Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 501

After the Butterfly’s turn, the Round Table meeting continued.

“The cheat version of [Dungeon & Stone] was created by someone other than Auril Gavis.”

The Wolf once again revealed information that would lessen the players’ hostility towards him.

“How about this? Heh. In this exploration, Noahrc succeeded in defeating the 8th floor’s Lord.”

The Clown also safely passed his turn with information that Noahrc was growing rapidly.

Then it was my turn.

“If you defeat the boss of Skull Island and reach the 10th floor, you can experience a special event.”

With everyone’s attention on me, I listlessly spat out one of the pieces of information I had and finished my round.

“…A special event, that sounds very exciting. Ah, of course, to do that event, the war must end first. Heh.”

It was game information that came out after a long time, but the members didn’t find it strange at all.

From the start, getting the green light with game information meant it was valuable information that wasn’t widely known.

“Alright, everyone, let’s try a little harder this time!”

The members, who had been with me for quite some time, thought that the information in this round was just boring, so I was acting like this.

“Then… it’s my turn again?”

Thus, the new round started with the Queen’s turn again, and I also listened carefully to the information that came out in order and firmly imprinted it in my mind.

Among them, there was quite shocking information, and several stories that would be helpful in the future.

However, I couldn’t concentrate at all.

It was for a simple reason.

Misha Kalstein is a traitor.

And that was from my perspective.

That word echoed in my head like a reverberation.

Two rounds had passed.

Even now, as the third round was slowly coming to an end.

‘……What does that even mean?’

Misha is a traitor?

I thought we were about to open up and join hands, but Lee Baek-ho, that bastard, has done something again?

Is this Plan B?

All sorts of possibilities swirled in my head without being organized.

‘I think I need to hear more details.’

The one who mentioned this information was the Butterfly Mask.

However, contrary to my expectations, there was no mention of Misha in the second or third rounds.

In other words, to hear additional stories, I had to take action first.

“Heh, why do you all look so surprised? Surely, Lafdonia isn’t afraid of Noahrc’s growth?”

Then, how can I naturally probe?

If I suddenly ask why Misha is a traitor here, it will definitely raise suspicion.

Since the Round Table once had a rumor that ‘Lion = Bjorn Yandel,’ I had to be careful with every word and action—.

“……”

“……”

Ah, it’s already my turn.

When I came to my senses, everyone’s attention was focused on me in a strange silence.

‘…Just once, let’s watch one more time.’

I decided to take action first if there was no mention of Misha in the next round, and I opened my mouth.

“If you defeat the Lord of the Sky alone, you can choose an active effect.”

It was one of those pieces of information that was hard to find out, but not very useful even if you knew it.

Swoosh-

As the green light flowed out, a brief silence fell within the Round Table.

Of course, it wasn’t long.

“Um… is it possible to catch a floor lord alone…?”

“Well, in 100x mode… it might be possible somehow…”

“Heh, do you think Mr. Lion would have caught it in that mode and said this?”

Since it was information related to the floor lord, there was no objection. No, honestly, even if I said I was using soybean paste to make meju [fermented soybean blocks], if the green light came on, everyone would think there was some important secret hidden and accept it.

‘Then is it the Queen’s turn again?’

While thinking that, I glanced to the side.

“I think we’ve heard enough for this month, so let’s stop here today.”

The Queen declared her absence.

Other members also started to join in, watching her.

Unfortunately, the biggest reason was me.

“…Well, Mr. Lion also looks bored.”

I was lost in thought and had been quiet throughout the meeting, and I just filled my turn with game information, so it seemed like they misunderstood.

“It’s a shame… I thought you might be a little more excited if I told you that I caught the Lord of Hope. Heh…”

The Clown seemed disappointed that he couldn’t get my attention even though he had put a lot of effort into preparing this time.

“Well… I guess this kind of thing is nothing to Mr. Lion.”

After that, the Clown looked dejected but promised me that he would bring something fun next time.

Well, I can’t instigate the next round in this atmosphere.

“……”

In the end, the meeting ended like that.

***

The day after visiting the community.

When I woke up in the afternoon after a good night’s sleep, Bersil Gowland was waiting for me.

“What brings you here?”

I pretended not to know, even though I had some idea of the reason for his visit, and Bersil asked for a private conversation, saying he had something to say.

“Um… I don’t know how this will sound to you… but I’ve received information that Misha Kalstein might be a traitor.”

Yeah, that’s why he came running to me as soon as he woke up.

“A traitor?”

“…It’s not certain. No, it’s certain, but… I don’t know the details.”

Bersil said that and asked me if I should reconsider Misha’s joining, and I firmly refused.

“I can’t make such a decision without knowing the exact details.”

“I see… is that so…?”

“However, I don’t intend to ignore your concerns. I’ll look into it too. So, can you find out more details?”

“…Okay. I’ll find out more.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Okay, then from the next Round Table, he will wear the Fox Mask and actively dig for information…

The risk of me exposing my identity by probing first has been reduced.

“Then I’ll be on my way. Call me anytime if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

After Bersil left, a letter arrived in the evening.

“Mister! A strange letter came, and I think you should check it!”

Erwen took out a letter from the mailbox.

There was a white tiger drawn on the cover, and looking at the already opened contents, there were letters written in a language that did not exist in this world.

[What Hyung [older brother] asked for.]

What am I supposed to do if this bastard sends it written in Korean?

What if the other kids see it?

While grumbling inwardly, I diligently read how to get out of the city.

‘…It’s more complicated than I thought.’

It seemed impossible to memorize it in a short period and burn it, so I carefully folded it and put it in my subspace.

Having options was always a welcome thing.

Increasing variables would be the opposite.

Regardless of what I didn’t want to believe, it was right to prepare.

Therefore…

“Emily, can you look into Misha for me?”

“In what sense?”

After explaining what happened at the Round Table to Amelia, I ordered an investigation.

“I’ll try, but it’s likely to be discovered if I watch her all day. She wasn’t easy when I saw her back then.”

“Was she that good? Looking at the essences she ate, you should be much better in that area?”

“If she really approached us with some kind of purpose, she might be hiding other essences.”

“…Then don’t get too close for now. It’s enough to just watch her carefully for now.”

“I will.”

Well, then Amelia will investigate Misha to the extent that she doesn’t cross the line…

I just rested that day, and from the next day, I continued my busy days again.

I visited the Holy Land to sell land once more, and I also visited the former tribal chief to get advice and hear about the previous tribal meeting.

I also met with Raven again.

“A record stone…? Are you talking about the fragment of record stone? The legacy of Gavrilius.”

“Whether it’s a record stone or a fragment of record stone, it doesn’t matter. If you have any books or information related to either, give it to me. Don’t be too obvious about it, as it might attract strange attention.”

“Yes. I will. But, Mr. Yandel, is the exploration preparation going well…?”

“It’s progressing without any problems. Well, the only way to know for sure is to go into the labyrinth this time.”

“I guess so…? Since nothing has been revealed yet. We really have to explore, right? Bersil Gowland… how is she?”

“What do you mean?”

“What do I mean! In this kind of exploration, a mage is the most important thing! When I saw her last time, she didn’t seem to know much about history…”

“Well, it’s okay. She’s good at fighting, and I can trust her. I’ll fill in the gaps.”

“I, is that so…”

After meeting with Raven, I gathered all the clan members about three times a week.

The surface purpose was to match the newly joined Misha with the existing members before the exploration.

“…I haven’t found anything unusual yet.”

After the gathering, I always received a report from Amelia, but so far, I couldn’t find any strange behavior from Misha.

And so, time passed again.

“…It will be a more prosperous exploration than ever before.”

Melves sent support supplies.

Battle and support scrolls, various types of potions, exploration-specific number items, and so on.

The items were so diverse that we could continue the exploration in any environment, whether it was mountains, water, or fire, and the quality was also top-notch.

‘This alone must have cost a lot of money…’

It was a scene that showed how much Melves was expecting from the ‘hidden area.’

It was a bit of a burden, but I thought that if I achieved results, it would be enough, and I focused even more on preparing for the exploration.

And now, as those days continued.

“Bjorn…”

“Not Bjorn, but the chief. Elder 1.”

“Oh right, it’s the Holy Land, isn’t it? I’ll be careful.”

As I walked out of the dark forest of the Holy Land as the sun set, a brightly lit open space and dozens of young warriors appeared.

I smiled and shouted.

“Congratulations! Young warriors! From today, you will leave the Holy Land and be reborn as true warriors!”

Looking at it…

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaa!!”

It seems there are no newbies this time.

***

The times are evolving differently day by day.

Looking at the history of mankind on Earth, that era would be the modern and contemporary era.

The 200 years since the Industrial Revolution have been the most explosive development in human history.

Then, what about the Barbarians?

In which period could this tribe have achieved the most explosive development?

I can say with certainty.

‘Now.’

For reference, the proof is this open space.

Because even the tutorial lines have changed.

“Now, come out one by one and choose the weapons and armor that suit you!”

Numerous weapons and armor were placed on the weapon display.

For reference, this is just the main dish that can be selected, and the basic configuration that is given is also much improved.

“Come here. That’s not how you wear greaves, you wear them like this.”

“Ah, thank you… It’s my first time wearing them.”

Instead of just putting on a breastplate and sending them to the labyrinth, they are now fully supported with auxiliary armor.

Also, the bag is full of compasses, water bottles, and various exploration supplies, including potions.

‘1 million stones per person.’

In fact, the amount of money spent per warrior has increased more than three times, but there was no problem.

Our Holy Land, money comes out when you dig the ground.

‘With this level of support, they will grow quickly and save money to buy land.’

It’s still in the early stages, but if it continues like this, I’ll be able to complete the virtuous cycle I’ve been hoping for soon.

The young warriors seemed uncomfortable with the armor they were wearing all over their bodies, but they didn’t insist that they were fine without it.

Adolescents always have idols.

“Endure it even if it’s uncomfortable. You’ll get used to it soon.”

“No, but—.”

“It’s not a choice! If you’re a warrior, you must wear armor! Look at the chief!”

“……”

“If you want to become a great warrior, wear armor!”

There were no more warriors in our tribe who looked down on armor.

“…I’ll save money and buy a lytenium armor!”

In particular, lytenium, which I often used, has become almost a symbol of a skilled warrior.

“Go! To the place where your destiny awaits!”

After the basic equipment was distributed, with the help of Bersil, who was waiting outside the Holy Land, they were tied in groups of three with a binding magic and then all thrown into the labyrinth.

“…I hope everyone comes back safely.”

“Don’t worry. Ainar. Since the Magic Tower has designated hearts as forbidden magic materials, the number of looters targeting hearts will have decreased.”

“I guess so…?”

Anyway, even when they were sent out without shoes, the Barbarians came back alive.

If we did this much, we could aim for the survival of all of them.

‘I hope they grow up quickly. Then I can raise the land prices even more.’

After confirming that all the young warriors had entered the portal, I shook off my 잡념 [japnyum – distracting thoughts].

With this, my role as the tribal chief is over.

“Mister…”

“Not mister.”

“……Yes?”

“From now on, call me Captain.”

It was time to go on an exploration.