Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 219

Team Apple Narac’s mage, Raven, was near the passage with her remaining teammates.

It was for a simple reason. When the attack on the knight stopped, she tried to move to where her team leader was, but the thousands of people packed so tightly made it impossible for her to even think about passing through.

“Ainar, could you do me a favor? I can’t see well from here.”

With a height of just over 150cm, she was far below the average height of a human woman, so she sat on Ainar’s shoulder and watched what was happening in the center.

The distance was too far for sound to reach, but that wasn’t a problem. It was something that could be solved with magic.

“What are they saying?”

“It’s almost over. It seems like they’re dividing into groups of 300, and each group is going to make their own path.”

Raven relayed what was happening in the center to her teammates in real-time. It wasn’t just her; many teams here were doing the same. Whether it was magic or enhanced hearing, they each had at least one such ability.

“What about Bjorn? What’s Bjorn saying?”

“Uh, well… it seems like he’s trying to come this way. Oh, and a mage spoke to him, and it seems like Yandel is trying to gather a team.”

“Hmm, I see…”

Misha nodded slowly, looking somewhat worried at Raven’s words. It wasn’t something she couldn’t understand.

“We will go north!”

“Is there anyone who will leave with me!”

Many clans and teams were already shouting to gather their companions. Among them were famous explorers whose names were widely known, and leaders of clans with reputations. There were even places where three such clans had already gathered to form a coalition.

However, Raven tried to speak brightly. “Why is everyone worried? You all know that Yandel isn’t lacking in fame, right? Even if it takes a little time, he’ll be able to gather 300 people.”

It was a clearly different behavior from her usual self. Originally, she was the type to analyze the situation and only state the facts. But…

‘Yandel would probably have done this.’

She had learned something from following that barbarian. A leader shouldn’t just act as they please—

“Huh?”

Raven stiffened, startled without realizing it.

“What’s wrong? Did something else happen?”

“That mage said he’ll follow Yandel.”

“Wow, really? The one who’s supposed to be a really great mage?”

“Yes, that’s right, but…”

Raven was bewildered. It was good news, but she couldn’t shake off the unease because she didn’t know the reason.

‘Someone like him could have gone to a much better place…’

Why would such a mage want to join us? She couldn’t figure out the reason at all. So, this time, she honestly opened up her feelings to her companions and asked for their opinions.

“Hmm, that mage said that people would gather around Yandel? I think I know what he meant by that.”

“You think you know?”

“Yandel, that guy is special. You know that too, Raven, right?”

“I know too?”

Just as Raven was asking back as if she couldn’t understand, Ainar shouted loudly, “Bjorn Yandel is a great warrior!!”

Great warrior. For some reason, the events that had happened in the Crimson Fortress came to mind. In the long history, there were less than ten barbarians who had officially received that title from the king. But, at that time, she had thought, while looking at the two-month-old barbarian who had collapsed as if falling asleep after finishing all his work, that someday, he might really become like that.

“Isn’t that why you joined this team too?”

“…That’s right.”

Raven nodded obediently. Urikfrit’s words were not wrong. If she hadn’t felt anything special about that barbarian, she wouldn’t have joined this team.

“He’s a guy who has a strange power to attract people.”

Raven finished her conversation with her companions and once again looked up to check where Yandel was. It hadn’t been that long since then.

[If you don’t mind, I’d like to go under you.]

[I think you’re the one who can save the most people.]

[Haha, in times like these, a loyal guy is the most trustworthy. Take us too.]

Before she knew it, many explorers were following him. But, was it because she had heard Urikfrit’s words? The scene no longer looked strange. She also didn’t doubt the intentions of the mage who had been the first to say he would follow.

“It wasn’t just me…”

There are people in the world who sometimes have backs that make you want to follow them. And…

[See, I told you. It seemed like people would gather around you.]

[A mage’s intuition is usually accurate.]

Most of those people left behind great achievements.

***

One to two hours. That’s at least how long I had expected it to take. Even if all the core members had escaped through the dimensional gate, there were many explorers who were better than me. I thought that I would have to hustle and work hard to build a force of the level I wanted while competing with them. But…

‘It’s probably because of this old man.’

The situation reversed when the military mage Kyle, who possessed knowledge, power, and a charisma that naturally attracted people, joined me. Third-grade explorer Melter Pend led his entire clan and came under my command, which stimulated the herd mentality. It’s like when hoarding starts because of a false rumor. Even if you don’t think so yourself, you feel like you have to do it too if everyone else is doing it, right?

“Behel—raaaaaaaa!!”

“The hope of the barbarians!”

“Follow the great warrior!!”

I let the excited shouts of the barbarians, who were thrilled by this situation, flow through one ear and continued forward. It was a feeling I had never experienced before.

“Please take me too! I will never be a burden!”

Is this how a superstar feels when they arrive at the airport? With every step I took, new teams, clans, or individuals who were confident in themselves approached me and appealed to me. Therefore, I raised my standards. It was for a simple reason. According to the basic market principle of supply and demand, I was the one in charge now.

“State your role and grade.”

“5th grade, I’m alone now, but I was a guardian in my original team.”

A guardian refers to a warrior role that stands at the forefront. If he’s 5th grade, his skills should be decent.

“What’s your name?”

“Pel Acaberd.”

Accepted.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Bjorn, son of Yandel. Come behind me.”

Even while moving, I thoroughly selected only the people I needed and increased my forces.

‘Most of the priests went through the dimensional gate, so I can’t see any.’

It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. I have no choice but to fill the job slots with warriors and mages as much as possible. Ah, a knight would be even better.

“…Kals Erimore.”

“Do you perhaps have room for me and my companions? Three apprentice knights and one regular knight.”

There were also times when people I had a connection with showed up.

“I can’t believe you were abandoned too.”

“I guess apprentice knights from explorer backgrounds aren’t that important.”

A knight from the Martoang barony I had met at the count’s estate. His personality wasn’t bad, and since he was an explorer, he would be able to do his part. Besides, there was also a knight who could use aura [a type of magical energy].

“Follow me.”

“Thank you.”

One step, one step. The number of people following behind me increased with each step. It had been a long time since I had exceeded the quota of 300 people with just the barbarians who had decided to follow me, but I continued to cast people.

‘It’s fine since we’ll just divide into groups of 300 anyway.’

If we move along the same route, we can help each other in case of an emergency. I hadn’t expected that it would be possible to gather so many people.

‘Okay, it’s going well.’

How much further had I gone? I saw one person’s face in this crowd of people.

“Takelan.”

He was standing there alone, blankly. He wasn’t looking for a team like anyone else, and he didn’t even have the will to make a team. Perhaps, he had just given up on everything.

“…”

When our eyes met, he avoided my gaze. It was obvious that he wanted me to pretend I didn’t know him and pass by. But I was a barbarian who had to do what I wanted. I approached him and said, “Follow me.”

I didn’t know why I did it. The words just came out of my mouth first. “Hurry, if you want to live.”

“Do you think… I want to live?”

The guy muttered as if he had heard something strange. “Lena was my wife.”

Yes, that’s right.

“But why should I live?”

I answered, “There has to be someone to deliver the news.”

It wasn’t my true intention. Even in the last moment of taking their own lives, everyone yearns for life deep in their hearts. In fact, even though Takelan had lost all his companions, he had run to follow us until the very end. Was there really a reason for that back then? Well, I don’t think so. But…

“Yes, there was that…”

If there is a reason, people can get up more easily.

“If you’ve come to your senses, come behind me.”

“…Why are you being so kind to me? You don’t even need me now.”

I answered as honestly as I could, to the point of being selfish. “Because it will make me feel a little better if you survive.”

Using others to ease my guilt. In a way, it’s a similar act to that knight commander. The only difference is that I know how cowardly I am.

“…”

I don’t know what he thought after hearing my words. However, Takelan joined the group behind me after that conversation.

‘I unintentionally spent a lot of time.’

I continued to lead the group and move forward. Soon, I saw my companions near the passage.

“Bjorn!!”

Misha and Ainar ran over as soon as they were within distance and greeted me enthusiastically. I roughly pushed them away and talked to Raven.

“Raven, was everything okay?”

“Yes…”

“That’s a relief. Did you hear what we were talking about inside?”

“Yes, I heard…”

Okay, there’s no need to explain it again.

“But why do you keep avoiding my eyes?”

“No? I wasn’t? Look, see!”

Hmm, is that so? She seemed to be strangely wary of me. Ah, is it because of the people gathered behind me? Well, even I think the army commander barbarian mode is awesome.

When I teased her, Raven regained her usual self and said, “Anyway, with this scale… we can just check the numbers and leave right away. It’s really good. We were already in a time crunch.”

That time was tight. It wasn’t wrong. However, there was one thing left to do before that. Something that might be the most important thing to overcome this crisis.

***

Kyle Febrosk. A third-grade military mage with the alias ‘Iron Magician’. He let out a hearty laugh.

‘I wondered what he was going to do…’

He was a fascinating guy the more he looked at him. To gather all these people and the first thing he does is just introduce himself.

“What’s your name?”

He approached each person and asked for their name. And after hearing their name, he shook their hand briefly. “Nice to meet you, I’m Bjorn, son of Yandel.”

Some people even asked the barbarian, why are you introducing yourself when there’s no time? The answer that came out then was truly a sight to behold. “There are still many people whose names I don’t know.”

“So, what does that have to do with—”

“It’s important to me. So don’t interrupt me.”

The barbarian continued to introduce himself as if he were performing a sacred ritual. Most people thought that action was meaningless. That was also the case for Melter Pend, the leader of the Nartel clan, who had his own experience and insight.

“…Is there any meaning to it?”

Kyle smiled at his question, which he had subtly approached with. “Melter Pend, why did you decide to follow him?”

“That’s…”

Melter Pend hesitated before opening his mouth. “To be honest, I thought there must be a reason why you chose him, Kyle.”

“Yes, that’s one reason. But that’s not all. You have people you have to take responsibility for.”

“…Do you perhaps know my situation?”

“I overheard it by chance. You were offered a deal by that leader, but you refused because you couldn’t abandon your remaining clan members, right?”

“This is, it’s a bit embarrassing.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I think it was a righteous choice. But, to move simply by following someone else’s choice with the clan members you wanted to protect so much…”

“Even I think it’s an unacceptable reason.”

Melter Pend smiled awkwardly. And he carefully continued, “It might sound strange, but I had a feeling. That standing behind that back would be the safest…”

“You followed your intuition…”

“It’s quite common in this industry. After all, it’s a place where you die if you’re unlucky.”

“I’m not trying to blame you. In fact, everyone here is probably not much different from you.”

“Huh?”

Melter Pend tilted his head, but Kyle only uttered incomprehensible words. “Just watch. We’ll soon find out whether that was a meaningless act or not.”

And so, the two of them observed the barbarian without any further conversation. He was still going around asking for names one by one.

“…Hans?”

“No, it’s Hanbus.”

“Ah, is that so? Nice to meet you! Let’s work well together, even if it’s just for a short time.”

“I look forward to working with you too!”

The process of asking for names and exchanging brief greetings. It was just that, but somehow, many things had changed from the beginning.

“Teterudla. Nice to meet you. Your axe is cool.”

“Haha, that’s the best compliment for a dwarf.”

“I’ll ask you to watch my back later.”

“Sure, don’t worry.”

The atmosphere is gradually softening. Facing a battle where life cannot be guaranteed, the muscles on the faces of those who had been like thorns are relaxing.

“Wait, why are you just passing me by?”

“I asked you as soon as we met, didn’t I? You were Davers, right?”

“Huh, you remember all of that?”

“Because you’re a comrade I have to fight with.”

Only then did Melter Pend realize the cause of this change. That barbarian was naturally gaining the trust of so many people. Just by asking for their names.

“Bjorn, son of Yandel. Are you really going to listen to all of these people’s names?”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“No, I just think you’re a really stubborn guy. I’m Humble Elbertin. If we get out of here, let’s have a drink.”

“Humble Elbertin, I’ll remember that.”

“I can’t be left out of such a gathering. Me too! Include me too!”

Moreover, the trust that was being built was not just a story between the two who had exchanged names. The short conversations they had while saying their names were heard by others as well.

“No longer… are we strangers.”

Melter Pend was genuinely shocked. They were people who had been forced to belong to a group, but were strangers until today. But now, they know each other’s names and faces. They also understand to some extent what kind of people they are through the short conversations they overheard. The relationship that the barbarian had with each individual became a common ground. They were intertwined like a spider web, forming a bond.

“Bjorn Yandel, he… could he have calculated all of this…?”

“Well, I don’t think so.”

“Then I don’t understand.”

“What?”

“…Usually, people don’t do things like that without a reason.”

Kyle chuckled. Certainly, that’s usually the case. Usually, even if you do the same thing, you get completely different results. But…

“Don’t try to understand. If you’ve studied history, you should know that there are always such people in every era.”

Because it is an action and result that cannot be understood by the eyes of ordinary people. That’s why they are considered great.

***

The long time for introductions ended. At the moment when they finished dividing the thousand-strong group into three, with Kyle’s advice.

“Behel—raaaaaaaa!!”

I shouted with all my might, filled with respect for the blessing of my ancestral god.

“Hehe… hey. Why did you shout this time? Because you do that, the other barbarians are shouting too.”

Oh, I’m sorry about that… But it can’t be helped.

‘Out of all these people, there’s no Hans.’

Isn’t this a revelation from the ancestral god?