Episode 140 Awakening (3)
[Swing].
Since it is a skill that simply requires a strong swing, unlike other skills, there is no need to image it as hard.
Phew-!
This skill didn’t even have the common effects like light shining over the weapon or gusts of wind blowing out.
This part was a little disappointing when playing the game.
Skills tend to become more fancy and have cooler names the higher they go, but why is this skill the only one like this?
I realized the answer today.
‘Even ogres are efficient.’
In reality, having effects like this doesn’t help. They just stand out and reveal my information to enemies who are more knowledgeable.
Rather, this is more practical.
And as if to prove this.
“Regal Bagos cast [Dark Curtain].”
The guy uses a defensive skill.
It is unclear exactly what basis this decision was based on.
You might have thought that this would be enough.
So, rather than retreating, he may have judged it more rational to maintain distance and stab the sword into the vital spot.
but…….
Kwajik!
The 4th-grade skill [Dark Curtain] is shattered in less than a second upon contact with my mace.
It was a natural thing.
Although it may not have a grand name like [Earthquake] or [Incarnation’s Fury], [Swing] is an attack skill that is ranked in the upper tier even at level 3.
“… … !”
The guy who only then realized the situation and twisted his body.
Well, if that was the case, you should have avoided it from the beginning.
Phew-!
Although it wasn’t the intended target, my mace managed to strike the bastard on the shoulder.
A guy who lets out a short groan while quickly increasing the distance between himself and the valid tag.
Tadah.
The dislocated shoulder is deformed and hunched over.
He quickly puts the sword in his mouth and moves his free hand to his pocket.
It’s probably a subspace.
What you’re trying to take out is probably a potion.
‘Who do you think is a cripple?’
I have no intention of giving you any recovery time.
“Dwalkie! Use voice control.”
First of all, since the opponent was a person, I turned on the team voice and ran towards him.
And he quickly gave the order.
“Hikurod, Rotmiller! You two guard Dwalki. Misha, you stay close behind me!”
Of course, there is no time to talk at length right now, so let’s start by reestablishing the basic formation.
He gave detailed instructions one by one.
Fortunately, my colleagues accepted their respective missions without any complaints.
The beginning was Dwalki.
Phew-!
The moment when he evaded my mace with a movement befitting a common character.
The curse magic seeps into his body.
“Leol Warb Dwalki casted a 9th-grade curse spell [Slow].”
In fact, it is safe to say that Dwalki is making enough for one person just by doing this.
If we have to be specific, that guy is a specialization in agility.
“Those bastards… …!”
The bastard didn’t hide his anger and started to show his full power.
From [Advanced Acceleration] to [Afterimage], which is a 5th-grade essence.
Instantly, your agility stat will increase by two times.
Ta-da-!
Perhaps because of my reduced cognitive ability, my eyes hurt just from following the movements.
‘It’s like this even with the stat adjustment and slowdown.’
Even though I once again thought of him as a monster, I calmly went about doing what I had to do.
‘It looks like there are no regeneration series essences or number items since my arm isn’t getting better.’
New information helps narrow down the possibilities.
And I focus on the role that has been assigned to me.
Oh, of course my role is simple.
Crunch! Kak-kak, Phew!
It’s like blocking the middle of the passage and getting hit with all your might.
“Give up the thought of dying gracefully.”
He’s throwing cold arsenic at me.
Certainly, once the bastard unleashed his full power, it was impossible for me to dodge or anything with my agility stat. Blocking the Archetype longsword with a shield would also be practically meaningless.
So, the result was just hitting with the body.
Cheeeeeeek-!
In an instant, the whole body becomes paralyzed and acidic blood flows out through the torn flesh.
Since the vampire essence was gone, leaving it alone like before didn’t help anything.
But this is not a problem either.
When were you ever so fit that you could chew and swallow your enemies?
Clang!
Rotmiller, who was keeping enemies at bay from behind with a crossbow, checks my status in real time and throws a potion he took out of the [Treasure Chest].
“The body regenerates due to the recovery (medium) effect.”
Also known as Barbarian Beginner Mode.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve done this.’
Unlike me, who was overcome with a strange emotion, the emotion in his eyes was distrust.
But did he notice my expression and realize that I wasn’t completely incapable of feeling pain?
He mutters as if he finds it ridiculous.
“… … You crazy bastard.”
Even though you’ve been going in and out of the labyrinth for a long time, it seems like you’ve never encountered a kid like me.
‘I guess I got rave reviews.’
Of course, the reward is a mace.
Phew!
As the guy dodges nimbly, the dwarf continues to provide support.
“Hikurod Murad casted [Lightning].”
“Hikurod Murad cast [Release].”
An exquisitely shot sphere of electricity as it floated into the air.
He avoided it by stepping on the wall and jumping back.
However, I wasn’t very disappointed.
In the first place, this isn’t the dwarf’s real role.
There were only three things I asked of the dwarf.
“What difference do you think it will make if all the idiots gather together?”
Use ‘Lightning Blast’ to assist from a distance.
I will guard Dwalki in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
and…….
“Regal Bagos cast [Fear Mark].”
Use items according to the timing.
“Hikurod Murad used [Guardian’s Wristguard].”
The ability of the 4th grade monster Nightmare [Fear Seal].
A skill that temporarily instills strong fear in the enemy, and returns the amount of that fear back as physical stats.
“Pushes back enemies strongly, and temporarily makes allies immune to all harmful effects.”
Before I could properly utilize my skills, a gust of wind blew and my mind became clear.
As expected, the ‘Guardian of Balance’ was not released.
Well, that’s not a harmful effect.
“Behel—raaaaaah!”
He quickly charges towards the guy who was pushed back, using [Wild Eruption].
And then he brings down the mace.
Phew-!
[Swing] was not used.
Because it’s obvious that I’ll have to avoid it anyway.
Ta-da-!
A guy who turns his body to the side and swings his sword at me.
But then, Misha, who was right behind me, aimed for the bastard’s side.
Phew!
A blade that digs shallowly but surely into the skin.
The bastard flinched and immediately aimed for Misha, but Misha quickly moved and hid behind me.
‘nice.’
The movement was exactly as I expected.
The guy grits his teeth and mutters.
“You’re climbing up without even knowing the topic.”
Fortunately, it seems like there were no other problems with my tactics, as I’m receiving rave reviews again.
So the status quo was maintained.
“The body regenerates due to the recovery (medium) effect.”
I’ll take on the role of meat shield.
Dwalki, Rotmiller, and Dwarf provide ranged support.
And Misha jumps out and stabs him with her sword whenever there’s an opening, such as when he gets electrocuted or avoids my attacks.
Kak, squeak, slurp!
Damage steadily builds up as the battle prolongs.
“You guys, don’t even think about coming back alive.”
In the end, the guy also used other number items and essences unknown to the city.
But nothing changed.
The frequency of needing to use potions increased, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Yeah, just talking.
‘… … Anyway, it was level 9 after all.’
The nine essences he possesses have been revealed.
The only known third-class essence that I had hoped for was one that was known.
Well, it’s only natural that it’s not something that can be easily obtained even at the 8th floor level once you reach level 3, right?
“Bjorn! Here comes that shining blade again!!”
I had a feeling that it was time to decide the outcome.
After a battle that lasted about 30 minutes, I guess we’ve confirmed all the cards he has. If we continue like this, he might retreat for a while and come back with a priest.
That’s why… … .
‘now.’
Now that the battle has dragged on and you’ve become accustomed to the current situation.
“… … !”
Dash forward with full force and extend your hand.
Tadah.
The guy took a small step back, putting some distance between us.
It wasn’t much different from the usual psychopathic bitch.
Once you feel comfortable, move only as much as necessary.
What is this, some kind of habit only of the strong?
Thank you very much.
“The character cast [Gigantization].”
As the body grows, the arms grow longer to match.
I grabbed the bastard by the balls without letting go.
“… … !”
There was a look of urgency on his face that I had never seen before.
Well, you probably didn’t know [Giantization] existed, since you’ve been deliberately not using it until now.
It feels like all the hard work up to now has been rewarded.
‘It’s a red light.’
I checked the guy’s traffic light ring and saw that it had a red gem emitting light.
thus,
I raised my mace and shouted impatiently.
“Behel—raaaa …
For one chance.
A step of conversion that has been silently waiting for its time.
This is what will become my ultimate skill from today.
Namely, in a gigantic state with inflated stats due to wild outburst, with all one’s might—
‘Swing.’
I swung my mace at the bastard’s head with all my might. I was certain that if I just hit him with this one blow, it would all be over.
So, I could see it.
“Now, I’m Aunjo.”
All the changes that happened the moment his lips opened.
“The character’s soul power is lacking.”
“[Gigantization] ends.”
I feel like my whole body is drained of strength.
Also, your eye level drops in an instant and your field of vision narrows.
Boom!
The mace was swung normally and hit the floor.
“Kehehe.”
The thing that escaped my grasp at some point was spitting up bloody vomit. And as I watched this sight, I could only think of one thing.
This fucking kid.
What on earth have you done now?
The answer came quickly.
‘Nimiral.’
A unique skill that all Yong-in people are born with.
It is said that he can never use it because of the ‘Dragon’s Curse’.
“Regal Bagos cast [Verbal: Soul Silence].”
It was a dragon’s word.
***
‘Guardian of Balance’.
This field effect equalizes the sum of the base stats.
But in the meantime, you have to fight one against many.
One of the 4th grade essences was also sealed.
Even the most difficult Archetype longsword has a strategy thanks to the Ogre essence, and I also made generous use of the various consumable items I obtained from the hidden room.
And even a finishing move that is targeted at a crucial moment.
I thought that even an 8th floor explorer would be able to handle this much.
How pathetic.
Despair can strike anyone, at any time.
In short, there are cases where a child gets a rare disease at a young age when they should be playing a lot. There are also cases where an accident happens while they are out playing and a loved one leaves them.
There was also a big fire at the relative’s house where I was living.
My mother, who said she would be with me tomorrow, suddenly disappeared.
These are all things that can happen in reality.
Without any warning.
Rain or shine.
Without realizing it.
It has the quality of seeking out someone.
Just like this moment.
“Tch.”
The bastard spits blood-mixed spit on the floor.
And pick up the Archetype longsword that fell on the ground.
but…….
Pachi chichi-!
Sparks fly from the sword as if rejecting his touch.
The bastard frowned, grabbed the sword with force, and thrust it into the subspace.
and…….
Thump.
He slowly walked towards us.
I lifted the mace with great difficulty.
The mace that had felt as light as a feather just a moment ago felt as heavy as iron bars.
Thump.
Information about this phenomenon came to my mind without me having to rack my brain.
“The character has fallen into a state of soul exhaustion.”
Soul exhaustion.
An abnormal status that occurs when soul power reaches 0%.
I’ve only ever been caught by this in-game on one hand. No matter how many times I use my skills, my soul power never drops to 0%.
“All stats are temporarily reduced by 70%.”
I realized.
“Suddenly, everyone got quiet. Did you lose?”
New Plan A is a failure.
And the price is… … .
Well, you’ll find out from now on.
Phew-!
The new model is pushed back significantly by the bastard’s kick.
Even though I blocked it with both arms, the impact resonated through my bones.
“Bjorn… … !”
Misha hurriedly swung her sword and rushed at him, but it was not enough to reach him.
“Ahh!”
As if he were a master of martial arts, he wrapped his arm around Misha’s wrist and snatched the sword away from her.
and…….
“What a piece of trash.”
He kicked Misha in the stomach and sent her flying far away.
The crossbow that Rotmiller shot at that moment?
Before it could even touch him, he was cut in two by the sword.
“Just because of these little things… … .”
The bastard looks at us and mutters coldly.
Those words gave me goosebumps and my heart started beating wildly as if it was broken.
But even in the midst of all this, as if by habit, my head combined the given clues.
“Probably, you don’t know.”
That guy isn’t in good shape either.
Anyway, if the guy was at 100% health, my arm would have been broken already.
It looks like it’s a situation where you can’t use a sword.
“How much time have I just spent pinning myself to the ground?”
There are several positive aspects.
But still, it can’t compare to us.
“Hey, Miss Misha! Come to your senses!”
I heard a sobbing voice from behind me, and the guy took a step closer to me.
“Barbarian, do not hope for eternal sleep. Even death cannot save you.”
This isn’t just a scare comment.
Because I know what the only tier 3 essence he has is.
Turbuck-
The situation is truly hopeless.
What should I do?
If things continue like this, it’ll be hard to escape.
It was that moment when my head was filled with only such thoughts.
“Leol Warb Dwalki casts the 8th-grade attack magic [Ice Spear].”
An ice spear is fired with the same power as before.
Two of them, too.
With the ‘orbit adjustment’ completed.
Pishuuut-!
The bastard twisted his body urgently.
And I barely managed to dodge another one by pushing it away with my sword. Normally, I would have blocked it with [Dark Curtain] or easily destroyed it with my sword.
It was with such difficulty that I was able to block the magic.
“… … !”
Then I realized.
I can’t understand why I didn’t think of this right away… … .
Wizards do not use soul power.
In other words, the debuff due to soul exhaustion did not occur.
That means.
“Yeah, I guess I’ll have to kill you first.”
We must protect Dwalki.
“Everyone, wake up!!!”
If you want to live.
