Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 99

Rumors (2)

The day of the regular meeting.

For the first time in a while, all the party members gathered at the pub.

It wasn’t the usual pub we frequented.

Well, the dwarf was vehemently against it.

[Let’s go somewhere else! That place clearly has bad energy!]

It seemed he was uncomfortable because that was where he was suddenly arrested by the Mozlans [a local law enforcement group] for insulting a noble.

Misha and Rotmiller also agreed.

Explorers tend to be superstitious.

‘Well, I can’t say I don’t understand…’

It’s a profession where you die if you have bad ‘luck,’ so it’s not strange to be sensitive to this kind of thing.

But…

‘Still, isn’t this a bit much?’

I sighed.

Changing the venue for the drinking party was fine.

It was annoying, but it wasn’t like that choice would affect reality.

Unlike the bombshell the dwarf dropped a little while ago.

“…Why are you so quiet?”

When I sighed without saying anything, the dwarf started fidgeting and looking at me.

Okay, so he still has some conscience left.

“Wait a second. I’m thinking.”

“Y-yes, I will.”

A heavy silence fell over the drinking party.

I quietly organized my thoughts.

“So, to summarize, you guys aren’t going on the expedition this time.”

With ten days left until the labyrinth opens.

At the meeting to check the final plans, the dwarf declared that he wouldn’t participate in the expedition.

And it wasn’t just his opinion.

Whether they had talked about it beforehand, Rotmiller and Dwalki had the same opinion.

“Kuh-hum! If there’s smoke, there’s fire, they say.”

“Considering the situation, I think it’s right to take a month off and watch the situation.”

This is like a group boycott.

In a team of only five, three people declared their non-participation.

The reason is simple.

The rumors that there would be a dimensional collapse soon had spread so much that they became anxious.

That’s how people’s minds work.

Even if you think it’s not true based on logical grounds, you easily get swept away if the surrounding atmosphere is like that.

“All the colleagues we used to work with said they wouldn’t go in this time.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to just rest too? With your wealth, next year’s taxes shouldn’t be a problem…”

“If, by any chance, it really happens, that’s the end of it!”

The trio, who initially spoke apologetically, were now even worrying about me.

“…Bjorn, what are you going to do?”

Misha cautiously asked for my opinion.

Actually, it wasn’t difficult to persuade them.

I could subtly leak the information I got from the Ghost Busters [a group of information brokers] and persuade them over time, and they would change their minds.

But…

‘There’s no need to do that.’

Thinking about it, it’s not bad.

‘It’s been over three months since I went to the Crimson Citadel.’

‘It’s better this way. I was planning to go into the labyrinth separately soon anyway, with some excuse.’

In the early stages, it’s standard to clear the first floor rifts every time the cooldown is up.

“If that’s what you guys think, then there’s nothing I can do. Then, the two of us will go in this time.”

“Huh? M-me too?”

“Did you think I was going to send you alone?”

“W-well, that’s not it…”

What do you mean, ‘that’s not it’?

It’s obvious you don’t want to go.

“If you’re so worried, just go alone—”

“Ugh, you barbarian! Shouldn’t you at least ask properly first? Try speaking a little more nicely than usual!”

Nicely?

Um…

“…Would you go with me?”

“Tsk, would I send you alone then?”

Well, I don’t know what to do…

“Anyway, that’s settled then.”

The decision was made.

This time, I’m going into the rift.

***

“Extra! Extra!”

Coincidentally, the very next day after the dwarf declared his non-participation, a public notice was posted throughout the city.

It was an official notice from the royal family, stating that the rumors about the dimensional collapse were nothing more than baseless fabrications.

‘It really turned out as that person said.’

The notice also mentioned the Tarutein School [a research institution].

It said that they were intentionally spreading such rumors because they were blinded by research?

I was a little surprised.

It was information I bought for 40,000 GP [Gold Pieces, a form of currency], but to predict the situation this accurately.

“Hahaha! Bjorn! Did you see that?”

Anyway, in the evening, the dwarf came looking for me.

And with a happy face, he retracted his declaration from yesterday, saying that he could now enter the labyrinth.

But what should I do?

I’ve already decided which rift to enter.

“What? Go together? I’ve already taken a request, so I can’t do that!”

“Huh? A request?”

I recited the answer I had prepared.

That hunting with just Misha wouldn’t earn much.

So I took a request.

That it was a protection request within the labyrinth, so I had to stay by their side until I returned to the city.

“Could you… not do it?”

“I’ve already received the advance payment, are you telling me to break the promise?”

“W-well, that’s not it…”

A perfect answer with no room for negotiation.

At this, the dwarf could only lower his shoulders and return.

What could he say here?

The cause of this incident was ultimately his own declaration of non-participation.

‘Tsk, seeing him like that makes me feel sorry for him again.’

Even if it wasn’t this time, I would have eventually made an excuse and left with Misha.

There’s no way five people can enter a rift.

Aside from the fact that there would be more to share, the risk to bear would increase.

‘Still, this must be the right thing to do.’

I tried to shake off my lingering feelings.

It would be foolish to reveal the ‘hidden piece’ to the other three, except for Misha, with whom I’ve built a relationship of trust beyond just being colleagues.

Thump.

Soon, after the dwarf left and the door closed, Misha came running.

“A protection request? When did you get that?”

“Don’t worry about it. I just made it up.”

“Made it up?”

Misha tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

I told her honestly.

That I would go into the rift on the next expedition.

That there was a method that ordinary people didn’t know.

“Could it be that you found that out at the library too?”

“Well, something like that.”

“Hmm… but why keep it a secret from Hikurod? Wouldn’t it be better to go together?”

A question that sounded so pure.

I chuckled and asked back.

“Misha, have you ever told anyone about the time you made a contract with the soul using the Frost Spirit Ring?”

“Huh? I didn’t?”

“Really, not to anyone?”

“You told me to keep it a secret.”

“That’s right.”

I nodded and continued.

“But what if it was Hikurod? If I asked the same thing, do you think he would have kept it well?”

Misha thought for a moment and then shook her head.

“…If it was Hikurod, it wouldn’t be strange if he blabbed it everywhere while drunk.”

“What about Dwalki or Rotmiller?”

“Hmm… somehow, I think Dwalki would make a slip of the tongue even when sober, and Rotmiller… I’m not sure.”

Do people see things similarly?

Misha’s predictions were surprisingly almost identical to what I had been thinking.

Except for Rotmiller.

‘Actually, that old man is the easiest to figure out.’

Rotmiller would have kept the secret.

And he would have wondered how I knew such information, suspecting me internally.

“Ah! So that’s why you kept it a secret!”

Anyway, at this point, Misha seemed to understand what I was trying to say.

However, did another question arise?

“Then what about me? Why are you telling me?”

There are several reasons.

Misha is surprisingly meticulous and tight-lipped.

And yet, she is naturally unable to lie.

So, just by asking like this, I can check in real-time whether the secret has been spread or not.

But…

This time too, one word will be enough.

Because I’m a barbarian.

“You are someone I can trust.”

“…Hiccup!”

Misha started hiccuping.

***

Eight days until the labyrinth opens.

As always, time passed quickly as I did what I had to do.

To summarize briefly…

First day.

Since the destination was a rift, there were quite a few things to prepare.

First, equipment.

[You’re buying equipment again?]

[I’m not buying it, I’m enchanting it.]

I imbued my mace and Misha’s twin swords with attributes.

「The energy of lightning permeates the equipment.」

「A portion of the damage dealt by the equipment is converted into lightning attribute.」

The cost was a total of 600,000 stones [a form of currency].

It was a temporary enchantment that only lasted for 30 days, but since we were going to clear the rift together, this much investment was not a waste.

[If you were going to do it anyway, why didn’t you make it permanent?]

[That would have been twenty times more expensive.]

[……]

And I also bought some consumables.

Thunder grass, lightning scrolls, and other items related to the lightning attribute.

It only cost about 300,000 stones in total, but since they weren’t in high demand, I had to go around to various places to find them.

Ah, and lastly, again.

[…Are you really buying this expensive thing?]

[You bought an expansion backpack, why are you making a fuss about this?]

[But this is a consumable! It disappears when you use it!]

After much deliberation, I also bought a top-grade potion.

The purchase price was 1,030,000 stones.

However, the top-grade potion couldn’t be considered an investment for the rift. It was just something I had wanted to keep in stock for a long time, and I finally splurged on it.

For an explorer who travels without a priest, a top-grade potion is like another life.

[When the time comes to use it, you won’t think the money is a waste.]

[Hmm, that’s true…]

[Since we’re both paying for it, it shouldn’t be too much of a burden, right?]

For reference, the cost of about 2 million stones spent so far was all drawn from the shared account.

[Ugh, so is this the end of spending money?]

[For you, it’s the end for now.]

[……?]

Second day.

I headed to the sacred site first thing in the morning.

As before, the chieftain welcomed me.

[Bjorn, son of Yandel! I’ve heard the rumors about you! You’re truly admirable! To have gained a cool new title, the Knight Destroyer!]

Unlike the last time, when we passed by briefly, the chieftain praised me for a long time.

Rumors about me had already spread throughout the sacred site, and the young warriors were all fired up?

Anyway, it was a meaningless time, so I answered vaguely and headed to the shaman’s tent.

And…

[Hehehe, warrior, you’re quite resourceful. To earn that much money in just two months.]

I paid a whopping 4 million stones to activate the 4th stage of the Undying Mark.

「The 4th stage of the Undying Mark has been activated.」

「Mental strength and soul power slightly increase.」

「Mental stat increases by +40.」

「Ability stat increases by +40.」

This time, the big sum I earned from getting involved with the baron was completely gone…

But in the end, it was still a good deal.

Aside from ‘mental strength,’ which gives a strong resistance bonus to mental magic or status ailments.

‘Soul power,’ which acts as MP [Mana Points], is practically impossible to increase except through leveling up and a few essences.

Third day.

I returned to the lodging almost half-dead and passed out, and as soon as I woke up, I checked the MP changes.

The duration of [Giantification] increased by 1.5 times.

[Why are you out here from the morning? Go wash up quickly. Let’s have breakfast first.]

Misha arrived just in time, so we had a simple breakfast.

It was a daily routine that had been happening every morning since some time ago.

[You’re going to the library? Can I come with you?]

[You…?]

[What’s with that look! I also want to read a book sometimes!]

After finishing the meal, I went to the library with Misha.

But why?

[Parsityev.]

Lagna used a regular [Book Detection] magic.

Not a [Special Book Detection] magic.

When I asked him why it was strange, he gave an even stranger answer.

That it was something he was doing ‘specially’ in secret, so he couldn’t use it in front of others?

[Well, if that’s the case, shouldn’t you just tell me quietly?]

[That’s true. Did you say your name was Karlstein? Please forget what you just heard.]

What is it?

I didn’t want to think about it, so I just took Misha inside and read a book.

Fourth day.

I visited the magic tower and helped Raven with his research.

For reference, this was the last cooperation.

Because I had completed all the sessions.

Now, I don’t need to come here every week.

[Thank you for your hard work.]

[I’m glad you recognize it.]

[Geez, you really talk… Anyway, don’t die.]

Since it was a business relationship, the farewell was short.

However, contrary to expectations, Raven did not take back my magic tower pass.

[Come if something happens. Ah, I don’t mean come and bother me all the time… you know what I mean, right? Mr. Yandel seems to get involved in unusual things often. I guess I’d be curious about your recent situation.]

[Okay.]

For reference, I also ran into the old man on the way out, but he showed a surprising lack of interest in me.

Not out of anger or emptiness…

It was truly complete indifference.

Only then did I realize one thing.

This old man had been suspecting me of being an evil spirit from our first meeting.

That’s why he acted friendly back then.

Fifth, sixth, and seventh days.

After that, days like everyday life continued.

In the morning, I ate with Misha, in the afternoon, I sparred with Misha and trained, and in the evening, I went to the library and read a book for a while.

And so, time flowed, and now.

“Everyone, step back!”

The time I had been waiting for had finally arrived.

Swoosh-!

The dimensional plaza, filled with numerous explorers.

The dazzling light that began to burst out from the center.

“Bjorn, son of Yandel! Thank you for the advice you gave me today! I’ll go in first!!”

“Behel—raaaaaaa!!”

As soon as the city and the labyrinth were connected, a group of barbarians nearby rushed into the portal.

To even say thank you.

Why are our barbarians so polite?

“Hahaha! To have such a good senior like you, they’re truly enviable friends.”

“I just showed them the way.”

“Geez, you’re being shy.”

For reference, the dwarf, Rotmiller, and Dwalki are currently next to me. They couldn’t just waste a month, so it seems they’re going in as a trio.

“Be careful. If someone acts friendly, be sure to suspect them.”

“Hahaha! Do you think I look like those young barbarians?”

…You’re similar, actually.

Well, Rotmiller is there, so they’ll manage on their own.

They’re only going to be on the second floor this time, so there shouldn’t be anything too dangerous for the three of them.

“Then we should go in soon… Aren’t you guys going in?”

“Ah, we haven’t had our client arrive yet.”

“I see. Then, see you tomorrow… no, later!”

Anyway, after a short greeting, the three of them entered the labyrinth first. However, I remained in place, endlessly watching the people leave.

Misha asked, puzzled.

“Bjorn, aren’t we going in?”

“Wait a bit.”

“Huh? Until when?”

Ah, geez… that’s why newbies are like this.

If I tell you to wait, just wait.

「You have entered the 1st floor Crystal Cave.」

Because then the experience points get copied, you know?

***

「Bjorn Yandel」

Level: 4

Physical: 386.1 / Mental: 238.3(+40) / Ability: 342.4(New +40)

Item Level: 967

Total Combat Power: 1208.55 (New +80)

Acquired Essences: Corpse Golem – Rank 7 / Vampire(B) – Rank 5 / Orc Hero – Rank 5