Surviving game as a barbarian Episode 588

Boss Run 1

For explorers, knowledge is a valuable asset.

That’s why they never give away their experiences and information for free. This doesn’t mean they’re stingy or petty, though.

It’s just that this culture is deeply ingrained in the explorers industry.

Take the great navigator Peekma for example.

Or Lemenin, the Abyss Seeker.

One of the reasons these revered figures are respected by all is not just because of their accomplishments, but because they selflessly gave and shared what they had for the greater good.

In that sense…

“Alright, now that we’re inside, let’s briefly go over the Guardian we’ll be dealing with this time—”

“No need to explain.”, I cut her off as soon as she began to speak.

“Huh? But you said you needed me earlier?”

Raven seemed flustered by my response.

Did she think that I needed her for her information?

That would explain why her bony shoulders shot up so proudly right after I said it.

“Raven, the reason I need you is for something else.”

“…What is it?”

Her voice sounded somewhat sulky.

Having spent so much time together as comrades, I could instantly tell she was only acting annoyed because she was embarrassed.

Though she did seem genuinely angry afterward.

“This is a chance to obtain a Level 5 Guardian’s essence. Of course, we need to collect it in a vial.”

“……What?”

After a long pause, her voice rang out coldly.

I quickly continued, as if making an excuse.

“And out of all the mages I know, you’re the one I trust the most, Raven.”

“…What are you saying? Then what about Versil Gowland? I heard you get along well with him. Some even say she’s acting like your vice commander.”

“Trusting someone and trusting them to have my back are two entirely different things.”

“Hmph… is that so?”

Fortunately, Raven’s expression softened again.

It really was a mystery.

Why does she always make me nervous, even though she was the smallest among us?

As I wondered this, Raven mumbled in her usual logical tone.

“I guess that makes sense. Gowland doesn’t know your true identity, right? That probably makes it harder for you to act freely around him.”

Well, one thing’s certain—if this guy ever takes an MBTI test, she’d definitely get a T.

“Unlike with me.”

“…Huh?”

“No, just saying. Don’t get weird ideas. It’s just… the truth, isn’t it?”

“Well… you’re not wrong.”

Versil doesn’t know I’m a Player.

Plus, she’s from the modern world, so unlike pure-blood mages, she’s terrible at research and has a different perspective and thought process.

That’s why I chose Raven.

One Player’s way of thinking—mine—was enough. What I needed was a local’s viewpoint.

“Anyway, shall we get to the main point?”

“Sure.”

Raven and I stayed at the start point and discussed the upcoming boss fight.

Usually, I would explain something and Raven would ask curious questions, then nod in understanding or admiration.

“I didn’t know there was a way like that… Is that from your world’s knowledge?”

Usually, I would explain something, and Raven would ask questions out of curiosity, then nod in understanding or admiration.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t knowledge from this world but rather what I’d gained after dedicating my 20s to it.

“…Something like that.”

“That’s a pretty half-hearted answer.”

“What are you saying? I’m always sincere.”

“Well, that’s good to hear. Anyway… since we’ve got time, why don’t you tell me more about your world?”

Just as I was about to suggest we get moving, she made this request.

Given how much I owed Raven, I couldn’t outright refuse.

“Talking isn’t a problem, but… why so suddenly?”

“It’s not sudden. I’ve always been curious. I just never had the chance with the two of us alone…”

True, it would be awkward to talk about such things in front of others. Knowing her, she wouldn’t have dared to bring it up before.

“…Thirty minutes. People are probably waiting outside.”

“Okay. Thirty minutes it is.”

“So what are you curious about?”

When I smiled like I’d allow anything, Raven immediately asked:

“Internal combustion engines.”

“…What?”

Not something I ever expected to hear from her mouth.

“I heard those machines let huge metal carriages move without horses or magic. I want to know exactly how they work.”

“…”

Maybe it’s because she’s a mage?

When I talked to Amelia about the modern world, it was all about romantic things, like huge flying machines in the sky, people electing their rulers…

“I-I do know.”

“Really? Then explain. The exact principle behind an internal combustion engine!”

“Um… it uses steam? Or thermal energy? To rotate wheels.”

“…That’s it?”

Raven’s fervor cooled at my reply. I felt a strange sense of shame, but I continued on

“That’s it. That kind of detailed info was a top national secret. Regular people like us weren’t really supposed to know.”

If Hyun-byeol were here, she’d have scoffed and looked at me in disdain.

But what does that matter?

Hyun-byeol isn’t here.

Only one innocent native mage stands before me.

“So it’s basically like magic in this world, right? That makes sense. Most people don’t understand the basic principles of magitechnics either.”

Raven nodded seriously and continued asking questions about the modern world.

I had suspected it since she asked about combustion engines, but Raven knew a surprising amount.

“I’ve always been interested in that field.”

“Really?”

“Yeah… I even studied it on my own later.”

“You studied it?”

“After we met again at that time, I got curious. And being in the military made it easier to access related information…”

Back then, she’d been wary of me as an evil spirit and avoided topics about my world. Now, however, her curiosity seems to have grown.

That’s why she brought it up as soon as we were alone.

“Anyway… time’s up.”

“Ah, already?”

Raven looked disappointed but didn’t insist on continuing.
***

The guardian essence from the 5th floor is extremely valuable.

Since there are twelve different types of rifts that can open, getting a specific essence is very difficult…

In fact, guardian essences from the 5th floor and above never even show up at auction. No one sells them—and even if someone tries, the royal family secretly buys them up first.

“Jandel, have you been here before?”

“No, it’s my first time. At least in this body.”

“Ohh…”

“Didn’t I say we’re done talking? Focus.”

After leaving the starting point, we soon reached the boss room.

Whoosh—!

A small flame crackled in the middle of a pitch-black, charred forest. This flame marked the boss room of the 5th-floor rift, “Burning Forest.”

Originally, you’d have to clear several chapters and extinguish fires in all directions before reaching this place, but…….

But here, all that tedious stuff is skipped.

‘It’s like experience points are being copied wholesale.’

Moreover, the Guardians here have guaranteed essence drop. Though, to be honest, that’s not as meaningful an advantage as it sounds.

“At least the fifth-floor rift allows two people to enter.”

The lower rifts only permit solo entry.

Which means only those strong enough to solo the boss can even get the essence. But people like that don’t need guardian essences, they can just hunt solo.

Like all the essences I’ve left behind.

In theory, if a mage went through all of these alone and defeated the bosses, they could contain them in magic test tubes to sell later.

Of course, that’s just theory. Realistically, it’s impractical.

It’s not that there aren’t mages capable of 1v1ing a boss, but to do so, they’d need to be overwhelmingly stronger than the boss.

That didn’t even take into account their personal expenses or the cost of the testubes they’d need to use.

“What are you thinking about? Why’d you stop all of a sudden?”

“Ah. Just lost in though. I’ll summon the boss now, so head over there. Cast the spell I asked for.”

“Got it.”

Putting aside my thoughts, I approached the floating crimson flame and placed my hand on it.

Whoosh—!

The moment my hand touched it, the flame rippled and emitted a pulse.

「Flame Lord Pianil has cast [Mark of Ashes].」

[When the character uses a skill, they will take fire damage]

Then

Fwoooosh—!

The flame swelled, taking on a humanoid form.

The Burning Forest’s Guardian, Fire Lord Pianil.

A Level 4 monster that is classified as a Lavalord.

‘This one doesn’t say anything either.’

I waited without attacking, just in case something was different.

Flicker—!

Its body was entirely made of flames.

It wore a mask that revealed only its lower face. Its upper body looked human, but its lower half resembled a genie with flames in place of legs.

‘No change in appearance…’

As usual after meeting the Duke of Cambormere, I tried talking to it, but got no response.

And with that, we went straight into battle.

Among the 5th-floor rifts, this one was mid-tier in difficulty, but if things went according to plan, it wouldn’t be too hard.

After all, I wasn’t alone anymore.

I just had to fulfill my role as the tank.

Like this.

“Bethel—Raaaaaah!!”

Using [Gigantification] and [Wild Outburst] to boost my threat level.

「The character’s threat level is 500 or higher.」

「All monsters within range will prioritize attacking the character.」

Combining them with the Aegis Wall, I firmly held the aggro of the rift Guardian, whose aggro was notoriously hard to draw and maintain.

And then…….

「Flame Lord Pianil has cast [Bell of Embers].」

Whether it summoned minions, used attacks, or changed phases with unique mechanics…….

I just kept holding on.

With Raven’s buffs, I could’ve dealt damage using [Swing], but…….

‘Why bother?’

The damage was already sufficient.

Just as Bjorn Jandel had grown since his battle in the Blood-Tinted Castle, Raven had also grown a lot.

「The Wrath of the Forest imbues Flame Lord Pianil.」

As we steadily chipped away at its health, we eventually reached its final phase.

“Just so you know, the last one is going to take some time.”

“Take your time. It’s warm and cozy here.”

After all, my anti-magic stat from Bellarios’s essence counters magic damage perfectly.

「The character’s magic resistance is 500 or higher.」

「All magic damage taken is reduced by 50%.」

Add in the Fire Orb’s effect, and it feels more like a sauna than a battle.

Oh, and the temperature is around 120°C,

“……You’ve really become a monster, Mr. Jandel.”

Honestly, I’d been having trouble breathing for a while now, but the praise from a comrade is enough to make my barbarian body dance.

As I redoubled my efforts to hold the boss, Raven’s magic was finally complete.

「Alluva Raven has cast the Level 3 freezing magic [Blooming Snowflake]」

The young mage who could barely cast a Level 6 solar magic in the Blood-Tinted Castle was gone.

She was now the golden mage, recognized even by the royal family and now the vice-captain of the 3rd Magic Corps.

‘High-Level magic really has poetic naming conventions.’

Since this was my first time seeing this spell, I focused intently on its effects.

The spell’s effects were quite simple.

Swish—!

First, a chilling cold spread from Raven’s feet, freezing the ground around her.

And then…….

Whoosh—!

Something translucent shot toward the boss like an arrow, slipped into its body, and vanished as if it had never existed.

“…….”

The monster froze,

Its heat vanished without a trace. In the forest, now blanketed in cold silence, Raven spoke.

“Mr. Jandel, do you know why this spell is called ‘Blooming Snowflake’?”

It was a quiet, leisurely question.

But Raven didn’t give me time to answer before continuing.

“Because it blooms. Literally.”

“……?”

“From the inside.”

The spell was so well timed that I wondered if she had rehearsed it.

Sizzle—!

The magic activated just as she finished her line.

Crack!

The spell seemed to begin from within.

Dozens of icy spikes burst through the monster’s skin.

“But.”

“…?”

“It’s called a snowflake, not a thorn, for a reason.”

Again, her line ended just as the final phase ended and the boss turned into a shower of light.

Raven smiled sweetly as she watched.

“See? Doesn’t it look like snow is falling?”

What the hell.

She clearly rehearsed those lines in advance.

Unsure how to respond, I recalled the boss’s final moment.

If it were me naming that spell…

‘Transformed Sea Urchin.’

Hmm, the phrasing feels off.

‘Transformed Pufferfish.’

Yeah, that’s better.

***

After collecting Fire Lord Pianil’s essence in a test tube, Raven and I challenged the other fifth-floor guardians.

As we continued, it developed into a sort of routine.

After reviewing the raid strategy at the starting point, we always spent about 30 minutes chatting.

Ah, of course, it was Raven’s request.

“I’m helping you, Mr. Jandel. So stop acting so annoyed, okay?”

“Hey now… helping? That’s a bit—”

“What are we, anyway? I’m not even a member of your clan.”

 

I had no counterargument.

So I chatted diligently.

At first, Raven was focused on modern tech, but later, his questions turned personal.

“So… what was your real name?”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you?”

“…Nope.”

“Lee Han-soo. And it’s not Hans, okay? Be careful with the pronunciation.”

“Lee Han… Soo…”

“Yeah, close enough.”

“What’ do you mean?”

From my real name to whether I had family or friends waiting for me back home, my job, and so on.

Even some heavy topics.

After the basic background check, the conversation eventually shifted to [Dungeon & Stone].

“So… you actually opened the ‘Abyss Gate’ once?”

“In the game, yes. And right after opening it, I got dragged here, so I don’t know what lies beyond.”

“……Wait. If you opened the Gate and came here, then what happens if it’s opened from this side?”

“……?”

“Like, would you go back? To your original world?”

“Well… maybe.”

“Oh, oh? Uh… I see…….”

“That’s enough for now. Let’s get moving.”

We then entered the boss room, and fought. Raven made a mistake that nearly caused a crisis, but thankfully, I got us through it safely.

‘…We’ve already taken down six.’

I’d been worried about the 5th-floor Guardians, but it was going surprisingly smoothly.

Of course, there were a few risky moments like before.

But after everything I’d been through, this didn’t even feel like a crisis.

“Mr. Jandel, if you’re ready, shouldn’t we head to the next portal?”

“…Huh?”

“I still have stamina left. And we’ve already gone over all the information.”

Well, that’s true, but…….

‘Weird.’

For a moment, I was suspicious of Raven’s urging. But it was only for a moment. I patted Raven’s shoulder lightly.

“Raven, from now on, I’ll be going with someone else.”

“…What?”

“You’ve worked hard. Take a break.”

In other words, the Blood Tinted Castle carry duo ends here.

But instead of being relieved, Raven’s expression turned icy.

“Take a break? What are you talking about? Are you ditching me now?”

“…Ditching you? What kind of talk is that?”

It’s just that I won’t need a mage from now on.

Besides, where I’m heading now, there’s no need to collect the essence in a test tube.

“That came out wrong. If not me, then who exactly are you planning to go in with?”

I answered Raven’s question with a small smirk, then turned to someone else.

“Emily.”

“…?”

“Let’s go get you an essence.”

It’s about time she got one too.

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