Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 805: Doomsday (2)

[Star’s Proxy].

This was the authority Sven Parab attained when he chose to remain in the fiery temple, prepared for death, to ensure the others could flee—an occurrence akin to an “awakening.”

Through various trials, our conclusion was that Sven Parab had somehow obtained the exceptionally rare Sage-blooded bonus, a gift Saints were capable of receiving.

The exact nature of the skill [Star’s Proxy] remained a mystery to us.

So, what were the conditions required for its activation?

Despite my considerable history with the game, I had never encountered this skill before. It was a power bestowed directly by a deity.

It was undoubtedly a skill that would prove immensely beneficial on the path ahead, so I had exhausted every possible method to activate it back in the city—yet, I failed.

I even speculated it might only be usable within the dungeon and intended to test this hypothesis upon our entry.

However, that also proved not to be the condition.

And yet...

“It simply activated out of the blue…?”

[Star’s Proxy] had been triggered.

The proof?

A brilliant silver luminescence emanated from Sven Parab’s form in real-time...

“Fufufu.”

...and he was even speaking.

Just like this.

“It has been quite some time, Bjorn Yandel.”

The voice was identical, yet the entire bearing and tone conveyed unmistakably—this was someone entirely distinct from Sven Parab.

“To think I would witness your surrender. I have seen something truly remarkable, though it was unintentional.”

The hand raised to conceal his mouth, the contorted posture, the gentle cast of his expression.

“Even the most valiant heroes experience moments of collapse. You have performed admirably.”

The combination of these subtle details projected an undeniably feminine aura, and considering Sven Parab’s role as a paladin, all signs pointed to a singular entity.

“Impossible… Reatlas?”

In response to my question, Sven Parab merely clasped his mouth and emitted a soft chuckle.

“Fufu…”

That very laugh served as the confirmation.

I had no understanding of the mechanism, but Reatlas had somehow taken possession of Sven Parab’s body.

A descent-type skill…?

If that were the case, however, certain aspects did not align.

Even when players transitioned their characters to Saints and initiated “descents,” it merely permitted them to borrow divine power—not to directly inhabit the player’s body as seen here.

'…But is that truly pertinent at this moment?'

An abundance of questions surfaced in my mind, but I opted to voice the most pressing one first.

“Can you extricate us from this predicament?”

Was there a viable path for our survival?

To this inquiry, Sven Parab—no, Reatlas—offered a gentle smile and responded.

“Who can say?”

…What?

“I would not have intervened if a solution were not possible.”

Ah, my heart.

“There is little I can accomplish directly. However, even so, the circumstances appear rather accommodating.”

The instant she concluded her statement—

Screeeeech—!!

Sniktura emitted a ferocious howl as her one-minute cooldown elapsed, allowing her to re-emerge.

And then—

“Hup!”

With a shout that sounded remarkably out of place, Reatlas lifted her palm…

Fwooooosh—!

A robust, semi-transparent barrier of silver light materialized between ourselves and Sniktura.

BOOOOOM—!

Sniktura charged forward with a full-body impact, seemingly oblivious to the nature of this newly formed obstacle, yet the translucent shield remained utterly unmoved.

Reatlas (while still inhabiting Sven Parab’s body) had effortlessly performed a miracle—imprisoning a Grade One monster.

She gave a slight shrug, turned towards us, and offered a wink.

“How long do you suppose it will endure?”

“Sufficiently long to preserve your lives.”

[KRAAAAAAAAH—!!]

Sniktura shrieked in fury, her unearthly cry reverberating as she thrashed against the barrier—but we were no longer compelled to concern ourselves with her threat.

This was due to the sudden appearance of something far more astonishing.

“Is… is that truly Lady Reatlas…? I-I mean, could it be?”

“Fufu…”

“I-I cannot fathom this truth… T-The Twilight Star will illuminate our path…”

Our companions made signs of the cross,struck with disbelief by the divine spectacle before them.

However, not everyone displayed reverence.

The individual who exhibited displeasure was none other than Beleg, who had just regained consciousness after receiving healing.

“Is it truly… you, Reatlas…?”

She offered no reply.

Nevertheless, given all that we had witnessed, a verbal response was rendered unnecessary.

Irrespective of an answer, Beleg continued.

“…Why? Why did that child have to perish? Was that the fate you ordained?”

Once more, Reatlas remained silent.

She simply met his gaze with eyes brimming with profound sorrow.

It was perhaps that unwavering gaze—those unexpressed sentiments—that further ignited his fury.

“Respond to me! If you are indeed the goddess who governs destiny… then speak!!”

Beleg’s voice escalated, trembling with overwhelming emotion.

But regrettably, he was prevented from completing his declaration.

Because while mere questions might have been permissible—

BAM—!

He abruptly lunged forward with his leading foot, appearing poised to attack.

“Urgh…!”

The one who forcefully subdued him was not myself, but Kaislan.

“…Show some respect. Our very lives now depend on the will of that entity.”

“…”

“I comprehend your need for answers. I, too, have suffered loss. But surely, even you must realize—she is not one to be questioned.”

“…”

“Very well, I shall interpret your silence as understanding and permit you to depart. But do not err. Understood?”

“…”

Kaislan released him, yet Beleg remained sprawled on the ground, making no effort to rise.

His gaze was fixed on the void, utterly vacant.

To claim I felt no pity would be a falsehood...

'Whether this is a descent or some other phenomenon, a power of that magnitude likely possesses a fleeting existence.'

Once the immediate crisis was managed, Reatlas would probably depart Sven Parab's body.

Therefore, before that event transpired—there was a singular matter I needed clarification on amidst the multitude of questions swirling in my mind.

“What are the activation requirements for that authority?”

“B-Bjorn!! Y-You can’t just interrogate Lady Reatlas about such a thing—!!”

...What is she clamoring about?

“Disregard her. Simply provide an answer.”

“...You truly wish to know? Perhaps it would be better if you remained ignorant.”

Originating from a goddess—especially one intertwined with destiny—such words carried a chillingly significant weight.

Even so—

“...I still desire to know.”

If ignorance truly is bliss, then bliss is merely a temporary balm, a painkiller.

Its only effect is to postpone the suffering; it offers no genuine resolution.

“If such is your decision.”

Reatlas then proceeded to speak.

“This authority grants me the ability to interfere in the real world solely when Sven Parab is definitively fated to perish.”

I found myself rendered speechless.

...That was the condition?

It was no wonder the power had never manifested back in the city.

“Then why suggest it is better not to know?”

“The instant Sven Parab becomes cognizant of the condition, the activation of this authority becomes exponentially more difficult, by dozens of times.”

“...What?”

“There isn’t sufficient time to elaborate comprehensively, but to put it in the simplest terms—once he consciously apprehends the condition, he will inevitably begin to depend upon this power. This action results in the existence of two concurrent destinies. And I am incapable of intervening in a fate that remains uncertain.”

That explanation failed to resonate with any logic.

Perhaps my confusion was evident on my face.

“Fufu, I did concede that it would be challenging to articulate.”

“...”

“If comprehension eludes you, simply commit this to memory: from the moment Sven Parab grasps the condition, activating this authority becomes significantly more arduous, to the extent of dozens of times harder. Understood?”

“Memorized.”

“A good boy, a very good boy...”

Reatlas offered a smile, as if addressing a small child.

It was undeniably unsettling to witness her behaving in such a manner while inhabiting Sven Parab's physical form...

At any rate.

“There is something I must impart to you.”

“...?”

“Fate is termed fate precisely because its arrival is unavoidable.”

“What exactly are you attempting to convey?”

“Presently, Sven Parab has altered his predetermined destiny. And in conjunction with his actions, numerous others who were likewise fated to meet their demise today have consequently survived.”

“...And so? State your meaning directly.”

“The fate that has been circumvented today will invariably return to all of you.”

“...Are you implying that we are all destined to perish eventually anyway?”

“Now, why would you presuppose it pertains to ‘all’ of you?”

“...”

“Bjorn Yandel, even had I not interceded, you would not have succumbed here today. You might have experienced a temporary falter, but ultimately, you would have summoned your resolve and fought valiantly until the very end.”

“So, what is your ultimate point?”

Reatlas displayed a profoundly complex smile, yet remained utterly silent.

Instead, her voice resonated directly within my consciousness.

Seven individuals.

“...?”

[Mark my words, Bjorn Yandel. Seven souls averted their fated deaths today. Sooner rather than later, that destiny will reclaim them.]

[Nurture him well. He embodies qualities that resonate with me more than any other human.]

[And who can foretell—if he were to mature and ascend, reaching a stage where he truly becomes an entity of a different caliber...]

[He might gain the capacity to reshape not only his personal destiny, but that of others as well.]

With these concluding thoughts conveyed, Reatlas resumed speaking aloud.

“Very well. The engagement has concluded.”

“Concluded?”

“Fufu. Until we meet again.”

Issuing that abrupt farewell, the body of Sven Parab collapsed onto the floor.

'...That interaction scarcely lasted three minutes.'

Sniktura still had a minimum of two minutes remaining before her predetermined end.

And—

BOOOM—!

In stark contrast to earlier instances, each time Sniktura impacted the barrier, visible cracks began to manifest upon its surface.

BOOM—!

Gauging by the velocity and scale of the fissures, an additional four to five strikes would undoubtedly cause its complete disintegration...

'She simply vanished like that?'

When I had inquired about the barrier's endurance, Reatlas had explicitly stated it would persist long enough for all of us to achieve survival.

So, what in the blazes was this situation?

Had she been engaging in mere deception earlier?

Such heretical notions crossed my mind when—

KZZZZT—!

The previously sealed entryway swung open, and a familiar intonation emanated from the ostensibly malfunctioning speaker.

While distorted by static, the voice remained unmistakably recognizable.

[Ah... ah... Can—Can you comprehend my transmission?]

“Auyen...?”

[P-Please evacuate immediately, swiftly!]

Upon hearing those words, the entire enigma resolved itself, and my body went limp with relief.

So, this is how it was meant to conclude...

***

Following the retrieval of the fallen Sven Parab and our subsequent escape from the laboratory—

BOOOOOM—!

Sniktura, having finally breached the barrier, charged directly towards us.

THUUUUUUUD—!

The portal sealed itself with mere moments to spare, narrowly preventing her advance.

BOOM—!

She persisted in violently striking the portal with her head, yet it remained steadfastly shut. It appeared we had achieved a measure of safety.

[Phew...! I am immensely relieved I wasn't delayed!]

As the voice continued its assurance, I swiftly raised my head and posed my query.

“Auyen, what transpired?”

We had not permitted him entry into the boss chamber; he had remained upstairs. How, then, was he communicating via the speaker system?

“Do not tell me you managed to access the control room?”

“I don’t know if it is a control room, but…”

“Can you observe the lab from the equipment in there?”

[Yes! I can see it perfectly!]

So it truly is the control room. But how on earth did he manage to get inside?

The explanation turned out to be surprisingly straightforward.

[As you instructed, I remained upstairs until the incident was resolved. Suddenly, all the surrounding doors began to swing open and shut. Sensing that something was amiss, I entered through one of the open portals.]

It seems that our destructive actions downstairs triggered some sort of malfunction above.

That is not an entirely unreasonable assumption.

Our initial plan was to retrieve Arta and then ascend to access the control room.

[Once I gained entry, I had a clear view of all the ongoing activities. Then, I heard your voice commanding the door to be opened, prompting me to interact with every device at my disposal. Eventually, it yielded, and the speaker crackled to life as well!]

A series of unforeseen coincidences unfolded.

Yet, I could not dismiss it as mere chance.

Indeed… this was how it was always destined to unfold.

Even without the aid of [Star’s Proxy], the outcome would likely have been the same.

We would have fought with everything we had.

As Reatlas predicted, seven lives would have been lost.

And then, the door would have finally opened, allowing us a narrow escape from that dreadful laboratory.

BOOM—!

The tremor emanating from the wall drew my attention.

The voice resonated once more through the speaker.

[It is still wreaking havoc in there. M-Maybe you should ascend as a precaution?]

“No, we will manage.”

[S-Should I descend then?]

“Negative. You remain there for the time being.”

[Acknowledged.]

Even after the communication ceased, the rhythmic impacts persisted.

BOOM—!

BOOM—!

BOOOM—!

How long did this continue?

Gradually, the tempo of the strikes accelerated, becoming more ferocious—

“…”

“…”

—and then abruptly ceased altogether.

Had it finally met its end?

There was no need for speculation.

The demise of a Grade One monster is unmistakably palpable.

「Sniktura has been slain. EXP +9.」

Sniktura was no more.

[...It—it is down, Captain!]

With this dual confirmation, all uncertainty vanished.

Against all odds…

We had vanquished a Grade One monster without sustaining any casualties.

Essence…

I nearly inquired about receiving one.

But I managed to restrain the impulse.

“Auyen, open the door.”

Yes—something along those lines; I needed to confirm it myself.