Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 162



Episode 162: Exploration (1)

The day after there was a negotiation with the regional head.

The entire team gathered together and had a second meeting.

And after completing all 31 discussions that had not been finalized last time we all made an exploration plan together.

“Hmm there must be a lot of things to prepare to go to the 5th floor.”

“Can I leave that part to you? “If you bring me the receipts I will process them with public funds.”

“great. “I have something to stop by at Commelbee anyway.”

For reference the team name was also decided at this meeting.

I thought ‘Team Bjorn’ was enough but…

Besides Einar there was one more person who had a romance in the team name.

“Hey… I was thinking about a name. “How about the name ‘Narak’?”

“Narak?”

“It means those who walk in darkness in ancient language. “Isn’t it pretty good?”

I honestly don’t know if it’s okay.

I thought I knew that a black flame dragon lived on the right hand of a twenty-four year old wizard.

Those who walk in the dark…

“You too… have very unique tastes.”

“…Are you making fun of me?”

Anyway it was a time when I was trying to choose a team name based on Raven’s claim that it was 100 times better than the insincere name Team Bjorn.

“Oh no!! “I chose the team name!”

Einar who was dozing off urgently joined the conversation.

“yes? Oh is there something good?”

“Our team name will be Apple Pie!”

“Apple pie…? “What’s served for dessert?”

Raven asked the reason with a half-dazed expression and Einar answered without hesitation.

‘Because it’s my favorite!’ Like?

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“Such nonsense….”

“What doesn’t make sense!!”

Raven sighed at Einar’s insistence and suggested that the decision be made by majority vote. It seems they were convinced that we would never give power to a name like that.

but….

“That’s right it doesn’t matter what you do just do it yourself.”

Mr. Bear voted to abstain.

Surprisingly Misha voted in favor.

“Well I think apple pie is good too… Isn’t it sweet and delicious?”

“that! Hey what about Mr. Yandel? “You’re not trying to use that ridiculous name are you?”

Honestly I was worried.

If I take Raven’s side it will be a 2:2 draw. Part of me wants to side with Einar and conclude this issue quickly but…

If you show favoritism as a team leader the wizard’s feelings will be hurt.

He had no choice but to propose arbitration.

“Just combine them and make Apple Narak.”

“….”

“Ah do you like Narak Pie?”

“…I’ll leave it at the front.”

“What about you Einar?”

“I think that’s better too! “I like the tone!”

The second meeting ended with the official team name being decided as ‘Apple Narak’.

After that peaceful days continued.

Repetitive daily life such as reading a book at the library or getting the entire team together every morning to work out a sum in advance.

Oh there was also the sudden visit of a dwarf.

[Hahaha! It’s been a while. Einar! Miss Raven!]

It was the day the team gathered together for the third time.

It seems like after hearing about this from Misha he became interested and came here…

We briefly chatted about our current situation and then parted ways.

They’ve already commissioned the project to convert it into a blacksmith shop and these days they’re busy scouting for blacksmiths.

[Oh your wife runs a bar? I guess I’ll have to stop by later.]

[Yes come and try the honey wine. Her wife made it herself and it’s unique to our store.]

Perhaps because we both like drinking we got along surprisingly well with Mr. Bear.

Well you won’t become a new best friend later right?

Anyway those times continued and before I knew it that day had arrived.

“I guess I should get ready to leave soon.”

Today is the day the labyrinth opens.

***

“Are you ready Bjorn?”

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“Oh wait a minute.”

After putting on my full gear for the first time in a while I put on my shoulder the backpack I had packed yesterday.

Sigh.

When I open the door and come out I see Misha and Einar waiting.

“Is there anything I missed?”

“does not exist!!”

Einar answers my question loudly.

Misha who was next to her sighed.

“There won’t be any. “Everything important is in my backpack anyway.”

“I see.”

I feel like this has become a lot stronger lately and I’m really glad I have him.

I think I would have been much more tired if I had been alone.

“Oh Bjorn. “Is there something in the mailbox?”

“huh?”

As Misha was slowly leaving the door she pointed with her finger at the mailbox in front of the door.

She opened the container and found a letter inside.

‘The sender is… Niall Urban?’

This is a letter from the regional head.

Since when did this come into play?

JI profit.

First I opened it and read the contents.

No it would be a bit much to say that I read it.

[I won’t ask about the fee.]

A sentence with only one line.

For some reason I could feel the pride of the local head but…

It was a gesture of reconciliation.

If you had tried to fight with me even just a little bit you would have been sent a fine notice or bill.

‘As expected you did a good job destroying it.’

In fact when she asked what she wanted.

There was also an option to ask for compensation.

However I smashed the door like a thug without saying a word about compensation.

That’s what I wanted to engrave in his mind.

If you make a mistake with me you will have to pay.

And the price cannot be anything like money.

‘Then I don’t think we need to worry too much about this part anymore…’

Even though she held her daughter’s hand she revealed that she had no intention of holding her hand in the future. He also hinted that if he was hostile toward me something very annoying would happen.

And yet blinded by anger you resort to trickery?

It is safe to say that this will never happen at least until the elections are over next year.

“What kind of letter is this?”

“Oh there’s nothing to worry about.”

I tore the letter into pieces and threw it in the trash can on the first floor on my way out.

And then headed to the meeting place.

The central square of District 7.

As it is a popular gathering place it is bustling with explorers waiting for their colleagues.

“Are you one minute late?”

As soon as we arrived at the 3 o’clock direction Raven smiled at us.

However he didn’t seem offended by our tardiness.

Or rather should I say that it looks happy?

“Hurry up and pay the fine. “You promised right?”

“Oh yeah. fine….”

For reference fines were one of the 31 topics discussed during the second meeting.

So how much was it?

“1000 stones per minute. Since there are three of us we can pay 3000 stones.”

I obediently opened my wallet and paid the fine for three people. If I hadn’t wasted time reading the letter it wouldn’t have been late.

“But where did Raven’s bag go?”

It was only after handing over the fine that I realized that Raven had nothing on her back. So he asked to confirm and got a strange response.

“Oh that?”

Raven raised the corner of his mouth and tapped the ring on his index finger twice.

Then he opened a small portal in the air glowing with light.

“Subspace…?”

“yes. I think you’ll need it if you want to stay in the labyrinth. “I got rid of all the stuff I didn’t need and bought it with that money.”

Yes you could buy it right away if you wanted to.

To you it’s called subspace.

Jinglang.

Raven ostentatiously put his fine into the space and closed the door.

For some reason his heart felt numb.

Is this the feeling of deprivation?

On an empty day he whined that he had no money…

I really thought it was because I had no money…

“Anyway is Avman late?”

As I tried to erase my envious feelings the topic of conversation suddenly changed.

“Sure. “You’re probably not going to come right?”

“I’m not worried! “I must have lost my way for a moment on the way!”

Raven laughs as if Einar’s words are absurd.

“Is it okay for a leader to get lost?”

“Well there’s nothing that can’t be done right? “I heard it’s a useless skill in the city.”

“But you live around here?”

“That’s… well that’s definitely true. “Then why are you late?”

“Ho maybe you have an upset stomach?!”

The three women began chattering about Mr. Bear’s tardiness.

I was just shutting up.

Because I plan to enter the labyrinth and reveal Mr. Bear’s guileless attributes.

Anyway how long has it been like that?

Just when the crowded square became quiet and I started to get really worried Mr. Bear arrived.

“I’m sorry I’m late. “Have you waited long?”

“First pay the fine. “You’re just 45 minutes late.”

“Oh there was something like that….”

Mr. Bear was fined a whopping 45000 stones before even entering the labyrinth.

“But why are you late?”

“This is my first time coming here at night. “For some reason the atmosphere felt unfamiliar.”

“yes? What does that mean—”

“Okay let’s go. “If you’re not careful you’ll be late.”

I quickly intervened and stopped the conversation.

Then using only binding magic he led the group towards the dimensional plaza.

When we arrived it was well past 12 o’clock and the portal was slowly shrinking in size.

If you wait a little longer the time to copy experience points will come…

‘Let’s think about whether to announce this or not after this expedition.’

We jumped into the portal.

***

“I entered the crystal cave on the first floor.”

***

The crystal cave has now become a very familiar sight.

As soon as I opened my eyes Einar’s cries echoed and struck my eardrums.

“Behel—laaaaa!!”

“Ouch! “No I was surprised!”

Einar answered Raven’s question about why she was suddenly acting like this.

“For some reason I felt like doing that!”

Cancer knows that feeling.

I nodded at her in understanding.

Isn’t this a return after a whopping 6 months?

Einar a born barbarian must have felt something very special.

“Yes we really have one more barbarian…”

Misha who was looking at me and Einar alternately sighed deeply while Mr. Bear surprisingly seemed to just do it.

“But it’s better than being quiet.”

As I spent a long time traveling alone I don’t think I dislike this noisy atmosphere.

Anyway the chat ends here.

“Where is the closest Abman?”

In response to my question Mr. Bear pointed to a place.

When I checked it with the compass it was south.

In short this starting point is the Ghoul Earth.

‘Fortunately the other side got caught this time too.’

“You said you were going to the Goblin Forest so you can go here. Then let’s take the lead.”

Mr. Bear put away the compass and took the lead.

I thought it might be better to just tell them the direction and let me find the way…

‘Yes I need to know to what extent.’

I need to know what level of grooming Mr. Bear has so that I can make a judgment.

Whether or not correction is possible through acquired efforts.

If there is no right answer I plan to use Mr. Bear as a compass to find my way from now on.

I learned a lot from watching Rotmiller.

“Re-eight.”

Anyway as I was heading north from the south I naturally passed the very center of the first floor.

A dark area where all four types of monsters appear.

Without even taking out the torch Raven lit up the entire area with her light sphere magic.

Whoa!

Unlike the gloomy red glow of a torch the light illuminates the surroundings in pure white.

It’s easy on the eyes just like being in the city.

Was there just one thing that worried you?

“It’s the first floor but wouldn’t it be better to save on magical energy?”

“This is okay. “Because the car is faster.”

“Oh uh… Is that so?”

“yes. And don’t worry. “Leaving this on doesn’t mean there’s any problem with using other magic.”

“….”

Soon Misha pursed her lips.

It seems that he clearly felt the majesty of real magicians that Dwalki had mentioned countless times in a bitter voice.

“It’s surprising that the car is faster. “The wizard I was with before wasn’t that good either.”

As Mr. Bear muttered Raven’s nose stiffened.

“Hmm it’s hard to say it out loud but I’m confident in my magical abilities. “It would probably be difficult to find one in its class.”

“Oh really? “Now I see you were an amazing wizard right?”

“That’s too much praise. Urikfried you are a level 5 explorer and guide right?”

That was when the two of us walked through the cave painting each other’s faces with gold.

A cavity with a radius of about 30 meters appeared.

“Oh this is the crack at that time…!”

“Ainar.”

“….”

When I called her briefly Ainar covered her mouth with her hand.

It was an action that seemed even more suspicious but fortunately attention was focused on the monument erected in the center of the community.

“I’ve only heard about it but this is my first time seeing it in person.”

Raven approaches the monument with the intellectual curiosity of a wizard.

As a five-year explorer Misha also had insight.

“Is this it? “It was built by the Immortal King to honor the great wizard who first discovered the labyrinth.”

“yes. “It is generally known that way.”

“Laning in general?”

“This is a hypothesis circulating in academia these days but it is said that the labyrinth was created rather than discovered. Oh to put it simply…. the hypothesis is that the Great Sage did not construct a portal by observing the coordinates of another dimension but rather created this labyrinth dimension itself.”

Long words typical of Raven who has the ability to explain things.

Einar didn’t listen at all and Misha just felt like there was such a story.

However I became interested.

“What is the basis for the wizards to think that way?”

“It’s this monument.”

“monument?”

As soon as I added the chuimsae Raven continued to explain that it was correct.

“The labyrinth has homeostasis. Even if the terrain is destroyed it will come back intact the next time the portal is opened. So there is speculation that dimensional movement involves not only space but also time coordinates…”

“Ugh the head….”

Einar is in pain as she keeps hearing difficult words in succession.

Raven pouted sticking out his lips and curtsying briefly.

“This monument is proof that space-time magic was at least several times more developed in the era when the Labyrinth was first discovered than it is now. Creating spaces that are impossible now may have been possible back then.”

After listening to it even the abbreviation was long…

“I see.”

I roughly understood it.

To summarize isn’t it true that wizards thousands of years ago were proficient in dimensional magic?

‘I need to find out about the Great Sage as well.’

Maybe there is a way to return to Earth other than the ‘Gate of the Abyss’.

“So is the conversation over?”

“Oh yeah. Let’s go.”

Mr. Bear who was far away seemed to have no interest in this aspect and urged him on and the exploration resumed.

and….

“Oh the monument!”

We returned to our original location in about 15 minutes.

Even as someone who watched the process closely I couldn’t understand at all what mechanism this guy used to find his way.

“How did this happen Urikfried?”

The plan to raise Mr. Bear to be a searcher was immediately canceled.

“Oh it’s a mistake. For some reason I felt like it would go a little faster if I went that way…”

It’s not something that can be solved like that.