Although the combat power of the Lord of the Abyss, Berzak, was less than that of Riakis on the 3rd floor, the difficulty of defeating him was several times higher. This was due to the fact that the Abyssal Mist was cheating. It sealed active skills and item effects, reduced mana efficiency by three-quarters, and rank 5 Abyss Monsters in the form of motley beasts hindered the attack. Because of these terrible conditions, it was difficult to even try to defeat this guy, unless it happened in the second half of the game.

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There were too many things to prepare to destroy it:

High-rank numbered items that have permanent effects, not just effects when used.

Advanced tanks capable of withstanding a blow,

Damage dealers who can use Aura or fight at an equivalent level,

Priests, the more the better,

A few Magi who were strong even with reduced efficiency.

It is recommended that all participants have at least rank 5 equipment, but even in this case, if several special consumables were not prepared, the damage increased.

But even if all this was prepared, on the 7th day of the fight he would have been considered unsuccessful.

From that point on, regardless of the phase, additional action patterns were opened. Simply put, in our current state, we can never beat this guy.

"[So, we've caught his eye after all. I'll be there soon.]

However, we could stall for time. As I waited for Kyle to join me, I checked the time.

[19:34]

It was the 5th day, it was 7 o'clock in the evening.

After a fierce clearing of the path, we confirmed the state of the eastern portal, and there were still two hours to go to the Goblin Forest. It was a valuable result achieved thanks to the sacrifices of the soldiers, but it would be a lie to say that we did not have a share of luck on our side.

"Yandel, are you okay?"

"And what could be wrong?" I knew that we would have to face it at least once.

The fact that we met only now was rather lucky. Instead of us, most likely, the expedition group suffered, having chosen a different direction.

—…

How many more people died in vain? My head suddenly grew cold, but I felt no pity. We were in the same situation. We promised to be each other's bait. On the other hand, if we had met this boss earlier, it would have been easier for other teams to clear the way.

"I kept you waiting.

About 5 minutes later, Kyle appeared with the troops needed for Plan B: six rank 5 mages, three knights, and three warriors.

Quickly looking at the troops, I could not hide my doubt.

"Why is this all this?"

The number of Magi remained the same, but the number of others was greatly reduced. What could be the reason?

"Everyone else is dead.

Yes, they weren't just hanging out in the back. We lacked six people. Then who should fill the empty spaces?

"Oh, your teammates offered to follow you, but I stopped them. Later, you will hear indignation.

Indignation, right? But there are still not six of them. Oh, maybe the elf sisters volunteered too?

—... Thank you.

After thanking Kyle, I looked around at the warriors around me and forced myself to speak cheerfully.

"As everyone has already heard, we are missing six people. I'm sorry to say this while you're all looking like shit, but is there anyone who will join us?

Before I could finish speaking, someone answered.

"Me!" I'll follow you.

The 5th rank warrior Alexandro Bell belonged to a large clan, but was left here due to being pushed into the background.

"I'm tired of stepping on traps, I'll be better off this way!"

Karkin, the 3rd son of Tion, a barbarian of 30 years old, was an active warrior in a clan of ten. At first, I was surprised to see a rank 4 tribesman.

"You'd better keep your promise to buy a drink as soon as we're outside!"

Milton Teterud was the head of a clan made up entirely of dwarves. Instead of conducting joint research, members of his clan were apparently used as mercenaries. It was a clan closer to a guild.

—…

I should have said thank you here, but for some reason I was speechless. To be honest, I did not expect such a turn of events. However, the situation was different than before.

There were only two hours left before the portal. And although this hope could have been extinguished at the moment when it came into contact with despair, hope remained hope. The fact that these people paved the way with their lives as insignificant did not mean that their desire to survive was less. Since we've only suffered so much damage by fighting hordes of trash monsters, I didn't think anyone would volunteer to be boss bait.

But that's exactly what happened.

"Oh?" If I follow, does that mean I can join the binge?

"I'm interested in something else. If I just follow you and go through it this time, I think I'll get the highest achievement that I can show off at feasts for the rest of my life.

'Behellaaa

"Take me with you." I wonder what this Berzak looks like, or what his name is.

Numerous researchers volunteered at the top of their voices.

Because they believed in the plan that Kyle and I came up with? Or is it because their brains were releasing endorphins from being trapped in this incandescent atmosphere?

Well, I was sure that there were both causes.

Still, one thing was certain.

"You all have... Problems with the head.

It wasn't a choice that could be made in a sane mind.

But didn't my words seem strange to them? There was a minute of silence.

— ... You're not wrong. When they talk about it on the street, everyone will probably talk about us like that.

Some have resigned.

"Who would say?"

Some laughed as if it were absurd.

I couldn't say anything definite. I only did it because I had to do it.

I think it's the same with these guys.

My heart pounded hot, as if there was really something wrong with my head. But his head needed to cool down. Out of the numerous volunteers, I selected six. There was only one criterion: Who will create the best synergy (compatibility).

Since these were my comrades, with whom I endlessly fought all day, there were no problems with the choice. I already knew roughly their fighting styles.

"Hey!" Why are you leaving me?!

When the decision was made, Teterud, the leader of the dwarven clan, protested.

"Are you afraid I'll slow you down?"

— By no means.

"Then why?" I won't let you go until you tell me!

Well, this little man has stubbornness.

It looks like Kyle is almost done with the magic circle, so I've briefly explained the situation.

"I need someone to lead this group without me.

Teterud was a researcher of the 4th rank. He was experienced and led a clan, so he knew how to lead people. If I needed to leave someone in the lead, this guy was the right guy for the job. In fact, every time I passed out, I heard that he took the lead.

—... Clop.

Although he was dissatisfied, he looked convinced and did not pester me anymore.

"Mr. Yandel, everything is ready. A guest should come to us soon.

Phew, I see.

As soon as I heard from Kyle that the magic circle was complete, I sent them on their way.

"It's time for you guys to leave. This scout that Kyle brought with him will show you the way. I've heard he's quite strong, but try to keep him alive.

"You sound like you're a father. Okay, we're leaving. See you later. It's a promise. Ok?

"To me, it sounds like you're the father.

"I really have a child in the city. Now let's go!

Coming closer to the wall, so as not to block their way, Teterud continued to step on the traps in front, and the warriors followed him. As they passed, each of them dropped a few words.

"Don't die.

"Hmm, strange, but I don't think you're going to die." See you!

These were mainly words of support and encouragement. These comments continued indefinitely, even after a group of warriors passed by. Someone thanked and someone apologized, and not once or twice, but again and again.

— Why does everyone do this?

Kyle laughed at my question.

"That's because your Message Stone has been on all along. Everyone already knows about the situation.

And so it was.

"Bjorn...

As the procession progressed, members of the Apple Narak team also appeared. Seeing my condition, Misha seemed to be about to burst into tears. Raven and Mr. Bear also had complicated expressions.

"Stop it and go already. People in the back can't pass if you block their way.

"I swear—" If you come back with injuries, I definitely won't leave you alone.

Hmm, telling the tank not to get hurt means that she won't leave me alone anyway. I kept these thoughts to myself.

Not bad.

What does it matter if I get a little scolded? All this is done in order to return to everyday life.

"I'll leave it to you.

"Yes, don't worry. Even without you, I will take care of protecting our team. And now, Miss Einar. Come along.

"Phew, oh well! Don't pull my hair!

After that, Raven saddled Einar, who was insistently asking to follow me, and galloped away. But even after that, the procession continued.

They were like refugees running through a tunnel in the middle of a war.

Screams, flaming torches, the groans of the wounded on the backs of their comrades, shattered equipment, blood stains, sadness in their eyes, and beads of sweat dripping from limping footsteps. I didn't have to ask Kyle what happened. Since a lot had happened to me too, I knew that it had been a particularly long day for them.

"So, everyone left.

Including the first group, where I was in front, the second and third groups, who followed, guided by the marks on the passages, all passed by us. It didn't take long. This is due to the fact that they were galloping. And our number has decreased significantly from the very beginning.

"It got kind of creepy.

As soon as everyone left, it became completely dark around.

Could it be because flickering torches illuminated the surroundings as the procession passed by? Suddenly, I felt a clear contrast. It seemed that we were left alone in this world.

Anyway, he should be here by now...

I raised my shield and looked over the aisle.

"He's here.

Visibility: 2 meters.

Hundreds of eyes watched us from the darkness of the labyrinth.

Владыка Бездны, Берзак, прибыл.

***

If there was one thing I worried about most when I was developing the plan, it was Berzak. No matter how much I thought about it, it was impossible to run away from this bastard with hundreds of people. It was safe to say that we would be destroyed on the spot.

Well, if we had spread out and run, the aggro would have bounced back and more people could have survived, but what could we do if we ran in different directions? It was clear that we wouldn't even be able to break through the crowds of garbage monsters and reach the portal, let alone fight on the 2nd floor.

"Can we use the magic circle right away?"

And then we made a plan B, but with our resources, this strategy could only be used once.

"I've checked the magic circle several times, so don't worry.

If Plan B fails, everyone will die. Even if we succeed, if we encounter the Abyss Watcher again, we will not be able to avoid destruction. This was also one of the reasons why the maximum number of portal search attempts was two. During this time, many expedition groups must have disappeared. Even if we pass the first test, the probability of meeting Berzak will be too high.

"Get ready for battle."

As soon as the eyes appeared in the darkness, everyone drew their weapons. From Kyle's explanations, they understood what those eyes meant.

—…

Those eyes were the effect that was occurring around Berzak. For reference, the range in the game was about 2 kilometers. But even so, it wasn't just a skin.

All these eyes share their vision with this bastard. In other words, Berzak is already watching us.

"As you all know, our goal is to hold out as long as possible until the rest of the researchers are out of sight.

Kyle seemed nervous too, and repeated his explanations several times.

"Do you take us for fools?" We all remember. You also said that if your predictions are correct, then we only need to hold out for 10 minutes.

— That's right. Excuse me. But I will say one more thing. I forgot to mention this earlier... but whatever happens, protect Mr. Yandel.

"Hm?" Yandel? For sure.

"You don't ask why?"

"Everyone knows, even if you don't tell me. This guy has to survive so that the others can come back.

The others nodded in response to the warrior's words.

"I mean, if Mr. Yandel, who killed the Abyss Watcher, dies, then Berzak can target the main commands—" Kyle laughed, embarrassed, and interrupted his words. "Well, it doesn't matter. It doesn't seem to matter even if I say it.

"Haha!" Yes, whatever the reason, the result should be the same, right?

"Yes, you're right, but mages and warriors don't seem to be any different in that regard.

A light conversation lightened the tense atmosphere a little. Unfortunately, this did not last long.

*Whoosh!*

The shadow threw a sharp object that looked like an awl.

*Kwang!*

The moment I blocked him with my shield, pain shot through the back of my hand. It was not deep, it just scratched the skin.

Hah, I've never met this guy so unprepared, so I can't even do the calculations.

To think that a shield made of lunar ore can be pierced with one normal attack. Is it because I haven't been to [Gigantization]?

Seeing my pierced shield, the faces of the soldiers hardened. Kyle muttered, as if to boost morale.

— … Try to hold out for 10 minutes.

Now this time seemed incredibly long.

And yet, for some reason, I began to laugh.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Warriors laugh when things go wrong.

I looked ahead. A shadow flickered in the darkness.

The Lord of the Abyss, Berzak, was a boss that could only be beaten in the second half of the game, a monster of monsters that would ultimately only defeat us at our current level. But so what?

'Behellaaa

In any case, this guy was just one of the obstacles that, after a long day like today, would allow us to face tomorrow.