221 Fire Like a Flame (1)
One level 3 explorer.
Nine rank 4 explorers.
Fourteen regular knights who can use Aurors.
and… … .
‘One level 3 wizard.’
These are the members who will be the core of this plan.
Well, as the current crisis is a crisis, even with this number, we can’t be sure of any one yet.
‘Still, the gathering itself is close to a miracle.’
Al Maengi escaped through the portal a long time ago.
There must be a shortage of top-notch manpower.
Hey, how many people like these people who refuse survival tickets and are left arbitrarily?
Realistically, it would be no exaggeration to say that this is all of them.
‘not bad.’
Thinking like that, I squirm to the side.
A dark-haired white man in his 40s wearing a robe is standing.
He was the person I was most suspicious of.
Kyle Pebrosk.
A third-class war mage belonging to the royal family.
I was really surprised to find out about this person’s rating.
In this industry, it is customary for a wizard to have +1 rank.
Of course, it’s not like a courtesy to a wizard.
Actually, Raven is only level 6, but he is doing the second most work in the team after me.
It is correct to see that the standards for counting grades are different.
By the way, are you a level 3 wizard?
‘If it’s a level 2 explorer, it’s actually a semi-strong line.’
To be honest, I don’t know why the knight commander left this uncle here alone.
If it’s a 3rd grade wizard, isn’t he the best manpower to take him even if he screams that he doesn’t want to go to Amman?
‘No, that’s about it, didn’t the knight commander forcefully take him too?’
Well, maybe it is.
From the point of view of the royal family, it would be a greater loss for this uncle to die than for thousands of explorers.
It’s fair to say that the manager tried to take him too, but he couldn’t.
‘Isn’t that also a grudge?’
Just before departure, I asked Kyle why he had stayed here, and he answered coldly in a sharp voice.
[You can’t run away from him. How long has it been an opportunity that has come?]
Unfortunately, he didn’t tell me who it was.
I’m not in the mood for any more digging, and whatever the motive, it worked out well for me, so I set off on the journey right away.
And time goes by now.
“… … .”
is running
At the forefront of hundreds of people.
tickle, tickle.
Formation is simple.
A structure that divides a thousand explorers into three and follows them from a certain distance.
The power was divided appropriately, but most of the aforementioned core powers were put into the front-end group.
There was no backlash from the back row group.
They also understood.
When he appears, it will be this way to clear the road amidst all kinds of danger.
“… … .”
Excluding the beating sound like that, only an excruciatingly rigid silence continues.
Normally, I would have relaxed by talking a few words with my co-workers, but… … .
Impossible now.
Our team members are somewhere else.
tickle, tickle.
Behind me are only warriors and knights who are heavily armed just like me.
They have only one mission, including me.
When something happens, it is sure to pave the way.
This is, of course, the most dangerous place.
So I sent my colleague back.
Because it’s different from before in many ways.
The back is much safer because there are a lot of people.
[Is there anything strange there?]
As I was running like that, I heard a voice from the message stone hanging from my waist.
Kyle’s, about 70m behind.
For reference, we placed all of our team members near him.
“none.”
Something is awkward while answering.
Communication in this way is essential because many people move and have no choice but to use the terrain widely… … .
I’ve never done it as a team.
After creating a clan someday, will I get used to this method?
[Okay, that’s how I tell the back. If something goes wrong, let me know right away. It will start soon.]
“I do.”
Cut off contact and stare straight ahead.
The fog that had been thick until a few days ago had completely disappeared, and the explorers on the Noark side did not even shine their noses.
Only bloodstains and corpses of the passage of time are full.
However… … .
‘Now is it slow?’
As time goes by, the heart beats erratically.
that’s natural
It’s been over 30 minutes since the long-awaited ninth tier lord appeared, and the crystals on the cave walls started to emit red light.
“This is it.”
The road suddenly forked and turned to the right.
At the same time, a warrior following me left a mark on the wall.
It’s also the reason I’m at the forefront.
A vanguard with the ability to guide is pretty much—
“stop.”
I cleared the clutter and stopped everyone.
The crystal, which had given off a bright red light, lost its light and faded to black.
After about three seconds, the entire passageway was dyed in darkness.
Whoops.
I said as I lit the torch I had prepared beforehand.
“Everyone, eat your heart out from now on.”
It reminds me of something Einstein said.
I don’t know what weapons will be used in World War 3, but I think it will be a stone in World War 4?
Of course, this statement is not perfect to express my current case.
However, only one thing is clear.
「Special condition – Nine fears are fulfilled.」
“Lord of the Abyss, Berzac, begins to wander the floors.”
It’s time to go back to the beginning.
***
「Field Effect – Fog of the Abyss is applied.」
「All use effects are disabled.」
「Magic efficiency is reduced to 1/4.」
“A monster exposed to the mist of the abyss evolves into a superior being.”
***
Click.
Insert the torch into the groove on the helmet.
aka Barbarian Candle Mode.
It’s a mod I’ve been taking out for a long time, but it’s not particularly embarrassing.
All other warriors are the same.
“Fufu, I don’t know how much it costs to use a torch.”
“It’s sympathetic.”
Everyone put their torches on their helmets, and their sight was re-established. Then I could feel the black mist surrounding us more clearly.
It is like the darkness of a labyrinth that appears from the second floor.
darkness that eats light.
‘Visibility is about 2m.’
shorter than expected
After all, in the game, when we took down Berzac, we always had a few arch mages with us.
There was no need to be in a situation like this because it was summoned after creating a perfect environment.
“I’ve heard of it, but it must be more dangerous than I thought.”
Tension rises among the skilled warriors.
That’s why vision is so important in battle.
For example, in the United States, 21 feet (6.4 m) is recommended as the ideal standoff distance from a criminal.
Is it difficult to properly respond when the criminal runs in with a knife?
For reference, this was the case with ‘gun’.
It took that distance to aim the ‘human’ that slammed the full-power dash and pull the trigger.
But 2m… … .
[You must move quickly.]
Take a moment to stop and prepare your mind. Kyle’s urging continues at the Message Stone.
“To light a torch. I will leave now.”
After giving a notice to the warriors, I covered my upper body with my shield and went forward.
and… … .
tickle, tickle.
Slowly increase your walking speed.
This is one of the reasons why the current situation is a goal, and it is also the reason why I made the front line only with strong warriors and knights.
You have to run at a visibility of 2m.
“Behel—raa!!”
They scream and kick their feet as if throwing away fear.
When will you arrive at your destination by walking slowly?
Yeah, you already know it’s dangerous, right?
“Go, let’s go!!”
When I first plunged into the darkness, the warriors plucked up their courage and followed.
Well, I’m opening my sights in front of them, so they’ll be better—
“Kyaah!!”
In the darkness the beast roars and runs.
It’s too big to come from the first floor.
Well, it may be because I’m not using [Giantization] as usual.
Whoops!
Strikes the beast’s jaws with a shield.
Immediately, the warrior on my right slashes his neck with a double-edged axe.
Kak!
He dug into the leather, but the bone caught a blade.
The taste is bitter again.
That Dwarf who just wielded the ax was a warrior from the 4th rank. It was also not a guardian, but a warrior who was in charge of a close-knit position.
Even so, one-shot and one-kill can’t be done… … .
“Kyaah!”
The beast rushes towards us once again, even though it has a deep cut on its neck.
I hit the head with a mace.
Puff-!
It probably wouldn’t have worked with this either.
It wasn’t because he didn’t use the only attacking weapon, [Swipe].
Well, to be precise, I didn’t write it.
「All use effects are disabled.」
Active skills are sealed in ‘Mist of the Abyss’.
The corpse golem’s [Acid Fluid] is the same, but you can’t use [Flesh Explosion].
That’s the reason I can’t use [Giantization] right now.
‘It really feels like I’m back in the old days.’
A strange feeling of loss pervades the whole body.
I remember the early days when there was nothing.
Perhaps that’s why other warriors are especially afraid of the dark side.
Because one of the biggest weapons is gone.
However… … .
“What are you all doing? Come on, don’t follow me!”
The gang stats left by Jeongsoo remain the same.
Passives can also be used, and we have gear that we’ve worked hard to earn money on.
Well, you can’t use the effects of equipment and scrolls, but… … .
Regular options such as the ‘Shock Reduction 50%’ with the mark of the Guard Corps are applied.
“Leave the ones you can’t kill behind!”
We ignored him and plunged into the darkness again. If you catch each one, you will never arrive on time.
“Kyaah!”
“Kong! Kung!”
Every few steps, the beasts appear in groups.
It is 1.5 times the size of a lion.
However, the shape itself is the same as the bladed wolf that often appears in the eastern district of the first floor.
That power is the difference between heaven and earth.
「You have killed the Abyssal Blade Wolf +EXP 5」
A level 5 monster with the same level of difficulty as a troll.
We have to clear the path by defeating this guy without an active skill.
That’s why I recruited mainly warriors.
Classes that are highly dependent on skills, such as magicians, summoners, and necromancers, will inevitably become useless in this event.
On the other hand, most warriors tend to have high gang stats.
“Aww, the arm… … !”
“Priest, please heal!”
Still, the more you dig the road, the more injured you become.
Just as my combat power had plummeted after losing [Giantization], other explorers were also unfamiliar with their current self.
Oh, the skill of the Abyss Blade Wolf also played a part.
「The Abyssal Blade Wolf has cast [Inner Madness].」
The active skill [Inner Madness] possessed by the Bladed Wolf that evolved into the mist of the abyss.
The effect is simple.
All of the caster’s defense-related stats disappear, and a bonus is added to the offensive stats such as cutting power, destructive power, and penetrating power by that value—
“Kyaah!”
Shaking off the clutter, I quickly cover my face with a shield.
Kak kak!
There was a grinding sound from behind the shield that blocked the claws.
However, I am more worried about the body than worrying about the repair cost.
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Moonstone, a level 4 metal, is this much.
‘It must be difficult for me to endure this with my bare body.’
It is natural for the injured to continue to rise.
It was their claws that ripped the second-level metal like a piece of paper.
‘After all, if the purified water comes out, you should eat it right away.’
Originally, when we opened this event, we were entering the last half, so the essence of these guys was not attractive.
However, it is different for me now.
First of all, the gang stat is not only higher than level 5, but… … .
Skills are pretty good too.
With this one skill, you can temporarily change your position from extreme tank to extreme dealer.
Well, it’s a skill that can’t be used in the current situation.
‘Still, one of their gang stats was very high.’
It will be of great help if the stats increase even a little.
Jeongsu-ya, it’s enough to erase it later in the temple.
Now, 1 million stones doesn’t seem that expensive.
“Behel—la ah ah ah ah!!”
Hope the morale rises and cheers.
It’s not just me who’s doing this.
Each cries out what he believes to dispel fear.
“For Lafdonia!”
A royal family who never got tired of loyal knights and abandoned them.
“Ailee!!”
Someone named his wife.
“Let the starlight guide me!”
Someone asks for help from the god he believes in.
how long has it passed
[The shift time.]
Kyle’s voice is transmitted through the Message Stone, and the warriors and knights who were stockpiling their stamina from the back row take turns with the front row.
“… … Are you okay?”
The dwarf warrior who fought the hardest by my side asked me anxiously.
Of course, to be honest, I also want to rest.
but… … .
“There must be someone who will find the way in front of you.”
“It’s not okay to call another explorer to do that.”
“Another explorer… … .”
A smirk came out of nowhere.
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Most of the seekers lack combat skills.
But even heavily armed warriors and knights should be called to this place where their flesh is torn and their intestines are dripping?
“Don’t worry. I am fine.”
“… … I will be back soon.”
Well, there’s some loyalty in fighting together for a while.
“I’m waiting.”
After that, even the dwarf warriors step back, and new characters are filled behind me or beside me.
not unfamiliar
It’s a situation where I already made a full name before departure.
“Albertine, Darbers, Karkin, welcome. Please stand by my side.”
“Haha, it doesn’t matter how long it’s been.”
“How about taking a break in the back? We will open the road from now on.”
The warriors who look at the equipment that have become rags and the blood that has not yet hardened and are taking care of them.
“It is still worth it. tell me then.”
“It’s foolish.”
“Because he’s such a person, isn’t it that so many people have gathered?”
“Damn, they don’t even give you time to say hello.”
Before we could finish our brief chatter, the beast appeared in front of us and we had to resume our movement in a hurry again.
“Everyone, be careful, as it is very different from the ordinary Bladed Wolf.”
“I know without saying it.”
“You have to jump out of the side road.”
“It wasn’t as intense here, but it was fierce over there. Many have already died.”
what?
“It’s dead… … ?”
“Isn’t there a priest there?”
Yeah, that’s right.
All the priests were placed on the front line.
However, I don’t think it’s safer here.
Nevertheless, it was a battle that resulted in deaths.
and… … .
‘One day, all of the divine power will run out.’
In order to conserve divine power, the wounded were pulled back and used potions.
However, it will be a matter of time in the end.
Then this place will turn into even more hell.
‘Misha… … .’
I shook my head.
I was worried about my colleagues behind me, but if something had happened, I would have been contacted through the Message Stone.
‘Let’s focus on what I have to do.’
I erased my thoughts and put the shield on my shoulder and put my weight on it.
If necessary, swing the mace.
Sometimes they cry out, lose their balance and fall to the floor, then roll up and get up.
Whoops! Whoops! Scratch! Aww!
Beasts that spit black blood from blunt weapons, swords, or auras drawn by knights.
Their bodily fluids cover my body over and over again.
So time passes again.
“Heh heh, heh heh.”
The warriors, preoccupied with their physical shame, exhaled harsh breaths and groaned.
It was such a battle.
Even I, who boasted of going through all sorts of messes, had a hard time staying sane.
Is that so?
When I woke up, there was another warrior standing in the left seat.
Since when?
“Dabers, when did Elvertine go back?”
“… … .”
“Is it dead?”
“okay.”
… … I see
We were supposed to drink together later.
“Behel—la ah ah ah ah!!”
like pouring fuel.
It burns even the fleeting emotions.
Also, I ordered the priest to put heels on people other than myself.
It’s pain tolerance, so it’s just a potion… … .
eating.
No, I honestly don’t know anymore.
Has your judgment clouded by fighting too much?
Or, did the Barbarian instincts engraved on his body awaken because there were only warriors next to him?
Because you know the name?
Well, maybe it’s because I’ve seen too many deaths lately.
To some, I was a dump.
I was also a loser for someone else.
Until a few days ago, this was a completely normal fact.
It was not considered irrational or unreasonable.
That was the world, and I chose to adapt.
By the way… … .
heart-!
What is this feeling?
I wasn’t like this.
However… … .
heart-!
hot heart.
head.
The warmth of flowing blood.
stickiness.
heart-!
Yeah, maybe it’s natural to be crazy.
“Ahhh!!!”
I stopped looking for a reason.
I don’t know why, but as each person following me died one by one, something wriggled in my chest.
It was a feeling I had never felt before in my life.
heart-!
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Me.
colleagues.
And a lot of people who follow me.
heart-!
I want to come back alive.
“Character’s HP is below 20%.”
「With the passive skill [Path of Heroes], the amount of increase of all resistance and resistance values reaches the maximum.」
Even if I burn my everything.
Bul-taaaar! Dud Praise the orc … praise the barbarian!!!!
Bul’taaaar!!!