Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 13

The moment Erwen, looking tense, picked up an arrow, I shoved her forward. “Huh?” Suddenly pushed from behind, Erwen stumbled forward, and in the process, her forehead made contact with the essence floating in the air. Whooshhhhh-! The essence emitted light and swirled into Erwen’s body. “You crazy bastard!” So, that was their goal too. “Don’t move! I told you not to!” The group of four explorers arrived 10 meters in front of us. But what to do? She already absorbed the essence. I took a step forward, not showing any tension, and spoke with a commanding tone. “Why should I listen to you?” “That essence was ours!” The situation if I hadn’t let Erwen absorb the essence roughly played out in my head. They probably would have insisted on taking it, making up some excuse like we had taken it with our arrows from afar, or something like that. “If you want to fight, come at me. I’ll gladly take you on.” Four against two. Even though we were outnumbered, I responded strongly. It’s similar to how a small dog barks loudly. Because I want to avoid a fight as much as possible. People are like beasts; if they think they can take advantage of you, they will. “…” The red-haired guy, who seemed to be the leader of the group, silently gritted his teeth. Well, he must be thinking too. If the essence was still floating in the air, maybe. But the owner has already been decided, so there’s no point in fighting us. They should just give up and go back— “…We demand compensation.” So, he decided to whine. Seeing the essence disappear right before his eyes, he must have been very disappointed. Not that I have any reason to consider it. “We took the essence we obtained, so what compensation are you talking about?” “Do you have proof? That goblin was one we hunted.” I don’t bother asking, ‘And do you have proof?’ It’s obvious, but there’s no way they would have any. It’s not like there are CCTVs in the dungeon. In the end, the words of the one with power will become the truth. “I’ll say it again, if you want to fight, come at me. I won’t run.” I responded firmly without any room for negotiation. If they want to fight, they should fight, and if not, they should stop making excuses and get lost. I didn’t even give them time to think calmly. “I’ll give you three. If you don’t decide before then, I’ll consider you enemies.” “Ah, mister…?” Why can’t she read the room? Just stay still. Can’t you see they’re all scared because I’m being so assertive? “Three.” “Two.” “We’ll retreat.” He made his decision before I could even count to one. Well, if I were him, I’d probably do the same if a tattooed, muscular barbarian was counting down. If it was really theirs, they would have been burning with anger and trying to get revenge, but… They know better than anyone that it wasn’t. Soon, they disappeared from our sight. “Did they leave?” “Yes. I think so.” “I’ll pick up the pace until we reach the portal. Lead the way.” At my words, Erwen silently cleared the path at a running pace. She also felt it to some extent. Even though we got through it without bloodshed, it wasn’t over yet. “What about their presence?” “I don’t feel them. Ah, there’s a group of goblins at 3 o’clock. What should we do?” “Ignore them.” “Yes.” Originally, I was going to leisurely hunt goblins on the way back, but the plan changed. We need to get out of the 2nd floor as quickly as possible. And if possible, even after going down to the 1st floor, we need to stay as far away from the portal as possible. Erwen tilted her head at my plan. “Do you think they’ll follow us to the 1st floor?” “They’re not following us. It’s just that our destinations are the same.” “What does that mean?” It’s a simple guess. They were a party of four. And four is a pretty good number to be active at the entrance of the 2nd floor. But they’re moving towards the entrance, not the outskirts? The intention is obvious. “They probably planned to go down to the 1st floor and return to the city on the 7th day. That’s why we ran into them here at this time.” “Ah…” In short, they’re just a bunch of mediocre people who were just testing the waters on the 2nd floor, like us. That’s why they were scared of me and ran away even though they had twice the numbers. Maybe they’re not even a proper party, just a group that was hastily formed after meeting by chance on the 1st floor. “I see…” Erwen quietly nodded at my explanation. I don’t know if she understood properly. “As expected, you’re amazing, mister!” …You didn’t, did you? “I’ll just do whatever you tell me to do!” Well, maybe that’s better. Those who try to use their heads poorly tend to cause more accidents. “Mister, it’s goblins!” “Avoid them.” “But, it seems like they’ve already spotted us? They’re running towards us!” “What?” As soon as I heard that, I felt a sense of incongruity. From the 4th day until now, goblins had never spotted us first. Erwen’s detection ability was that outstanding. Even if we’re running now, unlike before, there’s no way this is just a coincidence. Moreover, she’s absorbed the essence, hasn’t she? “First, we’ll detour in the opposite direction.” “Yes!” At my instruction, Erwen changed direction. And at that moment. Whoosh! An arrow was shot from the direction we turned. I grabbed the back of Erwen’s neck the moment I saw it. “Kehk!” Erwen groaned because her windpipe was strongly compressed, but… It’s better to have your neck choked for a moment. Than to have it pierced. Clang! The moment I pulled Erwen into my arms and covered my upper body with my shield, an arrow bounced off my shield. It was quite heavy even though it was a glancing blow. Was that the guy with the crossbow from before? “I, I could have dodged it myself…” Erwen said something while coughing. Sorry, but there’s no time to listen. “I was…” “Just run.” I put Erwen in front of me again and started running. “Mister, if another arrow comes, you don’t have to pull me like that…” “Be quiet. I’m thinking.” When I spoke in a low voice, Erwen shut her mouth. I ran while being cautious of my surroundings and continued to think. I don’t know how they did it, but they lured the goblins. And they’re trying to ambush us from the opposite direction. If we just keep running, will we be able to reach the portal safely? ‘No way.’ I considered the possibility, but it was extremely low. They have a crossbowman. The goblins will keep chasing us. If we’re lucky, we might survive all of this, but… Well, I’m not that lucky guy. “We have to fight.” A few moments to catch my breath. Within that time, I came to a conclusion. “Erwen, use your ability.” “Ability?” “Use the power of the essence.” The essence dropped by monsters contains the special abilities of each individual. For example, [Goblin Archer] Agility +2 Flexibility +4 Vision +6 Smell +2 Perception +2 Obstruct Perception +6 Accuracy +8 Poison Resistance +4 Obsession +7 (P) Poison Arrow – When using a bow-type weapon, inflicts poison damage. (A) Thief’s Step – Gains stealth. In the game, the information was displayed like this. Stat increases, one passive, and one active. This information should apply in this world as well. There have been some variables so far, such as the evil spirits and the starting point, but at least in these areas, it has always matched the game. “B-but I don’t know how to use it…” I smiled at Erwen, who was flustered by my unreasonable request. “That’s good.” “Good?” “It means you’ve gone into stealth.” Erwen’s body, while running, became blurry. It’s still faint, so you can see it from afar, but… “Stop.” When she stopped, the stealth effect became stronger. So, that’s why the character moved slowly in the game. As time passed while standing still, she became almost transparent, beyond translucent. There’s a clear sense of incongruity in the outline, but it won’t be visible unless you’re close. Especially in this dark forest. “Wow…” Erwen exclaimed as she looked at her body. It’s amazing to me too. Although my point is a bit different from hers. It’s not a command or anything, but a mechanism where the skill is activated in response to will. Anyway, let’s study this in more detail later. “Erwen. Take this.” “Yes?” I handed Erwen my backpack. And I spoke rapidly. “Hide here and when I give the signal, shoot the crossbowman first. Absolutely do not come out before that. Understand?” “What, what are you saying…” “There’s no time. I’ll assume you understood.” I quickly finished what I had to say and immediately started running. “Wait, the signal! How will I know the signal—!” I heard her small voice from behind, but there were too many risks to go back. Thud. I stopped after moving about 30 meters from the original position. I didn’t plan to go far in the first place. It would be a disaster if I stepped on a trap in the bushes while running like this. “Grrrk, grrrk!” Turning around, I could sense goblins rushing in from the front left. And those bastards… I still don’t know where they are. They haven’t shown themselves yet after blocking the first shot. But I’m not too worried. I know what they’re thinking. “Grrrk, grrrk!” They’ll show up first if I’m fighting the goblins. That’s probably why they lured the goblins in the first place. Back to the present, I looked at the approaching goblins. “Grrrk!!” Out of the dozen or so goblins, there were two swordsmen. Fortunately, there were no archers among the goblin group— Clang! There is one. Deflecting the incoming arrow with my shield, I charged at the goblin group. Of course, I couldn’t go wild like before. There’s a goblin archer and a human crossbowman aiming at me. Clang! Another arrow flies after about 10 seconds. This time, it’s from the goblin archer. Clang! After blocking the arrow with my shield, I smashed the head of a goblin swordsman wielding a scimitar. In return, I got a slight stab in the leg with a carving knife from another goblin, but… Fwip. It can’t be helped. I have to take this much risk. Only when the number of goblins decreases will they feel impatient and reveal themselves. Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! As I was possessed by a barbarian and beating the goblins, my injuries gradually increased. Arms, thighs, sides, etc. If you look at each one, they’re not serious, but they can’t be ignored when they accumulate like this. Thwack! I started to feel a tingling sensation spreading from the injured areas, as if poison had started to circulate. But after enduring all of this and defeating a total of 7 goblins. Whoosh! An arrow flew in. At the same time, two at once. Whoosh! The directions were different. One must be from the goblin archer, and the other from the crossbowman. It’s difficult to block both. I chose to block the crossbowman’s arrow coming from the side with my shield. Clang! A heavy sound that was different from the goblin archer’s. Is this the power of a crossbow? While I was thinking that, a goblin arrow pierced my left elbow with a ‘thwack’ sound. “Shit.” It hurts. Did it reach the bone? It hurts, but my arm won’t move at all after getting hit by one arrow. Damn, I tried to deflect it with my shoulder guard, but it’s harder than I thought. Thud. I threw away the hammer in my right hand without hesitation. And I picked up the shield in my useless left hand. If I had to choose between a hammer and a shield, the shield is definitely better. Especially in a situation like this. Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! I beat the remaining three goblins with the shield in one hand, and for now, the surroundings were cleared. The goblin archer must have run away, as the arrows stopped. It’s a victory in the first round with many injuries, but I managed to endure it, right? I shouted. “Come out! You bastards!” I never thought I’d say this to people instead of goblins. Well, is there really any difference? Whoosh! The ones I called out didn’t come out, and an arrow was shot from afar. It’s from the human crossbowman. I expected it, so blocking it wasn’t a problem. However… Clang! Shit, what is it? The arrow pierced through the metal plate and revealed its tip, as if it hit directly. If I’m not careful, this hand will be ruined too? I covered my upper body with my shield and watched the bushes, and soon I heard footsteps. “Barbarian.” Three people appeared. The red-haired guy who seemed to be the leader. A samurai holding a single-edged sword like a Japanese sword. A tall guy holding a one-handed sword and a shield. The crossbow was still nowhere to be seen. “So, it was you guys.” “Yes, it’s us.” I didn’t ask how they lured the goblins. Because if I did, they would definitely look down on me more. “Come at me.” “So, you’re a barbarian? You’re still full of energy after fighting so many goblins alone. Where’s that fairy girl?” He talks too much, so that must be the goal. “I think you gave her the backpack too, so it’s better to tell us willingly if you don’t want to get hurt.” As soon as I heard that, I chuckled. He says he’ll let us go if I tell him, who does he think I am, a pushover? “Crazy bastard.” The leader frowned at me, who was grinning. He looked like he was tired of something. It seems like he sees me as a typical barbarian. “Let’s subdue him first and ask him slowly.” The leader exchanged glances with his companions, and they all slowly closed the distance. Capture… That’s a welcome story to hear. Well, there’s no point in killing me, right? There must be several reasons why they ambushed us. The magic stones we collected for 7 days, the equipment we’re wearing, Erwen’s beautiful appearance, and even the fact that they witnessed someone else’s luck right in front of them, they must be jealous. I realize it again. “Everyone, don’t let your guard down, think of it as hunting a large monster.” Really, there are too many efficiency-obsessed people in this world. Well, that’s probably why I grew up like this. Swoosh. I slowly raised my hand. My left hand, which was barely moving because an arrow was stuck in my elbow and now the paralysis poison was starting to circulate, I forced it up above my head. And… “What are you doing?” I raised my middle finger high. So that anyone who has lived in this world would recognize it as a unique signal. Thwack-! A chilling sound echoed in the forest.