NoveLight ™
Chapter 35 – The Warrior (Part 3)
My mind was blank and my eyes were blurred.
Pain? There is no need to say.
It felt like my whole body had been pierced and marinated in salt water.
At that moment, I wanted only one thing - to give up, but...
Shut up.
I forced myself to throw away these weak thoughts. When you stand at a crossroads, you need to choose:
What will you give up and what will you protect in return?
*Blow!*
Something sharp pierced my thigh.
Everything was fine. This was not an area that could threaten my life at the moment.
However, the Vampire was furious at his prey, which did not die, no matter how many times he tore it.
"Kyaaaa!"
The vampire asshole's movements became more and more vicious. But what I had to do was clear.
By picking up a shield that had been sliced, torn in half, and reduced in size, I was able to at least protect vital points.
*Crackle!*
The face of the shield, which could not withstand the attack of the rank 5 monster, was torn off, leaving only the handle. Without even thinking, I raised my hands to protect my head.
At this moment...
*Klang!*
Something other than the claw collided with my head and shattered, spilling down sharp shards.
[Corpse Golem Essence penetrates the character's soul].
The pain subsided quickly.
[Pain Resistance +70]
A new life force enters a body that has reached its limit.
[Strength +15]
My eyes, which were cloudy, as if looking through a fog, began to clear.
The first thing I saw were the Vampire's sharp claws swinging at the arms around my head. As soon as I saw this, my subconscious imagined that my hands would be chopped off. But what actually happened was completely different.
*Cutting off!*
The claws easily pierced the soft flesh. However, that was all that could be done.
"Khac!"
The claws were stopped by the bone and did not enter further.
Then I realized what kind of mysterious power it was.
[Bone Durability +55]
[Poison Resistance +12]
[Consciousness -5]
[Appetite +9]
[Weight +21.]
[Character blood is now acidic due to the passive skill [Acidic Liquid]]
A feeling of relief and disappointment washed over me at the same time.
Did she feed me the essence of the Corpse Golem?
Because of this, my growth method will have to be greatly revised.
However, when I first looked at the present from a short-sighted point of view...
Everything was very positive.
Now I had a better chance of survival.
*Jump!*
I rolled back on the floor and jumped off the ground.
Was it the effect of Pain Resistance? After the pain problem was solved to some extent, nothing prevented me from moving.
But what about the Guardian essence? Since I have absorbed the essence of the Corpse Golem, then can I obtain it?
The thoughts that suddenly came to my mind were discarded. I'll be able to think about that later.
"Kyaaa!"
Perhaps the sudden vivacity of his prey intrigued me, because the Vampire rushed at me enthusiastically. I jerked to dodge, but what happened next was not much different from what had happened before.
Of course, it was impossible to defeat a rank 5 monster with a rank 7 essence alone. The meat shield that had originally been driven into the ground was now able to stand up and move.
That, perhaps, is all that has changed.
Even with such a dismissive assessment, I grinned.
*Prick! Cut! Khac!*
Claws cut through the flesh, tearing my guts.
The potion I had previously sent to my stomach had already been digested, so the regeneration rate had been reduced.
But it didn't matter.
The Magus, who had been passive all this time, apparently realized that her life was also in danger, and began to throw all her fortune around.
*Klang!*
The glass bottle shattered, spilling its contents onto my body.
[The body regenerates quickly due to the effect of Restoration (Large)].
Maybe it was a top-class potion? It was obvious that it was of higher quality than the blonde potion.
*Chhhhhhhhz!*
The wound began to heal faster than before.
I decided to rush at the Vampire with even more enthusiasm.
What does it matter that my flesh is cut and my muscles are torn?
Everything will heal in a few seconds anyway.
"Kyaaa!"
"AHHH!! I shouted, pushing the Vampire away, and continued the super melee fight. There was no other choice.
The mace was already far away, and the shield was a pile of scrap metal.
"Kya, kayak?!"
Perhaps he hadn't met a researcher using Earth combat techniques yet, because he was very frightened when I jumped on his back like a cicada and started strangling him by the neck.
Or maybe he was just in pain?
"Kaaaa!"
At the point where my flesh came into contact, smoke rose from it.
*Chhhhhhhhhh!*
It was impossible to tell for sure if it was the acid from my blood coming into contact with his skin or the smoke that was formed from the healing of my body with the potion.
But it didn't matter.
Most likely, both.
Even in such a confrontational situation, another potion flew in and crashed with a crash.
[The body regenerates quickly due to the effect of Restoration (Large)].
Truly, there was a difference between a potion and an acid. At the same time that the potion broke, the panting Vampire screamed louder and easily threw me off of him. I clearly felt the overwhelming difference in our strength.
But...
"Damn, that bastard isn't anything special.
I began to see a way out. In my current state, in the Immortal Barbarian Mode, I should be able to hold out for a few minutes against this bastard.
I was sure.
"Bjorn!" I'll help!
Even Ainar returned to the battlefield.
"And what about Murad?"
"A porter looks after him!"
The Ainar add-on worked even more positively.
I could take on the role of the main tank by consuming potions, and when it got a little dangerous, Einhar could swing her sword to give me time to catch my breath.
The battle became one step easier.
"Kaaaa!"
"Ainar!" Beware! The crows will arrive soon!
The moment Einar took a big step back at my scream, the Vampire's body turned into hundreds of crows and flew in our direction. However, it did not reach us, as we went one step faster.
"Bjorn, you are magnificent!" How did you know this was going to happen?
Because this guy always squints one eye before using this skill. This is not a racial feature of all Vampires, but a habit inherent only to this guy.
Now I could really see the end.
"I'm so ashamed!" Everyone held up very well! Hahaha!
Soon, the dwarf, who had healed his wounds with the potion, returned to the battlefield. He even brought a porter with him.
"From now on, I will also help.
"We'll help you from the outside!"
The role of the main tank naturally became my continuation. I can't say that the others were careful. It seems that they really thought it was the most effective.
A dwarf warrior explorer of the 3rd year spoke to a two-month-old barbarian explorer,
"Bjorn, great warrior and son of Yandel!" You're more than capable! Hahaha!
He seemed to think it was a compliment, but...
This means that I will have to spin like a dog until the very end.
After all, there was no freebie in my life. This was nothing new.
'Behellaaa
As the four of us dispatched the Vampire lined up around me, the moment I had been waiting for had arrived. Extraneous thoughts flashed through my head.
"Everything is ready.
If that meant she had finished restoring mana to create the [Sunspot Orb] and even [Attribute Enhancement]...
This means that everything is finally ready. In other words, it was time to end this protracted battle and get out of here.
"I can use magic at any time.
As soon as I heard her confirmation, I shouted loudly,
"Murad!" Immediately! Use [Lightning Release]!
An order given without a single discussion, let alone strategy.
However, the dwarf immediately followed my instructions without a single comment.
*Зззз, Ззззз!*
A yellow light shone on the dwarven's hammer, and sparks began to fly out of it.
[Hikurod Murad used [Lightning]].
An ability of a 7th tier monster, Illatrek. Its effect allowed a strong current to pass through a part of the body. In this state, the dwarf lowered his hammer low, as if preparing for an upward slash.
"That's it, you'd better step away for a while!" Hahaha!
After a short warning, the dwarf swung his hammer in the air with all his might.
Too far from the goal? These details did not matter.
[Hikurod Murad used [Release]].
[Unleash] was one of the rare abilities of the Transformation System in Dungeon & Stone. Its effect allowed the user to "radiate" the energy gained through other abilities to the outside.
*Oooh!*
The electric current from the hammer shot out like a cannonball, in the form of a sphere and... Exploded. Literally.
*Bang, bang, bang!*
Compared to the sound, his physical strength was weak.
There were no craters left on the floor, or severed limbs of the Vampire, or anything like that.
However...
[Vampire Duke Cambormir has fallen into an [Unconscious] state].
The essence of this combo wasn't its strength in the first place. In an instant, the dwarf rendered the rank 5 monster unconscious and turned to send a signal...
In a very analog way.
"Raven-!!!!
Fortunately, the signal was well transmitted, and a strong light immediately accumulated on the roof 200 yards away.
I hurriedly took out the object that I had hidden in my boots.
It was a small pearl the size of a fingernail, the 'Tear of the Goddess'. Even in the midst of so many crises, I waited and waited for this moment to use it.
*Running*
With this object in my hands, I ran.
And putting it in the Vampire's mouth...
*Blow!*
I hit him with an uppercut with all my might to close my mouth.
*Crunch!*
The sound of something breaking rang out, and after a while, a pure white sheen escaped from his mouth.
***
[[The Tear of the Goddess] has been destroyed]
[[Grace] fell in the place of destruction]
[With [Grace], all of the Vampire Duke Cambormir's resistances are temporarily suppressed, and massive damage is dealed.]
***
Blood gushed from the Vampire's lips like a fountain. On the outside, it looked beautiful, but its insides seemed to have been destroyed.
It was amazing.
So, one object was not enough, yes.
[Due to the intense shock, the [Unconscious] state of the Vampire Duke of Cambormir has turned into a state of [Paralysis]].
His unconsciousness ended, and the Vampire's fingers began to twitch.
Not yet? It can't wait any longer...
As soon as I turned my head after this thought...
[Raven Arua cast a rank 6 offensive magic [Sunspot Orb]].
A dazzling sphere, shimmering black, flew past my nose.
Regrets came later.
*Boom!*
Damn, I should have jumped off earlier.
***
[The character was hit by the explosion of the [Sunspot Orb] and fell into an [Unconscious] state].
[Vampire Duke Cambormir used [Sharing Pain]].
[Hikurod Murad fell into an [Unconscious] state].
[Einar Fénelin fell into an [Unconscious] state...]
***
*Beeeep!*
A ringing sound echoed in my head like a terrestrial television channel after the national anthem. And through this ringing I heard the conversation.
A conversation similar to a humorous scene on TV.
"How can a butcher sell cooked meat!"
"No!" It's raw meat!
"How can boiled meat be raw!"
"But...
Listening to their conversation, I opened my eyes.
Am I alive?
A dark sky appeared. I smelled boiled meat in my nose.
Could it be that the smell was coming from my body?
"Krg...
When I opened my mouth, a scratching sound came from my parched throat. My ears were obviously fine too. I decided to think only about the positives as much as possible.
"Krrgh!" Agh!
[Sunspot Orb]: Offensive magic with solar properties combined with fire and holy properties. Naturally, its strength was weaker than that of its counterpart, the [Fireball].
It was a stroke of luck for me. If that wasn't the case, I might have actually met my creator in that moment.
But why is it so quiet...?
After being hit by the explosion of the [Sunspot Sphere], I lost consciousness for a while.
It was clear, but I lacked the information to understand the current situation.
Why haven't I been healed yet, and why can't I hear anything around me?
I grabbed the ground with my hands, wet with discharge from the wounds, and stood up. Then I forced my eyes to focus and looked forward.
First I saw a vampire bastard.
"Damn.
Why is he alive?
Of course, he was also in serious condition. Both arms were torn off, bones were visible through the torn upper part of the chest. He didn't even look conscious.
But...
[Vampire Duke Cambormir's regeneration power has been greatly increased by the effect of [Eternal Life]].
Even at this moment, his wounds were healing. Given that the regeneration was proportional to the lost stamina, it wouldn't take too long for the breasts to heal and the severed arms to grow back.
"Damn, damn...
I looked around and saw several collapsed people. Dwarf, Einar, bastard porter.
I had the feeling that the mage I had seen on the roof in the distance was in the same state...
I was confused.
What was this crazy scenario?
Why did everyone faint after we caught that?
What the hell happened while I was blackout?
It doesn't seem like much time has passed.
Many questions arose, but...
I decided to put them aside and took a step with my still foot.
*Dragging*
I still couldn't come to terms with the current situation.
But only one thing was quite clear.
What should I do now?
*Dragging*
Vampire Duke Cambormere. I needed to get rid of him before he came to his senses.
Other than that, there is no answer.
No matter how rich a mage is, the number of her potions is not infinite. In fact, it is no longer possible to use the same strategy of maintaining my body with potions.
*Dragging*
And I staggered forward.
Pain that pierces even Pain Resistance? Ignoring her, I stretched out my legs, smelling of steak, in front of me.
*Dragging*
Pain is a signal for life. At least that's what I thought.
It's not that there wasn't a time when I thought the opposite, but now it is.
So I kept going.
Silently.
As I got closer, this vampire bastard even smelled like roasted meat. I relaxed my knees and fell on top of him.
"You fucking bastard...
The scar on his chest, which was deep enough to show bone, had already healed enough as I walked here.
I could not refrain from cursing him.
*Blow!*
And I hit him in the chest with my fist.
The Vampires' weak point was the heart. Even if their brains were damaged, these bastards could be revived as long as their hearts were intact.
Ah, so that's why that bastard's arms were torn off. Did he block the [Sunspot Orb] with his hands?
I could imagine this short scene in my head, but as usual, I let the image fade.
*Smack!*
And again he clenched his fists.
The emptiness left by the equipment was now felt more than ever.
But if you don't have teeth, you have to chew with your gums.
*Smack!*
I didn't even know where the mace was, and the shield had long since turned into a piece of garbage and had been thrown away somewhere. Of course, on the floor were the sword of Einhar and the warhammer of the dwarf...
The thought of picking them up did not occur to him.
I wouldn't have the strength to lift them anyway.
While I was knocking down my fists, the seams of the crumpled and perforated half-armor came off and fell to the floor.
My 360,000 stones...
Looking at the half-armor, which was rusted in places from acidic blood, it seemed that it would not be easy to repair it. Although it was something else that really intoxicated my head.
"Damn it."
It was like pouring water into a sieve.
No matter how much I clapped, nothing changed.
Why the hell are his ribs so strong? I thought that if I kept hitting him, they would break and eventually pierce his heart.
Okay, the next plan.
I've always liked having a plan B because my plan A has rarely succeeded.
Thanks to my perverse luck, in the end, everything I did always turned out to be a mess.
But I've never done it before...
... How is it done?
Ervena said it's important to be accurate.
[Flesh Blast].
Well, it works.
*Boom!*
The hand placed on the Vampire's chest exploded.
Although the force of the explosion was not very great, the acidic substances mixed with flesh and blood slightly crushed the vampire's chest.
But even this healed quickly...
I didn't even expect that it would be a one-time event.
Successively, I uttered [Flesh Blast].
Around the tenth explosion,
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
My left arm was completely torn apart.
But due to the increased strength, the bones remained intact, only the flesh disappeared, as if I were a Skeleton.
In any case, I could no longer use my left hand.
Then it was the turn of the right hand.
Although I knew it was madness, I continued to cast the spell in my mind.
Placing his right hand on the Vampire's chest,
[Flesh Blast], [Flesh Blast], [Flesh Blast]...'
I continued to blow it up.
All the while, I ignored as much as possible the pain breaking, reaching, and bursting through the peak.
I thought I was going to die, but I didn't do it to die.
I had to survive. No matter what.
*Boom!*
And after eight more explosions,
I staggered.
I need a few more...
***
[Warning: The character's HP is less than 1%.
***
I felt it instinctively.
I had reached a point where I could no longer endure this pain, relying only on my Spirit power. I had to stop.
Otherwise, I could have killed the Vampire, but I would have died too.
As long as this intuition arose, rationality judged:
If I die anyway...
I couldn't stop. It was definitely not for the sake of my teammates.
*Boom!*
Maybe someone else will think I'm crazy...
But for a moment I was sure.
On the contrary, if there was even a small chance of survival, it was him.
*Boom!*
The moment I blew up my flesh once more.
***
[Note: Character's HP has reached 0%.]
***
I felt something change.
As if something is leaking out of my body, but at the same time it feels a strange lightness?
Soon I understood.
[The countdown has begun.]
Oh, there it is.
What I called the "flash before death".
[Consumes 3 Spirit stats per second (43/46)]
[Consumes 3 Spirit stats per second (40/46)]
[Consumes 3 Spirit stats per second (37/46)].
Although I felt that the reaper was right behind me, I was [Flesh Blast] again.
*Boom!*
The Vampire's chest crumpled even more.
But is this the fighting intuition of a barbarian?
I felt it more clearly than ever.
One time.
One more time.
I need to do it again.
So...
[Flesh Blast].
Instead of my right arm, which now had almost no flesh left, I let my chest stick to the Vampire, and caused another explosion.
At the same time,
[Vampire Duke Cambormir was killed. Experience +5].
The vampire bastard's body turned into particles of light.
Yes, you're going to die too.
[Bonus for killing a high-class mutant. Experience +1]
[Guardian Kill Bonus. EXP +3]
My heart pounded. Not psychologically, but in reality. Having experienced this before, I accurately grasped my current situation.
[Character level increased.]
[Soul Power +10.]
[Maximum amount of essence consumed increased by 1].
I've leveled it up. But I wasn't particularly happy.
It's just time...
Dungeon & Stone wasn't a game where you regenerate HP as you level up.
[Consumes 3 Spirit stats per second (16/46)].
How many seconds do I have left until I die? I couldn't say exactly, but about 5 seconds at best.
... Should I leave the end to fate?
No matter how many times I thought about it, I couldn't like this situation.
However, I decided not to regret it.
In the game, there is approximately a 33% chance that the Guardian will leave the essence in the Chasm.
33%.
Too low a chance to risk your life. However, the probability was undoubtedly higher than 0%.
I have no reason not to.
I grinned, as if shaking off all regrets. I resisted. Until the very end.
Now all that remained was to wait for the results.
[Consumes 3 Spirit stats per second (13/46)]
[Consumes 3 Spirit stats per second (10/46)]
[Consumes 3 Stamina stats in...].
1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds.
Time passed, my eyes slowly closed.
Have I failed?
This failure was not caused by chance.
I was just unlucky.
Maybe this is the end that suits me best.
I closed my eyes, as if leaving everything to fate.
Hoping that when I wake up, I'll be Lee Hansoo's 29-year-old office worker again.
"Hah.
Well, I'm sure that won't happen.
[Guardian Vampire Essence penetrates the character's soul].
[Natural Regeneration +45.]
[Strength +15.]
[Agility +15.]
[Magic Resistance +30.]
.
.
.
[The character will not die until the heart is destroyed with the passive skill [Source of Darkness]].
[Character regeneration power greatly increased with [Eternal Life]].
[Character HP restored by more than 1%].
[Countdown over.]
[Achievement].
Prerequisite: Survive the countdown ends.
Reward: Spirit +1.
***
[Bjorn Jandel].
Level: 3 (Nov. +1)
Build: 155 (Nov. +75)
Spirit: 90 (new +44)
Special Abilities: 115 (new +85)
Item Level: 98 (Nov. -104)
Total Combat Strength: 381.5 (Nov. +204)
Acquired essences:
.
.
[Abnormal growth rate.]
[The administrator will now keep an eye on the character].