Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 44

Returning to my lodgings, I was lost in thought while organizing my backpack. It was all because of this metal helmet I was holding in my hand. ‘Should I sell this or not?’ The official in-game name for this helmet is ‘Golden Mask’. It’s an item that can be obtained after defeating the boss of the ‘Crimson Fortress’ and fulfilling several special conditions. The effect is simple: it customizes the wearer’s facial appearance, though there’s a condition that it only lasts for 30 days. ‘It was even a consumable item with a limited number of uses.’ Was it perhaps up to a maximum of 5 times? I remember it naturally disappearing from the inventory after using it all up. Of course, I’m not entirely sure. That’s because, except for the first time I acquired it, I’ve never actually used it myself. After that, I always sold it at the trading post for about 500,000 stones. ‘Tch, but I’m still conflicted…’ Of course, if I were playing the game, I wouldn’t even have these thoughts. After all, a cosmetic item? What’s the point of customizing a 2D pixel graphic character, especially for a short period of 30 days? Even if the market price was 10,000 stones, selling it would be more profitable. But the place I’m in now is definitely reality. After a brief moment of contemplation, I made a decision. ‘Just in case, let’s keep it for now. It’s not like I’m desperate for money right now.’ The situation is different from the game in many ways. Just recently, I was falsely accused and imprisoned. If I ever have to turn this city into an enemy, this item will surely play a significant role. Or maybe I’ll need to use it for some other reason. ‘After all, money is the best.’ After finishing my deliberation, I was reminded of the importance of money. If I hadn’t made a lot of money this time, I would have definitely chosen to sell it. And as you can see from this, having a lot of money increases your options, whether it’s in a game or in reality, or even in this distant world.

***

“Hey! Did you hear? The Crystal Union has been disbanded!” A silver-haired elf, Daria Whitember de Tersia, who was quietly finishing her meal in a corner of the restaurant, perked up her pointed ears. It was because she heard a conversation about a topic of interest. “What? The Crystal Union has been disbanded?” The Crystal Union. A large explorer clan that had grown explosively in the last 10 years, forming a vast communication network based on countless message stones, providing various conveniences to explorers on the first floor. “Isn’t it amazing? How can a perfectly fine explorer clan just vanish overnight?” “Hah! Perfectly fine? Were they ever even explorers in the first place?” From what she had heard, most of the members of the Crystal Union were ordinary people who had stepped into the realm of explorers because they couldn’t handle the pressure of taxes. They had separate main jobs in the city and would only spend one day a month in the labyrinth? Of course, there was nothing particularly wrong with that. No, she thought that the intention was actually good. She had heard that many ordinary people who were in danger of not being able to pay taxes were saved through this. However… “Anyway, it’s good news! I was already annoyed by how they acted like explorers everywhere they went.” The current Crystal Union had become corrupted. As their power grew, they began to exclude outsiders, and they even frequently committed evil acts against beginners, using their power as a shield. Just look at what happened to her younger sister. Not only did they try to commit an unforgivable act, but they even tried to silence her by killing her. ‘I hate to admit it, but if it weren’t for that barbarian, something unimaginable would have happened.’ She had already heard about the incident and was planning to deal with them someday. But after hearing this, it seemed like there was no need to do so anymore. Coincidentally, this time too, it was thanks to the barbarian. “By the way, I haven’t asked yet. So why did they suddenly disband?” “Ah, haven’t you heard that news either?” “That news?” “It’s about the Free Barbarian!” She, who was secretly eavesdropping on the conversation, frowned without realizing it. The more she heard, the more interesting the story became. Not only did he escape from prison and clear his name, but he even took the regional governor’s daughter hostage? “Because the matter has become so big, it seems that the law to identify plunderers, which was intended to apply only to 9th-grade explorers, will also be dropped.” Indeed, it was a story that was worth this much attention. The one who was falsely accused had already been hanged, and even the Crystal Union, which boasted its massive size, was being held accountable for its past actions and was being punished. However… “But do you know what’s even more surprising? That barbarian is only a 9th-grade explorer! That means he hasn’t been an adult for long!” A 9th-grade explorer who had just completed his coming-of-age ceremony. For some reason, when she heard this story, one person came to mind. The barbarian who was confident in front of her, and who had shown a different side in many ways. ‘Could there really be such a coincidence…’ She shook her head as if to shake off her thoughts. And then she left the store and returned to her lodgings. But every time she took a step, she kept thinking. ‘That barbarian, is he really dead?’ Until now, there was no room for doubt based on the circumstances. But if the protagonist of the story she just heard was him… ‘Then it would explain why he hasn’t returned to the lodgings for two days…’ Should she even tell her younger sister about this? Clank. As she opened the door while pondering, she saw her younger sister, who had become noticeably gaunt. Sitting on the bed with her eyes closed, she was manipulating three flames that looked like they were about to go out. In the labyrinth, two was the limit… “Ah, sister, you’re back?” “…Don’t tell me you’ve been summoning spirits since then?” “Yeah, that way, my vessel will expand a little more…” At those words, her lips tightened. The training method itself was not surprising. After all, it was something she had taught her. However, her younger sister had never pushed herself to her limits like this before. “You know, sister, I think I heard the voice of fire.” “What…?” “I finally understand now. How to become stronger. Why I had no choice but to be weak all this time. Why I always had to rely on someone else…” Her younger sister, who always seemed somewhat timid and always avoided eye contact when speaking, looked her straight in the eye and continued. “It’s because I wasn’t desperate enough.” There was no vitality in her cracked voice, but one thing was deeply felt. That was none other than venom. Finally, the one thing her younger sister lacked the most was filled. It was clear what caused the change. That’s why Daria kept her mouth shut. ‘Even if that story is true… it’s better not to say anything right now.’ Just like 10 years ago. This will all be for the sake of her precious younger sister.

***

It was past noon. I visited the Explorer’s Guild near the Magic Tower. Honestly, I had gone through such a terrible experience that I didn’t want to go near it for a while… But I had no choice but to go in order to proceed with the new quest I had received yesterday. “What is your business?” “I’m looking for companions who match my level.” “Do you have any specific preferences?” The guild administrator quickly asked only the main point without any unnecessary words. I answered without hesitation. “I want a team of at least four people who are active on the 3rd floor or higher.” Now that it has come to this, I don’t intend to just fill Ainar’s spot. Rather, I plan to use my promotion to a 7th-grade explorer to join a team with the best skills possible and efficiently conquer the tower. ‘Well, that’s assuming there’s a decent team.’ Soon, I handed over my pre-written personal information form along with my ID badge, and the administrator, who had been looking sleepy, flinched. Then, he checked it several times with a strange look. “…Five stars?” “Is there a problem?” “Ah, no, it’s nothing!” The administrator seemed strangely energized. I don’t know what the stars are, but for some reason, his tone seems to have become more polite. “Here, these are the lists of teams that match the conditions you mentioned, Explorer Bjorn Yandel. Would you like to take a look?” The whole process was completed in less than 5 minutes. “There are quite a few?” “I, I swear, that’s all that matches the conditions among the recruitment notices submitted to the guild!” Who said anything? I just said that, but I don’t know why he’s swearing on something like this. “Hmm.” The document that the guild member had printed out had a brief description of a total of fifteen teams. Let’s start by reading the first one… [3rd Floor Exploration – Ellen Borneff] Preferred Exploration Areas: Twilight Slope, Steel Rock Hill, Jet-Black Riverbank. Average Grade: 7th Grade. Current Members: 2 Melee Human Warriors (7th Grade), 1 Melee Beastman Warrior (7th Grade), 1 Melee Dwarf Warrior (7th Grade). Recruiting: 1 Melee Warrior. *Equal distribution. *Elves not welcome. *Participation in post-exploration dinner is mandatory. *Drinking during exploration is allowed if desired. What the heck is this team? I can already feel the stench of sweat just from reading the words. I was shocked and read the recruitment notices of other teams, but I couldn’t find a team that I particularly liked. If the members were good, the distribution ratio was stingy, and if the distribution ratio was good, there was something wrong with the team member composition. ‘…If it’s this obvious in the notices, it’s probably even worse in reality.’ Perhaps if my experience was a little longer, it would have been easier to find a team. The fact that my maximum reached floor is the 2nd floor. If I wasn’t a beginner, as they commonly say, the range of options would have been much wider. There wouldn’t have been teams trying to rip me off with such low distribution ratios. ‘This is annoying.’ If I could, I would rather post my own recruitment notice and form a team… But even if I did, no one would come, right? And even if someone did come, they wouldn’t be normal. ‘I didn’t expect to find one in just one day anyway.’ “Do you have a team you want?” “I don’t see any today.” As I shook my head and returned the documents, the administrator muttered like an NPC. “Oh dear, is that so? I’m sorry that I couldn’t help you, even though you made a valuable visit. If you wish, we can make Bjorn Yandel’s information available for other teams to view—” “That’s okay, I’ll come back next time.” “Ah, is that so? I’m Terbes, a guild member who is always kind to explorers.” Clearly, his voice, tone, and actions were all polite. His work performance was also flawless. “Then, please have a safe journey, explorer!” But… why do I feel so strange?

***

Leaving the Explorer’s Guild with a strange feeling, I stopped walking at a corner of an alley on my way back to my lodgings. It was because of a single barbarian. Thud. A shaggy beard. Torn and soiled pants. Although barbarians as a race tend to be mostly in rags, even considering that, this barbarian was in a miserable state, leaning against the wall of the alley. ‘What is it?’ As soon as I saw him, a sense of unease arose. Although we used separate lodgings, I was often around barbarians, so I could feel the unease. Even if it’s normal for barbarians to just sit down and rest anywhere. ‘Why… doesn’t he have a weapon?’ He doesn’t have a weapon. This is a very serious contradiction. No matter how poor, hungry, or cold they are, barbarians are a race that carries at least one weapon as if it were their own life. I usually ignore most of my curiosity, but I was instinctively drawn to him and spoke to him. But what is this? “Hey.” “…Hic, heeik!” The barbarian, who had been dozing off against the wall, was greatly startled and flustered when he discovered me. Well, it might be a natural reaction for a creature to fear a stranger… But that’s based on other creatures, and our brave barbarians don’t do such things. ‘Damn it, could this guy be…’ The formless unease slowly began to take shape. My heart thumped, but I quickly calmed my emotions and organized what I had to do in my head. Okay, first, I need to reduce his wariness. “Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you.” As proof that I wasn’t an enemy, I took out some jerky from my backpack and forcibly placed it in his hand. The greatest act of kindness a barbarian can offer. Of course, he only received it and didn’t eat the jerky in front of me. However, I could clearly feel that the wariness in his eyes had at least slightly diminished. ‘Well, this should be enough to have a conversation.’ I asked as if I had been waiting for this moment. “Why were you here?” “W, well, I, I don’t have any money…” I nodded calmly. It’s possible for a barbarian in the early stages to not have money. No, when I think about it, it’s natural. But… “What about your weapon?” “I, I sold it…” Not only did he sell his weapon, but he’s also using honorifics… “Let’s introduce ourselves. I am Bjorn, son of Yandel.” “I, I’m Tarikan, son of Liyen!” He raised his voice as if he realized his mistake late, but it was already too late. I was already certain. “Nice to meet you! Tarikan, son of Liyen!” This guy is an imposter. And one who hasn’t been in this world for long.