Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 521

The 60 newbie explorers who had just descended to the first basement floor were momentarily flustered to see us alive and well. However, they quickly regained their composure and approached us to introduce themselves.

“Baron Yandel, you’re really alive! It’s an honor to meet you. I am Müll Armin, the leader of the Armin Exploration Team.”

The Armin Exploration Team, while not one of the Four Great Clans, was quite famous and well-regarded.

They were known for continuing their explorations even during times of war.

“Magnon Nias. I lead the Ein Imperial Clan.”

Ein Imperial—that’s a name I’ve never heard before.

“I’m Bjorn, son of Yandel.”

Unlike us, who had entered haphazardly, the members of this group were clearly divided into two factions.

Müll Armin cautiously asked me,

“By the way… Baron, you don’t seem too surprised to see us?”

“I had some idea that time was passing outside.”

“…Huh?”

Müll Armin flinched and glanced at my companions behind me.

Did he think there was a player among my companions?

Before his suspicion grew, I quickly added,

“I got a clue during my exploration.”

It wasn’t actually a lie.

Now that I think about it, it was something that could have been inferred through the village chief as well.

“Ah……”

“But how did you know we were alive?”

The one who answered my question was an explorer who looked to be in his late 30s, Magnon Nias.

“Baron, you must be aware of the gathering of evil spirits. Information about this place was transmitted to the city through them.”

But why does this guy’s tone sound like that?

He’s treating me as if we’re equals. Does he think a noble is a joke?

As I was observing him, Müll Armin, noticing the atmosphere, quickly spoke up.

“Yes. However, given the source, everyone is still hesitant. But the general consensus is that they acknowledge the possibility, Baron.”

“I see.”

Okay, it seems like I’ve laid the groundwork to avoid suspicion of being an evil spirit.

It was time to take stock of the situation.

“But you guys are quite something too? You’ve already figured out how to open portals.”

“We are no match for Baron Yandel. There were several clues that came through the evil spirits. By connecting the ancient language found on the steles [stone slabs with inscriptions] with the fragment temple, we had a hunch.”

“So, are you two clans in a cooperative relationship?”

“Temporarily, yes.”

Wow, this guy’s really short with his words.

How should I handle this?

As I was thinking that, Müll Armin once again interjected, sensing the mood.

“We met at the fragment temple, and since time was short, we decided to combine the fragments we had collected to open the portal.”

“Ah, for reference, we had two. This guy had one.”

“……Yes. That’s correct. So, we adjusted the number of people accordingly.”

No wonder the numbers were perfectly divided into 40 and 20.

There was such a story behind it.

“Well, that’s enough about us. Now, can we hear some information about this place? Since it’s a new floor, I thought we should hear about it before we start exploring in earnest.”

Ha, why is this guy so rude?

Does he think a noble isn’t a noble just because I’m smiling?

“You speak as if you’re receiving something you lent out.”

As I lowered my voice, he finally glanced at me and changed his tone.

“That’s not it… It’s just… we’ll be encountering each other often whether we like it or not until we find a way to escape, so I meant to suggest an exchange.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course, our presence will be a great help to Baron Yandel as well. The Anabada Clan doesn’t have many members, does it?”

Although we hadn’t talked for long, I had finished judging this guy.

“On the other hand, our Ein Imperial Clan may be smaller in scale compared to the Four Great Clans, but we pride ourselves on our substance. Next month, the members who couldn’t come this time will follow—.”

This guy is just going to be a hindrance if he stays by my side.

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I cut him off and spoke.

“I don’t need it.”

“……?”

“I don’t need your help, so do whatever you want.”

As I spoke bluntly, he flinched and stared at me.

And perhaps he realized that I was serious.

“…You’re making a foolish choice. What if we find a way to escape first?”

“Looking at how you’re doing, I don’t think that’s likely.”

“…You’ll regret this.”

“Oh, most of the guys who said that are dead.”

“Hah!”

He snorted as if he couldn’t believe it, and then he gathered his members and began to prepare to leave.

“Really… is it okay to let them go like that?”

Müll Armin expressed his concern after seeing that.

“Ah, it’s definitely not good to let them go like this.”

I nodded in agreement and then called out to the guy who was about to leave.

“Wait a minute.”

“…Huh! Have you changed your mind now?”

“Forget it, come here.”

As I beckoned with my finger, he came to me with a displeased expression, but he still came obediently. And he looked at me as if to say, ‘If you have something to say, say it quickly’…

Thwack-!

Since we didn’t have much time, I quickly smacked him on the back of the head.

“Ack!!”

I had expected it since his head was shiny, but the feeling was indeed not bad.

“W-What was that for!!”

“Ah, I just wanted to hit you.”

“………What?”

The guy had a blank expression after hearing my answer, but it wasn’t my concern.

So, what can you do?

Other than glaring at me while huffing, you can’t do anything, right?

“That’s all I have to say. Now, go on your way.”

“…….”

“Is there a problem?”

“……The rumors are not to be trusted after all.”

After that, the guy quickly gathered his members and left as if he didn’t want to get involved with me.

As I was chuckling while watching them leave, Müll Armin asked me.

“…Why did you do that?”

Ah, that?

“It felt like if I didn’t do it now, I wouldn’t have another chance.”

“What do you mean by ‘no chance’?”

I just shrugged my shoulders.

Because you can’t meet a dead guy again, right?

***

There’s no point in dwelling on those who left.

Therefore, I focused on those who remained.

“You said your name was Müll Armin?”

“Yes, Baron.”

“Just call me Müll.”

“It would be an honor, Baron.”

“So, what are your plans for the future?”

“Ah… Actually, I have something to tell you regarding that.”

“To me?”

I wondered what he was going to say, but it turned out to be about the post that had been uploaded on the community. The content about being trapped on an island and waiting for someone to rescue them.

“Seeing that we’ve met you like this, the story about being trapped on the island must be true. So, we’re planning to go there first.”

“Why?”

“We have to save those who can be saved. Besides, since we don’t have any information anyway, it’s better than wandering around aimlessly, isn’t it?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Müll was the complete opposite of that guy from earlier.

I could tell even without having a long conversation.

This guy was quite trustworthy.

“If there’s anything we should be careful about in this place, could you tell us? I know it’s rude, but it would be a great help in protecting the members who trusted me and followed me. Ah, of course, I’ll compensate you.”

“No need for compensation.”

I chuckled and told him just two pieces of information in advance.

“If you see the island, take a good look at it first. Last time I went near it, Toll-Lapupas were floating around.”

“Toll-Lapupas… aren’t they 1st-grade monsters?”

“Yes. That’s the only one that’s been confirmed, but we can’t be careless.”

“…To think there could be more 1st-grade monsters, it’s truly a dangerous area.”

Müll’s expression darkened after hearing about the existence of 1st-grade monsters.

“However, what’s more dangerous than 1st-grade monsters is the ‘rainy season’.”

“Rainy season…?”

“On the 14th day, monster rain will fall from the sky, and it will continue until the 21st day. So, you have to find a place to hide during that time.”

I went ahead and told him about the level of the monsters that appear during the rainy season, and Müll’s face turned pale.

“The ‘no chance’ you mentioned… you meant this.”

“Yes. Well, we’ll be going now, so try to survive.”

“Huh?”

Müll was flustered by the sudden farewell, but I didn’t answer and turned back towards my companions.

This kind of thing is best done when they’re mentally disoriented.

One step, two steps, three steps…….

‘Hmm, it’s about time they grabbed me.’

Why aren’t they grabbing me?

Could it be that 1st-grade monsters and the rainy season weren’t enough?

‘Tsk, does this mean I have to make the offer first?’

Just as that thought was forming.

“B-Baron…!”

Müll grabbed me from behind, and I slowly turned around with an expression as if I didn’t know anything.

“What is it?”

“Well……”

“Speak quickly. We don’t have much time.”

“…How about we join forces with you, Baron?”

That was exactly what I wanted to hear.

But I indifferently scanned Müll from head to toe.

“Hmm… with you?”

“Yes. We will make sure not to be a burden. We will also hand over command to you, Baron.”

After saying that, Müll emphasized that the ‘Armin Exploration Team’ was a small elite group that specialized in finding Gabrilius’s arrangements, and that they had a lot of experience in such explorations.

It was all information I already knew.

As I said before, they were quite famous.

And in a very good way.

“The offer isn’t bad, but how will we divide the spoils?”

When I cut to the chase with a realistic question, Müll hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Since you arrived here first, Baron, and you know more, we won’t be greedy.”

“In exact numbers.”

“We won’t claim any ownership of the magic stones. Instead, we ask that you acknowledge half of the exploration gains, including essences.”

Heh, look at this guy.

Even if he seems like a nice guy, an explorer is still an explorer, huh?

“We’ll divide the magic stones exactly in half, but the share of exploration gains, including essences, will be 30%. Of course, we have priority.”

“Could we lower the share to 20% instead, and remove the priority?”

“That’s not possible.”

When I refused firmly, Müll’s brow furrowed.

He seemed to be deeply troubled by the conditions, which were practically a slave contract…

It was time to add the final touch.

“Müll Armin, the choice is yours. But remember this one thing.”

I said, looking into his eyes.

“I, Bjorn, son of Yandel, will never abandon my companions in any situation.”

That was a 100% genuine statement.

But did that sincerity reach him?

“……I accept those conditions.”

I gained 20 high-quality slaves.

***

The few days we spent on the rocky island didn’t feel like a waste at all. The addition of the Armin Exploration Team was a great gain for me.

It was like the more I got to know them, the more valuable they became.

Four 3rd-grade explorers.

Twelve 4th-grade explorers.

One priest and three mages.

It was a luxurious lineup of personnel that made it hard to believe they had agreed to conditions that were practically a slave contract.

‘Once we get our teamwork down, we might even be able to take down a 2nd-grade monster?’

After the power check, I greeted each member of the Armin Exploration Team.

“I’m Bjorn, son of Yandel. Please take care of me.”

“I-I’m Charlotte Amblet, the exploration team’s mage…!”

“Is that so? You should eat well. Here, have some jerky.”

“T-Thank you!”

“Okay, what’s your name?”

“I-I’m Brian Amblet….”

“Amblet?”

“Ah…! Charlotte is my younger sister.”

“Oh, both of you became explorers, that’s amazing! Then, what’s your name over there?”

“Ah, I am……”

It took quite a while to exchange names, but it was worth it.

‘The signs are good.’

Fortunately, there was no hidden Hans.