Chapter 222: Chapter 222 Like a Flame (2)

Like a Flame (2)

Like a Flame (2)

I wasn’t like this before.

Then, what was I like?

Little Lee Hansu, who spent most of his childhood in the hospital, was an ordinary child.

He admired heroes.

And he believed he would become someone special someday.

But that child learned as he grew up.

Emotions are just emotions.

In the end, the ones who could laugh and live were those who thought and acted rationally.

Therefore…

‘Misha, Ainar, Raven, the bear-like man.’

I engrave my priorities in my mind once again.

No matter what happens, I’ll return alive with them.

But even as I make that resolution…

Clang!

…I block a beast’s claws that were aiming for my companion with my shield.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, ah! Thank you…”

I want to save even one more person, I don’t want to let go of this desire that’s burning my heart and mind.

My head is hot.

As hot as my breath.

Was I always this passionate?

“Davers, go back and rest if you’re tired.”

“…I’m not.”

“…?”

“Not until you go rest.”

Why are warriors so stubborn?

Although I regret asking for their names, I’m also glad I did.

I dismiss my doubts.

And my regrets.

As if I’ve really become a game character, I only think about one thing.

The Shield Barbarian, built to protect companions.

Bjorn Yandel, who followed that build to the letter.

What’s the thing he’s best at?

No, what’s the thing he has to do?

I know the answer.

「Body regenerates quickly due to [Moderate Healing] effect.」

I’m still barely holding on, like walking a tightrope, maintaining my tattered state with just potions.

Even though I know I would be much safer if I received the priest’s care.

I don’t ask for healing instead of potions.

[Hero’s Path], the Orc Hero’s passive skill that increases defense stats as health decreases.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

The more I burn my life force…

…the tougher I become.

Then I can save more people, and those who survive will help overcome the remaining obstacles.

Right, so…

“We’re almost there!!”

…this is a rational choice.

Let’s trust and move forward.

___________________

About 9 hours have passed since we left the center.

The first two hours were spent sprinting with all our might, and the remaining seven hours were spent clearing the path through the ‘Abyssal Fog’.

There were many casualties.

Horrible things happened, things that can’t be summarized in a few sentences.

But…

“We’re here.”

…we finally reached our first destination.

Right, our first destination.

[How is it? Is the portal open?]

I swallowed my groan and answered calmly,

“No, the portal is destroyed.”

What greeted us after we crossed countless corpses and blood was a scene of destruction.

There was nothing where the stele and the portal should have been.

Clench.

For the first time in a while, I felt a surge of anger at the absurdity.

So many warriors died…

Each of them had families, and they were beings who carried precious things that couldn’t be replaced…

[It was a wasted trip.]

“…….”

[Get a grip. There are still two portals left. We have to decide where to go.]

I forcefully suppress my overflowing emotions and try to clear my head.

And I think.

North or south?

[Please make a decision quickly.]

There’s no time to contemplate leisurely.

The battle is still raging.

“Yandel, don’t feel pressured. How can you even choose? It’s just luck.”

“Haha, a warrior makes decisions with their heart, not their head!”

“We’ll follow you, no matter what you choose.”

“Even if it’s the wrong choice, no one can blame you. If there’s anyone like that, I’ll split their head open with my axe.”

The warriors who have crossed the line of death with me several times offer words of comfort.

They’re strange people.

How can they smile when they’re in that state?

Smirk.

I close my eyes.

‘We only have one chance left.’

Realistically, it’s impossible to check all three portals.

We judged that we only had two chances, both in terms of time and strength, and we chose the east as our first destination.

There were several reasons.

1. If we chose the east, we could still choose between north and south even if the first attempt failed.

We could change our route if we obtained new information during the expedition.

2. Abyssal Blade Wolves are less troublesome than other monsters.

It’s also the path with the least casualties.

And…

3. It’s difficult for Noark to set up an encirclement in the Beast’s Lair.

I judged that it would be advantageous for us if a battle broke out.

We could just endure while backing up against the walls on three sides and then go down to the 1st floor when Day 7 ended.

‘…Damn it.’

I belatedly realize something after organizing my thoughts like this.

‘It was a bad judgment from the beginning.’

It was reasonable for me to choose the east.

But what about from the other side’s perspective?

‘I was short-sighted.’

I only made plans that were advantageous to me.

It would be the best-case scenario for me if it succeeded.

I acted while imagining the best possible outcome.

But it’s obvious that everyone else would be doing the same.

‘Where would they have chosen?’

I asked myself again.

Which portal would be most advantageous to Noark?

The answer came quickly.

‘North.’

The Goblin Forest.

No matter how I thought about it, there was no better option for them.

There were three reasons.

1. Abyssal Goblins are the most troublesome of the four monsters on the 1st floor.

Many casualties would be inevitable if we tried to break through this path.

2. There are no terrain features to act as walls, so encirclement is possible.

And they even have an advantage in battle.

And most importantly…

3. The Goblin Forest is the closest to the 3rd floor.

This is the most crucial part.

They would have wanted to go up to the upper floors and mine magic stones after this operation since they were struggling with a food shortage after stopping exploration for six months.

After all, everyone in this world is an efficiency freak.

‘You idiot.’

I already knew about the food shortage.

That’s why I thought there wouldn’t be many people stationed in front of the 2nd floor.

So I made this plan, believing in that.

But I didn’t connect it to the Goblin Forest.

Even after simulating it countless times.

‘One out of three, my ass. I just wanted it to be the easy path.’

I curse at my own stupidity.

But I grab the message stone instead of dwelling on my self-reproach.

Clench.

It’s not the time for me to collapse alone.

The milk has already been spilled.

So, what’s important now is how we deal with it.

“We’re going north.”

Kyle’s voice came through the message stone as I informed him of my decision.

[Goblin Forest…]

“Do you have something to say?”

[No, actually, I was going to recommend that place if you didn’t choose anything. I’ve been thinking about it, and it seems suspicious.]

Right, he also had the same thought.

It would have been better if we had realized it sooner.

Both of us.

‘Enough complaining.’

I resumed leading the group.

Our destination is the Goblin Forest to the north.

“Ha, the break is over.”

“Let’s go. We can rest after we get out of here.”

Instead of going back the way we came, we changed direction and took a detour, even if it meant going a longer distance.

“Grrr…!”

“Kyaaaaaaaaaak!”

As expected, beasts appear as soon as we leave the portal area.

We fight our way through them again, shedding blood.

And after some time…

“Gr륵, Grrr!!”

…Abyssal Goblins start to appear.

It means we’ve moved a considerable distance from the eastern district where Blade Wolves appear.

“Grrr.”

A small physique, no different from usual.

But a goblin with skin as black as night stares at me.

“Krrk, Krrr!!”

He’s smiling.

Just like when I first fell into this cave.

“Battle stations!”

We’re about to embark on a difficult path.

__________________

Level 9 monster, Goblin.

These guys are nothing special.

Just watch out for traps, and even those traps can be neutralized with a decent pair of boots.

But…

「Killed Abyssal Goblin. EXP +5」

…5th-grade Abyssal Goblins are different.

These damn bastards transform into beings that are even more troublesome than trolls.

「Abyssal Goblin has cast [Random Trap].」

The active skill, [Random Trap].

The effect is simple.

Clank.

When triggered, a random skill below 5th grade is cast on the target.

Ah, for reference, buffs are excluded.

Only offensive and curse-type skills are activated.

Whoosh!

The moment I hear the trap being triggered, a warrior is engulfed in flames.

I recognize it as soon as I see it.

[Extinction Flame]

It’s one of the top single-target damage skills among 5th-grade skills.

“Damn iiiit!! Priest! Priest, Prieeeest—!”

The priest, whom he had been calling for, immediately casts a heal, but it’s useless.

Thud.

The warrior, who had been clearing the path at the forefront for over two hours, collapses, charred black.

It’s a truly meaningless death.

That’s what’s so annoying about Abyssal Goblins.

“Krrk, Krrr!!”

No matter what build you have, there’s always a counter, but random attacks?

You can die in one shot if you’re unlucky.

And on top of that…

“Damn it, this is driving me crazy.”

…you can’t detect Abyssal Goblin traps with your eyes or magic.

You just have to step on them.

“I, I can’t go any further. I’m sorry.”

The warrior who smiled and returned after getting his arm torn off by a Blade Wolf steps back.

I can understand.

It would be different if I was injured because I was weak or couldn’t dodge the enemy’s attacks.

But to die just because you’re unlucky?

It would be difficult for even an experienced warrior to overcome that psychological fear.

Therefore…

“I’ll go first.”

I step forward.

It’s not like I’m not afraid…

And I don’t have a noble heart that would allow me to smile and sacrifice myself for everyone…

“Follow me.”

…but we’re doomed if everyone is scared.

Clank.

Someone has to take the first step, overcoming their fear.

Right, there has to be at least one.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

I overcome my fear and increase my speed.

Clank.

A trap is triggered every twenty steps.

「Character’s stamina is greatly decreased.」

A curse-type debuff.

「Character’s body burns, and regeneration is temporarily sealed.」

The continuous fire attack, [Leech Flame].

「Character’s Cold damage taken is temporarily greatly increased.」

A downpour…

Kwaaang!

…and a real lightning bolt.

All sorts of skills are stacked on me.

But I keep moving forward.

Trusting in the +200 Magic Resistance I obtained from the Manticore.

Believing that the first step I took won’t be meaningless.

Clank.

I continue to take steps forward.

I hear people’s voices from afar.

But it doesn’t last long.

“I, I…”

“Stop being pathetic and step back. I’ll go next.”

“Damn it, why… why me…”

Those who stop and fall are passed by those who follow behind me.

“We’re following the great warrior!!”

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!”

Barbarians first.

“Haha! You said you have a family, didn’t you? People like me, who are alone, should do this kind of thing.”

The leader who lost his team.

“…This is also fulfilling my duty as a knight. I’ll be next.”

The abandoned knight.

“This is crazy. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Ha, how the hell are we supposed to get out of here?”

“I’ve been thinking this since earlier, but he’s truly insane.”

The murmurs grow louder.

And I can feel the presence of my companions right behind me.

But I don’t look back.

What we need in this situation isn’t someone who doubts and worries.

It’s someone who moves forward silently.

“You guys are crazy! Do you think anyone will acknowledge you for this?! Huh? A hero?”

I don’t blame those who collapse.

“Damn it… but I’m still going. Someone has to do it.”

I move forward with those who get back up.

Clank.

To avoid discarding anything else.

____________________

When I come to my senses, I’m being carried on Ainar’s back.

But I don’t ask what happened.

Because this is already the third time.

I fainted after stepping on traps over and over again.

“How much time has passed?”

“Please… rest a bit longer, Bjorn… okay?”

I ignore Misha’s concern and get off Ainar’s back.

I see Kyle.

He’ll tell me.

“How much time has passed?”

“We’ll arrive in about two hours.”

“Right, I see.”

It seems like I was unconscious for about 30 minutes.

The priests’ divine power has already run out.

I wonder how many people died at the front while I was gone.

“Mister…”

Erwen grabs my wrist as I’m about to start walking again.

“Can’t you… not go…?”

“…….”

“The others are clearing the path now. Right?”

It’s a selfish but tempting suggestion.

And it’s something I would have considered rational in the past.

But…

“I have to go.”

“Why… why are you doing this?”

“Because I’m sick of seeing people die.”

I have high magic resistance.

So I only fainted after stepping on hundreds of traps.

It’s just a 5th-grade skill.

Even without [Gigantification], my body is very strong.

And I realized that I won’t die from this crazy thing.

So…

“Move aside.”

I push Erwen aside and head towards the front.

My companions don’t stop me this time.

I soon rejoin the vanguard as I increase my speed.

“You’re back.”

The passage is blocked by almost 200 warriors.

I gathered all the warriors I could find, regardless of group, so this is the result.

This place is different from the Blade Wolf district.

If someone just steps on the traps at the front, the enemies that appear from the side paths aren’t that dangerous.

The condition is to be 5th grade or higher.

And to have high defense stats.

Ah, although I also accepted melee damage dealers, I completely excluded non-warrior classes.

The Abyssal Goblin’s unique characteristic isn’t just its traps.

They use throwing weapons.

They’re called ‘Monster Pouches’.

When thrown, they explode, and a random monster below 5th grade appears.

And right in front of you, at that.

It’s an environment that fragile spellcasters and archers can’t endure.

“…Is that a priest on your back?”

“Ah, just leave us alone. He keeps passing out after using divine power.”

For reference, it’s not just a priest.

Warriors who were seriously injured and retreated are being carried on the backs of other warriors, two per person.

They’ll probably get up and carry another warrior when they regain consciousness.

“I see. Make sure to stop him when he wakes up. We have to save it for when we really need it.”

“But this priest is so stubborn, he doesn’t listen to us.”

“Then just knock him out beforehand.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea.”

The warrior nods in understanding, even though I just told him to commit sacrilege against a priest.

It’s not a situation where we can be picky.

“Then I’ll go first.”

Just as I’m about to move forward, nodding…

…the warriors push me back with their shoulders.

Wait a minute, did I just get shoulder-checked?

It’s my first time experiencing this since waking up in this body.

“…What the hell is this?”

The warriors shrug nonchalantly as I ask.

“Can’t you see the line here?”

“Even if you’re the leader, you have to follow the rules.”

“Bjorn Yandel, do you think you’re some kind of hero?”

What?

No, what the hell is this bullshit?

It’s ridiculous, but the warriors’ expressions are serious.

“Rest a bit longer, Yandel.”

“You deserve it.”

I don’t know if I should be happy or not.

Just as I’m watching the situation…

“Hey, stop!!”

…I hear a commotion from the front.

Stop in this situation?

Something must have happened.

“Move aside.”

I hurriedly push past the warriors and move forward.

Even the flustered warriors don’t stop me this time.

“Uh, uh?”

“Wait!”

“Yandel? Why are you here?”

“We agreed to let you rest…”

Familiar explorers greet me as I reach the forefront. But there’s something I need to take care of before their questions.

What was the commotion about?

I didn’t even have to ask, the answer was right in front of me.

“Anyway, you came just in time. Yandel, is that the thing the mage mentioned?”

Beyond the passage.

A giant eye is blinking at me from the darkness that devours light.

“Yeah, I think so.”

I sighed and nodded.

There’s no point in denying it.

Now that we’ve made eye contact, it’s practically confirmed that we’ll encounter the Lord of the Abyss, Verzak.

Well, it’s a miracle that we haven’t met him yet.

“So, what are we going to do?”

What else is there to do? Follow the plan.

“Everyone, get back.”

I grab my mace and step forward.

The giant eye just blinks, not retreating, even though I’m approaching with a weapon.

It’s a creepy gaze.

Therefore…

‘Geez, have you never seen a barbarian before?’

I shove my mace into its eye with all my might.

Kwagic!

As expected of a 9th-grade token monster, the eye disappears into light with a single hit.

「Killed Abyssal Watcher. EXP +1」

「The Lord of the Abyss, Verzak, is starting to take a strong interest in you.」

Phew, I’m already having to work hard again, even though I just woke up.

I take out my message stone and report to Kyle.

“I just killed the Abyssal Watcher. Come here quickly.”

It’s time to move on to Plan B.