removed.」


My stats finally return to normal, and it’s a bit easier to breathe. Even without natural regeneration, the durability of my body itself is different.


I slowly open my eyes.


“……Hey! Friend, hang in there!”


“Bjo, Bjorn…? Rotmiller is trembling, he’ll, he’ll be okay, right…?”


We’re on the border between life and death.



--


Chapter 143: Awakening (6)


In survival, choice and focus are important.


What to give up, and what to choose.


The more rationally you solve this dilemma, the higher your survival rate.


But this time, I failed to do so.


“Keugh, keuheok!”


Three injured people and one top-grade potion.


The best course of action was to give the entire bottle to Rotmiller.


I should have revived him as quickly as possible to get the potions in his [Treasure Vault].


Then I should have treated myself with the high-grade potion and given the remaining top-grade potion to Dwarkey.


However…


‘If I had done that, Dwarkey would have died.’


It was difficult to make a rational choice.


Although I knew it in my head, my body gave half of the potion to Dwarkey without a moment’s hesitation.


As a result…


“Both of you, please hold on! We’re going to get out of this damn place alive!”


…the certain future disappeared.


Because I couldn’t give up on Dwarkey, I could no longer guarantee Rotmiller’s life.


Half a potion would have been enough if I had given it to him right away, but the problem was that I was too late.


In short, it’s high risk, high return.


I made an irrational decision that could lead to the death of the entire team because I wanted everyone to survive.


“Bjo, Bjorn…”


I approach Rotmiller.


And I keep checking his pulse and breathing.


I hope he holds on.


If this man dies, all five of us will die.


‘10 minutes.’


That bastard Dragonslayer will also wake up in about that much time. And right now, the only one who’s in good condition is the dwarf.


If he can’t hold him back, it’s game over.


“Ah, right! The stone chamber! Bjorn, what was that stone chamber?!”


The dwarf, who was watching over Dwarkey, looks at me. And he asks about the identity of the stone chamber that we spent 12 hours searching the labyrinth for.


His words are filled with hope.


“Elixir? Potion? Is that what’s inside? Ah, if that’s the case, you would have taken it, right? Then could it be a healing spring or something like that?”


“…That stone chamber isn’t for something like that.”


“Then what is it! We searched so hard to find that place! There must be something there!”


The dwarf asks, hoping for an answer.


I know that it’s best not to answer this kind of question…


…but after a brief pause, I open my mouth.


“That stone chamber is a trap room.”


“Trap room…?”


“Yes, if you open the chest, you’ll be sent back to the starting point.”


I was planning to use it to escape through the portal if the bastard and the priest appeared at the same time.


Because there’s no chance of winning in that situation.


“Ye, yes! Then! Let’s use it to go back! That would work!”


“Hikurod Murad, get a grip. Even if we can go back to the tower, nothing will change.”


Potions won’t magically appear just because we go back to the tower.


And in the first place, even going back is impossible.


If it were just a matter of looting an empty room, it might be different…


But to head towards the portal while injured?


It’s suicide.


The priest of Karui, who’s probably changed his class to a high priest with divine power, will be guarding it.


“Ah, right! The priest! Wasn’t there an old man who looked like a priest with that guy? Let’s find him.”


“Stop it.”


“I think that guy was also following that man out of necessity. If that’s true—”


“Stop it, Hikurod.”


“How can I stop! Two of them are dying, we have to do something!”


The dwarf shouts in despair at his own helplessness, and I say calmly,


“There’s nothing we can do now. We can only watch.”


“Really… is that really all we can do?”


“Yes.”


There are three possible outcomes.


Either everyone lives.


Everyone dies.


Or someone dies, and someone survives.


Seemingly eternal seconds pass.


And…


“…What… happened to him…?”


Dwarkey regains consciousness.

___________________


“Dwarkey! Don’t talk!”


“Yeah, just stay quiet. We’ll give Rotmiller a potion as soon as he—”


Dwarkey asks again, looking at us as we shower him with words.


“He…”


“…?”


“What happened to him?”


As if it’s more important than his own life…


…he repeatedly asks about it as soon as he opens his eyes.


I hesitate for a moment.


Should I tell him the truth?


My contemplation doesn’t last long.


“He’s not dead.”


“Ah…”


“But thanks to you, we overcame the immediate crisis. Leave the rest to us and get some rest.”


“I, I can’t do that.”


Dwarkey shakes his head desperately.


“Ti, time… we don’t have ti, time…”


“Didn’t you hear me? We’ll give Rotmiller a potion as soon as he—”


“Th, this… can’t be he, healed with… a po, potion…”


A brief silence falls, and I calmly accept the reality.


“…I see.”


I don’t know what method Dwarkey used.


But it’s Dwarkey who knows his condition best.


It’s Dwarkey who desires life more than anyone else.


So there’s no point in denying it.


“What do you mean! It’s a, a top-grade potion!”


“That’s right! You, you know, right? What kind of item this is. So, so stop saying weird things—”


“Miss Misha.”


Dwarkey opens his eyes and looks at us.


“Hikurod, and… Bjorn.”


He just calls out our names one by one.


But I, who spent my childhood in hospitals and witnessed countless deaths, can tell…


…what Dwarkey is about to do.


“Tell me. I’ll convey it to Rotmiller.”


“…Thank you.”


A candle that has burned out flickers.


As if wanting to leave something behind in this world.


As if wanting to become a memory.


Emitting the brightest light at its final moment.


“I have something to say to you guys.”


The tremor in Dwarkey’s voice disappears.

_____________________


My mother loved the sea.


An unknown thing that I had only heard about, never seen.


I couldn’t understand it when I was young, but I gradually learned as I grew older.


“There are things that… you want even more because you can’t have them.”


There are things like that in the world.


Because I don’t know, because it’s not allowed to me…


…it appears even more dazzling.


“You guys were like that to me.”


I was lucky.


More than I deserved.


I met good people, and I explored.


We shared many stories and comforted each other. The empty space that I thought would never be filled was finally filled.


Therefore, I had to say it.


“Thank you all… for being my companions.”


Words that I couldn’t say because I was embarrassed.


Words that I always put off, promising to say them later.


But words that would be buried in my heart forever if I didn’t say them now.


Swoosh.


Dwarkey looks ahead with blurry eyes.


“Waaaaah! Don’t say that! Please, Dwarkey…”


The woman he loved is crying.


That’s not what he wanted.


Swoosh.


He shifts his gaze to the side.


“I’m the one who should be… thanking you for being my friend. For joining… the team I made.”


His precious friend is smiling at him.


He’s grateful for his friend’s sincerity, even though his beard is trembling as he smiles.


And he feels sorry.


They promised to visit the blacksmith’s together someday.


He won’t be able to keep that promise.


Swoosh.


He shifts his gaze again.


“Liol Wobu Dwarkey.”


Lastly, it’s his rival and the companion he admires.


The warrior who always fights until the end and protects everyone, unlike himself, the coward.


He’s looking at him with calm eyes.


“I apologize. I misjudged you. You were a better mage and companion than anyone else. And the choice you made was noble and honorable.”


The warrior, who was always stingy with praise…


…the warrior who never spoke empty words…


…says,


“It was an honor to be with you.”


He feels overwhelmed with emotion and a sense of relief.


He was acknowledged by him for the first time.


He was told that it was an honor by the great warrior who lived a heroic life.


He, who was just a half-assed mage.


He was a part of his journey.


This is enough.


Yes, it should have been enough…


‘But why…’


He feels frustrated.


He feels wronged.


He feels scared.


He feels empty.


‘Why…’


That’s what death is.


Being erased from someone’s next page.


“Do you have anything else to say? I’ll leave you alone if you want.”


The warrior speaks, and Dwarkey finally realizes the reason for this emotion.


“Waaaaah! Dwarkey! Don’t die! Please!”


There are people who shine in this world.


To me, that person was you.


He hasn’t said those words yet.


But…


‘It would be greedy.’


He tries to suppress his selfishness.


Although he knows that this might be his last chance…


…her journey doesn’t end today.


He shouldn’t become a dark shadow in her life that continues. If he truly cares for her, that’s the right thing to do.


Therefore, Dwarkey opens his mouth.


“Bjorn.”


“…Do you have something to say to me?”


“Yes.”


The only thing someone who’s leaving can leave behind.


“You’re… perceptive. Please don’t ignore it anymore.”


The warrior doesn’t ask back.


He probably already knows what he means.


He’s too smart and wise to be called a barbarian.


“An, swer me…”


“Alright.”


Dwarkey smiles brightly, having finally received an answer.


But is this all the time he’s allowed?


“…He’s awake.”


The warrior’s eyes turn cold.


His fading heart pounds at this.


Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos.


A being he couldn’t defeat even at the cost of his life.


However…


“Can… we win?”


“Don’t worry, I’ll save everyone and get us back.”


At those words, Dwarkey lets go of all his anxiety.


He also dismisses the worry that his death will be meaningless.


If this reliable warrior said so, then it will definitely happen.


So, let’s just let go of everything…


Swoosh.


…and close his eyes.


Sounds fade away, and the darkness deepens.


As his thoughts slowly fade, he thinks to himself…


If he had lived a heroic life…


…and if his life were to be recorded in a book, even briefly…


…what would be the last sentence?


A rather fitting phrase comes to mind.


Although it might not be a very suitable expression for a mage’s death…


‘It’s not bad.’


Liol Wobu Dwarkey, the mage of Team Misfits…


…after protecting his precious companions from the Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos, a member of Orculus…


…died a heroic death.


「Achievement Unlocked」


Condition: First companion character death.


Reward: Mental stat permanently increases by +1.

_________________


There is no paradise where you run away to.


Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos.


This thought became stronger after learning about his identity.


He’s a member of Orculus, a group that even looks down on the King. Although we didn’t exchange names, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to find us.


I judged that even the city wouldn’t be safe if he wanted to retaliate.


Therefore…


New Plan A.


I made a plan to defeat him.


While the ‘Guardian of Balance’ was active.


I judged that this was our only chance.


But what was the result?


Thump!


My warrior’s heart beats faintly.


New Plan A has failed.


We still have to fight him, but I couldn’t save everyone.


There was no paradise even where we ran to.


I knew it.


That there’s no such utopian place in this world.


Thump!


Unlike my faintly beating heart…


…this guy’s heart is no longer beating.


But…


“Hikurod, we need to prepare to fight.”


“I know.”

I use the mace as a cane and get up.


Those who are left behind have their own roles to fulfill.


I catch my breath and look towards the passage.


He’s getting up from between the petals of the shell that opened wide.


“…….”


It’s time to end this goddamn fight.



--


Chapter 144: A Great Legacy (1)


Thump!


Regal Vagos opened his eyes to the sound of his heart pounding in his head.


The surroundings were dark.


His body wouldn't move, and he felt a sticky slime clinging to his skin.


As if he were curled up in amniotic fluid.


‘So, he even used this…’


He didn’t feel any regret.


If it had pierced his head instead of his heart, even he would have surely died.


He was just curious about one thing.


How did it come to this?


He remembered a conversation he had with a former companion.


A conversation that took place before he abandoned his blood ties and received that terrible curse.


[Should I tell you why you always lose money? You only bet as much as you need to, and then you follow. Even at the moment when you need to make a decision.]


Of course, card games and fights are different.


And the analogy itself is a bit inaccurate for the current situation.


But the context is similar.


He couldn’t make a decision until all five cards were dealt.


Thump!


In short, he lacked resolve.


He kept giving in little by little, and that’s how he ended up here.


He gave them time because of that item he had been searching for for almost a year.


He had to use Dragon Speech.


And even then, those persistent bastards didn’t give up.


He swung Dragonslayer countless times, prepared to recuperate for at least a year, but they endured tenaciously.


And now, he even had to use the Second Heart.


Thump!


Regal Vagos finally admitted it.


He underestimated his opponent, and he didn’t fight with all his might as if facing a worthy adversary.


That’s how it came to this.


Thump, thump, thump, thump.


The beating of his regenerated heart quickens, and light returns. He shook off the slime clinging to his body and got up.


“…….”


He saw the barbarian beyond the passage.


He was already walking towards him.


With a hole in his chest.


With crimson blood flowing from his mouth.


Without even accepting the dwarf warrior’s support.


Thud, thud.


He walks resolutely.


With a single goal.


To kill his enemy.


Swoosh.


He reached for the dagger at his waist, then let go.


And he reconsidered.


His heart, cursed by using Dragon Speech, had recovered to some extent. The remnants of the curse remained, but his physical abilities had also returned to a certain level, and he could use his abilities again.


It was a result that wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the Dragonkin characteristic of having their power source located in their heart.


‘I can’t believe it’s this effective.’


Even he didn’t expect it.


It was his first time actually using ‘Second Heart’.


Should he call it a pleasant miscalculation?


Thanks to that, his chances of winning have increased significantly.


Thud.


Of course, it seems like they’ve also recovered from Soul Exhaustion, but that doesn’t change anything.


Once he takes care of the dwarf warrior, it’s over.


No matter how strong that barbarian is, he won’t be able to block him alone with those injuries.


That’s what he thought.


At least until he met his gaze.


‘It’s like looking at an immortal.’


He grabbed the Akro longsword instead of the dagger.


Excruciating pain shot through him as soon as he gripped it, a remnant of the curse on his heart. He had a hunch, no, he was certain, that if he used it any further, he might permanently lose the use of his arm.


But…


‘If I want to kill that persistent bastard, I need to be prepared.’


He would give up an arm.


To kill his enemy.


To survive.


“Come at me, barbarian.”

_________________

I'm staggering as I take a step forward.


The dwarf is next to me, and Misha, who insisted on fighting, is behind us.


"You made the right decision."


Although the dwarf said it as if he left Misha behind out of concern…


…it wasn’t the only reason.


Rotmiller hasn’t woken up yet.


Someone needs to be behind us to throw me a potion if he wakes up, even for a moment.


“Right, that bastard… Dwarkey…”


“Hikurod, swallow your anger. If you die, we’re all finished.”


“…Alright.”


The dwarf forces himself to suppress his burning emotions.


He knows too.


How important his role is right now.


Thud.


We close the distance with each step.


Soon, we’re close enough to see each other’s expressions.


There’s no need for long words between us.


“Come at me, barbarian.”


That bastard is staring at us, holding his Akro longsword again.


Damn it, what are the conditions for him to be able to take it out and use it whenever he needs it? Curses well up inside me, but there’s no time to utter them.


Tadat.


He charges towards us first, as we don’t move.


But what is this?


Although it’s not as fast as before…


…his movements are faster than when I last saw him.


In other words, his body has recovered to some extent.


How? I thought his injuries weren’t short-term.


Variables keep popping up from the start.


Slash!


A shield is cut in half like tofu.


It’s the dwarf’s, who’s blocking in front of me.


I thrust the spear, which used to be a mace, to push him away and then give my Laetium shield to the dwarf without hesitation.


“Use this.”


My shield isn’t in perfect condition either, but it’s better than a steel buckler.


Clang!


His next attack pierces deep into the shield.


Although it’s immediately repaired with [Emergency Restoration], he won’t be able to use it many times since he just recovered from Soul Exhaustion.


‘Nothing is going according to plan.’


He woke up earlier than expected.


And not just his heart, but other parts of his body have also recovered.


He even uses a skill he couldn’t use before.


「Regal Vagos has cast [High-Grade Acceleration].」


A blade that defies the laws of physics, cutting through time. The dwarf dodges instead of blocking, but he’s too far away.


Therefore, I sacrifice my left arm, which is already useless.


‘Flesh Explosion.’


The hand I stretched out towards him explodes, showering dozens of pieces of flesh.


But he doesn’t retreat.


Sizzle!


He groans as he’s covered in acidic blood…


…but he still swings his sword and deeply cuts the dwarf’s thigh.


Thwack!


Even in the midst of that, the dwarf strikes his jaw with his war hammer.


His body stiffens, as if he took some damage.


I immediately jump forward, grab his shoulder, and roll.


And…


‘Flesh Explosion.’


…I shove my mangled left arm into his open mouth and detonate it again.


“Kaaaak!”


He screams and pushes me away.


And then he immediately stabs my neck with his sword…


Crash!


…and a glass bottle hits the back of my head and shatters, spilling its contents.


「Body regenerates very quickly due to [Top-Grade Healing] effect.」


This pain… it’s a top-grade potion.


No, wait, Rotmiller survived too!


I shake off the fleeting thought and step back.


Thump!


The sword that pierced my neck is pulled out, and I feel dizzy.


And he’s a bastard who doesn’t allow even that brief moment of vulnerability.


“Die!”


The sword pierces my abdomen in an instant, ripping through my organs.


I take a step forward, inheriting the dwarf’s will, and thrust the spear.


Thud.


He hurriedly pulls out his sword and creates distance, and I use [Gigantification] without hesitation.


Damn it, where do you think you’re going?


“Kahak!”


He coughs up a fountain of blood, the spear embedded in his shoulder.


But did this bastard also come prepared for a long battle?


He also takes a step forward and swings his sword again.


It’s too late to dodge.


I use my mangled arm to grab the sword.


My exposed finger bones are severed, and I feel the sword stop as it hits my wrist bone.


「Character’s health is below 20%.」


「All resistance and defense stats are increased due to the passive skill [Hero’s Path].」


The synergy effect of [Iron Hide] and [Hero’s Path].


I lift the spear that’s embedded in his shoulder and shake it around, and he endures the pain and puts more strength into his hand gripping the sword.


And so, the strength contest begins.


Unfortunately, he wins.


「Regal Vagos has cast [Holy Blade].」


His sword, emitting a white light, cleanly cuts through my arm up to the elbow.


Thud.


My giant arm falls to the ground, and I spray acidic blood from the severed end onto his face.


Sizzle!


“Kaaaaak!!”


Geez, this bastard doesn’t even have Pain Resistance.


How dare he try to endure it with—


「Character’s Soul Power is insufficient.」


「[Gigantification] ends.」


My body shrinks back to its original size before I can even finish the thought, as my Soul Power runs out. And his foot, which was in mid-air, lands on the ground.


But did I underestimate his resolve?


Tadat.


Instead of retreating, he thrusts his sword again.


‘Damn it.’


What kind of 9th-floor explorer has no shame?


Why is he so good at brawling?


If this continues, my head will be pierced, so I quickly twist my body and retreat.


I lose the spear, which used to be a mace, in the process.


And to make matters worse, my body stops regenerating.


‘I’m fucked.’


Even a top-grade potion has its limits.


I didn’t even drink it, it was just sprayed on me.


With my arm gone and my organs mangled, it’s struggling just to maintain the status quo, let alone regenerate.


But in this situation…


“I’m, comi… ng!”


…he charges towards me.


It’s truly despairing.


The worst-case scenario is already playing out in my head.


An unavoidable death.


But so what?


I have no intention of accepting it and giving up.


I keep my eyes wide open until the very end, staring at his sword.


And I roll to the side as he approaches.


It’s the best choice I can make in the current situation, even if it means being vulnerable to the next attack.


I roll on the ground and use the momentum to get back on my feet.


His Akro longsword looms large in front of me.


That’s when…


“……!”


…he’s thrown back as if pulled by an invisible force.


What the hell just happened?


I raise my head to find the answer…


…and I see an old man in black priestly robes in the distance.


“Ol, d man! What the hell are you do, ing!!”

__________________


He closes his eyes and covers his ears.


But he can still hear it clearly.


How desperately they’re fighting.


[So, you’re not running away.]


[Protect Dwarkey!!]


At first, it was painful to watch.


He thought that meaningless resistance would only lead to greater despair and suffering.


But when did it start?


“Why are they…”


The more he watched their desperate struggle…


…the more Ludwig found himself…


[This is our item.]


…asking questions.


Why don’t they give up?


[Waaaaah! Dwarkey! Don’t die! Please!]


Because they harbor futile hope, ignoring the inevitable outcome?


No, then why…


[Can… we win?]


[Don’t worry, I’ll save everyone and get us back.]


…can they still move forward so brightly?


The answer was simple.


They were strong.


Unlike himself, who lacked the courage to shoulder the sacrifice.


“…….”


Ludwig knew too.


That the day he was hoping for would never come.


A bright future where he returns to the city with his grandson never existed from the beginning.


He just didn’t have the courage to accept it.


“May the star that rises at twilight guide me.”


Ludwig briefly makes the sign of the cross.


His eyes, now open, no longer tremble with fear.


He just stares straight ahead.


He’s more certain than ever.


“I will follow your will.”


Leathlas, the goddess of stars.


One of the three gods who govern adventure and fate.


How could he, who once served and followed her, dismiss this as a coincidence?


The appearance of these people with such brilliant light before him, who had abandoned his courage…


…is the last grace given to a lost follower.


Therefore…


“Even if I can’t embrace you.”


…the old man looks towards the void and shouts,


“Karui, I offer myself to you.”


The fickle evil god laughs gleefully at his words.


He knows what he’s about to do.


As if he’s been waiting for this moment.


[What is your desire?]


“Send me there.”


[Your grandson will not be saved.]


His heart clenches at those words.


But he casts aside his weakness.


“It doesn’t matter.”


He learned from the young mage he met in the labyrinth.


That you can always be noble and honorable.


If you want to.


-

Trial

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

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