Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 132



Episode 132: Team play (2)

A portal that flickers like the Northern Lights of the North Sea.

A heavy silence falls in front of this.

Neither Misha nor the dwarf said anything and just stared.

She was that unfamiliar.

This is the facial expression that Rotmiller is making right now.

Crackling.

Rottmiller’s tightly closed mouth is trembling as if the expression is trembling.

It felt like I was seeing his bottom for the first time.

Something that must have been hidden in the deepest places through self-control and a righteous desire to improve.

Inferiority complex.

“…It’s not too late now.”

Soon Lot Miller broke the silence and opened his mouth.

“Three teams passed first. Even if the team is the most advanced the difference in time is only about 30 minutes. “If you follow along quickly you might be able to get ahead on the second floor.”

At first glance this sounds logical.

However if you look closely it is full of contradictions.

And the problem is that everyone nodded awkwardly even though they knew this.

“iced coffee! Then it will work. “I came so early but it was a little disappointing to just give up.”

“Ha ha ha ha! “So I guess I wasn’t the only one who had regrets?”

“…I also agree.”

Good guys.

It’s too obvious what these people are thinking to package it like that.

Rather than openly saying things you don’t like it would be better to just go along with it and suffer.

“Bjorn… what about you?”

All eyes are focused on me who has not yet expressed an opinion.

Ha it’s really annoying.

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Why do I always have to play this role?

I sighed inwardly but spoke in an angry voice.

“Do you all have a problem with your head?”

There was already a 30-minute difference on the first floor.

This means that the gap widens further on the second floor.

We’re almost out of stamina just by coming here.

“In this condition you are going to overtake those who passed by first? “Do you really think that will happen?”

The trio kept their mouths shut and avoided eye contact.

So I left them behind and stared at Rotmiller.

“This is the end of Brown Rottmiller’s deterrence.”

“….”

“If it’s on the first floor I’ll hang out with you anytime. But the second floor is too much for us. “Don’t think of putting your teammates in danger because of your stubbornness.”

Lot Miller pursed his lips in exasperation and I stared at him without saying another word.

It was some time later that the answer came.

“I’m sorry. I guess I lost my mind for a moment. “Forget what I just said.”

“I already forgot.”

Soon Rotmiller apologized and as I coolly brushed it off the trio let out the breath they had been holding.

Fortunately it seems like the situation was resolved well without any conflict…

‘It’s a pain in the ass.’

The problem is that nothing is over yet.

***

Explorer.

A position that exists to reduce travel time within a labyrinth where time reduction is key.

Combat power is lacking compared to other occupations but…

Their betrayal is always fatal.

Because it is the only position that allows cooperation with external forces.

‘The regional head knew that so he probably tried to placate Rotmiller first.’

The explorer leads the journey within the labyrinth.

In other words it is quite possible to pretend to give directions and lead us to a place where there is a trap prepared by the local leader.

‘…Maybe I should have just taken a break for this episode?’

Brown Rottmiller.

The reason I decided to trust him was because I knew what he was like on a regular basis.

He has a very stubborn personality.

Sincerity that stays away from chance and approaches hard work.

I thought that he would not get over it no matter what trick the regional head tried.

But how was Rotmiller today?

It was so foreign that it seemed like a different person.

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‘It’s probably because of that bastard who is the regional manager.’

Of course I think the possibility of betrayal is still low.

If this guy wasn’t stupid and really wanted to do that he would have acted like he always did.

However he needed to assume the worst and be careful.

‘…Let’s wait and see for now.’

Amid such anxiety exploration resumed.

However contrary to my worries Rotmiller showed his rational side as usual and led the group.

“I have entered the rocky desert on the second floor.”

I accurately found my way in the desert where my compass wasn’t working and found a portal to the third floor on the morning of the second day.

“I have entered the pilgrim’s path on the third floor.”

There wasn’t much difference on the 3rd floor where I arrived earlier than ever.

We went straight to the Witch’s Forest with minimal fighting and took a break at 10 PM to improve our biological rhythm.

It was the same at midnight when the third day began.

“Hahaha! “I don’t know why I didn’t watch this and just slept!”

“I guess it’s because I didn’t have anyone to share it with.”

“Dwalkie you just felt so emotional.”

We all woke up briefly and watched the third floor turn into silver light.

Should I say that it is Team Banpoon’s own tradition?

It’s not like anyone did it first but it was something we had always done like an unspoken promise since the first expedition.

“I have entered the 4th floor Tower of Heaven.”

Anyway the exploration proceeded without any problems and reached the 4th floor on the evening of the 7th day.

This made me relax too.

This means that there is no longer a need to be suspicious and wary of Rotmiller.

‘I guess it was really my luck.’

The 4th floor is an independent floor.

Once you enter after about 5 minutes it becomes a space where no explorer can enter.

I watched my back throughout the battle to see if anyone would enter but no explorers entered until the first floor was cleared.

“Bjorn! “Why are you thinking so hard?”

“Let’s go up quickly.”

Therefore I completely shook off my worries and focused on exploring.

Well not completely?

I can’t help it because this is my personality.

Because I believe that 100% does not exist in this world. It goes without saying that if you are on an expedition where there is nothing strange about what happens.

“I chose the stairs of wisdom.”

“I chose the Stairs of Courage.”

“I chose the stairs of wisdom.”

Anyway after entering the 4th floor I focused on raising the floor by taking the stairs of wisdom and courage alternately.

Well there were amazing situations along the way where all the stairs were patience…

“I chose the stairs of patience.”

It went more smoothly than I expected.

It was a psychedelic ordeal but I was able to endure it.

No matter who showed up and said something I could just ignore it.

To be honest it was more bothersome after the ordeal was over.

“Aaaahhh Bjorn…!!”

“Stop crying. “It’s all over isn’t it?”

“If you abandon me too I’ll be truly alone!!”

I don’t know what he saw or heard but Misha started crying loudly as soon as he passed the floor.

The dwarf was kneeling on the floor in frustration.

“The sword I made is worse than the scrap metal….”

For reference Dwalki was staring blankly into space like a man who had gone out of his mind and Rottmiller was silently clenching his fists…

They both looked somewhat angry.

‘…That bothers me.’

While they came to their senses they checked the box placed in the center of the floor.

A reward that can only be obtained if you choose the trial of patience.

If you’re lucky you may get a number item or a random integer of level 6 or lower…

There is no way.

Sure enough it contained only fifteen grade 7 magic stones.

“Once you’ve rested let’s start again.”

After gathering myself mentally for nearly 30 minutes the exploration resumed.

And since then there have been no incidents like this.

I continued to climb the floors by defeating monsters and soon reached the 100th floor on the 12th day of exploration.

“I think this is my first time coming here.”

From the 100th floor the trial difficulty is fixed to the highest and level 6 monsters appear more frequently.

However there was no major danger here either.

This was thanks to the fact that our two main dealers had grown a lot over the years.

“Riol Warb Dwalki casted the level 7 attack magic [Cold Storm].”

“Misha Karlstein casted [Ice Crushing].”

Dwarki has learned not only auxiliary magic but also a level 7 wide-area cold spell with the money he worked hard to save.

Combined with Misha there was no trouble against most level 6 monsters.

Stability has improved significantly since it supports 2 tanks and deals damage.

Hmm… It would be a different story if a level 5 monster like a troll showed up like last time.

‘But we’ve prepared this and that with the team’s public funds so the situation will be much better than before.’

In fact it’s funny to worry about level 5 monsters on the 4th floor.

Didn’t I meet Hans on the way there?

‘It seems like Rotmiller has come to his senses now.’

Unlike the anxious beginning this expedition continued to proceed smoothly.

And on the 19th the car started.

***

[06:32]

I checked my watch and checked my surroundings.

All four people were sleeping comfortably in their respective places.

‘I feel like I’m awake alone for the first time in a while.’

I buried myself back in my sleeping bag and closed my eyes but perhaps because of my increased energy sleep did not come easily.

No is it just because there are only 4 days left until the labyrinth closes?

‘Something seems out of place.’

What I’ve noticed over the past few days is that our teamwork has improved significantly.

Should I say that it feels like it’s coming together now?

Even without me giving orders each person not only did their best but also began to communicate to some extent through eye contact and body language.

Whatever it is it seems like they are gradually growing into a proper team.

‘Compared to the first time it has changed incredibly.’

Just looking at Dwalki the changes are clear.

He hardly looks like a beginner any more and his fighting sense is improving day by day.

but….

I feel strangely moved by this fact but also a little disappointed. Because I know that there are not many days left to be with them.

‘Let’s not be swayed by emotions and think rationally.’

The first regular team I created after leaving this unfamiliar world.

I decided not to show affection to the people here as much as possible but since I am a human being I can do whatever I want.

I’m sure I’ll think of this team a lot later—

Trudging.

As my thoughts continued to that point I suddenly felt a surge of popularity.

When I glanced up and checked it was Rotmiller.

“Did I wake you up?”

“No I woke up a little while ago.”

“Then you are lucky. “I thought you woke up because of me this time.”

‘This time too’….

Is it because of my mood that it feels like there is a bone in my words?

Well probably not.

Rotmiller: This guy has a good sense of humor.

Even if he pretended not to he must have been aware that I was keeping an eye on him.

“How about we talk for a moment while you’re awake?”

“…good night.”

I got out of my sleeping bag and sat down against the wall with Rottmiller.

And then there was an awkward silence.

Ah this is the first time you two have talked since that day right?

I felt like I was suffocating for some reason so I took some beef jerky out of my pocket and chewed it.

Tsuap Tsuap Tsuap.

Yes it’s a bit better to hear something like this.

Rottmiller who had been asking for conversation opened his mouth only when he had finished eating one piece of beef jerky.

“…I plan to leave the team after this exploration.”

“You’re leaving the team?”

Although it was unexpected it was not completely unexpected.

I also thought about the number of cases like this.

“It’s because of me.”

huh?

“What does that mean?”

“…Give me one of those too.”

When I handed him a piece of beef jerky Rotmiller chewed it and continued talking.

It was a bit of a long story.

“It cannot be said that the regional head’s proposal is unrelated to this decision. Wouldn’t I also be greedy? “I’m offering to give you a position as an explorer for a large clan.”

“Even though I knew it was a lie my heart kept pounding. “That was the first time I realized that it was time to leave this team.”

“Oh but don’t feel too pressured. Actually it’s something I’m familiar with. Don’t people of different races… or rather those with talent easily rise to the top?”

“I was on many teams for 8 years and there were many times I was left behind because I couldn’t keep up with them. “Sometimes we were exiled and sometimes we came out on our own before things got worse.”

“That’s how an explorer like me survived.”

“But this time it wasn’t easy.”

“Why?”

I was the first to ask a question and Rottmiller smiled and answered.

“Because I care about you.”

“…?”

“I knew it was time to leave but I hated admitting it. So I tried to hide what happened with the local manager and follow him on this expedition. I wanted this journey to continue even just a little bit. but….”

Rotmiller slowly swallowed the beef jerky he was chewing.

“Everything has to end someday.”

Those words left me speechless.

Rotmiller looked straight ahead as if waiting for an answer and said nothing.

It was then.

An alarm rang and his colleagues began to rustle one by one.

“It’s time for everyone to wake up. “I’m going to leave now so you can get ready to leave.”

Lot Miller left to pack up his sleeping bag.

I took out my watch from my pocket.

[08:00]

Before we knew it it was time for the 19th day of the journey to begin.

***

Rotmiller is similar to me in many ways.

Although he did not want to give affection to others he felt affection and nevertheless made a rational decision without being swayed by it.

But the difference is…

‘I guess I only did it for myself and this guy did it for us.’

It’s not like I didn’t have altruistic calculations.

I thought that if I went upstairs with them the exploration would end only when someone dies.

So I wanted to finish it with my own hands before that.

“Bjorn!”

To be honest the back of my head feels tingly.

I never thought Rottmiller would have thought like this.

How did I appear in his eyes?

What on earth were they thinking as they felt my eyes scanning them as if warily?

It was a time when endless questions were swirling around my head.

“Bjorn! “Why on earth are you selling your mind?”

Misha shook my shoulder and woke me up from her thoughts.

“Stop messing around and get it sorted out.”

“…I get it.”

After coming to my senses I joined in clearing the campsite.

Then we all gathered together had a quick meal and then went up the stairs.

‘Let’s talk when we get back to the city. We’re both going to leave anyway so there’s no need to leave…’

My head was spinning but I decided to focus on exploration for now.

There are still 4 days left.

We can easily defeat level 6 monsters but the Tower of the Sky is a place where the difficulty level increases dramatically depending on the combination of monsters.

Don’t let your guard down until you get back to the city—

“The ordeal has been completed.”

No it wasn’t just me.

“…All three are the Stairs of Destiny?”

“What are you going to do? “Didn’t you say it could be dangerous over there?”

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