Surviving The Game as a Barbarian (Novel) Chapter 10, 11, 12

 

C10, 11, 12

Chapter 10: Night Companion (3)

Strictly speaking, the term "we" is not accurate.

The chubby and skinny duo were interested in Erwen, not me.

Tap, tap. I nudge Erwen again with my foot.

"Ugh..."

What do you mean, "ugh"? Get up quickly. I know you're not sleeping. I saw you peek as soon as you heard their voices and then cover your face with the blanket.

"Kyaa!"

There's no time to argue, so I just grab her shoulder and forcefully pull her up.

"Why were you pretending to sleep?"

"That's..."

Erwen avoids my gaze and trails off.

Her attitude is quite frustrating for me, as I need to gather information and make decisions as quickly as possible.

Swoosh.

I grab her chin and turn her face to meet my eyes, and Erwen reluctantly speaks.

"You'll leave if I wake up..."

So that's why.

I made a promise. So, if there's a conflict with an explorer while on watch, I have to fight alongside her. However, unfortunately, this happened during the last shift, which I had promised.

Well, I don't care about honor or anything...

But she doesn't know that.

That's why she tried to hold out somehow.

The moment she opens her eyes, the night companion oath ends.

"Phew."

I let out a big sigh.

If a grown man like Hans had done something like this, I would have been angry, but...

A 20-year-old doing this just makes me feel pity.

Of course, that's one thing, and this is another, but...

"What happened between you and those two guys?"

"Nothing."

"Then why did you hide?"

"...The emblem on their clothes was the same. The same as the human man who tried to hurt me. They must belong to the same group."

A group... damn, things are getting more complicated?

I start to wonder if it's better to just part ways with this fairy girl here and go our separate ways.

"Let's talk while we move."

"Are you helping me?"

"After I hear the rest of the story."

First, we leave the place where Erwen was. And we move almost at a run, grasping the remaining situation.

"Tell me everything that happened."

Erwen, as if reading the mood, recites only the important information concisely.

"The person I met as a night companion on the first day attacked me while I was sleeping. I found out later that he's an executive of a group that mainly operates on the 1st floor."

For reference, the name of that group is the "Crystal Alliance."

"I somehow managed to escape, but since then, other members of the same group have attacked me whenever they saw me. That's when I got injured."

I interrupt for a moment.

"Wait, how did they know about that?"

"Message stones."

So, what are those? There were no such things in the game I played.

"In more detail."

"It's a magic tool that allows message stones that have been resonated beforehand to communicate with each other. I heard the range is about 300 meters."

"I see."

It's like a walkie-talkie. If the frequencies are matched beforehand, communication is possible within a radius of 300 meters.

I'm starting to understand the situation.

If they have such magic tools and a large number of people, information transmission will be easily achieved even in this closed environment.

However, the problem is...

"What's the reason for chasing you like that?"

Erwen did nothing wrong.

But why are these people going to such lengths to chase the victim?

"Is it perhaps to silence you?"

"...It doesn't seem like that's the only reason."

"There's more?"

"That's..."

Erwen, who had been answering my questions straightforwardly, hesitates to speak again. If this is her attitude, I can't help her either.

Just as I'm thinking that...

"Wh, when I first escaped, I just swung my knife around. But it just so happened to hit a bad spot..."

"...A bad spot?"

I feel a chill.

A draft keeps blowing between my legs.

"You know, th, th, th, that place...?"

It really was.

"Hmm hmm, anyway, according to the people chasing me, it was completely cut off, so they couldn't even reattach it with a potion... That's why I think..."

No wonder they're chasing her with their eyes burning.

"So, so, sorry..."

It's not something to apologize for.

It was that guy who caused the problem, wasn't it? He got what he deserved. The problem is that there are too many people in the world who don't even understand that simple logic.

"Mister, I think there's a pursuer."

"What?"

"Don't look back."

I concentrate on my hearing, but I don't hear anything unusual.

"The distance... seems to be about 150 meters behind us."

It's a distance where it's strange to sense a presence, but it doesn't seem like she's lying. There's no reason for her to do that.

Then is this the innate sensory ability of fairies?

Suddenly, she looks different.

"We need to increase our speed. Will you be okay?"

"Yes. I can still bear it for now."

Although the white bandage has turned red, indicating that the wound has reopened, Erwen doesn't let out a groan.

Good spirit.

Well, my mind is becoming complicated.

"How far is the pursuer?"

"...Still about 150 meters."

Even though we increased our speed, the distance isn't widening.

The situation is not good.

The pursuer is probably informing their companions of our location using that message stone or whatever.

We need to get rid of them.

If their target was me, I would definitely make that judgment.

But I'm still just running.

If I kill them, there's no turning back.

So, before I get involved, let's confirm something.

"Um, mister...?"

What is the risk I have to take, and what can I gain in return?

I need more detailed information.

"Erwen."

"Yes, yes?"

"What are you good at?"

"I'm confident in things like laundry and cleaning. I'm, I'm not good at cooking, but..."

What is she talking about?

"When you're in combat."

"...Bow, bows! Ah, and also spirit magic!"

She's exactly a typical archer fairy.

"What attribute?"

"...Fire."

Hmm, the most valuable attribute.

Thanks to this, I'm starting to see the picture.

"Have you ever killed anyone?"

"No... but I can."

That's something you can only know after trying.

"I see."

I ask her one last question.

"Erwen, will you become my companion? Until we escape the labyrinth, the loot will be split 9 to 1, with me taking 9 and you taking 1."

"I, I will!"

With this, I have a justification.
_______________________________

"—I swear on the name of my clan."

"I also swear on my honor as a warrior."

We mark something as a sign of trust, just like before, and evolve our relationship from one-night companions to temporary comrades.

Of course, while running like crazy.

"Distance?"

"About 100 meters!"

Even though we're running at our maximum speed, the distance is closing.

I make up my mind.

"We're going to the outer area."

"Yes!"

We change direction and enter the dark passage.

The number of glowing crystals on the walls and ceiling decreases, and soon, pitch-black darkness engulfs us.

My heart is heavy.

Phew, I didn't think I'd come back here on my own feet.

"Erwen, summon your spirit."

A watermelon-sized flame appears on her palm, illuminating the surroundings. I carefully tread through the darkness.

And...

"Dismiss the summon."

We hide ourselves in the darkness.

"Presence?"

"You'll be able to hear it soon, too."

"I see."

I maintain my composure as much as possible and focus on my hearing.

The best-case scenario is for the pursuer to miss us and pass by.

Then there's no need to kill them, and I can back out later.

Tadatadatadat-.

Soon, I hear the sound of the pursuer's footsteps.

However, contrary to my expectations, their footsteps don't pass by but stop.

Right in front of the fork in the road where we turned.

Thud.

Damn it...

It seems like that guy has some way of tracking us. Smell, sound, or maybe something magical.

Thud, thud.

He turns and slowly walks towards us, stopping about 30 meters away.

At the edge of the bottomless darkness.

"......"

He peeks his head in and looks inside, and we silently observe him from within.

"There you are."

After sniffing a few times in the quiet stillness, the man mutters to himself.

And he takes something out of his pocket.

It's something I've never seen before, but I instinctively recognize what it is.

A message stone.

The moment I see it, I give a signal with a short murmur.

To Erwen, who has been aiming with her bow drawn this whole time.

"Shoot."

Thump-.

Before I even finish speaking, the arrow that was shot pierces the man's forehead.

Thud.

Even though the dead man collapses to the ground, I don't go out right away.

"......"

I can feel the undeniable trembling from Erwen next to me.

"Well done. It would have been dangerous if you had hesitated."

It's not empty praise, but my sincere feelings.

I also hesitated for a moment when I swung the shield at the man, didn't I? Erwen didn't even have that much time just now.

She must have known it even without me saying it again.

That she must never hesitate.

"Yes..."

"Rest for a moment."

I end the consolation there and come out of the darkness to search the body.

To ensure swift movement, he seems to have left his backpack with his companions, as the pursuer's attire is quite simple.

'To feel disappointed in this situation, I've really become a local.'

I first strip the pursuer of his equipment from head to toe, and then organize the items I've acquired one by one.

A belt, leather top and bottom, two daggers, a rather heavy pouch of magic stones, a potion bottle kept in a pocket and attached to the belt, and a message stone.

"This works out well. Come here."

After roughly sorting through the items, I call Erwen.

And I remove the bandage and treat the wound with a potion.

The wound begins to heal with a sizzling sound.

"Keueut..."

She could make a sound, but Erwen grits her teeth and endures it.

She has a tough side too. Or maybe she's just gone numb?

I hope it's the former. I'm not confident in counseling.

"Are you feeling a bit better?"

"Yes, much better."

"Then change into this."

After a few minutes of treatment, I hand her the leather top and bottom I just acquired.

I judge that this would be much more practical than her fluttering cloth clothes.

"I'll be right back."

Does she think it's better to just follow all of my judgments to increase her chances of survival? Erwen takes the clothes and goes into the darkness to change without any complaints, even though it might feel uncomfortable.

"It's a bit loose. Come here."

I cut off the excess fabric from her arms and legs.

"Wear this too. It'll be a bit better."

It still looks a bit loose overall, but she seems more comfortable after putting on the belt.

But maybe it's because of the change in clothes, her atmosphere has completely changed.

If she was a fairy girl on an outing before, now she looks like a proper warrior.

Even her expression.

"...It feels really strange."

"You'll get used to it."

"Is that so...?"

"Yes, it will be."

I stuff the rest of the items into my backpack and drag the naked corpse into the darkness to hide it.

And I hold the message stone in my hand.

"How do I use this?"

"Just a moment. I'll try."

Erwen examines the message stone and clicks something.

[...We've lost contact with Serdin, who was tracking the fairy and barbarian. All those who receive this message, gather in the goblin district.]

So far, it's as I expected.

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

Chapter 11: 2nd Floor (1)


[There's a possibility that they've split into two groups. If you see a barbarian using a one-handed hammer and shield, don't approach recklessly and wait for backup.]

Our descriptions are being spread.

It's not detailed, but it doesn't really matter.

I don't think there's another barbarian besides me who uses a shield.

"Mister..."

Erwen looks up at me with uneasy eyes.

Her thoughts are so transparent that I chuckle.

"Don't worry. I won't abandon you."

I've already decided to help Erwen.

The reason is simple.

I've always liked helping people in trouble.

If it benefits me.

"As I said before, from now on, the loot will be split 9 to 1. You understand, right?"

"Of course. I'll definitely repay your kindness."

Kindness...

"Yeah, be sure to repay it."

There's no reason not to accept it if she's offering. I won't expect much, though.

"Yes, I will..."

I finish tying my shoelaces while watching Erwen clench her fists with a determined look.

"So, what are we going to do now?"

"First, we'll move through the outer area. Summon your spirit again. We'll talk on the way."

"Yes."

As we walk through the darkness, using the fist-sized flame as a lantern, I confirm a few more things.

"Exactly how long can you summon your spirit for?"

"If it's just for illumination, I can maintain it for 10 hours."

"How long does it take to recover?"

"About 2 hours of rest should be enough."

"I see."

The situation is much better than I thought.

If things go according to plan, we'll be able to escape their pursuit without much danger.

Then I'll get a return that's greater than the risk I've taken.

"Mister."

While I'm organizing my thoughts, Erwen speaks up.

"Can I ask where we're headed now?"

Ah, I didn't tell her that.

"The 2nd floor."

"Yes...?"

Don't make that face. You heard right.

"We're going to the 2nd floor."

"You and me, just the two of us?"

"Yes, you and me."

Actually, it's not that there are no other options, but it's something I've been thinking about since before.

On the 1st floor, moving with two people would only decrease our income, but...

The 2nd floor is a different story.

"Um... M, mister? The 2nd floor is completely different from the 1st floor. You do know that, right...?"

"I know."

The goblins that appear in groups of three or four on the 1st floor will increase to about fifteen, and other variations, and even higher-ranked monsters, will appear.

"But it'll be alright if we just operate near the entrance. You and I have a pretty good synergy."

"M, me and you, mister?"

I don't know what she's surprised about, but a melee tank and a ranged damage dealer make a good combination.

The reason I considered going to the upper floors with Erwen in the first place was because of that. If we were there, even if we split the magic stones in half, our income would increase significantly.

But since we didn't have a way to pass through the darkness, I abandoned that idea.

"Ah, no matter how I think about it, it feels like we're going from avoiding goblins to entering an orc den..."

Well, judging by her reaction, even if I had proposed it knowing the risks, she would have flatly refused...

But the situation is completely different now.

"Then is there any other way? As you know, those guys are swarming the 1st floor."

Erwen now has a reason to go to the 2nd floor, and I was able to increase the ratio to 9:1 in the meantime.

Of course, that doesn't mean there were no emotional factors in this decision at all.

[To the one who captures the fairy: 10,000 stones and the first chance to enjoy her will be given as an additional reward.]

I hate people like this.

No, it's closer to disgust than hate.

But to be able to screw over people like this, get a reward greater than the risk, and even gain self-satisfaction from doing someone a good deed?

Isn't this the epitome of efficiency?

"I'll give you a choice. What will you do?"

"I'll go..."

Erwen nods with a look of reluctant acceptance. It seems like the message we heard from the message stone just now played a decisive role...

Nice timing.

"Then let's keep moving."

"...But do you know the way to the 2nd floor?"

"Not exactly."

"Yes?"

"But don't worry. If we keep moving north, we'll eventually find it."

It's not wishful thinking, it's actually true.

If we just keep going in one direction along the darkness, we'll eventually find a portal. This darkness is like a route leading to the upper floors.

Although we might wander around because of the maze-like structure.

It's worth the risk.

"There's a goblin trap!"

As we walk, a trap comes into view.

It's much later than I expected. It should have appeared earlier.

...Could it be that there aren't many goblins in places without light? Just like in the game?

If that's the case, I feel a bit suffocated.

Just how unlucky was I to fall into darkness from the start and immediately encounter a goblin?

"I'll handle it! You rest, mister!"

Erwen steps forward as if she sees this as an opportunity to prove herself.

"Just in case, don't use your spirit."

"...O, of course not!"

Erwen approaches the trap with a flustered expression, as if it's obvious.

And...

"Grr!"

The moment the goblin pops out, she shoots an arrow she had already nocked at close range.

Thump-!

Oh, she looks like Legolas doing that.

She's much more skilled than I expected. Her movements are also very agile.

"How was that?"

Erwen, who has finished off the goblin, looks at me with a triumphant expression.

"Normally, you would have used your spirit, right?"

"Yes..."

"Well done. Seeing you shoot arrows, you really are a fairy."

Erwen looks happy and embarrassed. Does she like being acknowledged that much? Honestly, I was also indirectly teasing her a bit.

Not about her skills, but about her personality.

"But I'll handle the battles from now on. It's best to save your arrows as much as possible."

"Ah, you can just pick them up and reuse them. You don't even have to pull them out."

Erwen bends down and picks up the magic stone and arrow, returning to me. The arrow looks perfectly fine, without any damage.

"...I see."

Man, she's making me feel embarrassed.

In the game, arrows were consumables that disappeared after being shot once. But you could carry a thousand arrows at a time in one slot.

"Here you go!"

Erwen holds out her small hand.

"Take it! It's nine for you and one for me, right? I'll work hard from now on! Then I can earn a little too, right? I promised my sibling I'd buy them something when we get back!"

Uh, ah, hmm...

"Yeah, work hard..."

What is this? Is she teasing me back?
__________________________________

As we continue moving north through the darkness, occasionally killing goblins, a voice is emitted from the message stone that had been quiet for a while.

[Additional information. Hatsu Young, who was injured by the fairy, has increased the bounty to 20,000 stones. Dead or alive, it doesn't matter.]

That means they're within 300 meters.

Instinctively, Erwen subtly gets closer to me.

"Don't worry. No one will use torches to search for us."

"I guess so?"

"Yeah."

Honestly, I'm pretty sure about it.

From what I've been overhearing through the message stone, these guys are nothing more than a gathering of small-time thugs.

It doesn't seem like they're that united either.

I'm guessing it's just a convenient community for them. In the first place, the 1st floor is a place where you can't operate with more than 5 people.

[I'm thinking of moving to another area to hunt blade wolves. Anyone want to join? No need to forward the message.]

[I'm tired and looking for someone to rest with. Come to the pond next to the big rock. No need to forward the message.]

In fact, we've heard such messages throughout our journey here. Some people don't care about the bounty.

However, I don't let my guard down.

It's not that things are going wrong, but rather that everything is going too smoothly according to plan.

Damn it...

With my luck, something bad should happen around this point, but it's quiet, so I feel uneasy instead.

"Mister!"

What is it?

"Over there, there's a ghoul!"

I can't see it? As I tilt my head, Erwen moves the flame forward.

...Your eyesight is really good.

Only then can I see the shape of the ghoul.

Rotten skin and empty eye sockets, sharp and long nails reminiscent of claws, and a human-like body that walks on all fours.

It's exactly like the illustration I saw on the loading screen.

However, the problem is...

'What the, why is a ghoul appearing here?'

The 1st floor is divided into north, south, east, and west, with different monsters appearing in each area. And ghouls appear in the western region.

Could it be that we've wandered near the border?

Well, it's possible. We've been heading north, but we've also been taking detours whenever we hit dead ends.

Let's think about this later.

"...Will I fight this one alone too?"

Erwen, who was eager to fight goblins, makes it clear that she doesn't want to.

Is she scared because it's a monster she's never seen before?

She has her own quirks, too.

"I'll take the lead. You just focus on the one at the very back."

"Yes!"

I share a rough strategy and slowly step forward.

The number of ghouls blocking the passage is three, and they're all sitting like dogs.

Thud.

Even though I've gotten quite close, there's no movement.

Hmm, in the game, they only attacked when you approached within a certain range. Is this the same as the game?

Thud.

As I cautiously take another step forward, the three ghouls simultaneously lunge at me.

"Grrr!"

The sound they make is similar to that of goblins.

Is it because they're 9th-grade monsters? They lack individuality.

"Haaaat!"

Instead of retreating, I take a step forward and smash the head of the leading ghoul with my hammer.

I call it Hammer Smash.

Kwagic-!

The ghoul's head is crushed, and at the same time, an arrow flies from behind and hits another ghoul.

Thump!

She really seems to like the forehead.

I push away the next ghoul that lunges at me with my shield and then finish it off with Hammer Smash. The fight ends quickly.

「You have defeated a ghoul. EXP +1」

It was a quick fight, but I take a moment to reflect.

In terms of combat power, ghouls are stronger than goblins.

They're much stronger and faster.

Well, goblins have traps, but...

That's only a problem for idiots who fall for them.

...Of course, assuming there's light around.

"Still, this is better than goblins."

"Yes? Why?"

"It takes time to catch goblins."

As long as we don't lose in a head-on fight, hunting ghouls seems more efficient than hunting goblins in many ways.

These guys at least don't just set a trap and camp nearby.

The fact that they don't attack until you approach is also a big advantage.

"Next time, it would be more efficient to start by killing one with an arrow."

"Yes, that would be good."

After briefly sharing our future battle plan, I collect the magic stones that have fallen on the ground and put them in my pouch.

"Um, mister...?"

"What is it?"

"I, that is, it's time to give me one..."

"Ah, right."

We continue down the passage.
__________________________________

My guess about being near the border was correct.

For a while, ghouls and goblins appeared alternately, but as we continued north, only goblins started appearing again.

And after some time...

[22:47]

As Day 3 draws to a close...

We, who have been heading north continuously despite taking a 4-hour break in the middle, discover something.

A single crimson line drawn on the ground.

"Oh, it's a blood trail? It doesn't seem like it's from a goblin. Who could it be?"

...I have a feeling I know who it belongs to.

So, I follow it, and there are pieces of bread dropped at regular intervals.

With that, I follow the blood trail with certainty.

"Um, you've been quiet for a while now..."

10 minutes.

"Do you have something against me?"

30 minutes.

"Yes? Mister?"

2 hours.

"......"

After walking that long distance, I finally find a sandal abandoned on the ground.

Curses escape my lips involuntarily.

"I..."

"Damn it, are you kidding me?"

"I, I'm sorry! Whatever it was!"

The portal was just a stone's throw away.

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

Chapter 12: 2nd Floor (2)

I had a hunch that we would find a portal.

Well, obviously.

The fact that we encountered the upper-level adventurer party with the blonde guy was proof that there was a 2nd-floor portal in the direction I came from.

That's why I followed the blood trail with certainty as soon as I found it.

However, this was something I hadn't anticipated.

There was a portal less than 10 meters from the starting point.

"This is insane."

The memories of when I was crawling on three legs flash before my eyes like a panorama.

Just how unlucky am I?

If I had just taken a few steps in the opposite direction, I could have activated the portal and secured light.

Then I could have seen and avoided that damn trap!

"Mister, please tell me. Don't just make that scary face. If I did something wrong, I'll fix it..."

But what is she talking about since earlier?

Ah, it's because of me.

I'll just make a rough excuse because I'm tired.

"Don't mind me. I just remembered something from the past."

"Ah..."

Erwen looks at me relieved and then gives me a pitiful look. I can't believe it.

The blood trail, the bread crumbs, the sandal, and the expression I was making.

She figured out what I went through on the first day just from these clues? Her?

"Surely, that person has gone to a good place."

As expected, that can't be it. I had faith.

"Yeah... thank you."

Judging by her words, she seems to misunderstand that I'm reminiscing about a lost comrade or something...

There's no need to correct her.

It's too long of a story to explain one by one.

And besides, I feel like I'll burst into tears if I talk about it.

So let's just bury this story.

"Are you ready to go up?"

"Honestly, I'm still scared, but somehow I feel like I won't die if I'm with you."

Come to think of it, she has this strange habit of talking a lot. Just saying "yes" would have been enough.

"Then let's go."

"Yes..."

The moment I step into the portal with Erwen, my vision turns white.

Just like when the light burst out from the monitor.

Flash!

[00:57]

It's exactly the moment Day 4 begins.

「You have entered the 2nd Floor Goblin Forest.」

I've reached the 2nd floor.
__________________________________

If someone asks me how I feel right now, I'll answer like this.

It feels like I was being chewed on in a giant frog's mouth for a while before being spat out with a "ptui!"

"Kyaa!"

My body is thrown into the air as if bounced off something.

Although I didn't scream pathetically like Erwen, she ended up better off than me.

Thud-!

While I land on my butt with a thud, Erwen regains her balance quickly and lands safely.

"Wow, that was surprising. Even my older sisters never told me that."

I realize once again that she has really good physical abilities.

It's an agility that barbarians can't have.

"Mister, is this the 2nd floor?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, I didn't hear anything about a forest. Are you sure about this?"

"The story you heard probably refers to a different 2nd floor."

"A different 2nd floor?"

Do fairies not share labyrinth information properly? Why doesn't she even know this?

"There are four portals on the 1st floor, one for each direction, and they lead to different areas."

"Ah, come to think of it, I think that's right!"

...She just forgot.

As I look at her with a disapproving gaze, Erwen speaks up in a flustered manner, as if trying to show off her knowledge.

"Ah, the 3rd floor! I heard that from the 3rd floor onwards, all the paths are connected again. Right?"

She seems to want to show off the knowledge she has.

I nod roughly in agreement, and Erwen smiles with satisfaction.

I'm starting to get a grasp on how to handle her.

"So, what should we do now?"

"Wait. I'm thinking."

First, I calmly observe the surrounding terrain.

I need to check what's different and what's the same compared to the game.

For example, like how I flew about 3 meters when I came through the portal just now.

Things like that, which I couldn't know from beyond the monitor.

"Hmm."

First, I check my surroundings once more.

Behind me is a portal that allows me to return to the 1st floor at any time, and there are no living creatures in the clearing with a radius of about 50 meters.

Well, I don't know what it's like in the trees over there...

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Stay still."

The map of the 2nd floor is a forest.

The surroundings are dark as night, but thanks to the lights scattered like the Milky Way in the sky, some visibility is secured.

It feels like the brightness of an alley without streetlights.

However, it's not like the day will come and it will get brighter as time passes.

This is inside the labyrinth.

And those aren't even the sky, they're just the ceiling located high up. Well, there are floors with real skies and suns, but...

"Let's start moving."

"Yes? Where are we going?"

"We'll explore the vicinity around here."

I have a rough plan in mind from the 1st floor.

But there are a few things I need to confirm to see if it will actually work.

So let's start with what we can see.

Kwaaang!

Erwen flinches as I suddenly swing my hammer towards a tree at the edge of the clearing.

"Wh, what are you doing?"

"I was checking if it's possible to fell trees."

"Why would you check that?"

"I was thinking of building a fence around the portal."

"Hmm, I see."

Only then does Erwen nod in agreement with a look of understanding.

It's quite tiring to have to answer everything one by one.

"Anyway, that plan is abandoned."

Erwen doesn't ask why.

Well, she has eyes too.

Even though I swung with all my strength, the tree only got a little bark chipped off.

What kind of tree is this? It's a rock.

"Then what's the next plan?"

"As planned, we'll search the surroundings. And from now on, you'll take the lead."

"...Me?"

I decide not to accept any questions.

"There are two things you need to do. Lead the way and find traps. And pay attention to any signs of enemies and be on guard. Those are the two things."

"...Role division, right? I understand."

Surprisingly, Erwen readily accepts the assigned roles.

But why do I feel disappointed?

Is it because I already prepared what to say to convince her?

"Still, being in a forest makes me feel nostalgic. Even though I know there are only monsters here."

Erwen walks along the forest path, saying things that I can't relate to at all.

"Ah, there don't seem to be any traps, but just in case, please follow the path I walk on."

What is this? Her? Suddenly, I feel reassured.

She's actually walking confidently, as if she's not afraid of traps at all.

Soon, Erwen mutters softly.

"There's a trap."

I can't see it.

"If you look over there, you'll see it hidden under the leaves."

I still can't see it, even if she says that.

Erwen, with a 'why can't you even do this?' look, picks up a stone and throws it.

Clang-!

There really was one.

How can she spot that from this distance in such darkness?

Even though I knew about the detection abilities of fairies, seeing it with my own eyes is simply amazing.

There was a reason you were walking so confidently.

"How was that?"

"You're good at throwing stones."

"...That's all?"

"What else is necessary?"

Erwen's shoulders, which were stretching out as if expecting something, slump down.

It's the perfect timing to give her a carrot.

Subtly, so it's not too obvious.

"Finding traps was something I expected of you from the beginning. You're already a proper explorer. Don't get too excited about something that's a given."

"Hmm..."

She pretends otherwise, but I can clearly see her shoulders shrugging slightly from behind.

Thanks to this, I've completely gotten the hang of it.

I can handle her like this from now on.

"So you're saying that I'm pulling my weight? As a proper explorer?"

"Yes."

Even though the split is 9:1.

Anyway, it seems like the "one warrior" variation that our chieftain particularly liked worked out better than I expected.

"But it's strange. No matter how much I listen, I don't think there are any goblins around."

Well, that's natural.

The 2nd floor is different from the 1st floor. Just because there are traps doesn't mean there are goblins nearby. On the 2nd floor, it's easier to think of traps as just a terrain feature.

They're scattered everywhere you go.

"Let's stop chatting and focus now."

"Yes."

I tighten my loosened tension and search the vicinity.

This place where I am is called the "Goblin Forest" in the game.

Besides the traps, another characteristic is that goblins move around in groups of about fifteen.

Occasionally, variations like goblin swordsmen or goblin archers appear.

Of course, if we go to the outer area, the number of variations increases, and higher-ranked monsters appear, but...

Since we're only going to be hanging around the entrance near the portal, it's not something we need to worry about too much.

"There's nothing around here for now."

We finish searching about 200 meters around the portal.

There are countless traps, but we haven't found any goblin groups.

"What should we do?"

"First, we'll remove all the traps in this area and then gradually expand our range."

We gradually expand our territory by removing traps with stones from a distance.

We need to be able to escape to the 1st floor in case of danger.

It would be a disaster if we stepped on a trap while running.

As we expand our range to over 500 meters, it's then.

"Mister."

Erwen stops and whispers.

I also hold my breath in response.

"A group of goblins."

"How many are there?"

"I don't know. There are definitely more than ten..."

"Distance?"

"About 50 meters. I don't think they've noticed us yet. What should we do?"

She's saying something obvious.

"We fight."

Erwen doesn't argue at my words. She's a bit scared, but she knows it too.

That we have no choice but to fight.

If she really didn't want to fight, she shouldn't have entered the labyrinth.

"How close can we get without being noticed?"

"If it were just me without you, I think I could get within 30 meters. Any closer than that is impossible. Goblins have a surprisingly good sense of smell."

"I see."

After a brief contemplation, I decide to move according to the plan I mentioned earlier.

Erwen also slowly makes her way through the bushes towards where the goblins are.

Is that what a fairy is?

It's amazing how she walks through the bushes without making a rustling sound.

"......"

Erwen stops walking.

She looks at where I am, and when I nod, she turns her back, nocks an arrow, and shoots.

Whoosh.

A hit?

I don't know.

It's so far away that I can't hear the sound of it hitting.

I hope it pierces their foreheads properly this time too.

Tadatadat!

As soon as the arrow is shot, I immediately run towards Erwen.

"Grr!!!"

"Grrr!!!"

The goblins, completely agitated, are running towards us, but Erwen calmly prepares her second shot.

Whoosh!

I feel like I'm saying this every time, but her firing speed is insane.

These are things I couldn't feel when I was just watching the game.

Thump-!

One of the running goblins collapses.

The arrow hit its neck, not its forehead.

Well, it would be difficult to accurately hit a moving target from that distance, even for a fairy.

"Erwen, fall back."

"Yes!"

Erwen retreats without hesitation, disappearing from my sight.

Now, all I see in front of me are goblins rushing towards me.

It's three times the scale of what I encountered on the 1st floor.

Even if they're goblins, this many would make anyone a little intimidated, but...

Surprisingly, I don't feel any fear.

No, rather...

Thump-!

The warrior's heart within this body stirs belligerently, making my head hot.

"Grr, grr!!"

"Grrr!!!"

As I hear the threatening howls of the numerous goblins, I shout back instead.

"Spaaaaaartaaaaaaaaa—!!!"

Come at me, you bastards.


Trial

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

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