Surviving the Game as a Barbarian-Chapter 540: Shinrokgochang (2)

No.7777 Garfas’s Necklace.

In truth, it’s not an efficient item.

You can reliably get a number above 35, but to even reach that point, you have to dump 1.5 billion stones into it.

“You only profit if a single number drops.”

If the ‘ten numbers’ come out from 10 to 19, you mostly break even.

Above 20, it’s generally a loss.

But there’s also the risk that the necklace could break during rerolling, and then you literally suffer a catastrophic loss.

In other words, it’s a high-risk gambling-type item...

“Bjorn...? Why are you so quiet?”

Startled by Ainard’s worried tone, I snapped back to reality.

“Is something wrong?”

No way.

It’s the opposite.

“Well done, Ainard. You’re the only one.”

I expressed my love sincerely, but Ainard didn’t even react.

“Oh! Since you say that, it must be a good item! So, what’s this shield?”

Ah, that.

Ainard’s reaction was a bit disappointing, but a minor issue.

Yeah, I nearly ended up getting wrecked by a pitiless fall.

Honestly, I’d be willing to take three punches in the face with a smile for no reason.

And in that sense...

“Let’s just pull it quickly.”

Before any other variables could occur, I quickly took out the item contained in the necklace.

Swaaaaaah—!

As soon as I pressed the confirm button, a burst of multicolored light flared up.

The shimmering cluster of light hovered in the air, then coalesced like clay into a proper shape.

「The designated item has been generated.」

No.3 The Wall of Aegis.

In-game notation: The wall of Aegis.

The legendary shield of the shield Barbarian’s graduation.

“Now I only have to use one shield, so is this my graduation from shields...?”

Honestly, I was expecting something else.

Or rather, realistically, those were the things I’d stop at if they appeared.

My graduation armor in the tens series.

The second graduation shield, No.21 shield.

The single numbers, key for the Frost Dual Swordsman.

If a ‘Rift Generator’ appeared that helped farming, I’d choose it with future planning in mind, or even if a graduation weapon for Elwen or Amelia showed up, I was willing to stop there.

But...

“To think I’d actually get this.”

I still can’t tell if this is a dream or reality.

「Due to excessive mana condensation, the power of Garfas imbued in the necklace has suffered permanent damage.」

One of the Numbers items had turned into an ordinary necklace, but it was no big deal.

I carefully lifted the gray shield.

「Character has equipped No.3 The Wall of Aegis.」

「Overall item level increased by +18,600.」

With this, I became stronger.

A lot stronger.

The shield itself isn’t flashy at all.

Its color is gray, and it doesn’t have jewel-like decorations.

So what?

A shield just needs to be sturdy.

“This shield... is a single number?”

“Wait a moment... If it’s number 3, that means only two are above it... This is an incredible treasure!”

“The Wall of Aegis! To think I’d actually see the legendary item I’d only heard stories about!”

The companions murmured upon learning the shield’s identity.

Surprisingly, Amelia was the most excited.

“Oh! Seeing you all like that, it must be a really great treasure?”

“Tsk, it’s more than that. The Wall of Aegis hasn’t appeared even once in 120 years since an explorer died in the labyrinth.”

Well, honestly, that’s not surprising anymore.

She really loves stuff like this.

A complete labyrinth fanatic, you could say.

“At this point, except for one piece the royal family holds, Yandel, that guy, is the last. According to records, that shield is indestructible...”

Amelia wanted to show off her knowledge, explaining the equipment’s options on my behalf.

Her explanation was professional enough, but...

“The information in this world always lacks exact numbers.”

As a hardcore gamer, I couldn’t accept that.

So let me put it properly.

‘Top-tier indestructibility.’

‘Immune to all damage when guarding with the shield.’

‘Reduces all magic damage taken by the wearer and allies within 10 meters by 30%, and grants immunity to magic of grade 5 or below.’

‘Increases all defense-related stats of the wearer by 20%.’

‘When using aura skills, doubles the radius and effect.’

‘If threat value is 500 or more, all monsters prioritize attacking the wearer.’

And finally...

‘Has one active effect.’

Yeah, that’s graduation equipment for you.

My heart was pounding like crazy.

I wanted to go out and fight with this right now.

My body was already itching, but unfortunately, I’d firmly declared today a day off, so I held back.

Yeah, I needed time to adapt anyway.

‘It feels pretty light.’

Maybe because what I used before was insanely heavy?

It’s definitely heavier than an ordinary steel shield, but comparatively feels much lighter.

‘Then how about the hammer?’

In my other hand, I held the Demon Crusher to check the weight balance.

This isn’t just a game world.

Even a slight mismatch in feel and weight could cause big trouble.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

While I was swinging my weapon alone in the cave, adapting to the changed weight, a thought occurred.

‘How come I finished graduation on weapons first?’

No.87 Demon Crusher and No.3 The Wall of Aegis.

Honestly, with just these two, there’s nothing more to see in the weapon department.

The Demon Crusher has room for upgrades, but considering the difficulty in obtaining it and the low returns, it’s practically graduation with the Demon Crusher.

‘Left are armor, boots, and belt.’

If we focus only on core items important for growth, that’s it.

The Barbarian tribe’s primordial treasure is also a core item, but it’s now impossible to get.

That’s a shame.

The reason shield Barbarians are overpowered includes that primordial treasure.

‘Anyway, I think I’m getting used to this...’

After getting accustomed to the new gear, I did some testing.

I tried using the active effects, checked the magic immunity aura on the shield.

And...

‘A 10-meter radius...’

I definitely memorized that distance.

I judged it would be important.

After those processes, I rested during the leftover time and the leadership gathered to discuss future exploration plans.

Well, it was more like an announcement than a discussion.

“Baron, so we’re resuming exploration of the Giant Island from tomorrow?”

“No, that island is on hold for now.”

“Eh?”

“After all that searching, we haven’t found anything.”

I know there’s some secret hidden on the Giant Island.

But to uncover it, we’d have to kill that gigantic giant we saw.

The problem is...

‘Since then, it hasn’t appeared, and even if we find it, I’m not confident we can win.’

“Then... where do we go?”

“Our next destination is Library Island.”

“Library Island? Ah... you mean that island you told us about?”

“Yeah.”

The plan is to go there and level up.

Back then, with only seven people, we hunted up to grade 3 monsters, but now it’s a different story.

I’m also curious what happens over time.

‘We cleared almost all the lower books then, I wonder if they’ve respawned?’

Well, we’ll find out when we get there.

Just as the meeting was ending, ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) Amelia asked me a question.

“Yandel, are we giving up on Hiphramagent?”

“Not giving up, just putting it on hold.”

“Why? I thought you were after its core essence.”

That’s true.

But I don’t have confidence in beating the triple probability for distortion magic success, essence drop, and [Gigantism].

More importantly, even if I get through that, the return isn’t good now.

‘I just don’t think the skill will stack twice.’

Hiphramagent is a substitute essence, a superior version of the Orc Hero essence.

And I have only two essence slots left.

Filling those with other essences is more effective for power.

I can’t just delete Orc Hero essence to put in Hiphramagent’s.

But...

“Hmm, understood.”

That’s just a secondary reason, not the main one.

‘Elwen and Ainard are mostly taken care of...’

Other teammates need leveling up too.

Everyone has at least one essence slot left.

We’ll fill them carefully while farming at the library.

Oh, and Amelia too.

‘She’s been stagnant too long.’

“...What’s with that look?”

“Nothing.”

Just thinking.

I don’t know when we can escape here.

When that time comes...

‘It’ll be fun.’

I wonder how strong we’ll be then.

After sharing the exploration plan, I spent the remaining time thinking about my future growth alone.

What I need to do to become a bigger, stronger shield Barbarian.

I prioritized and organized the steps.

There was only one thing I could do immediately on basement level 1.

Get essence from the library.

The goal was exactly one.

Bellarios, a grade 3 monster.

If I get only that, my next growth will only be possible after a successful escape.

Swap Orc Hero essence for Hiphramagent essence.

Reach level 9 in Spirit Engraving.

Farm grade 2 guardian essences and Numbers items by running rifts on floor 8.

Then erase Stormgush essence and farm hierarchy essences.

Everything possible at level 8 can only be tried after returning to the city.

So, the day off ended.

Day 75.

As soon as the day began, I left the cave.

Then I headed to the shore to move to Library Island.

Just as I was about to summon a boat at a suitable spot—

Whooooosh—!

Suddenly something flew swiftly out of the sea.

「Defense successful.」

「The Wall of Aegis absorbs all damage.」

Luckily, I instinctively raised the shield to block.

What’s this now?

“It’s an ambush...!”

Ignoring the stunned members behind me, I looked down.

On the sand swept by silver waves lay a crimson spear, limp and discarded.

‘Shinrokgeochang...?'

What the hell?

Why is this here?

That fleeting question didn’t last long.

「Heavenly Spear Wielder Milayel cast [Return].」

Far away, walking slowly up through the silver waves, something appeared.

And...

「Heavenly Spear Wielder Milayel has recovered Shinrokgeochang.」

「While battle continues, the power of [Return] slightly increases.」

Picking up the spear from the ground, he said to me:

[You will not escape, mortal.]

I’d heard this line countless times when I ran away last time, but this time it felt different.

‘...Is he crazy?’

Did this guy really cross the sea to follow me here?

Heavenly Spear Wielder Milayel.

A Rift guardian appearing in the City of Light, Calheum.

The first feeling when meeting him again in an unexpected place was surprise.

After calming down, another feeling came.

Gladness.

And...

“Well, this is good.”

I thought I’d never see him again.

[You will not escape, mortal.]

Seeing Milayel say the same phrase tirelessly, I smiled.

‘Whatever, I’m not running away anymore.’

Back then, Elwen was incapacitated.

Also, the surroundings were filled with monsters.

It wouldn’t have been strange if a grade 2 or higher monster appeared anytime.

So we had to rush at full power toward the shore.

But now it’s different.

I don’t know if this idiot realizes that.

The stubbornness ended a long time ago.

And just in time, I got a new shield.

Yeah, so...

‘Not a bad way to measure combat strength.’

I shouted with all my might to the members, waiting for orders.

“Prepare for battle! We’ll kill him here!”

Yeah, it’s not polite to kick a pumpkin that rolled in.