Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 725

Time Limit (5)

726. Time Limit (5)

Clatter, clatter…

The carriage rattled as it moved forward, having entered the roads of the imperial capital, Karnon.

The roads of Karnon, usually as clean and well-maintained as a modern city, were different than usual.

Roads were deeply gouged and damaged.

Stones and broken wood were scattered about.

Of course, no matter how chaotic it was, it couldn’t compare to other areas that had become real battlefields.

The roads of Karnon were like this because heavy military supplies and construction materials were constantly moving back and forth, while there was no manpower to manage the roads.

The moment the war ends, it will be clean as if nothing ever happened.

Other areas… or rather, to be precise…

‘Unlike District 7.’

I hadn’t seen it directly yet, and had only heard about the situation, but I already knew.

What kind of state District 7, which was practically my base, would be in right now.

‘……Let’s think about this later.’

My heart ached as I thought about the funds and efforts I had put into District 7, but it wouldn’t be too late to sort out the ‘losses’ after everything was over.

“Where are we going?”

“To District 5.”

Soon, I arrived at the Karnon military platform and moved to District 5, which could be called the front line.

And then…

“Nia Lapdonia!”

The soldiers froze at the sight of Astarotta’s royal crest, and the moment I stepped outside.

KWA-BOOM-!

A loud explosion was heard from quite a distance.

Surprisingly, the expressions of the soldiers passing by in front of the platform were relaxed.

No, is ‘relaxed’ the right word?

“……”

The soldiers were busy doing their jobs with hollow eyes, as if they could collapse at any moment.

Thanks to that, I understood more clearly than any explanation.

POO-BOOM-!

This was just everyday life here.

“Where are we going?”

“Let’s look around for now.”

There are things you can’t understand unless you see them once, no matter how many times you hear about them.

I first looked around and took in District 5, which had become a battlefield, and occasionally asked Astarotta questions when I was curious about something.

“This place seems quite safe, though. Judging by the sound of explosions, they’re only happening far away.”

“It’s a strategically important place, after all. Compared to other areas, they must have put several times more effort into building the defenses.”

“Ah, because of the military platform?”

“That’s right.”

Indeed, if I were the commander, I would have tried to protect the military platform at all costs.

With this, you can receive supplies and support from all areas not occupied by Noark.

‘In the worst case, it’s also possible to escape.’

Anyway, as I was looking around like a noble out for a stroll, people started to recognize me and whisper.

“Hey, it’s Baron Yandel……”

“I heard he went missing after the building collapsed……”

“Still, the fact that the Baron has come means… it could be a sign that they’re trying to change the war situation from now on.”

“How would we know what the higher-ups are thinking? We just need to do our jobs.”

Ugh… I should have covered my face before coming out.

‘…But I guess those who would recognize me would have recognized me anyway.’

Anyway, as I continued to look around, I arrived at the outermost part of the base formed around the military platform.

‘Marta Brothers Armory.’

The place I came to when I was disposing of my equipment after the first exploration, introduced by Erwen.

It goes without saying that the store, which was always crowded with people, was dark and closed, and the roads were similar.

The wide roads that used to handle the large floating population of District 5 were blocked by high barricades, and soldiers were standing guard on top of them.

‘Beyond that is Noark’s territory, huh?’

I heard that Noark’s attacks were so fierce that these barricades were gradually being pushed back.

“Are you going to go outside?”

“I’m still thinking about that.”

After finishing my inspection to some extent, I checked the sewers last.

I had heard that Noark had completely destroyed the sewers, so they couldn’t be used as a passage, but I still felt the need to check it with my own eyes.

But…

‘I can’t use this.’

I hadn’t even gone far down the sewer entrance when the stairs were blocked by debris, making it impossible to go any further.

Well, clearing the debris as I go is one way, but…

‘It’ll take too long.’

Hmm, then it seems I have no choice but to break through the heart of the enemy territory to get to my companions.

“Astarotta, what’s the situation in District 4 right now?”

“I heard it’s more intense than any other district. It’s practically where Noark’s main force is stationed. The leader of Orculius is also constantly showing up there.”

Oh… that bastard is there?

‘He’s a bit tricky.’

When I met him in the past 20 years ago, I managed to get by using tricks, but if he’s not an idiot, he wouldn’t fall for the same trick again.

‘Besides, they say the main force is there too……’

Okay, I should stay away from District 4.

“Then what about District 8?”

“It’s been quiet after the rebel group occupied it. The royal army has tried to recapture it for several days, but they have failed every time because Orculius’s core members are guarding it.”

“Core members?”

When I asked for more detailed information, familiar names poured out of Astarotta’s mouth.

The Blood Knight, the Black Claw, the Screaming Witch.

And the Corpse Collector, etc…

‘What, I thought they were core members, but it’s just them.’

Having fought there before with the ‘Lighthouse Keeper’ included, District 8 seems the easiest to me.

Well, I heard there are ‘rookies’ who debuted recently and haven’t even received their titles yet, so it might not be as easy as I think.

“Then, what’s the path from District 5 to District 7 like?”

“The front line of District 5 is commanded by the Evil Eye, and the 3rd Army is stationed in District 7, providing support.”

“The 3rd Army…? Are you talking about the one where Eltora Terserion was the commander?”

“Due to information control, the public thinks the 3rd Army was annihilated, but in reality, they joined the rebel group with the Chancellor a few days ago.”

After listening to the story, it seems that most of the 3rd Army was forcibly joined to the rebel forces by Eltora Terserion, so if the situation allows, internal strife could occur within them.

“Also, according to information, Eltora Terserion was not aware of this plan and is known to have refused when the incident occurred.”

“Huh? But that guy is there?”

“The Chancellor must have used some kind of coercive measure.”

Well… when I think about it, that could be the case.

After all, the Chancellor’s son is an ‘evil spirit’.

He’s not even his real blood-related father, so he wouldn’t willingly join the Chancellor if he was trying to jump into a fire with a straw mat on his back [a Japanese idiom meaning to do something foolish or reckless].

‘……Maybe this will be key later.’

After that, I spent some time alone organizing my thoughts.

What is the optimal route to get to the Barbarian Sanctuary where my companions are, passing through District 7?

It didn’t take long to find the answer.

“I need to go to District 9.”

In terms of simple distance, starting from District 5 is the shortest, but the risk is also high.

Even if I ignore the Evil Eye who is commanding in District 5, District 5 is adjacent to District 4, where Noark’s main force is located.

‘That leader bastard might pop out, too.’

Astarotta shrugged at my decision.

“Going to District 9 means you’re going to pass through District 8.”

“Is there a problem with that?”

Astarotta just chuckled at my question and said one thing.

“Be careful of the Corpse Collector. It seems he has been preparing for this war for a very long time, and his performance is amazing.”

Uh……

It seems like she’s saying it because she’s really thinking of me…

Chuckles.

It wasn’t really helpful advice.

“He’s just another one of those guys.”

I’ve already reached a level where I can’t lose to a poison necromancer, even if I wanted to, due to our compatibility.

***

Before moving to District 9 using the military platform.

I had requested a few things necessary for the ‘plan’ from Astarotta in advance, and she readily agreed to all the requests, even the excessive ones.

Therefore, all preparations were complete.

‘Now, I just need the signal……’

As I was waiting for the right time in front of the firmly closed gate, I saw Raven with a nervous expression.

“Raven, why are you so anxious?”

“How can I not be anxious? I didn’t know it would be this reckless.”

It seemed that Raven thought I would mobilize the army and push through.

Hey, do you know how long that would take?

“Don’t worry too much. Sometimes it’s better to move with a small number of people than with a large group.”

“Ha… is that supposed to be comforting……”

“If you’re so uneasy, you can just stay behind and not follow—”

“No, I think I’ll be more anxious if I don’t follow. Besides, it’s not like I don’t know everyone……”

No matter what, he’s a very affectionate guy.

As I was chuckling at that thought, Astarotta approached.

She had a strangely cheerful expression.

“What, do you have something to say?”

“I have some new news. I received a call from the headquarters of District 5. Your requests will be fulfilled by tomorrow morning.”

“…That’s quite late?”

“Don’t be a brat. They need that much time to prepare.”

Well… that’s true.

“Anyway… you said news, which means there’s more to say, right?”

“Ah, I almost forgot. Two of your missing companions have been found.”

My heart fluttered at those words.

“Who are they?”

There were a total of four people who were separated from the clan members currently in the Sanctuary and whose whereabouts were unknown.

Sven Parab, Lilith Marone.

And Auyen Lockrov and Amelia.

“…Tell me quickly.”

“You’re so serious. The two who were found are Auyen Lockrov and Emily Raines.”

“Where are they now?”

“In District 4.”

“……In District 4?”

“According to the report from the spy. There was an incident of a clash in District 4, and they were the culprits.”

“So, what happened to them?”

“We don’t know. But fortunately, they managed to escape safely from the scene.”

Whew……

How did they end up in District 4 when they were separated from the group in District 7?

I’m curious about the circumstances, but I’m also very worried.

“…Don’t worry too much. That person will surely take care of themselves.”

“……I guess so.”

I couldn’t run to District 4 right away, so I decided not to think about it as much as possible.

If I think about it, only the worst-case scenarios come to mind.

As always, uneasy premonitions take root and sprout.

“Raven, they said it won’t start until tomorrow morning, so go find a place to rest for a bit.”

This is the last rest today.

Tomorrow, hard days will begin from the morning.

I was about to take a rest myself, but all accidents happen when no one expects them, right?

Clatter, clatter, clatter.

A sound that should never be heard is coming from far away.

Clatter, clatter.

The sound of the gate opening as the pulley operates.

“W-what is it? Why is the gate suddenly opening? Are they attacking? If this happens, the plan will go wrong from the start……”

Come on, no way.

It can’t be.

Maybe a soldier made a mistake.

I heard that there hasn’t been a single battle on this side of the wall yet. In the first place, there’s no reason for the Noark bastards, who should be heading towards the imperial capital, to expand their forces sideways.

I threw away those positive thoughts the moment they crossed my mind.

Because that’s not how my life works.

“Get ready.”

Actually, at the same time as I finished speaking.

Thud-

Something falls from the sky.

Not just once, but several times.

Thud, thud. Thud-!

The sound was too heavy to be the sound of raindrops falling.

CRASH-!

“Eek!”

It was only after it fell in front of me that I realized what it was.

“Human corpses……?”

Corpses that were difficult to recognize, as if they had been torn from a corpse golem. Such corpses fell here over the high walls.

And then…

“Raven, get back!”

CRACKLE-!

Starting with the corpses that fell on the ground exploding and scattering poison,.

“It’s an attack!!”

Along with the shouts of the soldiers standing on the wall, the alarm bells installed everywhere began to ring loudly.

DING-! DING-! DING-! DING-!

Amidst the chaos of the soldiers who came out after hearing the bell, I quietly checked my equipment and looked towards the half-open gate.

[GRRRRRRRR!!]

A somewhat familiar corpse legion was entering under the gate, which was open enough for a carriage to pass through.

“S-stop them!!”

“Nia Lapdonia……!”

The garrison on the wall responded immediately, but it was not enough to stop the corpse legion.

In the first place, it wasn’t just the corpses that they had to be careful of.

KWA-BOOM-!

A meteorite that fell from the sky crashed into the middle of the soldiers, instantly collapsing the front line.

And at the same time.

[GRRRRRRRR—!]

The corpse legion began to surge like a tidal wave, as if a dam that had been blocked had collapsed.

“Hey, Yandel?”

“You stay here. Astarotta, you protect him.”

“I will.”

After leaving Raven in a safe place, I headed towards the gate, smashing the heads of the corpses with my hammer.

Because I saw the guy riding on a ‘chimera’ [a mythical creature with parts from different animals], entering the city with a dignified air through the fully opened gate.

“Oh my, oh my! Just because a gate opened, you’re all in such a frenzy! You must have been very careless! Hehehe!”

This bastard is just wandering around like that by himself.

“As of today, I officially declare that District 9 is also under the control of our Orculius……!”

Huh?

“……Huh?”

Why did he suddenly stop talking?

“Bjorn… Yandel……?”

Ah, it’s because our eyes met.

Surviving the Game as a Barbarian [EN]

Surviving the Game as a Barbarian [EN]

Surviving as a Barbarian in the Game, 게임 속 바바리안으로 살아남기
Status: Ongoing Author: ,
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[English Translation] After nine grueling years, Hansu Lee finally conquers the infamously challenging game "Dungeon and Stone." But his victory is short-lived; upon defeating the final boss, he's thrust into a blinding light and awakens as Bjorn Yandel, a barbarian warrior within the game's universe. In this perilous world, survival hinges on his ability to embody the savage strength and cunning of his new identity. Armed with only his gaming knowledge and a barbarian's physique, Hansu must navigate treacherous dungeons, battle formidable monsters, and conceal his true origins to avoid deadly suspicion. Dive into "Surviving the Game as a Barbarian" and join Hansu on a relentless quest where the line between player and character blurs, and every decision is a fight for survival.

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