Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 484

Clack, clack, clack-!

I cut down Imperial soldiers as I advanced through the passage. The closer I got to the center, the more soldiers there were, but the battles actually became easier. Not only was Bersil, who could act as a healer, with me, but my stats were also continuously increasing.

Clack-!

Well, I guess my stats are about the same as when I was wandering around on the third floor now…

「The character has entered the Pilgrim’s Altar.」

The center, where Bersil and I arrived, was filled with purple mist.

‘Be careful. It wouldn’t be strange for anything to come out from now on.’

‘Yes.’

I pulled up the tension that had loosened while fighting the Imperial soldiers and stepped into the mist.

Thud, thud.

After a few steps, shielding my upper body with my shield, the hollow where we had been raiding earlier appeared.

First, I checked the terrain.

‘…….’

A completely empty hollow.

In the place where the monument should have been, there was a statue over 4 meters tall.

‘Yandel, that is…….’

‘That’s probably the witch’s altar.’

It seems we came to the right place. After confirming that no one was around, I approached the statue and examined the altar in detail.

‘Bersil, do you know anything?’

‘I don’t know. The statue either. The witch I saw in the book didn’t look like this…’

‘In books, they would have to portray her as an evil being.’

‘Yes… I guess so… Then, is this really what the witch actually looks like?’

Well, I don’t know for sure, but I think so. She looks exactly like the girl I briefly met when I passed by after defeating Liakis.

‘To think… she looks like a young girl…’

Bersil Gowland said that and reached out towards the statue as if he were possessed.

‘Stop. Something might go wrong if you touch it.’

‘Ah, yes!’

Bersil flinched and retracted his hand. Then, he carefully asked me.

‘…What are you going to do now?’

‘I need to check it out a bit more.’

I investigated the statue without making direct contact. There were three lines of text on the pedestal, but unfortunately, it was impossible to interpret them.

‘Ancient languages aren’t my specialty…’

Tsk, Raven could read ancient languages just fine. I guess players can’t keep up with the knowledge of pure-blooded mages?

‘That’s a shame. It would have been helpful if I knew what was written—’

I was about to continue speaking.

‘One star, one sun, one moon.’

A strange voice came from behind.

‘On this land that looks down, everyone is the same.’

When I turned around, a middle-aged man in knight’s armor was watching us.

‘I will look up at you.’

Shit, he looks strong just by looking at him. Is he the boss? He wouldn’t use aura [a magical energy that enhances physical abilities], would he?

‘Isn’t it truly disgusting? That filthy monsters are equal to us.’

I hid Bersil behind me and raised my shield, and the knight chuckled.

‘Ah, it wouldn’t be the same for you. If you had engraved the right beliefs in your hearts, you wouldn’t have betrayed humanity.’

With those words, he made a sign of the cross in a way I had never seen before.

‘I, Argarsil Dreadpier, swear. As the sword of the Empire that protects the world, I will execute all the filthy pilgrims without leaving a single one.’

After making the sign of the cross, the knight drew his sword like lightning and pointed it at us.

Whoooosh-!

Aura was surging on the pure white blade.

‘…Crazy.’

Is this balance for real?

***

The moment I witnessed the aura scattering fierce light, my vision went dark, and the back of my neck stiffened.

‘It’s impossible to win in a normal fight.’

There’s no doubt about this premise. No matter how hard I raised my stats, I have no chance of winning against a knight who can use aura. Before I even get close, my body will be cut in half along with my shield and scattered on the floor.

But…….

‘…That’s why I have to find it.’

Instead of despairing at the situation, I think. How can I beat that bastard?

‘There must be a way.’

[Dungeon & Stone] is an unkind game, but it’s not an unreasonable game. If they sealed my stats and skills and then threw a guy like that at me, it means there’s definitely a way to deal with him somewhere.

Yes, so…….

‘Think.’

Without losing faith, I analyze everything one by one. Argarsil Dreadpier. First of all, it’s certain that this guy is the boss. Then, how can I attack him?

‘It’s not leveling up.’

It can’t be about spending more time catching Imperial soldiers and getting stronger before entering the boss room. After passing 100, I had to catch ten soldiers instead of five to raise my stats. If it continues like that, even if I hunt for days, I won’t get the stats to catch this bastard.

‘Then… is it the altar?’

I glanced at the witch statue with just my eyes. Maybe, as the soldiers said, if I activate the altar, some event that helps with the attack will occur.

‘The problem is how to activate it.’

Sliiiide.

I naturally took a step back and got closer to the statue. And…….

Tap.

I reached out and put my hand on the statue.

‘…….’

Unfortunately, nothing happened. It seems like there’s a condition.

‘Since it’s an altar, do I have to offer something?’

That’s when the thought reached that point.

‘Bring the captured pilgrims.’

The guy who was pointing his sword at us suddenly spoke to the air. Surprisingly, an answer came from beyond the mist.

‘Yes, Centurion.’

A reply with a disciplined tone. Soon, dozens of soldiers appeared from the mist. They were surrounding two women who were tightly bound with ropes.

‘……Ah, mister!’

‘B, Bjorn……! D, did you come to save us……!’

Yes, these two were captured before they could arrive on their own. I thought Ainar would be fine, but I didn’t think Erwen would arrive safely. While relieved that the soldiers didn’t execute them right away, I tried to interpret the current situation as rationally as possible.

‘……For now, this seems like a set progression.’

Erwen and Ainar were captured on the way, but they eventually reached this place alive as prisoners. Is this really a coincidence? It seems like it’s a set scenario that everyone meets in front of the witch’s altar while surviving…

‘…Ugh!’

‘Ugh!!’

Soon, the knight kicked the bound Ainar and Erwen towards us, and Bersil quickly approached and released their bonds.

‘I’m sorry…….’

‘T, thank you for saving us!’

Erwen apologized, and Ainar thanked us. Unlike Bersil, the two had weapons and armor that they had presumably taken from the soldiers. Erwen had a dagger, and Ainar had a greatsword.

‘They didn’t even take their weapons and released them…’

‘What does it mean?’

The guy grinned at my question.

‘I just wanted to see.’

‘See what?’

‘How firm your beliefs are, you who have betrayed the Empire and the world.’

Then, the guy looked at us and said.

‘Kill. In front of the witch you follow. Each other, from now on.’

I laughed as soon as I heard that. Does this bastard think he’s some kind of heavenly demon?

‘I, Dreadpier, promise. Those who prove their purity by killing the filthy pilgrims will be forgiven of all sins.’

His boss battle concept is quite cruel.

***

Dozens of soldiers surrounding us. And Dreadpier, who has drawn his sword and is scattering arrogant gazes in front of those soldiers.

‘…….’

‘…….’

A moment of silence flows. Of course, none of my companions were tempted by that offer. Ah, except for me, of course.

‘How can we trust that offer?’

‘B… Bjorn?’

Ainar was about to faint in shock at my question, but it couldn’t be helped. I haven’t sorted out my thoughts yet. I need to buy time by continuing the conversation.

‘How can you trust it…….’

Dreadpier, who received my question, laughed as if he was enjoying it and answered.

‘Trust it.’

Not a sweet talk, nor a presentation of a valid basis, just a single word. But that was enough.

「Centurion Dreadpier has used [Persuasion].」

「Trust in the target greatly increases.」

Yes, that offer itself isn’t a lie.

‘Those who escape the embrace of the evil witch will return alive.’

I never thought there would be a way to survive like this. It was very troublesome. Of course, I’m not worried about betrayal. Even if that offer is true, our members would never draw a sword of betrayal.

But…….

‘The fact that they gave us a way to escape like this means that the attack is that much more difficult…’

What could it be? A way for everyone to survive without sacrificing a companion—.

‘If it’s difficult to decide, I’ll make it easier for you.’

Then, the guy took a step forward. And…….

「Centurion Dreadpier has used [Deprivation of Ownership].」

「The character falls into an incapacitated state.」

The moment I made eye contact, my body froze like a stone. No matter how hard I tried, my body wouldn’t move, and I realized one thing.

‘…He’s not a guy made to fight.’

I knew it from the fact that he used aura, but this is too much. Thud, thud. The guy slowly approached us, who were frozen, and then stabbed my stomach with his sword.

Stab-!

The wound wasn’t deep. If I pour a potion at the right time, it will heal completely, but if I leave it alone, the bleeding will be a problem.

‘Ugh!’

The guy stabbed all four of us, starting with me. He said he would make it easier, was this what he meant?

‘From now on, it’s your choice.’

‘…….’

‘A painful death or life. I wonder how long your beliefs will last.’

The guy had a relaxed expression, as if he was sure that one of us would betray him. It was understandable.

Thump, thump, thump, thump-

Those who are facing death always have many thoughts. I’ve seen too many cases like that.

‘Ainar and Erwen are one thing…’

What about Bersil, who joined most recently? She’s a companion who crossed the line of death with me in the Ice Rock Expedition, but can I expect that much loyalty from a player-born woman?

‘……Bullshit.’

I grit my teeth and forcefully erase the doubt. The more I do this, the more I’m being played by his intentions. If the situation was normal, I wouldn’t have even thought about this.

‘…Instead of doubting, think.’

Since my body won’t move anyway, I closed my eyes completely. To attack [Dungeon & Stone], I always had to understand the creator’s intentions first.

‘The fact that they’re urging betrayal with all four of us together.’

Up to this point, it seems like a fixed scenario. Seeing that a boss with an impossible level of power has appeared, the attack method must be unrelated to power. These missions mostly change the outcome depending on the player’s ‘choice’.

‘What happens if no one betrays?’

Do we just die here and get a game over? Or, if we hold out until the time comes, will the witch be moved, the altar activated, and a path opened?

‘…….’

Well, I don’t know. I can’t be sure what the right answer is. Well, that’s why 99% of the first tries end in failure.

‘Five minutes have passed.’

‘…….’

‘You’ve had enough time to think, so I’ll give you a chance one by one.’

At the same time, control of my body returned. It started with me.

Clang.

The guy threw a dagger in front of me.

‘Grasp it.’

‘…….’

‘I’ve even smeared it with goblin poison, your friend, so you can go without pain.’

This damn bastard.

‘…….’

When I just sat there on my knees and glared at him, the guy grinned and nodded.

‘I wish everyone was like you.’

With those words, my body stiffened again. Thud, thud. The guy moved and stood in front of Erwen. And…….

‘Grasp it.’

He said the same line, and Erwen remained silent.

‘…….’

A moment of silence continued. Thump, thump, thump, thump— My heart was pounding like crazy. When I see things like this, people are really strange. Even though I think I trust Erwen 100%, a thought of ‘what if’ sprouts deep in my heart.

‘Just one person. If you stab just one person, you will survive and wash away your sins.’

I flinched without realizing it at those words. The thought that she might choose to stab Bersil suddenly popped up…….

‘……Get lost.’

‘You’re a foul-mouthed woman.’

Fortunately, Erwen’s turn also passed safely.

‘Grasp it.’

And then Ainar’s turn began.

‘Behel… Cough!’

As soon as the restraints on his body were released, Ainar shouted and charged, but he was kicked and fell to the floor. Then came Bersil’s turn.

‘It’s your turn.’

As soon as he regained control of his body, Bersil crawled on the floor and grabbed the fallen dagger with both hands. Then, trembling, he asked the guy.

‘One person…….’

‘…….’

‘Do I just… have to stab one person……?’

Damn it.