Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 272
Defense (2)
The eastern coast, dotted with reefs.
The place where our boat was shattered by the rough waves.
“We’ve arrived.”
The beach, already half-submerged in water, was teeming with monsters.
Ranemut warriors and shamans, the typical sea monsters of the 6th floor.
A horned conch that spewed poison from a distance.
Garbel, which has the peculiar ability to multiply up to three times when defeated, among many others
“Bjorn, I’ll help too.”
Aynar took a step forward, worried by the sheer number of monsters.
“No need.”
“What? But….”
But what?
Oh, right. I haven’t shown them this since I consumed the essence.
“Don’t worry. This much is enough for me alone.”
I took a stance, gripping my mace like a batter ready to swing.
And then…
“Erwin.”
“Yes, what shall it be this time?”
“Wind.”
I switched to Elemental Barbarian (Wind) mode.
「Erwin Fornacci di Tersia casts [Spiritualization].」
A sharp wind form began to swirl around my body, encircling my skin.
「A wind spirit possesses the character’s body.」
「All damage evasion is increased.」
「Magic damage taken is doubled.」
「Strong bonuses to piercing and slashing actions.」
「Agility significantly increased…」
The effects of this mode are straightforward.
It increases my speed and allows me to dodge attacks effectively. If I were a dealer instead of a tank, my DPS would skyrocket.
Ah, of course, there’s something more important.
「All attack ranges are tripled.」
This is the main feature of the Elemental Barbarian (Wind) mode.
When activated, my basic attacks turn into splash damage. In simple terms, even a blunt weapon warrior like me can deal area damage.
“Kieeek-!”
Sensing something unusual, the surrounding monsters began to converge on me.
But I held my stance and waited for the right moment.
No need to swing twice, right?
Just once.
One good swing is enough.
‘Transcendence.’
Determining that enough monsters had gathered, I immediately used [Transcendence].
And then…
「The character casts [Swing].」
Like a skilled swordsman drawing his sword, I swung the mace horizontally with precision.
Whiiiiiiish-!
The sound of the wind being torn was heard.
Whoooosh-!
The mace in my grip extended like a magic staff, growing in size proportionally.
The effect of the transcendental swing.
「Attack range tripled.」
This is why most characters in Dungeon and Stone can perform incredible feats as they progress.
Most of these effects are multiplicative.
Booom-!
What a satisfying sound.
After finishing the [Swing], I satisfactorily surveyed the surroundings.
‘Yes, this is it.’
No monsters were left alive.
***
“Bjorn! How did you do that just now! Teach me too!!”
“Ask Erwin to do it for you later.”
“Can I do it too if I have Erwin?”
“Yeah, something similar.”
I gave a vague answer to Aynar, who was impressed by my new combo, and checked the sea.
With one clean sweep, most of the mobs on the coast were cleared.
“Mister, the wave! The wave is coming in!”
As we waited on the now empty beach, a tsunami-like wave rose high.
「The first Wrath of the Sea has begun.」
The effect that appears when the mid-boss of the first wave arrives.
“Sirens! It’s the Siren Queen!”
Seeing a monster riding the waves like a surfer, priestess Ersina shouted.
She seemed knowledgeable about this monster, fitting for a researcher who had spent a lot of time on the 6th floor.
“A Levl 4 monster on this island, why….”
Why?. Because one of you triggered the event, that’s why.
“Everyone, get behind me. Erwin, get ready to fight.”
“Yes.”
“And me? Am I just supposed to watch again?”
“For now. I’ll call you if I need you, so wait.”
“Understood!”
After a quick formation adjustment, the Siren Queen finally arrived before us.
“Kyaaaaah-!”
Letting out a sound that didn’t match her beautiful face, she thrust her trident.
Boom!
Even her basic attacks were quite heavy, befitting a Level 4 monster.
Well, there’s a reason she is a level 4 monster.
「The Siren Queen casts [Song of the Sea].」
「Character stats decrease.」
An aura that decreases stats proportionally to exposure time.
「The Siren Queen casts [Whirlpool].」
Also, every time she lands a basic attack, she emits whirlpools that drain a certain amount of MP.
And…
「The Siren Queen casts [Proof of Loyalty].」
Periodically summons level 5 Sirens with each cooldown.
Not just one or two, but a dozen or so each time.
‘A typical debuff shaman boss monster.’
She’s definitely not an easy monster.
Unless you encounter her here, right now.
“Bethel—laaaaah!!”
The Siren Queen’s difficulty lies in her numbers.
Usually, hundreds of sirens guard her.
But, upon our arrival, she’s alone.
Of course, if left alone, she would multiply on her own…
‘That’s why I came here’
I came here to take her down before she could evolve into a raid boss, even forsaking my companions to do so.
“I’ll help too, give me a weapon! You can’t handle a Level 4 monster alone!”
Nebarce, not trusting us, made that suggestion, but I ignored it.
Aynar did the same
“What are you saying, Bjorn is a great warrior!”
“No, great or not, that monster needs two or three people to take it down…”
“Biorn, can I crush this guy’s mouth?”
“If he spouts nonsense one more time.”
“Got it!”
“…”
Nebarce, intimidated by Aynar’s threat, clammed up. Thanks to that, I could focus solely on the battle.
A priestess, the epitome of healing and blessing.
A spirit archer.
A tank barbarian.
Basically, the three of us were handling the fight, and the boss battle was progressing smoothly.
After all, we had a dealer, a tank, and a healer all covered, right?
「Lairyn Ersina casts [Blessing of the Sun].」
「Debuffs below level 5 are dispelled, granting additional stats equivalent to the dispelled debuffs.」
The priestess regularly dispelled stat decreases.
Whiiish!
The [Whirlpool] that drained MP could be avoided with control.
‘Raising agility really makes this convenient.’
The summoning pattern wasn’t that tricky either.
Erwin, in her [Spiritualization] state, was taking care of the sirens before more than ten could gather around.
“Bethel—laaaaah!!”
Also, because my threat level was so high, there were no incidents of them ignoring me and rushing the backline.
Therefore…
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
I just had to keep pounding the Queen as a tank-dealer hybrid.
“Kieeeeek-!”
It was about 20 minutes into the battle.
「You have defeated the Siren Queen. EXP +6.」
The Siren Queen, having taken nearly thirty [Swings] to the head, finally disappeared in a flash of light.
I didn’t get the essence I had hoped for.
‘If I had obtained the summoning skill, I could have sold it for a high price. But then again, we don’t have any mages, so it doesn’t matter.’
I let go of my mace, brushing off the regret.
Then, with Erwin who had released her [Spiritualization], I headed towards the party.
“…To think you could really defeat a level 4 monster with just three people.”
Priestess Ersina still looked somewhat incredulous.
Nebarce was no different.
“You said you were a rank 5 explorer….”
Trailing off, Nebarce gave me a peculiar look.
“So, you were hiding your strength….”
What is he talking about now?
His remark made me chuckle, but I didn’t bother to explain.
‘It’s funny. It’s just that their grading standards here are incredibly lax.’
One thing I realized keenly after the game became reality. The explorer ranks here are just minimal standards.
The guild assigns ranks based on the average level of essences, not considering the synergy of those essences.
For example, Nebarce himself.
This guy held a rank 4 explorer badge.
Being from Noark, this probably wasn’t his true identity badge, but earning the rank 4 would have been his own doing.
Yet, he was defeated by me in under 10 seconds.
My training method is particularly strong in close combat, especially against long-range opponents, but still…
‘Setting that aside, he’s just weak.’
In fact, most explorers here were like that.
Even with high rank, they couldn’t perform to their full potential.
‘Come to think of it, the Dragon Slayer felt similar.’
He had a high level and had consumed many essences from long years of exploring, but that was it.
There was no foundation in essence combination.
Honestly, by my standards, he could be considered a failed character.
‘He reminds me of those players who rage-quit after a few days, calling it a crappy game.’
In this game, it was stronger to have a well-synergized combination of lower-grade skills than just possessing five high-level skills.
The game’s fundamental strategy is to pick a core skill like [Gigantification] and evolve it in various ways to create overpowered combinations.
‘The only one with a solid combination was the Corpse Collector.’
Just as I was organizing my thoughts.
“Hey, Jandel!!”
Huh?
‘Wait, that voice….’
I quickly turned my head towards the direction of the sound.
“Raven! Abman!!”
“Patzran, you’re safe!”
Four men and women emerged from the forest.
Phew, now only Misha is left.
****
“Jandel, Erwin, Aynar. I’m glad you’re all safe.”
“Uraburak! I’m glad you’re safe too!!”
After a brief moment of reunion with familiar faces, we quickly shared information.
“What happened?”
“Oh, that?”
Raven’s story was simple.
She had started with Mr Bear and soon met Patzran and his mage companion and together they moved to the center of the island.
Upon arrival, they saw my note about heading east and changed direction.
“But why did you arrive so late? We waited there for over two hours.”
“Sorry, we got really lost on the way….”
Their reason for being late was absurd.
Four of them together, and they couldn’t find their way..
‘Well, two mages, and that guy doesn’t seem to know anything other than using his sword… ….’
Not to mention Mr. Bear.
Yep, with this group, it makes sense they couldn’t find their way.
“But… where’s Misha?”
“Misha isn’t here yet.”
“What? She’s not….”
“Don’t worry too much. You just met us now. She must be somewhere safe on the island.”
I reassured them, glancing around.
Patzran, having finished his reunion with his companion Ersina, approached me.
“I’ve heard from Ersina what’s happened so far.”
“Heard…?”
“Ah, I mean, I heard. Thank you for protecting her all this time.”
“In tough times, we help each other. By the way, did you hear about that blond… no, that guy called Drowess?”
“Ah, yes… I heard. It’s hard to believe that Drowess is from Noark. So, I’d like to check a few things myself, if you don’t mind?”
Patzran politely asked if he could speak to Nebarce, whom I had captured, and I readily agreed.
“Use him well and return him.”
“Of course, I will.”
Okay, that settles that part.
I listened to Patzran and Nebarce’s conversation while approaching Raven.
Then, I whispered quietly.
“Raven, just listen to me for now.”
“…?”
“There’s a traitor among Patzran’s team, someone in contact with the Noark people.”
Someone who betrayed the team and informed Amelia about today’s exploration to the island.
Only Amelia knows who it is, right?
“They probably won’t backstab us in this situation, but keep an eye out. Let me know if you notice anything suspicious.”
Raven nodded with a determined look as she heard my words.
Okay, now that the information sharing is done.
“You there, mage. What’s your name?”
I approached the mage, who was sitting and resting, tired. I thought maybe I could find something suspicious by talking to him.
Ah, yes, that’s what I thought…
“Nice to meet you. I’m Aulok.”
The mage smiled warmly and extended his hand.
Priestess Ersina, the male swordsman and Patzran,
And also the female archer we haven’t met yet.
Among all the suspects, I hadn’t figured out who the traitor was…
But I had a rising sense of certainty.
“Hans Aulok. Just call me Hans.”
Got you, you bastard.
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