Chapter 70 - Barbarian Hero (Part 3)

 

I ran with all my might, dragging a gigantic monstrous body 5 meters tall behind me.

*Boom! Boom!*

Every time my feet touched the ground, they made a footstep sound similar to the sound of a large monster's footsteps.

"Don't lag behind and follow him!"

Behind me were the 23 clan members and Misha, and behind them were the 40 researchers of the 3rd floor, who were not shaken by Jack Fletcher's excitement. How they ended up together was simple.

"We'll take you with us if you give away all your equipment.

McGrane was a rationalist and wanted to make up for even the slightest loss.

[You have cast the [Sacrificial Imprint]. The physical ability is temporarily increased by the number of sacrifices within a radius of 100 meters].

I decided that the more victims, the better.

'Behellaaa

I was overwhelmed with power. An unbearable destructive instinct was also strongly dominant in my body.

Perhaps it was because of the Martial Spirit.

But I was glad that I did not have to restrain this desire.

"Kyaaa!"

Miniature clones of Riakis flew in from the front. Their size was 2 meters, although... Still, they were small.

*Ears!*

I waved my mace mercilessly. Because my body had become so big, it felt like I was waving a spoon. Well, a bastard who gets hit might think differently.

*Blow!*

The clone that had been stabbed in the chest crumbled into dust and disappeared. If it had been the original, it would have taken a few more blows. Once again, I realized how much my physical performance had grown. The problem, however, was that every time I struck, there was an explosion.

*Bam!*

Not where the clone died, but where I stood.

[Riakis' Hatred is activated, and you will continue to take chaos-type damage over time].

That was why the presence or absence of the main tank in the [Abyss of Evil] scheme was so important. These self-destructing corpses dealt final damage to whoever killed them. In other words, whether it was a strong swordsman or a famous archer, their attacks would be ineffective here.

*Bam!*

If it was a weak mage bastard, the damage would be enough to destroy it. My whole body went numb, even with my Pain Resistance. If I had the same body, every explosion would make me scream.

*Chhhhhhhhz!*

The black liquid stuck to my body melted along with the smoke. In those places where the condition was really bad, the muscles had already melted, and the bones were exposed. However, this was not a problem. I was a dark barbarian who inherited a vampire heritage.

[Passive skill [Source of Darkness], you will not die until your heart is destroyed].

I just needed to protect my heart as much as possible. In the current state, it seemed only a matter of time, although...

*Crackle!*

Countless glass bottles flew at me as I turned the clones into dust and cleared the way. The priests, who were diligently catching up with me, tried their best to pour healing into me.

"This one was dangerous!" Don't kill too many at once!

'Behellaaa

"If you heard me, answer me!" Someone shouted at me.

Do you think it's easy?

In the state of [Gigantization], the threat level was proportional to the size, which meant there was a better chance of incurring monster attacks.

However, for a barbarian who already possessed a massive body, the magnification was just crazy. It was the same as being in a state of constant provocation. Thanks to this, subsequent explorers could travel with relative ease. They all flocked to me.

"Hey!" Don't you hear me...

"I hear you."

However, as soon as I adjusted my pace according to McGrane's advice, Thailon and the other melee warriors who were right behind me blew up several nearby clones.

"Priest!" What do priests do? I need treatment, quickly!

Seeing them fuss about catching just two or three clones was not at all reliable. I also didn't like the fact that the priests' healings were scattered. Also, if I slowed down, I wouldn't be able to fully use the passive.

[Your HP is below 50%. All resistance and tenacity stats are increased by the passive skill [Hero's Path]].

The passive skill of the Orc Hero, which activated when the health dropped below half, increased the defense stats of all types. And according to my research...

And when HP is less than 20%, the maximum effect will be reached.

It was for this reason that I needed the essence of the Orc Hero in the first place.

No matter what color the essence was, the passive was the same.

"Well, both of you come back," I said.

"What?" I can still...

I didn't need a damage dealer imitating a noble tank.

"Something may appear from behind.

I used gentle persuasion to get the two damage dealers to step back.

McGrane, who was watching from behind, said nothing this time either. He only shouted:

"There are 10 minutes left. This part is very important, so we will need your help to deal with it.

yes, just support me from behind.

***

As Rank 5 Researcher Taylon Karlstein stepped back from the front lines, a middle-aged man spoke to him.

"Oh, are you back yet?"

"Yes, sir.

When Talon nodded, Anthony Hernesion, a mage belonging to the 7th team, beamed.

- Yes, the deputy commander made the right decision. Since we do not know what will appear from the rear, we will have to focus our attention there as well. Don't you think so?

"Yes... quite so.

Thelon swallowed the bitterness in his throat and answered weakly. He looked away, as if to avoid talking. At the end of this gaze stood a barbarian.

'Behellaaa

Countless monsters poured out of the darkness.

The barbarian, even more monstrous than these monsters, shouted and waved his mace.

*Bam!*

Tylon chewed his lips when he heard the explosion; He had already lost count of how many times.

*Crunch!*

Did the deputy commander make the right decision? We don't know what will appear from the rear? He was disgusted with himself for nodding, as if he didn't know what that meant.

Hell.

The truth was simple. It wasn't even the deputy commander who told him to step back. He was a barbarian whom he considered to be a simple warrior who was part of his sister's team. There was also a non-Magus on the team who couldn't even be called a Magus, and who couldn't even tell them anything when he was told to get away.

"Something may appear from behind."

When the mage said these words without even looking back, Thailon couldn't answer. No, he did not answer. It was only a brief moment, but he realized that this was not what a person should do.

*Bam!*

One swing of the weapon immediately brought terrible pain. No matter how clever you were, it was impossible to avoid it. The problem was that this fact dulled the body. Even in a situation where he had to swing his weapon non-stop, his hands froze and did not move. What a pity.

"Hey, don't be too yourself. Anyone can do this as long as they don't feel pain.

Perhaps his face was too readable. The other man spoke, as if to console him, one of the two remaining warriors who had also moved away from the front line.

"I've heard that most Pain Resistance essences don't speak well of them, but if such a tactic is possible, it will need to be reconsidered.

Despite the fact that the man calmed him down, Taylon remained silent. At first, he thought so too. Potions could only be infused with the help of Pain Resistance, and first of all, he and the barbarian had different roles.

As a warrior, he could fight in the vanguard, but it was not his duty to take blows on his body and buy time. Rather, he had to wait for an opportune moment to strike at the opponent's neck.

*Bam!*

It was a natural result. He didn't need to feel ashamed. Yes, that's exactly what he thought.

But...

'Behellaaa

The more he watched the huge figure from behind, the more doubtful he became.

How could he not hesitate even in such a state?

The flesh caught in the explosion poured down like water. The advancing animals bit their teeth into the exposed bones. But even in the midst of all this, the barbarian wielded his weapon with precision and without hesitation, unlike Taylon's motionless body. He continued to do what he was supposed to do without stopping.

But can anyone do it?

Of course not. He had heard that even having Pain Resistance did not mean that a person did not feel pain at all. If this was true, then the presence of potions, priests, and Vampiric essence did not make him invulnerable.

"They say that no one can keep up with a barbarian in bravery," said Anthony. — I think it's true.

"It seems that he does not know what death is.

As one famous researcher said, "There is nothing in the labyrinth that cannot die." It was the same with this barbarian.

There was no point in denying it.

Oddly enough, after admitting this, his heart was lightened by the fact that he unquestioningly did what he should have done in a situation where his life was at stake. How many people can't even do this simple thing? What this barbarian did, no one could do. This was evident even from the changing reactions of those around him.

"The insight of the deputy commander is truly amazing. I didn't expect this guy to do his job so well.

"Does anyone know his name?" Someone like him must be well known...

- How did the conversation with the deputy commander go? If such a person joins the clan, I think it will be very encouraging!

Even if they didn't know the details of the Pain Resistance, they couldn't help but feel that the barbarian had saved their lives.

"It's scary to think what would have happened if this man hadn't been here.

Someone turned to Taylon's half-witted sister and asked:

"Did you say your name is Misha?" Who is this person?

— Э-э, я не знаю...

They didn't get a decent answer, but when he heard Anthony's muttering beside him, Taylon thought for a moment.

"If the legendary hero of the barbarian tribe, the Balkans, were to come back to life today, he would probably look like him.

There was no need to guess what the name of that barbarian was.

"The end!" The end is near!

"Speed up!"

Soon everyone will know.

***

[[Void of Evil] field effect removed]

As soon as I came out of the darkness, there was a roar like a thunderstorm.

*Oooh!*

At the same time, dark red rays from the ceiling shot out at the center of darkness.

*Boom!*

From this sight it seemed that the apocalypse was approaching. Seeing this, McGrane muttered:

"It was close.

— I agree.

Behind the darkness, which disappeared like fog, there was absolutely nothing. On the site of the Orc colony, only traces of destroyed land remained. My head, hot from the battle, was cooling down.

If only we had been a little late with the exit... [Source of Darkness] or not, we would have died on the spot.

In fact, it was ridiculous to consider it a "near exodus." The power of the soul is running out... In other words, the MP ended, and [Gigantization] was interrupted. The corpses began to pour in like a tidal wave, most likely because all the researchers who had gone to the other side had been wiped out. It was a miracle that we managed to escape at all.

However, this was not the end.

Now we must begin to pray.

I quickly checked the number of survivors. There were exactly 30 of them. This was because at the last minute, many of the explorers who had followed us in exchange for equipment had died.

In other words, the probability is 1 in 30. No, if you take into account Misha, then it is more likely 1 to 15.

It wasn't much, but still not a possibility to relax. Instead of relaxing, I watched the others change.

— B-Bjorn...?

Then I heard Misha's excited voice.

"For some reason, I can't move my body...

When I turned my head to look at Misha, I saw that she was tense.

[Misha Karlštejn has been designated as a prey. Misha Karlštejn falls into a state of [Incapacitation]].

Damn, are you serious?

McGrane let out a vague exclamation.

"Amazing. I didn't know it would come out on your side.

"Why... Why does everyone look at me like that?

I didn't have time to explain to her. I asked, just in case, looking straight into Misha's brother eyes:

"Can you take her with you?"

"This...

- I think it will be difficult. We can't afford any more sacrifices," McGrane drew a decisive line on behalf of his older brother, who was at a loss to answer.

However, I asked again.

"Do you feel the same way?" You're still her brother, regardless of your relationship. Would you really let her die like this?

"B-bjorn... Whatever it is, it's all right...

What's okay? Your life is at stake.

"And what is the answer?"

When asked again emphatically, Tailon looked at McGrane and answered briefly.

"For me... This is more important than family.

Nonsense. That's because you don't consider her family.

Anyway, he was an asshole to the end.

"I've wasted precious time," I muttered.

Then I picked up Misha, who had turned into a log, and tied her with a rag. I quickly checked the time. It was 23:45. There were about 15 minutes left before the closing of the labyrinth - the period is not too long and not too short.

[Lord of Chaos Riakis awakens].

It will probably be the longest 15 minutes of my life.