Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 117

Dark Clouds (1)

Was it the ferocity of a Level 5 monster that left an impression?

Dwalki stuttered and backpedaled.

“Why is there a Level 5 monster in the Sky Tower…?”

It’s not that his feelings were incomprehensible.

After all, it’s common knowledge that only monsters up to Level 6 appear in the Sky Tower.

But to lay down the facts as a veteran…

“Level 5 monsters do appear.”

Even in the Sky Tower, Level 5 monsters can emerge.

The chances are incredibly slim, but it’s not unheard of.

I’ve encountered this about seven times, maybe?

If you add up all the playtime over ten years, it comes to about that frequency.

However…

“I really didn’t expect to meet one on the 12th floor.”

The difficulty level in the Sky Tower is fixed from the 100th floor onwards.

And all the times I encountered Level 5 monsters were when I was grinding above that.

But to encounter one on the 12th floor?

‘Fuckin’ Hans Effect.’

I shouted with all my might, even as I sighed.

“Everyone, snap out of it!!”

Whether it’s because of Hans, my damn fate, or whatever.

Now’s not the time to ponder over my misfortune or the odds.

The cause can be thought about later.

When trouble arises, acting is what comes first.

So—

“Bethel—raaaaaaaah!!”

I charged forward, casting [Wild Burst].

If we just stand here, someone will end up dead before they realize what’s happening.

Whoosh-!

As I charged, emitting a heightened threat level, the troll immediately swung its fist at me.

The speed that came from such a massive frame was surprising, but…

What truly astonished me was the power behind it.

Boom!

Damn, I thought I was going to lose my shield.

For the first time in a while, I felt myself being physically pushed back by the force.

“I, I’ll help!”

Soon the dwarf joined in and took the troll’s next blow.

[Hikurod Murad has casts [Counterweight]

Thanks to Iantro’s skill, there was no being pushed back, and we even got a shock absorption adjustment.

Crack!

But the dwarf’s bracers turned into scrap metal.

[Hikurod Murad has cast [Emergency Restoration]

Just from taking one hit, the dwarf had to use a gear repair skill.

See, that’s why I told you to change your equipment.

[Roaaaar!!]

As I parried another swinging fist and struck the troll’s shoulder with my mace.

Thud-!

I felt the satisfying weight of the hit, but that was all.

The troll bastard didn’t even flinch, let alone break a bone.

“Tch, seems my damage isn’t cutting it.”

I grimaced and dodged the punch, stepping back.

Even if I did manage to inflict a wound, it would mean nothing to a troll, and engaging in a test of strength with a monster like a troll was foolish.

Whoosh-!

As the troll’s fist sliced through the air.

The damage dealers also snapped back to their senses and began to support.

The first strike came from Rotmiller’s crossbow.

Whiz! Thwack!

The arrow, shot with good momentum, ricocheted as if it had hit a stone wall. Indeed, ordinary arrows wouldn’t penetrate a troll.

It would have been different if it was Mr. Bear

Anyway, Misha’s swordplay, which I had high hopes for, was also unsatisfactory.

Although she managed to cut through the troll’s thick skin, the cut wasn’t deep.

‘At least it’s good that she’s a frost swordsman.’

Looking at the frostbitten wound, I consoled myself with disappointment.

As expected of a Level 5 monster, its resistance was so high that a ‘freeze’ effect was futile, but still, it was something.

At least it would somewhat hinder its regenerative ability.

“We’re all set!”

Dwalki finished his chanting and fired his trademark ‘enhanced ice spear’ at the monster’s head, a universal weak spot.

However…

Crack!

The troll, with its monstrous physical stats and high magic resistance, simply shattered the ice spear with its bare hands.

Seeing this, did his will break?

“R-run. Trolls are not the kind of monsters you engage unprepared…”

Yes, they’re not that easy.

Normally, you prepare extensively for such hunts.

But where would we run to?

“Shut up and focus on the fight!”

“Y-yes!”

Huh, why does he only listen when yelled at?

Anyway, that’s settled, so…

Boom!

I focused more on hindering the troll, organizing the situation.

A Level 5 monster requires a base level of specs just to engage in battle.

Well, Level 6 monsters tend to be similar, but starting from Level 5, they’re in a league of their own.

‘This is getting troublesome.’

Take the vampire we met in the Blood Tinted Castle, for example.

Back then, we had Raven, a Rank 6 mage. Considering mages’ grades are counted as +1.5, it essentially meant we had a dealer of over level 5 in the team.

Plus, we had the ‘Tear of the Goddess,’ a cheat item capable of one-shotting a Death Knight with its powerful ability. On top of that, we bombarded it with solar spells, its natural nemesis.

But what was the outcome?

‘…And yet, it didn’t die in one hit.’

That’s the might of a level 5 monster.

Even after surviving on potions and unleashing everything in one go, it lived. Its regenerative ability was high, though its defense was on the lower side.

Now, look at this troll bastard.

It boasts top-tier regeneration and defense.

Simply put, it was similar to a Death Fiend, serving effectively as a barrier to entry.

Without the required specs, there wasn’t even a chance for a lucky punch against such monsters.

‘But maybe… just barely within the cut-off.’

I coldly analyzed our strength.

Excluding the dwarf tank and myself, focusing only on the dealers, could the two of them deal enough damage to a level 5 monster?

The answer was ‘yes.’

If Dwalki concentrates all his magic into ‘curses,’

And we tanks hold out as long as possible,

With Misha, who has grown significantly, adding steady damage, then it was feasible.

‘The problem is, it wouldn’t be strange if one of us died in the process.’

Given the troll’s traits, if we can’t overpower it with specs, we must prepare for a drawn-out battle.

And long battles tend to lead to accidents.

“Misha! Be careful!”

I threw myself to block a punch aimed at Misha, gritting my teeth.

“Th-thank you,nyang!”

It was going to be a tough fight.

A fight where it wouldn’t be strange for one of us to die.

If Misha or Dwalki were to fall, it would mean game over.

But…

“We have no choice but to try—aaaaah!!”

5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes.

As sweat poured down, the battle continued.

Every moment of every minute was spent focusing on our roles towards a single goal, pouring everything into it.

Boom!

First, the dwarf and I took turns absorbing the troll’s attacks, conserving as much health as possible.

[Leor Wuerv Dwalki casts a level 8 curse spell [Deterioration].”

[Leor Wuerv Dwalki casts a level 9 curse spell [Sluggishness]]

[Leor Wuerv Dwalki casts a level 7 curse spell [Softening]

Dwalki, instead of offensive magic, showered curses, dedicating himself to a support role.

The troll, with its regenerative ability reduced, movements slowed, and physical resistance slightly diminished.

Swoosh!

Misha diligently slashed at the troll, targeting a single spot as I had ordered.

Swoosh!

After repeatedly striking the same spot, the troll’s right arm began to dangle limply.

“GRAAAH-!!”

Rotmiller was not idle either.

As the monster was thrashing about, he couldn’t land an arrow in its eye as I had requested, but the attempt itself was helpful from a tank’s perspective.

“Dwalki, come here for protection!”

Moreover, when the troll’s aggression was diverted, it was also Rotmiller’s job to grab Dwalki and run.

Phew, it’s like walking on thin ice.

Boom!

I used the cooldown time of [Wild Burst] to reset the troll’s aggro and quickly wiped the sweat from my brow.

It seemed like we were managing somehow, but…

Every moment was a crisis, a depletion of resources.

‘The repair costs are going to be a nightmare.’

The expensive Lytianium shield and breastplate were already dented and warped from the countless punches received from the troll’s fist.

It’s not even a tier-3 material, but tier-2.

Expecting it to remain intact after a Level 5 monster’s attack is simply unreasonable.

The cost of repairs was not the primary concern at the moment.

“Hikurod Murad casts [Restoration].”

The dwarf, using skills to repair after each attack, was now almost out of MP.

Misha was in a similar situation.

In order to slow down the regeneration even a little bit, she kept [Cold Condensation] active, which quickly drained her MP.

But, the most severe case was Dwalki.

“Panting heavily…”

Given the troll’s high magic resistance, maintaining curse status required constant chanting of curses, leaving Dwalki nearly lifeless.

In that sense, it was time for a final check.

“2 minutes… no, I can manage 3 more minutes.”

“What if we drop ‘Sluggishness’?”

“…I can manage up to 7 minutes.”

“I see. From now on, drop ‘Sluggishness’.”

Although the troll’s movements would become more vicious without the ‘Sluggishness’ curse, we had to manage somehow.

Above all, if ‘Deterioration’ was removed, the arm we had nearly severed would regenerate in seconds.

‘7 minutes…’

The time limit was set.

7 minutes.

If we couldn’t kill the troll within that time, we would be done for.

Therefore, it was time to go for the win.

“Misha, how much longer?”

“Nyang, even if you say that! It’s not cutting off!”

I had to admit there was a flaw in my plan.

It was impossible to sever the troll’s arm with Misha’s sword.

Despite the ‘Deterioration’ curse, [Cold Condensation] effect, and even the acidic blood from the viper’s fang trying to halt regeneration and slice through muscle…

The problem was the bone’s strength, comparable to a tier-3 material.

Actually, troll bones are tier-3 materials, aren’t they?

Anyway, there was no major problem.

There was never a plan that worked out from the start.

‘It’s time for Plan B.’

Abandoning Plan A for a new strategy.

Though it was hastily devised, it was a plan nonetheless.

“Hikurod! You’re on full duty now!”

“Understood! But what are you planning?”

Instead of answering, I raised my mace.

There’s a right tool for every job.

After all, a sword isn’t the best weapon for breaking bones.

A reliable blunt weapon, however.

Crack!

As I swung down the mace, a satisfying resonance was felt.

True damage that wasn’t absorbed by the skin and muscle!

[Troll has cast [Berserk]

[Temporarily, pain vanishes, and physical stats significantly increase]

The troll, screaming in pain, began to truly rampage, utilizing its skills.

“Are we still far off?”

The dwarf, who had somehow managed to hold off the troll, shouted more urgently than ever.

I didn’t respond.

How would I know?

Being a barbarian is all about pushing through until it works.

‘Bethel-raaaaaaa!

Crack!

The troll tried to push me away with its intact arm, but the dwarf stubbornly blocked it.

Therefore—

Clang.

I threw away the shield I was holding.

Hitting with both hands is stronger, right?

Crack!

Gripping the mace with both hands and swinging it, I felt a stronger sensation in my hands.

Like that time during the vampire fight.

Just a little more, and it seemed like it would work.

With [Wild Burst], I further increased my physical stats

Even though the dwarf couldn’t hold off the troll after being taunted…

Thump!

I was confident in my own toughness, receiving the troll’s attacks directly while focusing on my mace strikes.

One, two, three times.

Crack!

On the third hit, its bone slightly shattered.

And then…

Four, five, six times.

Crack!

On the sixth hit, the bone fragmented, and the arm twisted grotesquely.

“GRRRAH-!!”

Even then, the troll, perhaps due to its own pride, kept attacking instead of retreating.

Thump!

I swung my mace with joy, even as I took hits.

It was the tenth time.

Crack!

Finally, the bone completely shattered.

The arm, hanging by a few tendons, began to dangle.

“Misha!”

Before I could even call out, Misha flew in and severed the tendons with her sword.

Thud!

The arm, covered in muscles, fell to the ground with a heavy sound. It was the first achievement after twenty minutes of intense effort.

But…

“It’s just the beginning.”

I’m a barbarian who can’t be satisfied with just this.

Now, it was truly a battle against time.

The troll’s active skill [Super Regeneration].

A skill used when there’s a significant loss of body parts or when the brain is injured and life is at risk.

“Fuck, just as you’d expect from a troll.”

As the skill activated, bone began to grow from the severed area, and flesh and muscle started to fill in.

Despite the curse spell [Deterioration] and the skill [Cold Condensation], it regenerated to that extent.

An utterly absurd healing ability, but…

“It’ll take at least 2 minutes to fully regenerate.”

For at least 2 minutes, the troll can’t use [Super Regeneration] again.

It’s not just a boost in regeneration but a skill used on a specific part.

Meaning, even if its brain or heart is destroyed, it can’t be healed until that arm is fully regenerated.

Therefore—

Clank.

I threw off my armor and helmet.

The dwarf looked at me as if I had gone mad.

“Why are you suddenly taking off your armor?”

Why indeed.

He really can be clueless.

[Character has cast [Gigantification]

My body rapidly expanded.

Though still smaller compared to the nearly 4m tall troll…

At this size, I could at least compete.

Clank!

Throwing away the mace and shield carelessly, I grabbed the troll’s neck and clung to it. Then, I used my legs to bind the troll’s remaining hand.

“GRRR!”

Did the troll ever imagine a challenger would dare to wrestle it?

Startled, the troll flailed its hand in confusion.

Of course, it made no difference.

No matter how strong the troll was compared to me.

“Does this guy also have a problem in its head?”

What could a one-armed creature do?

“Misha, go for the eyes first!”

The table is set,

It’s time to see who wins.