Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 119

Episode 119 Dark Clouds (3)

In the end, the exploration came to a halt after the troll battle.

This was because Dwalki’s condition hadn’t improved much.

[More potions won’t make him better, not everyone’s body is as sturdy as yours].

Without the help of natural regeneration, it takes time for muscles and bones to return to their original position, even after the wound has healed completely.

So when we got back to the city, we had to rush to the temple as soon as we passed through the checkpoint.

Unlike Rotmiller, Dwalki’s condition wasn’t something that could be healed with time.

“Phew, now I feel like I can live again…”

After receiving “advanced healing,” Dwalki, who couldn’t even stand for a week, finally managed to stand on his own.

“Any aftereffects? I was quite worried since the treatment was delayed…”

“Haha, don’t worry. I feel good enough to enter the labyrinth right now.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

Thanks to the top-grade potion we used initially, a single dose of divine power restored Dwalki to his usual vitality.

If there had been any aftereffects, it would have been problematic for the next exploration.

“Then let’s meet again in two days, and for today, let’s go back and rest.”

As the magical stones we collected weren’t much, we decided to distribute the bounty after receiving the quest completion payment and disbanded.

‘Hmm, about 400,000 stones per person?’

The exact amount could be determined after sharing the Frogman Shaman’s spoils, but roughly this much should be expected.

We had agreed to deduct 200,000 stones each for potion costs.

‘Phew, you fucking troll’

That bastard is costing me a lot of money.

Repair costs for the bent and damaged equipment would be substantial.

If only it had dropped some essence.

I was lucky enough to have secured a few things beforehand, otherwise the trip would have been a total loss.

“Bjorn, what are you going to do now, Nyang?”

“I’m planning to go to my lodging, get cleaned up, and then sort through the items. Oh, and you’re coming with me.”

“Eh? Me too…?”

“Didn’t you just have a good rest in the labyrinth? Don’t even think about sneaking away.”

“I wasn’t planning on it, nyang! Anyway, it’s too bothersome to go back to my place, so can I just wash up at yours?”

“Of course.”

There was no need to unnecessarily waste our movements, so Misha and I moved to my lodging together.

And I quickly took a shower first.

I had to move fast to get to the commercial district before the carriages stopped running.

“Eh? You’re already done showering, Nyang?”

“You can take your time. Sorting everything out is going to take a while anyway.”

“Really?”

After shoving Misha into the bathroom, I started laying out and organising the loot we had acquired.

The equipment and consumables we got after killing Jencia and the trio who targeted the baby barbarian.

‘This goes to sell, and we can keep this for our use…’

While writing down a list and organizing everything, someone knocked on the door.

“Excuse me, is anyone there?”

It was a man’s voice I hadn’t heard before.

Curious, I opened the door to find a man wearing an Explorer’s Guild badge.

“Are you Bjorn Jandel?”

“…Yes.”

“Could you possibly accompany me to the guild?”

What the fuck, out of the blue?

I felt like shit, remembering how I’d been told something similar, followed it, and ended up in jail…….

However, the employee’s tone and expression seemed to indicate a different situation this time.

No guards in sight either.

I decided to calmly assess the situation first.

“Tell me what it’s about first. I’ll decide whether to go or not after that.”

“Ah, my apologies for not explaining first.”

Realizing his oversight, the employee cautiously began to explain the situation.

“…A witness?”

“Yes, Mr. Jandel, you are expected to testify that he is not a plunderer…”

The baby barbarian was in trouble.

*****

“Normally, such a request wouldn’t be entertained, but as you know, after ‘that incident’, all relevant regulations have become stricter… It’s unfortunate, but I had to visit to confirm. If you have no connection, feel free to refuse -“

“I’ll go.”

“Excuse me?”

“Just give me a moment to change.”

After closing the door, I threw on an overcoat.

I then informed Misha, who was in the shower, that I was going out.

“Misha, cancel our plans for today.”

“What? Why all of a sudden, nyang?”

“Seems like there’s some trouble with Caron. I’ll be heading to the Explorers’ Guild for a bit, so go home or whatever once you’re done showering.”

“What? What do you mean…! No, wait, explain a bit more—!”

“No time to wait, I have to go”

“How can you be so bothersome, you barbarian!!”

Regardless of Misha’s pointed outcry.

I headed to the guild with the employee who was waiting outside.

Coincidentally, the place we arrived at was the same branch where I had escaped from.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”

“Yes? Oh, yes… Please come in. The branch manager is waiting for you.”

“The branch manager…?”

As I looked around, lost in memories for a moment, I followed the employee up to the third floor, where I saw Caron dozing off on a sofa.

On the opposite side sat the mustachioed branch manager, who wore a distinctly displeased expression.

“Oh, have you been well?”

“…Thanks to you.”

Well, that was curt.

But it seems the situation isn’t as bad as I thought. If Caron had really been accused of being a pluderer, he wouldn’t be dozing here; he’d be locked up in a dungeon cell.

Drrrrrrrrrrr-!

First thing, I woke up Caron.

Well, is it right to say I woke him?

“Caron, stop pretending to sleep. There’s no need for that here.”

At my words, both the branch manager and the employee looked puzzled, and then Caron slowly opened his eyes.

“…How did you know?”

How could I not know?

After disappearing with such meaningful words last time.

“I just had a feeling… you would.”

“Is that an acknowledgment of me as a warrior?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

Caron smiled genuinely, happy with my response, and gave me a pat on the shoulder.

“Thanks for coming. Bjorn, Son of Jandel.”

“It’s the least I could do. Have they treated you badly?”

“No need to worry about that. If he had, do you think he would be here?” said the manager

Hmm, that makes sense.

But I didn’t ask you.

“Caron, answer me.”

“There was no mistreatment.”

“Good to know.”

I nodded and smiled wryly.

This is why setting a precedent is important.

If I hadn’t made such a fuss before, would they have treated me this well?

Thud.

With that in mind, I comfortably took a seat on the sofa without asking for permission. Just in case the branch manager had forgotten who I am.

Then I said

“I’ll have a rum.”

“Are you discriminating against me because I’m a barbarian?”

The branch manager let out a long sigh.

“Sigh… We don’t have alcohol. I could offer tea—”

“Ice water. With ice cubes.”

“Alright then…”

Perhaps humans really do learn from experience?

The branch manager, instead of pointing out my blunt mannerisms or actions, simply complied with my request.

It seems he’s fully grasped how to deal with a no-nonsense barbarian.

‘Barbarians really are OP, huh.’

Encouraged, I put my dust-covered boots on the expensive-looking tabletop and Caron looked at me with a gleam in his eye.

“You truly are… an incredible warrior…”

It seemed quite impressive to him that I acted so brazenly in front of someone as important as the branch manager of the Explorer’s Guild.

It seemed the branch manager felt the same, judging by the way he was twitching his mustache as if trying to contain his frustration.

“You people really…”

“Got something to say?”

“…No.”

The branch manager quickly backed off, as if worried he’d provoke criticism over any minor complaint.

I smirked internally, having anticipated this reaction.

A lot has changed since the last time.

I was no longer the lowly Rank 9 barbarian with nothing to his name.

“You’ve become quite the talk of the town, the so-called ‘Little Balkan’?”

In just a few months, I had risen to a Rank  6 explorer.

Not only that, I had acquired a nickname and was a well-known explorer with a promising future.

I was known to have connections with Baron Martoin, and rumors were circulating that a count was keeping a close eye on me.

If they had been observing me, they would also know about my weekly visits to the Mage Tower for Raven’s research.

But the crucial point was something else.

“Here’s your ice water…”

I had become stronger.

Strong enough to turn the branch manager’s head into a burst tomato in just a second.

Well, we were in the middle of a city where law precedes violence, but who cares? At least, the branch manager must think I’m not the type to worry about such things.

“Cut the crap and get to the point. What are you planning to do with Caron now?”

As I pushed aside the ice water I had ordered and asked, the branch manager shrugged.

“…Nothing. If you wish, he can leave now. It’s been confirmed through a mage that it was self-defense.”

“…What?”

I was momentarily stunned by his unexpectedly cool response.

‘They already confirmed it with a mage?’

It made sense.

Caron didn’t have high anti-magic resistance like me.

Without needing me, a single spell could have determined whether Caron’s story was true or false.

But that meant…

‘Their interest was in me, not Caron.’

I quickly pieced it together.

Yeah, this is typical of the Explorer’s’ Guild.

Now, things are starting to get interesting.

“Caron, you can leave now.”

“Is that alright? I am quite hungry…”

“You won’t grow taller if you skip meals. Go now.”

“Okay! See you later, Bjorn, son of Jandel!”

I sent Caron off first.

Whatever it was, the branch manager seemed to prefer fewer ears around.

“Adrian, thank you. You may leave us now.”

“Yes, branch manager.”

After the employee who had escorted me and even brought the ice water left, only the two of us remained in the office.

“…”

Neither of us spoke, allowing the silence to stretch naturally.

I waited patiently for him to break the silence first.

“What’s the reason?”

“Lady Urbane wishes to meet with you.”

“Lady Urbane? Who’s that?”

I looked at him expectantly for a detailed explanation, and the branch manager replied as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Are you serious? You really don’t remember the person you took hostage?”

Ah, the daughter of the District Manager.

Shit, could’ve started with that.

“…So, she hasn’t completely slipped my mind, huh?”

“Ahem, anyway, why does she want to see me?”

“Well, you’ll naturally find out if you meet her—”

What’s with the teaser?

“Then I refuse.”

“What?”

“I’m starving every day; where do I have time to waste?”

As I stood up to leave, signaling the end of the conversation, the branch manager quickly continued.

“…I can’t go into details, but it’s definitely not something harmful to you. On the contrary, it could be beneficial.”

Seeing his insistence, it seemed unlikely he’d divulge more.

‘The woman I took hostage wants to meet me…’

It wasn’t a difficult decision.

“Tell her I refuse!”

I’m already swamped with enough to do.

I don’t need more hassle.

****

In the middle of the day, on a crowded street.

“Pant, pant, pant…”

Erwin was running through the crowd.

Her freshly washed body and the skirt she wore for the first time in a while were already damp with sweat, but…

‘I hope I don’t smell?’

Well, it should be fine.

They had seen each other at their worst, hadn’t they?

Meeting him was far more important to her than anything else.

‘…He was alive after all!’

The joy of this realization was tinged with a sense of self-reproach.

Bjorn, son of Jandel.

The first companion she had made, and the barbarian who had rescued her when she was lost in the Labyrinth.

The man she had thought dead, who had disappeared from her life before she could even return the favor.

She felt foolish for having holed up in her room under that misconception.

‘I never imagined he would become so famous…’

There was no need to search for him.

Just asking a few people in the city upon her return, most knew of his name.

One even knew the location of his lodging.

‘Wait… then why didn’t my sister tell me anything?’

The thought crossed her mind, but Erwin didn’t dwell on it.

It must have been an oversight.

It wasn’t like her sister to intentionally hide something.

That wasn’t the immediate concern.

‘What do I say when I meet him? After all, I disappeared all of a sudden.’

Her heart raced with anticipation.

It was a pleasantly exciting feeling she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Despite hating to see the sun rise and set, and living with the curtains drawn, the sunlight felt particularly warm and comforting today.

“I should start with an apology. Surely, he must have looked for me. Maybe he couldn’t find our place because he didn’t remember where it was.”

Arriving at her destination, Erwin gathered her thoughts in preparation for the meeting.

She straightened her disheveled clothes and then knocked on the door.

Thump, thump.

Footsteps approached from inside.

And quickly drew closer.

Thump, thump!

Her heart was racing!

She wanted to meet him and talk to him like old times, sharing stories of their daily lives, laughing and chatting, just like before.

‘He’ll be surprised to hear that I can now summon all four of the Great Spirits, won’t he? Oh, but… he’s become much stronger than me, so maybe that’s not much to brag about?’

She was a bit worried, but she knew he would praise her anyway.

For doing well, for enduring so much.

Because it was him, he would surely do so.

“Hehe…”

Lost in her thoughts and smiling, the door suddenly swung open.

But what was this?

“Uh? Who are you, Nyang?”

The person who opened the door was a beast-woman, a member of the Therianthropes race, with triangular ears on her head.

Erwin double-checked the room number.

Room 201.

She hadn’t gone to the wrong place.

She had asked several times to be sure, so there was no way she heard it wrong. Had the person who gave her the information been mistaken?

It seemed likely.

But just in case, it might be the room next door. If he’s become as famous as they say, someone in the same inn would surely know.

“Do you happen to know which room Bjorn Jandel is staying in?”

“Huh? You’re looking for Bjorn, nyang?”

“Yes? What do you mean…?”

“Bjorn just left after taking a shower, but you can come in and wait if you want, nyang.”

He had left just after showering…?

Wait, before that… If what this woman says is true, then this is his room, right?

Confused, Erwin processed the situation.

“Or, you could tell me who you are, nyang. I’ll let Bjorn know someone was looking for him when he gets back, nyang.”

This almost made it sound like they were living together. Staring blankly, Erwen took another look at the beast-woman’s face.

She was beautiful.

Even to Erwin, of fairy descent, there was no denying her beauty.

And then…

Drip, drip.

From her red hair, water dripped down.

As if she had just come out of the shower.

“You said he left just after showering, right?”

“Yeah, but why do you ask, nyang?”

Her answer, as if asking if there was a problem, made Erwin smile slightly.

Of course, that moment was brief.

“No, it’s nothing. Can I come in and wait?”

“Sure, come in, nyang…”

Erwin entered the room.

The room was cluttered with loot scattered all over the floor.

“It’s a bit messy, nyang… It’s not usually like this, nyang…”

“I know what this is. I’ve done this with him, too.”

“Huh? Done what? Oh… you’re an explorer too, nyang?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea, nyang? This was all taken from plunderers—”

“Don’t worry. I won’t misunderstand.”

Cutting off the beast-woman’s explanation, Erwin focused on the emotions in her heart.

Then, smiling, she added,

“If you covet what belongs to others, it’s only right to face the consequences, isn’t it?”

Her heart, which had been racing just moments before, had cooled significantly.