Surviving The Game As A Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 396

The inauguration ceremony was held in an empty mansion in the capital.

It was a villa once owned by a Count, but I heard they had to sell it quickly to raise business funds.

There wasn’t much to fix, so we simply set up a banquet and held the inauguration in a quiet atmosphere, inviting only the thirty expedition members and their patrons.

And then…

‘That ended quickly.’

The patrons, including the Marquis, took about 30 minutes to go up to the platform one by one and give speeches of encouragement or support.

“Since I’ve already said everything about saving the country and being a hero, I’ll keep it short.”

“Kill a lot.”

“Let’s make a lot of money.”

The expedition leader’s (my) speech at the end took about 10 seconds.

The official schedule was completed in a total of 30 minutes and 10 seconds, and then we moved on to the banquet.

Prime Minister, Duke Kealurnus, the Small and Medium Nobility Alliance, the Tri-Theism Church, the Alminus Merchant Guild, the Explorer’s Guild, and more.

It was a banquet attended by powerful figures as patrons, but it felt underwhelming compared to its reputation.

The food was plentiful but had been prepared in advance and was cold.

There was no orchestra, which is typical for banquets, and no attendants to refill drinks or numerous onlookers.

However, no one seemed dissatisfied.

Everyone understood.

This wasn’t a place for laughter, chatter, cheerful music, or swaying while drunk.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Shuitz.”

“I heard you fought four people? How did you win?”

“Fight four people? What are you talking about?”

“Ah, you were on Sir Kaislan’s team, weren’t you? Didn’t Sir Kaislan tell you about what happened back then?”

“It’s been a while, Blood Lord.”

I was just sitting still, but many expedition members came to my seat to greet me.

Ha, is this what it’s like to be a powerful person?

“Nice to meet you. I’m Richen Shuitz, the expedition leader. What’s your name?”

“I’m Ventis Gerodrao. I look forward to working with you.”

I didn’t turn away those who came to me, but greeted each one, exchanged names, and learned their faces.

After all, these are the people whose lives I’ll be responsible for, right?

I need to know their faces and names.

I was greeting people for quite a while when it happened.

“I never thought I’d see the name Richen Shuitz again at an inauguration ceremony.”

A familiar-faced woman approached me.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Bersil Gowland.”

Wow, I never thought I’d see you here either.

“Richen Shuitz.”

“Was my introduction lacking? I am—”

“I know. You were the vice-captain of the Lareur Clan, right?”

The first time I met this woman was when the first-floor crystal cave was devastated.

There were fifteen spots short for everyone to teleport to safety, and this woman used a dice to choose who would be left behind.

Our team was among them.

Ha, I almost died trying to clear the path with those 15 people back then—

“I appreciate you recognizing me, but you’re a bit behind on the news. I’m not the vice-captain anymore.”

Bersil, who smiled bitterly at the mention of vice-captain, continued in a self-deprecating tone.

“I must have slept too long, because when I woke up, my position was gone.”

“Ah… I heard you were caught in the explosion back then.”

“Yes. I was asleep for almost a year after that.”

“It’s a relief that you woke up, though.”

“Yes… If it weren’t for the ‘Proxy’ [a high priest with exceptional healing abilities], I would still be in that state…”

The ‘Proxy’ is the alias of the high priest of the Tovera Church.

It’s said that he has reached a level unmatched by any other priest when it comes to recovery-type divine spells.

‘But her tone is a bit off.’

To be precise, her complexion and expression aren’t good.

It’s like she doesn’t seem grateful for the favor.

“Bersil Gowland, which team are you currently assigned to?”

“I’m on Team 4.”

“Team 4, huh…”

If it’s Team 4, that’s the group with Paladin Jun as the leader.

The members I found out about in advance through the Marquis before the inauguration were a total of four, and all of them were from religious factions.

But a mage suddenly joined them.

‘She must be in debt.’

I can roughly guess this woman’s situation.

And maybe this woman also noticed that I had some idea of what was going on.

She looked at me and nodded meaningfully.

“…You’re different from what I expected.”

“How did I seem?”

“Don’t be offended. Anyone who heard that speech earlier would have had the same impression.”

Well, a speech should be short, that’s the best.

That’s the truth I learned while listening to the principal’s speech in middle school.

“How long are you going to talk to that person?”

Erwen, who was next to me, interjected.

“Blood Lord…”

“It’s been a while. The last time we saw each other was when you abandoned us, right?”

“…I regret what happened back then. I really do.”

“Of course, you’d regret it. Because that was the result of abandoning everything and running away.”

Sharp words that seemed to carry the bad feelings of the past.

At this, Bersil glanced at me, gave a short nod, and left.

“Did I do well?”

Erwen smiled brightly, as if her actions were for my sake.

I didn’t know what to say, so I just chuckled and let it go.

“I… I’m pleased to meet you. I’m Pike Neldain.”

As soon as the conversation ended, the members who had been lingering around gathered again, and I exchanged names and had brief conversations with them.

And then…

“You guys rest here.”

“Where are you going?”

“There are still some people I haven’t greeted.”

“Why bother when they didn’t come first?”

“Why are you so angry since earlier? If they don’t come, I’ll just go to them.”

“It’s just… it feels like you’re losing, sir.”

Erwen made a dissatisfied expression, but my decision didn’t change.

Does pride get you anything?

You have to do what you have to do.

“You are…”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Richen Shuitz.”

“…McKelly Leyathers.”

I went to those who hadn’t come first, greeted them, and had brief conversations.

After all, the information the Marquis gave me only had a list of 20 people, right?

It’s not that my information was lacking, but rather that most of the teams hadn’t been fully filled by then—

‘What, why is he here?’

While walking around the banquet hall and greeting those I hadn’t met yet, a man’s face caught my eye.

“…Sven Parav.”

The vice-captain of the 2nd Paladin Order of the Leatlass Church.

The guy who was drinking in a corner with a somewhat troubled expression looked at me and was slightly surprised.

“Do you know me?”

Of course, I do.

I had seen him a few times when I visited the church, and due to a certain incident, I was sure that he was the ‘Goblin Mask’ [a player known for leaking information].

“Don’t underestimate the Marquis’s information network.”

“…It’s not that I was underestimating it.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

“If you’re thinking of resting here, I’ll move aside—”

“Let’s talk for a bit.”

“Yes…?”

“Don’t you want to?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to…”

No, he clearly has a face that says he doesn’t want to.

Well, to be precise, it’s more like a nervous face?

“Did you hear about me from Jun?”

“If you mean the bet… yes, I did.”

No wonder he looked so nervous.

It was because of that story.

“But why are you here…”

“What do you mean why? We’re about to enter the labyrinth, and we haven’t even greeted each other yet. Please take care of me inside.”

“Yes, I look forward to working with you as well.”

I turned away after a short conversation with Sven Parav.

I felt strangely conflicted.

‘Ha, this is a mess…’

Sven Parav is the Goblin Mask.

In other words, there’s a high chance that he’ll leak information about the expedition every time the community opens.

‘Why did the prayer warriors choose someone like him of all people?’

Ha, is there no way to shut his mouth?

If I pretend to suspect him of being an evil spirit and put him under surveillance every 15 days, he’ll log out soon enough, right?

‘…Let’s think about this later.’

After that, I continued to walk around the banquet hall and finished exchanging names with all the members, including those who hadn’t received information from the Marquis.

The existence of Sven Parav was a negative variable, but there were still positive aspects.

It can’t be emphasized enough.

No Hans, no pain.

The fact that Hans isn’t here is a very hopeful sign.

***

The banquet that lasted until the evening ended, and the inauguration ceremony was completely over.

However, we remained in the mansion.

After all, our existence is a secret.

Most of the expedition members are famous, so it was decided that we would stay here until the day the labyrinth opened and try to work together.

‘Work together, my ass.’

What will change if thirty people work together for two days?

Each team will enter separately, and it will take weeks to meet on the 6th floor.

It wouldn’t be strange if they forgot everything by then.

Therefore…

“It seems best to leave the battles to each team and have them help each other in case of an emergency.”

This conclusion was reached after a meeting of the leadership.

The judgment was that if thirty people tried to move as one body in the current situation, it would only cause friction.

“But still, shouldn’t we at least create one formation in case of an emergency?”

However, it was decided to make a classification for emergencies.

Mages with mages, healers with healers.

It would be much safer to mark them on their chests so they could be distinguished, and then educate them on where they should stand in an emergency.

“Warriors with shield marks will stand on the outer edge, and warriors with sword marks will stand right behind them.”

“What about healers?”

“Of course, they’ll be in the very center. They need to survive to heal the injured. Ranged support types with bow marks should form a formation to protect the healers and mages.”

Yeah, this much can be taught in two days.

There shouldn’t be anyone here who has never had any experience with group living.

“Sir Shuitz, are you listening?”

“…Of course.”

Hey, just because I rested my chin for a moment, they’re making a fuss.

Anyway, there are only two commands for the expedition leader.

Individual battles where each team scatters and fights.

And the ‘gather’ command where the expedition becomes one large team.

Well, if we have more time in the future, more exclusive commands like ‘Charge!’, ‘Concentrated Fire’, and ‘Shield Wall’ will be added.

But for now, that’s all there is, so there’s nothing to memorize.

“Then, let’s leave it at this for now, and we’ll educate them on the rest of the formations after we meet on the 6th floor. Or, how about we do that?”

“Good. Let’s do that.”

The meeting proceeded with them sharing their opinions and then getting my permission, and after the meeting, James Carla, who was a former clan vice-captain, worked hard to teach the expedition the ‘gather’ command.

And then, two more days passed…

「You have entered the first floor Crystal Cave.」

It was time to enter the labyrinth.

***

The crystal cave shimmered with light.

All the team members moved quickly while wearing robes that covered their entire bodies.

After all, it’s best to avoid being seen by others as much as possible.

Tap, tap.

Even though there are mages and psychics with low physical abilities on the team, their movement speed is quite good.

They both had a means of transportation.

「Liard Ashd has cast the 4th-grade mutation magic ‘Fox Lantern’.」

A mage who has turned into a ball of light and is following in the air.

And…

「Grold Aldidi has used [Lookberta’s Dove Boots].」

A psychic who is keeping pace with item power.

Amelia, looking at the spirit following her speed, showed curiosity.

“…Is that a Numbers item?”

“It’s a 3000s Numbers item called Lookberta’s Dove Boots. There’s a restriction that it can only be used in non-combat situations… but it’s very useful in the labyrinth for someone like me.”

“Won’t you run out of soul power if you go that fast?”

“Hehe, you underestimate psychics.”

Psychics are required to match synergies that increase soul power when leveling up, so they have more MP than any other job.

“Don’t worry. I usually only use this until the 3rd floor. It’s hard to use on the 5th floor because the path is narrow, and on the 6th floor… we’ll be traveling by boat anyway, so there’s not much need to use it.”

Indeed, is it because we brought a high-ranking explorer?

It feels like everything is prepared in every aspect.

‘At this rate, a speedrun might be possible?’

“Emily, increase the speed further.”

I soon gave a new order, and I was truly captivated by a strange feeling.

Whooosh-!

A ball of light flying like a meteor.

Swoosh-

Old man Aldidi, slightly lifted off the ground, leaning forward and moving forward.

“…Shuitz, why are you falling behind?”

“Maybe, in, the, back, an, enemy, might, appear, you, know.”

Ha, I’m really going to die from being out of breath.