Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 790: Red Ocean (2)

The first basement level.

A concealed zone accessible by collecting three “Nameless Fragments” from the Fragment Temple on the third level and inserting them into the dimensional stele located on the ground floor.

Very few individuals have ventured into this area up to now, and exactly for that reason, countless tales have circulated widely.

Things like Single Numbers, fresh essences, unfamiliar monsters, and more.

Based on those accounts, the first basement level has gained a reputation as a spot where entering guarantees massive gains.

‘Well, considering # Nоvеlight # the prizes alone, I can’t blame them for thinking so...’

In my experience, it offers tremendous risks alongside equally huge rewards.

For our group, there was even a point where escaping seemed impossible.

Numerous members perished while trying to get out, as well.

“You all must be out of your minds... You actually plan to head there willingly? Despite the royal family declaring it off-limits officially.”

Raven shook her head in astonishment, yet I could somewhat comprehend their motivations.

An explorer’s ambition resembles an endless void.

However far you delve, it never stops.

‘...That’s how it felt our initial trip to the first basement level.’

At that time, crowds of explorers had gathered near the dimensional stele.

Every one of them wore grins.

Despite the Floor Lord of the Abyss, Berzak, roaming that level, their avarice prevented them from backing off, insisting that the presence of a Floor Lord could trigger a portal’s activation.

[As Baron Yandel understands... Exploration is all about that, right!]

That instant revealed to me the sheer lunacy of explorers.

As if I’d peered into pure insanity...

“Still, if the first basement level is their target, it adds up. I wondered how they advanced so swiftly, but desperation must’ve driven them.”

Upon hearing Raven’s murmur, I agreed with a nod.

Regarding access to the first basement level, the primary challenge is ‘time’.

Before the ground level seals shut.

To put it simply, one must ascend to the third level, secure three Nameless Fragments, and return to the first level all within 7 days to enter.

“So, what’s your plan?”

Facing Kaislan’s inquiry, I paused briefly.

To be frank, whether they aimed for the first basement or the second, it held little relevance to us.

After all, the odds of their return were slim at best.

Though, I admit a slight curiosity about the fools bold enough to devise such a foolhardy scheme...

“We press on.”

Ultimately, I saw no point in squandering precious time on mere intrigue, so we continued our journey.

Thus, the issue concluded there.

Following that, we concentrated solely on hastening to the subsequent level, and come the morning of Day 6, we reached the Tower of the Sky entrance on the fourth level, having traversed the Witch’s Forest.

However, the issue arose...

“Plenty of them around.”

The heart of the Witch’s Forest.

Dozens of explorer squads assembled at the fourth-level gateway.

Naturally, this wasn’t unusual by itself.

Given that speedrun participants typically follow comparable timelines, it’s expected for numerous groups to converge on the fourth level simultaneously, necessitating some delay...

‘Even at this brisk pace, waiting is required... The entire expedition appears dead serious.’

I scanned the area in hopes of spotting Team 2 nearby, but they were absent.

Perhaps they’d arrived ahead, or perhaps they trailed behind.

As I guided our squad into the queue, I sensed gazes shifting discreetly our way.

“...That’s Viscount Yandel.”

“He’s shown up at last? Not all that impressive.”

“I’ve repeated it plenty: beyond the title, he’s merely an ordinary explorer.”

Nevertheless, with elite explorers assembled, the atmosphere buzzed with intense animosity.

I suppose they viewed me not as an idol, but as competition.

“Few squads bear the royal emblem, huh?”

“Given the army’s makeup, they likely prioritized fighting prowess over speed.”

“Yeah, that tracks...”

While briefly conversing with Raven, the queue advanced steadily.

In such circumstances, there’s no call to linger five minutes for the portal hue to shift.

The moment six members step inside, the portal fills up, and upon color change, the following squad enters immediately—

Rumble—!

Abruptly, the earth trembled like a quake.

Yet, true to form for seasoned explorers, panic didn’t ensue.

All grasped the implication swiftly.

“...A rift appeared.”

A rift had materialized on the third level.

Explorers responded in three distinct fashions.

“So the gossip held truth. In a labyrinth revived after ages—”

“Hush, keep it down.”

“Does this mean we can anticipate rifts on the fourth and fifth levels too?”

Individuals unconcerned with the third-level rift, eyeing the future with eager anticipation.

“Briam! Where’s the rift at?”

“Not too distant from our position. At maximum velocity, we’d arrive in an hour.”

“An hour... That’s tight. Entering would still be worthwhile, but...”

Those assessing advantages and drawbacks upon locating it.

And finally...

“Over here!”

“Hurry!”

“Captain, what’s our move? They’re already bolting!”

“...Curses! We’re joining!”

Those opting decisively and dashing away.

For the record, our choice fell into the initial category.

We sought nothing from the White Temple, and with our guild master fixated on ‘achievements,’ he remained silent on the matter.

What achievement would clearing a third-level rift yield, anyway?

Ah, but the rift’s emergence itself proved beneficial.

“Oh, it’s our go now.”

Owing to the horde of explorers surging forth, the line had dwindled sharply.

「You have entered the fourth floor: Tower of the Sky.」

Needless to say, the Tower of the Sky brought no surprises.

At best, a rift surfaced around Day 10?

We hunted for it promptly upon its opening, yet sadly, entry eluded us.

“Too bad... Wasn’t it the Golden Ruins? They say riches flow endlessly there.”

“...Likely the Forest of Doppelgangers.”

Missing the rift entrance disappointed, but as a level-headed explorer, I soothed myself with classic justification and persisted in ascending the tower.

Unlike prior levels where battles could be bypassed, the fourth demanded conflict, and during each, I scrutinized the newcomers’ fighting skills closely.

‘Surprisingly sturdy, I must admit.’

Beleg Shusia di Tersia.

A fairy legend. His explorer moniker was once “the Pursuer.”

Evidently, he bore an earlier nickname, but over a decade past, following the Dragon Slayer’s devastation of the fairy village, he pursued that foe relentlessly, earning the title.

Ah, fittingly, his forte lies in pursuit and sensing.

‘His battle prowess hovers between Grade 2 and Grade 3...’

Notably, positioned as an archer, he forgoes the bow.

His fighting style operates thus.

Whoooosh—!

He conjures spirit entities in vast numbers, termed “summons.”

「Beleg Shusia di Tersia casts [Skill Transfer].」

Via the [Skill Transfer] essence, he distributes his assorted “archery-type” essence effects to the summons.

And subsequently...

「Beleg Shusia di Tersia has no weapon equipped.」

He amplifies all summon damages manifold through the [Holy Commander] effect—

「Beleg Shusia di Tersia casts [Horn of the Soul].」

「When summons attack the same target, additional damage is inflicted.」

—and swiftly escalates their offensive power with multiple aiding skills.

Consequently, he appears more akin to a summoner or mental caster than an archer, regardless of perspective...

‘But it doesn’t matter, provided he excels in combat.’

Beleg’s abilities proved more rounded than anticipated.

That’s to be expected from a former player.

‘A vast improvement over the guild master.’

In contrast, the guild master’s showing fell short of hopes.

Admittedly, he possessed rare essences and held objective strength, yet...

‘That’s the extent.’

It seemed he merely clung to his level’s bare minimum.

At this stage, overhauling his build entirely is unfeasible, and absent that, growth potential dwindles.

「You have entered the fifth floor: Great Demon Realm.」

In any event, amid a loose evaluation, we ascended steadily and soon attained the fifth level.

Yet the fifth level deviated from memory right from the entry point.

Typically, the fifth-level entrance—a secure haven—would host a campsite where explorers recuperated jointly...

“...Empty?”

“It simply indicates our early arrival.”

Sure, even with elapsed time, I doubted the vista would alter.

Those requiring camp setup in a safe zone lack the prowess to reach this labyrinth depth initially.

“...Absence of markers suggests we preceded Team 2.”

“Unless erasure occurred.”

We placed a basic indicator for Team 2 at the entry and recommenced delving.

Unsurprisingly, we selected the most direct, albeit arduous, path: the Canyon of Wraiths.

「Your character has entered a special area.」

「Field Effect – Canyon of Wraiths applied.」

「Status Effect [Earthbound Spirit] inflicted.」

「Dark Resistance and Physical Resistance decreased by 100.」

The terrain quivered at intervals, akin to aftershocks.

Amid ghostly wails serving as haunting soundtrack, and that peculiar discomfort, as if skin thinned unnaturally.

More disconcerting than Frost Canyon or Hellfire Canyon, but prioritizing efficiency, I had little option.

“Of all routes, why this as the quickest...”

Labyrinth time equates directly to wealth.

Upon embarking this way, explorers dotted the landscape sporadically. Like us, they raced upward through levels.

‘It’s hardly prime for monster hunting, after all.’

Hm. Opting differently might’ve led to encounters with farming explorers.

Maybe. Likely.

In truth, the fifth level serves well for hunting if monopolized.

“This pace puts us at the sixth level by tomorrow.”

Days flew by, marking Day 16 in the labyrinth.

Merely one day from sixth-level arrival.

“Hitting it on Day 17’s speed is unreal...”

“An absurd rhythm. Didn’t the last war require Day 25 arrival for entry?”

Indeed, Day 17 morning would shatter records.

Exerting further without conserving stamina might’ve squeezed it onto Day 16.

‘Perhaps the squad’s overall caliber has elevated?’

Regardless, the fifth level passed without incident worth noting.

If forced to mention one, another rift emerged...

“Rifts popping up everywhere, seriously.”

“And even with a Guide, we missed it... Everyone’s moving too quick.”

Again, entry slipped away.

Despite the rift portal manifesting fairly near.

‘This expedition’s rifts aren’t favoring us...?’

Such thoughts crossed my mind while erecting camp when—

“Yandel.”

Beleg, our assigned Guide, spoke my name in hushed tones.

I quickly deduced the reason for his abrupt solemnity before rest.

“...Explorers.”

“A sizable bunch. Over forty strong.”

“We hold position. If aware of us, they’ll likely veer off.”

It’s almost redundant to note, but labyrinth dangers extend beyond beasts.

No—humans demand greater caution, in fact.

“...They’re holding steady on course.”

The unidentified band advanced directly toward us.

Labyrinth etiquette dictates bypassing occupied camps to avert clashes.

Step, step.

Fully roused and vigilant, we watched the band materialize from the labyrinth’s shadows.

Spotting our camp setup, their eyes flared with mild shock.

“...Anabada Clan?”

As I discerned their affiliation via insignia, so did they with ours.

Though, insignia aside, recognition was inevitable.

“What’re you staring at? Keep going.”

“Oh, apologies. I respect the custom, but as leader, I aimed to trim the path length.”

“I said keep going. Immediately.”

That marked my second directive.

Yet the man stood firm, merely scanning our party.

“Incidentally...”

That viscous gaze—the one born from balancing potential losses against gains.

It struck anew.

“...You haven’t linked with Team 2 yet?”

Exactly.

This is the labyrinth.