Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 161

The day after the negotiation with the regional manager.

The entire team gathered for a second meeting.

After finishing all thirty-one pending discussions from the last time, we all worked together to plan our exploration.

“Hmm, we’ll need a lot of supplies to go up to the fifth floor.”

“Can I leave that part to you? If you organize the receipts, I’ll process them with the team funds.”

“Okay. I need to stop by Commelby anyway.”

For reference, the team name was also decided at this meeting.

I thought ‘Team Bjorn’ was enough, but….

There was one more person besides Ainar who had a romantic idea about the team name.

“Um… I was thinking about a name. How about ‘Narak’?”

“Narak?”

“It’s an ancient word meaning ‘those who walk through the darkness.’ It’s pretty cool, right?”

I honestly didn’t know if it was cool or not.

But I could tell that a black dragon lived in the right hand of the twenty-four-year-old mage.

Those who walk through the darkness, huh….

“You… you have a very unique taste.”

“……Are you making fun of me right now?”

Anyway, just as we were about to settle on the team name, thanks to Raven’s argument that it was a hundred times better than the lackluster name Team Bjorn, Ainar, who had been dozing off, urgently jumped into the conversation.

“Ah, no way!! I’m the one who gets to decide the team name!”

“Huh? Oh, do you have something good in mind?”

“Our team name will be Apple Pie!”

“Apple Pie…? Like the dessert?”

Raven asked, looking half-dazed, and Ainar answered without hesitation.

‘Because it’s my favorite thing!’ or something?

“That’s ridiculous….”

“What’s so ridiculous about it!!”

Raven sighed at Ainar’s stubbornness and suggested we decide by majority vote. He seemed confident that we would never support such a name.

However….

“I don’t care what you do, so you guys figure it out.”

Bear Uncle abstained.

Surprisingly, Misha cast a vote in favor.

“Hmm, I think Apple Pie sounds good too… It’s sweet and delicious, nya.”

“That’s! Hey, Yandel, what about you? Surely, you’re not going to go with that ridiculous name, are you?”

Honestly, I was conflicted.

If I sided with Raven, it would be a 2:2 tie. As much as I wanted to side with Ainar and quickly finish this matter….

As the team leader, showing favoritism would hurt the mage’s feelings.

I had no choice but to offer a compromise.

“Let’s just combine them and call it Apple Narak.”

“…….”

“Ah, or is Narak Pie better?”

“……I’ll go with the first one.”

“Ainar, what about you?”

“I think that one’s better too! I like the sound of it!”

And so, the second meeting ended with the official team name being decided as ‘Apple Narak.’

After that, peaceful days followed.

Reading books in the library, or the entire team gathering every morning to practice our teamwork, a repetitive routine.

Oh, there was also the time that dwarf came to visit out of the blue.

[Hahaha! It’s been a while, Ainar! Miss Raven!]

It was the day the team was practicing for the third time.

He seemed to have heard the news from Misha and came out of curiosity….

We just chatted about recent events and then parted ways.

The construction to convert the blacksmith was already commissioned, and he was busy these days scouting blacksmiths, or so he said.

[Oh, your wife runs a tavern? I should stop by sometime.]

[Sure, come and try the honey wine. My wife makes it herself; it’s our shop’s specialty.]

Maybe because they both liked alcohol, he got along surprisingly well with Bear Uncle.

Well, they’re not going to become new best friends, are they?

Anyway, those times continued, and before we knew it, that day had arrived.

“I should start getting ready to go.”

Today is the day the labyrinth opens.

***

“Bjorn, are you ready, nya?”

“Ah, just wait a bit.”

After putting on my full gear for the first time in a while, I sling the backpack I packed yesterday over my shoulder.

Squeak.

I open the door and see Misha and Ainar waiting.

“Did I forget anything?”

“Nope!!”

Ainar answers my question loudly.

Misha, who was next to him, let out a deep sigh.

“You didn’t, nya. All the important stuff is in my backpack anyway.”

“I see.”

It’s a thought that’s been growing stronger lately, but I’m really glad she’s here.

I think I would have been much more tired if I were alone.

“Oh, Bjorn. There’s something in the mailbox, nya?”

“Huh?”

Just as I was about to leave the door, Misha pointed to the mailbox with her finger.

I opened the box and found a letter inside.

‘The sender is… Niall Urbans?’

It’s a letter from the regional manager.

When did this get here?

Ziiip.

I tore it open and read the contents.

Well, can I even call it reading?

[I won’t ask for the repair costs.]

Just a single sentence.

I could somehow feel the regional manager’s pride….

It was his way of making peace.

If he had tried to fight me even a little, a fine or a bill would have come with it.

‘I guess it was good that I broke it.’

Actually, when I asked what he wanted.

There was also the option to demand compensation.

However, I didn’t say a word about compensation and just smashed the door like a thug.

That’s because I wanted to engrave it in his mind.

That if he makes a mistake with me, he has to pay the price.

And that price can’t be something like money.

‘Then I don’t have to worry about this part too much….’

I made it clear that I wouldn’t hold my daughter’s hand, nor do I plan to. And I also implied that if he antagonizes me, very troublesome things will happen.

But he’s blinded by anger and tries to play tricks?

At least until next year’s election is over, there’s no way that will happen.

“What’s the letter about, nya?”

“Ah, it’s nothing to worry about.”

I tore the letter to shreds and threw it in the trash can on the first floor on my way out.

Then I headed to the meeting place.

The central square of District 7.

As a popular meeting spot, it’s crowded with explorers waiting for their companions.

“You’re one minute late?”

Raven, who was smiling at us as soon as we arrived at the path in the 3 o’clock direction.

However, he doesn’t seem upset about us being late.

No, you could even say he looks happy?

“Hurry up and pay the fine. You promised, right?”

“Ah, right. The fine….”

For reference, the fine was one of the 31 topics discussed during the second meeting.

So, how much was it again?

“It’s 1,000 stones per minute. Since there are three of you, you need to pay 3,000 stones.”

I obediently opened my wallet and paid the fine for three people. If I hadn’t wasted time reading the letter, I wouldn’t have been late.

“But Raven, where’s your bag?”

It was only when I handed over the fine that I realized Raven wasn’t carrying anything on his back. So, I asked to confirm, and a strange reaction came back.

“Ah, that?”

Raven raised the corner of his mouth and tapped the ring on his index finger twice.

Then, a small portal opened in the air, emitting light.

“A subspace…?”

“Yes. I thought it would be necessary to live in the labyrinth. I got rid of all the unnecessary things and bought it with that money.”

Right, if you’re determined, you can buy it right away.

A subspace, for you.

Clink.

Raven ostentatiously put the fine into the subspace and closed the door.

Somehow, my heart ached. Was this what they call a sense of deprivation? He always whined about not having money… I really thought he was just broke… “By the way, isn’t Abman late?” As I tried to shake off the envious feeling, the topic of conversation had already changed. “Yeah, I wonder if he’s not coming or something?” “I’m not worried! He probably just got lost on the way!” Raven laughed as if Ainar’s words were absurd. “How can a guide get lost?” “Well, it’s not impossible, right? I heard it’s a useless ability in the city.” “But he lives around here, doesn’t he?” “That’s… well, you’re right. Then why is he late?” “H-hiccup, maybe he has a stomach ache?!” The three women began to chatter about Mr. Bear’s tardiness. I just kept my mouth shut. I plan to reveal Mr. Bear’s terrible sense of direction when we enter the labyrinth. Anyway, how much time had passed? Just as the crowded square became deserted and I started to get genuinely worried, Mr. Bear arrived. “Sorry I’m late. Did you wait long?” “First, pay the fine. You’re exactly 45 minutes late.” “Ah, there was that…” Mr. Bear had a whopping 45,000 stones taken away as a fine before even entering the labyrinth. “But why were you late?” “It’s my first time coming at night. The atmosphere felt unfamiliar.” “Huh? What do you mean—” “Alright, let’s go quickly. We might be late.” I quickly interrupted and stopped the conversation. Then, I cast the binding magic and led the group towards the dimensional plaza. It was well past midnight when we arrived, and the portal was slowly shrinking. If we waited a little longer, the experience copy timing would come, but… ‘I’ll decide whether to tell them about this after this exploration.’ We plunged into the portal. *** 「You have entered the Crystal Cave on the 1st floor.」 *** The crystal cave, now a very familiar sight. The moment I opened my eyes, Ainar’s shout echoed and struck my eardrums. “Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!” “Eek! You, you scared me!” To Raven’s question about why she was suddenly like that, Ainar replied. “I just felt like it!” Ah, I know that feeling. I nodded as if I understood. It was a return after six months, after all. For Ainar, a natural-born barbarian, the feeling must have been quite special. “So, it seems like we really have one more barbarian now…” Misha sighed deeply as she looked back and forth between me and Ainar, while Mr. Bear surprisingly just accepted it. “It’s better than being quiet, though.” Having spent a long time alone, he didn’t seem to dislike the noisy atmosphere. Anyway, that’s enough chitchat. “Abman, where’s the closest place?” At my question, Mr. Bear pointed in one direction. When I compared it with the compass, it was south. In other words, this start point is in the Ghoul Zone. ‘Of all places, it’s the opposite side again.’ “We said we’re going to the Goblin Forest, so we should go this way. I’ll lead the way then.” Mr. Bear put away the compass and took the lead. I wondered if it wouldn’t be better to just have him tell me the direction and I find the way, but… ‘Yeah, I need to know how bad it is.’ I need to know the extent of Mr. Bear’s terrible sense of direction so I can make a judgment. Whether it can be corrected with effort or not. If there’s no solution, I plan to use Mr. Bear as a compass and find my own way. I learned a lot from watching Rotmiller. “Riate.” Anyway, as we headed north from the south, we naturally passed through the very center of the first floor. The dark zone where all four types of monsters appear. Without even taking out a torch, Raven brightly lit the surroundings with a light orb spell. Whoosh-! Unlike the gloomy red torchlight, the light illuminated the surroundings in a pure white. It was as comfortable as being in the city. However, was there one thing that worried me? “It’s the first floor, but it’s better to save mana, right?” “It’s okay. The car is faster.” “Ah, uh… is, is that so?” “Yes. And don’t worry. Keeping this on doesn’t interfere with using other magic.” “……” Misha then shut her mouth tightly. She seemed to have truly felt the might of real mages, something Dwarki had repeatedly mentioned in a bitter voice. “The car is faster? That’s amazing. The mage I was with before wasn’t even that good.” As Mr. Bear muttered, Raven’s nose stood up proudly. “Ahem, it’s a bit awkward to say it myself, but I’m quite confident in my mana. It would be hard to find someone on the same level.” “Oh, really? Now that I see it, you’re an amazing mage?” “You’re too kind. Mr. Urichfrit, you’re a 5th-grade explorer and a guide, aren’t you?” As the two were flattering each other and walking through the cave, a hollow about 30 meters in radius appeared. “Oh, this is where the rift was back then…!!” “Ainar.” “……” At the short call, Ainar tightly covered her mouth with her hand. It was a suspicious action, but fortunately, the attention was focused on the monument erected in the center of the hollow. “I’ve only heard about it, but it’s my first time seeing it in person.” Raven, feeling intellectual curiosity as a mage, approached the monument. Misha, as a 5-year explorer, also had some knowledge. “This is it, right? The one the Immortal King built to honor the great mage who first discovered the labyrinth.” “Yes. That’s generally how it’s known.” “Generally?” “There’s a theory going around in academia these days that he didn’t discover the labyrinth, but created it. Ah, to put it simply… the great sage didn’t observe the coordinates of another dimension and build a portal, but created this labyrinth dimension itself.” Raven, true to his explanation-loving nature, went on and on. Ainar didn’t listen at all, and Misha just had a feeling that such a story existed. However, I became interested. “What’s the basis for the mages’ thinking?” “It’s this monument.” “Monument?” As soon as I added an interjection, Raven continued his explanation as if he had been waiting for it. “The labyrinth has homeostasis [a state of equilibrium]. Even if the terrain is destroyed, it returns to normal when the portal opens next time. So, there’s speculation that the dimensional shift includes not only space but also time coordinates…” “Ugh, my head…” Ainar was in pain as she kept hearing difficult words in succession. Raven pouted and shortened it briefly. “This monument is proof that space-time magic was at least several times more developed in the era when the labyrinth was first discovered than it is now. Spatial creation, which is impossible now, might have been possible back then.” Even the shortened version was long, but… “I see.” I roughly understood. To summarize, the mages of thousands of years ago were proficient in dimensional magic, right? ‘I need to look into the Great Sage as well.’ Maybe there’s a way to return to Earth besides the ‘Abyss Gate’. “So, is the talk over?” “Ah, right. Let’s go.” Mr. Bear, who didn’t seem interested in this kind of thing, urged us from a distance, and the exploration resumed. And… “Oh, a monument again!” We had returned to the same place we were in about 15 minutes. Even as I watched the process closely, I couldn’t understand what kind of mechanism this guy was using to find his way. “What’s going on, Mr. Urichfrit?” The plan to train Mr. Bear as a scout was immediately withdrawn. “Ah, my mistake. I felt like going that way would be faster…” It’s not something that can be solved like that.