Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 79

Request (3)

“Bjorn, are you going to the sanctuary again today?”

“There’s some unfinished business from yesterday. I’ll be back by evening, so don’t slack off and keep up with your training.”

As day broke, I went to the Sanctuary to receive the 3rd stage of the Soul Engraving that I hadn’t been able to complete yesterday.

The cost was the same as in the game: 2 million Stones.

It also matched that each time the Soul Engraving went through a stage, a trait could be granted that was a multiple of three.

“Kekeke, I’ve never seen a Barbarian with so much money. There are three paths for you”

After putting the money into the jar, the shaman asked.

“There is the soul of fire, the soul of steel, and the soul of the Wilderness. Which will you choose, warrior?”

I listened to his explanation just in case, but it seemed there were no updates in reality.

So…

“I choose the Soul of Wilderness.”

I chose the wilderness without hesitation, as each of these traits is key to my shield Barbarian build.

「Immortal Engraving Stage 3 activated. Significant increase in physical resistance and fire resistance.」

「Physical stats increase by +50.」

「The Soul of Wilderness takes residence in your body.」

「Your character’s base threat level greatly increases.」

「[Wildness Burst] skill now available.」

Threat level.

In other words, the probability of attracting monster aggro just by breathing increased.

The [Wildness Burst] skill temporarily triples the threat level and grants a physical bonus proportional to it.

‘I used to use it occasionally when playing as a greatsword Barbarian.’

In the early days, I often used the Immortal Engraving to cover the Barbarian’s lack of survivability.

But back then, [Wildness Burst] was a double-edged sword as it drew more enemies the stronger the character became.

For a shield Barbarian, it was different.

‘No risk, high return.’

Attracting monster aggro?

For a tank, that’s a welcome thing.

And it even increases physical stats?

That only adds to the stability…

Using [Wildness Burst] with the massively increased threat level of [Gigantification] allows for a significant temporary boost.

‘I never thought I’d complete both [Gigantification] and the 3rd stage engraving in just three months.’

Satisfied with my progress yet feeling a tinge of bitterness.

I was just flailing to survive…

And somehow, I ended up here.

“I’m tired, you may leave now.”

After receiving the Soul Engraving, it was already five in the afternoon.

Misha promised to grill beef for dinner, so I quickly stopped by the library to confirm an
appointment and then headed back to my lodging.

And…

After various experiments, I figured out how to activate [Wildness Burst].

“Behel—RAAAAAAAAH!!”

So that’s how it’s used.

「Bjorn Jandel」

Level: 3

Physical: 330 (New +50) / Mental: 124 / Special Ability: 115

Item Level: 828

Total Combat Index: 822 (New +50)

Essences Acquired: Corpse Golem – Rank 7 / Vampire (Guardian) – Rank 5 / Orc Hero – Rank 5

The next day at lunchtime.

I went alone to the meeting place.

The name of the shop was ‘Promise of Flowing Water’, so I wondered what it was about, but it was just another dessert shop.

Fuck.

“…A Barbarian?”

“What’s this? Did the owner owe money?”

As I entered, all eyes turned to me.

Somehow, it felt even more intense than the library.

“Bjorn, is that you? Over here!”

I decided to take a seat without changing the venue, as it wouldn’t be efficient otherwise.

“Are you the client?”

“Yes. I’m Shabin Emure, a 7th-grade administrative officer from the Lavigion Administration. Feel free to call me Shabin.”

“Alright.”

Shabin Emure.

Human, I assumed.

His first impression was quite positive, but I’d know his true character after conversing.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I didn’t order anything. What would you like?”

“Beer and grilled meat.”

“…Excuse me?”

“If you don’t have that, it’s fine. I don’t like sweets.”

“Well, okay then…”

The unspoken protest about why I was called to such a place seemed enough at this point.

I quickly got to the main topic.

“So, what’s the job about?”

“Didn’t Ragna tell you?”

“Ragna? Are you referring to the librarian?”

At my question, Shabin hesitated for a moment, then nodded as if it made sense.

“You didn’t know her name. Well… it’s Ragna Litaniel Phefroc. She’s not a bad kid, so don’t be too hard on her.”

There’s no need to be angry. I didn’t even ask in the first place.

I repeated the name.

“Ragna Litaniel Phefroc…”

“It’s Litaniel, not Ritaniel.”

Right, that thing.

Why is her name so hard to pronounce?

“…Is she a noble?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

An unexpected question from me, and his response was a bit peculiar.

“I can’t tell you more about it. She’d be upset if she knew.”

So, there’s a story there.

“Let’s get back to the job details.”

“It’s a simple patrol job. Criminals and tax evaders sometimes hide in the sewers, so we need regular checks. But…”

Shabin trailed off in a peculiar tone, as if waiting for something.

“…But?”

I prompted, and Shabin continued with a look of affirmation.

“The explorers who usually handle these patrols haven’t returned from the labyrinth this time. As you know…”

“…Know?”

“There was a big incident on the 3rd floor, right? They got caught up in that! It’s such a tragic story, isn’t it?”

I wasn’t sure about the tragic part, but I could tell there was something off about him.

“So, you’re passing this job to me.”

“Yes. It’s an official request from the Administration, so we can’t just give it to anyone. In the midst of looking for a suitable person, Ragna mentioned you!”

“I see.”

I understand the general situation.

But…

“Why me? There must be more suitable people for this.”

It sounded like a menial task.

The Administration must have outsourced such jobs to explorers routinely.

The reward wouldn’t be significant either.

Yet, there would be plenty of people in the city willing to take up such a job.

‘It’s not something sent by those Ghostbuster guys, is it…?’

I half-expected the worst, but the answer was surprisingly simple.

“You’re the talk of the town, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“Honestly, I was just a bit curious. I wanted to meet you in person…”

So, he used the pretext of an official request to satisfy his personal curiosity.

“Oh, and I’m going to take some cookies from here later. Can I brag to my colleagues that Bjorn gave them as a gift?”

“…Do as you like.”

His cheerful expression seemed genuine, not an act.

“So, what will you do? The reward is only 200,000 Stones, but it’s not a bad offer for you. I mean, I feel awkward saying this but…”

Again with this?

Can’t people just be direct?

“…And that means?”

Encouraging him to continue, Shabin smiled and explained further.

“Getting a job from the Administration is a reward in itself for some! Our selection criteria are quite strict, so it’s like being recognized as a verified talent by other institutions… I guess?”

This time, his tone rose slightly, as if trying to make it understandable for a Barbarian.

“Meaning, it increases credibility.”

I, a Barbarian with a modern mind and a savage body, simplified his point.

“Yes! That’s an easy way to put it! Uh, well… With your reputation, you’d probably get offers from everywhere, but…”

“Not really.”

I smiled bitterly.

It had been two weeks since I gained the reputation of the ‘Little Balkan.’

Yet, this was the first time someone contacted me for a job.

I roughly guessed the reason.

‘It’s because they think I’m an ignorant barbarian.’

Being good at fighting and having a good head for work are different things.

But maybe, just maybe, this opportunity could change people’s perception of me.

But then again, I shouldn’t stand out too much…

“I’ll take that job.”

I had made my decision.

“Well then, I should be going now.”

As the details of the job were explained, the barbarian left the scene without hesitation.

Watching his retreating figure, Shabin smiled slightly.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve met someone interesting.’

I wondered why that kid was talking about someone else, but now it seems I understand.

Having a conversation with a genuinely pure person after so long, it’s kind of comforting, isn’t it?

Surely that kid must have felt the same way.

Even if it was just a passing comment.

It’s been years since that kid mentioned someone else first.

‘But I was anxious, so I met him personally, and he doesn’t seem like a bad person. He seemed completely unaware of that kid too…’

Shabin sipped his tea, organizing his thoughts.

Maybe next time, we could arrange a meeting pretending it’s a coincidence. If left alone, they would never become friends in a lifetime.

‘Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but…’

It’s about time that kid made a friend.

Two days later.

Ten days before the labyrinth opens.

Following the guidance of the administrator, we arrived at the entrance of the sewer.

Somehow, the entire halfling team ended up coming along.

“…Bjorn, you didn’t mention it would smell this bad.”

“I didn’t know it would be this bad either. But, it’s a sewer, shouldn’t you have expected something like this?”

“That’s true but…”

When we all got together yesterday and talked about the job, it ended up like this.

[I don’t need a share of the fee. An expedition into the sewers with all sorts of spooky tales? Haha! How could I miss that?]

[Could I join too? I’ve been reading books lately and my head hurts. It might be a good change of pace.]

[Hmm, the sewers must be complicated, right? A perfect place to test my new abilities.]

[Criminals might be hiding there, right? It could be dangerous to go alone.]

Everyone seemed bored with daily training, so they decided to come along.

So, I just let them.

There’s no need to refuse free help, especially when they said I don’t have to share the fee.

‘Even if I don’t know about the others, the scout Rotmiller will be quite helpful.’

After receiving the map from the administrator, I handed it to Rotmiller and fitted the video recording device into the helmet slot.

Now that we’re ready.

“Let’s get going.”

I led the way, opening the iron gate.

Descending the damp stairs into the underground.

As we stepped on the last stair, it was almost pitch black, necessitating a torch.

“It’s wider than I thought.”

“That’s why the people hiding here occasionally come out. Haha!”

The trickling sewage water and the ditch beside it.

The flickering torches cast an eerie atmosphere.

“This way.”

Following Rotmiller’s guidance, we carefully walked above the ditch. The farther from the entrance, the darker it got.

“You know? There’s a rumor about a terrible monster living in the sewer…”

The dwarf spread rumors while laughing.

Misha and Dwalki took it seriously.

“Dwalki, is there really a monster?”

“I heard that waste from the magic tower also flows into the sewer. If chemicals and monster carcasses interacted randomly, it’s possible for such a monster to be created.”

“Oh, is that so?”

What do you mean, ‘is that so’?

Even our predecessor, who was paid 150,000 stones per visit and frequented the sewer for two years, never encountered any problems. Realistically, how could such a thing exist?

Slosh, slosh –

Sighing inwardly, I carefully moved forward.

But maybe because of the tall tales the dwarf kept spinning, every sound seemed amplified.

‘With five of us here, it feels like we’ve entered a dungeon.’

Shit, nothing’s going to actually happen, right?

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