Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 424

Teaming.

A term frequently used in online competitive games, it refers to the act of players who are classified as enemies temporarily forming an alliance within the game.

‘Ha, they’re teaming up here?’

The perspective on teaming varies from game company to game company.

Some view teaming as part of the game, while others see it as cheating and actively impose sanctions.

Of course, in the case of intentional teaming, either way, it is considered a form of cheating on par with using hacks or bugs. This is because it greatly disrupts the balance of the game and causes significant damage to ordinary users…

‘Damn it, what are the admins doing? Why aren’t they catching these bastards?’

A complaint naturally arises.

I somehow managed to create a three-way battle, and now they’re teaming up here.

Aren’t the Noark and the royal family sworn enemies?

Things have become complicated.

‘At this rate, taking them down one by one is impossible…’

Plan A has gone awry from the start.

Come to think of it, that’s how it’s been most of the time.

Is it that things never go according to the initial plan? It’s not like I always make optimistic plans, but for some reason, things always turn out that way.

“Um…”

I was snapped out of my thoughts by Marone’s cautious voice.

“Ah, sorry, I was spacing out.”

“It’s okay.”

“So, how many were there on the Noark side?”

“Six.”

“What was their composition?”

I don’t know the names of the enemies, but perhaps because we fought once?

Marone briefly explained the members, focusing on their abilities.

“That… the one who was throwing black spears, and the woman who turned into lightning and ran. Ah! There was also that bald boxer…”

And one of Karui’s priests.

One black mage.

And finally…

“Regal Bagos, that guy was there too?”

“Yes, yes…!”

The Dragonslayer, Regal Bagos.

It might be a bit anticlimactic, but I thought he might have died from [Soul Extraction], but it seems he somehow survived, using some trick.

‘…Even if the body recovers in the mental world, it wouldn’t have been easy. Is the Ancient Dragon weaker than I thought?’

“That’s fortunate. That he’s alive…”

As Marone’s report ended, Laviene, who was next to me, muttered in a strange voice.

“…Huh?”

“Because we need his heart to get the pen.”

“Ah…”

I had completely forgotten.

The one who cursed Regal Bagos and turned him into a bee was the Dragon Cub Pen. As a price for casting an unreasonable curse, his body’s time stopped, and he became unable to take a single step out of the Dragon Temple for the rest of his life.

“…That’s the expression of someone who just remembered.”

“Sorry. I have a lot on my mind.”

“But you should pay attention. If you manage to get the pen, you might be able to receive your father’s protection.”

“Can’t I get it with your protection?”

“I don’t have any authority within the clan. But my father is different.”

In short, if I clear this quest, I can gain the entire Dragonkin as allies.

In reality, I don’t know how things will turn out, but in my situation where I have to oppose the royal family, this is a quest I can’t afford to miss.

“I’m keeping it in mind.”

“That’s enough. But don’t push yourself too hard. There will always be another chance. As long as you’re alive…”

What is she saying? I have to kill him to survive.

Still, the meaning she was trying to convey was fully understood.

No matter what I do in the future, she’s telling me not to forget the top priority.

“Alright, let’s move again!”

After that, we continued to move, setting up detection magic in various places along the passage.

They’ll think we’re running away.

To fight even a little more advantageously, I need to lure them to the battlefield I’ve chosen.

And so, more time passed…

Day 70.

Five days left until the labyrinth closes.

We, who had been wandering in the cave, settled at one point.

“Everyone, rest as much as you can. This will be the last rest.”

It was time to prepare for battle.

That’s because the last time we used detection magic, we caught them chewing on jerky.

‘It’s probably the food the Rose Knights had.’

It’s both enviable and unfair.

We’re chewing on monster meat, while they’re having proper meals.

Well, thanks to that, it seems like they’re not catching up so quickly…

‘If this is the case, wouldn’t we be at a disadvantage if we drag out the time?’

Thanks to the monster meat, there’s no problem with survival.

However, because meat could only be obtained if the distortion magic was successful, it was impossible for everyone to eat their fill.

It’s not that we’re starving to death, but even at this moment, our hunger is growing.

So, if we’re going to settle things, it should be now, before we get any more exhausted.

“Yandel, don’t stay there in the cold, come over here!”

Soon, called by Marone, I obediently headed towards the fire.

Teams were no longer meaningful.

Like a campfire, everyone gathered in one place, warming themselves by the flames.

“Kuh… you have to grill meat! Yandel! Want a bite?”

It’s not like a barbarian to refuse meat, so I quickly took it and put it in my mouth. And as I chewed, I listened to the conversation of the team members.

“This… will be the last battle, right?”

A woman, looking uneasy, wrapped her arms around her knees.

Periton Eriabosti, the priest of Team 5.

She was from the Heindel Church, grew up in an orphanage, and became a priest, or so I heard? She also had a husband in the city.

Not an explorer, but an ordinary man who worked as an administrative officer in the administrative office. They became close through their connection to the church.

‘She also… has a child…’

It’s a change that came about as the long expedition neared its end.

Having spent time together, overcoming life-threatening situations several times, we got to know each other too well.

“I… I’m going to go back alive. I can’t let my child grow up like me.”

A precarious yet firm resolve.

Silence falls.

Crack, crack, crackle-.

Amidst the sound of sparks flying, Ashd, the mage of our team, opened his mouth.

“My wife will be fine without me. She’s a strong person… but… she’ll definitely cry.”

“You… were married? You never mentioned that?”

“Well, you never asked, did you, Aldidi?”

“Huh…!!”

Old Man Didi opened his mouth as if he had been betrayed, and then Puta Ricaben spoke.

A poor guy who was thrown here with the promise of retirement after working as a troubleshooter for the Kaeluners Duchy.

“The more I hear, the more miserable I feel.”

“…Huh?”

“If I had to choose the most insignificant person among us, it would be me.”

“…Suddenly?”

“That’s because I’m not married, and I don’t have anyone waiting for me in the city. I was sick of that life and wanted to retire, but I ended up in this situation. If God were to choose someone to die, he would surely choose me.”

“…”

“But… even so, I will survive. Wouldn’t it be terrible if this miserable life became my whole life?”

It was like a collapsed riverbank.

In the anxiety that this might be the last time, they poured out the grudges they had hidden deep inside, never showing them to anyone.

“I don’t think that’s something a guy who was screaming that everything was over should say.”

“That… can you just forget about that?”

“Hahaha! Well, for a price?”

However, even so, the atmosphere was bright.

Even though they know that some of the people talking now will not be able to greet tomorrow together.

Even so, everyone talked about the future.

“Yandel, what are you going to do after we get out? Of course, you’ll take revenge, right?”

Some talked about revenge.

“Ah, forget about that, I want to eat cake…”

Some talked about trivial wishes.

“I’m worried about my grandmother at home…”

Some thought of the people they wanted to see and strengthened their will.

“Putting everything aside, I wish we had a drink.”

“I know, right?”

It was an atmosphere where a drink was desperately needed.

In that atmosphere, the conversation continued endlessly.

“Um… how about creating a clan when we go to the city?”

“A clan?”

“This is also a kind of bond, isn’t it? And… everyone can’t just stay where they were originally… I was thinking that if we all joined forces, we might be able to make it work in the city…”

The future of us, not just me.

“Kala, what kind of person was your friend?”

“Rick, you mean…”

“Come to think of it, I don’t think I talked to him much.”

Not just our stories.

Even the stories of those who were dead and not here.

They spoke without order, trying to remember, mourning and regretting.

How much time had passed like that?

“Yandel…”

Marone calls me with a stiff face.

“The detection magic has been activated.”

At that one word, we smiled bitterly and rose from our seats. And we extinguished the flames that were burning brightly in our center.

“…”

It was time to return to the cold reality.

***

The plan is simple.

No, to be precise, there is no plan.

We have chosen a place to fight, and here we will fight the enemies desperately with the determination of a last stand.

And the side that survives will be the winner.

“…They’ve entered.”

“How many?”

“It matches.”

I heard the information I wanted through Erwen, who had his ear to the ground, but I waited just in case.

About a minute passed since then.

Thud, thud.

The sound of footsteps became close enough for me to hear, and soon the enemies appeared from around the corner.

But the numbers are a bit strange.

Seven Rose Knights and six Noark.

A total of thirteen enemies.

‘Did they leave behind the guys who are not helpful in battle because of the penalties?’

No, that doesn’t make sense either?

Even if it’s not cold, this is a labyrinth where monsters appear everywhere.

‘They didn’t leave them behind, they abandoned them…’

If it’s them, it’s a response that’s like them.

“…A dead end?”

The woman at the front, seeing us in a defensive formation, tilted her head.

I’m glad they finally caught up with us, but it seems like she felt something was off…

“Could it be that they were waiting for us?”

As a woman who seems to have experienced all sorts of things, she was quick to grasp the situation.

Well, it’s not like anything will change because of that.

“Kala!”

At my shout, James Kala activated a skill.

「James Kala has activated [Nimble Hands].」

Because of the penalty, he’s blind, so it’s impossible to hit with attack skills, but that’s not what we wanted.

「The skill has been used within range.」

At the same time as the skill was activated, the ground trembled.

「The trap is activated.」

Thump-!

Soon, a sound of something collapsing was heard from behind where the enemies had appeared.

That’s because this is a trap room.

Something you can sometimes encounter when passing through the ice cave section.

“…The path is blocked!”

The activation condition is whether a skill is activated or not.

And once the trap is activated, the only entrance is covered with ice, and this place becomes a sealed room until it melts after a day.

However, compared to the Noark guys who were flustered, the Rose Knights were calm.

Among them, the most calm was the woman who seemed to be the leader.

“Why did you make this choice?”

A question that seemed to be filled with only curiosity.

To answer, it’s really simple.

“There is no paradise in the place you run away to.”

“That’s an impressive saying.”

It would be.

It’s a saying that my favorite author used.

“More than that, I have something to ask.”

“My name is Six.”

“…Huh?”

That’s not what I was curious about.

Seeing my dumbfounded expression, the woman who revealed her name as Six changed the subject without any change in expression.

“So, what is it that you wanted to ask?”

It seems like she’s a bit embarrassed, but there’s no reason to pick on that here.

I just asked what I wanted to ask.

“How on earth were you able to cooperate?”

The answer came from an unexpected place.

“Ah, you mean that?”

The Dragonslayer Regal Bagos, who had recovered to some extent, stepped forward, swaggering.

“Didn’t these women know? That they needed our help to catch and kill you.”

Well, it’s certainly possible from the Rose Knights’ point of view.

For these women, the mission would be the top priority.

But…

“Still, there’s no reason for you to accept that offer, right?”

I said, looking at the bald boxer, not the Dragonslayer.

Regal Bagos might make a stupid choice out of resentment towards me, but the real leader seemed to be him.

“Do you really not know? That after we’re defeated, it’s your turn?”

A question with the intention of sowing discord.

In response, the bald boxer finally opened his mouth.

“It’s a well-known story that the Rose Knights can never break an oath made in the name of the king.”

Ah, I see.

I thought oaths were our barbarian tribe’s cheat key.

It’s also funny that it’s well-known. I’m hearing it for the first time.

“Besides, we had no choice. We ran out of food while following you. We had no choice but to join forces to catch you and get food.”

Now I can picture the situation a bit.

How these two groups came to cooperate.

“Well, are all your questions answered?”

Soon, the woman who seemed to be the leader, Six, opened her mouth as if to end the conversation, and I shook my head.

“No, not yet.”

“…”

“Repelles, was it? I have a proposal I’d like to make.”

At my words, the bald guy chuckled.

“Are you perhaps trying to persuade us?”

Oh, how did you know?

I readily agreed.

“Yes. Join our side. We’ll provide you with food.”

It’s monster meat, though.

“…What?”

He was surprised, as if he didn’t expect to receive such a proposal.

I quickly continued.

“You see, the royal family has already abandoned us, right? I was wondering if we could take this opportunity to change our affiliation altogether, what do you think?”

“…There’s nothing more foolish than trusting an enemy.”

“If you need an oath, I’ll swear it. In the name of a warrior.”

Just like the Rose Knights used a cheat key, I also used our tribe’s cheat key.

“You… are you serious?”

Then, the bald guy also started to ponder with a confused face.

Of course, that time was short.

Come to think of it, there was a troublemaker.

“Repelles, don’t fall for the enemy’s trick. That guy has broken an oath once before. He’s a weirdo who doesn’t care about a warrior’s honor.”

The Dragonslayer, who had been backstabbed in the Larcas Maze, revealed his story, and the bald guy hardened his resolve.

“Unfortunately, I’ll have to refuse that offer. In the first place, there’s no way to control you guys in the city.”

Well, I guess it’s not going to work?

“That’s a shame.”

“…”

“There’s no choice but to kill them all.”

I looked at them, covering my upper body with my shield.

I couldn’t use [Giantification], so my eye level was a bit low, but it wasn’t a big deal.

If you don’t have teeth, you chew with your gums, that’s the barbarian spirit.

“Erwen!”

The moment I called out, Erwen’s body became blurry.

「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has activated [Spirit Form].」

As there are many aura users, the attribute is naturally earth.

「Fire attribute damage received is reduced by half.」

「Water attribute damage received is doubled.」

「Poison immunity bonus.」

「When using blunt weapons, a strong bonus is added to destructive actions.」

「Physical resistance value greatly increases…」

「…」

The physical resistance value skyrocketed, and the evolved outer skin stage 2 was activated even without [Giantification].

「The character’s physical resistance value is 350 or higher.」

「Damage from piercing attacks is reduced by 50%.」

Alright, let’s give it a try.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaa!!!”

I’m pretty confident in a brawl.