Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 392

Captain Barbarian(2)

The appearance of the apprentice shaman was quite convincing.

The eye patch gave off a mysterious aura, as did the tattoos on his body.

Though his body was young, at a glance, he looked like a proper shaman.

But…

“Alright, sit down and take off your shirt, young warrior.”

He lowered his youthful voice and spoke in an overly serious tone, but it was a bit off-putting. I wondered if his eye was actually fine and he was wearing the eyepatch just for style.

Swoosh.

Despite my doubts, I sat down and took off my clothes. The young shaman immediately placed his hand on my shoulder.

And then…

“You’ve already imbued your body with the soul power of the Immortal.”

The shaman, realizing immediately the path I had chosen, moved his hand down my chest, groping like a pervert.

“Well, let’s see how far you’ve pushed your limits.”

His voice had an underlying attitude of  “How much could you have possibly achieved?”

But it didn’t take long for that voice to change.

Rustle.

His hand moved from my shoulder down to my chest, then towards my side where my latissimus muscle lay.

That was where I received the third stage of the Immortal’s Engraving.

The first point where I chose my specialization

“Heh heh heh, you’ve chosen the Soul of Wildness.”

Here, I had obtained [Wild Burst].

If you’re a tank, you need a skill that increases threat levels, right?

“You’re young, but you’ve already accepted both the soul and spirit. You’ve worked quite h—”

The shaman, who was babbling in a tone that seemed to praise me, suddenly stiffened. His hand had somehow moved past my latissimus muscle to my back.

At that moment, I seriously considered punching him in the face.

Everything else was fine, but this made our faces too close.

The posture was as if he was hugging me from the front.

Swoosh.

Soon, the shaman’s hand climbed up my back and reached the nape of my neck.

“Oh ho, you’ve already opened your spiritual meridians? Not bad—”

It was the fourth-stage engraving that increased my mental and soul power stats.

His hand moved from the nape of my neck back to the front and reached the area where my heart is.

“…You’ve even opened your life meridians?”

From his increasingly flustered voice, it seemed he had expected to just perform some low-level engravings based on the Marquis’s explanation.

Feeling suddenly annoyed, I forcibly removed the shaman’s hand.

“W-What are you doing! This is a sacred ritual to read your path—”

No, I mean, this is a waste of time.

“Enough with the spiritual and life meridians; stop groping me. I’ve already completed the engraving up to the Soul of Innocence.”

“Th-the Soul of Innocence… you mean you’ve even opened the Life Meridian…?”

Hearing that I had completed up to the sixth-stage engraving, the shaman flinched.

Perhaps thinking that his actions were too undignified.

“Ah, you know, to inscribe the next engraving, you need a very rare offering—”

“Oh, if it’s ‘the Soul of the Dead’, I’ve already brought it, so don’t worry.”

“……”

I don’t know why the warrior has to lead the marking ceremony instead of the shaman, but I’ve given all the necessary information for engraving the marking.

“I think that’s enough talking. How about starting now?”

With that, I lay down on the bed that seemed to have been prepared for me.

But no matter how long I waited, the procedure didn’t start.

“Shaman, what are you doing?”

“…Wait a moment. Before starting the ritual, I need time to regulate my breathing and focus my mind—”

Focus your mind, my foot.

In other words, he’s just nervous.

Sensing something amiss, I immediately sat up.

And I voiced the suspicion I had.

Surely, it couldn’t be, but…

“Shaman, don’t tell me…”

“……”

“You’ve never done a high-level engraving before?”

“…It’s just that there were no warriors who wished to receive it. I know how to do it all.”

Tsk, now I’m starting to feel uneasy.

****

I felt like I had become a practice dummy for the young shaman, but I had no other choice.

It wouldn’t help to call for the old shaman.

At least this kid didn’t recognize me, so maybe it was better to have him do it.

After all, he’s technically certified.

He should be able to perform the markings properly.

That’s what I thought.

Until the first needle pierced my skin.

Poke.

“Aaaargh!”

“……!”

Poke.

“Gaaaaaah!”

“……?”

Poke.

“You’re tilting your head? Damn it, you poked the wrong place, didn’t you?”

“…N-no, I did not!”

“Don’t lie—”

“It’s going well, so stay still!”

Poke.

“Gaaaaaaah!”

Was the Spirit Marking always this painful?

The last time I did it, I felt like I was going crazy, but I don’t think it was this bad.

Poke.

Poke.

Poke.

Poooook—!

Time flowed slowly, and the increasingly vivid pain numbed my brain.

How much time had passed since then?

“I-It’s done…”

The exhausted shaman, visibly drained, finally uttered those precious words.

「You have activated 7th stage of the Immortal’s Engraving.」

My body, completely drained, absorbed an unusual energy.

It felt different from the stat boosts that came from consuming essences.

From this, it seemed that the engraving was properly completed…

「Special ability stat ‘Regeneration’ is now active.」

Regeneration is a stat similar to muscle mass.

If Muscle Mass increased the total Strength stat by 1% per point, Regeneration enhances all healing and recovery effects proportionally to its value.

Well, it’s not as noticeable as Strength, so it’s hard to feel immediately…

「Physical stat increases by +120.」

Undoubtedly, that’s a significant stat increase.

Stats that can’t be obtained with essence correlate to main attributes, so given my current strength, it’s probably around 120 or so.

“Hehehehe…”

A large reward that was worth enduring the pain.

As I grinned, forgetting the pain, the young shaman watched me with a strange expression.

“You’re the first person I’ve seen laugh after engraving a new spirit.”

“You wouldn’t understand. Warriors always smile when they’re suffering.”

“That’s not true…! You have no idea how many warriors I’ve—”

What is he saying? How many engravings could he have done in the 2 years and 6 months I was gone?

“Right, well, thanks for your help.”

As I felt my strength return, I rose from the bed.

The surroundings were filled with candles, and since the curtains were closed when I arrived, I hadn’t realized it had already become night.

‘I mentioned I might be late, so they shouldn’t be too worried.’

As for the shaman, whether he goes back to the sanctuary tonight or tomorrow morning, that’s his business, so I just grabbed my outer garments and stepped out.

The servant, the one who’d guided me before, waited outside.

But why does his expression look like that?

As if he’s scared of something…

“Um… Are you alright, sir?”

Ah, since he was outside, he must have heard me scream. He doesn’t know about the engraving, so he might have wondered what I was doing inside.

“Never mind. I’m planning to go back now; can I just leave?”

Hoping they’d arrange a carriage, I asked, and the guide responded hesitantly.

“Sir Schuiz, Lord Tercerion requests your presence.”

“The marquis…?”

I accidentally dropped the honorific, and the guide’s face went pale, as if I’d committed a crime.

But perhaps he couldn’t point it out directly to a guest?

“Yes, the Lord Tercerion is waiting. Please, this way.”

With a subtle emphasis on the honorific, the guide led me somewhere.

Tsk, I should be more careful in front of others.

I can’t reveal that I’m a barbarian yet.

Creak.

We soon arrived at the Marquis’s study.

When I entered, the Marquis glanced up from his documents, looked at me briefly, then dismissed the servant. Only after the door was completely closed did he greet me.

“So, how did the marking go? Baron Jandel.”

“Thanks to you. But why did you call me again?”

I was tired, so I went straight to the point, but the Marquis, as always, didn’t blame me for my rudeness.

He just accommodated me as I wished.

“I had something to tell you right away.”

The Marquis got to the point without even showing any signs of displeasure.

But does this man even realize?

That the more he shows such kindness, the less trustworthy he appears and the more suspicious he becomes.

“Something to inform me of… What is it?”

“First, the persuasion of the people you wanted to recruit is complete.”

The marquis went on to say that we were able to recruit the mage I had specified, and since the priest had declined, we secured the Plan B candidate, a support-type.

Tsk, if I’d gotten the priest, there would have been more options.

“Since you said ‘first,’ I assume there’s a second thing?”

“Yes.To be honest the first part could have been conveyed later in writing.”

“Alright, then tell me the second one.”

“Tomorrow, we’ve arranged a meeting among the leaders of each team. I plan to steer the conversation so that we decide on a commander-in-chief at that meeting, if possible.”

“…Tomorrow? So suddenly?”

“Isn’t the labyrinth about to open soon? Even if we can’t embark on a major operation right away, many are saying we should at least finish organizing the team. Is there a problem?”

“No, nothing. As you say, it’s better to finish such things early. So how will the commander be decided?”

“Didn’t I say? I’ll steer it. Since all five teams have backing, each will want to take on the role of commander themselves.”

“In other words, you’re planning to gather them and let them decide among themselves.”

“Summed up, yes. So, is that okay?”

“Don’t worry. I also refuse to be under a stuffy bastard either.”

It’s a special unit going on dangerous missions, right?

Rather than watching some incompetent person sit in the expedition leader’s seat and mess things up, it’s better if I take the role.

Well, if there’s someone suitable, it might not be bad to just relax behind the scenes.

So where are we meeting tomorrow?”

“I invited them here, to my house. We’ll have lunch together tomorrow.

Tomorrow at lunchtime…

Since it’s here anyway, it’s a hassle to come back.

“Is it okay if I stay here tonight?”

“Of course. If you wish, I can help you contact your residence immediately. Your companions might be worried.”

“Ah, I’d appreciate that.”

After another 30 minutes of conversation, with the Marquis’ help, I contacted Erwin and Amelia at home via the Mage Tower branch in District 7.

Then I went to the room where I had stayed last time, washed up, and prepared to sleep.

A noble family’s bed, incomparably softer than my own at home.

And, as always after an engraving, sleep came instantly.

Snore.

I hope no strange visitors show up tonight.

****

Although the meeting was scheduled for lunch, I was told I needed to prepare early for the marquis’s sake, so I got up early and started getting dressed with the help of the servants.

A neatly arranged hairstyle, a perfectly fitting suit.

It’s been a really long time since I’ve worn clothes like this…

“Not bad.”

Looking at myself in the mirror, I thought I looked quite decent.

Is it because my physique has decreased?

I don’t feel as imposing as before.

“Wait a little longer.”

“Looking out the window, it seems some people have already arrived?”

“Not everyone has arrived yet.”

Since I had stayed overnight at the mansion, I could finish preparing early, but I continued to wait in my room.

It seems there’s a power play even in the timing of entering.

“Now, shall we go? Everyone is waiting.”

Well, there’s no reason not to follow the Marquis in this regard, so I waited until it was time and moved to the banquet hall with him.

Screech.

Servants who waited beside us opened the doors like automatic doors without us needing to lift a finger.

“We greet Marquis Tercesion.”

“We didn’t expect the Chancellor to attend the meal as well.”

“I’m being honored today. I truly consider it a privilege.”

As soon as the Marquis arrived, the four men and women who had arrived earlier all stood up and showed their respects, and only after receiving their greetings did the Marquis respond.

“Haha, nice to meet you all. Considering your reputation, what I’ve prepared may be insufficient, but please enjoy yourselves.”

Saying that, the marquis went to sit at the head of the table.

As I had been told, I sat in the seat immediately to the right of the Marquis.

And then…

“Bring out the food.”

As the servants set the table, the Marquis encouraged introductions, as if he were hosting a matchmaking event.

“Since some of you might be meeting for the first time, it would be good to introduce yourselves. What do you think?”

“Yes, then may I go first?”

The first to step up was the man sitting directly across from me.

“Since you all seem younger than me, and lack noble titles, I’ll speak a bit casually.”

Dressed in a well-tailored uniform, with neatly swept-back red hair.

Embroidery of a check pattern on his jacket.

So his name is…

“I am Melend Kaislan.”

Ah, I remembered what the Marquis told me yesterday.

The youngest son of the Count Kaislan family, a veteran knight who joined the military early and achieved many merits.

Though called the youngest son, he was over forty, had married young, and had several children.

“I have spent decades in the military, and thanks to that, I’m seasoned in combat. However, command is a different field from combat. I’ve seen countless talented people lose their lives pointlessly due to incompetent superiors.”

He stood up, said he’d introduce himself first, and turned his introduction into a lengthy PR session.

No doubt a seasoned veteran, but his rigid, military-style speech was already starting to feel stifling.

And it turns out I’m not the only one.

“Oh my, wasn’t this supposed to be a simple round of introductions? That’s quite a burden for the next person.”

The dwarf lady next to him smiled sweetly, subtly mocking him as she stood up.

“In that sense, I’ll go next.”

Wow, look how natural that was.

In fact, I recognized her immediately, even without her saying her name.

How many female dwarf explorers are there of her age?

“I’m Titana Akuraba.”

Titana Akuraba.

She didn’t seem willing to reveal her age, but those who know, know she’s 61.

Of course, due to her species’ trait of aging early and maintaining it, she had a much younger body than a human of that age.

Not that age would matter to someone like her.

“…Akuraba? Are you really that Akuraba?”

At her introduction, the noble knight’s eyes widened in shock.

Well, that was understandable, given how famous an explorer she was.

Or should I say legendary?

“Oh, I assure you, I wouldn’t have the nerve to lie in front of the marquis himself,” she said with a smirk.

“Well… I suppose not. It’s just that I’m that surprised. I heard you retired ten years ago.”

Truthfully, I’d first heard of her from the marquis.

She was a member of a legendary team that explored the ninth floor, but after the sudden disbandment of the team and her retirement ten years ago, she hadn’t appeared in public.

In other words, she was from a completely different generation than me.

“Hoho, one thing led to another, and here I am back in the world. May I continue, young knight?”

“…Of course.”

With that, she silenced the knight and, like him, proceeded to showcase her achievements.

“I can say with certainty that no one here knows the labyrinth as well as I do. The same goes for the customs and instincts among explorers. I think that’s sufficient, don’t you?”

Her brief introduction exuded confidence. But as soon as she sat down, another man rose to his feet without any hesitation.

“Haha, I never thought I’d see one of my esteemed seniors here. Well, I suppose it’s my turn now.”

This man had a light, casual demeanor.

His notable feature was that he was just over 160 centimeters tall, making him slightly short even among humans.

“I’m James Carla, vice-captain of the Gearfang Clan.”

He was the deputy leader of the Gearfang Clan, one of the super-sized clans that had risen from being a top-ten clan to a top-four clan over the past few years.

As someone involved in the practical affairs of a large clan, he was quick with recent information and confident in synthesizing all opinions to propose directions that would satisfy everyone.

It was clearly an appeal aimed at the old dwarf and the stubborn knight, but it didn’t particularly impress me.

I just recalled the information I’d seen in the documents once more.

‘He was an archer, wasn’t he?’

That’s about all I needed to remember.

As the deputy leader finished his introduction, the paladin next to him stood up.

“I am Jun of the Tobera Church. I have abandoned the surname I used in the secular world.”

A brief introduction contrasting with the previous ones.

“…Is that all?” the knight asked.

The paladin clicked his tongue with a slightly displeased look and added more.

“There is nothing as dangerous and unstable as the human will. All things will happen in due course, according to the will of the divine.”

“Surprisingly, the Three Churches don’t seem to have much desire regarding this mission.”

“……”

The knight tried to engage in conversation to probe the intentions of the Church, but the paladin just ignored him without any response.

And then…

“Now… you’re the only one left.”

It was finally my turn, and all attention turned to me.

They pretended not to, but I could feel their curiosity.

Well, they would be curious.

After all, I was someone the Marquis, the second-in-command of the kingdom, had chosen as  his representative, but I was a face they’d never seen before.

With no information about me, they might even be a bit wary.

Creak.

I pushed my chair back and stood up, briefly stating only my name.

“I’m Rihen Schuiz.”

I could see frowns appearing here and there.

‘Is that all?’

That was the kind of look in their eyes.

Even the Marquis was the same.

He must be wondering why I was staying silent when everyone before had actively promoted themselves.

‘Geez, so impatient. How undignified.’

I had no intention of rambling on like the others.

After all, they’d just hear it with one ear and let it out the other, so why bother?

Slowly, I scanned the room, locking eyes with each of them one by one.

Slowly, I looked around and met each person’s eyes one by one.

“A knight, a noble.”

Starting with the military man from the noble family.

“An explorer.”

Next, the dwarf woman.

“A clan leader.”

Then, the deputy commander.

“The so-called paladin.”

Finally, I looked at the paladin, then declared decisively.

“I don’t listen to those weaker than me.”

After all, self-promotion is more impactful when it’s brief.