Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 147

Sometimes, there are days like that. A moment’s whim leading to unexpected fortune. For Amelia Rainwales, today was exactly that kind of day.

Who would have known?

That she would encounter this guy on the ramparts she climbed on a whim, feeling stifled.

“Regal Vargos.”

A member of the Orculists who divided this cursed city…

And that guy, the one she especially wanted to kill among them.

That guy was passed out on the ground.

In this secluded place, with his body battered, and all alone.

‘…Could it be that he escaped through a dimensional gate? And that’s why he fell here instead of the plaza?’

The first possibility that came to mind was that.

Although the Dragonslayer’s team didn’t have a mage, it was possible if they sacrificed that poor old man they always carried around.

However…

‘Just what kind of enemy did he face inside…’

Amelia dismissed the rising questions.

It didn’t matter who had pushed this guy to this state.

The important thing was that a prepared meal was right in front of her.

First, she bent down and checked his pulse.

‘He’s still alive.’

About two hours or so since the labyrinth closed.

Judging from the circumstances, it was presumed that he had been unconscious until now. It would be a difficult time to endure normally, but this guy wasn’t an ordinary person. Perhaps the skewer stuck in his shoulder also helped stop the bleeding.

“You…”

At that moment, he struggled to open his eyes and stared at her.

It seemed he had regained consciousness after sensing her presence.

Before he could say anything, Amelia spoke first.

“Dragonslayer, do you have any potions?”

“My waist…”

“I see.”

Amelia then untied the pouch around his waist and held it in her hand.

And she asked again.

“I’m about to pour the potion, is it okay to pull out the skewer?”

“Hurry up…”

As soon as she heard his answer, she pulled out the skewer, and the bleeding started again.

If left like this, even the Dragonslayer would surely die.

Amelia stood still and just watched.

“What are you… Hurry, the potion…”

Only then did he feel the strangeness and asked, and she retorted.

“Why should I?”

“The con… tract… you said…”

“Ah, are you talking about the contract?”

Amelia chuckled without realizing it.

Long ago, she had made a contract with the lord of Noark. It was a famous contract that everyone in this city knew.

She could not commit murder within Noark.

It was impossible to break the contract engraved on her flesh.

But…

“You were the one who asked me to pull out the skewer, weren’t you?”

She had simply done as she was told.

Of course, she was unsure since it was her first time using this kind of deception, but if it were a violation of the contract, she wouldn’t have been able to do this in the first place.

“Damn… you…”

Amelia put the pouch she had obtained from him into her subspace.

And she took away his other equipment as well.

The dagger on his waist, the ring on his hand, the wrist guards, and the necklace, etc.

They were all things she had been eyeing.

“Thank you for falling here. I’ll make good use of these. Oh, but who on earth did this to you?”

Even at her mocking question, he didn’t answer.

He just glared upwards, looking resentful.

Amelia didn’t bother to continue the conversation and leaned against the rampart, watching him.

She planned to leave only after making sure he was dead, just in case of any unforeseen problems.

But was this guy’s life still not over?

Thump, thump.

Soon, she heard the footsteps of the rampart patrols from afar.

Amelia made a quick decision.

Everything the patrols saw and heard would be reported to the lord. If she was caught, it would be the end.

“You’re lucky, Dragonslayer.”

She clicked her tongue as if she was bitter.

If this guy died, the Orculist’s power would have decreased that much.

“You… won’t… get away with this.”

Realizing he was alive, he gritted his teeth and muttered.

He would hold her accountable for this.

However, Amelia just shrugged and closed the distance.

“It doesn’t matter. You won’t remember anything anyway.”

“…What?”

She took out a pill and held it in her hand.

A pill called ‘Lethe’s Blessing’ developed by an alchemist in Noark. [Lethe is a river in Greek mythology associated with forgetfulness.]

It had the disadvantage of not working on evil spirits, but it had the convenient function of erasing memories if ingested.

“Damn it!! Ugh, ugh!!”

Amelia grabbed the struggling guy’s jaw tightly and shoved the pill down his throat.

For reference, what she just used wasn’t for supplies.

Since the higher the soul’s level, the lower the efficiency, she used the best one she had, just in case.

The alchemist said that ordinary people could lose their memories for up to a week?

‘It’s better to be sure, considering who he is.’

She didn’t feel that it was a waste.

It wasn’t something she could get again just because she wanted to, but considering what she had gained today, it wouldn’t be a loss.

Besides, the longer the memory was forgotten, the better.

He would think he lost it in the labyrinth, not that he was robbed in this underground city.

‘I guess I should thank whoever it was.’

Listening to the approaching footsteps of the patrol, Amelia quickly left the ramparts.

***

The number of uses of the ring that blocked the death flags related to Regal Vargos up to three times had decreased by one.

In less than 10 minutes.

‘Surely, the number of uses won’t decrease once a day, right?’

She tried to dismiss the sudden anxiety.

It wouldn’t be too late to complain when the time came, and she thought the possibility of that happening was low.

After all, it was a goddess who said it.

[You must prepare to overcome fate in case all the vines of that ring are cut.]

The goddess told me to prepare through the vessel.

She knew how big the gap between me and that guy was, yet she said that. Surely, she wouldn’t be so shameless as to say that with only a month or two, right?

‘…Yes, in the end, the most important thing is when the last vine will break.’

I recalled the saying of ‘changing in the morning and evening’ and calmed my wavering heart. [This refers to the idea that things can change very quickly.]

What did it matter how many they gave in the morning?

The important thing was the total number of acorns. In other words, how long was the total duration of this ring?

‘Let’s do what we have to do.’

In that sense, I briefly mentioned the reward money and left the temple. They said they would pay the reward when I visited again tomorrow?

“Then, let’s go back and rest for today and meet again tomorrow.”

As we were about to decide on a meeting place and return to our lodgings, the dwarf cautiously stopped us.

“Well, I don’t know what you guys will think if I say this. But how about donating Dwarki’s share of the reward money to the orphanage?”

“I… I think that’s a good idea. It’s money we wouldn’t have received if it weren’t for Dwarki.”

“I feel the same way. In fact, it would be ridiculous for me to claim a share of this large sum of money.”

In short, the proposal was to donate 3.5 million stones per person to the orphanage. Unlike my companions who readily agreed, I kept my mouth shut.

Because it was a completely irrational act.

Especially with a huge enemy like the Dragonslayer around.

If it was to carry on Dwarki’s will, it would be right to use this money to make us a little safer.

“…Bjorn, you don’t have to do it. Unlike us, you were the one who suffered the most there.”

“Y-yes, that’s right. We’re doing it out of guilt, so don’t feel too pressured.”

When I remained silent, my companions looked at me and said that.

If I just nodded here, this proposal would be over.

But…

“Let’s talk about this properly when we meet next time. We haven’t even received the money yet, have we?”

I put off the decision for now.

It was clearly a proposal that should have been rejected outright, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

Sigh, this is why you have to be careful about forming bonds with people.

It makes rational judgment difficult.

If it were the old me, I wouldn’t have even had these worries.

“…Then, see you tomorrow!”

We then parted ways and headed to our respective lodgings.

I also walked for about an hour through the peaceful streets and arrived at the inn, where I washed the blood and sweat off my body with clean water.

And as I lay on the bed, staring blankly, someone knocked on the door.

It was Erwen.

“Um, mister? Are you there?”

When I opened the door, she was there, wearing a fluttering skirt, having already washed and dressed herself.

I talked to her, wondering if she had something to say, but the main topic was more like a chat about what happened to her in the labyrinth.

Yes, this used to be everyday life.

I would have listened with interest if it were a normal day, but today it was difficult.

“Erwen, I’m tired, so go back for today.”

“Huh? But the really interesting part starts now…”

“Next time, I’ll listen to the rest next time. I’m tired today, so go back.”

“Okay…”

When I stubbornly issued a dismissal order, Erwen drooped her pointed ears and went back.

Silence settled in. In that silence, I spent a long time alone.

Because if there was a problem, it had to be fixed.

‘Surviving.’

Since I opened my eyes in this body, it was the biggest goal given to me, and this thought hasn’t changed even now.

However, the process of reaching that goal was the problem.

[······Barbarian, you kept your oath well, right?]

I broke the warrior’s oath in front of everyone.

And I led the team proactively, doing countless things that couldn’t help but feel strange.

At that time, I justified everything with the word ‘survival,’ but I knew. In the end, the root of all those actions was trust.

If there was someone who suspected me of being an evil spirit, I would never have done such a thing, even if I died soon.

[…Hey! My friend, cheer up!]

I also shared the highest-grade potions with Rotmüller and Dwarki. It was an irrational choice that threatened me more than anyone else.

The worry from earlier wouldn’t be much different.

‘3.5 million stones…’

I slowly decided to admit it.

I had become weak.

The reason was simple.

Because I had become attached to others.

A big problem had arisen in my rational way of thinking, which was my greatest strength.

It was a problem I couldn’t ignore for me, who prioritized survival above all else, let alone living in this world.

Then, what was the solution?

“…”

I couldn’t find the answer until the moment I fell asleep.

And the next morning.

I received a letter.

The sender was an administrative branch of the Explorer’s Guild.

The content was that I had been designated as the heir to the inheritance of Leol Worb Dwarki, so I should visit and receive it.

***

“Did you get it too?”

“Yeah, you too?”

The first conversation we had when we met our companions the next day.

It seemed that all four of us had received letters from the guild…

Dwarki had clearly designated the orphanage.

Then, how did this happen?

“…Instead of talking among ourselves, it would be better to visit the guild directly and ask.”

As the dwarf said, we all visited the guild together.

And after hearing the details from the relevant department, it wasn’t an administrative error or anything like that.

Dwarki had updated his will and designated the four of us as his heirs.

That was last month, which meant…

“…It was after the fight with the troll.”

Dwarki, who almost died from the troll, returned to the city and updated his will first.

He had already been preparing for it.

The worst of the worst that I hadn’t thought of.

That positive and hopeful guy.

“…”

We received Dwarki’s equipment and backpack that we had given to the guild, as well as the ownership of a house he owned during his lifetime. We left the building like defeated soldiers.

“I don’t know if we can ever repay the debt we owe him…”

“If it were Dwarki, he wouldn’t want us to repay it.”

“Yes, that’s what that friend would have wanted. So, let’s use the money he left behind in the way we each want. That would be his only wish.”

After that, we headed to the temple and received the reward money as well. The Pope was busy and couldn’t meet us, and all the work was done through Krovitz.

I told everyone to go to the pub first, and then I had a brief conversation with him.

“Can you promise to keep everything I’m about to say a secret?”

“You can speak freely. If it doesn’t go against the will of God, I swear I will not reveal the words of my benefactor to anyone.”

The words ‘if it doesn’t go against the will of God’ bothered me a little, but I took out the Arcane Greatsword without much thought and showed it to him.

“…It’s the Dragonslayer’s sword.”

“For some reason, it reacts negatively when we try to use it. Do you know the cause? If it’s because of a curse, I’d like you to remove it as well.”

“The power imbued in that item is not a curse.”

Krovitz seemed to have knowledge about this sword, and he continued his explanation without any hesitation.

It was a long story, but the gist was simple.

The original name of this sword was the Dragon Sword.

It was only named the Dragonslayer Sword after Regal Vargos killed the guardian dragon and ran away.

“Since ancient times, only the Dragonkin could use and wield this sword. The guardian dragons inherited it from generation to generation and enjoyed a life close to eternal.”

“But that guy couldn’t use this sword properly.”

“Ah, that’s because of the dragon’s curse.”

The guardian dragon left a curse before dying.

Because of that, Regal Vargos became a Dragonkin, but not a true Dragonkin. The dragon scales, which were a characteristic of the Dragonkin, were burned and peeled off, and even his heart, the foundation of his power, became closer to that of a human.

He committed the sin of betraying his clan to get the sword, but he couldn’t use it.

“I know that he has been searching for a way to break the curse for a long time. However, according to what Yandel-nim said, it seems there was no way to completely overcome the curse.”

“Anyway, it wasn’t the sword that was cursed, but him.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

After that, I asked him how it would be best to dispose of this sword that we couldn’t use, and Krovitz replied briefly.

“It would be wise to return the sword to the Dragonkin and receive a suitable reward.”

Yes, that was the only way.

Since it was a sword that only the Dragonkin could use, it would be difficult to sell it as stolen goods.

I decided to think about this part later.

“I see. Thank you for the advice.”

“You’re welcome. Yandel-nim is a benefactor of this church. Please visit me anytime if you need my help.”

“Ah, does that mean I can get blessings for free in the future?”

“Haha, that’s a bit…”

I asked just in case, but Krovitz smiled awkwardly and drew a firm line.

He wanted to do it if he could, but there was another divine revelation this morning?

“The Twilight Star said that everything will flow according to the natural order, so do not try to distort her will and go against it.”

It felt like the goddess was saying this to me.

She had repaid the debt by giving me one holy object, so don’t think about taking anything more.

“But I can always listen to your concerns, so please come and visit me whenever you feel comfortable.”

With Krovitz’s religious words, I left the temple.

And I headed to the pub I had mentioned earlier.

“Ah, you’re here? Have a seat.”

All three of them were already drinking.

However, the atmosphere was very different from when we usually finished exploring.

Without laughing and chatting, they just drank.

It was a stark realization.

We had made more gains than ever before, but we had lost more than ever before.

‘The window seat is empty.’

The table at the pub where we used to come with five people.

But an empty chair that would never be filled again.

However, we didn’t mention it at all and talked about reality.

“Let’s divide all the remaining money, including the reward money, equally into four.”

“Okay.”

The dwarf, who had initially suggested dividing it into five and donating it to the orphanage, just nodded.

It was somewhat expected.

From the beginning, the reason for that proposal was to respect Dwarki’s will.

If he wanted us to use the precious assets he left behind, we would just follow his will.

The dwarf and everyone else quietly mourned Dwarki while drinking.

So, I just spent time like that too.

“He wasn’t the kind of friend who would leave like that…”

The dwarf, who had been gulping down his drinks, first slammed his head on the table. Rotmüller said he would take him home and left, leaving only me and Misha.

“Bjorn, let’s go back too…”

As always, we walked together to our lodgings. Misha was staggering because she had drunk too much.

“Lean on me.”

“Ah, thank you.”

It was still a sunny afternoon.

We walked through the bustling streets, reeking of alcohol.

As usual, my lodging came first, and it was time to say goodbye. However, we both stood still in front of the door, looking at each other.

“…”

“…”

Maybe it was because of the alcohol, but the air felt strangely hot.

Yes, that’s what I would have thought normally.

That was much more comfortable.

It was something that suited my place.

I would have pretended not to notice and moved on like a barbarian.

But…

“Ah… I, I’ll go now. Rest well—”

“Misha Kalstein.”

I grabbed her as she tried to turn away, avoiding my gaze.

Because I had made a promise with him.

[You are quick-witted. Please don’t turn away anymore.]

He told me not to turn away.

In that precious time when I could have revealed my feelings to Misha, he left those words for me.

And I answered that I understood.

So…

“Huh?”

It was time to collide.

Misha, who had her wrist grabbed by me, looked at me with a questioning gaze.

I took a breath and shook off the alcohol.

Then, I spoke bluntly.

“Do you perhaps like me as a man?”

It wasn’t a romantic line, nor was it a romantic atmosphere.

It was just a question asked bluntly, like a barbarian.

However, Misha didn’t get angry.

She didn’t laugh it off as some strange nonsense.

She flinched for a moment and then shifted her gaze to the ground, avoiding my eyes. However, after dragging her foot on the ground a few times, Misha looked up at me.

And she answered softly.

“…Yes. I like you. As a man.”