Chapter 23 – Leveling Up (Part 3)

 

I inserted the torch into the groove carved into the helmet and tied it tightly with a rope. I called it the Barbarian-Candle Mode.

... With it came a sense of shame, but it was a practical method used by other researchers.

Einar brought her hand to the flickering flame and then exclaimed,

"Oh, magnificent! It's really not hot!

"That's because it's a magical tool.

Only the length of the palm of your hand, it did not interfere with movement and was a useful thing that could be maintained for three days after turning on. It was an item used by the crossbowman's group.

The average price is about 10,000 stones...

I suddenly missed Erven.

"But where are we?"

Slowly, Einar began to delve into her surroundings and look around.

This time around, it was easy to figure it out, even though there was a huge gap between what I could actually see and the usual two-dimensional pixel art.

The black earth squelching at every step, the remains of stone structures everywhere, and even mournful weeping faintly heard from afar...

"This is the land of the dead.

"Ah, that's where the Ghouls and the Death Fiends come in!"

It was true. To be precise, the monsters that appeared here were Elder Ghouls, Skeletons, Banshees, and even an intermediate boss-like monster, the Dullahans.

"I'll go first."

The combat power of the monsters in the Land of the Dead was much higher than in the Goblin Forest. But as for what was more difficult, I would say that the victory went to the Goblin Forest.

It's much darker here, but... At least there are no pitfalls here.

This was much more convenient for two barbarians working together.

"It's a ghoul.

Soon we encountered a monster. There were less than three of them.

Of course, by the 3rd day, the number will increase by 3 times.

Another reason to move quickly.

"Bjorn, here is the mana stone!"

"Take everything you see. It is not necessary to report to me on every subject. We can distribute them later. Let's speed up.

Unlike the Goblin Forest, I immediately left the front of the map and continued north.

Then I heard a scream nearby.

"Kyaaaaaargh!"

— B-B-Bjorn??

"It's the Banshee's howl. Just don't pay attention. They are rarely the first to attack.

"Okay... But shouldn't we kill her? This can be dangerous.

Not unless Ervena is nearby to control the spirits. Two physical type researchers will never be able to catch a Banshee, no matter what we do. Even if we could catch it, it would be a problem in itself.

"If you attack the Banshees first, you'll be damned.

"Cursed?"

"This curse is known as the Mark of Resentment. Because of it, the Banshees will chase you until you get out of the maze.

If you don't intend to hunt Banshees for the next 10 days, it's best not to touch them at all. If the goal was to gain experience points, it was common to hunt one or two on the last day.

"You are a very wise warrior. I'm glad I followed you.

Thank you for the compliment.

She tried not to show it, but it was obvious that such things frightened her.

"Kya!"

*Clung!*

Please stop sticking to me every time something makes a sound, I thought.

It was uncomfortable, but most importantly... It felt like my arm was shattered.

"Let go... This is a skeleton.

At the same time, a group of Skeletons appeared, making a rumbling sound.

There were 10 of them.

Even on the 1st day, Skeletons appeared in large numbers, which was in keeping with a monster that boasted a large supply. However, the total number of mana gems that could be obtained from them was only 3-4.

"Ahem!" I'll get rid of them!

Perhaps she felt ashamed that she was frightened by the sound of the Banshee, because Einar jumped forward.

*Click-click*," I clicked my tongue inwardly.

"Ainar!" If you look between the ribs, you will see the essence of mana. To catch the Skeleton with a sword, you need to aim there, but...

*Crunch!*

"Huh?" What did you say?

"I didn't say anything. Don't worry about me.

*Crunch! Crackle! Crackle!*

Who cares about weaknesses. Whenever Einhar swung her huge sword, the Skeletons would collapse mercilessly, never to rise again.

***

[You killed Elder Ghoul. Experience +1]

[You killed the Skeleton. Experience +1]

[You killed the Skeleton Warrior. Experience +1]

[You killed the Skeleton Archer. Experience +1].

In this way we moved north for about 8 hours. And of course, we met a lot of new monsters. The Elder Ghoul, who was 2 times the size of a normal Ghoul, Skeleton Warriors, and Archers, classified as mutants.

We haven't met any mages yet, so we can't say for sure, but so far everything has gone pretty smoothly. Since it was only the 1st day, the number of monsters was small, and my combat power had increased significantly compared to the previous march.

*Blow!*

This was obvious already when looking at our current equipment.

The Heart Thief's Two-Handed Hammer could only be used with a short grip due to the center of gravity. Now, holding a mace about 30 inches (76 cm) long, it was possible to hit monsters from a distance.

It was much safer and much more powerful.

And most importantly...

*Klaang!*

Now I had armor. Since it's armor made of metal sheets in the shape of a vest, my forearms were exposed and defenseless, but the area I needed to protect under the shield was greatly reduced by this. As a result, I was able to participate in much more decisive battles. It feels like the shackles have been removed from me.

"Bjorn, be careful!" There's also a Skeleton Archer!

The iron helmet was made with a gap in the shape of the letter "T", which opened only the eyes, nose and mouth and protected the most important vital points of the head.

Of course, it would still be dangerous if I was hit by something like a crossbow shot, but it easily deflected arrows fired from a half-broken bow.

In addition, I had another barbarian with a combat power similar to mine.

- Behelraaa!!a

We invoked our barbarian ancestral god and together we continued the battle, which was no different from a massacre.

*Шмяк! Шмяк! Хруст!*

No matter what kind of monster appeared, 10 seconds was enough to defeat the entire group.

Perhaps that is why after each battle I felt a refreshing satisfaction that I did not feel with Ervena.

Ah, is this the true taste of a barbarian?

" Bjorn, you ranen.

And?

Only after Ainar's words did I find a small scratch on my forearm.

However...

"Don't worry. It will soon pass.

There was no need to apply herbs, let alone drink a potion.

"Oh! It is already closing! Is it the Spirit Imprint ability?

The 1st stage of the effects in Imprint of Immortality's abilities was a noticeably increased natural regeneration power. Of course, it was nothing compared to potions.

When I checked the day before, it took about a minute for a cut as deep as a fingernail to heal significantly. However, this alone significantly increased my vitality. Now the recovery of stamina was faster, which significantly increased my stamina.

"Get ready. It looks like we're almost there.

I told Ainar to stay vigilant and we slowed down.

Suddenly, the terrain changed. The ground was no longer wet and hard, it wasn't even level, because there were mounds everywhere. Banshee's screams grew louder.

"Kihehehehehehe!!

"Ahhhh!"

Of course, the biggest difference was different.

From that moment on, they were top-class monsters. In other words, rank 8 monsters will appear.

— ... Bjorn, are you sure they won't attack first?

Einar had been gnashing her teeth for some time, probably frightened by the sound of the Banshee. Apparently, this happened because barbarians clench their jaws when they are afraid. But I couldn't be sure.

Maybe it's because I've never been so scared?

"Quaohhhhhhh!!

As we continued to move, we heard a strange roar in the darkness.

"*Phew*...

When I heard it in real life, I shuddered.

"Ainar, prepare for battle.

"Didn't you say we didn't hunt the Banshee?"

Does she have no ears?

"It's not the Banshee.

The monster of death.

Among the many rank 8 monsters that had contributed a lot to raising the barrier to entering the game, they were undoubtedly the most annoying bastards of all.

***

*Бам! Бам! Бам! Бам!*

The sound of heavy footsteps, which I had felt in the distance, grew louder and louder, and soon a monster appeared in front of us.

— ... Are we going to fight him? Ainar asked, and before I could answer, she said, "Looks funny.

Truly, I could not have predicted this girl. Last time, she had said that she was afraid of death, but how could she smile after meeting this monster?

And yet she is afraid of the Banshee...

*Boom!*

Perhaps the light was bothering her, because the Fiend of Death stopped walking as soon as he was in front of the light.

"Don't be nervous.

"Don't worry. I wasn't nervous.

I didn't say this to you, but to myself.

Oh Lord... I made a plan for my journey here, but when I saw the Fiend of Death with my own eyes, my legs shook.

The Death Fiend was a humanoid undead monster. No, he was closer to the Chimera. He was more than 10 feet (3 meters) tall, and he had both a sword and a shield in his hands.

Not in your hands, but really in your hands.

In the arm, extended in length, there was a crescent-shaped blade, and the other arm, wide open from the elbow to the sides, was in the shape of a shield.

Namely, the Protein Blade and the Shield.

"Quohhh!!h

Damn, don't yell like that, you already look intimidating.

I tried to reduce my fear somehow, but it wasn't easy.

"As long as you calmly follow the plan, you can defeat it.

"Of course I trust you."

Thank you for that, but then again, I told myself that.

... Calm down.

Although it was only the 1st attempt, as long as I stayed focused, I wouldn't have faced any danger. If the situation worsened, he would have to flee without hesitation.

"As I said, aim for the head, no matter what. The rest of the parts don't make sense. I got it?

"Good!" Behel-rahhhhhh!!

No, it wasn't a sign to attack right now...

Ainhar ran forward, her sword in both hands. It was too late to stop her. But her scream had an effect, because the bastard rushed forward from the border of shadows with sword and shield at the ready.

"Uhhhhh!!h

*Klang!*

Ainhar's Great Sword and the Death Fiend Squirrel Squirrel Blade collided, letting out a roar.

"Bjorn, be careful!" This monster is no joke!

This is usually obvious from the start, isn't it?

"Behel-raaaa!!

I shouted the name of our ancestral god and followed Ainhar. I then placed a shield wall in front of me and struck the monster from the side as it moved to attack Einhar, who bounced off their collision.

*Bam!*

But how can the body be so heavy? It was like hitting a boulder.

*Chzzzz*

When the monster applied more force, I was thrown back along with the shield. There was no point in me continuing to hold on, but my pride was hurt. So I stood on my toes even higher. Then, shifting all my weight forward, I let out a scream instead of a roar.

"Ah!"

Deuce!

It felt like my muscles were going to tear. But I also felt a cold that is difficult to put into words. I thought I was going to die there... But I survived.

And Ainar was not stupid enough to miss such an opportunity.

*Woom-!*

Soon, its swing cut through the air with a heavy sound and struck the Death Fiend in the head.

He did not cut, but literally hit.

*Kagak!*

Even such a thick sword only pierced the head by half an inch.

The dull sound was probably coming from the skull. The Defense of the Death Fiend was infamous even in the game. Although it was his regeneration, not protection, that caused many newcomers to quit the game.

"Quauuh!!

"Go away for now!"

Avoiding the frenzied Fiend of Death, we retreated a short distance.

Dark red blood dripped from the wound pierced by the sword, but the bleeding stopped in less than 3 seconds. This guy's passive skill was "Body Preservation".

"Ainar!" Make a breach for me. This time I will attack!

Having given the order, I was about to flee when...

*Rumble!*

Suddenly, the ground began to shake. It was the first time I had seen such an effect, but I immediately understood what was going on.

Death Fiend Active Skill:

- "Call of the Dead".

"Stand back, the Ghouls are coming!"

When the vibrations ended, the Ghouls surfaced and climbed out of the ground. If you look around, there were exactly 10 of them.

"Get rid of these guys first!"

"Good!"

While Ainar was swinging her sword away from the Ghouls,

"Whooshhhh!!

I paid close attention to the Fiend of Death and noted him carefully. However, the stupid angry Ghouls constantly scratched my skin with their nails, instantly turning it into a torn rag.

Of course, this was not a big problem.

I also have the ability to regenerate. Although not like theirs.

"Bjorn!" I'll take over this guy!

After holding out for about two minutes, the Ghouls were destroyed.

It was even funny when I thought about it. I survived the ability to summon a Death Fiend, being literally beaten to pieces.

I didn't even do anything like that in the game.

Passing the baton to Einar to fight him one-on-one, I took out my mace and walked over to the monster's back.

Then I struck him in the back of the head.

*Smack!*

It was a good sound with an even more pleasant feel in the hands. Rotten blood flowed from the back of his head.

Nevertheless, I continued to wield the mace.

*Шмяк! Шмяк! Шмяк!*

The power to turn the Goblin into dust was in every hit.

But damn it, why doesn't he die?

*Kagaku!*

The strength of this monster's skull was beyond imagination in real life.

Even when he was beaten, the flesh continued to heal.

... What should I do?

We lack attacking power.

If I had known that this would happen, I would have bought the weapon that the arms dealer advised me to do. Maybe just refuse to be caught and hunt rank 9 monsters?

*Хак! Хак! Хак!*

I kept swinging the mace as I thought about it, but the mace wasn't enough to destroy the creature's brain.

*Woom-!*

In the end, I was left with no choice but to step back to avoid the sweeping blow of the Squirrel Blade.

Then...

*Kuuuut!*

Suddenly, the Death Fiend's body lost its balance and began to bend. When I looked, I saw that Einar had taken this opportunity to grab one of the legs of this 10-foot-tall monster and lift it up.

It's a move I've seen a lot in the UFC.

This is... leg grab?

"Behel-raaaaaa!!

Seeing her pumped muscles and bulging veins as if they were about to burst, she looked more and more like a monster...

Her goal was clear and even viable.

I immediately joined in.

*Blow!*

As I slammed my mace with all my might into one of the grounded ankles, the massive body lost its balance and hung for a while.

And...

*Boom!*

It collapsed to the floor. From a technical point of view, it was a seizure.

For the first time, I learned that such a fight is possible against a monster belonging to the category of medium and large sizes.

... For a barbarian, obviously, nothing is impossible.

*Uuuhhhh!*

I saw the Fiend of Death floundering like an upside-down turtle. We were about to rush there, but at the same moment we got scared.

"Oooh!!

No way... He can't get up on his own!

"Bjorn!"

"Ohhhh!"

Our thoughts were exchanged simply by eye contact. Ainar and I ran up to the fallen monster and swung our weapons like a bunch of madmen. Like when you cook mochi, when you put rice in a mortar and hit it with a hammer in turn, we worked together.

*Удар! Удар! Удар! Удар! Удар!*

If you think about it, I once made such mochi in the folk village that I attended in elementary school.

"It's fun!"

I remembered how my partner was crying then and asked to be transferred to another group,

Seeing Einar having fun with me healed the scar in my heart. It seemed that even my soul was being cleansed.

[You killed the Death Fiend. Experience +2].

We smiled as we watched the Fiend of Smeti disappear in the beams of light.

We didn't have powerful magic, priest divine power, or elven elemental magic, but...

"Bjorn!" Take a look at this! The mana stone is huge!

We have succeeded in hunting a rank 8 monster.