Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 183

Jinx (3)

Manticore.

A Level 5 monster with the body of a lion and the unsettling face of a human.

The essence of this creature is quite unique.

[Manticore]

[Discernment +40, Appetite +30, Leaping Ability +30]

Essentially, the real benefit is just Leaping Ability +30.

It might seem worse than a Level 9 monster, but its passive ability is related to stats.

(P) Inheritance — When consuming a magic stone, stats increase permanently.

[Inheritance].

A skill that boosts abilities upon consuming a magic stone.

While it appears to be a cheat-level skill at first glance, there is a crucial limitation.

‘The total sum of stats that can be obtained through this skill is 200’

Initially, I even wondered why such a flawed essence even existed.

Many Level 5 creatures have a total sum stats exceeding 300.

But to have to rely on using a passive skill to achieve what should be the basic stats?

Moreover, the active skills weren’t that great either.

It would be different if it gave Manticore’s core ability, Random Skill Barrage, but that’s unique to the creature and can’t be obtained from the essence.

However…

“Stop right there!”

The moment this essence appeared, everyone’s expression changed.

Yes, they knew the true value of this essence too.

“Raven, get the dice out!”

As I shouted, the dwarf growled.

“Before that, perhaps you should step back first, Barbarian.”

What, afraid I might just eat it outright if I lose the dice roll? Unlikely, but starting a quarrel now wouldn’t do anyone any good.

“…Let’s all step back at once then.”

“Agreed.”

“Yes, yes! That seems like a good idea.”

Starting with me, everyone stepped back together.

Then we swiftly resolved the situation as quickly as roasting beans with lightning.

The essence lasts for an average of 30 minutes.

So, let’s address something I hadn’t had the chance to ask earlier.

“Is there any team willing to give up their bid?”

I asked just in case, but both Hans G and the dwarf shook their heads and each made a remark.

“No, we will participate. Except for the mage and the priest, it’s an essence that everyone can use.”

Fucking player bastard

The true value of the Manticore’s essence lies in its erasure at the temple.

Even if erased, 20% of the additional stats remain.

It’s practically an elixir with a bonus stat of 40.

“No way we’d give up this expensive essence.” the dwarf retorted

“Expensive essence? Are you planning to sell it?”

“We don’t have space for more essences.”

Hmm, that’s possible, but suddenly another possibility came to mind.

‘Oh, right, these guys are from the underground city, aren’t they?’

For explorers from Noarark, the process of erasing essences at the temple is complicated.

Especially when the city is under blockade.

It would make sense to keep it and sell it secretly once the blockade is lifted.

However, one major question remained.

“…But you don’t have a mage, do you?”

The dwarf team doesn’t have a mage.

While their sorcerer, who is focused on offensive essences, plays a similar role in terms of firepower, replacing a mage’s utility is impossible.

The dwarf responded nonchalantly.

“Don’t you have one on your side? We’ll pay well for the test tube use and include a generous tip.”

Trying to profit from us, huh?

“What if we refuse both?”

The dwarf smirked at my suggestion to avoid greed.

“We’ll still roll the dice. And if we win, we’ll just keep watch until the essence disappears.”

In other words, if they can’t have it, they might as well interfere.

That left a bad taste in my mouth.

Explorers are explorers, whether underground or aboveground.

They’re shockingly similar in this respect.

‘Should I just ambush and kill them here?’

Such a drastic method crossed my mind, but I regained my composure with Raven’s help.

“Mr. Jandel, we have no choice.”

Right, we haven’t even thrown the dice yet.

It’s not a core essence like [Gigantification].

Eventually, when we can get Level 3 essences, it will have to be erased.

And it’s not like there aren’t better replacement essences.

“So how long are we going to keep this up?”

Prompted by the dwarf, I also snapped back to reality.

“Let’s have one representative from each team come forward.”

The leaders of each team gathered in one place.

I briefly explained the rules.

“Each person will throw once, and the person with the highest roll gets the loot. If there’s a tie, those two will roll again to determine the winner.”

“Are we using that mage’s dice?”

“It’s an official dice of the Explorers’ Guild. It’s all right if you don’t want to use mine, but in that case I’ll have to check it first.

“Alright then, no problem.”

The dwarf nodded coolly, and the preparations were complete as the mage from Hans G’s team examined Raven’s dice.

“Hans, as agreed, you will subtract 2 from your roll. Speak now if you have any objections.”

“…We are satisfied just to have this opportunity.”

“Alright then. So, who’s going first?”

Who would take the initiative?

Though it seemed trivial, everyone gulped and eyed each other, gauging the moment.

Unexpectedly, Hans G was the first to step forward.

“I’ll go first.”

Hans G picked up the dice.

Despite the handicap of a minus 2 deduction, his teammates threw him encouraging looks filled with anticipation.

“Go on, Krysen! You can do it…”

“Hans, if you mess this up, be ready for a kick in the ass.”

“Don’t worry too much about losing, Krysen.”

From the newly appointed scout to the human warrior to the middle-aged mage, each of his teammates looked on. When Hans G locked eyes with the fairy archer, she nodded silently.

It was clear to anyone that there was something special between them.

‘This isn’t some teenage drama.’

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

The newly recruited female scout was biting her lip in frustration, seeing their interaction.

“Alright… Here I go!”

Hans G rolled the dice energetically.

The dice clattered across the dry ground, showing its various numbers as it tumbled.

Finally, it stopped.

[10]

The number showing was a whopping 10, the highest possible roll on the dice.

“Yaaaaaah!”

“Insane! He’s done it!!”

“What’s the market value? Parteian, what does the guild list the standard price at?”

Cheers erupted from Hans G’s side, while we stood there, mute as if we’d eaten honey.

The dwarf, sensing an opportunity to needle, spoke up.

“Sounds like you’re already counting it as yours. You haven’t forgotten you need to subtract 2 from that roll, have you?”

“Ah, yes… I’m aware.”

The jubilant atmosphere cooled somewhat, but Hans G’s team still felt celebratory.

After all, an 8 is still a high roll.

“Next, it’s my turn.”

The dwarf walked over to Hans G, grabbed the dice, hesitated for a moment with a grimace on his face, then casually threw them to the ground.

The dice barely rolled before stopping.

[9]

…Is this for real?

“Aaaaaaaaaah!”

“Damn it all!!”

“I knew it! You beast!!”

A wild roar erupted from the dwarf team.

In contrast, Hans G’s team all looked stunned, their faces frozen.

“Ha.”

The dwarf looked over at Hans G and me, a smirk playing on his lips. He then uttered a phrase I’d use least likely in my life.

“Lucky day.”

What kind of person is this guy, really?

A sense of overwhelming despair enveloped me.

But I couldn’t just collapse.

Not when there’s so much at stake for me.

“Jandel! Why fret over something like this? It’s not like you.” Mr. Bear offered his words.

“I believe in you! Bjorn, you can do it!!”

“Nyang, Bjorn! You always pull through, don’t you!”

“We won’t talk about probabilities. They mean nothing to someone like you, Mr. Yandel, right?”

My teammates still believed in me.

And I hadn’t given up on myself.

And so…

I grasped the dice.

The dwarf, noticing my resolve, sneered arrogantly—a familiar scene by now.

Hans’s number was 8.

The dwarf’s number was 9.

All I needed now was to roll a 10.

Chances were just that—chances, meaningless.

Isn’t this the kind of dramatic turn you’d expect in movies or comics?

Yes, by the narrative, this should happen…!

No, it has to happen.

“…Bjorn’s eyes have changed.”

A peculiar certainty wrapped around my hand.

As if some unseen presence had embraced me warmly.

Before that sensation faded, I threw the dice.

“Go! Great warrior!!!”

Amidst Aynar’s shout, the dice rolled.

Surprisingly, my mind was clearer than it had ever been.

Thump.

My heart beat quietly.

The air felt crisply cool, and as if time slowed, each second was vividly imprinted in my mind.

Amidst this pleasant sensation,

Thud.

The dice stopped.

Immediately, the atmosphere shifted.

“…”

A chilling silence descended.

I looked away from the dice to the people around me.

“Insane…”

The dwarf, who had been smirking so confidently.

My teammates, who had believed and supported me.

Even Hans G, already resigned to defeat, opened his mouth wide in shock.

‘Did it really happen…?’

I checked the dice.

[1]

…I should have asked Misha to throw it.

***

The loser is left without words.

All excuses are just that—excuses.

One must simply endure in silence.

Just as I am doing now.

“Puahaha! To roll a 1 with that look on your face! Did you see that? I was actually scared! Your eyes were so certain.”

Harsh taunts erupted from the dwarf’s team.

A sense of humiliation enveloped me from head to toe.

“I’m curious, really. How can someone make such a face! Kahaha!”

“Don’t mock Bjorn!!”

“Go on, great warrior! Pff, pfft! Puahahaha!”

“…I’ll kill you!!!”

I held back Aynar, who was about to lash out.

“Stop.”

“But! If I don’t smash his head in…!!”

Yes, we couldn’t silence that mouth any other way.

I understood the feeling better than anyone.

But now was not the time.

They knew that as well.

“Stop it, both of you.”

As I stared firmly, the dwarf also restrained his teammates, preventing any further taunting.

With the winner already decided, I turned to the business at hand.

“How much will you give?”

“For the test tube, 15 million stones.”

That was the fixed price.

“And the service fee?”

“5 million stones.”

That’s a good deal for just casting a spell.

But…

“7 million.”

“You’re greedy.”

The dwarf glanced at Hans G’s team’s mage.

Since they had two mages, they could potentially ask the other side for help but..

“We don’t have a test tube.” Hans G’s team didn’t have a test tube

What?

I had initially quoted a higher price, expecting to split the fee with them…

This changes the conversation.

“We’ll give 7 million.”

At HansG’s words, the Dwarf accepted my offer without a moment’s hesitation.

But the train had already left the station.

“It’s too late.”

“…?”

“The price just went up to 15 million.”

In essence, the service fee was now the same as the price of the test tube.

“Don’t push it, Barbarian.”

The dwarf muttered as if he was fed up.

It wasn’t hard to understand.

Being shorter might make it harder to see the world widely. Naturally, he didn’t understand the basic principles of a market driven by supply and demand.

“Pushing it? I think this is a reasonable price. Especially since you won’t refuse it.”

“…10 million stones.”

“No bargaining. Take it or leave it.”

“Think rationally, Barbarian. Are you really going to throw this money away?”

“It’s your choice. Either throw away the essence or pay us and take it in the test tube.”

I pushed hard with tough bargaining.

It’s also the reason why a monopoly can be so ruthless in a capitalist market.

Business is business, even if it’s shitty.

“Fuck.”

The dwarf trembled with anger then spoke.

“I’ll give 15 million stones.”

“Good, that’s sensible—”

“Not to you, to them.”

The dwarf looked at Hans G and said.

“What? What do you mean…?”

“If you pay us this amount, I’ll transfer the ownership of the essence to you.”

A sale right here…

That’s what he meant.

An emotional decision abandoning reason.

I almost regretted it for a moment, but then it seemed there wouldn’t be a major issue.

“We… we don’t have that kind of money right now.”

“You can barter.”

“Let us discuss this for a moment…”

Hans G and his team took some time to consult.

From their muted conversations, it appeared they had activated team voice magic.

Naturally, this discussion didn’t last long.

The conclusion was not far from what I expected.

“Even so, selling equipment is a bit too much…”

Hans G’s team would have to sell equipment for more than three members to raise this amount.

But giving up equipment in a rift for an essence that’s not immediately useful?

That doesn’t make sense.

“So, what if we arrange to pay from the city?”

“That’s not possible.”

It’s unlikely these guys from the underground city would offer Hans G a line of credit.

Backed into a corner, the dwarf exhaled deeply.

Then he looked at me, clearly reluctant.

“Barbarian, at the price you said—”

“20 million stones. It just went up again.”

“This Fucker…”

“Or we could buy the essence for 15 million stones ourselves. How about that?”

“…I’ll pay 20 million stones.”

The dwarf cursed under his breath, but it didn’t have much effect on the outcome. Even paying that much for the essence was still a profitable deal.

Around seventeen million stones in profit.

‘Wait, doesn’t that mean we ended up gaining more?’

Is this the sweet taste of having a monopoly?

Despite rolling a 1, the lowest possible, we ended up securing the largest share.

Ironically so.

***

After the negotiation concluded, things progressed smoothly.

First, we received goods worth 20 million stones from the dwarf.

Of course, he couldn’t possibly have that much money on hand.

He initially tried to pay with equipment, but I refused.

They eagerly pulled piles of unused equipment from their packs.

Just how much plundering had they done?

“Give it to me in potions so it’s easier to cash out.”

“…We can’t pay that much in potions.”

“Then give what you can in potions, and we’ll take the rest in equipment.”

I pushed for as many potions as possible, as we might end up fighting them. It was wise to reduce their strength as much as possible beforehand.

Ah, it would have been so much easier if they had handed over their current equipment.

“Seven Top-grade potions and eleven High-grade ones. Plus the equipment should just about cover it.”

With Raven’s help as a general appraiser, the barter transaction was concluded without much argument, and then we set up camp at a suitable location.

Ah, we organized a watch system with one person from each of the three teams, rotating throughout the night.

Hans G, the dwarf, and Mr. Bear were first.

Then it was my turn.

“Jandel, it’s your shift now.”

“Anything unusual? Did those two have any suspicious conversations?”

“Hans talked to himself most of the time. It might be easier and more pleasant to stand guard alone.

“Alright, thanks for your effort. Go get some rest.”

My watchmates were a fairy archer named Meylin and the beast tribe warrior from the dwarf’s team…

It was uncomfortably silent.

‘I see why he thought it would be easier alone.’

The silent beast tribe warrior.

And the fairy archer, who kept giving me uncomfortable looks throughout the watch.

“Got something to say?”

“Could you keep it down a bit? Everyone is trying to sleep.”

Typical of pointy-eared ones.

Why do they dislike us kind-hearted barbarians so much?

There must be a problem with their character.

Except for Erwin, of course.

‘Let’s just focus on keeping watch.’

I was more wary of their betrayal than any monster attacks. After all, the likelihood of them stabbing us in the back had just increased.

I wasn’t sure about Hans G, but the dwarf definitely had a knife up his sleeve.

‘He paid in barter so willingly because of that, I suppose.’

Twenty million stones was a lot of money, even considering the monopoly.

Yet he’d paid it coolly.

‘…Well, maybe that’s true for me too?’

I hadn’t given up on the essence in the test tube yet.

Just waiting for the right moment.

“Misha, wake up. It’s time for your shift.”

After an uncomfortably silent watch, I swapped with Misha and went to sleep.

And the next morning, the exploration resumed.

We devoted all our time, apart from eating, to moving through the forest, and as a result we were able to find and eliminate the remaining two mid-bosses.

[You have defeated Yigaksoo. EXP +5]

[You have defeated Qulves. EXP +5]

Sadly, I didn’t get any essence, but…….

“Hey, isn’t that it? The thing you guys mentioned!”

We successfully discovered the third chapter, which I had expected would take another day.

[Your Character has entered the Shadow Altar]

As soon as we discovered the altar, dark shadows enveloped us.

Suddenly, a massive barrier had formed around us.

As clear as this chapter’s concept, so was the task I needed to undertake.

[A plunderer that was sealed has possessed one of the exploration members]

Now, let’s start the politics.

“Dwarf, you look a bit off. Something wrong with your head?”

Let’s start with this one.