Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 97

Unfortunately, the opponent I faced in the semi-finals wasn’t the last of the Knight Trio.

Well, the other one had lost in the second round.

For some reason, he seemed to have thrown the match on purpose.

‘In the end, I couldn’t give any of them a proper beatdown.’

Anyway, since there was no need to aim for the head, I smashed his sword with my double-edged axe as soon as the duel started.

But perhaps he didn’t want to lose to a barbarian?

“Ah, not yet!”

Even after losing his sword, the opponent showed his will to continue the duel with his bare hands. So, I also threw away my axe, rushed in, and broke his spine.

“T-the winner is Bjorn Yandel of the Martoang Barony!”

It was a bloodless victory, but the crowd’s reaction wasn’t bad.

“Waaaaaa!!”

“Knight Crusher, Bjorn, son of Little Vulcan Yandel!!”

It seemed that the sight of a person being folded in half was quite stimulating for them as well.

The baron’s reaction wasn’t much different.

As soon as I returned to the barracks, the baron’s eyes widened as he asked me a question.

“Hey, do you know that was spine-chilling? To throw a person in the air and then catch them with your knee, where did you learn such a technique?”

Well, if I had to answer, I saw it in a comic book a long time ago.

But I only found out today that this was physically possible.

There really is nothing impossible for a barbarian.

“I’ll rest a bit until the next match.”

“Huh? Ah, right.”

After getting permission from the baron, I closed my eyes for a moment.

It’s not that I was sleepy or anything…

‘Is there only one more left?’

With the goal in sight, my heart started to pound.

***

The long-awaited final match began.

“Sir Albatross of the Perdehilt County and Bjorn Yandel of the Martoang Barony, please take your positions!”

The opponent was a trainee knight under Count Perdehilt, the host of the banquet and the one who had encouraged me to participate in the tournament…

I wasn’t too worried about the duel itself, though I didn’t know what would happen afterward.

After all, I had finished analyzing my opponent while watching the previous matches.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The huge knight, holding a massive greatsword, greeted me briefly.

Looking at him, I chuckled.

‘I think I know what kind of personality the count has.’

Knights are different from explorers.

For them, essence [magical power source] is just a means to support swordsmanship. Therefore, they mostly choose essences related to physical stats, but the combinations of essences varied from family to family.

After systematic research, a few efficient combinations became the norm…

But characters always have a ‘concept’.

‘An Orc Warlord, a Giant Golem, and a Cyclops, huh…’

The opponent was a typical strength knight.

Perhaps because he had a priest in mind, he focused more on physical resistance than regeneration, and he had a full set of 2nd-tier lythium armor [a type of magical metal], using his high level of strength.

He was practically a walking tank.

‘He’s spent a fortune on a trainee knight.’

While guessing the count’s tastes, I was once again surprised by his wealth.

One 7th grade and two 6th grade [referring to the quality of the essences].

He must have bought and fed him essences from test tubes, but how much did that cost?

‘Adding in the equipment, he’s practically far beyond a 3rd-floor explorer.’

It suddenly occurred to me that the count might not have even considered my chances of winning.

That’s how outstanding this guy’s level was.

Most of the participants were level 2, and their essences were only 7th grade.

“Where did you leave your equipment and why are you bare-handed?”

Anyway, just before the duel started, when our weapons were facing each other, my opponent asked me a question.

He seemed puzzled by the fact that I had only come up with an axe, unlike the previous duels.

I answered briefly.

“It’s uncomfortable.”

It wasn’t just an insult, it was the truth.

Heavy plate boots, an overly designed helmet, belt, shoulder pads, and so on. It’s one thing to not expect much defense, but they shouldn’t hinder movement.

“I see. Well, it would be difficult to fight as usual while wearing those.”

Fortunately, my opponent didn’t misinterpret my words.

But that was all.

“I was worried it would end too easily, but I’m relieved that you seem to be taking this seriously.”

That relaxed expression and tone of voice must be an expression of confidence that he would win no matter what I did.

I didn’t feel the need to continue the conversation.

“Good for you then.”

If the opponent was careless, it would be a welcome thing.

Swoosh.

We separated our weapons and created some distance.

The opponent did the same.

When the distance between us was about 15 meters, the referee raised the flag.

It meant that we were now allowed to attack each other.

“Come.”

The opponent took a stance and flicked his sword.

Looking at him, I felt like I could see the scenario he was hoping for in my head.

A barbarian who had shown overwhelming power to the point of earning the new title of ‘Knight Crusher’.

A true knight who would win elegantly and nobly against such a barbarian.

The cheers of the crowd and the recognition of his lord.

A rosy future unfolding like a paved road.

Heh.

I could feel how easily this guy had lived his life.

Whether my guess was right or not.

If you want something, you have to be more desperate.

You should always consider the opposite, not just how well things can go when they go well.

‘Still, seeing him being so careless, I’m glad I kept it hidden until the end.’

The tournament hosted by the count.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”

For the first time, I used that combo.

***

[The character has activated [Gigantification].]

[The character’s physique has increased, and threat and physical stats increase in proportion to size.]

[The character has used [Wild Outburst].]

[The character’s threat level temporarily increases by 3 times, and physical stats increase in proportion to that level.]

***

[Gigantification] and [Wild Outburst].

Using these two skills together dramatically increases threat level. And in proportion to that, physical stats also increase exponentially.

[Wild Outburst] has the disadvantage of only lasting for 30 seconds…

So what?

At least during that time, I can feel an insane high.

‘Well, I didn’t expect it to end so anticlimactically.’

Was it a side effect of the excessively increased threat level?

Regardless of competitiveness, the threat level worked regardless of the subject’s personality.

“U-uh, uh…”

The overwhelming sense of fear I was inflicting on my opponent.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Even though I was dashing with sounds like a large monster, the knight was stunned and couldn’t move.

Just as I was about to slam my axe down.

“H-hiik!”

The knight rolled on the ground to evade and started running away in a hurry.

But there was no way he could keep running away forever in this narrow arena.

Skillfully cornering him like in a boxing game, I reached out to grab him.

That was the moment.

“O-out of bounds!”

He ran completely out of the arena, and the final match ended without a proper fight.

‘Well, it’s good for me since it was easy…’

The crowd’s reaction was cold.

Fortunately, there were no criticisms directed at me, but the knight, who had shown a dishonorable act, was showered with sharp jeers.

“Ah, no, this was unintentional… I, I can do it again… if we do it again!”

He came back onto the arena, belatedly regaining his senses, but it was like touching the testicles of a dead child [a futile and awkward attempt].

“Are you trying to humiliate me further?”

He was demanding a reversal from the referee, but he hung his head at the count’s cold words.

“The winner is Bjorn Yandel of the Martoang Barony!”

Well, maybe I shouldn’t have used [Gigantification]?

I had that thought belatedly.

As a result, I won easily, but even I felt uncomfortable with this.

‘It seems like I’ve also upset the count…’

It was bad news for me, who was more worried about what would happen after the tournament than winning it.

I had hidden my full power until the end to eliminate even the slightest variable, but I never expected it to create such a variable.

‘Damn it, I never thought he would run out like that.’

Well, I hope he won’t retaliate because of this?

I was worried, but the count just laughed heartily as he came up to the stage and awarded me the necklace and trophy, the prizes for winning.

“Haha! Today’s events were very impressive.”

The count patted my arm, unable to reach my shoulder, encouraging me. I couldn’t tell if he really wasn’t holding a grudge or if he was just acting.

I was watching him with a doubtful look when the count whispered to me so that only I could hear.

“I’ll call you separately when you’re more prepared.”

“…Call me?”

“You don’t need to know the details. Until then, just ignore it if other nobles call for you. Understand?”

I didn’t understand what he was talking about, but I nodded.

Well, I had that much sense.

‘His eyes are so fierce…’

He looked like he would do something if I said no.

Anyway, the long banquet ended with the award ceremony. Well, there were many who wanted to stay and enjoy the party until dawn…

But not Baron Martoang.

“I’m tired. Let’s go back.”

I returned to the mansion with the same people who had come with me, and I got all my equipment back. And I was paid the promised fee.

“You’ve worked really hard today. For the next few months, your name and my family’s name will surely be the talk of the social circles. So, if you have any trouble, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

The baron seemed to like me quite a bit.

Even if it was just empty words, it seemed like he was saying that.

‘Well, he has a reason to be happy since I did this much.’

“Then, go now. I’m tired too. I’ve told them to prepare a carriage, so you can take that.”

“Thank you!”

I left the imperial capital of Karnon and returned to my lodgings in Lavigion, it was past 2 AM.

I was tired both physically and mentally after so many things had happened in one day…

‘Then, shall we begin?’

I sat at the table instead of the bed.

And I started the final settlement.

The initial promised fee of 1 million stones.

The tournament participation fee of 2 million stones.

The additional 1 million stones promised upon winning.

A reward of 300,000 stones for handing over the winning trophy to the baron.

‘A total of 4.3 million stones in cash.’

Is it because the client was a wealthy noble?

I had earned an enormous amount of money that was hard to believe was for a day’s work.

And this wasn’t the end.

Whatever the new nickname of Knight Crusher was.

‘I didn’t expect to get this so early on…’

The Necklace of No.7777 Garphas.

I had obtained an item that, if you were unlucky, you might not get even if you grinded hard in the late game.

Of course, it would cost a huge amount of money to awaken the hidden piece…

But there was no denying that it was an incredible stroke of luck.

Therefore, I reaffirmed my resolve.

‘How many luck stacks have I accumulated already?’

From now on, I really need to be careful even when breathing.

***

The morning after the banquet.

One question was answered.

At least half of it.

‘What are these letters…’

As soon as I woke up, letters started arriving non-stop. They were all sent by nobles.

Letters asking if I could attend their banquets.

By the way, the letters also included a promise to pay a ‘small reward’ for attending.

It was said to be small, but it was to the point where I could live off this for the rest of my life if I just did this…

‘So this is what the count was talking about.’

His words about calling me separately when I was ready were still ambiguous. But it was clear that he meant this when he told me to ignore the nobles’ calls.

‘Hah, how much is the loss?’

So, I wrote back with words of refusal to all of them.

After all, if I just ignored them without saying anything, the proud nobles might retaliate.

But if I attended, it seemed like I would incur the count’s wrath.

‘What is the count thinking?’

Honestly, I’m most afraid of that guy.

He had been treating me kindly, but these kinds of people tend to flip out once they get upset.

The fact that his intentions were unclear from the start was also unsettling.

Why would a count, of all people, be interested in a mere barbarian explorer?

‘Let’s investigate the count when the community opens next time.’

I engraved a new quest in my mind and quickly finished preparing to go out.

And I headed to the Magic Tower.

‘This month is the last of the regular research, too.’

The three months I had promised Raven were coming to an end.

Well, today’s visit wasn’t related to that.

“Oh, you’re here?”

When I arrived at Raven’s personal lab, she greeted me in a surprisingly normal state from the early morning.

“So, where is this senior who I’m supposed to help with research today?”

“Well, that’s…”

Raven trailed off.

It was just that, but I had a bad feeling.

That was the moment.

“It’s been a while.”

As if he had been waiting, a white-haired old man popped out from behind the door.

The master of the Artemion School.

Commonly known as ‘Old Man’.

“Hoo…”

There was no special explanation, but I understood the situation in an instant.

“I’m pretty sure you said ‘senior’ to me.”

“I’m sorry. My master was being so stubborn…”

Yeah, he forced the change.

When I glanced at him, the old man burst into a benevolent laugh.

“Hahaha, don’t be so nervous. It’s not a very grand experiment.”

That’s something I’ll only know after hearing it.

When I gave him a look to continue the explanation, the old man opened his mouth with a meaningful tone.

“It’s an experiment to see if we can distinguish the souls of evil spirits with the magic tool I made!”

No, you son of a bitch.

What is this again?