Surviving The Game as a Barbarian (Novel) Chapter 283, 284, 285

   

C283, 284, 285

Chapter 283: Drift (3)

Thud.

The insect-type monster, 'Krungbi', disintegrated into light, dropping a magic stone.

I didn't bother picking it up.

What would I even do with it? I didn't even have a pocket to store it in.

'This is driving me crazy.'

In a way, this was worse than when I first fell into the labyrinth and had to crawl around on three legs.

At least back then, I had underwear.

'...I'll worry about where I am later, let's get some clothes first.'

I was momentarily panicked by the unfamiliar situation, but I quickly organized my thoughts and started working.

First, clothes.

There were only trees and monsters that disintegrated into light, but getting clothes wasn't that difficult.

After all, I'm a barbarian.

'...I'm really doing everything here.'

I first found a vine that fit my waist.

And then I strung large leaves onto the vine, wrapped it around my waist, and tied it.

My new equipment, 'Blessing of the Tree Spirit', was complete.

'...It's surprisingly sturdy.'

I was surprised by the quality of my creation as I moved around.

As expected, the basics are the basics for a reason.

There was a reason why the first humans preferred this look.

'...I should make one for her too.'

I made one for Amelia as well.

Unlike me, who only needed something for my lower body, Amelia needed two pieces...

But she was much smaller than me, so it didn't take that much longer.

'I made it big enough, so she doesn't have to worry about the size.'

It was one of the few advantages of the 'Blessing of the Tree Spirit'.

It was so primitive that size didn't matter.

I could just tighten the vine and tie it.

'When is she going to wake up?'

I walked over to Amelia and placed the 'Blessing of the Tree Spirit (Female)' on top of her.

I thought about dressing her...

'It would be awkward.'

It felt like I was crossing a line.

'Anyway, I'm not hungry yet, so let's build a shelter first.'

After taking care of clothes, I started working on shelter.

This wasn't difficult either.

I dug a hole with my hand, lined it with the large leaves I had used for the 'Blessing of the Tree Spirit', and then gathered some dry wood and built a campfire.

It was surprisingly easy to start a fire.

'Is it because I'm so strong?'

I rubbed the wood together with all my might, and smoke soon appeared.

There really is nothing you can't do with strength in this world.

'When the hell is she going to wake up?'

I placed Amelia on the leaf bed and looked up at the sky.

It was nighttime.

But the campfire kept me warm, and I could see my surroundings, so I could fight monsters even if they appeared.

I then moved on to the next task.

'The problem is food...'

The third element of survival, and the most important one.

"Ha..."

I sighed.

I didn't think I would have to worry about this again after all this time.

Rumble.

"...How the hell am I going to get food?"
____________________

There were no mountains on Parune Island.

Except for the coastline, it was all flat forest, and the trees blocked the light from the campfire, so it didn't reach far.

But...

'Those moths...'

The light was enough to attract monsters, and I had to fight them all night.

Well, I didn't put out the fire.

Monsters would appear even without the light.

It was better to fight them while I could see.

'...I'm not going to sleep anyway.'

I fought monsters and fought hunger for several hours, and then Amelia finally woke up.

"You're finally awake."

"...How did you know?"

"Your breathing stopped."

She was a strange one.

She was clearly awake, but she just lay there with her eyes closed.

Was she trying to assess the situation?

"...Where are we?"

"Wait, put this on first."

"...?"

Amelia sat up and frowned at the pile of leaves on top of her.

"Barbarian, did you... undress me?"

It was one of the questions I had expected, so I answered calmly.

"Look at me, do you really think I did that? I was also naked when I woke up."

"...I see."

I turned around, and I heard the rustling of leaves behind me. It seemed like I didn't have to explain how to wear it.

"You can turn around now."

When I turned back, Amelia was wearing the 'Blessing of the Tree Spirit (Female)'.

It was a strange feeling.

We were both wearing leaves, like a matching set.

I felt like we would get a set bonus if we fought together.

"So where are we?"

Amelia asked the same question again, as if she wasn't embarrassed by her outfit.

Hey, I'm the one who should be asking the questions.

"This is Parune Island. I don't know how much time has passed, but we were both naked when I woke up."

I briefly explained the strange things that had happened since I opened my eyes.

Amelia didn't say anything.

She seemed to be organizing her thoughts.

I waited for about a minute and then asked,

"So, can you explain now? Why are we like this?"

"...Why are you asking me?"

Don't play dumb.

"Your stone was glowing, wasn't it? I'm sure it's related to this."

"That stone..."

Amelia opened and closed her empty hand.

But the stone that had disappeared didn't reappear.

Ah, right, I should mention this first.

"I didn't touch it. I don't even know where it went."

"Don't worry. I'm not suspecting you."

Hmm, so she trusts me that much?

"So, what's the answer?"

"...I have a hunch, but I'm not sure."

Just tell me, damn it.

Why is she controlling information even in this situation?

"Just tell me, what is that stone, and why are we like this?"

I asked impatiently, and Amelia hesitated.

And...

"That's..."

She was about to say something with a determined look when...

Crack.

We heard a branch snapping in the distance.

We both crouched down and looked towards the sound.

There were only insect-type monsters on this island.

So it was likely a human.

"..."

We held our breath.

It would have been one thing if we had heard footsteps.

Then we could have just thought it was someone passing by.

"Who's there? Come out."

Amelia spoke coldly, staring into the darkness.

About five seconds later...

"Haha, you make us sound like villains."

Five explorers emerged from the bushes.

What the hell, they really were watching us?

Since when?

'Damn it.'

I felt a chill run down my spine, but I quickly scanned them.

They were all human males.

Judging by their equipment...

'5th-floor level.'

But they had clan emblems on their chests.

It was a clan I had never seen before.

'They came to the 6th floor as a clan, and they're moving in teams on this island?'

But there was something strange.

Most explorers didn't enter the labyrinth this time because of the current situation. That's why we were able to trigger the event with less than 20 people.

But we're meeting explorers now?

Something didn't feel right.

I was feeling uneasy when...

"Why were you watching us?"

Amelia asked, her voice filled with suspicion, and the conversation began.

"Don't misunderstand. We saw the fire from afar and thought it might be our clan members, so we came to say hello. But we were surprised by your appearance, so we just watched for a bit. Ah, and we just found you."

It was a somewhat plausible explanation.

Even I would have been curious if I saw two people wearing leaves in the middle of the island.

"So, what happened to you?"

"It's none of your business."

"Haha, don't be so wary. You're clearly in a difficult situation..."

"I said it's none of your business."

Amelia cut him off coldly.

But did he find that attractive?

"Haha, you're a feisty one."

The man laughed heartily, not offended at all.

Honestly, I thought he was crazy.

Why is he acting like that when she's clearly telling him to get lost?

"Amelia."

"I'll handle this, so stay quiet."

I called her name, trying to prevent things from escalating.

Amelia seemed to understand and softened her tone a bit.

"Our boat capsized. We're waiting for our companions here."

It was a lie I had come up with based on my situation.

"Hmm, then where's your equipment?"

"We put it in our backpacks before we fell into the water, but we lost them."

"I see."

The man then asked Amelia a few more questions out of curiosity, and Amelia answered vaguely.

Of course, there were many contradictions if you looked closely...

"Oh, is that so? You must have had a hard time!"

But the man didn't seem to care, as he just stared at Amelia's body with a lecherous gaze.

That's when...

"Well, this is..."

Thwack!

Amelia kicked him in the head.

Thud.

Damn it, this woman.

I was trying to be patient, but she just attacked him.

'Who did she learn that from?'

I sighed inwardly, but I immediately took action.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

It was too late to prevent it.

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"

I activated [Wild Release] and [Gigantification].

And I leaped towards them.

'Swing.'

I swung my makeshift club and knocked the mage to the ground.

'Okay, the mage is down.'

I then turned and swung at the archer next to me, using the momentum.

But...

"Nooo!!"

The shield warrior next to the archer blocked my attack.

Crack.

My club shattered against the shield.

Damn it, I should have used a mace.

Thud.

I dropped the broken club and grabbed the shield with both hands.

And...

"Give it to me."

I pulled.

But it was difficult to take it away from him.

Shields were usually strapped to the wrist.

Of course, it was a minor problem.

If the arm was the problem, I could just break it.

Crack!

"Aaaaaaargh!!"

I pulled the shield warrior towards me and slammed his elbow into the ground, shattering the joint.

And then I kicked him away, took the shield, and...

Clang!

...blocked an incoming arrow.

That was the end of the battle.

Thud!

Amelia had already taken care of the rest.

The archer collapsed, an arrow protruding from his chest.

But they weren't all dead.

"Y, you... Do you even know who we are?!"

The man who had been kicked in the head glared at us.

Damn it, this is going to be troublesome.

"Shut up."

I quickly gathered some leaves and stuffed them in his mouth.

And then I looked at Amelia.

"What the hell did you do?"

I had no choice but to participate, but we had just looted them.

If this got out, it would be a huge problem.

"Explain yourself. Why did you do that?"

Amelia avoided my gaze.

"...They were weak. We had to attack first."

That was ridiculous.

"You should have tried talking to them first."

"I don't think they would have listened."

It felt like she was talking to a wall.

Damn it, did everyone I met feel this way about me?

'She thinks she's some kind of prophet.'

I sighed and then Amelia spoke, as if trying to comfort me.

"Don't worry. This won't get out."

"What do you mean?"

"Check their backpacks."

I didn't understand, but I opened their backpacks.

The first thing I saw was jerky.

I was starving, so this was a welcome sight.

At least our food problem was solved.

Munch, munch.

I stuffed some jerky in my mouth and then continued searching the backpacks.

And I soon noticed something strange.

'What the... these guys weren't from a clan?'

Their backpacks were filled with equipment.

It was too much for emergency equipment.

There were all sorts of weapons, and most of them were covered in blood.

"These guys... they were looters."

Then was the clan emblem a fake?

But it looked familiar...

'Where have I seen this before?'

I racked my brain, and then I remembered.

"...Clan Elvis."

I had seen it in a book at the library.

A clan of dozens of explorers who had committed countless crimes. They were eventually caught and executed.

If I remember correctly...

It was about fifteen years ago.

'No sane person would use that clan's emblem as a disguise...'

I felt a huge sense of dissonance.

And at that moment...

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

A cold wind blew from the sea, sending shivers down my spine.

'Wait a minute...'

I hurriedly opened the backpacks and checked the ID cards again.

"This is crazy..."

There were ID cards with different names, races, and ages.

But they all had one thing in common.

"The renewal date is... 134th year of the Change Era?"

They were all from twenty years ago.

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


Chapter 284: Drift (4)

Is this for real?

Is this a prank?

I stood there frozen, unable to describe how I felt. My fingertips trembled, and my breathing became ragged.

But I quickly accepted reality.

'Time slip.'

That was the only explanation for all the contradictions I had experienced since waking up on this island.

There was no point in denying it.

Yeah, I could wake up in a barbarian's body after playing a game, so why not time travel?

I finished organizing my thoughts and looked at Amelia.

"You already knew."

"To some extent."

Amelia nodded slightly and said she had become certain after meeting those explorers.

I had only read about them in a book, but they were apparently quite famous back then.

'...No wonder she attacked them first. She's not usually that aggressive.'

It was a kind of time traveler's perk.

To see through those who were hiding their true intentions and crush them before they could do anything.

It would be baffling for those on the receiving end.

"Fa, fa, famous? Wh, wh, what do you mean?!"

What the hell.

There's no time to explain.

And it wouldn't even matter if I did.

"Are there other members of your clan on this island? Just nod if there are."

I quickly moved on to the interrogation.

And after clearing up a few things I was curious about, I took some time to think.

"Twenty years ago..."

The time period was twenty years in the past.

In other words, we had just met explorers who would be exposed for their crimes and executed five years later.

'This is a bit of a problem.'

According to the interrogation, there were over thirty of them on this island.

And Amelia had warned me.

The leader of Clan Elvis was a dangerous explorer.

"...We have to move."

"We do."

I exchanged glances with Amelia and quickly reached an agreement.

We worked well together in this aspect.

There was no need for persuasion.

"Let's take their equipment first."

"Ah, I'll take care of that."

We skillfully stripped them of their equipment and took their backpacks.

And...

Thud.

We killed them all.

How could we let them live?

They would definitely come after us with their companions as soon as they returned to the city.

'And they deserve to die anyway.'

They were from a clan that would be exposed for its crimes five years later.

Their backpacks were filled with evidence of their looting, and I had heard enough during the interrogation to feel no guilt.

"What about the bodies?"

"We should bury them."

"Then we should start digging."

I agreed with Amelia's suggestion without hesitation.

Yeah, it's best to listen to the expert in this kind of situation.

"I'll go erase the traces."

While I dug a hole to bury the bodies, Amelia went back to our campsite and dismantled the campfire and leaf bed I had built.

My short primitive life had come to an end.

Time to return to civilization.

"A dagger? Do you want to use it?"

We took off our 'Blessings of the Tree Spirit' and put on the clothes and equipment we had looted.

It wasn't as good as my original equipment...

'But it's good enough for now.'

It would be greedy to ask for more.

I finished burying the bodies and then ate some jerky and drank water from my canteen. And I checked the direction with my compass.

'Phew, I finally feel like a human again.'

It wasn't even strange anymore.
_______________________

"I know a cave. Let's go there."

The sky was turning blue as dawn approached.

I followed Amelia for about thirty minutes and arrived at a small cave.

It was a place she had found while we were heading towards the center of the island with Misha.

"It's bigger than it looks."

"...You've been here before?"

"I just took note of it while we were passing by. It seemed like a good place to hide."

Wait, you even remember the location?

"You have a good memory."

Amelia frowned at my genuine compliment.

"It's just a habit."

"Well, you're embarrassed by a simple compliment."

"...I'm not embarrassed."

"Oh, I see."

"Barbarian, what does that 'I see' mean?"

It just means I see.

Whatever.

"Let's get to the point. What was that stone?"

I asked the same question again, and this time, I finally got an answer.

"It's called the 'Fragment of Records'. It's a legacy of Archmage Gavrilius, a treasure that has been passed down through the Lords of Noark for generations."

So that was its official name.

It definitely seemed related to this situation.

"Then did we time travel because of that Fragment of Records?"

"Probably."

Amelia nodded and continued.

The 'Fragment of Records' was a legendary item that could supposedly allow you to go back in time and change history.

That's why she had spent her entire life trying to obtain it.

"But why did you use it when you were with me?"

"It wasn't my intention."

"What?"

"I didn't even know how to use it. I was planning to research it properly when I returned to the city."

According to Amelia, even the Lord of Noark didn't know how to use it, so he just kept it safe.

Until the 'Chosen One' appeared, as Auril Gabis had said when he gave it to him.

'Damn it.'

I couldn't help but sigh.

"Then you don't know how to go back either?"

"...That's right."

Amelia looked apologetic, but her eyes were sparkling.

I could understand.

She had finally achieved her lifelong goal. She was probably more interested in changing the past than returning to the present.

'What about the time I came from? Did it just stop?'

My mind was racing.

But I couldn't figure it out by myself.

I decided to satisfy my curiosity first.

"So, what happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm curious about why you wanted to go back in time."

"..."

Amelia didn't answer.

Come on, just tell me you don't want to talk about it.

"..."

"..."

An awkward silence followed.

We both had a lot on our minds.

"The sun is rising."

Time passed, and the sun rose. We stayed in the cave.

It would be troublesome if we went out and ran into those explorers.

Damn it, if those guys had a boat, we could have used it to escape the island.

'They're controlling the entire island?'

I had learned something during the interrogation.

Parune Island was their clan's territory.

They used it as a base to loot explorers on nearby islands.

They had sent five members to search the island for any explorers who might have entered while the clan was away...

'Well, at least we just have to endure for today.'

The labyrinth closes on the 60th day on the 6th floor.

And today was the 60th day.

Even after time traveling, it was still a relief that the labyrinth closed.

'I wonder what happened to my companions... They still have a month left until the labyrinth closes. I hope they're okay without me.'

I was worried about my companions, but I tried not to dwell on it.

Yeah, I should worry about myself first.

I don't even know if I can go back.

'I hope we don't just end up staying in the past...'

I was having those silly thoughts when Amelia called me.

"Barbarian."

"My name is Bjorn, son of Yandel, human."

"..."

"So what did you want to say?"

"Choose an ID card from the backpacks. You should pick one beforehand."

Huh?

'Ah...'

I didn't understand at first, but then it clicked.

We couldn't even pass through the checkpoint if we returned to the city like this.

I rummaged through the backpacks and gathered all the ID cards.

There were at least forty of them.

"...Why did they even collect so many ID cards? It could be used as evidence against them."

"It's common. ID cards are worth money."

Apparently, there were many people who wanted new identities, even those who weren't from Noark.

'Well, they're already looters, so it doesn't matter if they get caught with ID cards. They might as well sell them for profit.'

We then looked through the ID cards and chose ones we could use.

Unlike Amelia, I didn't have many options.

There was only one barbarian ID card.

"Amelia Berrywells? You got a good one."

Amelia chose an ID card with the same name as hers.

It was a human female.

"Twenty-one years old? You have some conscience."

"...I, I didn't choose it because I liked it."

Huh? What's with that reaction?

"Wait a minute, how old are you, Amelia?"

"...Don't pry into my personal life, Bjorn Yandel."

Amelia quickly cut me off.

She was already thinking about the taxes she would have to pay after returning to the past.

'She's choosing the youngest one to pay less taxes.'

'Damn it.'

I sighed inwardly and checked the ID card I had chosen.

'Name: Nibels Enche, Age: Twenty-one, Explorer Rank: 6.'

That was the essential information.

But since I was 6th-grade, my essence information would be registered with the guild, so I shouldn't use [Gigantification] in public.

"Give it to me when you're done."

"Huh?"

"You told me not to call you a barbarian, didn't you? I can't call you 'Yandel' in front of other people."

Ah, right.

I handed Amelia my new ID card.

But then...

"Nibels Enche...?"

Amelia froze, staring at the ID card.

As if she knew the name.
_____________________

"Do you know her?"

Amelia shook her head at my question.

And she said it was just a coincidence and didn't elaborate.

Damn it, this woman is really frustrating.

'She could have just kept quiet.'

Anyway, we waited in the cave until the labyrinth closed.

We chatted occasionally, and one conversation was particularly memorable.

"I'll find a way for us to return, so try not to do anything that will draw attention. You might do something irreversible."

"Irreversible?"

"I heard this from a mage. If time travel is possible, even a small change could lead to the destruction of a nation."

He was talking about the butterfly effect.

You know, the one where a butterfly flapping its wings could cause a hurricane on the other side of the world.

'...Wait a minute, what happens if Bjorn from this time period dies?'

A sudden thought crossed my mind.

It's twenty years in the past, so Bjorn would still be alive.

He would be a baby, just starting to drink from a bottle.

But what would happen to me if that baby died?

'...I might be in danger.'

I should listen to Amelia's advice and lay low for a while after returning to the city.

"Alright, I won't cause any trouble, so don't worry."

"...I'll believe you."

Amelia said so with a distrustful look and then fell into deep thought.

Time passed.

A few explorers from the clan that was searching for us passed by, but Amelia had disguised the entrance well, so we weren't caught.

And finally...

[00:00]

The clock struck midnight.

It was time for the labyrinth to close.

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

A white light enveloped me.

My vision blurred, and then colors slowly returned. I looked up at the sky and chuckled.

'It was gloomy even twenty years ago.'

The familiar gray sky of Lafdonia.

"Hey, you're not going straight to your place, are you?"

"Of course not. Let's get a drink first."

The Dimensional Plaza was bustling with explorers.

Yeah, this was how it usually was.

I've been through so much lately that this peaceful scene felt strange.

It was finally sinking in.

'...This really is twenty years ago.'

I would have to live here for a while.

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


Chapter 285: Cause and Effect (1)

The sea was rough, waves crashing against the shore.

"Where's Bjorn? Is he back yet?"

"Not yet. He should be here soon..."

Arrua Raven clutched the 'Coordinate Transmitter' tightly, staring at the horizon. Everyone on the boat was feeling a sense of unease.

Bjorn Yandel.

Their leader, the barbarian who had stayed behind to buy them time, facing a 3rd-grade monster alone.

"Something must have happened. We have to go back and save him!"

"No! Didn't you hear what he said? We're not supposed to go near him."

"He always says that and then does whatever he wants! I'm going to do what I want this time!"

"But how are we going to get there? He's fighting underwater!"

"That's..."

Misha trailed off.

Raven, who had been shouting emotionally, also calmed down a bit and spoke.

"Just wait. He'll be fine. He'll come back."

"Sorry for shouting."

"It's okay. I feel the same way."

"You feel the same way?"

Raven hesitated for a moment at Misha's question and then answered,

"...He's our companion."

"Ah, yeah... That's right."

An awkward silence followed.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on the spot where they had left Bjorn.

About five minutes later...

The boat, which had been anchored at sea, suddenly rocked violently.

"The water! The water is receding!"

The sea level, which had risen like a flood, was rapidly decreasing.

"Wh, what's going on? Bjorn's not back yet! Did he... fail?"

"That's impossible! If Stormgush was still alive, there would be another storm!"

"Th, then..."

"Yes! Bjorn defeated Stormgush!"

Raven shouted joyfully, and Misha couldn't hide her relief either.

"That crazy barbarian! He said he would just hold out, but what the hell was he doing down there?!"

Despite her words, Misha's face was filled with relief.

"Partslan, turn the boat around!"

"A, alright!"

Raven quickly steered the boat back towards the island.

That's when...

Flash!

A white light flashed from beneath the surface, like a bolt of lightning.

"Wh, what was that?"

"I, is something wrong...?"

Everyone looked at Raven, including the priestess.

...But a mage doesn't know everything.

"I, I don't know..."

The labyrinth was full of mysteries.

She had never even seen Stormgush before.

"..."

Time passed, and the water level continued to recede, revealing the center of the island.

But Bjorn was nowhere to be seen.

"Where the hell is he?! What are these equipment doing here?"

The only things left in the center of the island were Amelia and Bjorn's equipment.

"There's a nail here. And a rope tied to it. He must have been here..."

"He probably tried to tie himself down so he wouldn't be swept away. But where did he go...?"

"Then what about his equipment? Why would he take off his equipment...?"

The scene was full of contradictions.

"...Let's search the area. If he was swept away, he wouldn't have gone far."

Raven, confused, tried to stay calm and gave an order.

Bjorn had told her that she had to be the leader when he wasn't around.

"There's more equipment here! It's the necklace Bjorn was wearing!"

"Th, there's underwear here! It's his!"

The others spread out and searched the island.

The water level continued to recede, and the island returned to its original state.

But...

"Why... why isn't he anywhere...?"

They couldn't find Bjorn, even after searching the entire island.

What the hell had happened here?

No one knew, but Raven spoke firmly.

"Maybe Bjorn..."

"Don't say anything stupid. He'll be fine."

A leader should always be positive.

That's what Bjorn had taught them.

So...

"It's clear that he defeated Stormgush. He even had the presence of mind to tie himself down. I don't know why he took off his equipment, but maybe he was swept away to another island. Let's go look for him."

Raven then boarded Partslan's boat and searched the nearby islands.

There were many guesses and arguments.

But they didn't give up hope.

Time passed...

"...We'll see him in the city."

They couldn't find Bjorn, and it was time for the labyrinth to close.

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

The light of the labyrinth enveloped them.

Raven returned to the city and looked for Bjorn in the deserted Dimensional Plaza.

But he wasn't there.

She went to the checkpoint, but he wasn't there either.

"Where's Bjorn? Was he at the plaza? The employee said he wasn't among the explorers who passed through earlier."

"...We couldn't find him."

Raven and her companions waited anxiously.

But even after all the explorers had left and the plaza was empty...

"..."

Bjorn didn't appear.

He should have been here, no matter where he was in the labyrinth, if he was still alive.

"Um... It's almost closing time..."

The employee started to look at them nervously.

It meant only one thing.

But no one could say it out loud.

"..."

A heavy silence fell.

And then Ainar, the only barbarian, spoke.

"Yeah, Bjorn is dead."

It was time to face reality.
______________________

They say that even mountains change in ten years.

But not this city.

Enough time had passed for mountains to change twice, but this city was still the same.

Like the street in front of the checkpoint I was standing in.

"Dad! Over here! Over here!"

"Ramirion, you're back safe and sound. Let's go home. I made your favorite food."

The street was filled with families and friends of explorers.

Even the buildings looked the same.

The only difference was the signs on the first floor.

'There used to be a bar there, not a general store.'

I was finding the differences between the past and present fascinating when...

A woman stood next to me.

It was Amelia.

"Ah, you're here."

"You're late. Did you have any problems at the checkpoint?"

"No, just like you said, I handed them the ID card and exchanged the magic stones."

"Really? That's good. Then let's go."

"Where to?"

"A clothing store first."

After meeting Amelia, we went to a nearby clothing store and bought some clothes. And then we got a room at an inn in the 7th district, my usual territory.

"Come to my room after you wash up. We need to talk."

I took a bath, changed into my new clothes, and went to Amelia's room.

She had already finished washing up and opened the door.

"What did you want to talk about?"

I sat down on the bed and asked, and Amelia dried her hair and sat down at the table across from me.

"I have something to confirm."

"Go ahead."

"Are you... going back?"

What the hell is she asking?

"Of course. I'm going back no matter what."

"Hmm, I see."

"Did you think I would want to stay here?"

"I thought it was a possibility. You must be starting to feel like you've returned to the past."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"...It's twenty years in the past. You might not know this, but you could live a much more comfortable life here if you use this time difference to your advantage."

"I see."

"...It's not just 'I see'. Barbarian, don't you realize what kind of opportunity you have...?"

I cut her off before she could continue.

"That's enough."

I understood what she was trying to say, but it didn't appeal to me.

There's no Bitcoin here.

If I stayed, I would lose everything. My equipment, my noble title, and my precious companions.

It wasn't worth it.

"I'll go back as soon as I find a way. So stop talking about it. I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for you."

"...I'm sorry about that."

Well, her apology was a bit late.

"So is that why you called me?"

"No, I have something else to ask. I wouldn't have told you if you were planning to stay."

She was testing me, wasn't she?

"Stop beating around the bush and tell me."

"I need your help while we're stuck in the past."

Damn it, she wouldn't answer my questions, and now she wants my help?

Does she think I'm an idiot?

"What do I get in return?"

"I'll help you find a way to go back."

"You don't even know how to go back, how can you help me?"

"...There's one thing we could try."

"Tell me."

I was ready to leave if she said I had to make a decision first, but...

"We could use the Fragment of Records again."

Amelia told me her plan.

But I didn't understand.

"The Fragment of Records? It disappeared when we time traveled..."

I stopped mid-sentence.

"Ah..."

It didn't disappear completely.

This was twenty years in the past.

"Yeah, the one I used is gone, but there's still one left. It should be with the Lord of Noark."

I suddenly thought of the Genesis Artifact.

If this theory was correct, then the 'Genesis Artifact', the key to the final floor that had been stolen, would also exist in this time period.

'What happens if I take it back to the future? Will I be able to clear the game?'

I was curious, but I quickly dismissed the thought.

I should focus on returning to my original time first.

'And it probably wouldn't work anyway.'

Amelia and I had been stripped of our equipment when we time traveled.

It meant we couldn't take anything back to the future.

"..."

Ah, I got sidetracked again.

Amelia was staring at me.

Damn it, I'm a barbarian, I can't focus for that long.

"Ahem, continue."

"...I'll tell you after I hear your answer."

Damn it, she's playing hard to get.

I sighed, but I didn't have a choice.

The Fragment of Records was the only plausible way to return.

And...

'I can't do it alone.'

I needed Amelia's help to obtain it.

I didn't even know where the Lord of Noark kept it.

"Alright, tell me. How can I help you?"

Amelia had a strange expression when I agreed.

She didn't seem happy.

No, she looked annoyed.

"Is there a problem?"

"...No. It can't be true."

"What can't be true?"

Amelia didn't answer.

She just composed herself and started talking.

It was a long story, and when it was over, I finally understood.

What Amelia Rainwales had wanted to change.
_____________________

The next day...

"I'll be busy for a while. I can't stop you from doing whatever you want, but try to stay out of trouble. You might do something irreversible."

Amelia moved out and left.

She was going to meet with those shady scouts who tried to recruit criminals for Noark.

We both had to enter Noark to achieve our goals.

'Damn it, I never thought I would have to go to Noark.'

Amelia said she would be back in about three weeks.

She would come back occasionally to update me on the situation.

'Then what should I do now?'

I felt restless, being alone in the room.

Maybe it was a gamer's instinct.

I was in a world twenty years in the past.

'Should I go explore?'

I quickly got dressed and left the inn. Amelia had told me to lay low...

'But I can't just stay here.'

What could possibly happen?

Trial

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

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