Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 354

Isolation (1)

The lakeside where the camp is located is one of the few safe zones on the Dark Continent.

However, “safe” only means that monsters do not naturally spawn here. It doesn’t guarantee absolute safety.

The labyrinth is dangerous not just because of monsters.

Just like now.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

An alarm spell that sounds like an emergency siren when it detects an enemy.

It’s clear who the enemy is.

Even if a monster somehow wandered in, they wouldn’t be firing magical cannons.

“It’s the Noark!”

“They’re attacking!”

But there’s another problem.

We know who the enemy is, but how did they get here?

The main force that went ahead should have thoroughly scouted the area as they advanced.

‘There’s no way the main force was taken down.’

That was my first assumption.

The main force is large—too large to be overwhelmed in such a short time. If they were in serious trouble, we would have received a message. If we had, our Third Corps would’ve immediately rushed to assist.

Therefore…

‘They slipped past the main force to launch this attack.’

This seems the most plausible scenario, meaning the enemy’s numbers are likely small. A small, elite force would have a better chance of evading detection by the main force.

Of course, I can’t be sure just yet…

“Mister, what are we doing? Why aren’t we heading out already?”

Ah, it’s Rihen

Since Raven misunderstood anyway, is there really any need to correct her?

“Alright, let’s go.”

After finishing my brief assessment, I quickly exited the tent.

And at that moment—

“Wha—?!”

A pure magic cannonball was flying directly at us.

Good thing I stepped out first.

Booom!

I blocked it with my shield, and the magic exploded, scattering in all directions. The impact was considerable, but not enough to knock me back.

The shield absorbed 50% of the blow, thanks to the Guardian Corps’ emblem.

“Are you okay?”

Nervous, huh?

Maybe it’s because the mage unit is usually stationed in the rear.

“No problem.”

I reassured Raven’s right hand man, who was startled by the magic canon exploding right in front of us, and quickly issued orders.

“Your name’s Alex, right? Stick close behind me.”

“Y-Yes!”

“Emily, Erwin, you two follow and protect this man from behind.”

“Understood!”

Our formation was quickly set.

Normally, this would be Alex’s job as our squad leader, but…

It looks like he’s the type who’s good at following orders without any objections.

“Alex, where’s the vice commander’s tent?”

“Over there, sir!”

“Alright, let’s head there first. Follow me closely.”

“Yes, sir!”

As other explorers rushed out of their tents and grouped up to head outside, we moved inward toward the camp.

Our squad’s objective was to protect key personnel.

…Though honestly, that was just an excuse.

Heading to the command area would likely give us more detailed information about the current situation.

‘Who knows if Raven might be in danger too…’

With that thought, we pushed ahead and arrived at Raven’s tent.

Just in time, Raven was standing outside the tent.

Around her were numerous mages from the Magic Corps, all wearing uniforms. They were drawing magic circles on the ground, seemingly preparing some sort of ritual…

“Vice Commander Raven, what’s the situation right now?”

As I quickly approached and asked, Raven frowned.

“Why are you here…?”

“Obviously, it’s an emergency, so we’re here to carry out our assigned mission.”

“Ah…”

Raven nodded, apparently remembering that our squad’s mission had been changed to her protection.

Though something still seemed to bother her.

“Alex Halo, isn’t it your job to report? Aren’t you the leader of this squad?”

Raven glared at Alex, who flinched and froze up.

“That’s… true…”

It seemed he only just realized that I’d naturally taken the command.

Not that it excused him, of course.

“True…?”

“I-I’ll fix it!”

“What exactly are you going to fix… Never mind, there’s no time for this.”

“Vice Commander! The magic is fully charged!”

At the shout of one of the mages, Raven ended the conversation and stepped into the group.

And then…

[Alluva Raven has cast the second-tier defensive magic, [Golden Wall]

A massive steel wall formed a dome, enveloping the entire lakeshore.

***

Honestly, my jaw dropped when I saw it.

‘Wow… she’s using second-tier magic now?’

A second-tier defensive spell, Golden Wall.

Dozens of mages had poured their mana into it, but it was Raven who ultimately cast it.

In short, she’s grown to the point where she can use second-tier magic if she has enough mana.

‘It’s a strange feeling…’

Vice Commander of the Mage Corps.

On top of that, she now holds the title of the “Golden Mage.” I expected her to be strong, but…

Could I ever bring someone like her back as a companion?

As the vice commander of an entire corps, she no longer needed to live the life of an explorer.

“At least we’ve bought some time for now. Good work, everyone.”

“No, it was nothing, Vice Commander!”

“Come with me.”

Raven, exuding an air of authority, began walking, followed by the mage corps.

I quickly increased my pace to walk beside her.

“Where are we going now?”

Although I was worried about interrupting her, Raven glanced at me and answered with a slightly annoyed expression.

“The Third Corps has contacted us. After activating the defensive magic, we’re to regroup at Central Command. Does that answer your question? Now, please stop asking. I have a lot to think about.”

I could understand how frustrating it was to have your thoughts interrupted, so I just shut up and followed in silence.

Soon, we arrived at Central Command, and Raven slipped inside alone.

I tried to follow, but…

“Why are you following me?”
“Our squad’s mission is to guard—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Stay outside. That’s an order.”

Faced with Raven’s firm rejection, I had no choice but to back down.

Sigh… I was hoping to overhear some of the discussions inside.

Was there any way to eavesdrop?

After checking with Erwin and Amelia, it seemed they didn’t have any tricks up their sleeves either.

After waiting for what felt like forever…

“Vice Commander!”

About thirty minutes later, Raven finally emerged from the tent.

Seizing the moment, I quickly approached to ask what had happened, but received a cold response.

‘Ah… she really doesn’t hold back with people she’s not close to.’

I miss the old Raven.

She used to complain with a disgusted look on her face, but in the end, she always did what I asked…

“Emily, can you find out what’s going on?”
“I was planning on it.”

In times like these, information was more valuable than gold, so I asked Amelia to gather some intel.

Fortunately, she didn’t take long.

“The main force’s communication has been cut off.”“So, we won’t be able to get any support from them?”

“Not necessarily. There’s a scheduled check-in. If we don’t respond, they’ll realize something’s wrong and come back.”

“Then the question is whether we can hold out until the main force returns.”

Nearly ten hours had passed since the main force had set out.

Even if they turned around as soon as communication was cut, it would take a long time for them to return.

“What’s the mood among the explorers?”

“Not too bad. People trust the Golden Mage. They’re confident that, like last time, nothing serious will happen.”

“Last time?”

“Oh, I know about that!”

Erwin eagerly jumped into the conversation.

Apparently, there had been a prior attack on the camp.

It was early on, when both sides still knew little about each other.

“That time, she summoned this wall using the magic circle she had prepared in advance. The Noark forces tried to break through for hours, but in the end, they couldn’t and had to retreat.”

This was the incident that earned Raven the title of Golden Mage. Afterward, Noark learned that Raven always guarded the camp, and they never attempted such a raid again.

At least, not until today.

“Something feels off.”

“Indeed…”

While Amelia agreed with my muttered comment, Erwin tilted her head in confusion.

“What do you mean, off?”

“Well, didn’t they learn from their previous failure?”

If they had failed once, then it would be reasonable to assume they now had a way to break through.

Noark’s forces weren’t idiots.

These are the same enemies who anticipated our escape through a dimensional gate and prepared a large-scale explosive spell.

Would they really just try the same thing again, hoping it works this time?

That makes no sense.

‘The question is, how do they plan to break through…?’

I thought about the Golden Wall spell.

It’s a high-level spell that requires mastery over both earth and lightning magic.

One notable trait is…

‘It’s not a channeling spell.’

Unlike most spells, which need a continuous supply of mana to maintain, this spell’s duration is determined by the amount of mana used during the initial cast.

‘Plus, it can be repaired by infusing more mana if it’s damaged.’

I could see why the explorers weren’t panicking.

After all, we had a full contingent of mages here.

If the wall was damaged, they could just fix it.

And if needed, they could cast it again at least twice more.

However…

‘I really don’t think this is how it’s going to end.’

Didn’t I just meet Hans not long ago?

Assuming the enemy had some kind of trump card, I started racking my brain.

“Hey… mister?”

“Leave him be. He seems to be thinking about something.”

How were they planning to break through this wall?

Had they brought along a high-level mage like the Ruin Scholar?

Or maybe…

‘Do they even need to break through at all?’

If I were them, instead of firing magic cannons from a distance, I would have closed in for a surprise attack and forced a close-quarters battle.

But they hadn’t done that.

They had attacked from a distance, giving us time to summon the Golden Wall.

Almost as if they were waiting for that moment.

‘In other words, they wanted us to use the Golden Wall.’

And why would that be?

Thinking from the enemy’s perspective, the answer quickly became clear.

“Because they’re already inside.”

There’s nothing easier than defeating an enemy who’s let their guard down from within.

But had Amelia not understood what I meant?

“What do you mean by that?”

Instead of answering directly, I stared at the Golden Wall surrounding the lake and asked,

“Do you know how long this wall lasted the last time it was used?”

“About eight hours… It was still standing even after the main force returned.”

I see.

‘Eight hours…’

The exact amount of time we would be trapped inside.

***

Once Noark’s plan became clear in my mind, I rushed into Raven’s tent.

“I have something to say.”

“I thought I told you to wait outside. Did that woman teach you to be rude as well?”

Raven frowned, but I’d seen that expression on her face too many times to care.

I delivered my message without hesitation.

At first, Raven seemed confused, but as I continued, her expression changed.

“Why did the Noark repeat a strategy that failed once? That’s certainly something we’ve been wondering. And what you’re saying makes sense. I’ll relay this to—”

“No, you need to take immediate action.”

“…I’ll handle it. Now leave.”

Even though I interrupted her and firmly insisted, it didn’t seem to work this time.

Sigh, maybe it’s because I’m not talking like a barbarian?

“Looks like it didn’t go well.”

“We’ll have to trust Raven to pass the message along properly.”

We left the tent and waited outside, standing guard.

Then suddenly—

Thud!

Something dark and gooey flew through the air and landed in front of us.

Slowly, it began to rise.

[Grooaaah—!]

It was a corpse, with rotting, oozing flesh.