Chapter 57 – The Witchwood (Part 4)

 

The many curses that had haunted me were gone. Instead, the voice of the forest began to sound in my ears:

"Die, you creature!" Die!

No thanks.

"You're a motherless bastard!"

Mmm, I had a mom in my real life.

"Kekeki!" Kekeeeee!

I smiled, ignoring the auditory hallucinations that appeared every few seconds. Although it was a little annoying, so what? They were just hallucinations. Their words could not cause any real harm, and thanks to them, the real curses disappeared without a trace.

All their torment is also unconvincing. If you're going to attack me psychologically, you should try harder.

There was neither novelty nor sincerity in them. However, my colleagues seemed to think otherwise.

"Bjorn!" How can you laugh at these curses! Are you crazy? My head splits from this noise!

The trio of Misha, Hikurod, and Brown, who had been to the Witchwood before, were in good shape. The problem was in Dvalki.

His eyes were blurred, and his haggard face looked like he was ready to spit out his insides at any moment. Well, such an environment must have caused someone to get motion sickness.

I didn't know it would feel like this, but it's exciting.

With the effects of visual hallucinations and disorientation, everything around began to look crooked. I was definitely looking to my right, but I was seeing something straight ahead, and my sense of distance was hazy than usual, as if I was looking at the world through a convex mirror.

*Vomit*

Soon Dvalki could not stand it anymore and vomited a thick stomach juice. Somewhat worried, I asked:

"Can you use magic in this state?"

"Bjorn is an asshole!" Is this really more important than your teammate being sick?!

What did she just say?

The last time Dvalki vomited, she was the one who told him to act like an adult. That's why you need to get attached to your teammates as little as possible. This made it difficult to make rational decisions.

"Misha, I didn't ask you. So, Dvalki, what's the answer?

"Y-You don't have to worry. Magic is not a problem —

*Vomiting*...

Well, I guess there won't be any magic until he gets used to it. Why were the Magi so weak?

As I clicked my tongue, unable to understand it, Brown looked at me, fascinated.

"Still, it's impressive. No matter how strong-willed the barbarian is, the first journey is bound to be at least a little difficult...

Well, I've heard about it.

After being so hard for me, I was able to laugh about it.

Of course, the dwarf tsundera had to stand up for his best friend.

"It's because you sit at the table every day.

"Listen, I'm still one of those mages who do the exercises..."

"yes, until you adapt to the environment, take a break. You didn't sleep well last night, either. Probably, the condition has worsened because you are tired.

"Your kind attention... I will not forget him.

In the end, we decided to stay at the entrance for a while until Dvalki adjusted to the situation. I didn't really mind either. After all, the presence of a mage was the most important thing in the labyrinth, and I needed to replenish my depleted strength at least a little.

"I'll stand guard," Hikurod said. "You can all rest.

As soon as the dwarf finished speaking, I lay down on the ground to rest. I didn't even bother to take out my sleeping bag.

But what was it?

— Бьорн, ты знаешь...

I was about to get some sleep when Hikurod came up to me and started whispering.

"That lady who was before, Eliza.

I opened my eyes abruptly.

Does he even understand what he is carrying?

"She's not a lady, she's a bitch.

"Yes, yes, anyway, that bitch. I can't shake the feeling that I've already met her somewhere...

A what?

I thought he was going to talk nonsense as usual, but it seemed like something very important.

As I lifted my upper body into a listening position, he hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.

"Do you remember how I visited the Explorers Guild after your advice?" When I was filling out the questionnaire, someone next to me asked the employee about this and that.

"I'm tired. Get down to business.

"Now that I thought about it, it was her.

Much better, although even the concise version was not without disappointment. I calmly asked:

"Then why didn't you recognize her right away?"

"Because... Unlike the city, its appearance was dirty. And her clothes were torn!

A. So he didn't get a good look at her face because he was too busy staring at her breasts. However, one question was now settled: why Eliza and her group were after us.

It's all because of this thing.

Guardian Security Bracelet No3112, an expensive numbered item that was sold on the stock exchange for 50 million jewels. Since he was applying for a promotion, the section had to have a question about this subject. This was more than enough motive for the marauders. Money is better the more you have.

So we were the target from the beginning?

At the same time as I received this new information, a cause-and-effect relationship unknown to me was looming in my head. Most of our team meetings took place in the bar. If they wanted, they would have no trouble figuring out that we would be using the route through the Beast Lair, and they could be there first to set a trap.

"They say that treasures always lead to a fall. I think there is no better way to describe it.

The dwarf took a deep breath. It seemed that he wanted sympathy, but, unfortunately, he chose the wrong interlocutor for this.

Do treasures cause you to fall?

"Don't put the blame in the wrong place. Aren't you to blame for filling out the application so that everyone can see?

"Are you accusing me now?!" You've been there too!

"Yes, but I didn't think I should keep an eye on you even during such a simple matter.

I looked at him as if he were pitiful. Hikurod was silent, unable to find words. After that, I didn't say anything. This has already happened in the past. It would be wiser to rest a little.

***

My vacation did not last long. I barely had time to close my eyes. Less than half an hour later, a monster appeared and we had to wake up from a sweet dream.

Oh, "us" is not quite the right word.

"You've really slept soundly.

"How can you sleep through this noise?"

It seemed like I was the only one who slept soundly enough to even dream, but that's only because these guys were still full of energy.

"Anyway, where is the monster?"

"Over there."

When I looked where Hikurod was pointing, I saw a winged man the size of my palm.

"Fairy!"

A rank 9 monster, his only skill was the ability to spew out poisonous powder mixed with narcotic substances. In the game, it was classified as a monster that does not attack first.

But ... the fact that there is a group of Fairies in this place means that this guy is wandering somewhere nearby.

"It looks like we're starting with a headache.

"Are we going to fight?" Hikurod asked.

Brown nodded.

"These are not monsters that you often meet. Dvalka's condition has also improved.

I guess that meant we were going to fight. Well, I didn't mind. From my point of view, it was a monster that hadn't given me any experience points yet. It would be great if the essence fell out by chance.

Although I didn't need this essence, it was so valuable that it would have to pay a high price no matter which of us consumed it.

"Then, if everyone is ready, I'll lure them here."

After a brief preparation for battle, the dwarf struck a pose with his warhammer. He then used his special combo.

[Hikurod Murad used [Lightning]].

[Hikurod Murad used [Release]].

[Lightning Release]: Simultaneously with the swing, the hammer shot a crackling electric current in the form of cannonballs and mercilessly exploded the Fairies, who were immune to physical damage.

[You killed the Fairy. Experience +1].

I didn't know about other things, but I was a little jealous of it. I thought it would be nice to have one of these skills with elemental damage.

"Whoeeeeek!"

In any case, as soon as the 10 Fairies exploded, we heard a chilling sound from afar, roaring as if hundreds of beasts were kicking in anger. Soon, the sound of heavy footsteps was heard from the darkness.

*Boom!*

A 7th rank monster, a half-troll. As you can guess from the name, it was not a real Troll, but almost a mixture of a human and a Troll. This monster only appeared in the Witchwood and had a habit of chasing groups of fairies. Unfortunately, I never found out the reason for this. This setting could not be found anywhere else in the game.

In any case, enough empty talk.

"Gittit...

The monster, which is 8 feet (2.5 meters) tall, lowered its posture, as if wary of us.

However, as a monster true to his nature, his patience did not last long.

"Kyaaa!"

After the massacre of the Fairy's group, which he diligently pursued, the Half-Troll swings a huge club at us.

But instead of targeting the dwarf next to me, he targeted me.

*Boom!*

He was heavy, more than the Iron Troll on Ironstone Hill. I think it was natural, because although they were both rank 7 monsters, the Iron Trolls lived in packs.

It's been a long time since my arm hurt so much.

*Slip*

I tilted my shield and let the Half-Troll's club sweep past me. Then, of course, the aggro went from me to Hikuroda. This move could be used when there were two tanks in the team. It wouldn't be fair if I had a hard time alone, right? I've also learned that sharing challenges is what a team is for.

"Kyaaa!"

The second blow was followed by a scream. Hikuroda's small shield groaned slightly as its bones trembled from the impact. And then I realized one thing.

"Ugh...

He didn't have any Pain Resistance.

This was one of the main reasons why the Witchwood was avoided by the warriors. Usually, a warrior would be beaten on the front lines, but here the pain would increase several times due to [Pain Amplification].

At the same time, more than half of the monsters that spawn have physical immunity with a psychological skill.

No wonder Brown wanted to give Hikuroda and me the first and last Night Watch. In the Witchwood, warriors inevitably had to face all kinds of difficulties. Since I had a Pain Resistance stat, I could turn a blind eye to it, so I guess it was a blessing in disguise.

Pain resistance is actually such a cheating indicator.

The Corpse Golem Essence that I had absorbed by coincidence continued to be a great help.

*Woom!*

The half-troll swung his club again. Unlike me, the dwarf, who had been fighting hard for power, shouted:

"Isn't the magic ready yet?"

Not yet. You know it takes eternity to cast a spell.

"Behella!"

Hikurodu seemed to have had a hard time, so to help him, I hit the Half-Troll with my mace. Of course, this was rather pointless.

*Blow!*

The hard bones and muscles didn't flinch from a single blow, and although it was only halfway, it was still a Troll. His regeneration was phenomenal, but still nothing compared to that of a Vampire.

[Riol Varb Dvalki cast a rank 8 spell, [Freeze Enhancement], and the power of the next freeze-type spell has been greatly increased.]

[Riol Varb Dvalki cast an 8th rank spell, [Ice Spear]].

After I fought off the aggro from Hikuroda, the magic spell was finally completed. Dvalka Specialization: [Empowered Ice Lance].

The ice spear, doubling its normal size, flew and pierced the Half-Troll's stomach with a force greater than any of ours.

However, from my point of view, it was extremely unpleasant.

When will this child learn to read moods?

Although I had given him some advice after the last time, he threw the spear in the wrong direction again. If it had hit the heart or head, it could have killed the Troll in one shot.

Why was he so wasteful? Was it really so difficult to aim?

"Kieeee!"

Soon, the Half-Troll screamed in agony, writhing in pain, but it didn't last long.

[Half-troll cast [Insanity]. The pain temporarily disappears and the Constitution stats increase significantly].

Although he had a spear sticking out of his stomach, he began to move dynamically, like a fish in water.

Ha... That was why he had to be killed with one shot.

He'll get better someday, right?

I really hoped so. Otherwise, there was no point in following the path of trial and error, as it is now.

"Oh!" It was a bit shallow!

While I was fighting the furiously moving Peltroll, Misha plunged a poisoned dagger into his heart. Unfortunately, it was too short to pierce a thick muscle, and the crossbow shot fired by Brown barely pierced the skin.

As a result, we have no choice but to wait until the spell is completed again.

Dvalki was still the only damage dealer who could have a strong impact on our team. Once again, I clearly realized our weaknesses. The tanks were sturdy enough to counter the Half-Troll in [Insanity], but the damage dealers were unable to keep up. But this was something that could not be solved at the moment.

"It's done!" Away!

After another 10 minutes of a battle of strength, Dvalki once again performed his signature move. Fortunately, this time it hit the head.

[You killed the Half-Troll. Experience +3].

At the same time as the head flew away, the half-troll disappeared in particles of light.

Naturally, the long-awaited essence didn't appear, only one fist-sized mana stone.

"What a pity. It was not an easy monster.

Mike and Brown licked their lips, as if they were impatiently waiting for the appearance of the essence. It's not that I didn't understand. If it had been before I had the Vampire Essence, I would have been drooling by now. Rank 7 Regeneration Essence was not ordinary, but I had become a body that could not be satisfied with such things now.

It was [7:13], the morning of the 4th day. Tomorrow we will reach the 4th floor, and from there the real journey will begin. Rank 6 monsters also appeared there. I was hoping to find only one rank 6 essence, no more and no less.

***

"Then let's go."

After defeating the Half-Troll, we resumed movement. Everyone seemed tired from the night, but the Witchwood wasn't the best place to stay. We decided to shorten the time to get to the 4th floor, even if it only takes one day.

But ...

— Researchers.

As we were about to continue our journey, unfamiliar explorers appeared out of the darkness. It shouldn't have been so surprising even in the Witchwood, since we've been killing time at the entrance for so long. The time had to come for a new group.

However, there was one problem.

1, 2, 3, 4... A what? Why 6?

As a rule, the team consisted of a maximum of 5 people. This was due to the fact that only 5 people could be bound together with the help of magic. But a team of 6 researchers? Watching the group with a questioning look, it seemed to me that I saw a familiar face. Unfortunately, she seemed to recognize us too.

— ... Researchers! It's them! They killed my comrades!

Deuce... I really didn't expect it.

As we all stood and stared dumbfounded at these words, the man who appeared to be the leader of the opposing group of researchers made the sign of himself with a long cross.

"May the blessing of the twilight star be with you..."

Judging by the religious paraphernalia of Reatlas, scattered all over his body, he was presumably an extremely religious eccentric of this world.

Damn it, this bitch was lucky. How the hell did she find such a person in the maze?

"God, give me the strength to destroy these evil seeds!"

We probably can't solve this by talking.