Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 100

Rumors (2)

On the day of the regular meeting.

For the first time in a while, the entire party gathered at a tavern.

It wasn’t the usual tavern we frequented.

Well, the Dwarf had taken a strong dislike to it.

[Let’s go somewhere else! That place surely has bad energy!]

He was annoyed because it was the place where his friend was suddenly arrested by the Mozlans for insulting a nobleman.

Misha and Rotmiller agreed as well.

Explorers tend to be superstitious, after all.

‘Well, I can understand that…’

Being a profession where bad luck can lead to death, it’s not surprising that they’re sensitive to such things.

But still…

‘Isn’t this a bit too much?’

I sighed.

Changing the location of our drinking spot didn’t really matter to me.

It was a hassle, but it wasn’t going to have any real impact.

Unlike the bombshell the Dwarf had just dropped.

“…Why aren’t you talking?”

As I sighed in silence, the Dwarf started fidgeting, trying to read my expression.

Yeah, so he does have some conscience left.

“Wait a moment. I’m thinking.”

“R-Right, of course.”

The heavy silence at the drinking table.

I quietly organized my thoughts.

“So let me get this straight, you guys are saying you won’t join the upcoming exploration.”

It was ten days before the labyrinth was set to open.

As we gathered to go over our plans for one last time, the Dwarf announced that he wasn’t going.

It turns out he wasn’t the only one.

Rottmiller and Dwalki, who had spoken with him beforehand, were of the same opinion.

“Ahem! Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, as they say.”

“Given the situation, we decided it’s best to take a break for a month and observe how things develop.”

This was neither a group boycott nor a small matter.

Out of a team of 5, 3 had declared non-participation.

The reason was simple.

The rumors of an impending dimensional collapse made them nervous.

That’s how human psychology works.

Even if logical reasoning tells you otherwise, it’s easy to get swept up in the general mood.

“Everyone I used to work with has decided not to enter this time.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to rest as well? With your abilities, next year’s taxes won’t be a
problem…”

“If by any chance it really does happen, that would be the end, wouldn’t it!”

At first, they started the conversation as if they were sorry, but now, they were even expressing concern for me.

“…Bjorn, what are you going to do, nyang?”

Misha asked cautiously about my intentions.

Truth be told, convincing them wasn’t hard.

By casually mentioning what I learned from the GhostBusters, and taking some time to persuade them, they would probably change their minds.

But…

‘Is there really a need to do that?’

On second thought, it’s not a bad idea.

It’s been over three months since our last visit to the ‘Blood Castle’.

‘This might actually be a good opportunity. I was planning to find an excuse to enter the labyrinth alone anyway.’

In the beginning, the standard approach was to clear the first-floor rift every time it opened.

“If that’s what you guys think, then there’s no helping it. This time, it’ll just be the two of us going in.”

“Eh? Me, me too?”

“What, you thought I was going to send you in alone?”

“Uh, no, but…”

It’s not like she wants to go.

Her face clearly says he doesn’t want to.

“If you’re that worried, then just go by yourself—”

“Tsk, this barbarian! At least try to make a proper request, nyang? Try to speak more sweetly!”
Speak more sweetly?

Hmm…

“…Will you come with me?”

“Tsk, you think I’d let you go alone, nyang?”

I’m not sure what to make of this, but…

“Anyway, that settles it.”

The decision was made.

This time, we’re entering the rift.

****

“Hooray! Hooray!”

Coincidentally, the very next day after the Dwarf declared his non-participation, a proclamation was posted throughout the city.

It was an official document from the royal family, stating that the rumors about the dimensional collapse were baseless and unfounded.

‘Just as that person had said.’

The proclamation also mentioned the Tarutein School.

Did they intentionally spread these rumors because they were blinded by research?

It was a bit surprising.

Although I had paid 40,000 GP for the information, I didn’t expect him to predict the situation so accurately.

“Hahaha! Bjorn! Did you see that?”

In the evening, the Dwarf came looking for me.

With a happy face, he retracted his previous declaration and said that we could now enter the labyrinth.

But what to do now?

I had already decided which rift to enter.

“What? Go in together? I can’t, I’ve already accepted a commission!”

“A commission?”

I recited my prepared response.

That Misha and I wouldn’t make much money hunting alone.

So I took a commision.

An escort duty inside the labyrinth, which required me to stay by their side until we returned to the city.

“Can’t you… just not do it?”

“I’ve already taken an advance payment, so are you suggesting I break the promise?”

“Well, no, but…”

My answer left no room for negotiation.

With that, the Dwarf could only shrug his shoulders and leave.

What could he say? After all, the whole situation stemmed from his own declaration of non-participation.

‘Sigh, seeing him like that almost makes me feel sorry for him.’

Even if it hadn’t been this time, I would have eventually made an excuse to slip away with Misha.

It’s impractical for all five of us to enter the rift.

Apart from the fact that the spoils would have to be shared among more people, the risks we would have to take would increase significantly.

‘But this is the right decision.’

I had to let go of any lingering attachments.

It would be foolish to reveal the ‘Hidden Piece’ to the rest of the trio, except for Misha, with whom I’ve built a relationship of trust that goes beyond mere companionship.

Thud.

As soon as the Dwarf left and the door closed behind him, Misha rushed in.

“A request for an escort, Nyang? When did you accept such a thing?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just an excuse.”

“An excuse?”

Misha tilted her head, not understanding.

I laid it out honestly.

That we’re going to enter a rift in the next exploration.

That there’s a method unknown to most people.

“You didn’t learn that in the library, did you, nyang?”

“Well, something like that.”

“Hmm… But why keep it a secret from Hikurod, nyang? Wouldn’t it be better if we all went together, nyang?”

Her question sounded so innocently genuine.

I chuckled and asked back.

“Misha, did you ever tell anyone about the contract with the soul spirit using the Frost Spirit Ring?”

“Huh? No, I didn’t, nyang?”

“Really, not to anyone?”

“You told me to keep it a secret, nyang.”

“Right.”

I nodded and continued.

“But what if it had been Hikurod? Do you think he would have kept the promise if I asked him the same thing?”

Misha pondered for a moment and then shook her head.

“…If it were Hikurod, he might blabber about it while drunk and it wouldn’t be surprising, nyang”

“And what about Dwalki or Rotmiller?”

“Hmm… Somehow, I feel Dwalki might blurt it out even when sober, and Rotmiller… I’m not sure, nyang.”

Do we all have a similar way of seeing people?

Misha’s guesses were surprisingly close to the thoughts I had to myself.

Except for Rotmiller.

‘In fact, he’s probably the easiest to read.’

Rotmiller would have kept the secret.

But he would have wondered to himself how I came to know such information and would have been suspicious of me in his mind.

“Ah! So that’s why you kept it a secret!”

By now, it seemed Misha had grasped what I was trying to say.

Maybe she had another question?

“So, why are you telling me, nyang?”

There were several reasons.

Misha is surprisingly meticulous and tight-lipped.

Despite this, she inherently can’t lie.

So, just by asking her questions like I just did, I can instantly check whether a secret has been leaked.

But…

This time, a single statement should be enough.

I am a barbarian, after all.

“You are someone I can trust.”

“…Hic!”

Misha started hiccupping.

****

Eight days until the labyrinth opens.

As usual, the days flew by as I busied myself with the necessary preparations.

To summarize briefly…

First day.

Since our destination was a rift, there were quite a few things to prepare.

First, the equipment.

[Buying more equipment?]

[Not buying, enchanting.]

I added elemental properties to my mace and Misha’s twin swords.

「Your equipment is imbued with the energy of lightning.」

「A portion of the damage dealt by this equipment will be converted to electrical damage.」

The cost totaled 600,000 stones.

It was a temporary enchantment, lasting only 30 days, but it was well worth the investment for just the two of us to clear the rift.

[Couldn’t you have permanently enchanted it, nyang?]

[That would be twenty times more expensive.]

[…….]

Then, I purchased a few consumables.

Thunder herbs, Lightning scrolls, and other items related to the lightning attribute.

They cost around 300,000 stones in total. Although not a very sought-after item, it took some legwork to collect them from various locations.

Ah, and finally, another purchase.

[Are you really buying this expensive thing?]

[We bought the expanded backpack, why fuss over this?]

[But this is a consumable! It disappears after use!]

After much deliberation, I bought a top-grade potion.

The purchase price was 1.03 million stones.

However, this top-grade potion couldn’t really be considered an investment for the rift. It was something I had wanted to stock up on for a while and finally decided to splurge.

For an explorer roaming without a priest, a top-grade potion is like an extra life.

[When the time comes to use it, I won’t regret the cost.]

[Hmm, that’s true, but…]

[Anyway, we’re splitting the cost, so it shouldn’t be too burdensome.]

By the way, the total cost of about 2 million stones was taken from our joint account.

[Ugh, so is that the end of our spending, nyang?]

[At least for you, it is.]

[……?]

Second day.

I headed to the sanctuary at dawn.

As before, the tribal chief welcomed me.

[Jandel’s son Bjorn! I have heard of your exploits! Truly impressive! To earn such a glorious nickname as the Knight Crusher!]

Unlike the brief encounter last time, the chief praised me for quite a while.

Apparently, rumors about me had already spread across the sanctuary, exciting the young warriors.

Anyway, since it was a meaningless time, I responded briefly and headed to the shaman’s tent.

And then…

[Kekeke, warrior, you have quite the knack. To earn such an amount in just two months.]

I paid a whopping 4 million stones to activate the 4th stage of the Undying Inscription.

「You have activated the 4th stage of the Undying Inscription. Your mental and soul power will increase.」

「Your mental stat increases by +30.」

「Your ability stat increases by +10.」

The large sum earned from the recent dealings with the baron was gone, but…

It was a profitable investment in the end.

Setting aside ‘mental power’, which provides strong resistance to mental magic or status ailments.

Soul Power, which acts like MP, is almost impossible to increase outside of leveling up and a few specific essences.

Third day.

Almost dead, I returned to my lodging and passed out. As soon as I woke up, I checked the MP changes.

The duration of my [Gigantification] had increased by 1.5 times.

[Why are you up so early, nyang? Go take a shower and come back. Let’s have breakfast.]

Misha had arrived just in time, so we quickly had breakfast together.

This has become a part of our daily routine.

[You’re going to the library? Can I come with you, nyang?]

[You…?]

[What’s with that look! Sometimes I feel like reading a book too, nyang!]

After breakfast, Misha and I went to the library together.

But why?

[Parsecityev.]

Ragna used a regular [Book Detection] spell on us.

Not the [Special Book Detection] spell.

I asked why, and the answer was even stranger.

Since it was a ‘special’ favor done secretly, it apparently couldn’t be used in front of others.

[Hmm, then shouldn’t you have just told me quietly, nyang?]

[You’re right. Ms. Karlstein, was it? Please forget what you just heard.]

What’s this about?

Not wanting to ponder it, I just took Misha inside and we read some books.

Fourth day.

I visited the Mage Tower to assist Raven with her research.

By the way, this was the last cooperation.

I had fulfilled the required number of times.

Now, I no longer need to come here every week.

[You’ve worked hard.]

[Appreciate the acknowledgement.]

[Well, just… don’t die or anything.]

The farewell was brief, as it was a business relationship.

Unexpectedly, Raven didn’t reclaim my tower entry pass.

[If something comes up, come and see me. Ah, but don’t bother me without reason… You know what I mean, right? Mr. Jandel seems to get involved in unusual matters often. I might be curious about your whereabouts.]

[Understood.]

On my way out, I encountered the old man, but surprisingly, he showed no interest in me.

Not out of anger or emptiness, but…

Complete indifference.

Then it hit me.

This old man had suspected me of being an evil spirit from our very first meeting.

That’s why he had pretended to be friendly.

Fifth, sixth, seventh days.

The following days were routine.

I had breakfast with Misha in the morning, practiced and sparred with her during the day, and read books in the library in the evening.

And now, the moment has come.

“Everyone, please step back!”

The long-awaited time had arrived.

Swoosh!

The Dimensional Plaza was crowded with numerous adventurers.

A dazzling light began to burst from the center.

“Jandel’s son Bjorn! Thank you for the advice today! We’ll go in first!!”

“Bethel—raaaaaaa!!”

As soon as the city and labyrinth connected, a group of barbarians nearby rushed into the portal.

They even expressed their gratitude.

Why are our barbarians so polite?

“Ha ha ha! Having a good senior like you, they are lucky.”

“I just showed them the way.”

“Ah, you’re being modest.”

By the way, currently beside me are the Dwarf, Rotmiller, and Dwalki. Apparently, they decided to enter the labyrinth even if it was just the three of them, not wanting to waste a whole month.

“Be careful. Always suspect anyone who acts too kindly.”

“Ha ha ha! Do I look like one of those young barbarians to you?”

…Actually, quite similar.

But with Rotmiller there, they should manage fine.

Since they planned to stay on the 2nd floor, it shouldn’t be too dangerous for the trio.

“Well, we should probably head in too… Aren’t you guys going?”

“Ah, we’re waiting for our client.”

“I see. Then see you tomorrow… or later!”

With that brief farewell, the three entered the labyrinth. However, I stayed put, watching as the crowd thinned out.

Misha looked puzzled.

“Bjorn, aren’t we going in, nyang?”

“Wait a bit.”

“Huh? Until when?”

Ah, typical newbies.

Just wait if I say to wait.

「You have entered the 1st floor Crystal Cavern.」

Doesn’t that duplicate the experience points?

****

「Bjorn Jandel」

Level: 4 (New +1)

Physical: 330 / Mental: 154(+30) / Ability: 128 (New +13)

Item Level: 828

Overall Combat Index: 865 (New +43)

Essences Acquired: Corpse Golem – Rank 7 / Vampire(B) – Rank 5 / Orc Hero – Rank 5

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