Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 296

Newbie (4)

The city overflowing with warmth, Noark.

However, interpreting this differently, it could mean there’s nothing but ‘warmth’.

The chaotic cost of living is hard to get used to.

Outdated and behind-the-times administrative services.

Even this morning, when I went to the Labyrinth Administration office to receive binding magic, the administrative mage standing in line decided to take a one-hour break out of fatigue.

Well, after that, I got frustrated and moved to the front of the line to be served first.

“How long are you going to stand there?”

“Ah, just feeling a bit strange. This place hasn’t changed at all in twenty years.”

“Why are you stating the obvious all of a sudden?”

What a lack of romance.

Even if it’s the same, it’s still the labyrinth from twenty years ago, right?

“Follow me.”

As I was lost in various thoughts while looking around, I began to run after Amelia, who had started running first.

It felt a bit strange.

It seemed like we were going the right way, but…

How can she find the path without even looking at a compass?

‘Ah, could it be…’

“Are you a scout?”

At my question, Amelia looked back briefly, then silently started running again.

But that was enough of an answer.

‘Unbelievable…’

A human character with aura, doppelganger essence, and scout skills?

The world feels really unfair sometimes.

It makes me a bit envious too.

‘Having someone like her on the team would be incredibly reassuring…’

I wonder if she’ll join if I get closer to her and try to recruit her later. I still have room to fill our clan’s 10-member limit anyway…

I hope my clan is doing well without me.

“……”

While I was lost in such thoughts, following Amelia, we ran into a group of explorers.

They weren’t low-rank explorers but a group like us heading to the second floor to save time.

‘This is making me a bit nervous.’

Currently, I’m not with Raphdonia but with Noark.

Maybe that’s why I was afraid they’d find us suspicious.

Well, it was a needless worry.

“Don’t mind us.”

“Heh heh, so grumpy. Good luck!”

As Amelia spoke coldly, the group laughed cheerfully and went their way.

“Why were you so tense?”

“Just… nothing. I just thought I couldn’t live a life of crime.”

“What?”

Amelia asked, as if she had heard something unexpected, then burst out laughing.

“Hah, haha!”

Honestly, it was quite unfamiliar to me.

It wasn’t even a particularly funny comment, and it was the first time I’d seen her laugh so loudly.

“Do you like such things?”

I asked, feeling somewhat proud, but Amelia stopped laughing and put on a serious face.

“Don’t misunderstand. I laughed because it was so absurd.”

Come on, if that’s the case, lower the corners of your mouth first.

Is it because she’s from Noark that her sense of humor is so weird?

Was my anxiety that amusing to her?

Clicking my tongue in dissatisfaction, Amelia spoke up.

“Those people we just saw are from Noark.”

“What?”

Those cheerful guys are from Noark?

“How do you know that?”

Amelia briefly explained.

The lack of mages or priests in their team.

The mismatched colors and designs of their equipment, suggesting it was taken from others.

And most importantly…

“Only people from Noark would bring a kid with a covered face in a robe.”

“A kid? You mean that small explorer at the back?”

“Yes.”

“Huh, I thought it was just a short woman or a dwarf. How can you be so sure?”

Amelia answered in a slightly stiff voice.

“I just know when I see one.”

“What?”

“Never mind, let’s keep moving.”

It wasn’t a topic she wanted to discuss at length.

One of her bad habits.

Huh, she really makes me curious.

“Amelia.”

“……”

“If what you said is true, why would people from Noark bring kids into the labyrinth?”

Instead of prying about how she could recognize the kid, I asked something else.

Amelia answered, seemingly finding this question acceptable.

“Firstly, kids can be made to work for cheap.”

“Huh, but that doesn’t seem like a reason to bring them into a labyrinth.”

“They’re surprisingly useful. They can be made to do annoying tasks like cooking or keeping watch, and they help with plundering.”

“Help with plundering…?”

“They’re used as bait. When a kid approaches asking for help, even the most cautious explorers would at least listen.”

Hmm, I see.

“That’s strange. If a kid approached me, I’d be more suspicious. Doesn’t Raphdonia prevent minors from entering the labyrinth?”

“That’s because you’re from twenty years later. The laws haven’t changed, but during this period, officials tacitly allowed it.”

Wow, when she says things like that, it really does feel like an old person saying ‘back in my day…’.

“By the way, Amelia, how old are you?”

“Stop wasting time and move.”

Anyway, we continued our small talk as we headed to the second floor, reaching our destination quickly due to running.

The portal was already open, presumably by someone else.

Tsk, a shame. I thought we arrived early.

“Let’s go up.”

Upon entering the portal, a gloomy and sticky air greeted us.

‘This place always feels unpleasant.’

Land of the Dead.

The area where various undead monsters like ghouls and deathfiends appear, and the place where I first met Amelia.

‘Back then, I was scared to death.’

It’s funny how things turn out.

Who would’ve thought we’d come back here together as allies?

“Amelia, I have a question.”

“Don’t ask.”

“You mentioned in Bifron that those you killed here in the Land of the Dead deserved it. Was it related to the past you’re trying to fix?”

“You… sure are curious about me.”

“Of course.”

Unfazed by her sarcastic remark, I nodded, and Amelia clicked her tongue and answered.

“Yes, it’s related.”

Hmm, I knew it.

I wanted to hear more, but judging by her expression, she might get angry, so I stopped.

I’ll ask again later.

“If you’re done with your questions, let’s move.”

Entering the second floor, we continued to move while slaughtering monsters.

But maybe because there were just two of us?

It reminded me of the times when I was exploring with Aynar as a duo, making me nostalgic.

Back then, every battle was a struggle.

Time flies.

Thwack-!

Before I knew it, I could kill death fiends with my bare hands.

“Bethel—raaah!!!”

“……”

“Ah, sorry. It’s a habit.”

“Enough, sit down. Let’s rest here for a bit.”

After moving all day, we settled down at night. We agreed to a quick meal and only three hours of sleep.

By the way, we didn’t set a watch guard.

Amelia said she could summon clones using [Self-Replication].

“……Does that work?”

In the game, the doppelganger essence didn’t come with an ‘auto-hunt’ mode.

So, how is this possible?

The answer was quite simple.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t slept properly since becoming an adult.”

She’s always half-awake, so she can somewhat control the clones.

Well, that’s what she says.

I don’t know if it’s biologically possible.

“Tsk, no wonder your eyes always look tired.”

“Are you picking a fight?”

“No, I’m just saying you should get some proper sleep.”

“……”

Anyway, she said that her movements slow down in auto-hunting mode, but it should be enough for the lower floors.

“Then rest.”

So, I lay down without objection.

Sleep didn’t come immediately.

Not because I was worried about not having a watch.

As a tank, I wouldn’t die easily even if I got hit while sleeping.

‘Are the others doing well…’

Camping in the labyrinth made me constantly think about my comrades.

Thus, the first night passed.

On the second day in the labyrinth.

We reached the third floor right on schedule.

Now, it’s time to undertake the mission we came for.

Oh, and there’s only one mission.

Achieve enough results to impress the Lord of Noark.

[From the first day we came down to Noark, we stirred the city and proved our skills. But even so, the lord hasn’t approached us.]

Amelia explained the reason:

[He’s definitely being cautious. The royal family has sent undercover agents several times.]

So, in other words, what we need to prove in this labyrinth is not our skills, but our ‘character.’

Whether we are people fit for Noark.

[The easiest way to prove ourselves is through plundering. If we return from this labyrinth with a haul of loot, the suspicion will lessen.]

Amelia suggested plundering as the first method, and I agreed.

Ah, but I set one condition.

We loot, but we target plunderers, not regular explorers.

[Is that your condition?]

[Yes. I may not value human life as highly as I used to, but I still won’t kill just anyone for my benefit.]

[……But how will you distinguish looters?]

Amelia showed flexibility and said she would follow if I had a method, and I said I would show her directly later.

Time passed until now.

“So, what now?”

We had reached our target floor, the third floor.

The fourth floor is structured so that plunderers can’t appear, and the fifth floor is difficult to operate with just two people.

So, the third floor is perfect for plundering plunderers.

“If you really have a way to distinguish plunderers, go ahead.”

She’s so impatient.

I then asked Amelia for a few things.

“Amelia, first use your stealth ability.”

“……Stealth?”

“Don’t play dumb. You know, the one you used in front of me back then, disappearing into the darkness.”

“…….”

Without any questions, Amelia vanished into the darkness as I said.

Huh, I can’t sense her presence at all.

I need to get some detection items when we get back.

“So, what’s next?”

It was awkward to hear a voice from nowhere, but I answered calmly.

“Nothing much. Just follow me in that state. I’ll find the plunderers.”

“Alright.”

This is one of the good things about Amelia as an ally.

She refrains from asking unnecessary questions and observes what I do.

Well, that was until…

“Barbarian.”

Out of the blue, Amelia asked.

“Why… are you taking off your equipment?”

Ah, so you couldn’t hold back your curiosity.

Well, it might be hard to understand from a normal perspective.

I hoped you’d understand without asking.

“It’s hard to explain, just watch.”

After that, I put all my remaining gear into the subspace ring, leaving only a few pieces. Then I took out a beginner set I had prepared earlier and put it on.

“…….”

The silence suggested Amelia still didn’t grasp what I was doing.

But, as they say, seeing is believing.

Explaining a hundred times isn’t as good as seeing it once.

“Let’s start, just follow me.”

I started running ahead.

And I shouted with all my might.

“I got separated from my comrades and lost my way! I can’t see ahead! Is anyone there! Help me!!!”

The secret skill of a barbarian evolved to protect the heart.

“Help me!!! I have a lot of money!!”

Those who approach are not friendly.