Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 786

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In Raphdonia, where the entire economy runs on mana stones that explorers risk their lives to obtain from the labyrinth, the importance of explorers needs no explanation. Naturally, the influence and scale of the Guild, which oversees and manages these explorers, is unmatched by any other organization.

Tens of thousands of guild members.

Hundreds of branch managers.

Regional Managers who oversee those branch managers.

And above them all, a single Guild Master.

Even most nobles were expected to bow at the mere mention of this guild master’s name, and he was someone I had an even harder time meeting than other high-ranking nobles.

And yet, that elusive man had come here in person…

He was far too important to turn away just because he had arrived uninvited. Driven by curiosity, I asked the warrior who delivered the message to bring him to me. I had been meaning to meet and speak with the Guild Master properly anyway.

After all, there was a rather complicated connection between us.

[“Who’s behind this?”]

[“Ilya Adnus…”]

It was during the Ice Rock expedition.

One of our party members, Pike Neldain, had acted under the Guild Master’s orders, sabotaging the expedition to ensure its failure. He tampered with food and supplies. At the time, I thought it was a political move to sabotage the expedition so our sponsor, the marquis, wouldn’t be credited with its success.

But…

The expedition was a hollow excuse.

After learning that the Marquis had intended to abandon us from the start, my opinion of the Guild Master changed.

Perhaps his intention wasn’t to sabotage us, but rather to save us.

Of course, it was only speculation. I’d never confirmed the truth.

Well, if I was lucky, I might find out today.

“Aynar, go wait outside.”

“Understood!”

After sending Aynar away and waiting briefly, the guest I had been expecting arrived.

“It has been a while, Baron Jandel. First, let me thank you for making time for me despite my unannounced visit.’

“I had some time to spare, so don’t worry about it.”

“I appreciate you saying that.”

We weren’t complete strangers. Someone of his status is often summoned to various royal events, and we had briefly exchanged greetings in passing at the banquet following the Icerock Expedition.

“So, what’s the matter, coming here so suddenly?”

The Guild Master seemed slightly flustered when I got straight to the point the moment he sat down. He probably wasn’t used to skipping the small talk and getting right to the point.

“Just speak plainly. I feel like I’ll get hungry if this drags on.”

Realising who he was dealing with, the Guild Master let out a faint smile and played along.

“I apologize for not being able to do more during the Icerock Expedition.”

His words implied he knew exactly what the Marquis’s intentions were back then, while also subtly testing how much I knew. It wasn’t exactly the blunt, straightforward talk I preferred, but it was unavoidable.

Compared to those who waste thirty minutes on meaningless pleasantries, this was already quite direct.

So I responded in kind.

“No, you did enough. Considering the power the Marquis held, you took quite a risk just by doing that.”

I made it clear that I was aware of Pike Neldain and had a general grasp of the situation surrounding it. The Guild Master nodded with a bitter expression.

“I am truly grateful for your kind words.”

Good grief, how many times is this guy going to say ‘thank you’?

“I don’t need that, so just get to the point,” I said, waving him off. “What brings you here today?”

“I heard that you will be promoted to the rank of Viscount for your merit in executing that traitor…”

“And?”

“I will speak frankly. The labyrinth will open starting next month.”

“Hmm, I see.”

He hesitated for a moment. “Did you already know about that?”

“I’d heard it would open soon, but not the exact timing.”

“Well, given your position, I suppose it’s not surprising you were informed beforehand.”

“You didn’t know?”

Despite being the Guild Master, he spoke modestly.

“Being the head of the Explorers’ Guild doesn’t grant overwhelming power or privilege. I simply receive information about the labyrinth earlier than others.”

“From the way you phrased that, I get the feeling you know more than just about the labyrinth opening.”

“I don’t know how long it will last, but from now on, the labyrinth will not open the first day of the month.”

“Not on the first day?”

While the conversation as a whole was dull, that particular revelation still took me by surprise. Up until now, the labyrinth had always opened at midnight on the first day, then closed at midday the following day, ejecting all the explorers.

Well, since the palace had full control over when the portals opened and closed, they could change the opening time if they wanted. But that only raised more questions.

“Why go through the trouble of doing that?”

“Because of Noark. To prevent them from entering prepared, the Royal Family plans to open the labyrinth unexpectedly and send in only a small number of explorers whose skills are proven and whose identities are certain.”

“Oh?”

“Since this must remain strictly confidential, the portal won’t be opened in the Dimensional Squares, but only within the imperial capital of Karnon.”

“I hadn’t heard any of this.”

“Our guild needs to prepare and select explorers, so we were informed early. Even if you stayed still, you would have heard soon enough. Even the nobles aren’t such idiots as to exclude you from such a plan.”

Idiots, huh…

From that word, I could tell he didn’t think highly of nobles.

Not that it mattered.

“So what’s your point? You didn’t come all the way here just to tell me that.”

After pressing him again, he finally revealed his true purpose.

“I’ve heard the Anabada Clan has eleven members divided into two teams, and that you currently have one spot open.”

“So?”

“I would like to take that spot.”

……Has everyone been eating something wrong lately?

***

Ilya Adnus

He was a famous explorer, even among ordinary citizens.

Before the current wave of dimensional collapses, back in the Golden Age, he was a renowned, high-ranking explorer. However, his true fame was built during his second life after retirement.

I had looked into him.

At the age of 37, he joined the guild as an advisor.

The following year, he became a branch manager and implemented several successful policies, earning a good reputation among explorers.

By the age of 41, he had become a regional manager.

By the age of 47, he had defeated the previous Guild Master in a vote and taken the top position, which he has held ever since.

Guild Master in just ten years…

An undeniably talented man.

But so what?

“Why should I give you a spot in my clan?”

“You may not know, but I lived as an explorer for a long time myself. I will certainly not hold you back—”

“I know. Ilya Adnus. You were a third-rank explorer before retiring. Your title was ‘Black Hunter.’ You started as a scout and later switched to combat.”

He was certainly valuable.

But I had no intention of entering the labyrinth with someone I didn’t trust.

“You’ve done your homework. Not many people know I started out as a scout.”

“Isn’t that obvious? You’re the guildmaster of the only explorer guild, after all.”

I stared at him silently. He let out a long breath.

This situation must have felt unfamiliar to him. Usually, no one would refuse him, but his title meant nothing to me.

Barbarian tribe chief.

Baron of Raphdonia.

Bjorn, son of Jandel, whose name was engraved on the Stone of Honor.

With just these three, I had no reason to shrink back before a mere guild master.

“Don’t hide anything. Tell me everything. Then I’ll consider it seriously. “Why are you making such a request?”

If he tried to drag out his words again or attempted to set conditions, I intended to end the conversation there. Maybe it showed on my face, because he steadied himself and began speaking slowly.

“…I need an achievement.”

“Achievement?”

“The labyrinth has been closed for a long time, and the guild’s standing has diminished greatly. It’s not the guild’s fault the labyrinth closed, but people are looking for someone to blame.”

Looking for someone to blame, is it…

A grin spread across my face. “But the people aren’t blaming the guild. They’re blaming you, aren’t they?”

He couldn’t answer.

‘I think I understand the situation.’

“So you decided our clan is the best place to build those achievements.”

“…Yes.”

I couldn’t hide my disappointment.

He wasn’t quite the man I had imagined. I had thought he might be someone driven by a greater cause—someone who planted a spy in the expedition and tried to save us, even at the risk of making an enemy of the marquis.

Maybe he had simply been in a position where he had no choice but to act that way…

Perhaps I would see another side of him if I learned more, but for now, that was my impression.

He was just… a Guild Master. I didn’t feel any special aura coming from the man himself. So…

“If I grant your request, what can you offer me?”
“First, the Anabada Clan will be elevated to the highest rank under the guild master’s authority, and beyond that, your standing within the guild—”
“That’s enough.”

I had asked just in case, but nothing stood out as worth it. Raising the clan’s rank wasn’t all upside either. Even if he promised better treatment within the guild, that was little more than a shift in perception, and something I could achieve on my own if I chose to.

“Let’s end this here. Unfortunately, you’ll have to look elsewhere to build your achievement.”

It was the cleanest rejection I could give. Even so, the guild master wasn’t ready to give up.

“…What do you want?”

His tone implied he was willing to offer anything I asked.

If it were a king saying that, it might mean something. But coming from a guild master on the verge of losing his position, it was almost laughable.

“Give me a dragon’s heart. If you can do that, I’ll let you join us.”

“…What?”

“Don’t have it? If not, then let’s end it here.”

Just as I was about to tell him to leave, the Guild Master cut me off.

“…Very well. I’ll give it to you.”

“…Huh?”

…Wait, he actually has one?

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