Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 6

I’m snoring right now.

I’m imagining a barbarian who’s completely passed out after a hard day, and I’m really getting into it.

Zzzzzzzzz!

…Hmm, was that a bit much?

I’m slightly worried, but then I hear a snicker.

“…You really are a fascinating species.”

It seems like it worked out well.

It’s probably less about my acting skills and more about the racial advantage.

The common perception is that barbarians are simple and stupid.

That’s why I always act like a barbarian, even when it’s not about a demonic issue.

It’s a kind of ‘hiding a knife behind a smile’.

Like hiding a knife behind a smile, I use the prejudice that I’m innocent as a weapon to see through their intentions.

…That sounds a bit chuunibyou-ish [a Japanese term for someone with grandiose delusions].

In the end, to put it simply, it’s easier to test their true intentions.

Just like this.

Zzzzzzzzz!

I even scratch my belly and curl up to the side for a more realistic performance.

At the same time, I’m listening intently, focusing all my attention on the old man’s movements.

After showing this much of an opening, if he has any ulterior motives, he’ll act on them soon.

Or he’ll just keep sleeping.

Honestly, I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep in this state.

“Bjorn, it’s your shift.”

Ah, damn… I really didn’t think I wouldn’t get any sleep.

“Don’t let your guard down just because goblins haven’t appeared so far. They’re cunning creatures.”

As if he doesn’t trust me, the old man indirectly tells me to keep a proper watch, and then he lies down comfortably like before.

And he falls asleep again in less than 5 minutes.

A sense of futility washes over me.

I should have just slept. What the hell was I doing for two hours?

Damn it.

Is it because there’s a stranger next to me?

Even though I’ve decided he’s trustworthy, I can’t seem to fall asleep.

If I had known it would be like this, I would have been better off taking a nap alone while being careful of goblins.

At least I would have been able to sleep a little.

“Hoo…”

I feel like I’m going to die from exhaustion.

Maybe it’s because the old man is sleeping, but I’m even sleepier.

Still, it’s my turn, so I’m trying hard to chase away the sleepiness by thinking about other things, when someone calls me.

“Bjorn, wake up.”

“…I wasn’t sleeping.”

“How about wiping the drool from your mouth before you say that?”

I rub my hand over my mouth and it’s actually wet.

“You didn’t even snore, probably because you were sleeping standing up.”

It seems like I really did sleep.

It was only for a short time, with 10 minutes left before the shift change, but still.

…My heart sinks.

However, there’s something I need to do before blaming my own complacency.

I apologized honestly.

“I’m sorry.”

It’s not me pretending to be a barbarian, it’s genuine.

Night companions are a kind of transactional relationship. But even though the old man provided a safe environment during his watch, I didn’t do the same.

It’s only right to apologize.

Even if it’s just to avoid becoming the kind of person I hate the most.

“…Luckily, there were no problems while you were sleeping, so I won’t say anything.”

“Thank you. You can sleep more if you want. I’ll take another watch.”

“No, I can’t do that. It’s your turn to sleep. Give me back the clock.”

He could have blamed me, but the old man forgave me with a kind smile.

So, I didn’t refuse any further and went back to my spot and curled up.

As expected, I couldn’t fall asleep.

I felt a deep respect for the old man and all the other explorers. Trusting a person you’ve just met and entrusting your life to them is an everyday thing for them?

They must be incredibly bold.

No matter how much I think about it, it’s something I can’t do.

For that reason, I inevitably made snoring sounds like before.

Zzzzzzzzz!

I couldn’t help it.

Sorry, old man, but for some reason, I’m starting to see you as more suspicious.

Zzzzzzzzz!

The fact that he has a kind face like a con artist.

The fact that he was the one who first suggested not looking for other members.

The fact that he didn’t complain about me smelling.

Those things don’t matter.

Just now, the old man didn’t blame me for falling asleep.

He even refused the offer to sleep more.

Of course, I could just be a crazy bastard, and this old man could just be a kind person.

But I’m most suspicious of kind bastards.

‘Because it’s always those kinds of bastards who hit me hard in the back of the head.’

If it were the old me, this would be the perfect time to let my guard down.

I won’t make the same mistake.

That’s a matter of intelligence.

Zzzzzzzzz!

If I’m so suspicious, wouldn’t it be better to end things here and part ways?

Even while thinking this, I snored.

How much time passed after that?

Click.

A small, but foreign sound emerges.

A buckle on a backpack? A belt? Or maybe the heel of a shoe?

I couldn’t even pinpoint where the sound came from.

But at the same time as recognizing it, my barbarian body autonomously makes an interpretation.

It’s dangerous.

Is this the killing intent they talk about in martial arts novels?

Goosebumps rise on my skin.

Immediately, I open my eyes and check the front.

“You’re awake.”

The old man is still smiling kindly.

With a two-handed hammer covered in goblin blood and flesh raised above his head.

What the fuck…

Evade!

The judgment made by my body, trained as a warrior, was faster than me.

Before my brain could even give the order, my body was already rolling sideways on the floor.

Crash-!

I hear something shattering right in front of me, and using the momentum, I quickly get up and regain my balance.

“Ugh!”

The old man, whose surprise attack failed, has a flustered expression.

Rather than asking why, I dashed forward.

“W-wait a minute!”

Is he trying to make some kind of excuse? That he didn’t mean to? That he was just trying to stretch? If that’s really the case, it’s a little, no, a lot funny.

Damn it, how much of a pushover are barbarian bastards perceived to be?

Thwack-!

A smash using my shield accurately hits the old man’s jaw.

However, a human with a sturdy build was different from a goblin.

The old man only staggered, he didn’t fall.

Then, one more time.

Thwack-!

Smash.

“Kkyaaaak!”

With a clattering sound, the hammer in the old man’s hand falls to the floor.

His nose is already swollen red and bleeding profusely.

…Ugh, that must hurt.

I think that, but I don’t let my guard down.

Because I want to be a bastard who doesn’t know such things.

So, one more time—

“S-stop! I-I can explain…!”

“Smash.”

The old man, who was hit in the face with the shield again, finally kneels and collapses.

In game terms, he’s in a state of combat inability.

In other words, it’s now possible to have a conversation.

“Old man.”

“I-I was wrong! Please spare me!”

Has he decided to just beg for forgiveness?

His judgment is quick, but I can’t say it’s wise.

That’s not the kind of conversation I want right now.

“Why did you do it?”

“I-I was greedy for the magic stone… I was just going to knock you out and steal it. Believe me!”

Believe you, my ass.

If I had that much love for humanity, I’d have a few more friends.

“The shield! I was going to take that shield too!”

As I slowly raise the shield, the old man quickly adds something.

That’s the decisive reason why I can’t trust humans.

They all lie so easily.

Even though they can’t even lie properly.

“Why the shield?”

“…Because barbarian equipment is of good quality. I was going to sell it when I got back to the city.”

Indeed, most of the equipment that barbarians receive during the tutorial is expensive.

This is because the weight of the steel is far higher than that of ordinary equipment.

Just looking at my shield, it’s made of solid steel.

But even so, are you going to kill someone just to get this?

Hmm, when I think about it carefully, it’s not an entirely unbelievable story.

But…

“Bullshit.”

That old man is still hiding something.

“Tell me honestly. Why did you do it?”

I pressed my foot down on the old man’s upper body, like I did with the fallen goblin.

“Kkeuk!”

Fear was deeply etched in the old man’s eyes.

But is it because he’s the bastard who tried to kill me?

Surprisingly, I don’t feel any particular emotion.

I felt like I understood why they say not to look at the eyes when slaughtering a cow, but…

I can just ignore that feeling.

Just as I was wondering if I should end the conversation here, the old man shouted.

“H-heart!”

“Heart?”

That’s an unexpected word.

When I look at him with a look that demands an explanation, the old man continues with a resigned expression.

“…Barbarian hearts are being sold at a high price.”

“Why?”

“I-I don’t know exactly, but they say it’s being used as a material for newly developed magic!”

“I see.”

Now I understand the motive.

To this old man, I was a goblin.

Difficult to catch, but with a big reward once caught.

“Why did you act now instead of when I first fell asleep?”

“…Because I need to sleep too.”

Ah, I see.

He wanted to sleep and make money at the same time.

I thought the old man was being cautious, but he was just an efficiency freak to the extreme.

“I’ve told you everything, so please forgive me…”

“Forgive you?”

Honestly, I can’t help but laugh.

Forgive you?

Isn’t that the last thing a guy who tried to take my magic stone, equipment, and even my heart should say?

If my reaction had been just a little slower, I wouldn’t have even had the chance to beg for my life.

“Please…”

Well, I guess he wants to live. Did he think it would turn out like this? I can commend his attitude.

But.

“Old man, you have to pay the price.”

I hate the most those bastards who do whatever they want and then try to avoid responsibility.

That’s why…

“I’ll give you everything! It’s not much right now, but if I just get back to the city…”

I can’t trust him.

In that regard, I don’t know how this old man is any different from a goblin.

I couldn’t be friends with a goblin, but at least this old man had the possibility of it.

That’s the only difference, and that’s why he’s more malicious.

Of course, this is just an emotional view, and I don’t make choices based on emotions.

I can’t always do it, but at least I try to.

“I’m sure I’ll meet countless people like you in the future. They’ll all say the same thing. So, should I forgive them every time?”

Forgiveness is a scary word.

The decision made with good intentions can turn into a dagger and stab you in the back.

I know that fact better than anyone.

That’s why I had no choice this time either.

Because a mistake in this primal world won’t just hurt my feelings, it will threaten my life.

“Sorry, old man. I’ve been backstabbed too many times, so I don’t think I can do that.”

“N-no! It’s not like that at all! I’m different!”

Come to think of it, goblins have said that too.

I interpreted it arbitrarily just by looking at their eyes, but anyway.

What did I do back then?

Squeeze.

I raise the shield I’m holding with both hands high.

However, unlike back then, I pause for a moment.

Of course, the hesitation didn’t last long.

Feeling an unknown force pulling my arm,

“N-no!”

I slammed the shield down with all my might.

Crack, the sound of bones breaking, and then a heavy silence.

「Achievement Unlocked」

Condition: First Kill

Reward: Your Mental stat permanently increases by +1.

I didn’t turn away from what I had done, and accepted it as it was.

About a day after entering this game world.

I killed a person.

And I obtained a large hammer, shoulder pads, leather boots, a compass, a knife, a pocket watch, a canteen, a backpack, a blanket, herbs and bandages, a potion, 6 days’ worth of food and snacks, and 32 grade 9 magic stones.