Surviving The Game as a Barbarian (Novel) Chapter 25, 26, 27

 

C25, 26, 27

Chapter 25: The Marauder (2)

We’re running through the darkness.

We’re putting all our effort into running like crazy, occasionally checking the compass for direction.

“Grr!”

Various monsters, like ghouls and skeletons, block our path, but they’re all slow, so it’s not a problem.

But that must be the same for the one chasing us.

Tadatadatadat!

Has it been about 5 minutes?

The psychopath bitch must have finished looting by now.

That’s the only good thing.

If we hadn’t been dressed like newbies, she would have given up on looting and chased us immediately.

On the other hand, it also means she had the means and confidence to chase us even if we were given time.

Still, it’s better than nothing that we bought some time.

“Bjorn, isn’t that the mark?”

Some good news for once.

There are collapsed stone buildings scattered throughout the Land of the Dead.

I left marks on them as we passed by.

So that we could find our way back to the 1st-floor portal.

“This way!”

Although we were operating nearby, we found it faster than expected.

Maybe luck is starting to favor us—

“Who’s there?!”

Damn it, I shouldn’t have jinxed it.

Ainar and I stop in our tracks at the same time.

We’ve encountered another group of explorers.

No, maybe this is a good thing?

To explorers, marauders are like achievements.

If we explain the situation and offer a suitable reward, we might be able to get help.

“Barbarians?”

The group of explorers, who were pointing their weapons at us as we emerged from the darkness, tilt their heads.

There are four of them.

They’re all humans, and their equipment looks at least twice as good as ours.

Humans are hard to trust, but we don’t have a choice.

“We’re being chased by a marauder. We request assistance.”

“And what guarantees that you’re not the marauders?”

“I swear on my honor as a warrior. Everything I say is true.”

Unlike a fairy’s promise, a warrior’s oath has no binding force, but…

Surprisingly, this oath works well everywhere.

The bald guy, who seems to be the leader of the four, contemplates for a moment and then speaks.

“If we catch the marauder, we’ll take all the rewards. Do you agree?”

“Of course.”

“Alright.”

The bald guy gestures, and the other explorers lower their weapons.

If I weren’t a barbarian, it would have taken much longer for them to let their guard down.

“Come this way for now. We’ll talk in more detail later.”

As we approach them, the blonde guy, who’s about 160 centimeters tall, uses an ability.

“It’s a gnome’s ability. It allows me to blend in with surrounding objects within a 3-meter radius as long as I’m on the ground.”

In simpler terms, it’s like the goblin archer’s stealth ability, but with a wider range.

However, the downside is that you can’t move.

“Are you injured anywhere?”

“No.”

“You’re lucky.”

The bald guy says, looking at me.

He’s definitely right about that.

To coincidentally encounter a group of explorers with someone who possesses area-of-effect stealth ability? With this, we might even be able to avoid combat altogether—

“Two barbarians just stumbled in.”

Damn it, he was talking to himself.

No wonder things seemed to be going so smoothly.

Of course not, no way.
________________________________________

「Character is under the effect of [Suppression].」
________________________________________

“Huhuhu.”

Greed fills the eyes of the bald guy and the other explorers.

One of them is already rummaging through my backpack and even opened the pouch of magic stones.

“You’ve earned quite a bit in just two days.”

I want to smash his head in with my mace right now, but my body won’t move.

And it’s the same for Ainar.

“Why, surprised that your body suddenly won’t move?”

It’s obviously the power of an essence.

I can already guess which essence it is.

There are many similar abilities, but there’s only one that these guys, who are around the same level as us, would have.

‘Stone Golem’s [Suppression], huh…’

I’m sure of it.

I’m currently under the effect of the active skill of the 8th-grade monster, Stone Golem.

The easiest way to break free is to take even 1 point of damage, but…

These bastards will be careful if they have any brains.

“Hey buddy, glaring like that won’t do anything. It’s not an ability that gets dispelled that way.”

It’s the worst possible situation, even calling it a disaster wouldn’t be enough.

Damn it, am I going to die like this after all that struggling to survive?

“Look at those fierce eyes. Still haven’t grasped the situation?”

“Alright, Ramod, let’s wrap this up. It’ll be a pain if that marauder they mentioned shows up.”

“Tch, what a shame. We finally caught a woman, but she’s a barbarian.”

“You idiot, isn’t it even better because she’s a barbarian? Just her heart alone would fetch a fortune if we sell it.”

Their ugly desires are exposed, and I can feel them through my skin.

The bald guy takes out a sharp blade.

“Kill them quickly. Don’t make it messy.”

“Tsk, as if I would.”

Whoosh!

Killing intent flies through the air.

It’s aimed at my neck.

‘…Neck?’

Even though death is imminent, my brain suggests a way out based on the information available.

Of course, I don’t know if it will actually work.

But it’s much more productive than reflecting on my life and dwelling on regrets.

Thump!

The sharp blade pierces my neck.

At the same time, I feel a stinging sensation, and my paralyzed body loosens up.

I immediately tilt my head back.

Like a boxer turning their face to deflect a punch.

Time slows down.

“…Huh?”

I see the bald guy’s surprised expression.

The hand that was holding the dagger is empty.

Only then do I feel a foreign object in my neck.

‘Ah, it’s already halfway in.’

The moment I realize this, my brain quickly comes to a conclusion.

Not bad.

The less bleeding, the longer I can hold out.

Tzzzt.

I force strength into my legs that are about to give way and regain my balance.

And I swing my mace.

Towards the bald guy’s shiny head.

Kwagic-!

The bald guy collapses with his face half caved in.

At about 0.5x speed.

“Dalban!!”

I see surprised faces from the others.

Why the fuck, they didn’t expect a guy with a knife in his neck to fight back?

“Da, mn it….”

Honestly, I didn’t know either.

That this would work.

“Fu, ck….”

Something keeps surging up from my throat, making me gag.

Strength drains from my body, and my vision becomes blurry.

Is it shock?

I feel a tingling sensation from head to toe.

I’m lacking oxygen and blood.

Clatter!

My grip loosens, and the mace and shield fall to the ground.

I want to collapse and rest right now, but…

There’s still something left to do.

I didn’t go through all this trouble just to take down one more bastard.

Tzzzt.

I take a step and force my wobbly body upright.

And I pull out the knife stuck in my neck myself.

Then I throw it at Ainar, who is about four steps away.

Thump!

Uh, I didn’t expect it to stick like that.

“Keugh!”

Sorry, but at least your body can move now.

Slash!

A dagger pierces my forearm, and at the same time, Ainar swings her greatsword, bisecting the archer who was standing nearby.

And as if it’s a follow-up move, she spins once more and leaps, smashing her sword down on the other guy’s head.

The iron helmet he was wearing is useless.

Kwagic-!

Blood spills from the gaps in the helmet that has turned into scrap metal.

“Th, this crazy…!”

The blonde guy, who was standing at a distance, sees this and immediately runs away without looking back.

His situational judgment is as fast as a goblin’s.

“Bjorn!”

Ainar, having finished dealing with the surrounding enemies, rushes towards me as I kneel on the ground.

Phew, then I can leave the rest to her—

“Bjooooorn…!”

Ainar embraces me and cries out my name sorrowfully.

…It’s like she’s treating me as if I’m already dead.

Feeling ominous, I force my closing eyes open and say,

“Po, keuheok.”

“Alright! I will definitely avenge you!”

No, I don’t need revenge…

「Achievement Unlocked」

Condition: Vitality falls below 0.1%.

Reward: Mental stat permanently increases by +3.

I desperately open my mouth.

“Po, tion….”

Damn it, save me.
____________________________________
「Bjorn Yandel」

Level: 2

Physical: 46 / Mental: 39 (New +3) / Ability: 4

Item Level: 202

Total Combat Index: 139.5 (New +3)
____________________________________

Sizzle!

Pain accompanies the healing of the hole in my neck.

But I’m happy.

Because I can feel so vividly that life is being breathed back into my dying body.

“Keuheuheu.”

The burning pain awakens my fading consciousness.

…I’m alive.

I really thought I was crossing the River Styx this time.

It’s a good thing I got the Undying Engraving first instead of messing around with the 1.4 million stones.

If it weren’t for that, I would have died for sure.

“Ainar.”

“Are you feeling a bit better?”

“Equipment, gather the equipment…”

As soon as I have the strength to speak, I give Ainar instructions.

Then, I struggle to get up and pour the remaining potion into my neck.

Gulp, gulp, gulp…

It’s all money, but it can’t be helped.

The wound on my neck seems to have healed somewhat, but I don’t know about the inside.

My brain might have been damaged by what happened just now.

So it’s better to take precautions.

“Keuheuheu…”

In fact, soon after, I feel a tingling sensation in the back of my head.

Judging by the intensity of the pain, it doesn’t seem serious, but if I had left it untreated, it might have led to a big problem.

“Can I check it for a moment?”

“…What about the equipment?”

“I’ve gathered everything I could see for now.”

If that’s the case…

When I nod, Ainar lifts my chin and carefully examines the wound.

“There will be a scar.”

It’s a bit strange.

Come to think of it, Erwen said something similar.

Well, the emotions behind those words are completely different.

“That’s amazing. You’ll be the only barbarian with a scar on their neck!”

Does she see it as a badge of honor?

Well, even among barbarians who rely on their bodies, it’s not common to survive with a hole in their neck.

“What are we going to do now?”

Ainar asks about our next plan.

I also focus my mind.

We were just walking a tightrope between life and death, but…

Nothing has been resolved yet.

“How much time has passed?”

“At most, about 5 minutes.”

5 minutes…

The situation has actually worsened because we encountered those bastards.

I must have been crazy.

To try and rely on other explorers, no matter how desperate I was.

Anyway, let’s regret it later.

“Which way did that guy run?”

“That way.”

I lead Ainar in the direction the blonde guy ran.

Although the ground is muddy, there are no footprints, so proper tracking is impossible, but…

As expected…

“There you are.”

We find the blonde guy not too far away.

Well, how far could he have gone when it’s this dark?

He seems to have run headfirst into a building remnant and is lying unconscious on the ground.

“Eek! Pl, please spare me!”

After taking away anything that could be used as a weapon, I roughly step on his back to wake him up, and the blonde guy prostrates himself.

It’s a much more polite attitude compared to before.

Earlier, he clicked his tongue because the woman they caught was a barbarian.

“Ugh, ugh!”

Ainar grabs the guy by the scruff of his neck and easily lifts him up with one hand.

But maybe because the blonde guy is small, his feet don’t even touch the ground.

“Keu, keuheok!”

Seeing a man struggle as he’s being choked makes me feel good rather than sympathetic.

He should have given proper advice if he was going to give any at all.

He should have said to aim for the head, not the neck.

Then even with potions and the Undying Engraving, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything.

“Ainar, let him go.”

Ainar lets go, even though she’s confused by the order.

I approach the guy who has collapsed to the ground and whisper a command in his ear.

“Use your ability. If you want to live.”

That’s the only reason I haven’t snapped this yellow rat’s neck yet.

This guy’s gnome ability.

I need it right now.

“I, I used it!”

“How long can you maintain it?”

“30 minutes! No, I can last for 40 minutes! So—!”

He talks too much.

I wish he would just answer what I ask.

I grab him by the collar and lift him up, asking again.

“How long does it take to use it again?”

“I, I need to rest for the same amount of time I used it.”

“I see.”

I release my grip on his collar.

And I step on his chest to prevent him from even thinking about running away.

Just like I usually do with goblins.

“Isn’t it better to just kill him? It seems like that woman has given up on us anyway.”

I wonder what nonsense she’s talking about, but from her perspective, it might seem that way.

Although we ran away in a hurry, it’s unclear whether we were actually being chased.

Considering the looting time, it’s definitely strange that she hasn’t shown her face yet.

“Give up…”

Certainly, that possibility exists.

Maybe small fry like us weren’t worth chasing for that psychopath bitch.

Would it be a problem if we reported her to the city?

If the face we saw earlier was actually a disguise using some kind of magic, it would explain things.

But…

Smirk.

There’s no way things would go so smoothly.

Especially when it’s me.

-----------------------------------

Chapter 26: The Marauder (3)
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“Ainar, always think of the worst-case scenario when something happens.”

Just look at what happened a while ago.

We ended up in this mess because we had a false sense of hope after encountering the human explorers.

The world doesn’t always go the way you want it to.

“We were able to escape from that place because that woman let us go. She must have thought she could catch us easily whenever she wanted. So it’s too early to let our guard down.”

I’m talking more than usual.

Let’s just get to the point.

“Right now, that woman is definitely—”

“Secretly watching us nearby.”

Damn it…

I thought she was just on her way here.

As expected, there’s always someone worse than you.

Or maybe there’s something wrong with my intelligence.

“Bjorn!”

As Ainar and I put down our backpacks and get ready to fight, a woman emerges from the darkness.

She’s still not wearing a mask.

“What a shame, barbarians.”

…What the hell is with this creepy bitch?

“Still, your struggle earlier was impressive.”

Judging by her words, it seems like she’s been watching us for a while, regardless of the gnome’s ability…

But there’s something that doesn’t make sense logically.

“…Why did you show up only now?”

It took a few minutes for me to recover and move after drinking the potion.

Why didn’t she take advantage of that opportunity?

As I wait for an answer…

“Ugh, uwaaaaa!”

The blonde guy jumps up as if he’s been thrown to the ground and starts running with all his might.

Ainar and I are slow to react because we were focused on the psychopath bitch.

However…

Thud!

Something thin, like a needle, flies in a straight line and pierces the blonde guy’s neck.

Was it poisoned?

Despite the minor wound, the blonde guy convulses like an aspen leaf and soon goes limp.

That’s when I realize.

It’s not the time to be leisurely asking questions.

“Ainar!”

No need for long explanations between us.

The moment I call out her name…

As if she’s been waiting, Ainar pushes off the ground and leaps forward.

I do the same.

Because if we can’t escape…

We have no choice but to fight.

Whoosh!

The marauder bitch dodges Ainar’s greatsword by bending her waist. And she blocks the mace I swing down with her dagger, timing it with her dodge.

Clang!

This crazy…

Just how many essences has she absorbed?

Not only is the dagger that blocked the mace unharmed…

As the woman exerts force in return, I’m pushed back.

“Stop your pointless efforts, barbarian.”

Well…

That’s a bit of a difficult request.

Even if it’s pointless.

“Behel—la!”

I’m a barbarian.

Although my mind hasn’t completely shed its modern ways…

Clang!

I charge forward, swinging my shield as I clash with the dagger.

I throw away the mace and attempt a tackle, as expected.

As expected, she doesn’t budge an inch.

What’s with this scout’s physical strength? It’s so high?

Complaints come out involuntarily.

But even if I can’t take her down, I can at least grab onto her.

“Ainar! Now’s your chance!”

Before I can even finish shouting, Ainar’s greatsword is already swinging in a magnificent arc.

The marauder bitch, who had been expressionless the whole time, finally shows emotion on her face.

“……!”

Surprise, or annoyance.

Hmm, maybe even anger.

Thump!

I feel a sharp pain in my back.

Did she pierce my spine?

No, how did she even get past the armor?

Before I can ponder further, my strength drains away.

「Character is under the effect of [Paralysis].」

I try to grab onto her pants, but my body, which had been rampaging like a monster even after getting stabbed in the neck, doesn’t listen to me at all.

Thump!

I hear another thudding sound.

Clatter! Ainar’s greatsword falls to the ground with a clang.

I move my eyes upwards to check, and I see a dagger deeply embedded in Ainar’s wrist.

I think this is the end, but…

Ainar doesn’t stop moving even as she groans in pain.

“Uwaaa!”

Instead of her right arm, which is disabled and weaponless, she swings her left fist.

Seeing her fighting spirit, I think I understand.

Why barbarians, who look no different from large humans, are treated as monsters by everyone.

However, her opponent is a bad matchup.

Whoosh!

The woman dodges the fist with her agile movements and grabs Ainar’s wrist, twisting it and…

Thud!

She slams her to the ground.

Ainar immediately tries to get up by pushing herself off the ground, but she keeps slipping and falling.

Her muscled arm is trembling.

The woman says coldly, watching her,

“Give up. You’ve been hit by the Basilisk’s paralysis poison, there’s nothing you can do.”

As if a death sentence has been passed.

My mind goes blank, and my vision darkens.

Equipment, skill, experience…

There’s a clear difference in every aspect.

No matter how much I rack my brain, I can’t think of any way to turn the situation around.

Just as the word “death” is etched into my mind…

“It would have been better if you had just listened.”

The woman bends down and releases my hand that’s gripping her pant leg, now stiff.

And she says dryly,

“Barbarian, swear that you won’t reveal today’s events to anyone. Then I’ll let you live.”

…What?
______________________________________

A brief silence follows.

Then the woman speaks.

“I intended to make this offer from the beginning, as long as you didn’t run away immediately. I owe a debt to a barbarian.”

I can instinctively feel that this is the only way to survive, but…

I don’t understand.

As I desperately raise my head to look at her, the woman explains briefly.

“If possible, I don’t want to kill a barbarian myself.”

Kill a barbarian myself…

Is that why she just watched as I was dying from the blonde guy’s attack?

Because she thought she could get what she wanted without getting her hands dirty?

“Bjorn… it’s a marauder’s words. Don’t trust her… She’s just trying to toy with us.”

But even if she says that, we don’t have a choice, do we?

Whether we get played and die, or just die…

It doesn’t make much difference to me.

I cough up the blood that has risen to my throat and ask,

“…What will you do if I refuse the offer…?”

“Of course, I’ll kill you. That was the agreement.”

“Agreement? With whom?”

“That’s none of your business.”

It’s the same tone as before, but it somehow sounds a bit more irritable.

“Choose. I’ll give you some time to—”

“I swear on my, honor as a warrior.”

I don’t need time.

It’s not like there are any other options.

“…Indeed, you’re a bit strange.”

The psychopath bitch, looking at me with a strange gaze for a moment, sprinkles something.

Sizzle! This familiar pain…

It’s a potion, no doubt about it.

「You have consumed a Recovery Potion (High).」

「Character’s paralysis status is removed.」

My stiff muscles loosen up, and I gradually regain strength in my body.

“What about you, female barbarian?”

The woman asks, looking away from me.

Ainar remains silent for a moment before answering.

“…I refuse.”

“I see.”

The woman doesn’t ask again.

She simply nods slightly.

But that action makes it even clearer.

Even though she hasn’t drawn a weapon or taken a threatening stance…

This woman will now kill Ainar.

And to prevent that outcome, there’s only one thing I can do.

“…Ainar, swear the oath.”

“Bjorn?”

“Didn’t you say you would follow me?”

“That’s true, but a warrior’s oath…”

Damn it, what’s the point of clinging to that pride?

“Ainar, second daughter of Frenelin!!”

Ainar flinches at my shout.

I lower my voice and look into her eyes, speaking calmly.

“Trust me now. This is the right choice.”

After a moment of silence, Ainar speaks with difficulty.

“…Alright. I’ll swear the oath.”

“Good thinking.”

After Ainar also swears the oath, the psychopath bitch even uses a potion to heal her.

Is this the true meaning of carrot and stick?

The feeling of being forced into a choice through violence is no different than before.

It’s disgusting, fucking disgusting.

“…What floor are you on?”

I hurriedly ask the woman as she turns to leave.

She tilts her head for a moment at this sudden question, then answers briefly.

“8th floor.”

As expected, it wasn’t around the 5th floor.

No wonder she was so strong for a scout.

Even if I had ten more people with me, we would have been no match for her.

But…

Swoosh.

I watch the psychopath bitch disappear like smoke and make a promise to myself.

Next time will be different.
___________________________________

“Ainar, are you okay?”

“…I’m fine. I can get up on my own.”

Ainar pushes my hand away and stands up by herself.

I wonder if she’s disappointed in me, but maybe she’s disappointed in herself.

Barbarians have a stubborn side.

“…….”

I decide to leave the complicated-looking Ainar alone for now and check my own condition.

First, this…

Clack.

I take off the armor and check the back. There’s a dagger-sized hole.

The penetration is very clean.

…Could it be ‘Aura’?

Damn it.

To encounter such a monster on the 2nd floor, and in this vast Land of the Dead? What kind of shitty luck is this!

I can’t help but think that I need to get stronger as soon as possible.

Forget about going home, the only way to protect myself in this shitty world is to get stronger.

“Bjorn, what are we going to do now?”

“…We’re going down to the 1st floor.”

The Land of the Dead is not a bad hunting ground.

But I have no intention of staying here with that crazy bitch roaming around. She might change her mind and come back.

“I see… Alright.”

Ainar, completely dejected, follows my words without any questions.

Mental care is not my specialty, but…

Phew, I should at least try to say something to her once we get down.

She looks like the world is ending.

“Follow me closely.”

We follow the marks, avoiding most battles that we can.

After about 6 hours…

We finally make it back to the portal leading down to the 1st floor.

Thud!

Once again, I land safely, while Ainar rolls on the ground.

And quite badly, at that.

However, she doesn’t even groan and slowly gets up as if nothing happened.

“…Doesn’t it hurt?”

“It does.”

“Then why…”

“I’m not a warrior, so I don’t have the right to feel pain.”

…The situation is much more serious than I thought.

Is it that humiliating to swear an oath as if begging for her life?

Hmm, come to think of it, that’s how it was in the game too.

“Um, Ainar…?”

“Why are you calling me?”

“The warrior who survives is the strong one. It’s not over with one defeat, isn’t it about opening up the possibility of victory in the future!”

“It’s hard to understand if you talk too long.”

I intentionally speak with energy, but Ainar’s voice is still gloomy.

“But somehow, I think I understand what you mean by ‘the warrior who survives is the strong one.’”

“Is, is that so?”

“To endure this humiliation and the urge to take my own life… it must mean that you’re a strong warrior, Bjorn, just like you.”

No, I don’t feel any of that…?

Taking one’s own life, what is she, a samurai?

That’s not what I meant either.

But there’s no need to deny something that just happened to work out.

“Ainar, you can do it.”

“I don’t know if I can overcome this pain, but… I’ll try.”

“Yes, someday there will come a day when you can avenge this humiliation.”

We resume our journey, offering sincere words of encouragement. And after deciding to camp at a suitable spot, we put Ainar to sleep first.

“I’ll wake you up in 2 hours.”

“…I’ll accept your consideration this time.”

Consideration…

Half right, half wrong.

[07:39]

It’s the morning of Day 3.

I haven’t slept for over 20 hours.

And after experiencing all that, I’m mentally exhausted.

But even if I had closed my eyes, I wouldn’t have been able to sleep for a while anyway.

“…….”

Although I’m not experiencing extreme urges like Ainar…

I feel just as shitty.

It’s similar to the pain of drinking a potion.

No matter how many times I experience this kind of feeling, I just can’t get used to it.

Crack.

I felt the same way when I was rescued by the blonde guy’s party the other day.

The priestess refused to heal me, looking into my eyes.

The swordsman threw the potion like a toy, as if it were a waste.

Even as I watched that, I lapped up the potion like a dog.

Of course, I was happy to be alive, but…

At the same time, an indescribable feeling welled up inside me.

“Whew…”

I let out a long sigh, as if to shake off the intrusive thoughts.

What the hell am I doing?

It’s not like me to be so emotionally affected and tormented.

Maybe it’s time to bring that out.

I close my eyes and recall the advice given to me by someone I respected when I was young.

‘Remember, you’re nothing. You can never be someone special.’

It’s a magic spell that always made me a better person.

Yes, let’s use even this emotion as fuel.

Just like I always have.

That’s the most efficient way.


-------------------

Chapter 27: The Rift (1)

People grow.

The ways they grow are diverse.

By reading books, reflecting on their past, having a heartfelt conversation with a friend for the first time, or having a dream they truly desire.

Or…

By being jealous of someone else’s good fortune, witnessing someone’s misfortune, or realizing the power of desire.

All inspiration from experience contributes to growth.

Today, I’m no different.

Well, my mental growth might be a very small part of it, but…

“One shortbow, one plate greaves, three low-grade potions, a dozen regular torches… what’s this? A portrait? Is it a family member? Whatever, let’s throw this away…”

This is worth well over 800,000 stones.

As I organize the belongings of the blonde guy’s party, I smirk.

Come to think of it, I’ve always been like this.

It’s not that I always grow after experiencing shitty things.

But…

“With this, I can get three more armor pieces made.”

Whenever I grew, shitty things always followed.

Damn it, I’m starting to understand what I need to do.
_____________________________________

I’m walking through the cave.

With Ainar.

“Bjorn, where are we going now?”

“We’re heading south, where the gnomes are.”

After a total of eight hours of rest, four hours each, Ainar has also regained some energy.

Her energy level is still practically crawling on the ground compared to usual, but…

“Bjorn, you can move quickly. There’s no need to worry about me.”

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

“I… I want to get stronger as soon as possible.”

“I see.”

It seems like I don’t need to worry about Ainar anymore.

Now that she has a clearer goal, those dark emotions will become nourishment, not poison.

Hmm, is it the same for me?

“I feel the same way.”

Throughout my watch, I reflect on the path I’ve taken so far.

The coming-of-age ceremony, entering the labyrinth, becoming night companions with Hans, Erwen, the Goblin Forest, the 4:2 battle with the crossbow party, etc.

Even thinking about it now, there weren’t any major mistakes.

I chose the best options available in each situation.

But…

In other words, it also means that I was just focused on getting through each moment.

“Why did you suddenly stop?”

“It’s nothing, let’s keep moving.”

There are extenuating circumstances.

There was no tutorial fairy, no system messages.

As soon as I opened my eyes, a man’s head was chopped off, and after that, unrealistic things kept happening.

So I had no choice but to act passively, prioritizing safety.

But what happened because of that?

“Bjorn…? Your expression isn’t good.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Always chose the best options?

Bullshit.

That was just coping.

How good of an option can it be for someone who cleans up after things have already happened?

If I really want to survive, I need to act more proactively.

Then the options I can choose from will change.

Even my uncle, who used to gamble every day, said it.

Instead of playing on a board made by others, throw the dice on a board you create yourself.

Alright, change of plans.

“Ainar, do you really want to become stronger?”

When I stop and ask her suddenly, Ainar shows deep suspicion.

“…What do you mean by that?”

“I’m asking about your resolve. There’s a way to become stronger for sure. But it’s dangerous. What will you do?”

High risk, high return.

What will her answer be to this proposal?

As I watch, Ainar gulps and her eyes gleam.

“Of course, I’ll do it. If we don’t become stronger, we’ll all die anyway!”

Right, that’s how it is.

That’s the kind of world this game was set in.

Ainar, who has expressed her willingness to accept, continues by shouting,

“I’m a warrior!”

Didn’t she say she wasn’t one earlier?

Smirk.

Seeing the barbarian attitude, so inefficient yet sometimes more efficient than anyone else’s, gives me a new realization.

“So, how do we get stronger?”

The easy path is the slow path.

And shitty things are like natural disasters.

No matter which path you take, they come upon you without warning.

With my twisted fate, they happened much more frequently.

That’s why…

“We’re going to enter a rift.”

First strike is the best strike.

This time, I’m going to seek out shitty things first.

As some famous person once said…

The pain that doesn’t kill me will only make me stronger.
_________________________________________

“Oh! I see!”

Ainar exclaims in admiration after hearing my plan.

And she asks cautiously,

“…But what is a rift?”

How come she knows less than me, even though she’s a native?

I wish she would at least read some books.

Uh… she still can’t read properly.

“A rift is… simply put, a labyrinth within a labyrinth.”

I skip the detailed explanation.

She wouldn’t understand anyway.

“A labyrinth within a labyrinth?”

“Yes.”

It’s one of the few things in [Dungeon and Stone] that’s similar to modern games.

If I were explaining it to another modern person, I would have called it an ‘instant dungeon.’

“Sometimes, portals open up randomly on each floor. If you enter those portals, you’ll find yourself in a new space that’s neither the 2nd floor nor the 3rd floor.”

“Ah! Are you talking about the Frost Lord’s Palace?”

At least she’s heard of it.

The Frost Lord’s Palace is a space accessible through the rift on the 8th floor.

I can’t even remember how much I struggled to get just one Frost Lord’s essence…

“But is that possible with just the two of us? I heard that even the chieftain almost died when he went there when he was young.”

“It’s fine. We’re on the 1st floor.”

There are four types of rifts that open on the 1st floor.

No matter what it is, the difficulty level is incomparably easier than rifts on other floors.

If we use ourselves as a benchmark, it would be about seven stars.

Of course, assuming a 5-star rating system.

“But how can we enter a place that appears randomly?”

“Don’t worry. I have a way.”

I’m a 9-year veteran, you know.

I’m the one who personally discovered hundreds of hidden pieces in this unfriendly game.

“Bjorn, I trust only you!”

I turn east as we were heading south.

Originally, I planned to hunt gnomes, kobolds, and Stone Golems on the 2nd floor of the southern route, ‘Black Rock Mountain.’

Although the Stone Golem’s ‘Suppression’ is a pain in the ass, it’s not impossible to deal with if we prepare beforehand.

However, playing it safe like that would take years to reach the 8th floor.

“Two barbarians, huh. Are you not looking for night companions? If there are three of you, you can sleep—”

“Get lost.”

“No, I was just asking—”

“I’ll smash your head in 3 seconds.”

As we traverse the 1st floor, several people approach us besides monsters, but Ainar takes care of them all.

…But can’t she just say no?

“I hate humans more than pointy-ears.”

It seems like Ainar’s distrust of humans has evolved into hatred.

Thwack! Thwack! Kwagic!

We move for almost 20 hours, beating up any monsters that block our path, and finally arrive near our destination.

It’s around 4:00 AM.

I’m realizing just how vast the 1st floor is.

Even though it’s a maze-like structure, it takes more than a day to get from the western edge to the central area.

“Bjorn, isn’t this the entrance area of the 1st floor?”

Strictly speaking, calling it the entrance area is inaccurate.

Most starting points are biased towards one side, either north or south.

And besides, there’s no light here, right?

Whooooosh!

We enter the darkness, using the regular torch we got from the blonde guy’s party.

And after some time…

「Killed Gnome. EXP +1」

「Killed Blade Wolf. EXP +1」

Ainar, who has finished the eighth battle, exclaims in wonder.

“Four types of monsters all appearing here, I didn’t know there was a place like this in the central area of the 1st floor.”

It’s common knowledge among explorers, but well, it’s not a place people usually come to.

It’s like the point where warm and cold currents meet, I guess?

In this place where I am now, blade wolves from the east, ghouls from the west, gnomes from the south, and goblins from the north all appear.

However…

“There are surprisingly few people.”

This area is not popular among explorers.

The reason is simple.

Even though four types of monsters appear, it just makes things more complicated for those who have to deal with them.

The number of monsters itself is also small.

‘And there’s the fatal disadvantage of having to consume torches, making it cost-ineffective.’

In essence, there’s no reason to come here except for those who pass through to save time.

But veteran players like this kind of space.

Well, it’s suspicious, right?

It’s the perfect place for developers to hide something.

“But why did we come here?”

“Just wait a bit. It’ll appear soon.”

We wander around in the darkness, changing directions here and there, for an hour.

Finally, I reach the place I was looking for.

“Alright, we’re here.”

A clearing with a radius of about 30 meters.

In the maze-like structure of the 1st floor, it’s a rare open space with a stele standing tall in the center.

“…What the hell is that?”

“It’s a monument. To commemorate the one who first discovered this labyrinth.”

I cautiously approach the stele and read the inscription on the lower part.

[In honor of the last Great Sage, Diflun Groundel Gabrilius, and his first great step.]

First of all, the inscription is the same as in the game.

That means there’s a high chance that the ‘hidden piece’ I discovered is also the same, right?

“Ainar, everything that happens from now on is a secret. Got it?”

“Alright.”

“It’s not just words, we need an oath. If this gets out, we might both be in danger.”

“…I swear on my honor as a warrior.”

“Thank you.”

I slowly untie the pouch from my waist.

Magic stones from the four types of monsters that appear on the 1st floor – goblins, gnomes, ghouls, and blade wolves – and a magic stone from the 8th-grade monster, Death Fiend.

And the Great Sage’s monument right in front of me.

“I’ll begin now.”

We have all the ingredients to forcibly open a rift.
____________________________________

In [Dungeon and Stone], rifts, which are like instant dungeons, have cooldowns.

For example, on the 1st floor, it takes at least 3 cycles, or three months in city time, for a ‘rift’ to open again.

Of course, it’s rare for a rift to open immediately after three months, and they usually open randomly between 5 and 6 cycles.

The maximum was 8 cycles, I think? I think that’s how it was.

“…….”

For your information, I also figured this out myself.

While grinding for the Frost Lord’s essence, I needed to know more about ‘rifts.’

It wasn’t efficient to just wander around each floor, waiting for a rift to appear.

“Is something wrong?”

“No.”

I briefly reminisce about old memories and place the Death Fiend’s magic stone I’m holding in front of the monument.

If the most recent ‘rift’ opened within 3 cycles, meaning the cooldown is still active, there will be no reaction, but…

Drrdrdrdrdr!

The magic stone I placed down glows and disappears, and tremors spread out from the monument.

As expected, it really works.

Whoosh!

The tremors intensify, and a portal of jet-black color opens.

“Let’s go in.”

“Uh, uh, alright!”

I hurriedly throw myself inside with Ainar.

Because it fills up within 10 seconds.

「Character has entered the 1st Floor Rift.」

I check the surroundings, leaving behind Ainar, who has once again landed on her butt.

A red sky as if the world is about to end.

Flocks of crows flying across it, and a black fortress visible in the distance.

It’s the ‘Crimson Fortress,’ one of the four types of 1st-floor rifts, without a doubt.

It’s only natural since the 8th-grade magic stone we offered as a sacrifice was from a Death Fiend.

Whoosh!

After a brief wait, a gap opens in the air and spits out a person.

This is the main reason why I, who knows how to open rifts with certainty and even knows the strategies to clear them, postponed coming here until later.

I’m more scared of explorers than monsters.

“Hwahaha! We finally managed to get in!”

If I had formed a 5-person team with guaranteed secrecy, maybe it would have been different…

But entering like this means I have to clear the rift with random explorers who entered first-come, first-served.

It’s like automatic matchmaking in a game.

I nervously check the first team member.

“Oh! Two barbarians, that’s reassuring! Nice to meet you! My name is Hikurod Murad! As you can see, I’m a dwarf, hwahahaha!!”

First, a talkative dwarf.

I don’t know about his skills, but this is not bad.

I hope the remaining members are at least this decent…

Smirk.

Of course, that’s too much to ask for, given my luck.

Damn it, come at me, all of you.

I don’t have any expectations anyway.

「A new companion has joined the journey.」

Two more team members are added.


Trial

I like Korean novels (Murim, Dukes, Reincarnation, etc, etc, etc)

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