Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 152

There are three main advantages to becoming a tribal chief.

First, I wouldn’t have to hide the fact that I received a divine message.

Also, I could change the irrational system of the Barbarians, which has been declining for decades, to my liking, and…

‘When I retrieve the Barbarian’s creation artifact later, I’ll be able to use it as I please.’

For the record, it’s not like I can do whatever I want just because I’m the tribal chief.

It’s more about changing the tribe’s policies beforehand.

In fact, the Barbarians are a conservative race that values tradition, but they have made some progress, little by little, thanks to a few tribal chiefs.

Such as using honorifics and showing respect to the king.

Or acknowledging the existence of evil spirits and sending corpses to the main temple.

In the first place, it hasn’t been that long since it became natural for warriors to live in the city rather than the holy ground, considering their long history.

Has it been about 600 years?

‘I heard that in the old days, the tribe didn’t even allow the removal of essence from the temple.’

Actually, it’s absurd that only this much has changed in thousands of years, but…

It’s not that the chief lacks the authority, but rather that there hasn’t been anyone who could actually do it yet.

The tribal chief has overwhelming authority over the tribe’s major and minor affairs, and the warriors tend to believe and follow the chief’s words most of the time.

They think the tribal chief is smarter than them.

Well, even so, there will inevitably be resistance when reforms begin, but this is something that can be gradually influenced over time.

‘Not bad.’

The shaman’s words seemed absurd for a moment.

But the more I think about it, the more it seems like a very reasonable option.

The problem is that it would take at least a few years to become a tribal chief through normal means.

‘I heard that the current tribal chief used to be an 8th-floor explorer.’

I don’t know exactly what grade of explorer he was.

However, it’s clear that it would take a long time to catch up with him in terms of martial prowess.

However…

‘I don’t necessarily have to reach the 8th floor.’

The cut-off should be around the 6th floor.

Not all past tribal chiefs were as strong as the current one. Even if their martial prowess was lacking, they were sometimes appointed as tribal chiefs if they had good leadership or judgment.

‘I should start building a support base now. Even if I don’t become the tribal chief, having influence within the tribe will definitely be helpful.’

I was about to finish organizing my thoughts when…

“Warrior, you seem to be deep in thought. Are you hungry? Go out now.”

“Ah, uh… I will. Enjoy your meal.”

The shaman issued an eviction order.

When did he light a fire in a man’s heart?

Grrrruuuumble-!

More than that, I’m hungry too…

***

Around 9 a.m.

I came out of the shaman’s tent, checked the time, and smiled wryly.

‘Every time I come here, it feels like I waste a whole day.’

Still, maybe because I completely fainted and woke up, my body feels refreshed compared to when I woke up at night.

I feel like I can actually start the day today.

With that in mind, I grabbed a passing elder and asked.

“Do you know where Ainar is?”

“I saw him in the Warrior’s Forest yesterday, but I haven’t seen him since.”

Hmm, is he still there?

I was a little worried, so I headed to the forest where the funeral was held yesterday.

And how long had it been?

I saw Ainar lying in the bushes.

“Slurp! B, Bjorn?”

“Did you sleep here?”

“I, I didn’t mean to…”

Ainar, embarrassed that he was caught sleeping, rubbed the drool off his hand and turned his gaze away.

Unfortunately, Kiduba was at the end of that gaze.

“Ah…”

As if waking up from a dream and facing reality, Ainar let out a short sigh. After a moment of silence, he cautiously opened his mouth.

“Um, Bjorn…”

“Speak.”

“Do you have anything to eat?”

Yeah, that’s how our Barbarians should be.

I chuckled and put down my backpack.

Then, I took out the preserved food I ate in the labyrinth and shared a meal with him.

“Are you feeling a little better now?”

“I’m a little annoyed, but I’m much better.”

“Annoyed?”

“Wasn’t I deceived? If you had told me honestly, I wouldn’t have shown such an unsightly appearance. Kiduba made me look like a coward in front of everyone.”

Ainar, who was puffing out angry breaths, seemed to be genuinely annoyed.

It was a little strange.

That he could overcome his sadness and reach this stage in just one day.

“By the way, Bjorn, did something happen to you too?”

“What do you mean?”

“I just had a feeling. Your expression seems darker than when I last saw you. If it’s because of me, I want to tell you that you don’t have to be.”

My expression is dark…

“…It’s not because of you, so don’t worry.”

“If it’s not because of me, then who is it because of?”

“That’s…”

I thought about just making something up, but I stopped.

“Maybe it’s because a comrade died.”

“…That happened. Is it okay if I ask what happened?”

I briefly explained what happened during this expedition. Unlike usual, Ainar listened quietly without making a fuss or anything.

And when I finished talking.

“Riol Wov Dwarki…”

Ainar quietly repeated the name as if to memorize it, then let out a short sigh of regret.

“I wish I had met him before…”

Ainar and Dwarki…

It’s hard to imagine the two of them together, but wasn’t Dwarki the one who became best friends with the dwarf?

I think they might have gotten along surprisingly well.

But what’s the point of that now?

“By the way, Bjorn, would you like to fight me?”

Ainar suddenly got up from his seat and made a sudden proposal.

“I’m curious if I’ve become a warrior who won’t hold you back.”

“Does that mean you want to join the team I’m making?”

“If you think I’m qualified.”

Should I say that’s typical of a Barbarian?

His attitude of not relying on friendship at all was quite reliable.

However, public and private matters must be distinguished.

“Ainar, if we exclude the mage position, there’s only one spot left. And I was planning to put a mage in that spot too.”

“Speak plainly.”

“It means go all out.”

I grinned and said again, and Ainar replied.

“Behel—Raaaaaaaah!!!”

The greatsword, which was already in his hand, was swung towards my neck.

***

Tanker, melee dealer, ranged dealer, mage.

The essential positions have already been decided.

However, thanks to Bear Uncle being the guide, the scout position became vacant.

A kind of bonus position.

The identity of the team I create will be determined by which job class I put in that position.

Will it be the instant firepower of two mages, or the sustained damage of two ranged dealers?

Or will it be two melee dealers to ensure stability and hunting speed?

After much deliberation, I decided to go with two mages.

However…

“Behel—Raaaaaaaah!!”

As soon as the duel with Ainar began, my worries grew.

‘…He’s definitely gotten a lot stronger.’

Half a year of swordsmanship training.

Stat increase due to ‘Tempering’ [a process of strengthening the body through training].

And even the 4th-grade essence inherited from the elder.

‘I didn’t expect him to inherit that essence. He’s really lucky.’

In terms of martial prowess, he’s not much inferior to Misha right now, and considering that he only has two essences, his potential in the later stages is also considerable.

However, there is only one thing that bothers me.

‘If this happens, it’ll be too melee-focused…’

Thanks to the ogre’s essence, I can also deal damage.

In other words, if Ainar joins, it will be three melee dealers.

“Stop, let’s stop here.”

“…I can still do more!”

“I know. But it doesn’t seem like there’s any point in doing more.”

“…Am I not qualified?”

I shook my head firmly.

“That’s not it.”

Even though I wasn’t wearing any equipment, he managed to draw blood from me in my [Giant] state, so he definitely passed.

“T, then can I go on the next expedition!”

“Can you give me some time to think?”

“Ah! I understand! Y, yes, you should. Is one minute enough?”

“…One minute is too short, let’s make it three minutes.”

“I can wait that long!! As you know, I’m quite patient!”

I let Ainar’s subtle appeal slip through one ear and closed my eyes.

I had already made a decision, so I didn’t need a long time.

I just wanted to check one more time.

Soon, I opened my eyes and stared at Ainar.

I don’t have a pass necklace in my hand, but…

“I look forward to working with you.”

“W, wait a minute. Does that mean…”

“It’s what you think it is.”

Ainar, the second daughter of Fnellin.

Passed.

***

The reason I passed Ainar is simple.

It’s not because I remembered the fun memories of fighting Deathfind…

I made the decision looking a little further into the future.

‘Either way, I’ll have to run two teams from the 6th floor.’

On the 6th floor, a small clan form is more ideal than a single team. The scale of the monsters and the exploration method are too much for five people to handle.

When that time comes, I thought it would be reasonable to assign either Misha or Ainar to the other team.

His growth potential was certain.

“Ainar, have you received an engraving?”

“Not yet. As you know, I don’t have any money…”

“I see. Good job.”

I decided to tell him the details of the route later…

At this point, I ended the conversation.

Ainar headed to the elder’s tent to pack his things, and I waited outside, organizing my thoughts.

‘Now, just one mage left…’

In fact, this was the biggest hurdle in creating a team.

Mages are all proud.

If they’re not proud, there’s a high chance they’re not a proper mage.

‘Hah, just thinking about going around makes me sigh.’

I’m glad I didn’t go with the two-mage setup.

Raven and Ragna.

I have two mages I’m friendly with, but it wouldn’t be strange if both of them rejected my offer.

As I was looking around the holy ground and refining my plan to persuade them, a Barbarian found me and called out loudly.

“Bjorn, son of Yandel!!”

“Caron, son of Tarson?”

“Nice to meet you! But what brings you here!”

When I told him that I had business, Caron said it was good timing and asked if I could say a few words to the young warriors.

I hesitated for a moment and then agreed.

I had decided to seriously aim for the position of tribal chief, hadn’t I? I had no intention of missing the opportunity to build a support base.

It seems like it will take some time for Ainar too.

“Really! The young warriors will be happy!”

Soon, I followed Caron to an open space.

There were already dozens of young warriors gathered, and as soon as I revealed my name, enthusiastic cheers erupted.

“Bjorn, son of Yandel!”

“Great warrior!”

“Waaaaaaaah!!”

Even though I knew it was thanks to Caron’s brainwashing, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

I guess I’m just a man after all?

“Behel—Raaaaaaaah!!”

I felt like shouting, so I shouted.

Then the baby Barbarians followed and chanted.

“Behel—Raaaaaaaah!!”

A kind of joy that I hadn’t felt since Ainar left the team.

Yes, that’s it.

I tried to hide my satisfied smile and began to play the role of a guest lecturer in earnest.

It wasn’t difficult.

First, I made the Barbarians fight each other, then I walked around and provided unlimited tips for breaking the enemy’s head.

And I filled in the gaps in Caron’s education.

“If you get money, buy a video recording device first. It will help you when you are falsely accused of being a plunderer.”

I had no intention of stopping the money-copying bug that Caron created.

Even I think it’s too much…

But they’re plunderers anyway.

It would be beneficial to the world if even a few of them died.

“Now, let’s all repeat after me. A good plunderer is?”

“Only a dead plunderer!!!”

“The Explorer’s Guild is?”

“Don’t trust them!!”

“When you meet Hans in the labyrinth?”

“No! Go away! If you don’t want to die!”

I was in the middle of engraving what Barbarian explorers should know in their minds when it happened.

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine.

‘…Killing intent?’

I immediately stopped the training and turned around.

Then, I saw a familiar-faced Barbarian standing right behind me like a ghost.

A large scar on his face.

A long braided beard.

And even the unique smell of sweat, as if he hadn’t washed for days.

“Bjorn, son of Yandel.”

It was the tribal chief.

“I’ve been getting a lot of calls from the guild lately. Was it all your doing?”

I glanced at Caron.

Caron, who said that the tribal chief would never come during training time, was already moving away from me with a pale face.

“Explain yourself. Before I misunderstand you.”

Ah, uh, um…

Damn it.