Chapter 71 – The Barbarian Hero (Part 4)

 

Those who were subjected to the status of Prey fell into a state of [Incapacitation]. It was kind of a curse, if you will. The only difference was that Riakis was attached to the Prey. In other words, we needed to increase the distance to him before he woke up. Only then will our chances increase somewhat.

As we hurriedly prepared to leave, McGrane saw Mike and asked:

"Won't you leave her?"

— Of course not.

Are you joking?

When I brushed him off, as if his words were not worth listening to, McGrane nodded contentedly.

"It's an important virtue of an explorer to cherish your teammates. Are you sure you don't want to join our clan?

"I'm sure.

"Even if we promise to help protect this woman?"

— ... I still refuse.

"Hmph, that's very bad. If you were the one to be designated as the Prey, you would have no choice.

It was true. Misha would not be able to carry me for 15 minutes. In that case, I would risk joining a clan to survive. But McGrane must have been a researcher too, given how filthy he said it to my face.

"In any case, our deal ends here," he said. "We're going to leave." Maybe someday we will see each other in the city.

"That's if we come back alive.

"Well, if it's you, then I have a hunch that it will be more than possible. This is my intuition.

How I wished that he would stop leaving these signs (flags) of death. I thought he might make some useful suggestions, but it ended up being a waste of time.

"I hope this will help you on your journey." What are you all doing! Start!

As McGrane shouted to his clanmates, light began to pour here and there at a signal.

[Daniel Carmine has cast the spell [Blessing of the Wind].

[Tarrotes Fian has cast the spell [Wander]. Your Soul Force (MP) will regenerate much faster than usual].

[Aaron Deflein cast the spell [Flame of Regeneration].

So that's what loyalty looked like. Their energy must have run out during the escape, so I didn't expect to receive so much kindness. Perhaps they resolutely refused to protect Misha, but in times like this, gratitude was appropriate.

— ... Thank you.

"Just don't die. If you die, that bastard will come for us.

With these words, McGrane prepared to leave with the clan members. In the end, all I had to do was carry this girl and adjust my backpack so it wouldn't fall, but it was different for these guys.

"Then we'll go first."

— Of course. You leave first, and we will go in the opposite direction.

This man was really logical in everything.

There was no point in getting upset anymore, so I smiled and began to run in one direction, carrying Misha.

"Whooshhhhh!"

Not long after, I heard a scream from afar.

***

I was chased while I was pretending to be luggage on the back of a barbarian. We tried to run away from the Lord of Chaos, Riakis, or whatever his name was.

— Ху, ху, ху......

My body was hot. Not metaphorically, but in reality. Like butter poured on the fire, I felt the heat from his exhalations on my skin as he ran.

"Whooshhhh!"

I couldn't move my motionless body to look back, but I could hear him. That trembling cry was getting closer and closer.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel."

And I called him by name. But, apparently, he did not hear, because there was no answer, and I called a little louder.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel!"

— Speak.

"You can stop."

I knew my place. That monster wasn't chasing Bjorn, it was me. That's why everyone looked at me like that, even my own family. My existence was a burden.

"What do you mean?" he asked. As if he didn't understand, as if he was asking why I bothered him with useless words, he spoke in his usual tone.

And I, as usual, tried to speak cheerfully.

"That's quite enough. Otherwise, you'll die too. We're not that close, don't you think?

There was no answer, so I shouted a little louder.

"If it weren't for you, I would have died by now!" In addition, my lifelong wish has already come true!

The answer came a few seconds later.

"It's funny.

— ... A what?

"Why do you say things you don't mean?" I know you don't want to die.

His voice was strangely cynical.

Feeling that I had made a mistake, I began to make excuses.

"It's not true, am I really-...!

"You're just afraid of being abandoned.

It amazed me. So that's why? My voice grew louder.

"Why don't you listen to me!" I just don't want to cause more trouble!

"So these feelings are more important than your life?"

I was speechless. I've felt this before, but why was this barbarian so eloquent? He answered, a little annoyed:

"Stop bothering me with words you don't mean. If you want to live, just ask for help. At least this way you will have a chance to survive.

It was a monotonous vocabulary, similar to barbarian. Still, I thought I understood what he was trying to say. Ever since we were left in the Witchwood, he had shown us by his actions how to act and assess the situation in order to survive.

That's why I look pathetic now...

He always said, "Do what you have to do to survive." So what should I do now? I couldn't be sure, but I certainly couldn't complain about my grief at being abandoned by my own family to someone who was risking their own life to help me.

"Bjorn," I called to him again. Now I had a better understanding of what exactly I had to do.

"If you save me, I will help you for the rest of my life."

If I was really afraid of being abandoned, then the best thing to do would be to do everything that would help me prevent someone from leaving me.

But ...

"It's like something I've heard before.

Realizing my mistake in his answer, I lowered my head. What should I say then? I didn't have to think long.

"If I come back alive, I'll give you all the money I've earned on this expedition!" How about this?

Soon, he replied with a smirk.

"It's better.

"I'm glad you like it...

***

A sigh of relief came from behind me. I sighed for another reason and ran faster.

Ok. This should be enough for psychiatric care... and that should stop her from worrying further. The problem is that from now on...

I turned my head to check what was behind me. I could see hundreds of Chaos Spirits chasing me. Of course, these guys weren't a problem. They followed the aggro to the end, and their movement speed was quite slow, unlike that bastard.

"Whooshhhhh!"

We had at least 3 km of handicap, and the figure of the monster was already so close. At this pace, he will probably catch up with us within 5 minutes if I keep that speed.

[[Blessing of the Wind] has expired.]

[[Journey] has expired.]

[[Regeneration Flame] has expired].

This was the biggest problem I faced: The various bonuses granted to me by the Zarvi ran out one after another. The life force in my body was slowly depleting. My gait slowed down noticeably.

Maximum 3 minutes.

I took this unexpected situation into account and revised the plan.

Of course, there was not much difference. In the end, there was only one thing I had to do: run as fast as I could.

*Tap, tap, tap*

As expected, it began to rain after about 2 minutes - evidence that the monster was close. Moreover, the number of Chaos Spirits blocking the way had increased significantly. But I didn't look back. I just resigned myself to the fact that the time had come, and I took out what I had saved for this moment.

[You have used [Gigantization]: Your threat level and physical stats increase in proportion to your height].

Muscles and bones instantly swelled. In proportion to this, my arms and legs also lengthened. In addition, as my physical level grew, so did my overall combat power index. But the most important thing here was to increase the speed of movement.

*Boom! Boom!*

Although each step was accompanied by a strong vibration, my steps were wider than before. Unfortunately, this did not last long. My soul power (MP) has completely decreased during the exit from the [Abyss of Evil].

In this state, it should last no more than 2-3 minutes.

I estimated the remaining time using all my knowledge as a pro in this game. This calculation was only made thanks to the [Wandering] buff, which increased soul power regeneration. Without him, I wouldn't have lasted a minute.

"Misha, time?"

When I asked abruptly, Misha checked the watch prepared in her hand and answered urgently:

"Ugh, it's 11:56 p.m.!"

"I see.

"There are 196 seconds left!"

So, a little more than 3 minutes before the closing of this damned labyrinth.

"If you're bored, count down the clock on your clock.

"Good!" 190, 189...

While Misha was counting down the numbers and acting as a timer, I entered at the last moment and uttered a scream, which was now too familiar.

'Behellaaa

It was as if my ancestors were pushing me from behind, my body moving rapidly.

— 170, 169...

The more the second hand clicked, the more rainwater fell and the more enemies blocked my way. At the same time, my task has changed.

Until now, I had been focused on going forward, no matter what followed me, but now I had to pave the way.

"Now it will hurt a little.

Either Misha didn't hear me, or her task was a higher priority. Most likely, the latter. In any case, she did not answer me.

[The Spirit of Chaos has been destroyed, and this place will be eroded].

The Spirit of Chaos that I had struck with a mace covered in holy water exploded and scattered its liquids. It got on her skin, too, but Mike continued to read the numbers intently, as if it were the only thing she could do.

— 165!

And I did the best I could in my role, destroying the Spirits that swept in like a tidal wave, or jumping over their heads with that gigantic body.

"Whooshhhhh!"

I put all my energy into getting us a little further away from that son of a. Maybe this was the problem?

— 120, 119, 118...

My right hand, which held the mace, was completely covered in mucus.

She was beginning to go numb.

Damn, was that the verdict of [Paralysis]?

I made a quick decision and changed the position of the shield and mace.

— 90!

Suddenly, I felt a hot fire behind me. I didn't have to look to figure out what it was.

It's going to be [Breathing].

Fortunately, there was no serious damage. On the contrary, this blow blew up many Chaos Spirits on my tail, but it was too early to rejoice. If the bastard used [Breath], then I was in his attack radius.

— 75...

There are 1 minute and 15 seconds left. After [Breathing], the first direct attack was directed in my direction.

*Bam!*

A huge front paw fell to the place where I stood. Thanks to the barbarian's heated fighting nerves, I managed to dodge in time, but when I looked straight ahead, I saw that this bastard was blocking my way.

— 74...

The huge body reached 30 meters in height. Even the Orc Hero's Martial Spirit was useless against this gigantic body that could break the desire to fight with its mere appearance. After all, Morale only mattered to those who could afford to start a fight.

*Tum-tum-tum!*

My heart was beating like crazy, and rightly so. Expert knowledge or not, in this state, there was no guarantee that we would survive against this bastard.

Instinctively sensing this, Misha stopped counting the numbers.

"B-Bjorn." You can stop.

Again? I thought you were done whining by now.

"Whooshhhhh!"

Hearing the monster roar in front of my nose, I immediately turned around and ran back. It was still noisy behind me.

"Don't you hear me!" Hurry up, leave me and run away...

I said firmly:

"That's enough. This is out of the question. I'm not going to let you die.

Leave you? Right away? Then who will pay for the Frost Spirit Ring that I put in you?

"Why... Why are you doing this for me?

Jumping over the group of Chaos Spirits, I replied curtly:

"I promised you.

A promise of camaraderie, a promise to help each other. At least until I squeeze it out enough that it's worth the cost of the ring, otherwise I'll suffer huge losses.

"A promise?" Are you going to die because of just one promise?! Mike shouted, as if she couldn't understand.

"Who said I was going to die?"

I will live, reap all the fruits that can be reaped, and return to the city outside this labyrinth. Sure, there would be a hell of a lot of work, but there was nothing particularly strange about it. I never got what I wanted without risk.

*Bam!*

A huge front paw went down above my head. I tried to dodge, but it was too late.

"B-Björn!" Your hand!

The hand that held the mace disappeared. It was not touched by a nail or anything else, but literally torn off. However, there was something else to worry about now.

"Time?"

"Leave me." No. You're sure you're going to die with me...

Her voice trembled in a state of panic.

I rushed forward with all my strength and shouted:

"Misha Karlstein!" Tell me the time!

— ... 60 seconds! 60 seconds left!

So, I needed to hold out for another 1 minute.

Relying on luck, you will have to end here.

I stopped where I was and turned to look at that son of a bitch. My instincts told me to run right now, but I reasoned for myself that since the distance had already shrunk so much, it was impossible to escape.

"Although... I'm going to die, if only this thing is too...

Even if I ran away, I was within his attack radius. Just look at what happened. If I hadn't run with my back to the monster, I could have avoided this attack without losing my arm. And I ran.

"Kya!" Wh-What are you doing?!

"If you have time to whine, count the time!"

Waving off Misha's grumbling and hoping that the blessing of my ancestors would be with me in my fate, at least a little,

'Behellaaa

I ran in the direction of this son of a. At that moment, Mike changed her mind and began to count again.

— 55...

That giant son of a bitch spat flames out of his brutal mouth.

That was the moment when my judgment turned out to be correct.

— 54...

If I ran away following my instinct, the only thing that awaited Misha and me in the future would be that we would be roasted alive. But I didn't run away, so I managed to get out of the flames in time, throwing myself into the space between his legs.

— 53! 52!

Before I could lift my body, the bastard lowered his back leg.

*Boom!*

Rolling sideways, I dodged, but immediately the bastard stepped back and struck with his front paw.

— 50...

I lowered my head and dodged. Watching his movements in the battle with the Zarvi earlier, I remembered his attacks.

— 49.

Down Slash – Dodge by jumping from side to side like a grasshopper.

— 30.

Claw Strike – To avoid it, you need to lie flat like a beetle or roll between its legs.

— 26...

Wagging tail - you can jump over with all your strength. I spent hours repeating the moves that the warriors of the Zarvi clan performed against this bastard. In fact, apart from [Breath] and [Dark Sphere], these three were all the physical attacks he had.

Well, as soon as he kills the Prey, he will start operating according to a new scheme.

— 20.

But I won't give him a chance.

"Whooshhhhh!"

The bastard let out a loud roar. He began to get angry, and his attacks became more and more ferocious.

— 17.

Perhaps he wanted to make an anomalous attack because he swung his tail once more.

— 16.

I jumped as if I were riding a rope, but apparently I didn't have enough height.

*Blow!*

The tail caught my ankles and threw my body off balance.

— 15... Oh!

My body spun in the air and fell. I rolled on the ground and stood up nimbly, but one ankle hurt completely. Meanwhile, this bastard slapped his front leg. I rolled to the side once more, but all the while I could feel him. I was one step too late. There was a chance that I might actually die.

*Bam!*

What the hell is this?

Surprisingly, the ominous premonition turned out to be wrong for the first time in a long time.

[Your MP is insufficient. [Gigantization] completed].

At that moment, my body shrank by half. When I turned my head to the side, I saw a huge footprint in front of my nose. If it had been a second later, my head would have split like a watermelon and scattered here and there.

*Jerk!*

Feeling my heart skip a beat, I quickly got up from the ground. I felt pain in my left ankle, but I didn't pay attention to it.

Has 10 seconds passed yet?

Misha seemed to have lost consciousness after the tail swipe, so I mentally counted to myself.

9!

The situation was not very good.

8!

Before I knew it, the Spirits of Chaos gathered and narrowed my range. In addition, my ankle was damaged, which slowed me down.

7!

I climbed onto my front paw, which was down because it was clear that this bastard was going to kick in an attempt to shake me off.

6! 5!

With my remaining hand and strong barbarian teeth, I clung tightly to the monster's skin. But, of course, this did not help.

*Bam!*

When the bastard hit me again, my body jumped to the side. To my surprise, he quickly grabbed me with his other leg while I was still in the air.

*SshhshSHsh*.

Finally succeeding in hunting, it snorted happily. His open jaws quickly moved forward. With those vicious teeth, whether it was lithinum armor or not, it would all be over with a single bite.

"You're too late, you bastard.

It was a world with mazes and monsters, and dead monsters disappeared, leaving behind objects.

[Labyrinth Closed]

The sight in front of me faded. Darkness instantly rushed inside. Watching the monster blur into the center of my vision, I thought that the Lord of Chaos, Riakis, is definitely a tough son of a bitch, just like in the game. Although he hadn't even entered the 2nd phase, the current me couldn't do anything but run away and dodge.

But... if the time comes and we meet again...

"Whooshhhhh!"

Then everything will be different.

***

[You have been transferred to Raphdonia].

***

When she opened her eyes, it was light. Although it was cloudy, the bright light, nevertheless, could hardly be compared to a labyrinth.

I'm alive...

Mike closed her eyes, as if enjoying the warmth of the light, but hurriedly sat up.

Bjorn! What happened to Bjorn?

Soon she woke up in the Plaza de la Measurement, where there was a different atmosphere than usual.

"A priest!" Call the priest!

"Just hold on!" You're back in town!

There were wounded everywhere and cries for help.

"What the hell happened?"

"I don't know, I asked the members of the Guild, but they were too busy to answer.

Those who did not know about the situation made noise around and asked questions. It was a matter of course. Often, researchers miraculously managed to survive after the labyrinth was closed, but only in rare cases were there so many wounded.

"Have you heard?" It seems that the Lord of the 3rd floor has appeared.

"What?" The Lord of the Floor?

— ... Then they should all be researchers from the 3rd floor.

Misha lifted her body, which was suffering from a headache, and slowly began to walk.

"Hey!" It looks like you came from the 3rd floor too. Sit down and rest...

A male researcher approached her, but Misha pushed him away.

"Stand back."

Rest? Get treatment? It was all wonderful, but before that, she had something to do. And so she wanders through the Plaza of Dimensions, filled with people.

"This guy, he's going to die soon.

"Even a barbarian in such a state...

Barbarian?

At these words, Mike went in that direction as if possessed. Pushing away the crowd that had gathered to watch, she moved towards the center. As they said, there was a barbarian there.

"Bjorn...

Mike slowly approached him. One arm was torn off, his left ankle was deformed, and his entire body was covered in black goo. She didn't have to wonder what happened after she passed out. It must have been, as always, a desperate struggle for life.

"Don't get too close!" The priest is coming, just stand aside...

She understood why everyone was watching from afar. Mike didn't answer and just put her ear to Bjorn's chest. The slime burned when it touched her cheek, but she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

- Huff... haff.

Bjorn breathed regularly, like a sleeping child.

"Oh, so you're just sleeping. You scared me...

She felt weakness in her arms and legs. Mike braced herself and wiped the slime from Bjorn's body with her hands to make it a little easier for him to rest.

"The priest is coming soon, so don't worry and just rest.

As soon as she wiped the slime from his face, she was able to see Bjorn's expression. It was very calm, as if he had finished all the work he had to do.

Suddenly, the words of one mage came to mind.

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

These were the words of a mage who admired Bjorn as he paved the way for them.

Of course, Misha had no idea who Balkan was, but...

"I think I know what that mage meant.

If there were a hero in this world, then he would certainly look like this.