Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 257

Clan (1)

After the royal army returned

People realized that the army was real, and that the reason they hadn’t been seen in the Dimensional Plaza was because they went underground for the raid on Noark.

However…

‘What happened?’

No one knew the details. 

Thus, speculation began to run wild. 

People debated whether the army had won or lost, and even entertained baseless conspiracy theories that the royal family was merely pretending to fight the underground city.

Every morning, new hypotheses emerged among gossipers, and a few days later, the royal family posted notices throughout the city.

To summarize briefly:

“We are awesome. We won and even conquered Noark. So stop worrying.”

How much of that was true, I couldn’t tell. 

However, assuming that the notice is based on some truth, let’s fill in some of the gaps…….

‘It’s certain. There was no battle.’

The knights returning to the royal palace showed no signs of having fought.

‘The Noark guys must have fled.’

Then, where did they run to? 

This world is blocked in on all sides. 

It doesn’t make sense that they hid above ground.

If such a large number had surfaced, they would have left some traces.

‘So, they must still be down here…’

“Bjorn! Stop dawdling and come help move this!”

Yeah, I should focus on moving these things.

What’s the point of pondering all day?

It’s wiser to wait for the round table with the clown as the member.

“Ah, could you place the bed over here?”

I am currently at an orphanage belonging to the Leatlas order, working as an employee of a moving company, helping to remove items from a building set for demolition.

It was time to start earning merit points. 

Occasionally, when tasks come up from the order, people with free time get together to take care of them.

“Aynar! Did you think you wouldn’t get caught slacking off?”

“I wasn’t slacking; I was playing with the kids!”

“Waah! This sister broke my doll! She’s a doll-killing murderer!!”

“That… I was just trying to show the vital points of a human…!”

There were various incidents today too, but after a couple of hours, the moving was done. 

Thus, today’s task was concluded.

Afterwards, we had a simple meal in a restaurant near the order, and then Misha told me something interesting.

“Did you know? That orphanage we went to today is that place.”

“That place?”

“You know, the place where Dwalki stayed for a while during his childhood. The old building set for demolition tomorrow was that one.”

“…I see.”

“Anyway, just thought you should know! I’m off! Oh, and since I’ll be late today, take care of your own dinner.”

After the meal, we dispersed. 

Misha left, saying she had an appointment with an old colleague, and Aynar headed to the sanctuary.

And…

“Hehe, now it’s just the two of us left”

“I have somewhere to go, so head home first.”

“…What?”

I sent Erwin, who had no particular plans, home, and went to the guild alone. The escort knights who used to stick with me daily was no longer there.

They all left at the end of last month. 

Apparently,the higher-ups had ordered them to return, saying it was enough.

I didn’t think much of it at the time, but it was probably because of the Noark raid.

If the Noark bastards had escaped and were hiding somewhere underground, would they send the knights again?

I decided not to expect much.

Still, one of the knights I spent a month with did tell me something before leaving.

[“Take care. If assassins come again, the higher-ups believe it will more likely be the work of a major clan rather than Noark.”]

It seemed Deer Horns, the one who assigned my bodyguards, believed the ‘assassination’ the clown mentioned was the work of a major clan.

It’s already been nearly a month since the clown said the assassins would come ‘soon.’ 

[“Shouldn’t they protect me more if the target of a major clan is the royal family?”]

[“Don’t worry about that.”]

Judging by his tone, the royal family seemed fully prepared to fend off any public opinion battles waged by the major clans. 

Hence, there was no need to protect me anymore.

‘Well, it’s also more convenient for me if they’re not around.’

While musing over things, I arrived at the explorer guild. Unlike before, I didn’t need to take a number and wait. There weren’t many explorers to begin with…

“Baron Bjorn Jandel. Your identification is complete. I’ll guide you to the branch manager’s office.”

Yes, I might as well enjoy the benefits of my noble title in such ways.

“Not the branch manager’s office, but the District Head’s office.”

The staff asked if I had an appointment, but such trivial matters could be crushed with noble power.

“Are you a traitor?”

The combination of a barbarian who doesn’t understand words and a noble who won’t listen, the Barbarian Noblesse Mode.

“…I’ll take you there right away.”

I was soon taken up to the fourth floor, where the staff knocked to announce my arrival, and soon the door opened with a loud sigh from inside.

I immediately entered and sat on the sofa.

Then, putting my feet on the desk, I spoke arrogantly.

“Greetings.”

“…”

“Aren’t you going to greet me?”

As soon as I finished speaking, the district head, who had been working at his desk, stood up and greeted me.

“Baron Jandel… welcome….”

Isn’t it time he got used to this?

“Sit.”

Only when I permitted did the district head sit opposite me. Though this had happened several times already, it still thrilled me. 

Is this the true taste of power?

“…What brings you here today?”

The 7th district head of the explorer’s guild, Nile Urbans.

This guy had several bad relationships with me in the past, but now he asked politely.

Of course, it wasn’t like this from the start. 

He initially spoke to me informally, trying to match me, but after I raged about him insulting a noble, he switched to this polite tone.

“I came to check if any explorers responded to the recruitment notice.”

“Such inquiries could be handled at the branch manager’s office…”

What’s he talking about? The reason I come all the way to the 7th district head‘s office is because of you.

“Talking back to a noble?”

“…I’ll check immediately.”

“Just in case there’s a mistake like in the past, do it yourself. Don’t have someone else do it.”

“Yes…”

After that, the district head went downstairs to carry out my instructions, while I munched on the snacks laid out on the desk.

How much time had passed?

“Here it is.”

The district head returned with several documents. 

Without a word of thanks, I snatched them and read through them. Nothing had changed much from two days ago.

“‘I’ve only got one more applicant, and even he isn’t very good.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Showing occasional magnanimity as a superior, I read through the documents again. As of today, 31 explorers had applied to the recruitment notice I posted a few days ago.

Contrary to my expectations, the number of applicants was low.

In these times, not many explorers are willing to venture into the labyrinth.

‘I thought there would be more applicants, given that so many clans have been wiped out.’

Disappointed, I put the documents down.

None of the applicants were worth bringing to the interview stage.

The ‘special profession’ I was looking for was still nowhere to be seen.

Am I doomed to wait endlessly?

“Uh, by the way…”

“Spit it out instead of dragging it.”

“Is there a particular profession you’re looking for?”

“Not really, as long as they’re capable. Why?”

“I saw a famous name among the applicants.”

The district head then proceeded to talk about how skilled, loyal, and promising that explorer was.

It seemed like he was eager to find me a teammate quickly, hoping I wouldn’t come back again.

However…

“Enough!!”

I threw the documents on the floor and stormed out of the district head’s office.

No matter how great the explorer’s resume was.

“You just do as you’re told!”

Adding Hans to the team? That’s insane!

****

It’s been nearly two weeks since the fire incident, and I’ve done a few things in that time.

Temple merit tasks.

Sparring with the tribe chief at the sanctuary.

Checking prices while wandering around the commercial city of Commelby.

And relieving stress by pestering the district head at the guild every three days.

Although these activities were somewhat productive, there were no immediate results.

The value of currency was likely to keep rising for a while, so I kept it.

‘It’ll take at least two to three more months to reach the minimum merit requirement for the priest…’

The same goes for recruiting teammates.

The special professions essential for the sixth floor had not appeared, and I hadn’t found suitable people for the two remaining spots to make up a team of ten.

‘If the Labyrinth opens before then, we’ll just have to go up with six people,’

It’s a bit disappointing.

Normally, when teams are split into two or more, they meet on the fifth floor.

Exceeding five people means spending significant time getting through the 4th floor.

Time is a critical loss for explorers.

‘…It’s still too risky to go up and split into threes. Meeting at the 2nd floor and proceeding safely is better.’

Of course, it’s a bit premature to worry about this.

If labyrinth entry was delayed by a few more months, it wouldn’t matter. What mattered was when the political situation would stabilize.

‘I might find out today.’

On the 15th, when Ghostbusters opens.

I headed to the sanctuary in the morning, preparing things to enter the community.

Because this time, I couldn’t just enter casually.

‘GM.’

The GM suspects me of being a specter.

It was likely the GM would target today.

If I were him, I would do the same.

Spending 12 hours in the community.

In other words, 12 seconds in reality.

As always, this short moment is a significant weakness for community users.

They are disconnected from reality for 12 seconds.

Since even a knife to the throat wouldn’t wake them, it’s possible to discern whether someone is a player or not by using this moment.

However…

‘Not entering is the worst choice.’

I decided to enter the community.

Given the major incident between the royal family and Noark, there would be plenty of information.

In addition, ‘Soul Queen’, the GM’s right hand, had recently joined the Round Table.

The absence of the ‘Lion Mask’ might later connect me to the ‘Lion Mask.

‘…Maybe that’s a bit of a stretch?’

Anyway, the point is this.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

I didn’t know if the GM would try to confirm during those 12 seconds, but there was no reason not to prepare.

“Bjorn, did you call for me?”

“Oh, I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor?”

“Could you wear this on your face?”

Upon arriving at the holy land, I handed over a hidden item I had obtained from the Blood Citadel, the ‘Golden Mask,’ to Caron.

“What’s this? It’s shiny, I like it…”

“It’s a magical tool that changes your face for 30 days.”

“Huh? But why give it to me?”

“You’re the closest to my physique.”

I then asked caron to drink in the city with my face until the next morning.

“It’s not a difficult request, but why bother with such a hassle?”

“I need to sneak out without my companions knowing tonight.”

“…Seems like the beast humans don’t understand you well.”

Huh? Why bring up beast humans now?

Though puzzled, I understood immediately upon hearing the next words.

“A warrior’s instinct is to desire offspring. Is that why you came to the sanctuary today?”

After a moment’s thought, I nodded.

It seemed like a better way to keep the secret than the excuse I had prepared.

“Anyway, don’t worry about it! I’ll make sure that beast woman won’t suspect anything!”

No, she’ll definitely catch you if she comes.

That’s why I told you to drink outside all night.

“I trust you. You’re the wisest warrior next to me.”

“Oh, you thought so too? I’m glad!”

After explaining the precautions and movement routes, I sent Caron, who had turned into me, to the city with my equipment.

And…

[Character has used the ‘Golden Mask.’]

[Appearance will change for 30 days.]

I also put on and took off the mask to change my face to Caron’s.

Being in the sanctuary with my own face would draw attention.

If my sightings come from two places, everything I did today would be meaningless.

‘I’d better head back to the city.’

Staying in the sanctuary could reveal my identity to Caron’s acquaintances, so I quickly donned Caron’s gear and left for the city.

Once there, I checked into a random inn and holed up in a room.

How much time had passed?

「Your character’s soul resonates and is drawn to a specific world.」

Whew, I just hope he doesn’t cause any weird incidents with my face.

See you on Monday! By the way, you can join here and binge-read all my advanced chapters, with new updates every day. Your support is the only way to keep the website running, so please consider supporting if you can. Thank you! 🙂