Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 194

Bifron (4)

Once in the land of the dead.

Once beneath the sewers.

Once by chance in front of my lodge after Noark was sealed.

‘Counting today, that makes four times’

At this point, it’s too much to call it a mere coincidence.

So it was time to change my attitude towards her.

“…Aren’t we leaving?”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

There’s a saying that knowledge is power.

I had been deliberately avoiding any involvement with her until now.

[… not a normal woman.]

[Amelia Rainweilz.]

Somehow, we even ended up knowing each other’s names.

It was clear that avoiding her was no longer the wise option.

It’s time to find out what the hell she’s up to.

If someone keeps lurking around my house, it’s natural to want to find out who they are.

Whether they’re someone you need to call the police on and kick out.

Or someone so dangerous I should abandon my house and flee.

I need to know that so I can react in the right way.

“Jinkasar Peljain!!”

After a moment, the rooftop door burst open.

The one who entered was a bald man with a black eye patch.

He seemed to be the leader of the Eastern Alliance

“How dare you enter our territory without notice, you must be prepared… But you, your hair…?”

The bald man, who had made a grand entrance, trailed off.

The sight of Jingjin with a jellyfish cut seemed to shock him.

“…Could it be, you were using a wig?”

“…”

Jingjin bowed his head deeply without a word.

The silence lasted for a while.

But was there too much resentment between them for them to feel sympathy?

After a brief pause, the conversation resumed.

“Do you think I would pity you enough to let you off? Today will mark the end of our bad karma!”

“Ha, ha! Thinking you can defeat me just because you have the numbers? Even though you’ve never been to the labyrinth, and I’m a rank 6 explorer?”

The bald man declared war, while Jingjin laughed exaggeratedly, oozing confidence.

To clarify, he wasn’t even rank 6.

He was so weak that upon questioning, he admitted he was actually rank 7.

‘There’s no way he’d be this relaxed against dozens of people, is he confident because of me?’

It’s funny, but Baldy suddenly got serious.

“Yes, I know you were a rank 6 explorer. But that’s why I’ve brought someone impressive.”

“…?”

“Guys, clear the way!”

As Baldy spoke, dozens of henchmen behind him stepped aside, and a woman appeared.

Amelia Rainweilz.

An 8th floor explorer from Noah’s Ark.

“Barbarian? Why are you here…”

She pushed her way through the men, looking annoyed, then frowned when she saw me.

I had been just as surprised the first time I saw her.

“What I want to know is, why are you here?”

Amelia chewed over her words, and then baldy cautiously spoke.

“…Do you know this barbarian?”

He had come trusting this woman, but it seemed he was worried by the appearance of a connection between us.

“Quiet.”

Amelia murmured shortly, and Baldy flinched and closed his mouth.

About three seconds passed.

“Björn Jandel, hand him over to me.”

Having sorted her thoughts, Amelia suddenly made such a demand.

Of course, I had no intention of complying.

“He’s my subordinate.”

A barbarian does not abandon his men.

…unless there’s a reason to.

“…Boss!”

As I responded without hesitation, Jingjin looked at me with a touched expression.

On the other hand, Amelia seemed puzzled.

“…A subordinate?”

The rising star in the explorer industry, me, why I was here and acting as a gang leader, was baffling to her.

I muttered briefly.

“I have my reasons.”

“That so.”

Amelia nodded coolly.

She could have asked what those reasons were, but probably didn’t out of character.

“If that’s the case, I’ll take him by force.”

With negotiations broken, Amelia immediately pulled out a dagger and took a combat stance.

Does she think she’s a barbarian?

I quickly spoke up.

“Wait, let’s talk first.”

“Talk?”

“Yes.”

The situation was different from when we had met at the lodge.

There were no allies to help, and Bifron was a lawless zone where strength ruled.

Naturally, it made sense to resolve things through dialogue.

I hadn’t managed my setup to block aura.

When you’re physically weak, you have no choice but to strain your brain.

“It’s curious. I didn’t expect you to bring up talking first. Are you planning a surprise attack?”

“Surprise attack? I don’t resort to such cowardly tactics.”

I did not hide the insult in my tone.

In the sewer, while we were talking, I charged at her with a mace, but there was no reason to not be bold now.

That memory of mine was erased.

At least from her perspective.

“…That’s not even funny.”

It was a situation where she wanted to argue but couldn’t.

However, Amelia passed it off with a single remark, still prepared for a surprise attack.

She was still prepared for a surprise attack.

Was she now acknowledging me as a worthy opponent?

“First, get rid of these guys.”

“Agreed.”

After a short agreement and a glance, Baldy prudently took his minions and went down the building.

Next was Jingjin’s turn.

“…Um…”

“Don’t worry. I won’t abandon you.”

“Yes!”

Jingjin, looking uneasy but trusting me, went down.

Now, only the two of us were left on the rooftop.

It was time for an open and honest conversation.

“Amelia Rainweilz. What brings you here?”

“Why should I answer that?”

“Isn’t it ridiculous for adults to fight like children?”

“…Aren’t you just twenty?”

Well, Jingjin and Baldy might be older, but in this industry, strength determines seniority.

“So, your answer?”

Amelia thought for a moment before speaking.

“You first. Why are you in Bifron?”

“I used a special ability in the city and got caught. I thought it would end with a fine, but I was told to live here for 20 days. Today is the third day.

“And the ‘subordinate’?”

“That guy tried to rob me, so I turned the tables and took him down.”

Amelia chuckled.

“You really live as you please.”

It wasn’t a sarcastic tone.

No, it was more like a hint of envy.

“It’s your turn now. Why are you here?”

The question I’ve asked many times already.

Finally, Amelia shared her situation briefly.

“I’m looking for an explorer who might be here. In exchange for these guys’ help, I agreed to assist with something.”

“I see.”

I had a rough understanding of the situation.

At first, I wondered why she would ‘trade’ with such weaklings…

‘She wants to handle things quietly. If she causes a scene like me, word would inevitably get out.’

It seemed like things would go smoothly.

“I should say, I wasn’t planning on breaking any promises.”

Huh?

As I cocked my head, Amelia continued as if to excuse herself.

“I also… didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Ah, that.

The promise that she wouldn’t seek me out again.

I never dreamed she’d be concerned about that in this situation.

Did she have some sort of compulsion about ‘promises’?

“Don’t worry. I don’t think you broke your promise.”

“Is that so…”

Now that I had a good grasp of the situation, I got to the point.

“Anyway, it’s good. There’s absolutely no reason for us to fight over this issue.”

“Does that mean you will hand him over?”

“No, there’s no need for that. You need someone at your command, right? I’ll lend you my subordinate.”

“I’ve heard that the Western Alliance is the smallest faction here.”

“You’re quite well-informed.”

“I’ve been here for more than ten days now.” Amelia answered

“I see.”

I nodded.

Indeed, as Amelia said, the Western Alliance was a minority.

While they might be called elite, they were far too weak.

The Eastern Alliance guys might do a better job of finding people.

However…

“Don’t worry about having fewer people.”

There really wasn’t a problem.

It was almost incomprehensible why she hadn’t thought of such a simple solution.

Worried about having fewer subordinates?

Why bother with such unnecessary concerns?

“From today, the Eastern Alliance is also my territory.”

Subordinates can simply be duplicated.

***

She seemed inflexible about ‘promises,’ but surprisingly, she was like me in this regard.

Amelia was also a person of efficiency.

“Not a bad method.”

“Does that mean you agree?”

“Before that, this first. What do you gain by helping me?”

“…Just owe me a favor later.”

“Then I’ll have to decline. I sense you’ll ask for something unbearable“

Hmm, that didn’t work.

Well, it didn’t matter. The important thing wasn’t the favor anyway.

“Then consider it a service. It’s better than wasting energy fighting you.”

Whether this was a convincing enough explanation or not, Amelia finally nodded and agreed to the terms.

Therefore…

“What about him, then?”

“That’s rather informal of you.”

I went down to the first floor where Jingjin and Baldy were in an awkward standoff and kicked Baldy in the stomach.

Establishing dominance in ‘recruitment’ is crucial.

“Argh!”

Baldy, hit in the solar plexus, collapsed on the floor.

“You bastard!”

This was the trigger for the Eastern thugs who filled the first floor to rush at me.

Swords, hammers, spears, spikes…

They mercilessly jabbed their weapons from all directions, but there was no need to even block them.

“Why isn’t this working…?”

Despite aiming for exposed skin, their weapons couldn’t even scratch me and were repelled.

It was predictable.

These guys had come in dozens just to capture Jingjin; what did they expect?

My physical resistance is too high.

“Is it over?”

“…No.”

“Bethel—raaaaaaaaa!!!”

It didn’t take long.

After instilling fear with [Wild Outburst] and crushing a few as a demonstration, the fight was over.

Dozens of men, overwhelmed by the stark difference in force, dared not even think of escaping.

I grabbed Baldy by the collar and lifted him up.

“What’s your name?”

“Ph, Philip Lazer!”

“From now on, I’ll call you Baldy.”

Okay, then, introductions were over.

Just as I was about to proceed to the next step, Baldy asked in a daze.

“Who are you, sir?”

I corrected him immediately.

“Not ‘sir’.”

“…?”

“Your boss.”

“Boss…?”

Baldy, with a confused look, glanced towards Jingjin, who was hiding in a corner.

It seemed he finally understood the situation.

Yes, he had been dealt with the same way.

Then Amelia just arrived

“Just in time, hand me a potion.”

“…Potion?”

“If a subordinate is injured, I should at least take care of it, right?”

Amelia, looking at me as if I were some fascinating creature, pulled out a bottle of potion and handed it over.

Ssssshhhh!

As soon as I administered the potion, Baldy screamed and writhed, but after a moment, he regained his composure, sweating profusely and still looking as if he was in a dream.

Seems like enough stick, time for some carrot.

“I’ll be leaving in 17 days.”

“What?”

“Just so you know.”

Simply put, think of it as stepping in poop and just endure it for the time being. I then turned to Baldy and Jingjin and ordered them to gather everyone.

“A gathering in the Dimension Square should do. Would five hours be enough?”

“That, that’s unreasonable—”

“Yes! That’s plenty!”

Jingjin, cutting off Baldy’s protest, boldly shouted his agreement.

Was this what being a senior was like?

Responding with ‘YES’ to anything is the greatest virtue for a subordinate.

Especially if your boss is a barbarian.

“Alright then, off you go.”

Given the urgency, the subordinates rushed out to execute their orders.

I was quite pleased with their performance.

‘Is this why everyone clings to power?’

I smirked and turned my gaze to Amelia, and asked casually as if uninterested.

“So, who are we looking for?”

I had been curious since earlier.

Since she’s from Noark.

It’s possible she was searching for someone under Noark’s orders.

‘In this climate, someone is pulling strings from the underground city…’

It could be a crucial clue.

The more you know about information others don’t, the better. If it’s irrelevant to me, I could still use it to appear knowledgeable at the Round Table.

Either way, I saw no loss.

However, contrary to my expectations, Amelia only provided a description of the person.

“An old man, but he might be disguised.”

“So, we can’t rely on appearance. How do we find him then?”

“A tattoo on his back. I’ve heard that no magic can hide that.”

Hmm, does that mean I have to check everyone’s back?

“Any other useful details?”

“None.”

“Don’t you know his name?”

“…It would be a pseudonym anyway, so it’s meaningless.”

“But you never know. Just tell me.”

I asked casually, and Amelia hesitated for a moment as if pondering.

Perhaps she figured I wouldn’t know anyway?

Then she finally spoke a name.

“Auril Gavis.”

What?

“Auril Gavis?!”

“…Do you know him?”

“No, just pretending I knew.”

I casually brushed it off while managing my expression.

Thump, thump, thump!

My heart raced uncontrollably.

Naturally.

Auril Gavis?

Wasn’t that the name of the author of the ‘Chronicles of the Rift’ series and the creator of [Dungeon & Stone]?