Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 189
Overgeared (4)
Doppelganger clones are different from the original Doppleganger’s body.
It can only use the abilities of the individual it mimics, and those freshly summoned in the boss room are less intelligent.
No, should I say, skill?
Unlike the real Hans G, who summons all his minions at the start of the battle, the clones fumble and summon one at a time.
“One down.”
Before the clones could do anything, Mr. Bear’s crossbow pierced through the forehead of one.
The rest soon followed suit.
“We’ve defeated them all!”
The victory cry came in less than 30 seconds.
Though there were four Hans, I was worried something tricky might happen, but for now, it seemed easily resolved.
“So now is the time!”
Before it could summon more clones, we needed to quickly deal significant damage to the original.
Well, it wouldn’t be easy.
“Screaaaam!!”
As everyone focused their attacks, the original started rampaging, screaming.
[Leap], [Swing], [Gigantification]
And then…
[The Nameless Plunderer has cast [Flesh Explosion]
A skill that I’d stopped using after losing my regeneration.
With the physical capabilities of my body plus the average stats of a Level 5 monster, the boss mob exhibited a truly monstrous presence.
“Everyone, fall back!”
Eventually, Raven pulled the melee line back.
It was a good decision.
With two mages and one archer, the damage output was already sufficient.
There was no need to push the melee to the front line, especially since the doppelganger, mimicking my appearance, reduced the effectiveness of physical damage.
“You three, Please protect us!”
Misha, Aynar, and the tank.
As the three melee fighters switched positions to protect the dealers, the rear of the team could more comfortably continue their long-range assault.
‘Where do you think you’re going?’
As powerful ranged attacks continued, the original tried to ignore me and move backward, but I kept managing the threat level with [Wild Burst] to maintain aggro.
How much time had passed?
Pzzzzt-!
After a volley of [Flesh Explosions], the creature’s body was in tatters, and a ‘brain spear’ stuck into the head transformed the doppelganger into a black slime.
‘Well, we’ve managed the first tough part at least.’
Of course, the first phase was far from over.
The first phase wouldn’t end until all the exploration members who entered the boss room had transformed.
But…
“Ah! It’s my turn now!”
Whoever came out next wouldn’t be as difficult as me.
In fact, the battle with Aynar, who was next in line, ended even before going through two rounds of clone summoning patterns.
Now there was no need for the melee to stay back.
“Kiiiiiieeek!”
That was when the doppelganger transformed into Aynar was defeated.
Drrrrrr-!
The magic circle drawn on the floor began to glow, and the entire cave started to shake.
Ah, it wasn’t some kind of special attack pattern.
It meant that the seal’s release rate had increased by 10%.
[The seal release rate is at 20%.]
Although the boss fight had just begun a few minutes ago…
This was something I couldn’t control.
The release rate of the seal increased dramatically once the fight started.
“For every ten clones summoned, it increases by about 5%.”
This is the most frustrating part of the strategy.
No matter what we did, it was impossible to preemptively stop the summoning pattern, so the increase in the seal release rate was inevitable.
Well, if there was a second team outside activating the sealing stones, it would be less of a burden, but we didn’t have such a luxury.
“We have no choice but to end it before then.”
It’s game over if the seal reaches 100%.
At that point, every single clone becomes as strong as the original body.
Furthermore, the clones start reproducing themselves through [Self-Replication].
“It’s my turn this time.”
Next up was Raven.
Surprisingly, there was a moment when I felt a little giddy.
Since magic requires casting time, the plan was to quickly finish the fight, but…
The problem was the clones that were summoned in the middle.
Two of the four were me.
“Bethel—raaaa!”
“Bethel—raaaa!”
I don’t know what magic the doppelganger was trying to use.
But the fact that Raven shouted that we’d all die if we didn’t act suggested that it would have been serious if the spell had completed.
Well, we blew up their heads before that could happen.
Crack!
After that, the doppelganger transformed into Misha, the Tank, Parteian, and Uncle Bear in that order, and we did our best to defeat them as quickly as possible.
This signaled the end of the first phase.
Drrrrrr-!
As soon as we finished the phase, the magic circle lit up again, prompting me to lick my lips.
‘40% unsealing rate in the first phase…….’
It was precisely the figure I had expected.
Still, I had hoped to reduce it as much as possible.
“Everyone, take positions as we discussed!”
I issued the order, trying to shake off the disappointment.
The doppelganger that had completed the first phase was now in the center of the cave, repeatedly expanding and contracting as it transformed.
“If it’s something, nobody knows, then…”
The doppelganger’s voice echoed throughout the cave.
That meant the next phase was about to start.
“What’s the difference from the truth?”
Soon after, the doppelganger completed its transformation.
[The Nameless Plunderer has cast [Swap]
It was time to start the second phase.
One of the doppelganger’s abilities, [Swap].
This effect is quite intuitive.
This skill swaps the positions of the clone created by [Self-Duplication] and the original.
But…
That’s the story when the skill is fully mastered.
“Why is it me from the start?”
“Why is it me from the start?”
Raven had doubled.
The faces were identical, and there was no discernible difference in their speech or expressions.
It was impossible to differentiate by location.
‘I remember a mage I worked hard to recruit died because of this in ‘Dungeons & Stones’
It was a significant shock at that time.
I glanced at the ‘Stone of Truth’ rolling around on the floor like a toy.
Normally, using this stone to distinguish between the doppelganger and the original is the standard strategy.
Well, it does increase the seal rate in exchange.
Without external support, it’s absolutely critical we don’t use it.
So how would we discern the real one?
Smirk.
I smiled as I looked at the two Ravens.
Initially, their dialogue matched, but here their words and actions diverged.
“Don’t shoot!”
“What are you all doing! That one is the fake!”
One was using defensive language, while the other took a somewhat aggressive stance to defend itself.
I murmured briefly.
“What are you waiting for? Shoot.”
Click, the sound of Mr. Bear pulling the trigger came from behind.
And then…
Boom!
A large arrow, akin to a siege weapon, shot out and smashed Raven’s small head.
Thud.
The small body collapsed powerlessly.
“Oh, was that actually Aruru…?”
“You murderer!!! You killed Aruru!!!”
Everyone, including Misha, stiffened.
But…
“That can’t be right. Everyone, calm down.”
Soon, the body of Raven that had fallen to the floor transformed into black slime and floated in the air.
It meant I had guessed correctly.
Ah, and for the record, the aggressive Raven was the real one.
“Now, go back to your place.”
I sent Raven, whose place had been swapped with the doppelganger, to the wall, and approached the transforming slime.
“This time it’s you.”
Raising my mace, I waited briefly until the doppelganger finished transforming.
“Nyang! Put that down, You Barbarian Brute!”
Whatever.
Thwack!
Without further ado, I smashed its head with the mace.
Once again, I was correct.
It was expected.
The doppelganger can’t copy numbered items.
“Still, should I have thought about it a bit more?”
Misha is the holder of No. 5991 Viper’s Fang.
[What do you expect from a barbarian, Miss. Karlstein?]
Raven holding the ‘Misplaced Trust’ handed over by Parteian throughout the boss fight.
[It’s finally my turn. I’ll handle it]
Mr. Bear had the ‘Necromancer’s Deception.’
“Bethel—raaaaaaaa!!”
Aynar was wearing a ring called ‘Foxfire Knot,’ obtained from the fairy archer.
It wasn’t a great option, so I’d probably sell it outside.
Crack-!
Thus, if you have the right items, the second phase of the doppelganger can be a breeze.
And had it finally realized that?
“The Nameless Plunderer has cast [Swap].”
Transformed into the Tank, the doppelganger launched a surprise attack without a word.
Its target was the mage, the one with the lowest defense.
Had we been in our usual close formation, dodging that attack would have been difficult, but…
“I’ll block it!!”
As soon as we entered the second phase, we had spaced out and pressed against the walls.
In simple terms, it meant we had enough time to respond to the ambush.
Boom!
Aynar’s greatsword collided with the doppelganger’s blunt weapon, causing an explosion.
Misha then stabbed it from behind.
Mr. Bear and Raven followed up to finish it off.
“Everyone back to your positions!”
After completing one turn, I gathered those who had been transformed by the doppelganger earlier into a tight formation.
“What’s wrong, aren’t you moving?”
Spurred by my words, the tank hurriedly moved.
A dim light shone from his shoes.
‘Tracks of Prosperity’, a rather cheap item in the 9000s numbered series, but it had decent options for a warrior.
It was a reasonably good option for a warrior.
It wasn’t a looted item; he originally owned it.
Maybe he saved up money to buy it?
「The Nameless Plunderer casts [Swap].」
Anyway, the next target was the middle-aged mage, Parteian.
He had lent ‘Misplaced Trust’ to Raven, but that was no issue. The magic staff he carried was a numbered item.
Crack!
Since the target of the transformation was a mage, it didn’t take long to defeat the transformed creature.
Now, only I was left.
“Mr. Parteian.”
“That’s right. I’ll get ready immediately.”
The mages, who had previously struggled against a doppelganger that had transformed into me, were now preparing their most powerful spells.
“Bethel—raaaaaaaaa!!”
As soon as the doppelganger finished transforming, I pushed it back with my shield.
“The one in the back is fake!”
The mages quickly identified it and unleashed the prepared spell.
Of course, being a tank, I didn’t go down with just one hit…
But since there were no summons in the second phase, the magic wasn’t interrupted.
Whizz! Boom! Fwooosh!
A literal barrage of high-powered attack magic.
Eventually, the creature couldn’t withstand it and collapsed.
Watching it fall, I felt somewhat bitter.
‘I need to set up magic resistance soon.’
The path of a tank is still long.
***
The doppelganger’s third phase.
In other words, we had reached the final phase.
“Everyone, come here!”
Raven quickly gathered everyone into a new formation without needing my order.
And at that moment.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!
The cave shook violently as if there were an earthquake.
Bits of dirt fell from the ceiling with a rustling sound.
“Kehehe, hehe, kekek, kehehehe!”
The doppelganger, reverted to a slime-like form, burst into a bizarre laugh.
Honestly, I wasn’t even sure what was creepier at this point.
The only question I had was, how was it talking without a mouth?
“Be careful! If Mr. Jandel falls—”
“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”
I quickly dismissed Raven’s concerns.
It wasn’t because I was completely confident of victory.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t shaking.
It’s a long-standing habit of mine to always assume the worst and guard against any possible variables.
But sometimes, showing confidence and leading the team is also a quality of a leader.
Crunch.
I maintained just enough tension to keep alert and clenched my mace tightly.
The final phase was essentially a ‘berserk’ mode.
From this point on, every second was crucial.
It began summoning clones on a scale that made the first phase look trivial.
Boom!
The black viscous substance that had swelled to its limits exploded.
Black particles spread throughout the cave.
Two mages immediately unleashed flames to eradicate them, but…
They couldn’t even clear half of it.
Meanwhile, the explosions continued.
「The Nameless Plunderer casts [Self-Replication].」
「The Nameless Plunderer casts [Self-Replication].」
「The Nameless Plunderer casts [Self-Replication].」
The particles gathered and formed shapes, soon taking our appearance.
At a glance, there seemed to be dozens of them.
Hans G, the fairy archer, the dwarf—faces we wouldn’t see again after today were everywhere.
The spacious cave was suddenly packed.
“Don’t be too scared. These clones aren’t as strong as the ones before!”
As Raven said, these were much weaker than the ones we’d seen earlier. Likely, a few hits from me would cause them to burst into smoke and vanish.
However, the scary part of the ‘frenzy’ state was something else.
「Seal release rate 50%」
「Seal release rate 60%」
The floor’s magic circle kept emitting light, indicating that the release rate was being updated.
If things continued like this, the seal would break in a few minutes, and the doppelganger would regain its full strength.
So, it was about time to pull it out.
「Character uses [Outlaw of the Wasteland].」
「Physical melee damage increases temporarily in proportion to the number of humanoid monsters.」
The item that instilled confidence that I could beat the doppelganger…
「Current increase rate 112%.」
「Current increase rate 157%.」
「Current increase rate 278%.」
「Current increase rate 342%.」
「Current increase rate 4……」
It gave us a 90% chance of winning.
“Bethel—raaaaaaaaa!!”
Items are also a form of strength.