Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

No. 7777, Garpas's Necklace.

It wasn't exactly an efficient item.

It guaranteed a Numbered Item above No. 35, but you had to spend 1.5 billion stones to reach the pity counter.

'It's only profitable if you get a single Numbered Item.'

If you got a 'Ten Number' (No. 10-19), you would break even.

And if you got anything above No. 20, it was a loss.

And there was always the risk of the necklace breaking, which would result in a catastrophic loss.

In other words, it was a high-risk, high-reward gamble.

"Bjorn…? Why are you so quiet?"

"Is it… bad?"

It was the opposite.

"Good work, Ainar. You're the best."

I expressed my sincere gratitude, but Ainar didn't seem to care.

"Oh! So it's a good item! What is it?"

Ah, that.

I was a little disappointed by her reaction, but it was a minor issue.

She had saved me from a guaranteed Abyssal Rake.

I would forgive her for anything, even if she punched me in the face for no reason.

'Let's get this over with.'

I quickly retrieved the item from the necklace before anything else could go wrong.

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

A multicolored light emanated from the necklace as I pressed the confirm button.

The light coalesced, taking on a solid form.

「Item created.」

No. 3, Aegis Barrier.

The best-in-slot shield for Shield Barbarians.

'I only need one shield now… so this is graduation…?'

I had been hoping for something else.

Or rather, there were a few items that would have made me stop here.

A top-tier breastplate.

My second best-in-slot shield, No. 21.

A single Numbered Item for a dual-wielding frost swordsman.

The 'Rift Generator,' which would have been incredibly useful for farming.

Or even a best-in-slot weapon for Erwen or Amelia.

But…

'I can't believe I actually got this…'

I still couldn't believe it.

「Garpas's power is permanently damaged due to excessive mana condensation.」

The Numbered Item had turned into an ordinary necklace, but it didn't matter.

I carefully lifted the gray shield.

「Character has equipped No. 3 Aegis Barrier.」

「Total Item Level increased by +18,600.」

I had become stronger.

Much stronger.

_____________________

The shield itself wasn't flashy.

It was gray, with no decorations or embellishments.

But that didn't matter.

A shield just had to be sturdy.

"That shield… is a single Numbered Item?"

"Wait a minute… No. 3? There are only two above it… That's an incredible treasure!"

"The Aegis Barrier! I've only heard legends about it!"

My teammates were impressed.

Amelia seemed to be the most excited.

"Oh! So it's a really good item?"

"It's more than just 'good.' The Aegis Barrier hasn't appeared since an explorer died in the labyrinth 120 years ago."

Well, it wasn't surprising anymore.

She loved this kind of stuff.

She was a labyrinth fanatic.

"It's the only one in existence, besides the one in the royal treasury. And according to the records, it's indestructible…"

Amelia, eager to show off her knowledge, explained the shield's abilities.

Well, her explanation was professional…

'…but it lacked precise numerical values.'

As a hardcore gamer, it was unacceptable.

So let's summarize its effects properly.

'Indestructible.'

'Immune to all damage when blocking with the shield.'

'Reduces all magic damage taken by the user and bonded allies within a 10-meter radius by 30%, and grants immunity to magic below 5th-grade.'

'Increases all defense-related stats by 20%.'

'Doubles the range and effect of Aura skills.'

'All monsters will prioritize attacking the user if their Threat level is above 500.'

And lastly…

'One active skill effect.'

That's what a best-in-slot item should be like.

I was ecstatic.

I wanted to go out and test it immediately.

But I had declared today a rest day, so I had to endure.

'It's so light.'

Maybe it was because my previous shield had been so heavy…

It was heavier than an ordinary steel shield, but it felt much lighter.

'Let's try the hammer.'

I equipped the Demon Crusher and checked the weight balance.

This wasn't a game.

Even a slight difference in weight and feel could be fatal.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

I swung the hammer and shield, getting used to the new weight.

As I was practicing…

'…My weapon build is complete.'

No. 87 Kraul's Demon Crusher and No. 3 Aegis Barrier.

That was the end of my weapon progression.

The Demon Crusher could be upgraded, but the cost-effectiveness was low, so it was practically a graduation item.

'Now I just need armor, boots, and a belt.'

Those were the core items for a barbarian build.

The Barbarian's Genesis Sacred Treasure was also a core item… but it was no longer obtainable.

It was a shame.

That was one of the reasons why Shield Barbarians were so powerful.

'Anyway, I think I've gotten used to it…'

After getting used to the new equipment, I conducted a few tests.

I used the active skill and checked the range of the magic immunity aura.

And…

'…A 10-meter radius…'

I memorized the distance.

It would be useful someday.

After the tests, I rested, and then we had a meeting to discuss our next exploration plan.

Well, it was more of an announcement than a discussion.

"Baron, are we resuming our exploration of the giant island tomorrow?"

"No, we're putting that on hold for now."

"What?"

"We haven't found anything yet."

I knew there was a secret hidden on the island.

But it seemed like we needed to slay that giant first.

The problem was…

'We haven't seen it since then… and even if we find it, I'm not sure if we can defeat it…'

"Then… where are we going?"

"The library island."

"Huh? Ah… the one you told us about."

"That's right."

We needed to level up.

We had only hunted 3rd-grade monsters before because of our limited numbers… but now we had more members.

And I was curious about the library.

'We cleared most of the lower levels… I wonder if the books have respawned…'

Hmm, I would find out soon enough.

We ended the meeting, and Amelia asked,

"Yandel, are you giving up on the Hippermachant?"

"Not giving up, just postponing."

"Why? I thought you wanted its essence."

Well, I did.

But I wasn't confident about the triple RNG of Distortion success, essence drop, and then getting [Gigantification].

And even if I got it, the reward wasn't that great.

'I don't think the skill will stack…'

The Hippermachant's essence was just a better version of the Orc Hero essence.

And I only had two essence slots left.

It would be more efficient to fill them with other essences.

I wasn't going to replace the Orc Hero essence with the Hippermachant essence.

But…

"Hmm, I see. I understand."

That wasn't the main reason.

'Erwen and Ainar are well-equipped…'

But the other teammates needed upgrades.

They all had at least one empty essence slot.

We could fill them in the library.

And Amelia too.

'She's been stuck at the same level for too long…'

"…What's with that look?"

"Nothing."

I was just thinking.

I didn't know when we would escape this floor...

But when we did...

'It'll be interesting.'

How strong would we be?

_____________________

After sharing the exploration plan, I spent the rest of the day thinking about my character build.

What did I need to do to become a stronger Shield Barbarian?

I prioritized the tasks and organized them into steps.

There was only one thing I could do on the first basement floor.

Farm essences in the library.

And there was only one essence I wanted.

The 3rd-grade Bellarios essence.

After that, I would have to wait until we escaped this floor.

Replace the Orc Hero essence with the Hippermachant essence.

Reach level 9 of the Soul Engraving.

Farm 2nd-grade Guardian essences and Numbered Items in 8th-floor rifts.

And then replace the Stormgust essence with a Floor Lord essence.

All of that would have to wait until we returned to the city.

Day 75.

As soon as the day began, I left the cave.

I headed towards the coast, intending to summon the ship and go to the library island.

And just as I was about to summon the ship…

Whizz!

Something flew out of the water.

「Blocked.」

「Aegis Barrier absorbs all damage.」

I instinctively raised my shield and blocked it.

What was that?

"Ambush…!"

I looked down at the beach, ignoring my startled teammates.

A red spear lay on the sand, where the silver waves had washed ashore.

'Verdant Spear…?'

What?

Why was it here?

My confusion didn't last long.

「Mirayel, the Celestial Spearman, has cast [Return].」

A figure emerged from the sea, walking towards the beach.

And…

「Mirayel, the Celestial Spearman, has retrieved the Verdant Spear.」

「The power of [Return] increases slightly until the battle ends.」

He picked up the spear and said,

[I won't let you escape, mortal.]

It was the same line he had repeated countless times when we were running away from him.

But this time, it felt different.

'…Is he insane?'

Had he actually followed us across the sea?

_____________________

Mirayel, the Celestial Spearman.

A Rift Guardian from the Radiant City of Kalheum, an 8th-floor rift.

My first reaction was surprise.

But then I felt…

Relief.

And…

"This is convenient."

…joy.

"I thought I wouldn't see you again."

[I won't let you escape, mortal.]

I grinned at Mirayel, who was still repeating the same line.

'What are you talking about? I have no intention of running away.'

Back then, Erwen had been out of commission.

And we were surrounded by monsters.

We had to run.

But now…

It was different.

I wasn't sure if he realized it, but...

The rainy season was over.

And I had a new shield.

So…

'He'll be a good test subject.'

I shouted at my teammates, who were waiting for my orders,

"Battle stations! We're killing him here!"

I wasn't going to let this opportunity pass.