Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 621

The activation of Parav’s Golden Goblin statue meant only one thing.

‘A turning point.’

Soon, something extremely dangerous would unfold, and right now was the only turning point to avoid that misfortune.

And in that sense…

‘…So, the director was right.’

About a month was left until the half-year mark the director had warned about. Considering the time it would take to get to Chief’s Island, now was the last possible moment.

And the important thing here is…

“Sir Baron… shouldn’t we leave right away? No, we must leave!”

“Calm down and return to your post. I’ll make the right decision on this matter.”

“Yes? Ah… yes! But quickly! You must do it as quickly as possible!”

The fact that this guy, who had always acted like a proper subordinate, was saying this meant that the intensity of his intuition was very strong.

According to him, it wasn’t even this bad when he was dragged to Ice Rock?

‘…A situation worse than the Ice Rock expedition.’

At this point, I was getting anxious too.

And for good reason, how many people had fallen and vanished into the cold during that expedition?

I didn’t want to experience anything like that again.

“Vice Commander, I’ll go upstairs for a moment.”

“…So suddenly?”

“We might have to leave this place in a hurry. I’ll tell you the details when I get back, so for now, take command here in my stead.”

After that, I instructed the Vice Commander to do raids without me and to prepare to leave if possible.

And I quickly moved to the control room at the top.

‘Is this the right thing to do?’

Even while going, my worries didn’t stop.

If I accepted the director’s deal right away, got the qualification, and left this island, I would be able to reach Chief’s Island within the time the director had warned about.

That way, no one would get hurt.

I had no objection to that being the safest method.

‘But it’s such a shame that I can’t come down here again.’

The fact that I couldn’t figure out why the director was trying to prevent me from coming down here was also a factor that made it difficult for me to make a decision.

But…

‘The goblin is saying it this strongly, I can’t just ignore it…’

Was I properly stuck in a dilemma?

My head was a mess.

However, the more it was like that, the more I decided to think simply.

Priorities.

Every decision starts with what to prioritize.

I looked back at myself as I headed to the control room.

After doing that, my mind became lighter, and I was able to make a decision.

‘…Let’s accept the deal.’

I didn’t know what other honey pots [valuable resources or opportunities] were hidden on the first basement floor, but I had already gotten enough.

In the first place, the first basement floor was something I didn’t even know existed; it felt more like a bonus stage.

More than anything…

‘There’s nothing more I can do here for the time being.’

If I wanted to find more hidden honey pots, our current capabilities were not enough.

The same goes for the giant island’s super giant.

There were still too many unstable factors, you could say?

Just like how many sacrifices occurred while hunting 1st-grade monsters on the Library Island, sacrifices would be inevitable if we were to continue the attack.

Yeah, so…

[You’ve come.]

“Yeah, I’ve come.”

I slowly entered the control room, where I hadn’t set foot in for almost a month.

[It seems you’ve finally made a decision?]

The director, who was floating on the screen as if he had been waiting, seemed to have noticed why I had come back here.

‘He’s a strange guy in many ways.’

Surprisingly, the director had been waiting all this time since the first deal proposal. Even though months had passed by with him saying ‘just a few more days, just a few more days,’ he didn’t even urge me.

As if he knew that the result wouldn’t change anyway.

[Now, tell me. Your decision.]

That’s why I didn’t feel too good that it seemed like things were going according to this guy’s plan.

But since I had made a decision, I had to put my emotions aside.

My decision wasn’t just about my own safety.

“Give me that qualification or whatever it is. Then I won’t even come near here again.”

[That’s a wise decision.]

“Okay, just give it to me quickly. Ah, do I have to write some kind of contract or something?”

[There’s no need for that.]

Soon, the light that appeared on the monitor bent sideways.

[The contract has already been made.]

…What is he talking about now?

Already made?

‘Nothing has really changed though.’

That was the moment I thought that.

「Achievement Accomplished」

Condition: Achieved 15% progress in the 7th Archives.

Reward: Permanent access to the first basement floor, the Archives, is granted.

Whooshhhhh-

A golden book-shaped mark appeared on the back of my right hand, shining, and then disappeared as if it had seeped into my skin.

Also, at the same time.

「A Dimensional Covenant has been made.」

「Your character’s access to the first basement floor, the Archives, is permanently restricted.」

It was a sensation I had never felt before.

There wasn’t anything particularly visible, nor did any effects burst out.

Squeeze-

It was as if something had slightly gripped my heart.

However, that period was very short, and it disappeared without a trace, to the point where I wondered if I had just imagined it.

“…What did you just do to me?”

[Nothing. Just a covenant has been made.]

“…A covenant?”

[It’s easy to think of it as a slightly special covenant. A new rule has been created within the labyrinth, with mutual consent, that only applies between you and me.]

Anyway, the director seemed to have no business with me, now that the deal was over, and tried to end the conversation unilaterally.

[Then, that’s the end of our business. You must be busy, so go quickly. There will be good news when you go down.]

“Good news…?”

[You’ll know when you go.]

He was mysterious until the end.

The director made me feel like I had been tricked even until the very end.

[Marx, you take care too. It was nice to see you again, even for a short while. I mean it.]

Soon, the director greeted Hamsik, and Hamsik mumbled briefly in response.

[……No.]

[No? What do you mean?]

At the director’s question, Hamsik, who was on my shoulder, paused for a moment before speaking clearly.

[It’s not Marx, it’s Hamsik.]

[…As I told you before, that name was given by the witch. It was very meaningful to you before you lost your memory—.]

[That’s me before I lost my memory.]

At that bold statement, the director seemed to be at a loss for words and remained silent, and only after a long time did his voice leak out.

[Yes, even in this world, there is no such thing as eternity… You’ve changed too… and so have I.]

It was still a mechanical voice, but for some reason, I sensed a fragment of emotion in that voice.

It was like a memory, and also like regret.

[If that’s your choice. I understand. I wish you good luck.]

With that, the director didn’t say anything more, and I left the control room with Hamsik on my shoulder.

[Hey, are you okay?]

As soon as we got outside, Hamsik asked worriedly.

[That covenant thing. Is it really okay?]

“How would I know? Well, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything wrong with it right now.”

[You know I went to the control room every day and talked to him when you weren’t there, right? Be careful. No matter how I look at it, he’s a suspicious guy.]

“I will. Thanks for worrying about me.”

[……It’s natural for friends.]

At the word ‘friends,’ my mouth involuntarily closed.

Because I had heard it from the director when I was going in and out of the control room every day to get information.

Hamsik can’t leave the first basement floor.

And…

‘Now I can’t go down there either.’

We both knew that fact, but we never mentioned the topic at all.

As if such a fact didn’t exist.

***

As soon as I arrived at the underground factory, I knew.

That the ‘good news’ the director had mentioned meant this.

“Mister! Come quickly! Quickly!”

“Is that… did that come from that guy?”

“Yes! Congratulations! You wanted it, didn’t you!”

While I was gone to the control room, an essence had dropped.

And it was the green one I wanted.

As I walked blankly, Raven, who met my eyes, shrugged his shoulders.

“I was going to wait a little longer and put it in a test tube if you didn’t come, but luckily you came just in time.”

“How many minutes have passed?”

“Ten minutes.”

Okay, that’s what it is.

After confirming that there was still time, I put aside all the Numbers items I was wearing.

Because this essence needs a little preparation before eating it.

Thud, thud.

After the preparation was complete, I slowly approached the essence.

Thanks to reaching level 8, there was still one empty slot even after eating the Bellarios essence.

If I could eat it without using a test tube, it would be best to eat it on the spot.

However, the problem was…

‘Will it work?’

In [Dungeon & Stone], essence duplication was impossible.

Of course, it was possible to eat a guardian essence after eating a normal essence.

‘In that case, the normal essence was just upgraded to a guardian essence.’

Then, what would happen in this case?

The result was soon known.

Swoosh.

The moment my fingertip touched the essence floating in the air.

‘…In this case, it can’t be eaten at all.’

The hand that was stretched out passed right through the essence.

As if there was no room for it to enter my soul.

“Tsk.”

Honestly, I had expectations.

If it was possible to eat essences in duplicate, then I could have done some experiments.

Whether it was possible to use the same skill in duplicate.

‘It’s a shame in many ways.’

[Giantification] with [Transcendence] to make ‘Super Giantification,’ and then using [Giantification] one more time…

It would have been amazing if it became ‘(True) Super Giantification.’

‘I’ll just eat this essence after erasing the original one as soon as we get out…’

After that, as Raven finished putting the essence in the test tube, I erased the distractions about the essence.

“Vice Commander, is the preparation to leave all done?”

“Yes, we can depart immediately.”

“Then that’s good. Let’s go, home.”

It was time to leave.

***

Leaving the research facility and going completely outside the temple, we passed through the forest and headed to one place.

After moving for a few days, a vast lake appeared, which was a place we had discovered during an exploration before.

No, to be precise, it was a place we had opened.

Originally, it was blocked by something like a barrier, but we were able to enter after smashing the super-giant drone in front of it.

“Everyone, get on the ship and go to your respective positions!”

For reference, launching a ship on this lake was the way to escape this Rainbow Island.

Well, this was the first time we were actually doing it.

The director had told us for sure before, so it couldn’t be wrong.

Tick, tock-

After that, we activated the pocket watch we got after smashing the super-giant drone and waited until the second hand made one revolution, and then a brilliant rainbow-colored light covered the lake, just like when we came here.

Flash-!

When I came to my senses, we were back in the windless zone where we had struggled through the rainy season, and I went straight to Library Island and dropped off Hamsik.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t keep my promise. I said I would help you regain your memories.”

[…Are you still worried about that? Don’t make that face. I’ve already heard everything I needed to hear from the director anyway.]

“……”

[Goodbye.]

Hamsik only said goodbye and didn’t say anything that implied a reunion.

So, I just said it.

[Let’s… meet again…?]

“Yeah, you never know what’s going to happen in the world. I’m thinking of finding a way to come back somehow.”

[Is that even possible…?]

“At least I think so. That’s why I accepted the director’s offer in the first place.”

[………Hmph, then come back or don’t.]

“Take care until then. If strangers come, never open the door for them.”

Since there wasn’t much time left, after saying goodbye to Hamsik, I went straight to Chief’s Island.

Thanks to maximizing our speed throughout the voyage, we were able to arrive at Chief’s Island three days before the date the director had mentioned.

“It’s an islanddddddd!”

After getting off the ship, I immediately ran to the village and put my hand on the dimensional stone, just in case.

“A, a portal! A portal has opened!”

“T, then can we really go back now?!”

“Long live Baron Yandel! Long live!”

Fortunately, the dimensional stone, which had always been silent, activated and created a blue portal, as if the director’s promise was real.

However, I didn’t go through the portal right away.

Because, I was curious, you know?

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

What was ‘that person’ that the director had mentioned?

Since he didn’t tell me anything clearly until the end, my curiosity grew even more.

‘The portal is working fine… it wouldn’t be bad to watch the situation for a while before leaving.’

With that thought, I left the main force in the village and went inland with only Sven Parav.

“W, why me…”

“Focus. If you say it’s dangerous, we have to go to the portal right away.”

“If that’s the case, I want to go down right now… In the first place, isn’t the rainy season about to start again!”

“It seems like there’s still some time left, judging by what you’re saying.”

“……”

Like that, a day and two days passed, and it was only an hour or two before the date the director had mentioned.

Whooshhhhhhh.

As if something was about to start, a strong wind suddenly started blowing from behind.

“S, shouldn’t we leave now? I’m getting really anxious…!”

“Are you that worried?”

“Yes…”

“Let’s just check one thing quickly.”

I quickly went to the cliff and checked the coast. The silver sea was violently surging and receding as if some strong force was pulling it.

“H, how about we go back quickly? I’m getting really worried, I mean it…!”

Judging by that, it seems like there’s really not much time left…

I checked the map one last time.

‘It’s in the direction of the rocky island…’

The direction where the wind was blowing and the waves were following was the rocky island.

[One thing, if the waves start to surge while you’re sailing, immediately stop your journey and find a place to hide.]

Could it be the guy written in the Chief’s monster notebook?

I didn’t know, but at this point, I took Sven Parav and went down to the village.

And I put them in the portal one by one.

For reference, I was the last one.

It was because I was worried that the portal might close if I disappeared since I was the one who opened it…

Kuuuuuung-!

Just as I was about to get into the portal, the entire village shook as if there was an earthquake.

‘What is this now?’

For a moment, my gamer curiosity was piqued, but I decided not to go outside to check.

Yeah, if I can come back someday, I might be able to find out then.

If I can’t come back, there’s no need to know.

「The Lord of Records, Recardo, has begun to roam the floor.」

Let’s just ignore it and get out of here quickly.

Whooong-!

Soon, I put my body into the portal.

***

First basement floor, the Archives.

Although there is some margin of error, time here flows simultaneously with the outside.

When the rainy season starts, the entire labyrinth, including the crystal cave on the first floor, is closed…

‘But thankfully, the portal opened.’

The portal opened.

Then, where can we go if we go through this portal?

My guess was that we would return to the first floor, but the labyrinth was already closed.

The answer to my question was soon known.

「The character is moving to Lapdonia.」

If the labyrinth is closed, we return to the city.

Well, maybe we just always move to the city.

Anyway, that’s not important.

“Ah, Mister…”

The dimensional plaza in District 7, which we used a long time ago when we entered the labyrinth.

Looking around, only the members of the Clan Anabada, who had entered the labyrinth with me, were standing blankly in the empty plaza.

Of course, up to this point, there was nothing particularly strange.

The exploration team had used the dimensional plaza in another district, and the same was true for the Armin Exploration Team and the Hectz Clan.

Yeah, there was nothing wrong up to this point.

I didn’t even expect people to welcome us back after waiting for us.

But…

“W, why is the plaza like this…”

The plaza we arrived at was so different from what we usually saw.

Whooshhhhh-

The wind that blew carried a pungent smell, and the checkpoint building, where there was always a long line, was completely smashed and collapsed.

As if there had been a big war.

“It seems like something happened in the city while we were gone.”

Amelia, who was looking around, calmly analyzed the current situation.

And at that moment.

“Captain! Over here, over here!”

A man’s voice was heard from afar.

“A portal reaction was just observed here…”

The man who climbed over the ruins of the checkpoint made eye contact with us.

“Huh? What, who are you guys?”

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh after confirming the emblem engraved on the man’s top.

“Where did you guys come from?”

Where did we come from?

I’m the one who wants to ask that.

‘What the hell happened that…’

How can these Noark bastards be running around the city like this?