Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 172

Burning 4

Woosh-!

When the user was registered, the fireball emitted light.

However, after that, it didn’t react to anything.

So after trying to fiddle with it in various ways, even Raven gave up.

“This… we should return to the city and consult a specialist appraiser.”

“Are we taking this with us?”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

Well, that’s…

I said bluntly.

“Actually, I thought you might say that we should take the book, that it’s of immense historical value or something”.

“Oh, I definitely am interested in the book.”

Raven agreed easily rather than getting angry.

“But the person who wrote the diary said, right? To take it and use it. It must be more valuable than the diary itself. Besides, I’ve already memorised the contents of the diary. And just in case, I’ve also made a video recording.

“Oh… I see?”

“Yes. So don’t worry about that.”

Raven then applied ‘distortion’ magic to the fire orb.

This meant that even if ownership was discovered, it couldn’t be cancelled.

‘It would be more natural to use this after returning to the city.’

That seemed like a better idea.

I didn’t know anything.

So, this is strictly an accident.

Although my conscience felt a bit prickly…

‘It’s not like I obtained this item just for my own benefit.’

The fire orb is an item for the whole team.

Therefore, the benefits can be shared by everyone.

That is, until I leave the team.

“…It seems like that’s pretty much it.”

After searching every nook and cranny of the house for another 30 minutes, there was no significant finding.

“What should we do now?”

“What kind of question is that? We continue hunting, of course.”

“…I knew you’d say that.”

Being the money-hungry explorers that we are, we spent the remaining time efficiently hunting monsters..

True to the nature of a treasure-hunter obsessed with money, we spent the remaining time efficiently hunting monsters.

And before we knew it.

「The character is moving to Raphdonia.」

The time for return had come.

***

The first sunshine in a month.

I basked in the warmth for a while, as if photosynthesising, and then moved on.

A checkpoint for mid-level explorers of rank 6 and above.

After waiting for a bit, everyone had gathered except for Mr. Bear.

“Why isn’t Urrakburak coming?”

Well, did she really need to ask that?

Having just been hunting, I didn’t have the energy to answer.

After a little while, Mr. Bear arrived.

Beside him was a nameless explorer.

“Over here.”

“Ah, thank you. It was easy to find thanks to you.”

“Hehe, thanks to you, I’m having quite the peculiar experience.”

With such a semi-impressed remark, the explorer coolly headed towards their own team.

Mr. Bear awkwardly smiled as he joined us.

“Ha ha, the line is quite long, isn’t it?”

Well, of course, it’s because you were late.

I sighed but didn’t verbally complain.

After all, I am not the leader of this team for nothing.

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

One should try to embrace even the flaws.

I had also developed some immunity from Team halfling.

‘After all, Mr. Bear is pretty good at fighting.’

Anyway, as we were all waiting in line, Misha chatted with Mr Bear.

“Nyang, Being here together like this, it really feels like we’ve made it.”

“Hehe, that might be so. Team Level are recognized starting from rank 6 onwards.”

“Nyang. I feel like I’m a full fledged explorer now. It’s quite peculiar…”

In fact, I felt the same way.

“Before, we had to gather outside using specific entry points designated for our ranks”

Anyway, the queue disappeared quickly, as it was only for rank 6.

There were far fewer people passing through here than at the rank 9 checkpoint, but there were more than twice the number of staff members.

Even the checkpoints were in the form of rooms, preserving privacy.

“Team Apple Narak… is that correct?”

The administrative staff checked our team registration card and managed to keep a straight face.

After going through some simple administrative procedures, we handed over the magic stones we, all bundled up.

About seven of them.

All of them were heavy.

“……!”

The staff’s eyes widened as they opened the bundle and saw it filled with magic stones.

Of course, that moment was brief.

Before long, they gave a thin, meaningful smile.

For some reason, it reminded me of being dragged to the Guild’s Prison, giving me a sense of PTSD…

But Raven, the conversationalist, handled the situation.

“These are all magic stones rightfully obtained by defeating monsters. We have video evidence to prove it. Well, if you check, you might need to compensate us appropriately for disclosing our achievements.”

“That won’t be necessary…”

“Then, could you proceed with the exchange?”

Perhaps because I was tired, or maybe because I found the officer’s gaze bothersome, my tone was crisper than usual.

Did the staff sense something off?

They moved quickly and soon finished the exchange.

“25.19 million stones.”

An amount that one would usually expect from a clan-level operation.

Divided among the five of us, that’s 5,038,000 stones each.

If we earn like this every month, that’s an annual salary of 60,456,000 stones!

‘Indeed, fitting for the Burning Zone.’

Even if we fought and caught dozens of monsters in a single battle, it would have been impossible to earn this much without the double magic stone event.

“Heh…”

An involuntary sigh of amazement escaped me.

It was such a peculiar feeling.

It feels like just yesterday when I exchanged 180,000 stones upon my first entry and received admiration from my peers.

“So, how many cotton candies is that exactly?”

“Uh……. You could eat 10 a day and never run out!!”

It’s very encouraging that this income came purely from magic stones, not from plunderers’ equipment or anything like that.

Well, it might be difficult to earn this much every time.

‘We did find the black moss quite early this time.’

And the Miladon appeared without much waiting.

Moreover, the distortion magic worked on the first try.

It would be hard to expect things to go this smoothly in the next exploration.

“……You’re going to do the accounting tomorrow, right?”

As soon as we left the checkpoint, Raven asked.

By the look in her eyes, the answer was already decided.

“Let’s just do it the day after tomorrow.”

I wasn’t planning to do it today anyway.

I had been hunting without enough sleep, and on the last day, I stayed up until 12 am.

Considering our camping routine is around 9-10 pm, I’ve already overstayed my sleeping time.

“The day after tomorrow?”

“Yeah, we also need to sell the equipment and by-products.”

“Ah, that… Can’t Mr. Jandel take care of it for me? I really, really won’t be able to wake up tomorrow.”

“You have the appraiser’s certification, right? So it’s OK for you to handle it”.

Raven clenched her mouth shut.

She probably never dreamed that the words she once bragged about would come back to hit her like a boomerang…

“If it was just the equipment, maybe, but there are also magical materials involved. That’s something only a mage like you can handle.”

“……Then Mr. Jandel is coming with me. A barbarian can carry things too, right?”

Porter my foot.

She had a spatial ring, so it was a preposterous suggestion…

But I just agreed to it.

I was also curious about the mage’s selling routes.

“Then, let’s meet then.”

After setting a meeting time, we dispersed to head to our accommodations.

“Yawn, I’ll go ahead.”

Raven to his personal lab in the Mage Tower.

“Abam, can you find your way properly?”

“Don’t worry. I know the way from the checkpoint to home.”

“Ah, so you can find your way home after all?”

Mr. Bear went to the tavern where his wife was waiting.

“Alright, now let’s head back.”

“Misha, can’t we eat something before that? I, I’m so hungry…”

“Let’s all eat together after washing up.”

“Ugh, I’ll try to hold out.”

We went to our temporary home.

***

The next day, 1 PM.

While Misha and Aynar continued to sleep in at the lodging, I prepared to go out.

I had to go with Raven to sell the loot.

[Ah, then please drop my equipment off at the repair shop.]

[…Can I ask you to do the same for me?]

For the record, I had also packed the equipment of the two people in my backpack.

It was a bit disappointing that not a single person wanted to come along…

 

But, as the team leader, it seemed right to endure this much for the team.

“You’re one minute late.”

“Should I pay a late fee?”

“Do I look like a beggar to you?”

Why is she so cranky?

‘Ah, it’s because she couldn’t sleep any more.’

I decided to be generous in my understanding.

She isn’t the team leader, just a mage dragged out for this reason, so she must have complaints.

‘Wonder if she likes sweet things? Maybe I should treat her to one later.’

Recalling the people skills I learned from my ex-girlfriend, we boarded the carriage headed to Commelby district.

There was no chit-chat during the ride.

Both of us passed out asleep.

“Yawn, that was a good sleep…”

When I opened my eyes in the carriage, we had already arrived.

Since we didn’t meet early in the morning, we moved a bit hurriedly.

Ah, first to treat her to something sweet.

“Um, sweets are acceptuhble…”

“Focus your eyes before you talk, will you?”

“Ah, that hurts my pride.”

Anyway, today’s schedule was simple.

Sell the Miladon by-products at a magic shop.

Stop by the blacksmith for weapon repairs and to liquidate the masked man’s equipment.

Register the expanded backpack and Ifrit’s essence at the exchange.

And, while at the exchange, call a specialist appraiser to finally appraise the fire orb.

“This is… you’ve acquired quite a valuable item. I’ve heard that even among large clans, there are almost none who possess this.”

“So, what is it exactly?”

“It’s a Fire Orb. When activated, it consumes soul energy but reduces fire damage within a 15-meter radius.”

“What are the activation conditions?”

“There’s an activation word. I’ll write it down for you, so make sure not to forget it.”

By the way, the special appraisal fee was a whopping 300,000 stones.

Just hearing that made my stomach ache.

These guys really rake in money just by sitting down.

“So, how much is the appraisal value?”

“Ah, I forgot to mention. The Fire Orb can only be used by the person who first acquired it.”

“What? What did you say?”

Raven’s gaze shifted to me.

But what now, after all this time?

It was an accident, an accident.

“Sigh…”

A sigh that seemed to contain many emotions.

As we were about to leave after finishing our business, the appraiser made a proposal.

“Could you possibly tell me where you obtained it?”

“No. We have no intention of sharing our achievements.”

“If you change your mind, please let me know. Everyone who has acquired a Fire Orb has been tight-lipped. We’re willing to pay a fair price.”

“Sure, will do.”

After leaving the exchange, today’s schedule was concluded.

Due to our systematic movement, there was quite some time left until the last carriage.

We had a simple meal near the platform.

“Raven, just to be clear, I didn’t know about this.”

“Who’s blaming you? What, did you think I’d ask for compensation in money?”

I definitely thought that was coming.

“It’s okay. Like the appraiser said earlier, right? It’s less a personal item and more a tool to be used for the team.”

“Yeah, I’ll only use it for the team.”

The worry I had internally was easily resolved.

So, I could comfortably inquire about something that had been on my mind during the meal.

“But why did you reject that offer?”

“The one about telling where we got it?”

“Yeah, it sounded like they would’ve paid well.”

“They would’ve. But if we told them, they’d make several times more than what they’ve paid us, right? I can’t accept that.”

Hmm, seems like middlemen making a sweet profit is universal…

“More importantly, if the source is revealed, more people would know about the book, right? That’s not good. I plan to delve into it properly and turn the academic world upside down.”

The real reason lay elsewhere.

All for that elusive fame.

It’s a motivation I find hard to relate to, but I guess everyone has their own pursuits.

“Anyway, please continue to count on me.”

“Suddenly?”

“I have a feeling that the secrets of an ancient witch are hidden in a labyrinth waiting to be discovered. I’ve decided to search for it.”

“Um, so…?”

“What do you mean, ‘so’? It means I’m continuing as an explorer. Alongside Mr. Jandel.”

I didn’t understand why she emphasized being beside me…

As I looked at her intently, Raven gave a bright smile.

“I felt it since the Blood Tinted Castle, but Mr. Jandel, you have a knack for this. It feels like we’ll often encounter unusual events like this one, right?”

Being beside me means encountering unusual events…

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You can trust me. A mage’s intuition tends to be quite accurate.”

That mage’s intuition sure is something.

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