Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 628

District 14, the Bifron Enclosure.

Originally a city district of ‘Lavigion,’ it’s now a no-go zone. Even the dimensional plaza is completely gone.

In fact, this place was once considered as a potential escape route.

Once we reached Bifron, moving from there to District 4 was also an option.

“But Bifron has a guardian magic circle active, so it’s impossible to cross the wall using normal methods.”

“That’s okay. If we use the secret passage in the sewer, we can get inside even with the guardian magic circle.”

“There’s such a thing…?”

“Yeah. I was exiled for 20 days before, and I found out about it by chance then.”

For the record, it was Amelia who told me about the passage back then.

“Ah! That time! I remember! I was so worried…”

Anyway, even though there was a way to get to Bifron, this route wasn’t ultimately chosen.

Because the sewers were swarming with troops.

That’s why we decided it would be better to target the wall directly.

In the first place, if we were going to break through the sewers, it was more logical to head straight to the city without going through Bifron.

Above all, there was a problem with Bifron itself.

“Bi, Bifron, you mean?”

“…Going there feels too unsettling.”

“We don’t even have an antidote right now!”

To carry out the escape plan, we needed troops, but most explorers were extremely wary of Bifron itself.

Well, if I had to go into a radioactive area without protective gear, I’d probably feel the same.

‘…I can’t exactly say there’s no witch’s poison here.’

I know the outside of the wall is fine, but as a noble, I can’t say that to them. There’s a clear difference between a rumor and a noble officially stating it.

‘…Well, come to think of it, it might not be entirely false.’

The outside is fine.

But inside Bifron, people are getting sick and dying every day because of the witch’s poison.

So, how could this be?

‘The royal family must have poisoned or sprayed something.’

Anyway, for those reasons, the plan to go to Bifron was abandoned.

But now the situation is different from then.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”

I charge through the sewer, letting out a battle cry.

Because the ceiling is low, I can’t use [Giantification], so I can’t use my full power, but it’s not a big deal.

The enemies are also affected by the terrain.

Kwaaaang-!

They can’t use destructive magic or abilities for fear of collapsing the area.

Also, since it’s not an open area, I don’t have to take on dozens of attacks at once.

From the perspective of a shield-barbarian who has reached a certain level, it’s manageable…

Still, it’s a bit disappointing.

‘They said they wouldn’t stop me even if I went to Bifron.’

Was that promise only for the troops stationed on the wall? Or was it because communication wasn’t smooth and the message wasn’t delivered?

I don’t know, but the troops stationed in the sewer attacked us relentlessly as soon as we went down.

“D-don’t stop us, fall back! Keep your distance!”

“Uwaaaah!”

I took charge of clearing the path to the secret passage, but there were still casualties.

It was a similar situation to the first floor of the crystal cave.

The sewer was a maze-like terrain, and attacks came from the sides and rear, so the people following me were bound to suffer casualties.

The current members aren’t elites like they were during Ice Rock.

It was nearly impossible for lower-level explorers who were active below the third floor to survive such a large-scale battle on their own.

Thump-

I feel like smoking a cigarette, something I’ve never done before.

‘…How many died?’

There can’t be no sacrifices.

That’s how this barbaric world is.

Even though I know that better than anyone, my heart is always heavy when I make these decisions.

It’s all the fault of those Noark bastards.

I didn’t do anything wrong.

Even while thinking that, I can’t help but think.

‘…If we had just gone over the wall when they opened the way, those people wouldn’t have had to die.’

Of course, I don’t regret my decision itself.

It’s just that I need to live harder from now on.

If I were a little bit stronger, I wouldn’t have had to give up anything.

Yeah, so…

Clench-

I push forward with my shield on my shoulder.

It was something I had repeated countless times through many hardships, but this time it felt a little different.

It was too easy, or should I say?

“…What is this!”

“Back! Go back…!!”

As long as the Aegis barrier was up, there was no way to stop me in a straight passage.

After all, how can you stop a barbarian who charges mindlessly, taking no damage when a guard is successful?

“Yandel! Stop!”

After running for a while, I finally stopped when I heard Amelia’s shout.

“We’ve arrived.”

I was so focused on breaking through that I didn’t even realize we were here.

***

After arriving at the entrance of the secret passage leading to Bifron, it was much easier. There were no troops waiting in the passage, and the pursuers had given up, so no one was following us.

Thanks to that, we could slow down and move more comfortably, but…

“What are the current casualties?”

I heard the casualty report from Bersil, who was in charge of overall personnel management.

Of course, even Bersil didn’t know the exact number of casualties.

But…

“It seems the casualties were highest among explorers below 7th grade. We tried to place them in relatively safe areas, but…”

“I see.”

“Still, thanks to Yandel opening the way, the casualties were limited to this much.”

Even the estimated numbers bring up a bitter feeling.

You’d think I’d be numb to it by now.

Maybe it’s menopause, but the numbers are starting to feel like more than just numbers.

“…Yandel, what are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.”

“……”

Anyway, after moving for a while through the secret passage, we were able to enter the sewer area of Bifron.

And…

“Yandel, there are people.”

As soon as we arrived in the sewer area, we encountered unfamiliar people.

Fortunately, they weren’t Noark troops…

“B-boss?”

Surprisingly, they were people I knew.

“Boss…? You don’t mean…?”

I immediately reached out and grabbed his hair, and a familiar jellyfish-cut man appeared as his wig came off.

So, his name is…

“…Jingjingi?”

“…Y-yes! It’s me! Jingkasar Peljain! The boss’s loyal right-hand man!”

Right-hand man, I don’t even know his real name.

He was the guy who used to take care of me when I stayed in Bifron a few years ago.

But being happy is one thing.

“So, what were you doing here all alone?”

“W-well, the atmosphere seemed unusual. I was looking for a way to escape Bifron.”

Well, he knew about the secret passage thanks to me.

I told him about it so he could live properly, but I was too busy to come even once.

Anyway, it seems he remembered that and was looking for it on his own…

“You abandoned your subordinates and came alone?”

I frowned as if he was pathetic, and Jingjingi waved his hands and protested.

“No, no, that’s not it! I’ve changed a lot since then!”

Well, has he? His hair has definitely thinned more than before…

“What would I do living alone anyway? How much longer do I have to live… Once I found the passage, I was going to go outside and check the news!”

“Ah, so that’s how you’ve changed…”

“…Huh? Then what did you think changed…?”

“Never mind, I’ll ask you a few things, so just answer.”

Since I met a local in the sewer, I quickly checked the city’s situation.

I thought the Noark guys might have already invaded this side too.

But…

“Noark… you mean? Ah, is all this commotion because of them?”

Jingjingi didn’t even know that this incident was caused by the Noark.

Didn’t the royal family tell them anything?

“W-well, suddenly there was a commotion, and the soldiers locked the checkpoint doors. After that, they just told us to wait, and there was no further contact. But we could only hear fighting from the wall… So the residents were very anxious.”

Even for Bifron, it was too much.

There’s a war going on, can’t they at least tell them that?

“So that’s why. You weren’t trying to escape, but to go outside to hear the news.”

“Yes… I didn’t even know the outside was like that. N-Noark invaded… How serious is the situation?”

“Districts 7 and 13 have been occupied by them. We just barely escaped from District 7.”

“T-that’s…!”

Jingjingi’s mouth dropped open at the news that two city districts had fallen, but there was no time to wait for him to be surprised.

“Follow me for now. We’ll talk as we go.”

After that, I moved while getting information from Jingjingi.

From whether there were any suspicious people who had appeared recently to how the city had changed since I left.

“Bifron, you mean…? Ah! As the boss instructed, all the supplies coming into the distribution center are being divided equally. There’s no difference between adults and children.”

“Good job.”

“Also, the atmosphere has changed a lot. If there are any supplies left over at the distribution center, everyone asks the guards to exchange them for books…”

“Exchange them for books?”

“Yes… Even if it’s not books, if they have any skills, they don’t hesitate to teach them to the children.”

“Why?”

“…At least the children should be able to live in the city, right? We don’t have much time left to live…”

At those words, I stopped walking and looked at Jingjingi.

“…What’s your name?”

“J-Jingkasar Peljain, but why?”

“Jingkasar Peljain. You’ve changed a lot too.”

Jingjingi flinched for a moment at being called by his name for the first time, then let out a self-deprecating smile.

“It’s been a few years…”

“That’s right.”

“Yes… Just look at the boss, right? I heard you became a Baron recently… Ah, here! If we go this way, we’ll be right at the plaza!”

After that, we went through a shortcut that the local knew and came out to the surface, and a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar view of Bifron appeared.

“…This place has changed a lot too.”

Should I say it’s much cleaner?

Even this closed dimensional plaza was close to ruins when I came here before, with no proper maintenance.

“It’s all thanks to everyone’s hard work…”

Jingjingi said that, but it wasn’t hard to tell that he was the one who worked the hardest.

“Mr. Peljain!”

“Wow! It’s Uncle Peljain!”

“Uncle!! …Huh?”

The children who were playing in the plaza greeted Jingjingi happily as soon as they saw him.

Well, that was until they saw me standing behind him, and the hundreds of explorers who came from District 7—.

“Don’t be scared! This person is Byorn, Yandel’s son, the Giant Baron!”

Huh?

“Waaaaah, really?”

“It’s the Giant Baron! The Giant Baron!!”

“Waaaaaaaah!”

For some reason, the children got even more excited and rushed towards me as soon as they heard my name.

It wasn’t an unfamiliar situation.

The children in the city all liked ‘big things’ and ‘explorers.’ After gaining fame, I was followed by this kind of attention wherever I went in the city.

But…

“Giant Baron! Thank you!”

I don’t think I’ve ever heard these words before.

“Thank… you?”

Jingjingi, who heard my mutter, replied with an embarrassed expression.

“I told the children a lot about the boss. That you’re a hero who saved the city…”

“You did something unnecessary.”

“The children need hope. Besides, it’s not wrong, is it?”

“…?”

“Bifron has changed like this because of the boss.”

“…Ahem.”

He’s changed, he’s just gotten better at flattery.

He wasn’t very good at this kind of thing before.

“All troops, halt!”

Now that we’ve arrived at our destination, I started with reorganization.

The injured were laid down in the plaza to receive treatment from the priests, and those who had the strength were asked to investigate the surroundings.

And…

“Peljain, you come with me.”

I headed to the District 4 checkpoint with only Jingjingi.

Since it wasn’t the occupied Districts 13 and 7, I thought it might be possible to contact the city through here.

But…

“…There’s no one here.”

What’s going on?

Even if I shouted in front of it and banged on the wall, there was no response.

I thought they were ignoring me because they thought I was a local from Bifron, but it was the same even when I revealed my name and status.

“This checkpoint has been closed for a long time…”

“I know it’s a closed checkpoint.”

“But why is it here…”

Because of the situation.

Even if the District 4 checkpoint was closed normally, I thought they would have people here in this situation.

“Hoo…”

It’s getting quite complicated.

I was hoping to use this checkpoint to get to a safe city district or make contact after coming to Bifron.

But all those expectations were wrong.

‘There are so many things that don’t make sense.’

In the first place, why is the royal family just leaving this side alone?

If I were the commander, I would have activated the District 4 checkpoint and immediately deployed troops to Bifron to maximize the front lines of Districts 7 and 13.

‘…And what about those Noark guys?’

It doesn’t make sense with them either.

They occupied District 7 and didn’t deploy any troops to Bifron.

It’s as if the royal family is sure that they won’t invade from that side.

“……”

However, as the questions grew, one thing became clear.

There is some kind of secret hidden here in Bifron that I don’t know about.

Yeah, so…

Tuk, tuk.

I need to find that out now.