Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 23



Episode 23 Level Up (3)

Insert the torch into the groove carved on the helmet.

And tie it tightly with a string.

It’s called Barbarian Candle Mode.

…a feeling of self-destruction creeps in but it is a practical method that other explorers also use.

Einar placed his hand on the flickering flame and immediately let out an exclamation.

“Oh that’s amazing! “It’s not really hot!”

Well this torch is also a magic tool.

It is a useful item that is only about a handful long so it does not interfere with body movements and once grown it lasts for about 3 days.

It was an expedition item that the crossbow party had.

Was the average price 10000 stones?

…I suddenly miss Erwen.

“But where is this?”

Einar looks around and asks if the surroundings are slowly coming into view.

Although there may be a big gap between what you actually see and the 2D pixel graphics it was quite easy to understand this time.

The black earth becomes soggy every time you walk.

Remnants of stone buildings can be seen everywhere.

Even a faint sorrowful cry can be heard from afar.

“It is the land of the dead.”

“Ah this is where Ghouls and Deathfiend come from!”

For now yes.

If we go into detail it means that Elder Ghouls Skeleton Banshees and even Dullahan which are like mid-bosses will appear.

“I will take the lead.”

The combat power of monsters is much higher in the Land of the Dead than in the Goblin Forest.

But if I were to be picky I’d give Goblin Forest a top pick.

It’s a lot darker here but…

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At least there are no traps here.

This is much more convenient for two barbarians to operate together.

“It’s a ghoul.”

Before long we encountered a monster.

The number is as small as three.

Of course by the third day it will have increased by about three times the current amount.

One more reason to move quickly.

“Bjorn here is the magic stone!”

“Take what you see without having to report everything. Distribution can be done later. “I will speed up.”

Unlike the Goblin Forest I immediately left the entrance and continued moving north.

At that time a scream was heard nearby.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

“B B Bjorn?!”

“This is the howl made by a banshee. Just ignore it. “They rarely attack first.”

“I see… But is it really okay to not kill him? “It could be dangerous right?”

well.

I wonder if there was an Erwen who could use spirits.

No matter what the two physics students do they can’t catch the banshee.

Even if I could catch it it was a problem.

“If you attack the banshee first you will be cursed.”

“curse?”

“It’s a curse called the token of resentment. “The banshees will persistently target you until you escape the labyrinth.”

Unless you are going to catch a banshee for 10 days it is better not to touch the banshee at all.

If experience was the goal it was common to catch only one or two fish on the last day.

“You are a truly wise warrior. “It’s a good thing I followed you.”

Thank you for the compliment.

I don’t want to show it but I know full well that I’m more afraid of this type of thing than I thought.

But that is that and this is this.

“Kyaaaaaaaak!”

“Crack!”

I would like you to stop clinging to me every time you hear a sound.

Aside from being burdensome…

Because it feels like the arm I’m holding on to will be crushed.

“Let go… it’s a skeleton.”

Just then a group of skeletons appeared making the sound of their joints clicking together.

The number is a whopping 10.

Even though it is only day 1 the number is quite large as a monster that boasts a large quantity.

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Well even if you catch all of them you will only get three or four magic stones.

“Hmm! “I will get it done!”

Einar perhaps embarrassed by the sound of the banshee jumped forward first.

Tsk tsk I clicked my tongue inwardly.

“Ainar! If you look between her ribs you’ll see a nucleus. If you want to catch a skeleton with a sword-type weapon you must aim for it…”

Kwasik-!

“huh? “What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything. “Don’t worry just fight.”

Kwasik-! Kwasik! Kwasik!

Weaknesses and all.

Every time Einar swung his enormous sword the skeleton was brutally destroyed.

And I never woke up again.

***

“I killed the Elder Ghoul. EXP +1」

“I killed the skeleton. EXP +1」

“I killed the skeleton warrior. EXP +1」

“I killed the skeleton archer. EXP +1」

***

Afterwards it moved north for about 8 hours.

In doing so I was able to naturally encounter various new monsters.

An elder ghoul that is twice as big as a regular ghoul.

Skeleton warriors and archers classified as mutant species.

Since I haven’t met Maisie yet it’s hard to say anything about her but she hasn’t had any major difficulties so far.

Not only is there a small number of people because it is only day 1 but my combat power has also increased significantly compared to before.

Wow!

This is true even if you just look at the equipment.

Because of the center of gravity the man’s two-handed hammer could only be used by holding it briefly.

However holding a mace about 70cm long made it possible to strike from a greater distance.

It is much safer and more powerful.

Above all….

Kyaang-!

There was also armor.

Because it is a vest-shaped plate armor the forearms are exposed defenselessly but that alone significantly reduces the area that needs to be blocked with a shield.

As a result a much bolder battle was possible.

It feels as if the shackles have finally been lifted.

“Bjorn be careful! “There are even skeleton archers!”

The T-shaped steel helmet with only the eyes nose and mouth exposed protected the most important vital area the head.

Of course it would be dangerous if he was hit directly by something like a crossbow but he easily deflected arrows fired from a broken bow.

And there is another barbarian with similar combat power to me.

“Behel—laaaaa!!”

We continued the battle which was tantamount to massacre while chanting together to the barbarians’ ancestral spirits.

Pow! Pow! Kwasik-!

About 10 seconds was enough to destroy an entire group of monsters.

Is that why?

After every battle I felt a sense of refreshment that I could not experience when I was with Erwen.

Ah is this the true taste of a barbarian?

“Bjorn is injured.”

huh?

After listening to Einar I checked and found that there was a slight scratch on his forearm.

but….

“Don’t worry. “You’ll get better soon.”

There is no need to apply herbs let alone potions.

“oh! My skin is already healing! “Is this the power of the spirit imprint?”

The efficacy of the first stage of the Immortal Imprinting Path is that natural regeneration power increases noticeably.

Of course it’s nothing compared to a potion…

When I checked the other day it took about a minute for a 0.5cm deep stab wound to heal to some extent.

However this alone dramatically increases stability. Physical recovery itself became faster and my endurance increased significantly.

“Get ready quickly. “It looks like we’re almost there now.”

I instilled tension in Einar and slowed down his movement speed.

Suddenly the terrain changed.

The floor was no longer soggy but hard and there were mounds here and there so it wasn’t even.

The banshee’s howling also became much louder.

“Khihihihihihi!!”

“Keuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!”

Of course the biggest change is something else.

The higher species starts from here.

In other words a level 8 monster appears.

“…Bjorn really won’t attack first right?”

Einar has been chattering his teeth since before probably because he was scared by the sound of the banshee.

They say that when barbarians are scared they tighten their jaws and that’s what happens…

I don’t know.

Is it because I’ve never been that scared before?

“Koooooooo—!!”

As we continue to move we hear a strange roaring sound coming from the darkness.

Now that I’ve actually heard it I’m really shaking.

“We are preparing for the battle of Einar.”

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t catch Bebensi?”

Does this guy have no ears?

“Not a banshee.”

Desfiend.

Among the many level 8 monsters that have contributed greatly to raising the entry barrier to the game he is definitely the one who is evaluated as the most badass.

***

Coo! Coo! Coo! Coo!

The sound of heavy footsteps felt from a distance grew louder and louder and soon the creature appeared in front of us.

“…are you going to fight that thing?”

Einar asks me and mumbles before I can answer.

“Sounds like fun.”

I don’t know what his emotions are like.

Last time he said he was scared of dying too. How can he smile while looking at a kid like this?

Are you afraid of things like banshee?

Kuung-!

Deathfiend soon stopped walking at the end of the light as if the light was bothering him.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“Don’t worry. “I wasn’t nervous.”

why are you answering It was said to me.

I made a plan on the way back but when I actually saw it my stomach tingled.

Deathfiend is a humanoid undead monster.

Or is it closer to a chimera?

It is over 3m tall and has a sword and shield on both arms.

Not holding it really.

One long curved hand has a blade like a half moon and the other arm spread wide from the elbow to the side takes the shape of a shield.

It’s called Protein Blade & Shield.

“Kooooooow—!!”

Damn don’t scream like that it’s so fucking scary.

I’m trying to somehow reduce the fear but it’s not easy.

“If you stay calm and follow the plan you can win.”

“Of course I trust you.”

I’m grateful for that but again that’s what I said to myself.

…Let’s stay calm.

Although this is my first try as long as I don’t let go of my nerves there won’t be any danger.

If the situation gets worse jump out and don’t look back.

“Like I said before always aim for the head. Because anywhere else has no meaning. Do you understand?”

“i get it!”

No that wasn’t a signal to rush in right away.

“Behel—laaaaa!!”

Einar ran out holding her greatsword in both hands.

It was already too late to stop him.

The sound of the cheers must have attracted aggro so even the guy who was watching from the edge of the torch rushed forward with his sword and shield.

“Kooooooow—!!”

Kwaaaaang!

A roaring sound erupts as Einar’s great sword and Deathfiend’s Protein Blade collide.

“Bjorn be careful! “This is a monster whose strength is no joke!”

Don’t you usually know things like that as soon as you see them?

“Behel—laaaaa!!”

First I shouted loudly and moved forward.

Then he built a wall in front of him with his shield and hit the side of the guy who was trying to attack Einar who bounced off.

But is this the heaviness that comes from the physique?

It feels like I’m stuck on some kind of rock.

Chijijijijik.

When he applies force his body is pushed back just as he was holding the shield.

He had no reason to hold on but his pride was hurt.

So he set his toes high.

Then he shifted his entire weight forward and let out a scream rather than a roar.

“Aaaahhh!”

Shiba! I feel like my muscles are bursting.

But I felt a joy that was difficult to describe.

It felt like I was going to fall… but I held on.

And Einar was not immature enough to let that gap pass by.

Huh!

Soon the great sword swung with a heavy pounding sound and struck Desfiend on the side of the head.

It’s not like I cut it down it’s just like the word.

Kagak!

I cut with that thick sword but the blade only got stuck about 1cm.

The dull sound was probably caused by the skull.

Even in the game Desfiend’s defense was notoriously high.

Well it is the regenerative power not the defense power that makes many beginners quit the game.

“Koooooooo!”

“Get back now!”

I widened the distance to avoid the frenzied Deathfiend.

Dark red blood flowed from the spot where the great sword was pulled out but the bleeding stopped in less than 3 seconds.

The passive skill it has is ‘Body Preservation’.

“Ainar! Make a gap. “I will attack this time!”

I quickly gave my order and was about to rush in again.

Dedddddddddd!

Suddenly the ground began to shake.

It was my first time seeing an effect like this but I knew what it was happening as soon as I saw it.

An active skill possessed by Deathfiend.

It is ‘The Call of the Dead’.

“Get away the ghoul is coming!”

As soon as the shaking ends ghouls dig out of the ground and crawl out.

The number is exactly ten.

“Get rid of these guys first!”

“i get it!”

While Einar was swinging his great sword at the ghouls.

“Koooooooo!”

I kept a close mark focusing only on Deathfiend.

However because the aggro ghouls kept scratching me with their nails my skin quickly turned into rags.

Of course it’s not a big problem.

I also have regenerative powers.

Probably not as much as you.

“Bjorn! “I’ll take care of this guy now!”

After holding on for about two minutes the ghouls were cleared out.

For some reason I found it funny myself.

I can’t believe I endured Deathfiend’s summoning pattern by literally just getting hit.

‘I didn’t do this much in games either.’

I touched the baton and while Einar was marking the guy one-on-one I took out my mace and moved behind the guy’s back.

And then he put a smash in the back of the head.

Wow!

It was a good sound with good taste.

In fact rotten blood was leaking out even from the back of his head.

Nevertheless I continued to swing the mace.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Each shot contained such power that a goblin would have turned into light and disappeared the moment it was hit.

But why isn’t it working?

Kagak!

From my actual experience the strength of the skull is beyond imagination. Even while I was hitting it my skin was healing.

…What should I do?

Attack power is lacking.

If I had known this would happen I would have bought what the arms dealer recommended.

Should I just give up on catching him and hunt level 9 monsters?

Kak! Kak! Kak!

While thinking about it I kept hitting the mace but it wasn’t enough to shatter my brain.

Huh!

In the end I had no choice but to step back to avoid the swinging protein blade.

But then.

“Kkuot!”

Suddenly Deathfiend’s body loses its balance and tilts.

When I checked I saw Einar who had dug into the gap grab one of the legs of the 3m tall guy and lift him up.

This is a technique often seen in UFC.

This can’t be…

‘Single leg tackle?’

“Behel—laaaa!!”

The muscles are pumped and the veins are rising as if they are about to explode making this side look even more monstrous…

The intention was clear and there was even a possibility.

I also immediately helped out.

Wow!

When he struck one ankle that was in contact with the ground with all his might with a mace the massive figure lost its balance and hovered for a moment.

and….

Kuung-!

Soon it falls to the floor.

The technical term is a takedown.

This was the first time I knew that this kind of fight was possible against monsters classified as medium to large.

…Nothing is impossible for a barbarian.

“Kooooooot!”

I see Deathfiend writhing around like an upside-down bug.

We were about to rush in but were startled at the same time.

“Kuooooot!!”

Are you sure you can’t wake up alone?

“Bjorn!”

“Oooh!”

Just by looking at each other’s eyes we understood each other’s thoughts.

Einar and I ran to the fallen guy and hit each other with our weapons like crazy kites.

Place the rice cake on the mortar and take turns hitting it with a hammer in a friendly manner.

puck! puck! puck! puck! puck!

Now that I think about it I made rice cake like this at the folk village I visited when I was in elementary school.

“be pleasant!”

Is it because I remember my partner who was in the same group as me at the time crying and asking for a change?

Seeing Einar having fun together heals the wounds in my heart.

Somehow I feel like my soul has become pure.

“I killed Desfiend. EXP +2」

We smiled brightly as we watched Deathfiend soon turn into light and disappear.

There was no powerful magic from a wizard no divine power from a priest or elemental magic from a fairy…

“Bjorn! Look at this! “The magic stone is enormous!”

We succeeded in hunting a level 8 monster.