Surviving the Game as a Barbarian-Chapter 556: First Clear (1)

Bellarios.

A grade 3 monster possessing a skill specialized in magic damage defense—my only real weakness.

The base stats this essence provides are as follows:

Magic resistance +200.

An extraordinarily high magic resistance level unseen in any other monster.

And....

All attribute affinity +30.

Water, fire, wind, earth, and so on. No matter what elemental skill is used, this affinity amplifies its effectiveness.

‘That’s all there is.’

These two stats are all that Bellarios has.

If anything else were added, the balance would become weird.

‘Tch.’

I’ve always wondered if it would be better to have resistance instead of affinity.

Of course, affinity itself is incredibly valuable and a very important stat in this game...

Unless you raised Flame Baba or Earth Baba.

Unfortunately, the Shield Baba hardly ever uses it.

‘The only skill currently benefiting is Stormgush.’

Classified as wind attribute, [Eye of the Storm] and the water attribute [Invocation] both gain some performance boost from affinity.

Though these skills will eventually be erased, so it doesn’t matter much.

‘...The important thing is the skill.’

It’s a pity the stats don’t have dual stats or resistance values attached, but considering the skills, it’s not a big loss.

Stats can always be filled in.

(P) Ring of Circulation — When a grade 3 or higher monster dies within radius, there is a chance to increase stats.

A passive that increases stats.

In some ways, it’s similar to the Manticore’s [Inheritance], which increases stats by consuming magic stones, but there is a crucial difference.

[Ring of Circulation] has no limits.

Well, as stats increase, activation chance decreases, so after a total of 400, it almost doesn’t go up anymore.

Anyway.

(A) Scale of Greed — Adds additional correction proportional to magic resistance.

Ultimately, the core of this essence is its active skill.

‘Deep Sea Giant has 35, Bayon has 20, Ogre 80, Bellarios 200.’

Add 40 gained by deleting [Inheritance].

And 8 obtained through potions while running the Rift...

‘Total 383.’

But that’s not the end.

Add 30% from the Earth Dragon blessing to 383...

‘497.9.’

Unfortunately, just shy of 500.

But here’s why [Gigantism] is the core skill, again.

Because the Earth Dragon blessing wasn’t even part of the Shield Baba’s build.

「The character cast [Gigantism].」

「The character’s physique grows, increasing threat and physical stats proportionally to size.」

Without using the [Transcendence] Gigantism or buffing stats further with [Wild Outburst].

Still, this is enough to surpass 500 easily.

「The character cast [Scale of Greed].」

As soon as I used the skill, blue scales sprouted over my thick barbarian skin.

“Oh! Bjorn is evolving into a Lizardman!”

A lizardman, huh? A bit disappointing.

I glanced down at my suddenly changed body and smiled slyly.

「The character’s magic resistance is over 500.」

「All received magic damage is reduced by 50%.」

「Physical resistance increases proportionally to absorbed magic damage.」

At last, I acquired the Barbarian Dragon Mode.

After eating the essence and briefly reveling in trying out the skill,

“Congratulations on your achievement, Baron. However, for now, I ask that you resume the mission.”

Jerome’s timely remark dragged me back to the hunting grounds.

Ugh, who else but a fool obsessed with the mission?

It was a bit annoying, but considering efficiency, it wasn’t a bad thing.

「Defeated Bantao.」

「Defeated Elder Wyvern.」

「Defeated Flitwinder...」

Now, every grade 3 monster killed is a gain.

Swoosh!

After killing about seven, a thing like an angelic ring formed above my head, drawing in the fading light orbs from defeated enemies.

It was the effect of [Ring of Circulation] activating.

Having seen it activate on Auyen a few times, it wasn’t particularly surprising.

「Magic resistance permanently increased by +1.」

「Natural regeneration permanently increased by +1.」

But without a system message, I don’t know exactly what went up. I’ll have to check my stats periodically at the mana tower.

Most likely, physical stats increased too.

‘This time it was a close call. From now on, stick closer.’

[Ring of Circulation] has an activation mechanism.

If a defeated monster is within 1m radius, the chance of increasing physical stats rises significantly; within 5m radius, it’s completely random.

If more than 10m away, it’s influenced by stats related to supernatural abilities.

Ah, naturally, I researched this myself.

“Pause! Squad 3 and temporary squad 4, relieve squads 1 and 2!”

Some time later.

The headquarters ordered a shift change.

The knights chatting cheered, but I was an exception.

‘Ah... I just want to keep stacking stats here.’

When else will I have a chance to kill so many grade 3 or higher monsters?

I want to soak up the benefits while with the expedition.

But....

“Baron, since you have no prior experience leading troops, you might not know well, but discipline is discipline. It must be obeyed.”

Commander Jerome cut down my request sharply.

He said that once a precedent is set, someone will abuse it.

Since arguing won’t add any flexibility, I had no choice but to resign myself and turn away.

Bang! Kwang! Pazzzz!

Leaving the stone door behind, as I moved up and down the towering bookshelves ferrying books, I could clearly see the battle unfolding below.

Whoooosh!

The knights’ colorful auras flashed.

Swoosh!

With priests’ heals pouring out over the battlefield, the knights swung their swords without fear of injury.

And then.

“Ihiliat Bendai Tiulon!”

Dozens of mages combined spells and unleashed overwhelming firepower.

This was why I hurried to obtain this essence, even if it meant squeezing every last drop from my fountain pen.

I must prepare for the worst.

‘There are way too many mages.’

If they turned against me now, I judged it would be hard to respond properly.

‘At least I could put up minimal resistance now.’

Phew, speaking of which, I should feed essence to Amelia too.

But I feel awkward using my last fountain pen again.

Maybe if I wait, I’ll be lucky.

“Hey, what are you thinking about?”

“Why are you always so curious about what I’m thinking?”

“Hahaha... I wonder why......”

“You’re silly......”

While pondering, I kept fetching books, and soon the time came to switch shifts again, and the day ended.

Such days repeated many times.

Day 114 since entering the labyrinth.

4 PM.

Only eight hours remained until the rainy season.

“Commander, we’ve reached the last bookshelf.”

The end of the library assault was near.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised.

I didn’t expect to reach the library’s end content in just a week.

Compared to us, who had hunted for over a month but only reached grade 3 or 2 monsters, this speed was incomparable.

However, there’s a justification.

Their goal wasn’t hunting but progressing.

Unlike us who summoned as many grade 3 monsters as possible, the expedition took out only one book per floor and summoned monsters to increase floor levels.

And the result.

“Until further notice, all troops may rest freely!”

For the first time, the royal army, which never stopped summoning until late at night, halted all missions and ordered the troops to rest.

Of course, the leadership was exempt.

“Now, let’s begin the meeting.”

While everyone rested to recover stamina and mana, the leadership, including me, gathered for a meeting.

All wore grim expressions.

I knew from Hemsik that there were grade 1 monsters in the last book...

But they didn’t.

“Just as suspected, grade 1 monsters appeared in the last book.”

The deputy commander’s voice was cold, stiff, and slightly trembling.

Of course, it didn’t change what needed to be done.

“I must inform you in advance that the commander has resolved to continue the mission even if the enemy is a grade 1 monster.”

Though I expected this, it caused some unrest among the expedition leadership.

“Grade 1 monsters... will surely cause severe casualties.”

“I question whether this mission is worth that cost.”

I understood their feelings well.

There have been sacrifices even getting here.

“Commander, seven soldiers have already fallen!”

Seven died during battle.

Six were knights from the expedition.

One was a warrior from the Armin exploration team.

No matter how many priests there are, instant death leaves no chance to help.

‘These days, losing limbs is common.’

The previous summoning book alone produced two grade 2 and four grade 3 monsters, and now everyone participates in combat, not just some squads.

Even so, more than twenty limbs were lost in battle.

Priests healed them all after the fight.

What if a grade 1 monster appeared in this situation?

“If further casualties occur here, it will be a great loss even for the royal family—”

A knight voiced concern, but Commander Jerome cut him off immediately.

“Enough.”

“.......”

“This is a sacred mission granted by the royal family. Therefore, we must carry it out, no matter what sacrifices follow.”

As a military with strict hierarchy, once Jerome spoke decisively, the nervous knight fell silent.

The deputy commander glanced around and resumed the meeting.

“Whether to proceed with the mission is not on today’s agenda.”

The only reason Jerome gathered all commanders for a meeting was one:

“Among the seven confirmed monster species, anyone may freely suggest which to summon.”

Which summon would be the most rational choice?

As the meeting officially began, various opinions emerged, and I silently evaluated them one by one.

“I believe Leviathan is the best choice. This isn’t the sea, right? Since Leviathan benefits greatly from aquatic terrain, the difficulty should be relatively low.”

Leviathan was immediately dismissed.

Though a plausible argument, our team isn’t equipped to catch Leviathan.

“How about Tol-Rapufa? It’s a monster specialized in defense, so if we invest enough time, I think it’s the option that would cause the least damage.”

This was dismissed too.

Though there are many knights, the expedition’s core dealers are mages.

This team can never break through its shell.

“I think summoning Kashan is the right choice—”

“Well, I think Ridger is a much better opponent than Kashan—”

The leadership exchanged opinions, sometimes contradicting or agreeing with one another.

But to me, it all seemed pointless. novelbuddy.cσ๓

Grade 1 monsters are legendary beasts rarely fought directly, so their presented arguments lacked reality.

‘In the end, do I have to step in?’

Even if it’s game talk, I’ve hunted countless grade 1 monsters.

This meeting felt meaningless to me.

Just watching them discuss who to summon to minimize damage showed no one considered failure.

They all truly believed whichever of the seven they summoned, they’d win...

“Come to think of it, Baron, you’ve been silent.”

“...Me?”

“Don’t you have an opinion, Baron?”

Ah, that.

I was wondering when to speak, but they set me up nicely.

“I do.”

The leadership at once showed strong interest and focused on me.

“If we summon one, it has to be Kashan.”

That blunt statement made their eyes shine.

“You mean the wolf from the prophecy?”

“Baron, you share my opinion.”

Some looked surprised; others pleased their opinion «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» matched mine.

And...

“If I may ask, why must it be Kashan?”

The expedition’s top-ranked mage asked with a somewhat condescending look, as if seeing a brainless barbarian.

‘He was the one for Leviathan.’

The senior mage lectured me.

“Kashan is the most aggressive of the monsters mentioned. Our expedition will surely suffer great casualties.”

Bah, just because you know some magic and studied a little, doesn’t mean you’ve mastered it all.

“But if you have a reason to insist on Kashan over the others, speak up. If you fail to convince us—”

“I have a reason.”

“...Huh?”

I’m not sure why this old man seemed surprised that I said I had a reason after asking me to explain first.

I quickly continued.

“Tol-Rapufa, Leviathan, or whatever—they’re not options.”

“......What do you mean?”

“What I mean is, Kashan is the only one we can catch.”

The rest? Not even in a million years.