Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 356

Isolation (3)

The first stage of [Evolved Shell] grants 50% blade Resistance.

The second stage reduces piercing damage by half.

So, what happens if the effect increases by 1.5 times?

The answer is quite simple.

75% resistance to bladed weapons.

And a 75% reduction in piercing damage.

By the way, when this combines with bladed weapon resistance, it makes me nearly immune to piercing damage from swords even in my base state.

However, it’s somewhat regrettable…

‘If it weren’t for the limit, I’d be able to reach full sword immunity.’

The maximum limit for blade resistance is around 85%.

Therefore, even with the passive enhancement effect of [Transcendence], it doesn’t grant complete immunity.

In that sense, to summarize one last time.

‘I’m immune to piercing attacks.’

Though slashing attacks might still be effective, the ogre’s passive skill, [Iron Skin], holds its ground against those.

And…

“If it’s [Iron Skin] with physical resistance…”

Well, at this level, I’d be a nightmare for every knight out there.

But perhaps because she didn’t know such details?

Thud.

The moment the Blood Knight’s foot slammed into the ground, someone shouted out.

“Move out of the way…!”

It was Raven’s voice.

Rather than explaining, it’d be faster to show her directly.

Swoosh.

With that thought, I blocked the incoming thrust with my shield.

Clank-!

How long had it been since I’d last heard that sound from the tip of a sword?

Seeing his aura blocked by my shield, the Blood Knight showed a look of astonishment.

“How… how is this possible?”

How, you ask?

[Unity], obtained from the Immortal’s sixth-stage engraving, allows my equipment to merge with me, even when I use [Gigantification].

And this applies to [Evolved Shell] as well…

‘Ah, I suppose this wasn’t the part he was curious about?’

The guy probably didn’t care about the intricate details.

He was simply wondering how I managed to block his aura.

There’s a long story behind that, but…

In this world of the survival of the fittest, one sentence sums it up.

“I.”

I pushed his sword away with my shield and said,

“Am stronger than you.”

What more needs to be said in a world where there are only winners and losers?

Whoosh-!

To ingrain this fact into his mind, I swung my hammer with all my might.

Thud.

As expected, he quickly withdrew.

Not that I was disappointed.

There’s nothing easier than catching someone who’s running away.

「The character has cast [Eye of the Storm].」

「The power of the transcendent being unlocks the inherent ability of the skill.」

The combination of [Transcendence] and [Eye of the Storm].

Whoooooosh-!

A sudden gust of wind caught his hair, dragging him right back to where I stood. Or more precisely, to where my hammer was swinging.

But unfortunately…

Swish-!

Just before my hammer struck, his body blurred like mist, quickly shifting positions and avoiding the hit.

“So, you’ve got more than just aura, huh?”

As I adjusted my grip on the hammer, Raven, sticking to her old habits, urgently yelled,

“…Bloodstep! It’s a level 4 ability that temporarily accelerates the body and allows for aerial movement!”

I appreciate the concern, but I knew that at a glance.

Besides, she left out too many details.

It’s not just acceleration; it boosts agility stats too.

And…

‘She didn’t mention the decrease in strength and the fact that he becomes intangible, making physical attacks ineffective.’

I clicked my tongue as I watched the blood-red mist moving like an insect in the air.

Now that I had the Demon Crusher, I was hoping to feel some impact this time.

But with that kind of ability, it’s probably more efficient to leave the damage-dealing to others.

It’s a shame I can’t handle it directly, but I’m not stubborn.

Team play is the basic virtue of a tank, after all.

「Erwin Fornacci di Tersia has cast [Elemental Synthesis].」

Fire, water, wind, earth.

And finally, darkness, which became Erwin’s main attribute after her contract with the Spirit King.

An arrow combining all five elements shot toward the crimson mist.

However…

‘As expected, aura is really overpowered.’

The arrow shattered as it clashed with the knight’s sword.

But perhaps even he found the previous arrow threatening.

Whoosh—!

Instead of fleeing, he turned his body and flew toward Erwin. It seemed he’d decided that taking out the ranged attacker should be his priority…

But as if that would work.

Don’t underestimate the tank you’re facing.

“Erwin, behind me.”

The moment he lunged forward, Erwin hid behind my back.

This is why having a tank is crucial in a labyrinth.

It’s because we can become a wall that allows the damage dealers to hide safely anywhere, anytime.

Whoosh-!

Even though Erwin had moved behind me, he didn’t give up and swung his sword.

It wasn’t a meaningless attempt.

Thinking that his aura was blocked by my shield, this time he targeted the joints of my armor—where my skin was exposed.

But of course, the result wasn’t all that different.

Schwing-!

A slash, not a thrust.

Because of that, I wasn’t completely immune, but with [Iron Skin] activated, it only left a minor cut on my skin.

In other words, I withstood his aura with my bare body.

“…!”

At that rare sight, his eyes widened.

Geez, acting surprised all over again.

Did he not believe me when I said I was stronger than him earlier?

“Sheter Evon!”

As he paused momentarily to attack me, Raven’s curse magic hit him.

Having encountered that spell countless times during our exploration, I didn’t need to think twice about what it was.

[Materialization].

An level 8 curse magic that forcibly negates the physical immunity of ethereal monsters.

Yes, this is what team play is about.

Back when we were at Noark, not having a mage made things incredibly frustrating.

Whoooosh!

The moment his body, previously blurred like mist, became distinct, I brought my hammer down.

However, due to his increased agility, I missed again.

Phew, if I could just hit him once, I’d ensure he couldn’t get back up.

“I’ll help.”

Soon, Amelia joined the fight.

By the way, even during this time, her summoned clones were busy dealing with the swarming corpses from all sides…

“Who… are you people?”

He looked at us and asked.

He finally asked as he struggled to keep up with our relentless attacks, this was the one thing he couldn’t let go of.

Naturally, I had no obligation to answer him.

“For people like you—”

“Waaaaaaaah—!!”

Unable to call upon any ancestors, I let out a war cry and continued to swing my hammer, and he had no choice but to swallow his question and focus on dodging.

As the battle continued, he pulled out various skills and resisted, but even so, he was quickly pushed into a corner.

After all, [Dungeon & Stone] is a team game, and even on an individual level, every member of our current team was more than capable.

Take Erwin, for instance.

“Erwin, fall back!”

Every time he targeted her, she hid behind me, but that doesn’t mean she’s weaker than him.

With her innate agility stats and the utility of her spirits, she could maintain her distance effortlessly.

Even if they were to fight one-on-one, she wouldn’t lose.

And the same goes for Amelia.

「Amelia Rainweilz has cast [Power of the Abyss].」

The Blood Knight’s aura could be blocked with the same aura, and her physical specs weren’t inferior either.

Well, Raven’s situation is a bit different…

“Arhen Hail Thun… Kyaaa!”

She’s an exception.

Telling a mage to face off against a knight one-on-one is unreasonable, after all.

“Stay close behind me, even if you’re scared. He seems to be targeting you.”

“Ah, got it.”

Since Erwin and Amelia were strong enough to fend for themselves, I focused on protecting Raven.

And after a while…

‘…But why isn’t he running away even in this state?’

I began to feel a bit uneasy.

By now, he should be aware that he was destined to lose, so why wasn’t he fleeing?

‘Is he waiting for my MP to deplete?’

If that’s the case, it’s not bad.

Activating [Iron Fortress] drains MP per second, but that’s why I hadn’t activated [Gigantification].

It would be over before my MP ran out.

“Do we have the multi-teleportation spell ready?”

Sensing something was off, I confirmed our last line of defense.

“If I start over now, it’ll take about five more minutes.”

“Start over…?”

“Actually… I canceled the chant earlier…”

She thought she wouldn’t need it since things were going overwhelmingly in our favor.

“Prepare it now, just in case. We don’t know how the situation will turn out.”

“…Understood.”

Just as I gave that order again.

“Schuiz, its magic…!”

Suddenly, Amelia shouted urgently.

And at the same time.

「Liranne Vivian has cast level 3 black magic [Falling Star].」

A massive dark orb fell from the sky, piercing through the mist and hurtling down.

‘Shit’

So he was waiting for his comrades.

***

I stiffened as soon as I realized the spell had been cast and I couldn’t avoid it.

I hadn’t yet set up my magic resistance.

While I’d managed to complete my aura setup, it came at the cost of my anti-magic resistance, which was now lower than ever.

And amidst all that…

‘She seems to have realized it late too.’

Raven, who was in the middle of casting her multi-teleportation spell, seemed unlikely to be able to counter this attack in time.

But still…

‘What choice do I have? I’ll just have to tank it with my body.’

In a split second, I made my decision.

The spell was headed straight for me.

And Erwin and Amelia were some distance away from me.

If I dodged, Raven, who was right behind me, would certainly not escape unscathed.

Therefore, I had only one choice.

“…Ugh!”

I grabbed Raven’s small frame and shielded her by lying on top of her.

And then…

‘Gigantification’

Using [Transcendence] to enlarge my body.

[Ah, mister…!]

“Schuiz!!”

As the magic struck down, it slammed into my back.

BOOOOOOM—!

First came an impact that felt like my spine was shatterin

Next came a shock that shook my internal organs, vibrating through my bones and muscles, and a tingling sensation, like an electric current, coursed through my blood.

Sigh, is it because I don’t have the corpse golem anymore?

Why does it hurt so much?

“Uh…”

Unable to endure the intense pain, I grimaced unconsciously, and then a voice came from below.

“H-How did you… even use [Gigantification]…?”

Phew, is everything over now?

I was saving [Gigantification] for a time like this.

Unlike [Swing], which has almost no visual effects, this one is noticeable as soon as you use it.

“You… don’t tell me…”

“Let’s talk later.”

As soon as the impact on my back subsided, I hurriedly stood up.

Clatter.

Something fell from behind me.

It was pieces of my armor, completely shattered.

Also…

‘Ugh, I’m dizzy.’

My vision was blurry.

Not because of the mist, but because of the smoke.

Smoke coming from my body.

Sssssss.

Wow, how long has it been since my whole body got wrecked like this?

Even as I tried to straighten my back, every joint screamed in agony, as if they refused to move.

Trying to stay lighthearted, I stood up and set Raven down from my arms.

I moved her behind me.

Perhaps only then did she see my condition properly.

“You… y-your back…!”

My back what? At least finish your sentence.

As I was thinking that, Amelia came up next to me and checked my condition instead.

“It’s better if you don’t hear about your condition.”

“…Is it that bad?”

“Yes, it’s amazing you’re even standing.”

Ah, well…

If that’s the case.

“Never mind, just pour a potion on me.”

“If it’s a potion… I’ve already poured it.”

Huh? I didn’t feel anything though?

Ah, maybe the sensation in my back is completely gone.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t felt pain since earlier…’

Thinking that at least that was positive, I looked ahead.

What I saw first was the Blood Knight standing at a distance from us.

He was beaten up badly in this 4-on-1 fight.

From the looks of it, he’s in much better shape than I am.

But that’s not the point.

“Grandfather, why do you always push yourself so hard?! I was so shocked when I heard from Necrapheto-oppa!”

The girl standing beside the Blood Knight, wearing a robe.

She was holding a staff, so she seemed to be a mage…

Was she the one who cast that spell just now?

“Oh! Hello there! I have no idea how you survived that, but it’s nice to meet you!”

Noticing my gaze, the girl cheerfully waved at me.

In response, Erwin trembled with anger.

“Erwin, I’m fine. Don’t let her provoke you.”

Even as I said that, I was worried, so I grabbed Erwin’s wrist and pulled her next to me, and then asked Amelia,

“Never mind that, Amelia, who is that woman?”

“The Screaming Witch, Liranne Vivian.”

Ah, so that’s her.

First time seeing her in person.

“Then the man next to her?”

Shifting my gaze to the man next to the woman, Amelia promptly answered again.

“The Lighthouse Keeper; his name is unknown.”

Ha, that guy is famous too.

I heard he’s one of the few support-type ability users in Orcules.

“And next to him…”

“Forget it, I know who that one is.”

I cut Amelia off and moved my gaze.

Our eyes met, and I could see his eyes widen behind his mask.

“Now, are we getting the numbers right, Mr. Fake?”

The Corpse Collector, Abet Necrapheto

Sigh, why does this bastard have to stick his nose in everywhere?