Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 397

February 5, 2025 • 11 min read • 82 views

Expedition Team (2)

The initiation ceremony was held in an empty mansion located in the imperial capital.

It was a place that a certain count had been using as a villa,  but he urgently put it up for sale because he needed funds for his business.

Since the mansion didn’t require much renovation, they simply prepared a banquet, inviting only the thirty expedition members and their sponsors for a quiet, intimate ceremony.

And then…

‘That really ended fast.’

It took about 30 minutes for the patrons, including the marquis, to take turns giving speeches of encouragement or support.

“Since all the talk about saving the country and becoming heroes has already been said, I’ll keep it short.”

“Let’s kill many.”

“Let’s earn a lot.”

My own speech as the expedition leader lasted about 10 seconds.

In a total of 30 minutes and 10 seconds, the official event concluded, and we moved on to the banquet.

The Chancellor, Duke of Keallunas, the Alliance of Lesser Nobles, the Three Churches, the Alminus Trading Company, the Explorers’ Guild, and so on.

Although various influential figures participated as patrons in the banquet, it was somewhat lacking.

The food was plentiful but pre-prepared and cold. There were no musicians, no servants to fill drinks, and no spectators.

But no one complained. Everyone knew.

This wasn’t a place to laugh, chat, enjoy lively music, or dance around.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Schuiz.”

“I heard you fought off four people by yourself? How did you win?”

“Fought off four people? What are you talking about?”

“Oh, you were a member of Sir Kaislan’s team, right? Didn’t Sir Kaislan tell you? About what happened then?”

“It’s been a while, Blood Spirit Queen.”

Even though I was just sitting quietly, many expedition members came over to greet me first.

Sigh, is this the life of someone in power?

“Nice to meet you. I’m Rihen Schuiz, the expedition leader. Your name?”

“Ventis Gerodrao. I look forward to working with you.”

I welcomed each person who approached, getting to know their names and faces. 

After all, they are the people whose lives I’ll be responsible for from now on.

I should at least know their faces and names.

While I was greeting people like that for quite a while.

“I never imagined I’d see the name Rihen Schuiz again at the initiation ceremony.”

A woman with a familiar face approached me.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Vercil Gowland.”

Wow, I didn’t expect to see you here either.

“I’m Rihen Schuiz.”

“Perhaps I should introduce myself more properly? I am—”

“I know. You are the Vice Captain of the Raler Clan, right?”

The first time I met this woman was back when the first-floor Crystal Cave cave was in chaos.

At the time, we didn’t have enough room for everyone to teleport to safety, and she used dice to decide who would be left behind.

And our team was among those she selected to be abandoned.

Sigh, back then, we nearly died trying to break through with fifteen people—

“Thank you for remembering, but it seems you’re out of touch. I’m no longer  the Vice Captain”

Vercil gave a bitter smile and spoke with a self-deprecating tone.

“I must have been asleep too long. By the time I woke up, my position was already gone.”

“Ah… you got caught in that explosion, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I was out cold for over a year.”

“But it’s good you woke up.”

“Yes… If it weren’t for ‘the Proxy,’ I’d still be in that state…”

The ‘Proxy’ is an alias for the High Priest of the Tobera Church.

It is said that he has reached a level that no other priest can match when it comes to healing-type divine spells.

‘But something about her manner seems off.’

To be specific, her expression and tone aren’t quite right.

Should I say she doesn’t seem like someone who feels grateful?

“Vercil Gowland, which team are you currently assigned to?”

“Team 4.”

“Team 4, huh…”

If it’s Team 4, that’s the group led by Paladin Jun.

Before the ceremony, I learned from the marquis that there were four members in Team 4, all from religious groups.

But there’s an odd twist-a mage got thrown in with them.

‘Guess she owes them.’

I could roughly guess her situation.

And perhaps she realized that I had somewhat figured it out.

She looked at me and nodded meaningfully.

“…You’re different from what I’ve heard.”

“How did I seem?”

“Don’t be offended. Anyone who heard that speech earlier would have gotten the same impression.”

Well, speeches are best when they’re short.

I realized this truth while listening to the principal’s speeches in middle school.

“How long are you going to talk with her?”

At that moment, Erwin, who was next to me, intervened.

“Blood Spirit Queen…”

“It’s been a while. The last time was when you abandoned us, right?”

“…I regret what happened then. Truly.”

“Of course, you’d regret it. You ditched everyone and ran off, and look where that got you.”

A sharp comment, still harboring lingering resentment from the past.

At this, Vercil glanced at me, then gave a short bow and left.

“Mister, I did well, right?”

Erwin smiled bashfully as if she had acted for my sake.

It was awkward to say anything, so I just chuckled and let it go.

“Uh… Nice to meet you. I’m Pike Neldain.”

As soon as that conversation ended, other members who had been lingering nearby swarmed over, and I exchanged names and brief words with them.

And then…

“You guys rest here.”

“Where are you going?”

“There are still those I haven’t greeted yet.”

“If they didn’t come over first, do you really need to?”

“What’s got you so worked up? If they don’t come to me, I’ll go to them. Simple as that.”

“It’s just… it makes you look like you’ve lost.”

Erwin wore a dissatisfied expression, but I remained resolute.

Does pride get you any bread?

I have to do what needs to be done.

“You are…”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Rihen Schuiz.”

“…Mackelly Reiadus.”

For those who didn’t come first, I sought them out, greeted them, and had brief conversations.

After all, the information the marquis gave me only had a list of twenty names.

It’s not that the intelligence was lacking; rather, most teams hadn’t filled all their members by then—

‘What the… Why is he here?’

While mingling around the banquet, I spotted an unexpected face.

“…Sven Parab.”

The vice-captain of the 2nd Paladin Order of the Leatlas Church.

He was sipping alcohol in a corner with a somewhat troubled expression, and when he saw me, his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

“Do you know me?” He asked

Of course.

I had seen him several times when visiting the church, and due to certain events, I was convinced he was the ‘Goblin Mask.’

“Don’t underestimate the intelligence of the marquis’s household.”

“…I wasn’t underestimating it.”

“Then that’s good.”

“Did you hear about me from Jun?”

“If you mean that bet… Yes, I heard.”

No wonder he looked tense.

Because he had heard that story.

“But why are you here…”

“What do you mean why? We’re about to enter the labyrinth, and I haven’t greeted you yet. I look forward to working with you inside.”

“Yes, I look forward to working with you too.”

After a brief conversation with Sven Parab, I turned away

Somehow, I felt conflicted.

‘Sigh, this is tricky…’

Sven Parab is the Goblin Mask.

In other words, whenever the community opens, he’s likely to spill information related to the expedition team like a leaky jar.

‘Of all the religious types, why did they pick someone like him?’

Sigh, is there no way to keep his mouth shut?

If I pretend to suspect him of being possessed by an evil spirit and have him monitored every 15th of the month, he would log out immediately, wouldn’t he?

‘…I’ll think about this later.’

After that, I continued to walk around the banquet hall and finished exchanging names with all the members, including those I hadn’t received information about from the marquis.

Although the existence of Sven Parab was a negative variable, there was a positive aspect.

No matter how many times I emphasize it, it’s not enough.

No Hans, no pain.

The absence of Hans is a very hopeful sign.

***

After the banquet concluded in the evening, the initiation ceremony was officially over.

However, we remained at the mansion.

Because our existence is confidential, after all.

Since most of the expedition members are famous, it was decided that we’d stay here until the labyrinth opens and try to coordinate together…

‘Coordinate, my foot.’

What can possibly change by having thirty people practice for two days?

It would take several weeks for each team to enter separately and meet on the sixth floor.

It wouldn’t be surprising if they forgot everything by then.

Therefore…

“It would be best for each team to handle battles independently and aid each other only in emergencies.”

After a leadership meeting, this conclusion was reached.

The judgment was that if thirty people tried to move as one unit in this situation, it would only cause friction.

“Still, just in case, wouldn’t it be good to set up at least one formation for emergencies?”

We decided to plan for emergencies by grouping members according to role—mages with mages, healers with healers.

By marking symbols on their chests to distinguish them, and educating them on where they should stand in emergencies, it would be much safer.

“Warriors with shield markings will stand on the perimeter, and those with sword markings will stand directly behind them.”

“What about the healers?”

“Of course, they’ll be in the center. They need to survive to heal the wounded. Long-ranged supporters with bow emblems should protect the mages and healers.””

Alright, this much can be taught in two days.

None of them are strangers to group activities, after all.

“Sir Schuiz, are you listening?”

“…Of course.”

Geez, Just because I propped my chin up a little…

I’ve only got two commands as the expedition leader, after all.

Each team fights separately in dispersed battles.

Then, when we unite as a single unit, there’s the “assemble” command

We’ll probably get more commands like “charge,” “focus fire,” or “shield wall” as time goes on, but this is it for now—so it’s not hard to remember.

For now, this is all there is to memorize.

“Then let’s leave it at this for now, and teach the rest of the formations after we regroup on the sixth floor if we have spare time. Or, what do you think?”

“Good. Let’s do that.”

The meeting proceeded with them discussing among themselves and then seeking my approval. After the meeting, James Carla, the former clan vice captain, worked hard to drill the ‘Disperse and Gather’ command into the expedition team.

And then, two more days passed…

[You have entered the 1st Floor Crystal Cave]

***

The glittering Crystal Caverns.

My entire team was covered in robes, moving swiftly.

After all, it’s best to avoid being seen.

Tap tap tap.

Though we had a mage and a support type with low physical abilities, our movement speed was fairly decent.

After all, both had their own means of transportation.

[Riard Ashid has cast Level 4 transformation spell ‘Fox Light.’」

Transformed into a ball of light, the mage floated through the air.

And…

Gerold Aldidi has used [Lukberta’s Pigeon Boots].」

The support type mage covered the gap with his gear.

Walking beside him, Amelia observed his pace with curiosity.

“…Is that a Numbered item?”

“It’s called Lukberta’s Pigeon Boots, a Numbered item in the 3000 series.  There’s a restriction that it can only be used outside of combat… but for someone like me, it’s invaluable in the labyrinth.”

“Doesn’t that kind of speed drain your soul energy?”

“Haha, you’re underestimating the support-types.”

Support-type users have to build up soul energy synergy as a core part of their training,so they tend to have the highest MP among all classes.

“Don’t worry. I usually only use this up to the third floor. The pathways on the fifth floor are too narrow, and as for the sixth… well, we’ll mostly be traveling by boat, so there’s little need to use it there.”

Bringing a seasoned explorer along certainly seems to make a difference.

It feels like everything is well-prepared.

‘At this rate, we might even be able to speedrun it.’

“Emily, pick up the pace.”

I issued a new order, feeling an odd sense of excitement.

Whoosh!

The light sphere streaked ahead like a comet.

Whizz!

Old Didi, barely skimming the ground, leaned forward and surged ahead.

“…Schuiz, why are you falling behind?”

“In case… something… comes… up… from… behind.”

Hah… I’m really out of breath here.

“…….”

I never thought I’d be the slowest of the four.