Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Usurper (1)
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#57
The following list shows the characters Bran had been mulling over for this playthrough.
1. The Plateau Barbarian Who Devours Enemy Abilities
2. The Archmage Favored by the Stars
3. The Demon-Blooded Witch with an Incredibly Stunning Figure
If there hadn't been the Nameless Hero, he probably would've picked one of these three.
What they had in common was that each had a clearly specialized niche, making them characters you never got tired of even after multiple runs.
The Archmage offered overwhelming firepower.
The Witch brought overwhelming charm.
The Barbarian provided overwhelming utility!
Absorbing the abilities of devoured enemies—what a wealth of potential uses already came to mind?
'A trait that pays for itself right up to the ending.'
Not to mention the sheer fun of playing them, with concepts dripping in romance.
They were also a huge boon for Bran's group, which sorely lacked a ranged DPS build.
The only downside? Exactly one.
Recruiting them was an absolute pain in the ass, proportional to their talent.
Crack.
The Barbarian Warrior eyeing Bran nocked a fresh arrow.
"He's... he's shooting again!"
Benden's face went pale white.
This time, it looked like he meant business—three arrows on the string.
"Damn it."
Knocking them all away would be tough.
The Barbarian released the bowstring.
Bran charged forward, swinging his sword. The arrow flying straight at his face split in two.
His hair was sliced but didn't explode—good. The problem was the other two shots.
This time, the targets weren't people, but the ground and the tents.
Thwip!
Just as toxic clouds began blooming from the two deeply embedded arrows...
"Kael!"
"Got it!"
Bran shouted.
No lengthy explanations needed for these two, who'd synced up through thick and thin.
Kael raised his staff high.
You've displayed astonishing valor, saving numerous lives. Kael's skill [Sanctuary] growth rate has increased!
Upon reaching the proficiency threshold, a new skill may be generated.
A golden hemispherical barrier unfurled, just as the poison clouds erupted on either side.
Crimson toxic gas swept through the camp.
Normally, this would've been near-total annihilation.
But...
"This...!"
It didn't happen.
Benden, who'd clamped his nose and mouth shut while prone, stared wide-eyed.
The barrier held firm.
The thick plateau viper mist couldn't pierce the morning light, dissipating harmlessly.
Benden wasn't the only one shocked.
"A b-barrier?"
"My God. I feel lighter already."
The expedition members lucky enough to be within the light's radius gawked in disbelief.
No one had died.
On the contrary, those inside the dome looked healthier than before.
"To think he was a priest of this caliber."
Even Expedition Leader Urdin couldn't hide his astonishment.
Bran chuckled, feeling a father's pride at the praise for his "kid."
"Worth teaching him after all."
It was a technique he'd passed on before leaving Valkeros.
An upgraded Sanctuary, blending divine power and mana into a physical barrier.
His proficiency was still low—no blocking arrows or blades yet—but gases were no problem.
"Good job" messages popped up too.
Great news, but no time to celebrate.
The Barbarian was nocking another arrow, and the ghost cavalry was closing in fast.
Bran growled.
"Urdin. Go."
"Go?"
"That bastard's too much. We're catching him—you lot head to the tents."
Staring daggers at the Barbarian.
Confusion crossed Urdin's face.
"You're not coming?"
"I never forgive rude bastards. We can lop off that primitive's head and still make it. Don't worry about us—go."
Urdin's lips twitched for a split second.
Like it?
Of course—he'd be grinning ear to ear.
Not only were they marking an unknown enemy, but they were bowing out of the relic grab entirely.
"...Thanks."
"We'll come after, so don't sweep it all. Leave us ten percent."
"Naturally. Your share's safe."
Urdin nodded.
No hiding the smile now.
He drew a rusted warhammer from his belt.
"Survivors, follow me! We'll flank before the cavalry arrives!"
"Y-yes sir! Flank and breakthrough!"
The expedition members echoed.
Thanks to Kael's barrier, about thirty remained.
Urdin thrust the hammer skyward.
"Glory to Retunir!"
No ordinary hammer.
Boom!
Suddenly, ominous crimson light radiated from it.
Kael flinched, sensing the divine power.
"Eek! Divine power?"
Not on par with Morning's Blessing, but potent nonetheless.
If memory served, one of Retunir's treasures.
The expedition had pierced the evil spirits to reach here thanks to that evil god's relic.
Veins bulged on the faces of those bathed in crimson light.
"Brakada! Bless us!"
"Raaargh!"
"Charge! Charge! Charge!"
Beast-like roars erupted from all mouths.
Muscles pumped, drool flowing—berserk buff, clearly.
Steroid gorilla Urdin bared his teeth in a grin.
"Kuhahaha, thanks, Bran!"
Then leaped down toward the rocky base.
The expedition followed, vanishing from sight in seconds.
The cavalry's primary target wasn't them—might make the tents safely with luck.
"I'm the thankful one."
Though odds were slim.
Bran kept batting aside or dodging the Barbarian's incoming arrows.
Interference gone—time for aggressive scouting.
Bran yelled.
"Ilrak, take Kael and Benden and follow!"
"Got it!"
Before Ilrak even finished, Bran surged forward.
Popping an herb into his mouth.
Consumed Dried Rabbit Flower. Leg strength greatly enhanced!
[Heart of Harmeno] activates! Beneficial effects from plants are doubled!
A plant prepped to shatter Silien's barriers.
But Rabbit Flower alone wasn't enough to close the gap.
Catching his breath, Bran pictured a growing tree in his mind.
[Power of the Great Tree]
Strength doubled!
Power surged through his body.
Power of the Great Tree always overdelivered.
This should do it.
Crunch.
Bran's thighs ballooned explosively.
As his bent legs extended, a sonic boom echoed.
The Barbarian prepping his next arrow flinched.
"...!?"
Bran vanished from view.
Only a deep crater where he'd stood.
Ominous.
As he urgently lowered his bow to command the wolf...
"...!!!"
A presence appeared right beside him.
Turning, the Barbarian froze.
Bran was inches away.
"Hup!"
Too fast. No time to react.
Bran tackled, wrapping his arms around the waist.
Boom!
The Barbarian tumbled off the wolf with Bran, rolling across the ground.
The wolf panicked as they plunged over the cliff edge.
"Kyah?!"
Mount or not, the speed was untouchable.
White fur bristled belatedly.
As the wolf lunged to protect its master...
Thwack!
Ilrak landed, smashing its face with her tail.
"Yelp!"
Teeth flying, the wolf reeled back.
Ilrak grinned fangily.
"Puppy. Play with me."
Kael and Benden were tucked under her arms.
Right on time, thankfully.
"Raaargh!"
The wolf shook its head and charged Ilrak.
"Eeeek!"
"Heavens! A white wolf? Aren't they extinct?!"
Kael and Benden yelped.
Maw big enough to swallow a man whole.
Benden's awe bordered on admiration, but anyway.
Ilrak raised a brow at the gleaming fangs.
"Dunno if I can subdue it without killing."
Ptoo.
She spat in her palm after setting Kael and Benden down.
Bran's request—she'd try her best.
Ilrak charged.
Boom!
The beasts clashed in thunderous impact.
Monster movie big match!
Bran would've loved to watch, but no time.
"Hey. We're not here to kill the king... damn it!"
He was locked in combat with the Barbarian on the rocky mountainside.
Slash!
As Bran jerked his head back, a bone dagger grazed his cheek.
"Seriously! Let's talk!"
Facing the Barbarian again, Bran snapped.
One slip and it was a thousand-foot drop.
Even with prep, conversation was a nightmare.
Ranged specialist or not, the Barbarian's melee skills were top-tier.
'Damn, I want him.'
Quintessential utility character balance!
Proof that bulk didn't mean mastery.
Still, Bran had the edge up close.
Clang!
Seizing an opening, Bran yanked the hilt—the dagger flew from the Barbarian's grip.
"...!?"
The Barbarian staggered.
No chance to grab it before it plummeted over the edge.
Deer mask hid the face, but panic was clear.
With Power of the Great Tree? This was minimum.
Bran asked.
"Hoo. Ready to talk now?"
"Kyaaak!"
"Nope."
The Barbarian roared beast-like and lunged.
Not huge, but that wasn't the issue.
Crunch!
Dozens of sharp spines erupted from limbs.
"Shit."
Bran cursed.
Plateau porcupine ability, like the viper.
Bigger, sharper than the dagger—lethal, and poisoned to boot.
The Barbarian bullet-rushed, shoulder about to slam...
"Stop already!"
Bran stomped with all his leg power.
Boom!
The unstable ground partially collapsed.
The unprepared Barbarian's body dipped downward.
"...!!!"
Fur stood on end.
Fatal height.
Arms outstretched—barely short.
As the plunge truly began...
Grip!
A hand shot out from above, seizing the wrist.
"Calm down, please. Winds blowing across the plateau."
A weary voice followed.
The Barbarian looked up and froze.
Bran, his foe moments ago, held him.
"...!"
"I'm not your enemy. We're here to slay the wicked sorcerer, not the great king."
But what truly stunned the Barbarian was elsewhere.
A large spine protruded through Bran's hand.
Longer, sharper than the dagger.
His own porcupine ability.
Combined with viper venom—excruciating agony. Yet Bran gripped firm.
"...?"
"Hup!"
Bran hauled him up.
Lighter than expected.
The Barbarian landed softly.
Squelch!
Releasing the arm, the spine tore free, blood spurting from Bran's hand.
"Argh, stings like hell...!"
Hurt like a bitch, as predicted.
Almost regretted not letting go.
Resistance made it bearable, though.
Plus, the Barbarian's reaction suggested the save was worth it.
Like a leopard hit with a tranq dart, just watching Bran.
"You."
For the first time, a human voice emerged from behind the mask—not beastly growls.
"...How does an outsider know that?"
Beautiful timbre, like rolling glass beads.
Chills raced down Bran's neck.
Felt it in-game too—first impressions deceived.
"Truth slips out, no matter the cover."
"Truth?"
"Yeah. Like your very existence."
Bran recited his prepared line while staunching the wound.
"I know you're the last heir of the great king Rahir."
"...!"
"That you haven't entered the tents for years. That you've slain clueless intruders. I even know who you truly hate and want dead."
"Who... are you?"
"Someone who's studied you and this land for ages. I'm here to help."
To recruit, not help—but couldn't say that first meeting.
Not wrong, either.
This Barbarian was one he'd played extensively.
Memorized all the positive dialogue paths long ago.
Bran said.
"Come with us. I'll lend my strength to slay the sorcerer and restore your ancestors' honor. We end this tonight."
Of course, nerves were real.
Game and reality differed, etched in his journey.
Perfectly reasonable if she drew a hidden blade and attacked.
But.
"...Intriguing."
Luckily, she played along.
Slowly raising a hand, she removed the deer mask.
Click!
Ponytail hair cascaded down her back.
Brushing aside bangs revealed an East Asian girl's face.
'Pretty.'
Bran chuckled dryly.
Reflexive, innocent as shouting "hot" at a burn victim.
Large eyes sans double-lids held steppe stars.
A bit taller than him.
Age gap? Three, four years max.
'Even more ridiculous in person. At first, I was like, what the hell.'
First twist for Barbarian pickers.
Shattered the burly dual-axe brute image from the name.
Barbarian? Yes. Warrior? Yes. Descriptive trick.
The girl eyed Bran and his wound alternately, then spoke.
"Arazan."
Arazan, Wind of the Plateau.
Familiar ring to Bran.
Arazan asked.
"Your name?"
"Oh, right..."
As Bran started introducing himself.
"Bran! You okay?!"
A familiar voice boomed from above.
Ended quicker than thought.
Bran looked up, waving.
"Yeah! Fine!"
Ilrak stood on the cliff.
Kael and Benden fidgeting beside her.
Arazan looked up too—and gasped.
"Baihir...!"
Ilrak's battered back bore the wolf she'd ridden.
Baihir—the wolf's name.
Tongue lolled from gaping jaws.
Bran shook his head.
"Don't worry. Still breathing."
Belly rose and fell.
Worth nagging Ilrak not to kill it.
"...Hold on."
Suddenly, Ilrak frowned.
"Bran. Who's the girl?"
"The one I was just fighting."
"What?"
Bran deadpanned.
Meaning was clear.
Ilrak and Benden gasped.
"Heavens, that's her? Not some monkey-thing, but human?"
"My God. She looks just like the portraits of the king in the records...!"
Benden's reaction was near-reverent again.
Worth the shock.
Kael too.
Staring between Bran and Arazan, he muttered in disbelief.
"...Another girl?"