Pitter, patter, pitter-patter.
A black rain that stung the skin on contact.
I knew what this was.
[Rain of Despair]
The passive aura skill of the Lord of Chaos Riakis.
「Your character is taking continuous Chaos attribute damage.」
「Your character's Magic Resistance has been greatly reduced.」
「Warning: Continuous exposure to Chaos attribute damage has a chance of inflicting the [Confusion] status effect.」
This skill not only dealt area-of-effect damage, but it also turned the terrain touched by the rain into a corrupted zone, nullifying all field effects.
In other words…
‘Damn it…’
I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but it really had.
“I-It’s him! He’s here!”
“H-Hey! What are you all doing! Aren’t you going to stop him?!”
Panic erupted among the Third Floor Explorers who had paid the protection fee.
Then, all eyes turned to one spot.
“You’re not planning to abandon us and run, are you!”
“You took our gear, promising to protect us! Take responsibility!”
Dozens of people shouted emotionally.
The executive who had made the announcements before let out a deep sigh with a bitter smile.
“…So it’s come to this, after all.”
It wasn't hard to understand his current feelings.
Having accepted the protection fee, they had no choice but to face the Floor Lord with all their might.
However…
“This expedition is going to be a huge loss.”
Surprisingly, the executive's face only showed resignation, not a hint of anxiety or nervousness.
After a moment, he collected himself and shouted loudly.
“The Lord of Chaos Riakis is here! Everyone, get out what you’ve prepared!”
The order rang out loud and clear.
At his command, those with the Dzarwi Clan’s insignia on their chests moved with perfect coordination.
“All teams, to your positions!”
Mages, Priests, and ranged attackers moved to the center.
Melee warriors headed for the perimeter.
And they began to use all sorts of consumables without hesitation.
「You have used a high-grade Stamina Support Scroll.」
「You have used a Stamina Regeneration Support Scroll.」
「You have used the Numbers Item [Banner of the Sun Lord].」
「The Light of Ersium imbues your weapon…….」
「…….」
「…….」
Various doping-type magic scrolls, consumable Numbers Items, and several kinds of equipment support consumables.
In a flash, not even a full minute.
Consumables worth at least ten million Stones vanished into light.
“We have plenty of supplies, so don’t hold back! We will make it back with as many of us alive as possible!”
I realized I had underestimated them.
Now that I saw this, it wasn't that they lacked imagination.
They had already considered the worst-case scenario and had made thorough preparations behind the scenes.
‘And yet, they still took the protection fee because…’
They simply bet on that outcome.
Because it had a slightly higher probability.
Heh.
For some reason, I couldn't help but chuckle.
‘This world is full of people obsessed with efficiency.’
I needed to be a little more humble.
These people, too, must have risked their lives countless times as Explorers to get where they were.
There was no way they reached that position through luck alone.
“To think they carry this amount of supplies with them at all times…”
“As expected of a major clan!”
Rather than scorn, I should always be wary.
And instead of being jealous, it would be more efficient to observe and find something to learn.
“Bjorn, what are we going to do now?”
“What do you mean? We’ll watch for now.”
That was the original plan, anyway.
Now that we were face-to-face with the Floor Lord, just leaving this place would be a huge risk.
Well, if there was truly no other option, I would have to risk it and flee immediately, but…
‘This should be enough for them to hold on.’
As if to prove my point, a barrier of fire encircled us in a ring.
It wasn't an Essence skill, just a regular magic spell.
「The Spirit of Chaos has been destroyed.」
「The area has been corrupted.」
After the rain began to fall, the Spirits of Chaos that had started to surge forward like a tidal wave were annihilated, unable to penetrate the fire barrier.
Fwoooosh!
A massive barrier also formed above our heads, blocking the pouring rain.
Well, that was about all a fire barrier or a magical shield could do.
“Bjorn, look over there!”
From the direction Misha pointed, a massive shadow slowly grew in size.
Accompanied by heavy tremors.
Thud! Thud!
Horns sprouted from its head.
Thick, rough-looking black hide.
An ominous aura flickered over it.
[Guoooooooo—!]
A beast of a size you'd only see in monster movies, so large it made you lose your sense of distance, easily stepped over the fire barrier and revealed its form.
“Th-That’s…”
“I-It’s the Lord of Chaos Riakis!!”
At the sight, the crowd stepped back in terror, but the clan members remained calm.
“Hold your positions! Do not let it get behind us!”
As if fighting giant monsters was a daily affair, the warriors silently held their ground.
Did it not like that?
Craaash!
Riakis slammed its front paw down, signaling the start of the real battle.
What was a real raid like, not one in a game?
The answer to a question I had long been curious about was actually quite simple.
“Don’t try to block it, just evade no matter what! Understood!”
Not only the melee damage dealers, but even the tanks thoroughly avoided a direct confrontation, nimbly dodging the swinging tail and stomping claws.
Of course, they would know best.
No matter how tough their bodies or how high their Strength stat, there was no way they could match a monster like that in a contest of power.
‘So this is what a real battle with a Lord-class monster is like.
Interesting.’
Perhaps because it was a role I would have to play someday, my eyes were drawn more to the combat of the melee Explorers than the Mages or other damage dealers.
There was much to see and learn.
There were several close calls.
Craaaash!
No matter how much they focused on evasion, it was impossible for a battle against such a high-level monster to end without injuries.
Normally, a blow like that would mean instant death, not just an injury, but…
“To think they survived taking a hit like that…”
“…Truly incredible.”
With their stats boosted by numerous Essences, doped up with various scrolls, and supported by Priests and support-type Explorers, they were each a weapon in their own right.
“Ughhhhhh!”
“Shit, I almost died!”
Even with their bodies shattered, warriors received healing and immediately returned to the front lines.
Of course, not everyone was so lucky.
“Damn it, he wasn't supposed to die like this…”
“Don’t get distracted, focus on the battle!”
As the battle dragged on, casualties began to appear.
One melee warrior was crushed to death underfoot, and three ranged attackers who were clustered together were instantly melted by the breath Riakis spewed.
However, analyzing the situation calmly…
‘They’re still stable for now.’
“F-Four people are already dead… I-Isn’t this dangerous?”
Regardless of how the Third Floor Explorers reacted, the warriors were still holding the front line well.
The Mages’ joint spell was also powerful enough to push back Riakis as it approached the center.
‘It seems they’re well aware of the Dark Orb phase, too.’
“L-Let’s just watch for now! It’s the renowned Dzarwi Clan, after all! They’ll figure something out, won’t they?”
Black orbs slowly rose from the corrupted ground and moved towards Riakis.
「The Lord of Chaos Riakis is drawing on the Power of Origin.」
These, which I had been most worried about, were destroyed in mid-air by the ranged attackers before they could be absorbed by Riakis.
“Cease fire!”
“We can’t let it feel any more threatened!”
Furthermore, seeing them intermittently halt their barrage of fire to manage Riakis’s HP made it certain.
They knew the strategy guide.
‘That’s why they’re just trying to hold on.
If they enter Phase 2 without that item, it’s all over.’
“Why are they stopping their attack now? Are they all idiots? They should press their advantage while they have it…”
In a way, it was to be expected.
A Veteran Player who played Dungeon & Stone for ten years? Someone who knows everything about this game?
So what?
To think that I alone in this world knew everything was just arrogance.
The Labyrinth had existed for thousands of years.
It wasn't some game world setting; for the people here, it was reality.
They had to enter it to survive, and there must have been countless trials and errors.
And this knowledge would have been passed down to later generations as records.
‘Though the truly valuable knowledge is likely monopolized by a few.’
Of course, I wasn't too worried.
The ‘Hidden Elements’ that were exceptionally hard to find even in the game seemed to be largely unknown to the people here as well.
My knowledge as a Veteran Player would still be my greatest weapon for survival here.
Click.
I opened my watch to check the time.
[22:37]
More than three hours had already passed.
Despite the prolonged battle, the clan members had not lost their focus and were faithfully carrying out their respective roles.
However…
‘Using that many consumables, whatever they made from the protection fee is meaningless now.’
I suddenly felt like I understood why large clans didn't hunt Floor Lords even if they knew the strategy.
The reward for subjugation wasn't small, but…
The immense resources required.
The possibility of elite members dying.
And on top of that, the enormous risk if they were to fail.
‘The math just doesn’t add up.’
I was thinking this when it happened.
Craaaash!
For some reason, Riakis ignored the warriors and charged towards the center, instantly crushing five ranged attackers.
It was a situation that could easily happen during a raid.
Fortunately, the warriors desperately rushed Riakis and forced it back to its original position, but…
In the process, two melee damage dealers were instantly killed.
‘Still, they should be able to hold out for the remaining time.’
I reassessed the situation.
The death toll so far was eleven.
That was 20% of their total force, but the remaining members were not panicking and were doing what they had to do.
A small gap might have formed, but it wasn't enough to lead to a fatal outcome.
The problem was that I was surrounded by bastards who couldn't even make such a simple judgment.
“It’s hopeless! These incompetent bastards!”
“Do you know how many have died?!”
It wasn't as if they had stepped on the corrupted ground and fallen into a [Confusion] state, but panic erupted among the crowd once again.
If I had to understand their psychology, it wasn't entirely impossible.
Eleven dead.
That was counting only the clan members, their actual combat force.
Every time Riakis went on a rampage, countless explorers who had paid the protection fee were also killed.
‘Has their judgment been clouded by the threat to their lives?’
In my opinion, it was their own damn fault for just standing there like idiots right next to a raid.
But there was no point in saying that; they wouldn't listen.
“Bjorn, the atmosphere is getting weird.”
“I know.”
“We should do something—”
“Wait. I’m thinking.”
I scanned our surroundings as widely as possible.
The clan seemed to be so focused on Riakis that they hadn't noticed this change yet.
And in the midst of it all, a man raised his voice loudly, fanning the flames of chaos.
“We can't just stand by and watch! If we want to live, we must band together!”
It was Jack Fletcher, the one who had been the first to take off his gear to pay the protection fee.
“Do you know how many have already died? They cannot protect us. We must protect ourselves!”
“He’s right!”
“But we have no equipment, how…”
“We must get it back! They failed to keep their promise, didn't they?”
At his instigation, the suicide squads who had previously ignored him now lent their support, and the crowd grew uncontrollably large.
I muttered briefly.
“Misha, get ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“We’re leaving this place right now.”
This place was already a lost cause.
As soon as I had quickly packed my bag, a mob of explorers, as if a riot was about to break out, rushed towards the center where the supplies were stacked.
“E-Everyone, calm down! This will put us all in danger—”
Only then did the clan side notice the situation, but…
It was too late.
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
“Give me back my gear!”
The explorers pushed past the clan's Mages and archers, their eyes filled with greed, and began to grab whatever supplies they could get their hands on.
“G-Give that back! That’s mine!”
“H-How can you say that in a situation like this!”
“Step back now! If you don’t, we will attack!”
“It’s all the same whether we die here or there!”
“What are you hesitating for! From now on, they are Raiders! Kill them all!”
Seeing the scene that had suddenly descended into chaos and madness, I erased any last lingering attachment I had.
“Bjorn…”
“We’ve seen enough. Let’s go.”
“O-Okay!”
I led Misha and ran in the direction opposite of Riakis.
Before long, the wall of fire that surrounded the area blocked our path.
“Wh-What are we going to do about this!”
What do you mean, what are we going to do?
“We break through.”
The Barbarian way is to use your body.
I'd get some burns, but at this point, I could heal those just by spitting on them.
“A-Are you serious?!”
Ah, right.
You can't.
“Ack! Kyaaah—!”
I scooped Misha up with both arms and lifted her high above my head as if doing a cheer.
In that state, I ran and instantly cleared the wall of fire, which seemed to be at least five meters thick.
Sssss—!
A faint smell of cooking meat wafted through the air.
Even through my Pain Resistance, my skin stung slightly.
I asked.
“Misha, are you okay?”
“…Thanks to you, I’m fine. But look ahead!”
I put Misha down and looked forward to see a swarm of Spirits of Chaos.
However, we didn't have time to deal with them one by one.
“We run.”
“Eh! Through them?”
“Is there any other way?”
They were already starting to notice us from all around and were slowly turning our way.
So, before we drew any more aggro, I quickly ran through them.
I didn't know what the situation was back there, so I had to be as fast as possible—
‘Fuck.’
I had been sprinting for about five minutes when, suddenly, my surroundings went dark.
It was a darkness so profound I couldn't see an inch in front of me.
“Bjorn, are you there?!”
“I’m here.”
Fortunately, I could hear her voice.
“Wh-What just happened?”
Instead of answering, I let out a deep sigh.
There was no need for analysis; the situation was clear.
「The Lord of Chaos Riakis has succeeded in absorbing the Power of Origin.」
「The field effect [Rift of Malice] is now active within a 5km radius.」
[Rift of Malice], Riakis’s instant-kill, party-wiping skill.
It seemed that bastard had finally eaten all the orbs.