Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 475

The Baron of Lafdonia.

The hero of explorers.

The trusted chieftain of the Barbarians.

The leader of the Anabada Clan.

All these titles referred to one person.

Giant, Biyorn Yandel.

“You’re… really alive….”

Misha Kalstein clenched her fists tightly.

As soon as dawn broke, she went to the city and inquired several times. Baek Ho’s words were undoubtedly true.

“Then… what was I doing all this time….”

An indescribable mix of emotions swirled within her.

She felt happy yet sad, empty yet overwhelmed.

Oh, and of course, angry too.

Why on earth did Biyorn Yandel…

pretend to be dead, even deceiving me?

If he hadn’t done that.

I wouldn’t have had to live with those criminals for the past few years—.

“No.”

She shook her head, dismissing the distracting thoughts.

There must have been a reason.

Biyorn Yandel is that kind of person.

So, until I hear the reason directly, I shouldn’t doubt him and just believe.

“Yeah, that’s right. That’s how it should be….”

She muttered, as if making a resolution, and headed to Biyorn’s residence, which she had found out about during her investigation earlier that day.

However, the house was empty.

“You mean… he moved?”

Why did it have to be at a time like this….

She decided to stay at a nearby inn for the night. The next morning, after inquiring again, she headed to Biyorn’s new house.

“Commelby….”

It felt so strange.

We used to say that when we made a lot of money, we would move to a downtown area like this….

‘This is Biyorn’s house….’

She arrived at her destination but couldn’t easily knock on the front door.

As she actually came here, all sorts of thoughts swirled in her mind.

What would Biyorn’s reaction be when he sees me?

What if he doesn’t welcome me?

I heard that he’s living with that elf and a woman named Emily Raines now….

‘Emily Raines… she must be that woman I met on Parune Island.’

What kind of relationship do they have?

How did those two become companions?

The rumors of a secret relationship… that must be nonsense, right?

An inexplicable anxiety surged endlessly.

Is that why?

“…….”

Misha Kalstein spent the whole day wandering around the house, sometimes peeking inside, and then returning home.

‘But I did see him briefly at the end….’

Ah, of course, she couldn’t even talk to Biyorn, who came home late at night.

It was because he looked so tired.

‘Yeah, that’s why. There’s no other reason….’

Let’s come back and meet him tomorrow.

She turned away with that thought, but the same thing happened again the next day. Biyorn left the house early in the morning and returned late at night.

Of course, she could have talked to him at any time, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.

“Hehe. Have a good day, Mister!”

“…I wish we could have dinner together tonight.”

Every morning, two women with sleepy eyes came to see him off at the door. And Biyorn would scold them for coming all the way out there.

Now she could understand.

‘Biyorn… he’s doing fine.’

Even without me.

Biyorn’s life hadn’t changed much from before.

One day, two days, three days, four days….

As more time passed, she still lingered around the house, sometimes even using her abilities to hide her presence and secretly observe their lives.

Both women were sensitive to movements, and there were a few times she almost got caught, but she managed to get away with it since she didn’t go inside the house.

But she gradually became bolder.

She didn’t just watch from afar, but also from under the window.

Not only did she eavesdrop from under the window, but she also hid behind the fence in the back lot.

One day, as she was secretly observing their daily lives.

Whoosh-!

A magic circle bloomed, and Biyorn returned.

She questioned the two women about the changed vacant lot while Biyorn was away, and they answered.

“This… ? It just happened. It looks a bit ugly, but… there’s no other way, right?”

“Since one person can’t have it all, we have no choice but to share it.”

Are they really talking about the vacant lot?

That thought suddenly crossed her mind, but Misha didn’t think deeply about it.

After that, they moved to the kitchen and had a meal, and the one who cooked was a mysterious man whose identity was still unknown.

“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”

“It’s perfect. The seasoning is just right. And there are a lot of meat dishes.”

He always told me… that it was bland—.

“The mistresses have instructed me to always prepare plenty, in case the leader comes.”

Misha’s body, which was hiding, froze like a stone.

‘…Mistresses?’

Was it really true, those rumors?

She didn’t know, but Biyorn neither pointed out nor denied the word.

Thump-

Her heart felt like it was sinking.

She had also been misunderstood like that sometimes while living with Biyorn, but Biyorn had always denied it back then.

“Mister, you don’t have any other plans for today, right?”

After finishing their meal, they went to the garden and chatted while enjoying refreshments.

The vacant lot was divided into a training ground and a garden according to their preferences.

A round table and three chairs were placed on one side.

‘…It’s too close.’

Thinking that she might get caught if she stayed here any longer, she carefully moved to the fence so as not to make any noise.

One step without a sound.

Two steps.

As she moved away from them, who were laughing and chatting, one thought kept circling in her mind.

What if.

If I hadn’t fallen for Baek Ho’s offer that day.

And if I had been waiting endlessly in a place where I could come anytime.

Would I have been laughing and chatting next to them too?

I don’t know.

But one thing is clear.

“I just… wondered if this is what it feels like to have a family.”

There’s no room for me to squeeze into this house.

Yeah, so….

Rustle.

Let’s go back for today.

That was when she made the decision.

Tap.

The two women who were drinking tea rushed in, covering both sides.

It was already too late to react because she was distracted.

“…E, eek?!!”

When she came to her senses, both of her arms were tied, and she was kneeling in the garden.

The situation was too simple.

Her former companion… no, her former lover, suddenly appeared and was caught peeking into the house.

“…….”

What should I say as an excuse in this situation?

“Aha, ahahaha….”

First, she decided to greet them with an awkward smile.

“O, long time… no see. Biyorn… ouch!”

It was truly a terrible reunion.

***

A room on the second floor with a window facing the vacant lot.

A woman standing by the window was biting her nails anxiously.

“Why is that woman back now… When she abandoned Mister and disappeared back then… Is she… is she trying to take him away from me again….”

The muttering monologue showed how unstable her mental state was, and she even spoke to Amelia, who was watching from behind, worried that she might do something reckless.

“…I don’t hear the conversation, maybe she’s using a magic tool. Is there… is there no way to do anything…?”

“There is a way.”

“Th, then right now…!”

“Biyorn would hate it if he knew, wouldn’t he?”

Erwen shut her mouth at that short question.

And she started biting her nails again, fixing her gaze on the window.

Amelia, who couldn’t stand it anymore, asked bluntly.

“If that’s the case, why didn’t you try to be more proactive?”

Erwen turned her head to look at Amelia.

The cold, hardened gaze filled with murderous intent was enough to send shivers down one’s spine, but Amelia shrugged nonchalantly.

“Why, isn’t it true?”

She knew it well.

Even if she seemed to have lost her reason, she would never do anything that would earn his hatred in this situation.

Inside this elf, who seemed to be covered in thorns, there was always a coward who was hurt and crying.

“…….”

Erwen was the same this time as well.

She avoided answering questions that got to the core and remained silent.

‘I don’t have a hobby of being nosy, but….’

I can’t just leave her like this.

Amelia approached the window where Erwen was and sat on the chair next to her.

And, as if throwing it out, she asked.

“Tersia, what exactly do you want to be with Yandel?”

“…….”

As expected, there was no answer.

Normally, she would have thought that she didn’t want to talk about it and would have ended the conversation here, but she persistently continued the question.

“If it’s the same relationship as now, nothing will change even if Misha Kalstein comes.”

“…….”

“Do you want to be in a romantic relationship with Yandel?”

Finally, an answer came back.

“That’s… not wrong, is it….”

A typical answer from cowards.

“I didn’t say it was wrong.”

“…So, what are you trying to say to me?”

The coward, cornered, became aggressive, and Amelia also took a step back as if hunting.

“I’m just curious. Why haven’t you properly expressed it all this time, even though you have such a desire?”

“…….”

“Don’t you know? That Yandel guy is quick-witted but thinks too much, so he’ll never approach you first.”

“…….”

“So, tell me. Maybe I can help you?”

“…Ha! You’re going to help me?”

Erwen scoffed as if it was absurd and asked back.

“What about you, what kind of relationship do you want to have with Mister…?”

It was an embarrassing topic, but Amelia answered honestly without avoiding it.

“Well, I’m satisfied with the way things are now. I’m already having enough fun.”

In fact, she didn’t dislike Erwen’s daily tantrums like a child, or having to clean up after Yandel’s strange actions.

It was a very simple reason.

“As Yandel said, if there was a family, it would feel like this.”

At those words, Erwen looked at Amelia without saying anything.

The murderous intent that had been in her eyes had disappeared, and the empty space was filled with only bewildered emotions.

“…….”

“…….”

A moment of silence followed.

After hesitating for a long time, Erwen opened her mouth in a small voice.

“…Tell me. What should I do?”

It felt like the thorny shell had finally cracked open.

Amelia smiled gently as if looking at a younger sister and advised.

“Wait for the right time.”

“…Wait?”

“Because Biyorn will just run away right now.”

If you are a hunter, you must first create an environment where the prey cannot escape.

Amelia calmly organized the situation.

“Biyorn Yandel must have thought that you are not capable of making normal judgments right now. That your feelings are just trying to fill a lacking part from him. So, he must have judged it as a temporary emotion and didn’t try to face that emotion properly.”

And if we add one more prediction….

“He must have also wanted to not break the current relationship.”

This elf and the barbarian are similar.

They look tough on the outside, but inside, they are full of all sorts of anxieties and worries.

“So, you have to wait. If you approach him in this situation, he’ll just think about it alone, convince himself, and run away, saying it’s a rational decision.”

“Until when…?”

“Until he thinks that you’ve erased the essences and are completely fine.”

If you reveal your feelings at that time, Yandel will no longer be able to ignore it and will face it head-on.

“Of course, I’m not saying just wait. You have to constantly exchange emotions during that time.”

“…For example?”

“Honorifics.”

“…For example?”

After that, Amelia taught her some techniques about romantic relationships, and Erwen listened intently with her pointed ears perked up.

The techniques that Amelia taught were that amazing.

Especially in that each one was convincing.

“To go up to him when he needs to dress up and tie his tie for him….”

After the transfer of techniques was over, Erwen asked, unable to hide her surprise.

“By any chance, have you… have you ever dated a man?”

“…………No.”

Erwen frowned, as if her credibility had dropped at that answer.

“Wait a minute, then how did you know all this?”

Amelia answered with an awkward smile.

This is what that guy often says when he makes excuses, but.

“…I read it in a book.”

Well, it’s true though.

***

About ten days had passed since the meeting with Baek Ho.

The long-awaited reunion had finally come.

‘I never imagined that the reunion would be in this form.’

Her mind went blank for a moment, but first, she let Amelia and Erwen inside. And she used a portable voice control magic tool to prevent the sound from leaking out.

It was a judgment that this meeting could stimulate Erwen.

“…….”

“…….”

In that state, they were left alone, and a moment of time passed as they just looked at each other without saying anything.

Of course, it was far from a heartwarming feeling.

Even though they weren’t in battle, her tense muscles tightened, and her neck stiffened.

‘…No, why does it feel so awkward?’

I tried to throw out a word first.

“Your hair… has grown long?”

“Ah… this… yeah….”

A reply that didn’t give any room to continue the conversation.

But I spoke first before it became awkward.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you tie it back like that.”

“No? I did it often when I was cooking… Ah, no… I did…?”

Now I can see her old self.

Somehow, I started to smile and felt much more relaxed.

“Speak comfortably. It’s not like anyone is going to make fun of you for that between us.”

“But… did you really fix everything… all of it. While you were gone….”

“…Fixed it?”

“Yeah… Sometimes… when I get nervous, I go back to it. But I’ve fixed it all now. No, I mean, I have….”

Well, that means she was nervous too.

It wasn’t just me.

“Ah, anyway, now that we’ve greeted each other, I, I have something to do, so I’ll be going—.”

What is she talking about again?

Does she still not understand the situation?

“Where are you going?”

I immediately took a step forward and grabbed Misha’s wrist forcefully.

‘…Why is she so thin?’

Anyway, this should prevent her from escaping unless she uses a blink skill….

Ah, she didn’t learn that kind of skill, did she?

I can’t be sure of anything since we’ve been apart for so long.

“Misha Kalstein.”

I looked at Misha and said clearly.

“You’re not going anywhere now.”