Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 400

The investigation revealed that two members had changed their names.

However, the names they had used were ‘Muljuri’ and ‘Dick,’ far from that cursed name.

In other words, there was no former Hans among them.

But, what is this feeling?

‘It’s strange that there isn’t one, now that I think about it…’

It’s not that I’m not relieved that there’s no former Hans, but there’s also a sense of disappointment.

If that guy existed, the series of events could just be due to simple coincidences, and…

Even if not, the list of suspects would be narrowed down.

‘…No, wait a minute.’

“Troll.”

“Yes?”

“What are the names of the three trolls you’re using as summons?”

I asked, just in case, but to put it simply, this was also a dead end.

Was it Pipi, Popi, and Yepi, in order of height?

As a normal person, I can’t understand their naming sense.

‘Anyway, this confirms that someone else did this on purpose.’

A coincidental coincidence?

I can’t completely rule out that possibility, but I don’t really believe in such coincidences.

At least, not if Hans isn’t involved in the process.

Moreover, the ground collapsing phenomenon in Ice Rock was not common enough to experience twice during an expedition.

Besides…

‘I have a hunch.’

I carefully put the ring I had briefly worn back into my pocket.

“It seems the cleanup is mostly done.”

“Yes.”

“What are the losses?”

“It’s not good to call it fortunate, but the proportion of food isn’t that significant.”

Right, that’s what it is.

Other exploration supplies are also important for survival, but they are less important than food.

“…What are we going to do now?”

“What do you mean, what are we going to do? We’re resuming the journey.”

We don’t have much time anyway, right?

Staying here and wasting time won’t make the culprit appear, and I need to keep thinking while we move.

“How far can you send the Ice Trolls?”

“…A-anywhere my eyes can see!”

Perhaps worried that I might hold them responsible for this incident, the summoner answered immediately while watching my expression.

‘…Is that an act?’

Actually, this guy is the most suspicious.

I didn’t dig too deep, thinking it wasn’t the right time yet.

“From now on, the remaining three sleds will move separately, in the front, center, and rear.”

After that, I changed the formation to move the sleds separately, in preparation for any possible situation.

And…

Thud, thud.

We continued to march through the transparent ice cave, constantly pondering.

If there really is a culprit among us who destroyed the supplies, who could it be?

There are too many suspects, that’s the problem.

But first, I need to consider those who would be most affected if they were traitors.

For example, the team leaders of each team.

“…Schuitz, I’m sorry. This is my responsibility. Dividing the sleds is something I should have done earlier.”

First, Titana Akuraba.

This woman’s suspiciousness is beyond question.

She was in charge of supply management, and she was always the closest whenever such incidents occurred.

“Lady Akuraba may not have done it on purpose, but it’s the second time. Whether you like it or not, if you don’t punish her, everyone will look down on you.”

Kaislan is also similarly suspicious.

His kind advice and self-sacrificing spirit are all appreciated, but that makes him even more suspicious.

He was also the one who was most greedy for the position of leader.

“I don’t think it’s an accident that can be attributed to anyone’s mistake. But… this time, it might be a good idea to hold someone accountable.”

James Kala.

He’s the least suspicious, but if you look for a motive, it’s not impossible.

After all, isn’t he the one with the least individual standing among us?

His backers could easily manipulate him.

“…Do as you wish. It is the duty and right of the one who leads.”

Lastly, the paladin Jun.

He’s just been strangely friendly to me since the beginning, which makes me feel very uncomfortable.

“Mr. Schuitz, the members are extremely fatigued.”

The march continued for about two hours longer than usual.

“Camp!”

We set up camp around this point and held a meeting with each team leader.

The first issue that came up was this.

“The loss of potions and consumables for maintaining body temperature is a problem, but the biggest issue is the reduction in tents and sleeping bags.”

“If we’re hungry and can’t sleep properly, the complaints will surely reach the sky.”

“It must be resolved in a way that doesn’t create inequality. If some people sleep comfortably while others sleep uncomfortably without sleeping bags, they will resent each other.”

Tents and sleeping bags that cannot be used by all thirty members.

The solution I chose was simple.

“How are you going to solve this problem?”

“Increase the number of night watches as much as the sleeping space is lacking.”

“…Night watches?”

There aren’t enough sleeping bags anyway, right?

If the number of people on guard outside increases, the number of people who can sleep indoors also increases.

“…That’s too extreme.”

“It will consume more stamina.”

“How about taking turns using the sleeping bags and tents?”

The team leaders expressed their concerns, but I ignored them with the authority of the expedition leader and proceeded with the plan.

“Schuitz, if you do it that way, the resentment towards you will surely grow.”

Well, I understand their concerns.

A solution that eliminates the problem rather than solving it.

Maybe from tomorrow, they’ll be complaining that this barbaric human who doesn’t know anything about tactics is making them do strange things.

They’ll also say that I don’t have the qualities of a leader.

But…

“It doesn’t matter, announce it that way, and have each team select night watch members and set the order.”

Increasing the night watch was unavoidable.

If the number of people not sleeping increases, the night security will naturally improve, right? From now on, I also need to be wary of the traitor within the expedition.

That’s why…

“Lavien.”

I grabbed the dragonkin woman who was about to enter the tent, looking tired.

“What is it?”

This woman is also a bit suspicious.

I’m also curious about her exact relationship with the Marquis.

“I was wondering if we could talk for a bit.”

“Is it because of what happened earlier today?”

“Yeah, what do you think?”

“Judging by you asking that, you must think someone did it on purpose.”

“We have to keep all possibilities open.”

We’ve been moving together as a team for a long time, so the conversation was more comfortable than before, but there were no particular gains.

“Even if you say that, I don’t really know. I’m not good at that kind of thing.”

“Is that so…”

“Is that all?”

“Yeah, you must be tired, go get some rest.”

I was thinking of talking a bit more, but it didn’t seem like anything would come out of it, so I let Lavien go.

And…

“……”

I went behind the tent where no one could see me and put the ring I took out of my pocket on my finger.

「The character has equipped No.6111 Fate Tracker.」

As it had been for the past few days, light emanated from the ring as soon as I put it on.

「The ring has detected the character’s fate.」

A very clear red light.

I quickly took off the ring, worried that someone might see it.

‘Damn it.’

It’s been like this ever since I entered the 7th floor.

***

Among the Numbers items, there are some that cannot be used in the city.

Representative examples are No. 399, the Cage of Silence, and the Fate Tracker.

Therefore, as soon as I entered the labyrinth, I put on the ring.

And…

‘The red light didn’t appear back then.’

This was the same when I encountered other expedition members on the 6th floor, and it didn’t change during the voyage.

However, the moment I arrived at Ice Rock.

Whoosh-!

The ring emitted a red light.

It meant that there was a negative event nearby, with no positive aspects mixed in.

Even then, I didn’t think of a traitor.

But…

‘If the timing of someone betraying us was set after arriving on the 7th floor, it makes sense that the red light didn’t appear all along and is only appearing now.’

Throughout the journey, low-probability misfortunes overlapped, and yet the ring’s light remained the same.

It meant that everything wasn’t over yet, and that more negative events remained within my radius…

“Mister, how long are you going to sleep!”

When I opened my eyes, I saw Erwen.

Because the number of heat stones was insufficient, we reduced the supply, and my body felt cold all night.

“Where are the old man and Ashd?”

“They woke up earlier and are preparing.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”

“You looked tired.”

Well… I appreciate the thought, but it’s shameful as a warrior to have a mage and an ability user worry about my stamina.

“Shall I shave you?”

As I got up, Erwen smiled and said that.

I absentmindedly touched my chin and felt a thick beard.

Of course, I didn’t think it was a problem.

“It’s fine. It’s not uncomfortable.”

Rather, a beard is helpful in this environment.

After all, it’s also hair, so it’ll provide some warmth, right?

“If that’s the case… I can’t help it. It’s a shame. You look much better without a beard…”

I mostly ignored Erwen’s whining and went outside, where the cold air wrapped around my skin and lungs.

Well, the biggest problem would be hunger.

Grumble, grumble-!

The feeling of emptiness in my stomach as soon as I woke up.

“Have you woken up?”

“Let’s hurry and dismantle the tents.”

Together with the old man Didi and Ashd, who were waiting outside, we dismantled the tents we had spent the night in and loaded them onto the sleds.

And…

Crunch, crunch.

After chewing the pieces of jerky that were supplied for breakfast as sparingly as possible, we resumed our journey.

Day 10 of entering Ice Rock.

The route we have to overcome from now on is simple.

If we explore the maze-like ice cave that leads under the massive mountain range in the center of the continent, we will find a huge sinkhole hidden deep inside, the Eye of the Glacier, and from then on, it can be considered the latter half.

The end point of the ‘Eye of the Glacier.’

In short, there is a portal to the 8th floor on the underground floor, so—

“Essence… it’s essence!”

Suddenly, there was a commotion from behind.

“Meran, is that what came out when Meran just died?”

“What? Wait a minute, then that’s a 3rd grade essence?”

To add, it’s not just any 3rd grade essence.

A rare essence that can only be obtained here in Ice Rock.

“Everyone, move back!”

After moving the members back, I sent a mage to put the essence in a test tube.

Upon confirmation, it was indeed Meran’s essence.

Is it that good news comes right after bad news?

Although they are high-ranking explorers, everyone’s eyes sparkled with desire for the 3rd grade essence.

“Everyone, calm down. If there is a buyer for this essence later, we will give them the priority to purchase it based on the average price, excluding the test tube value! If there are competitors, we will hold an auction!”

Kaislan quickly established order within the expedition before it turned into a big commotion.

“……”

Some explorers clicked their tongues as if they were disappointed, but most of them were purely happy.

There were a few essences that came out during the expedition, but they were all lower grades.

The price range for 3rd grade is different.

Well, even if we divide it among thirty people, the amount each individual receives won’t be much.

Still, it’s still a gain.

“…The spoils from the Noark guys will also be distributed fairly later.”

“Besides, there will be rewards from the royal family based on merit, so we can’t ignore that either.”

“Those who want that essence will have to accumulate a lot of merit. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have that kind of money.”

“No matter what, it seems we’ll be able to get a good return for our hard work.”

“That’s if the expedition is successful.”

Still, thanks to the positive news after a long time, the atmosphere within the expedition was quite bright, despite what happened yesterday.

Well, they’ll probably be cursing me behind my back.

If they can maintain their mental state with that, then as the expedition leader, there’s no reason for me to not welcome it.

‘After all, if people gather, there has to be at least one bad guy, right?’

Three more days passed in that state.

Fortunately, no more supplies were lost, and no members died in battle during that time.

However…

「The ring has detected the character’s fate.」

The color emitted by the ring was still red.

Because of that, even while continuing the journey, I interrogated the summoner, checked the information of the expedition members several times, and investigated the traitor as if I was being chased.

And finally.

“It’s the Eye of the Glacier!”

Day 13 of entering Ice Rock.

At that time, we were already on the verge of the latter half of the 7th floor.

“What’s wrong? It’s still early, why are you already preparing for camp…”

After ordering the construction of the campsite, I gathered all the leaders.

The reason was simple.

There’s still some time left before nightfall, but.

“There is a traitor among us.”

I think I know who it is now.