Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 352

“Riehen! Here’s some water!”

“Ah, thanks.”

While the explorers, myself included, were quenching our thirst with water or alcohol and taking a short break, the royal family’s people were walking around inside the ship, checking the headcount.

And then…

“After disembarking, the ship will be immediately de-summoned, so please make sure you have all your belongings!”

After the check-up, we transferred to small boats one by one under the military’s control and moved to the shore.

On the shore, the troops who had disembarked earlier were standing in neat rows.

Well, compared to the modern way of marching with the left foot in sync, it was a bit of a mess.

“It seems they weren’t waiting for us here, thankfully.”

“It seems they also prefer to avoid direct engagements between main forces.”

“Well, if we clashed head-on, it would be harder to lose with this force.”

Anyway, as we waited under control, the vanguard began to march before long.

Of course, we didn’t follow.

That’s because the mission of the third-class ship we came on today, officially called the 3-21 ship, is to escort the 3rd Magic Corps.

Unfortunately, this Magic Corps belongs to the 3rd Army, and their main mission is to secure a retreat route.

In other words, our role in this war is to establish a base here and defend it once the main force leaves.

“Alright, let’s set up the barracks!”

As the remaining ships of the 3rd Army also disembarked, the base construction began in earnest.

The explorers set up the provided barracks, and the mages were also busy drawing various magic circles.

How much time had passed?

Swoooosh-!

The sound of the waterfall, which had been deafening thanks to magic, became much quieter, and the fog that had been obscuring our vision was completely cleared.

“Phew, I feel a bit better now.”

“Everyone, please have some of this and rest! There will be a barracks assignment and mission announcement soon!”

As the base construction was roughly finished, the barracks where we would be staying were also assigned.

It was a six-person barrack located in the east, centered around the lake.

Even though we were under military control, they didn’t separate the three of us, as it was customary to keep team members together…

“Haha, let’s introduce ourselves. We’ll be working together as a team from now on.”

Three people I had never seen before were added.

It wasn’t just about sharing a barrack; we would have to move as a team when standing guard or going on patrol in the future…

‘Since there are three of us, this is how it turned out.’

Whether it’s a clan or a team, the minimum unit is considered to be 5 people… or 6 since the bonding magic was updated.

But since there are only three of us, they automatically matched us.

‘But it doesn’t seem completely automatic.’

I looked at the man who was leading the conversation naturally with a friendly smile.

He was wearing a stylish uniform and had a sword at his waist, but he was a mage. The Magic Corps emblem on his chest proved it.

“Ah, by the way, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Alex Hale, the vice-commander of the 3rd Magic Corps.”

“Vice-commander?”

As I muttered quietly, Amelia whispered in my ear.

“It means the aide to the vice-captain.”

Oh, so he’s Raven’s right-hand man?

His purpose in sending his right-hand man here is obvious.

To control and monitor us… or rather, Erwen specifically.

“The six people assigned to this barrack will belong to Team 3-17 and will carry out various missions, and I, as the team leader, will help you—”

“Team leader? Who decided that?”

Erwen asked back, not hiding her displeasure, and a crack appeared in the man’s smile.

“Haha… I understand that there might be some dissatisfaction with that. But it’s still an order from above—”

“You’re smiling like you’re relaxed, but you’re quite nervous.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Why, am I unsettling to you?”

At that question, the man flinched for a moment, then forced a smile and shook his head.

“…There’s no way that could be the case. If anything, I’d consider it reassuring.”

It was clearly just a polite remark.

If he really thought that, there would be no reason to avoid Erwen’s gaze, which was staring right at him.

“Alright, stop it.”

I quickly intervened, knowing that the man was just following orders.

“But, we’re enough with just the three of us…”

“Isn’t it good to have more people?”

“Still, a team leader…”

“It’s possible for someone from the military to be the team leader, why are you so against it?”

“…Okay. I’ll stop.”

Erwen looked at me and then shut her mouth.

Perhaps that appearance was impressive.

Only then did the man turn his gaze to me.

“And you are…”

“Riehen Schuiz.”

“Ah, yes… I know. It’s nice to meet you. And the person next to you is Emily Raines, right?”

“Yeah.”

The man who came to greet me introduced the other two, who were standing far away, watching the situation blankly.

“These two were on the third-class ship that sank on the way here. Fortunately, they were successfully rescued, but unfortunately, they couldn’t save their other companions.”

I thought it was unlikely that they would have taken two people from another team.

So, there was a reason for that.

As our gaze shifted to the other two, they introduced themselves with a slightly nervous tone.

“I-It’s an honor to meet the Blood Lord. Ah, of course, I mean the companions next to you as well. I’m Raikion Elt, a 5th-grade explorer.”

My first impression wasn’t bad.

He seemed polite, and judging by how he stayed quiet until it was his turn to introduce himself, he seemed quite perceptive.

A 5th-grade should be able to do his part.

And his situation was quite pitiful…

“I-I’ll work hard not to be a burden! I-I’m Hans Kaiser.”

“What…?”

I couldn’t help but exclaim, and he kindly stated his name once more.

“I’m Hans Kaiser!”

Are you kidding me?

***

I thought about it for a moment.

So, what happened when I last met Hans?

I quickly remembered.

Hans J, whom I met on Parune Island, was a traitor.

And…

‘After meeting him, I was sucked into the past.’

I spent half a year there, and when I returned, 2 years and 6 months had passed in the original timeline.

No, that’s not all.

Not only were my companions scattered, but for some reason, I was branded with a demonic mark.

“Heh…”

As I let out a hollow laugh, Hans K tilted his head and asked.

“Um… why are you doing that?”

There was no reason to even talk to him and answer.

It would only bring bad luck.

“Erwen.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“You said earlier that the three of us were enough, right?”

“I did.”

Yes, that’s right.

“Tsk…”

I was genuinely contemplating.

If I just said one word to overturn everything, Erwen would shout with all her might and tear the team apart.

But…

‘If I did that, this news would reach Raven.’

That fact bothered me.

That’s because Raven is a companion who knows about my Hans phobia. After hearing the details, he might increase his suspicion towards me.

‘Wait, but then, wouldn’t it be okay as long as it doesn’t look like I kicked him out because of his name?’

Thinking about it, that’s true.

Okay, I’ve decided.

“You guys are trash.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Having you guys around will only hold us back.”

As cold words of contempt poured from my mouth, their expressions hardened.

They probably never imagined that I, not Erwen, would say such a thing.

“Haha… what are you talking about? Didn’t you say just a moment ago that it’s good to have more people, Mr. Schuiz?”

Ah, that, you mean.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

Hans is that serious of a matter.

I demanded that either those two be removed or we be removed, and the man looked troubled.

But…

“That’s absurd. Do you think you’re something just because you’re hiding behind someone’s skirt?”

“That’s enough, we’re out of here. There’s no reason for us to stay together while being insulted like this. Instead, make sure to tell the military that the cause is not us but this side.”

My words must have hit their pride, as they declared their withdrawal and left the barrack.

Phew, that’s one thing solved—

“How dare they say such things. Should we follow them?”

“No, don’t even talk to them.”

“Okay!”

Anyway, as we were talking, I saw Raven’s right-hand man, Alex, staring at me with a look of disgust.

Ah, well, he must have heard Raven’s misunderstanding.

At first, I thought he was somewhat decent, but this incident must have made him look like a pathetic guy who relies on others’ power.

“So, what are you going to do now? The team that’s supposed to have six members now has four.”

“…First, I’ll report to the vice-captain and then let you know the measures.”

“Alright then.”

As Alex also left to report this situation, Erwen cautiously asked me a question.

“But, why did you suddenly do that earlier?”

“Wasn’t that guy’s name Hans?”

“…Why Hans?”

Ah, does she not know about my Hans jinx?

Well, thinking about it, I don’t think I ever told her…

Just as I was about to say something, Amelia chuckled and opened her mouth instead of me.

“Seriously, you didn’t know that even though you’re his companion?”

“…So, you know?”

“Of course, I do.”

Amelia shrugged and briefly explained the Hans jinx I had.

In her case, she knew the weight of that name because of the incident where she called me ‘Lee Hans’.

However, Erwen seemed upset that she was the only one who didn’t know.

“Hans…”

She muttered the name with a truly murderous voice and then clenched her fist as if making a resolution.

“Come to think of it, Hans Awlok, who was a traitor on Parune Island, was also named Hans. I’m sorry. I’ll never forget it again.”

“Uh… yeah, do that.”

I wondered if she was going to shoot an arrow into the forehead of every Hans she encountered, but I decided not to worry too much about it.

So what if she did? It’s Hans anyway.

If you look for it, there will surely be something wrong with them.

‘The problem is, I’ve already encountered Hans…’

I managed to kick him out of the team, but I had been in the same space as Hans K for too long.

It was even indoors with poor ventilation.

And considering that we are now in the middle of a 7th-floor battlefield…

“Mister, your hand is shaking…”

Ugh, this is driving me crazy.

***

What on earth is going to happen next?

I couldn’t rest comfortably due to such anxiety and was shaking my hand when…

“Your measures have been decided.”

Alex returned and told us what they were going to do about our team problem.

Nothing much had changed.

The team size was just going to be four, and he was still going to be the team leader, just like before.

However…

“From now on, you… no, we will not be doing external patrols or guard duty, but rather, we will be guarding a VIP.”

The team’s mission was changed to guarding Raven, the vice-captain of the 3rd Magic Corps.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with that.

Now that Captain Kyle had gone to support the 1st Army’s special forces, Raven was practically the most important person in our unit.

It seemed like they called us for guard duty just to keep an eye on him before he caused any trouble…

Yes, there was no problem up to this point.

KWA-AAAAANG-!

The sound of a magic cannon was heard from somewhere.

BEEP-! BEEP-! BEEP-!

The alarm magic that had been installed activated and echoed throughout the base, if only that hadn’t happened.

“Ambush, it’s an ambush!!”

“Everyone, prepare for battle!!”

It had been less than 2 hours since I met Hans K.