Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 514

The ridiculous situation where the monster claimed to be human, and conversely, called us monsters.

‘Interesting.’

‘Interesting? What did it say to make you say that?’

‘It’s claiming that we’re monsters and that it’s human.’

‘Oh… a very stupid monster, then?’

Unlike Ainar, who laughed it off, the reactions of those who heard the story varied.

Some, like me, found it amusing. Others were curious.

And some were slightly annoyed.

Surprisingly, Bersil, the mage, didn’t react much.

Is it because he’s a player [someone who has experienced many different situations]? If Raven were here, he’d be going crazy, demanding to know why they think that way.

[Everyone… what are you talking about?]

Then, the little monster asked me.

Now that I see it, it seems it’s not completely clueless.

[We were discussing your claim that you’re human.]

[…Is there anything to discuss?]

[That’s true.]

[Who are you?]

At that question about our essence, I pondered for a moment before answering. There was a word that could encompass humans, barbarians, elves, and beastmen all together.

[We are explorers.]

[Explorers… ?]

[Why? Is it a new word for you?]

The little monster raised its right hand and lowered its index finger. It seems that in this culture, that gesture is like nodding.

[Explorer… what is exploring?]

[It means people who wander through labyrinths, discover new things, and hunt monsters.]

[…So you’re from outside the island.]

[Yes.]

As I said that and lowered my index finger, the little monster also flicked its index finger twice.

Wow, this is kind of fun.

‘It seems like we’ll be talking for a while, so everyone, stay alert.’

‘Understood.’

After switching to a defensive formation, I started working on building rapport for a smooth conversation.

[Do you want to eat this?]

[What is that?]

[It’s jerky, dried meat.]

[That’s not what I was asking.]

[Huh?]

As I tilted my head, it asked as if it truly didn’t understand.

[What does ‘eating’ mean?]

I was momentarily stunned, but it didn’t seem like the type to joke around in this situation.

So, I explained it.

[Eating means chewing food with your teeth and putting it down your throat.]

Like this.

To show an example, I chewed and swallowed a piece of jerky, and the little monster looked disgusted.

[…Ew. That’s weird. Teeth are just organs for killing enemies…]

[Then does that mean you don’t eat anything?]

[Of course! How could you… p-put something inside your body?!]

No, it’s weird hearing that from something that looks like that…

[I, I’ve heard that sometimes they accidentally swallow things while fighting… but usually, that’s not the case!]

This is kind of amazing.

No, should I say this part is the same as monsters?

[So you can live without eating anything?]

[Of course. As long as we have enough life water, we humans don’t die.]

[Life water…?]

As I expressed my doubt, it took out a ceramic bottle from the bag it was carrying.

And gulped it down.

[This is life water.]

[Could you give me a little?]

[…………Yes.]

It looked like it really didn’t want to, but it seemed aware that it was captured, so it handed me the bottle.

Okay, so I’ve secured a sample.

‘Bersil, do you know what this is?’

‘Just a moment… the magic density is extremely high…’

I handed it over just in case, but surprisingly, Bersil immediately identified it.

‘This… it seems like they ground up magic stones and mixed them with water?’

‘…Magic stones?’

‘Yes. That’s how they usually make magic water in the city, and this is exactly the same.’

Magic water was an almost essential material when making various magical tools.

But to use it as a staple food…

[Hey, is that life water made from magic stones… no, stones obtained by catching monsters?]

[Yes… why? And I’m not ‘hey.’ My name is Marupichichi.]

[Okay. Marupichichi. I am Bjorn, son of Yandel.]

[…Strange name.]

Marupichichi…

So, Maru, as he was called, shyly(?) extended his index finger, and I, catching on, extended mine to touch it.

‘What… what is that monster doing?’

‘I don’t know. It looks like a handshake.’

‘How much information have you gathered? Have you found out the location of the village?’

Ah, that…

I should have done that earlier, but I got caught up in the fun and talked about useless things for a while.

‘I’m still trying to get it out of him.’

‘Is that so… Well, even if it’s a child, it wouldn’t easily reveal such classified information to an enemy. Tell me if you need my help.’

‘…Okay.’

At this point, I also put aside my personal curiosity and started checking the important information.

[Marupichichi, where is the entrance to your village?]

Contrary to Amelia’s worries, Maru, who was kind enough to let a captured prisoner escape, didn’t resort to cowardly tactics like invoking the right to remain silent.

Although it wasn’t the answer I wanted.

[There isn’t one. Not now…]

[Huh?]

[Until the adults open it, no one can enter the village… including me…]

Ha, no wonder it was hiding in the bushes alone.

[Is it normal to close the village entrance?]

[No… except during the rainy season, it’s almost never closed.]

Rainy season… so it rains here?

Well… if the village is underground, there would be problems when it rains a lot.

[But why is the entrance closed now?]

[That’s… probably because of me.]

[Because of you?]

[Yes. The adults probably think the captured monsters escaped…]

No, then they should form a pursuit team, why close the village entrance? That was my first thought, but after thinking about it, it made sense.

The villagers(?) wouldn’t know that the explorers escaped outside the village.

They would assume they were hiding inside the village, so they would block it off and start searching.

‘It’s been about four hours since they escaped, so they’ll probably realize what happened and come out soon…’

I shared the facts I had learned with my companions.

And we started voting.

‘The topic is, “How should we treat the monsters who can communicate and claim to be human?” and there are two options to choose from.’

‘Two?’

At Amelia’s question, I flicked my index finger up and down and answered.

‘Become friends.’

Or else.

‘Kill them all.’

Either way, it would be an explorer-like choice.

***

‘Friends… with monsters?’

Some reacted as if it was absurd.

The rest looked doubtful if it was even realistically possible.

‘More than that, why are you trying to become friends?’

‘Because they lived here, they must know a lot.’

‘Can’t you just ask that monster?’

Well, how much would this kid know?

In the end, to get high-level information, a conversation with the adult monsters is essential.

However, Amelia was still skeptical.

‘If that’s the reason, we can just capture an adult monster and interrogate it.’

‘That’s true, but it might not be easy. This one spilled the beans because he’s young, but they might not.’

‘Don’t… don’t you trust me?’

‘It’s not that. It’s just that there’s no need to use extreme methods. We don’t even know how strong their forces are yet. But… didn’t you say not to kill them recklessly a while ago?’

‘That was when they were people.’

‘Ah.’

‘…Okay, what will you do if becoming friends fails?’

Amelia cut to the chase, and I answered without hesitation.

There were only two options in the first place.

If A doesn’t work, you have to go to B.

‘Kill them all.’

‘I see. Then I’m on the side of becoming friends.’

‘That’s unexpected?’

‘I’m also a bit interested in them.’

Anyway, starting with Amelia, the voting continued.

And…

‘Three for becoming friends. Three for just killing them.’

For some reason, the result was once again determined by my choice.

I turned my head and looked at Marupichichi.

And just as I was about to make a decision.

Whoosh-!

The body of a warrior, always ready to fight, caught a threatening sound.

Who, where, why.

Before my mind could even process it, my body moved first.

Thud-!

A mysterious arrow embedded itself into the shield covering my upper body.

To be honest, I was a little surprised.

‘…It actually pierced it.’

It didn’t penetrate deeply, but an arrow pierced through the plywood of the shield.

And it seemed like it was 100% physical damage.

‘Prepare for battle!’

I shouted those words as a habit and checked the direction from which the arrow came.

Monsters armed with various weapons were emerging from the bushes.

‘Their goal is… to rescue this kid.’

The arrow was probably shot to create an opening.

As soon as I realized their intentions, I threw away my shield. And reached out to grab Marupichichi by the back of the neck.

[Eek!]

My new shield.

[L-l-let go… !]

Even though it was a shield, it was struggling and screaming.

But its performance was definitely reliable.

Tap.

The monsters, who appeared all at once like special forces, hesitated when they saw my new shield.

[You coward…]

[Taking a child hostage…]

They poured out praise without getting closer or further away.

[…M-Mouratity Uncle!]

[Don’t worry. I will definitely save you.]

Now that I see it, they all seem to know this kid.

‘But why are they using honorifics? Is he of high status?’

I don’t know, but if that’s the case, it’s for the best.

I raised my newly acquired monster shield high and shouted.

[Drop all your weapons! Or this kid’s life is over!]

Seeing my actions, Amelia muttered quietly beside me.

‘That’s unexpected. I thought you’d be on the side of becoming friends.’

‘Huh? I am trying to become friends?’

As I answered nonchalantly, Amelia retorted briefly.

‘…With this?’

‘Ahem…!’

Even so, ‘with this’ is too much.

‘…We all become friends while fighting, right?’

We did too, didn’t we?

***

Silence falls.

[It spoke human language.]

[How can a monster… speak our language?]

[Could it be what the village chief was talking about…]

The dozens of monsters looked at me, unable to easily drop their weapons or attack.

And I waited, maintaining my battle stance.

And about a minute passed?

Thump, thump.

Soon, a monster that looked about 3.5 meters tall emerged from the bushes.

It had a large bow slung over its shoulder, as big as its body.

Yes, that’s the archer.

[Are you the leader?]

When I spoke first, the bow monster asked back.

[Monster, how do you use our language?]

[Drop your weapons. Then I’ll tell you.]

Surprisingly, it was my shield that answered.

[…A, Father! No! I’m okay, so… !]

Wow… it was his dad?

‘Did you see that? Bjorn has a sinister smile! Now all those monsters are dead meat! Hahaha!’

…Did I laugh?

I don’t know, but I focused on the conversation while managing my expression.

[Don’t interfere, Chichi.]

[But…]

[I said be quiet!]

[…]

With one scolding from his father, the shield shut its mouth.

Yes, kids don’t need to interfere when adults are talking.

[I’ll say it one last time. If you want to save your son, drop your weapons right now—]

[Monster, I would like to invite you to the village.]

[………What?]

I thought I misheard for a moment, but my ears were not mistaken.

[I said I would like to invite you to the village. Do you not understand? It wasn’t a difficult word.]

Uh… it’s not the vocabulary that’s the problem, is it?

[Do you think I’ll accept an invitation out of the blue in this situation?]

Judging by the level of that bow monster, this race is not to be underestimated.

We are clearly outnumbered.

If we get ambushed in an isolated place, we’ll be in a very troublesome situation with a high probability.

It’s an absurd proposal until safety is secured or trust is built.

[To refuse an invitation… how barbaric.]

[Is hanging corpses on trees civilized?]

[…Your companions who were taken to the village are all safe. We will never harm them, so drop your guard.]

How can I believe that?

[If you want, you can keep my son—]

[I refuse.]

When I refused firmly again, they didn’t push it any further.

They just made a strange request.

[Then, can you wait for a moment? It will only be a very short moment.]

Are they going to call for reinforcements after saying this?

I was a bit uneasy, but I decided to accept the offer.

It might just be my imagination, but I didn’t feel much hostility from them.

‘…The atmosphere suddenly changed after they realized I could speak their language.’

About 10 minutes passed in that strange standoff.

[It’s the village chief…]

[Everyone, make way.]

I heard a commotion from behind, and the warriors parted like the Red Sea, making way.

And through that path, a monster with a white beard below its chin walked in, leaning on a staff.

[Welcome. What is your name?]

A tone that sounded very gentle.

[I am Bjorn, son of Yandel.]

[A good name. Nyuachichi! Lead the warriors and step back! I have something important to discuss with these people!]

I don’t know what the culture of these monsters who call themselves humans is like, but at the village chief’s command, the monsters moved away without any objection.

[Ah, I’m sorry. It’s not something they should know.]

[They…?]

I tilted my head without realizing it at that strangely sounding word, but the village chief only smiled with a mouth where his fangs protruded excessively.

[Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself. I am Bryungrid, the village chief of this village.]

[Bryungrid?]

That name sounds familiar.

‘Emily, do you know the name Bryungrid?’

‘I remember one of the great sage’s companions had that name.’

Ah, that’s why it sounded familiar.

I returned to the conversation and looked at the village chief.

The village chief was extending his hand.

‘Don’t be wary. I just want to shake hands.’

‘Ah…’

I gave an awkward smile and shook his hand.

And only then did I realize it.

‘Did you say you are Bjorn, son of Yandel?’

The village chief was speaking.

Not in ancient language, but in Lapdonian.

‘It’s truly a pleasure to meet you. You must be an explorer from Lapdonia?’

What is this?

‘Yes, how much time has passed outside?’

What the heck is this guy?