Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 45

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Tarikan Liyen.

Of course, that might not be his real name, but whatever.

‘First, it’d be good to get him something to eat while we talk.’

Since the inn wasn’t too far, I took him to my room and then bought him a meal from the first floor.

For reference, the menu was the 300-stone daily special.

The meal consisted of chicken stew, a few pieces of bread, and some roasted vegetables, but he was incredibly moved by just that.

However, there was one thing that bothered me…

“I will never forget this kindness!”

Ugh, what’s with this clumsy barbarian act?

Still, I’m glad he seems to have come to his senses a bit, but if he’s going to do it, he should do it properly.

He lacks confidence, and his voice is too quiet.

Our barbarians are much more energetic when they’re happy about getting food.

‘…Still, he eats well. Was he that hungry?’

Watching him devour the food, I smiled wryly to myself.

It was because of one fact I learned from a short conversation after the meal.

‘No way, he wasn’t a newbie…’

Surprisingly, this guy was a senior to me.

Only by a month, though.

He was summoned to this world a month before I opened my eyes in Bjorn’s body.

And here’s another surprising fact.

“C, coming-of-age ceremony? Ah, I was really surprised then. Who would have thought there would be a, a demon among us?”

‘A demon appeared, huh…’

Coincidentally, this guy and I had similar beginnings.

A demon during his coming-of-age ceremony too.

That is, there was an incident where a player was executed by the chief.

And here’s a question that arises at this point.

‘How did he survive that?’

During the coming-of-age ceremony, names are called out.

However, when I opened my eyes, the demon had no information about this body. So, every time the chief called out a name, I had to count numbers in my head with a suffocating sense of tension.

‘…But, maybe even if I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have been suspected?’

Well, maybe that’s possible.

Or maybe he used a similar strategy to mine and wasn’t suspected.

I became curious and subtly asked him, but the answer I got was a bit anticlimactic.

“What number was I called during the coming-of-age ceremony? I don’t know why you’re asking, but… I think it was the last one!”

I see. He was the last one.

Then he wouldn’t have needed to know his name.

Because there wouldn’t have been any warriors left.

I can only think he was lucky, but he didn’t even seem to realize he was lucky.

Geez, how annoying.

“So, what happened after that?”

“Uh, what happened? Why… why are you curious about that?”

Why else? Because I’m a demon too.

It’s research, research.

“If I hear your story and feel sorry for you, I might help you.”

I deliberately answered as vaguely as possible.

However, in his mind, it was already a given that I would help him.

“R, really! Then I’ll tell you!”

He couldn’t hide the look of anticipation as he slowly began to tell his story.

From the day he opened his eyes in Tarikan Liyen’s body to today.

Listening to it, it was more self-inflicted than pitiful.

“…You didn’t enter the labyrinth after the coming-of-age ceremony?”

“T, that couldn’t be helped! I got lost on the way…”

First of all, he didn’t enter the labyrinth.

He made the excuse that he got lost, but…

‘That’s something I can filter out.’

The real reason was probably that fighting monsters felt like a crazy thing to do.

On the other hand, it would have been very easy to break away from the excited barbarian group.

The problem was what came after.

Left in the city, he spent a week eating hard bread and wandering around trying to find a job, but nowhere would hire him because he was a barbarian.

‘That’s practically the biggest disadvantage of barbarians.’

Other races can do multiple jobs.

For example, even at a tavern, you can find beastmen serving, and you can occasionally find dwarves working at a blacksmith.

Like this, they mine magic stones on the days the labyrinth opens, and they also work and earn money during the month they spend in the city.

Unlike barbarians, who have no options other than fighting.

“But didn’t you know that? It’s all taught at the holy site.”

“T, that’s… I temporarily f, forgot! And, I, I told you earlier! I got lost, so it couldn’t be helped…”

That’s why I’m saying it, because I know it’s a lie.

In the first place, I said it was something you learn at the holy site, but I was indirectly asking if it wasn’t a setting you should know if you’ve played the game.

‘But this is the answer I get…’

I’m starting to have doubts.

Are they really talking about the ‘demons’ who opened the ‘Abyss Gate’ on the last floor?

If they were that skilled, they should know the settings of the barbarian, right?

“…So, can I continue?”

“Ah, sorry. Go on.”

Anyway, the story returns to the main point.

After suffering from hunger for several days, he sold his starting weapon for 50,000 stones.

I don’t know who the buyer was, but they were really shrewd.

I know that a barbarian’s starting weapon is worth an average of 150,000 stones.

‘Well, the really important part is something else.’

He managed to save the little money he got and spent a month.

And then came the next labyrinth entry period.

In other words, the day I woke up in this body and decided to enter the labyrinth.

“Huh! You didn’t enter the labyrinth that day either? Are you out of your mind?”

“But how can I fight monsters without a weapon!”

No, I mean, you should have just gone in in the first place.

You were a player who reached the ‘Abyss Gate,’ weren’t you?

Can’t you even make that judgment?

“A, and besides, I had a stomachache that day because I ate something wrong!”

‘This, this really leaves me speechless.’

My head is getting complicated.

‘I can’t just ask him outright if he really played the game…’

Now that I think about it, I’m not even sure if all the demons, including this guy, are from the same Earth as me.

Isn’t this a world where monsters exist and magic is real? It’s possible that some demons were summoned from other alien dimensions.

“Anyway, keep talking.”

It didn’t seem like there would be anything special, but I held back and listened to the rest of the story.

Of course, it wasn’t much different from what I expected.

He ran out of money, got kicked out of the inn, and spent his days fighting hunger, cold, and illness.

One day, he found out about the existence of a lodging where barbarians gathered and went there, hoping to get some help, but for some reason, he was rejected…

“Come to think of it, you’re very unique! Everyone else just looked at me strangely.”

To be honest, I’m more amazed by him.

How could he have survived for three months acting so carelessly?

‘No, should I be impressed that he figured out on his own that he had to pretend to be a barbarian?’

Each of the choices he made was incomprehensible, but at the same time, a sense of relief welled up.

If I had made a different choice back then.

‘Maybe I wouldn’t have been much different.’

If I had chosen to run away that day because I was afraid to fight.

“…But how much does it cost to stay here per day?”

By now, I would have been sleeping on the street instead of in an inn with a window and a private bath.

Also, I wouldn’t have been able to eat even hard bread, let alone soup, and I would have had to rummage through trash cans—

“Ah, ah! So, what did you think of my story? Wasn’t it pitiful?”

Like this, I might have had to pour out my own misfortune and rely on the pity of others.

I thought about it again before answering.

And I made a decision.

“It was definitely a pitiful story.”

“Then you’ll help me?”

His face instantly brightened.

“O, of course, I will repay your kindness. You might not believe it, but I know the labyrinth very well! If you go with me, it will be a great help to you!”

Helpful?

‘Judging by what he’s saying, he does have some knowledge about this world…’

I can roughly feel what kind of future his wishful thinking is painting.

He’s probably imagining going into the labyrinth with me and becoming a team.

He might really be saying that to repay me.

Because he doesn’t know my true identity.

But to draw a clear line in advance—

“I will never go into the labyrinth with you.”

That kind of future is out of the question.

I’m barely making it myself, why would I go into the labyrinth with a burden just because he’s in a similar situation?

Why would I do such a crazy thing?

“But you said you would help me earlier!”

I forced a bitter smile as I heard his voice filled with a bit of resentment.

“I’ll help you in a different way.”

“A different way?”

“Here, this is 150,000 stones. Buy a weapon with this and go into the labyrinth.”

As I handed him three 50,000-stone bills, his face brightened again.

“Are you really just giving this to me? Thank you! I will definitely repay this kindness!”

I don’t really expect him to repay me.

From the start, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be able to survive long with that mindset, even if he has this money.

The labyrinth I experienced wasn’t a place that could be easily navigated just because you had game knowledge.

But I gave him 150,000 stones.

Even though I knew that act wouldn’t give me any benefit, I gave him the money.

“Then, I’m tired, so can you leave now?”

“Ah, i, is that so! I understand! I’ll come again next—”

“Don’t come.”

I lowered my voice and said it again so he could understand clearly.

“Tarikan, son of Liyen, whether you waste the money, lose it, survive in the labyrinth, make a lot of money, or even if things go well and you have the means to repay my kindness—”

He flinched as I approached and grabbed his shoulder.

I could feel his bewilderment through my fingertips, but I didn’t stop talking.

“It’s the same for any other reason. After you leave this room today, don’t ever come looking for me again. And if you understand, answer me. Do you understand?”

“…I understand.”

After hearing his confirmation, I forcibly kicked him out of the room. Then, I stretched out on the bed and pondered my actions just now.

A chuckle escaped my lips.

‘Well, did it remind me of the old days?’

Perhaps it reminded me of the past when I desperately needed someone’s help.

But even considering that…

‘Even I think I did something incredibly hypocritical.’

Someone calculating would probably think I’m foolish for doing this.

Someone emotional would probably think I’m cunning, saying that helping is just this much.

They’re not all wrong.

I didn’t have the coldness to stay far away from the line, nor the recklessness to cross it.

So, I stopped right on the line.

‘I guess this is what they call hypocrisy.’

I closed my eyes.

And I thought again.

Even if my actions today were nothing more than hypocrisy—

“Tarikan, try to survive as long as you can.”

This was my best.

Something I could never have chosen if I didn’t even have money.

***

The next morning.

I visited the Explorer’s Guild branch I had visited yesterday again.

Unfortunately, the staff member who greeted me was different…

“Five stars…?”

The female staff member, after checking my ID, instantly changed her expression like the staff member from yesterday and greeted me kindly.

What is this?

Did the branch manager put something on my ID?

I became curious and questioned the staff member, but I couldn’t get a clear answer.

“Stars? D, did I say that?”

Geez, now you’re pretending not to know.

I didn’t dig any deeper either.

Well, it’s probably some kind of code used only within the guild.

Like for VIPs or troublemakers.

I suddenly wondered which treatment I was getting…

‘Either way, it’s a win for me.’

What does it matter if I’m a VIP or treated like a special troublemaker?

The result of getting a kind reception is the same.

“Here is the list of teams that match the conditions you mentioned. Would you like to check it, explorer?”

I checked the announcements for today again, with the same conditions as yesterday.

Except for a few new teams that were added, it was almost the same.

‘Will I be able to find a decent team today?’

While looking through the documents, focusing on the added teams, I stopped at one part.

It was because I saw a familiar name.

[3rd Floor Exploration – Hikurod Murad]

Preferred Exploration Area: None, to be decided through future meetings.

Average Rank: Undetermined.

Current Members: 1 Dwarf Warrior (7th Rank) in Melee Defense

Recruiting Members: 4 (Role irrelevant, may vary depending on team composition)

*Equal Distribution

‘The team leader’s name is Hikurod Murad?’

And the fact that he’s a dwarf.

It doesn’t seem like it’s a coincidence…

‘Was the original team disbanded?’

Whatever the reason, it’s not bad.

It’s a bit concerning that there aren’t any members yet, but at least the team leader is someone I can trust.

I’m also curious about what the Numbers item he got in the ‘Crimson Fortress’ was.

‘I should at least meet him once.’

After briefly filling out the application and submitting it to the administrator, I left the building and headed straight to the commercial district.

Probably by tomorrow at the earliest, or the day after tomorrow at the latest, a meeting will be arranged.

‘Then, should I do some cash shopping before that?’

I was sure.

It was clear that this would be the most enjoyable time among the recent events.

‘Uh… but have I ever had an enjoyable time?’

I decided not to worry about minor problems.

Surviving the Game as a Barbarian [EN]

Surviving the Game as a Barbarian [EN]

Surviving as a Barbarian in the Game, 게임 속 바바리안으로 살아남기
Status: Ongoing Author: ,
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[English Translation] After nine grueling years, Hansu Lee finally conquers the infamously challenging game "Dungeon and Stone." But his victory is short-lived; upon defeating the final boss, he's thrust into a blinding light and awakens as Bjorn Yandel, a barbarian warrior within the game's universe. In this perilous world, survival hinges on his ability to embody the savage strength and cunning of his new identity. Armed with only his gaming knowledge and a barbarian's physique, Hansu must navigate treacherous dungeons, battle formidable monsters, and conceal his true origins to avoid deadly suspicion. Dive into "Surviving the Game as a Barbarian" and join Hansu on a relentless quest where the line between player and character blurs, and every decision is a fight for survival.

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