Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 332

September 2, 2024 • 12 min read • 1772 views

To the Future (2)

Vol-Herchan.

A very large monster that appears on the 7th floor.

Because it lives in a fixed field and moves in groups, as long as one meets the specs, farming its essence isn’t too difficult. That’s why I chose Bayon’s essence instead during the royal reward, knowing that it would be harder to obtain later.

But…

‘To be honest, in terms of combat performance, Vol-Herchan’s essence was better.’

If Bayon’s [Transcendence] allows for versatility, unpredictability, and out-of-the-box skill combinations, ‘Vol-Herchan’ focuses solely on one thing:

Physical resistance.

The stat that any tank should prioritize even more than strength.

Furthermore, one of Vol-Herchan’s active abilities enables it to fend off Aura, making its essence essential for my development into a sturdy shield barbarian.

‘The problem is… the color of the essence.’

The color of the essence determines the active skills. This is the main reason why it becomes harder to grow as you level up. High-level monsters are difficult to hunt, and from level 3, each essence can drop in several different colors.

It’s not time to jump to conclusions yet.

Yeah, at least not yet…

“Amelia, do you happen to know what color the essence is?”

“Um, I think it was green.”

What? Green?!

“Hallelujah…”

I couldn’t help but exclaim, causing Amelia to frown. Well, it’s not surprising, since she’s probably never heard that word before.

“Is that a word from your homeland?”

I explained that it’s just something I say when I get lucky, without the religious meaning, and Amelia nodded in understanding.

But she glanced at me with a slightly disappointed look.

“You gave me such a look when I mentioned that word earlier…”

Ah, right.

When she mentioned the word ‘Evil Spirit’, I gave her a stern look.

It must have seemed hypocritical.

‘Well, usually I would’ve just muttered “hallelujah” to myself.’

Maybe it’s because she’s the only one in this world who knows I’m an evil spirit.

I apologized honestly.

“I didn’t mean to be strict with just you. It’s just that I feel too comfortable around you. I’ll be more careful about that.”

“…Do that.”

Amelia coolly accepted my apology, and the issue was resolved.

I then asked the most important question.

“But, Amelia…”

“Don’t give me that weird look, just ask.”

Well, if you say so.

“Do you know how much it was auctioned for?”

I asked, trying to suppress my trembling emotions, and Amelia smirked and stood up from her chair.

And then…

Click, click.

She deliberately walked over to me, bent down, and whispered in my ear.

“……!!!!!”

The moment I heard it, chills ran down my spine.

No way, that expensive?!

***

At first, I was shocked by the price, but when I broke it down, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

After all, it’s a Level 3 essence.

It was released in the central exchange instead of the Sky Auction House, which likely attracted far more bidders. There are plenty of wealthy individuals who don’t qualify for the Sky Auction House.

But that’s not the point.

“Hey… Amelia.”

“Speak.”

“Well…”

As I hesitated, Amelia, who had returned to her seat, crossed her legs and folded her arms.

With her sitting like that, it’s hard to say anything…

“Um… Well…”

As I continued to fumble for words, Amelia sighed and scratched the itch for me.

“You’re wondering how much you could get if you sold all your gear, right?”

“Yes.”

“It would probably only cover about 70%. That’s assuming you sold everything at full price over time.”

Sigh, as expected.

“…It seems I’ll have to give up.”

It’s not just a matter of being 30% short.

I’ve spent over half a year accumulating loot, gathering the wealth of ten people to reach this point.

It’s nearly impossible to raise 30% more money in such a short time.

Amelia seemed to think the same.

“Was that the essence you wanted?”

“Yeah…”

“Don’t be too disheartened. We can always get the essence ourselves later.”

That’s true, but…

“Sigh…”

Despite Amelia’s comfort, I kept sighing.

If I had known it would turn out like this, it would’ve been better not to know in the first place. It feels like receiving a birthday present only to have it taken away because it was given by mistake.

Especially since the essence color was perfect, too.

In that brief moment, I felt a fated connection—

“If you’re really that desperate, there might be a way…”

Amelia’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I lifted my head.

“A way…?”

Amelia avoided my gaze.

At first, I thought it was because my intense gaze made her uncomfortable, but upon closer inspection, it didn’t seem like she was just staring into space. It felt more like her eyes were fixed on something specific.

‘What is she staring at so intently…’

Without thinking, I followed Amelia’s gaze and almost jumped up in shock.

It was inevitable.

Standing there, propped against the wall, was the mighty Demon Crusher of Kraul, hiding none of its imposing presence.

“No, this is out of the question!”

“Why not? It’s not like you can take it back to your original timeline.”

“I’ll hide it well!”

“But there’s still a risk factor. Selling it to get the essence might be the most reasonable option.”

Amelia wasn’t wrong.

No matter how well I hide it, there’s no guarantee it’ll still be there in 20 years.

On the other hand, I can definitely bring the essence back.

But…

“Are you crazy? Telling a warrior to sell his weapon!!”

“Your tone suddenly got barbaric.”

“Ah, it’s a habit…”

“I figured.”

But how did this conversation suddenly get to this point?

Returning to the topic at hand, I firmly stated.

“Anyway, I’m never selling this, so don’t suggest it again! I’d rather give up the essence!”

It wasn’t just stubbornness.

Even though it’s a Level 3 essence, its rarity doesn’t compare to the Double Numbers item. Double Numbers are so rare that they hardly ever appear at the Sky Auction House.

Sure, depending on demand, the essence might sell for a similar price or even more…

But in terms of acquisition difficulty, “Demon Crusher of Kraul” is dozens of times harder to get. In short, if I sell it now, who knows when I’ll find another one.

“Hmm, if that’s the case…”

After I explained my reasons in detail, Amelia accepted them without further argument.

And that was the end of the conversation.

Amelia went out again, saying she was going to see her sister, while I stayed at the inn, drinking to ease my frustration.

“Hic, the drink… it’s extra bitter today…”

How long would it take to obtain that essence?

It would probably take at least a year.

First, I’d need to return to my original timeline, reorganize the clan, gradually upgrade the ship, and break through the 6th floor to reach the 7th floor where I could meet Vol-Herchan.

Farming until the desired color drops would be the next step.

“Krrr, Vol-Herchan…”

I was sulking and drinking alone when it happened.

Creak, the door opened with a sound.

“Have you been drinking all this time?”

Amelia had finally returned after spending the entire day by her sister’s side.

“Heh, you’re back. Amelia…”

“I told you to keep the door locked…”

“…Sorry.”

“…Are you apologizing?”

“I’ll be more careful about locking the door from now on. It’s not like the essence is here. If an assassin using an aura comes in, I’ll be toast…”

Was it because I hadn’t been drunk in a while?

Suddenly, emotions welled up, and I couldn’t continue speaking.

Seeing me like this, Amelia let out a long sigh.

“The smell of alcohol is overpowering.”

As a roommate, I was in the wrong, so I couldn’t argue. I just kept my head down, and Amelia cautiously spoke.

“Jandel.”

“…?”

“Do you really want that essence that badly?”

“Yeah…?”

I sobered up instantly.

And for a good reason.

It was like a mother, worn out by her son’s tantrum in the toy aisle, finally giving in.

“Could it be… is there a way…?”

With faint hope in my voice, Amelia let out a chuckle.

And then…

“Don’t get your hopes up too much.”

“T-That means…!”

I was too moved to speak.

“No, I’m telling you not to expect too much. I just have an idea to try…”

This was a side of Amelia I hadn’t seen before, a dependable maturity that comes with age.

***

From that day on, Amelia left every morning and didn’t return until late at night, looking exhausted.

However, she refused to answer when I asked what she was doing.

She said she would tell me if things went well, but until then, she didn’t want to get my hopes up.

[If it all works out, I’ll handle the money problem. So you focus on what you can do until the auction. Don’t just stay at home all day.]

[Amelia…!!!]

Not daring to disobey Amelia’s instructions, I began to diligently explore outside.

I had only one goal.

To find a place where the Demon Crusher of Kraul could be hidden and remain safe for 20 years.

‘Hah, the forest at the sanctuary seems ideal, but someone might accidentally find it during a burial…’

Finding my own garlic field turned out to be much harder than expected. What seemed like a good spot at first would have flaws upon closer inspection.

‘The sewers aren’t safe because vagrants gather there… And I can’t freely enter sanctuaries of other races, so those are off-limits…’

If Amelia failed to secure the funds, I would also need to hide a large sum of money, making it even more critical to find a thoroughly secure location.

But this wasn’t the only issue on my mind.

‘But if she really does get the money, what then?’

My current rank is 6.

I can absorb up to six essences, and all six slots are currently filled.

To take in Vol-Herchan’s essence, I’d either have to level up or erase one of my existing essences.

However, reaching rank 7 requires clearing more than half of the 6th floor, so I didn’t need to dwell on that for long.

‘Which one would be best to erase?’

Orc Hero, Ogre, Bayon.

These three are core essences, so I had no intention of removing them. Stormgush is a Level 3 essence, too valuable to discard.

Its base stats alone make it worth keeping.

That left me with two options.

‘Manticore.’

My only mobility skill and a level 3 essence that I had always intended to eventually remove.

And…

‘Corpse Golem.’

A level 7 essence I had reluctantly consumed to survive, Corpse Golem.

It has the lowest level of all my essences, but the decision wasn’t easy.

‘I’d feel empty without it…’

There’s no need to explain the usefulness of this essence.

‘How much has it helped me with pain resistance?’

Even skills I considered useless, like [Flesh Explosion] and [Acid Secretion], had proven valuable in battle.

But…

‘It’s probably time to let it go. I never intended to use it for this long anyway.’

If I had to choose between the two, Manticore would be the one to keep.

The reason is simple.

Even with the [Inheritance] effect, where 20% of the stats get refunded, reducing my magic resistance from 200 to 40 is a massive drop.

If I erase it now, I’d need to find another essence to maintain the balance until I can acquire “Belarios’s” essence.

‘Well, if Amelia fails to get the money, this won’t matter anyway.’

If she failed, finding a safe place to hide the items would become even more crucial, so I threw myself into scouting every corner of the city, and time passed quickly.

And then…

‘Only 3 days left.’

With just three days until the auction, I lay on my bed, placing the clock on the table.

‘I wonder how things will turn out this time?’

It was midnight on the 15th.

***

“Oh, at least I made it here.”

I woke up in a room that looked much like the usual one, and the first thing I did was grab the mask hanging on the wall and put it on.

Then I hurried out of the room.

“……”

The empty hallway was filled only with silence.

But if my guess was correct, somewhere in this place, the 2nd generation Master, the GM, should be present.

‘Let’s take a look around.’

I wandered the corridor, thoroughly inspecting the mansion.

There was no sign of the previous members, such as the Commander of Orcules or the Ruin Scholar.

‘Come to think of it, what happened to them…’

As I began to ponder this, I noticed a white man standing idly in the main hall on the first floor.

He didn’t look like an evil spirit from another dimension.

That’s because he was wearing a tracksuit with a familiar logo.

‘Could that be the GM?’

I took a step forward to get a better look.

But that small movement seemed to alert him to my presence.

“A-A person…? He said he’d expelled all the original members, though…”

‘He expelled all the original members…?’

Even while being cautious, he gave away more information than I’d asked for.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

There was no hiding the strong scent of a newbie.

‘Yeah, even if he’s the GM, he’s probably been here for less than a year. No wonder he’s so green.’

How should I handle this?

I was already starting to feel hungry.

And perhaps that’s why…

“A-Are you… The Elder? Are you The Elder?!”

He asked me that with such an innocent expression.

Lick-

I couldn’t help but lick my lips.