Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 365

Raven broke the awkward silence.

‘Are you going to keep making that face? It’s not Yandel’s… no, it’s not Schuetz’s fault.’

She didn’t know all the details, but she wasn’t wrong.

Of course, it’s not entirely my fault either.

But, I can’t shake the feeling that I was the one who gave the final push to someone standing at the edge of a cliff.

If I hadn’t gone to find that woman.

Maybe she wouldn’t have made that choice.

No, rather…

Dwarki.

Yandel Jarku, Bjorn’s biological father.

Thinking about these two cases, I can’t help but accept that possibility more.

The future changed because of my existence.

‘Haa… If I had known it would be like this, I shouldn’t have brought up this story.’

Raven spoke again, considerate of me.

I realized I shouldn’t keep my mouth shut like someone who doesn’t know anything anymore.

That would be another act of deception.

But…

‘……’

On the other hand, I also think this.

Is it okay for me to reopen a wound that has barely healed?

Just because I don’t want to avoid my responsibility?

I was struggling with such thoughts when I couldn’t easily open my mouth.

‘The atmosphere is strange. Did we interrupt something?’

‘Strange? There’s no way. But… Mister, what were you two… doing…?’

I turned my head towards the entrance where I felt a presence, and saw Amelia and Erwen entering, pulling back the tent flap of the barracks.

‘……’

I turned my head again, and Raven had already turned her gaze back to the documents.

Well, this isn’t a conversation to have in this kind of atmosphere.

‘……’

In the end, I couldn’t say anything that day.

***

[The labyrinth has been closed.]

[The character is moving to Lapdonia.]

***

Exploration Day 75.

As the closing date of the 7th floor approached, we returned to the city.

‘Wow, it feels like it’s been a really long time since I’ve been here.’

After being in the labyrinth for over two months, the city felt unfamiliar.

I heard that some of the upper-tier clans take a break for a month or two after each expedition, and I think I understand why.

‘Are you going straight home?’

‘For now, yes. Let’s rest a bit. Then, let’s eat something delicious.’

‘Yes!’

After leaving the exchange office, we headed straight to the mansion.

Oh, by the way, there wasn’t much magic stone that was exchanged.

After reaching the 6th floor, all the spoils were received as vouchers stamped with the royal family’s seal.

We can exchange them for money at the Hall of Merits, but it will be crowded for a few days, so we decided to visit later.

‘Phew, finally home.’

A small garden and a mansion where all the windows are blocked with boards.

I never thought I would be so happy to see this mansion.

Anyway, let’s wash up and then eat the food we packed on the way…

‘So, who’s going to wash first?’

As I was about to decide the order of washing, Amelia said to me.

‘Schuetz, you use the bathroom on the second floor.’

‘Huh? Well, I’m grateful, but is it okay for me to go first?’

‘The bathroom on the first floor is bigger than the one on the second floor. We can use it together.’

I didn’t quite understand.

‘…What? Use it together?’

I can’t easily imagine that scene.

‘You guys… when did you get so close?’

I couldn’t hide my surprise, and when I asked, Erwen waved her hands in great embarrassment.

‘C-close! No, we’re not!! You say something too. Why would I wash with you?!’

‘Because it’s more efficient. Well, if you really don’t want to, I’ll wash first.’

‘What? Why are you deciding that on your own—’

‘Then I’ll go in first.’

‘…Wait, stop!’

As Amelia headed to the bathroom, Erwen shouted something and followed her.

‘Why is it that these two never have a quiet day?’

I also lost interest and headed to the bathroom on the second floor.

I was a little curious about who would wash first, or if they would wash together…

But, what does it matter either way?

At this point, they wouldn’t draw their weapons and fight each other, right?

‘Hoo, I feel alive.’

As I poured hot water on my body, it felt like all the fatigue that had accumulated in my body was melting away.

At the same time, I realized that the exploration was over.

‘Still… it feels like it ended smoothly compared to how much work there was.’

There were no significant incidents after the first attack.

I continued to join the patrol and gain experience until I reached level 7, and that peaceful state continued.

However, there was an incident on the main force’s side, and they requested support from our side, taking away some of our troops.

Of course, that was not a story that was greatly related to me.

Raven had to stay in the rear due to her strategic role, and that was the same for us, who were part of Raven’s unit.

‘This settlement, I should sell the equipment first, exchange all the vouchers for money, and then…’

As I was washing my body and organizing the gains from this exploration, I felt a great sense of emotion.

‘Level 7, huh…’

It’s a level that I can proudly say I’ve reached the mid-to-late stage.

Even if you count the number of rank 3 essences acquired, it’s practically the beginning of the late stage.

It feels like just yesterday that I was crawling around after stepping on a goblin trap.

‘…I’ve gotten a lot stronger, haven’t I?’

I’m realizing my own growth anew.

That’s because, what else could be the reason why I can say that this exploration ended smoothly?

Corpse Collector, Banshee of Screams, Lighthouse Keeper, Blood Knight.

I had to fight against four members of Orculius.

If it were in the past, someone would have had to sacrifice themselves, and I would have had to put my life on the line as well.

But despite that.

‘I have to get stronger.’

Rather than feeling satisfied, I feel a greater sense of inadequacy.

Because I’m still far from it.

To 100% guarantee the safety of me and my companions against monsters like the royal family, Auril Gabis, and Baekho.

‘I have to reach level 9 no matter what. I also have to solve the soul imprint problem as soon as possible…’

My thoughts reached that point.

‘Mister, are you taking long? I was about to reheat the food…’

‘Ah, I’ll be out soon.’

I realized that I had been in the bathroom for much longer than I thought, so I quickly finished up and came out. And we ate the warmly reheated food and talked.

‘Schuetz, what are you going to do about the guild issue?’

‘Guild issue?’

‘Raven, that woman said, didn’t she? If you want to avoid the royal family’s eyes, it’s better to deal with the information written in the guild first.’

‘Ah…’

Rank 5 explorer, Richen Schuetz.

The last time he entered the labyrinth was about 5 years ago.

However, if the royal family were to access the data stored in the guild, my disguised identity would be exposed quickly.

The team Richen Schuetz was active in, the essences he was confirmed to have consumed, etc., would be written there.

‘It’s clear that if I go to my old colleagues and ask a few questions, they’ll notice something is wrong. Not to mention if I bring them in person for a confrontation.’

The records of Richen Schuetz must be burned or modified so that they cannot be tracked.

And this is something only an insider of the guild can do.

‘Do you know anyone who can help?’

‘Well, I’ve never been close to the guild.’

Of course, even as I said that, there was one person who came to mind.

Julian Urbans.

The precious daughter of the regional lord, whom I had once taken hostage to clear my name.

‘Hmm, is it right to call her precious?’

Even thinking about it again, she was quite a unique woman.

She wished for her father’s downfall because she didn’t want to live like a puppet.

I wonder what happened to her now.

If I had helped her back then and she was indebted to me, would it be possible to get help?

***

The day after returning to the city.

Amelia went out to dispose of the Lighthouse Keeper’s equipment, and Erwen left, saying she had to visit the sanctuary.

And…

‘Then, shall I go out?’

I also got dressed and went outside.

Well, as a result of the discussion, we concluded that this much would be okay.

Isn’t this a face that even my former colleague, Raven, couldn’t recognize?

Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to recall Bjorn Yandel through this face. In that situation, it would be strange to just stay cooped up at home.

‘I should have met that dragonkin brat with this face.’

Even the dragonkin priestess who said I was terribly ugly at our first meeting wouldn’t be able to lie like that after seeing this face.

Tsk, what’s so good about this weakling face?

‘Anyway, then shall I go there first…’

It was the first proper outing since returning to the present time. As I strolled around, looking at the surrounding streets like when I went to the past, I soon arrived at my destination.

[Karsia Romne.]

A blacksmith shop with a fancy name in ancient language that doesn’t fit the profession.

If translated, it means the magic flame, or something like that?

It was the blacksmith shop that the dwarf, Hikuord Murad, built after leaving Team Half-Pint.

‘…I heard business is good these days, and it’s true.’

I had heard about it to some extent from Raven, but I didn’t expect it to be this much.

Seeing that it had been expanded by combining it with the buildings next door, it seems that the business has been successful in the past two and a half years.

‘Should I go in and take a look?’

I became curious for some reason and entered the blacksmith shop.

And as I was slowly looking at the displayed equipment.

‘Hahaha! The displayed items are not for sale, but samples for custom orders. If you are looking for something else, please tell me!’

I heard a familiar voice and turned around, and there was a truly familiar face.

‘Hikuord Murad.’

‘Oh, you know my name? Hahaha! It seems I’ve become famous recently…’

The dwarf I hadn’t seen in a long time laughed heartily and raised his head, then flinched when he saw me.

‘…Huh?’

‘What’s wrong?’

‘Ah, no. It’s just a strange feeling. You’re a tall and handsome young man?’

I wondered if he recognized me, but it didn’t seem like it.

Okay, at this point, it seems that there’s no one who would recognize me even if I went around with my face exposed.

‘But… why do I feel so disappointed?’

I pushed the inexplicable emotion aside and talked to the dwarf.

‘Is it okay for the boss to be outside?’

‘Haha, I don’t do much blacksmithing.’

‘Why?’

‘Why would I do it when the blacksmiths I hired do it for me? They’re much better at making things than I am.’

‘…I see.’

‘Rather, this is more my calling? It’s like I found my aptitude late. So, tell me. If you want something, I’ll match the price somehow.’

Now that I see it, it seems that the dwarf has given up his dream of being a blacksmith and switched his profession to sales.

No wonder business is doing so well.

‘Oh my, he’s even wearing a mithril necklace?’

To be honest, it was quite shocking.

Giving up his dream, the clothes he was wearing, it all seemed like he wasn’t the same guy I knew.

Well, the highlight was what he said at the end.

‘Tsk, tsk… I explained it well because you looked like you had a lot of money, but you’re just unlucky.’

As soon as I said that I didn’t intend to buy anything and just came to look around, he wiped the smile off his face and chased me out.

I was dumbfounded even as I was being pushed out.

What happened to him that made him so greedy for money?

‘…Well, it’s good that he seems to be doing well.’

After leaving the blacksmith shop, I headed to the training center where I had found the location beforehand. It was where that old man, Rotmiller, was running a business, teaching scout skills to explorers…

‘It’s closed. I was going to see his face from afar.’

For some reason, it wasn’t open today.

‘Then where should I go?’

I thought about going back home, but there was nothing to do there, so I decided on a new destination and moved.

[Lavigion National Library]

There’s no better place than here when there’s nothing to do.

I entered through the wide-open door, as if to announce that it was open, and saw a familiar-looking desk.

But…

‘What is this?’

The faces of the people sitting at the desk are different.

Originally, there should have been only one sleepy librarian at that wide desk.

‘Welcome. We welcome your visit.’

There are more than twenty employees sitting at the desk, doing their work.

Just like the library of 20 years ago.

‘Excuse me… where did the original librarian go?’

‘…Which person are you referring to?’

‘Ragna Ritaniel Peprock…’

‘……?’

At my question, one of the librarians tilted her head as if she didn’t know, then went to the desk and asked the other librarians before returning.

‘When I asked my seniors, they said it was the name of someone who retired before the library reorganization.’

‘…Do you know when she retired?’

‘They said it was right before the reorganization, so it would be about 2 years ago.’

2 years ago…

Well, she didn’t have the specs to be a librarian for life.

In the first place, she was handling the work that dozens of people would do alone with her vast amount of magical power.

‘Is there anything else I can help you with?’

‘It’s okay, just cast a detection magic, and I’ll take care of the rest.’

‘The fee for the book detection magic is 3,000 stones!’

Oh my, they’re even charging a fee now?

I realized that there had been changes in many areas while I was gone, but I paid the money and found a few books and sat down.

How much time had passed since then?

Zzzzzzz-!

Who is it, seriously, from earlier?

Zzzzzzz-!

I couldn’t stand the continuous snoring that was ringing out without any regular interval, and I raised my head.

‘Excuse me… user, we’ve received a complaint… please, please wake up…?’

One of the librarians was almost begging, shaking the shoulder of a huge barbarian who was snoring.

Zzzzzzz-!

Ugh, he’s giving all barbarians a bad name…

‘Huh?’

The moment the awakened barbarian wiped his drool and stood up, I couldn’t help but flinch.

‘Ah, sorry! I must have dozed off for a moment!’

Roughly braided and carelessly let down blonde hair.

Stubborn-looking golden eyes.

‘Ah, yes… then please leave…’

Huh, I never thought I would meet her at the library.

Her frame had grown so much that I almost didn’t recognize her at first, but when I saw her face, I was sure.

‘Haha! There’s no need to kick me out. I apologized, didn’t I! Don’t be so harsh. Ah, is the word ‘harsh’ a bit difficult?’

It was Pnelin’s second daughter, Ainar.