Chapter 223: Like Fireworks (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 223: Like Fireworks (3)
The Lord of the Abyss, Berzak, was actually less powerful than Riakis on the third floor, but he was several times harder to fight. That was because Fog of the Abyss was a cheat. It nullified active skills and various special effects, caused a three-quarter reduction in mana efficiency, and caused rank-five abyssal monsters to appear throughout the raid as trash mobs. Because of these terrible conditions, it was difficult to even attempt to take this guy down unless it was in the second half of the game.
On top of that, you had to prepare a lot to plan a proper raid: high-ranking numbered items that bestowed not special effects but regular effects, powerful tanks who could hold their own, damage dealers who could use an aura or fight at an equivalent level, as many priests as possible, and several sorcerers who were still powerful despite the reduction in mana. It was recommended that all participants in a raid had equipment of at least rank five or higher, and on top of all that, if you didn't make sure to get a few special consumables, the damage you took increased exponentially.
But, even if you did manage to prepare everything, it was all considered a bust on day seven. From then on, regardless of the phase, additional attack patterns were unlocked. Simply put, in our current state, we'd never be able to beat this guy.
"So we've ended up in the monster's sights. I'll be there soon."
However, we could stall for just enough time. I checked my watch while waiting for Kyle to join me. It was day five, 7 p.m. After a fierce battle to clear the path, we'd confirmed the existence of the eastern portal, and now there were only two hours to go to reach the Goblin Forest. This valuable outcome had been achieved through the sacrifices of countless warriors, but it would be a lie to say we hadn't had a bit of luck on our side too.
"Yandel, are you all right?"
"What's not to be all right about? I knew we'd have to run into it at least once."
Rather, it was closer to a fluke that we were only seeing it now. One of the expedition teams who had chosen a different direction than us was probably experiencing great suffering in our stead.
How many more had died in vain? The thought left me cold but I didn't wallow in guilt. We were all in the same boat. We had promised to be each other's bait. On the other hand, if we had run into this guy earlier, the other teams would have been able to travel a little more easily.
"I've made you wait." After about five minutes, Kyle arrived with the troops needed for Plan B: six rank-five wizards, three knights, and three warriors.
Quickly verifying the troops, I couldn't hide my confusion. "How is this everyone?" The number of wizards was the same but the other numbers were extremely cut down. What could be the reason why?
"Everyone else is dead."
Yeah, okay, they weren't just hanging around in the back. We were six people short. So, who should fill those vacancies?
"Oh, your teammates offered to follow, but I stopped them. You'll be hearing some complaints later."
Complaints, huh? But they still wouldn't make six. Oh, maybe the elf sisters offered to come along, too.
"...Thanks." After thanking Kyle, I scanned the warriors around me and forced myself to speak cheerfully. "As everyone has heard, we are short six people. I'm sorry to ask this while you all look worse for wear, but is there anyone willing to join?"
Before I could finish talking, someone answered. "I will go. I'll follow you." Rank-five warrior Alexandro Bell was affiliated with a large clan but had been abandoned here after being pushed down the ranks.
"I was getting bored of stepping on traps, so that works for me!" Karak, the third son of Tion, was a barbarian in his thirties who was active as a member of a ten-person clan. I had been amazed at first to see a fellow countryman who was rank four.
"You, you'd better keep your promise about buying drinks once we're out of here!" Milton Teterud was the head of a clan made up entirely of dwarves. Instead of his clan going on quests together, they apparently lent their services to affiliated teams as mercenaries. It was more of a guild than a clan.
I should have said thank you here, but for some reason I was speechless. To be honest, I hadn't expected this to happen. The situation was different from before. There were now only two hours until we reached the portal. Although this hope could be extinguished the moment it touched despair, hope was still hope. Just because these people had been paving the way while treating their own lives as insignificant, that didn't mean they didn't have a desire to survive. Since we'd suffered this much damage fighting just trash mobs, I hadn't thought anyone would volunteer to serve as bait for the boss.
"Oh? If I come too, does that mean I can join the drinking party?"
"I'm interested in something else. If I follow you guys and survive just this once, I think I'll earn the ultimate achievement I can brag about at drinking parties for the rest of my life."
"Behelaaah!"
"Take me with you. I'm curious what that Berzak, or whatever his name is, looks like."
Numerous adventurers spoke up and volunteered. Was it because they believed in the plan Kyle and I had concocted? Or because their brains were secreting endorphins and they were getting swept up in the energy of the rest of the group? Well, I was sure that was a factor too. Even so, one thing was certain.
"You all... have something wrong with your heads."
This wasn't a choice that someone of sound mind would make. But I guessed they found this statement strange because a moment of silence ensued.
Some accepted my accusation. "...You're not wrong. When this story is told outside, everyone else will probably say the same thing about us."
Some laughed it off like I'd just said something ridiculous. "Is that really coming out of your mouth right now?"
There wasn't anything in particular I could say to that. I only did what I did because it had to be done.
I guess the same goes for these guys.
My heart grew hot and I started to think something was wrong with my head. I needed to cool it. I selected six of the numerous volunteers. There was only one criterion: who were the most compatible fighters? Because these were comrades I'd been fighting alongside all day, I had no trouble choosing. I already basically knew their fighting styles.
When the decision was made, Teterud, the leader of the dwarf clan, protested. "You! Why are you leaving me behind?! Are you afraid I'll slow you down?"
"No way."
"Then why? I won't let you go until you tell me why!"
Geez, the stubbornness of this small man. It looked like Kyle was almost done with the magic circle, so I offered a brief explanation. "I need someone to lead this group while I'm gone."
Teterud was a rank-four adventurer. He was skilled and led a clan of his own so he knew how to manage people. If I had to leave the frontlines to someone, this guy was the right person. I heard that he had been taking the lead whenever I passed out.
"...Tsk." Though dissatisfied, he seemed convinced by my logic and stopped arguing with me.
"Yandel, everything is ready. It's time for him to show up too."
"I was getting bored of stepping on traps, so that works for me!" Karak, the third son of Tion, was a barbarian in his thirties who was active as a member of a ten-person clan. I had been amazed at first to see a fellow countryman who was rank four.
"You, you'd better keep your promise about buying drinks once we're out of here!" Milton Teterud was the head of a clan made up entirely of dwarves. Instead of his clan going on quests together, they apparently lent their services to affiliated teams as mercenaries. It was more of a guild than a clan.
I should have said thank you here, but for some reason I was speechless. To be honest, I hadn't expected this to happen. The situation was different from before. There were now only two hours until we reached the portal. Although this hope could be extinguished the moment it touched despair, hope was still hope. Just because these people had been paving the way while treating their own lives as insignificant, that didn't mean they didn't have a desire to survive. Since we'd suffered this much damage fighting just trash mobs, I hadn't thought anyone would volunteer to serve as bait for the boss.
"Oh? If I come too, does that mean I can join the drinking party?"
"I'm interested in something else. If I follow you guys and survive just this once, I think I'll earn the ultimate achievement I can brag about at drinking parties for the rest of my life."
"Behelaaah!"
"Take me with you. I'm curious what that Berzak, or whatever his name is, looks like."
Numerous adventurers spoke up and volunteered. Was it because they believed in the plan Kyle and I had concocted? Or because their brains were secreting endorphins and they were getting swept up in the energy of the rest of the group? Well, I was sure that was a factor too. Even so, one thing was certain.
"You all... have something wrong with your heads."
This wasn't a choice that someone of sound mind would make. But I guessed they found this statement strange because a moment of silence ensued.
Some accepted my accusation. "...You're not wrong. When this story is told outside, everyone else will probably say the same thing about us."
Some laughed it off like I'd just said something ridiculous. "Is that really coming out of your mouth right now?"
There wasn't anything in particular I could say to that. I only did what I did because it had to be done.
I guess the same goes for these guys.
My heart grew hot and I started to think something was wrong with my head. I needed to cool it. I selected six of the numerous volunteers. There was only one criterion: who were the most compatible fighters? Because these were comrades I'd been fighting alongside all day, I had no trouble choosing. I already basically knew their fighting styles.
When the decision was made, Teterud, the leader of the dwarf clan, protested. "You! Why are you leaving me behind?! Are you afraid I'll slow you down?"
"No way."
"Then why? I won't let you go until you tell me why!"
Geez, the stubbornness of this small man. It looked like Kyle was almost done with the magic circle, so I offered a brief explanation. "I need someone to lead this group while I'm gone."
Teterud was a rank-four adventurer. He was skilled and led a clan of his own so he knew how to manage people. If I had to leave the frontlines to someone, this guy was the right person. I heard that he had been taking the lead whenever I passed out.
"...Tsk." Though dissatisfied, he seemed convinced by my logic and stopped arguing with me.
"Yandel, everything is ready. It's time for him to show up too."
Hah, I see.
As soon as I heard Kyle say that the magic circle was complete, I sent the rest of them away. "You guys leave now. This scout Kyle has brought along will show you the way. I heard he's quite strong, but make sure to keep him alive."
"You talk like you're our father or something. All right, we're going. See you later. That's a promise. Okay?"
"You're the one who sounds like the father here."
"I do have a kid in the city. Now, let's go!"
As we moved closer to the wall so as not to block their path, Teterud took up my mantle of stepping on traps at the head of the group and the other warriors followed. Everyone offered up parting words as they passed.
"Don't die."
"Hmm, strangely, I don't think you're going to die. See you later!"
Most were words of encouragement and support. Those comments continued for a while even after the group of warriors passed. As the rest caught up, some said thank you, and others offered words of apology, not once or twice, but again and again.
"Why is everyone doing that?"
Kyle laughed at my question. "That's because your message stone has been turned on this whole time. Everyone already knows about the situation up front."
Oh, so it was.
"Bjorn..."
As the procession continued, members of Team Apple Narak also appeared. Upon seeing the state I was in, Missha looked like she was going to burst into tears. Raven and Mr. Bear wore complicated expressions too.
"Stop that and keep moving already. The people behind can't pass if you're blocking the way."
"I swear... if you come back injurrred, I'll kill you."
Hmm, telling a tank not to get injured? Wasn't that pretty much a death sentence? I kept those thoughts to myself.
It's not that bad.
So what if I got scolded a bit? All of this was so that we could get back to our daily lives.
"I'll leave it to you," I said to Raven.
"Yes, don't worry. Even without you there, I will make sure to protect our team. Now, Miss Ainar, let's go."
"Ugh, o-okay! Don't pull my hair!"
With that, Raven rode Ainar, who was trying to insist on following me, down the passage. Even after that, the procession continued. They all looked like refugees fleeing through a tunnel in the middle of a war.
Whoosh.
There were lit torches, the groans of the wounded on the backs of their comrades, broken equipment, bloodstains, sad and weary eyes, and beads of sweat dripping down the skin as everyone limped after the people ahead of them. I didn't have to ask Kyle what had happened. Considering how many things had happened to me too, I knew this day had been particularly long for everyone.
"Okay, then, everyone is gone."
Including Group One, which I had been leading, Groups Two and Three, which were following along using the marks on the passageways, all passed us by. It didn't take long. That was because they were running at a sprint. Our numbers had also decreased considerably since the start.
"This feels kind of creepy."
Once everyone left, our surroundings grew very dark. Was it because the swaying torches had been lighting the cave as the procession was passing us? Their sudden absence was stark. It felt like we were the only people left in the world.
Hah, I see.
As soon as I heard Kyle say that the magic circle was complete, I sent the rest of them away. "You guys leave now. This scout Kyle has brought along will show you the way. I heard he's quite strong, but make sure to keep him alive."
"You talk like you're our father or something. All right, we're going. See you later. That's a promise. Okay?"
"You're the one who sounds like the father here."
"I do have a kid in the city. Now, let's go!"
As we moved closer to the wall so as not to block their path, Teterud took up my mantle of stepping on traps at the head of the group and the other warriors followed. Everyone offered up parting words as they passed.
"Don't die."
"Hmm, strangely, I don't think you're going to die. See you later!"
Most were words of encouragement and support. Those comments continued for a while even after the group of warriors passed. As the rest caught up, some said thank you, and others offered words of apology, not once or twice, but again and again.
"Why is everyone doing that?"
Kyle laughed at my question. "That's because your message stone has been turned on this whole time. Everyone already knows about the situation up front."
Oh, so it was.
"Bjorn..."
As the procession continued, members of Team Apple Narak also appeared. Upon seeing the state I was in, Missha looked like she was going to burst into tears. Raven and Mr. Bear wore complicated expressions too.
"Stop that and keep moving already. The people behind can't pass if you're blocking the way."
"I swear... if you come back injurrred, I'll kill you."
Hmm, telling a tank not to get injured? Wasn't that pretty much a death sentence? I kept those thoughts to myself.
It's not that bad.
So what if I got scolded a bit? All of this was so that we could get back to our daily lives.
"I'll leave it to you," I said to Raven.
"Yes, don't worry. Even without you there, I will make sure to protect our team. Now, Miss Ainar, let's go."
"Ugh, o-okay! Don't pull my hair!"
With that, Raven rode Ainar, who was trying to insist on following me, down the passage. Even after that, the procession continued. They all looked like refugees fleeing through a tunnel in the middle of a war.
Whoosh.
There were lit torches, the groans of the wounded on the backs of their comrades, broken equipment, bloodstains, sad and weary eyes, and beads of sweat dripping down the skin as everyone limped after the people ahead of them. I didn't have to ask Kyle what had happened. Considering how many things had happened to me too, I knew this day had been particularly long for everyone.
"Okay, then, everyone is gone."
Including Group One, which I had been leading, Groups Two and Three, which were following along using the marks on the passageways, all passed us by. It didn't take long. That was because they were running at a sprint. Our numbers had also decreased considerably since the start.
"This feels kind of creepy."
Once everyone left, our surroundings grew very dark. Was it because the swaying torches had been lighting the cave as the procession was passing us? Their sudden absence was stark. It felt like we were the only people left in the world.
Anyway, it should be here by now...
I raised my shield and stared down the passageway. "It's here."
Current visibility: two yards. But in the darkness of the labyrinth beyond that, hundreds of eyes were watching us.
The Lord of the Abyss, Berzak, was here.
If I had to pick what I had been most worried about when first making the plan, it was Berzak. No matter how I approached the issue, the fact was that it would be impossible to escape this bastard with hundreds of people. It was safe to say that this would turn into a massacre the moment we encountered him.
Well, if we split up and ran, the aggro would bounce around and more people would be able to survive, but what could we do while scattered apart? If we broke off into smaller groups, we wouldn't even be able to penetrate the trash mobs and reach the portal, let alone fight Noark on the second floor.
"Can you use the magic circle right away?"
And so we made a Plan B. But with our resources, this strategy could only be used once.
"I've double-checked the magic circle several times, so don't worry."
If Plan B failed, everyone would die. Even if we succeeded, if we encountered the Watcher of the Abyss one more time, we wouldn't be able to avoid getting annihilated. This was also one of my reasons for assuming the maximum number of portals we'd be able to check was two. In that time frame, many of the teams led by the others would have disappeared. Even if we made it through the first encounter, I predicted that the possibility of running into Berzak again would be too high.
"Prepare for battle."
The moment the eyes appeared in the darkness, everyone drew their weapons and prepared to fight. They knew from Kyle's explanations what these eyes meant.
These disembodied eyes were an effect that occurred around Berzak. For reference, the radius of the effect in the game was about 1.2 miles. And it wasn't just simple wallpaper. All of these eyes shared sight with the bastard. In other words, Berzak was already watching us.
"As you all know, our goal is to hold out as long as possible until the others escape his line of sight." Kyle seemed nervous as well and repeated the same explanation he had already given several times.
"Do you take us for fools? We remember the plan. You also said that if your predictions are correct, we just have to hold out for ten minutes."
"I see. I'm sorry. But I will say one more thing. I forgot to mention this earlier... but no matter what happens, protect Yandel."
"Hm? Yandel? Will do."
"Are you not going to ask why?"
"Everyone knows even without you saying it. This guy has to survive for the rest of us to get back home." Everyone nodded at the warrior's words.
"I was going to say that if Yandel dies after killing a Watcher of the Abyss, it might target the main team next..." Kyle laughed, sheepish, and decided to stop there. "Well, no matter. It seems I didn't even need to tell you to protect him anyway."
"Haha! Yes, whatever the reason, what matters is that the results are the same, no?"
"Indeed, you are right. It seems wizards and warriors are no different in this respect."
The light conversation made the tension relax a bit. Unfortunately, it didn't last long.
Whiiip!
A shadow shot out of the dark, as sharp as a spear.
Bang!
The moment I blocked it with my shield, I felt a pain in the back of my hand. It wasn't deep, and had just scratched the skin.
Whew, I've never encountered this guy so unprepared like this, so I couldn't even calculate the damage.
To think my moonstone shield would be pierced with one regular attack. Was it because I wasn't in Giantization mode?
At the sight of my perforated shield, the faces of the warriors around me hardened. "Just hold out for ten minutes," Kyle said in an attempt to inspire morale.
Ten minutes already felt so far away. Still, for some reason, that made me laugh.
"Why do you laugh?"
"Warriors laugh when they're tired."
I faced forward. A shadow shimmered in the dark. The Lord of the Abyss, Berzak, was a boss that you could only attempt to defeat in the second half of the game, a monster of monsters that would only end up pummeling us at our current level. But, so what?
"Behelaaah!"
Despite all that, this guy was just one hurdle—one that after an exceptionally long day like today would allow us to see tomorrow.
Anyway, it should be here by now...
I raised my shield and stared down the passageway. "It's here."
Current visibility: two yards. But in the darkness of the labyrinth beyond that, hundreds of eyes were watching us.
The Lord of the Abyss, Berzak, was here.
If I had to pick what I had been most worried about when first making the plan, it was Berzak. No matter how I approached the issue, the fact was that it would be impossible to escape this bastard with hundreds of people. It was safe to say that this would turn into a massacre the moment we encountered him.
Well, if we split up and ran, the aggro would bounce around and more people would be able to survive, but what could we do while scattered apart? If we broke off into smaller groups, we wouldn't even be able to penetrate the trash mobs and reach the portal, let alone fight Noark on the second floor.
"Can you use the magic circle right away?"
And so we made a Plan B. But with our resources, this strategy could only be used once.
"I've double-checked the magic circle several times, so don't worry."
If Plan B failed, everyone would die. Even if we succeeded, if we encountered the Watcher of the Abyss one more time, we wouldn't be able to avoid getting annihilated. This was also one of my reasons for assuming the maximum number of portals we'd be able to check was two. In that time frame, many of the teams led by the others would have disappeared. Even if we made it through the first encounter, I predicted that the possibility of running into Berzak again would be too high.
"Prepare for battle."
The moment the eyes appeared in the darkness, everyone drew their weapons and prepared to fight. They knew from Kyle's explanations what these eyes meant.
These disembodied eyes were an effect that occurred around Berzak. For reference, the radius of the effect in the game was about 1.2 miles. And it wasn't just simple wallpaper. All of these eyes shared sight with the bastard. In other words, Berzak was already watching us.
"As you all know, our goal is to hold out as long as possible until the others escape his line of sight." Kyle seemed nervous as well and repeated the same explanation he had already given several times.
"Do you take us for fools? We remember the plan. You also said that if your predictions are correct, we just have to hold out for ten minutes."
"I see. I'm sorry. But I will say one more thing. I forgot to mention this earlier... but no matter what happens, protect Yandel."
"Hm? Yandel? Will do."
"Are you not going to ask why?"
"Everyone knows even without you saying it. This guy has to survive for the rest of us to get back home." Everyone nodded at the warrior's words.
"I was going to say that if Yandel dies after killing a Watcher of the Abyss, it might target the main team next..." Kyle laughed, sheepish, and decided to stop there. "Well, no matter. It seems I didn't even need to tell you to protect him anyway."
"Haha! Yes, whatever the reason, what matters is that the results are the same, no?"
"Indeed, you are right. It seems wizards and warriors are no different in this respect."
The light conversation made the tension relax a bit. Unfortunately, it didn't last long.
Whiiip!
A shadow shot out of the dark, as sharp as a spear.
Bang!
The moment I blocked it with my shield, I felt a pain in the back of my hand. It wasn't deep, and had just scratched the skin.
Whew, I've never encountered this guy so unprepared like this, so I couldn't even calculate the damage.
To think my moonstone shield would be pierced with one regular attack. Was it because I wasn't in Giantization mode?
At the sight of my perforated shield, the faces of the warriors around me hardened. "Just hold out for ten minutes," Kyle said in an attempt to inspire morale.
Ten minutes already felt so far away. Still, for some reason, that made me laugh.
"Why do you laugh?"
"Warriors laugh when they're tired."
I faced forward. A shadow shimmered in the dark. The Lord of the Abyss, Berzak, was a boss that you could only attempt to defeat in the second half of the game, a monster of monsters that would only end up pummeling us at our current level. But, so what?
"Behelaaah!"
Despite all that, this guy was just one hurdle—one that after an exceptionally long day like today would allow us to see tomorrow.