Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 355

Isolation (2)

The corpse rose to its feet.

Its skin red and swollen, as if it could burst at any moment, and there are stitches everywhere.

“No way… the corpse collector…?”

Amelia muttered under her breath, and a sigh escaped me.

Yeah, it seems she’s thinking the same as I am.

If it’s a necromancer from Noark, it could only be that guy.

‘If they really infiltrated with a small, elite group, there’s no way this bastard wouldn’t be here.’

Abet Necrapheto.

Known as the Corpse Collector, he’s a criminal from Orcules, specialized in combat against multiple opponents.

Just thinking about him gives me a headache.

If he’s here, it means Noark is dead serious this time.

‘Hah, they said the rear hasn’t been attacked since then, so why is it that as soon as I came…….

I try to stop myself from complaining, as there’s no time for whining now.

I immediately dashed forward and smashed the corpse’s skull with my hammer.

I didn’t even need to use [Swing].

The corpse was crushed instantly, splattering blood everywhere.

As a melee fighter, I couldn’t avoid getting splashed by the gore…

Sizzle!

Ugh, looks like it’s mixed with poison, so it must really be him.

“Are you okay?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.”

No need to use [Spiritification] for an immunity boost.

With the poison resistance I got from Bol-Helchan (+120), skin contact like this is no big deal.

Though it does itch a little.

“But it looks like things are starting…”

Just as I was mumbling, satisfied that my hypothesis was right, I noticed Erwin standing frozen like a statue.

“…Erwin, you okay?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I asked if you’re alright.”

“Oh… Yes, I am…”

Erwin nodded, but her voice was dazed, her gaze fixed on the crushed corpse.

“Corpse… collector…”

Ah, right.

Thinking about it, this guy’s basically her sister’s killer.

While Daria was killed by the Ruin Scholar, this guy had a big part in it too.

Elwin’s voice trembled as she asked.

“…Can we kill him?”

Kill him, huh…

I thought for a moment before answering.

“Maybe.”

Yeah, if everything goes well, killing him might be possible.

But…

“For now, surviving comes first.”

I spoke firmly.

Getting reckless for revenge and losing something else would be the worst outcome.

Whether she accepted it or not, Elwin stared at me blankly for about five seconds.

Then, she bit her lip and clenched her fists tightly.

“…Okay, Mister. I’ll do as you say.”

Ugh, why do I feel so uncomfortable now?

I walked over to Erwen and placed a hand on her shoulder.

I’m not sure if this will comfort her, but…

“Don’t worry, Erwin. I’m the kind of guy who always pays back what’s due.”

“…?”

“I’ve never forgotten what they did.”

It started as comfort, but it was all the truth.

The Dragon Slayer, Regal Vagos.

The Corpse Collector, Abet Necrapheto.

The Ruin Scholar, Belbev Ruinzenes.

I haven’t forgotten any of them.

I’m just waiting for the right time.

Yeah, so…

“Just wait a little longer. It won’t take much longer.”

“…Okay.”

Alright, that should be enough to get her mind back on track.

“By the way, where’s that guy, Emily?”

I flicked off some of the blood on my arm and asked about the whereabouts of Deputy Commander Alex. 

Amelia replied,

“He ran inside the barracks as soon as the corpse fell from above.”

Hmm, did he go to report to Raven?

But why isn’t he back yet?

Even now, corpses keep falling from the sky—

“You were right, after all.”

Well, speak of the devil.

I turned around to see Deputy Commander Alex emerging from the barracks with Raven.

In such a short time, his expression had darkened significantly.

“I should have pushed harder when Command downplayed the threat…”

What’s this? Regret? That’s not like her.

There’s no use in dwelling on the past.

“So, what’s the plan?”

“I just received orders from Command. All units are to gather by the lake. It seems they plan to use the magic circle on the ship to hold out.”

So it’s not just a retreat, but a full regroup.

Since they don’t know the enemy’s strength, they’re opting for a cautious strategy…

“Are we moving out immediately?”

“No, we’ll wait here for a bit. I’ve contacted the mage corps, and they’ll be joining us soon along with the other explorers.”

Alright, once everyone’s here, we head to the lake.

After that, we board the ship and activate the magic circle to buy time.

I’m not sure if this is the best plan.

But there aren’t many other options.

“Report on the status of the troops.”

“Three confirmed deaths and two missing in action!”

“Two missing… We can’t afford to delay any longer for two people who may or may not even be alive. We’ll move out.”

As we dealt with the bodies, the mage corps arrived, escorted by other explorers.

Now it’s time to head for the lake.

「Alluva Raven has cast 7th-tier support magic [Neutralization].」

The close-range fighters, including myself, cleared a path with support from the mages and rear-guard explorers.

The journey itself wasn’t difficult.

So far, we’ve only encountered corpses.

It would be impossible for them to stop over a hundred melee fighters supported by dozens of mages.

However, just as we were swiftly approaching the lake…

BOOOOM!

With a thunderous explosion that felt like a nuclear bomb going off, the ground shook.

And then…

“It seems the magic circle has been damaged.”

The fog, previously dispersed by magic, reformed in the air, obscuring our vision.

Still, there was a silver lining.

The alarm magic that had been blaring like an emergency siren was also destroyed, so it was a bit quieter now.

“What are you doing? Don’t stop!”

Raven used wind magic to clear the surrounding fog, and we resumed our march.

Soon, the lake, red as blood, became visible in the distance, and the mages summoned small boats onto the water.

It was at that moment.

“Everyone, board the boats in ord—”

“Aaaaagh!”

A scream echoed from the rear.

***

The agonizing scream from an unknown man.

Since we hadn’t sustained any injuries in our skirmishes with the corpses up until now, the sound was especially jarring.

Maybe that’s why?

Thud.

Raven, who had been the first to board one of the boats, retracted her leg.

And then…

“…What’s going on?”

“We’re checking it out. It’s probably nothing, so you should go ahe—”

“No. I need to know. Deputy Commander Halo, stay here and oversee the remaining troops.”

Raven ordered someone else to board first.

Seems she didn’t want to blindly board the ship without knowing the situation.

Wow, so this is what responsibility as a military leader looks like?

No wonder Raven has such a good reputation within the corps.

Still, the problem is…

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to follow me?”

Our mission is to stick to this woman.

If she doesn’t board, neither can we.

“Where are you going?”

I asked, and Raven responded shortly.

“The rear. I have a bad feeling.”

Wouldn’t it make more sense to run if you had a bad feeling?

As I pondered that, another scream rang out from the rear.

And then…

“Commander! The enemy has been identified!”

Finally, news of the situation reached us.

Surprisingly, the enemy was just one person.

Yet no one took the situation lightly.

That single figure had a notorious appearance known throughout this city.

“…A dark knight clad in blood-red armor?”

“Yes. He’s confirmed to be using aura as well.”

A blood knight.

Born in Bifron, he rose from a soldier to a knight and made his name notorious by killing the former captain of the royal guard.

“Emily, do you know anything about this?”

As Raven conversed with her subordinates, I discreetly stepped aside and asked Amelia for information. But there wasn’t much use.

She said she had seen him a few times at the lord’s castle, but had never interacted with him…

“Commander…! While we hold them off, you must board the ship!”

“No. If it really is the Blood Knight, the damage will be catastrophic.”

“But…!”

“But what? If anyone is going to hold him off, it should be me. Now get on the boat.”

“….”

“That’s an order.”

“…Yes!”

The mage saluted, clearly worried but also touched by Raven’s words.

It would’ve been a touching scene if we weren’t directly involved.

“In that case, Erwin, can you help me hold them off until everyone’s aboard?”

Raven, having finished convincing his subordinates, made a sincere request to Erwin.

“We just need to buy a little time. After that, I’ll use a mass teleportation spell to get us out.”

“Mass teleportation…?”

Her school doesn’t teach this magic, right?

I muttered unintentionally, and Raven, without even looking in my direction, her gaze fixed solely on Erwin, responded.

“I got lucky and learned it. If I had it back then… we might’ve had another option. But… it’s way too late now.”

“….”

“Please.”

At Raven’s repeated request, Erwin glanced at me.

She wanted me to decide.

“Why him…?”

At her silent plea, Raven gave me a curious look.

“Never thought you’d go as far as to mimic such a relationship…”

Well, she seemed to accept it anyway, and since we’re short on time, I quickly confirmed just one thing.

“What will you do if we don’t follow?”

“You would face disciplinary action for violating military law. We would never be allowed to participate in the royal family’s events again.”

Is that supposed to be a threat?

But that’s not what I was asking in the first place…

“What I meant was, what will you do? Even if we refuse to follow, would you still go alone?”

“Ah….”

Raven hesitated briefly before answering.

“I can’t handle it alone. I’d probably go with the other explorers.”

So, not going isn’t an option, huh.

This woman has a strange sense of stubbornness.

Well, it’s not like she was never self-sacrificing before.

“Fine, then let’s go together.”

Once the decision was made, there was no time to waste.

The rear wasn’t that far away, after all.

When we finally arrived at the rear, where screams had been echoing constantly, the first thing I saw was a mage sitting defenselessly in front of a menacing aura.

「Alluva Raven has cast tier 4 support spell [Orbital Interference].」

Rather than using a standard defensive spell to block the aura, Raven opted for utility magic, altering the trajectory of the sword.

Whoosh!

The massive blade narrowly missed the mage’s head, grazing the top of his skull instead.

“Ugh…!”

Seeing this, I dashed forward, pulling the panicked mage out of harm’s way.

“Th-thank you for saving me… Deputy Commander?!”

“Raimond, you held out well. Now leave the rest to us and lead the explorers back to the main force. That’s an order.”

“…Yes!”

The mage quickly complied, gathering the explorers as he retreated. Meanwhile, the enemy watched us from afar, his gaze cold and unnerving.

‘That’s him… the Blood Knight.’

I raised my shield to cover my upper body and stood at the forefront, sizing him up.

The first thing I noticed was how short he was. He couldn’t have been more than 160 centimeters tall…

But that didn’t make him any less intimidating.

‘What kind of presence is this?’

Despite his small frame, his muscular build and the sheer force of his presence made him feel much larger than he actually was.

But the most striking thing about him was his voice.

“Alluva Raven, the Golden Mage.”

His voice was beyond raspy—it was as if there was something physically wrong with his vocal cords. In that eerie voice, he slowly spoke.

“One of my targets to kill.”

With that, he raised his massive sword in a cold, business-like manner.

Not that we cared in the slightest.

Watching the blood-red aura that matched his infamous moniker, I muttered under my breath.

“Erwin, [Spiritification].”

“What kind should I use?”

What do you mean, what kind? There’s only one choice when fighting a knight.

“Earth.”

At my command, Erwin’s body turned translucent, and as we clasped hands, I felt it.

「The spirit of the earth has infused your character’s body.」

I could feel the power of the earth flowing into my skin in real time.

「Fire damage received is reduced by half.」

「Water damage received is doubled.」

「Poison immunity bonus.」

「Increased effectiveness when using blunt weapons for destructive actions.」

「Physical resistance significantly increased…」

「…」

Phew, it’s been a while since I used this “Barbarian (Earth)” mode.

「Your character’s physical resistance is above 350.」

「Piercing damage is reduced by 50%.」

At this point, even without [Gigantification], the second-tier external armor should be activated.

“Pointless… effort.”

Heh, just because he knows how to use aura, he’s acting all high and mighty.

Does he really think it’ll be that easy to crush a tank?

“Die.”

As the old knight closed the distance in an instant, I grinned.

Who’s going to die?

Why do you think I’ve followed you all this way?

「Your character has cast [Iron Fortress].」

「The effects of [Evolved Armor] have increased by 1.5 times.」

Once known as the ‘Knight Crusher.’

The day to finally live up to that name has arrived.