Surviving The Game As A Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 618

The offer to let me leave this place.

After being stuck on the first basement floor for months, it was a tempting offer.

But…

“What’s the price?”

Nothing in this world is free, and the sweeter the offer, the more dangerous the conditions are likely to be.

Well, this time it’s a bit ambiguous.

[It’s that you never return to this place.]

I couldn’t understand the request at all, so I needed a little more information.

“Don’t come back? What exactly does that mean?”

[Don’t you understand? I don’t think there’s any room for misinterpretation.]

Does this guy not know how conversations work?

“I mean, what’s the reason for giving me such a condition?”

[It’s an offer that only benefits you, so is the reason important?]

“How can you be so sure that it’s only beneficial?”

To my question, the director paused as if he needed to load something before answering.

[I understand. You’re wary because you don’t know how my offer will affect you in the future.]

“Because I don’t know anything about you.”

[Then, if I tell you about myself, will you accept the offer?]

“It depends on what kind of person you are.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the director continued.

[Then, I’ll tell you about myself now. In the past, I worked as the head of the Pantellion Research Institute and committed many evil deeds. But in the end, I repented and received forgiveness from the witch. After that, I became a completely different person. I can’t deceive anyone, and I’ve always had a kind nature that cares for others.]

“……”

[I can’t go into detail right now, but the offer not to return here was also for your sake.]

“…Are you kidding me right now?”

I said, showing my disbelief, and the director replied as if he expected it.

[Look at this. It’s pointless to say it, isn’t it?]

“No, it’s because you didn’t intend to say it properly—”

[If I had told you a much more plausible story.]

The director cut me off.

[Would you have believed it all then?]

Overwhelmed by his indifferent voice, I couldn’t say anything.

It was also the point, to begin with.

[The only way to get the truth through others is to believe them. Therefore, no matter how long I talk to you, it’s just a waste of time.]

“……”

[That’s why I called it a deal. Does it matter who I am? Whether you accept my offer or not, you just need to make a decision based on that. It’s much more efficient.]

“Hah, this is crazy…”

There’s a lot I want to say, but when I try to, I don’t know what to answer.

Still, I tried to organize my thoughts as much as possible and spoke.

“The reason I wanted to know about you was to decide whether to believe you or not.”

[That’s strange then. Didn’t you say earlier that you wouldn’t believe anything I said?]

“No, I mean… there’s no such thing as 100% in the world, right? It’s not too late to listen and then decide—”

[Then you can decide now. That’s the end of my story. What will you do?]

Ugh… I thought he was a reasonable guy earlier.

I can’t even punch the guy on the screen.

‘What’s with this stubbornness?’

No, maybe it’s not stubbornness but a strategy.

He’s adopting a strange concept and deliberately diverting the topic and shifting the focus elsewhere.

[If it’s difficult to decide, I’ll give you one more piece of information. Of course, whether you believe it or not is up to you.]

“……”

[Will you listen?]

I felt like he was trying to stop me for some reason, but it was difficult for me to refuse here, given my personality.

Besides, I’m curious about what it is.

It also helps to have as much information as possible to make a decision.

“…Tell me.”

I answered with a sigh, and the director, as if he had been waiting, revealed new information.

[If you don’t leave this place within half a year, you’ll be in great trouble. Because that’s when ‘he’ will appear.]

“He?”

[If you leave before then, you don’t need to know about him anyway. If you don’t leave, it means you’ve rejected my offer, so there’s no reason for me to tell you.]

Ah, what is this guy?

It’s best to avoid this kind of person, and if you do encounter them, it’s better for your mental health to hit them in the head first and then talk.

But I can’t use that alternative, so I feel like I’m going crazy.

“Then tell me this much. You said I’d be in great trouble, but how bad is it?”

[You’ll probably survive. But as for the people by your side until then, well, I guess you’ll probably be able to count them on one hand.]

“So, about five people.”

[That’s my prediction, so there could be some minor errors.]

Considering that in modern warfare, even a 30% loss is considered annihilation, the damage would be enormous.

Above all, I’m completely different from before.

Unlike back then when I only needed to protect one finger, now even five fingers aren’t enough.

[So, do you believe what I just said?]

“I’m considering it.”

[I hope my words have had a positive impact on your decision.]

“……”

[Is it still too difficult to decide—]

“Be quiet so I can think.”

[……]

Whew, it’s quiet now.

***

In a way, the director’s words made sense.

When making a deal with someone you meet by chance in a new place, who the other person is wouldn’t be that important.

What the other person can give me.

And what I have to give the other person.

If these two match, the deal is made.

Of course, if there is a basis for trusting the other party, you can make the deal with more peace of mind…

‘Judging by the way he talks, it doesn’t seem like he’ll ever tell me about himself.’

Of course, there is also a way to reject the offer here and test his reaction one more time.

But I decided to keep this as a last resort…

“The item.”

I broke the long silence and spoke.

“I don’t need your story, I need to know more about the item.”

[……The item?]

“How are you going to help us leave this place?”

[Ah, you were talking about that.]

“You don’t have to tell me everything in detail, just give me a rough idea. That way, I can make a decision.”

[That’s a reasonable request.]

The director said without hesitation and answered the question.

[At this time, you would have already found the door, so I won’t bother mentioning it. If you accept my offer, I will immediately grant you the qualification. To open the door.]

“Qualification… it seems like it can be obtained in other ways too?”

[That’s not a wrong guess. If someone appears to prove their qualification, it’s my duty to grant them the qualification.]

“So, you’re saying we can leave without making a deal with you?”

[Theoretically, yes. No, if it’s you, you’ll be able to prove your qualification. But…]

The director then said.

[It will take a very long time. And as I said before, time is not on your side.]

Somehow, the story eventually circles back to the same threat, whether it’s true or false.

While feeling frustrated, I continued the conversation.

“But is it okay to grant qualifications so carelessly? You said that you originally had to prove your qualification, right?”

[Granting qualifications is my authority. And it’s my duty to grant qualifications when someone appears to prove their qualification. There’s no contradiction anywhere.]

It seems like a strange logic, but since he says so, there’s no room for me to object.

[Now, are there enough grounds for you to make a decision?]

“One last thing.”

[Go ahead.]

Even after getting permission, I hesitated for a moment, wondering how to start, before opening my mouth.

“Um… aren’t you worried?”

[The subject is missing.]

“…I mean, aren’t you worried that I might not keep my promise later? Ah, of course, I’m not saying I will. I’m a barbarian who values promises more than anyone else. Really, you can trust me.”

I added the last words in case he misunderstood me, but the director didn’t show any concern, as if my efforts were in vain.

He just said this.

[Ah, I didn’t mention that.]

“…That?”

[The moment you make a promise and receive the qualification, you will never be able to return to this place. Not metaphorically, but literally. Of course, if you don’t make a promise, I can never force you.]

It was an explanation I hadn’t expected at all.

‘Ha, I knew it…’

To be honest, I wondered what he was thinking, using a ‘promise’ as a condition for a deal.

I even suspected that the promise was just an excuse and that the real purpose was to grant me the qualification itself.

‘This is giving me a headache again.’

Honestly, everything is so sudden.

I originally came here to stop the rails, but suddenly a strange guy appeared on the screen, saying strange things and offering a deal…

I need time to calmly organize my thoughts.

I don’t even know what to believe and what not to believe.

“I want to think about it for a few days before answering, is that okay?”

[Of course. I’ll always be here.]

Surprisingly, the director showed a cool attitude, and with that, the deal was put on hold.

So, I was about to leave the control room.

[And also.]

The light on the screen flickered as if it was smiling, as if there was more to say.

[Just one more thing, even if you accept my offer, I don’t recommend leaving right away.]

“…Why are you suddenly changing your tune?”

[I’m not trying to play any tricks, I’m really saying this for your sake. You should know by now, after coming this far, what kind of place this is.]

I think I know what he’s trying to say.

[If you leave this place within half a year, you’ll be safe. So, get as much as you can. Because you’ll never be able to come back.]

“……”

[Please choose carefully.]

Not being able to come down to the first basement floor was a huge loss in itself.

“Ah, while we’re at it, let me ask you one more thing. Where are my kidnapped companions being held?”

[You have to find that out yourself. If you want to prove your qualification on your own, that’s the first step. Ah, but don’t worry too much. Looking at your current situation, you’ll be able to find them soon.]

It felt like I had done a lot, but somehow it seemed like I hadn’t gained anything.

***

After finishing the conversation with the research director, I went back down to the underground factory.

And first, I quietly called Amelia and Raven aside and shared what had happened a little while ago.

It’s not that I don’t trust Misha, Erwen, or Ainar, but… to be honest, they’re not very helpful in this kind of situation.

‘Bersil doesn’t even know I’m a player [a person who plays a game].’

Anyway, when I explained what happened in the control room, their reactions were roughly similar.

Well, the reasons for those reactions were different.

“Absolutely not. It’s obvious that he’s hiding some kind of sinister scheme. Who knows what that director is planning behind your back?”

“I’m against it too. Even if the offer is true, there’s still so much to explore! But if we go outside, we won’t be able to come back. It’s obvious that other explorers will take all the credit for these great discoveries!”

Actually, both opinions were things I had thought about myself.

But the director’s words keep bothering me.

[You’ll probably survive. But as for the people by your side until then, well…]

I don’t know if that warning is true or not.

But for some reason, the more I think about those words, the more my chest tightens.

It’s like a bad feeling is rising up?

Maybe that’s why.

I went out of my way to give an explanation that seemed to contradict their negative opinions.

“Emily, if what he said is true, it could be even more dangerous. And Raven, we’ll have a hard time getting back in once we go outside anyway. The royal family is already blocking explorers from entering.”

Raven argued that it was a temporary measure, but in my opinion, well…

It’s just my gut feeling, but the royal family will never do that.

There’s something even more significant hidden on this first basement floor.

That’s why it’s so difficult to decide.

“Thank you for discussing it with me. I’ll take some more time to think about this issue.”

“Call me anytime you need me.”

“Same here. You always try to do everything by yourself. Well… looking at today, it seems like you’ve improved a lot.”

Anyway, that’s the end of the first meeting.

After that, I continued the rail search as before, and in my spare time, I did various experiments.

It would be best if I could obtain the qualification on my own…

The director also said it himself.

[Get as much as you can.]

The first basement floor I saw and experienced was a land of opportunity.

The Library Island, the Stone Gate Island, and even all the islands where magic stones are scattered after the rainy season were more than just a jackpot…

It was no different in this research institute.

No, to be precise.

Flash-!

Located in the center of the research institute’s underground factory.

This device that creates a monster with the characteristics of three monsters when three magic stones are inserted.

‘This machine is the jackpot.’

Of course, the monsters created by this device were treated as new species and didn’t give experience points.

But…

“Essence…!

When the created monster is defeated, the essence is dropped with an extremely low probability, much lower than that of a normal monster.

So, to put it simply.

“…Wait a minute. This essence really contains all the characteristics of the three monsters?”