STGB Episode 506

Basement Level 1 (2)

Lord of the Abyss, Berzark.

A hidden field boss that appears when the Lord of Terror is defeated 9 times.

‘I had a feeling it might come to this… But I didn’t think it would actually be summoned.’

Through the explorers gathered at the portal, I quickly checked the important details.

First off, Berzark was summoned about an hour ago.
The damage to the explorers on the first floor seemed to be minimal.

“But the new explorers don’t have the skills to come to the second floor, right?”

“Yes. That’s why ten clans, including ours, worked together to gather the explorers from the first floor and escort them to the second floor.”

Just as there are those who’d summon a Floor Lord regardless of how many might die, there are also those who, despite gaining nothing from it, will do whatever it takes to save lives.

Most of the explorers gathered here were in the middle of escorting people to the second floor.

“So there’s no need for you to worry too much, Baron. By the sixth day, we were roaming the 1st floor all day and only managed to find one person.”

I see… so that’s how it is.

“You did a remarkable thing. It couldn’t have been easy.”

“Whether it was easy or not, someone had to do it. And it’s nothing compared to what you’ve done, Baron.”

Seeing this explorer look up at me with genuine admiration triggered a twinge of guilt.

Because I’m not really that type of person.

I knew there was a chance that Berzark might be summoned, but I went up to the third floor to do what I had to do.

“But since you are coming from that direction, does that mean you were also rescuing explorers, Lord Jandel?”

Before I could even answer, the explorers let out exclamations and started nodding as if they’d solved a puzzle.

“Ah, that explains it!”

“Of course… You didn’t just bring them up to the 2nd floor, you must have coached them so they could adapt there!”

“Baron Jandel, you don’t even need the recognition from the guild like we do… yet you went to such lengths.”

“I’m ashamed. Honestly, I was hoping the guild might officially recognize my rescue efforts if Berzark was summoned…”

Uh…

I just awkwardly smiled without giving any answer.

「Character’s Fame has increased by +1.」

「Character’s Fame has increased by +1.」

「Character’s Fame has increased by +1…」

「……」

I didn’t really care about gaining fame, but at least this misunderstanding would serve as an alibi.

‘Now if I go down to unlock the hidden area, there won’t be many asking about my whereabouts.’

Of course, this made my guilt a bit worse, but that’s something I can just ignore.

Hell, I can endure potions being poured on torn flesh—what’s a little conscience?

“Then, we have some things to discuss among ourselves.”

“Ah, yes…! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime!”

After resolving their curiosity, I stepped away from the group of explorers to discuss with my team.

Given the situation, I wanted to hear my team members’ opinions.

And the first among them was Amelia, the voice of reason of our clan.

“Emily, what do you think we should do next?”

“…Honestly, it’s a bit disappointing to give up now, even though it’s dangerous.”

“So you think it’s right to push through and go all the way?”

From the Goblin Forest portal to where we found the monument, it takes a little over an hour at full speed.

Even if Berzark has been summoned, it’s not an impossible distance.

However, Amelia cut straight to the point.

“That depends on how reliable your method is. If it’s guaranteed to work, then pushing through might be worth it.”

That was a reasonable concern.

If we push through and the portal doesn’t open, we’d have to make the trip back.

The longer the distance and time, the higher the chance of encountering Berzark.

“So, if it’s reliable, you’re in favor of going down?”

“Yes, you could say that.”

Okay, so Amelia is conditionally in favor…

Next, I heard the opinions of the other members.

“I think it’s worth trying even if the method doesn’t work. We’re not the same as we were back then.”

“I agree with the fairy! We worked so hard to get to the third floor, it’s a shame to give up now!”

“I feel the same. Whether it works or not, it’s worth testing this opportunity. Even if it doesn’t work, we won’t waste time next time.”

Erwin, Aynar, and Versil were unconditionally in favor.

“I… will follow the Captain’s decision.”

“Yes, but I’d like to hear your own thoughts. No one will judge you. You’re a member of this clan too.”

Maybe the words “you’re part of this clan” did the trick.

After hesitating, Auyen cautiously spoke up.

“I… am against it. Berzark… isn’t it the monster that killed thousands back then…? If the Captain or his wives were to get hurt, it would be a huge loss for future generations—”

No, he’s saying something else.

“So, you’re against it.”

“Yes… that’s right. Please, just take it as my personal opinion.”

Three in favor, one against, and one conditionally in favor.

If we follow the majority, there’s no need to hear the rest, but I still asked the last member for their opinion.

“Me? Ah… I, I… um…”

Misha, who had been drifting throughout this expedition, stammered for a while before finally giving her opinion.

For some reason, she reverted to her old way of speaking.

“Um, either way is fine… It seems dangerous if I think about that time… but if the portal opens, it’ll be good for you… Even if it doesn’t, there’s meaning in testing it… Um, I think either way would be helpful for you…? Yeah… that’s the feeling…”

What is she even trying to say?

I just asked for her opinion.

“So, you’re abstaining?”

“…No, that’s not it…”

“Then? Speak clearly. I just want to hear your thoughts.”

I spoke firmly, implying that she didn’t need to read the room, and Misha finally gave her opinion while avoiding my gaze.

“Going down seems better… if the method is reliable…”

In short, Misha also voted for conditional approval. But why she glanced at Amelia while saying this, I’m not sure.

‘…Was that really her opinion?’

For some reason, I had doubts, but I decided not to press her further.

She probably needs time to adjust.

“Alright, then with three votes in favor, it’s decided.”

“Huh? What about your opinion Mr. Jandel?”

“The clan’s will is my will.”

The Clan Leader’s single vote effectively counts as seven.

Oh, and since our total membership was six, it used to count as six votes, but since we have seven members, it’s been updated to seven.

Anyway, that’s not important…

“Alright, let’s go.”

Beyond lies a field of milk and honey, waiting for us.

…Probably.

「You have entered the 1st Floor Crystal Caves.」

We stepped back through the portal into the Crystal Cave.

Originally, this area was a dark zone where the crystals didn’t emit light, so nothing seemed different at first.

But the moment I lit the torch on my helmet.

Whoosh!

The surrounding black mist revealed itself, indicating the first floor was unusual.

「Field Effect – Abyssal Mist applied.」

「All usage effects are disabled.」

「Magic efficiency is reduced to 25% 」

「Monsters exposed to the Abyssal Mist will evolve into superior beings.」

Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve seen this fog.

At one point, I even thought this mist would be my grave.

Who would have thought I’d come back here?

“What are you waiting for? There might be traps, so stay on the path I take.”

I let my eyes adjust to the darkness for a moment before taking the lead. Being both a tank and a scout, I was the only one who could pull off this strategy.

This is a place where those who lead die first.

The traps set by the Abyss Goblins can’t be detected by sight or magic.

Just like this.

Click.

The moment I stepped on something on the bare ground.

「You have triggered a [Random Trap].」

A trap activated, casting a random skill of Level 5 or below.

And…

Fwoooosh—!

From the look and the impact, it’s the Level 6 skill, [Tail Flame].

“Jandel, are you alright?”

Honestly, it stings quite a bit.

My overall stats are much higher now compared to back then, but there’s one stat that’s significantly lower.

Sigh, I need to set up my magic resistance quickly.

After erasing the Manticore’s essence, my “Magic Resistance” has dropped even further.

If I used [Gigantification] here, I could make up for most of it, but since active skills are sealed here, that’s not an option either.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s only an hour’s distance, right?”

I have no choice but to endure.

“Bethel—raaaaah!”

I sprinted through the invisible traps, shouting the name of my ancestral gods.

Still, there’s at least one thing that’s better than last time:

Clack—!

Physical damage from skills now feels more like a tickle.

On the other hand, magic skills hurt more than they used to, so it’s a bit of a compromise, but still.

I keep running, stepping on traps as I go.

Even if I’m not thirsty, I periodically chug a potion.

However, the instant recovery effect I used to experience is gone.

The higher your stats, the less a single potion can heal overall…

「Character’s HP has fallen below 50%.」
「Character’s HP has fallen below 50%.」

After running for about 40 minutes, one of my passive skills activated.

「Passive skill [Hero’s Path] has increased all resistance and endurance stats.」

With this, it became a bit easier to endure.

Maybe I can pick up the pace a little.

Just as I thought that, I overheard my companions muttering behind me.

“Now I understand why that guy became so famous back then…”

“Right? I’d heard the stories, but… I didn’t expect it to be this extreme…”

Amelia and Versil, who had only heard about that day through word of mouth, were looking at me in awe.

Well, I guess they’re complimenting me…

Honestly, it’s a bit embarrassing.

Back then, I had no other choice if I wanted to survive.

And, more importantly, I had the ability to do it.

[E-everyone’s gone mad! Do you think anyone’s going to acknowledge you for this?! Huh? A hero?]

[Damn it… But I’ll still go. Someone has to do it, after all.]

Unlike those guys who stood on the frontlines with me and died stepping on these traps.

It was because I had the skills and stats of a tank that I could take those hits and keep running forward, just as I am doing now.

My head was starting to spin, but I forced my eyes to stay focused. After all, the Abyssal Goblin wasn’t the only thing I had to worry about right now.

Looks like Berzark is still far away, thankfully.

“Uh, we could’ve just come down an hour before the labryinth closes to test this out. If it failed, we’d leave and transported back to the city, right?”

Versil sounded as if she’d just thought of a great idea out of nowhere – but of course I’d already considered that approach.

If we had timed it precisely, we would have left with just enough time to test the method and return to the city if it didn’t work out.

But…

“That would have been made it more difficult. By then, there’d be hardly anyone left on the 1st floor, meaning we’d have to run into Berzark eventually. Jandel must have accounted for that, too.”

Yeah, Amelia, you get it.

It’s not like I just came down here without thinking things through.

[The character’s HP is below 30%]

[The character’s HP is below 20%]

[Due to the passive skill Hero’sPath, all resistances and immunities have reached maximum boost.]

Right as the passive skill started to reach its maximum efficiency.

We finished our hour-long sprint and arrived at our destination.

I’d lost a lot of HP, but otherwise we were fine. We didn’t encounter Berzark. And aside from me, everyone else was basically in top shape.

But…

Dammit.

Just because we came unscathed doesn’t guarantee the outcome would be good. The real problem was waiting for us here at our destination.

“Baron Jandel?”

“…It’s the giant! The giant has led his forces here!”

“Did he really find a way to open the hidden area?”

What the hell, why are there so many people? Even at a glance, it looks like there are well over a dozen people.

I had run here thinking no one would be around, so I couldn’t understand this at all.

Even the nobodies had discovered this place before the third day.

Before leaving, I had shattered the wall, so I certainly didn’t expect any secrecy.

But even so?

‘With Berzark summoned, what is everyone doing here?’

I tried to hide my confusion and asked the nearest man.

“Hey, you, Baldy.”

“Me, you mean?”

“What’s everyone doing here?”

The man tilted his head as if he’d heard a strange question and replied.

“We’re waiting for the portal to open, of course. Who knows, someone might defeat the Lord of the Abyss. Or maybe it’ll open right before the Labryinth closes!”

“…What if Berzark shows up here?”

“Well, we’ll just have to take that risk! It’s not every day you find a hidden area!”

His simple, reasonable answer left me speechless.

“Isn’t this what being an explorer is all about? You feel the same way, don’t you, Baron Jandel?”

For the first time in my life, I was skeptical about my own profession.

“Forgive me for saying this, but… do you happen to know how to open the portal?”

I never thought there’d be this many lunatics.

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