STGB Chapter 523

Episode 523: Island of Giants (2)

Two ships advance through the silver water.

Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Our ship leading the way, and the Armin Exploration Team’s ship following.

The destination was decided there after much thought.

The very island on which someone from Clan Hetz sent a rescue request through the community.

The reason why I chose this island as my first destination is simple.

‘I can get an unpaid slave, so there’s no reason not to go.’

The case is completely different from the Armin Exploration Team.

The first goal of the explorers who will be trapped on the island is survival. By now, he should have been determined to do anything as long as he could return to the city.

‘Besides, that island is also a place that I will eventually have to explore someday.’

The first basement floor here is a very unusual layer.

Like the library, and the tree island that existed a while ago. The difficulty level rises endlessly.

‘Even in Namu Island, 4th grade monsters started appearing.’

By the way, at that time we were less than halfway up the island of Tree, so maybe there will be level 1 monsters in the future.

Therefore, it is necessary to further increase the number of people.

There is a high probability that you will be able to get clues about escaping by clearing all the end contents of any island.

“Auyen, how far do we have left to our destination?”

“If the route I heard from the navigator is correct, it’s about nine hours ahead. Captain.”

“Right.”

The remaining time until the destination was spent thinking about how to distribute the number of people and form formations when the number of people increased.

It was about three hours later.

“mister! Exploration team’s ship! Go, it’s sinking!”

A problem occurred.

***

The situation was sudden enough.

However, to explorers, an unexpected situation is nothing but a daily occurrence.

“Erwen! Tell me about the situation over there!”

“Something is pulling the boat under the sea!”

“Is it a monster?”

“I don’t know! What came out looked like a human hand… … .”

Erwen shouted, looking down from the observatory.

“It’s so big!”

“Like that giant I saw on that island?”

“yes!”

What is it, are you really that guy?

If that’s true, it’s kind of ironic.

When the rainy season is over, he didn’t even show his nose, so I thought he would appear in the middle of the sea.

“Captain! Turning the bow will take some time!”

“Okay, hurry up as much as you can. And Erwen! Can I apply?”

“I’ll try!”

After receiving my instructions, Erwen pulled the string of an arrow from the top of the observatory.

and… … .

「Erwen Fornaci di Tercia cast [Concentrated Fire].」

An aura that grows stronger as time passes.

Unfortunately, full charging was not possible.

“Uh, uh… … ?”

“The boat, the boat is flying… … !!”

As if something were pulling it, the half-submerged exploration team’s ship rises into the air.

A huge hand sticking out of the water holding the sides of the boat and holding it up.

It was a very unrealistic sight, but for some reason, I expected the next scene in my head.

‘no way… Are you trying to throw it in that state?’

I couldn’t tell.

Perhaps seeing the same scene as me, Erwen finished charging and let go of the bowstring.

Fish woo woo woo woo-!

Spirit poetry that shoots out with a blast sound like a jet flying.

Aaaaaaaang-!

Soon, the arrow accurately pierced the wrist holding the ship.

and… … .

[Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!]

The cry of the boy hiding under the sea vibrates through the water beneath the surface.

Resonance strong enough to be transmitted through the underside of a ship facing the sea.

Whoops-!

Soon after, the guy startled and let go of his hand, and the boat, which had lost its support, tilted and fell to the surface.

However, did you usually invest a lot in ships?

Even in a situation where it would not be strange for a normal ship to sink as it is, the expedition team’s ship stood up again, balancing itself like an ottogi.

‘Is it like putting out an urgent fire… … .’

Of course, it was too early to be relieved.

Because he didn’t look like someone who would run away after being hit with an arrow.

A second attack is sure to come soon.

“Emily! This is the diving situation I was talking about last time!”

“Okay, I’ll prepare it, so go!”

We had mocked and practiced this situation in advance, so there was no need to communicate for a long time.

I immediately stepped on the deck and jumped high.

and… … .

“The character cast [Transcendence].”

“The character has cast [Giant].”

Activate Transcendent Colossalization right before falling into the sea.

Aaaaaang!

As soon as the body touches the surface, there is a roar like a cannonball dropping, and water rushes in all directions.

Cancer, diving should be like this.

“…….”

immediately after entering the water.

The body of the barbarian, clad in iron armor, quickly sank.

Also, a darkness that seems to have come from the depths of the sea hangs over the surroundings.

Of course, that time was only for a moment.

Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-!

Dozens of light spheres summoned by Versil descend to the bottom of the sea and illuminate all directions.

Well, I’m still on the dark side though.

‘Where can I see it?’

The sea of ​​archives was different from the normal sea.

The silvery color of the water is completely different from the blue color.

No, it’s hard to see that it’s actually water.

As a result of the experiment, the Elemental Barbarian (Water) mode did not apply here.

It must be something with properties similar to water.

「Versil Gowland cast the 7th grade magic [Oxygen Cylinder].」

Fortunately, the typical diving magic of [Dungeon and Stone] also worked here in the sea.

Well, is it strange that it doesn’t work?

Unlike Erwen’s ‘Water Breathing’ judgment, this magic is of the type where ‘oxygen supply’ is the key.

In fact, even in the game, it was possible to counter something like poison to the respiratory system with this magic—.

coo-!

Then my feet touched the ground.

When I saw the giant stretch out his hand, I roughly expected it, but as expected, he wasn’t very pensive.

Tadat.

As soon as we run towards the huge outline visible in the distance, the shape gradually becomes clear.

Hipramagent.

He looked exactly the same as when we briefly met on the island before.

two arms and two legs.

A long neck and a head hanging over it.

The overall ratio is not much different from that of a person… … .

Rotten skin that looks like it’s infested with maggots.

Strange wart-like hives also sprouted.

Also eyes, nose, ears, etc.

There are no facial features that a human being should have, and only a huge mouth with hideous teeth sprouting in the place where the face should be.

‘The head looks like that.’

At that time, it was hidden in the dark and I couldn’t see it.

‘Even though I turned on transcendent gigantism, I thought it would only be about the size of my thighs.’

Oh, is this guy also turned on [Giant]?

But anyways.

In the case of Riakis, the lord of chaos, it was unrealistic because he walked on quadrupeds, but seeing him walking on two legs at that size, it felt unrealistic.

but… … .

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen a barbarian.’

Curiously, it seems to be the same.

When I see you staring at me like that while standing blankly.

Tadat.

Dashing forward, stepping hard on the mud-like ground.

And swing the hammer at the Achilles part of the guy.

Poo-!

Jeop, I even used [Swing], but he doesn’t even flinch.

He was tougher than expected, but there were no major problems.

As I hoped, the aggro was properly attracted.

[Uuuuuuuuuuu-!!]

It no longer showed interest in the boat floating on the water.

Just focus all your attention on the enemy who becomes a ‘threat’.

He lets out a zombie-like cry and slaps his palms.

‘How fast is the attack speed?’

I don’t know if it’s outside.

It was underwater, so it was difficult to avoid it in a slow motion.

Therefore, raise your shield high and guard.

Aaaaaang-!

The ground he was standing on sank into a hole and he was buried up to his waist, but he did not take much damage. If I get hit a few more times, I feel like my back hurts like it’s about to break.

‘Is his strength average compared to his body size?’

Of course, this is a story based on level 2 monsters. At this level, even among the 3rd ranks, one physical attack deal is comparable to the ogre, which is rated as the highest peak.

‘The problem is the skill… … .’

There were three of this guy’s skills recorded in the village chief’s book, including [Giantness].

but… … .

‘There must be more.’

From level 3 monsters, there are a lot of guys with only five or six active skills.

In the first place, in this case, the passive was not revealed.

‘What is a passive skill?’

I hope it’s the kind of skill that Shield Baba can use—.

「You have cast the 3rd class time-space magic [Designate target].」

Aaaaaang-!

Then he kicked me like he was kicking a soccer ball, so my body floated upwards.

Of course it wasn’t that high.

To compare it to a ball, I am a ball full of sand.

cooong.

A body that lands in a gentle parabola.

At that time, support continued even on the water.

「Versil Gowland has cast the 4th grade detection magic [Soul Contour].」

First of all, the [outline of the soul].

It was a magic that was especially useful on the 6th floor with the sea as the background.

After casting this spell, you can see the figure clearly above the water even if you are hiding under the sea.

It seems that way to my eyes now.

[Uh uh uh uh uh-!]

As if looking through a thermal imaging camera, the giant glows in a variety of colors.

As soon as the target was confirmed, various ranged attacks poured down on the water.

「Charlotte Amblot cast the 4th grade attack magic [Spiral Awl].」

「Mul Armin cast [Eternal Weakness].」

“Garton Kurtner cast a [catapult]… … .」

「…….」

Seeing that there are a lot of skills I haven’t seen, most of them seem to be the skills of the Armin Exploration Team… … .

‘Well, it’s because we don’t have enough range.’

Only Erwen and Bersil are capable of ranged attacks.

Somehow, everything else is melee.

This is an area that needs to be gradually improved.

[Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu-!!!]

It lets out a ferocious roar at the attack pouring down from above the water.

Seeing this, I unknowingly swallowed my saliva.

Before we have yet to properly match the number of members of the expedition team. I never even dreamed of having an underwater battle like this.

but… … .

‘I have no choice but to try.’

It was a car that was determined to start the raid in earnest.

[Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu-!!]

A giant I need to look up to for a long time.

It is hard to believe that he came out of that physique and started running at a speed.

“……?”

I looked at it with empty eyes.

Cooong, cooong, cooong-!

Stretching out his long legs, he was running.

on the opposite side of where I am.

***

‘escape… I hit… … ?’

At first, I wondered if it was a preparatory move for some kind of skill.

However, the guy who ran away and disappeared in an instant showed no sign of returning no matter how much time passed.

‘… … What is this?’

I don’t understand at all.

That’s right, my current threat level is not at a level where aggro can be released even for level 2 monsters.

Of course, like goblins, monsters also give up fighting and run away when their health is low or they feel threatened to die, but… … .

‘It was before I even put in a deal… … .’

What is it really, that bastard?

He’s big, but does he have the trait of being a jerk?

Ever since I came down to the first basement floor, phenomena that cannot be explained by my common sense in the labyrinth have been discovered almost every day.

‘… Let’s go up first.’

I wrapped myself in a specially made exploration rope provided by the ship and pulled me down three times before pulling me up from above.

outside like that again.

“mister! Are you okay?”

As I climbed onto the deck and wiped off the water with the towel Amelia gave me, Erwen came running.

“Don’t worry. Because there are no injuries anywhere.”

“It is a peculiar object… … .”

“We’ll talk about the guy who ran away later. what’s the situation over there? How hurt are you?”

“Ah, that… … ! I wasn’t in a situation to talk about that… … .”

The distance between the two ships wasn’t too far, so I just released [Giant] and jumped over.

“Me, Baron?! Are you all right!”

“Ah, it’s okay. What about you?”

“We are all fine too. but… Because the ship is like this, it will be difficult to navigate until it is anchored and properly repaired.”

“That’s it. Don’t worry, it’s just a matter of getting over to our ship.”

“ah… … . thank you.”

After that, we continued our voyage with the members of the lost expedition team on board.

Even though our ship is classified as a medium-sized ship in its own way, we couldn’t help but feel cramped with 27 people on board.

‘… … What if the number of people increases later?’

At that time, I must have had more ships.

As I was thinking about that, Mule Armin approached me and bowed once more.

“Thank you very much, Baron. What would have happened if we had crossed this sea by ourselves… … . I don’t even want to think about it.”

It seemed that this happening had a big impact on Muhl’s change of heart.

“Haha, what kind of thanks are you saying to your colleagues?”

I laughed heartily and thought to myself.

‘Do you think it will follow even if the conditions are lowered?’

Well, it’s kind of like that now though.

Look at the situation later and speak up—.

“mister!! Hey, they’re giants! Giants are rushing towards us!!”

“… huh?”

Upon hearing the news from the observatory, I hurried to the deck.

Without even turning on [Giant], I saw giants approaching at high speed from far away.

Perhaps because the depth was shallow, only the fish’s mouth-like face was floating on the water… … .

‘This isn’t even Gyarados.’

First, I counted the number of floating heads.

one two three four five six… … .

seven… … .

By the way, among them there was a guy who ran away after fighting with us earlier. He alone was marked all the way down with the [Soul Outline].

‘Did I run away to call a friend?’

No way, I would have thought it was an individual living in a group.

Apart from obtaining new information, I hurriedly came to my senses and shouted.

[Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu——!!!]

“Auyen! Hit all the magic stones into the thrusters!”

It should pop out right away.