Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 598

The Fifth Level of the Labyrinth, the Great Demon Realm.

This level holds significant importance for explorers.

It’s from this point that explorers start forming proper clans and working together, and also…

‘The treatment changes.’

For human starters, tax concerns practically disappear from the 5th floor onwards.

That’s why the residents of Lapdonia consider 5th-floor explorers to be the best marriage partners.

Is it similar to getting a job at a major corporation?

In reality, most 5th-floor explorers ascend the labyrinth as if they’re going to work. Upon reaching the 5th floor, they tirelessly mine magic stones at their usual hunting grounds until the labyrinth closes, receiving payment proportional to their achievements.

Well, there are many who dislike that and run their own teams instead of joining a clan…

‘Those people can be seen as successful self-employed individuals, I guess.’

Anyway, no matter what, they remain the most desirable marriage partners.

But…

‘It’s quite ironic.’

While the preference for a spouse is highest on the 5th floor, it actually decreases from the 6th floor onwards.

Ah, for reference, this information comes from a book in the library.

It’s said to be compiled after surveying over 10,000 residents and then made into a book…

The reasons for the decline in preference are quite interesting.

First, it seems too dangerous.

Second, it seems realistically difficult to meet them.

Third, they seem eccentric.

The third reason might seem odd, but it’s not an unfounded prejudice.

An explorer’s time flows differently from that of ordinary people.

The degree of mental wear is different, and from the 6th floor onwards, the stress levels during exploration increase rapidly.

That’s why many famous explorers are known to have eccentric personalities.

“Baron, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

I snapped out of my thoughts at the village chief’s voice.

“Ah… I was just checking the surroundings for a moment.”

It wasn’t just a random excuse; it was the truth.

I was really looking around, and my thoughts just happened to lead there.

The fifth level of the labyrinth, the Great Demon Realm.

Despite its ominous name, this level is relatively safe.

However…

“It’s a bit different from what I knew.”

The place where we opened our eyes was slightly different from the 5th floor I usually passed through.

The terrain and overall atmosphere were the same, but there was one crucial difference.

“There shouldn’t be a 3rd-grade monster in the Great Demon Realm.”

In one of the paths leading downwards, a 3rd-grade monster was standing right in the middle, glaring at us.

“Mister, that’s a Vandeamon, right?”

Vandeamon.

A ‘rare’ monster that’s difficult to encounter due to specific appearance conditions.

I haven’t even gained experience from it yet.

‘Since we don’t need its essence, there’s no need for the three of us to waste our energy trying to catch it…’

At first, I was on high alert when I saw it, but for some reason, it just kept looking up at us from below and didn’t approach.

“Gahwin, do you have any idea which way we should go?”

“…Not at all. I don’t have any intuition. From the moment I arrived here, it’s as if my ability itself has disappeared…”

Hmm, I see…

“But, even so, I can’t shake the feeling that this place is the final trial.”

“Uh… isn’t that just wishful thinking?”

“Baron… that’s a bit… isn’t it? Well, I can’t deny it…”

Gahwin sighed deeply and grumbled.

“It’s about time this ended. It’s been over half a year since we entered this place!”

Having woken up in Chapter 11 right after finishing Chapter 2, I couldn’t offer any comfort.

That’s because my current playtime isn’t even 24 hours.

“Enough, let’s put our heads together. To summarize, it seems we need to find that Evil God here, but which way do you think is best to go?”

Jerome cut through the chaotic atmosphere and organized the situation.

And…

“Well, isn’t it obvious?”

“There’s no need to even think about it.”

Gahwin and I answered Jerome at the same time.

What’s with this again?

“Gahwin, you speak first—”

“Baron, you speak first—”

I tried to yield, but our words overlapped again, making us feel awkward.

“…”

“…”

We were trying to yield to each other, but should I just speak? Hmm, what if he thinks the same and we overlap again?

While I was being cautious and observing the situation.

‘Okay, now.’

Seizing the timing, I pointed to one of the routes blocked by the Vandeamon and opened my mouth.

But…

“I—”

“I—”

Seriously, why is this old man doing this?

It’s annoying.

“Gahwin, are you doing this on purpose?”

“T-there’s no way I would!”

When I glared at him, Gahwin met my gaze with an aggrieved look.

The village chief, with a blank expression, calmed us down from this ridiculous farce.

“Don’t act childish over something like this. Since you both pointed to the same place, it seems you have the same idea. Is that right?”

“Well… it seems like it…”

“I agree.”

Again, Gahwin and I spoke at the same time.

“Of course—”

“Of course—”

No, if we’re even saying the same lines, it’s starting to get really annoying…

Ah, whatever.

I decided to ignore it and opened my mouth, and unfortunately, so did Gahwin.

“We should go that way.”

“Shouldn’t we avoid that place?”

After a moment of silence, Gahwin and I’s gazes collided in the air once more.

“…?”

“…?”

Seriously, I just don’t click with this old man.

***

“Wouldn’t it be wiser to go somewhere else since there’s something dangerous over there?”

Surprisingly, Gahwin’s logic started from a similar point as mine, but the conclusion was completely different.

The cause was in the way we thought.

“No. Since there’s something dangerous, that’s where we should go first.”

This chapter is about finding the Evil God Karui.

And in my opinion, Karui was likely located in one of the four types of canyons.

That’s where treasures are usually hidden.

“Why would we waste our time going somewhere else when there’s even a signpost?”

“It’s too early to conclude that it’s a waste of time. There might be something we need to find by searching the other three places!”

“Then what if it’s a format where it gets harder to clear as time passes? A wrong choice could lead to irreversible consequences.”

“T-that’s too much of a leap!”

“Gahwin, you have to be cautious and open to all possibilities in the rift. Especially when it’s the first place you’ve entered. But, hearing you say such sloppy things…”

“…?”

“You’re a mage after all. Not an explorer.”

“W-what?!”

Seeing Gahwin’s face turn red as his blood pressure rose, I was reminded of the time we were discussing which 1st-grade monster to summon on the Library Island.

We had a similar debate back then.

“Anyway, it’s the Count who makes the decision after we talk, right? Count, you decide.”

There was no reason to waste time, so I left the decision to the village chief, and of course, the result was predetermined.

“Hmm… I think it’s better to follow the Baron’s opinion.”

The village chief pretended to ponder for a moment before raising my hand, and that was the end of the discussion.

“T-that’s… !”

Gahwin seemed displeased with the decision, but he couldn’t openly object to the village chief’s words, who was the chief in charge.

‘Okay, so the route is decided.’

Gahwin retreated with a bitter smile, and although this might have worsened my relationship with that old man, it wasn’t a big deal.

No, it was even a bit satisfying.

I approached the Archbishop, who had been bothering me.

“Archbishop, why have you been standing alone since earlier?”

“Ah… Ah! I was just thinking for a moment. About… the Evil God. I was wondering if this might be a way to meet the Evil God here.”

“Why are you reluctant to meet him?”

“Well… I’m not sure.”

The Archbishop’s expression looked very troubled as he said that.

Well, is it some kind of dilemma unique to devout religions?

As a non-religious person, I couldn’t understand it, but it wasn’t something I needed to deeply care about or get involved in.

“I don’t care what you’re worried about, but don’t get caught off guard while daydreaming. Got it?”

“…I’ll take care of myself.”

Seriously, the way he talks.

Anyway, after checking on the Archbishop’s condition, I took some time to briefly explain about the Vandeamon.

For reference, Gahwin, not me, played the role of the teacher.

He might not have the explorer mindset, but that didn’t mean his knowledge was lacking.

‘There are a few details missing…’

Well, it should be fine.

It would look weird if I went into too much detail.

…It’s also a hassle.

***

「You have defeated a Vandeamon. EXP+7」

***

The battle against the 3rd-grade monster Vandeamon wasn’t too difficult. After all, we were covered in overpowered buffs.

The priest’s infinite divine power.

The knight’s doubled stats.

The mage’s powerful ancient magic.

Even considering that I couldn’t perform the tank role as reliably as before, with these bonuses, taking down a 3rd-grade monster was a piece of cake.

‘Should we have tried to catch it together…’

The Vandeamon’s loot was just one magic stone, but I wasn’t too disappointed.

Should I say that such trivial things don’t matter?

I was more concerned about other things.

“It wasn’t that hard. Why is someone who’s old enough to eat so scared?”

“…Baron, what did you just say?”

“Nothing?”

“It wasn’t nothing! You were talking to me just now.”

“But you’re not young, are you?”

It might seem a bit childish, but I didn’t back down from Gahwin’s words.

That’s because…

‘He’s been trying to get on my nerves lately. Even though he’s from a noble family, he doesn’t even have a title.’

I needed to establish some discipline—.

“Mister…”

Just as I was about to scold Gahwin further, Erwen called out to me.

“…Why all of a sudden?”

“N-nothing…”

“What do you mean nothing? Speak quickly.”

“It’s just… you seem a bit unlike yourself today…”

For some reason, I chuckled at her cautious words.

“What do you mean by unlike myself?”

Come to think of it, everyone always had expectations of me.

Her, Amelia, and Misha too…

“Ah, is it because this isn’t the kind of image you like?”

As I said that and took a step forward, Erwen took a step back, looking at me.

A look of fear that I had never seen before.

“What… is this?”

The moment I saw that expression, I snapped back to my senses.

At the same time, I clearly felt the torrent of emotions that had been swirling without any sense of incongruity.

The change had been so natural that I hadn’t even realized it until just now…

“Damn it.”

Realizing my current state, I placed the hammer I was holding on the ground.

And…

Thud-!

I bent down and slammed my forehead hard onto the hammer.

“Hah… I feel a bit more clear-headed now.”

From the moment I entered the Great Demon Realm, something went wrong with my head.

No, maybe…

“How barbaric…”

“…”

“…Why, why are you suddenly looking at me like that?”

Maybe I’m not the only one with a problem.

***

「The character has entered a special area.」

「Field effect – Great Demon Realm is applied.」

「Control is continuously decreasing.」