Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 129

What does the head of the family truly want from me?

This question lingered.

I had some guesses, but I wasn’t at the stage where I could be certain, or so I thought.

Hence, Plan B.

I devised a plan to come out in front of everyone.

Because it was the one thing the head of the family would least welcome in the current situation.

‘Right, the point of checks and balances is to prevent the other side from doing what they want.’

The head of the family wanted to keep Misha’s successful awakening a secret from both inside and outside the family. So, he quickly showed his face before Plan B could be put into action.

And as a result of continuing the barbarian-style conversation.

I was finally able to hear his true, unfiltered intentions.

“I know you used that item.”

The Frost Spirit Ring.

A Numbers item [a unique, powerful artifact] that, when its hidden piece is activated, allows a confirmed contract with the Glacial Beast Scathach.

‘It’s not strange for a tribal chief to know about it.’

It was a possibility I had already considered from the start.

If he didn’t think I had used ‘that item,’ there would be no reason to treat Misha like someone else’s child.

However, the head of the family wasn’t at the stage of certainty either.

“That item? What are you talking about?”

A feline beastkin at the age of twenty-five.

The probability of naturally contracting with Scathach under these conditions would be close to 0%, but…

Close and 0 are distinctly different.

“Hmm.”

So, he’s testing the waters like this.

He has suspicions, but no proof.

“You know, your acting is clumsy?”

Clumsy my ass.

How many people have I fooled so far?

“What are you talking about? Speak plainly.”

“I’m talking about ‘that item’ that allows you to contract with the Glacial Beast Scathach. You can’t possibly say you don’t know about it, can you?”

The head of the family stared at me, as if telling me not to lie since he knew everything.

Does he think barbarians are idiots?

“There’s such an item? Then why didn’t you give it to Misha?”

“Because it’s a very valuable item. There’s no way I’d give it to someone who isn’t my own child.”

As soon as I heard those words, I instinctively checked on Misha.

As expected, she looked like she was about to cry.

However, I decided to comfort her later.

I continued my act as a barbarian who knew nothing.

“A valuable item? Then isn’t it even stranger? How could I possibly have such an item?”

“Well, perhaps you might have accidentally obtained it from that magic tower you often visit.”

What the hell?

Does he really know everything?

My body stiffened without me realizing it.

So, to make up for my mistake, I decided to glare at the head of the family.

“…Did you even investigate me?”

A barbarian simply pissed off by an act that crossed the line.

With this, my previous actions wouldn’t seem too awkward—

“I told you, your acting is clumsy.”

Bullshit, I believe in my acting skills.

I didn’t budge and retorted as if annoyed.

“So, what is that item? What is it that’s making you bother me like this?”

“That, I cannot tell you.”

“What?”

“You keep denying it, don’t you? It’s an item that shouldn’t be known to outsiders. If you admit it, then I’ll tell you.”

Huh? What is it?

There was no contradiction in the head of the family’s words.

If he was just testing me, it was natural that he wouldn’t tell me the name of the item.

But…

‘Why does it feel so strange?’

A sense of unease was rising.

My intuition, which had defeated countless bastards who tried to test me, was telling me so.

“Does that item even really exist? Or is there actually another purpose?”

Therefore, I asked again.

And I focused all my attention on carefully observing the head of the family.

A moment of hesitation, changes in facial muscles. Where was his gaze directed, and what was his voice like?

“Of course. What other purpose could there be?”

I wasn’t an expert, but I watched every moment of his short speech with a suspicious eye.

And then, I instinctively realized.

The head of the family was lying.

‘Ah, so that’s what it was.’

Thanks to that, the last question I had was resolved.

He could have tested me in other ways.

“Tell me honestly. If you’re keeping quiet because you’re worried about this child, I’ll solve that problem for you.”

Why was the head of the family even saying such contradictory things?

It all made sense.

If the goal was ‘that item’ itself, not Misha.

‘No wonder he kept referring to it as ‘that item’.’

Soon, I was certain.

The head of the family knew about the Frost Spirit Ring.

Only half of it.

‘He knows such an item exists, but he doesn’t know what it actually is.’

The situation finally clicked in my head.

The head of the family invited me to the mansion.

Whether Misha was his biological daughter or not didn’t matter.

It didn’t seem like he was that enthusiastic about his children in the first place.

There was another main purpose.

An item that could guarantee a contract with a spirit.

If, by any chance, I really knew about this item, he wanted to find out.

Because that would be information of immense value to a beastkin, beyond any monetary value.

So, he presented Misha’s miserable situation, which he judged to be my Achilles’ heel, right in front of me.

He must have planned to use it for a deal or as a threat.

Therefore…

“I swear on the honor of a warrior, I know nothing about such an item.”

I threw the trump card I had been saving.

The warrior’s oath, which was the number one reason why the barbarian I had chosen was a cheat character.

“…”

A deep sense of bewilderment was etched into the head of the family’s eyes.

Confirming this, I didn’t miss the timing and pushed in the final blow.

“But I will find out what that item is. So, wait for me.”

I muttered as if suppressing my anger, and I checked the head of the family’s expression.

His eyes were filled with a deep light of disappointment.

He’s the worst actor, isn’t he?

***

“Forget everything we talked about today.”

With the head of the family’s notice, I left the Kalstein mansion. Misha had been looking dazed since earlier, and I didn’t bother to talk to her.

I had things to think about anyway.

‘Whew, at least it didn’t go to the worst case scenario.’

When I heard about the invitation from the Kalstein family, there were two reasons why I readily accepted.

1. Misha’s escape.

If the head of the family was trying to put Misha into a large clan, I had to stop it. After Erwen and Ainar, was Misha, whom I had barely managed to raise, going to leave too?

The thought alone was terrible.

2. Preventing suspicion of evil spirits.

If the head of the family knew the secret behind Misha’s awakening, I needed to visit at least once to properly cover it up.

I didn’t expect that he would call me because he only knew half of it.

Squeak, squeak.

As we passed through the garden, the gatekeeper who recognized us opened the main gate wide. The bald guy from before must have gone to rest after receiving treatment; it was a face I had never seen before.

But, did they recognize me?

“Ah, please have a safe trip.”

When our eyes met, he briefly bowed and saw us off.

The mansion where Misha had lived from childhood until adulthood.

The manicured garden was vibrant, and the fountain sparkled as it shot out water.

The mansion was not much different.

Unlike the inn where I was staying, the architecture was antique and had a grand charm.

But…

The damp malice surrounding the mansion remained unchanged.

Just like when I first saw this place, it felt like I was looking at a dungeon full of monsters.

It hit me again.

Right, she survived here.

For all that time.

“You’ve worked hard.”

When I patted her back, Misha shook her head as she came to her senses.

“Ah, no. You’re the one who worked hard…”

Well, that wasn’t what I meant.

“Still, weren’t you the one who had the hardest time?”

I chuckled and patted her back once more.

“Ouch! That hurts!”

Yeah, now she’s back to her usual self.

“If you’ve come to your senses, lead the way now. I don’t know the way back.”

“Ha, really… what would you do without me?”

“I wouldn’t have come to a place where I don’t know the way.”

“…That’s true.”

We walked through the beastkin district, having a pointless conversation.

I could see harmonious scenes everywhere.

“Dad, that’s the barbarian from before!”

Beastkin were walking around, enjoying themselves as if they were on a family outing.

“Bjorn, let’s eat that.”

“Why are you buying food outside for once?”

“Hmm, well… because we worked hard today?”

Soon, Misha and I stopped by a street vendor, bought some snacks, and sat on a bench in the square. There would be no problem if we ate while walking, but…

It wouldn’t be bad to rest for a while.

“Hey, Bjorn.”

“What is it?”

“Why haven’t you asked me even once?”

“Asked what?”

While quietly resting and watching the passing beastkin.

Misha asked me a question.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“So, what about?”

“That… whether I’m really, our father’s child…”

I wondered what she was talking about, but that was it.

I chuckled and looked at Misha.

She hadn’t done anything wrong, but Misha, who had asked the question, was looking down at the ground with her head bowed.

“I’m not curious.”

“Really? Not even a little?”

“Yeah, why is that important?”

“Wow, you really don’t care about me…”

What is she talking about?

I stopped myself from hitting her on the back.

‘She told me not to say it hurts.’

I wondered if I should mess up her hair like in a cartoon, but it was too cringey, so I stopped.

My hand, which had nowhere to go, returned to my lap.

I looked away and spoke to Misha.

She was my companion, so I had to clear up any misunderstandings.

“It’s not that I don’t care, it’s that it’s not really important.”

“Huh?”

“7th-grade explorer Misha Kalstein. That’s you, isn’t it? It doesn’t matter who your parents are. The fact that you’re a companion I can trust and rely on won’t change.”

“Wow…”

Misha’s mouth dropped open as if she had heard something amazing.

And she smiled brightly as she looked at me.

“How did you come up with those words?”

“…Are you trying to pick a fight?”

If so, that’s a relief.

I was about to get up since we had rested enough, but Misha grabbed my sleeve.

“Bjorn.”

“What?”

“This is a secret, but I’m only telling you?”

“Enough, just say it quickly.”

“I… I’m actually a half-breed. My mom told me. Before she passed away. She said she was really sorry.”

Ah, uh, um…

I was wondering how to react, but I just decided to nod.

“…I see.”

“What? Why aren’t you surprised?”

Because I already knew.

I didn’t know the details, but still.

“It’s not that important, is it?”

“Ugh, you emotionless barbarian!”

Soon, we got up from our seats.

And we left the holy land and entered the city, arriving at the place with the public lift.

However, while we were buying tickets and waiting for the carriage.

“Ah, right. What happened to that? You made an oath in front of my father earlier. That was definitely…”

Misha trailed off.

I was genuinely flustered.

I couldn’t think about it, whether it was because I had become too comfortable with her, or because I had too much to think about in front of the head of the family.

“That… was a lie, wasn’t it?”

I sighed and nodded.

What was the point of hiding anything when she already knew everything?

I just had to handle it well.

“Yeah, it was a lie. You’re more important than a warrior’s honor.”

“…Is that really true?”

Misha didn’t say anything for a long time after that.

That time was filled with anxiety.

“…”

“…”

Surely, she wasn’t thinking strange things, was she?

At this rate, I’d rather say something first than suffocate like this.

“Ah!”

Misha jumped up.

And after uttering a strange sound.

“I, I left something at home, so I’ll go back!”

“…What? The carriage is coming soon—”

“Go on ahead!”

She disappeared like a flash.

…What was that?

Surely, I wasn’t screwed, was I?

***

Rustle, rustle.

Albreneiv Kalstein.

Sitting in his study, he turned the pages of a book with slightly hurried gestures.

And finally, he found the part he was looking for.

[No…]

……………………can contract with the Glacial Beast Scathach.

A description that could only be read with a single sentence because it was completely torn.

All suspicion started from this book.

[Relic Compendium VI]

This book contains descriptions of hundreds of Numbers items.

And the important thing here is that the description is never wrong.

A compendium is that kind of book.

A book of truth where even discussing its value is meaningless.

‘If I hadn’t known this, I could have been purely happy.’

When that child said she had awakened.

To be honest, I was happy.

I thought I wouldn’t have to hide the family’s shame anymore.

[It’s the Glacial Beast Scathach.]

The contracted spirit was the problem.

Was this really a coincidence?

I couldn’t shake off a sense of unease.

So, I tested the child several times, and soon came to a conclusion.

That child did not awaken naturally.

If my prediction was correct, she received help.

Probably from that barbarian named Bjorn Yandel.

[I, I can’t talk about things related to Bjorn. I, I swore to my guardian spirit…]

However, the child refused to talk about it, mentioning her guardian spirit’s oath.

It was something that had no coercion and no meaning in the present day, where tradition had faded.

The child, who had never properly rebelled, lied for the first time, even making such an excuse.

At this rate, it would be difficult to get a proper answer.

[It would be better to investigate that barbarian.]

He changed the direction of his pursuit.

Then, suspicious circumstances continued to emerge.

That barbarian was close to a mage from the Artemion School.

Arua Raven.

Coincidentally, she was a person he remembered.

She was a rival he had met while wandering around to obtain another ‘Compendium’.

At that time, one hypothesis arose.

What if that mage had obtained the ‘Relic Compendium’?

And told the barbarian about it after seeing it?

[That makes much more sense.]

He decided to target the barbarian rather than the headstrong mage girl. According to the investigation, they seemed to be living almost like a married couple, so it would be easier if he used that child.

But…

‘To think it was really a natural awakening.’

It wasn’t that he believed in something like an oath.

The barbarian’s acting didn’t seem like acting.

He really looked like he didn’t know, and I could feel the emotion of him lamenting his ignorance for the sake of that child.

‘Interesting. To think there was talent in that insignificant bloodline.’

When his thoughts reached that point, someone knocked on the door.

It was his aide, Veros.

“Misha Kalstein is requesting to see you, Master.”

“That child? Let her in at once.”

After waiting for a moment, the aide left and the child entered.

“I… I had something I couldn’t say earlier—”

“Ah, if it’s about that matter, don’t worry. I will keep my promise. No one will ever think of you as not being a member of our family again.”

Strangely, the child didn’t react.

I thought she would be a little happier.

He added a word while he was at it.

“Now you are my daughter.”

The words that the child, who had felt a lack and had been feeling love and hate, had most wanted to hear.

But this time, it was the same.

“…Why don’t you say anything?”

“Because that’s not why I came…!”

“What?”

I was taken aback by her rude tone.

What on earth was this change?

Before I could adjust, the child looked directly at me.

“Father. No, not even father. You know? The fact that we’re not related by blood at all.”

“What?”

He was genuinely flustered.

Not because it was a fact he didn’t know, but because he never expected it to come from this child’s mouth.

“My mom told me before she passed away. That I’m not actually from the Kalstein bloodline. I came to tell you this. I hate you, but… I also feel sorry for you.”

Was it because it was a sight he had never imagined even once?

He wasn’t angry at her bold words.

He was just curious.

“Why on earth are you doing this?”

He knew who Misha’s biological father was.

He thought it would all be resolved if she died in the labyrinth.

But…

“If you hadn’t said those words, I was really thinking of accepting you as a member of the family.”

She was given what she had so desperately wanted, but why was this child rejecting it?

“Why? Why are you throwing away the opportunity with your own hands?”

As if it wasn’t worth answering, the child turned her back and headed for the door.

However, had there been a change of heart at the end?

She only turned her head slightly and said to him.

“I just… wanted to do it!”

It was a word he couldn’t understand at all.