Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 785: Upgrade (3)

Phase 8 of the Undying Engraving offers no boosts to stats.

However, it introduces several additional benefits in return.

「Your flesh's inhabiting soul receives enhancement.」

「During [Savage Outburst] activation by the character, undead creatures suffer damage.」

「The special effect [Unification] now includes the ‘Affectionate Weapon’ enhancement.」

Henceforth, [Savage Outburst] inflicts extra harm solely on undead foes, while [Unification] acquires a new feature.

The ‘Affectionate Weapon’ feature provides buffs depending on the number of days the weapon has been worn.

To accumulate layers, one must slay a monster using that weapon daily.

Removing the weapon won't erase the layers, yet changing to another weapon completely will wipe them out, requiring a fresh start.

‘Reaching maximum layers demands 1,000 days.’

Almost three full years, though my situation proves somewhat advantageous.

In Dungeon & Stone, shields qualify as weapons too.

Crawl’s Demoncrusher and Aegis’s Barrier.

Having secured my ultimate gear ahead of schedule, I avoid any mid-process resets.

In essence, consistent effort from this point will lead to maxing it out eventually.

‘The issue lies in... the Labyrinth's closure.’

With the requirement being a daily monster kill, stacking remains impossible at present.

Even with the Labyrinth accessible, progress would prove challenging.

‘A 100-day run yields just ten layers...’

It demands considerable effort, no doubt.

Truth be told, apart from my initial first-floor ventures, I've never exceeded 100 days.

‘Could slaying monsters beyond the walls fulfill the condition?’

This idea struck me abruptly, though testing it isn't feasible now.

Thus, I shelved the query for later...

「Fuuuu...」

I glanced over to find the shaman releasing a deep sigh. Exhaustion had him sweating profusely, droplets trailing down his face.

「It's finished, Chieftain. Well? How do you feel about this fresh power?」

「Yeah.」

This Phase 8 engraving demanded more time than any prior one.

Three complete days.

The shaman explained that such advanced engravings inherently require that duration, yet from my perspective...

‘Back in the game, it wrapped up quicker.’

I'd attribute it to a matter of skill.

At least the result looks pristine. That's the key.

「Incidentally... Chieftain, there's a crucial detail you need to hear.」

Right as I prepared to exit this stifling tent post-engraving, he dropped that line.

Suppressing a sense of dread, I turned to face the shaman.

And then—

「My abilities fall short for the Phase 9 engraving...」

Naturally. A real shocker.

「You can't? You're the shaman, after all.」

「Well... My master hasn't passed on Phase 9 knowledge to me yet.」

「Hasn't he?」

「It's not merely a lack of instruction... I [N O V E L I G H T] simply lack the assurance. Starting from Phase 9, the engraving delves into the soul—it's immensely more difficult!」

An unexpected disclosure, far graver than anticipated.

「I've grasped the basics, so I could attempt it... but failure risks your very life, Chieftain...」

From Phase 9 ahead, it becomes a perilous gamble with one's existence.

If Phase 9 poses such risks, Phase 10 could border on unattainable.

On a personal level, it halts my further engravings.

Yet broadly, it endangers the Barbarian tribe's future.

The vital art of Spirit Engraving faces extinction.

As chieftain, overlooking this isn't an option.

「No possible solution?」

「There... might be one...」

「What? There is?」

Shockingly, he responded affirmatively without delay.

After endless frustrations as of late, this felt strangely novel.

Not that I'm objecting.

「Out with it. Now.」

「My master's condition worsened drastically following the ‘soul adoption’ ritual. He occasionally awoke to impart lessons before, but that's ceased. Left untreated, his time is running out.」

「The essentials only.」

「...We must heal my master!」

...What?

「My master, the former shaman, masters even the pinnacle engravings effortlessly. He handled the prior chieftain's as well.」

「.......」

「Should I gain more guidance from him, I could tackle the supreme engravings solo!」

Hmm... His logic tracks.

Indeed, a fully operational duo of tribal shamans benefits everyone.

But is it feasible?

「How would we heal him? The priest claimed healing was impossible last time.」

「Correct, yet I've uncovered a recent approach.」

「Then share it. Stop dancing around like some sly human.」

「It's only... this could prove burdensome for you, Chieftain.」

「Ugh, just say it.」

With a hint of annoyance in my tone, the young shaman recoiled as if struck and hesitantly spoke.

「...A dragon heart is required.」

...I regret inquiring.

***

This situation resembles a quest in a way.

More precisely, a “race” quest, outlined thusly:

[Race Quest]

Objective: Restore the former shaman.

Condition: Acquire a dragon heart.

Reward: Access Phase 9+ Spirit Engraving.

Failure Penalty: The former shaman perishes, and the Barbarian tribe forfeits top-tier Spirit Engraving forever.

The quest itself is straightforward.

Secure a dragon heart for the prize. Miss it, face the consequences.

The catch...

‘A dragon heart, eh...’

The challenge level soars astronomically.

Many peddle drake hearts as “dragon” ones, but this demands authenticity.

True dragons emerge from the 9th floor onward.

They guard rifts on the 8th as well, but...

Reaching them proves arduous, and our present strength can't fell a dragon.

With ample time, perhaps we'd succeed.

‘...Distortion would be essential.’

Factoring in Distortion's reliability, we'd need repeated, secure victories—not just one.

This demands the prowess to harvest dragons consistently.

And a major hurdle exists.

‘Can the former shaman endure that duration?’

Likely not.

‘No easy fixes this time around.’

This eclipses my recent dilemmas in severity.

The sole viable path? Someone hands us a dragon heart.

‘...The royals probably possess one.’

Yet they'd never relinquish such a treasure gratis.

「Haa...」

To preserve my mental health, perhaps I should abandon the tribe's prospects.

‘Later for this. It presses, but the shaman won't expire today.’

For the moment, I'll pocket this quest and tackle pressing concerns first.

As I often note, priorities dictate action.

And currently, this takes precedence:

「Yandel, the royal family sent a letter.」

「Hmm...」

「What's the content?」

「The title ceremony has been set.」

To be exact, it's not solely my title.

They're combining my elevation, Duke Kealurnus's chancellorship, and other noble inheritances—like a mass diploma distribution at graduation.

‘What is this, some school event? Why bundle everything?’

I lack specifics, but I suspect Astarotta, the King's stand-in, orchestrated this efficiency.

He despises fuss as much as I.

「Ooooh! Bjorn's becoming a Count!! Count Yandel! Sounds awesome!!」

「...Viscount, not Count.」

「...Eh? What's a Viscount?」

「Ugh...」

Explaining the noble hierarchy to Ainard is futile; she'd forget instantly.

「Huh? Bjorn? Heading out?」

「Sleep. And food first.」

The event occurs in one week.

With time to spare, I addressed domestic affairs over extravagance.

I conferred with Shabin Emure, our tribal overseer, in formal talks to gauge her recovery.

She appeared mostly mended on the surface.

She expressed longing for Ragna, her sole confidante, but I withheld Ragna's royal imprisonment details.

Revealing that would only burden her further.

「Sweets from a Karnohn bakery. Have them during work.」

「Ah... thanks.」

Thus concluded our exchange as I presented the thoughtfully selected gift.

Next, Amelia and I strategized the reformed team lineup.

The war created voids in our ranks, now filled by fresh additions.

「Amazing. Arua Raven quit the military for us...」

「Eh? Elwen's uncle joining surprises me more than Raven.」

「Nah. He's an ordinary fellow, right?」

「...Huh?」

Amelia fixated more on Raven's comeback than Beleg's arrival.

Understandable, with all the prophecy and treachery swirling around.

「Anyway, matching our prior numbers, dual teams are feasible once more.」

「True. And we must fill the vice-leader slot.」

「Vice-leader...」

「Not interested? Taking charge of Team 2 would comfort many—」

「No.」

Tch, she truly detests the vice-leader role.

‘Raven's traits and background suit it ideally... but assigning a newcomer feels off.’

A delicate dilemma.

Team divisions? Assignments?

It may not scream urgency, but settling it now makes sense.

Given the trends, the Labyrinth's reopening looms near—

「Chieftain!! A human at the gate seeks you!!」

Suddenly, a wall sentry barbarian dashed up, yelling.

「Seeks me? Identity?」

I demanded the name without pause.

That's how it operates.

Fame thresholds determine if uninvited visitors gain entry.

An obscure adventurer would face ejection at the gate.

Thus... this visitor carries weight.

「Ilia Adnus! Explorer’s Guild Master!」

...A fascinating visitor indeed.