Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 170
Burning (2)
A giant mirror emitting a red glow.
Beneath it, about thirty explorers are gathered.
The blue wolf emblem engraved on each of their chests signified their affiliation with a single clan.
“It’s time to switch!”
At the shout of a man, one of the teams positioned in front of the mirror swapped places with those who had finished resting.
They began mechanically hunting the monsters that appeared through the mirror.
A sight that any 5th floor explorer would have seen at least once.
“Let’s go somewhere else.”
Explorers who had arrived by chance turned away powerlessly upon seeing them.
It was already a familiar sight.
The entire 5th floor was like this.
“Stop! From here on out, it’s the territory of our Nevis Wolf Clan, please go elsewhere.”
Typical teams could not even protest.
The large clans of the 5th floor were usually capable of operating on the 6th floor as well.
The reason these powerhouses were squatting on the 5th floor was simple.
The 6th floor was monopolized by even bigger clans.
It was far more profitable here.
“Vice-captain, how much did we collect today?”
They hunt around the clock to collect gems, and if anyone complains, they drive them out by force.
“The essence of a Doomfire Fairy has appeared. Is there anyone who wants to buy it!”
Grade 5 essences were sold in tubes in the city, while those of lower grades were sold at a cheap price to explorers nearby.
What about an explorer seeking experience points?
Even they were treated as customers to maximize profits.
“I will cast a binding spell on you, so do not engage in battle and stay back for a while.”
Thus, another day of reaping the fruits of the labyrinth through repetitive hunting went by.
“Captain! It’s Bertas!”
“What?”
The man who had been resting and overseeing the clan quickly stood up and approached the mirror.
Through it, a monster could be seen.
[Grrrrrrrrr-!!]
Two horns protruding from its forehead.
A muscular figure over 3 meters tall.
A demonic monster named Bertas, covered in black wings and with four arms.
“Today is our lucky day.”
The corners of the man’s mouth curled up long.
It had been a year since they last encountered this creature.
‘How much did we sell it for last time?’
Although it was only level 5, its rarity meant that it fetched a considerable price when sold to the Mage Tower.
The income from magic stones during this exploration had been below standard, but this one alone would make up for the losses and then some.
“Everyone, take your positions!”
For the first time in a while, the man drew his weapon and stood in front.
He waited for Bertas to fully emerge from beyond the mirror.
“Here it comes!”
A giant foot slowly stepped through the door.
The clan members’ eyes gleamed with anticipation.
No one was worried about the battle.
The mages had completed their highest power spells.
A monster that was rare but ultimately only Level 5 – the battle would surely end the moment it appeared.
Yes, that’s how it should have been…
[Bethel—raaaaaaaaa!!]
A human’s roar came from beyond the mirror.
At the same time, the creature stepping outside turned back and swiftly retracted its foot.
“What’s with those guys!”
He could not understand the situation at all.
***
“Bethel—raaaaaaaaa!!”
As I soon as I unleashed my [Wild Burst], the Bertas turned his head towards us. Shortly after, the mirror that had formed under his feet disappeared.
Fortunately, it seems I had successfully drawn its aggro .
‘Phew, I thought we lost it.’
Monsters from the otherworld enter the labyrinth through that mirror.
In simple terms, had we been even slightly late, it might not have been us capturing this creature.
[Grrrrrrrrr-!!]
As soon as I raised my shield, the creature charged.
Boom-!
Its strength felt less than that of a troll.
Truly, it’s a monster that looks tough at first, but fails to live up to its appearance.
Judging by its appearance alone, it appears to be a level 3 creature.
“Are you okay, Mr. Jandel?”
“I can handle it, don’t worry about me!”
“Everyone except Mr. Jandel, step back. We need to figure out what its abilities are first!”
Facing an unknown enemy for the first time, Raven issued orders in a panic.
There’s no need to be so cautious.
‘…But, It’d be weird to act like I know everything here.’
Confident in holding it off 1:1 for hours if necessary, I chose to observe without comment.
Honestly, I was a bit curious.
What decisions will our mage make without any knowledge?
“Marde Guarjur.”
The first spell Raven used was ‘Magic Detection.’
The very same one used at checkpoints for exchanging magic stones.
“Fortunately, it seems to be around Level 5!
She measured the threat level of the monster.
But that was all we knew so far.
The rest would have to be deduced through combat.
Boom!
An explosion bloomed as its fist collided with my shield.
[Scars of Explosion]
“There were no signs of energy movement. It might be a physical ability…”
It was a passive ability.
Now, what would be the trigger condition?
Boom! Bang! Boom!
As explosions continued beyond my shield, Raven observed the battle from a safe distance.
And then, she reached a conclusion.
“The same spot! It explodes when the same spot is hit!”
…Correct.
I hadn’t expected her to figure it out so quickly.
“So, how long are you going to just watch?”
“Uh… You seem to be doing fine on your own, but maybe we should observe a bit more? Miss Karlstein or Aynar could get seriously hurt.”
Hmm, so I’m not likely to get seriously hurt?
I felt a mix of slight indignation and pride as a tank.
“If it gets dangerous, I’ll throw you a potion right away!”
“High-grade?”
“Yes, high-grade!”
Well, then.
Not sure if it’s just me, but based on experience, high-grade potions seem to cause the least pain.
Even with resistance to pain, it doesn’t mean it’s not painful.
“Oh, it can use its feathers like arrows? It doesn’t seem to involve any energy movement, so it’s probably just a trait!”
Seemingly convinced it wasn’t a significant threat at our level, Raven’s voice lightened.
“Mr. Jandel, want to try hitting it with your mace? There might be something that activates upon being hit…”
It seemed fun to analyze a new monster. Our mage seemed excited for the first time, so I complied with her instructions.
Crack-!
When I struck one of its four arms with a [Swing], the joint grotesquely bent.
Immediately, its wings unfurled.
“It’s an ability!”
One of Bertas’s three active skills.
[Wings of Greed].
Whoosh-!
The surrounding air is sucked in like a drain whirlpool.
After about 3 seconds of inhaling, the wings snapped shut, and the broken arm healed.
“It’s a regenerative ability!”
Not content to just watch, Raven immediately cast a Deterioration spell on it.
‘Please, let this be it…’
Its real value was in its passive, but if we’re catching it, it’s best to get a useful active skill as well.
“Bertas has cast [Legion of Hatred].”
“Bertas has cast [Destruction Beam].”
Whoosh-!
After easily dodging the ‘Destruction Beam,’ which has a casting time of 3 seconds, I cast [Gigantification].
Now that I had permission.
“It seems we’ve identified all its abilities!”
“Eh, so can I go fight now?”
The moment of finishing it off.
“Bethel—raaaaaaaaa!!”
While Aynar smashed the summoned demons with her great sword, Mr. Bear and Raven prepared their ultimate attacks.
“Abman Urichfried has cast [Hazardous Material].”
“Alluva Raven has cast Level 5 attack spell [Lightning Spear].”
Our team’s strongest damage dealer, who even the trolls, the epitome of survivability, couldn’t stand up to.
Boom-!
A massive explosion bloomed, and Bertas’s body turned into a burst of light.
“Bertas has been defeated. EXP +5”
Black smoke and scattering light particles.
Curious about the result, Raven used a wind spell to clear the smoke.
Then, a white essence was revealed.
“There, an essence!”
The coveted [Wings of Greed] appeared.
Just a 33.3% chance, but…
‘Really got it in one go.’
Suddenly, I felt a bit anxious.
***
A Level 5 monster’s essence appeared.
So, there were two options.
Either encase it in a test tube for sale or have one of the team members pay and absorb it.
“What will you do?”
“I think Aynar should keep this.”
“Eh? Me!!?”
I neatly ignored all of Aynar’s rants.
Although she’s the party concerned in this matter…
I am the man who will become a Barbarian Lord one day.
In simple terms, I represent all barbarians.
“Hmm… You’re deciding even without fully checking what essence it is?”
I confirmed its skills through battle.
But I can only know which skill this essence contains by consuming it. Moreover, the base stats that come with the essence are as important as the skill itself.
“I was hoping you’d consider that and give us a bit of a discount.”
“How much?”
“16 million stones.”
When I made my offer, Aynar almost fainted.
“Aynar, please keep it down, will you? Bjorn is talking.”
“Ah, okay!”
Although the conversation was briefly interrupted, Raven continued to talk with a serious face without even a hint of a smile.
“That would leave me with only 4 million stones if we divide it by four.”
Hmm, as expected, that didn’t work.
That’s why I suggested 16 million.
“That seems too low. It’s a monster rare enough that even I didn’t know about it. Besides, I get 40% if we sell it in a test tube.”
“…In exchange, I will allow you to conduct research on her.”
Aynar was shocked.
“What, you’re selling me to a mage?!”
“Hmm, like what Mr. Jandel did before?”
Raven seemed intrigued by the offer.
As expected, for a mage, research trumps money.
Seizing the momentum, I quickly played the cards I had prepared.
“Moreover, if you use distortion magic on it in a test tube, you won’t be able to use it anymore.”
In other words, if we find a treasure, wouldn’t she regret using distortion magic on it?
Raven seemed tempted, nodding thoughtfully.
“We only have a few days left… But indeed, we can’t rule out that possibility yet.”
Good, it seems Raven is convinced.
Next was Mr. Bear’s turn.
“What do you want to do, Urichfried? Even if I make up for the loss with research…”
“It doesn’t matter to me. Haven’t we earned enough already? After all, we’re here thanks to Bjorn finding this place.”
“Well, yes, but… Are you sure? I don’t even know how much this will sell for.”
“That’s why I said it doesn’t matter. If the Barbarian lady becomes stronger, it’s good for us too.”
“Alright, then it’s settled.”
Now Aynar has to go to the city and pay 4 million stones each to Mr. Bear and Raven.
This meant she was going back to being penniless, despite having earned a lot this time.
“Here, consume it before it disappears.”
Seemingly pleased about acquiring a new essence, Aynar took the essence without any resistance.
“Aynar Pheneline‘s soul is permeated with [Essence of Bertas].”
The black luminescence seeped in as soon as it touched her skin.
Raven watched with curiosity.
“So, how do you feel? What’s the most noticeable change?”
“Uh… I feel stronger, I think…”
“It’s vague. We’ll need to research the abilities and stats once we return to the city. For now, would you like to try using the abilities?”
“The abilities?”
“Ah, it might be hard to imagine.”
Raven then recalled the three abilities Bertas had demonstrated and suggested using soul power.
“It’s also good to say the commands out loud. That’s how you usually start learning magic.”
“Uh, alright… I’ll try.”
Following Raven’s instructions, Aynar began to attempt each of Bertas’s active skills in order.
“Come out, you demons!”
Summoning [Legion of Hatred].
“Grrrrr!”
Ranged attack [Destruction Beam].
And then…
“Wings!!!”
[Wings of Greed].
Whoosh-!
Wings of light unfolded behind her.
Thus named, Barbarian (Female) Valkyrie Mode.
“Am I a Valkyrie now?!”
Aynar looked over her appearance, then exclaimed with unparalleled joy.
“Bethel—raaaaaaaaa!!”
It’s good to see she’s pleased with the outcome.