Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 399

February 6, 2025 • 11 min read • 356 views

Expedition Team(4)

18 days after entering the labyrinth.

Swoooosh!

A medium-sized warship carrying all thirty crew members set sail, cutting through the waves.

For reference, this battleship had been provided by the royal family, and for now, its ownership seal had been temporarily transferred to me, the expedition leader.

While each member went to their assigned cabins to unpack, Amelia approached the sailor who was steering the ship.

“Excuse me.”

“So… you must be Emily Raines, what can I do for you?”

“How long will it take to get to the Ice Rock?”

“I’m estimating about twelve days.”

“Is Ice Rock closer than the Dark Continent? Last time, it took half a month to get to the Dark Continent on a warship.”

“In terms of simple distance, they’re similar, but the ship we’re on is different. The Type 7 warship we’re on is classified as medium-large but has excellent maneuverability.”

“I don’t really get how a three-day difference qualifies as ‘excellent maneuverability.’”

“That’s because the Far East Coast is unlike ordinary seas.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Amelia, who’d recently developed a strong interest in sailing, nodded in understanding.

“Haha,I’ve been piloting them for half my life; it comes with the experience.”

The only sailor in our expedition was from the Fifth Team, originally a member of the royal military.

Hmm, thinking about it that way, it’s understandable that Kaislan arrived last on the 6th floor. He did a speed run with a sailor, after all.

“Can you tell me more about this warship?”

“I’m afraid information about the warship is classified and cannot be shared.”

“Of course… I understand.”

“…However, since we’re on the same ship, I can’t really stop you from observing nearby.”

“I promise not to interfere.”

While Amelia expressed her gratitude for the sailor’s kindness, I moved further into the ship’s interior.

A room located at the deepest part of the ship’s center.

“Oh, everyone’s here.”

“It’s the expedition leader’s orders. Didn’t you tell us to gather here after we finished unpacking?”

In a  room designed with executive meetings in mind, the team leaders of each team were waiting for me, and I quickly asked one thing.

“Has anyone been to Ice Rock?”

The only ones who raised their hands were Akuraba and James Carla.

“Is it just you two?”

“It’s not an area one visits often, after all.”

“We’ve only been there a few times when our clan went on expeditions to earn merits; otherwise, we hardly ever went to Ice Rock.”

That makes sense—it’s not a place with conditions for typical hunting expeditions. 

I don’t know for sure, but even among the skilled individuals gathered on this ship, less than half would have experienced Ice Rock.

“Alright, then.”

After nodding in acknowledgment, I gave my orders concisely.

“James Carla, focus on training the crew during the voyage.”

“What kind of training?”

“Formation practice. We hardly had time for it in the city. Since everyone is an experienced explorer, even a few practises on the deck should make them follow well in real combat.

“Understood.”

First, there’s a need to increase the number of expedition leader-exclusive commands.

Otherwise, unexpected damage might occur in sudden situations. We don’t even have proper formations for retreat or withdrawal yet.

“Since our destination is Ice Rock, let’s prioritize what’s useful there.”

“It’s refreshing to hear straight-to-the-point instructions.”

Okay, since he’s from a large clan and knows all sorts of formations inside out, he’ll handle this part well on his own.

“Titana Akuraba. Once you’re done unpacking, you’ll be in charge of managing the supplies.”

“What about the authority?”

“From now on, it’s all entrusted to you.”

I entrusted Akuraba with the management of exploration-related consumables and equipment.

Assigning this role to Jun from the religious faction or the inflexible former soldier Kaislan would likely result in a backlash. 

On the other hand, Akuraba is an elderly, experienced, legendary explorer, so even if occasional complaints arise among the members, she can probably quell them well.

“Melend Kaislan.”

Next up was the knight.

Next in line was the knight, who swallowed nervously, probably because the previous two had received their assignments. 

He’s kind of cute, too, if you ask me……..

“You’re responsible for maintaining order within the expedition. If any disputes arise among the members, you must mediate immediately, and if any serious incidents occur, it’s your job to resolve them.”

“Are you making me your right-hand man? Very well, I’ll do as you command.”

Wait, how does that equate to being my right hand? Ah, military minds.

“And then that leaves me, I suppose.”

With Kaislan assigned, Paladin Jun looked at me with a slight smile. 

“How can I assist you?”

Ever since that fight we had, he’s been oddly amiable.

Sometimes, I wonder, ‘Could it be that guy…?’

But without showing it, I spoke up.

“When on expeditions, explorers often seek out priests, right?”

“Yes, so I’ve heard. Since the labyrinth accumulates mental fatigue.”

“Listen to what they have to say and keep your ears open as much as possible. If there’s anything I need to know, let me know. That’s your goal.”

“Other races won’t seek me out.”

Right, that’s true.

Because the Three Churches is a religion for humans.

But…

“That’s more than enough.”

Isn’t the proportion of humans in the expedition team over half?

And those humans are spread out among the teams.

Just listening carefully to their voices will help grasp the general public opinion.

“Is that all the instructions?”

When Akuraba asked, I confirmed, and she hesitated before asking if she could pose a question.

“A question? Go ahead.”

“Why are you granting us so much authority? We’re not exactly your subordinates.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What, I thought it was going to be something big.”

There was no reason to hesitate, so I answered briefly.

“Because it’s efficient.”

We’re already on the same boat.

****

After navigating through the windless zone and crossing the reef-filled eastern Grand Rock, we finally arrived at our destination.

The entire journey took twelve days and seven hours, exactly as the sailor estimated, thanks to taking the shortest route without stopping at any islands along the way.

“Indeed, warships are good.”

Leaving aside the specs that let us swiftly pass through the Windless Zone, I was very impressed by how we plowed through the eastern coast, trusting the ship’s durability and crashing into reefs.

The ice-breaking device attached at the front also looked very sturdy.

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!

Even though it’s not classified as a special area like the ‘Frozen Sea,’ the ship plowed through floating ice chunks,smashing them as it went.

“We’ve really arrived…”

The members gathered on the deck exhaled visible breaths as they looked at the approaching continent.

Whether wearing leather, plate, or cloth armor, everyone had thick fur coats over their gear.

These were also supplies we received from the royal family.

“Hmm, I prefer heat over cold…”

I too prepared myself like the others.

And then…

“Hold on tight! The ship is about to enter the portal!”

At the sailor’s loud shout,

[You have entered the 7th Floor: Ice Rock]

A blue portal’s light enveloped our ship.

Well, even without such an effect, we could feel with our bodies that we had arrived at Ice Rock.

[Your character has entered a special area]

[Field Effect – Ice Rock is applied]

[Cold Resistance decreases by 100]

As resistance significantly dropped, a chill swept over us.

For now, the only noticeable change is that, but surely those troublesome effects have also been applied to our bodies.

The thing that makes all explorers avoid Ice Rock.

[Status Ailment [Frozen World] is applied]

[Space-related items are deactivated]

A status ailment that disables not only subspaces but also expandable backpacks.

This one short line can drive people crazy.

“Alright! Don’t just stand there; let’s get the luggage unloaded first!”

Akuraba, who was in charge of supply management, coordinated the members as they unloaded the supply crates enchanted with ‘Preservation’ magic onto the land.

Because from now on, we have to carry these and move.

But that’s not all.

There’s even another crazy thing added here.

[Status Ailment [Starvation] is applied]

[Resources obtained through consumption decrease by threefold]

Here, even if you eat the same food, you get hungry three times faster.

That’s why so many supply crates are needed.

This greatly affects why most explorers don’t consider this place a ‘hunting ground.’

You might endure the cold, but not hunger.

Since food is limited, the time we can operate here is fixed.

“With our food, it’s one month for now.”

Of course, that’s assuming nothing goes wrong.

“Mister! They said we’re ready to depart.”

Anyway, with the crew working in unison, it didn’t take long to unload all the supplies from the ship.

Five sleds were placed on the frozen ground, each loaded to the brim with boxes.

“Alright, let’s head back now.”

After unloading all the supplies, only the sailor and I boarded the ship and went down to the sixth floor. Then we switched to a small boat and reverse-summoned the warship.

「You have entered the seventh floor: Ice Rock.」

After that, we returned to the previous location by rowing the small boat.

It was a bit troublesome, but it was a necessary process.

Besides, we couldn’t just leave the warship behind.

“What will you do with this ship?”

What do you mean, what will I do? Of course, we’ll leave it here.

Just in case, we hid it well in a secluded spot so it wouldn’t drift away.

And with that, all preparations for the expedition were complete.

“Each team, form up according to formation!”

Perhaps thanks to good training, the members moved in perfect unison and assumed their marching formations.

“Move out!”

And with my shout, the first march of the expedition began.

***

In the wide plain formation, the structure of the expedition is simple.

Our Team 1 at the front.

Teams 3 and 5 on the left and right flanks.

Team 4 at the rear, and Team 2, in charge of supply management, follows us from the center.

Thud, thud, thud—!

While making these heavy sounds.

“Mister, those are Ice Trolls, right?”

Three Ice Trolls pulling the five sleds loaded with supply boxes, following our march.

It’s thanks to the summoner in Akuraba’s team.

If not for that, we would have had the rare sight of people pulling the sleds themselves.

“Stop!”

As we were advancing east and just about to leave the entrance of Ice Rock, Team 1 halted.

There was no need to confirm the reason.

Thudududududu.

A massive monster, breaking apart the ice that looked like a cliff and rising up.

“It’s a Stone winter!”

A Level 3 monster, Stone Winter.

That creature, classified as colossal type and three of them at that.

Boom—!

Well, even for Ice Rock, this is…

What’s with Level 3 monsters crawling out like this from the very beginning?

“All units, into combat formation!”

At my command, the members moved swiftly.

Fortunately, no one froze in fear.

Well, with this force, three Level 3 monsters should be easy, right?

Thinking that, I commanded the battle, but it didn’t take long for that expectation to be shattered.

「You have defeated Stone Winter. EXP +7」

Even after the first battle ended, there were no cheers; only a funeral-like silence enveloped the expedition.

“……Report the damage.”

Suppressing my miserable feelings, I asked the team leaders, and they replied while cautiously watching my expression.

“Four lightly injured and three seriously injured. We are prioritizing treatment for the seriously injured.”

The fact that people were hurt was the least of the problems.

Well, it could happen.

It’s our first time coordinating together, after all.

There were three Level 3 monsters appearing at once; it’s understandable.

It’s a problem that can be resolved by getting treatment from the priest.

But…

“And?”

“…One sled was half-destroyed, and the loaded supplies were lost.”

This is the biggest problem.

The colossal monster managed to reach the area where the supplies were, and unfortunately, the ground couldn’t withstand the weight and collapsed, causing one-fifth of the supplies to be lost.

“What was the proportion of food among the supplies loaded on the sled?”

“…It was all food.”

The moment the words I least wanted to hear came out of Akuraba’s mouth, a curse slipped out.

“Damn it.”

Just one day into entering Ice Rock.

“From now on, we’ll increase our speed.”

The march of hardship had begun.