Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 225 Turning the Tables (1)

Turning the Tables (1)

Turning the Tables (1)

The Goblin Forest is one of the brighter areas on the 2nd floor.

It’s dark, but the starlight that fills the sky provides some illumination.

Well, it’s not usually this bright, though.

Whoosh!

Dozens of light orbs are floating in the air, illuminating the surroundings as if it were daytime.

It’s like a stadium at night with the lights on.

‘Just how much surplus mana does he have?’

…but that’s not what I should be thinking about right now.

“Yandel, those guys…”

“The Ruin Scholar and the Corpse Collector. And I don’t know about the other one.”

I briefly share information with the warriors who followed me through the portal, but my eyes are fixed on the front.

“Oh, so he didn’t come alone?”

The beastman, whose identity I haven’t figured out yet, chuckled.

He seemed to be in a good mood.

“We’ll earn quite a bit even if we split this three ways.”

His greedy gaze sweeps over us.

It’s like we’re just trash mobs in a good hunting ground.

Ha, I was hoping they might let us go if we congratulated them.

“How low-class.”

The old mage with white hair, the ‘Ruin Scholar’, clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Why? Isn’t this why you decided to stay behind?”

The beastman asked, but the Ruin Scholar didn’t answer as if he was annoyed.

That’s when the Corpse Collector chuckled and interjected.

“Pfft, you still don’t know that old hag? He just wants to go back quickly, loot or whatever.”

“Hmm, is that so? Then it’s just the two of us who are low-class.”

“Ha, what are you talking about? You think I stayed behind just to get some equipment?”

“…Then what is it?”

The beastman tilted his head at the Corpse Collector’s words.

I also pretended not to know and listened closely.

I judged that if I knew each individual’s motivation and goal for staying here, it might increase our options.

Hmm, right, but…

“Of course! It’s because it seems fun!”

The Clown shouted exaggeratedly, just like he did at the Round Table.

“To be able to kill explorers who barely made it here after going through all that hardship with just a sliver of hope! Isn’t that the best?!”

The Ruin Scholar frowned again.

“What’s with that tone? You’re suddenly acting.”

“Ah, that? It’s because I thought there might be someone I know here! Pfft.”

“Someone you know…?”

“Tsk, there are. I’ve always wanted to kill them, but it wouldn’t be fun if I just killed them, right? It’s more fun if they at least know who I am before they die!”

“You’re talking nonsense. Do whatever you want. I’m going to rest.”

Although the Ruin Scholar had a confused expression, I was different.

‘This crazy psycho bastard.’

He was hoping that if there was a Round Table member among us, they would recognize him.

That’s why he even bothered wearing a mask and revealing himself.

It was a gesture that showed his resolve.

That he wouldn’t let anyone here leave alive.

“Hmm, but there are a lot more than I expected?”

The beastman, who had been chatting casually while my companions were entering through the portal and forming a line, looked at us and expressed his doubt.

But there wasn’t a shred of nervousness in his expression.

The leftovers abandoned by the royal family’s core forces.

He must be confident that he can handle them, no matter how many there are.

‘This is better.’

I decided to think positively.

In the first place, the situation would have been much worse if they had attacked us as soon as we arrived on the 2nd floor.

It’s a good thing that the enemy underestimates us.

So…

“Pfft, it seems like this is the end since no one else is coming.”

…we can use that to our advantage, whether it’s arrogance or not.

“It’s a good thing they didn’t send more people, it would have been troublesome.”

“Pfft, troublesome, my ass.”

The Corpse Collector, a high-ranking Necromancer who’s also called a one-man army.

The Clown snapped his fingers.

Whoosh!

A giant subspace pocket opened in the air.

And…

[Groaaaaaaaaar!]

…he unleashed an army of hundreds of corpses.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”

It’s time to start the final battle we’ve been waiting for.

____________________

An army of corpses is charging towards us from the front.

They’re even properly equipped, as if he diligently collected them.

The pressure is immense.

But…

“Hey, we can go back if we just win this battle, right?”

…no one is running away.

At least not around me.

“Phew, I can finally fight properly.”

The warriors, who are exhausted, smile and take out their weapons.

“I can finally save face. I’m even one rank higher than you.”

It’s different from when we were clearing the path on the 1st floor.

Various weapons like swords, hammers, axes, maces, and flails emit a bright light.

「Alexandros Bell has cast [Fury of Fire].」

「Ralph Kel has cast [Gale Blade].」

「Milton Teterud has cast [Banner of Struggle].」

「Stamina consumption greatly reduced during battle.」

The skills they couldn’t use because of the field effect.

“Waaaaaaaaaa!!”

“Let’s gooooooo!!”

The warriors charge towards the corpse army, unleashing their skills as if they’ve been waiting for this moment.

I also activate [Gigantification] and join them.

Right, we might be out of stamina, but are we out of MP?

Kwaaang!

An explosion occurs as the vanguard clashes with the corpse army.

It’s a sound that should accompany an explorer battle.

[Grooooowl…]

Support follows from the rear as soon as the corpse army’s charge is stopped.

Arrows fly towards us.

Attack magic of various attributes.

And ranged abilities.

Of course, they’re not just watching.

「Abet Nekrapetto has cast [Stone Curse].」

Bodies turn into stone statues during battle.

「Abet Nekrapetto has cast [Corpse Explosion].」

Corpses modified for self-destruction charge in and explode.

Boom!

The power of the explosion is about that of a 6th-grade fire spell.

It wasn’t strong enough to instantly kill the warriors, who were tougher and more agile after using their active skills.

But…

Sizzle.

…as expected of corpses handled by a Poison Necromancer, the bodies of those who were splashed with blood at close range melt away in an instant.

“Aaaaaak!!”

And in the midst of that…

“Hey, barbarian! Are you the leader here?”

…the beastman, one of the three, leaps high and lands in front of me.

His appearance is completely different from before.

Sharp fangs protruding from his mouth.

Fur covering his entire body and a blue mane.

His height and build are similar to mine in [Gigantification] state.

He’s transformed into a beast that resembles a werewolf.

‘No wonder he didn’t have any equipment.’

I scan him and quickly analyze.

‘Enhancement type.’

‘Spirit Beast’, a beastman’s unique ability.

It seems like this guy is an enhancement type like Misha. He must have a transformation skill among the abilities he obtained by raising his Spirit Beast level.

‘I wonder what essence he absorbed.’

I dismiss the question, which I’ll naturally find out later, and cover my face with my shield.

He’s swinging his giant paw at me.

Kwaaang!

A heavy impact that shakes my bones.

‘His Strength is higher than mine.’

As expected, it’s going to be a tough fight—

Whoosh!

Just as I’m retreating to avoid a strength contest, a sword swings.

Towards the wolf bastard, not me.

“I’ll take care of this guy, you step back!”

It’s Melter Pend, the leader of the Nartel Clan.

“You’ll take care of him?”

“It’s Kyle’s order.”

Then it’s fine.

I readily yield and step back.

There’s a saying, ‘the right person in the right place’, right?

Melter Pend is the only 3rd-grade explorer in our expedition party. And he’s been conserving his strength with his clan members for the 2nd-floor battle.

‘He said he was an apprentice knight before.’

He’s much better at PvP than me.

[Yandel, can you hear me?]

Kyle’s voice comes through the message stone as soon as I turn around after leaving the wolf bastard to Melter.

“I can hear you.”

[Sorry, I was a bit late because I was dividing the forces.]

“Skip the apology, just get to the point.”

[You focus on leading the people and fighting the Corpse Collector. Melter Pend and his companions will take care of Blue Mane.]

“Blue Mane?”

[Ah, you didn’t know? He’s the one who became famous during the Noark subjugation. He was the successor of the Blue Wolf tribe, but it seems like he committed a crime and escaped, and then he was hiding in Noark.]

Hmm, so he wasn’t a member of Orculus.

No wonder I couldn’t think of anyone when I saw him.

“Okay, I’ll take care of this side.”

[That’s reassuring. Then I’ll focus everything on blocking that old man.]

By old man, he must mean the Ruin Scholar, right?

Maybe the person Kyle wanted to take revenge on was that old man.

“Right, then I’ll trust you with that.”

I say it as if ending the conversation and swing my mace at the surrounding corpses.

That’s when I hear another voice.

[Ah, and one more thing.]

“…?”

[Your companions will be arriving soon.]

“What?”

[…….]

There’s no answer.

Kwagic!

That’s when, as I’m crushing a corpse that was protecting its head with a shield, shield and all…

Slash!

…an Adamantium greatsword is embedded in the temple of a corpse that was aiming for my side.

“We’ll help too from now on!!”

Ainar.

And…

“Bjorn!”

…Misha.

The melee damage dealer duo naturally takes their positions behind me, ready to fight.

It’s the formation that Team Apple Nark usually uses.

“You’re not going to try to fight alone again, are you?”

I turn around and see Raven riding on the bear-like man’s summon, Woongie.

‘Wait, if Woongie is here…’

As expected, I look around and see the bear-like man.

“Why are you guys here when you should be in the rear…?”

I can understand the melee damage dealer duo, but why did these two come all the way here?

It would be much safer in the back.

The bear-like man answers as he loads an arrow into his large crossbow,

“Indirect fire isn’t my specialty.”

Hmm, that’s true.

But I don’t think that’s the real reason.

‘I should give him the [Leap Shot] essence later when we go up to the 6th floor.’

I think about the essence I’ll give the bear-like man later and swing my mace.

But the corpse collapses before it even reaches it.

Whoosh!

An arrow of fire embedded in its forehead.

“Mister!!”

Right, you came too.

Her sister, Daria, is also next to her.

She was just trying to protect herself with her sister, but did she suddenly change her mind?

I don’t know, but it’s not bad.

“Protect the leader!”

Melter Pend and his clan members are diligently fighting the wolf bastard, creating their own territory within the battlefield.

“These leftovers…!”

Judging by the compliments that are erupting, it seems like they’re successfully clearing it.

Although the Ruin Scholar is still quiet…

‘Let’s trust them.’

Kyle will take care of it if he tries anything.

I just have to do my job.

Therefore…

“…….”

…I scan the front.

It’s not difficult to find the Clown since I’m in [Gigantification] state.

He’s sitting on a giant corpse monster, watching the battlefield.

As if he’s truly enjoying the show.

‘Geez, there’s a limit to looking down on people.’

I can’t help but laugh.

Come to think of it, that Dragonslayer bastard also had that kind of look in his eyes when we first met.

“Misha, Ainar, we’re breaking through.”

I then start advancing through the corpse army.

My target is the Corpse Collector.

And my goal is to smash his head and see if there’s anything wrong with his brain.

“Yandel! Yandel is doing something again!”

“Don’t tell me, is he aiming for the Corpse Collector?”

“Follow the great warrior!!”

“Let’s gooooooo!!”

Explorers start gathering around me.