Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 246



Episode 246: Junction (6)

What kind of mistake did he make that made him do that?

I didn’t even think of that.

That’s right Misha has been watching me by my side for the longest time.

A barbarian reading a book.

A barbarian who knows how to act as an explorer.

A barbarian who pretends to be ignorant but is actually clever.

He is a barbarian who always knew things that others did not know as if it were obvious.

There must have been many many suspicious things.

Well until now I would have just assumed that there could be someone like that but…

The events of that day must have struck a chord with me.

Because he knows the most about me.

[Is there any reason to do what the enemy wants?]

I kept avoiding answering with barbarian reasons but it must have looked strange in Misha’s eyes.

At least he knows that the only time I become stubborn is when there is a reason to be.

[If you don’t answer I will kill that enemy cat?]

Even when I heard those words from the white tiger I felt deep despair.

Maybe Misha even felt this.

That I am stuck at a dead end and desperately holding back the answer.

“…What do you mean by disappearing?”

It’s midnight when everyone is asleep.

As Misha cautiously came to me and showed her anxiety I answered as if I knew nothing.

“Why do I suddenly disappear?”

“Oh no that’s it… yeah it’s just because of the nightmare.”

Misha turned her words around citing her dreams as the reason.

It seemed like he thought that if he brought out the anxiety inside him that might really happen.

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“dream? “If you’re really scared you can sleep next to me!”

“It’s not that bad is it? That’s it! If you’re going to play pranks go to sleep now you old barbarian!”

Soon she asked Misha what are you talking about and she left the room and I let out a silent sigh.

My heart felt tight.

‘Suddenly disappear….’

I know why you said that.

That’s because I snuck into his room yesterday and read the book on his desk.

It was a book I read at the library a while ago.

A book that summarizes several patterns and habits of evil spirits.

[Evil spirits are good at acting and are clever. Also I am not obsessed with relationships. When a crisis arises where their identity may be revealed they cut off all ties and choose to hide themselves.]

It was a phrase I could sympathize with.

If his identity is discovered isn’t the only fate that can lead to destruction?

First they will try to distance themselves from the people around them as much as possible and if that doesn’t work they will eventually try to change their status.

And if even that option is blocked…

‘I’m going to Noark.’

In fact Noark is a city made up of such people. Criminals or evil spirits who cannot remain in Lafdonia hide in the sewers and Noark collects them.

‘The clown is famous for joining Orculis as soon as he is discovered to be an evil spirit.’

I lay down on the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling.

My mind was very complicated.

‘If they find out I’m an evil spirit…’

How will these guys react?

Would you feel betrayed and angry that you were deceived?

Well I don’t know.

At least Misha was more anxious about me disappearing from his side even if I was an evil spirit.

‘Damn white tiger.’

I finally admitted it.

I’m afraid of my true identity being revealed to them.

Better than the guillotine that you might be taken to.

I’m more afraid that everything I’ve built will collapse.

Even if it’s something like a sand castle.

Huh.

I took out the magic tool from subspace.

A magical tool that allows you to have conversations without others knowing.

[Okay if you want I’ll remove your place. Hans Kriesen is an evil spirit! I have the proof in my backpack—]

For reference since it also had a recording function the dwarf he met in the doppelganger forest used it to drive Hans G down a dead end.

Click.

As soon as I pressed the home button under the magic tool the conversation the two had at that time was vividly replayed.

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[Why are you worrying so much? They are NPCs anyway.]

[But still my colleague so far—]

[You’re laughing. Do you think they would think that way even if they knew your identity?]

Hans G was unable to give any answer to the dwarf’s words.

That’s what you know.

[It was really Hans who thought your colleagues were friends. And as you know the real Hans is no longer in this world.]

We are evil spirits.

No matter what relationship you build here it is bound to be a precarious relationship built on lies.

[But… I think they are really my colleagues.]

Hans G answered that day.

But what was the actual action like?

[Uh… first…]

[I’m sorry.]

When the dwarf in crisis forced his identity to be revealed Hans G attached himself to the dwarf pouring flames into the warrior’s body.

In fact he himself knew it.

I can no longer go back to the same relationship I had before.

That once precious colleague will now see you as an ‘enemy’.

Click.

I pressed the button again to turn off the sound.

Suddenly Takelan’s words came to mind.

[Someday the day will come when you will feel the same way as me.]

What he said was wrong.

If such a moment of despair comes to me too.

That would be even more terrible and miserable.

***

Another two days passed.

In the meantime nothing like this happened.

There were no further clues about the large clan that was presumed to be behind this assassination and in the end the events of that day ended abruptly.

There was no way to dig any further.

Ah thanks to that the number of escort knights has increased.

As it was proven that there was a force in the royal family targeting me with malicious intent additional forces were deployed.

Well a little bit too much.

‘Hey I can’t go anywhere like this.’

There are already three close escorts.

Of course this only happens inside the house; outside there are more than 30 knights standing guard. Also when I go out all the people follow me.

Oh it even got freckles.

“It might be poisoned so I’ll eat it first.”

At each meal a technician who specializes in poison resistance tastes it first.

“There’s no need to do that! “How can I harm Bjorn?”

“Because it’s better to be certain. Mmm it’s delicious. As expected Carlstein seems to have very good skills.”

“Even if you say that it doesn’t comfort you!”

Misha didn’t seem to be in a good mood as he looked like this every time he ate…

Still seeing her so inflexible makes her even more trustworthy.

‘Even if Noark sends an assassin I don’t have to worry about this.’

After breakfast Einar went out to the shrine and Erwen said she was meeting her brother.

And this goes for me too.

“…You’re leaving?”

“Now I have to start working too.”

Now that I’ve had enough rest it’s time to work hard again and do the things I’ve been putting off.

“If it’s work are you going to buy something else?”

“No it’s something else this time.”

“Hmm?”

Normally during maintenance time I would go shopping but that wasn’t the purpose today.

I made a lot of money this time but…

‘If you just stay still the value will continue to rise so there’s no reason to shop now.’

First of all equipment prices have already begun to plummet.

This is because many explorers who were the main customer base have died and demand has decreased.

On the other hand food prices have risen.

Hoarding began due to concerns that the supply of magic stones might decrease starting next month.

‘For now let’s keep the cash and not spend it as much as possible.’

Currency here is not a simple piece of paper created by social agreement.

It has real value.

This is a world that lives on magic stones an all-purpose substance that can be turned into iron and wheat by the hands of alchemists.

The value of currency will never fall.

What if the value of labor power hits rock bottom?

‘Is Hikurod okay…?’

Suddenly the dwarf came to mind.

Recently it seems like the blacksmith business is doing well but in the current situation it’s probably nothing but flies right?

I feel sad for some reason.

I spent all my money to open a store but something like that happened.

‘I’m going to visit him later when I have time…’

She simply put on her clothes and came out with Misha.

Outside stood a carriage prepared by knights.

I think it’s a really undeserved treat but…

“Please get in.”

Now I’m used to getting on the carriage.

They say it’s because it’s not a waste of money anyway and it’s much easier to escort but what can you do?

“Where should I take you?”

“To the great temple of the Leatlas Church.”

Soon I told the coachman my destination and the carriage took off.

“…Reatlasism? “Why are you going there all of a sudden?”

Misha looked somewhat anxious.

I understand your feelings.

This religious force is no different from the natural enemies of evil spirits.

‘Well I guess I haven’t completely gotten over my doubts yet.’

For a day or two Misha read a book about evil spirits and said meaningful things to me but soon those words disappeared.

So I thought she concluded that it was just a whim and that I couldn’t really be an evil spirit.

‘…In times like this it would be better to just leave it alone without provoking it rather than doing something.’

So we just continued the conversation normally.

“If there are any priests left I plan to ask for them.”

“…A spare priest? “Are you planning on leaving the team?”

“What are you talking about?”

“But even if the priest came there were already five of us… Ah! “No way someone…”

Oh what are you really saying?

I sighed and said clearly.

“I don’t leave the team nor does anyone else leave my team.”

“huh? Then why did the priest…”

Misha trailed off as if her doubts were still unanswered.

I told him my future plans.

“Now I have to get ready to go up to the 6th floor.”

“Huh 6th floor? Yes I see. But what does that have to do with this?”

“I’m going to create a clan.”

It is time for the five-person team to graduate.

***

Even if it is small it is classified as a clan if it has more than 5 people. This is because the personnel must be divided into two or more teams.

“Clan? So from now on we’ll be moving with 10 people?”

Well I think it will ultimately happen that way.

Not right away.

‘Erwen can act as an explorer so one priest will be enough for now.’

From the 6th floor you must also recruit one more special position explorer.

Then a total of eight people.

‘If we’re at our current level even if we split into groups of four we’ll be able to get up to the 5th floor without a problem.’

Well actually I’m not too worried about this part.

If things don’t work out one option is to meet on the second floor.

Depending on your starting location it will take time to join there will be a personnel penalty on the 4th floor and it will be slower…

‘It’s not like we’re a large clan.’

Unless the purpose is to control hunting grounds a difference of a day or two is not meaningful to a small clan.

Rather the problem is something else.

‘When will the labyrinth return to its original state?’

If the angle doesn’t come out I plan to stay for a few more months. It takes that much time to prepare to go to the 6th floor in the first place.

“We have arrived.”

As I was organizing my thoughts the carriage stopped in front of the main shrine.

Most drivers wait in their carriages.

I went inside with only the three close escorts and Misha.

“Director Krovitz is out on business.”

Instead of Paal Krovitz whom I had a connection with another paladin greeted me.

His name is Sven Farab.

Is he the vice-captain of the Second Knights of the Atlas Church?

“It is an honor to meet you like this. Baronet Bjorn Jandel. “For what purpose did you visit our church today?”

I briefly told him my future plans.

He said he was planning to create a clan and would like to take a priest with him if possible.

As for the result it was rejected right away.

“Hmm even if you are a baron that would be a bit difficult.”

Neither the recently acquired reputation as a ‘giant’ nor the nobility status of a baronet were accepted in the church.

It is only a basic condition.

In order to recruit a priest public reputation was necessary.

‘Whoa why is something so inflexible the same as a game?’

Since it was within the expected range I asked about ways to increase my public rating and received a detailed answer.

‘Except for a few things everything is similar to a game.’

In the end it seems like the only answer is hard work.

Wow I should have done that in advance.

“Did you say Parav? Thank you for today. “Come back next time.”

“Yes we are waiting for the hero to visit at any time.”

After completing a short errand I said goodbye to Parab and turned my back.

And just as I was about to open the living room door and leave.

“The conditions for activating Star’s Protection have been met.”

The last vine that prevented evil relations with the dragon slayer was cut off.

“….”

Shit.

It really is a mountain beyond a mountain.