Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 160

I’m walking quickly through the city.

Not in light armor city mode, but with a shield and mace in hand.

“Wait, just a minute! Please wait!”

Behind me, Miss Urbans is practically running, trying to stop me.

“I know what you’re trying to do, but doing it like this won’t help Yandel!”

“……”

“I, I’ll handle it. Of course, I’ll need Yandel’s help… Yandel lends me his strength, and I use my brain. How about that? We’re a pretty good match, aren’t we?”

What is she going on about?

I mostly ignore her chatter and keep walking. Miss Urbans, treated like I can’t even see her, resorts to desperate measures like blocking my path or grabbing my arm…

Seriously, would that even work?

“Ugh, seriously!!”

Miss Urbans, who was being dragged along without any resistance, threw the parasol she was carrying to the ground in a fit of pique.

Was that just a moment of frustration?

Within three seconds, she picked up the parasol again and followed me closely.

“Um, that… I, I’m sorry.”

“……?”

“It might be my fault that Yandel got caught up in this. If I hadn’t approached you, my father might have just left you alone.”

“At least you have some shame, knowing that.”

I replied for the first time to her honest apology.

Of course, I didn’t stop walking.

That’s that, and this is this, right?

Besides, it doesn’t seem like she’s that sincere.

“Hey, I apologized!”

When I sped up, Miss Urbans, who looked like she had been raised well, wiped her sweat with a handkerchief and diligently followed behind me.

It seems she thought there was still room for persuasion.

“Huff, huff, huff…!”

Even while breathing heavily, Miss Urbans kept chattering.

“Please give me a chance to fix this. I know it’s shameless of me to say this, but if I inherit my father’s position, I’ll repay you several times over…!”

Was she reaching her physical limit?

Miss Urbans’ voice was gradually fading.

After a moment of thought, I slightly reduced my speed.

Of course, it’s not like I changed my mind about helping her…

‘It might be better to have her by my side when I meet the regional manager.’

Thinking about it again, I might be able to easily prove my innocence by using her reactions.

However, if I went too slow, she would definitely be noisy next to me, so I adjusted my speed to maintain a certain distance.

About 30 minutes passed like that.

Finally, I arrived at my destination.

[Explorer Guild District 7 Central Branch.]

The main branch located in each district of the city.

I’ve seen it a few times while passing by, but it’s much larger than other branches. There are tasks that can only be done at the main branch, so there were many explorers.

I stood in front of the door for a moment, contemplating.

‘Should I break this, or not?’

Perhaps my appearance seemed hesitant?

Miss Urbans, who was almost drenched in sweat, quickly spoke up.

“Yes. If it’s still not too late…”

What is she talking about?

“Okay, I’ve decided.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll break it.”

This is more to my liking.

***

Kwaaang!

I kick the closed door with all my might.

I need to show them the reckless Barbarian, so they’ll change their minds.

Ah, if I mess with her, I might really be screwed.

‘If the talk goes well, I won’t be able to ask for repair costs anyway.’

Even if it doesn’t, I have the financial means to pay for repairs.

But did they use good wood for the door because it’s the main branch?

It doesn’t break as easily as I thought.

That’s why…

“Kyaa! W, what are you doing all of a sudden—!”

Regardless of what Miss Urbans says.

I pull my leg back from the door and calmly grab my mace.

And then I completely smash the door.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

An open-style front door that has evolved into a form where the wind flows freely and the internal air circulates better.

Beyond it, I can see the gazes of the staff and explorers.

“……A robber?”

“No, if it were a robber, they’d go to a bank, why would they come here…”

From those who voiced reasonable doubts to those who were just blankly stunned. Those who simply stared as if they were looking at a madman. And finally, those who, like shrewd explorers, saw this situation as an opportunity.

“Hey, miss, will I get some contribution points if I take care of that?”

“Yes? Yes! I remember that kind of regulation was created about half a year ago!”

“Good.”

A bald man standing next to the female employee turned his arms as if loosening up and approached me.

Come to think of it, there was a guy like this last time too.

That is, when I became a free Barbarian half a year ago.

‘……I didn’t expect a Rank 5 explorer to show up right away. Is the level of visitors high because it’s the main branch?’

The bald man was proudly showing off the badge on his waist, indicating that he was a Rank 5 explorer.

Well, that doesn’t mean I have any reason to back down.

I even think he’s the perfect opponent to measure my combat power.

But…

“I didn’t come here to fight you. Get out of my way.”

As one of the few modern people in this world, I tried to talk first.

I decided there was no need to fight an explorer.

However, the bald man didn’t seem to want to miss the opportunity to gain contribution points.

“Hey, Barbarian. It seems like you have some complaints about the guild, but if that’s the case, you should have followed the proper procedures and protested?”

“Protest?”

“Ah, do you even know what the procedures are? That might be the case for a savage.”

I smiled bitterly.

Savage, it wasn’t exactly wrong.

Even the Barbarians themselves considered themselves savages.

But, we are the only ones who can call each other that.

And he doesn’t even know that simple truth!

“……You have a problem with your head. Maybe that’s why you went bald.”

“What? You little…!”

As expected, the bald man, perhaps because he shaved his head due to hair loss, became enraged and rushed at me.

No, to be precise, he was about to.

“P, please stop!!”

Miss Urbans shouted, blocking the space between me and the bald man. The bald man stopped moving, perhaps not wanting to hurt a civilian.

“Get out of the way. That man is a criminal who dared to cause a disturbance in the guild. I don’t know who you are, miss, but if you take his side, you’ll—”

It was then, as the bald man was threateningly snorting at Miss Urbans.

“……Miss Urbans?”

A staff member recognized her identity, and the situation entered a new phase.

“What? Urbans? Then the regional manager’s daughter?”

“Why is a woman like that with such a savage…”

Realizing something was wrong after recognizing her identity, the bald man took a step back.

Is it because he’s Rank 5?

His judgment is quick.

“Is my father upstairs?”

“Yes? Yes! That’s right, but…”

“I’ll go up with you. Is that okay? Here… please handle it well.”

“Yes! Of course!”

Thanks to Miss Urbans’ identity, the commotion on the first floor was somehow resolved, and we were able to go upstairs.

Creak, creak.

The wooden stairs groaned, unable to bear the weight of the Barbarian wearing heavy equipment.

I stopped walking for a moment and asked.

“Why did you help me just now?”

“You’re not going to change your mind anyway.”

Oh, that’s true, but…

That’s why I don’t understand it even more.

If she judged that it was impossible to recruit me as an ally, why did she try to help me?

“I thought my proposal would ultimately help Yandel too. But since you don’t want it, this is probably the right thing to do. I’m sorry for causing you trouble because of my family’s affairs. I’ll talk to my father well when we go in.”

Hmm, this time she seems more sincere than before.

But…

“I see.”

I nodded indifferently and moved my feet.

“Huh? Is that it?”

What, did she think I would change my mind?

“Achieve your ambition with your own hands.”

I’m just not interested in troublesome things.

I also don’t sympathize with the position of a daughter whose freedom was taken away by her father.

If she truly wanted independence, she should have given up everything.

All the rights and obligations that come with being the regional manager’s daughter.

“Miss?”

Soon, we arrived at the regional manager’s office, and a guard was blocking the way.

“Who is that person next to you?”

“He’s a guest who came to see my father.”

The guard asked professionally, and Miss Urbans vaguely answered.

Knock, knock. The guard knocked on the door and informed the regional manager, and soon, a word of approval came back.

“Let them in.”

“Weapons are not allowed inside. Please hand them over.”

I raised my mace as if following the guard’s instructions.

And then…

Crack!

I entered the office with my own strength.

***

The door of the office, which had evolved into an open style.

As I stepped inside, the regional manager, sitting at his desk, froze with a pen in his hand, looking back and forth between me and Miss Urbans.

“What is this…!”

The guard moved his body, ending the brief silence, and then the regional manager opened his mouth.

“Stop, you can leave.”

“But…”

“Nothing you’re worried about will happen. He’s not that thoughtless.”

“Yes, then.”

Perhaps he was well-trained, the guard left the room without saying anything at that one word.

Of course, there was no need to close the door.

Because it was gone now.

“Hoo….”

At the same time as the guard, who was loitering in the hallway, went downstairs, the regional manager got up from his desk and sat on the sofa.

So, I also sat down in front of him.

Squeak.

The sofa sank under the weight of the heavily armored Barbarian.

Like a Barbarian, I didn’t apologize.

“The sofa is old.”

The veins on the regional manager’s forehead turned blue.

But perhaps he decided that the sofa wasn’t important?

“……Enough, tell me your business. You came here with my daughter and caused this mess, there must be a reason.”

“Um, father, that’s…”

“I didn’t ask you.”

At that one word, Miss Urbans froze like a stone.

Even though she boldly planned a rebellious scheme, she was still afraid of her father.

I said firmly.

“You two should handle your family matters yourselves.”

That was the first reason I came here today.

“Does that mean you’re going to betray my daughter?”

“Betrayal or whatever, I never joined hands with her. And I never will.”

The regional manager looked at me with a meaningful gaze, as if trying to discern my true intentions.

I didn’t bother to make excuses.

The judgment was up to him.

“Then why did you come with my daughter?”

“She kept bothering me, so I thought it would be better to tell you directly. But she followed me. Like a goblin, tagging along.”

“T, that’s because I was trying to stop Yandel from causing trouble…!”

Miss Urbans opened her mouth, flaring up at the word goblin, and as expected, her reaction was helpful.

“I see. I’ll believe your words.”

The first goal of clearing up the misunderstanding was achieved.

“But if that was your goal, why are you being so rude?”

The regional manager asked, looking at the broken door.

“It has nothing to do with my feelings. What will people think of me when they see that broken door?”

Well, a clean and honest representative who values communication with employees and has nothing to hide?

I chuckled at that thought.

I know what he’s trying to say.

That I’ve tarnished his reputation.

“I could arrest and imprison you right now, and no one would say a word.”

That’s not wrong, but it’s not scary.

Because I know he can’t do it.

That’s why I’m acting so recklessly.

“Try arresting me. Everything you’ve done will be revealed to the world.”

“……Are you trusting that scout friend of yours?”

“No way.”

I shook my head firmly.

I have no intention of involving Rotmiller in this incident.

Besides, I have a much better card.

“I have a copy of the video where you tried to persuade the mage when I escaped from prison before.”

“That girl from the Artemion School lied to me.”

“I said I wouldn’t show it to anyone, but I don’t think I said I wouldn’t make a copy?”

I tilted my head innocently and added.

“You may or may not know, but she joined our team as a mage recently.”

In short, give up on the idea of persuading Raven.

The regional manager’s eyes turned cold.

Seriously, does he still not understand the situation?

I’m not the weak Barbarian I was when we first met.

“A regional manager who tried to frame and kill the successor of the Barbarian tribe. I heard there’s an election next year, that’s a perfect scandal to be torn apart.”

“……Successor?”

“Your information is still slow. It happened recently.”

The regional manager pursed his lips, then asked after a slight pause.

“……What do you want?”

A complete declaration of surrender.

It was time to move on to the second reason I visited this place.

The regional manager tried to harm me using Rotmiller. It was a great sin that deserved to have his head smashed at least three times.

Of course, to get him to pay for his sins, I would have to go through countless troublesome things, and after that, I would become a complete enemy of the regional manager.

That’s why, today, I’ll end it with a warning.

Just the Dragon Slayer is enough to give me a headache.

But…

“It doesn’t matter if another misunderstanding arises, or if you just don’t like me. If you do that kind of thing one more time…”

I continued.

“I won’t talk anymore.”

When I glared at the regional manager, releasing my killing intent, he flinched. It wasn’t as dramatic a reaction as in Ghostbusters, but it was enough of a warning.

“…….”

As soon as I finished my business, I got up from the sofa without any regrets.

The regional manager asked as if spitting out.

“Aren’t you going to hear my answer?”

Well, what’s the point of hearing his answer?

I chuckled.

And…

Zzzzzzz!

I grabbed the edge of the table between me and the regional manager with both hands and folded it with just my arm strength.

“The table is also very old.”

Today’s negotiation is over.

But if I ever come back here again.

“Then I’ll be going now. I’m hungry.”

What this guy loses won’t be just a door or a table.