Surviving game as a barbarian Episode 559

First Clear(4)

A sound reached my ears.

A very busy, chaotic sound.

“……Confirmed the death of Lieutenant Powell!”

“Confirmed the death of Milden Betimore from Squad 3!”

“Confirmed the death of Garon Nilgrain from Squad 1!”

Desperate voices erupted from all directions.

And then…

“Mister! Wake up! Hey?”

“Priest, why isn’t he waking up?”

“Well, uh… if you wait a bit, he should regain consciousness soon…”

“He suffered a serious head injury? Is that why he’s taking so long to wake up?”

“…….”

The worried voices of my companions echo right in front of me.

In the middle of them, Misha’s mumbling reached my ears.

“…If things go wrong… I might have to use that…”

What is she talking about?

Maybe it’s because I just regained consciousness, my ears feel muffled.

My mind isn’t focused either.

“Well then… since the Baron seems stable, I’ll go treat the others—”

“What are you saying! He hasn’t even woken up yet, where are you going!”

“Tersia, that’s enough.”

“Enough? Don’t you care about him—”

“You don’t need to. I think he’s awake now.”

“…Huh?”

Got Caught.

I was planning to stay still a little longer and gather my thoughts before opening my eyes.

Well, it’s about time to assess the situation anyway.

No matter how long I keep my eyes closed, the outcome won’t change.

“Captain!”

“Ooooh! Bjornn! I was worried!!”

“Haa…”

As I opened my eyes, my companions around me let out sighs of relief.

However, before I could even say I was fine, there was something I needed to ask.

“Were there… any casualties among us?”

“Is anyone among us… injured?”

A roundabout way of asking, not like me — but in the end, it meant: Did anyone die?

Amelia understood perfectly and answered.

“Glow Isius is dead.”

Glow Isius.

One of the three mages from the Armin Exploration Team.

A young mage in his thirties who would always complain about time and budget whenever he saw me.

So, he’s dead.

“……And?”

“No other fatalities. There are several injured, but aside from Glow Isius, most only suffered minor wounds.”

“I see……”

I closed my eyes for a moment and let out a deep breath.

During that time, my companions remained silent, allowing a brief moment of quiet.

Countless fragmented thoughts swirled in my mind, but I focused on one thing.

‘What needs to be done.’

……Let’s do what needs to be done.

“I remember up to the moment my head was nearly bitten off by that thing, but what happened after? Tell me everything from the moment I lost consciousness.”

For some reason, Amelia seemed reluctant as she began explaining.

“…Right after you went down, Tersia shot an arrow.”

[Focused Shot] wasn’t fully charged when Erwin shot the arrow.

But…

“The arrow hit Kashan, making it drop you, and in that opening, Karlstain and I rushed in to pull you out.”

That arrow created a brief opening, allowing me to narrowly survive.

However, the real tragedy began there.

“…After that, everyone fought against it, and quite a few died.
That’s all. Oh, and unfortunately, no essence dropped.”

“More details.”

Saying “everyone fought, and quite a few died” is too vague.

It’s not something that can be summed up in one line.

I needed to know.

“Haa…”

At my stubbornness, Amelia sighed and gave me the answer I wanted.

“Jandel, with you out of the fight, a huge gap opened in the front line. Someone had to fill it. Dozens of knights rushed forward.”

“What about Jerome Saint-Reid? Was he just watching from afar?”

“Surprisingly, no. He said he was holding back in case of emergencies, and the moment you fell, he was the first to charge in. If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have been able to pull you out.”

“…I see. Sorry for interrupting. Go on.”

“The commander intervened, but the situation wasn’t favorable. Soon after, orders were given—all remaining forces, including those stationed in the back, were to join the attack.”

The troops stationed to protect the fragile long-range units—mages, priests, and ability users—were called in to attack.

Every casual swing of its limbs shattered the necks of nearby knights, and whenever mages unleashed powerful spells, it would turn its rage toward them.

“Glow Isius was killed during one of those moments.”

‘No wonder she didn’t say how he died earlier…’

Maybe they thought he wouldn’t have died if I hadn’t fainted?

…Which is probably true.

“We fought like that for about three minutes after you collapsed, and finally, the commander’s sword pierced deep into its forehead. Immediately after, the stone gate closed and reopened, emitting light. It’s been about ten minutes since then.”

“…….”

“So? Are all your questions answered?”

“For now.”

As the conversation reached that point, a familiar looking knight approached us.

“Baron! You’re awake! The commander is calling for you!”

“…I’ll be back shortly.”

“I’ll take care of the wounded, so don’t worry and go.” Amelia reassured me.

Following the knight, I arrived to find Jerome receiving heal from a priest- —his arm was severed and a hole torn through his abdomen.

This bastard got messed up pretty badly too.

“Glad to see you’re safe, Baron.”

“You look worse off than me, though.”

Jerome just gave an awkward smile in response.

“Now that the Baron is here… Evorst, begin the report!”

“The First Expedition Force has today achieved a feat worthy of being recorded in the royal records—the slaying of the Wolf of Prophecy, Kashan. Unfortunately, no essence was found to present to the royal family…”

The report made me realize once again the danger of a level 1 monster.

“In this battle, we have 27 lightly wounded who have completed recovery, 4 still undergoing treatment for serious injuries, and a total of 28 fatalities.”

28 fatalities.

Of those, 21 occurred during the three minutes I was unconscious.

***

Out of the 28 fatalities, only one came from Squad 4.

While it might seem like a miracle, there was a decisive reason for this outcome.

“Count Saint-Reid, I heard it was you who ordered Squad 4 to the rear at the end.”

When I fell and Kashan became uncontrollable, the commander sent Squad 4 to the relatively safer rear.

“What was the reason for that order?”

I wasn’t complaining—in fact, I was grateful. But I couldn’t help but wonder why.

“Well, if the Baron dies, one of our expedition’s objectives would fail. So I ordered all members of Squad 4 to prioritize protecting you.”

“…What?”

“Baron, we didn’t come down here just to hunt monsters. And I’ve never failed a mission except once.”

This guy… I just can’t figure him out.

Was the mission really that important?

“No matter how many die, as long as we complete the exploration here and bring you back alive, the mission is a success.”

This guy… I can never fully understand him.

When we talked before, I thought we might have gotten along if not for our positions.

“I see. That answers it.”

“Glad to hear it. Shall we continue the meeting?”

Once I nodded and stepped back, the deputy commander resumed the meeting.

“With the damage report concluded, let’s move to the next agenda.”

The next topic was straightforward.

We succeeded in killing Kashan, and since no essence dropped, there was no need to discuss ownership.

Therefore…

“Once Kashan was defeated, the stone gate opened. Mages have confirmed that the light resembles a portal. In simple terms, stepping into that light likely leads to a new area.”

What lies beyond the stone gate.

When should we begin the next phase of exploration?

These were the points raised in the leadership meeting, but I tuned most of it out, lost in my own thoughts.

After all, I already knew what was beyond it.

‘…Who would’ve thought the gate would open like this?’

I’d already been inside through Hamsiki.

Though there’s a slight chance it leads somewhere else, but I doubted it.

‘Defeating a level 1 monster and completing the library’s raid must trigger hamsiki’s secret room.’

The various summoning books were decent rewards, but the main one was probably the fountain pen that guaranteed an essence drop.

Or maybe the golden book was the main reward.

‘Either way… I ended up taking it ahead of time.’

If I hadn’t met Hamsiki and claimed the rewards early, the fountain pen would’ve undoubtedly gone to the royal family.

‘The library has a hidden piece that lets you skip the raid and go straight to the reward room.’

From a player’s perspective, Hamsiki’s existence a shortcut.

Though I still think there’s more to him.

‘Maybe that’s why he said I wasn’t qualified? Because I didn’t clear it properly before entering the reward room?’

It’s just a guess, but it makes sense.

I’d have to meet Hamsiki again to confirm…

“Then let’s adjourn the meeting here. Until 7 p.m., only patrol duties will be assigned, so squad leaders, please tend to your members. Ah, and be aware that there will be a membership reorganization later.”

And with that, the meeting ended and we got some free time.

‘Until 7 p.m., huh…’

What a bunch of bastards.

After such a battle, you’d think they’d give a full day’s rest, but they’re only allowing a few hours before resuming duties.

I sighed and went to deliver the news to my team.

“…Five hours isn’t enough sleep,” Aynar grumbled.

“Huh? What do you mean? Can’t you just sleep?”

“Miss Pheneline’s right today. I need more sleep too.”

“But I don’t know if I can sleep. It still doesn’t feel real… My heart’s still pounding.”

Most people just felt relieved to have gotten a break at all.

“Sleep or rest, do whatever you want. But first, let’s take care of what needs to be done.”

“What needs to be done…?”

“One of our comrades has died”

“Ah… right……”

I gathered the entire squad 4 and took them to one place.

Where Glow Isius’s body lay in peace.

Charlotte Amblett, the only female among the three mages, sat blankly beside his body.

“You okay?”

“…No. Not at all.”

“Is this your first time?”

A question that condensed a lot of things.

Charlotte just clenched her fists and trembled, unable to answer.

After some time passed, her brother, Bryan Embleton, gently pulled her away from the body, and a simple funeral began.

As always, the process was over quickly.

“His remains and belongings will be delivered to his family when we return to the city.”

After organizing his belongings, we used distortion magic to preserve his remains.

Just as I was about to leave, Charlotte approached me.

“Baron… Will it ever stop hurting? Like people always say, will it get better with time?”

The kind of thought everyone has after their first loss.

Hah, how should I answer this?

After organizing my thoughts, I spoke.

“What ‘better’ means differs for everyone.”

“Yes… I suppose so. I shouldn’t have asked something so—”

“But if the day comes when the happy memories come to mind before the sadness… and if that’s what you define as all right…”

I said with certainty,

“Then someday, it will definitely get better. Even if you don’t wish for it.”

“…….”
“Now get some rest.” I said, then turn around.

As I did, someone came to stand beside me—Misha, the only one who’d been with me since the Team Halfling days.

“That just now… was that about Dwalki?”

“…Somewhat.”

When I gave her a sort of yes, Misha fell into thought, then whispered:

“Those days… really were good…”

There was a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

I felt it too.

“Yeah… they were.”

Now I’m a baron, with countless followers, hailed as a hero whose name is etched on the Stone of Honor.

But even now, I sometimes remember—

Back when we fought for survival every day.

Feared plunderers.

Bumbled our way through fights against Level 5 monsters, gazing up at the third-floor sky together.

[It’s a sight only early explorers get to see. Magnificent, isn’t it?]

I’ve gotten better.
***
I had just laid out a blanket to relax and pass the time when an invited guest arrived.

“Jandel, the expedition’s head mage is here.”

“The head mage…?”

“He says he wants to talk to you. What should I do?”

“……I wasn’t sleeping anyway. Bring him.”

As I got up and folded the blanket, Amelia returned with the elderly mage.

“Gahyun Versillus”

“Baron, apologies for disturbing your rest. May I have a word?”

I glanced at Amelia, and she left without me having to say anything.

“I’d like to use a sound-dampening spell. Is that alright?”

“Go ahead.”

“……Ah, thank you. It’s done now.”

“So, what’s this all about?”

As usual, I skipped the formalities and got straight to the point, but the old mage had something very unexpected to say.

“I’ve come to apologize to you, Baron.”

“Hm, apologize…?”

“Yes. I was wrong, and you were right. But because I couldn’t admit it, I nearly made a huge mistake.”

More than the apology itself, I was curious about what had changed his mind.

“What suddenly made you think that way?”

“After seeing that scene, how could I not? A Level-1 monster is truly a monstrous existence. I had underestimated them. But you, Baron—as an explorer—saw their true nature more clearly than anyone else.

“I see.”

“To be honest… until the moment you lost consciousness, I didn’t understand its terror. No, I arrogantly believed that if we had summoned Leviathan as I suggested, not even a few would have died. But…”

The mage’s voice trailed off, as if he had let go of all his pride.

“None of that situation was because of me. My knowledge, my magical prowess—none of it made a difference. Even the royal elite, over a hundred of them, were just as helpless. I felt that truth in my bones during the three minutes you were absent, Baron.”

“That… sounds like a bit too much praise.”

“As a scholar, I’m merely stating the facts. Without you, the casualties wouldn’t have ended at just this.”

“……”

It’s hard to respond when someone says something like that to your face.

So I stayed silent.

Sometimes silence is the safest answer…

“Ahem… I’ve gone on long enough. Anyway, I came to say one thing.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Our expedition needs your strength, your knowledge, and your judgment. From now on, this old man will keep his ears wide open and listen closely, so speak freely, whatever your opinion.”

Put simply: I won’t get in your way anymore — let’s work well together.

It was a welcome news..

“Sounds good. I’m counting on you, Gahwin.”

“…Gahwin?”

“Friends call each other by name.”

“Ah, I see. Then… Bjor—”

“‘Baron’ is fine. I’m a noble, remember?”

“…Ahaha, right, of course. Thank you for making time during your rest. I’ll take my leave now.”

After that, I ate with my companions until the rest period ended, and the entire expedition gathered before the stone gate, and entered the portal one by one.

[The character has entered the First Records Archive.]

I had wondered if things might be different, but the place we arrived at after clearing the library was indeed hamsiki’s house—the same as before.

“It’s rather eerie in here.”

“It looks like a typhoon swept through.”

Instead of the neat little library I’d seen on my first visit, the space was now in ruins.

However, there was no sign of Hamsiki or the Golden Book.

‘Well, last time he was outside too, so he’s probably still hiding out there.’

Honestly, it was for the best.

If the golden book had been found here, ownership would’ve immediately gone to the royal family.

“Quite a strange space, isn’t it, Baron?”

“Indeed. What could have happened to leave it in such a mess… Tsk, tsk.”

“If you find anything, let me know.”

“Of course.”

After surveying Hamsiki’s house and making sure there were no threats, the expedition began a thorough search.

“There’s nothing intact here. Is searching even worth it…?”

“What do you mean? We’re the first to set foot here!”

“There must be something—search meticulously!”

Ah by the way, the royal soldiers’ definition of “meticulous” was slightly different from an explorer’s

They didn’t break anything.

They just used their overwhelming inventory space to take everything.

“This book is just blank pages…”

“Everything found here is royal property. Not a single speck of dust is to be left behind!”

It didn’t take long for the ruins to be reduced to an empty lot.

“Search complete! No hidden items found!”

……Sorry, Hamsiki.

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