Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 46

Pure magic stone exchange: 230,000.

The yellow-haired four-person party’s equipment cost: 800,000.

Settlement money received from the guild: 5,000,000, plus 1,000,000 obtained through additional extortion.

And even the 30,000 in compensation received from the innkeeper.

‘The Golden Mask is worth about 500,000 stones, but… I’ve decided to keep it, so pass.’

Subtracting the 300,000 stones distributed to Ainar and the 150,000 stones I threw away(?) yesterday, my current assets are…

‘6,610,000 stones…’

In fact, based on maintaining my current standard of living, it’s a huge sum that would allow me to not enter the labyrinth for the next three years.

Of course, this calculation is possible because the taxes are relatively low in the early stages, but anyway.

‘If I deduct another 70,000 stones for a generous monthly living expense… my actual total budget would be around 6,540,000 stones.’

Recalling the items on the shopping list I had prepared the night before, I quickened my pace.

Well, I don’t really mean I walked all the way to my destination.

“Is this the 10-person carriage heading to District 2?”

“It is.”

Arriving at the public platform, I paid the 500-stone fare and boarded the 10-person carriage.

The regular fare is 250 stones per person, but…

The reason is that a barbarian is too big, so one more person can’t ride.

‘Damn it.’

I felt somehow resentful.

Even more so because it was an irrefutable reason.

“We’ve arrived.”

As I was sitting in my seat, dozing off, we arrived in the northern hemisphere of the commercial district, Commelby, District 2.

The journey took about four hours.

If we could have crossed the royal capital, Karnon, in District 1, it would have been cut in half, but…

‘With my current reputation level, that’s impossible.’

First, I grabbed a quick bite at a nearby restaurant, then headed to my destination, following the city map I had purchased in advance.

Finding it was easier than I thought.

I hadn’t walked far when I started to see a magnificent building in the distance.

[Alminus Central Exchange]

One of the facilities I used most often when playing the game.

The Central Exchange.

It has the advantage of not having to wander around the city and making it easy to find specific items.

But there’s a usage fee.

“Is this for consignment sales registration?”

“No. I’ve come to search for items.”

After taking a number and waiting for a while, I submitted the document I had prepared to the exchange staff.

“There are a total of 12 items that meet the criteria. Would you like to check the information?”

“Of course.”

For reference, the search fee is 3,000 stones per item.

After paying this and waiting for a moment, the staff took out several documents and brought them to me.

“After checking the contents, please tell the staff over there which items you want, and they will guide you to where the actual items are stored.”

In the game, I could just press the purchase button, but in reality, it’s like this. With this kind of system, it’s understandable that there’s a usage fee.

Because there are labor costs.

‘Anyway, let’s check it out first.’

Like the other users crowded nearby, I sat down in an empty seat and checked the documents.

Since there were only 12 items that met the conditions, it didn’t take long to read them all.

“I’d like to see this item here.”

I chose the item with the most reasonable price from the list, and with the help of the staff, I headed to the storage area.

And after checking for any defects several times, I purchased it in cash without hesitation.

[Expanded Backpack]

Storage Capacity: Grade 8

Type: Standard Medium Backpack

Magic Enchantment: Auto-Sorting, Individual Access, Lightweight (Low)

Sale Price: 2,500,000 stones

Expanded Backpack.

It’s a bit different from what’s commonly called a subspace, but at my current wealth level, this is good enough.

First of all, just having a storage capacity of Grade 8 is three times the size of the extra-large backpack I used to use, and…

‘It has all three magic enchantments.’

If you think about it, they’re all worth it.

‘Auto-Sorting,’ which stores items in the most optimal form, can be conceded, but…

‘Lightweight’ is a must-have.

Think about it. No matter how much the space expands, if the weight remains the same, it’s meaningless, isn’t it?

‘…In that sense, Individual Access is the same.’

It’s an expanded backpack I bought for convenience.

But if it doesn’t have the ‘Individual Access’ function, you have to use a last-in-first-out method, in the order you put things in.

‘It was so inconvenient in the game, it must be a nightmare in reality.’

Well, it’s a bit of a shame that it’s a backpack…

It would be too greedy to ask for more than that.

Deciding to be satisfied with this, I shouldered the purchased backpack and returned to where I was.

And then I searched for other items.

Now, the remaining budget is about 4,000,000 stones.

「The character has equipped the Expanded Backpack.」

「Inventory greatly increases.」

I’ve secured enough convenience with this, so it’s time to increase my actual combat power.

***

4,000,000 stones.

It’s enough to buy a full set of steel plate armor and still have enough to raise the Undead Seal up to three levels at once.

Neither option is bad, but…

I didn’t choose either.

Because the situation has changed.

(P) Source of Darkness — Resists death when the heart is intact.

I unexpectedly consumed the essence of a vampire.

Thanks to that, I now have a body that doesn’t die as long as my heart is intact.

In other words, the option to strengthen the Undead Seal or buy parts like greaves is inevitably less cost-effective.

After careful consideration, I made my final decision.

‘Let’s raise the tier of my equipment instead.’

Commonly known as a higher tier.

That is, instead of steel, a first-tier metal, I decided to buy equipment made of a second-tier metal.

「The character has equipped a Lytinium Breastplate.」

「Overall Item Level increases by +270.」

Lytinium.

One of the second-tier metals that is about twice as light and strong as regular steel.

Its characteristics are that the metal is white and ridiculously expensive.

‘1,910,000 stones for just one breastplate…’

The shape of the breastplate I purchased through the exchange was the same as the steel half-armor I sold for scrap value, but it was more than five times more expensive.

‘Well, it’s natural since second-tier materials are used by explorers around the 4th floor, right?’

The reason I chose the breastplate as the top priority among the various pieces of equipment was simple.

The safer my heart is, the more the benefits of the passive skill [Source of Darkness] are maximized.

Either way, safety is paramount, so there was no room for disagreement on this.

However, the second piece of equipment was a source of concern until the moment I confirmed the purchase.

「The character has equipped a Lytinium Large Battle Shield.」

「Overall Item Level increases by +315.」

Whether to change my weapon or buy a new shield that I sold for scrap value.

After much deliberation, I bought the shield for 2,100,000 stones.

There are several reasons, but to pick out the core ones…

‘I don’t need to deal damage myself anymore.’

Until now, I’ve only entered the labyrinth in a two-person team, a duo.

But to go to higher floors, you need to play in a team of at least four people.

In other words, it’s more efficient to hold a shield and become a human wall to protect my teammates.

‘The vampire essence isn’t a damage dealer’s essence either.’

Above all, unlike weapons, shields are equipment that I will continue to use even after obtaining ‘that essence,’ and…

Now, I feel empty without a shield.

Well, my pockets are empty instead.

‘Hmm, the equipment is starting to shine.’

For some reason, looking in the mirror made me feel rich.

Is this also a change that came with becoming a barbarian?

***

「Bjorn Yandel」

Level: 3

Physical: 199.1 / Mental: 105.3 / Ability: 152.4

Item Level: 699 (New +585)

Overall Combat Index: 631.55 (New +146.25)

Acquired Essences: Corpse Golem – Rank 7, Vampire (Guardian) – Rank 5

***

After completing my reasonable shopping, it was already evening.

I had another meal at the restaurant where I had lunch and took a carriage back to District 13, where my accommodation was.

And then the day was over.

‘With travel times this long…’

If I ever make a lot of money, I should move to the central area.

Living on the outskirts is inconvenient in many ways.

I did move a bit closer this time, but it still takes a long time to get to the Dimensional Plaza.

‘In the end, is it all about money…’

As I made a big purchase today, I went to sleep with a renewed determination to make money.

And the next morning.

‘I’ve finished everything that needs to be done right away, so should I go back there again?’

Like a diligent barbarian, I woke up early in the morning and headed to the library.

It’s the habit of Korean gamers to do some grinding in their free time. Well, this isn’t a game, so it’s a grind I can do in reality.

I still lack common sense and knowledge of this place.

‘In that sense, when I get a house later, it would be nice if it was close to the library.’

Books are food for the soul.

After all, the reason I was able to make reasonable purchases at the exchange was because I read books at the library, wasn’t it?

‘What was the title of the book?’

I don’t remember the title well, but it was a book that recorded the average transaction prices of exchange items for 10 years.

There were so many numbers that it was hard to read, but there was no better textbook for learning the market price.

As I was walking while thinking about this and that, I soon arrived at my destination.

Nothing had changed from when I came before.

The smell of books vibrating throughout the building, the numerous bespectacled nerds who arrived even earlier than me, and the librarian sitting at the counter with a sleepy face.

“It’s been a while.”

As I greeted him like the last time I saw him, the librarian looked at me with a strange gaze.

Then he muttered something quietly.

“…How?”

Ah, he saw it.

“Hehe, it’s Lytinium armor and a shield. I paid 4,000,000 stones for them combined. Oh, and the thing on my back is called an expanded backpack—”

“Parsityev.”

Well, he still doesn’t get jokes.

Leaving the chronically fatigued librarian, who just cast a spell and went back to dozing off, I headed into the library.

But is it because I’m wearing good equipment?

I can feel people’s gazes from all over, more than usual.

Most of them are filled with awe.

I’m not sure, but if I think it’s not, I’ll be embarrassed, so let’s just think that way.

‘…Was it a bit much to come to the library wearing equipment?’

Maybe it was.

But if you think about it, so what?

I’m a barbarian.

Deciding to just ignore it and do my own thing, I pulled out a pile of books with keywords in mind.

[The Establishment and Development of the Explorer’s Guild]

[Casebook of Plunderer Judgments III]

[Reading Record of Legal Terminology Dictionary]

[The Birth of Mozlan]

[……]

[……]

Is it because I almost died after being framed this time?

I’m becoming more interested in the Explorer’s Guild, royal institutions, and laws.

There’s a famous saying in the gaming world, isn’t there?

If you don’t know, you’ll get hit.

So, I have no choice but to learn somehow.

Grumble-!

After going out to eat every four hours and reading books, it was evening again.

I decided to read the books I hadn’t finished tomorrow and returned to my accommodation.

Unlike usual, a letter had arrived.

The sender was the Explorer’s Guild.

The content stated that Hikurod Murad wanted to meet me.

‘I won’t be able to go to the library tomorrow.’

For about an hour, I wiped the shield and breastplate with a dry cloth, then lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

***

I slept in late for once since there was time to spare even if I woke up early.

It was a little past noon.

After a quick wash, I headed to the meeting place.

Clink-!

A place that serves as an inn, a restaurant, and a pub.

As I entered the hall on the first floor, I could see quite a few people eating and chatting.

After looking around the room for a while, I found the person I was looking for. Seriously, those dwarf guys are so small that you can’t see them!

They should just eat standing up from now on.

Isn’t it the same anyway?

“It’s been a while, Hikurod.”

“Ha! It really was you! I was a bit doubtful since you were marked as a Grade 7—”

The dwarf, who was greeting me with a smile, suddenly flinched when he saw me.

“No, what is that equipment you’re wearing?”

Ah, you saw it too.

I replied as if it was nothing.

“Oh, this? As you can see from this white glow, it’s Lytinium armor and a shield. And the thing on my back is called an expanded backpack, it’s nothing special, I just bought one this time.”

Really, it’s nothing special.