Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 506: The First Basement Floor (2)

Verzak, the Lord of the Abyss.

A hidden field boss that appeared after the ninth Lord of Terror was slain.

‘I had a feeling this might happen… but I didn’t expect it to actually happen.’

I quickly gathered information from the explorers gathered in front of the portal.

Verzak had been summoned about an hour ago.

Thankfully, there hadn’t been many casualties among the 1st-floor explorers.

Most of them had sensed the danger and moved to the 2nd floor on the 4th day…

“But there must have been so who couldn’t escape, or didn’t want to.”

“Yes. So ten clans, including ours, worked together to rescue the remaining 1st-floor explorers and bring them to the 2nd floor.”

Even in a world where so people summoned Floor Lords without a care for others, there were those who saved lives without expecting anything in return.

Most of the explorers gathered here had been rescuing explorers near the portal until Verzak appeared.

“So you don’t have to worry too much, Baron Yandel. By the 6th day, we could barely find anyone on the 1st floor.”

I see…

“You did a great job. It must have been difficult.”

“It doesn’t matter if it was difficult or not. It was sothing that had to be done. And it’s nothing compared to what you did, Baron.”

The explorer looked up at with respect, and I felt a pang of guilt.

I wasn’t that kind of person.

I had known about the possibility of Verzak being summoned, and yet I had gone to the 3rd floor to pursue my own goals.

But then…

“But if you ca from that direction, doesn’t that an you were also rescuing explorers?”

One of the explorers suddenly asked, and before I could even answer…

“Ah, so that’s why!”

“He didn’t just bring them to the 2nd floor, he also guided them!”

“Baron Yandel doesn’t even need guild achievent points… and yet he went to such lengths…”

“I’m ashad. I was hoping to get so achievent points for rescuing them…”

Uh…

“…….”

I just smiled awkwardly.

「Character’s Fa has increased by 1.」

「Character’s Fa has increased by 1.」

「Character’s Fa has increased by 1…」

「….」

I didn’t care about the Fa, but at least it would serve as an alibi.

‘If this is the way to the hidden area, there will be more people investigating my movents…’

Well, it couldn’t be helped.

I was used to enduring pain.

“We have sothing to discuss amongst ourselves.”

“Ah, yes! Please ask if you have any questions!”

I left the group of explorers and gathered my teammates.

I wanted to hear their opinions on the current situation.

And the first person I asked was Alia, the pillar of our clan.

“Emily, what do you think we should do?”

“…It’s a little disappointing to give up now, even though it’s dangerous.”

“So you think we should try to reach the hidden area?”

It would take a little over an hour to reach the stone tablet from the Goblin Forest portal at full speed.

It wasn’t an impossible distance, even with Verzak roaming the floor.

But Alia’s answer was firm.

“It depends on how certain you are about your thod. If it works, it’s worth a try.”

It was a valid concern.

If the portal didn’t open after we went through all that trouble, we would have to co back.

And the longer we stayed on the 1st floor, the higher the chances of encountering Verzak.

“So you’re in favor, as long as it works?”

“Yes.”

Okay, so Alia was conditionally in favor…

I asked the others for their opinions.

“I think it’s worth a try, even if it doesn’t work. We’re not the sa as we were back then.”

“I agree with the fairy! We ca all the way to the 3rd floor, it would be a sha to give up now!”

“ too. We should test it out. Even if it doesn’t work, we’ll know for next ti.”

Erwen, Ainar, and Bersil were all in favor.

“I… will follow your lead, Clan Master.”

“Tell what you think. You’re a mber of this clan too.”

My words seed to have had an effect.

Auyen hesitated for a mont and then spoke cautiously.

“I… disagree. Verzak… he killed thousands of people back then… If sothing happens to you or the ladies, it would be a great loss for humanity—”

What was he talking about?

“So you’re against it.”

“Yes… I’m just expressing my opinion, so please don’t take it personally.”

Three votes in favor, one against, and one conditional vote.

I didn't need to ask the last person, but I did anyway.

“? Ah… I… I…”

Misha, who had been unusually quiet throughout the expedition, stamred for a long ti before finally speaking.

For so reason, she had reverted to her old speech pattern.

“I-It’s okay… either way… I-It’s dangerous… but if the portal opens… it’ll be good for you… and even if it doesn’t… it’s still worth trying… I-It’ll be helpful… either way…? I-I think…”

What was she even trying to say?

I had just asked for her opinion.

“So you’re abstaining?”

“N-No…”

“Then what? Just tell what you think.”

I reassured her, and she finally answered, avoiding my gaze.

“I think… it’s better to go… if you’re sure it will work…”

So she was also conditionally in favor. But why was she glancing at Alia?

‘…Was that really her opinion?’

I was suspicious, but I didn't press her.

She needed ti to adjust.

“Okay, then it’s decided. Three votes in favor.”

“What about you, Yandel?”

“The clan’s will is my will.”

And vice versa.

The Clan Master’s vote counted as seven.

Well, it used to be six when we had six mbers, but it had increased to seven now.

Anyway, that wasn’t important.

“Let’s go.”

A land of milk and honey awaited us.

…Probably.

______________________

「Entered the 1st-floor Crystal Cave.」

______________________

We returned to the Crystal Cave through the portal.

It was a Dark Zone, so there wasn’t any light.

But as soon as I lit the torch on my helt…

Whoosh!

…a dark fog filled the cave.

「Field Effect - Abyssal Fog applied.」

「All item effects deactivated.」

「Magic efficiency reduced to 1/4.」

「Monsters exposed to Abyssal Fog evolve into superior beings.」

Damn, it’s been a while since I’ve seen this fog.

Back then, I thought this cave would be my grave.

And now I was back.

“Stay close. Follow my footsteps. There might be traps.”

I started running, leading the way.

It was a tactic only I could use, since I was both the guide and the tank.

Just like that day.

This was a place where the leader had to take the most risks.

Abyssal Goblin traps couldn’t be detected with the naked eye or magic.

Like this.

Click.

I heard a click as I stepped on sothing.

「Character has triggered a [Random Trap].」

A random skill below 5th-grade would be activated.

And this one…

Whoosh!

…was [Tail Fla], a 6th-grade skill, judging by the damage and the shape of the flas.

“Yandel, are you okay?”

It stung.

My overall stats were much higher than before, but there was one stat that had decreased significantly.

‘I need to increase my Magic Resistance…’

My Magic Resistance had plumted after I removed the Manticore essence.

I could compensate for it by using [Gigantification], but my active skills were sealed here.

“I’m fine. It’s just an hour’s run.”

I just had to endure.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!”

I roared and dashed through the trap-filled passage.

But there was one advantage compared to last ti.

Clang!

Physical attacks barely tickled.

Magic attacks were more painful now, though, so it was a wash.

Tadatada-!

I ran and ran, triggering traps.

I periodically drank a potion, even though I wasn’t thirsty.

But it didn’t heal instantly like it used to.

The higher your stats were, the less effective potions beca.

「Character’s HP is below 50%.」

After about 40 minutes of running…

…my passive skill activated.

「Passive skill [Hero’s Path] increases all Resistance stats.」

It made things more bearable.

I could increase my speed now.

As I was thinking that, I heard my teammates whispering behind .

“Now I understand why he’s so famous.”

“ too. I’ve heard stories, but… I didn’t expect it to be this bad…”

Alia and Bersil, who had only heard about that day, were looking at with a mixture of awe and horror.

‘Well, it sounds like they’re praising …’

But I felt a little embarrassed.

I hadn’t had a choice back then.

And besides, I had the ability to survive.

[Are you all insane?! Do you think anyone will acknowledge this?! A hero?]

[Damn it… I’m going. Soone has to do it.]

Unlike those who had died triggering traps…

I didn’t have to worry about dying.

That’s why I had been able to charge forward so recklessly.

Just like now.

「Character’s HP is below 40%.」

「Character’s HP is below 30%.」

「Character’s HP is below 20%.」

「Passive skill [Hero’s Path] reaches its maximum effect.」

By the ti my passive skill reached its maximum effect…

…we arrived at our destination.

My HP was low, but that was all.

I hadn’t encountered Verzak.

And my teammates were in perfect condition.

But…

‘Damn it.’

Just because the process had been smooth didn’t an the outco would be.

The problem was… the destination itself.

“…Hey, Baron Yandel?”

“…It’s the Giant! The Giant has brought his clan mbers here!”

“Did he find a way to open the portal?”

What? Why were there so many people here?

I didn’t understand.

I had thought this place would be empty.

It was a location that even low-level explorers had found before the 3rd day.

And I had even destroyed the wall.

‘What are they all doing here? With Verzak roaming the floor?’

I hid my surprise and asked the nearest explorer,

“Hey, you. Baldy.”

“M-?”

“What are you all doing here?”

He tilted his head, as if he didn’t understand my question.

“Waiting for the portal to open? Soone might slay the Lord of the Abyss. Or maybe it will open right before the labyrinth closes!”

“…What if Verzak appears here?”

“It’s a risk we have to take! We’re searching for a hidden area!”

His naive response left speechless.

“As Baron Yandel knows…”

“…….”

“…that’s what exploration is all about!”

I felt a sudden surge of disillusionnt towards the explorer profession.

I had always known there were a lot of idiots in this field, but…

“If I may be so bold… do you know how to open the portal?”

I couldn’t believe there were so many of them.