Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 545

The day after visiting the community.

I woke up feeling deeply fatigued and immediately started my day.

Simply put, that meant I ate breakfast first.

“Alright, breakfast is served!”

It was completely different from when three groups were intertwined and operating haphazardly.

Even in daily life outside of combat, positions were divided, you could say?

Now, there are a total of four members on meal duty who take care of our meals every day.

Ah, for reference, the leader of the meal duty is Misha.

“How is it? Does it suit your taste? I made it a little less salty than usual since it’s breakfast.”

“It’s good except for the lack of meat.”

“Ah… meat……”

“I was just kidding. We need to save the meat. You never know what might happen.”

With that in mind, after the meal, I went to Versil, who was in charge of supplies, to check the remaining food.

“Based on a total of 38 people, we have 61 days’ worth left. If we reduce the rations from now, we can probably extend it by about four days.”

“That’s enough. What are we supposed to fight with if we reduce it any further?”

Currently, we have about two months’ worth of food left.

Actually, this was all thanks to Armin’s expedition team bringing a generous amount of food.

The Hecetz Clan, who were shipwrecked, had already used up all their food, and we had prepared four months’ worth of food for seven people.

‘Day 86, huh…’

If it were a normal labyrinth, the 7th floor would have been closed a long time ago, and it would have been more than 10 days past that time.

But we are still trapped inside the labyrinth.

And the problem is……

‘At this rate, I can’t even guarantee that we’ll be able to escape even by day 200.’

Of course, it’s not like I’m too worried about the food.

In the first place, new recruits will be coming in soon, and if it really comes down to it, we can just use ‘distortion’ magic on monsters and hunt them.

Just like in Ice Rock when food was scarce.

“Anyway, I understand. If anyone needs anything, give them everything except food without holding back.”

“I’m already doing that. Oh, and also…”

“And?”

“………It’s nothing. I’ll tell you when I’m a bit more certain.”

I had a feeling I knew what she was about to say.

That there’s a spy from the evil spirits hidden within our expedition. But she’s probably hesitating because she’d have to reveal that she’s also an evil spirit to say that.

“Is that so? Then I’ll be going.”

“Yes.”

After finishing the supply check, I went to Amelia to ask if anything had happened last night.

Well, she’s the leader of the guard team.

“Nothing in particular.”

It always ended with those words, but it was still an indispensable role.

In the labyrinth, it wouldn’t be surprising if an external enemy appeared at any time, and…

It’s not like we can be at ease just because we’re inside.

We always have to be careful because we don’t know what kind of variables might pop up.

Just like this.

“However, it seems like the stress of Hecetz Clan warrior, Vilkus, has reached its peak. It seems like he hasn’t been able to sleep properly for many days recently.”

The expedition’s guard team has actually been more of a surveillance role so far, keeping watch every night and reporting to me what happened during the night.

For reference, the guard team consists of six people, with an old man from the former royal investigation department acting as Amelia’s right-hand man.

“I understand. I’ll go and have a conversation with him later.”

“In that case, I won’t worry too much about that part.”

“Huh?”

“Aren’t you like an idol to the warriors? Besides, he seems to especially respect you, so he’ll probably get better.”

After talking with Amelia in the morning, I went to find the three mages from Armin’s expedition team.

“Emily told me that you guys were researching all night last night, did you have any results?”

These three were acting as the research team in our expedition.

Monster corpses, essences, and even if not that, the summoning books in the library, summoning altars, stone doors from which monsters appear, etc.

Their role was to investigate everything they saw and found in this labyrinth, but…

“Well… it’s hard to call it a result…”

“We did find an unusual value in the blood sample of Hipramant…”

“If you could give us a little more time and budget…”

For some reason, they would tremble and look at me nervously whenever I asked about their results.

I repeatedly told them that I wasn’t rushing them and that they could relax, but it didn’t change.

Is it a habit from being a researcher at the Magic Tower?

“Hehe, aren’t you the chief manager, Baron?”

“Even if you say that… it’s hard for us to relax.”

“Of course, if we’re too complacent, we won’t get results on time.”

Well, if that’s the case, I have nothing to say.

Anyway, with the research team’s report, the morning’s work was over.

“Alright, everyone, if you’ve digested your food, go back to your positions!”

It’s time to go to work now.

You ate well and digested your food, right?

“From now on, I’ll summon monsters!”

It’s time to get back to my main job.

***

The routine after the morning work is simple.

I pile up the books that I had gathered the night before in one place and start endless hunting.

Swishhhhhh-!

Mystic stones pour out, and if an essence comes out, I stop summoning for a moment and check what kind of essence it is.

Ah, now there was no need to use the primitive method of relying on eyewitness accounts.

I installed a recording crystal ball above so that the entire hunting ground is being recorded.

“It’s a Katanda essence.”

“If it’s a Katanda’s green essence, then it’s [Omen of Calamity], right, Baron?”

“We’re good.”

“I see. Is there anyone else who needs it?”

After confirming the essence, I give myself the first choice, and if I refuse, I look for the next in line.

And if there is no one else in line, I discard it.

“Isn’t it amazing? It’s a 4th grade essence, but no one eats it.”

“It’s not surprising since 3rd grade essences are sometimes discarded.”

“We can wait a little longer and get a more suitable essence, there’s no reason to rush.”

“Hehe, to look at the future first when seeing an essence in front of you. If you go outside and tell people what happened here, no one will believe you.”

“They don’t even put it in a test tube, it’s a waste. How much is that worth…”

“Didn’t the Baron say he would save the test tubes? I think that’s a wise choice.”

Surprisingly, the explorers were happy when a discarded essence came out.

Because the hunting stops until the essence disappears naturally.

Well, it’s not like they’re completely resting though.

“What are you doing? Replenish the books you used up until the essence disappears!”

I used even those scraps of time without wasting them.

I sent all the members to the bookshelves to take out summoning books, and when there were enough books, I quickly prepared a meal and ate.

And as a result of working so hard.

‘It’s been 10 long days, huh.’

Ten days after arriving at the library and starting the hunt, I finally got a result that was worth something.

“…Baron?”

“We’ll take this one.”

The essence that I finally obtained after passing dozens of essences.

‘Speardeeper.’

A 3rd grade monster that can be encountered with a very low probability when diving deep in a specific area of the 6th floor’s great sea.

Of course, the owner is decided.

“Ainar.”

“Oh! Yes!!”

As soon as I called his name, Ainar, who was looking around nearby, came running over.

Since he uses a spear, it seemed like he was secretly expecting it as soon as we said we would take it.

But, it’s no fun to just give it to him.

“Wait.”

“Ugh…! No, why are you telling me to wait! You were going to give it to me anyway—.”

“Tsk.”

“……”

Yeah, he should have done that from the start.

“Eat it.”

“Woohoo!!”

Finally, when permission was given, Ainar rushed to the essence.

Seriously, has his fighting spirit bottomed out, but his greed is still there?

「[Speardeeper’s Essence] permeates Ainar Pnelin’s soul.」

The light of the essence permeated Ainar’s body, and then Ainar, who seemed to be enjoying the afterglow, opened his eyes and shouted like a person addicted to drugs.

“What is this! It’s no joke! It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this strong…!!”

Well, that’s probably the case.

All of his basic stats are focused on physical stats.

Of course, what’s important is not the stats, but the skills.

(P) Discriminator — When attacking a target that is not of the same race, the damage increases in proportion to the combat time. When targeting the same race, the opposite effect is received.

A passive that is perfect for Ainar’s ‘Slaughterer’ engraving.

And……

(A) Trident — When attacking with a spear, it inflicts the same damage to two nearby enemies.

An active skill with no cooldown and low MP consumption.

Of course, the performance of the skill itself is not that crazy…

Originally, if you fill it with only those kinds of skills, it becomes a bad character.

[Trident] was a skill that would replace [Repeated Slash] as Ainar’s basic attack.

‘Okay, then Ainar is done for now…’

Of course, there are a lot of essences to change, but for now, there are no more essence slots, so I don’t have to worry about it until I return to the city.

Therefore, what’s left is…

‘One for me, one for Erwen, and two for Amelia…’

For now, this is about all we can eat right away, and if we prepare them in test tubes in advance, it will increase much more.

Well, it’s much better to prepare so that we can erase the essence and change the settings as soon as we go out, right?

And in that sense.

‘…If possible, I should also get materials for engraving.’

The 8th stage material for the Undying engraving is dropped by three types of 3rd grade monsters.

Of course, there are other materials, but…

‘Those are the parts that we can buy with money in the city anyway.’

Unlike low-grade materials, 3rd grade materials and above are not something you can buy even if you have money.

Even the soul of the dead, which was the 7th stage material, was like that.

The drop itself was done by the 4th grade monster, Lich, but there was only one item listed on the central exchange.

So, I bought it by spending all the money I had because I didn’t know when I could get it again—.

「Ainar Pnelin has cast [Trident].」

It was when Ainar was experimenting with the performance of the new essence and adapting to his stronger body.

“Captain!!”

The only non-combatant among the 38 people.

Navigator Auyen Lockrove came running to me urgently, holding a large summoning book in his arms.

“I, I found it…! F, finally!”

“Found what? Calm down and tell me—.”

“It’s a book that has Bellarios in it!!”

As soon as I heard the news, I closed my eyes and took a long breath.

“Hoo…”

Yeah, it finally appeared.

***

Bellarios.

A 3rd grade monster that looks exactly like an oriental dragon.

Its appearance location is the Dragon Mountains located in the center of the Dark Continent.

However, it was the very monster that we still haven’t been able to get the first kill on, even though it became a spec that could be obtained because that place turned into a battlefield.

“Versil, gather everyone in the bookshelves.”

I, who had been looking forward to meeting him since I came to this library, quickly gathered everyone and had a briefing time about Bellarios.

But, was there a little dissatisfaction with that?

“Um…”

Among the explorers who were listening intently to the lesson, someone carefully raised their hand.

“What is it, Ainar? Are you hungry?”

“It’s not that… I haven’t even fully adapted to the new essence yet…”

“So?”

I really couldn’t understand what he wanted.

“Where in the world is there better practice than actual combat?”

This was a story that all barbarian warriors would agree with.

But…

“I… I like practicing more than fighting… The efficiency? The efficiency seems good too.”

Ah, that damn fighting spirit.

“Can’t I just practice here while you guys are fighting?”

He’s trying to avoid fighting at all costs if there’s a way to avoid it.

Of course, the answer I would give was decided.

“No. You will also participate in this battle.”

“……I understand.”

Seeing him look so dejected makes me feel like I’ve become a bad person, and my heart naturally softens, but I cut off my emotions as coldly as possible.

Erwen approached me and whispered softly.

“Mister… it’s a 3rd grade, but there are only two of them, not three, wouldn’t it be enough for just us?”

I don’t know when we became so close that she would support me from behind like this, but she was definitely not wrong.

For Ainar to not participate in the battle?

It doesn’t really matter in this battle.

But…

‘The problem is that other people will see it.’

If I show leniency and make allowances in this area just because they are from the same clan, dissatisfaction will inevitably build up without anyone knowing.

Even if it doesn’t show on the outside.

Yeah, so…

“It’s already a decision I’ve made, so don’t argue about it.”

“……Yes. I’m sorry.”

After firmly rejecting Erwen’s persuasion, I continued the briefing, and when I was sure that the members who had listened to my briefing had completely grasped the enemy’s information.

I placed the summoning book on the altar.

And…

Drrrrrrrrrrr.

The stone door, which had been opened and closed more than a hundred times today, opened and two monsters appeared.

Flames-!

A goat head walking with a hammer, with a pouch filled with lava-like red liquid on its back.

‘Hellsmith.’

He was also the original owner of the essence that the tribal chief with the alias of Flame Warrior had.

And…

‘Bellarios.’

I licked my lips without realizing it as I looked at his smooth scales.

「Bellarios has cast [Greed Scales].」

「Bellarios has an immunity buff to all magic damage.」

Give it to me, that thing.