Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 48

Smooth, fair skin and pretty blonde hair. A height in the mid-160s and a skinny, stick-like physique. An 8th-grade mage who can handle life and administrative magic, some curse-type magic, and ice magic. Riol Wove Dwarki. The more I talked to him, the more he seemed like a total fraud.

‘Damn, is he even a mage?’

I suddenly had that doubt, so I checked a few things, but surprisingly, he really was a mage. And looking back, he hadn’t lied either. He only said his aunt’s husband was the third younger brother of the Baroness of Martoang; he never said he was a noble himself. Well, I guess he knows his limits. Impersonating a noble is a serious crime that can get you executed on the spot without any chance of defense.

“So, what do you say? Is it a yes?”

After a long deliberation, I decided to add him to the team.

“…From now on, you’re our teammate.”

“Haha! That’s great, since it’s my first time, I wanted to join a team with as many warriors as possible.”

A personality full of bluster and boasting. And no experience exploring dungeons yet. Those two things are flaws, but… Still, he’s a mage, isn’t he? He didn’t ask for a bigger share, and he said he’d follow orders well in the dungeon, so I figured I could control him well enough.

‘There’s always a story behind cheap goods.’

Besides, if it gets out that there’s a mage on the team, the specs of the applicants will definitely go up. After all, the personality of a mage doesn’t show up on paper, right?

“I’ll contact you again when the rest of the team is found.”

“Understood. Then, see you then.”

After Dwarki left, the dwarf, who had been frozen the whole time, took a long breath.

“Isn’t he amazing? A mage, and a noble at that, yet so humble…”

I answered with sincerity.

“Hikurod, what’s really amazing is you.”

It was 100% genuine.

***

The daily routine in the city afterward was simple. Except for visiting Raven’s lab once a week, I’d wake up at 7 AM, grab a quick bite, and head straight to the library.

“Parsityev.”

“Then, good luck.”

“……”

Including the last time, I’ve been making eye contact almost every day for two months, but I still haven’t had a proper conversation with this female librarian.

Growl-!

Usually, I’d eat every four hours while reading books until closing time. But today, I have an appointment, so I’ll pass. I was about to leave a little earlier than closing time when the librarian suddenly spoke to me first.

“I have something to ask.”

“…What is it?”

“Why do you wear armor every time you come to the library?”

Ah, so that’s what she was curious about.

I answered honestly.

“What if someone steals it if I leave it at the inn?”

“…If that’s the reason, then I understand.”

As soon as the answer was given, the librarian closed her eyes as if the matter was over.

“I thought you were completely indifferent to others, but I guess that’s not entirely true?”

I felt like I was losing, so I added a word, and the librarian showed a faint expression of displeasure.

“There have been constant complaints from other users. They say they can’t concentrate on reading because of you.”

“…Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. If you’re done here, would you please leave without causing any more disturbance?”

Disturbance?

Even if I leave, she’ll just go to sleep right away.

I wanted to say something, but if I bothered her and got banned, it would be a headache. I fled the library and headed to the meeting place.

It was a little past 9 PM.

“Here! Bjorn! Why are you so late today!”

“Sorry, I couldn’t find you because you’re too small.”

“Hahaha! Your jokes have improved! Come, sit down!”

I’ve been meeting the dwarf for drinks in the evening more often. About three or four times a week. Of course, we’re not meeting this often just to socialize; we always discuss the team when we meet.

“So, how was the one you met this time?”

“He was a sincere and trustworthy friend.”

No, not that. How was his skill?

“Ah! Unlike what I was worried about, he wasn’t bad. He has a long career as an explorer, and it seems like he can handle his own in any situation.”

“I see.”

“…So, I’m asking, what do you think?”

After a moment of thought, I nodded, and the dwarf’s face brightened.

“Phew, that’s a relief. I was worried about what to do if you said no again. There’s not much time left now.”

In that sigh, I could feel the hardship of the dwarf, who was practically the team leader in name only. He’s the one who’s been through the most trouble, after all. Let’s praise him. It doesn’t cost anything, right?

“You’ve worked hard, Hikurod. You’re a great team leader. I’m glad I chose you.”

“Hahaha! Is that so?”

“Of course. Where else can you find a team leader who respects the opinions of his team members like you? Don’t lose your initial intentions and keep doing what you’re doing. Then, unlike that idiot who kicked you out, you’ll be a great team leader.”

“Hahaha! This guy, you’re really hyping me up? I was worried because it’s my first time in this role, but I’m glad you’re here!”

At that, my chest suddenly swelled with emotion. The dwarf had once complained about my frequent interference. But now, he’s become such a great team leader?

“In that sense, you’re buying the drinks today!”

“…Again? Didn’t I buy them last time too!”

“I’m telling you again, a great team leader shouldn’t be stingy in these areas!”

“T, this isn’t because I’m stingy… !”

Exactly one week left until the dungeon opens.

“Ugh, fine, I’ll buy it today! The team is finally complete, is a little bit of alcohol money a problem?”

The team was finally complete.

***

Games and reality are different. Just because a team is complete doesn’t mean you can just enter the dungeon; there are other things to take care of. First, all the team members have to meet and get to know each other. Then, you have to discuss how many floors to go down, where the main hunting grounds should be, and whether the distribution is fair, like the money-loving explorers we are. And if there are no problems after that, you register as an official team with the guild and then, finally, you coordinate your moves every day and organize your exploration plan.

‘It went by in a flash.’

The busiest week since I woke up in Bjorn Yandel’s body had passed. And the moment of truth had arrived.

「You have entered the Crystal Cave on the 1st floor.」

The Crystal Cave on the 1st floor of the dungeon, with its shimmering, colorful light.

“Oho! So this is the dungeon!”

Unlike the past when it was just me or two people, there are five men and women around me. These are the new team members who will be joining me on this journey. Let me introduce them one by one—

“Liet!”

“Ack! Damn it! My eyes!”

The name of this skinny blonde who cast a blinding magic before my eyes could even adjust is Riol Wove Dwarki. Or just Dwarki, the jerk.

“This bastard is crazy—”

I was about to say something in anger, but the dwarf cut me off.

“Dwarki, try to conserve your mana as much as possible.”

“Hmm, but it’s so dark here?”

“In the dungeon, this is actually quite bright. If it’s too dark, you can light a torch.”

“If that’s the case, then I understand.”

It’s a change that happened over time. The dwarf also realized that Dwarki wasn’t a noble and started treating him more casually. And, for some reason, they became quite close. The dwarf pretends not to be, but whenever Dwarki acts like a loser, he tsundere-ly takes care of him, which is a characteristic of their relationship.

“Why did you bring so much stuff with you to the dungeon? As if you’re not a beginner, give it here, I’ll put it in my bag.”

“I won’t refuse your thoughtful consideration.”

While the dwarf was taking care of Dwarki as usual, a high-pitched, cheerful voice was heard.

“Team leader, shouldn’t we start moving soon?”

Misha Kalstein. As you can tell from the triangular ears on her head, she’s a beastkin explorer. She’s 25 years old, and this is her 5th year as an explorer. She’s in the early 170s, with a thin, long physique, and a haughty look that creates a cold atmosphere, but…

“Stop playing around and let’s go. I want to smash some monster heads soon.”

She has a strange habit of slurring the last syllable of her words. She claims it’s a pronunciation problem due to her beastkin body structure, but I’ve never seen anyone with such bad pronunciation. Oh, and one more thing to note.

“Haha! If it’s the princess’s command, how can I refuse!”

“Eek! I told you not to call me princess!”

“But you’re the daughter of the Red Cat Tribe chief, how can I, a humble servant—”

“I’ll kill you! Dwarf!”

Misha Kalstein is a princess of the Red Cat Tribe, one of the five major tribes. The thirteenth, or was it the fifteenth? I don’t remember the exact order she was born. Anyway, there’s no need to treat her specially. In the first place, she’s only a princess in human society; she’s not really a princess. Rather, there’s someone else I need to be careful of.

“Murad, stop it. Even if it’s a joke, she clearly doesn’t like it.”

Brown Rotmiller. Human, 34 years old. He’s a 7th-grade, but he has a whopping 8 years of experience. Even in the explorer industry, where meritocracy is rampant, he’s the most experienced among us. That’s why the dwarf always takes a step back when he speaks.

“Ahem, was I a bit too much? I’ll be more careful in the future.”

“Serves you right, dwarf—”

“Ms. Kalstein, the same goes for you. No matter how angry you are, is it appropriate to call the team leader a ‘jerk’ or say you’ll ‘kill’ him?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Personally, I like him the most among the team members. In a way, he’s the only normal one on this team. Well, that also means it’s harder to treat him casually, unlike the other team members.

“Murad, can we start soon before the journey gets any later?”

“Ah, please do.”

“From now on, everyone, follow me closely.”

Just as we were about to start, Dwarki opened his mouth.

“Wait, wouldn’t it be better for Bjorn or Hikurod to lead? They’re warriors, after all…”

“I’ll need help from the 3rd floor onwards, but until then, I’m fine on my own.”

Honestly, I don’t know what he’s worried about. Rotmiller is a professional scout. And he’s survived in the dungeon for 8 years.

‘His explorer grade is low for his experience, but…’

I actually rate that highly. If he’s been around for 8 years, he must have experienced a lot, and yet he’s still alive and well. Not through brute force, but by using his other strengths.

‘His serious and inflexible personality must have come from that.’

Following Rotmiller’s lead, we crushed the occasional monsters and finally reached our destination. The outermost part of the 1st floor, commonly known as the Dark Zone. Even though we came the shortest distance without getting lost, the portal was already opened by another explorer.

“Looks like we had a guest again.”

“Don’t blame yourself. You did a great job.”

“Murad, that’s not a reason not to try. If you can’t feel resentment for your own shortcomings, then your life as an explorer is over.”

“I, is that so?”

For reference, it took about 10 hours to get here. I couldn’t say it in front of the passionate Rotmiller, but for a normal exploration team, this is a very good record. We’re not a running team aiming for portal opening experience, are we?

To be honest, I didn’t expect him to find the portal so easily. ‘He’s not even a guide, but his pathfinding is this good…’

I started to think that it might be okay to look forward to his other abilities that I haven’t seen yet. On the other hand, a sense of regret also arose.

‘If it were Ainar or Erwen, we could have gotten the opening experience too.’

The dimensional instability phenomenon. The method I call ‘bug’ can be used to unconditionally gain portal opening experience. However, this is a method that can only be used when security can be maintained through at least a ‘promise’ or ‘oath’.

‘Let’s save that for later… until a truly trustworthy team is formed. It’s not like I’m in a hurry for experience right now anyway.’

I took a deep breath and shook off the remaining regrets. At the same time, the dwarf shouted loudly.

“Alright, let’s go in!”

The dwarf stepped into the portal first, and I followed right behind him.

‘Please, I hope nothing goes wrong this time…’

Is that too much to ask?

「You have entered the Beast’s Lair on the 2nd floor.」

The real journey had begun.