Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 100



Episode 100: Rumors (2)

The day of the regular meeting.

For the first time in a while all party members had a meeting at a bar.

It wasn’t the bar we usually gather at.

That’s because the dwarf was disgusted.

[Go somewhere else! It’s clear that the ground isn’t good there!]

He must have felt uncomfortable because this was the place where he was suddenly arrested by the Mozlans for insulting a nobleman.

Both Misha and Rotmiller said that they were right.

Because explorers tend to be superstitious.

‘It’s not like I don’t understand…’

Since this is a profession where bad luck can lead to disaster it is not strange that people react sensitively to this type of thing.

but….

‘But isn’t this a bit harsh?’

I sighed.

It’s probably a good thing that we changed the drinking place.

It’s annoying but that choice doesn’t affect reality.

Unlike the bombshell the dwarf made a little while ago.

“…Why aren’t you saying anything?”

As I sighed silently the dwarf started squirming and looking at me.

Yes that much conscience remains.

“Wait a moment. Are you thinking about it?”

“I guess so.”

The heavy silence that flows during a drinking party.

I quietly gathered my thoughts.

“To sum it up you guys are not going on an expedition this time.”

There are ten days left until the labyrinth opens.

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At the last gathering to review the plan the dwarf announced that he would not participate in the expedition.

For your information he was not alone in his opinion.

Perhaps because they had discussed it beforehand Rottmiller and Dwalki were of the same opinion.

“Hehehe! “Once there’s smoke there’s no saying there’s fire.”

“As the matter is a serious matter I decided it would be right to take a break for about a month and observe the situation.”

This is not a group boycott.

In a team of 5 people 3 people declared their absence.

The reason is simple.

They must have become anxious because the rumor that there will soon be a dimensional collapse has spread so much.

Because that’s what human psychology is like.

Even if you think it is not possible based on logical grounds the surrounding atmosphere makes it easy to be swayed.

“All my former colleagues said they would not go in this time.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to just rest? If it were you next year’s taxes wouldn’t be a problem….”

“If by any chance it really explodes wouldn’t that be the end of it?”

At first the trio spoke as if they were sorry but now they actually worry about me.

“…What are you going to do Bjorn?”

Misha carefully asks about my doctor.

In fact it wasn’t difficult to convince her.

If she spends time persuading the guys by letting them know what she learned from Ghostbusters they will change their minds.

but….

‘There’s no need to do that.’

If you think about it it’s not bad.

It’s already been more than three months since I visited the ‘Blood Fortress’.

‘It’s better. I was planning to enter the labyrinth separately sooner or later giving a reason.’

In the beginning the rule is to clear the first floor crack whenever cooldown occurs.

“If that’s what you guys think I can’t help it. “Then this time we’ll go in alone.”

“Eh? “Me too?”

“So you were planning on sending me alone?”

“Uh that’s not true….”

No it’s not like that.

Just by looking at him he looks like he doesn’t want to go.

“If you’re that worried just leave it alone—.”

“Ugh you barbarian! Isn’t it better to do the right thing first? “I tried speaking a little more nicely than usual!”

beautifully?

hmm….

“…Would you please come with me?”

“Tsk then are you going to send me alone?”

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I don’t know what to do…

“Anyway that’s enough.”

The decision has been made.

This time it goes into the crack.

***

“Extra! “Extra-extra!”

Coincidentally the day after the dwarf declared his absence an official notice was posted throughout the city.

It was an official document stating that the rumors related to dimensional collapse officially distributed by the royal family were in fact nothing more than groundless rumors.

‘It really is as he said.’

There was also talk about the Tarutein school in the official document.

Are you saying that they were blinded by the research and intentionally spread such rumors?

It was a little surprising.

Although this information was purchased for 40000 GP I never thought it could predict the situation so accurately.

“Hahaha! Bjorn! “Did you see that?”

Anyway when evening came the dwarf found me.

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

But what should I do with this?

I’ve already decided which crack to enter.

“what? Let’s go in together? “I can’t do that because I’ve already received the request!”

“huh? “A request?”

I recited the answer I had prepared.

It was clear that even if Misha and I hunted together we wouldn’t make much.

That’s why I received the request.

Since it is an escort request within the labyrinth I have to protect him by his side until he returns to the city.

“Could it be… that you can’t just say you won’t do it?”

“I already received the advance payment so are you breaking your promise?”

“That’s not it…”

A perfect answer with no room for negotiation.

At this the dwarf had no choice but to lower his shoulders and go back.

So what are you going to say here?

The cause of this incident ultimately lies in my declaration of non-attendance.

‘Wow seeing him do that makes me feel sorry for him again.’

If it weren’t for this time Misha and I would have eventually made an excuse and escaped.

Because the five of us can’t enter the crack.

Aside from the fact that there is more to share the risks that must be taken also increase.

‘But I guess this is right.’

I worked hard to erase my regrets.

You wouldn’t know it with Misha who has built a relationship of trust beyond just being a colleague. Opening the ‘hidden piece’ to the other trio is a foolish act.

thud.

Soon after the dwarf left and the door closed Misha came rushing over.

“A request for escort? “When did you get that?”

“Never mind. “It’s just a rough guess.”

“You’re talking around?”

Misha tilts her head as if she doesn’t understand.

I confessed honestly.

I’m going to go into the rift on my next expedition.

There is a method that most people don’t know about.

“Surely you found that out at the library?”

“Something like that.”

“Hmm… But why are you keeping it a secret from Hikurod? “Isn’t it good if we go in together?”

A question that sounds so innocent.

I smiled and asked back.

“Have you ever told anyone about the contract you made with the spirit beast with Misha Frost Spirit Ring?”

“huh? “You didn’t do it?”

“Really to no one?”

“You told me to keep it a secret.”

“I did.”

I nodded and continued speaking.

“But what do you think it would have been like if it had been Hikurod? “Do you think you would have followed through if I had asked you the same thing?”

Misha thought for a moment and shook her head.

“…If it’s Hikuro I don’t think it would be strange if he drinks and makes a fuss here and there.”

“What if it’s Dwalki or Rotmiller?”

“Hmm… I think Dwalki would have made a mistake even if he was sober and Rotmiller… I’m not sure.”

Are all people’s eyes similar?

Surprisingly Misha’s prediction was almost identical to what I had thought in my head.

Except Rottmiller.

‘Actually that guy is the easiest to understand.’

Rotmiller would have kept it a secret.

And I must have wondered to myself how I knew such information and felt suspicious to myself.

“ah! That’s why I kept it a secret!”

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

But did another question arise?

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

There are several reasons.

Misha is surprisingly meticulous and has a heavy mouth.

She is inherently incapable of lying on such topics.

So she can check in real time whether the secret has been spread or not just by asking like she just did.

but….

One word will suffice this time too.

Because I am a barbarian.

“You are a trustworthy person.”

“…Hi!”

Misha started hiccupping.

***

8 days until the labyrinth opens.

This time she passed quickly as she was still doing what she had to do.

To summarize briefly…

first night.

As the destination was a crack there were quite a few things to prepare.

First of all equipment.

[Buying more equipment?]

[It’s not a purchase it’s an enchantment.]

I gave attributes to my mace and Misha’s dual swords.

“The energy of lightning permeates the equipment.”

「A portion of the damage inflicted by this equipment is converted to lightning attribute.」

The total cost was 600000 stones.

It was a limited-time enchantment that only lasted for 30 days but since the two of us were trying to clear the rift it was not a waste of investment.

[If you were going to do it anyway shouldn’t it have been granted permanently?]

[If it were it would be twenty times more expensive.]

[….]

I also bought some consumables.

Items related to lightning properties such as thunderbolt lightning scrolls.

In total it was only about 300000 stones but since it was not a product in high demand I had to go around selling it.

Ah finally again.

[…Are you really buying this expensive thing?]

[I bought an expandable backpack so what are you doing with something like this?]

[But isn’t this a consumable item? If you use it it disappears!]

After careful consideration I bought a bottle of the highest quality potion.

The purchase price was 1.03 million stones.

However the highest quality potion could not be said to be an investment for cracking. It’s just that I’ve been meaning to stock up on a bottle for a long time.

For an explorer wandering around without a priest a top-quality potion is like another life.

[When you actually have to use it you won’t think it’s a waste of money.]

[Well that’s the case…]

[Since the two of us are paying anyway it’s not too much of a burden right?]

For reference the total cost of about 2 million stones up to this point was drawn from the public account.

[Ugh so you’re done spending money now?]

[For now you are done.]

[…?]

Second day.

Starting from that morning we headed to the holy place.

This time too the tribal leader welcomed us.

[Bjorn son of Yandel! I heard about you! How proud you are! I got a new cool nickname Knight Crusher!]

Unlike the last time which was brief the tribal leader praised me for a long time.

Are you saying that rumors about me have already spread in the Holy Land and the young warriors are excited?

Anyway it was a meaningless time so I gave a cursory answer and headed to the shaman’s tent.

and….

[Kkeukkeuk warrior you are resourceful. I can’t believe I made that much money in just two months.]

He paid a whopping 4 million stones to activate the 4th stage of immortal imprinting.

「Immortal imprint level 4 has been activated. Mental strength and soul power increase.”

“Spirit level increases by +30.”

「The ability value increases by +10.」

This time I got involved with the Baron and lost all my money…

In the end it was a good business.

Let alone ‘mental strength’ which gives a strong resistance bonus to mental magic or status abnormalities.

It is safe to say that there is no way to increase ‘soul power’ which acts as MP except for leveling up and some essences.

Third day.

I returned to my dorm almost half-asleep passed out and checked my MP changes as soon as I woke up.

[Giantization] Maintenance time has increased by 1.5 times.

[Why are you out this morning like that? Come and wash up. Let’s eat first.]

Since Misha arrived just then she ate a simple breakfast.

It’s been a daily routine every morning for some time.

[Going to the library? Can I go with you?]

[you…?]

[What is that expression! Sometimes I want to read books too!]

After eating she went to the library with Misha.

But why?

[Parsitiev.]

Ragna used the general [Book Detection] magic.

[Special book detection] Not magic.

I thought that was strange so I asked and got an even stranger answer.

First of all since it is being done ‘specially’ secretly you cannot write it in front of others?

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

[That’s true too. Did you say Mr. Karlstein? I hope you will forget what you just heard.]

what?

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

Fourth day.

Visited the Magic Tower and helped Raven with her research.

Please note that this was our last cooperation.

That’s because I’ve completed all the times.

From now on there is no need to come here every week.

[Thank you for your hard work.]

[Thank you for noticing.]

[That’s really true… Anyway don’t die.]

As it was a business relationship the goodbye was short.

However contrary to expectations Raven did not retrieve my Magic Tower pass.

[If something happens come back. Oh that doesn’t mean you have to come and bother me all the time… You know what I mean right? Mr. Yandel seems to often get involved in unusual things. I think I’d be curious about your current situation as well.]

[I get it.]

For your information I ran into an old man on the way out but he surprisingly showed no interest in me.

It’s not anger or emptiness…

It was truly complete indifference.

Only then did I realize one thing.

This old man suspected me of being an evil spirit from the first time I met him.

So he was pretending to be friendly for no reason at that time.

Fifth day sixth day seventh day.

From then on the days continued as usual.

In the morning he ate with Misha during the day he practiced sparring with Misha and in the evening he went to the library and read a book for a while.

Time has passed and it is now.

“Everyone step back!”

The time I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived.

Ssaaaaaa-!

A dimensional plaza where numerous explorers are located.

A dazzling brilliance began to explode from its center.

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

“Behel—laaaaa!!”

As soon as the city and the labyrinth were connected a group of barbarians in close range ran into the portal.

You even know how to say thank you.

Why are we barbarians so polite?

“Hahaha! “I’m so envious of my friends for having a good senior like you.”

“I just showed you the way.”

“It’s embarrassing.”

For your information there is currently a dwarf and Rotmiller Dwarki next to me. Since they can’t just waste a month it looks like three people are going to join in.

“Be careful. “If someone acts kindly I am always suspicious of that person.”

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

…It’s similar actually.

Well since I have Rotmiller I guess I can take care of it.

Since we’ll only be on the second floor this time there won’t be much danger for the three of us.

“Then we should sneak in and see… You guys aren’t going in?”

“Ah the client hasn’t arrived yet.”

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

Anyway after a brief greeting the three entered the labyrinth first. However I stayed where I was and watched in vain as people left.

Misha asked curiously.

“Bjorn are we not going in?”

“Just wait and see.”

“huh? until when?”

Oh well… this is why they are newbies.

If you just have to wait you will wait.

“You have entered the crystal cave on the first floor.”

So the experience points are copied?

***

「Bjorn Yandel」

Level: 4 (New +1)

Physical: 330 / Spirit: 154 (+30) / Ability: 128 (New +13)

Item Level: 828

Total Combat Index: 865 (New +43)

Essence obtained: Corpse Golem – Rank 7 / Vampire (B) – Rank 5 / Orc Hero – Rank 5