Surviving game as a barbarian Episode 590

Boss Run(3)

There are two unique traits of a Guardian Essence.

First, its base stats are 1.5 times higher than those of a regular monster. Second, the user gains access to all of that ordinary monster’s active skills.

However, among the rifts on the fifth floor, there is one oddity: the Rift of Light.

And the Guardian of that place, Hell Giant Herza, possesses an essence that slightly deviates from this norm.

“Alright, Emily… If you’re rested up, let’s give it a try.”

By standard logic, one should be able to use all three of the Level 4 monster Cyclops’s active skills. However, Herza’s essence only granted one, and it isn’t even a skill that a normal Cyclops possesses.

[Amelia Rainwales has cast <Wave Link>.]

As she activated the skill, a faint line appeared between Amelia and me. Only those bound by the skill could see it.

Its function is simple.

[Amelia Rainwales has cast <Power of the Abyss>.]

Those who are linked by the skill can share their skills.

Just like the black aura now blooming over my hammer.

‘I studied this essence a lot.’

At first glance, it might seem like an absurdly overpowered skill. But after thorough research, I realized it wasn’t completely broken.

Well, except in certain cases.

Whoosh—

The black aura covering my hammer dispersed into the air.

Amelia had deactivated the skill, but…

“…The soul power consumption is extreme.”

“How bad is it?”

“Even in peak condition, I can’t maintain it for more than a minute.”

In a way, the penalty was similar to [Self-Replication]: its MP consumption was monstrous.

“Then try using it in a different way.”

As I suggested moving on, Amelia closed her eyes and focused.

There are three ways to use [Wave Link].

The first was what we just did: manifesting one’s own skill through an ally. It was essentially a support-type application.

The second is…

‘A boss pattern.’

This involves linking it to an enemy for offensive tactic and is more of a DPS application.

The Hell Giant we defeated earlier had such a pattern: it linked to me, then repeatedly unleashed devastating AoEs while transferring the drawback to me.

Since no one else was around and we targeted its eyes as soon as it tried that, we managed to avoid it without much difficulty.

‘Anyway, skip that.’

Amelia had neither self-destruct nor AoE skills, so this method didn’t apply to her.

So, the only remaining option was the third one.

[Amelia Rainwales has cast [Self-Replication]

[Amelia Rainwales has cast [Wave Link]

A utility-type method that enhanced summons.

This was, in fact, the standard way to use [Wave Link].

Sure, using it offensively lets you cast skills from the enemy’s position and pass penalties to them. But that only suits monsters with massive MP pools.

Wave link truly shined when it was used in this way instead.

“Really… the soul consumption is the same. What the hell is this combination?”

Well, as a gamer, I obviously didn’t know the mechanics behind it.

A mage might’ve spouted incomprehensible theories about mental wavelength synchronization or matching frequencies, but I only knew the result after countless experiments:

When [Wave Link] was used on a summon, MP consumption didn’t increase.

Oh, and of course, clones also counted as summons.

“With this… I can engage in much more varied combat.”

Amelia, who had considerable combat experience, seemed to instantly grasp the value of this new ability.

“By the way, what about the Embodied ability? I haven’t heard anything about what you call passive skills in your world yet…….”

“Oh, you don’t know about Cyclops?”

“It’s not exactly a common monster… You’re the weird one for knowing every trait of every monster.”

Perhaps embarrassed by her lack of knowledge, Amelia deflected by making me seem like the odd one.

“Here, put this on. Then you’ll understand what its embodied abilities are.”

I smirked and pulled out an item I’d gone through great lengths to obtain before coming here.

Amelia’s eyes filled with confusion.

“This is…”

A one-eyed eyepatch.

The so-called “Pirates Eyepatch.”

***

[One-Eyed] has been activated.
→ Character’s dynamic vision +200.
→ Grants the ability to see the unseen.

***

After completing the duo raid with Amelia, I continued challenging the rifts with different team compositions.

After all, while a tank can perform their role in any situation, that doesn’t necessarily apply to DPS.

The core of Dungeon & Stone was matchups.

Some enemies were impossible to defeat without the right counter, while others became much easier with the proper matchup.

And…

‘It’d be a waste to let this talent pool go unused.’

The royal expedition force had every type of specialist I needed. If I required a priest, an archbishop-level priest would join. If I needed a Level 2 fire spell, there was always at least one mage who could cast it.

‘Now I see why there’s no party limit.’

This labyrinth was designed around solo or dual rift clears, but it clearly wasn’t meant to be conquered by just two people. It was undoubtedly a place where hundreds of explorers were supposed to enter, split into optimal roles, and systematically advance.

‘Still, it’s a bit disappointing. Even after taking down a Level 5 guardian so many essences go to waste.’

If I brought a mage into eligible rifts, I could store the essences in test tubes and bring them out. But in all other cases, they had to be left behind.

‘Even the cheapest ones would sell for hundreds of millions of Stones in the auction house…’

Of course, the biggest regret was Aynar.

There was a Guardian essence on the 5th floor that would’ve been perfect for a spear user.

Unfortunately, since it wasn’t weak enough for me to solo-carry him, I had to give up on bringing her along.

Still, thanks to this expedition, I’d secured a hard-to-obtain essence for Amelia, so I was satisfied.

‘Because it’s basically a graduation essence for a Clone Thief, there’s no need for her to take the alternative.’

Once again, I’m struck by how ridiculous the Basement floor 1 is.

It’s unlike any other part of the labyrinth.

I can’t even begin to count how many new things I’ve seen or how much I’ve gained here.

“……”

What exactly is this place?

Ever since meeting Mr. Vampire, that thought had filled my mind whenever I was alone.

The Silver Sea, the Rainy Season, Dimensional Collapse, the Village Chief, Hamsiki…

I repeated them in my head so I wouldn’t forget, and go over anything I might’ve missed.

Sigh. What’s the point of thinking about it?

As usual, I ended my thoughts with a feeling of frustration.

I got to my feet, letting go of the brief pause I’d taken to clear my head.

“No matter how much you insist, the 4th floor is out of the question. It’s too dangerous.”

Near the statue of Calpion, the guardian of the 4th floor rift, an explorer was pleading with Raven.

‘His name was…?’

Can’t remember.

Everyone just calls him “Big Hammer.”

At any rate, he was a famous level three explorer in the city.

“Can’t you reconsider? That essence is something I absolutely need.”

He didn’t seem like the type to chase EXP or speedrun records.

But if he was this insistent, he must’ve genuinely needed it.

“No, no matter how much you—”

“Forgive my boldness, but perhaps the Golden Mage doesn’t truly know my capabilities?”

“Are you saying my judgment is wrong?”

“Haha, not at all. I’m simply asking for a chance to prove my qualifications.”

Even as Raven frowned, the man refused to back down, causing Raven to sigh in exasperation.

So I stepped in.

Honestly, I was the one who’d saddled him with this annoying task. So in that sense

“If you’re so eager for a test, I’ll help you out.”

“Baron Jandel…?”

The man looked surprised for a moment, then nodded as if things worked out in his favor.

“Then I’ll be in your care.”

As soon as he finished, he raised his ‘big hammer’ with a fierce glare.

‘He didn’t even ask what kind of test it would be.’

Not surprising. Explorers have always been macho like that.

Honestly, I find this approach easier too.

“Uh… Jandel? You don’t have to waste your strength on this…”

What’s she saying?

“This isn’t a waste of strength.”

“…Huh?”

“It’s saving time.”

I activated [Gigantification] and looked down at him.

Then—

“Strike.”

With that one word, the duel began.

As expected from someone nicknamed “Big Hammer,” his body was sturdy. The duel dragged on for quite a while.

Maybe 15 minutes?

“I concede…”

He never managed to land a blow, while I sent him flying every time my hammer struck his jaw.

In the end, he accepted defeat.

“It seems I was greedy. I’ll give up on the 4th floor.”

His dignified tone was a stark contrast to his earlier stubbornness with Raven.

It might seem odd, but macho people tend to respect the law of strength.

“Wooooooow—!”

“Victory to the Baron!”

The spectators erupted into cheers, but I felt no excitement.

‘It really is getting harder to deal damage.’

This is the tragedy of a tank.

Even after absorbing Bellarios’s essence and equipping Aegis’s wall, my damage is still the same.

“Jandel, can we talk?”

“Haha, no need to thank me—”

“No, I mean for wasting 15 minutes on something I could’ve handled in 5.”

“…Huh.”

For a second, my mind went blank.

Seeing my reaction, Raven stifled a laugh.

“Anyway, come with me. I needed to talk to you about something.”

As I took a few steps after her, Raven activated a sound-dampening spell. I, too, shifted to a more serious demeanor.

“Is this a secret matter?”

“Is this something that needs to be kept secret?”

“Huh? No, not really… I’m not sure. You’d be the better judge.”

“Go ahead.”

I bent down slightly to match her height and listened intently as Raven slowly began.

“As you know, since I’ve been acting as a sort of examiner, I’ve had plenty of chances to hear about what goes on inside. And well…”

Cutting to the chase—

She cut to the point before I even asked her to.

“Duke Cambormere has stopped speaking entirely.”

“Stopped speaking?”

Wasn’t that normal?

That was my first thought, but—

“No, I mean literally nothing. Not even vague mutterings or threats.”

“Oh…”

“Now, as soon as someone enters, his eyes go red and he just attacks. It’s weird, don’t you think? Right after you left, he was still talking.”

My fingers moved to my chin in deep thought.

“That is strange…”

It is suspicious.

His sudden descent into madness did feel off.

Wasn’t he been sane for a full three hours?

“There’s no such thing as a change without a cause.”

 

 

Raven looked up at me. Her voice was serious.

“Then what caused the Duke’s sudden transformation?”

A question no barbarian could answer—

But as a gamer, I had a theory.

[Actually… my madness is returning.]

If the Duke speaking coherently was considered a bug by the labyrinth…

Hotfix.

Maybe someone governing this labyrinth patched it in real-time.

***

There are 27 confirmed rift guardians from floors 1 to 5.

14 unconfirmed guardians, like Duke Cambormere.

Total: 41.

At first, the boss fight seemed overwhelming, but as we continued to advance, the end was near.

‘Just one more…’

Only one statue remained: a fifth-floor Rift Guardian.

This is a unique rift that appears with an extremely low probability, and it’s a bad match for me.

That’s why I saved it for last.

“Sigh…”

Even though dozens of lights had already lit up, the stone gate remained motionless.

Staring at it, I let out another sigh.

‘Do I really have to clear every last one for something to happen?’

Meaning I had to take this one down too.

Still, the rift allows two people, so it’s manageable.

I considered sitting this one out, but there was no good alternative.

A tank was essential for this boss fight, and there was no one who could reliably fill my role.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. If I looked hard enough, I could find candidates, but…

‘They’re just not reliable enough.’

I’d be better off going myself.

So, the real question was: Who should I bring?

‘Erwin again?’

It was a safe choice.

After all, she was practically a cheat key.

In fact, after Raven, Erwin had accompanied me the most on guardian hunts.

For easier rifts, I brought mages to harvest essences. For harder ones, I always took Erwin unless specific conditions applied.

‘…No.’

I shook my head.

This boss couldn’t be defeated through brute force alone.

What about Amelia, then?

‘She’s not bad, but…’

Aynar might be the better option.

Though her presence had faded since her fighting spirit waned, her luck couldn’t be ignored.

Tap.

If it’s luck I’m banking on—there’s an even better candidate.

And he’s standing right in front of me.

“Get ready. We’re heading into the rift.”

The moment my words landed, he blinked in confusion.

“Huh? Me? Why, why me…?”

It was Sven Parav, the holy knight of the Leatlas Church.

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