Episode 556: First Clear (1)
Bellarios.
A level 3 monster with a skill specializing in magic damage defense, which was my only weakness.
The basic stats of this essence are as follows.
Exorcism +200.
A level of high exorcism that cannot be found in any other monster.
and….
All attribute sensitivity +30.
water, fire, wind, earth, etc. The sensitivity that amplifies the efficiency of any skill of any attribute.
‘This is everything.’
These two stats attached to Bellarios are all.
In the first place, adding something more would make the balance weird.
‘It sucks.’
It’s something I always feel, but I wonder what it would have been like if tolerance had been added instead of sensitivity.
Of course, sensitivity itself is incredibly valuable and a very important stat in this game, but…
I don’t know if I raised Flame Baba or Earth Baba.
Unfortunately, there is little use for Shield Baba.
‘I think the one that applies now is Stormgash.’
[Eye of the storm], which was classified as a wind attribute, and [Origin], a water attribute. The performance of these two skills would have increased a little more due to the sensitivity.
It’s a skill that will be erased someday, so it doesn’t mean much.
‘…The important thing is skill.’
It’s a pity that the stats didn’t have a pair of stats or resistance values, but considering the skills, there was nothing to be greatly disappointed about.
Because it’s enough to fill the stats.
(P) Ring of Cycle — When a monster of rank 3 or higher dies within the radius, there is a chance that the stat will increase.
A passive that increases stats.
In some ways, it is similar to Manticore’s [Genetic], where stats increase when consuming magic stones, but there is a crucial difference.
There is no limit to [Circulation Ring].
Well, as the stats increase, the chance of activation decreases, so it hardly goes up after the total exceeds 400.
anyway.
(A) Scales of Greed — Adds an additional modifier proportional to Exorcism.
After all, the essence of this essence is active.
‘35 from Deep Sea Giant, 20 from Bayon, 80 from Ogre, 200 from Bellarios.’
What I got by erasing [Genetic] here is 40.
And the 8 that I took as an elixir going around the rift…
‘Total 383.’
But it doesn’t end here.
If you add 30% to 383 with Earth Dragon Blessing…
‘497.9.’
Unfortunately, the number is slightly less than 500.
One more reason why [Giantness] is a core skill appears here.
Well, in the first place, the earth dragon blessing didn’t even exist in the Shield Baba fostering method.
“The character has cast [Giant].”
「The character’s physique increases, and the threat and body values increase in proportion to the size.」
I didn’t bother to [transcend] gigantic, and I didn’t make the stats pop once more with [wild eruption].
This should have already exceeded 500.
“The character has cast [Scale of Greed].”
As soon as the skill was used, blue scales sprouted over the barbarian’s unique thick skin.
“Oh oh! Bjorn evolves into Lizardman!”
It’s sad that he’s a Lizardman.
I looked down at the body that had changed in an instant and smiled.
「The character’s exorcism is over 500.」
「All magic damage received is reduced by 50%.」
「Physical resistance increases in proportion to the magic damage absorbed.」
Finally got the barbarian dragon mode.
***
Eating the essence and using the skill myself, I was thrilled for a while.
“I heartily congratulate you on your achievement, Baron. However, I would like to resume the mission for now.”
With Jerome’s words that upset the atmosphere, I had to be dragged back to the hunting ground.
Whoa, who isn’t an idiot who only knows the mission?
It was a bit nasty, but considering the efficiency, it wasn’t such a bad thing.
“Bantao has been defeated.”
「You have killed the Elder Wyvern.」
“I defeated Fleetwinder…”
Now, the more level 3 monsters you catch, the better.
Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-!
When I catch about seven of them, an angel ring forms over my head and pulls in the glow that disappeared after being defeated.
It was the effect when [Circulation Ring] was activated.
It wasn’t surprising since I’d seen it work on Auyen a few times.
「Permanently increases Exorcism by +1.」
“Natural regeneration is permanently increased by +1.”
But there is no system message, so I don’t know what’s up. From now on, I’ll have to periodically go to the Mage’s Tower to check my stats.
The physical stats would have gone up with a high probability.
‘It might have been a bit dangerous this time, but let’s stick closer from now on.’
There is an activation mechanism in [Circulation Ring].
If the defeated monster is within a radius of 1m, the probability of increasing physical stats increases significantly, and if it is within a radius of 5m, it is completely random.
There is a research result that if you fall more than 10m radius, you receive a probability correction of stats related to abilities.
Oh, of course I did the research.
“Pause! Team 3 and Temporary Team 4 alternate their duties with Teams 1 and 2!”
how long has it been like that
Before long, the headquarters ordered a shift.
The expression of all the knights who opened the nogari at that order brightened, but I was an exception.
‘Ah… I just want to keep building stats here.’
When will there be a situation where you can catch such a large amount of level 3 or higher monsters again?
I want to suck honey whenever possible when I am with the exploration team.
but….
“The baron may not know much about it, since he has no experience in leading an army, but discipline is discipline. It must be kept.”
Commander Jerome cut off my request with a single stroke.
Is it that once a precedent remains, there will always be people who use it?
I didn’t think I would be able to find flexibility that I didn’t have to look into further, so I had no choice but to soothe my regrets and turn away.
Perong! Kwaaaang-! Pazu Zu-!
After leaving the stone gate and carrying books to and from the tall bookshelves, I could clearly see the battle unfolding below.
Whoa-!
The colorful auras drawn by the knights.
Shaaaaaaaa!
Throughout the battle, as the priest’s heal poured over a wide area, the knights swung their swords without fear of injury.
and in such a state.
“Ihiliat Bendai Tiulon!”
Dozens of wizards unleash joint magic and pour out powerful firepower.
It was also the reason why he acquired this essence early, even going so far as to set aside his plan to save the fountain pen to the end.
Because you have to prepare for the worst.
‘Even though there are many wizards, there are too many.’
If they suddenly turn into my enemies, I decided that it would be difficult to respond properly in the current state.
‘If it’s now… I’ll be able to counterattack at least.’
Huh, in that sense, I have to feed Essence to Amelia as well.
It’s a bit awkward to write with a fountain pen that is left over.
If I wait, will you be lucky enough to come out?
“Mister, what are you thinking?”
“Why are you always so curious about my thoughts?”
“Ahaha… is that so? Why…?”
“There is no thread…”
After that, as I continued to think about this and that and carry the books, the shift time came again, and the day was over by the time I shifted again.
And how many more times did that day repeat?
Day 114 after entering the labyrinth.
4 pm.
At that time, only 8 hours left until the rainy season.
“…Commander, we have now reached the last bookshelf.”
The end of the library attack has arrived.
***
I’m honestly a little surprised.
I never thought it would be possible to get to the end contents of the library in just a week.
A speed incomparable to those of us who ended up in the 3rd and 2nd ranks even after hunting for over a month.
However, there are still excuses.
Because they were not hunting, but attacking.
Unlike us, who caught as many level 3 monsters as possible, the exploration team took out and summoned only one book per floor, increasing the number of floors.
and the result.
“Until another order is given, the entire army is free to rest and stand by!”
The royal army, which never stopped summoning until late at night, was the first to stop all missions and order the crew to rest.
Oh, of course the leaders were an exception.
“Then let’s start the meeting now.”
While everyone was resting and recovering their stamina and MP, all the leaders, including me, gathered in one place to participate in the meeting.
All of them had dark expressions.
I knew from Hamsik that there was a level 1 monster in the last book, but…
they’re not
“I did it by chance, but a rank 1 monster actually appeared on the last bookshelf.”
The voice of the deputy commander in charge of the meeting is cold and trembles slightly.
Of course, that doesn’t change what you have to do.
“I would like to tell you in advance, but the commander has made a decision to continue the mission even if the opponent is a first-class monster.”
It was a word that was expected in the heart, but there was a moment of agitation among the leaders of the exploration force who heard it.
“A first-class monster… It is certain that it will suffer extreme damage.”
“I wonder if it’s worth that much.”
I fully understand their feelings.
In fact, coming this far is not without sacrifice.
“Commander, seven people have already died in battle…!”
Seven people were killed during the battle.
Six of them are knights from the Exploration Army.
One was a warrior belonging to the Armin Exploration Team.
That’s because no matter how many priests there are, they can’t use their hands if they die instantly.
‘It’s not uncommon for limbs to fly off these days.’
In fact, even in the previous summoning book, two 2nd grade and four 3rd grade came out, and now, instead of dividing groups, all of them participated in the battle.
Even so, more than twenty limbs were blown off in that battle.
Although the priest attached them all after the battle was over.
Even in this situation, what would happen if a first-class monster appeared?
“If more damage is taken here, it might not be a big loss for the royal family—.”
Soon, a knight expressed concern and posted a direct statement, but Commander Jerome cut it off at once.
“stop.”
“…”
“It is a mission given by the holy royal family. So we have to do that mission. Even if there are sacrifices along the way.”
As befits an army where top-down is the rule, the knight who was expressing his anxiety shut his mouth when Jerome spoke clearly.
The deputy commander, who was noticing this, resumed the meeting.
“Whether or not to proceed with the mission is not on the agenda for this meeting.”
Jerome, who had already decided to fight, summoned all the commanders and held a meeting for only one reason.
“Among the currently identified seven species of monsters, please feel free to give your opinion on which one should be summoned.”
What would be the most rational to summon?
When the meeting started in earnest, various opinions came out from all over the place, and I silently listened and evaluated one by one.
“I think Leviathan is the best choice. Isn’t this the sea? Since it is a monster that has been given a lot of topographical advantages, it is considered that the difficulty of attacking it will be relatively low.”
First of all, Leviathan is the wrong choice.
The evidence is plausible, but it’s not a combination that can catch Leviathan in the first place.
“How about Tol-Lapupa? Since it’s a monster that specializes in defense, I think it’s the best option to catch without taking much damage if you invest a lot of time.”
Therefore, this is also dismissal.
Even though there are many knights, after all, the core dealer of this exploration force is a wizard.
With this combination, you will never be able to pierce his shell.
“I think it’s right to summon Kashan—”
“well. I think Ridger is a much better opponent than Kashan.”
Since then, the top leaders have had conversations, such as expressing various opinions, sometimes contradicting or agreeing with each other and encouraging each other.
Of course, it looked the same to me.
Level 1 monsters have only been heard about, and since those who have caught them in person are no different from legendary monsters, it is less realistic to suggest that they are grounded.
‘In the end, should I step in?’
Even if it’s a story in the game, I’ve caught 1st grade monsters countless times.
From my point of view, this meeting was meaningless.
It can be seen just by looking at the discussion centering on who to catch to minimize the damage.
No one is thinking of failure.
Seriously, I think I can catch any of the seven species summoned…
“Come to think of it, the baron hasn’t said anything since before?”
“…Me?”
“Does the baron have any opinions?”
Oh, that.
Actually, I didn’t know when to talk about it, but he even laid a mat on his own.
“there is.”
At my words, the leaders who participated in the meeting showed great interest and focused on me.
“If you summon one, it must be Kashan.”
At that direct statement, the heads of the leadership flashed their eyes.
“You mean the wolf of the prophecy?”
“As expected, the baron is of the same opinion as me.”
Someone had a look of surprise, and someone was satisfied that they agreed with him.
and….
“If you’ll excuse me, could you explain why it has to be Kashan?”
The first-ranked magician in the exploration group asked me with a gaze looking down somewhere.
Just like a mindless barbarian.
‘This guy was on the side of summoning Leviathan.’
Soon the old wizard looked at me and said as if admonishing me.
“Kashan is the most aggressive individual among the aforementioned monsters. It is certain that our expeditionary force will suffer great damage as well.”
Well, pretending to master everything just because you used magic well and studied a little bit.
“But if there is a reason why you must choose Kashan over other monsters, please tell me. If you can’t convince everyone—.”
“There is a reason.”
“…huh?”
I don’t know if he’s surprised when I ask why this old man first and he replies that there is a reason.
I spoke quickly.
“Toll-lapupago, Leviathan and what. We have no options.”
“…what do you mean by that?”
What are you talking about?
“Because he’s the only one we can catch in the first place.”
It means that the rest are dead and can’t be caught even if they wake up.
