Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 74

There are several reasons for my judgment.

“Hey, why aren’t you saying anything?”

First of all, I’ve never revealed my identity to anyone so far.

In other words, everyone can only have suspicions.

There’s no concrete evidence to conclude that I’m a demon.

Therefore—

“I told you, I’m from America. After all, we’re like strangers here, shouldn’t we stick together?”

This behavior is clearly out of place.

A fellow player might suspect that I’m a player and try to test me.

But to be this blatant?

It doesn’t make sense in many ways.

I could be a local, so what gives him the guts to reveal his identity first?

‘In a city where being caught as a demon means execution.’

Well, if it’s a one-month difference, maybe not. That’s when you’re still naive.

But didn’t he just say it himself?

That he’s been in this city for over three years.

For him to have survived for three years acting like that is nonsense, and….

“We have a ‘game’ association, you know? I’ll recommend you to it, Yandel.”

Above all, the way he pronounces the proper noun ‘game’ is very, very awful.

Like a Korean character in a foreign movie.

‘If he had no intention of hiding his identity in the first place, he would have spoken in English.’

Maybe then I would have been less suspicious.

But this bastard is going around in circles instead of using the easiest method.

Therefore….

I came to a final conclusion based on the available evidence.

“Hey, can’t you trust me now?”

This bastard is not a player.

But he’s pretending to be a player and testing me.

And there’s only one reason why a local would hide their identity from me.

‘He came specifically targeting me.’

Well, I thought it might happen someday.

A city where the existence of demons is known to the public.

I couldn’t find any related information in any book in the library, but there must be an organization that specializes in dealing with demons.

‘They’re probably still in the suspicion stage. There’s no way they have any concrete evidence.’

In other words, what I need to do becomes clear.

I have to dispel their suspicion.

They might just be testing me now, but someday they might start an ‘investigation’ using magic or something.

I have to nip it in the bud completely so they won’t even think about it later.

‘But how?’

What action should I take to convince them that I’m not a demon?

The answer to that question was really simple.

Thump.

I take a big step forward.

“…Why are you suddenly coming closer? You’re too close—”

“I have one question to ask.”

My question, which had been silent.

The guy, who had been hesitant for a moment, soon smiles as if it’s a good thing and nods.

“Ah, yes, yes, anything.”

“Then I’ll ask comfortably. Are you perhaps a demon?”

“What’s the point of hiding it now? Yes, I am. So….”

Okay, I got a definite answer.

“Okay. You don’t have to say anymore.”

“Huh? What do you mean—”

“The chieftain said. Demons must be killed on sight.”

“Ye, ye…?”

A face full of bewilderment.

I shouted loudly so that it would echo throughout the world and rushed at him.

“Behel—raaaaaaaa!!”

A barbarian does not tolerate injustice.

***

A fist that cleanly hit the temple.

His eyes, which have turned into a squashed bun, are filled with bewilderment, doubt, and fear.

But it’s no use looking at me like that.

It’s not like I’m doing this because I have a personal grudge….

If you think about it, isn’t it his own fault?

Thwack—

He openly revealed his identity.

But if I pretend not to know and run away here?

I’ll only arouse more suspicion.

That’s not what a well-raised local barbarian would do.

Therefore—

Wham!

I grab the neck of the guy who lost his balance and slam him to the ground like a combo.

And then I get on top of him.

Thwack-! Thwack! Thud! Thud! Thud!

I keep punching him with fists the size of watermelons.

His skin was quite tough, probably because of his high physical resistance, but it was useless in front of me, whose strength stat had greatly increased this time.

“Ah, no, wait a minute…!”

A face that became a bloody mess in just a few hits.

But I didn’t hesitate and did what I had to do.

Of course, he shouted as if he was wronged.

“I, I’m not! I’m not!”

Yeah, he’s probably not a demon.

But what can I do?

I have to survive too.

“To even lie, you must be a truly evil demon.”

“No, I mean—! Ack! Ack!!”

How many more times did I hit him with my ears closed?

The crowd is filling the surroundings due to the sudden brawl, and even the guards are rushing in.

Just as I wanted.

“Hey! What are you doing! How dare you use violence in the middle of the city?”

“Separate them!”

I cleanly stopped punching and stood up.

But is it because of the level 2 material armor I’m wearing?

Unlike when I was framed and dragged away from the guild before, the guards cautiously narrow the distance while being wary.

Hey, you don’t have to be like that.

Thud-!

I lift the unconscious guy’s body and throw it towards the guards. And I shouted loudly so that everyone around could hear.

“This guy is a demon! He said it himself and tried to do something strange to me!”

“What? A demon?”

The guards, who were approaching the guy who was knocked out thinking he was the victim, flinched at my words.

Also, the onlookers who were watching are murmuring among themselves.

Of course, most of them are suspicious voices.

“A demon? Isn’t that barbarian mistaken about something?”

“…Even if it was a mistake, to make a person like that, he’s going to have to pay a lot of money. That guy.”

Well, a barbarian’s cry wouldn’t be credible.

But how about this?

“My name is Bjorn, son of Yandel! I swear on the honor of a warrior that I do not lie!”

Little Balkan.

Bjorn, son of Yandel.

It’s a bit much to say it myself, but it’s the hottest name in the city these days.

“Little Balkan?”

“…Come to think of it, they say he wears a lightinium breastplate.”

“Then is that really him?”

“If that’s the case, it’s believable….”

“There’s no way such a famous explorer would make such nonsense and beat up an innocent person.”

The murmuring continues and public opinion shifts.

The guards also realize my identity and have a look on their faces as if they don’t know what to do.

Then, a man who appears to be the captain of the guard approached.

“May I see your identification tag?”

A polite question that I couldn’t have imagined before.

As soon as I handed over my identification tag, he looked at me with a strange look.

“You really are that person. First of all, I’d like to thank you. My younger brother came back alive from the labyrinth thanks to you.”

“Is your brother from the D’zarwi Clan?”

“No way, my brother was one of the few who followed you after paying the protection fee.”

Wow, there can’t be more than ten of them who survived.

It’s quite a coincidence.

But that’s that, and this is this.

“So when are you going to kill that demon? I feel uneasy leaving him alive.”

“That will be decided after the investigation is over. So, I think you’ll have to come with us to the jurisdiction office, is that okay?”

“Hmm, I’m hungry….”

“Of course, we’ll provide you with a meal. If what you said is true, you could be said to have made a great contribution.”

“A great contribution….”

Unlike usual, I pondered carefully.

How would a barbarian answer?

As always, the deliberation didn’t last long.

“What does that mean?”

A question that could only come from someone who is one with the barbarian.

The captain of the guard chuckled and replied.

“It means you’ve done a great thing.”

“A great thing? Does that mean there will be meat dishes?”

Hmm, even for a barbarian, was that too much?

I suddenly had that thought….

But looking at the captain of the guard’s eyes, it doesn’t seem like it.

“…I’ll treat you even if I have to pay for it myself, so please come with us.”

“If that’s the case.”

After that, I left the central square following the captain of the guard.

But for some reason….

“Little Balkan has defeated a demon!”

“Just telling this story will get me free drinks today.”

Such voices kept coming from behind as I walked away.

***

「Your character’s reputation has increased by +1.」

「Your character’s reputation has increased by +1…」

「…….」

***

It was a plan that I had squeezed out almost on the spot, so I was a little uneasy.

But the situation afterwards went really smoothly.

When the public security officer searched the unconscious guy’s belongings, a badge came out.

“Oh, this is a demon hunter’s badge?”

At first, the public security office was in an uproar.

Well, it was natural since the guy who was brought in on suspicion of being a demon had a demon hunter’s badge.

Therefore, the public security office contacted that side, and soon a person who seemed to be this guy’s superior visited.

And….

“Uh, so, this guy… is one of ours….”

He, who had a dumbfounded look at first, understood the situation and gave a miserable answer.

“This guy said he was a demon himself. But how did that happen?”

“That’s… usually a measure taken as a custom for people who have gained fame in a short period of time or have shown outstanding behavior….”

“Stop, I don’t understand if you speak in difficult terms.”

“We suspected Mr. Bjorn.”

“What? You suspected me of being a demon? Who is it! Who is the one who suspected me of being a demon! Could it be you!!”

As I flared up as if I had been insulted, the superior was sweating profusely as if he was in trouble.

“As I said before, it’s a customary procedure….”

“Speak plainly!! Are you making fun of me!”

“What’s clear is that this will never happen again! So please lower your voice….”

I felt like I knew why barbarians usually live like that.

It’s comfortable.

The reactions of them being in trouble are also quite fun.

“Hmm, so what happens to me? If that guy isn’t a demon, do I have to be punished?”

“Th, there’s no way that would happen.”

“That’s a relief. Then I’m sleepy, so I’ll be going now.”

“Ye, yes? Ah, yes… please do….”

As soon as I saw an opportunity to escape, I immediately left the building and returned to my lodgings.

I was brazen in front of them….

But inside, I was desperate to get out of there.

‘Shit….’

To be honest, I’m exhausted.

As much as when I was chased by the floor master back then.

‘I didn’t know they knew so much in detail over here.’

America, Europe, whatever.

There was even talk about the game, and the way they spoke was so natural that I thought they were from Earth.

Well, I could have noticed because his English pronunciation was awful….

But still.

What kind of messed up difficulty is this?

‘Yeah, the guys here aren’t all idiots either….’

It’s no wonder Tarikan Liyen was beheaded.

[America? Taiwan? Europe? Where are you from?]

[Wow, I almost fell for it. You’re really good at acting. Weren’t you a 3-month player?]

[Ah, you don’t need to be wary. I’m from America. I shouldn’t have touched that damn game.]

In a strange city with no one to rely on.

If someone suddenly approaches you and says something like this, it’s normal to be tempted.

‘Damn it….’

The more I think about it, the more I think this world is messed up.

It’s bad enough that I was suddenly dragged here and treated like a demon, but if I make one wrong move, these bastards come and throw bait?

I can just beat the monster bastards to death, but I can’t do that to these guys, so they’re even more vicious.

“Hoo….”

I let out a sigh of relief that I had been holding back.

‘Well, I guess I got through it for now.’

Of course, I don’t know if the demon hunters or whatever really got rid of their suspicion of me.

But I’ve done everything I can for now.

So there’s no other way but to be careful and wait.

‘From now on, I need to act a little more like a barbarian.’

I reorganized my future course of action and entered the inn room. And I lay down on the bed with the clothes I was wearing.

But what is this again?

“…….”

There’s a piece of mail on the bed.

When I opened the envelope and checked the contents, a letter and a thumbnail-sized pill came out.

‘What is this? Did Misha write a letter? No, she wouldn’t have had time to—’

I was frozen as I read the letter.

[This letter is a random letter sent to an explorer presumed to be a player. If you could read th…….]

A letter written in English.

I was so surprised that I almost threw it away, but first I made sure that no one was around and got into bed.

And I carefully read it inside.

If I roughly translate it, the content was like this.

[This letter is a random letter sent to an explorer presumed to be a player.]

[If you can read this, never reveal that you are a player to anyone.]

[Ah, and please do not interpret the contents of this letter even if you are caught by a demon hunter.]

[Anyway, what I want to say is this.]

[We have a community that guarantees complete anonymity, and you can enter our community by taking the enclosed pill.]

[If you do not wish to enter, please discard the pill, and we sincerely wish for your survival.]

The more I read, the more complicated my head becomes.

Could this also be one of those bastards’ tricks?

‘Shit, but it’s too plausible….’

That they only used easy words?

It’s understandable if they were considerate of people who are not English speakers.

After all, wasn’t it a game that only supported English?

They must have thought that anyone could read it.

‘If I were thinking of distinguishing and recruiting players, I would have written it like this too.’

It’s different from the demon hunter bastards who were just imitating.

This letter was written from a player’s point of view.

[GHOST BUSTERS]

Just looking at the community name written in the top box is enough.

Isn’t it too witty a name to have been written by a demon on death row in an interrogation room?

‘But those bastards wrote this?’

Of course, it could be a time difference attack or something.

Something that targets when you’re off guard after pretending to be clumsy.

Therefore, I hoped that the sender of this letter was a player.

I don’t really need a community….

If this letter was sent by the demon hunters, I have no confidence that I will survive in this city.

Because.

[P.S. Rafdonia’s king, Mother fucker]

How can I win against bastards who are so serious about demon hunting?