Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 380
Atlanté (3)
The undersea island, Atlanté.
Located in the far eastern sea region of Grand Rock, it is where my second core essence, following [Gigantification], is.
Finding this place isn’t particularly difficult.
A ship capable of sailing to Grand Rock.
An ability to freely dive into the deep sea—whether through magic, spirits, or skills doesn’t matter.
And most importantly, the persistence to endure repeated, monotonous tasks.
If you have just these three things, finding the undersea island Atlante isn’t particularly hard.
“Looks like it’s time for some good ol’ grinding.”
After arriving at Grand Rock, we carefully steered the ship around, avoiding reefs and exploring the surrounding area.
Before we could reach the hidden Undersea Island, there was something we had to do first…
“Could you tell me where our destination is…?”
As we kept wandering around, the sailor couldn’t suppress his curiosity and asked.
After a moment’s thought, I answered.
I decided there was no need to hide it anymore.
“Pardon? A red rocky island…?”
The sailor tilted his head at my answer.
“Yes, it should be large enough to hold about twenty people.”
Each time the labyrinth opens, three red rocky islands are randomly generated in Grand Rock. And only after completing the unlocking events at these three islands does the hidden Undersea Island reveal itself.
“…Understood.”
Surprisingly, the sailor didn’t question my instruction.
“So that’s where we’re headed.”
It seems he knew something about the Undersea Island event.
Surprisingly, many people don’t know about it, but I guess his experience as a sailor is quite extensive.
“Then I’ll focus on scouting and plan the most efficient route possible.”
“Ah, I’ll leave that part to you.”
Having learned my goal, the sailor steered the ship more proactively, and on the fourth day, we found the rocky island we were looking for.
Splash.
A flat rocky island submerged up to the ankles.
Going to the center of the island and checking inside the crack, I found neatly arranged eggs the size of ostrich eggs.
“Eggs? What are we supposed to do with these?”
Erwin, who had been sticking close by, asked in a curious voice, and I chuckled.
All hidden elements in [Dungeon & Stone] are like this.
Crash—!
When something looks suspicious, break it first.
Isn’t that what exploration is about?
「Character has destroyed a Murmel nest.」
After smashing all the eggs, we waited.
“It’s starting to react.”
“Huh?”
“Get ready for battle!”
Before I even finished shouting, sea monsters began emerging from beneath the rocky island.
Hmm, calling them sea monsters might be a bit off?
Splash.
I observed the monster wielding a trident, sizing it up and down.
It walked on two legs, with proportions close to a human.
However, the texture of its blue skin was reminiscent of scales, and its shiny skin was covered in glowing tattoos.
Also, its key body parts were modestly covered with cloth, and its hairstyle was unique, unlike the typical identical monsters you see everywhere.
Though, its intelligence wasn’t much different from that of other monsters.
[Screeee-!]
A vicious howl, devoid of any recognizable language.
And with that, the creatures surrounding us charged in unison.
「You have defeated a Murmel. EXP +3」
「You have defeated a Murmel Warrior. EXP +3」
「You have defeated a Murmel Archer. EXP +3」
「You have defeated a Murmel Shaman. EXP +3」
「You have defeated a Murmel Warlord. EXP +4」
The variety in their classes made for a steady stream of experience points.
The battle itself wasn’t too difficult.
Though the event threw hundreds of monsters at us, their average level was below 6.
Crack, crack, crack-!
Since I drew most of the aggro with my [Gigantification], we were able to complete the hunt without any injuries.
This seemed to have left an impression.
“To think they did such a thing against these creatures… No wonder we ended up like that,” the mage muttered in disbelief, and the sailor nodded in agreement.
Well, regret always comes too late.
“Mage, if you have time to be surprised, start collecting the mana stones.”
“…Understood.”
“…Will do.”
After the battle, the mage began to collect the scattered mana stones.
“A core essence dropped, what should we do?”
“Leave it. We won’t gain much profit even if we sell it.”
“……”
A Murmur’s Essence had dropped, but I didn’t bother to take it.
Despite having the mage and a couple of test tubes on hand, the profit margin just wasn’t worth it.
I can’t waste the only two test tubes we have here—
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
What’s the?
Why is the ground shaking all of a sudden?
“Mister?”
“Wait a moment.”
As we were about to board the ship, we paused to observe the situation. The tremors rippling through the seawater lasted for about a minute before suddenly stopping, as if nothing had happened.
However, I had a pretty good idea of what caused it.
[A submerged city reveals itself from the depths.]
No way. Could someone have already cleared the other islands?
This means we don’t have to waste time searching for the other two.
“Is this good luck…?”
I couldn’t quite make a clear judgment.
It was good that our grind time was cut short, but on the other hand, it meant only one thing:
There’s another competitor aiming for the Undersea Island.
Of course, I can’t be 100% certain yet.
They might have just completed the events on their way and gone elsewhere.
But…
“I’ll figure that out later.”
I decided to leave that issue for later.
Even if we had a competitor, I wasn’t about to change my plan.
‘Now, who should I take with me…?’
After some thought, I concluded it was best to bring everyone along.
First, I absolutely have to bring the mage.
Because if there is an Essence drop that I can’t consume, I’ll need to put it in a test tube.
The mage is essential, and so are Erwin and Amelia for solving the underwater breathing issue and finding the island.
I could leave the navigator behind, but…
“I feel uneasy about leaving him alone.”
“Mage, you can use underwater breathing magic, right?”
“Yes, but…”
“How long can it last?”
“How many people are we talking about?”
“Three, including yourself.”
Erwin and I could handle the pressure and breathing issues with [Spirit Transformation], so the mage only needed to cover three people with magic.
Though I could use a water spirit to help Amelia breathe, it was better to conserve resources by not maintaining [Spirit Transformation] continuously.
“If I don’t use other magic, it can last up to four hours.”
“It’s shorter than I expected, but that should be enough. Everyone get ready. We’re all going down together.”
“……”
At my command, the sailor and the mage swallowed hard and nodded.
Seriously, what’s with the unnecessary tension?
You guys won’t even be fighting.
Splash.
After preparations were complete, I jumped into the water first.
I had already linked with Erwin through [Spirit Transformation], so the water didn’t feel oppressive at all.
It was as if I was looking through goggles, with my vision clear and unobstructed.
Whooosh.
Without needing to swim, my barbarian body, naturally heavy, quickly sank into the depths.
Looking up, I saw Amelia descending behind me.
She had tied a rope around the waist of the sailor and the mage, and was holding it as if it were a leash.
Oh, by the way, heavy iron shackles were attached to the sailor’s feet.
Thud—!
After sinking for over ten minutes, my feet hit the seabed with a heavy thud. After a short wait, Amelia’s group soon arrived.
Click.
I first activated the light gem and fitted it into the slot of my helmet.
Oh, the reason I didn’t turn it on earlier was simple.
If I dive with the light on, monsters will attack us as we descend.
Whooooosh
The light didn’t spread far, but it illuminated enough of the area.
Wave, wave.
Since we couldn’t speak underwater, I waved my hand to signal for us to start moving.
Even without a compass, finding our destination wasn’t hard.
That’s because Amelia, our scout, was with us.
「You have defeated a Deep Diver. EXP +4」
「You have defeated a Sea Worm. EXP +3」
「You have defeated a Shell Armor. EXP +4」
「You have defeated a Mad Clopter. EXP +5」
「You have defeated a Mariomore.」
After fighting off various sea monsters attracted by the light, our destination appeared.
An underwater ruin, corroded and destroyed.
As we stepped into the ruins, the pillars that were still somewhat intact emitted light, brightly illuminating the surroundings.
Whooooosh…
And there, a massive temple situated at the center emerged from the darkness.
“Wow…”
Erwin, the only one who could freely communicate with me, gasped in awe.
Honestly, I felt the same.
‘Seeing it in real life is so much grander than in 2D.’
For the first time in a long while, I felt the thrill of a real adventure. Had I stumbled upon this place without any prior knowledge, I would’ve been overwhelmed with excitement.
Swoosh, swoosh.
After briefly admiring the distant temple, we passed through the empty ruins, climbed the stairs, and entered the temple interior.
And then…
[Huh…?]
Erwin widened her eyes as if fascinated.
[A portal…?]
Ah, did I forget to mention that?
I expected her to figure it out when I had Amelia lead us here.
Since I couldn’t explain, I just shrugged and stepped into the portal.
[Your character has entered Atlanté.]
Please, let the core essence drop this time.
***
The Undersea Island Atlante.
A hidden island that can be reached by diving deep after clearing the events on the rocky islands.
Unlike ordinary islands, you pass through a portal, but that doesn’t mean this island is a “Rift.”
The most important reason? There’s no guardian.
The drop rates are the same as outside.
Because there’s no guardian, Rift Stones and Numbered items don’t drop.
So I usually called places like this “Hidden Fields.”
Examples include the “Larkaz Maze,” where I first met the dragon slayer, or the “Mirror World” I entered after defeating a Miladon on the 5th floor.
『 Field Effect—Atlante is applied』
『 Status Ailment [Hyperventilation] is applied』
『 You are unaffected by water, but all resource consumption is doubled』
『 Status Ailment [Challenger] is applied』
『 You cannot flee once a battle begins』
As is customary with these special fields, changes occurred as soon as we entered.
A flickering red aura spread across the ground beneath my feet.
‘This must be the “Challenger” effect…’
As for “Hyperventilation,” there was no visual effect, but it must already be active.
The proof is that I can now speak properly.
“You can release [Spirit Form] now.”
Phew, now I feel like I can live again.
Trying to communicate entirely through gestures was driving me crazy.
“Huh? But…”
Erwen, who had been trailing off, flinched.
“Oh? Mister, you’re speaking underwater?”
“That’s why I told you—you can release it.”
“This place is amazing…”
As Erwin released [Spirit Form], the mage glanced at me and then canceled his underwater magic.
“This is a very new feeling. It certainly feels like we’re underwater, but there’s no discomfort at all. Moving around isn’t any different to being outside.
As usual, Amelia was the first to check her own condition after the environment shifted.
“So this is the Undersea Island Atlante…”
“I’ve been on the sixth floor for over ten years, but this is my first time actually coming here…”
The mage and the sailor also expressed their impressions in somewhat excited voices.
However, did they feel a little uneasy afterwards?
“Um… So what should we do now? We won’t be much help in battle…”
The sailor cautiously asked for my opinion, and I smirked as I gave instructions.
“All four of you wait here and then follow me slowly after five minutes.”
“…Pardon?”
The sailor tilted his head as if he had misheard, and the mage simply frowned.
And then…
“Schuiz, didn’t you say that monsters up to Level 3 appear here?”
“Yes, that’s right. No matter how strong you are, going alone is…”
Amelia and Erwen voiced their concerns.
Their reactions weren’t particularly strange.
The difficulty of the Undersea Island is among the highest even on the sixth floor.
Since there are an enormous number of monsters, it’s common to tackle it with a raid team.
But…
“Enough, listen to me. Have you ever seen me take on dangerous tasks?”
“Well, it’s harder to find a time when you weren’t doing something dangerous.”
…Hey now, don’t make me feel embarrassed.
“Anyway, I mean there’s no need to worry. Just because we can breathe and talk normally doesn’t mean this isn’t underwater.”
“Well… that’s true.”
“If you encounter any danger, please call me right away! Okay?”
Once I presented a reasonable explanation, Erwin and Amelia didn’t add any more objections and let me proceed.
Okay, that’s the persuasion done.
Step, step.
I slowly descended the stairs from where the portal was located.
And the moment I stepped on the last stair…
Swoooosh—!
From the darkness beyond the reach of the Light Gem’s glow, dozens of red eyes glinted.
They were Sea God Stones, monsters that appear in the early part of Atlante.
By the way, they are Level 5.
They’re stationary tower-type monsters with high physical resistance and slow, but deadly, long-range attacks. They can’t move from their designated spot…
Step.
I stopped right in the middle of them.
There was no need to draw my weapon.
Attacking directly wouldn’t be as efficient anyway.
Attacking directly wouldn’t be as efficient anyway.
『30% of the damage received is reflected to the enemy.』
『30% of the damage received is reflected to the enemy.』
『30% of the damage received is reflected to the enemy.』
『Thanks to the passive skill [Origin], natural regeneration is at its maximum.』
『Powerful luck.」
『150% of the damage received is reflected to the enemy.』
[Graaaagh!!]
『You have defeated a Sea God Stone. EXP +5』
Now then, shall we enjoy some easy farming?