Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 246

Turning Point (6)

What kind of mistake did I make for her to react this way?

Such thoughts didn’t even cross my mind.

It’s because Misha has been watching over me for the longest time.

A barbarian who reads books.

A barbarian who can take on the role of a scout.

A barbarian who pretends to be ignorant but is actually cunning.

A barbarian who always knew things that others didn’t, as if it were natural.

There must have been many suspicious points over time.

Well, until now, she might have just thought there could be such a person and let it go…

But the events of that day must have hit her hard.

Because she knows me the best.

[“Why should I do what the enemy wants?”]

I kept dodging the Corpse Collector’s questions with barbarian-like reasons, but to Misha, it must have looked strange.

At the very least, she knows that I only become stubborn when I have a reason.

[“If you don’t answer, I’ll kill the Red Fox girl!”]

When Baekho said those words, I felt a deep despair.

Misha might have sensed even that.

She might have realized that I was desperately holding back my answer because I was cornered.

“…What do you mean by disappearing?”

Late at night when everyone was asleep.

Seeing Misha carefully approach me, showing her anxiety, I pretended to know nothing.

“…Disappear? What are you talking about?”

In the dead of night, when everyone was asleep.

When Misha cautiously approached me, looking worried, I reacted as if I had no idea what she was talking about.

“Why would I suddenly disappear?”

“Oh, no, it’s just… it’s just a nightmare.”

Misha used her dream as an excuse and changed the subject.

It seemed like she thought that if she voiced her fears, they might actually come true.

“A night-mare? If you’re really scared, you can sleep next to me!”

“It’s not that bad! Jeez! If you’re going to joke around, just go to sleep, you barbarian brute!”

Soon, Misha left the room, saying I was talking nonsense, and I let out a silent sigh.

My chest felt heavy.

‘Disappearing suddenly…’

I knew why she said that.

Because I had secretly read the book on her desk yesterday.

It was a book I had read at the library before.

A book summarizing the patterns and habits of evil spirits.

[Evil spirits are adept at deception and cunning. They do not cling to relationships. When their true identity is at risk of being exposed, they sever all ties and hide]

It was a passage I could fully empathize with.

If their identity is revealed, their fate is nothing but ruin.

First, they distance themselves from those around them, and if that doesn’t work, they eventually try to change their identity.

And if even that option was blocked…

‘They would go to Noark.’

Noark is indeed a city made up of such people. Criminals or evil spirits who can no longer stay in Raphdonia hide in the sewers, and Noark takes them in.

“Even the clown joined the Orcules as soon as soon as he was revealed to be an evil spirit.’

I lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

My mind was very complicated.

‘If they find out I’m an evil spirit…’

What kind of reaction would they have?

Would they feel betrayed and angry?

I don’t know.

At least Misha seemed more anxious about me disappearing than about me being an evil spirit.

‘Damn Baekho.’

I finally admitted it.

I am afraid of them finding out my true identity.

More than the guillotine I might be dragged to.

I’m more afraid that everything I’ve built will crumble.

Even if it’s just a sandcastle.

Phew.

I took out the magical tool from the subspace.

A magical tool that allows secret conversations.

[“Fine, if you want, I’ll destroy the place you belong. Hans Krysen is an evil spirit! I have the evidence in my backpack—”]

The dwarf I met in the doppelganger forest used this tool, which also had a recording function, to corner Hans G.

Click.

As I pressed the groove under the magical tool, the conversation between the two vividly played back.

[Why are you so worried? They are just NPCs anyway.]

[But they are still my comrades who have been with me all this time—]

[Don’t be ridiculous. Do you think they would think the same if they knew your true identity?]

Hans G couldn’t respond to the dwarf’s words.

He knew.

[Your comrades considered the real Hans as their friend. And as you know, the real Hans is no longer in this world.]

We are evil spirits.

Whatever bonds we forge here, they are precarious, built on lies.

[“But… I still consider them my comrades.”]

Hans G answered that way that day.

But what did he actually do?

[“No… way…”]

[I-I’m sorry.]

When the dwarf forced him to reveal his identity, Hans G poured flames onto the warrior’s body and switched sides with the dwarf.

He knew deep down. Things could never be the same again.

That his once precious comrades would now consider him an ‘enemy.’

Click.

I pressed the button again to turn off the sound.

Suddenly, I recalled Tacellan’s words.

[One day, you will feel the same way as me.]

He was wrong.

If such a moment of despair comes to me.

It will be an even more terrible and miserable end.

***

Another two days passed.

Nothing significant happened during that time.

There were no new clues about the large clan suspected of orchestrating the assassination attempt, and eventually, the incident was brushed aside without further investigation.

There were no more leads to follow.

Ah, but thanks to that, the number of escort knights has increased.

As it was proven that there was a force with ill intentions targeting the royal family, additional forces were deployed.

A bit excessively, perhaps.

‘Hah, this makes it impossible to go anywhere.’

Already, I had three close guards.

Of course, that’s just inside the house; outside, over thirty knights are standing guard. And if I go out, all of them follow me.

Oh, and even a poison-taster joined the team.

“In case it’s poisoned, I’ll try it first.”

Every meal, a knight with specialized poison resistance tastes the food first.

“You, you really don’t have to do that! Why would I poison Bjorn…?”

“It’s better to be sure. Mmm, it’s delicious. As expected, Lady Karlstein is a superb cook.”

“Even if you say that, it doesn’t make me feel any better!”

Every meal, the poison-taster does this, making Misha look displeased…

Still, Seeing such inflexibility actually made me trust them more.

‘Even if Noark sends assassins, I don’t need to worry this much.’

After breakfast, Aynar left for the Sanctuary, and Erwien went out, saying she was meeting her sister.

And I was no different.

“…You’re going out?”

“It’s time for me to get back to work.”

I’ve rested enough, so it’s time to get back to the tasks I’ve put off.

“Work? Are you going to buy something again?”

“No, it’s a different matter this time.”

“Hmm?”

Usually, during maintenance, I would go shopping, but today is different.

Although I did make a lot of money recently…

‘There’s no reason to go shopping now when the currency value will only go up if I wait.’

Already, the price of equipment is plummeting.

The demand has decreased because many explorers, the main customers, have died.

Meanwhile, food prices are rising.

Panic buying has started due to concerns that magic stone supplies might decrease from next month.

‘I’ll try to keep my cash and not spend it for now.’

Currency here is not just simple pieces of paper agreed upon by society.

It holds actual value.

This is a world where people live off magic stones, which alchemists can turn into iron or wheat.

There’s no risk of currency losing value.

Unless the value of labor hits rock bottom.

‘Is Hikurod doing okay…?’

Suddenly, I thought of the dwarf.

Lately, his blacksmith business seemed to be doing well, but now, it must be deserted.

I felt a bit sorry for him.

He invested all his assets to open the shop, only for such an event to happen.

‘I’ll visit him when I have some time later…’

I dressed simply and went out with Misha.

Outside, there was a carriage prepared by the knights.

It felt like an overly generous treatment…

“Please, get in.”

I was now accustomed to getting on the carriage.

It’s not like I’m paying for it, and it’s much easier to be escorted this way, so what can I say?

“Where to?”

“To the main Temple of Leatlas.”

As I told the coachman the destination, the carriage set off.

“…Leatlas Temple? Why are you going there?”

Misha looked anxious.

I understood her feelings.

The religious factions here are the natural enemies of evil spirits.

‘Tch, it seems she hasn’t completely shed her suspicions.’

She had read books about evil spirits and made significant remarks to me for a day or two but then stopped.

So I thought she concluded it was just a feeling, and I couldn’t really be an evil spirit.

‘…At times like this, it’s better to leave things alone rather than do something.’

So, I continued the conversation casually.

“I’m planning to ask if they have any spare priests.”

“…A spare priest? Are you planning to leave the team?”

“What are you talking about?”

“But, even if a priest comes, we already have five members… Ah! Are you planning to…”

Ugh, what is she talking about?

I sighed and firmly said,

“I’m not leaving the team, and no one else is leaving either.”

“Then why…”

Misha still looked confused.

I explained my future plans.

“We need to prepare to go up to the 6th floor.”

“Uh, the 6th floor? Yeah, but what does that have to do with this?”

“I’m planning to form a clan.”

It was time to graduate from the five-member team.

***

Even if it’s a small-scale group, once it exceeds five members, it’s classified as a clan. The members must be divided into at least two teams.

“A clan? Then we’ll be moving with ten people from now on?”

Hmm, ultimately, yes, but not immediately.

‘Since Erwin can take on the role of a scout, a single priest should suffice for now.’

From the 6th floor onward, I’ll need to recruit another explorer for a specialized position.

That will make it eight members in total for now.

‘With our current level, splitting into two teams should get us up to the 5th floor without problems.’

Well, honestly, I’m not too worried about this part.

If it doesn’t work, we can always meet on the 2nd floor.

Though it will take time to join up due to the starting position and slow down due to the personnel penalty on the 4th floor…

‘We’re not a large clan anyway.’

If the goal isn’t to control the hunting grounds, a day or two difference doesn’t matter to a small clan.

The real concern lies elsewhere.

‘When will the labyrinth return to normal?’

If the situation doesn’t improve, I plan to wait it out for a few more months. We need that time to prepare for the 6th floor anyway.

“We have arrived.”

As I was organizing my thoughts, the carriage stopped in front of the main temple.

Most knights waited in the carriage.

I only took three escort knights and Misha.

“Commander Krobitz is currently out on an errand.”

Instead of the familiar Paal Krobitz, another holy knight greeted me.

His name was Sven Parab.

He’s the deputy commander of the 2nd Holy Knights of Leatlas?

“It’s an honor to meet you, Baron Bjorn Jandel. What brings you to our church today?”

I briefly explained my future plans to him.

I intended to form a clan and wanted to recruit a priest.

The result? I was rejected.

“Hmm, even though you’re a baron, that’s a bit difficult.”

Neither the recent nickname “giant” nor the noble title of baron mattered to the church.

They were just basic conditions.

To recruit a priest, I needed merit points.

‘Hah, why is their inflexibility just like in the game?’

As it was within my expectations, I asked how to earn merit points and got detailed answers.

‘Aside from a few things, it’s very similar to the game.’

In the end, there’s no choice but to grind.

Tsk, I should have done it in advance.

“Your name is Parab? Thank you for today. I’ll come back next time.”

“Yes, we always welcome the visit of a hero.”

After finishing the brief errand, I exchanged farewells with Parab and turned around.

And just as I was about to open the reception room door and leave,

「The condition for the activation of the Blessing of the Stars has been met.」

The last vine that protected me from the dragon slayer was severed.

“…”

Damn.

It’s really one problem after another.