Chapter 227: Chapter 227 Turning the Tables (3)

Turning the Tables (3)

Turning the Tables (3)

Takelan Arbenon.

He couldn’t understand at all.

‘What am I doing?’

He swings his sword.

He moves his arm with all his might, to kill the enemy.

But he keeps asking himself,

‘Why?’

His precious wife was dead.

Then why should he live?

The barbarian answered that question.

[Someone has to deliver the news.]

[Right, there was that…]

Takelan, who was in despair, joined this arduous journey after hearing his words.

To deliver the news to his companion’s family?

He knew that wasn’t the real reason.

The barbarian who protected everything, unlike him.

[I repeat! Everyone, stop!]

He stopped the tragedy that was consumed by madness with his foolishly persistent voice.

[Melter Pend, the leader of the Nartel Clan.]

[Lacey Naret from the Heindel Church.]

[I’m a military mage of Lafdonia.]

He was acknowledged by renowned explorers.

[Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!]

The great barbarian who led that arduous journey at the most dangerous forefront and guided them to their destination.

This man was a natural-born leader.

He had the power to move people’s hearts, just like how Takelan was drawn to him at first.

But that’s why…

…he wanted to see this amazing man lose his precious things and drown in despair.

Then he would feel a little better.

Right, it couldn’t be helped.

Even a man like this couldn’t do it.

It was only natural that he couldn’t protect them.

He followed this journey with the disgusting motivation of seeking comfort through others’ misfortune.

Right, that must have been the case…

Slash!

…but he’s swinging his sword.

To save others, not just himself.

“Ah, thank you. You’re Takelan, right?”

“…….”

“You’re a quiet one.”

He’s fighting with all his might to save a stranger, even though he lost his companion of many years.

Takelan couldn’t understand it at all.

Slash!

Why was he still fighting?

Because he didn’t see that barbarian despair?

No, then why…

“Phew, reinforcements at a time like this.”

“We’re probably going to die, right?”

“Ha, this is crazy. We came all this way.”

“Stop chattering and fight!”

“Right, I can’t die with this much regret!”

Were they fighting until the end, even though they sensed their own deaths?

“Waaaaaaaaaa—!”

Takelan scanned the explorers’ eyes and soon realized the reason.

Kwaaang!

Beyond the constant explosions…

…a man with a giant back was fighting.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

He still hadn’t given up hope.

_____________________

The situation was grim.

But the more that was the case, the more I focused on the positive aspects.

‘Their equipment is just 2nd or 3rd-floor level.’

Although they were numerous, their individual strength was quite low. Well, they would have been hunting on the upper floors if they were skilled.

Indeed, the Noark remnants attacked us, mixed in with the corpse army, but it didn’t make much of a difference to us.

One of the corpses summoned by the Clown was more threatening at our level.

‘The problem is… it takes longer to break through.’

Actually, this was the most troublesome part.

Time wasn’t on our side.

We had to defeat the Clown as quickly as possible and then gang up on the wolf bastard or the Ruin Scholar to have a chance of winning.

But those Noark remnants had to appear now.

‘At this rate, even the rear formation will collapse…’

I gripped my mace tighter as my impatience grew.

Kwagic!

As expected, it died in one hit.

But even as I was defeating the enemy…

“Aaaaaak!”

…our numbers were decreasing.

People were at their most honest in the face of death.

Some confessed their love to their families, some cursed the King, and some revealed their true identities that they had never been able to reveal before.

“That look… Hey, I’m an evil spirit.”

“…What? Wh, what does that—!”

“Sorry… for deceiving you… Thank you… Keugh! I’m finally… ho, home… Ah, ah, mom… I’m… la, late…”

Right, there’s no way there wouldn’t be a single player among this many people.

Thump!

I felt a sense of injustice.

To die so meaninglessly after overcoming so many hardships to get here?

‘…No, that can’t be.’

I gather my wavering mind.

It wouldn’t be too late to break down after I collapse.

My arms and legs were still moving.

I had to struggle until my breath stopped and my blood ran cold.

Right, so…

Kwagic!

…I swing my mace and think.

Just like the first day I came here.

What do I have to do to survive?

Hmm, first, I need to assess the situation.

“Kyle! How’s it going on your end?”

[We’re barely holding out, but it’s not good.]

It seemed like the rear, where the ranged damage dealers like mages and archers were gathered, was also suffering heavy losses.

Well, it’s only natural.

Noark explorers would have attacked them too. And it would have been difficult for them to deal with it since most of the warriors were here.

‘So we’re surrounded.’

But surprisingly, there was an escape route.

The portal we came through.

Even Kyle, who didn’t say it out loud to maintain morale, probably had some people escape through it to the 1st floor.

Escape is always a tempting option.

Especially in a life-or-death situation.

“…Yandel, how about we go down and reorganize?!”

A warrior shouted advice at me.

But did Kyle hear it through the message stone?

[Absolutely not. We’ll eventually have to come back up to avoid him, and by then, they won’t give us time to form a line.]

Kyle firmly rejected the idea.

It was pointless.

I wasn’t even thinking about it.

0 and 1 are different.

And if Kyle and my judgment is correct…

…this was definitely a 1.

We had to settle things here.

Therefore…

“How’s Melter Pend doing?”

…I ask about another battlefield that could be a variable.

But again, there was no positive answer.

[He’s holding out well, but it doesn’t seem like it will end soon.]

Right, so that’s how it is.

“…Bjorn!!”

I look to the side in surprise, and a suicide bomber is right next to me.

“Dertu Tayran!”

Fortunately, Raven casts ‘Gale’ just in time and pushes the suicide bomber away.

Boom!

The suicide bomber explodes.

The other corpses aren’t affected, but the Noark explorers who came as reinforcements are different.

Sizzle!

The ones who were nearby melt away, and even those who were just splashed with a single drop turn pale and stumble.

I feel a bitter taste in my mouth.

Lafdonia or Noark, they’re both treating people like consumables.

“Then what about the Ruin Scholar?”

I continue the conversation without a moment’s respite.

It’s information that might be the most important right now.

“Can you kill him?”

[I’ll try now that the magic circle is complete. But…]

Kyle trails off.

It seems like he’s not confident.

[I’m sorry. I thought I had caught up, but the gap is even wider than before.]

I didn’t feel like blaming him.

In the first place, we wouldn’t even be here if he had escaped through Dimensional Gate. And besides, even I thought the Ruin Scholar was an insane mage.

[But like I said, I can at least buy some time. I’ll try to land a hit within that time. Even if it means sacrificing my life.]

His words reminded me of Dwarkey.

“Are you talking about that Awakening spell?”

[…Something similar.]

“Will you be okay?”

[If I was afraid of the price, I wouldn’t have stayed here. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. And I’ve improved it over a long time, so it’s not like I’ll definitely die.]

“…I see.”

I didn’t tell him that he didn’t have to go that far.

It would just be hypocrisy…

“Aaaaaak!!”

…and besides, who wasn’t fighting with their life on the line in this situation?

Even I was.

For example, even if I collapse right now, people would be sad, but they wouldn’t be surprised.

It was that kind of battle.

[Then what are you going to do?]

I smiled at Kyle’s cautious question.

Why does he always ask this kind of thing?

[It might be better to come back here and fight together—]

“No.”

I firmly cut him off.

Although we were now outnumbered even in terms of quantity because of the Noark explorers who came as reinforcements…

“Nothing changes.”

Kyle Pebrosk is in charge of the Ruin Scholar.

Melter Pend is in charge of the wolf bastard.

“We’re in charge of the Corpse Collector.”

[I knew you would say that.]

I hear a chuckle from beyond the message stone.

“Why are you laughing? You think we can’t do it?”

[No, that’s not what I meant. I just remembered something you said earlier.]

Something I said?

[Didn’t you say warriors laugh when they’re in pain? Now include mages too.]

Hmm, our warriors laugh more heartily.

“I’ll show you a more manly laugh next time.”

[Next time…]

Ah, was that a bit inappropriate in this situation?

I felt a bit regretful, but a lighter voice soon came through.

[Right, it’s not bad to have a next time. You know? I’m going to write a book when I get back. A book about my life. It was my childhood dream.]

“I’ll read it if I have the chance.”

[It would be an honor. Can I include what you said in the book?]

“What I said?”

[About warriors laughing when they’re in pain. It keeps lingering in my mind.]

Uh, I just said that casually.

I’m a bit embarrassed that he’s taking it so seriously.

But I would allow anything if it meant we could return.

“Do whatever you want.”

Kyle laughed out loud at my answer.

[Haha, really? Then it’s settled.]

It was a much more hearty laugh than before.

___________________

The current battle situation is a bit complicated.

First, the ranged damage dealers of the expedition party are concentrated around the portal.

And the warriors are protecting them.

Originally, we just had to block the corpse army from the front, but now we’re surrounded since the Noark explorers are also attacking from behind.

‘They must be having a hard time too.’

Melter Pend and his clan members were left in the middle of the battlefield, still raiding the wolf bastard, as we were forming a line after coming through the portal.

I’m sure they’re struggling as much as we are.

After all, we’re also a separate unit that broke away from the main force to kill the Corpse Collector.

It’s a kind of special task force.

Hmm, in that sense, time for a mid-battle check.

“Raven! How many are left?”

“Yes? Ah, I think there are about 40 of us!”

Phew, so many died in that short amount of time.

I think there were well over a hundred at first—

Swaaaaaaaaa!

That’s when a light suddenly erupted from the ground.

A giant red magic circle instantly engulfed the entire battlefield.

“…It’s a spatial magic formula!”

Raven was the first to read the formula.

But that was all she could figure out.

Kyle’s calm voice came through the message stone.

[Don’t be surprised. It’s just time.]

“So there’s no problem with the plan?”

[Right, I thought that old man would definitely use this spell.]

I was relieved at his words.

He was saying that if the Ruin Scholar used a spatial magic formula, we could use his mana to cast another spell?

That was the rough plan, but I don’t know the details since I’m not a mage.

This kind of thing wasn’t even implemented in the game.

It was a limitation of the 2D game format.

But…

‘I should get ready too.’

I have to act believing that it will work.

Otherwise, there’s no hope.

Swaaaaaaaaa!

The light emanating from the magic circle intensified, and my vision turned completely white.

And at that moment…

[I’ll be back.]

…I heard Kyle’s voice again.

Flash!

A blinding flash engulfed the battlefield.

「Kyle Pebrosk has cast the 2nd-grade space-time magic [Parallel World].」

A ringing sound echoed in my ears.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the unchanged battlefield through blurry vision.

I muttered briefly,

“Kyle, did it work?”

There was no answer.

In other words, it meant the spell was successful.

Kyle was probably starting his 1:1 with the Ruin Scholar in a virtual space based on the Goblin Forest.

I hope he wins and returns…

‘But I should prepare for when he doesn’t.’

Kyle thought he could at least buy some time.

We have to achieve something within that time.

“What are you waiting for! Run!”

We resumed our breakthrough, leading the task force, after briefly stopping because of the white flash.

The advance was much smoother without the Ruin Scholar’s constant harassment.

After some time…

‘This should be enough.’

…we reached the target distance.

We didn’t have to risk our lives to break through anymore.

Therefore, I left the task force to Teterud, who had been clearing the path with me.

“Teterud, take the rest of the people and go back now.”

“I’ll leave him to you.”

We had already communicated while clearing the path.

“Alright, you heard him? We’re going back!”

“But even that doesn’t seem easy.”

“Well, I’m sure Yandel will take care of it!”

“Let’s go!!”

Teterud then led the remaining forces and retreated towards where Melter Pend was.

They might not be able to reach the main force from here, but they should be able to reach there.

And once they arrive, they’ll be able to help defeat the wolf bastard.

“Everyone, get on.”

Misha quickly jumped onto my shoulder, which was in [Gigantification] state, as soon as I gave the order.

“Are we really going alone?”

Then Ainar.

“Oh! Now I understand why Aruru rides on you!”

I couldn’t put her on my shoulder because of her size, so I wrapped my left arm around her waist and lifted her up.

“Excuse me.”

Raven, who got off Woongie after he was unsummoned, sat on Misha’s lap.

“…This feels very strange.”

The bear-like man, who was the biggest, clung to my back, choking me.

And…

“Now it really feels like we’re a team!”

…Erwen sat on my right shoulder.

Huh, it really feels like I’ve become a vehicle.

That’s when, just as we’re about to leave…

“Wait a minute.”

…Daria stopped me.

I knew what she was going to say, so I said it first.

“I told you, I can’t send Erwen.”

I couldn’t give her to them, no matter how much she used her sister’s position to pressure me.

Erwen was the core of this strategy—

“That’s not it. I’m going too.”

“What?”

Right, so you do have a conscience.

“…What’s with that look?”

“It’s nothing. Come here.”

I quickly extended my remaining arm and wrapped it around Daria’s waist.

[Grooooooooowl…!]

“Kill him! It’s over if we just kill him!”

The corpses summoned by the Clown, as well as the low-level Noark explorers on the 2nd floor, were swarming towards us.

I bent my knees slightly and checked the front.

Over a hundred Noark explorers were between the Clown and me, and even more corpses were swarming…

‘It’s about 60 meters.’

I checked the distance one more time and then bent my knees further, like compressing a spring.

And…

“Hold on tight.”

…this time, I didn’t just jump lightly, but with all my might.

「Character has cast [Leap].」

My body soared into the air, and I could see the entire battlefield at a glance.

“We’re flying!! We’re flying!!”

Melter Pend, who was raiding the wolf bastard with his clan members in a siege formation.

Teterud, who had started running towards them.

The main force in the center.

And the Clown, who was just watching me from a safe distance and laughing.

“Uh, uh…”

That’s when, as I reached the highest point…

…someone pulled my hair with all their might.

Geez, should I add something to my armor for them to grab onto later?

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaak!!!”

My body, which was drawing a parabola, starts falling rapidly. The Clown, who was sitting on a corpse monster, moved his summon back as he saw me.

No, do you think that would work now?

If you’re going to kite, at least do it properly.

Kwaaang!

My body crashes into the ground like a cannonball.

「Character’s total weight is over 1,000 kg.」

「The special terrain effect [Recoil] is additionally applied to the damage radius.」

The Noark remnants and the corpse army around the Clown are all thrown into the air by the [Recoil] effect.

Ah, except for the corpse monster the Clown was riding.

It didn’t even budge since its weight was over 500 kg.

Of course, it was a minor issue.

“I didn’t expect you to have absorbed the Manticore essence. Pfft!”

The Clown was still looking at me with a relaxed expression.

He even seemed to be enjoying it.

Although I wanted to chat with him for a bit…

…I quickly deactivated [Gigantification].

My body shrinks rapidly.

“Kyaak!!”

My companions, who were clinging to me, all fall off, and the Clown speaks in an exaggerated tone as he looks at me.

“Oh my, oh my! You ran out of MP? That’s a shame after you worked so hard to get here.”

Ran out of MP, my ass.

Well, he’ll stop with that stupid tone once he experiences it firsthand.

“Erwen.”

“Ah, yes!”

Erwen uses her ability as soon as I call her name.

「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has cast [Spirit Transformation].」

[Spirit Transformation].

It’s the 5th-grade monster Evan’s ability, and a skill that had a very unique concept even in [Dungeon and Stone].

The effect is simple.

The caster becomes incorporeal and immune to physical damage.

And…

「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia offers a ‘contract’ to the character.」

…they form a contract with one person and temporarily share various powers.

[Mister, hold my hand.]

A voice that sounds like it’s not from this world.

I instinctively grab Erwen’s outstretched hand.

And at that moment…

Whoosh!

…fierce flames erupt, enveloping and protecting my body.

It’s Elemental Barbarian (Fire) Mode.

“Erwen, put out the fire.”

[…Yes? Ah, right!]

Did she finally remember what I said before?

Erwen quickly changes the element.

Crackle.

My already thick skin cracks like dry land and becomes even thicker.

「The Earth Spirit has been imbued into the character’s body.」

「Fire damage taken is halved.」

「Water damage taken is doubled.」

「Poison Immunity bonus.」

「Strong bonus added to destructive actions when using blunt weapons.」

「Physical Resistance greatly increased…….」

「…….」

Damn right, a man is a rock.