Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 207

Instant (3)

Most taverns in this city also serve as lodgings.

Which means…

[Do you want to go upstairs for a bit and see the ability in action?]

This meant getting a room to showcase the ability.

It’s not strange, because it’s happened before.

However…

“I don’t think that will be possible.”

“…Pardon?”

Seeing Erwin flustered, I firmly expressed my refusal.

“It’s getting late. I should be heading home.”

After all, I have a cat waiting for me.

“Show it to me next time when there’s a chance.”

“Ah… Yes!”

I know myself well.

As a gamer with more curiosity than anyone in the world, if I started to explore this ability, I would end up experimenting all night and into the morning.

“Ah, you’re home?”

As soon as I left Erwin and got home, Misha, who had been reading a cookery book in the living room, approached me sniffing.

“Nyang It seems you didn’t drink much, did you?”

“I didn’t really feel like drinking.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

It wasn’t like I had done something wrong, but somehow, it was uncomfortable to meet her gaze.

Maybe because I didn’t tell her I was meeting Erwin?

Hmm, that seems to be the reason, but since she might have disliked it, I couldn’t help it.

I naturally changed the subject.

“By the way, how’s Aynar?”

“She’s sleeping in her room.”

“…I see. You should go to sleep soon, too.”

After a brief conversation, as I was heading upstairs, Misha stopped me.

“Wait, sit over there for a bit.”

Did she find out?

“It’s good for you to eat before bed. I’ll make you a quick stew, nothing fancy.”

“Ah… thank you.”

I did as I was told and sat at the kitchen table.

Misha donned an apron and began cooking, while I silently watched her back.

“…….”

Her tail was moving.

Swishing gently.

As if she was bothered by something.

The concern didn’t last long.

“Today, I met Erwin.”

I confessed honestly before it was too late.

“…Really?”

Her response was a bit delayed, but she didn’t seem surprised.

“…Are you upset?”

To my question, Misha chuckled.

“…Upset? It takes more than that to upset me.”

With those words, Misha threw the pot full of stew into the trash.

Her words and actions didn’t match.

“Why is that…?”

“Ah, the seasoning was off.”

“Is that so?”

“Wait, I’ll make it again for you.”

 

Soon, Misha prepared a new batch of stew and placed it on the table, then went upstairs to her room, saying she was a bit tired.

‘…What was that all about?’

Despite feeling a sense of unease, I ate the stew from the bowl. As always, the stew perfectly suited my taste and went down smoothly without any side dishes.

Could Misha have really failed to season it properly?

‘That can’t be.’

After finishing my meal, I casually cleared the dishes and then opened the trash can.

And…

“…”

I froze, lid in hand.

‘…It was good that I spoke honestly.’

The stew in the trash can was full of carrots.

She had known all along.

From the moment she came sniffing around me, she knew everything about who I met today.

***

Time flows like a river.

It can’t be stopped by hand, and we can’t turn back what’s already gone.

Thus, we only have one choice.

Rowing towards our goals in the little boat called life.

‘Yes, let’s start the day.’

After getting up from bed, I looked in the mirror and took a moment to motivate myself.

It’s a gamer’s trick.

It’s what keeps me from getting bored of repetitive quests.

“Bjorn… Oh, you’re awake? Then could you wake Aynar for me?”

“Got it.”

Speaking of repetitive quests, my daily routine was the same every day.

Wake up at 7 AM, have breakfast with Aynar prepared by Misha, and get ready to go out.

“Going to the library again today?”

“Want to come with?”

“No, I’ll pass. I’m going to take Aynar to the training center later.”

After breakfast, Misha and Aynar went to the training center, where they have a monthly pass, to warm up, and I went straight to the library.

“Are you here to read that book again today?”

“Ah, it’s more interesting than I thought.”

“Hehe, be grateful. I thought you might, so I set it aside for you.”

Recently, I’ve been reading a long novel series.

It was recommended by Ragna and turned out to be much more interesting than I expected.

With a labyrinth as its setting, the story was rich in content.

‘Well, it’s a bit unrealistic since all the characters are too nice.’

But, considering it’s a novel, it’s not unbearable.

Honestly, it’s a decent pastime.

In this world, apart from drinking and partying, there aren’t many enjoyable hobbies.

“Take care, then.”

As usual, around 1 PM, I close the book and leave the library for lunch.

The menu is a meat-packed lunchbox prepared by Misha.

I eat it casually, sitting by the fountain, then it’s time to meet Rotmiller.

“You’re late today. By about 30 seconds.”

“…”

“To become an excellent scout, you must understand the weight of time. Since you’re late, we’ll start the lesson right away.”

I’ve been receiving training to be a scout from Rotmiller for over half a year now.

Honestly, I thought it would only take a couple of months.

But Rotmiller’s knowledge is as vast as the ocean, and despite all the learning, there’s always more that I don’t know.

“It seems you’ve mastered the basics now, so let’s move on to the advanced courses.”

“Before that, what about the thing I mentioned yesterday?”

“Starting a training school, you mean?”

“Yes.”

It was Rotmiller who first mentioned the idea of a training school.

However, the more I’m taught by this gentleman, the stronger my feeling that starting a school would be a hit.

Even if someone doesn’t have sharp ears like a fairy, a keen nose like a beasthuman, or natural leadership skills, the scout skills he teaches can be learned.

Rotmiller’s essence was the fruit of his efforts.

It’s attractive enough, and even more so because he started from the very bottom, his teaching skills are top-notch.

‘But this guy doesn’t seem to know his own worth.

Honestly, it’s a mystery why he hasn’t started yet.

Unlike the dwarf’s forge, he hardly needs any initial capital, right?

“Think about it seriously. You’ve been idling for months since then.”

“It’s not idling; I’ve been taking time for self-cultivation that I hadn’t managed before.”

“Then all the more reason to do it. Sometimes you learn by teaching.”

“That’s hard to deny. Indeed, I’ve learned quite a bit myself while teaching you.”

“So, your answer?”

“I’m still not feeling it.”

I subtly clicked my tongue.

It seems Rotmiller doesn’t like the idea of retiring from active duty…

“Is that so? Let me know when you decide. I’ll help.”

“Thanks for the offer, even if it’s just words.”

“It’s not just talk; I mean it.”

I already had a rough plan laid out.

First, I’d rent a training room and use it as a school, targeting human children who aspire to become scouts.

Once we’re a bit established, I’d advertise in the explorers’ guild and run exclusive classes for explorers.

That should be more profitable.

Of course, it will take some time to get established…

‘Rotmiller is human, after all.’

Humans have less tax.

Once we’re established, even a steady small income would be enough to provide for a lifetime.

‘But if this guy decides not to do it, that’s the end of that.’

If capital is the issue, I’m willing to invest a bit myself. The concept of stocks is still new here, but it’s not completely unknown in this world.

It would be perfect for investment…

“That’s all for today’s lesson.”

Anyway, after a few more hours of education, today’s class ended.

It was about 8 PM.

Maybe because it’s an advanced course? The explanations were longer than usual, so it ended about an hour later.

“Then tomorrow… No, I won’t be able to come tomorrow.”

“Let’s set it for three days from now.”

“Sounds good. Take care until then.”

Anyway, that was the end of my scheduled day.

Evenings are often spent either listening to industry trends over drinks with explorers introduced by the Dwarf or Mr Bear, or bonding time with the whole team.

But today, there were no plans at all.

I’ve already completed my unique routine that happens every 15th at midnight, so my next schedule is completely open.

Really, some time for myself for the first time in a while.

‘Should I go back to the library, or go to the training center to loosen up?’

I hesitated for a moment, but ended up walking into a random pub on my way home and ordering a drink myself.

Yeah, sometimes I need days like these.

“Sigh.”

I downed the lukewarm beer and sorted through the thoughts floating around in my head.

‘Lately, there really hasn’t been anything substantial.’

Honestly, it’s comfortable and enjoyable.

But, conversely, a sense of unease grows.

Knowing that these dreamlike days won’t last forever.

‘…But maybe it’s still okay? There were no big issues at the Round Table either.’

The Round Table meeting I attended two weeks ago was no different from previous ones.

As usual when I dropped some information, everyone looked at me in awe, while I pretended to be bored and listened to the information from the members.

That was all that happened that day.

No one brought any particularly interesting information, and the meeting ended after just two rounds.

‘Ah, wasn’t it all a bit strange?’ 

Even so, if I had to pick one peculiarity from this gathering, there would be one.

It was the clown.

[See you next month. Pssit.]

It was the first time the clown had greeted the members at the end of the meeting.

Not to me, but to other members.

In a tone that sounded somewhat meaningful.

‘Maybe next time there will be something interesting?’

Well, it’s hard to say.

It could just be a whim.

After all, that’s just the character of the clown, and I’m neither a prophet nor a mind reader.

‘Maybe it’s time to get up.’

After sitting alone in the tavern for about an hour, I got up and headed home.

When I arrived, the melee sisters were already back from the training grounds and bickering.

Well, it was more like a one-sided scolding.

“Aynar! I told you to gather the laundry properly! Do you think you can become a great warrior like this?”

“Well… I was going to do it later! It’s not like I wasn’t going to do it! And it certainly wasn’t because I was lazy!”

“This is the last time. If it happens again, you’ll have to deal with it yourself… Oh, Bjorn. Are you back? What about dinner?”

“Not yet.”

I had drunk, but deliberately hadn’t ordered any snacks.

“Is that so? I’ll prepare something quickly, so go wash up first. Hey! Aynar! Where do you think you’re going? I haven’t finished talking yet!”

“Chet! You caught me?” 

After leaving Aynar to be scolded by Misha, I went into the bathroom to wash up, and when I came out I found the table nicely laid.

It would be hard to eat like this tomorrow, so maybe she had taken extra care today?

“Thank you, as always. Misha.”

“What’s with that all of a sudden…”

After dinner, we played a card game that Misha had bought at the market until late into the night.

Since it’s better to stay up late today anyway.

“It’s beginning to get light outside.”

“Next time, it’d be nice to invite Urakburak and Aruru to join!”

“Are you going to keep talking nonsense? Aruru maybe, but Abman should stay at home. He has a wife.”  Misha argued with Aynar

“Then just invite his wife too!”

What is she talking about, this kid?

To prevent a pointless argument from starting, I stepped in to settle things.

“Enough, let’s go to sleep. Try to sleep in as long as possible.”

Tomorrow night, the labyrinth opens.

“You have entered the first floor: Crystal Cave.”

A darkness so dense I can’t see a foot ahead.

Considering we just entered the labyrinth, this was clearly a phenomenon, but no one panicked.

After all, this wasn’t our first time encountering something like this.

“Lieate.”

A softly glowing orb of light appeared above us, illuminating the sight. The first thing that came into view was the layer stone on the dead-end wall.

“We’ve arrived properly again this time. At this point, we might as well consider it a law, not just an anomaly?”

A dimensional instability bug with a 100% chance of success.

As usual, Raven was the first to approach and placed her hand on the stone.

The flow of magic when creating portals is too unique to grasp in just one or two tries?

Of course, even I don’t know what to do with that information.

Is there even a use for it?

[The portal has been opened for the first time. EXP +2]

Anyway, as we stepped through the portal, the characteristic dingy air and ground greeted us.

Damn it.

[You have entered the second floor: Beast’s Den]

Of all places, it had to be here.

“Jandel, what should we do?”

“…We’re going back down.”

Even after more than half a year of Rotmiller’s lessons, there’s no solution here.

The pathways are too numerous and the rules too complex.

This layer was one Rotmiller had navigated using his keen sense of smell, and even he advised me it was better to give up here.

“Are we going back to the Goblin Forest again?”

What can I say.

Returning to the first floor, we headed for the Goblin Forest, our most frequently used route. The Land of the Dead or the Rock Desert weren’t particularly difficult to navigate either…

But the Goblin Forest route was still the fastest.

[Maybe we can get some portal opening achievements there too. Follow me closely, we’ll move fast]

I took out the compass and began to find our way seriously.

I made it out of the Dark Zone without getting lost once, and then I took the shortest route across the boundary between the Dark Zone and the normal areas.

No need to ask Mr. Bear for portal directions anymore.

I’ve mastered the Crystal Cave.

Thud.

It was just over two hours after we entered the labyrinth when it happened.

“Mr. Jandel.”

Raven, riding on Aynar, stopped me.

“Something… something’s wrong.”

“Wrong? What do you mean?”

“There’s a surge of magic from the core. It’s like dozens of people are casting a joint spell…”

Joint magic refers to a method where mages link their unique magic powers to amplify a particular spell’s power or to cast high-level magic.

It’s often used in large-scale raids.

And now, to have that not only used on the first floor…

“…Dark magic. I can feel the aura of cursed power.”

Dark magic was being used too.

The situation was not normal.

“…It’s probably those from Noahark, right?”

“Yes. It’s common knowledge that the dark mages affiliated with Noahark are formidable.”

“Just when things seemed quiet, they get complicated.”

“What will we do?”

Raven, unusually shaken by the gravity of the situation, looked to me.

Right, I need to keep my cool, especially now.

“Nothing changes. We’ll just have to speed up even more. We need to get out of the first floor as quickly as possible.”

I quickly gave the order and resumed our hurried movement.

About five minutes later…

“Something’s coming from behind!”

Raven suddenly shouted at the top of her lungs.

Whoosh!

A red swarm of light rushed past us from the back corridor and disappeared into the distance.

There was no time to dodge or react.

“…What in the world was that?”

“I don’t, I don’t know. It seemed like magic, but…”

It was unnervingly unfamiliar.

Even Raven didn’t recognize this type of magic.

“Hey, Bjorn… Shouldn’t we keep moving?”

Following Misha’s advice, I again took the lead to pave our way, analyzing the situation as we moved.

No clear answers came to mind.

Perhaps that was why.

“Are we… going to be alright?”

Even knowing what my role as a leader was, I couldn’t answer that question.

“…”

In a situation where everything was unclear.

Only one thing was painfully clear.

It was a blessing.

That’s why it felt so fleeting.

The peaceful days came to an end today.