Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 208



Episode 208: Leader (1)

We are moving forward slowly being cautious in all directions.

This is a change that occurred to us a few minutes ago.

I stopped running towards the second floor and started paying more attention to safety.

It was an inevitable choice.

The entire cave was filled with fog that obscured vision.

“…I’ve heard of this. It’s black magic. “It was used by warlocks in the past in subjugation wars.”

My heart is beating low.

Exciting-!

Even though Raven is removing the fog with wind magic the visibility distance is only about a 5m radius.

It is difficult to deal with risks in this environment.

Because the place I’m standing in isn’t just a game based on HP/MP.

Just one mistake leads to death.

A world where there is no button like ‘Redo’.

Exciting-!

You have to stay alert.

In order to survive without losing anyone.

“Mr. Yandel….”

In the past we were too weak to protect ourselves.

That’s why I had to lose a colleague.

It was a crisis that could not be overcome otherwise.

How about this time?

‘Yes I’m a lot stronger than then….’

Engrave positive thoughts into your head to prevent your body from becoming tense due to tension.

It was then.

“Mr. Yandel!”

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“Don’t scream.”

“Then why don’t you answer all at once?”

“So what are you trying to say?”

Raven aboard Einar asked cautiously.

“Is going to the second floor the right choice?”

“What do you mean?”

“A lot of knights from the royal family also came here. There will be many large clans. Wouldn’t it be safer to join there?”

It is not an entirely unconvincing story.

No if we had been near the starting point I would have definitely chosen that option.

But in the current situation well…

It doesn’t seem like a particularly good option.

There is one thing that needs to be corrected.

“More than half of the large Raven clans did not enter the labyrinth.”

This is what I heard from Fox Mask at the round table.

Large clans dissatisfied with the royal family began a large-scale boycott.

Well it seems like some people noticed that the royal family was recording such clans in the kill list and stepped out…

Well that number probably won’t be that many.

“…At a time like this.”

That’s not it they did it because it was a time like this.

“What direction is Abman?”

“It’s over there.”

I checked the location of the portal with Mr. Bear and continued to find my way. This is also a change that occurred after fog covered the cave.

The compass started not working.

“…will it be okay if I just find the portal?”

“It’s probably not safe just because it’s on the second floor. But all you have to do is get to the fourth floor.”

The Tower in the Sky is an independent hierarchy.

As long as we get there it will be possible to return to the city safely even in this war.

Of course that’s the best we can do right now—

“no. “What I meant was is there any defense on the portal side?”

“What do you mean?”

“That’s literally it. “If I were Noark’s tactician I would first find a way to eliminate the way to the second floor.”

That’s… that’s right.

But so what?

You have to try it first.

Aren’t we already in the outermost region thanks to the use of the dimensional instability phenomenon?

“If it becomes impossible to go to the second floor… what will you do then?”

Raven unlike usual keeps asking me questions. Seeing things like this makes me feel anxious too.

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Well you probably need someone to rely on.

Because you probably have little experience in this area.

“Then as you said I will join the people in the city. “There is no other way than that.”

I tried to speak calmly.

I don’t know if this is really the best way but at least one person should do it.

“Once that’s explained let’s move on.”

“yes….”

That was when I was heading towards the second floor as fast as possible.

“You finally meet someone. “Do you guys know how this happened?”

Encountered an explorer.

An explorer team consisting of three humans and two beasts.

Their equipment level is similar to or higher than ours.

Well since they came here at this time they can’t be low-level explorers.

If you join your power will increase significantly.

But before that there is something to check.

“First the dog tag.”

Are these guys really trustworthy?

***

“It’s true.”

“Then it must be fake?”

As soon as we met we confirmed that we were from the city through the dog tags on our wrists.

And we talked naturally.

Originally we would have gone our separate ways as soon as the identification tags were verified but…

This is a clear emergency situation.

“Do you know anything?”

“Not much. “Except that Noark was up to something.”

“It’s Noark… as expected.”

I narrowed my eyes as I saw the leader of the other side nodding at my words.

“Are there no wizards on your side?”

It is a well-known story that there are few general wizards in Noark.

“As you can see.”

However the other side confidently shrugged their shoulders.

“Because we are a team that aims for public achievement. “There is no reason for there to be wizards.”

Damn this makes sense again.

When speedrunning wizards usually do not participate.

Not only is it a burden due to the slow movement speed but wizards cannot gain experience points even if they speed run.

Therefore I tried Tongseongmyeong first.

“This is Bjorn son of Yandel.”

Just as I have the nickname Little Balkan I decided that if that side had a reputation I might have heard of it.

“It’s Hansen Kelders.”

“Hansen?”

“Oh do you know me? “Maybe we just know each other across a bridge—”

“I don’t think that will happen.”

I shook my head.

I was startled by the ominous tone but it was my first time hearing the name itself.

So what should we do?

Han Sen who was contemplating exchanged whispers with his colleague.

“Little Vulcan? ah! “The barbarian from the time of the hierarchical monarch!”

It seems that there was someone among them who knew my nickname.

Han Sen’s gaze became a little more favorable.

“Now I see he was a famous guy? How about moving like this? “I don’t think we’re in a situation where we’re just exploring together.”

A proposal to join first from Hansen.

“Can you give me a moment?”

“Just a few minutes. “I’m just too anxious to stay in one place all the time.”

After asking for Hansen’s understanding I had a discussion with his colleagues.

Isn’t there a saying called collective intelligence?

I thought they might have found something unusual that I couldn’t find.

“I don’t know. “I think it will be safer if the number of people increases… But I think it would be better to do as you say Bjorn.”

“I’m just like Misha!”

First of all Sister Geundil expressed her intention to strictly follow my choice.

Mr. Bear was on the opposing side.

“Something is strange. At that level the name would definitely be known but this is my first time hearing it? Even if he is not from the underground city he may be a plunderer.”

This bothers me a bit.

Because among us Mr. Bear has the widest feet.

“Raven what do you think?”

“There doesn’t seem to be anything strange about this. So wouldn’t it be better to just join? “The dog tag was still intact.”

Well that’s right.

Deep down I was relying on Raven the most but now I think I need to change my mind.

Is it because this is the first time something like this has happened?

He also doesn’t turn his head like usual.

“Don’t worry about the dog tags just look at the person.”

“yes? What does that mean… Ah!”

Raven realized the true meaning of my words and opened her mouth.

Now that the situation has reached this point it is foolish to trust only the dog tag.

There is a possibility that a counterfeit product may have been created.

There are two cases.

I cried and cried because I couldn’t make a counterfeit.

Or since you created it did you believe in it and take a bold move?

I still don’t know which one.

Therefore you must thoroughly trust your senses and make a choice. Like when playing [Dungeon & Stone] where if you die once it’s game over.

“I don’t know. Just let Mr. Yandel make the decision.”

Raven seemed confused and left everything to me.

Why on earth is this guy so mentally disturbed?

“Raven come to your senses. “In the Tower of the Sky you were fine even when the assassin in hiding was next to you.”

“It’s different now than it was then. Now if I make a mistake other people suffer.”

Ah that was it.

I learned something new about Raven.

I never would have guessed that if my responsibilities increased I would be unable to make decisions.

It’s not that you can’t understand.

Someone dies because of my judgment.

Overcoming that burden and making a decision can never be easy.

Because this isn’t a game.

It doesn’t just end when the character you were raising dies.

‘Shit.’

In the end the decision is in my hands.

It’s nothing new though.

‘It’s a pain in the ass.’

I sighed and stared at the group of Hansens who had separated from a distance.

If there was a wizard among them.

Even if it’s not if it’s an explorer whose name you’ve heard of or a team from a famous clan.

If that were the case I would have had faith a little easier.

‘It’s neither of those things.’

Unfortunately the time given was short.

“Have you made a decision?”

“okay.”

Soon I finished worrying.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting but I will decline the offer you just made.”

My final decision was that there was no need to gamble.

“okay? “It’s a shame.”

Surprisingly Han Sen nodded his head without any sign of displeasure. It seemed like he already understood what I was thinking when I made this decision.

“A prudent person survives long. “I hope I can see you again later.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to go to the second floor first. I’m not sure if it’ll be okay there though. “It’s better than here.”

“I see. “I’ll see you in the city when I get a chance.”

“What are you doing? “Let’s move quickly.”

After a short conversation Hansen’s group left first and disappeared into the fog.

Did I really make the right choice?

Eat.

I forced a smile as if to erase my doubts and anxiety.

When did you make a choice because you knew the outcome?

“We’ll leave soon too.”

All you have to do is believe and move forward.

***

About five minutes after we parted ways with the Hansen group we discovered five corpses.

It was not from the Han Sen group that went first.

Although he was completely naked and stripped of his equipment there were no problems identifying him.

“What a knight.”

“…A knight?”

“yes. The tattoo on the back of my neck here. “It’s Viscount Terten’s pattern.”

“It’s like a brand to have your family’s emblem stamped on it.”

To be precise it seems as if they are objects rather than people.

Is that why?

My taste buds become bitter for no reason.

The fact that we live in a world where even drivers are treated as expendables really hit home.

“…Not all noble families are like this.”

I left Raven who was reciting as if in defense and gathered my thoughts.

The bodies of a knight and four soldiers.

And the surrounding area has no traces of battle.

It meant only one thing.

“There is a monster.”

“yes. Looking at the wounds it was all done in one blow. “Seeing as the scars are the same it doesn’t seem like there was multiple attacks.”

Knights who use auras are the strongest in interpersonal warfare and are the sword that protects vested interests in this world where magic and supernatural abilities exist.

But he died without being able to do anything.

I feel like I am once again in the eye of a storm.

A knight who held and wielded a sword all his life and enjoyed enormous authority died like an extra.

No he’s probably dying even now.

Just like during the Noark subjugation battle that took place underground a few months ago.

“What was the time of death?”

“It’s been about 20 minutes.”

Okay so it’s not that close.

It was a positive clue but it is too early to be reassured.

Because from now on it won’t be strange no matter what happens.

“Are they… going to start a real war?”

Mr. Bear frowned and muttered.

After seeing the knight’s corpse I felt like I was fully aware of the current situation.

Well we haven’t fought anyone yet.

I said clearly.

“I’m not planning on making money. Abman.”

“….”

“We are already at war.”

We are lucky to be in the outermost part of the country.

So I haven’t experienced the aftermath directly yet.

Well it’s only a matter of time now.

“What are you going to do?”

I sighed at Raven’s question.

I don’t even know how many times this has happened since I came down to the first floor.

We were once again faced with a choice.

“There is only a portal in this direction.”

“There is no need to explain. “Don’t you think the guy who killed this knight must have gone there?”

The only way out in my opinion was the second floor portal.

There is a monster lurking there.

But even if you turn around the situation is still bleak. The battle that started in the center will soon cover the entire first floor.

‘It’s a fucking beast’s den and I shouldn’t have come down to the first floor.’

Even if you don’t want to regret it you will regret it.

I never would have thought that such a trivial choice would land me in this shitty situation.

It feels like the heartless world is testing me.

Whatever you choose is fine.

But the responsibility is all yours.

Without realizing it my eyes fell on my colleagues.

“….”

Misha Einar Raven Bear.

They were looking at me too.

It seems like the choice is mine.

“…Go back.”

Soon I made a decision.

I don’t know who is in front of me.

Maybe he’s a member of Orculis.

There aren’t many strong people like this even in Noark.

It was a car that was about to turn away.

“Ha are you really just going back!”

A voice came from beyond the fog.

Trudging.

The sound of footsteps followed.

Ssssssssssssshhhh!

Immediately Raven sent a gust of wind and cleared the fog.

What was revealed was one man.

A man wearing only a simple black suit with no equipment.

She had a skull mask on her face.

“What kind of barbarian is so shy? yes?”

My body suddenly stiffened at that voice.

It was the first voice I heard.

That much was clear.

but.

“Pisit.”

It felt familiar somehow.