The old me was not like that. Then, what kind of person was I?

Little Lee Han-so, who spent most of his childhood in the hospital, was an ordinary child. He admired heroes and believed that someday he would become someone special. However, in the process of life, the child realized that feelings are just feelings. After all, only those who think and act rationally can live with a smile on their faces.

Misha, Einar, Raven, Mr. Bear.

I reminded myself of my priorities again. Whatever happens, it is these people that I must bring back alive.

*Klang!*

Having made this decision, I shielded my comrade from the claws of the beast with my shield.

"Are you okay?"

"Ah, ah!" Thank you...

I don't want to let go of this burning desire to save at least one more person. My head was hot, as hot as the breath I was now exhaling. Have I always been such an ardent person?

"Davers, if you're tired, go back and rest."

—... This will not happen.

—…?

"Until you rest yourself."

Why are all warriors so stupid? At that moment I thought I shouldn't have asked their names, but at the same time I was glad I did.

With that, I threw away all doubts and regrets.

As if I had really become a game character, I was only thinking about one thing. The Barbarian Shield is designed to protect his teammates, and Bjorn Yandel has followed this method of leveling up to the letter.

What could he do best? No, what should he do?

I knew the answer.

[Your body regenerates quickly with [Regeneration] (High)]

I could hardly maintain this broken state with the help of potions alone. Although I knew that I would be safer if I received the help of a priest, I did not ask for healing. The more HP decreased, the higher the defense of the Orc Hero's passive skill [Hero's Path] increased.

'Behellaaa

The more I burned my life force, the stronger I became. Then I will be able to save more people, and those who survive will help me overcome the remaining obstacles.

"Almost here!"

It was a rational decision. Let's believe in this and move on.

***

It's been about nine hours since we left the center. For the first two hours, we ran in fast running mode, and the remaining seven hours worked our way through the Abyssal Mist. There was a lot of damage. Terrible events took place, which were difficult to describe in a few sentences.

But...

"We're here.

Eventually, we reached our first destination.

Yes, to the first destination.

[How is it, the portal is open?] Kyle asked.

I swallowed hard and tried to answer calmly.

"No, the portal is destroyed.

When we arrived there, in addition to countless corpses and blood, we were greeted by a scene of destruction. At the place where the Floor Stone and the open portal should have been, there was absolutely nothing.

*Compression*

Truly, it's been a long time since irrationality took out its anger on me. So many soldiers died. Each of them had a family, and each had something precious that could not be given up.

"[It was in vain].

—…

"[Come to your senses. There are two portals left. We need to decide where to go].

With difficulty suppressing the emotions that overwhelmed me, I cooled my head as much as possible and began to think.

Where to go – to the north or to the south?

- [Make a decision as soon as possible].

I didn't even have time for leisurely thoughts. Even at this moment, there was a battle going on.

"Yandel, don't put pressure on yourself. How can you choose? It's just luck.

"Haha, a warrior always judges with his heart, not with his head!"

"Whatever choice you make, we will follow you.

"Even if it's the wrong choice, no one can blame you. And if anyone reproaches him, I will crack his skull with my axe.

The soldiers, who had been with me on the verge of death several times in that short time, consoled me. They were amazing people. How could they laugh when they looked like that?

*Smirk*

I closed my eyes.

Now there is only one chance.

In fact, it was impossible to check all three portals. Based on the available time, we decided that we had no more than two chances, and the eastern one was chosen as the first destination.

There were several reasons:

1. If we had chosen the east, we could have chosen between north and south, even if the first chance had been missed. During the expedition, it was possible to change routes based on new information.

1. Voidwolves were less demanding than other monsters and dealt less damage.

1. In the Beasts' Lair, Noark will find it difficult to form a siege formation. If a fight starts, we decided that this side would be better, as we would be able to use a simple strategy: cover our backs with a wall in three directions, hold out until the end of the 7th day, and go down to the 1st floor.

... Bloody hell.

Having organized my thoughts in this way, I understood something.

This was a wrong judgment from the very beginning.

From my point of view, it made sense to choose the east.

But what about the opponent's point of view?

I was not short-sighted.

I made plans in a direction that was beneficial to me, because if everything worked out, it would be better for me. I acted with the best script in mind. Everyone else would do the same.

What direction would these bastards take?

I asked myself again: Which portal was the most profitable for Noark?

The answer came quickly.

North.

No matter how much I thought about it, there was no better option than the Goblin Forest.

There were three reasons for this:

1. The Abyss Goblins were the most difficult of the four monsters on the 1st floor. If we want to follow this path, we will have to sacrifice a lot.

1. Since there were no features of the terrain that could serve as walls, a siege was possible. Even the battle was profitable.

And among other things...

1. The Goblin Forest was the shortest distance from the 3rd floor. That was the most important part. These guys have stopped expeditions to the labyrinth for 6 months, which means they are suffering from a lack of food. As soon as the operation was over, they planned to mine mana stones. Because everyone in this world was obsessed with efficiency.

An idiot's piece.

I already knew about the food crisis, so I assumed that there would not be many people in front of the 2nd floor.

That is what I relied on in this regard. However, I have not been able to establish a connection with the Goblin Forest, although I have done all these simulations.

One of the three options? No, I just wanted it to be the easiest way.

I cursed my stupidity. But instead of blaming myself even more, I took out the Message Stone.

*Squeezed*

This was not the time to lament. Tears will not help grief, now it was important to take the next step.

"We're going north.

As I announced my decision through the Message Stone, I heard Kyle's voice.

"[Goblin Forest, huh?]

"Do you want to say something?"

"[No. Actually, if you couldn't choose, I was going to advise you to go there.

So this man had the same thoughts as me. If only I had understood it earlier. Both me and him.

Okay, stop complaining.

I resumed movement and led the group, which trusted me.

"Get ready." We leave again.

The destination was the Goblin Forest in the north.

"Ha, our break is over.

"Let's go." We can rest when we are outside.

Instead of breaking the formation and returning the way we came, we turned around to take a detour.

"Grr...!"

"Kyaaa!"

As soon as we left the vicinity of the portal, monsters immediately appeared. Fighting these reptiles in new bloody battles, we cleared the way.

So a lot of time passed.

"Grk, grk!"

Gradually, the Abyss Goblins began to appear. This meant that we had traveled a considerable distance from the eastern area where the Abyssal Wolves appeared.

— Grrk.

The sinister black-skinned goblin was small as usual, but he was staring at me.

"Hook, hook!"

That bastard was laughing, just like he had when I first got into that cave.

"Get ready for battle!"

From that moment on, we had to go through a difficult path.

***

Goblins were rank 9 monsters, and they were nothing special. You just had to watch out for their traps, but even they were not scary if you wore the right shoes.

[You killed the Abyss Goblin. Experience +5].

However, rank 5 Goblins with "Abyss" in the name were completely different. These sons of have turned into more cunning creatures than the Trolls.

[The Abyss Goblin used [Random Trap]].

The effect of the [Random Trap] was simple.

*Click*

When she was stepped on, a random skill of rank 5 or lower was applied to the target. Oh, for the record, buffs are not included in them. Only attack and curse skills were activated.

*Ears!*

The moment the sound of the trap activation rang out, the warrior's body was engulfed in flames.

I immediately understood what it was:

[Destruction].

Among the rank 5 skills, it was one of the ones that dealt the most damage to a single target.

"Damn it!" Priest! Priest!

The summoned priest sent healing as soon as the flames broke out, but it was useless.

*Crumbled*

The soldier, who had been clearing the road on the front line for more than two hours, was charred and burned to ashes.

A truly senseless death.

Such was the cursed feature of the Abyss Goblins.

"Krr, creuruk!"

Whichever leveling method you choose, there will definitely be a counter-attribute, but a random attack? If you're unlucky, you'll face your death helplessly with a single attack.

"Damn, this drives me crazy.

Even so, the Abyssal Goblin trap could not be detected in advance, either with the naked eye or with magic. You could only step on it.

"I can't go any further. Forgive me.

The warrior who had returned laughing, even after receiving the healing of the arm torn off by the Abyss Wolf, stepped back in fear.

It's not like I couldn't understand. Maybe if I was too weak and was injured because I couldn't dodge an enemy attack, but died for just being unlucky? Even a warrior who has overcome many difficulties would find it difficult to overcome psychological fear.

"I'll go first," I decided.

Not because I wasn't afraid, and not because I had a noble turn of mind that allowed me to smile while sacrificing myself for others.

"You guys follow me.

If everyone is afraid, there will be no end to it. In the end, such a choice would kill everyone, including me, so it was necessary in this situation.

There must be at least one person who will overcome fear and take the first step.

'Behella

I overcame my fear and sped up.

*Click*

The traps went off at intervals of twenty steps.

[Your Energy is greatly reduced].

I received a debuff like a curse.

[Your body is ablaze with heat and your regeneration abilities are temporarily blocked]

I summoned a constant attack of flames, [Leech Flame].

[Cold damage is temporarily greatly increased].

Then water damage and finally...

*Kaboom!*

Lightning strike.

All kinds of skills were superimposed on me, but I kept going forward, believing in my +200 Manticore Magic Resistance, believing that this first step wasn't pointless.

*Click*

I continued my steps. Suddenly, from afar, I heard the voices of people, but they did not last long.

"I... I...

"Stop making a scene and step back. I'll go next.

"Damn it, why!" Why me...?

Those who passed by those who stopped or fell followed me, beginning with the barbarians.

"We will follow the great warrior!"

'Behellaaa

"Haha!" You said you have a family. It's a job for a loner like me," said the leader, who lost his team.

Next came the abandoned knight.

— ... This is also the fulfillment of the duties of the royal family. I'll stand up next.

"It's crazy. I've never seen anything like this before.

"Ha, how can we retreat?"

"I've felt it before, but you're a real crazy bastard.

The murmur grew louder. I felt the presence of my comrades right behind me, but I did not look back. What was needed here was not someone who doubts and worries, but someone who silently and confidently goes forward.

"Everyone is crazy!" Do you think others will recognize you for this?! And? Hero?

Without blaming those who remained in place, we went forward with those who climbed again.

"Damn it... I'll go anyway. After all, someone has to do it.

*Click*

We moved forward so as not to leave anyone else.

***

When I came to, Ainar was carrying me in her arms. I didn't bother to ask what happened. This was the third time. I stepped on the traps again and again and, unable to stand it, lost consciousness.

"How much time has passed?"

"Please... rest more, Bjorn... And?

Waving off Misha's concern, I got off Ainhar. I saw Kyle. This man will tell me everything.

"How much time has passed?"

"We'll be there in two hours."

— Yes, I see.

I lost consciousness for about half an hour. The divine power of the priest had already run out. I wonder how many more people died while I was gone?

"Uncle...

I was about to walk forward when Ervena grabbed my wrist.

"You can't stay...?"

***

"Other people will clear the road.

It was a terribly selfish but tempting proposition. The old one I might have considered reasonable.

But...

"I have to go."

"Why... Do you insist on that?

"Because I'm tired of seeing people die.

I had a high Magic Resistance, so even after stepping on hundreds of traps, I just lost consciousness. After all, these were only rank 5 skills. Even without [Gigantization], my body was strong. At that moment, I realized that I would not die from this madness.

"To the side.

I pushed Ervena aside and moved forward. My teammates no longer held me back. When I sped up a little more, I was able to join the front line in no time.

"Aren't you tired yet?"

The passage was blocked by almost two hundred warriors. This happened after all the warriors from the group divided into three were randomly collected. This was different from the Abyssal Wolves realm.

Compared to traps, enemies appearing from side roads were not as dangerous.

The condition for staying here was to be at least rank 5, as well as high defense indicators. Melee warriors were also accepted, but non-warrior classes were completely excluded. This was because the Abyss Goblins' specialization wasn't just traps.

These guys were throwing a weapon called the [Monster Bag]. When thrown, they exploded, and a random monster of rank 5 or lower appeared right in front of their noses. Such an environment could not be endured by mages and archers, for whom distance control is everything.

—... Is it a priestess on someone's back?

"Oh, we told her to stay still, but she continued to use her divine power and passed out.

For reference: not only the priestess was carried on her back.

Warriors with serious injuries who fought thanks to the potion were carried by other warriors. When they come to their senses, they will probably carry other warriors as well.

- I see. When she wakes up, stop her by force if necessary. We must save it until we really need it.

"But this priestess is so stubborn that she won't listen to us at all.

"Then knock her out."

"Oh, good.

Although this meant disrespecting the priestess, the warrior nodded in agreement. He knew that this was not the time to judge it.

"Then I'll go ahead."

I nodded to the warrior and was about to move forward when the rest of the warriors pushed me with their shoulders.

Wait, did these guys just push me?

It was the first time since I woke up in this body.

—... What does it mean?

When I asked, the warriors shrugged their shoulders impassively.

"Don't you see that we are standing in line here?"

"Even if you're a leader, you have to stay in the ranks.

"Bjorn Yandel, do you think you're some kind of hero?"

A what? Wait, what kind of nonsense?

It was absurd, but the warriors' faces were sincere.

"Rest a little longer, Yandel.

"You deserve it.

I didn't know whether to be happy about it or not.

While I calmly watched what was happening, there was a commotion ahead.

"S-stop!"

Stop? In such a situation? Something had to happen.

"Out of the way!"

I hurriedly squeezed forward through the warriors. This time, the perplexed people did not stop me.

"Uh, huh?"

"Wait!"

"Yandel?" Why are you here?

"We clearly told you to rest..."

When I stepped to the front rows, I was greeted by familiar researchers, but there was something I had to decide before answering the questions.

What kind of turmoil is this?

There was no need to ask, the answer was right in front of me.

- In any case, welcome back. Yandel, is this what the magician was talking about?

Beyond the passage, in the darkness that engulfed all the light, a huge eye blinked and looked at me.

"Yes, it looks like it.

I sighed and nodded. What's the point of denying it? Since I had met that eye, our encounter with Abyssal Lord Berzak was almost a foregone conclusion. Yes, it was just a miracle that we had not met him until now.

"Well, what are we going to do now?"

What else can we do? You have to follow the plan.

"Everyone step aside.

I picked up my mace and moved forward.

Even though I was approaching him with a weapon, that giant eye only continued to blink, not backing down. It was quite an unpleasant sight.

Is this the first time you've seen a barbarian?

I hit the eye with the mace with all my might.

*Chomp!*

As befits a rank 9 monster, the eye disappeared in beams of light, with just one hit.

[You killed the Abyss Watcher. Experience +1]

[The Lord of the Abyss, Berzak, is beginning to take a keen interest in you.]

It hadn't been long since I woke up again, but it seemed like I was facing another ordeal. I took out the Message Stone and informed Kyle about it.

"I just killed the Abyss Watcher. Get your ass in here.

It was time to move on to Plan B.