Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 427

The Six Roses of the Rose Knights.

Regal Bagos, watching from afar, couldn’t help but laugh at her defeat.

‘That pathetic bitch. She was so confident, saying she could handle it alone.’

He had been closely observing their fight from the start.

If Six were to win, he would have had to stop her before she killed that barbarian.

A peaceful death was a luxury for that guy.

Therefore, he planned to make him a slave through [Subjugation] and make him suffer for the rest of his life.

If he were to die before that, he would absorb his soul to increase his stats.

‘Well, maybe it’s better this way? He’s already down.’

He had been pretending to fight while maintaining the front line, waiting for an opportunity. He quietly retreated from the front line.

And quickly headed to the place he had been watching.

Thud, thud.

The distance was rapidly closing.

‘It would be fun to make him a subordinate and have him fight against those guys.’

He was moving forward with such expectations when it happened.

“Regal, Bagos…”

A small voice, trembling.

And then…

Whoosh-!

A threatening sound of air being torn apart followed soon after.

Clang!

He hurriedly turned around and deflected the arrow with his sword.

A fairy was glaring at him from the direction the arrow had come from.

“…Right, you were here.”

One of the Seven Calamities.

Blood Spirit Lord, Erwen Fornachi di Tersia.

Slurp.

Regal Bagos licked his lips habitually, but he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

‘For some reason, every time I see her, she looks like someone I saw a long time ago.’

Of course, it wasn’t an important question for him.

***

Reality is different from the tragedies in stories.

As proof, it didn’t rain that day, nor did thunder strike. It wasn’t the day the revolution began, nor was it even a dark night where the stars didn’t shine.

That day was just an ordinary afternoon, like any other day.

[Erwen, if you keep causing trouble like that, a scary barbarian uncle will come and scold you, okay?]

Her mother scolded her as usual.

[Haha, that’s enough. She must have understood by now.]

Her father was kind.

[Waaaaaaa!]

Her younger sibling cried all the time.

[Daria, where did she go again…]

Her mischievous older sister had only come home at dawn yesterday and was still taking a nap.

Everything was normal that day.

Knock knock.

Until the knocking sound was heard at the front door.

[Who is it?]

Instead of her mother, who was doing housework, her father went to the front door, and from that moment, the tragedy began.

[Y-Yongin…? Why is a Yongin [a type of monster] here… Keheok-!]

[I need some fame, and the fairies seem the easiest to kill.]

[Kyaaaaaaak!]

[M-Miriane! Take the kids and run!]

While her father was blocking the intruder, her mother took the three sisters and ran away.

But they were caught by him before they could go far.

And then…

[Please… just take my children and run away.]

[…I understand, sister.]

[Thank you… my kind younger sibling.]

The three sisters were barely saved by their uncle, who happened to be passing by.

Although their father and then their mother sacrificed themselves, the sisters were still lucky. More than a thousand people died that day.

She had an older sister.

She had a younger sibling.

That’s why she could endure.

But…

[That young lady has the second most fate after you.]

Her older sister died.

[Big sister… is she gone now?]

It was because of her.

Her relationship with her younger sibling grew distant.

But she could still endure.

[Listen to me. I’m your guardian now.]

The person who gave everything to protect her whenever she was in danger.

The person who reached out and lifted her up when she felt like she was going to collapse.

But reality was too cruel.

[So, Bjorn is dead.]

The moment she realized that he, too, had left her after her sister.

Erwen couldn’t control the rising emotions.

Why do I have to lose everything?

Why does the small happiness I barely managed to obtain break so easily?

The reason was too simple.

Because I’m weak.

Because I’m someone who needs to be protected.

They protected me, but I couldn’t protect them.

[The process of obtaining the power of the pureblood of the clan will be much more terrible than you imagine, and it’s not something you can achieve just because you want to.]

She wanted to become stronger.

Now that there was nothing left to protect.

She wanted to let those who had taken everything know.

The pain of being robbed.

[Dark Spirit King, Dicloe…]

Such dark emotions gave her strength.

She used that power to take revenge.

She was called a blood-crazed bitch.

But her essence remained the same.

Tremble, tremble…

Her fingertips trembled.

“Regal, Bagos…”

If she stayed like this, she would lose everything again.

Even though she knew that, her whole body froze.

She had become incomparably stronger than she was back then, but that weak essence that could only be robbed helplessly remained the same.

But…

Thud-

That wouldn’t do.

Rather than regretting it again…

[Uncle—!!!!]

It would be better to die.

Ziiik,

She drew the bowstring.

Thwack.

She released the bowstring.

Whoosh-!

The arrow flew with fierce momentum, even though it didn’t contain any special abilities.

Clang!

The guy who had pulled out his sword deflected the arrow.

And immediately after that.

“…Right, you were here.”

She moved forward, dragging her body that was imprinted with fear.

Tap.

The distance closed in an instant, proving her growth.

Whoosh-!

She swung a dagger instead of a bow.

“A bow user is attacking with a sword?”

That’s because she couldn’t use the power of the spirits anymore.

More than anything, Bjorn Yandel was here.

She couldn’t use the fighting style of a bow user who fights while keeping their distance.

But…

Clang-!

As soon as the dagger clashed with his sword, she spun her body and launched a series of attacks.

Tap!

The guy quickly pushed off the ground and retreated, as if the attack was more fierce than he had expected.

Good, she had pushed him back and secured a spot next to the uncle.

“What, you…”

Erwen lowered her upper body and extended her short dagger forward.

It was a basic stance she had learned from her older sister before.

Back then, she had whined about why she had to learn such things.

[I told you. Even without a bow, even in situations where you can’t use spirits, you have to be able to protect yourself.]

She felt it anew.

She had only ever been protected.

There was no need for long words.

“…Damn bastards.”

The guy cursed briefly and charged.

Erwen watched him approach without flinching, observing his movements until the very end.

Her mind was surprisingly calm.

“Hoo…”

She couldn’t use the power of her essence.

To help the uncle’s fight, she had used the embodiment ability [Harmony] of the patrolman Erthes to convert her soul power into natural power.

Thanks to that, a little natural power remained, but it was such a small amount that it couldn’t be properly utilized.

All that was left was this.

‘A single dagger.’

The dagger skills she had learned from her older sister.

Even that might be woefully inadequate compared to a close-combat explorer like Amelia.

No, it definitely would be.

Not to mention an explorer who had been wielding a sword their whole life.

But…

“So what?”

Until the very last moment.

She focused her power into the dagger, observing the enemy’s movements.

For only one goal.

“Bjorn Yandel…”

No, actually, he wasn’t an uncle.

They were the same age, and he didn’t have a grumpy face anymore.

Others would think it was strange if they heard it.

So…

“I will protect Bjorn Yandel.”

She decided to stop relying on someone else.

***

Giving up is easy.

Especially a popular saying that could often be found on the internet.

Although the self-deprecating nuance was a bit uncomfortable, there was no error in the content of the words themselves.

「Regal Bagos has cast [Fear Imprint].」

Giving up is easy.

Just like how you don’t get hurt if you don’t expect anything.

You can quickly draw a line on things you can’t do and protect yourself.

Yes, just like right now.

「Strong mental fortitude.」

「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia resists [Fear Imprint].」

The moment you put down the burden, an unparalleled comfort comes.

The annoying noise fades away, and instead of the tormenting pain, a warm darkness embraces my body.

A comfort as if I had returned to my childhood.

Sometimes, there are people who find this place more comfortable than the brilliant light.

「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has taken damage.」

Of course, I wasn’t like this from the beginning.

A very ordinary kid who admired heroes.

「Regal Bagos roars loudly.」

「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia roars even louder without giving in.」

But at some point, I started to dislike hero stories.

Because weren’t they stupid?

Why should I sacrifice myself for others?

With that question, my way of life changed.

It became easier and stronger.

But…

「Amelia Rainwales has cast [Asura Awakening].」

「Critical hit.」

「Eight Rose has been defeated.」

When did that start?

「[Bleeding] is ongoing.」

「Warning: The character’s health is below 5%. If not treated immediately, the character may die.」

A new question began.

「Titana Akuraba shouts that she must save her comrades.」

「Periton Eriabosti has cast [Salvation].」

「Bogus Reichmont has cast [Opposing Darkness].」

「Due to the intervention of the evil god, the divine spell loses its effect.」

Perhaps it was a mental defect that occurred when I entered the barbarian’s body.

「Meland Kaislan moves to save his comrades.」

「Ann Parbella leaves the front line and blocks the knight.」

But one thing was certain.

「Powerful lucky strike.」

「Ann Parbella has been defeated.」

「The evil god’s priest, who lost his lover, is greatly enraged.」

I don’t want to give up anymore.

Not just my life, but everything else as well.

「Bogus Reichmont has cast [Flesh Offering].」

「The power of the next spell is increased 5 times in exchange for his right arm.」

「Bogus Reichmont has cast [Corpse Flower].」

Greed arises.

「Meland Kaislan is severely injured and becomes incapacitated.」

Even if that greed hurts me.

A deep desire that I can no longer be afraid of and turn away from.

「Powerful misfortune.」

「Punishment – Equivalent Exchange activated.」

「50% of the damage inflicted by Bogus Reichmont is returned.」

But…

「The evil god’s priest, sensing death, screams and utters words of hatred.」

What was I doing right now?

「Bogus Reichmont has cast [Flesh Offering].」

「The power of the next spell is increased 5 times in exchange for his left arm.」

「Bogus Reichmont has cast [Flesh Offering].」

「The power of the next spell is increased 5 times in exchange for both eyes.」

「Bogus Reichmont has cast [Flesh Offering]…」

「…」

The sound is distant, and the pain is dull.

The surroundings are dark and lonely.

「Bogus Reichmont summons [The Executioner].」

「Lavienias Torous takes heavy damage and becomes incapacitated.」

「Sven Parav falls into the abnormal state [Fear].」

It feels like I’ve forgotten something.

「Strong mental fortitude.」

「Sven Parav resists [Fear].」

「Sven Parav leaves the front line and defends against the Executioner’s attack.」

「Sven Parav is sweating profusely and shouting for help.」

I recall my memories.

「Amelia Rainwales finishes her deep contemplation and makes a choice.」

「She attacks Regal Bagos instead of the Executioner.」

「Sven Parav is shocked.」

What did I forget?

「The Executioner begins to rampage.」

「Sven Parav becomes incapacitated.」

「Tsuon Iribun has died.」

「Lilis Marone clenches her fist and makes a decision.」

「Rierd Ashd shakes his head, grabbing Lilis Marone’s wrist.」

There was definitely something I had to do.

「Rierd Ashd casts the 7th grade mental magic ‘Thought Acceleration’.」

「Rierd Ashd casts the 6th grade acceleration magic ‘Mana Amplification’.」

「Rierd Ashd casts the 8th grade magic ‘Heart Acceleration’…」

「…」

There was something I had vowed not to repeat again.

「Rierd Ashd unleashes a barrage of magic.」

「The Executioner, who has taken heavy damage, screams.」

Ugh, my head hurts.

「Eleven Rose has cast [Absolute Severance].」

「Puta Rikerbun is severely injured.」

「Unbelievable counterattack.」

「Eleven Rose has been defeated.」

I desperately want to rest, but I somehow continue to think.

「Nine Rose has cast [Absolute Severance].」

「Puta Rikerbun becomes incapacitated.」

「Unbelievable counterattack.」

「Nine Rose has been defeated.」

「Puta Rikerbun has died.」

I was thinking about what I had forgotten for a long time.

「Titana Akuraba’s soul power is insufficient, and the skill is canceled.」

「Manua Leveles has cast [Iron Fist].」

「Amelia Rainwales is pushed back greatly.」

「The Executioner casts [Earthquake].」

Kuuuuung-!

「The character has taken damage from falling rocks.」

The surroundings seemed to shake greatly, and suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

「Warning: The character’s health has reached 0%.」

「Starting countdown.」

「Consumes 3 points of mental power per second. (493/496)」

「Consumes 3 points of mental power per second. (490/496)」

「Consumes 3 points of mental power per second. (487/496)」

What is this?

「Periton Eriabos decides to sacrifice himself.」

「Benjamin Orman decides to sacrifice himself.」

「The Great Observer smiles at their noble will.」

I don’t know.

「Annihilation.」

Now I feel like it doesn’t matter what happens.

「All evil-attribute characters and monsters within the radius take heavy damage.」

「The Executioner is unsummoned.」

「Periton Eriabos has died.」

「Benjamin Orman has died.」

Time passes like that.

「Rierd Ashd unleashes a barrage of magic.」

「Thirteen Rose has been defeated…」

My mind becomes dull.

「Rierd Ashd’s mana has been depleted.」

「Rierd Ashd smiles, saying he’s leaving the rest to me.」

In the silence that follows.

「Rierd Ashd has died.」

Familiar faces flash before my eyes like afterimages.

「Grold Aldidi moves towards Sven Parav.」

「Sven Parav shakes his head, refusing treatment.」

I close my eyes tightly.

「Grold Aldidi starts running.」

「Manua Leveles has cast [Wind Pressure].」

「Grold Aldidi is severely injured.」

「Amelia Rainwales inflicts heavy damage on Manua Leveles.」

I know I have to open my eyes.

A whiny voice comes out like a spoiled child.

「Grold Aldidi moves.」

I’ve done enough.

「Grold Aldidi moves.」

I’ve done my best, haven’t I?

「Grold Aldidi moves.」

But…

「Grold Aldidi stops.」

Why?

「Grold Aldidi has cast [Blood Transfusion].」

Thump-!

「The character is recovering.」

「The character is recovering.」

「The character is recovering…」

A warm energy that feels somewhat comforting gently embraces my fading body.

「The character’s health has recovered to 1% or more.」

「Ending countdown.」

I instinctively realized with that warmth.

Thump-!

Yes, it was already too late, even if it was late.

「The character awakens from the [Stun] state.」

It was too late to stop halfway.

***

My eyes open.

The first thing I saw was Old Man Didi.

“Y-you’re awake… Thank… thank goodness…”

The old man was looking down at me, panting.

Reeking of thick blood.

Swoosh.

My gaze lowers.

“Old man…”

“Ah, this… you mean this… I got a little hurt on the way here.”

Old Man Didi covers his abdomen with his palm as if to hide it.

It was a meaningless act.

It wasn’t a wound that could be hidden like that.

“You need to get treatment soon—”

Old Man Didi cut off his words as he saw me muttering blankly.

“It’s impossible.”

“…?”

“Saving you from being buried under the rocks was the last thing. We don’t have any potions left, do we?”

I couldn’t understand at all.

“Why… why me…”

“Sir Parav… said… He said he could hold on, so save you first.”

Old Man Didi smiled.

“Everyone knows. That if you die, it’s over.”

“…”

“Hey, Yandel…”

Then, Old Man Didi coughed up blood and bent over.

But still, there was something he wanted to say.

“The only one who can make our deaths meaningful… is you. Only you. I can’t do it. So…”

I couldn’t accept it.

Where is there a death that isn’t meaningless?

Even if you roll in a pile of dog poop, you have to live to have meaning.

But even so.

“You… you have to survive.”

Old Man Didi says.

“You are… a giant, aren’t you?”

A giant.

My title that I got after the fierce battle in the crystal cave.

“You’re the only one. You’re the only one who can move forward, even with the burden of those who died here today…”

“Old man, I’m not a giant…”

“Don’t talk nonsense. You can do it.”

“…”

“I… who couldn’t die even if I wanted to, because I wanted to avenge my granddaughter… I’m standing here now! To save you… Because I believed you could do it…”

I was at a loss for words.

“So…”

A feeling as if faith had become a ten-thousand-pound rock and was pressing down on my shoulders.

“No matter what anyone says… you are a giant.”

Old Man Didi’s life fades away.

Clench.

I clench my fist and hold back the weak sound that I feel like I’m about to throw up.

I’m not a giant, or anything like that.

I’m just an ordinary person who wants to live.

Even though I want to lash out and ask why they’re making me do this.

I hold it back.

“…Don’t worry.”

That’s not what I should say right now.

I say without averting my gaze anywhere.

“I will accomplish everything that you… no, that all of you wanted. You can trust me. I… I swear on this warrior’s heart.”

I said it in a firm voice, but I wasn’t confident.

Could I really keep that vow?

Even as I said those words, I was full of doubt inside.

But whether he knew it or not.

“Yes… that’s… a relief…”

He smiles as if that was enough and closes his eyes.

“You will… become a giant… after all…”

“What are you saying? You said I was already a giant earlier…”

“…”

No answer came back.

No matter how long I waited, it wouldn’t come back.

That’s why…

Swoosh.

I get up.

What happened while I was unconscious?

Many people, both enemies and allies, are lying on the ground.

There are corpses crushed by ice shards and rocks, and a huge monster is lying in a corner of the open space.

The smell of death is all around it.

There are only six people standing normally, including me.

Clack-!

The bald boxer named Leveles and Amelia, who is fighting against him.

“Bagos-nim! The barbarian has woken up!”

The ability user who was one of the rear lines of the Noah Arc side.

And…

“Don’t look, kill this bitch first…!”

The dragonslayer wielding his sword.

Erwen, who is fighting against him with only a dagger in her wounded body.

“Ah, uncle…!”

Erwen’s head moves as if she had just realized I had woken up after hearing the ability user’s shout.

It was definitely not a good action.

Looking away during a battle is no different from suicide.

「Kyle Elbad Jeneger has cast [Thorns of the Earth’s End].」

A black spear is fired from the ability user’s hand.

The same 2nd grade skill that instantly killed Might Million while casting Mass Teleport in Deadwood.

“…!”

Erwen’s pupils widen as she belatedly senses the surprise attack.

At the same time, the head of a warrior who had experienced countless battles clearly recognized it.

Erwen cannot avoid that.

It wasn’t something grand like future prediction, but something that could be known as naturally as a person’s body flying away when hit by a truck.

Whoooooosh-!

Time slows down.

Swoosh.

My ankle bends, and I take a dash stance.

But…

“…”

My body freezes.

Why?

I’m all ready to jump out right now.

Thump-

It’s as if something invisible is stubbornly holding onto my ankle.

My heart sinks coldly.

Even though I know I shouldn’t think about it, I think about it in my head.

‘If I block that…’

Can I endure it?

There must have been a backlash.

With my current body condition, wouldn’t I die instantly without being able to withstand even one hit? Perhaps due to the extreme stress, someone’s voice suddenly played in my head.

[If what you have to kill to live is someone who has done nothing wrong.]

It was the voice of Hans A, whom I had reunited with recently.

[No, what if it’s a comrade you wanted to protect more than anyone else?]

Maybe Hans A was right.

I was already looking for a reason why I had to live.

[Then how would it be?]

That’s because, if I die, what will happen to Old Man Didi?

What about Jun? What about the other members?

We were able to come this far because everyone sacrificed themselves.

So… I shouldn’t be any different.

I have to make a cold judgment and move towards the path for everyone.

But…

Ziiik.

So, am I just supposed to watch Erwen die?

Then what will happen to Daria? That woman who died asking me to be her guardian…?

Crunch.

My head is a mess.

How did I end up like this?

Because the line between good and evil is not clear, it is even more difficult to choose. Like a tangled ball of yarn that has been messed with carelessly.

Clench.

It’s choking me.

But…

‘So what?’

Damn it, I don’t know anymore.

I’m just going to do what I want.

So…

[You will… become a giant… after all…]

I’m sorry to Old Man Didi, who believed in me until the very end.

But right now, I’m a barbarian.

And if I’m the giant that the old man was talking about.

‘I won’t hold back to protect myself.’

I put strength into my hesitant foot.

My body moves forward in an instant, as if the moment of hesitation was a lie.

Swoooooosh.

A gust of wind blows.

“…!”

“…!”

Erwen’s and my eyes meet.

To my left, I see the dragonslayer with a surprised expression.

Clack-!

Amelia is busy fighting.

In that fleeting moment.

Whoooooosh-!

The sharp black spear flies towards me.

However, my mind is surprisingly calm as I watch it.

It wasn’t because I had given up.

If I just stay focused and avoid the vital points, there is a good chance that I can withstand one hit with this body—

「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has cast [Spirit Transformation].」

…Huh?

「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia offers a ‘contract’ to the character.」

A familiar sensation began to transfer through the skin that was touching Erwen.