Surviving the Game as a Barbarian-Chapter 456: Raid (1)

[Dungeon and Stone] is a farming game.

The main appeal of the game is strengthening your character by accumulating experience, absorbing essences, and obtaining equipment.

Typically, you level up your character by gathering experience points and absorbing essences.

Because experience points are only awarded for the first kill of a monster.

If you don't strengthen your character with essences, you can't even reach the next level to farm experience.

'But somehow, I haven't encountered any bottlenecks until reaching level 7.'

Of course, this is largely due to the fact that I absorbed the 7th-grade Corpse Golem, 5th-grade Vampire, and Orc Hero essences early on.

Those essences alone were enough to power through the lower floors, even if I just focused on experience points. The 'Tempered Desire' that allowed me to absorb the Ogre essence in the mid-game also played a significant role.

Ah, the ongoing war also helped.

The 'Bion' essence I obtained through war achievements was originally something I would have started farming at this level.

'So this is the first time I've encountered a real bottleneck...'

Of course, this isn't because I'm lacking in skill. It's just that the only way to get stronger is to go above the 7th floor, but I can't go there because it's a war zone.

Realistically, I could start farming the Bellarios essence right now if my clan was stronger.

Therefore...

"Bjorn! How long do we have to wait here? The monsters here are too weak, it's boring!"

I decided to focus on low-level raids for this expedition.

Looking back, it was the best choice.

We could farm experience points from monsters we would have to hunt eventually, practice our teamwork, and even absorb essences if they dropped.

All four of us had one essence slot left.

"Just be patient. As I said, the essence from this monster is useful for you."

The monster we were hunting had an essence that was particularly useful for Ainar. It wasn't a top-tier essence, but it would make her about 30% stronger.

"Well, even if you say that..."

But Ainar didn't seem convinced.

She probably couldn't believe that a 2nd-floor essence could be helpful at this point.

"It's just a 5th-grade essence! Can't we just keep going up? You need stronger enemies to show off your skills, right? I'll show you how much I've improved!"

Ah... so that's what she was really after.

I ignored her and focused on chewing my jerky.

And after a while...

"Yandel."

Amelia, who had been farming with her clone, called out to me.

And at the same time, Erwen spoke.

"There are people approaching."

"Yeah, she's right. Someone's coming this way. How many—"

"Twelve."

"...."

Damn it, why are they competing over this?

"They'll be here in about two minutes."

"Alright."

We waited, and soon a team of twelve explorers appeared from the darkness.

Hmm, should I call it a team, or a clan?

Their equipment was too good for 2nd-floor explorers.

"...."

"...."

We sized each other up.

The leader of the group approached us and spoke.

"...It seems we have company."

His words made it clear that they were after the same monster. We were after the same raid boss.

Well, there's only one solution in this situation.

"Yes, so you should leave."

First come, first served.

"...."

I asserted our claim to the hunting ground, and the leader looked at us with a thoughtful expression.

If it had been a few years ago, he would have been wary of us.

But now...

"Too bad."

Well, what can he do about it?

"It was an honor to meet such famous explorers. May the blessings of Lafdonia be with you, Baron Yandel."

They turned around and left without a word, just like the three teams we had encountered earlier.

And after a while...

「Character has slain a Sandworm.」

「Character has slain a Sandworm.」

「Character has slain a Sandworm...」

「...」

We waited, slaying the Sandworms that spawned in this specific area of the Rocky Desert.

And finally, the conditions were met.

"Oh, the ground is shaking!"

The desert trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

A sandstorm swept through the area, blocking our escape route.

And then a giant worm burst from the ground, its jaws wide open.

「Deathworm has appeared.」

The 5th-grade monster, Deathworm.

It was a common target for 'experience runs' because it always spawned as a high-variant and its spawn location was on a lower floor.

[Kyiieeeeeeek!]

The worm, its upper body rising from the sand, let out a chilling roar.

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!"

Ainar, eager to prove her worth, leaped into the air, her greatsword raised high.

But she was a step too late.

「Amelia Rainwales has cast [Abyssal Strength].」

「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has cast [Rupture].」

Before Ainar could even swing her sword, the Deathworm was pierced by arrows and a dagger and collapsed onto the sand.

「Deathworm has been slain. EXP +5」

「High-Variant Kill Bonus. EXP +1」

I couldn't believe it.

It was over in a second.

"It was weaker than I expected."

"Mister, I killed it!"

"What are you talking about? My blade bisected its body before your arrow even left the bow."

"But it was my arrow that blew its head off!"

"Aaaaargh! Damn it! I waited so long, and this is what I get?!"

Ah, the essence didn't drop.

_______________________

After slaying the Deathworm, we left the Rocky Desert and returned to the 1st-floor Crystal Cave.

It had been three months since we last visited the 'Green Mine'.

It was time to enter the 1st-floor rift again.

'I haven't explored this place yet.'

I had been skipping the lower floors, so I had only visited the 3rd-floor White Temple and the 4th-floor Doppelganger Forest.

We had spent so little time on the 2nd floor that I hadn't even seen the rift opening effect.

'I wonder if we'll be able to enter this time...'

Well, I wasn't sure. Entering a rift wasn't something you could just decide to do.

"Hahaha! It's been a while! I feel nostalgic, don't you, Bjorn?"

Ainar exclaimed as we arrived at the Great Sage Monument in the center of the Crystal Cave.

I could understand how she felt.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

I had felt the same way when I last visited this place three months ago.

It was where I had first opened a rift with Ainar, where we met Raven and Hikurod for the first time.

And it was also the place where we were surrounded by Noark and had to fight our way out.

'It's been over three years...'

I had lost a lot of time traveling to the past, but even considering that, it felt like a long time ago.

It felt like it had just happened yesterday.

Thud.

We placed the 8th-grade magic stone we had obtained in the Rocky Desert on the altar, and the portal opened.

「Character has entered the 1st-floor rift.」

The last remaining 1st-floor rift, the one I hadn't cleared yet.

"This is the 'Steel Tomb'..."

Erwen illuminated the area with her spirit, revealing a narrow passage.

It felt like entering a pyramid from a documentary.

Of course, there was a clear difference.

The walls were made of metal, not stone.

"Mister, what language is this?"

"I don't know."

"Hahaha! I bet Aruru would love this!"

"Enough chatter. Let's move."

We started exploring the rift.

Ainar was the one leading the way this time.

She had insisted on it.

Amelia and Erwen also seemed curious about her skills, so I let her do as she pleased.

I was also curious.

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!"

Ainar, the vanguard, started clearing the rift at an incredible pace.

Normally, you would have to carefully disarm the traps and find the path to the final chamber... but that was meaningless for Ainar.

For her, traps were meant to be triggered.

As long as your body was strong enough.

"Ainar, left at the next intersection!"

"Woohoo!"

I guided her through the rift, and she triggered the traps and smashed the monsters with her greatsword.

Kwaaang! Kwagic! Kaboom!

It was a spectacular display of brute force.

「Ainar Frenelin has cast [Reaping Slash].」

「Same target hit.」

「[Explosive Scars] activated.」

Her basic combo, [Reaping Slash] and [Explosive Scars].

But there was a noticeable difference from her previous self.

「[Mandel Oil] doubles the power of [Explosive Scars].」

The 5th-grade essence, Smug, activated its passive skill whenever a fire-based skill was used.

And...

「[Residual Heat] activated.」

「Deals additional damage proportional to the damage dealt.」

She even had the 4th-grade essence, which dealt 50% reduced damage after dealing fire damage to multiple targets in a short time.

Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom!

Every swing of her sword triggered a chain of explosions.

'She actually absorbed all the essences I recommended...'

I watched her, impressed.

It felt like seeing a student who had completed all their homework.

I had recommended essences that boosted her Resistance stats, so she was practically immune to traps and monster abilities.

Well, even if she was injured, she would recover quickly.

「Ainar Frenelin has cast [Wings of Greed].」

「Natural Regeneration is greatly increased.」

Ainar's build focused on passive skills, so her MP consumption was low.

She only had one active skill besides her basic attack, [Reaping Slash].

So she could maintain her healing ability without any problems...

「8th-grade monster slain.」

「Regenerates Soul Power proportional to the monster's rank.」

...and thanks to the 3rd-stage Slayer Engraving effect, [Devour], she recovered both HP and MP whenever she fought.

She even had the 6th-stage Slayer Engraving.

「Engaged in combat with an 8th-grade monster.」

「Physical stats continuously increase proportional to the monster's rank.」

'She even has [Combat Learning]...'

She was becoming stronger with every battle, a true barbarian warrior.

'It would be fun to fight like that...'

I felt a pang of envy as I watched her fight, but I quickly dismissed the feeling.

Shield Barbarians had their own appeal.

And [Dungeon and Stone] was a game where everything revolved around the main tank.

You could clear raids without healers, mages, or archers... but not without a main tank.

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!"

We followed Ainar through the rift, and the experience points flowed in.

「Mummy slain. EXP +1」

「Ironclad Soldier slain. EXP +3」

「Buried One slain. EXP +2」

「Guardian's Eye slain. EXP +2」

「Iron Lizardman slain. EXP +3」

「Riddlekeeper slain...」

「...」

We even found the two hidden pieces and shared them.

「Character has consumed Mercurial Liquid.」

「Magic Resistance permanently increased by +3.」

「This effect does not stack.」

「Character has received the Blessing of Iron.」

「Physical Resistance permanently increased by +3.」

「This effect does not stack.」

The stat increase was small because it was a 1st-floor rift, but it would add up over time.

「Character has entered the Steel Tomb.」

We reached the final chamber after about three hours.

'Three hours for a solo run... she's really fast.'

She had proven her worth, but Ainar, still unsatisfied, insisted on fighting the boss alone.

And...

「Iron Golem Ildium slain. EXP +4」

「High-Variant Kill Bonus. EXP +1」

「Guardian Kill Bonus. EXP +3」

The boss fight ended quickly.

And as soon as it did...

All eyes were on the spot where the boss had been standing.

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

The essence didn't drop.

Neither did the rift stones.

But...

"...A flower?"

"Huh? Is there a flower-shaped Numbered Item?"

A Numbered Item had dropped.

No. 9999 Beginner's Luck.

A very rare one.

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