Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 449

A noble is a vassal of the king.

Then, is it possible for such a noble to simultaneously serve as the head of a tribe?

If someone were to ask that, the answer would be very simple.

No one knows.

‘Because there’s no precedent for it.’

Of course, if such a situation were to arise, it was clear that the noble society would be in an uproar.

Again, a noble is a vassal of the king.

A noble must act only for the king and the kingdom.

Not for a specific tribe.

Even if it’s not explicitly prohibited by laws or regulations, there is a clear unwritten rule.

But….

“Let’s move the location.”

The tribal chief didn’t mention any of those political issues.

I couldn’t tell if it was because he didn’t know the unwritten rules.

However, I let go of my curiosity about it.

What does it matter if the tribal chief knows or not? Even if he did know, the result wouldn’t have changed. The tribal chief is a barbarian, after all.

What happens later is, as always, of no concern.

Just like the thousands of warriors who are shouting beside me right now.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

The place we moved to, leading a crowd so large that it was no exaggeration to say that all the warriors within the sacred grounds had gathered, was a place called the ‘Land of Proof.’

It was the very place where warriors, who would usually brawl and fight anywhere when a small squabble broke out or during training, would go to when they were to have a sacred ‘duel.’

‘Well, it’s just a big hole dug in the middle of the forest, though.’

In reality, the ‘Land of Proof’ was quite haphazardly made.

The ground wasn’t flat, it was full of pebbles, and sometimes duels would even take place with rainwater pooled up.

But….

Thump-!

The warrior’s heart began to beat as soon as we arrived.

Yeah, what does it matter if it’s a magnificent marble floor or a place with tall statues? What’s important is that the tribal chief brought me here.

Unlike when we fought before, he didn’t just suddenly swing his axe.

‘It feels like… I’ve been acknowledged.’

It’s a strange thing.

I’m not even a real barbarian warrior.

Thump-!

Why am I so excited?

Thud-!

The tribal chief, who was standing on the opposite side, jumped down into the pit that was over 7 meters deep.

Thud! The sound was accompanied by a cloud of dust.

Before following him down, I made eye contact with Ainar and exchanged a look.

But….

‘What is it?’

Once our eyes met, he nodded as if to cheer me on, but he wasn’t smiling as heartily as usual.

Suddenly, I had a thought.

‘…Maybe he thinks I took it from him.’

That’s understandable, since Ainar was the one who read books in the library and made various efforts to become the tribal chief while I was gone.

Maybe he doesn’t feel good about my challenge today—

“Bjorn….”

At that moment, Ainar approached me and shouted in a stiff voice, all traces of laughter gone.

“C-Come back victorious! You hear me! I’m counting on you!!”

I felt strangely deflated.

What, was he just more nervous than I was?

‘Thanks to that, I’m not as nervous anymore.’

I chuckled and bumped my fist against Ainar’s outstretched fist.

“Got it. You can count on me.”

With those words, I also jumped down into the pit… no, into the Land of Proof.

Thud-!

A tingling sensation rose from my toes, and damp dust billowed around me. From above, Ainar’s voice could be heard loudly, cutting through the crowd’s cheers.

“The, the great warrior has promised victoryyy—!!”

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Geez, with this, I can’t even afford to lose out of embarrassment.

‘Not that I was planning to lose anyway.’

I soon turned my gaze forward.

Through the swirling dust, I could see the tribal chief slowly approaching.

Thud, thud.

For some reason, his footsteps, which seemed to pierce through the loud noise, landed squarely in my ears.

Thud.

The tribal chief stopped at a certain distance and took out the large axe he had been carrying on his back. In response, I quickly grabbed my hammer and shield and took a stance.

And….

Swoosh—

There was no self-introduction like in the duels of nobles.

There was no solemn oath-taking of the participants by a public priest with fancy words.

There wasn’t even any shouting of threats like in the free-for-alls of explorers.

Only.

“…….”

The moment we exchanged a glance and acknowledged that we were ready.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

We charged at each other without either of us making the first move.

***

The axe and shield collide.

Clang-!

The tribal chief, who was a few centimeters taller, brought down his massive axe.

A power struggle ensued in that state.

‘Back then, even with [Giantification] activated, I was lifted up while still holding the axe.’

Suddenly, an old memory came to mind, but the result was clearly different from before.

That’s because back then, I hadn’t received the ‘Blessing of the Earth Dragon’ from the little dragon, and I didn’t have the essences of Bayon, Stormgush, Bol-Herchan, or the Deep Sea Giant.

Now, there’s no reason for me to be pushed back by force.

But….

「The character has cast [Giantification].」

I start by increasing my size and push the tribal chief back with the axe.

Actually, I’ve been annoyed since a while ago.

Zzzzzzz—

The way he keeps looking down on me.

「The character has used [Wild Outburst].」

「The threat level temporarily increases by 3 times, and physical stats increase in proportion to that level.」

I let out a shout and swing my hammer at the tribal chief, who had been pushed back.

「The character has cast [Swing].」

「The destructive power of blunt weapons is greatly increased in proportion to strength.」

The tribal chief blocked it with his axe instead of dodging.

Clang-!

A deafening roar erupted as the weapons collided.

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Friction Heat].」

Hot heat, as if a bomb had exploded in front of me, grazed my cheek.

But, that was all.

「The target’s weapon absorbs a certain amount of impact.」

「Heat has been generated.」

That’s a stacking skill.

“……!”

Its performance gets better as the heat stacks up, but in the early stages of the battle, it’s a skill that doesn’t do much other than reduce the impact a little.

The large warrior’s body bends as if it’s being crushed.

‘Okay, the angle isn’t bad.’

I kicked his stomach with my giant foot with all my might, and the tribal chief’s body soared up like a soccer ball.

In professional terms, it’s an airbone [a term used in fighting games to describe when a character is launched into the air].

Whoosh-!

There was no reason to miss the opportunity when the enemy was in the air, so I swung my hammer like a baseball bat.

However, at that moment.

Whoosh-!

The tribal chief leaps high into the air, stepping on nothing.

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Flame Leap].」

One of the movement skills that is a superior version of [Leap].

Unlike the Manticore’s, it can be used in the air, but the movement distance itself is a bit shorter.

And above all, the additional effects are different.

「The fire damage of the next skill used is increased by 200%.」

A damage doubling option that is difficult to attach to a movement skill.

Because of this, it was practically used as a graduation movement skill in the fire-type route….

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Thunder Flame].」

The tribal chief, who had landed behind me, slammed his axe down.

Clang-!

An explosion erupted on my shield, and for the first time in a long time, the shock reverberated to my bones.

「Heat has been generated.」

It felt like I was fighting a large monster.

With the mindset that it’s a warrior’s duty to return what they receive, I swung my hammer.

And….

Thwack-!

What, why did that hit?

The hammer hit his jaw, and the tribal chief took three steps back.

‘Ah… this guy is also a strength-type….’

Is it because almost all the fights I’ve had recently were against agility-types?

It feels strange that a blow I swung as a feint hit him. Well, as a strength-type, his durability was on a different level than an agility-type.

Clang-!

I swung my hammer again before he could recover, but the tribal chief had regained his senses and blocked it with his axe.

「Heat has been generated.」

Is that 3 stacks now?

I guess so, but there’s no need to count it exactly. It’ll show itself when it reaches 10 stacks anyway.

「Heat has been generated.」

「Heat has been generated.」

「Heat has been generat…」

「…….」

Actually, after exchanging blows and the stacks had accumulated to a certain extent.

「The next blow is enhanced by the charged heat.」

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Flame Leap].」

「The fire damage of the next skill used is increased by 200%.」

The tribal chief leaped high and slammed his axe down.

Yeah, how can I endure this basic combo?

Taptap.

It’s not like I couldn’t block it, but I just stepped back to create some distance to manage my shield’s condition.

And….

Clang-!

The axe slammed into the bare ground, creating a crater large enough to bury about three people.

‘Okay, so is it 10 stacks now?’

For reference, this kind of basic attack enhancement would trigger every time the stacks reached a multiple of 10, so I had to keep paying attention.

If it hit my head, even I would be in danger—

‘Huh?’

While I was thinking that, the tribal chief slammed the ground with a thud.

It was a skill of the 3rd-grade monster, Healthsmith.

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Pounding].」

「The flames dwelling in the earth awaken.」

Honestly, it was a bit surprising.

I didn’t expect him to use his ultimate move when he hadn’t even properly stacked up yet.

Clang-!

The flames that shot up as the ground cracked engulfed the tribal chief’s body. No, rather than engulfed, it would be more accurate to say that it covered him.

Because [Pounding] is a kind of buff skill.

「The damage of all fire skills is greatly increased.」

「Physical stats are greatly increased in proportion to the fire sensitivity level.」

「Continuously burns the surroundings.」

The tribal chief, covered in flames, immediately kicked off the ground and dashed towards me.

Whoosh-!

The axe he swung was blocked by my shield, but a stinging sensation arose from the skin that was scorched by the flames.

Well, it’s a bit less now that I’ve activated the Orb of Fire.

「The Orb of Fire has been activated.」

「All fire-type continuous damage derived within a 15m radius is reduced by 50%.」

I’m glad I brought it.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”

“Bjorn, son of Yandel, is pushing back the flame warrior!!”

“Uooooooo—!!”

After that, several more exchanges followed, and as the barbarians watching cheered, it was clear that I had the upper hand.

That’s because I had the advantage in terms of compatibility.

Clang-!

Every axe attack was blocked by my hammer, and since I wasn’t being pushed back in terms of strength, it was impossible to break my stance.

Whoosh-!

The reduced fire damage was at a level that could be covered by natural regeneration….

「The next blow is enhanced by the charged heat.」

I didn’t stubbornly try to block attacks that could be a bit dangerous, and just dodged them.

It must be frustrating for the tribal chief.

If I were just a pure tank and couldn’t deal any damage, it would be understandable.

Thwack-!

But the weight behind the hammer blows I casually swung was fierce, despite me being a defense-focused warrior.

Ah, of course, that doesn’t mean I had an overwhelming advantage.

Clang-!

The tribal chief was not an easy opponent either.

「The next blow is enhanced by the charged heat.」

He swung his axe without using the [Flame Leap] combo to feint, and dented my adamantium shield.

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Resonance of Nature].」

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Fuse].」

He unleashed a barrage of threatening skills that fit the concept of a flame warrior.

Moreover, not only that.

「All stats are temporarily increased by the charged heat.」

When the stacks reached 50, he started to go even more berserk.

「Gudnulf Olga gains regeneration proportional to the fire damage inflicted by the unique effect [Ember].」

「Gudnulf Olga’s stats are increased proportional to the resources consumed by the unique effect [Scorching].」

The various effects of the Golden Sun Engraving route were also more annoying than I had expected.

Seeing [Scorching] being activated, it seems he had at least reached level 9 in his engraving….

‘Ha, so that’s why he’s so tough even though he’s not a tank.’

I internally praised him several times, as the tribal chief was like a model of a high-level barbarian warrior.

Strong damage, solid physique, and a regenerative ability that wasn’t afraid of getting hurt.

And above all….

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

He became more violent the more he was cornered.

‘His title… was the Flame Warrior….’

Now I understood the story of the tribal chief’s younger days.

He was scouted by the largest clan at the time, with team leader treatment? It was because of the attack on the Frost Lord’s Palace, a rift on the 8th floor.

At the time, I wondered if the tribal chief was that good.

‘Certainly… he’s worth recruiting.’

The tribal chief was said to be on the weaker side among the past tribal chiefs, but even so, he was strong enough.

But he wasn’t strong enough to overcome the clear difference in size.

‘It’s about time.’

Time to end the match.

‘One, two, three….’

No sooner had I counted to three in my head, the flames that had been swirling around the tribal chief’s body died down.

「[Pounding] is deactivated.」

That buff, which was like an ultimate move, had finally ended.

From this point on, I launched an even fiercer offensive.

Clang-!

I cast [Swing] on every attack, and continued to chain [Transcendence] and [Eye of the Storm], giving him no time to breathe.

Of course, my MP would run out quickly if I did this….

‘I haven’t even used [Soul Dive] yet.’

Perhaps sensing my will to end the match, the tribal chief’s resistance became even more intense.

And….

Crack-!

The shield, which had been dented after blocking the axe several times, finally shattered.

How much will it cost to repair it?

Even in the midst of the tense moment, I felt a pang of pain at that thought, but it was still a good deal in the end.

If it weren’t for the shield, it would have been my arm that was shattered.

Thwack-!

Using the hand that had lost its shield, I punched the tribal chief’s jaw. Even as his jaw was turning, the tribal chief glared at me and swung his axe.

Clang-!

I blocked the axe with my hammer.

And at that moment.

「All heat has been charged.」

The tribal chief’s axe began to emit a bright red light, as if it had just come out of a forge.

Ha, so he finally stacked it to the max.

I tried to end it before that, but….

「The increase in all stats due to heat is greatly increased.」

Of course, he had only stacked it to the max, and the tribal chief’s condition was not good. Blood was flowing from his forehead, and his whole body, whether it was his arms, legs, or abdomen, was swollen to an abnormal degree.

To be honest, it was questionable how he was still standing in that state….

‘Ah.’

Only then did I realize.

Is this how the others felt when they looked at me—

“Bjorn, son of Yandel.”

At that moment, the tribal chief asked me.

If you’re going to talk, at least stop that bright red axe.

Still, since it was the first time he had spoken to me during the fight, I listened carefully while focusing on dodging the axe.

“You’ve become strong.”

Is that what he wanted to say?

“I think I can trust you to lead the tribe.”

The look in the tribal chief’s eyes was far from that of someone accepting defeat. In fact, what he said next was not much different.

“But….”

The tribal chief then roared as if he was shouting.

“It’s still frustrating to lose!!”

“…….”

“So! I’m the one who’s going to win…!!!”

Having shouted that, the tribal chief charged at me aggressively, not caring about the harsh hammer blows.

My response to this was the same as before.

Dodging what I could dodge, blocking what I could block, taking what I had to take, and swinging my hammer until the enemy fell.

How much time had passed like that?

“————!”

“——, ——— ——!”

The surrounding noise was muffled as if I had earplugs in.

The warriors on the cliff were surely still shouting at the top of their lungs at this moment.

The only sounds I could hear were the noises necessary for the battle.

It wasn’t a particularly strange thing.

“———, —————!!!”

Why is there a saying that barbarians only hear what they want to hear?

Right now, that was the enemy’s breathing, the friction of his feet against the ground….

Whoosh-!

It was the sound of the wind.

Taptap.

It wasn’t that I saw it and dodged it.

It was just that my body moved first.

I kicked off the ground and stepped back, and at that moment, the bright red axe grazed my upper body and swept upwards from below.

“……!”

What was that just now?

How did I dodge that? If I had been hit by that, I might have been in real trouble. No, more than that, what did he do to make the axe come up at that angle?

While a chill ran down my spine.

Various questions flashed through my mind.

On the other hand, my body had already made a decision and was taking action.

Crack-!

I swung my hammer and hit the hand holding the axe.

Even with his wrist bent in a deformed way, the tribal chief didn’t let go of the axe.

So I hit his hand with the hammer again.

Crack-!

Only then did his wrist completely break and the axe fall to the ground.

However, it was my mistake to think that the match was over there.

“……?”

The tribal chief was clenching his fist with his one remaining hand and staring at me.

A silent indication that the fight was not over yet.

‘Ha… these barbarians are really….’

A mix of emotions swirled within me.

At the same time as a feeling of annoyance arose, I also thought that this was how our barbarians should be.

There was also a feeling of regret.

Ha, since everyone was watching, I wanted to go for a more spectacular KO victory.

‘Well, whatever….’

Our barbarians would surely like this too.

Thud-!

Therefore, I threw my hammer carelessly on the ground.

I also ended the [Giantification] that was activated.

And….

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

I indulged him until the tribal chief was satisfied.

Thwack-! Thwack-! Thwack-!

It seemed that the main character of today was not me.

“T-The victor has been decided…!!”

“Bjorn, son of Yandel! Bjorn, son of Yandel is the new tribal chief…!!”

In the end, the succession of the tribe was completed long after lunchtime.