Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 313

314. Inheritance (3)

Droff Itomz, a Rank 6 explorer, was as ordinary as they come. You could find someone like him anywhere.

He wasn’t affiliated with any major clan, and his current team had been formed through the Explorer’s Guild’s mediation. The only slightly unique thing about him was that he’d taken over as team leader after the previous one died not long ago. But even that didn’t change the fact that he was, at his core, ordinary.

The team’s usual hunting grounds were on the 4th floor. Their skills were mediocre, and their way of thinking was no different from any other explorer. They diligently hunted for magic stones, but like any other explorer, they wouldn’t hesitate to get their hands dirty if a good opportunity arose.

Therefore, Droff Itomz and his team found themselves in a dilemma.

“Oh, you guys are so kind!”

Their encounter with this barbarian was purely by chance. They were passing through a field of thorny reeds on their way to the Witch’s Forest when they found him shouting for help. He claimed he’d wandered off from his team while trying to sneak a drink during a break and got lost.

‘Seriously, what a clueless idiot….’

At first, it sounded absurd, but he didn’t seem to be lying. After all, he was a barbarian! Such illogical things could happen, and besides, their race wasn’t known for being good liars. Even when they did, it was usually very obvious.

‘If that’s the case, then he really is lost….’

“Droff, what are we going to do?”

“We’re not just going to let him go, are we? That ring he’s wearing looks like a subspace item [an item that can store other items within it].”

“He said he left his weapon behind too. If we’re going to do it, let’s do it quickly. His companions might come looking for him.”

Greed flickered in everyone’s eyes. Subspace items were valuable, with similar prices whether you bought or resold them. They didn’t have a lifespan, and unlike equipment that had to fit the wearer’s body type, they were universal. They were worth millions of stones at the very least.

‘His armor looks good too….’

“What are you all talking about! You said you’d help me find my companions?!”

“Jackson, you go over there and keep that barbarian distracted.”

“Easy peasy. Hey, barbarian! Aren’t you hungry? Have some jerky!”

“Oh! Jerky!! But… do you have any alcohol?!”

“Haha, here you go. If you’re bored, let’s drink together.”

Droff assigned one of his team members to the barbarian and exchanged glances with the others. Each time their eyes met, they silently nodded in agreement. A unanimous decision was made in an instant.

“Ugh, I’m sleepy after running all day…. You guys said you had something to discuss? Can I sleep for a bit in the meantime?”

“Haha, go right ahead.”

Just then, the barbarian lay down on the ground as if he was sleepy, and soon, the sound of snoring began to be heard.

Zzzzz! Zzzzz!

At that sight, Droff discarded even a shred of guilt. This was the guy’s fault. He was practically begging to be robbed. Who could resist in this situation?

Droff signaled with his hand and, along with his companions, cautiously approached the barbarian.

And then….

‘Now.’

They simultaneously thrust their weapons from all directions.

But how could this be?

Clang-!

The sword tips were blocked. He felt a recoil in the handle as if he had hit a wall, and the sound was different too. Unlike the sound of flesh and skin tearing, it was a scraping sound like scratching a stone wall.

“…W-what is this?”

Everyone was at a loss for words. The barbarian, without a single drop of blood on him, abruptly stood up and shouted while extending his fist.

“Problem occurrrrrrrrrring!!!!”

As if he had been waiting for it.

***

“Heh… I can’t believe this actually worked.”

After the first looter hunt ended successfully, Felix Barker let out a hollow laugh. At first, he had been doubtful and followed along, but seeing the results, he couldn’t help but acknowledge it.

“Captain, there weren’t any loot items in their bags, but their equipment is quite high-quality for their level?”

“That’s probably right. Judging by their actions, it doesn’t seem like this is their first time.”

This was the absurdity of the world. Those who backstabbed fellow explorers advanced much faster than those who diligently grew by hunting monsters day after day. Well, if they messed up, they might advance too far and not live out their full lifespan.

“So, what do you think? About the method I told you about.”

As I confidently puffed out my chest, Felix Barker readily nodded.

“It’s not bad. No, let me be honest. This is revolutionary.”

Having said that, Felix Barker was so impressed that he went on praising me for a long time.

“The fact that you can infiltrate someone like you as a decoy is just unbelievable. If you attack from the inside and the outside at the same time, who could properly respond to that!”

In the battle just now, everyone had their backs turned to me, so as soon as the clan members hidden in the reed forest ambushed them, they fell like dominoes. Did the battle even last 10 seconds?

“By the way, the barbarian race is really amazing! Even if you send a child as a decoy, people would be a little suspicious, but there wasn’t any of that!”

…But can this even be considered a compliment? I briefly had that question, but I just threw it away. I wasn’t a real barbarian, and at this point, it seemed like I could just classify it as high praise.

‘Anyway, by now, I should have explained how good this method is….’

It was time to move on to the next stage. After all, the reason I shared this method with them was for one reason only.

“I’m glad you like it! Then, are you all going to use my method now?”

Even if I had to hang out with these guys for a while, I really didn’t want to loot innocent and good explorers. Just standing by and watching was a bit much. So, I had induced these guys to hunt looters.

“I wish I could, but….”

Felix Barker clicked his tongue at my question.

“Unfortunately, there’s a fatal problem with this method.”

“What is it?”

“It’s that you’re the only barbarian. It’s a good method, but it’s not efficient for everyone to move around together for this—”

Ah, that?

“Don’t worry. I’ve thought of that too. Hey, you and you over there.”

I grinned and pointed out the guys I had been watching from Team 1 and Team 2, called them in front of me, and made them take off their clothes.

“W-why the clothes….”

Why else? I just wanted to see their muscle condition.

‘Okay, they’re a bit soft, but their build is good enough.’

Swoosh.

As I took a step closer, the two men who had undressed covered their upper bodies with their arms and stepped back.

Hey, am I going to do something bad?

“Um, if you could tell us what you’re planning to do….”

“I’m going to make you warriors.”

As I said that, I took out the items I had prepared. Did they realize what I was about to do? The two men’s eyes widened, and they shouted.

“That’s…!”

“No way!!”

It was a brush and dye.

***

Surrealist painter, Salvador Dali, said:

[I am not strange. I am just not normal.]

Also, Impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh, said:

[I don’t have certainty in my life. But the sight of the stars makes me dream.]

Ah, there’s also a quote from Pablo Picasso.

[Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.]

Will the day come when I can leave behind a famous quote like them? I don’t know now, but I say.

“……Stay still! If you don’t want to die!”

Ugh, why are they wriggling so much? It’s so ticklish. The lines keep getting crooked.

Swoosh, swoosh.

The more external interference there was, the more I focused. Red, green, blue, black. Based on the four too-common colors, I engraved the maxims of my predecessors who left their names in history in my heart and devoted myself to the brushstrokes. Like the field of ‘art’ that ordinary people cannot understand. Not on paper, but on human skin.

Swoosh, swoosh.

The ordinary people surrounding me kept muttering without getting tired.

“……It looks like scribbles.”

“How can it be so crooked….”

Tsk, how barbaric. They don’t even know what modern art is.

“Ahem!”

As I coughed as if I was displeased, the people around me shut their mouths. Whew, that’s much better. I should have done this sooner.

“…….”

In the quiet atmosphere, I continued my work. It didn’t take too long. It was fun at first, but it gradually became boring as I kept doing it.

“Okay, it’s done! You can get up now!”

I roughly finished the work and patted the backs of the two men, and they hesitantly stood up. Geez, they’re not making me feel like a creator.

“Why are you covering your tattoos with your arms?”

I removed the arms of the two men who were covering their upper bodies as if they were ashamed. And my work was revealed without any concealment. It was quite satisfying. Although it was of poor quality compared to the tattoos I had, but….

“……It’s less noticeable than I thought.”

The clan leader, who had been looking at me like I was crazy, also had an unexpected expression after seeing the finished product. In the dark labyrinth, this much was less noticeable than expected. However, as the creator, I couldn’t help but see the shortcomings.

“Why are you looking at the ground? Are you feeling embarrassed?”

Look at those shy expressions and actions. With that, no one would see them as barbarians. Therefore….

“Come here, I’ll make you real warriors.”

I asked for the clan leader’s understanding and took the two guys to start their training. It wasn’t too difficult. Did it take about 30 minutes?

“Be, Behella!”

“Louder!”

“Behel-laaaaaaaa!!”

“Good. Then what did you say when you were running?”

“I’m losttttttttt!! Help meeee!!!”

“Snoring!”

“Zzzzz! Zzzzzzzzz!!”

“Sit!”

Thud.

Yeah, now you look like barbarians.

***

On a night when the crescent moon was high in the sky, Erwen Fornachi di Tersia knocked on the door of a residence.

Knock knock.

The door opened after about a minute. The elf man who opened the door with a creaking sound froze when he saw Erwen’s face. Her solemn face told him why she had come to him at this hour.

“……You’ve made your decision.”

“Yes.”

The man took a bitter breath at the curt reply that didn’t show even a hint of hesitation. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand this child’s feelings. But….

“The process of obtaining the power of the clan’s pureblood will be much more terrible than you imagine, and it’s not something you can achieve just because you want to.”

“I know.”

“Please, would you reconsider one last time?”

The man couldn’t bear to watch and spoke. Because he could clearly see the path this child would walk in the future. But Erwen’s resolve didn’t change.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve already made my decision.”

“…….”

“Please help me. So that I can become a pureblood.”

Erwen raised her head, which had been lowered. Her amber eyes, which had always been bright, were now filled with a thirst for power. The man’s breath hitched. Because he had seen too many of the ends of those who had such eyes. But….

“I understand. I will help you.”

The man couldn’t dare refuse Erwen’s request. Even if he was called a hero of the clan and had obtained some power, he was a sinner in front of these sisters.

“Thank you. Then I’ll be going.”

Soon, Erwen turned her back and slowly walked away. The man, who was watching her, unknowingly stopped her.

“Wait.”

“……Do you have something to say?”

“If, just if… yes, if….”

What would you do if there was a way to bring him back to life? The man, who was about to ask that question, couldn’t continue.

“No, I was talking nonsense. It’s late, so go. I’ll inform the council of elders.”

“Yes.”

Erwen, who had paused and tilted her head, turned her back again and left, and this time the man didn’t hold her back. No, he couldn’t. For some reason, he, who knew about the ‘Stone of Rebirth,’ had not attended this meeting, and….

“…….”

The one who must be revived with that stone is already decided.