Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 88

‘Name Lee Hansoo, age 29. After a month of unexcused absences, the company reported him missing. Tsk, what about family?’

‘Just his mother. But when we contacted her, she said she didn’t want to be involved.’

The man listening to the report took a sip of his coffee.

It wasn’t anything particularly special.

How many people didn’t have complicated family histories?

‘So, Detective Park, why did this missing person case come to our team?’

‘Well… the CCTV only shows him entering his home, not leaving. And all the windows were locked.’

‘Definitely… something smells fishy.’

The man put down his coffee and began to read the report in earnest.

He’d seen all sorts of things in his 15 years as a detective, but even to him, this was a very unusual case.

No signs of forced entry, no stolen valuables.

His credit card usage stopped a month ago.

Most importantly, the clothes the missing person was wearing were found in his bedroom. Not like he’d taken them off, but as if his body had simply vanished.

‘Whoever this bastard is, he’s completely insane.’

He had a gut feeling that this wasn’t a simple missing person case.

It could be a serious crime that would shake the entire nation.

‘Did you preserve the scene? First, send it to the National Forensic Service. Let’s see the analysis results.’

At the man’s instruction, Detective Park hesitated for a moment before cautiously speaking.

‘Um, Team Leader… there’s something I’d like to show you before that.’

Why wasn’t it in the report?

He had that question, but he nodded, and Detective Park returned with a monitor.

‘This is the monitor that was found in the missing person’s room.’

‘What? Why do you have that? You didn’t just take it, did you?’

The man, raising his voice as if he couldn’t believe it, suddenly froze when he noticed something.

‘Wait a minute, Detective Park, how is the monitor on?’

‘That’s… I don’t know either…’

On the black background of the monitor, letters were floating.

Even though there was no connection to the main unit, or even a power cord plugged in.

It was even making sounds and updating.

Beep, beep beep beep, beep—

「You have successfully completed the coming-of-age ceremony.」

「You have equipped new gear.」

「Your overall item level increases by +24.」

「Bjorn Yandel…….」

「…….」

「…….」

What did these words that kept appearing mean?

‘Team Leader, I did some research… and there have been a few similar cases overseas.’

‘What, overseas…?’

They had no way of knowing exactly what was going on yet.

***

「The labyrinth has been closed.」

「Your character is moving to Lapdonia.」

***

The darkness receded, and my vision cleared.

As usual, I looked up and saw the familiar hazy sky filling my view.

I let out a long breath.

‘……I survived this time too.’

Actually, even saying I survived was a bit of a stretch.

I’d been on edge every day, expecting something to happen…

But nothing had happened.

Twice in a row, even.

‘Hmm, I really thought something would happen this time.’

Honestly, I was still bewildered.

It was because the previous exploration had gone so smoothly.

Thanks to a good starting point, I arrived at the ‘Rocky Desert’ in just 9 hours, taking the 2nd-floor portal connected to the Gnome District.

Well, there was someone there already, so I didn’t get the portal contribution.

「You have defeated a corrupted gnome. EXP +1」

「You have defeated a kobold shieldbearer. EXP +1」

「You have defeated a stone golem. EXP +2」

「You have defeated a giant stone soldier. EXP +2」

「You have defeated a sandman…」

「…….」

Various 9th-grade monsters, including gnome variants and a set of three kobolds. And various types of 8th-grade monsters, including stone golems.

Even though I hunted all kinds of monsters at my request, I was able to reach the 3rd floor on the 4th day.

‘It was the same on the way to the Witch’s Forest.’

Without any particular problems, I reached the center of the Witch’s Forest on the 8th day.

Raiders I encountered along the way?

There wasn’t a single one.

After entering the 4th floor, ‘Tower of the Sky,’ I didn’t even encounter any explorers.

「You have completed the trial.」

「You have chosen the Stairway of Courage.」

The real hunting time.

I kept climbing the stairs and fighting monsters.

All the monsters that appeared on the 3rd floor, ‘Pilgrim’s Path,’ came out in random groups, and I encountered a 6th-grade monster about every three days.

「You have defeated a Bytol. EXP +3」

「You have defeated a lizardman scout. EXP +2」

「You have defeated a Dullahan. EXP +3」

「You have defeated a Banshee Queen. EXP +3」

「You have defeated an Ilatrec. EXP +3」

「You have defeated a Courage Knight. EXP +4」

「You have defeated a Living Armor…」

「…….」

I spent time until the 23rd day when the 4th floor closed.

Those 6th-grade monsters I was so worried about?

I made a few mistakes because it was my first time fighting them, but thanks to my greatly increased power, I was able to defeat them all without any major crises.

And my experience points started to pile up.

‘There’s a reason they call it the Tower of Training.’

All the monsters that appear on the 3rd floor come out.

6th-grade monsters appear, and there are also monsters that only appear here.

Well, it was still a bit short of reaching level 4.

Anyway, as a result of focusing only on hunting.

‘Dwarki?’

‘Well, um… if we divide it equally, it would be about 720,000 stones each.’

‘It’s 780,000 stones.’

‘Huh? Bjorn, what are you talking about…’

‘Oh, oh… after recalculating, Bjorn, you’re right?’

‘What?!’

780,000 stones were distributed per person.

Even that was thanks to Mimic’s passive skill, [Greed], which increased the magic stone drop rate by 30%. Otherwise, it would have been around 600,000 stones.

‘Hmm, it’s definitely not a small amount of money… but it feels a bit lacking. Is it just me?’

‘Somehow… I feel the same way.’

‘Hahahaha! Well, it’s natural since we earned so much before! Now that I see it, Bjorn, it seems your absurd luck has run out?’

I don’t know about luck.

The less trouble there was, the less income there was.

Even though the raiders were annoying, they were well-equipped.

In fact, it was much more profitable than mining magic stones.

‘……Somehow, I earned less than when I first entered the labyrinth.’

I can see why raiders keep appearing. People are easier to catch than 6th-grade monsters, and they’re much more profitable.

So, they can’t help but be drawn to it like moths to a flame.

Especially if they consider themselves efficiency-focused.

‘Let’s not be too disappointed. It’s just that the past was too special, and this is normal.’

I barely pushed away my lingering feelings, thinking about the game.

The cost of consumables, various expenses in the city.

It’s natural not to make a lot of money in the beginning.

That’s why newbies can’t even make it past the first or second year because they don’t have a mere 1 million stones and end up getting taxed to death.

‘……In the first place, it’s already an unbelievable speed to have reached the 4th floor in just a few months.’

I told myself that and spent my time in the city efficiently.

I occasionally gathered with my team members to socialize and plan explorations, and I visited the Magic Tower every week to fulfill my research appointments with Raven.

‘Hmm, so it’s only four more times now?’

‘So when can we meet that senior?’

‘Ah, there’s been a bit of a problem. If Yandel doesn’t mind, I’d like to postpone it to next month…’

‘…Do that.’

Training, library, socializing, information gathering.

It was truly a peaceful time that I had never experienced before.

Because of that, I was so anxious that my hands and feet were trembling…

Until I entered the labyrinth again, neither the Evil Spirit Hunter nor Hans approached me.

So, I thought there might be something this time.

‘But nothing happened after all.’

Passing through the ‘Goblin Forest’ and going up to the 3rd floor.

Thanks to that, I caught additional monsters that I hadn’t been able to catch.

And in the end, I leveled up during my days on the 4th floor.

That was all that was different from the last exploration.

‘Bjorn! What are you thinking about so much? We have to go soon.’

I was brought back from my thoughts by the feeling of Misha’s waist swaying.

‘Snap out of it. If we’re late, we’ll have to wait a long time.’

What do you mean a long time?

Maybe if I were a 9th-grade newbie explorer, but 6th-grade explorers have a different checkpoint, so the waiting time is less than half.

The officials are much more polite too.

‘Alright, let’s go! Hahahaha!’

Soon, we went through our respective checkpoints and gathered in one place.

And we quickly finished the distribution.

‘Each person should take 790,000 stones.’

‘Bjorn? Is that right?’

Dwarki’s pupils were shaking anxiously at Misha’s question. How can a mage be so bad with numbers?

‘I don’t know. If it’s right, then it’s right.’

This time, the calculation was accurate, so we moved on without any objections.

And as a result.

790,000 stones were deposited into my pocket.

Is the world really give and take?

Well, since it was easy, the money I earned was no different from last time.

‘Then let’s drink the return drink tomorrow, and everyone go home and rest today!’

‘Alright.’

As soon as the distribution was over, we disbanded and headed to our lodgings.

But what is this?

Today, this room feels dirty and cramped.

It feels like just yesterday that I was happy that the room had gotten bigger and had windows.

Thud.

Even after washing up and lying in bed, it doesn’t feel real.

I always felt alive in this moment, but not today.

Suddenly, I had a thought.

At this rate, how long would it take to move to a place like that inn room?

‘……And my growth has almost stopped recently.’

The more peaceful the time, the greater the anxiety that takes root within me.

Therefore, I forced a smile.

‘…Even I think I’m spoiled.’

The first day I opened my eyes in this body.

I made plans for at least a few years, maybe even a lifetime. But due to a series of coincidences, I was able to advance my timeline by at least 2 or 3 years.

Let’s not be impatient.

Things are going well enough.

So—

‘Damn it, what am I thinking?’

I slapped my cheek hard.

Slap-!

Things are going well?

The better things go, the more dangerous the situation is.

There’s no way that only good days will continue in my life.

Don’t forget.

Bad things always happen when you’re careless.

‘Evil Spirit Hunter? Guild? Mozlan? Noble? Who is it this time? Or is it okay until I enter the labyrinth?’

I tightened the loose screws, recalling the experiences that were etched into my mind like trauma.

‘No, that can’t be.’

I can’t stop.

I have to keep getting stronger.

That’s the only way to survive.

If anyone saw me, they might think I was a paranoid patient…

But in fact, I haven’t changed at all since the first day.

‘Always think of the worst.’

If I have to be a madman anyway, I want to be a madman who survives.

***

「Bjorn Yandel」

Level: 4 (New+1)

Physique: 386.1 (New +56) / Spirit: 198.3 / Ability: 302.4 (New +10)

Item Level: 967

Overall Combat Power: 1128.55 (New +10)

Acquired Essence: Corpse Golem – Rank 7, Vampire (Guardian) – Rank 5, Orc Hero – Rank 5

***

‘Bjorn? Did something bad happen?’

‘No. But why did you think that?’

‘Your eyes looked a little fierce…’

That’s what Misha said as soon as I met her the next day.

So, I decided to loosen the screws a little, just a little. I need that much space in my brain to make rational decisions—

‘Do you want me to let you touch my ears?’

‘…What?’

For a moment, I wondered if I had really gone crazy and misheard, but I hadn’t.

‘Um… my older brother said that he felt good when he touched my ears. It was a long time ago, though…’

What? That rude bastard said that?

I can’t imagine it, even if it was a long time ago.

‘Ah, I’m talking about my older brother! My older brother is still nice to me…’

Whether he was nice or not.

What kind of perverted bastard is that?

That’s why the family environment is important when you’re young. Look at her, her eyes are just purely offering kindness. She probably doesn’t even know what’s wrong.

‘Misha, don’t say that to just anyone. They might misunderstand your intentions and get strange ideas.’

Maybe if I didn’t know that Misha’s type was skinny men, I might have misunderstood what she just said.

Such foolish thoughts, like maybe she’s trying to seduce me.

‘But you’re not just anyone, are you?’

Oh, the backtalk.

‘Just say you understand.’

‘…Okay. Anyway, if you don’t like that, should I grill some meat for you?’

‘…If you would, I’d be grateful.’

That’s how breakfast was decided to be grilled pork.

Even if I buy it myself, meat is quite expensive for one meal…

I made a rational decision.

If eating this meat makes me grow even a little taller, it wouldn’t be a loss.

‘Eat slowly! Let me have some too!!’

‘……Didn’t you say you didn’t like meat?’

‘You barbarian with no delicacy!!’

Anyway, despite the minor incident during the meal.

Now that I was full, I started the day in earnest.

I was supposed to meet the others in the evening…

‘I’ll go out for a bit.’

‘Oh, then can I take a break today?’

‘If you’re bored, swing your sword. I saw you drop your sword last time, so it seems like you still lack proficiency.’

‘That was! Just because I didn’t have enough strength!!’

‘Then you need to exercise.’

‘You muscle idiot!!’

Anyway, I left Misha behind.

‘Have a good trip! And come back late if you can!’

Well, it doesn’t seem like she’ll really spend her time training like I told her to…

But that’s her choice.

Step, step.

Soon, I arrived at my destination, walking diligently with my sturdy legs.

The place I always go to when I have time.

That is, the library.

‘It seems like nothing special happened.’

Now that we know each other’s names and have had some interactions, Ragna greets me as soon as I arrive.

Of course, it’s not like we’re that close.

‘As you can see, nothing happened. How have you been?’

‘Of course, I’m fine.’

‘Then I’ll ask for your help again today.’

Just as I was about to receive the [Advanced Book Detection] magic after a simple greeting.

Ragna hesitated for some reason.

She doesn’t know it, but it’s her habit when she has something to say.

‘If you have something to say, just say it.’

‘……How do you know?’

‘Your eyes just look like it.’

Ragna’s prideful eyes at my honest answer. She seems quite upset to hear that from a barbarian.

However, she is an intellectual who values reason, so she went straight to the point without any unnecessary words.

‘I’ll say this in advance, but it’s not certain information. But since you’re an explorer, I thought I should warn you.’

‘A warning?’

That was a completely unexpected word.

But suddenly, I became alert.

Even though she said it wasn’t certain, given her personality, it wouldn’t be a frivolous statement.

‘What is it? Tell me quickly.’

At my urging, Ragna cautiously opened her mouth.

‘There might be a dimensional collapse in the labyrinth in the near future.’

As soon as I heard that, I had a reasonable suspicion.

Dimensional collapse.

A real ‘disaster’ in the labyrinth that can’t even be compared to a floor lord.

‘I wondered why it’s been so quiet lately…’

Could it be that this is about to happen?