Chapter 15 - The Return (Part 2)

 

"Percy?" Percy!

The leader hurriedly shouted out a name. Of course, there was no answer. I ordered Erwen to shoot the crossbowman first.

Only then did the leader turn to me.

"What the hell have you done?"

But even then, he was warily watching what was behind me, as if he had put forward his own hypothesis. It was a very big mistake. I hated the bastards who asked a question with a ready-made answer in their heads. Too much.

*Blow!*

The moment the leader's gaze turned to the bush, I rushed forward and waved my shield without hesitation.

*Woom!*

Unfortunately, no sensations were transferred to my hand. He evaded... If it was a goblin, it would disappear in a flash of light without question.

"Illyes!" Pore!

When the leader called him, the samurai rushed to me and struck a horizontal blow with disciplined movements.

*Khac!*

I heard the sound of sparks bouncing off the shield.

Damn, what kind of blow was that?

I almost dropped my shield. But despite my surprise, I ran to the three. I had hoped to divert their attention and give Erwen a more definite opportunity.

However...

*Woom!*

Another blow missed.

So you say you're not an amateur, right?

When I was dealing with these guys, I was first concerned about the short range of the shield. But the more I thought about it, the more I closed the distance and aggressively swung my shield. And then I heard the sound I had been waiting for.

*Whoosh!*

Finally, Ervena began supporting fire. However, the arrows fired did not hit either the forehead, or the neck, or the legs, or the arms. Instead, a skinny bastard with a sword and shield blocked them all with his shield.

"I'll stop the arrows!" Don't worry about it and take care of the barbarian!

I wondered why he still stood his ground. Had he decided to take only arrows? Again, humans were too experienced compared to goblins.

*Bam!*

As I deflected the samurai's blow with my shield, the leader vilely swung his sword and aimed at my left arm.

*Section!*

Fortunately, I reacted in time, so the cut was not too deep. Although he had cut me, it didn't really matter because the hand was already useless.

Plus, it wasn't as painful because of the paralyzing poison circulating in my body.

"What a monster," the leader muttered, when I didn't even flinch from the wound.

Damn, don't blame me for that. You're just not good with a sword.

I cursed inwardly and pushed the samurai back with my shield and strength.

Then another supporting arrow was fired.

*Whoosh!*

Perhaps she changed position because this arrow came from a completely different direction than before. Skinny was not an easy prey either.

*Klang!*

Skinny blocked the arrow with his shield again.

Who is he? An outfielder?

The skinny man threw his body in front of the arrow aimed at someone else.

I was about to start getting frustrated that the fight wasn't progressing when...

*Вуш!*

His shield, studded with arrows like a hedgehog, quickly burst into flames.

"Damn!

The skinny man could not stand the heat and threw away his shield. I chuckled inwardly.

I'm sorry, my archer is an elementalist. That's why you had to use a 100% iron shield like me, poor bastard!

*Whoosh!*

When the pesky shield disappeared, Ervena fired more arrows without hesitation.

"Ahh!"

The arrow struck Skinny's shoulder. Soon after, he even lost the sword he was holding in his hands and turned into a useless freak.

"Illyes!" I'll deal with that bitch!

Only then did the leader understand the situation and entrusted me to the samurai so that he could escape into the bushes. It was too late for me to catch up with him.

Herrr! Damn you!

It seemed that I had no choice but to trust Erwen.

The samurai stepped back and spoke in a pompous tone.

"Surrender, barbarian.

That's why people get on my nerves. Who was he going to fool? It was clear that he was trying to buy time before his leader returned.

*Jerk!*

As I rushed forward and used Crash, the samurai's face wrinkled.

"What's wrong?" Are you afraid now that you are alone?!

"He's not alone!"

The question was addressed to a samurai, but the answer came from Skinny. In his left hand was the one-handed sword that he had dropped earlier.

But...

*Woom!*

Is it because he is right-handed? He swung his sword clumsily. Maybe he was cool with a shield, but with a sword? He was weak.

*Blow!*

Taking a step back, I cleanly dodged Skinny's attack and kicked his kneecap. The skinny man squealed, and all the veins in his neck swelled.

"Ahh!"

Oh, I didn't expect things to turn out this way. The skinny man fell to the ground, wrapping both hands around his knee, from which a bone now protruded. I wanted to use this opportunity to finish him off, but unfortunately, this hope was dashed thanks to the samurai.

*Hack!*

It was a heavy blow that I couldn't get used to, no matter how many times I blocked it. Why would a man like him hang out with these assholes?

Maybe there was some story behind this? I wasn't sure, but I knew it would be the biggest mistake of that bastard's life.

*Woom!*

When I used Crash, the samurai dodged it with an experienced move and increased the distance. I immediately lowered my shield and stretched out my hand, rushing forward again.

This movement was called... "Stretch out your arm, pretending to strike." I was already too lazy to even name him. And it was not fun.

— !!!

The samurai's expression was filled with anxiety as I caught him by the neck.

"I didn't expect this, did I?"

I pulled the samurai back with overwhelming force.

Then, instead of using my motionless left hand, I used my mouth to bite the samurai's neck and...

*Rupture!*

I tore it apart.

" I'm singing.

The samurai could not even scream. He took a step back with empty eyes, covering his neck with both hands, from which blood was now pouring like a fountain...

Then he collapsed to the ground.

"Uncle!"

Did she really deal with everything herself?

As soon as the battle was over, Ervena appeared from the bushes.

"Uncle?"

I spat the piece of flesh out of my mouth and wiped my mouth with my hand.

Damn, that's disgusting.

***

The hard battle was over. Was I the only victim?

Fortunately, Ervena was in the same state as when we split up, as if the battle was over before the enemy got too close. On the other hand, I was a complete mess.

"Uncle!" Drink it, quick.

As my nerves relaxed, I fell to my knees. Ervena handed her the potion.

*Swallow, swallow, swallow*...

I carefully emptied the vial as if I were drinking a deadly poison. Poison in my body is one thing, but since my wounds weren't in one place, Ervena explained that it was better to drink the potion.

Since I emptied a whole bottle, the sensation was not at all the same as usual.

"Phew...

Something was bubbling in my intestines. I felt pain, as if little beads were bouncing in my blood vessels, and the skin was so hot that it almost drove me crazy. This lasted for more than 10 minutes.

— ... Uncle, be strong.

Ervena wiped my sweaty body with an old handkerchief.

Perhaps because of the poison, or perhaps because I was just dirty, but the white handkerchief turned completely black.

... I will have to buy her a new one later.

"It's all right. I... I'm okay now.

Feeling a little better, I struggled to my feet.

Looking down, I saw scabs on the wounds large and small. If I had drunk another bottle of the potion, it would have disappeared as well, but I decided not to.

"It will leave a scar...

So what? I'm a barbarian.

— Water.

"Exactly!" That's it.

Ervena quickly rummaged through her bag and pulled out a water bottle. I felt like I had become a lord or something. I drank the entire bottle and the energy slowly began to return to my body.

Has water always been so delicious?

Suddenly, the veins that protruded all over his body also disappeared.

"Get my watch."

With Ervena's help, I checked the time.

I froze.

[23:20]

Hell, they don't even give us time to rest.

There were only 40 minutes left until the end of the 7th day. If we can't go down to the 1st floor by then, we'll have to spend another 3 days in this cursed place.

"Ervena, take off your clothes."

"Wh-what?"

Not his own, but theirs.

Unable to speak, I pointed in the direction of the corpses, and Ervena relaxed the hand clutching her shirt.

"No, actually forget about clothes. We don't have time. Just pack their gear, mana gems, and backpacks.

"S-Good!"

Knowing that there was no time, Ervena moved quickly forward.

"Oh, I'll bring that red-haired guy's stuff and the crossbowman too!"

Oh, and be careful not to step on the trap.

While Ervena was busy with this, I took off the samurai and Skinny gear. I threw away the chest guard, the samurai sword, and the wooden shield that turned into coal...

After sorting out the equipment, I made a rough estimate of the equipment and took only those that looked expensive. And just as I was putting them in my backpack, Ervena came back.

"Phew...

The two backpacks she was carrying seemed quite heavy.

I'm sorry, I can't bear them for you, because I have three myself.

Soon after, I checked the time again.

[23:35]

There are only 25 minutes left.

"Let's run."

"Are you sure?" You look tired...

"Don't worry about it.

Ervena looked full of concern, but when she saw my expression, she nodded and led her along.

This is how the forced marathon began.

"I'll be walking behind you, so accelerate as much as you can and clear the way."

"Good.

After sending Ervena first, I continued running, adjusting my pace.

My body was strangely heavy, probably due to mental fatigue. Or is it because of these backpacks? ... However, I couldn't just leave them here. After all this hard work, there should be a reward. It was justice.

*Puff, puff*...

After running, who knows how long... A portal appeared in the distance.

Ervena came first and waited for me in front of him. Her expression both supported me and expressed pity, like a young anime heroine.

Damn, that's the atmosphere before you get dumped.

Feeling a little uneasy, I gathered the rest of my strength and quickened my steps.

And...

"I'm going first!"

"Oh, I... Me too!

Unlike the anime, I bravely refused the emotional hug and entered the portal.

*Flash!*

The flash of radiance was the same as usual. But for some reason, this time I felt that the light was embracing me.

The feeling of returning to the 1st floor was not much different from when we entered the 2nd. It felt like you were being pushed out of the stomach of some creature.

"Oh!"

Unfortunately, even the result was the same. No, maybe it was even worse?

*Tud-!*

This time I was thrown head first and thrown into the ground, Ervena landed just fine again.

... How the hell is that possible?

When we were thrown to the 2nd floor, she at least made an arc in the air.

Damn, every bone hurt.

"It's even fun!"

Think so.

I'd laugh too, if I had someone like me by my side.

"*Phew*...

Stretching, I stood up and shook the dirt off my body.

Then I checked the time.

[23 : 58]

There is still time, but it was very close.

I didn't want to say that we were lucky, because then there would be too many reasons to be offended by the universe. If everything was going well, it was because of me, if not very well, then also because of me. This way of thinking was better for my health.

"You've worked hard, uncle.

"Yes, you too.

We looked at each other for a while and said goodbye.

Wait, I think I forgot something...

"Loot distribution!"

"Oh, that's right! Essence!

Ervena and I shouted at the same time.

"Essence?"

"Yes!" You asked me to promise you something earlier!

Oh yes. This is.

Now I remembered what I had forgotten. But there is no time for a long conversation. I quickly checked the watch again.

[23:59]

I looked at the second hand, there were about 15 seconds left. I quickly closed my watch and raised my head to look at Ervena.

So, this, this... What was he called there? Black, what's there?

"Black Whale!" Let's meet at the Black Whale Tavern!

"Good!"

Ervena nodded at my urgent cry. Now I could rest in peace.

[The labyrinth is closed.]

[Transports to Raphdonia.]

Damn, I didn't say what time.