Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 56



Episode 56: Witch’s Forest (3)

Priest of Karui.

You have to reach at least the 5th floor to change jobs and unlike regular priests this is a kind of hidden class filled with all kinds of combat spells and curse abilities.

“What is this! “You ran away!”

In the worst case scenario we even considered annihilation but in the end we were able to defeat this danger without any damage.

How was that possible?

To review calmly there were several reasons.

“He was a priest of Karui… Just as I heard he was a fearsome being. “If it weren’t for you Bjorn I would have been in real trouble.”

The weapon was taken away early on.

Sword shield spear and even Elisha’s staff. I didn’t think much of it at the time. I was lucky that I had taken my cane away at that time.

Since there was no wand deploying spells would not have been the same as usual.

Well if I had to point out a key factor there would be others.

“Of course the trustworthy Barbarian is the best. I wondered if Rotmiller had made a mistake because the woman was a priest. “But you’re not going to just hit her on the head!”

“Me too. “Bjorn when you swung your weapon her heart was pounding so hard….”

A blow struck when neither the enemy nor the allies expected it.

Elisa whose head was broken by this single blow had to be revived by absorbing the vitality of her companion.

However it was not a resurrection to a healthy state.

Even though his brain was shattered and he came back to life how is it possible for his body to be fine?

‘Perhaps the reason I stopped talking like an idiot was because my recovery was slow.’

There were many advantages in many ways.

However while this fact brings relief it also feels dizzy. What would it have been like if we had fought in a situation where both sides were at 100%?

Well I think the odds of winning are about 50%.

Under the assumption that no matter which side wins at least two people will die.

It was sure to be a fierce battle.

Knowing that they must have been tricking me by cosplaying as castaways.

‘Then does it actually help that the power was equal?’

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After finishing the review of this incident I briefly checked my physical condition.

There was nothing more to see. It was the worst.

“[Decreased energy] continues.”

“The speed at which energy is recovered decreases.”

“[Low-level corruption] continues.”

“The speed at which injuries recover decreases.”

“[Tracking] continues.”

「The character’s location is transmitted to the caster.」

“[The vengeful spirit walk] continues.”

“Slight pain occurs when the character moves.”

“[Decreased stamina] continues….”

It looks like it’s going to turn around.

My eyes are sore and my head feels a bit salty. For some reason I don’t have any strength in my lower abdomen.

Who the fuck did he just throw some curses at me?

「Warning: There are more than 15 curses stacked on the character. If not treated through divine power or magic the character’s physical abilities may be permanently reduced.”

The condition doesn’t make sense.

It’s a total mess. Honestly it’s hard to even explain in words how bad something is.

Still I’m not too worried.

Because we have a wizard on our team.

“I would like a spell to lift the Dwalki curse.”

“You mean to lift that curse?”

No why are you surprised?

Make people anxious.

“Didn’t you say you can use curse magic?”

“That’s true but…”

That’s right but so what.

When I looked at him intently to tell him to continue talking Dwalki avoided his gaze and said.

“You said you could use a few types of curse magic but you didn’t say you could lift them…?”

huh?

“What kind of bullshit is that?”

“I didn’t join the Magic Tower but I studied on my own so I had no choice. While exploring I also heard that there is almost no chance of lifting the curse…”

Dwalki continued to make excuses.

To cut it short it was a really simple story.

“In short it means there was no money.”

Like a barbarian I summarized the situation in one sentence and De Walki nodded with a disapproving look on his face.

“exactly. “I thought it would be better to learn the most necessary things first.”

Yes we were a team like this.

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Now what can I blame?

Since we are all in similar situations complaining more here will only make us ugly people.

Instead of dwelling on the impossible let’s do what we can right now.

“Rotmiller is there any way to chase that woman down?”

“…Unfortunately there is none. “I’ve been looking for a way out earlier but I can’t even find it.”

Well I see.

A little… no this has become quite a headache.

It seems like some people still haven’t realized it at all.

“What is your opinion? “How dangerous do you think it is?”

“Well I’m not sure yet. “But I am certain that we must leave now.”

“I’m leaving… but where?”

“for a moment! “What on earth are you talking about?”

While I was having a serious conversation with Rotmiller Dwalki joined in.

I’d like to tell you to stay out for a while since we’re talking among adults but…

Isn’t he also a wizard?

As we discuss we may come up with some good ideas so let me briefly explain.

“Didn’t she say that earlier when the woman was running away? She said she would never let us live. “I’m sure he will come visit us again soon.”

“That’s right if he comes again won’t we just deal with him like we did now?”

No I mean is it as easy as it sounds?

Is it because it’s her first time in the labyrinth?

Although he is a wizard he seems to have worse judgment than Misha.

“It’s definitely a big deal! “If you’re fighting monsters and they surprise you from behind you’ll be in trouble!”

It is common knowledge universally that an invisible enemy is scarier than a visible enemy.

Even when she comes to seek revenge it is clear that her strength has almost been restored.

‘They will be able to decide the timing of the surprise attack first.’

As you can see just by looking at me who benefited from the strategy of winning first in most fights the initiator has the advantage.

When Lot Miller kindly explained this De Walki was very frightened and kept his mouth shut.

“The priest of Karui is targeting us from the darkness. This seems like a major obstacle to our journey right? Hahaha.”

The dwarf the leader of the Baji team smiled calmly and tapped Dwalky’s stiff shoulder…

The tense atmosphere did not improve at all.

After all they just fought 1:5 so they probably know better. What troublesome bastards Karui’s priests are.

It was a time when anxiety was gradually increasing.

“Now that things have come to this I think it would be better to go into the Witch’s Forest as quickly as possible.”

I suggested the only solution to the current situation.

Rotmiller asked briefly.

“Why?”

“If we get there they won’t be able to track us. The curse issue will also be resolved.”

The answer left out a lot of things but it was enough. Looking at the expression on his face it seemed like he understood everything I meant.

“Using the topographical characteristics of the Witch’s Forest… That’s a reasonable decision.”

Rotmiller nodded.

Was there just one thing that was questionable?

“But didn’t you say it was your first time on the third floor?”

Yes that’s right.

So please man please take care of it and proceed on your own before I say anything.

“…I studied at the library.”

“library?”

Rotmiller tilts his head at the excuse that is not mine.

But don’t worry too much.

Because there was a witness right next to me at the same time.

“It may be surprising but it’s true. “Bjorn stops by the library every day and reads books.”

“Wow the barbarian reads books?”

“Somehow unlike other barbarians his way of speaking is extraordinary.”

The gaze flies as if you are looking at a star.

Now that I’m interested I hope I can make a decision and do what I have to do.

“So what does everyone think?”

“I agree with your plan.”

Afterwards when Rotmiller gave strength to my argument the dwarf and Misha also voted in favor and the conclusion was quickly reached.

However there was one thing left to do before hastily leaving.

At the same time as Elisa escaped I looked at Hanson who fell like a doll whose strings had been cut.

“What are you all doing? Without taking off your gear?”

No matter how urgent it is you have to take what you need.

We are explorers right?

Slaying looters and monsters.

***

“If we sell everything it will be well over 6 million stones.”

Is it because he is a 3rd floor looter?

The dram item that ‘Hanson’ spit out was on a different level from the guys I met before.

Of course if you divide it into 5 equal parts your income will be roughly the same as then.

“Really! Each person can take home more than 1 million stones! “I already had a hard time paying taxes this year so I’m glad!”

“With that money I could learn a few more spells! Oh I will definitely learn curse removal magic this time!”

Dwalki and Misha who had acquired a large amount of money in an instant happily drew up their future.

But the Rotmiller dwarf and I just smiled vaguely and remained silent.

After all no matter how much you earn in the labyrinth isn’t it only meaningful if you return to the city alive?

“All of these loot will be sold in the city later and settlement will be made.”

For reference during the journey the three of us with expandable backpacks decided to share the loot for storage.

Because no one can fathom the path ahead of a person.

During the expedition someone may die your backpack may be lost and there may be an attempt to escape with something.

However I was a little surprised during this process.

‘I knew he was a dwarf but I never thought Misha was also the owner of an expandable backpack…’

Contrary to the impression he gave so far did he turn out to be the type of person who saves money frugally?

Perhaps unexpectedly Misha is smart about her finances.

“Then let’s leave now.”

After taking the loot we cleared out the camp and quickly left the place.

Rotmiller took the lead and found the way and the others followed wary of possible surprise attacks.

When fighting monsters Rotmiller used his sense of smell to avoid them as much as possible and focused only on movement.

How long has it been since then?

「Warning: The character’s stamina is continuously decreasing. If it is not resolved quickly it will become permanent…”

I feel like I’m going to fall.

I moved for about 5 hours almost as if I was running with a lot of curses and my body was speechless.

If it weren’t for the stats like anti-magic and dark resistance that I got from the vampire I probably would have passed out from exhaustion a long time ago.

“Bjorn… are you okay?”

“You can endure it so don’t worry about it.”

I pretended to be okay with the dwarf’s worries but to be honest I wasn’t okay at all.

Unlike these guys who only had two or three curses that crazy bitch threw countless curses at me.

Even this curse was placed only on me.

‘Damn low energy….’

Decreased energy.

A crazy skill that drastically reduces the amount of stamina recovery consumed every time the character moves or takes an action.

Please note that stamina is separate from vitality so no matter how high your natural regeneration power is it is of no use.

‘If it’s a game maybe there’s about 30% left?’

In the game if the stamina gauge went below 10% the character did not move.

In the case of NPCs there were many times when they would whine and say that they would rather be killed.

But I’m not there yet.

Of course it must be incredibly difficult.

But not to the point of death.

I can still survive with my mental strength.

So I guess there’s still quite a bit of room left.

「Achievement achieved」

Condition: Energy level falls below 5%.

Reward: Your sanity is permanently increased by +1.

Cancer it will definitely happen.

If you don’t think that way you won’t be able to survive.

Let’s just think about the positive parts.

Even though I overexerted myself a bit I’m slowly approaching my destination.

“Looking at the moisture in the soil I think we’ll be there in just 10 more minutes.”

A journey of approximately 5 hours.

Contrary to concerns we reached the Witch’s Forest without a single attack.

‘I’ve come this far but the fact that I’m still there means that my body hasn’t fully recovered yet.’

There is a reward in rushing even if it is excessive.

At least I don’t think there’s a chance she gave up on us.

Didn’t he even bring out the power of the Dark God in front of us to try to survive somehow?

If we the witnesses survive and return unharmed that year will be extremely embarrassing.

“We have arrived.”

As soon as he heard Lot Miller’s words he shook off the thoughts that were filling his head.

After all when things are hard it’s best to think about something else.

You were able to skip it by as much as 10 minutes right?

“This is the Witch’s Forest… I feel eerie for some reason.”

“For some reason all the wizards who came here for the first time said that.”

“It feels like an ominous magical energy is vibrating throughout the forest.”

Dry thorn tree.

A vine wrapped around it like a snake coiled around it.

“Now wait! “The tree over there moved!”

A place where everything is alive and moving.

Witch’s Forest.

“The character has entered a special area.”

「Field effect – Witch’s Forest is granted.」

“A status abnormality [direction value] is given.”

“The status abnormality [auditory hallucination] is granted.”

“The status abnormality [hallucination] is granted.”

“Status abnormality [Enhanced pain perception] is granted.”

The moment I stepped foot there relying on the torch the cool air felt right through my skin.

“All status effects except field effects lose their effect.”

Ha I think I’ll buy something now.

***

「Bjorn Yandel」

Level: 3

Physical: 155 / Spirit: 91(New +1) / Ability: 115

Item Level: 683

Total Combat Index: 528.75 (New +1)

Essence obtained: Corpse Golem – Rank 7 / Vampire (Guardian) – Rank 5