Chapter 860: Terrible News (3)
Thump, thump—!
My heart began to beat faster, and blood rushed to my head. (Bjorn Yandel)
But the more it did, the more I tried to hold on to my reason. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Bjorn…” (Misha Karlstein)
Nothing was certain yet. (Bjorn Yandel)
There was no proof that the gear and bones I saw belonged to my companions. (Bjorn Yandel)
Therefore. (Bjorn Yandel)
“It’s fine, continue your story. What happened after that?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah, uh… W-well…” (Misha Karlstein)
“You don’t have to worry about me.” (Bjorn Yandel)
When I urged her on once more, Misha must have realized she had no choice, and she resumed the story she had paused. (Bjorn Yandel)
“He was such a tremendous fellow that Kaislan and Sven Parab were knocked out in one blow…?” (Misha Karlstein)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Raven said we had to run immediately, and that Amelia woman agreed. So, just like with you, Bjorn, I was the first to cross the dimensional wall.” (Misha Karlstein)
“…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“But no matter how long I waited, no one else came through. So I went back the same way, but strangely, it was a completely different place.” (Misha Karlstein)
Hah, that’s a relief, at least. (Bjorn Yandel)
Separate from my worries, we had avoided the worst-case scenario. (Bjorn Yandel)
It seemed Misha hadn’t personally witnessed anyone dying or getting seriously injured. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘I also see why she laid the groundwork by saying nothing was certain.’ (Bjorn Yandel)
It wasn’t simply a word of comfort, but the plain truth. (Bjorn Yandel)
All possibilities were still open. (Bjorn Yandel)
Wasn’t it possible to change even the past, as long as it wasn’t set in stone? (Bjorn Yandel)
“After that, I thought it would be better to keep moving than to stay in one place, so I ran without a moment’s rest, weaving through the hordes of monsters.” (Misha Karlstein)
Misha’s subsequent story was a desperate tale of survival. (Bjorn Yandel)
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She wandered the Labyrinth searching for me and our companions, then found a group of survivors and took shelter with them, but that group was wiped out before long, and the same situation repeated itself… (Bjorn Yandel)
The last group she had joined lasted quite a while, but unfortunately, as soon as this wave began, a Rank 1 monster appeared, and they scattered in a panic. (Bjorn Yandel)
“So, with the feeling that I was in real trouble now, I was just running blindly like before when I found you! Do you have any idea how surprised I was when you didn’t see me and crossed over the dimensional wall?” (Misha Karlstein)
Right, so that’s what happened… (Bjorn Yandel)
She spoke cheerfully enough, but having gone through something similar, I could empathize with how fierce and difficult it must have been for her. (Bjorn Yandel)
It was hard enough for me as a Shield Barbarian to the point of death, so how much worse must it have been for her? (Bjorn Yandel)
“You’ve suffered a great deal.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“U-uwaaah…! I’m telling you, I really thought I was going to die…! Don’t you know? Huh? Don’t you know…! You senile old Barbarian…” (Misha Karlstein)
“I get it, so calm down. From now on, I will protect you no matter what. Understood?” (Bjorn Yandel)
For some reason, the reply came after a long pause. (Bjorn Yandel)
“…Okay.” (Misha Karlstein)
Thus, the time for hearing the details of what had happened came to an end. (Bjorn Yandel)
Afterward, we continued to break through the monsters, having a more practical conversation. (Bjorn Yandel)
“…What are you going to do now?” (Misha Karlstein)
“We have to keep moving. Until we find a suitable group.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Uh… You’re not going to look for the others? I-I didn’t mean that in a bad way, so don’t misunderstand! It’s just, I thought you would…” (Misha Karlstein)
“You don’t have to make excuses. I’m not misunderstanding.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“…” (Misha Karlstein)
“Anyway, it’s distracting, so stop talking to me now.” (Bjorn Yandel)
I purposely ended the conversation there. (Bjorn Yandel)
There was no need to explain to her why I was trying to find a group. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘I wouldn’t know if it were just me, but carrying her on my shoulder like this makes me extremely anxious.’ (Bjorn Yandel)
Even now, I was covering Misha with my shield as if it were an umbrella, leaving the rest of me completely unguarded. (Bjorn Yandel)
Of course, that part didn’t matter. (Bjorn Yandel)
But… (Bjorn Yandel)
‘I’m confident I can endure anything except for the instant-death tiles on the Tenth Floor, but she can’t.’ (Bjorn Yandel)
Since the risk had increased, it was only natural that my future plans would change. (Bjorn Yandel)
Well, if I couldn’t find a suitable group, I would have to maintain this state whether I liked it or not. (Bjorn Yandel)
How much more time passed like that? (Bjorn Yandel)
“Um… they’ll all be safe, right…?” (Misha Karlstein)
Misha, who had been holding her breath quietly under the shield, asked softly, and I answered without a moment’s hesitation. (Bjorn Yandel)
“They’ll be safe.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“They will, right…? If so, that’s a relief…” (Misha Karlstein)
“Don’t think strange thoughts. You’re here, safe and sound. Why would they be any different?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah, u-huh… that’s right… They’re all amazing people, so… yes, they must be safe…!” (Misha Karlstein)
Rather than truly believing, it felt more like she wanted to believe. (Misha Karlstein)
With Misha’s words, that conversation came to an end. (Bjorn Yandel)
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk about it anymore; it was for a thoroughly physical reason. (Bjorn Yandel)
Fwoosh! (Bjorn Yandel)
The moment I crossed the dimensional wall and a new space appeared, for the first time, a different landscape unfolded. (Bjorn Yandel)
Craaaaaash! (Bjorn Yandel)
Violent explosions. (Bjorn Yandel)
The clash of swords and shields. (Bjorn Yandel)
The screams of monsters and the sharp sounds of slaughter. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Don’t get pushed back! Hold the line at all costs!” (Hans Kelbernon)
“Priest! Over here, quickly! He’s dying!” (Survivor)
“A Rank 3 monster has appeared on the left! Requesting support—.” (Survivor)
It was a group of survivors. (Bjorn Yandel)
—
The great forest of the Dark Continent, lined with gloomy giant trees. (Narration)
The survivors gathered in its center had formed a proper formation and were holding out against the swarming monsters. (Narration)
“I’ve got this one pinned down, so hurry!” (Survivor)
“Now…!” (Survivor)
Thwack! (Narration)
The vanguard continued to fight, cooperating organically against unexpected variables. (Narration)
Support from the rear, arriving precisely when needed. (Narration)
And… (Narration)
“The left flank can be pushed back, but hold on somehow! The rest, focus on taking down the Biterion! Mages! What are you all doing? Hurry up and blow it away!” (Hans Kelbernon)
Clear orders were being delivered in real time. (Narration)
Seeing the survivors move like interlocking gears, I first thought they might be from the same clan, but upon closer inspection, I quickly realized that wasn’t the case. (Bjorn Yandel)
A variety of emblems, none of them matching. (Bjorn Yandel)
That was the only proof that this was a group hastily formed for survival. (Bjorn Yandel)
But they must have naturally found their rhythm after enduring a few waves. (Bjorn Yandel)
Just like we had before meeting the Lord of Tears. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Uh, over there…!” (Survivor)
Just then, a warrior fighting on the front line pointed in my direction. (Narration)
It seemed they had only just discovered me on the outskirts. (Bjorn Yandel)
Well, even though I was in my Giant Form, the area was filled with large monsters. (Bjorn Yandel)
No, perhaps that’s why it took them longer to spot me. (Bjorn Yandel)
A kind of protective coloration, a camouflage effect—. (Bjorn Yandel)
“An Ogre…?” (Survivor)
“It’s wearing armor.” (Survivor)
“Is it a mutant?” (Survivor)
Hmm… calling me an Ogre is a bit much. (Bjorn Yandel)
Well, is it obvious from their perspective? During a Dimensional Collapse, the probability of meeting a real Ogre was higher than that of a person the size of one appearing. (Bjorn Yandel)
Of course, explaining myself wasn’t particularly difficult. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Bahella-aaaaaaaaah!!” (Bjorn Yandel)
The moment I let out a war cry stamped with the authentic Barbarian mark, my identity was confirmed. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Bjorn…” (Misha Karlstein)
“Yandel…?” (Survivor)
The battlefield, which had been in a state of temporary lull as the monsters were paralyzed by my Dragon Fear. (Narration)
“It’s, it’s Bjorn Yandel…!!!” (Survivor)
The shout, uttered in a silence that contrasted with the chaos of a few seconds ago, echoed as loudly as my own war cry, and thanks to that, a clear feedback came from the main force. (Narration)
“The, the giant…! It’s the giant!” (Survivor)
Why I had appeared here, the reason was of no importance to them. (Bjorn Yandel)
“The giant! It’s Bjorn Yandel-aaaaah!!!” (Survivor)
“W-we’re saved…!” (Survivor)
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!” (Survivor)
Their fervent cheers explained everything. (Bjorn Yandel)
With a single ‘Bahella,’ all processes, from the document screening to the interview and the final notification, were skipped. (Bjorn Yandel)
No, it wasn't just passing the hiring process… (Bjorn Yandel)
‘I might even be able to become the Boss at this rate?’ (Bjorn Yandel)
Sensing an opportunity, I immediately ran towards the main force and shouted. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Everyone, follow me-aaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!” (Bjorn Yandel)
The feedback, this time too, was immediate. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!” (Survivor)
“Viscount Yandel! Viscount Yandel!!” (Survivor)
“Let’s kill them all!!” (Survivor)
The warriors in the vanguard responded with a thunderous roar, as if they had met their idol. (Narration)
The excitement filling their voices spread like a plague, eventually uplifting the entire main force. (Narration)
And… (Narration)
“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!” (Hans Kelbernon)
At the fervent roar that suddenly caught my ear, I reflexively turned my head. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Follow Viscount Yandel!! Everyone is going to make it back alive…!!” (Hans Kelbernon)
The man letting out a more passionate cry than anyone else came into view. (Narration)
“We’re going to make it back alive-ooooooh…!!!” (Hans Kelbernon)
I see, it’s the man who was diligently giving orders earlier. (Bjorn Yandel)
I had wondered if he might challenge me over command. (Bjorn Yandel)
But seeing him welcome me with open arms, I could guess how much he had suffered during the past Dimensional Collapse. (Bjorn Yandel)
However, Misha, who was watching this, couldn’t seem to understand. (Bjorn Yandel)
“T-this is really happening…?” (Misha Karlstein)
A dumbfounded reaction. (Bjorn Yandel)
And… (Narration)
“Bjorn! Bjorn! Bjorn!” (Survivor)
“Thank you, thank you, thank you…?” (Survivor)
“Oh, my God…!” (Survivor)
The survivors were lost in a frenzy, like fanatics. (Narration)
Feeling a bit awkward, I cautiously puffed up my shoulders. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ahem…” (Bjorn Yandel)
Yes, this is why I work on my reputation. (Bjorn Yandel)
—
After taking over a group of about 40 people, what I performed was an innovation. (Narration)
No, from the survivors’ perspective, it would be closer to a miracle. (Narration)
“Bahella-aaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!” (Bjorn Yandel)
An area-of-effect that applied every time I roared. (Bjorn Yandel)
With more than half of the monsters occupying the battlefield now aggroed on me, the fatigue of the remaining main force was drastically reduced, and the battle difficulty itself began to hit rock bottom… (Bjorn Yandel)
(New) Shield Barbarian. (Narration)
This newly released class was surprisingly capable of dealing damage too. (Narration)
「The character has used [Aegis Dragon Armor].」 (System)
Every time the armor shone, ‘Aegis’ would appear, devastating the battlefield. (Narration)
Craaaaaaaaaash-! (Narration)
With this, the point where we couldn’t handle the piling up of monsters was long past, and afterward, the number of monsters rapidly decreased until we finally entered a state of stabilization. (Narration)
“H-how can it be this easy…” (Survivor)
Now, it had reached a point where we only had to deal with the monsters that appeared from zero, instead of them piling up. (Bjorn Yandel)
It wasn't too strange that the eyes of the survivors, who had witnessed this miraculous innovation with their own two eyes, were filled with something akin to worship. (Bjorn Yandel)
“How can a person be so strong…?” (Survivor)
“He’s not just a person, he’s Bjorn Yandel…!” (Survivor)
“Ah, I see! He’s so strong because he’s Bjorn Yandel…!” (Survivor)
“Damn it, why was I born a Beastkin and not a Barbarian?” (Survivor)
They weren’t being completely serious; they were all just bantering. (Bjorn Yandel)
They must be expressing their gratitude to me in that way. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Bahella!” (Survivor)
“Bahella!” (Survivor)
“Bahella!” (Survivor)
Uh… is that right? (Bjorn Yandel)
A slight doubt arose in my mind as they suddenly started chanting the name of the Barbarian’s ancestral spirit… (Bjorn Yandel)
But it probably wasn't a bad thing. (Bjorn Yandel)
「The character’s reputation has increased by +1.」 (System)
「The character’s reputation has increased by +1.」 (System)
「The character’s reputation has increased by +1…」 (System)
It felt like I could hear my reputation stat rising. (Bjorn Yandel)
Well, in reality, once they return to the city, my standing will indeed grow, even if just a little. (Bjorn Yandel)
There would be no explorer anywhere who could deliver the kind of performance I could now that I had even obtained a Floor Lord Essence. (Bjorn Yandel)
Bzzzt! (Narration)
Anyway, the difficulty of the Dimensional Collapse, which had become progressively easier, reached its peak after entering the ‘Path of the Pilgrim,’ which belonged to the lower floors. (Narration)
To the point where I could leave the monster-bashing to the others and converse with the main force like this. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Greetings, Viscount…!” (Hans Kelbernon)
Now that I had some leeway, I headed towards the main force to have a chat, and a man came running out in a hurry. (Bjorn Yandel)
It was the man who had been giving orders before I took over. (Bjorn Yandel)
“I am Hans Kelbernon, Vice-Captain of the Blue Cherry Clan…! Thank you so much for saving us.” (Hans Kelbernon)
…Huh? (Bjorn Yandel)
“I will surely repay this kindness—.” (Hans Kelbernon)
I stepped back from the man who was bowing deeply and offering a handshake. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Wait a moment, what was your name?” (Bjorn Yandel)
I couldn’t tell if his pronunciation was bad or if it was really ‘that’. (Bjorn Yandel)
Well, I thought it was probably the former, but… (Bjorn Yandel)
“…Pardon?” (Hans Kelbernon)
“Never mind, stop coming closer and tell me your name.” (Bjorn Yandel)
The risk of shaking hands in an uncertain situation was too great. (Bjorn Yandel)
I knew it was rude, but nevertheless, I once again confirmed the fellow’s name. (Bjorn Yandel)
And… (Bjorn Yandel)
“As I said before, I am Hans Kelbernon…!” (Hans Kelbernon)
The fellow tilted his head but answered my question faithfully, and this time, I heard it clearly as well. (Bjorn Yandel)
But it was too early to be relieved. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘They’ always aimed viciously for the moment a person let their guard down. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Is that pronunciation correct? No, just spell it out for me. No, don’t even speak. Just write it here on this paper.” (Bjorn Yandel)
Show me. (Bjorn Yandel)
That was what I was about to say. (Bjorn Yandel)
Bzzzzzzzt! (Narration)
The world distorted with a rift. (Narration)
A rift slightly larger than when simply transferring. (Narration)
Come to think of it, it seemed like every time this happened, the wave would end and a period of stabilization would begin… (Bjorn Yandel)
Bzzzzzzzzzt—!! (Narration)
If that was the case, then Hans was really Hans, and the possibility of him being ‘that’ was high. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘…No, I still don’t know.’ (Bjorn Yandel)
If it was ‘Hans,’ I wouldn’t have to be paranoid and on edge during the ninth stabilization period. (Bjorn Yandel)
If the situation allowed, I could even get a good rest. (Bjorn Yandel)
Because of the Lord of Tears, I hadn’t been able to rest properly during the last stabilization period. (Bjorn Yandel)
Honestly, I felt like I could fall asleep the moment my back hit the ground. (Bjorn Yandel)
However, if that guy whose pronunciation was slightly slurred when he spoke was not ‘Hans’ but ‘that’… (Bjorn Yandel)
‘What is it? What could it be? What kind of accident could happen?’ (Bjorn Yandel)
I didn’t know. (Bjorn Yandel)
Not yet. (Bjorn Yandel)
I needed more evidence. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘The Lord of Tears is already dead… I’ve already met Lee Baekho, but could I possibly meet him again?’ (Bjorn Yandel)
A state of super-concentration where time itself felt slow. (Bjorn Yandel)
Bzzzt- (Narration)
My brain accelerated, reviewing past memories, comparing experiences, and calculating the worst-case scenarios. (Bjorn Yandel)
And finally. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘Ice…!’ (Bjorn Yandel)
I arrived at the answer of Ice Rock. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘Was that it…’ (Bjorn Yandel)
Ice Rock. (Bjorn Yandel)
To be precise, one of the fields belonging to Ice Rock, the ‘Eye of the Glacier.’ (Bjorn Yandel)
A place called the ‘tank’s grave,’ where the Natural Regeneration stat worked in reverse. (Bjorn Yandel)
Bzzzzzt! (Narration)
If we were in the middle of a Dimensional Collapse, it wouldn’t be a problem even if that place appeared; I could just cross the dimensional wall and escape quickly… (Bjorn Yandel)
But during a stabilization period, that was impossible. (Bjorn Yandel)
So, to put it simply. (Bjorn Yandel)
Thump—!! (Narration)
If I landed there in my current state, I would turn into a mummy and die within minutes. (Bjorn Yandel)
So, what should I do? (Bjorn Yandel)
Thump—! (Narration)
Should I eliminate this man right now, who could possibly be ‘that’? (Bjorn Yandel)
Was that truly the right answer? (Bjorn Yandel)
Thump!! (Narration)
A heart pounding rapidly, as if ignoring time. (Bjorn Yandel)
A fleeting second, split into dozens of fragments, in time with that sound. (Bjorn Yandel)
In the gaps of time, I agonized and agonized. (Bjorn Yandel)
What is the right answer? (Bjorn Yandel)
What should I do? (Bjorn Yandel)
Unable to come to a clear answer on anything. (Bjorn Yandel)
Thump~! (Narration)
My heart pounded loudly one more time, and then, as if it had stopped, the divided fragments of time merged. (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah.” (Bjorn Yandel)
In the end, it was all a meaningless worry. (Bjorn Yandel)
Flash—! (Narration)
When my vision, which had gone dark, recovered and I opened my eyes. (Bjorn Yandel)
I, who had checked the surrounding terrain faster than anyone else, realized. (Bjorn Yandel)
‘Hans… yes, it really was Hans…’ (Bjorn Yandel)
Feeling drained for some reason, I powerlessly lowered my shield and hammer. (Bjorn Yandel)
「Error Removed.」 (System)
The hammer to kill my enemies. (Bjorn Yandel)
The armor to protect myself. (Bjorn Yandel)
They were no longer needed. (Bjorn Yandel)
A gloomy sky. (Narration)
A high-stacked fortress wall. (Narration)
And… (Narration)
Whoooooosh! (Narration)
The dim light of the city shining on the survivors who had successfully returned, and the roar of someone filled with far too many emotions. (Narration)
“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!” (Survivor)
The Dimensional Collapse was over. (Narration)
「The Labyrinth has been closed.」 (System)
「The character will be moved to Rafdonia.」 (System)
