Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 96

Barbarian Trophy (3)

“Haha! That’s truly barbarian-style, bold and daring!”

The baron laughed heartily at my decision.

It was a laugh only possible because he knew nothing about barbarians. Being a barbarian doesn’t mean being fearless.

As Aynar said in the past.

[We were born to be warriors, and if we don’t fight, we die].

They simply move forward embracing their fears.

Because it’s what they must do.

My choice this time was no different.

As peaceful as it’s been so far, maybe this time, a significant event might occur?

‘I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious…’

But what can I do about it?

If you fear the future and choose to avoid it, you’re doomed.

With such a mindset, how would one enter labyrinths in the future and make rational decisions?

If I had been like that, I wouldn’t have survived this long.

“I’ve informed the Count. He was very pleased.”

While I sat quietly, organizing my thoughts, the baron soon returned.

Seemingly quite satisfied with my choice.

“Oh, but is that necklace really that important?”

He asked, obviously convinced that the prize would be a major factor in my decision.

I didn’t deny it.

“Numbered items are expensive when sold, aren’t they?”

“Hmm… If you say so, it must be.”

From his expression, he seemed to think there was another reason, but the baron didn’t probe further.

He simply asked.

“By the way, how strong are you?”

“…?”

“Seeing your ambition, it seems like you’re even thinking about winning. Are you that confident?”

I chuckled.

The question of how strong I am.

There were too many monsters in this world to answer that question with confidence.

But…

“I don’t expect you to win. But if you lose too easily, it would be embarrassing for me-”

Comparing it with ‘apprentice knight’.

In other words, if we assume the level of a third-floor explorer, the story changes.

“Ah, don’t worry about that.”

I interrupted the baron and replied.

I was never worried about that aspect.

“Ten seconds is enough.”

“Enough?”

As the baron looked puzzled, I affirmed.

“I can smash the heads of most opponents in less than that.”

It was a statement of sincere belief, without exaggeration or embellishment.

But did that sincerity reach others?

“Hi, Hiik!”

The butler, who happened to catch my eye, suddenly gasped in shock.

***

Knight.

Just like in the medieval era, here too, they were almost the embodiment of martial strength.

Of course, assuming they were beyond the ‘apprentice’ level.

‘What kind of knight can’t use aura?’

The terror of a knight lies in their aura.

90% disregard for defense, 90% disregard for magic resistance.

The combination of Aura’s overwhelming nature and systematically developed combat swordsmanship allows them to slice through almost anything.

But what about using ‘potions’ to raise levels and smothering oneself in high-grade essences with immense wealth?

That alone makes them monstrous…….

‘No wonder the privileged class never changes class from humans.’

In a world dominated by different races and where magic exists.

Knights were both the spear and shield that protected the privileges.

Even considering the maximum level that can be raised with potions is 5, a proper knight could single-handedly take down several high-level explorers.

That’s how much knights are specialized in combat against others.

But…

‘If it’s an apprentice, it’s probably below level 3 at best. The essence would be no higher than grade 7.’

That’s assuming the maximum.

Few nobles would invest so much in someone who can’t even use aura.

‘The tournament itself is not really a problem…’

But what comes next is concerning.

The Count’s excessive interest.

If a barbarian like me suddenly wins, it’s very likely that the privileged class will view me unfavorably.

But once a decision is made, hesitation is a luxury.

‘Let’s focus on this for now.’

I decided I’d worry about it later, after which I spent my time quietly in a corner due to the baron’s consideration.

“You, you were quite arrogant earlier.”

Three knights in armor approached.

I remembered all of them.

Even if our encounters were brief, they were faces I saw today and couldn’t forget.

“Ten seconds is enough? Did you, a foolish barbarian, get too absorbed in your clowning and forget your place?”

First, this guy.

He was the one who made fun of me for being small when I was entertaining the nobles in the outdoor banqueting hall.

His rat-like front teeth were memorable, and as I watched him quietly, the guy next to him took over the conversation.

“Barbarian, you should pray to your ancestral gods that you don’t meet me. I’ll slash your throat in an instant. It won’t even take ten seconds.”

I don’t know his name as he didn’t reveal it.

He’s the one who was showing off, questioning the pride of warriors, and basically revealing his own stupidity.

His manner of speech even suggested he had a pretentious attitude…

“I will, when I meet you—”

Just as he was about to pass the baton to the next speaker, I jumped to my feet and cut him off.

I usually try to make as few enemies as possible…

But at this point, I had to honestly ask.

“Do you guys, by any chance, have a serious problem in your heads?”

I tried to phrase it somewhat politely.

Asking ‘Are you idiots?’ might somehow constitute a crime of insulting nobility.

“What, what?”

“Did you think it would be scary to come swarming like cowards? Even a three-year-old warrior in my tribe wouldn’t do such a thing!”

“…Insulting us, how dare—”

“What else then! Did you suddenly find courage you didn’t have before because the baron is not here? How very honorable!”

“That, that’s…”

When the baron was around, they didn’t dare come close.

When I pointed this out, the three knights gaped like goldfish. However, being an unprejudiced barbarian, I didn’t assume they had a speech disorder.

They were probably just flustered.

They probably didn’t expect me to loudly expose their folly.

“So I asked! I heard that knights have pride! Yet, you use the ‘numerical advantage’ in this situation to play such childish tricks on a ‘fellow participant’? Surely, there must be something wrong with your heads!”

I shouted, precisely fitting their actions.

“Stop, stop! Will you shut that mouth?”

The expression of the three knights became desperate.

Naturally, it was to be expected.

Regardless of the folly, they would now be looked upon as fools by a barbarian if things went on like this.

Perhaps realizing that further conversation would only cause more commotion, they decided to leave.

“…We’ll see about this!”

The three left, holding back their anger.

Their parting words were typical to the point of being cringeworthy, but I decided to respond out of respect.

“Anyway, don’t worry too much! When we meet later, I will definitely fix the problem in your heads!”

Did my sincerity reach them?

I couldn’t tell from their rapidly receding backs.

***

Regardless of the brief commotion.

The banquet, filled with various sights, had reached its climax.

That is, the moment for the tournament prepared by the Count had arrived.

“That barbarian I saw earlier is participating. Isn’t it exciting?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. After all, he’s just an explorer, isn’t he? He’s gained some fame lately, but I hear he has less than a year’s experience?

The venue was the grass field in the outdoor banquet area.

The area was already crowded, and some of the nobles had even set up chairs on the terrace of the second floor of the mansion to get a better view.

As I sat still in the prepared tent, the Baron approached me as if he were my coach.

“Aren’t you nervous?”

“Not at all.”

“Hoo, truly a heart made of steel. I’m this excited, and yet…”

Whether the initial praise was true or not, his excitement seemed genuine.

Especially considering he was offering bonuses without being asked.

“If you win, I’ll give you an additional million stones. So do your best. My dignity is also at stake.”

“I’ll try my best!”

Maybe it was the sudden financial incentive, but my motivation surged.

“Seraphia Baron’s knight Savoan and knight Arpeon from Viscount Henselvenia’s family, please take your places!”

After a bit more time, the first match began.

The two knights took to the stage and recited the oath of duel, swinging their swords gracefully to the cheers of the audience.

‘Such a barbaric world indeed.’

Watching the duel from outside the tent, I had a peculiar feeling.

Was it like watching Rome’s Colosseum?

There wasn’t much difference in reality.

Although there was a rule to be careful not to kill the opponent…

The opposite also implied that it’s okay to kill.

‘Well, it would be stranger if there were no casualties in a fight with real swords.’

Despite being the first match, the two knights engaged in a bloody duel amidst the heated atmosphere.

As intense as the fight was, the moment of determining the winner and loser was equally dramatic.

“The winner is Knight Arpeon from the Henselvenia Count’s family!”

The outcome was decided when the knight’s sword-bearing hand was severed.

Of course, the wounded knight’s arm was quickly reattached by the priest, but the fountain-like spray of blood remained as vivid as the decorations on the stage.

But…

“Wowwwww!!”

Hearing the enthusiastic cheers of the audience, I was struck anew by the reality.

This is a different world.

And I too have already become a part of it.

“Haha, seeing the blood must excite you too, eh?”

Well, I’m not so sure about that.

But I do know that it’s my turn next.

“Knight Silvenia from Hesen Baron’s family and… Bjorn Jandel from Martoin Baron’s family, please take your places!”

Following the announcer’s instructions, I passed through the crowd to the stage. Coincidentally, a knight from the other side was also ascending.

It was quite a coincidence.

I didn’t know his name, so I couldn’t identify him just from the matchup list.

“Haha, you look surprised?”

I nodded slightly as if to acknowledge his observation.

To think one of the three annoying knights from earlier would be my opponent in the first match?

Isn’t that a surprise?

‘Especially the most annoying one of them.’

Unknowingly, the corners of my mouth turned up in a long smile.

How could I forget him?

[I heard he got that name because his dick was small in the first place].

He was the one who spread such nonsensical rumors.

I feel a bit odd saying this, but,

But how dare he say that to me.

****

Before the duel began.

He recited the oath of duel.

A typical vow to engage seriously in the duel, upholding the knight’s honor and not to use any deceitful or unfair tactics.

Then, it was my turn.

“Bethel—raaaaaaaaa!”

Skipping over the elaborate rhetoric, I let out a primitive, barbaric roar.

The crowd’s excitement intensified.

“Woaaaaah!”

Even in the midst of this, the knight, Sil… something, muttered under his breath, seemingly annoyed that I was getting more attention.

“So crude and vulgar.”

What did he expect, a barbarian to be refined?

Soon under the announcer’s direction, we approached each other and faced off, weapons ready.

He wielded a long sword, while I didn’t bring the mace from the baron’s mansion but instead a huge double-edged battle axe.

‘…The blade doesn’t feel quite familiar in hand.’

A regrettable part, but the way of using it shouldn’t be much different.

Just swing it as usual.

The result will probably be similar.

Whether cut or completely shattered, that’s the only difference.

“Haat!”

As the duel began, Sil… whatever, charged at me with agility, pushing off the ground.

Seems he wanted to pay back my earlier promise of ten seconds…

‘Interesting.’

I decided to step back and observe for a moment.

This was my first time facing a knight’s swordsmanship, my curiosity was piqued…

Whoosh-!

Even tagged as an apprentice, his swordsmanship as a knight was quite fierce.

“Die!”

Not some technique out of a murim novel.

A sword strike that showed three illusions, flying towards me.

I pondered for a moment which was real, but that time was brief.

If I don’t know which is real,

Then I just have to strike them all down.

‘I’m truly a barbarian now.’

I positioned the blade of my axe sideways and swung it as wide as I could.

That was enough.

Clang!

The force knocked the sword off its trajectory, and Sil… whatever began to lose his balance.

Yet, he didn’t let go of his sword despite the shock.

He should have panicked, but instead, he twisted his body axis and swung his sword at my neck like a combo.

‘He’s certainly not an opponent to be taken lightly.’

The sword strike curved gently from the bottom, like a dragon rising.

Regardless of his character, I acknowledged my opponent.

Could this be the swordsmanship passed down over generations?

‘His martial skills are several levels above mine.’

If the conditions were the same, I surely wouldn’t have been able to defeat him.

But, it wasn’t a serious concern.

“Bethel—raaaaaaaaa!”

After all, he and I weren’t on equal terms.

「The character has activated [Wild Burst].」

「Temporarily, the character’s threat level is tripled, and physical stats increase proportionally.」

There’s still plenty of time before the ten seconds are up.

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