Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 82

Sewer(3)

Descending the stairs.

Even with the torches and the Light Sphere spell activated, the darkness never seems to end.

It feels like we’re wandering through an abyss.

“Let’s go a little faster.”

Under Rotmiller’s judgment, we increased our pace down the stairs.

How much time has passed?

“Huh…”

“Who would have thought such a vast space existed beneath the sewer.”

“Ha ha ha! To construct something this grand, humans alone would be insufficient. Whatever the reason, our ancestors surely built this.”

Finally stepping on the last stair, a wide cavity opens up before us.

The space is so vast, with ceilings over 6 meters high, it’s hard to believe it’s underground.

“There seems to be only one visible path.”

Rotmiller, after scanning the surroundings, points in a direction.

On closer inspection, there’s a passage behind a weathered, unidentifiable statue.

“The scent of that woman leads this way too. If I’m right, we might meet her soon.”

Alright, that’s the plan.

“From here on, I’ll take the lead.”

In the linear corridor, we changed our formation.

I take the lead, with Rotmiller following behind, aiding in navigation. The dwarf is sent to the rear to prepare for any unforeseen ambushes.

“Dwalki, stay close.”

“Y-yes.”

Misha’s role is to protect the mage in the center, providing active support from behind or in front as required.

“Then, let’s move out.”

Continuing through the corridor, we come upon a fork in the road.

We didn’t know which way to go, but it didn’t matter.

We have the keen-nosed Rotmiller with us.

“It’s definitely that way.”

Choosing the left path, where the scent is stronger.

But what’s this now?

“…Another fork in the road.”

We encountered another junction.

This time, there are five options.

“Rotmiller?”

“Ah, it’s a bit tricky. The scent of the woman seems to be at every path, as if she wandered around.”

“Does that mean we can’t follow anymore?”

“Not necessarily. Let’s go this way. The lingering scent is stronger, indicating it’s likely the most recently traveled path.”

“I see.”

Navigation and searching aren’t my expertise, so I obediently follow the expert’s guidance.

However…

‘What is this place?’

Soon, we arrive at yet another junction.

I’m beginning to grasp the nature of this space.

What it’s designed for is beyond me…

But this place is structured like a maze.

“Hikurod, do you have any idea what this place is for? You’re a dwarf, after all.”

“Ha, ha! Thinking all dwarves must be experts in architecture is a narrow-minded view. So… Dwalki, what do you think? Aren’t you a magician?”

“Do you think a magician is some sage who has deciphered all truths? I have no clue why ancient people would intentionally create a space like this underground.”

Questions spread among the group.

I cut off the chatter before it became more bothersome.

“Enough with the small talk. Whatever this place is, we just need to get the bitch and go back.”

“That’s true but…”

“If you’re really curious, ask the administrative office. They’ll likely have more accurate information than our guesses.”

At my words, the chattering trio fell silent.

Sigh, why does a barbarian like me have to play the role of disciplinarian?

As always, Rotmiller is the only reliable one.

Always silently doing his job, that man.

“Bjorn, stop.”

“What’s the matter?”

“The smell is suddenly very strong. This isn’t just a lingering smell…”

Rotmiller, trailing off mid-sentence, sniffs the air again, then his eyes sharpen.

“It’s clear. Someone is coming from the other side towards us.”

Soon, Rotmiller points to the second fork on the left.

Who would have thought they would come to us?

Despite the suddenness, I focused on what’s important.

“How long?”

“I can’t be sure of the speed, but…”

“Even a guess is fine.”

“…About 2 minutes, I’d say.”

“Did they spot us first?”

“I don’t think so. It’s just a guess, but… maybe they’re wandering around, lost.”

Hmm, that’s a plausible guess.

I laid out a plan, replacing the bewildered dwarf in our conversation.

“Everyone, get ready to fight. We’ll ambush her as soon as she arrives.”

First, we hide in the adjacent fork.

Rotmiller readies his crossbow, Dwalki begins casting magic in preparation for the ambush.

As soon as we finish setting up—

Thud, thud.

Footsteps echo from afar.

The sound gets closer.

But then…

Thud-.

Suddenly, the footsteps stop.

‘What’s happening?’

As I was questioning Rotmiller with my eyes, that very moment—

Tadadadat-!

Rapid footsteps echo through the corridor.

“Bjorn!”

Misha whispers, and I close my eyes.

The sounds were confusing due to the echo, but when I focused on hearing, I understood.

They were not running towards us, but…

“They’re escaping.”

“They must have sensed we were hiding.”

Rotmiller said urgently.

I agreed.

After all, why else would they suddenly turn and run?

“What should we do?”

“Feeling uneasy?”

“Not sure.”

Right, that’s the issue.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you leading the way?”

In the Witch’s Forest, we were the ones being chased…

“But we need to catch and kill her before she escapes further.”

Now the roles were reversed.

***

Carui

An entity known as the Evil or Dark God.

As whimsical as he is rational.

Blind faith is always rewarded.

[I offer you this blood, flesh and soul, please show me the way……!]

Elisha Behenk.

Her survival in the Witch’s Forest was all thanks to the god’s attributes.

After sacrificing three adventurers she met in a cabin, she learned that burning corpses would buy her more time and gained a new power called [Necromancy].

With this power, she could avoid preemptive attacks from monsters and was immune to the effects of the Witch’s Forest.

Therefore—

[Ah! That woman is…!]

[What are you doing! Run away!]

When she coincidentally found a group of dwarves in the forest, she was able to chase them relentlessly.

After all, without the forest’s effects, it was just a normal forest.

Unfortunately, the chase ended in failure.

The group ascended to the fourth floor, and she hastily followed, but they had already shifted to another space through a portal.

The monsters at the portal?

She survived for ten days using [Necromancy].

Then, she returned to the city.

“Priestess Behenk, where are you going with all that luggage?”

She immediately fled, only taking necessary items.

She had seen too many times what happens to the rogue priests. Now, the city was more dangerous to her than a labyrinth.

But isn’t there always a way out, even when the sky falls?

The whimsical evil god had advised her.

A sewer full of waste and fleeing outcasts.

A hidden city beneath it would surely accept her.

“What! This is my spot! Why don’t you get lost?”

Following the guidance of the evil god, finding the ‘door’ hidden in the sewer wasn’t hard. The vagrant already living there wasn’t a big problem.

However…

“Offer a sacrifice.”

The whimsical evil god did not reveal how to open the ‘door’.

So, she wandered the sewers, collecting dozens of sacrifices. In return, she learned how to open the door and descended underground.

But…

“What is this place!”

The pathways were too complicated.

She wandered for hours in the darkness.

The whimsical evil god seemed unwilling to show the way until a sacrifice was made.

In the midst of this…

‘…?’

The [Call of the Evil God], set up with the remaining life force of her sacrifices, was activated.

From then on, she had a bad feeling.

It could be a pursuer sent from the temple.

She moved more cautiously, navigating the maze.

Then…

“[Kihihihihihi!!]”

The evil god suddenly burst into laughter.

She stopped, feeling ominous.

Usually, when this happened, danger and hardship lay ahead on her path.

‘Could it be a pursuer?’

She paused for a moment and concentrated on her hearing.

Faint breathing sounds were audible in the silence, coming from the path she intended to take.

Realizing this, she turned and ran in the opposite direction.

Not sure if she was mistaken, she soon heard sounds of pursuit.

However…

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you leading the way? We need to catch and kill her before she escapes further.”

A familiar, short voice.

“Bjorn! Be careful! That wicked bitch might have set a trap!”

Soon, she realized who they were.

Bjorn Jandel.

A thoughtless barbarian who had hit her with a mace despite her claims of priesthood, and his companions.

‘They’re not from the temple…?’

Realizing their identity, she unconsciously slowed down. She didn’t know how they had found and followed her here…

‘Perhaps this is good.’

Then, she stopped.

Last time, she had to flee from them after being defeated, having exhausted a significant amount of power in resurrection.

“Elisha Behenk has summoned [The Gate of the Dead].”

If both parties were fully prepared, there was no reason for her to lose.

***

Just as the distance seemed to be closing.

Tadat-!

The sound of running in the darkness suddenly stopped.

Then, eerie noises echoed from beyond the corridor.

[Kyaaaak—!]

[Kekekekeke!!]”

The bizarre sounds rapidly approached.

Soon, within the range of the torchlight, dozens of four-legged monsters appeared.

‘It’s [The Gate of the Dead]’

I admired it with newfound respect.

She hadn’t used her power for resurrection this time; indeed, it was different from before.

“Elisha Behenk has summoned [Shadow Guards].”

Was it a matter of quantity?

For a few minutes, alongside the monsters pouring out of [The Gate of the Dead], she recklessly summoned Shadow Guards, their momentum akin to a tidal wave.

However…

“What are you doing? Why aren’t we smashing them yet?”

No need to be scared.

Nothing would change anyway.

“Hahaha! Barbarian! I regretted letting you go last time, but now you’ve crawled right into my trap! I won’t let you escape this time!”

Nonsense, who’s not letting who escape?

That’s what we should be saying.

“This time, I’ll smash your head!”

The battle began, with each side exchanging their resolutions. Unlike the previous prolonged fight that lasted for tens of minutes, this one was different from the start.

Squeak-!

Shadow Guards with a fairly high level of physical resistance? When Misha swung her dual swords wildly, they were cut helplessly to pieces.

“…Was it this easy?”

Well, now we have the ice attribute bonus.

Moreover, the curses that were troublesome last time were now ineffective.

“Elisha Behenk casts [Lesser Corruption].”

“Elisha Behenk casts [Strength Reduction].”

“Leor Wuerv Dwalki casts 7th-grade auxiliary magic [Radiance].”

“All negative effects on party members are dispelled.”

Was it because we hit the jackpot this time?

After learning to dispel curses, he came back having mastered the wide-area purification magic [Radiance].

“Huhu, how’s that?”

“Amazing.”

I casually complimented Dwalki, who seemed a little smug. He seemed to have taken to heart something I had said earlier.

Anyway, it was time for me to join the battle.

Putting up a shield wall and blocking the way would be enough for one person, but…….

Not very efficient.

“Bethel—raaaaaa!!”

I call out the name of my ancestral god.

I could feel vitality surging through my body.

“The character has used [Wild Burst].”

“Temporarily, the character’s threat level is tripled, and physical attributes increase proportionally.”

The corridor was too narrow for [Giant Growth], but the effect was still sufficient.

[Grrrrrr.]

Sensing the threat, the summoned creatures began to rush mindlessly towards me.

‘This is like playing a hack-and-slash game’

As if to release the frustrations of past days, I swung my enlarged mace wildly.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Regardless of their physical resistance, the Shadow Guardians burst open with each swing.

The feeling of satisfaction surged within me, reminiscent of my past struggles against a few goblins.

Yes, this is why we play RPGs.

Whoosh!

“Aaah!”

As the aggro pulled towards me, Rotmiller took the opportunity to hit with his crossbow bolts.

Meanwhile, the Dwarf unleashed a ‘Lightning Discharge’ combo, momentarily clearing a path.

I charged through it without hesitation.

“Bjorn, it’s dangerous to go alone—”

“Bethel—raaaaaaaaa!!”

Ignoring the summoned creatures blocking the path, I rapidly closed the distance.

Finally, Elisha’s expression became clear.

“How can this be…?”

Her face showed disbelief.

Did she not expect to be overwhelmed like this?

I shouted in advance.

“Dwalki, now!”

K22

“Now…?”

Dwalki seemed confused, but…

I am an elite barbarian who doesn’t repeat past mistakes.

“Hurry!”

“Okay, got it!”

With Misha and the dwarf providing support by my side.

I continued to forge a path.

30m, 20m, 10m…

The distance rapidly closed.

With a huge leap, I slid towards Elisha like a dive.

But the moment I reached out to grab her.

Elisha’s body turned translucent and began to float upwards.

“Elisha Behenk has cast [Spiritualization].”

[Spiritualization].

A high-tier movement spell granting physical immunity and gliding capabilities.

“You fools! I will never forget this humiliation—”

Forget what?

Thinking back to when we were helplessly watching her escape was a mistake.

“Dwalki!”

At my call.

“It’s ready!!”

The spell Dwalki had prepared, costing him 1.3 million stones and learned from the mage tower, was unleashed.

“Leor Wuerv Dwalki casts 8th-grade curse magic [Materialization].”

[Materialization].

When hit by this spell, the target’s physical immunity is nullified. Even ethereal monsters become vulnerable to physical attacks.

Of course, if it misses, it’s useless…

“Leor Wuerv Dwalki casts 9th-grade auxiliary magic [Accuracy Assist].”

Our Dwalki was slowly stepping out of the half-wit mage phase.

“Uh, ah! Aaah!”

As [Spiritualization] was dispelled.

I felt the sensation in my outstretched fingertips.

It was reminiscent of my first battle with a goblin.

Whether it was her wrist, ankle, or neck didn’t matter.

I just grabbed whatever part of her clothing I could and…

Bang!

Slammed her onto the ground with all my might.

And immediately, I climbed onto her upper body.

Whether the damage was enough to cause grogginess, Elisha glared at me, convulsing.

“Uh! Ugh, ah, eh, uh…”

She seemed to be cursing, but…

Her foolish manner of speech still hadn’t changed.

Of course, I had no intention of letting my guard down just because she seemed foolish.

Even with her head crushed, she had previously managed to get up and fight like a zombie.
Swoosh.

I swiftly raised my mace.

But just as I was about to bring it down with all my might,

“Wait a minute!”

Dwalki urgently called out to stop me.

“If we want a bigger bounty, wouldn’t it be better to keep her alive and bring her in?”

True, the wanted poster did mention something like that, but I didn’t expect him to care about such things.

…Maybe seeing the true value of money has changed him?

Looks like he’s finally becoming a real explorer.

“Indeed, killing her would be a waste.”

I got off Elisha’s body.

Then, after instructing Dwalki to use a [Paralysis Poison] spell,

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

I methodically smashed Elisha’s arms and legs with my mace, devoid of any personal vendetta.
Bones and flesh were cleanly crushed.

“Do we really have to go that far?”

The Dwarf frowned, but, well…

“What if she tries to escape?”

I always believed that it’s better to overdo it than to underdo it in such matters.

In that sense, I tied the crippled Elisa tightly with rope and slung her over my shoulder like a sack of luggage.

“We’ve gotten much stronger. I didn’t expect to win so easily…”

Misha, having finished off the remaining summons, muttered with a sense of elation.
I agreed with her.

After all, it took less than 3 minutes from the start of the battle to now. Considering we had recently fought her, the growth was palpable.

But exchanging praises and pleasantries could wait for the tavern later.

“Rotmiller, lead the way.”

I patted Rotmiller’s shoulder as I spoke.

Our mission was accomplished.

Time to leave this eerie underground space—

‘Huh?’

What’s this now?

Why isn’t he moving at all when I called him?

I called out to Rotmiller again.

“…Rotmiller?”

Again, no response.

Then I realized something was amiss and hurriedly checked on the others.

“Misha? Dwalki? Hikurod…?”

There was no answer from anyone.

I wished they would just say it was all a joke, some kind of invisible man game, but…

That’s unlikely.

“…”

The suffocating silence engulfed me.

I muttered quietly.

“We’re fucked.”

Ah, it figures. Things were going too smoothly.

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