Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 288

Cause and Effect (4)

The week of repairs went by quickly.

There were no significant incidents.

We focused on our work without distractions, and during breaks, I would tell the kids how tough it is to be an explorer. 

But even that stopped by the third day.

Eventually, even if I sat in the shade during my break, the children stopped coming over to me.

“……”

“……”

So, during breaks, it became routine to sit quietly under the shade with Dwalki.

Of course, we did talk occasionally.

“Why are you here?”

“The director said my parents couldn’t afford to raise me.”

“I see.”

“But, compared to the other kids, I’m better off. My parents will come to get me soon…”

“Did you say that in front of the other kids?”

“Well, yes. Why?”

No wonder he has no friends here.

When I sighed, Dwalki quickly tried to explain himself.

“It’s okay. I won’t be here that long anyway. My parents are merchants and things are just tough right now…”

‘Tough, my foot.’

I felt bitter hearing that.

I knew his situation.

The current baron had him entered into a branch family right after he was born, and they irresponsibly left him here.

Later, when his biological mother found out and reported it to the baron, he was moved to a separate house of the Dwalki family and lived there with her.

I heard that he hardly ever saw his adoptive parents during the ten years he lived there. However, he did receive a good amount of financial support, which allowed him to learn magic and live without much of a shortage.

“You’ve had a hard time. Here, eat some jerky. You need to eat well to grow tall.”

“Ah, yes… Thank you.”

Soon, the break was over as we quietly chewed on the jerky together.

“Today is your last day, right?”

“Yes, the repair work is all done now. The roof won’t leak even if it rains.”

“…Thank you.”

At least he’s polite.

Other kids think it’s natural for volunteers to come and fix the place.

“If you’re really grateful, never become an explorer.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that all of a sudden…?”

“Just answer.”

“An explorer? I couldn’t do that… I don’t even want to.”

His response was sincere.

Well, if they heard my stories, that’s a normal reaction.

The other kids have also started to get wary of becoming explorers, so there’s no one to fan those flames anymore.

…I’m still not completely relieved, though.

‘I can’t stay here forever, so I’ll just leave it to fate.’

“Hey, Entze! If you’re done resting, come help with this!”

“Riol, I’m going now.”

“…Okay. Goodbye.”

After giving Dwalki all the jerky and snacks from my bag, I returned to the worksite.

He insisted on refusing, but a Barbarian’s word is final.

“Thanks to you, we finished early again today. Everyone, great job!”

After a few more hours of work, the foreman called it a day.

The end of a week-long schedule.

“We’re having drinks after this. Will you join us?”

“But I’m an explorer.”

“Everyone knows you’re not like the other explorers who act all high and mighty. It’s fine.”

The foreman invited me to join their gathering, and after a brief consideration, I agreed.

I didn’t have anything else to do anyway.

Raven wouldn’t be at the library at this time.

“The church gave us a generous reward, so don’t worry and enjoy yourselves!”

We all moved to a nearby pub to drink. Perhaps because it was my first time in such a setting with non-explorers, I felt a bit awkward.

I couldn’t follow their conversation topics.

They talked about the best blacksmiths and who’s dating whom in which clan.

“Um…”

Someone spoke to me while I felt out of place.

Her name was…

“Worb Emirin”

Ah, right.

She had made an impression with her small frame, carrying heavy loads without shirking and diligently participating in the work.

“Do you have something to say?”

“I heard the stories you told the kids.”

Ah, no wonder she was giving me those odd looks every time I talked.

“About the labyrinth?”

“Yes.”

When I asked, Emirin nodded with a slightly shy expression and cautiously asked,

“Is it really such a terrible place?”

“Not necessarily.”

“Huh? But…”

“I told the kids that to prevent any strange ambitions. It’s certainly a place you can’t endure with a half-hearted mindset.”

“Ah…”

I then shared some stories with her.

From the scenery of the third floor that Dwalki particularly liked to the vast forests, the snow-covered landscape of the ‘Ice Cavern,’ and various other wonders.

As the conversation went on, I noticed the room quieting down. Adults and kids alike love such tales.

“Snow… I’ve never seen it, so I can’t imagine it.”

“Like cold sugar, maybe?”

To them, who had lived their whole lives within the city walls, the stories from the labyrinth were like tales from another world.

Just as their stories were unfamiliar to me, they rarely mingled with explorers.

“It’s been a while since I heard such interesting stories.”

“I should tell my son when I get home.”

Of course, I didn’t monopolize the conversation for long.

After sharing enough, the topic naturally shifted back to their own lives, and I joined in on the parts I could relate to.

‘This isn’t so bad…’

As the day wore on, the gathering wound down with people gradually heading back to their homes.

As I was about to return to my lodgings, someone called out to me.

“Excuse me…!”

A woman followed me outside and stopped me.

“Ah, Emirin. What is it?”

“I wanted to ask you something, if that’s okay?”

“Go ahead.”

After a moment of hesitation, she spoke in a somewhat burdened voice.

“You mentioned that even you feel scared sometimes, right?”

“I did.”

“I feel the same. There are times when I feel so scared that my mind goes blank and my heart feels like it’s going to burst. How do you overcome those moments?”

A difficult question.

Especially from someone I had only met a few days ago.

But I decided not to overthink it.

She had approached me seeking courage.

“Like I said before, Barbarians aren’t fearless.”

I, a former office worker, was even more so.

However…

“We simply know that if we don’t do what needs to be done out of fear, only the worst outcome awaits.”

“The worst outcome… Yes, I suppose that’s true…”

A slightly awkward silence followed.

After giving her a moment to think, I asked,

“Is it something you must do?”

“Yes.”

Though her voice was small, it carried no hesitation.

Therefore, I had only one thing to say.

“Then do it.”

The kind of encouragement only a Barbarian could give.

Her response came after a slight pause.

“…Thank you for giving me courage. I’ll try my best.”

“Good. I hope it goes well, whatever it is.”

“Yes. And the stories you told earlier were really interesting.”

“Glad to hear that.”

“Especially about the sea. It sounds like an amazing place. Though, I’ll probably never see it in my lifetime.”

Despite her self-deprecating remark, I didn’t say anything more.

What could I say?

That she could go if she really wanted to?

I knew better than anyone that such words would be mere mockery.

“…I’ll be going now.”

“Ah, yes. Goodbye.”

After a final farewell, Emirin left.

But for some reason…

‘Worve Emirin…’

I couldn’t shake the thought of her name from my mind as I walked back.

****

When I returned, reeking of alcohol after the gathering, Amelia was in my room.

“You weren’t here earlier. Where did you go?”

“Oh, I did some volunteer work.”

What’s with the grimace?

Did I say something wrong?

“People need to learn how to give back.”

“……I see.”

“Anyway, you came at a good time. I’m out of money, so why don’t you give me some while you’re here?”

“Did you already spend all that money?”

“Oh, I bought equipment and whatnot, so there’s nothing left.”

“……I see.”

Amelia fumbled around her waist and threw a pouch at me.

It was pretty heavy.

‘No worries about meat costs for a while.’

“Thanks, I’ll use it well.”

After expressing my gratitude, I took the opportunity to tell her about some restaurants from 20 years ago.

Judging by her expression, she didn’t seem interested.

Whew, I better get to the point before she gets annoyed.

“By the way, how is your work going? You mentioned meeting with that broker or whatever last time?”

“We’re still in the contact phase. Fortunately, everything is progressing as planned, so unless something unexpected happens, we should be able to leave next week. You should prepare as well.”

“Got it.”

As soon as our brief conversation ended, Amelia said she had things to do and left.

‘Leaving in a week, huh…’

After a quick wash and a change of clothes, I lay on the bed, organizing my tasks for the remaining days in my mind.

There wasn’t much to sort out.

‘Since we’re leaving next week, I should wrap things up with Raven soon.’

I should receive the equipment I ordered by next week, so solving the issue with Raven is all that’s left.

I might head straight to the library tomorrow.

‘The real challenge starts once we get to Noark.’

From that point, I’ll need to stay sharp. Although Amelia and I have planned how to proceed once we get there…

Things rarely go as planned, do they?

‘Whew… I just want to get this over with.’

With various hopes filling my mind, I slowly drifted off to sleep.

***

The setting was a two-story rental house I had secured with Misha.

I was there, laughing and chatting with my comrades.

I didn’t realize it at first, but soon I understood.

‘This is a dream.’

The realization came when I looked in the mirror.

Laughing and talking, I glanced to the side and saw Lee Han-soo, not Bjorn, in the reflection.

An impossible scene in reality.

The moment I noticed, the background began to blur, and the scene changed.

[Bjorn, what are you doing? Let’s go!]

Now, I was in the labyrinth.

Exploring as usual, climbing floors.

Yet again, I wasn’t Bjorn, but Han Soo. The shield felt heavy, and my perspective had changed, looking up at the monsters.

Maybe that’s why?

[Why can’t you even block that!]

I kept making mistakes, causing my comrades to suffer.

At first, it was just minor injuries, but eventually, someone died.

[If it weren’t for you…]

It was Dwalki.

That’s when I realized it was another dream, and once again, the background swirled.

The next setting was familiar too.

A serene room reminiscent of a medieval noble’s office.

“What’s this, a round table now?”

I chuckled at first, but soon felt something was off.

‘It’s a bit different…’

The layout and atmosphere were similar.

But the decorations, the ornate accessories, and the masks that should have lined one wall were missing.

It could just be the dream’s lack of detail…

“…But it’s too realistic for that.”

I absently opened and closed my hand.

I could clearly feel the muscles moving with every clench.

Even my thoughts flowed naturally.

Knock knock.

The sound and texture of knocking on the wall were indistinguishable from reality.

Swish.

Realizing this, I checked the full-length mirror on one side.

Sure enough, it wasn’t Bjorn but Han Soo standing there.

So, what’s going on?

Assuming this isn’t a dream, a plausible theory quickly came to mind.

‘Ah… today’s the day the community opens.’

I must have been summoned while asleep.

That would explain this appearance.

It also explains the differences from the 20-years-later community I used to access via computer.

Considering it’s the early days, it makes sense.

Maybe if I open that door, I’ll see a surprised GM.

But…

“……”

Suddenly, a conversation with Lee Baek-ho flashed in my mind.

[There have been evil spirits in this city for over a hundred years. Over 20 years in Earth terms. So who are they?]

When I asked him to explain, he said:

[The answer is beings summoned from other dimensions!]

Evil spirits from another dimension.

Though few compared to Earth, each possessed unique powers.

One of them created this space, and the GM we know inherited it?

‘Could it be…’

As the possibility crossed my mind,

Knock knock.

Someone knocked on the door.