Surviving The Game As A Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 498

The Melves, an alliance of noble families from different species.

By joining them, I secured support for the Yandel barony and the Anabada clan. For the clan, it was practically begged for, and the support itself wasn’t that significant.

The only real benefits were a discount on the clan house we use as a mansion and the ability to take out loans using public funds.

‘A request…’

That’s why this ‘request’ is so important.

A ‘request’ was more of a conditional contract than a simple benefit.

‘Depending on how well I handle this request, my treatment will change. My standing will also improve significantly.’

It’s similar to a merit system in a game. Clearing quests raises your rank, which increases your benefits. Well, I still need to make sure I’m comfortable before I start stretching my legs.

“What are you requesting?” Instead of asking about the reward, I checked the request details first.

“Information.”

“…Information?”

That was completely unexpected. Requests are usually one of three things: hunting, gathering, or combat. But information?

I gestured for a more detailed explanation, and Baron Gudrix took a sip of his tea before continuing.

“Well… wasn’t there a big incident recently?”

“Don’t be vague, speak clearly.”

The Baron, who was trying to be roundabout like a noble, cleared his throat and spoke plainly. Well, maybe not entirely plainly?

“I’m talking about the inscription on the Stone of Honor. After looking into it, it seems that the hidden area could signify a new stratum [a new level or layer in a dungeon or similar location].”

I think I understood what he was talking about. Having come this far, I knew what information he wanted from me.

“Baron Yandel, you will surely be searching unexplored areas on your next expedition, won’t you? We would like you to share your exploration results with us. Whether the hidden area is indeed a new stratum, where the entrance is, how to enter, and what’s inside.”

Hmm…

While I was organizing my thoughts, the Baron quickly added, “Ah, and as I said before, this request is officially recognized by the Melves council, and upon completion, a corresponding reward will be immediately provided.”

“How much is the reward?”

“It will depend on the value and rarity of the exploration results. Nothing has been confirmed yet, has it? For all we know, the entrance might be discovered in the next expedition, and all explorers might learn the method. However, if you achieve proper results, it will certainly be sufficient. Thirteen families have already agreed to participate.”

“Thirteen?”

“Everyone can have different subjective opinions about opportunities, can’t they? The reward for this request will be paid from the public funds collected by the thirteen families who agreed to participate.”

In other words, the other families considered this request a ‘waste’.

“So, that’s why it wasn’t an official meeting, and you met me as a representative.”

“That’s right. Unfortunately, it didn’t pass the majority in the provisional vote. Ah, but don’t worry. We have officially received permission to put in a request with our separately collected public funds.”

Listening to the cumbersome process, I could clearly see the disadvantages of a council. Well, there are advantages too, though.

“So… do you need time to think?”

“Rather than time, I have a few questions.”

“Anything.”

“What do you intend to do with the exploration information?”

At my question, Baron Gudrix paused for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, before opening his mouth.

“Do you know what the most expensive 9th-grade essence ever sold in history is? It’s the Abyssal Fish. That essence, which isn’t particularly better than other 9th-grade essences, was sold for a whopping 3.2 billion stones. Do you know why?”

It was the first time I had heard of it, but I could guess the reason.

“…Because it was the first.”

“That’s right. Just because it was discovered in the 9th floor rift, the Magic Tower bought the essence for that huge sum. The first one always has that much value.”

However, when I asked if it was just for money, the Baron shook his head, saying that wasn’t the case.

“Since ancient times, new areas have always held countless treasures and opportunities. Mulin, the slayer of the Sea Dragon, is a prime example of such a hero. The power and authority he gained from being the first to defeat the Sea Dragon could never be obtained by anyone else in the labyrinth.”

“So?”

“The information obtained from you will be passed on to trusted explorers from each tribe.”

“You’re going to use the information to help them grow.”

“That’s right. The more powerful the interspecies explorers become, the stronger we will become.”

Although the unnecessary talk was long, after listening to the Baron, I could accurately understand the motives behind Melves’ request. And I was convinced.

“Of course, you might be displeased with sharing your valuable exploration results with us. But I promise you, the information we receive will only be shared with trusted individuals to keep it secret.”

With those words, the Baron asked if I would accept the request, and I answered.

“Alright. I’ll accept the request.”

It’s not like there’s a penalty for failure. There’s no harm in accepting it, right?

“Then, I’ll see you next time.”

After leaving the Baron’s estate and returning home, I gathered my team members and shared the details of the new quest. There were some concerns, but no objections. It’s a problem that can be considered after discovering the hidden area and then confirming its value.

Tick, tock.

I discussed the upcoming exploration plan until late, then lay down on the bed. Amelia and Erwen were sitting side by side on the two chairs in front of the bed.

“Tersia, you don’t need to be here.”

“I don’t want to? I’m going to protect you here, too, mister.”

…Maybe not side by side?

Seriously, how long am I going to be gone that everyone’s acting like this?

Tick, tock.

I closed my eyes, counting the seconds of the clock on the bedside table in my head.

「The character’s soul resonates and is drawn to a specific world.」

Half of the month has already passed.

***

As soon as I woke up in Lee Han-soo’s room, I turned on the computer and accessed the community.

[KoreanIndependenceForever] – 0 members online.

Right, they haven’t logged in yet… It’s not too late to enter after the two of them log in, so I checked the free board first. As expected, posts were already being uploaded.

[Did everyone see the patch notes?]

I guess this is what it means to feel like you’ve been hit in the back of the head. Is it real that there was still a hidden area?

[BurtusMaximus: Why ‘Dungeon&Stone’ is a god game = It’s a free game that’s over 10 years old and still gets patches.]

[ㄴthese99: But they don’t send you home.]

[ㄴBurtusMaximus: I know. It’s a real god game. Please send me home, you goddamn bastard.]

The content of this patch seemed to be more shocking to the users than to the natives. Recently, there have been many other incidents, such as causing chaos in the black market and the Magic Tower, but seeing this topic being the most discussed shows how big of a deal it is.

[But how did Bjorn manage to catch the Lord of Terror that it’s getting a patch?]

Did he fry it in a pan after catching it? It’s weird that catching it would suddenly cause a patch.

[Futuralis: I heard it was a 5-man clear.]

[ㄴAI_DIDIGO: Info 1, it wasn’t a 5-man clear, it was a 4-man clear.]

[ㄴFuturalis: Then a 4-man clear must be the condition.]

[ㄴAI_DIDIGO: Info 2, Bjorn Yandel wasn’t the first to do a 4-man clear either.]

[ㄴFuturalis: So what’s the conclusion?]

[ㄴAI_DIDIGO: Conclusion, there’s a 92.24571% chance that Bjorn Yandel defeated the Lord of Terror after fulfilling a special condition.]

[ㄴWriter: This guy’s concept is funny.]

[ㄴNyacreeps: But this is right, the royal researchers also believe that Gavrilius’ arrangement was activated under certain conditions.]

Players were suggesting various possibilities for the sudden patch. I looked through it diligently, hoping that some clues would emerge from the collective intelligence, but I still had no idea what the ‘special condition’ was.

‘Well… it doesn’t matter now.’

After scanning the board, I moved the mouse again to check the chat room.

[KoreanIndependenceForever] – 2 members online.

Okay, so both of them came on time. I quickly entered the room, and the two people who sensed my presence greeted me first.

“Hyungnim! You’re here!” Lee Baek-ho bowed deeply with exaggerated gestures.

“Oh, you’re here?” And Hyun-byul, who just glanced at me with a sulky look.

I walked past them and sat on the sofa, and Lee Baek-ho quickly ran over and sat next to me.

“Hyung! Did you know? We were talking before you came, and Hyun-byul noona still has feelings for you!”

“………Huh?”

A very embarrassing topic to start with. I swallowed hard and checked beside me, and I saw Hyun-byul’s stiff face.

“…Oppa, I never said anything like that. You don’t believe him, do you?”

“Ah, I know. Of course, I don’t believe him.”

“Hyungnim! Are you going to be so cold! Noona too! You definitely blushed when I asked what you would do if Hyung asked you to date again!”

Ah… so that’s what happened. …That’s a relief. I was wondering how I would face Hyun-byul in the future.

“…I didn’t blush. And even if I did, how does that become that?”

“Hmph, silence is sometimes a strong affirmation.”

“Lee Baek-ho… you’re really trash?”

With those words, Hyun-byul didn’t fall for Lee Baek-ho’s teasing anymore. She just glared at him with a fierce look.

“Hyun-byul, stop it. I don’t believe him anyway. Baek-ho, stop joking around too.”

“Yes!”

“I’m so angry……”

When I mediated the situation, Lee Baek-ho took an ‘attention’ stance with a sly voice, and Hyun-byul clenched both fists tightly.

‘When did these two get so close?’ I wondered, but I didn’t say it out loud. If I did, Hyun-byul would definitely have another outburst.

Lee Baek-ho, who can only meet once a month in the community, and only for an hour, so I should save time as much as possible. In that sense…

“Hyun-byul.”

I decided to send Hyun-byul out first for the conversation. Just calling her name made her face scrunch up, so it seemed like she had a rough idea of what I was going to say. Thanks to that, I didn’t have to say much.

“I have something to talk about with Baek-ho… you know?”

“…I’ll be back in an hour.”

With those words, Hyun-byul glared at Lee Baek-ho once before leaving the chat room.

“Whew! Isn’t that noona really funny? She’s so strong, but she’s so helpless in front of Hyung…”

“Baek-ho.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t be so disrespectful.”

“…Okay. I won’t joke around anymore. Is that okay?”

Ha… how can I control this guy? While I was pondering, Lee Baek-ho, noticing my expression, brought up a new topic.

“By the way, Hyung.”

“Yeah.”

“So, did you meet Nyaong… I mean, Misha Calstain well?”