Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 284

Adrift (4)

Is this for real?

Is this some kind of hidden camera prank?

I stood still for a long moment, gripped by a feeling I can’t even begin to describe. My fingertips trembled slightly and my breathing became increasingly ragged.

Nevertheless, I quickly accepted it.

‘Time slip.’

This one term explains all the contradictions that arose after I woke up on this island.

Therefore, denying it was pointless.

Yeah, if I can wake up in a barbarian’s body while using a computer, why not time travel?

Having sorted out my thoughts, I stared at Amelia.

“You already knew, didn’t you?”

“To some extent.”

Amelia nodded slightly, saying that she had become certain after meeting these people.

I only read about them in a book, but apparently, they were quite famous at the time?

‘…No wonder it seemed odd. She’s not the type to attack without reason.’

It’s a kind of perk for time travelers.

Figuring out the identities of those hiding their true intentions and smashing their heads before they could act.

It must have been baffling for them.

“F-famous? W-what do you mean by that?”

What’s he saying? I have no time to explain anyway..

Even if I did explain, it would be pointless.

“Are there other clan members on this island besides you? If so, just nod slightly.”

I swiftly moved to the interrogation phase.

After clearing up a few questions, I took a moment to think.

“20 years ago…”

The time frame is 20 years in the past.

In simple terms, we were meeting the people who would be caught and executed about five years from now.

‘This is more troublesome than I thought.’

Through the interrogation, I found out that over 30 people were staying on this island.

And Amelia warned me.

Other members aside, the leader of the Elbis Clan is an extremely dangerous explorer.

“…We need to move.”

“We should.”

Amelia and I exchanged a few glances to quickly communicate. Surprisingly, we worked well together in these situations.

There was no need for persuasion.

“First, let’s strip them of their gear.”

“I’ll handle these guys here.”

We deftly stripped them of their equipment and took their backpacks.

And then…

Swoosh.

We killed them all.

How could we let them live and send them back?

They would surely start chasing us with their comrades as soon as they returned.

‘Besides, they deserved to die.’

The emblem of a clan whose crimes would be revealed five years from now.

There was clear Evidence of plundering in their backpacks, and after hearing various things during the interrogation, I felt no guilt.

“What should we do with the bodies?”

“Burying them seems best.”

“Then let’s start digging.”

I followed Amelia’s suggestion without objection.

Yes, in times like these, it’s best to follow the expert.

“I’ll go erase our traces over there.”

While I dug the ground to bury the bodies, Amelia returned to the campsite and dismantled the campfire I had built and the leaf bed I had made.

Thus my brief primitive life ended.

Now, it was time to return to civilization.

“A dagger. Want to use it?”

We discarded the ‘Blessing of the Wood Spirit’ and put on the clothes and equipment we had taken from the guys we had killed.

Not as good as my own gear, but…

‘This will do for now.’

Expecting more would be greedy.

After burying the bodies and covering them with soil, I chewed on some jerky and drank water from a canteen. Then I checked the direction with a compass.

‘Phew, now I feel somewhat human again.’

Nothing felt new anymore.

****

“I found a cave. Let’s go there.”

As the sky gradually lightened with a bluish hue.

Following Amelia for about 30 minutes, I encountered a small cave. She had found it while heading towards the center of the island with Misha?

“The inside is wider than I thought.”

“…Didn’t you come in before?”

“I just noted it while passing by. Thought it was perfect for hiding.”

But she remembered the location?

“Impressive memory.”

When I genuinely admired her, Amelia frowned, saying it was just an old habit.

“An adult getting embarrassed by a compliment, huh.”

“…I wasn’t embarrassed.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Barbarian, what do you mean by ‘I see’?”

It just means ‘I see.’

Anyway, enough chit-chat.

“By the way, I’d like to know about that stone. What was it?”

I repeated the question I’d asked several times, and finally got an answer.

“Fragment of Records Stone. It’s the legacy of the Great Sage Gabriellius and a treasure kept by the lords of Noark for a long time.”

So that was its official name.

It clearly seems related to this situation.

“Is our time travel to the past because of this Fragment of Records Stone?”

“Probably.”

Amelia affirmed and continued speaking.

The ‘Fragment of Records Stone’ was a legendary item said to allow time travel to change history, and she had spent her life trying to obtain it.

“But why did you use it when you were with me?”

“That wasn’t… my intention.”

“What?”

“I didn’t even know how to use it. I planned to study it properly after returning to the city.”

According to Amelia, even the lord of Noark didn’t know how to use it and just kept it.

As Auril Gavis handed over the ‘Fragment of Records’, he said, ‘Until the one called by the era appears.’

‘Damn.’

I sighed, I know it’s bad luck to sigh, but I couldn’t help it.

“So you don’t know how to return either?”

“…That’s right.”

Amelia admitted, looking a bit apologetic, but her eyes sparkled.

Well, I couldn’t blame her.

From her perspective, her lifelong wish had come true. She was more interested in how to change the past than how to return.

‘If I came here, what happened to the other side, is it just frozen in time?

My mind was complicated.

But pondering wouldn’t reveal anything now.

For now, I decided to satisfy my curiosity.

“So, what happened?”

“In what sense?”

“I mean, what was the reason you wanted to come to the past so badly?”

“…”

Amelia pressed her lips together tightly at my question.

Well, if you don’t want to answer, just say so.

After that, an awkward silence lingered for a long time.

Well, thanks to this sudden trip to the past, we both have a lot to think about

“The sun is rising.”

Time passed, and the day dawned, and we stayed there.

We decided to remain put, as wandering around might lead to an uncomfortable encounter with those guys.

Pity we couldn’t escape the island using a boat from those we killed earlier.

‘Who would have thought the island itself was under their control.’

Through the interrogation, we learned that Farune Island was the territory of their clan.

They used it as a base to plunder nearby islands, targeting explorers who weren’t part of any clan.

Initially, the five of them were scouring the island to check if any explorers had snuck in while the clan was away.

‘The silver lining is that we only need to hold out until today.’

The sixth floor closes the labyrinth on the 60th day.

Surprisingly, today is that day.

Given everything else that has happened, a time slip is hardly surprising.

‘I wonder what happened to the others… They still have a month to go before the labyrinth closes. Hopefully, they’ll manage without me.’

Although I worried about the comrades, I didn’t dwell on it too much.

Yeah, I should worry about myself first, especially when I don’t know if I can return.

‘When the labyrinth closes, will everything revert to normal?’

While I was lost in such idle thoughts, Amelia called out to me.

“Barbarian.”

“My name is Bjorn, son of Jandel, human.”

“……”

“So, what did you want to say?”

“I wanted to tell you to choose one of the IDs in the backpack.”

Huh?

‘Ah…’

At first, I didn’t get it, but I soon understood.

If we return to the city in the past like this, we won’t even be able to pass the checkpoints. So, I rummaged through the backpack and gathered all the IDs.

There were easily about forty of them.

“…But why did they collect so many IDs? They could serve as evidence for plundering.”

“It’s common. IDs can be valuable too.”

Not only do those from Noark who lack identities in the city seek them, but many others do as well.

‘Well, they would still be caught for plundering if their backpacks were searched. Might as well sell the IDs.’

We went through the IDs, selecting ones we could use.

Unlike Amelia, who had choices, I had only one option.

Among all those IDs, there was only one for a barbarian.

“Amelia Beriwells, huh? You found a good one?”

Amelia picked an ID with her name.

Race: Human. Gender: Female.

“Age 21? Aren’t you ashamed?.”

“…I-it’s not like I chose it because I liked it.”

Oh? What’s with this reaction?

“Wait, Amelia. How old are you?”

“…Don’t concern yourself with that, Bjorn Jandel.”

Amelia quickly reverted to her usual self and cut me off coldly.

I wanted to tease her for stuttering, but I guess not.

“It’s just that if we stay here for long, I’d have to pay taxes, so I chose one that would incur the least. It’s also convenient since the name is the same.”

Right, she’s already considering the possibility of being stuck in this timeframe for over a year.

‘Tch.’

I smacked my lips and reviewed the details on my ID.

‘Name: Nibels Entze, Age: 21. Explorer Rank: 6.’

These were the essential details.

A rank 6 would likely have a few registered essences, so it’s wise not to use [Gigantification] in front of others.

“Once you’ve memorized it, hand it over.”

“Hmm?”

“You told me not to call you ‘Barbarian’. And I can’t call you Jandel in front of others.”

Ah, that’s true.

I handed my new ID to Amelia.

But then she froze.

“Nibels Entze…?”

Amelia seemed to recognize the name.

****

“Do you know this person?”

She shook her head at my question.

She said it was probably a coincidence and didn’t explain further.

Man, she’s really good at making people frustrated.

‘If that’s the case, don’t show any reaction.’

We spent the remaining time in the cave until the labyrinth closed.

Occasionally, we had conversations, one of which left a deep impression.

“I’ll find a way back, so try not to draw attention. We might create irreversible consequences.”

“Irreversible consequences?”

“A mage once told me that if traveling to the past is possible, even a tiny change could lead to a country’s downfall.”

She seemed to be talking about the butterfly effect.

The one where they say that the wings of a butterfly can cause a typhoon on another continent.

‘…Wait, what if the Bjorn of this era dies? What happens then?’

Suddenly, that thought crossed my mind.

Since this is 20 years ago, there should be a Bjorn in this timeline too.

He’d be a toddler, barely weaned off his milk bottle.

But if that child dies, what will happen to me?

‘…I might be in serious danger.’

Once we return to the city, it’s best to lie low and observe, as Amelia advised.

“Got it. I won’t cause any trouble, don’t worry.”

“…I trust you.”

Amelia said with eyes that showed complete mistrust, and then fell back into deep thought.

More time passed.

Some clan members searching for their missing comrades wandered nearby, but thanks to Amelia’s good camouflage, we avoided detection.

And finally.

[00:00]

The clock’s hands ticked.

It signaled the labyrinth’s closing time.

Whooosh!

A bright white light enveloped me.

My vision blurred, and colors slowly returned. I glanced up at the sky and couldn’t help but smile.

‘The sky was gloomy 20 years ago too.’

The usual ashen sky of Raphdonia.

“Hey, you’re not going straight to the lodging, right?”

“Of course not. Let’s go get a drink first.”

The dimensional plaza, bustling with noisy explorers as always.

Right, this is what it used to feel like.

There’s been so much going on lately that this peacefulness feels more unfamiliar.

It was finally sinking in.

‘…This really is the world from 20 years ago.’

I’d have to live here for a while.