Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 282

Thud.

The insect-type monster, ‘Krungbi,’ vanished into light, dropping a magic stone.

I didn’t bother picking it up.

What would I even do with it? I don’t even have a pocket to store it in.

‘This is insane.’

In some ways, this is worse than when I first fell into the labyrinth and was crawling on all fours.

At least I had underwear back then.

‘…Let’s worry about where this is later and find something to cover myself first.’

I was briefly flustered by the unfamiliar situation, but I quickly sorted out what needed to be done and tackled each task.

First, clothing, one of the basic necessities.

Even though there were only trees everywhere, and monsters disappeared into light the moment they were defeated, fulfilling the need for clothing wasn’t too difficult.

After all, I’m a barbarian, right?

‘…I’m really trying all sorts of things here.’

First, I picked up a vine that fit around my waist.

Then, I attached leaves the size of pumpkin leaves to the vine, wrapped it around my waist, and tied the vine. Done.

Thus, my dignity-protecting gear, named ‘The Blessing of the Tree Spirit,’ was complete.

‘…It’s sturdier than I thought?’

I moved around, wearing the item I had made, and was surprised by its higher-than-expected quality.

I guess the basics are the basics?

There was a reason why the first humans preferred this look.

‘…I should make one for her too.’

While I was at it, I made one for Amelia as well.

Unlike me, who only needed a lower garment, Amelia needed two parts…

But since she was much smaller than me, the work time itself wasn’t that different.

‘Still, I made it generously, so I don’t have to worry about the size.’

That’s one of the few advantages of ‘The Blessing of the Tree Spirit.’

It’s so primitive that a large size isn’t a problem.

You just tighten the vine and tie it.

‘When is she going to wake up?’

I approached Amelia and tossed ‘The Blessing of the Tree Spirit (Female)’ onto her body.

It’s not like I didn’t consider putting it on her…

‘It’ll just feel more awkward.’

No matter how I thought about it, putting it on her felt like crossing a line.

Right, there’s even a saying that boys and girls shouldn’t sit together after the age of seven.

‘Anyway, I’m not hungry right now, so let’s make a place to rest first.’

After fulfilling the need for clothing, I immediately started preparing to complete the need for shelter.

This wasn’t too difficult either.

I dug a hole with my shovel-like hand, then stuffed the large leaves I used to make ‘The Blessing of the Tree Spirit’ inside. Done.

Oh, I also gathered dry wood and made a bonfire in the center.

Starting a fire was surprisingly easy.

‘Is it because I’m overflowing with strength?’

I rubbed the wood vigorously without stopping, and smoke quickly rose.

It turns out there’s nothing you can’t do with strength.

‘By the way, when is she planning to wake up?’

I picked up Amelia and laid her on the leaf bed, then looked up at the sky.

It was already night.

However, thanks to the fire, I didn’t feel cold, and my vision was clear, so I could fight as usual even if monsters appeared.

With that done, I moved on to the next issue.

‘The problem is food…’

The third element for living, and the most important for survival.

“Ha, seriously…”

A sigh escaped me.

It wasn’t my first time entering, and I never thought I’d have to worry about this again.

Grumble.

…How am I going to find food?

***

There are no mountains on Parune Island.

Except for the coast, the entire island is a flat forest, and thanks to the many barriers, the light from the bonfire didn’t spread far.

However…

‘Moth-like bastards.’

The light from the bonfire was enough to attract nearby monsters, and thanks to that, I had to fight monsters all night without rest.

Well, it’s not like I turned off the bonfire.

Monsters appear even without light anyway.

It was more reasonable to fight with at least some visibility.

‘…It’s not like I can sleep in this situation anyway.’

After spending several more hours fighting hunger, Amelia finally regained consciousness.

“You’re finally awake.”

“…How did you know?”

“Your breathing stopped.”

She’s funny too, when you think about it.

She’s clearly awake, but she’s just lying there with her eyes closed, not saying anything.

Is she trying to figure out the situation first?

“…Where is this?”

“Wait, put that on before you get up.”

“…?”

Amelia, who had raised her upper body, frowned at the pieces of wood placed on her naked body.

“Barbarian, did you… take my clothes off?”

It was one of the expected questions on the list of questions Amelia would ask when she opened her eyes, so I immediately answered without panicking.

“Does that sound like something I would do, looking at my state? My clothes also disappeared completely.”

“…I see.”

She turned her back, and I heard the rustling of leaves from behind. Fortunately, it seemed like I didn’t have to explain how to put it on.

“It’s done, you can turn around.”

When I turned back, Amelia was wearing all of ‘The Blessing of the Tree Spirit (Female)’ that I had made.

It was a very strange feeling.

Since we were both wearing something like this, it felt like a set item?

It felt like we’d get a set effect buff if we fought together.

“So, where is this?”

Amelia, seemingly without any shame about the clothes she was wearing, asked me her first question again without changing her expression.

Hey, I’m the one who should be asking the questions.

“This is Parune Island. I don’t know how much time has passed, but when I opened my eyes, we were both naked.”

After briefly briefing Amelia on the various questions I had as soon as I opened my eyes, Amelia closed her mouth tightly.

It seemed like she needed some time to organize her thoughts.

I gave her about a minute and then asked.

“Okay, now tell me. Why are we in this state?”

“…Why are you asking me that?”

Oh, she’s pretending not to know.

“The stone you were holding at the end glowed, didn’t it? I’m convinced that it’s related to this incident.”

“Yes, that thing…”

Amelia clenched and unclenched her empty hand for no reason.

However, the object that had been missing since I opened my eyes didn’t suddenly appear.

Oh, right. I should say this first too.

“Just so you know, I didn’t touch that thing either. I don’t know where it disappeared to.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t suspect you of that.”

Hmm, does that mean she trusts me that much?

“So, what’s the answer to my question?”

“…I have a hunch, but it’s not certain.”

No, I’m saying tell me that, you woman.

Do you have to control information even in this situation?

“Just tell me clearly. What is that stone, and why are we in this state?”

I asked, not hiding my annoyance, and Amelia trailed off.

And…

“That is…”

Just as she was about to open her mouth again with a determined expression.

Snap.

The sound of a twig breaking came from the bushes.

At the same time, we both lowered our posture and stared in the direction of the sound.

After all, there are only insect-types on this island.

In other words, the person who made that sound is likely a human.

“…”

A suffocating silence flowed, except for the sound of the bonfire.

Thanks to that, I became more nervous.

If I had just heard a sound, I might have thought it was just someone passing by by chance.

“How long are you going to keep peeking? Come out.”

Amelia coldly muttered, looking into the dark bushes.

The reaction came about 5 seconds later.

“Haha, saying it like that makes us sound like bad guys.”

Five explorers emerged from the bushes, straightening their crouched bodies.

What, were they really watching us?

Since when?

‘Damn it.’

I felt dizzy, but first, I quickly scanned the other group.

They were all human, and male.

Judging by their equipment, their level is…

‘Around the 5th floor.’

However, they have a clan symbol on their chests.

It’s a clan symbol I’ve never seen before.

‘They belong to a clan, made it to the 6th floor, and are acting in teams on this island?’

Of course, there’s something strange about this too.

Due to the current situation, most explorers didn’t enter this labyrinth run. That’s why the condition of 20 or fewer people was met on this island.

But now, we’re meeting explorers like this?

Something doesn’t feel right.

I was vaguely feeling that way.

“Why were you watching us?”

Amelia asked, revealing her wariness, and a full-fledged conversation began.

“Don’t misunderstand. We just happened to see a light from afar and thought it might be one of our clan members, so we came to say hello, but we were surprised by your appearance and were just watching. Oh, and we only found you just now.”

It was a somewhat plausible explanation.

If I saw a man and a woman wearing leaves like primitives in the center of the island, I would have wondered what was going on.

I would also be curious about the situation.

“So, what happened?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“Haha, don’t be so wary. You look like you’re in a bad situation…”

“I said you don’t need to know, didn’t I?”

Amelia cut him off sharply at the man’s question.

But did that part also feel attractive?

“Haha, feisty.”

The man laughed heartily without showing any signs of displeasure.

Honestly, from my point of view, he looked like a crazy bastard.

It’s not like he’s asking to be killed.

“Amelia.”

“I’ll judge for myself, so you stay quiet.”

Okay, fine.

I called her name to mean don’t make the situation too big, and Amelia also softened her attitude a little.

“The ship we were on was wrecked. We promised to meet here before we got separated from our companions. Is that enough of an explanation?”

A story that clearly seemed to be a modified version of my own story.

“Hmm, then where did all your equipment go?”

“I put my equipment in my backpack before falling into the water and lost it. The clothes I was wearing got wet and dirty, so I just threw them away.”

“I see.”

After that, the man asked Amelia a few more questions with curiosity, and Amelia told him a plausible story.

Of course, there were many contradictions if you dug deeper…

“Oh, I didn’t know you had such a story! You must have been in quite a predicament.”

Whether he didn’t care about such contradictions or not, the man scanned Amelia’s naked body and his eyes lit up.

That was the moment.

“Well, this is very lucky…”

Thwack-!

Amelia landed a high kick on the man’s head.

Thud-

Ha, this woman, really.

Even I, a barbarian, was staying still.

‘Where did she learn to strike first?’

While sighing inwardly, I immediately moved as if I had been waiting for it.

“What are you doing!”

The water has already been spilled, hasn’t it?

We can sort out who’s right and wrong later, but for now, we need to work together.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaa!!”

I activated [Wild Outburst] and [Giantification].

Then, I landed in the center of their formation using [Leap].

And…

‘Swing.’

I swung my club and knocked the mage to the ground.

‘Okay, the mage is down for now.’

I naturally twisted my waist and used centrifugal force to swing my club at the archer next to me.

However…

“You bastard!!!”

The shield user next to the archer blocked it appropriately, and the second attack failed.

Crack.

As a bonus, the club that was blocked by the shield was also shattered.

Tsk, if it had been a mace, I would have blown away the shield along with him.

Thump.

I threw the broken club on the ground and grabbed the shield with both hands.

And…

“Give it to me.”

I pulled with force.

It was difficult to take it away in one go.

No matter how much the difference in strength, most shields are held by straps around the wrist.

Of course, it was a minor problem.

If the arm is the problem, then I just need to break the arm.

Crack-!

“Uwaaaaaaack!!”

After pulling the guy with the shield, I smashed his joint with my elbow.

Then, I kicked him away, took the shield—

Clang-!

I immediately held the shield out to the side to block the incoming arrow.

And that was the entirety of the battle.

Poof-!

Amelia had taken care of most of them in that short time.

When the archer fell to the ground, spitting blood, there was no one left standing around.

They weren’t all dead, but…

“O-Oura…”

They all lost their will to fight after seeing Amelia emit aura from the sword she had taken.

“You, guys… do you know, who we are…!”

The man who had been kicked first and fell down looked up at us with venomous eyes.

Ha, why did things turn out like this?

“Be quiet.”

I quickly gathered the leaves scattered on the ground and stuffed them into the man’s mouth, as they could become a nuisance if they started yelling.

Then, I looked at Amelia.

“What the hell was that?”

I had no choice but to participate, but what we just did was nothing short of robbery.

If this news spread to the city, we would definitely be in a lot of trouble.

“Tell me. Why did you suddenly do that? So that I can understand.”

I looked at her as if giving her a chance to explain, and Amelia avoided my gaze.

“…We were at a disadvantage without weapons, so I attacked first.”

It was absurd.

“Usually, wouldn’t you think about resolving it through conversation first?”

“I judged that they weren’t the type of people that would work with.”

It felt like I was talking to a wall.

Sigh, did the people who met me feel like this too?

For some reason, being with her makes me look back at my past self.

‘Does she think she’s some kind of psychic?’

I stopped the conversation at this point and let out a deep sigh, and Amelia threw out a word as if to comfort me.

“Don’t worry. The situation you’re thinking of will never happen.”

“What do you mean?”

“Check the backpacks.”

I didn’t understand the meaning, but I opened the expanded backpacks of the guys as she told me to.

The first thing I saw was jerky for snacks.

I was already starving to death.

So, the food problem is solved?

Crunch, crunch.

I put the jerky in my mouth first and then rummaged through the bag.

And soon, I noticed something strange.

‘What, these bastards… weren’t they part of a clan?’

The backpacks were full of various equipment.

It was hard to see them as emergency equipment.

Not only were there many types, but most of the weapons were stained with blood.

“These guys… were robbers.”

So, the clan mark was for disguise?

But it looked familiar somewhere…

‘Where did I see this?’

As I was thinking back, I soon remembered.

“…Clan Elvis.”

It was a clan I had seen in a book at the library before.

They were a group of dozens of people who committed heinous crimes, and eventually, their actions were exposed, and they were all executed.

If my memory is correct,

It was definitely about 15 years ago.

‘If they were sane, they wouldn’t have forged such a clan symbol even for disguise…’

I felt a huge sense of unease.

And at that moment.

Whooshhhhh-!

The cold wind of the night sea blew, and a chill ran down my spine.

‘No, wait a minute…’

I hurriedly opened the backpack and checked the IDs I had seen earlier again, and I froze in place.

“This is insane…”

IDs with different names, races, and ages.

They all had one thing in common.

“The renewal date is the 134th year of the Great Opening…?”

For some reason, the date 20 years ago was written on them.