Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 592

The boss room I entered through the guardian statue.

I called it a rift because I didn’t have a better word for it, but strictly speaking, it wasn’t a rift.

The mages said they couldn’t find any of the unique properties of a rift portal.

So, I just accepted it.

In fact, beyond the portal, unlike a normal rift, there was only the boss room.

But…

‘This time it’s a real rift…’

What was hidden beyond the stone door that opened after conquering all the guardian statues was a rift portal.

‘Well… the first basement floor is also a layer.’

A rift unique to the layer?

It’s not that strange.

Well, the village chief said he had never seen a rift form in all his time, so it’s best not to get your hopes up…

‘There’s no way there wouldn’t be one.’

I didn’t doubt the existence of a rift.

It’s not like there aren’t rifts that open only in specific locations, not randomly.

I figured the first basement floor was one of those cases.

“Be careful! If you get sucked in, there’s no turning back!”

“Are the wave measurements still not done yet?”

While the mages gathered near the portal, collecting various data, I moved away and took some time to organize my thoughts.

‘I was wondering if there might be rifts on the 6th floor or higher…’

My prediction, which I had cautiously kept to myself, was spectacularly wrong.

‘No, is it too early to say for sure?’

Maybe if I go through that portal, I could randomly enter one of the rifts on the 6th floor or higher.

‘…Well, it doesn’t really seem like it.’

My gamer’s intuition is telling me that there’s a high chance that there’s a rift unique to the first basement floor beyond that portal.

“Hoo…”

More than curiosity about what kind of rift it would be, I felt more worried.

This isn’t a game, after all.

There’s no retry.

I have to succeed on the first try in an unknown rift where the guardians, the monsters that appear, and the terrain are all unknown.

“…Yandel?”

“Ah… Emily.”

Amelia noticed my serious expression and gave me a worried look, but she just handed me a water bottle filled with cold water and didn’t say anything.

How much time had passed?

A meeting of the leadership was held, and the mages shared what they had investigated.

Aside from the minor details, there were two main points.

“We have not observed any decrease in magic density at the rift portal. It seems highly unlikely that it will naturally disappear over time.”

There’s enough time to think before entering the rift.

In other words, it means we don’t have to rush to form a team and enter right away. It was something I had expected, but hearing it confirmed like this made me feel quite relieved.

But…

“Our research team believes that this rift can accommodate a maximum of five people.”

I was quite surprised by this part in many ways.

Putting aside the fact that the maximum capacity is five people, how did they even know that?

Can you find out that kind of thing through research?

It wasn’t like that in the game?

When I asked about the detailed investigation process, I got a very anticlimactic answer.

“Well… there was a mural on the inside of the stone door… After an in-depth discussion, our research team concluded that it represents the total capacity.”

So, it wasn’t something they found out with magic, but just a guess.

“Of course… as this is an interpretation observed from a subjective and biased perspective, our research team is fully aware of the concern that our interpretation may be wrong, and we would like to clearly state at this time that we are asking for your understanding.”

“What the heck is this mage talking about?”

“………Yes?”

Ah, I said what I was thinking inside.

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold, but I didn’t add any excuses like it was a slip of the tongue.

That’s not very Barbarian-like…

In the first place, if you interpret it, it means they’re putting in an insurance policy in case their guess is wrong.

“Then let’s pause the meeting for a moment. I have something to discuss with the Baron, so could everyone please leave?”

After that, the village chief, who understood my gesture, dismissed everyone and asked me.

“What would you like me to do?”

Just like during the statue exploration, he was expressing his intention to leave all exploration decisions to me.

“The mages’ guess has some merit, so I’m planning to form a team based on five people for now. Oh, and of course, I’m planning to form additional teams in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.”

“That’s wise. Then tell me when the selection is done—”

“In that sense, there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

As I interrupted him, the village chief stared at me intently.

That unique gaze that made me feel even more creeped out because I couldn’t read his thoughts at all.

“Go ahead.”

With permission granted, I just asked without hesitation.

“Do you have any intention of entering the rift with me?”

“Why?”

Well, it wouldn’t work if I tried to lie clumsily, right?

After thinking for a moment, I revealed my honest thoughts.

“You can die anyway, right?”

He’s perfect as a scout.

***

First friend, first love, first farewell…

Anything that’s a first is special and stays in your memory for a long time.

And it was no different for me.

My first rift.

I entered rifts like it was a daily routine while playing [Dungeon & Stone], but the memories of when I first challenged each rift are still vivid.

Blood Citadel, Glacier Cave, White Temple…

Rifts I entered without any prior information.

I proceeded with the conquest as carefully as possible, but 99% of the time, I lost my precious characters while looking at the game over screen.

Hammer Dwarf, Sniper Fairy, Beastman Voodoo Shaman…

My data fragments that disappeared in vain because I didn’t know anything.

It’s not like I feel any particular regret now, but those experiences naturally led me to have one realization.

It’s natural to be wiped out in the first rift.

Of course, this doesn’t apply when you’re clearly over-spec [over-powered].

But…

‘Looking at the difficulty of the first basement floor, it doesn’t seem like we’re particularly over-spec.’

That’s why whether or not to recruit the village chief was a major issue.

It meant I could use Jerome Saintred, one of the most powerful people, however I wanted.

“Above all, it would be beneficial to you if I die.”

“…It’s not really that beneficial.”

He said that while trying to hide his awkwardness, but he couldn’t deny it.

So, is it a refusal after all?

I was seriously considering whether I should give up at this point.

“I’ll do it.”

“…What?”

“If you grant me one request.”

“Tell me.”

Surprisingly, the village chief’s request wasn’t anything special.

The intention hidden inside was also very obvious.

“I want you to take a few items with you and return them to the city.”

“…You want me to deliver Karui’s Heart. You can’t take it out with the [Heretical Altar]’s effect.”

“That’s correct.”

That was one of the biggest features of the [Heretical Altar].

You have to periodically visit and register your equipment on the altar for it to come with you when you resurrect.

“Hmm…”

“Isn’t it a proposal that doesn’t really disadvantage you?”

“That’s true. But I’m curious what makes you trust me with such a request.”

When I asked directly, the village chief let out a laugh that was now a little less awkward.

“Haha, you’re the one who handed over the body of the exploration commander sent by the royal family to some monster in order to survive. How can I not trust you?”

In short, it meant that if I broke my promise, I should be prepared to be screwed too.

“I’ll tell you in advance, threats like ‘let’s die together’ will only work this time.”

“Why is this a threat? I didn’t force you to make a promise, I just said that I could do that if you broke it. If you don’t like it, you can just refuse my proposal.”

Uh… logically, that’s true too.

Having lost my rebuttal, I coolly ended the conversation.

“…Then I’ll take it that we’re going in together and start forming the team.”

“Do so. But… aren’t you leaving?”

“Why would I? I have to come back and tell you anyway, it’s a waste of time.”

“…Do as you please.”

With that, I sat down on a chair and began to think about how to handle the remaining members.

‘Two people are decided for now…’

The village chief and I.

If the mages’ guess is true, three more people can enter the rift.

Then who should I choose?

‘It’s right to take a mage and a priest as a fixed team.’

The utility of a mage and the stability of a priest.

If I secure these two, I can at least get halfway through any situation…

The first decision wasn’t difficult.

“Gahwin Vesilus. Let’s put that old man in the mage position.”

He was the chief mage of the 1st exploration team, who I had some friction with in the past.

“Hmm… That’s unexpected?”

“What’s unexpected?”

Gahwin Vesilus, who is currently the head of a school, served as a military mage for a long time in his youth. So, he has a lot of exploration experience, and his skills are needless to say.

I heard that the old man was in charge of the 1st-grade joint magic I saw before.

“To be honest, I thought you would take that mage girl.”

“Ah, you mean Raven?”

“Yes.”

Actually, Raven was also a candidate.

She has a lot of knowledge about the labyrinth and her skills are decent.

Above all, her passion for the unknown rift would be much greater than the old man’s.

But…

“We’re not going to play around. There’s a more skilled mage, so there’s no reason to choose another option.”

The village chief just nodded at my words.

“That means she’s a very cherished colleague.”

“…Did you even hear what I said?”

“Are you talking about the part where you said you don’t care if you die?”

“…”

Looking at him, it seems like he’s getting more and more sly as the days go by.

“Then how are you going to handle the remaining two people?”

“I’m going to take a priest for one of them.”

At this point, the paladin Sven Parav was also a candidate, but I quickly dismissed that idea.

With just me and the village chief, the vanguard is enough.

In terms of healing ability or utility, a paladin can’t follow a priest even if they die.

Well, he does have a fraudulent intuition ability…

‘It’s a useless ability if there are no other options.’

What’s more important than sensing danger is the ability to overcome that danger.

As you live, you’re bound to reach a dead end at some point.

“If you’re thinking of taking a priest, this person would be good.”

“Who is it?”

“The Archbishop of the Leatlass Church.”

After hearing about him, it seemed like a good choice, so I decided on the archbishop recommended by the village chief for the priest position.

And then, the last remaining spot.

‘I need a dealer [damage dealer].’

If the village chief is out during the exploration, there will only be one mage as a dealer.

That’s why I need to reinforce the dealer line.

‘…No matter how much I think about it, there’s no better option.’

In the end, after much deliberation, I decided on the last spot as well.

It’s a very regrettable thing.

“I’ll take my colleague, Erwen Fornachi di Tersia, for the last spot.”

There was no dealer who could replace Erwen in the entire exploration team.

***

After finishing the selection of the remaining members, except for the 5 people, in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

I gathered all 5 of the advance team in one place.

Well, they need to know each other a little better before the exploration, right?

‘Since we can’t change members once we go inside, I need to observe them carefully here.’

There was a possibility that the final members would change depending on the interview results.

“I am Eden Hesteia. I am a lacking person, but somehow I hold the position of Archbishop of the Leatlass Church.”

“Nice to meet you. It’s the first time we’re talking directly, right?”

“Yes, but I’ve heard a lot about the Baron from Sir Parav. Please take care of me inside.”

Archbishop Eden Hesteia had a better first impression than I expected. I had seen him scolding Parav like he was a rat, so I honestly thought he would be a grumpy old man.

“I’m ashamed to say, but I don’t know much about the labyrinth. I hope the Baron will guide and lead me well.”

“I will. What kind of divine spells can you use?”

“Haha, I can use all the spells that the Baron would know—”

“Oh, then is the Origin of Stars possible?”

“…It seems that the Baron is quite familiar with divine spells? The Origin of Stars is difficult.”

“Is that so? That’s a shame. Then how about Star Call?”

“Ah, that one is possible.”

That’s how I started the full investigation, and in the end, the priest was not replaced.

The archbishop was a very capable priest.

Anyway, next was the mage’s turn.

“Gahwin, can you tell me all the magic you can use?”

Gahwin Vesilus expressed his dissatisfaction as if he didn’t have to go that far, but after my next words, he sighed and surrendered.

“If we fail, the hundred or so people who follow us could all die.”

“It will take a long time, so I’ll only tell you about the 3rd grade or higher magic.”

“What about below that?”

“I can handle all of them. As long as it’s not unique magic.”

Oh, that’s quite impressive.

Is it because they only picked the best among the people carefully selected by the royal family?

Their level is higher than I imagined.

Should I call them a dream team?

‘At this rate, it’s really worth a try…’

After that, I, Erwen, and the village chief also introduced our abilities and explained them, and then we had time to educate them on positioning and precautions during the exploration.

In the case of the archbishop and Gahwin, they had almost no experience in small-scale explorations with 5 or fewer people.

There was a lot to teach…

‘But there’s no time limit anyway.’

I stayed for a few more days, cramming as much knowledge as possible, and checking and rechecking if there were any problems with their personalities.

And finally, today, the preparations were all done.

“Go in first, Yandel. If the portal doesn’t disappear, I’ll follow you right away, so don’t worry. And Tersia.”

“…Why?”

“If we can’t follow you in…

“I know. I’ll take good care of the old man.”

“…Okay.”

Seriously, who’s taking care of who?

I chuckled and was saying goodbye to the rest of my companions when the village chief approached me.

Whoooosh-!

I don’t know what kind of dangerous things are hidden beyond that unknown portal.

“Are the goodbyes over?”

It was time to slowly go in.

***

「The character has entered the 3rd Record Archive.」

「Field Effect – Roles are assigned.」