Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 206

Most taverns in this city also offer lodging.

Which means…

“Do you want to go upstairs for a bit and just see my ability?”

She was suggesting she’d show me her ability after we got a room.

Actually, this wasn’t unusual; it had happened before.

But…

“I don’t think that’ll work.”

“……Huh?”

Seeing Erwen’s bewildered expression, I firmly declined.

“Isn’t it late? I have to go home.”

Because there’s a cat waiting for me.

“Show me next time if you get the chance.”

“Ah… Okay!”

I know myself well.

As a gamer who’s more invested in this world than anyone else, if I saw that ability, I’d be up all night experimenting until morning.

“Oh, you’re here?”

As soon as I parted ways with Erwen and arrived home, Misha, who was reading a cookbook in the living room, approached and sniffed me.

“Looks like you didn’t drink as much as I thought?”

“I didn’t really feel like drinking.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Even though I hadn’t done anything wrong, I felt strangely uncomfortable making eye contact.

Is it because I didn’t tell her I was meeting Erwen?

Well, that seems to be the reason, but I couldn’t help it since I thought she would have disliked it if I had told her.

I naturally changed the subject.

“By the way, where’s Aynar?”

“He’s sleeping in his room.”

“…I see. You should go to bed soon too.”

After that short conversation, as I was heading upstairs, Misha called out to me.

“Wait, go sit over there.”

Could she have found out?

“It’s good for your body to unwind before bed. It’s nothing much, I’ll just make a simple stew.”

“Ah… Thanks.”

I sat at the kitchen table as she told me to.

Misha put on an apron and started cooking, and I silently watched her from behind.

“……”

Her tail was moving.

Swishing back and forth.

As if something unpleasant had happened.

I didn’t hesitate for long.

“Today, I met Erwen.”

I confessed honestly before missing the opportune moment.

“……Is that so?”

Her reply was a bit late, but her voice didn’t sound surprised.

“……Are you perhaps angry?”

Misha chuckled at my question.

“……Angry? It’s not like you’re someone I need to be angry at.”

Misha said that and threw the pot full of stew into the trash can.

A situation where words and actions didn’t match.

“Why did you do that…?”

“Oh, the seasoning wasn’t right.”

“O-Oh, is that so?”

“Wait, I’ll make you another one.”

Misha soon made a new stew and put it on the table. Then, saying she was a bit tired, she went up to her room first.

‘……What was that just now?’

Even while feeling a sense of unease, I ate the stew in the bowl. As always, the stew, made perfectly to my taste, went down easily without any need for side dishes.

That Misha failed to get the seasoning right?

‘That’s impossible.’

After finishing my meal, I roughly cleaned up the dishes and opened the trash can.

And…

“……”

I froze, holding the lid of the trash can, dumbfounded.

‘……I’m glad I told her honestly.’

The stew in the trash can was full of carrots.

She already knew.

From the moment she came up to me and sniffed, she knew everything, including who I had met today.

***

Time is like flowing water.

You can’t reach out and stop it, and you can’t turn back what has already passed.

Therefore, we have only one option.

To row our boat of life towards our goal, no matter what.

‘Alright, let’s start today too.’

I got out of bed and took some time to motivate myself while looking in the mirror.

It’s a gamer’s trick.

I have to do something like this to not get tired of repetitive quests.

“Bjorn… Oh, you’re up? Then wake up Aynar for me.”

“Okay.”

As if it were a repetitive quest, my daily routine had been the same every day.

Wake up at 7 AM, eat breakfast made by Misha with Aynar, and prepare to go out.

“Are you going to the library again today?”

“Why, are you trying to come with me?”

“No, never mind. I’m going to take Aynar to the training grounds later.”

After breakfast, Misha and Aynar go to the training grounds with their monthly pass to work out, and I head straight to the library.

“Are you here to see that book again today?”

“Ah, it’s more interesting than I thought.”

“Hehe, you should be grateful. I had a feeling you’d like it, so I set it aside for you in advance.”

Recently, I’ve been reading a long novel series.

Ragna recommended it, and it was much more fun than I expected.

Maybe it’s because it’s set in a labyrinth, but the content is also substantial.

‘Well, it’s unrealistic because all the characters are too nice.’

Still, if I think of it as a novel, it’s not unbearable.

Honestly, isn’t this a decent form of entertainment?

The problem is that this world has too few enjoyable hobbies besides drinking and partying.

“Then, have a good day.”

As always, around 1 PM, I close the book I was reading, leave the library, and have lunch.

The menu is a meat-filled lunchbox that Misha packed for me.

I sit by the fountain and eat it roughly, and then it’s time to meet Rotmuller.

“You’re late today. About 30 seconds.”

“……”

“To be a great guide, you must understand the importance of time. Since you’re late today, we’ll start the lesson right away.”

It’s already been seven months since I started receiving scout training from Rotmuller.

Honestly, I thought it would be over in a month or two.

Rotmuller’s knowledge is like the sea, and even after learning, there are still things I don’t know.

“It seems you’ve mastered the basics, so we’ll slowly move on to the advanced course.”

“More importantly, what about what I said yesterday?”

“You mean about opening a training center?”

“Yes.”

It was Rotmuller who first mentioned the training center.

But the more I get trained by this old man, the more I have a feeling that opening a training center would be a huge success.

Guide skills that can be learned even if you don’t have good ears like an elf, or a good nose like a beastman, or if you weren’t born with the ability to guide.

Rotmuller’s essence, which was the result of his efforts.

That alone is attractive, and what’s more, this old man is a top-notch teacher, perhaps because he started from the bottom.

‘But this old man doesn’t know his own worth at all.’

Honestly, I wonder why he hasn’t done it yet.

Unlike the dwarf’s smithy, there’s almost no initial capital needed, right?

“Think about it seriously. You’ve been doing nothing but playing for months since then.”

“I’m not playing, I’m taking the time to cultivate myself that I couldn’t do before.”

“Then it’s even better to do it. Sometimes you learn while teaching.”

“That’s… hard to deny. In fact, I’ve learned quite a few new things while teaching you.”

“So, what’s your answer?”

“I’m still not in the mood.”

I subtly smacked my lips.

It seems Rotmuller doesn’t like the idea of retiring from active duty…

“Is that so? Let me know when you decide. I’ll help.”

“Anyway, thanks for the thought.”

“I’m not just saying it, I really mean it.”

In fact, I’ve already roughly planned it out.

First, in the early stages, I’ll rent the training grounds and use it as a training center, targeting human children who want to become explorers.

Once it’s a bit more established, I’ll put ads in the explorer’s guild and run a separate class for explorers.

That side will probably be more profitable.

Of course, it will take a considerable amount of time to get established…

‘Rotmuller is human.’

Humans have low taxes.

Once it’s established, even if only a certain amount of profit comes out, there shouldn’t be any problem with making a living for life.

‘But it’s all over if this old man says he won’t do it.’

If capital is the problem, I’m willing to invest to some extent. The concept of stocks is still unfamiliar, but it’s not a concept that doesn’t exist in this world.

It’s perfect for financial planning…

“That’s all for today’s lesson.”

Anyway, after receiving training for a few more hours, today’s lesson was over.

The time was about 8 PM.

Is it because it’s an advanced course? The explanation was longer than usual, so it ended about an hour later.

“Then, tomorrow… No, I won’t be able to come tomorrow.”

“Let’s meet in three days, just to be safe.”

“Okay. Be careful on your trip again.”

Anyway, the set daily routine ends here.

For dinner, I often drink with explorers introduced by the dwarf or the bear, listening to industry trends, or the whole team gathers for some bonding time…

But today, I don’t have any appointments.

I’ve already completed my special routine that I experience every midnight on the 15th, so my next schedule is completely empty.

It’s a rare moment of my own time.

‘Should I go back to the library? Or should I go to the training grounds and work out?’

I was a bit conflicted, but I went into a random tavern I saw on the way home and ordered a drink alone.

Yeah, sometimes there should be days like this.

“Kuh.”

I took a sip of the lukewarm beer and organized the thoughts floating in my head.

‘There’s really nothing special these days.’

The routine of my life isn’t boring.

Honestly, it’s comfortable and enjoyable.

But, on the other hand, my anxiety is growing.

Because I know that these dreamlike days can’t last forever.

‘……But, is it still okay? The Round Table didn’t say anything either.’

The Round Table meeting I attended two weeks ago was no different from the previous ones.

As usual, I spoke with gravitas and shared information, and everyone looked at me with awe, and I listened to the information the members were sharing, pretending to be bored.

That was all that happened that day.

No one brought any interesting information that would pique my interest, and the meeting itself ended in just two sessions.

‘Ah. Was there nothing strange at all?’

If I had to pick out a peculiarity from this meeting, there is one thing.

The clown.

[Then, see you next month. Hehehe.]

At the end of the meeting, the clown greeted for the first time.

Not to me, but to the other members.

With a slightly meaningful tone.

‘Does that mean something interesting will happen when we meet next time?’

Well, I don’t know even after thinking about it.

It could just be a whim.

In the first place, the clown is that kind of character, and I’m not a prophet or a mind reader.

‘Should I get up now?’

After sitting alone in the tavern for about an hour, feeling sorry for myself, I got up and headed home.

When I arrived, the melee sisters were already back from the training grounds and were bickering.

Well, to be precise, it was closer to being scolded one-sidedly.

“Aynar! I told you to put the laundry in one place! How do you expect to become a great warrior like this?”

“I… I was going to do it later! I really wasn’t going to not do it! And it’s definitely not because I was lazy!”

“This is the last time. If you do this again, you’re on your own… Oh, Bjorn. You’re back? What about dinner?”

“Not yet.”

I drank, but I deliberately didn’t order any snacks.

“Is that so? I’ll prepare it soon, so go wash up first. Hey! Aynar! Where are you going now! I’m not done talking yet!”

“Tch! Did I get caught!”

Leaving Aynar, who was being scolded by Misha, I went to the bathroom to wash up, and when I came out, the table was set with a lavish meal.

Maybe because it’ll be hard to eat like this tomorrow, she put in a bit more effort than usual?

“Thank you as always, Misha.”

“It’s nothing new…”

After dinner, we spent the late night playing a card game that Misha bought at the market.

Well, it’s better to sleep late today anyway.

“The sun is starting to rise.”

“Next time, it would be nice to invite Urakburak and Aruru to play together!”

“Are you going to keep saying weird things? Arurung is fine, but Abman should stay home. He has a wife.”

“Then we can just invite his wife too!”

What is she saying, that kid.

If I left it alone, a pointless argument would start, so I stepped in to settle it.

“Okay, let’s go to bed now. Try to wake up as late as possible.”

Tomorrow night, the labyrinth opens.

***

[You have entered the Crystal Cave on the 1st floor.]

***

Darkness where you can’t see an inch ahead.

Considering that we just entered the labyrinth, it would be a clear anomaly, but no one was flustered.

Because it’s already the nth time we’ve experienced it since then.

“Riate.”

A light sphere of soft brightness floated above my head, illuminating the surroundings. The first thing I saw was the floor marker located at the dead end of the wall.

“We arrived properly this time too. At this point, I think we can consider this not a special phenomenon, but a rule?”

The dimensional instability bug with a 100% success rate.

As always, Raven was the first to approach and place his hand on the marker.

The magic flow structure when a portal is created is so unique that I can’t get a feel for it in just one or two times?

Of course, I don’t know what to use it for even if I do figure it out.

Is there even a use for it?

[You have opened the portal for the first time. EXP +2]

Anyway, as we stepped through the portal, the unique gloomy air and ground greeted us.

Damn it.

[You have entered the Beast’s Den on the 2nd floor.]

Why did it have to be this place?

“Yandel, what are we going to do?”

“……We’re going back down.”

Even though I’ve been taking Rotmuller’s lessons for over half a year, there’s no solution here.

There are too many forks in the road, and the rules are complicated.

This is a floor that even Rotmuller had to use his sense of smell stat to get through, and he even told me that it would be better for me to give up.

“Then, are we going to the Goblin Forest again?”

What’s there to say?

We went back down to the first floor and headed to the Goblin Forest, which we used the most. The Land of the Dead and the Rocky Desert aren’t too difficult to navigate, but…

Still, this route is the fastest.

“Maybe you can get portal opening contribution points there too. We’ll move quickly, so keep up.”

I took out my compass and started looking for the path in earnest.

I didn’t get lost even once and got out of the dark zone, and then I moved through the shortest route, crossing the boundaries between the dark zone and the normal zone.

I didn’t even have to ask the bear for the direction of the portal.

I’ve mastered the Crystal Cave now.

Thud.

About two hours after entering the labyrinth, it was then.

“Yandel.”

Raven, riding on Aynar, stopped me.

“Something, something’s wrong.”

“……Wrong?”

“Magic is swirling in the center. It’s like dozens of people are using a joint magic spell…”

Joint magic refers to a method where mages link their unique magic power to use high-level magic or amplify the power of a specific magic.

It’s often used in large-scale raids.

But for that to be used on the first floor, and on top of that…

“……Black magic. I can feel the aura of cursed magic too.”

Even black magic is being used.

The situation is not good.

“……Is it Noark again?”

“Yes. It’s common knowledge that there are quite a few black mages attached to Noark.”

“It was quiet for a while, but now it’s become a headache.”

“W-What are you going to do?”

Perhaps afraid of the current situation, Raven showed a shaken mental state, unlike his usual self.

Yeah, I need to pull myself together more than ever.

“Nothing changes. We’ll pick up the pace from now on. We’ll get out of the first floor as quickly as possible.”

I quickly gave the order and immediately resumed the stopped movement.

About five minutes passed since then.

“Something’s coming from behind!”

The moment Raven suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.

Whoosh-!

A swarm of red light from the passage behind us instantly swept past us and disappeared into the passage beyond.

There wasn’t even a moment to dodge.

“……What was that just now?”

“I-I don’t know. It seems like magic, but…”

It’s so ominous that I feel like I’m going crazy.

Magic that even Raven doesn’t know.

“Hey, Bjorn… Shouldn’t we keep moving?”

Following Misha’s advice, I took the lead again and started clearing the path while analyzing the situation.

There was no clear answer.

Maybe that’s why.

“Are we… going to be okay?”

Even though I knew what the leader’s role was in times like this, I couldn’t answer that question.

“……”

In a situation where everything was unclear.

Only one thing was too obvious.

Like a blessing.

And that’s why it felt like a fleeting moment.

The peaceful days have come to an end today.