Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 46



Episode 46: Good (3)

Tarikan Lien.

Of course this isn’t his real name but whatever.

‘First it would be better to put something in your mouth and talk.’

Since my accommodation wasn’t that far away I brought him to my room and then bought him some food on the first floor and fed him.

For reference the menu is a daily set menu priced at 300 stone.

Chicken stew a few slices of bread and some roasted vegetables were all he had on his menu but that alone made him more than thrilled.

But if there is one thing that bothers you…

“I will never forget this grace!”

Huh what on earth is this clumsy barbarian way of speaking?

Still I’m glad that you seem to have come to your senses now but if you’re going to do it do it better.

Not only does he lack confidence but his voice is also quiet.

We Barbarians are much more happy when someone buys us something to eat.

‘…Still I’m eating well. ‘Is it because I’m starving a lot?’

Watching him hastily eat his food I secretly smiled bitterly.

It was because of one thing I learned from a short conversation we had after finishing the meal.

‘I never thought he wasn’t a newbie….’

Surprisingly this man was older than me.

Although it’s only a month apart.

He was brought to this world a month before I woke up in Bjorn’s body.

For reference here is one more surprising fact.

“Coming-of-age ceremony? Ah I was really surprised at that time. Who would have known that there were evil spirits among us?”

‘An evil spirit came out…’

Coincidentally this man and I had similar beginnings.

Even at his coming-of-age ceremony evil spirits.

In other words there was an incident where a player was executed by the hands of a tribal leader.

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And one question arises at this point.

‘How did he survive there?’

During the coming-of-age ceremony names are called.

However when the eyes are opened the evil spirit has no information about this body at all. So every time the tribal leader called my name I had to count in my head in suffocating tension.

‘… But even if he didn’t freak out like that wouldn’t he have been particularly suspicious?’

Well maybe so.

Or maybe he didn’t get suspicious because he used a similar strategy to me.

I was curious for some reason so I asked quietly but what I got back was a somewhat meaningless answer.

“How many times was my name called during the coming-of-age ceremony? “I don’t know why you’re asking that but… it was probably the last time!”

I see It was the last turn.

Then you wouldn’t have to know what your name is.

Because there would have been no warriors left.

All I could think was that he was lucky but he didn’t seem to even realize that he was lucky.

That’s so obnoxious.

“So what happened from then?”

“What happened? “Why are you curious about that?”

Why why?

That’s because I too am an evil spirit.

Research data. Research data.

“If you listen to it and the situation is difficult I might be able to help you.”

I deliberately answered as vaguely as possible.

However in his mind did he already recognize my help as a fait accompli?

“I see! “Then let’s talk about it!”

He slowly began to tell his story not hiding his expectant eyes.

From the day I woke up in a body called Tarikan Lien to today.

After listening to it it seemed more like a self-employed person than a pitiful one.

“…You couldn’t enter the labyrinth after the coming-of-age ceremony?”

“That couldn’t be helped! He lost his way along the way….”

First of all he did not enter the labyrinth.

He was lost but he made excuses….

‘That’s something that can be filtered out from here.’

Perhaps the real reason was that fighting monsters felt crazy.

On the other hand it would have been very easy to break away from a group of overly excited barbarians.

The problem would have been later.

Left in the city he survived for a week eating rock bread and wandered around looking for work but no one would hire him because he was a barbarian.

‘Actually it’s the barbarian’s biggest drawback.’

Other races can work concurrently.

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For example if you go to a tavern you can sometimes find beastmen serving people and dwarves employed in blacksmith shops.

In this way they mine magic stones on the days when the labyrinth is open and work even during the month they spend in the city to earn money.

Unlike barbarians who have no options other than combat.

“But didn’t you know that? “I guess that’s all you learn in the Holy Land?”

“That… I forgot about it for a moment! And didn’t I say it earlier! He said he was lost and couldn’t help it….”

That’s why I do it because I know it’s old.

In the first place I was learning things in the Holy Land and all but I turned around and asked if it was a setting that I should have known if I had played the game.

‘But this answer….’

I’m starting to have doubts.

Is it really true that ‘evil spirits’ refer to the beings who opened the ‘door to the abyss’ of the last layer?

A person with that level of skill would of course have to know the Barbarian settings.

“…So can we continue talking?”

“Oh I’m sorry. “Go ahead.”

Anyway back to the main point of the story.

After suffering from hunger for several days he sold his starting weapons for 50000 stones.

I don’t know who the buyer was but I was really upset.

I understand that barbarian starting weapons cost an average of 150000 stones.

‘Well there are other really important parts.’

He ended up with a small amount of money and spent a month saving it.

And when to enter the next labyrinth.

In other words the day I woke up from this body and decided to enter the labyrinth.

“her! You didn’t enter the labyrinth that day? “Are you sane?”

“But how can you fight a monster without a weapon!”

No I should have just gone in in the first place.

You too must have been a player who reached the ‘Gate of the Abyss’.

Can’t you even judge that much?

“Besides I ate something wrong that day and my stomach hurt!”

‘This really leaves me speechless.’

My head gets confused.

‘I can’t ask you outright if you’ve really played that game…’

Now that I think about it I’m not sure if all evil spirits including this guy are from the same Earth as me.

Isn’t this a world where monsters exist and magic is real? It would also be possible to establish that among the evil spirits there are those called from another alien dimension.

“Anyway keep talking.”

It didn’t seem like there was anything special but I just held on and listened to the rest of the story.

Of course there wasn’t much difference from my expectations.

They ran out of money were kicked out of the inn and continued to fight against hunger cold and illness.

One day when I found out about the existence of a lodging where barbarians were gathered I went there to see if I could get help but for some reason I was rejected…

“Then you are truly unique! “Everyone just looks at me strangely.”

To be honest I find him more interesting.

How was he able to act so carelessly and survive for three months?

‘Should I be proud that I realized on my own that I had to pretend to be a barbarian?’

Although I did not understand each of the options he had chosen at the same time a feeling of relief bloomed.

If I had made a different choice back then.

‘Maybe I wasn’t that different.’

If you were afraid of fighting that day and chose to run away.

“…But how much is it here per day?”

By now I would have been sleeping on the street instead of in an inn with a window and a private bath.

Also he couldn’t even eat soup or even bread so he had to rummage through trash cans—

“iced coffee! So how was it and my story? “Wasn’t it perfect?”

In this way there may have been times when one had to vent out one’s own disadvantage and rely on the sympathy of others.

I thought about it one more time before answering.

And I made a decision.

“It was definitely a pitiful story.”

“So are you helping me?”

The complexion started to turn bright color in an instant.

“Of course the favor will be repaid. You may not believe it but I know a lot about labyrinths! “If you come with me from now on it will be of great help to you too!”

You think it will help?

‘From what you’re saying it looks like you have some knowledge about this world…’

I can even get a glimpse of what kind of future the hope circuit in his head is envisioning.

I’m sure you’re imagining going into the labyrinth with me and becoming a team.

In another way he could have said that he would really repay the favor.

Because he doesn’t know my real identity.

But if I were to draw a line in advance—

“I will never enter the labyrinth with you.”

I swear there is no such future.

I have a nose the size of three but are you telling me to go into the labyrinth with a bag attached to me just because I am a person in a similar situation?

Why would I do such a crazy thing?

“Didn’t you say earlier that you would help?”

Hearing a slightly angry voice I forced myself to swallow a bitter smile again.

“I will help you in other ways.”

“Another way?”

“Now here is 150000 stones. Use this to buy weapons and enter the labyrinth.”

When I took out three 50000 stone notes and placed them in his hand his face brightened again.

“Are you really just giving this away? thanks! “I will definitely repay this favor!”

I really don’t expect to be repaid.

Even if you have this money in the first place it seems difficult to survive for a long time with that mindset.

The labyrinth I personally experienced was not a place that could be easily navigated simply by having knowledge of the game.

But I gave him 150000 stones.

I gave him the money even though I knew that it wouldn’t bring me any benefit.

“Then are you tired? Would you like to go out now?”

“Oh that’s right! i get it! “I’ll come back next time—”

“Don’t come.”

I spoke once more lowering my voice so that he could clearly understand.

“Tarikan son of Lien whether he loses the money survives the labyrinth or makes a lot of money even if things go well and he can afford to repay the favor—”

When I reached over and grabbed his shoulder he flinched.

A feeling of embarrassment ran through my fingertips but I continued speaking without stopping.

“The same applies to any other reason. Leave this room today and never come see me again. And answer if you understand. Do you understand?”

“…i get it.”

After receiving the confirmation I semi-forcibly kicked him out of the room. Then I stretched out on the bed and thought about my actions just moments ago.

A chuckle came out.

‘Have I been thinking about the past?’

Maybe it reminded me of a time in the past when I desperately needed someone’s help.

But even taking that into account…

‘Even in my opinion he did something that was absolutely heinous.’

I’m sure someone who is calculating will see me like this and think it’s foolish.

Some people who are emotional will feel weak wondering if this is all they can do to help.

Not everything is wrong.

I didn’t have the coolness to step away from the line or the recklessness to cross it.

So it stopped right on the drawn line.

‘I’m sure this is hypocrisy.’

I closed my eyes.

And then I thought again.

No matter how hypocritical my actions today are—

“Tarikan survive as long as possible.”

This was my best.

If I didn’t even have money I would never have been able to make the choices I have today.

***

The next morning.

I visited the Explorer’s Guild branch that I visited yesterday one more time.

Unfortunately the staff who responded was different…

“Five stars…?”

The female employee who checked the identification card immediately changed her expression to the same as yesterday’s employee and responded kindly.

What on earth is this?

Could it be that something was done to the regional leader’s identity card?

I was curious and asked the staff but I couldn’t get a clear answer.

“A star? “Did I say that?”

Now it’s time to pretend not to know.

I didn’t dig deeper either.

It’s probably like a password that only guilds use.

Something like being attached to a VIP or Jinsang.

I suddenly wondered which side it would be handled but…

‘Either way I benefit.’

How about VIP or special treatment?

The end result of receiving friendly service would be the same.

“This is a list of teams that meet the criteria you mentioned. Would you like to check it out? Explorer?”

I checked today’s announcement again as it was yesterday’s conditions.

The content is almost unchanged except for the addition of a few new teams.

‘Do you think we can find the right team today?’

As I was looking through the documents focusing on the added team my gaze stopped at one part.

It was because I saw a familiar name.

[Exploration of the 3rd floor – Hikurod Murad]

Preferred exploration area: None. To be decided at a later meeting.

Average rating: Not yet determined.

Current personnel: 1 melee defense dwarf warrior (level 7)

Number of recruits: 4 people (may vary depending on team composition regardless of role group)

*Equal distribution

‘The team leader’s name is Hikurod Murad?’

Also the race is dwarf.

I don’t think it’s the same person…

‘Has the original team disbanded?’

Whatever the reason it’s not bad.

It’s a bit weird that there aren’t any members yet but at least the team leader is quite trustworthy.

I’m curious about what the number one item I ate at the ‘Blood Fortress’ was.

‘I guess I’ll have to meet him sometime.’

Afterwards I briefly filled out the application form and submitted it to the administrative office then left the building and headed toward the commercial district.

A meeting will probably be arranged as early as tomorrow or the day after tomorrow at the latest.

‘Then let’s do some homework before that.’

I was sure.

It’s sure to be one of the most enjoyable times I’ve had in a while.

‘Uh… but have you ever had fun?’

I decided not to worry about minor issues.