Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 181

The identification tags could only be obtained before entering the labyrinth. Actually, they’re called identification tags, but they’re really just steel pendants with the royal family’s crest stamped on them. For reference, Raven, who holds a general appraiser’s license, estimated the production cost to be less than 3,000 stones [a unit of currency]. [So, it’s just a really ordinary necklace.] [Even for the royal family, it would have been difficult to create and distribute magical tools in such a short period.] Moreover, the identification tags didn’t even have names on them, so even if someone stole them, it would be impossible to tell who they belonged to. However, after careful examination, we discovered a hidden trick in the identification tags. It wasn’t anything that impressive, but… The public official who handed them out and the knight we met on the first floor both pretended not to know about it. [What exactly is written here?] […It’s ancient language.] Small numbers in ancient script were written between the royal family’s crest. The number on the identification tag we received was 2. Raven and I made several guesses about this and, after comparing it with the identification tags of various explorers, came to one conclusion. [The identification tags of the clan we met earlier all had 3 written on them.] These ancient numbers represent the level of the explorer. It doesn’t indicate the exact rank, but 1 represents lower, 2 represents mid-level, and 3 represents upper-level. [I wondered why they asked about our level when they handed them out; this was hidden.] [But why didn’t they tell us when they gave them out?] [Because the Noahrc side might misuse it.] Of course, it’s a flimsy device that anyone who can read ancient languages can guess, just like us. However, it’s not bad in terms of cost-effectiveness. It’s not that hard to add one more number when stamping the crest, is it? And we actually benefited from it now. ‘Ugh, damn Hans effect.’ I focused on maintaining my composure and tightened my grip on the shield. The number on the identification tag that the dwarf team showed a little while ago was 1. That means they’re from Noahrc who stole the tags. Judging by their equipment and everything else, there’s no way those guys are lower-level explorers. ‘Okay, what do I do now?’ Should I just take them down right now? That was the first option that came to mind, but when I considered it carefully, it was the worst possible move. Raven seemed to be thinking the same thing. [They don’t know we’ve figured out their identities yet. So, let’s pretend we don’t know and start exploring.] Yeah, that’s the best option. I nodded in response to the telepathic magic, and the dwarf glared at me with a meaningful look. “Is there a problem?” “No, there isn’t. Let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Bjorn, son of Yandel. What about you?” “Jagrus Martan.” It’s a dwarf-style name, but it’s obviously a fake name. “Ah! I’m, I’m Hans Crisen.” Soon, Hans G also revealed his name, and the introductions between the leaders were over. “The identification tags?” “Ah, here they are. What are you all doing? Hurry up and take them out to show them.” Just in case, I also checked the identification tags of Hans G’s team. Except for one newbie with a 1, they all had 2. “Um… from now on, we have to move together, so how about we introduce the others too?” “Hmm, move together? Do you know anything about this rift?” “Yes, I like books, so I know a little bit.” Hans G nodded confidently at the dwarf’s question. It was kind of funny to watch. He read it in a book? Isn’t that the excuse I often use? “Explain it. What happens next?” “Now that everyone’s here, if we all put our hands on it, a path will open. If we follow that path, we’ll find a forest.” “…You might be useful.” “Haha… I’m glad I can be of help. In that sense, how about we take some time to get to know each other, like who’s good at what?” Following Hans G’s suggestion, we took some time to briefly introduce each other’s composition. To summarize, it was like this: [Hans G’s Team] A summoner, a mage, a blunt weapon warrior, a guide, and an elf archer. [Dwarf Team] A dwarf warrior, a beastman swordsman, a sorcerer, an archer, and a priest. “Oh! You have a priest!” Hans G’s face brightened when he heard the composition of the dwarf team. It seemed he was happy about the presence of a priest, as they would have to raid together… But they’re probably just priests of Karui anyway. “Um, then how about the distribution…” As expected of explorers who met in a rift, they immediately discussed loot after the introductions. And as a result. The team that defeated the mobs would acquire them. Loot obtained from hunting together would be decided by rolling dice. However, the dice weren’t fair. “Shouldn’t the side that contributed more get more? You’re Crisen, right? Just by looking at you, it seems like you’ll be the least helpful among us.” “Ah, as I said before, we have information about this rift—” “I know a lot about the Doppelganger Forest too?” Raven’s negotiation mode, where she subtly manipulates her opponent with a calm voice. “Wait a minute. Aren’t you being too rude?” The elf archer from Hans’s team flared up in the middle, but nothing really changed. “Maylin, stop it. It’s not like what he said is wrong.” “Yeah, let’s admit what we need to admit. Didn’t we have a hard time because of that barbarian friend’s doppelganger earlier? With this much difference, demanding fairness is unfair to them.” “…” The elf archer, with a resentful face, shut her mouth when the leader and the mage said the same thing. Soon, Hans G said in a bitter voice. “We’ll subtract 1 from the number we roll on the dice.” “Subtract 2. Instead, we’ll use a 10-sided die.” “…We will. But in return, if we make a contribution, please increase it.” “That’s a reasonable proposal. How about we make that a rule? If any team makes a mistake, subtract 1 from the number, and if they do the opposite, add to it. How about it?” Raven spoke directly while looking at the dwarf, and the dwarf readily nodded. “It’s not bad.” Because we’re going to stab them in the back anyway. Was it just my imagination that I heard that last remark? *** When we all gathered at the altar in the center and placed our hands on it, the vines blocking the passage moved aside, revealing an uphill path. “We’ll go first. But I’d prefer if you didn’t follow too closely.” “That’s only natural.” We maintained a safe distance between teams and moved through the passage, and soon a forest appeared. It was like the second chapter was starting. 「The character has entered a special area.」 「Field effect – Doppelganger Forest is applied.」 「Status ailment [Distrust] is applied.」 「Damage is doubled when attacking party members.」 The content of this chapter is very simple. Explore the forest, defeat the three mid-bosses, and find the altar somewhere to finish. “So, which team will lead?” “It would be good to take turns.” As expected of explorers with ‘Distrust’ as a passive, instead of moving as one, each team moved in a divided formation. It looked like an isosceles triangle from above. Each team would take care of the monsters in their direction, and if it was dangerous, they would provide support. “Turn on voice control magic first.” We were quite far from the other teams, but we turned on team voice magic. And we continued exploring, defeating the doppelgangers that appeared every few minutes. How much time had passed since then? “Nyahat! What’s with that dwarf! He acted all tough, but when I actually fought him, he was nothing!” We naturally hunted the doppelgangers of the other members and obtained information. Hans G’s side was as easy as expected, and the dwarf team wasn’t as strong as we thought. ‘They’re about level 5.’ It was great news for me, who had even considered the possibility that they might be dragon-slayer-level strong. “Raven, turn on voice control.” “Huh? I’m already using it?” Ah, I didn’t say that. “Make it just for you and me.” It’s that sensitive of a topic. “Huh? Why just the two of us…” “I’ll explain it all later.” The three who were openly excluded looked puzzled, but they nodded after seeing my expression. “…It’s done. But you’re not going to tell the three of them?” “I don’t think any of the three of them are good at acting.” It wasn’t intentional, but our eyes naturally turned to Ainar. “…Let’s stop this conversation here.” “Yes. That would be good.” I got to the point. “So, how do you think they’ll act?” “It’s fifty-fifty. They might just want to finish exploring peacefully and leave… or they might get greedy.” That was a bit of an unexpected answer. “Fifty-fifty?” I thought she would see a higher chance of them being greedy. “First of all, there are fewer of them than us. And when we actually fought them, they weren’t stronger than us.” Well, that’s true. “But one thing is certain, even if they get greedy, it won’t be right now. It’ll probably be after we defeat the guardian.” This part matched my thoughts. The Doppelganger Forest is a rift for 15 people. That means it’s difficult to clear with a single team unless you’re really skilled. “You know? On the other hand, it also means that we can’t attack them first until we catch the guardian.” “Yeah, I know.” That’s the most annoying part of the current situation. 削柱掘根 [a Chinese idiom meaning to eradicate the root of a problem]. It’s said that a root of trouble must be pulled out at once to be relieved, but I can’t make a preemptive attack! My mace is itching like crazy. “Then what about them?” “The team with that Hans guy?” “Yeah. Did you notice anything suspicious?” “I don’t know. He seems a bit clumsy, but he doesn’t seem like a bad person.” “Doesn’t seem like a bad person, huh…” He certainly looks like that. But I know. That Hans G was the one who led over a hundred explorers to their deaths to save themselves when they were trapped in the [Gap of Evil]. He’s not someone I can just see as a fool. He’s a player, after all. “Haa…” A sigh came out on its own. Not only Hans G but also a Noahrc explorer team. Why does hard mode open up every time I enter a rift? “Bjorn, a doppelganger!” “…Keep a close eye on that side, not just the dwarf side. If you notice anything strange, tell me right away.” “Okay.” I ended the conversation with Raven at this point and focused on exploring. Unlike what I expected, no one asked deeply about the conversation we had. There’s no way they weren’t curious… It’s more likely that they just believed there was a reason and waited. ‘…Geez, I feel bad for them.’ “P-Please, I need some support!” Anyway, except for the occasional support requests from Hans G’s team, time passed without any major incidents. And when it was already night time. We found one of the three mid-bosses. “I-It’s a Manticore!” One of the few non-doppelganger entities in this rift, and one that’s known for its good cost-effectiveness, whether it’s byproducts or essences. 「You have defeated the Manticore. EXP +5」 Thanks to the information from Raven and Hans G, the strategy itself wasn’t difficult. However, the problem was… No, is it even a problem? “Freeze!” The essence dropped. It was a really rare drop, an essence that I could eat. “Raven, get the dice out quickly!” I must win.