My mind was blank and my vision was blurry.
Pain? Needless to say.
I felt like my whole body was being pricked and picked in salt water. All I wanted was to give up right then, but...
Be quiet.
I forced myself to dismiss those weak thoughts. When one is at a crossroads, one must choose:
What will you give up and what will you protect in return?
Stabbed!
Something sharp pierced my thigh.
I was fine. It wasn't an area that threatened my life at the moment.
However, the vampire was enraged with his prey, who would not die, no matter how many times he tore her apart.
"Kyaaaah!"
The vampire bastard's movements become more vicious. But what he had to do was clear.
By raising the cut shield, split in half and reduced in size, I managed to at least protect the vital points.
Crack!
The face of the shield, which couldn't stand the attack of a rank 5 monster, was torn off, leaving only the handle. Without even thinking, I raised my arms to protect my head.
Then...
Clang!
Something that wasn't a claw slammed into my head and shattered, hurling sharp fragments downwards.
[The essence of the Corpse Golem sees into the character's soul.]
The pain subsidies quickly.
[Pain resistance increases by 70.]
A new vitality enters a body that has reached its limit.
[The strength increases by 15.]
My eyes, which had been clouded as if I were looking through fog, began to clear. The first thing I saw were the vampire's sharp claws swinging from the arms that enclosed my head. As soon as I saw them, my subconscious conjured up the image of my severely arms. But what actually happened was completely different.
Raja!
The claws pierced the soft flesh with ease. However, that was all that was allowed.
Khak!
The claws were stopped by the bone and did not penetrate further.
Then I realized what this mysterious power was.
[Bone strength increases by 55.]
[Poison Resistance increases by 12.]
[Consciousness decreases by 5.]
[Appetite increases by 9.]
[The weight increases by 21.]
[The character's blood is now acidic due to the passive skill.....]
A feeling of relief and disappearance washed over me at the same time.
Did you give me the Essence of the Corpse Golem?
Because of this, my leveling method would have to be largely revised. However, looking at the present for the first time from a myopic perspective...
Things were very positive.
Now he had a better chance of surviving.
Jump!
I rolled backwards on the ground and jumped from the ground.
Was it the effect of pain tolerance? After the pain problem was resolved to a certain extent, there was nothing preventing me from moving.
But what about the Guardian's Essence? Since I ate the Corpse Golem's Essence, is it in play?
The thoughts that had suddenly crossed my mind were discarded. It was something I could think about later.
«Kyaaaah!»
Perhaps the sudden liveliness of his prey was intriguing, because the vampire lunged at me enthusiastically. I moved to avoid it, but what happened next was not much different from before.
Of course, it was impossible to defeat a rank 5 monster with a single rank 7 essence. The flesh shield, which at first was in dust on the ground, was now able to rise and move.
That's probably all that's changed.
Even at the self-deprecating evaluation, I smiled with satisfaction.
Stab! Slash! Khak!
The nails cut through the meat, tearing my intestines.
The potion I had sent to my stomach earlier had already been digested, so the rate of regeneration was hampered.
But it didn't matter.
The magician, who had remained passive all this time, must have realized that her life was also in danger, and began to throw away her entire fortune.
Clang!
A glass bottle was thrown away and shattered, spilling its contents onto my body.
[The body is regenerating rapidly due to the Recovery effect (Greater)].
Maybe it was a high class potion? It was obvious that it was of higher quality than the blonde's potion.
Chhhhhzz!
The wound began to heal faster than before.
I decided to throw myself at the vampire with more enthusiasm.
So what if my flesh is slashed and my muscles torn?
Anyway, everything would heal in a few seconds.
«Kyaaaaah!!!»
«AHH!!!»
I screamed as I was pushed back by the vampire, and proceeded with super hand-to-hand combat. There was no other option.
The hammer was far away, and the shield had turned into a pile of scrap metal.
«Kya, kayak?!»
Maybe you haven't met an explorer who used ground skills yet, because you were really startled when I jumped on his back like a cicada and strangled his neck.
Or maybe it just hurt?
«Kyaaaah!»
Smoke rose where flesh and flesh came into contact.
Chhhhhh!
It was impossible to know exactly if it was because of the acid in my blood touching his skin, or because of the smoke that came out when I cured my body with the potion.
But it didn't matter.
It was probably both.
Even in such a confrontational situation, another potion flew away and broke with a shocking sound.
[The body is regenerating rapidly due to the Recovery effect (Greater)].
Truly, there was a difference between potion and acid. At the same time as the potion broke, the suffocated vampire screamed louder and threw me out of it with ease. I could clearly feel the overwhelming difference between our forces.
But...
«Shit, it's no big deal, this bastard».
I was beginning to see a way out. In this current state, the barbarian immortality mode, he could survive a few minutes against this bastard.
Was sure.
«Bjorn! I'll help you!»
Even Ainar rejoined the battlefield.
«And Murad?»
«The doorman is taking care of him!»
The addition of Ainar worked even more positively.
I could take on the role of main tank consuming the potions, and when things got a little dangerous, Ainar could swing his sword to give me time to catch my breath.
The battle had become an easier step.
«Kyaaaah!»
«Ainar! Careful! The crows will fly soon!»
The moment Ainar took a big step back from my scream, the vampire's body turned into hundreds of crows and flew towards us. However, it was not enough for us, as we moved one step faster.
«Bjorn you are amazing! How did you know this was going to happen?»
Because that guy always squints before using that ability. More than a racial characteristic of all vampires, it seemed like a habit that only applied to this guy.
Now I could see the end.
«What a shame! Everyone held up very well! Hahaha!»
Soon, the dwarf, who had healed his wounds with a potion, rejoined the battlefield. He even brought the porter with him.
«From now on, I will help too».
«We will help you from the side!»
The role of main tank naturally became my continuing act. Not to mention the others were being cautious. They seemed to really think this was the most efficient.
The 3rd year scout dwarf warrior addressed the two month old barbarian scout,
«Bjorn, great warrior and son of Yandel! You are more than capable! Hahaha!»
He seemed to think it was a compliment, but...
It means I have to roll around like a dog until the end.
After all, there was no Use in my life. That was nothing new at this time.
«Behell-ahhhhhh!»
As the four of us faced a vampire in a formation centered around me, the moment I had been desperately waiting for arrived. A strange thought entered my mind.
It's done.
If that meant he had finished recovering his mana to cast the «Sunspot Sphere», and even the «Attribute Strengthening»...
That meant everything was finally in place. In other words, it was time to end this long fight and get out of here.
I can use magic at any time.
The moment I heard his confirmation, I screamed loudly,
«Die! Now! Use 'Lightning Release'!»
An order given without a single prior discussion, much less a strategy.
However, the dwarf immediately executed my instructions without making any comments.
Zzz, Zzzzz!
A yellow light flashed on the dwarf's hammer and sparks began to fly out.
[Hikurod Murad has released [Lightning]].
The ability of the rank 7 monster, Illatrek. Its effect allowed a strong current to flow through a part of the body. In that state, the dwarf prepared his low hammer as if preparing for an ascending blow.
«Everyone, you better stay back for a while! Hahaha!»
After a brief warning, the dwarf brandished his hammer into the air with all his might.
Too far from the target? Those details didn't matter.
[Hikurod Murad has released [Release]].
«Release» was one of «Transformation»'s rare abilities in Dungeon & Stone. Its effect allowed Qi acquired through other abilities to shoot out of the body.
Wooooom-!
The electric current from the hammer shot out like a cannonball in the shape of a sphere and...
Exploded. Literally.
Bang, bang, bang!
Compared to sound, his physical power was weak.
No craters were made in the ground, no vampire limbs were torn off, or anything like that.
However...
[Vampire Duke Cambormere has fallen into an [Unconscious] state].
The core of this combo was not its power in the first place. In an instant, the dwarf left the rank 5 monster in a groggy state and turned around to send a signal...
In a very analog method.
«Raven–!!!!»
Fortunately, the signal was transmitted well, and a strong light immediately condensed on a roof 200 meters away.
I hurriedly took out the object I had hidden in my boots.
It was a small jewel the size of a fingernail, «Tears of a Goddess». Even in the midst of so many crises, I had waited and waited to use it right for this moment.
Sprint.
With the object in my hand, I ran.
And, after putting it in the vampire's mouth...
Smack!
I hit him with a high blow as hard as I could to close it.
Crunch!
There was the sound of something breaking and, soon, a pure white glow erupted from his mouth.
[The [Tears of a Goddess] have been destroyed.]
[[Grace] has fallen at the place of destruction.]
[By [Grace], all of Vampire Duke Cambormere's resistances are temporarily suppressed, and great damage is dealt].
Blood gushed from the vampire's lips like a fountain. It seemed fine on the outside, but its interior seemed to be shattered.
It was amazing.
So, one object wasn't enough, huh.
[Due to the strong shock, Vampire Duke Cambormere's [Unconscious] state has progressed to [Paralysis]].
His unconscious state was over, and the vampire's fingers began to twitch.
Not yet? Can't wait any longer...
The moment I turned my head after that thought...
[Arua Raven has cast a rank 6 attack magic [Sunspot Sphere]].
A dazzling sphere glowing black flew past my nose.
The regrets came later.
Boom!
Damn, I should have bounced sooner.
***
[The character has been hit by the explosion of the [Sunspot Sphere] and has fallen into [Unconscious] state.]
[Vampire Duke Cambormere has released [Share Pain].]
[Hikurod Murad has fallen into a [Unconscious] state.]
[Ainar Fenelin has fallen into [Unconscious] state .....]
***
Beee—–p!
A buzz echoed in my head like a terrestrial wave television channel after the national anthem. And through the hum, I could hear a conversation.
A conversation like a comic sketch on television.
«How can a butcher sell cooked meat!»
«No! This is raw meat!»
«How can cooked meat be raw meat!»
«But...»
Hearing their conversation, I opened my eyes.
«Is he alive?»
A dark sky appeared. I could smell the cooked meat through my nose.
Did the smell come from my body?
«Krg.....»
When I opened my mouth, there was a scratching sound coming from my parched throat. Apparently my ears were fine too. I decided to think only about the positive as much as possible.
«Krggh! Agh!»
«Sunspot Sphere»: An attack magic with solar properties combined with fire and sacred properties. Naturally, its power was weaker than its equivalent, «Fireball».
That was the lucky part for me. If not, I really could have found my creator at that time.
But why is it so quiet...?
Trapped by the explosion of the «Sunspot Sphere», I had temporarily fainted. That was clear, but I lacked information to understand the current situation.
Why haven't I been cured yet and why can't I hear anything around me?
«.....»
I clung to the ground with my hands wet from the discharge from my wounds and stood up. Then, I forced my eyes to focus and looked forward.
First, I saw the vampire bastard.
«Fuck».
Why was he alive?
Of course, it was also in poor condition. Both arms were torn off, and bones were visible through the torn upper chest. He didn't even seem conscious.
But...
[Vampire Duke Cambormere's regeneration power is greatly increased by the [Eternal Life] effect].
Even at this moment, his wounds were healing. Taking into account that regeneration was proportional to the resistance lost, it would not take long for his chest to heal and his torn arms to grow back.
«Fuck, fuck...»
I looked around and saw several people collapsed. The dwarf, Ainar, the goalkeeper's bastard.
I had the feeling that the magician, which I saw on the roof in the distance, was in the same state...
I was confused.
What kind of crazy scenario was this?
Why had everyone passed out after we caught the bastard?
What the hell had happened while I was away?
It seemed like it hadn't even been that long.
All kinds of questions arose, but...
I decided to put them all aside and took a step with my foot motionless.
Walk.
He still couldn't accept the current situation.
But only one thing was very clear.
What should I do now?
Walk.
Vampire Duke Cambormere. I needed to get rid of him before he came to his senses.
Other than that, there is no answer.
No matter how rich a wizard is, his number of potions is not infinite. In fact, it would no longer be possible to use the same strategy of keeping my body on potions.
In fits and starts.
So I staggered forward.
A pain that penetrates even pain resistance? Ignoring him, I stretched out my steak-smelling legs in front of me.
Walk.
Pain is a sign to live. At least, that's what I thought.
It's not that there wasn't a time when I thought otherwise, but for now it is.
So I kept walking.
Walk.
As I got closer, even this vampire bastard smelled like roast meat. I relaxed my knees and fell on top of him.
«You damn bastard.....»
The scar on his chest, deep enough to show bone, had already fleshed out enough as I walked here.
I couldn't help but curse him.
A slap!
So I punched his chest with my fist.
A vampire's weakness was the heart. Even if their brains were broken, these bastards could be revived as long as their hearts were intact.
Ah, that's why they ripped off this bastard's arms. Did he block the «Sunspot Sphere» with his arms?
I could imagine the brief scene in my head, but as usual, I let the image disappear.
Hit!
And I punched again.
The void left by the team was felt now more than ever. But if you don't have teeth, you have to chew with your gums.
A slap!
He didn't even know where the mace was, and the shield had long since turned into a piece of trash and was lying somewhere. Of course, Ainar's greatsword and the dwarf's battle hammer were on the ground...
It didn't occur to me to pick them up.
I wouldn't even have had the strength to pick them up.
As I struck with my fists, the seams of the wrinkled, pierced half armor tore and fell to the ground.
My 360,000 stones...
Looking at the half armor that had corroded here and there due to acid blood, it seemed like repairs would be difficult. Although it was something else that really screwed up my head.
«Cursed be everything».
It was like pouring water into a strainer.
No matter how much he hit him, nothing changed.
Why the hell were his ribs so tough? He had thought that if he kept hitting him, it would break and eventually stab his heart.
Okay, next plan.
I always liked having a plan B because my plans A had rarely been successful.
Thanks to my twisted luck, in everything I do, in the end I always manage to screw up.
But I had never done this...
... Does it go like this?
Erwen said it's important to imagine it accurately.
Meat explosion.
Well, it works.
Boom!
The hand placed on the man's chest exploded.
Although the explosive power was not very great, the acidic substances mixed with the flesh and blood had slightly dented the vampire's chest.
Although that was quickly cured...
Anyway, I didn't expect it to be a one-time thing.
Successively, I launched [Flesh Burst].
Around the tenth explosion,
Boom! Boom! Boom!
My left hand was completely destroyed.
But due to the increase in bone strength, the bone was intact and only the flesh disappeared, as if I were some kind of skeleton.
Anyway, he couldn't use his left hand anymore.
Then it was the turn of the right hand.
Even though I knew it was crazy, I kept casting the spell mentally.
Placing his right hand on the vampire's chest,
'Meat explosion, meat explosion, meat explosion...'
I continued to blow it up.
All the while, I ignored the pain by breaking, reaching, and smashing the peak as much as possible.
I felt like I was going to die, but I wasn't doing this to die.
He was going to survive. Whatever happened, happened.
Boom!
And after eight more pitches,
I was staggering.
I just need a few more...
[Warning: The character's health is below 1%. If not treated in time, the character will die.]
I felt it instinctively.
I had reached a point where I could no longer bear this pain with just my mental strength. I had to stop.
Otherwise, it would be possible to kill a vampire pup, but I would die too.
While that intuition was emerging, rationality judged:
If I'm going to die anyway...
I couldn't stop.