Chapter 170: Burning (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 170: Burning (2)
About thirty adventurers were gathered under an enormous mirror that was glowing with red light. The blue wolf symbol on each of their chests meant that they belonged to one particular clan.
"Shift change!"
At one man's shout, one of the teams lined up in front of the mirror and changed spots with a team who had finished their break. They began mechanically hunting the monsters that appeared from the mirror. This was a sight all fifth-floor adventurers had seen before.
"...Let's go somewhere else." The team of adventurers who happened to arrive at this place saw them and dejectedly changed course. They were used to this. The entire fifth floor was like this.
"Halt! From this point onward is the domain of the Nevis Wolf Clan. Please go somewhere else."
It would be impossible for any ordinary team to argue. Most large clans on the fifth floor were made up of adventurers skilled enough to be active on the sixth floor. These skilled individuals were killing time on the fifth floor for one reason: the sixth floor was dominated by even bigger clans. As a result, they made more money this way.
"Vice captain, what's our total profit today?"
Mana stones were obtained by hunting in twenty-four-hour shifts, and any passersby with complaints were driven out by force.
"We obtained the essence of a Doomfire Fairy. Who wants to buy it?"
If a rank-five essence appeared, it was stored in a Magic Vial and sold in the city. Anything below that was sold to nearby adventurers at a cheaper price. An adventurer looking for experience points was treated like a customer to maximize profit.
"I'll cast a binding spell for you, so stand back and don't engage in battle."
Like that, they hunted around the clock, reaping the fruits of the labyrinth as usual.
"It's a Berthas!"
"What?"
The man who was resting in the back and commanding the clan quickly got up and approached a mirror. A monster was visible beyond it.
"Kwohhh!" Two horns sprouted from its forehead, and its muscular body stood over ten feet tall. Berthas was a devil-type monster with a torso covered in black wings and four arms.
The corners of the man's mouth curled up. "This must be our lucky day." It was their first time seeing this monster in a year.
How much did it sell for last time?
It was only rank five, but since its rarity was recognized, he remembered the essence sold to the Magic Tower for a high price. The mana stone pool was actually lagging below average on this expedition, but this should be enough to make up for the deficit.
"Everyone, stand in formation!"
The man pulled out his own weapon for the first time in a while and stood in front of the group. Then, they waited for the Berthas to fully emerge from beyond the mirror.
"It's coming!"
A giant foot slowly emerged from the mirror. The eyes of the clan members shone with anticipation. None of them were worried about the battle. The wizards had readied their greatest firepower spells. It may have been rare, but it was still just a rank-five monster, so the battle would undoubtedly be over as soon as it appeared.
At least, that should have been the case.
"Behelahhh!"
A human roar was heard through the mirror. At the same time, the monster that was about to step outside turned around and pulled its foot back in.
"...Who the hell are they!?" The leader couldn't understand what had just happened at all.
***
"Behelahhh!"
The Berthas turned its head the moment I unleashed Wild Outburst in full force. Soon, the mirror that had formed under its feet disappeared. Thankfully, I had drawn enough aggro.
Phew, I thought we lost him.
The monsters in the Hidden World used mirrors to travel to the labyrinth. To put it simply, if I had been a second late, someone else would have gotten to kill this bastard instead.
"Kwohhh!" As soon as I raised my shield, the monster rushed at me.
Bam!
As it collided with me, I noted that its strength was below a Troll's. As expected, this guy didn't live up to its scary face. Judging by appearance alone, you'd assume it was at least rank three.
"Mr. Yandel, are you okay?"
"I can handle it, don't worry about me!"
"Everyone except Mr. Yandel, step back. We need to figure out what abilities it has first!"
We had encountered an unknown enemy. Raven, flustered, gave out orders for the first time.
You don't have to be that careful... But it would look strange if I acted like I know what this thing is.
I was confident that I could hold it down for hours, so I decided to observe the proceedings without saying anything. To be honest, a part of me was curious too. What kind of decisions would a wizard make in the absence of any prior knowledge?
"Marde Guarjour." The first spell Raven used was Mana Assess, the same spell used at the checkpoint to convert mana stones. "Fortunately, it's about rank five!"
First, the monster's threat level was assessed. However, that was all she was able to find out. The rest would have to be inferred through live combat.
BOOM!
The monster's fist met my shield and exploded—an ability called Blast Scars.
"There was no sign of it gathering energy. I think this is a passive ability..."
First of all, passive was right. So, what was the trigger, then?
Bang! Slam! BOOM!
While explosions continued to ring out from beyond my shield, Raven scrutinized the battle from the rear with keen eyes. Then she reached a conclusion. "The same spot! The explosions occur when it hits you in the same spot!"
Correct. I didn't think she would figure it out so quickly. "So, how long are you going to just watch?"
"Uh... You seem fine on your own, so shouldn't I observe some more? Miss Karlstein or Ainar could get seriously hurt."
Hmm, did that mean I wouldn't? For some reason, I felt a mix of both sadness and pride as a tank at that moment.
"If things get dangerous, I'll throw you a potion right away!"
"High-rank?"
"Yes, high-rank!"
If you say so.
Maybe it was more based on how I was already feeling, but from what I'd experienced, high-rank potions hurt less. Having pain resistance didn't mean you couldn't feel pain.
"Oh, it uses its feathers as arrows, too. Seeing as its energy isn't moving while it does that either, I think that's just a unique trait!" Anyway, Raven's voice became much lighter once she concluded that this wasn't a very dangerous enemy for our level. "Mr. Yandel, try hitting it with the mace. You might have to strike it to trigger it..."
"...Who the hell are they!?" The leader couldn't understand what had just happened at all.
***
"Behelahhh!"
The Berthas turned its head the moment I unleashed Wild Outburst in full force. Soon, the mirror that had formed under its feet disappeared. Thankfully, I had drawn enough aggro.
Phew, I thought we lost him.
The monsters in the Hidden World used mirrors to travel to the labyrinth. To put it simply, if I had been a second late, someone else would have gotten to kill this bastard instead.
"Kwohhh!" As soon as I raised my shield, the monster rushed at me.
Bam!
As it collided with me, I noted that its strength was below a Troll's. As expected, this guy didn't live up to its scary face. Judging by appearance alone, you'd assume it was at least rank three.
"Mr. Yandel, are you okay?"
"I can handle it, don't worry about me!"
"Everyone except Mr. Yandel, step back. We need to figure out what abilities it has first!"
We had encountered an unknown enemy. Raven, flustered, gave out orders for the first time.
You don't have to be that careful... But it would look strange if I acted like I know what this thing is.
I was confident that I could hold it down for hours, so I decided to observe the proceedings without saying anything. To be honest, a part of me was curious too. What kind of decisions would a wizard make in the absence of any prior knowledge?
"Marde Guarjour." The first spell Raven used was Mana Assess, the same spell used at the checkpoint to convert mana stones. "Fortunately, it's about rank five!"
First, the monster's threat level was assessed. However, that was all she was able to find out. The rest would have to be inferred through live combat.
BOOM!
The monster's fist met my shield and exploded—an ability called Blast Scars.
"There was no sign of it gathering energy. I think this is a passive ability..."
First of all, passive was right. So, what was the trigger, then?
Bang! Slam! BOOM!
While explosions continued to ring out from beyond my shield, Raven scrutinized the battle from the rear with keen eyes. Then she reached a conclusion. "The same spot! The explosions occur when it hits you in the same spot!"
Correct. I didn't think she would figure it out so quickly. "So, how long are you going to just watch?"
"Uh... You seem fine on your own, so shouldn't I observe some more? Miss Karlstein or Ainar could get seriously hurt."
Hmm, did that mean I wouldn't? For some reason, I felt a mix of both sadness and pride as a tank at that moment.
"If things get dangerous, I'll throw you a potion right away!"
"High-rank?"
"Yes, high-rank!"
If you say so.
Maybe it was more based on how I was already feeling, but from what I'd experienced, high-rank potions hurt less. Having pain resistance didn't mean you couldn't feel pain.
"Oh, it uses its feathers as arrows, too. Seeing as its energy isn't moving while it does that either, I think that's just a unique trait!" Anyway, Raven's voice became much lighter once she concluded that this wasn't a very dangerous enemy for our level. "Mr. Yandel, try hitting it with the mace. You might have to strike it to trigger it..."
I guess being able to analyze a new monster was fun for her. Since it was the first time I'd seen our wizard so excited, I obediently followed her instructions.
Crunch!
When I slammed down on one of its four arms with Swing, the joint bent. Its wings instantly spread.
"That's a special ability!"
This was one of Berthas' three active skills, Wings of Greed.
Shaaaaaa!
The surrounding air was quickly sucked into the wings like a whirlpool down a drain. After about three seconds of suction, the wings folded with a clicking sound, and its broken arm healed.
"It's a healing ability!" Raven apparently had no intention of twiddling her thumbs while watching because she immediately cast Aggravate.
Whew, I really hoped that would come out...
This guy's true value lay in the passive skills, but as long as we were going to absorb an essence, it was better to pick an active one that was useful too.
[Berthas has cast Legion of Hatred.]
[Berthas has cast Destruction Ray.]
After all, demon summoning and light beams didn't suit a barbarian.
Whooom!
Avoiding the Destruction Ray, which took an entire three seconds to cast, I attempted Giantization after receiving permission.
"I think all of its abilities have been confirmed!"
"Uh, then should I go fight now?"
This was our long-awaited moment of triumph.
"Behelahhh!"
While Ainar gripped her greatsword and obliterated the devils Berthas had summoned, Mr. Bear and Raven whipped out their finishers and aimed.
[Abman Urikfried has cast Hazardous Material.]
[Arua Raven has cast the rank-five attack spell, Lightning Spear.]
This was an ultimate combo that not even a Troll, the epitome of resilience, could withstand.
Kaboom!
There was a giant explosion, and the monster's body turned into light.
[You have defeated Berthas. EXP +5]
Light particles were interspersed with black smoke. Curious about the outcome, Raven used wind magic to remove the smoke. At that moment, a white essence appeared before our eyes.
"A-An essencee!"
The Wings of Greed that I had been longing for had appeared. The odds were only 33.3 percent, but it had really shown up in one attempt. Suddenly, I was a bit nervous. The essence of a rank-five monster had appeared. Therefore, there were two options: store it in a Magic Vial and sell it, or have one person on the team pay for it and absorb it.
"What will you do?"
"I think Ainar should take this."
"Eh? Me!?"
Everyone ignored Ainar's gushing. Although I was just a team to this negotiation, I was a man who would become the ruler of the barbarians in the future. Put simply, I could represent all barbarians.
"Hmmm... Even though we haven't even confirmed what kind of essence it is?"
The skills the monster possessed had been confirmed during the battle. However, the skills contained in the essence could only be known for sure after consumption. Plus, the basic stats attached to the essence were just as important as the skills.
"With that in mind, I hope you'll make it cheaper."
"How much?"
"Sixteen million stones."
When I made an initial proposal, Ainar jumped. "Sixteen million stones?!"
"Ainar, please be quiet. Hm? Bjorrrn is talking."
"O-Okay!"
Raven didn't even smile at the interruption, her expression serious as she continued the conversation. "When that's divided by four, I only get four million stones." As expected, it didn't work. That was why I had suggested sixteen million in the first place. "I think the amount is too low. That was a monster rare enough that even I didn't know about it. More importantly, if I store this in a Magic Vial and sell it, 40 percent of the profit is mine."
"...Instead, I'll let you research it."
"A-Are you selling me to the wizard!?"
"Hmm, just like how you did before?" Now Raven looked interested. After all, to a wizard, research was worth more than money.
Gaining momentum, I stopped testing the waters and played the cards I had up my sleeve in succession. "Plus, if you store this in a Magic Vial and cast distortion magic on it, you can't take anything else." In other words, wouldn't it be a waste to use distortion magic here when you might discover another treasure?
Raven seemed interested in that and nodded. "Although there's only a few days left... The possibility definitely cannot be ruled out." Nice, it seemed like I was done persuading her. Next was Mr. Bear's turn. "What do you want to do, Mr. Urikfried? I can make up for the loss with research, but—"
"I do not care. Haven't I already earned enough? The only reason we're here in the first place is because Bjorn discovered that creature."
"Well, that's true, but... Are you sure about that? We don't know how much this will sell for."
"That's why I don't care. If the barbarian girl gets stronger, that'll benefit us as well."
"Okay, then we're done here."
Ainar would now have to pay four million stones each to Mr. Bear and Raven back in the city. She'd made a lot on this quest, but she'd have to return to being broke again. "Now, hurry up and take it before it disappears."
Still, Ainar seemed happy about having a new essence as she took it without resistance.
[The Essence of Berthas has seeped into Ainar Fenelin's soul.]
As soon as it came into contact with her skin, the pool of light instantly slid in. Raven's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Well, how does it feel? What is the most notable change?"
"Uh... I feel stronger, I think..."
"Hmm, ambiguous. I'll have to look into the data back in the city. Why don't you try using its special ability?"
"S-Special ability?"
"Oh, it might be hard to visualize it." Raven then advised her to recall the three abilities the Berthas used earlier and focus her energy. "You can try saying something too. That's how we first learn magic."
"Uh... then I'll give it a try." Under Raven's guiding hand, Ainar attempted the Berthas' skills one by one. The summoning skill, Legion of Hatred: "C-Come out! Devil bastards!" The long-range-attack skill, Destruction Ray: "Arrrgh!" And then, Wings of Greed: "Wings!"
Flap!
Wings of light spread out behind her back—aka, Barbarian Valkyrie mode. "H-Have I become a Valkyrie?" Ainar looked around and down at her appearance for a while, then let out a delighted shout. "Behelahhh!"
Well, it was good that she liked it.
I guess being able to analyze a new monster was fun for her. Since it was the first time I'd seen our wizard so excited, I obediently followed her instructions.
Crunch!
When I slammed down on one of its four arms with Swing, the joint bent. Its wings instantly spread.
"That's a special ability!"
This was one of Berthas' three active skills, Wings of Greed.
Shaaaaaa!
The surrounding air was quickly sucked into the wings like a whirlpool down a drain. After about three seconds of suction, the wings folded with a clicking sound, and its broken arm healed.
"It's a healing ability!" Raven apparently had no intention of twiddling her thumbs while watching because she immediately cast Aggravate.
Whew, I really hoped that would come out...
This guy's true value lay in the passive skills, but as long as we were going to absorb an essence, it was better to pick an active one that was useful too.
[Berthas has cast Legion of Hatred.]
[Berthas has cast Destruction Ray.]
After all, demon summoning and light beams didn't suit a barbarian.
Whooom!
Avoiding the Destruction Ray, which took an entire three seconds to cast, I attempted Giantization after receiving permission.
"I think all of its abilities have been confirmed!"
"Uh, then should I go fight now?"
This was our long-awaited moment of triumph.
"Behelahhh!"
While Ainar gripped her greatsword and obliterated the devils Berthas had summoned, Mr. Bear and Raven whipped out their finishers and aimed.
[Abman Urikfried has cast Hazardous Material.]
[Arua Raven has cast the rank-five attack spell, Lightning Spear.]
This was an ultimate combo that not even a Troll, the epitome of resilience, could withstand.
Kaboom!
There was a giant explosion, and the monster's body turned into light.
[You have defeated Berthas. EXP +5]
Light particles were interspersed with black smoke. Curious about the outcome, Raven used wind magic to remove the smoke. At that moment, a white essence appeared before our eyes.
"A-An essencee!"
The Wings of Greed that I had been longing for had appeared. The odds were only 33.3 percent, but it had really shown up in one attempt. Suddenly, I was a bit nervous. The essence of a rank-five monster had appeared. Therefore, there were two options: store it in a Magic Vial and sell it, or have one person on the team pay for it and absorb it.
"What will you do?"
"I think Ainar should take this."
"Eh? Me!?"
Everyone ignored Ainar's gushing. Although I was just a team to this negotiation, I was a man who would become the ruler of the barbarians in the future. Put simply, I could represent all barbarians.
"Hmmm... Even though we haven't even confirmed what kind of essence it is?"
The skills the monster possessed had been confirmed during the battle. However, the skills contained in the essence could only be known for sure after consumption. Plus, the basic stats attached to the essence were just as important as the skills.
"With that in mind, I hope you'll make it cheaper."
"How much?"
"Sixteen million stones."
When I made an initial proposal, Ainar jumped. "Sixteen million stones?!"
"Ainar, please be quiet. Hm? Bjorrrn is talking."
"O-Okay!"
Raven didn't even smile at the interruption, her expression serious as she continued the conversation. "When that's divided by four, I only get four million stones." As expected, it didn't work. That was why I had suggested sixteen million in the first place. "I think the amount is too low. That was a monster rare enough that even I didn't know about it. More importantly, if I store this in a Magic Vial and sell it, 40 percent of the profit is mine."
"...Instead, I'll let you research it."
"A-Are you selling me to the wizard!?"
"Hmm, just like how you did before?" Now Raven looked interested. After all, to a wizard, research was worth more than money.
Gaining momentum, I stopped testing the waters and played the cards I had up my sleeve in succession. "Plus, if you store this in a Magic Vial and cast distortion magic on it, you can't take anything else." In other words, wouldn't it be a waste to use distortion magic here when you might discover another treasure?
Raven seemed interested in that and nodded. "Although there's only a few days left... The possibility definitely cannot be ruled out." Nice, it seemed like I was done persuading her. Next was Mr. Bear's turn. "What do you want to do, Mr. Urikfried? I can make up for the loss with research, but—"
"I do not care. Haven't I already earned enough? The only reason we're here in the first place is because Bjorn discovered that creature."
"Well, that's true, but... Are you sure about that? We don't know how much this will sell for."
"That's why I don't care. If the barbarian girl gets stronger, that'll benefit us as well."
"Okay, then we're done here."
Ainar would now have to pay four million stones each to Mr. Bear and Raven back in the city. She'd made a lot on this quest, but she'd have to return to being broke again. "Now, hurry up and take it before it disappears."
Still, Ainar seemed happy about having a new essence as she took it without resistance.
[The Essence of Berthas has seeped into Ainar Fenelin's soul.]
As soon as it came into contact with her skin, the pool of light instantly slid in. Raven's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Well, how does it feel? What is the most notable change?"
"Uh... I feel stronger, I think..."
"Hmm, ambiguous. I'll have to look into the data back in the city. Why don't you try using its special ability?"
"S-Special ability?"
"Oh, it might be hard to visualize it." Raven then advised her to recall the three abilities the Berthas used earlier and focus her energy. "You can try saying something too. That's how we first learn magic."
"Uh... then I'll give it a try." Under Raven's guiding hand, Ainar attempted the Berthas' skills one by one. The summoning skill, Legion of Hatred: "C-Come out! Devil bastards!" The long-range-attack skill, Destruction Ray: "Arrrgh!" And then, Wings of Greed: "Wings!"
Flap!
Wings of light spread out behind her back—aka, Barbarian Valkyrie mode. "H-Have I become a Valkyrie?" Ainar looked around and down at her appearance for a while, then let out a delighted shout. "Behelahhh!"
Well, it was good that she liked it.