Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 376

As soon as I put on the ring, I was momentarily startled by the sudden flash of light. I checked the color and clicked my tongue.

‘A yellow light…’

This color meant only one thing: there was something nearby that could have either a positive or negative impact on my future.

“Erwen, is there anything around?” I lowered my voice, and Erwen focused on listening without question.

And then…

“One of those people from before is here.”

“How long have they been here?”

“I don’t know, but… seeing as they’re hiding in the shadows, I don’t think they just arrived. Their breathing is steady, too…” Erwen trailed off, then continued, “Ah, they’re talking now. It seems they’re using a message stone [a device for communication]. They said the Numbers item appeared, and they’re asking how much longer it’ll take to get here.”

No wonder the ring lit up. It seems they witnessed everything, even us catching the Laple Mimic…

“Looks like they left a scout behind. Erwen, keep focusing over there. We’ll pack up the camp.”

“Yes.”

After entrusting the watch to Erwen, I quickly packed our things and prepared to leave. However, they were one step ahead of us.

“People have arrived.”

“How many?”

“Eighteen in total. Ah, they’re discussing what to do with us right now.”

“I see… So, what are they going to do?”

“I don’t know. The sound got blocked halfway through; I think they used magic. I’m sorry…”

“Why are you sorry? We’ll find out soon enough anyway.”

As if to prove my words, an artificial light burst from where they were hiding, illuminating the surroundings.

“Hey, friend! What was your name? I think I forgot to ask earlier.”

*Forgot to ask*, my foot. He hadn’t even told me his name.

“Well, I don’t think we’re close enough to exchange names.”

“Haha, you seem shy, unlike what I expected?” He spoke with a smile, but his eyes were cold. Also, he had been standing with his hand on his hip, leaning to one side. That spot was closest to the weapon at his waist.

“So, what’s the matter?”

“One of our members happened to witness you guys catching the Laple Mimic while on patrol.”

“How coincidental.”

“Isn’t that how things go? Anyway, I’ll get straight to the point. Hand over the loot you got this time.”

“Why should I?”

“As I said, this area is our clan’s territory. I think you agreed to that earlier.”

“Agreed?” I scoffed at the words, but I understood their position. They had been going around this island every day, waiting for the Laple Mimic to appear, and then some explorers who just happened to pass by took the prize. But, what to do?

“You wanted us to leave early in the morning, and we agreed to that. That was the extent of our agreement, wasn’t it?” We didn’t actually talk about the loot.

“That’s a fallacy.”

“It’s not a fallacy; it’s the truth.”

“…” He clenched his jaw, and a grinding sound came out. I could roughly guess what he was thinking. He must have assumed that such an agreement was in place. No, in the first place, he probably didn’t think a monster would appear on our side overnight.

“There are unwritten rules in the labyrinth. If you infringe on our rights, no one will blame us if we harm you.” A very direct threat. I stared at him as if to ask if he was serious, and he met my gaze without flinching.

“…”

“…” It was an atmosphere where either side could draw their weapons at any moment.

Gulp. As the silence grew longer, the group behind him gripped their weapons tightly, as if they would start an attack immediately depending on my answer. Of course, that wouldn’t stop me from speaking my mind.

“I don’t know about unwritten rules.” I spoke firmly. “Anyone who tries to take what’s mine is a plunderer.”

“…You’ve chosen a bad path.”

I shrugged, ignoring his words. “I’ve heard that often. Where do you think they all are?”

“…”

“Well, at least the situation is clear now.” I then gave my final notice. “What are you doing? If you’re going to attack, attack. If not, get lost.”

It was a completely different dynamic from our first meeting. Earlier, he had looked down on us and meddled as soon as I said we would leave early in the morning. But what about now? When I came on so strong, he didn’t know what to do. Well, he must have been uneasy. He couldn’t possibly know why we were so confident when we were outnumbered five to one.

‘And that includes Erwen.’ They didn’t seem to recognize Erwen yet. However, the fact that the elven archer in our team had killed the Laple Mimic with a single arrow must have been conveyed to him. He would know that we weren’t just any random group.

“…” However, he seemed to be having trouble making a decision, probably because his clan members were watching. Therefore…

“If it’s hard for you to choose, I’ll help you.”

“…?”

“If you’re still in front of me after I count to three, I’ll take that as a sign that you’re going to attack.”

“…What?” He looked as if he had heard something absurd, but his expression changed when I actually started counting.

“Three.”

“…!”

“Two.” I counted faster than the actual time, without dragging it out. And, just as I was about to say the last number…

“…There’s no need for meaningless bloodshed.” He surrendered.

***

“Chief! Why did you back down there!” The leader of the Huntsman Clan, Ecksher Mellick, frowned at his subordinate’s shout. Then, one of his confidants quickly stepped forward to speak for him.

“They hunted the Laple Mimic without a mage. At the very least, that elven archer is a Rank 3 explorer. Seeing as they’re traveling together, the other two are probably similar.”

“Even if all three of them are Rank 3 explorers, we have far more numbers!”

“Remilton, have you ever fought a Rank 3 explorer? They’re monsters.”

“But they didn’t have a mage! We could have won with our numbers!”

“Even so, more than half of us would have died. Do you think that Numbers item is worth that much?”

“That’s…” The man who had first raised an objection trailed off at his confidant’s logic. And a full-fledged division began.

“But if this gets out, we’ll be ridiculed everywhere we go.”

“That hasn’t happened yet, and even if it did, I think the chief’s decision was right.”

“But who is that elf anyway? To kill a Laple Mimic in one shot…”

“If she’s a silver-haired woman… could she be the Blood Spirit, that woman?”

“If that’s really the case, we could have been in big trouble.”

“Blood Spirit? What are you all talking about? Why would that crazy woman be here? She’s obsessed with war and is probably still slaughtering people at this very moment.”

They argued against each other, and their sharp voices grew louder. And naturally, factions formed among those who agreed with each other. It was then…

“Chief! They’re leaving the island by boat!” A subordinate who had been scouting reported, and the members who had been arguing raised their voices and looked at one person. A gaze filled with the question of what to do now.

Ecksher Mellick sighed, so that no one could see. ‘Damn it.’ Running a clan is like sailing a ship. Even when trials such as typhoons, waves, and lightning strikes come, the captain must show that he can overcome them. Therefore…

“Everyone, stop and pack your things.” The man made a decision.

“Chief, does that mean…”

“We’ll chase them.” The expressions of the members belonging to the radical faction brightened. On the other hand, those who had called for a moderate response expressed concern.

“But their strength is not to be underestimated.” Three explorers estimated to be Rank 3 on average. However, the man was not too worried.

“I know your concerns. But, we can’t lose in a naval battle, unlike on land.”

“Indeed, so that’s why you let them go so easily!” Those in the radical faction were impressed by the man’s scheme, and the opposing faction also seemed to agree to some extent. They were that confident in naval battles. However, there was still this question.

“Still… is a Numbers item worth that much?” At a cautious question from one of the members, Ecksher Mellick chuckled and replied, “Certainly, a single Numbers item isn’t worth it.”

“Does that mean—”

“But isn’t that not all they have?” The Huntsman Clan. Now they were stuck on this island, searching for treasure, but once they were pirates who roamed the 6th Great Sea. Hunting people and making money.

***

Early dawn, as the day slowly began to break. Swoosh-! The cool wind blew against the sails, pushing the ship forward. Behind us, the stars twinkled in the dim sky, and in front of the bow, the presence of the sun hidden beyond the horizon was faintly felt. It was a rather picturesque sight. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to enjoy it.

“Mister, there are ships following us. Three in total, and there are no markings.” As soon as we left the island, we were being chased. It was obvious who it was.

‘So, they never intended to let us go in the first place.’ No wonder the situation ended so anticlimactically for a yellow light. They probably let us go to lure us out. If they were carrying three ships, they would be quite skilled in naval battles. They must have judged that they could fight much more favorably at sea. Of course, one question remained.

‘But why did it show yellow instead of red?’ If we were going to be attacked anyway, shouldn’t it have been red? What could be positive about this situation? Those thoughts were interrupted when Amelia spoke to me.

“Schuitz, what are you going to do?”

“It’ll be hard to shake them off, right?”

“Probably.” They were ships that were particularly focused on mobility, and even though we activated the magic propulsion device, the distance was actually closing. Therefore, we only had one option left.

“Emily, stop putting in magic stones; it’s a waste.”

“Are you going to fight?”

“Is there any other way?” Amelia didn’t answer my question. She just let go of the helm and folded the sails. Soon, after helping Amelia fold the sails, the speed of the ship, which had been moving with the wind, drastically decreased. And…

Splash-! The three ships rapidly approaching, cutting through the water, began to come into my view. The most noticeable of them was the ship in the middle.

“…” It was about three times the size of our ship. It was equipped with magic cannons on the sides and front, and it had three sails. And that wasn’t all. It even had an icebreaker at the bow. It wasn’t quite a royal warship, but it seemed to be about two levels below that…

“Schuitz, if they start firing their cannons, our ship will sink quickly.” Amelia expressed her concern at the overwhelming power. It wasn’t an unreasonable worry. It was clear that a ship like this would be easily destroyed if a naval battle began. However…

Slurp. I licked my lips and checked the traffic light ring. The yellow light that had appeared earlier had long since faded. But now I think I know why it was a yellow light and not a red one.

“That ship… looks really big and sturdy.” It’s not just monsters that drop treasures in the labyrinth.