Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 656

Outsider (1)

I felt it keenly during my recent time travel.

Knowing an unchangeable future is like a curse.

But…

“So… does that mean something will happen in a year?”

“Yes. It will. A very fun and big event.”

Still, there are positives to consider.

Assuming Lee Baek-ho’s words are true, it means we can live peacefully for a year, right?

“You’re not going to tell me what kind of event it is, are you?”

“Hyung [older brother or close male friend], it wouldn’t be an event if you knew beforehand.”

“Then, at least tell me this. If that event happens, will District 7 get wrecked again…?”

“Hmm, I don’t think that will happen…? The event I mentioned isn’t that kind of thing…”

That was a relief to hear.

It was crucial for me, as I was planning to expand my real estate business significantly.

‘But… if it’s not that kind of thing, what on earth is he talking about?’

As I was quietly pondering, Lee Baek-ho made a face as if he had realized something.

“Ah, did I give too many hints?”

Too many hints, my foot.

I don’t have a clue.

“Anyway, now that we’ve said everything we needed to, you know…?”

What?

“…What?”

The moment I tilted my head, Lee Baek-ho disappeared from right in front of me.

“Poof.”

Ha… I really need to get stronger, and fast.

***

A few days after visiting the Marquis’s estate, the reconstruction of District 7 began in earnest.

The proud labor warriors of our tribe.

Adult males from Beefron.

And construction experts sent by various families belonging to Melbes, led by the Goldbeard Count’s family.

Everyone worked together to start the demolition, and construction began immediately on the cleared areas.

The construction progressed at an incredibly fast pace, with tens of thousands of people involved. In terms of speed alone, it seemed even better than modern construction sites.

And that’s because.

KWA-A-A-A-A-ANG-!

There are no heavy machines, but there is magic.

Also, it’s not like we’re building complex high-rise buildings from scratch, and above all, the workers’ capabilities are on a different level.

“Wait! If you lift it like that, you’ll risk hurting your back—!”

“Huh?”

“…It’s amazing no matter how many times I see it. Isn’t it heavy?”

“This much isn’t even a workout!”

They were doing things that would require equipment with their bare hands, so there was no reason for the construction speed to be slower than in modern times…

“The Tailan Baron family said they would sell the entire 7-2 commercial district if we offered a little more.”

“They’re selling the entire commercial district? Buy it immediately.”

While carrying out the construction work, we also bought land in District 7 at low prices from nobles, brokered by Grandpa Hoeju.

And…

“The 7-2 commercial district? We were planning to work on that much later, though?”

“The schedule has been changed. It’s under Baron Yandel’s orders.”

It goes without saying, but the land that had been purchased immediately began demolition and reconstruction work.

After all, we need to quickly build houses to find tenants to move in, and then use that money to buy more land.

“This is the house I’ll be staying in for two years…!”

“It’s small, but it has everything you need!”

“It’s unsettling that Beefron is next door, but there’s no other choice. The house prices in other districts have gone up too much…”

Contrary to my worries, it wasn’t too difficult to find tenants. It was a form of dividing the space into studio apartments, with dozens of people living in one building.

It was inevitable that the burden would be less…

Moreover, the fact that low-interest loans were approved by the bank and that existing residents of District 7 were provided with housing funds by the royal family was also a boon for the business.

“With this level of population density, my judgment is that opening a store wouldn’t lead to failure.”

Also, as residents moved in, merchants became interested, creating a virtuous cycle, and the business expanded smoothly.

Of course, it wasn’t like there were no problems in the process.

“Ahem… I’m sorry, but please forget what I said about selling earlier.”

As District 7 was rapidly normalizing, there were several nobles who withdrew their intention to sell their land.

But…

“Hey, Baron…?”

“Ah, I’m really busy, why do you keep coming?”

“I’m here to ask why construction isn’t being done on our family’s land—.”

“Don’t rush me. Can’t you see everyone is working hard?”

“…That’s not the issue! Buildings have already been built around us, and I’m asking why our land is still barren! We already made the design plans and handed them over, and now we just need to build—!”

“Ah, so I’m telling you to wait, didn’t I? Who said we wouldn’t do it? We’ll do it when the time comes.”

“…”

For reference, each family is completely blocked from the option of hiring other workers to build their buildings.

The reconstruction of District 7 must be carried out through our Yandel Baron family.

“Fine. I’ll sell it…”

There were many families who couldn’t withstand my blatant tactics and surrendered, but it was also true that there were more families who tried to hold out until the end.

‘They can start construction last…’

Like that, one month, two months, three months…

Time flew by, and as the business got on track, the things I had to pay attention to also decreased significantly.

Therefore, from then on, I focused on other things rather than the business.

After all, making money is good, but it’s meaningless if the priorities are reversed.

“Finally, we’re one family. Welcome.”

“Hah… I didn’t expect it to take this long.”

James Kala, the vice-commander of the Sawtooth Clan.

Paladin Sven Farab.

Noble officer Meland Kaislan.

Lilis Marone, from the Magic Corps.

I finally officially recruited the former Ice Rock Expedition members, who had left their respective groups and were now completely ordinary people.

“Isn’t Akuraba joining us?”

“I don’t know yet. I contacted him saying I wanted to meet, but I haven’t received a reply.”

“It seems to be a similar case to Lavyen.”

“…It’s not an easy decision. A lot of time has passed since that day.”

“Still, I can’t understand it at all! I still can’t sleep properly because of that incident…!”

“C, calm down, Ms. Marone… Th, they must have their own reasons, right?”

Well, I think it’s more of a difference in personality than reasons.

There are people like Lilis Marone, while there are also people who think it’s better to forget and move on.

Realistically, that’s much more comfortable.

“So… I joined because I was told to, but… is there anything we have to do?”

“Actually, I was wondering about that too. Now that the labyrinth is closed, what can we do by gathering…?”

“Could it be… that the labyrinth will reopen soon?”

I shook my head at the new members’ questions.

“No, I haven’t heard any news about the labyrinth reopening either. But there was other news.”

“What kind of news…?”

“There will be a big tournament at the festival in the 13th month.”

This was high-level information that I was able to find out in advance by mobilizing my noble connections, and not many people know about it yet.

“What kind of tournament are you talking about…?”

“The details may change, but for now, they say they will gather the clans and have them compete. Our primary goal is to win that tournament.”

“…Ah! I’ve heard that such tournaments have been held a few times before!”

“But I can’t understand why they’re holding such a tournament at this time.”

“Rather, it’s because of this time that they’re holding it. The royal family always wants to cover people’s eyes.”

“So… if that’s the primary goal… does that mean there are other goals…?”

I chuckled as I looked at Sven Farab, who seemed more interested in this than the tournament.

“Of course, there are. But it’s still a secret.”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t make that face. It’s just in the thinking stage. I’ll tell you again when it becomes more concrete.”

I’ve mentioned the existence of the second goal, so that’s enough for now…

“Follow me! Everyone is waiting.”

After that, I took the new members inside and started the welcoming ceremony.

A place where existing and new members sat together, eating and drinking, naturally building friendships.

“Mr. Karlstein, your face looks much better.”

“Ah, is that so…? I don’t really know…”

“It definitely looks better. In the basement, you had a somewhat unapproachable aura.”

“Ahaha… R, really?”

In the case of the goblins and Kaislan, who lived together in the basement, they had already become acquainted, but there were also relationships where today was the first meeting.

“James Kala! Nice to meet you!!”

“Ah… Nice to meet you too. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“I heard you shoot a bow? Shoot one at me!”

“R, right now…?”

“You’re supposed to get closer while fighting!”

James Kala and Lilis Marone, who did not participate in the basement expedition, were seeing Ainar, Misha, and Auyen for the first time today.

“Marone, say hello. This is Misha Karlstein. And this is our navigator, Auyen Lockrove.”

“Ah, yes… Nice to meet you both.”

I didn’t push too much and just introduced them to each other and stepped aside. The three of them, knowing the intention of this gathering, continued their conversation in a friendly manner.

Ah, that is, until Ainar’s eyes caught sight of them.

“Hey! What are you three talking about so much!! Let us join in too!”

“…Huh?”

“Ah, right! Do you want to watch too? He’s going to shoot an arrow at me.”

“…I, I didn’t agree to that?”

Everyone seemed to be drained by Ainar, but I didn’t intervene.

Isn’t that how it is?

Originally, in a setting like this, there should be at least one extreme extrovert to make the atmosphere much smoother.

“Yandel, come here for a second.”

As I was standing a little away, watching Ainar’s group, Amelia approached me without a sound and led me to a secluded corner.

“What’s going on?”

“I have something to tell you about what you asked me to do.”

I immediately lowered my voice.

“Ah, did you find out something…?”

“I need to verify the authenticity, but there was some progress.”

Honestly, I was a little surprised.

I had asked her, but I didn’t expect her to come back with results so quickly.

“Even if it’s completely wrong information, tell me quickly.”

At my urging, Amelia told me the information she had found out so far, and I listened silently.

And how much time had passed?

“But…”

Amelia, who had finished her explanation, asked me with worried eyes.

“Are you really going to do it…?”

She had received the request and found a way, but her voice sounded like she wasn’t really keen on it.

But…

“There’s no other way, is there?”

The Noark guys are hiding a lot.

The royal family is even worse.

Lee Baek-ho and the clown also hide information, so there’s no proper information.

But in the midst of all that.

[So… does that mean something will happen in a year?]

[Yes. It will happen. A very fun and big event.]

Something is happening beneath the surface.

And with my personality, it’s impossible to just sit back and watch.

It wouldn’t be a choice befitting an explorer either.

“Emily, don’t worry too much.”

“…”

“It’s just that the time has come.”

It’s time to explore outside the city walls now.