Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 349

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Manticore.

I did plan to erase this Essence eventually.

So when I bought the essence this time, I wasn’t sure whether to remove the Manticore or the Corpse Golem essence. 

But…

“Hey, Amelia… If I remove this, my magic resistance will drop, making me vulnerable to spells and magic…”

At first, I was reluctant to lose my only mobility skill, [Leap], but that’s not the real issue.

The lack of magic resistance.

Until I can acquire the Bellarios’ essence, my tanking balance would be severely compromised.

‘I can’t just get rid of Storm Gush either.’

Storm Gush is a level 3 essence.

Well, eventually, I’ll have to erase it too…

At least I should clear the Subterranean Island event before getting rid of it. With this Essence, I can breeze through it.

Oh, by the way, my second Core Essence after [Gigantification] comes from there.

‘…So, what should I do?’

I ponder deeply.

Instead of giving up an essence, maybe giving up disguising my identity is an option.

The royal family’s behavior is suspicious, but perhaps clearing my false accusation as an “evil spirit” might not be a big problem.

They wouldn’t go as far as trying to kill me—

“Oh, and I thought you’d know, so I didn’t mention it, but even if you prove you’re not an evil spirit, the royal family won’t take it kindly.”

“…Huh?”

“Why do you look like you don’t understand? Admitting that the rumors were false would tarnish the royal family’s reputation.”

Ugh… This is complicated.

Since it was hard to make a decision easily, I asked Erwin and Amelia for their opinions.

What do you think I should do?”

“I think… if you can hide, it’s best to keep your appearance hidden.”

First, Erwin was in favor of consuming the Essence.

“Why?”

“…Just a feeling.”

I see, it’s intuition.

Then I turned to Amelia, who also shared her thoughts.

“I agree with Tersia.”

“Why?”

“It’s not like you’d gain much by reclaiming your name anyway.”

What do you mean there’s no benefit?

I wouldn’t have to erase an Essence.

Just as I was about to say that, Amelia continued.

“You don’t expect your old comrades to come back to you after over two years, do you?”

Erwin agreed with her opinion.

“Indeed, while Aynar might be different, it would be hard for Alluva Raven to return even if she hears you’re alive, Mister.  She’s affiliated with the royal military now.”

The same probably applies to Mr. Bear. Since he’s joined a clan, it would be hard for him to leave.

As for Misha, there’s no information on her except that she’s teamed up with Baek-ho.

‘In that sense, they’re not wrong.’

I paused the conversation and repeatedly weighed the pros and cons of both options.

It didn’t take as long as I thought.

‘According to the information from the Round Table, the royal family will soon issue a conscription order for nobles.’

Most will probably send their private armies, but as a former explorer, I won’t be spared.

I’d have to participate in the war and follow orders from the top.

Soon, I made my decision.

“I’ll… erase the essence.”

Goodbye to my jump key…

****

With my future course decided, it was time to move on to the next issue.

If I’m going to consume an essence, which one should it be?

As we discussed the matter, I noticed something these two had in common.

“I think the Imp’s essence is a good choice. It boosts magic resistance, albeit slightly.”

“But it’s a Level 7 essence, which makes it harder to find in the marketplace. I think the Dwarfeater essence would be better. It boosts bone density, like Aynar’s, and it suits you.”

“Do you have the money for a Level 5 essence? The Level 5 Altusmor might be a better choice.”

“Altusmor? No way. It has a severe drawback.”

“Drawback?”

Erwin glanced at me nervously and whispered to Amelia.

I couldn’t hear what they said, but Amelia glanced at me and muttered, “That makes sense,” and dropped the subject.

‘Why are they so interested in my essences?’

Smiling wryly, I interrupted their conversation.

“Enough. I’ve already decided.”

I’ve chosen the best option to reduce my size while maintaining decent stats and skills. I even have three candidates ranked.

“Erwin, go to the bank tomorrow and find out how much we can borrow with the house as collateral. Amelia, check the marketplace for the essences I mentioned.”

“Got it.”

“Then let’s eat. I’m starving.”

With that, we wrapped up the conversation and shared the dinner Erwin had brought.

And then…

“…You’re staying here tonight?”

“Looks like there are plenty of empty rooms, so is there a problem?”

“I wish you’d separate business and personal matters.”

“Sigh, that’s enough. I’m tired; let’s just sleep. Amelia, you can use any of the spare rooms over there.”

Amelia, who I thought had returned to her quarters, suddenly showed up with her belongings in the middle of the night, causing a bit of a stir. But it didn’t escalate into a bigger issue.

And so, an oddly exhausting day came to an end.

“Mister! I’m heading out now!”

The next day, Erwin and Amelia both went out to fulfill their respective roles, while I secluded myself in the dim house.

In short, I slept a lot.

Fortunately, the collateral loan came through within three days, at just the right amount. With that money, I was able to reclaim the Demon Crusher of Kraul from the bank.

“…Heh, you really like that, don’t you?”

Of course, I do.

It’s going to be my prized possession from now on.

「Character has equipped No. 87 Kraul’s Demon Crusher.」

「Overall item level has increased by +4,800.」

But that wasn’t the only good news.

The essence I had been looking for appeared on the market.

It wasn’t my top choice, but it was the second best…

The ranking isn’t that significant anyway, and it’s not an essence I’ll be using long-term.

‘Plus, the price is reasonable.’

I spent almost all of the money I had left from reclaiming the Demon Crusher to purchase the essence.

As for the shield I’ll use in the labyrinth, I’d already placed an order through Erwin, and I plan to get the rest of the equipment cheaply with Tier 1 materials, so there shouldn’t be any big expenses coming up.

…Well, maybe one more thing?

‘Hopefully, no one recognizes me.’

Having bought the essence, I headed to a temple the next day.

It was the Tovira sect, one of the Three Gods.

I had been to the Leatlas Temple too often and was starting to feel uneasy about it.

“It would draw more attention if we went in together.”

“Good luck…”

“Don’t make any mistakes and draw attention.”

It was a small temple built on the outskirts of the city, with 90% of its visitors being ordinary people, rather than the easily accessible main temple.

Even so, I was quite worried because I had to reveal my face to erase an Essence.

“Haha, you have quite a sturdy build for a human. You would’ve been great if you became a knight.”

Fortunately, the old priest in charge of removing the Essence didn’t recognize me.

「The [Manticore’s Essence] permeated in your soul has been removed.」

「You permanently acquire a portion of the stats gained through the passive skill [Inheritance].」

Thus, the Essence removal I was worried about concluded safely.

I paid exactly double the amount I’d spent on my first essence removal, then hurried out of the temple and returned home.

I uncorked the vial I had prepared in advance.

「The essence of Gachabon has seeped into the character’s soul.」

Level 6 Undead Gachabon Essence.

Its base stats are simple.

「Sixth Sense +40.」

「Physical Resistance +15.」

「Dark Resistance +30.」

「Accuracy +45.」

The stats are somewhat ambiguous for specific classes.

Additionally…

「Bone Density +110.」

This stat will restore my human physique.

And lastly, there’s the penalty.

「Luck -50.」

「Control -30.」

Luck increases critical hit rates and other random factors, while Control helps resist mental magic and status effects like fear.

Well, now the reverse will happen since my stats dropped.

“Oh.”

“Wow…”

As the essence absorption ended, the two girls let out small gasps of wonder.

In truth, I was the one feeling the most peculiar.

Now my eye level isn’t that much different from theirs.

Amelia, she was around 170 cm tall, right? So I must be around 185 cm now?

As I was pondering this, Erwin averted her eyes.

“…Is it that strange?”

“N-No. It’s not like that…”

“Then what?”

“It’s not something I can explain… You should see for yourself…”

Erwin pointed to the mirror with her index finger, and I grabbed the loose waistband of my pants as I walked toward it.

In the reflection, there was no longer a towering barbarian warrior.

Just a tall, slender human man.

“…Is this really me?”

I finally understood why Aynar was so down when this happened to her.

I look so weak.

Like I’d break a bone if someone hit me with a hammer.

***

‘Should I… erase this essence too?’

Looking at the pathetic figure in the mirror, I almost felt like I should. It’s no wonder Erwin couldn’t look me in the eye and stumbled over her words earlier.

“Mister… Why do you seem so down? Why are your shoulders slumped like that?”

When Erwin asked me why I looked so gloomy, I answered her honestly.

How could I go outside looking like this?

Even Erwin can’t look at me properly—

“W-Wait! It’s not like that! I wasn’t avoiding looking at you because you look pathetic!”

“Really? You’re not suppressing laughter at my pathetic appearance?”

“No! That’s not it at all!!”

“Then why?”

When I asked again, Erwin, in a shy voice, whispered.

“B-Because… you’re handsome…”

“What?”

Her tastes are surprisingly conventional.

So, she wasn’t attached to me when I was a barbarian because she was attracted to me, but because she saw me as a protector?

“What about you? Do you agree?”

“Hmm…”

Amelia scrutinized my face for a moment, then smirked and turned away.

“Well, at least my neck won’t hurt from looking up at you.”

Surprisingly, none of my companions seemed to find my current appearance unappealing.

Had I really been too absorbed in being a barbarian?

‘…Now that I think about it, I suppose I do fit the modern standards of attractiveness.’

Even so, I had no desire to keep this appearance.

[Gigantification] is based on one’s base physique.

This small body just wouldn’t be efficient.

“Enough. I’m going to test out my abilities now, so could you help me?”

I couldn’t keep sulking with this reduced body, so I decided to get on with my tasks.

The first was to practice my skills.

‘It’s broad daylight, so testing it in the yard might be too flashy. I’ll try in the living room.’

“Sure, I’ll help. What do you need me to do?”

“Just attack me. Use your spirits or other powers.”

“…What?”

Hmm… Does she not know about the passive of this Essence?

It seemed so, so I briefly explained the passive skill.

(P) Probabilistic Counter – When hit by a resource-based attack, there’s a chance to negate the damage and reflect it.

Whether it’s magic, divine power, or spirits, as long as a resource is used, this passive will activate.

The main reason I chose this essence was because of this skill.

While it wouldn’t completely make up for my reduced magic resistance, it’s the only essence with this kind of performance at this price.

Actually, my first choice was just a different color variant of this essence.

‘Anyway, the probability is about 10%…’

That’s the figure after factoring in my reduced Luck stat.The margin of error might be slight, but nothing significant.

“I… I’ll try now, then?”

After I finished explaining, Erwin summoned her spirits and started attacking me.

And…

Character has taken Cold damage.」

「Character has taken Cold damage.」

「Character has taken Cold damage…」

「…」

Huh?

“Erwin, try switching the element.”

“Okay!”

「Character has taken Fire damage.」

「Character has taken Fire damage.」

「Character has taken Fire damage…」

「…」

What the hell.

“Wait! Amelia, you try.”

“If you insist. The height is just right now.”

「Character has been hit by [Sura Strike].」

「Character has been hit by [Sura Strike].」

「Character has been hit by [Sura Strike]…」

What the hell is going on.

“Aaah!! Stop!!”

Why isn’t this triggering at all?