Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 248

That day, the tribe chief spoke to me.

[If you covet my position, become stronger, warrior. And prove you are worthy. I will be watching you.]

He said he would pass his position to me if I proved my worth.

But how should I prove it?

I didn’t bother to ask.

As far as I know, there’s only one way for barbarians.

“Wait a moment, let’s change the location!”

“…You truly are a wise warrior.”

Thanks to my insight, the battle that was about to take place inside the tribe chief’s house was moved to an outdoor clearing.

And then…

“BETHEL—RAAAAAA!!!”

“BETHEL—RAAAAAA!!!”

With our simultaneous battle roar, the fight began.

BOOOOM—!

The tribe chief swung his axe without mercy—the same axe that had beheaded  ‘Orem, son of Kadua,’ —and I responded by using all the skills I had acquired.

But, to put it simply…

“I lost.”

After nearly an hour of battle, I was defeated.

The reason for my defeat was my lack of specs.

After all, the tribe chief is of a similar type to me.

If our fighting styles were different, variables might have continued to emerge, but since I was overpowered, there were no variables until the end.

‘As expected, it’s not enough yet.’

I accepted my defeat gracefully.

Of course, the outcome might have been different if it wasn’t a duel.

In a real battle, I could have used dirty tricks like spraying [Acidic Fluid] into his eyes or distracting him with nonsense before a sneak attack. I didn’t even bite his neck when my hands and feet were bound in the ground fight.

Simply put, I fought with my trump cards sealed.

So, what about my ‘proof’?

“You’re still lacking.”

Soon, the tribe chief told me.

“If you desire my position, become stronger.”

Tch, I thought the cutoff was around the sixth floor.

I already thought I had reached that level.

I don’t suppose he’s saying I have to beat him to take over as chief?

“To the point where an old man like me is no match for you.”

Ha, so that’s how it is.

To beat an eighth-floor explorer…

‘It will take more time.’

I let go of my impatience.

This is also one of the strengths of the barbarians.

Even if you fail to succeed, there’s nothing to lose.

Rather, I should say I only have a lot to gain?

Right after the fight ended, I chugged several potions as my body was shattered…

‘But I’ve caught up a lot.’

It’s different from the time I fainted from his single punch.

I fought for almost an hour.

And…

‘I’ve confirmed six essences for sure.’

I identified several of the tribe chief’s essences.

Moreover, I got used to his fighting habits to some extent.

Next time, it will be much easier to deal with him.

Additionally,

‘Barbarians really do fight well.’

Although I need to fight more to fully understand, I could naturally absorb the sense of a tribe chief who once reached the eighth floor as a warrior.

Furthermore,

“To fight against the tribe chief for an hour!”

“Look! That stingy tribe chief is drinking a potion!”

“He might look fine on the outside, but he’s not on the inside. As expected, Bjorn, son of Jandel, is a great warrior…!”

Even when the duel ended, the crowd showed no signs of disappointment in my defeat.

Well, after all, it’s only been a year for me.

“I thought it would take at least five more years.”

“Hmm, perhaps the tribe chief might change much sooner.”

Even the elders are nodding in satisfaction.

So, even though I lost, I gained a lot.

On the other hand, the tribe chief didn’t gain anything in particular.

‘Yes, so in fact, isn’t it fair to say I won?’

As I consoled myself with mental victory, I felt my motivation returning.

Soon, I stood up and stared at the tribe chief.

The tribe chief seemed curious about what I would say after staying silent the whole time.

“Surely you’re not discouraged?”

“Of course not.”

I smirked and said,

“One more time.”

It’s not common to find an opponent I can fight without worries, right?

After that, I fought the tribe chief three more times, and each time ended in my defeat. However, the duration of the duels increased each time.

Thanks to the strengths of Lee Han-soo, not Bjorn.

I’m good at self-feedback.

I’ve experienced many failures in my life, and each time, what I desperately sought was the reason for the failure.

Finding the reason is almost like my specialty.

‘Certainly, with so much experience, he has many tricks.’

The difference between the tribe chief and me wasn’t just our specs.

Warrior skills.

Situational judgment acquired through experience.

The instinctive intuition that sees openings like a ghost, even in battles where thinking and reacting would leave you too late.

These were all things I had to learn.

Given that I’ve the essence of an ogre, merely being content as a meat shield is inefficient.

I must become better at fighting.

This is also the way to protect my comrades.

‘If my allies are in danger, just eliminate the enemies so they’re not in danger.’

It was almost like fate.

The new destiny I have to pursue as a tank.

“…You seem like you’ve realized something.”

“Ah, thanks. I’ve learned a lot.”

“Haha, that’s what it means to be a tribe chief!”

What is this guy talking about?

He acts tough, but he’s secretly weak to compliments.

“Can I come again next time?”

“Anytime.”

As dusk approached and our duel ended, the Barbarians, having had their fill, scattered to tend to their own tasks.

“Bjorn! Are you heading home?”

“Not right away. I’m thinking of looking around nearby for a bit.”

“Really? Can I come along?”

Well, there’s no reason to refuse.

After finishing the duel, I moved with Aynar.

There wasn’t a specific destination in mind.

We just wandered aimlessly in the direction opposite the city walls.

“It’s been a while since I’ve come this deep in.”

Once we left the campsite, we were greeted by an unkempt, dense forest.

This is the very forest where the souls of many warriors are said to roam, including the elder who performed the ‘soul succession’ ceremony for Aynar.

However, I continued walking.

“If you go that way, there’s nothing but a barrier. Why are you heading there?”

“I’m suddenly curious about that barrier.”

After walking at a slightly faster pace for about an hour, we reached the spot I had in mind.

Thud.

An invisible wall appeared as if marking the last permissible point.

Beyond it, the forest continued as usual.

“Ugh! Bjorn! W-what are you doing? If the protective barrier gets damaged, we’re in big trouble!”

When I knocked on the wall with the back of my hand, Aynar freaked out and tried to stop me.

Well, in this world, if this barrier is gone, everyone dies.

‘Yeah, that’s the official story.’

It was a doubt that arose after returning from Bifron.

Is the outside world really in the state the royal family says it is?

While I was pondering this…

“Hehe, it’s been a while, warrior.”

I turned around at the familiar presence behind me and saw an old barbarian with an eye patch.

“Shaman!!”

“Yes, it’s been a while. Aynar, second daughter of Pheneline.”

Every time I see him, it amazes me.

How does he wander around so well without eyes?

“What brings you here? Warriors rarely come this deep.”

“Just came out of boredom. What about you? What are you doing here?”

“Hehe, what else would a shaman do in the forest?”

The shaman showed his hands, covered in white powder.

Upon closer inspection, it was bone powder.

And not from animals, but humans.

“A funeral, huh.”

When bodies left in the forest have become skeletons, the shaman grinds up the bones and scatters them throughout the forest as the final stage of the funeral.

“Was today the turn of Kiduba, the third son of Tohar?”

“That guy still has a long way to go before returning to the forest.”

In other words, the elder who was Aynar’s mentor hasn’t turned into skeletons yet.

“…I see.”

“I’m about to head back. Do you want to come with me?”

The shaman then asked, and I replied that I’d stay a bit longer and return later.

“Alright, if that’s what you want.”

Without hesitation, the shaman turned his back.

And then…

“Everything has its order.”

“…”

“Warrior, it’s not yet the time for you to be curious about what’s beyond.”

Leaving these cryptic words, he departed.

***

“Haha, it’s been a long time since we’ve been alone together, hasn’t it?”

“Has it?”

“How about a sparring match for old times’ sake? You haven’t played with me much lately, you say you’re not feeling well.

Oh, she means a duel.

It seems the earlier fight with the tribe chief also stirred her competitive spirit…

These barbarians, really.

“Not today, let’s do it tomorrow.”

“Alright. As you know, I’m quite patient.”

Uh, yeah, sure.

I nodded perfunctorily and spent more time observing the protective barrier. Maybe it was the shaman’s words, but I felt a strange sense.

However, there was nothing I could find out.

‘Sigh, if only I were a mage instead of a barbarian, I might have discovered something.’

In the end, I turned back without any gain.

Even though there was a considerable distance from the protective barrier to the city wall, the return trip wasn’t boring.

After all, Aynar is quite the chatterbox.

Especially when it comes to talking about all things barbarian.

Stories about equipment, who fought whom and won, which backpack recently came out looking robust and stylish.

Or…

“Ah, did you hear? Karon’s going to be a dad soon.”

“What?”

I was genuinely surprised.

“How? I mean, there was no such talk in the labyrinth?”

“Well, apparently he’s been meeting women since we entered the third floor. And he only heard about the pregnancy a few days ago from the woman, so he didn’t have time to tell you.”

Aynar then explained the situation in detail.

The woman in question is one of the female warriors of the tribe.

Well, that was expected.

Humans can’t give birth to barbarians.

It’s not impossible for a hybrid, but the child would end up being essentially human.

Barbarians generally prefer their own kind.

Their attraction to other species is fundamentally different.

‘Moreover, there’s no ideological issue with pregnancy.’

In human society, the proper order is to get married and then have children.

However, that doesn’t exist in barbarian society.

Children are raised in the sanctuaries, and women see childbirth as a matter of pride.

There are also practical benefits.

Though rare, the royal family grants a two-year tax exemption.

‘And the pregnancy period is short.’

Though it varies, it takes an average of four months to give birth and recovery is very quick.

That’s likely why barbarian women are so willing to give birth.

It’s a bit odd to say this about childbirth, but…

Is it ever just a sacred process?

No matter how proud, if economic issues aren’t resolved, it inevitably leads to low birth rates.

“By the way, Bjorn, have you thought about it?”

“…Huh?”

“Having children, I mean. I heard the female warriors in the tribe are after you.”

Ah, so that’s what it was.

No wonder they kept pressing on my muscles, saying they were nice. I thought they were just complimenting my physique and I kept flexing hard…

“I’m not thinking about it yet.”

“Ho, why not? It’s not for me to say, but it’s getting late. There are warriors younger than us who already have children!”

Maybe it’s because this is the first time I’m having this kind of talk?

For the first time since I got into this body, I felt genuinely scared.

Barbarians as a species.

“…”

As I tried to hide my fear and trembled slightly, Aynar saw her chance and continued,

“Ah! Is it because of Misha? Don’t worry! Misha will understand. We’re barbarians, after all. Besides, she can only give birth to a beast-human!”

Somehow, Aynar seemed unfamiliar to me.

In front of Mr. Bear, she acted all about cats, but deep down, she had these thoughts.

“I’m not interested. What about you?”

I changed the subject because it was an uncomfortable topic.

In martial arts terms, I used the technique of deflecting the enemy’s strength to counterattack, Ihwa Jeopmok..

“M-me?”

Caught off guard by the shift in conversation, Aynar couldn’t hide her flustered expression.

The reason was simple.

“E-even if I wanted to, I can’t. Who would like a small woman like me…?”

Ah, the cursed beauty standards.

Unintentionally, I had hit Aynar’s sore spot.

But just as I was about to apologize,

“And… I don’t want to either.”

Huh?

“Besides, spending time with you makes other barbarians look young and unmanly!”

Aynar shouted, looking somewhat aggrieved.

Caught off guard, I suggested finding an older barbarian, but…

“I don’t like old men!!”

The unexpected response took me by surprise.

‘She doesn’t like old men, and peers don’t feel manly to her…’

It’s quite a complicated preference.

However, from a practical standpoint, it was good news for me.

If Aynar suddenly got pregnant and couldn’t enter the labyrinth for several months, the consequences would affect me too.

‘Wait, how did this conversation even get here?’

Lee Han-soo, at 29, became 30 in this world.

But…

“Anyway, if you’re interested, let me know! I’ll introduce you to some good female warriors!”

Talking about this stuff still feels awkward.

***

Two days later.

After finishing breakfast and a light sparring session with Aynar, I went out alone.

Well, maybe not entirely alone?

“We’ve arrived at the destination. The interior of the store has been checked, but please stay alert.”

By now, I was used to the knights.

“Yeah, thanks.”

Giving a perfunctory nod, I stepped out of the carriage and entered the meeting place.

A teahouse I had visited about three times before.

“Oh, Bjorn! Over here!”

Shabin Emure, a Level 7 clerk, waved at me from a corner seat.

Next to her, librarian Ragna sat quietly.

As I took my seat, the regular members of our informal gathering were all present.

“Thanks for coming. I was really debating whether it was okay to invite you now that you’re a baron.”

“You’re worrying about strange things.”

“Indeed, Shabin. Does this man seem like he’d change just because he became a noble?”

Ragna, in a boastful tone, sipped her tea.

This time, she was right.

I had no intention of acting high and mighty because of a noble title.

But…

‘So, being a baron sn’t really burdensome?’

Ragna’s natural demeanor showed how well-bred she was.

Although I wasn’t sure exactly what kind of family she came from.

Given how she didn’t react to the knights surrounding us…

‘It makes me even more curious. Where exactly is she from?’

I then turned my gaze to Shabin.

Unlike Ragna, she was nervously glancing at the knights.

Well, it must be uncomfortable.

Let’s get to the point quickly.

“So, what’s the reason you called me today?”

“Hehe, do we need a reason to meet?”

“You have a habit of scrunching your nose when you lie.”

“Oh? Really? This is the first I’ve heard of it!”

Of course, you wouldn’t know.

“I was lying.”

“Oh…!”

Shabin made a dumbfounded face, and Ragna giggled at her reaction.

“It’s rare to see that expression.”

“Only rare for you. For a barbarian, this is nothing.”

Indeed, young and old, regardless of gender, tend to make that face when I start acting like a barbarian.

“Enough, then. What’s the matter? Get to the point.”

As I urged her again, Shabin collected herself and spoke up.

“I have a request from the administration for you, Baron Bjorn Jandel.”

Hmm, a side quest…

I wasn’t short of money, but in this world, you could never have enough.

“Go ahead, tell me what the job is.”

I should at least hear it out.

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