Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 455: Barbarian Revolution (4)

The first day I woke up in this world was vivid in my memory, even compared to other memories.

I was dazed by the unfamiliar language, but I tried my best to understand the situation.

And then I felt a sense of déjà vu.

This situation... it felt like the beginning of [Dungeon and Stone].

‘Someone... died that day.’

I even remembered his name.

Olm, son of Kadua.

He had been beheaded less than five minutes after waking up in this world.

And...

‘There were many like him.’

After becoming chieftain, I looked through the past records, and found that an average of one player had been executed at the coming-of-age ceremony every year for the past ten years.

Well, the average had been decreasing lately, as the cheat version of the game had become less popular...

‘But there are still some who play it.’

It was a sad sight.

‘Tsk, why would they even start playing that game?’

Of course, I wasn’t blaming them.

If there was someone to blame, it was...

‘That damn old man.’

Auril Gabis.

The creator of [Dungeon and Stone]...

「You have reached the Abyss.」

「Tutorial complete.」

...and the one who had kidnapped countless players with those two lines.

‘If you’re going to have a tutorial, at least make it a proper one.’

The newbie’s terrified expression reminded me of my past self.

But I quickly snapped out of my reminiscence.

If I stayed like this, the other warriors would notice.

“Everyone, quiet!”

I shouted, and the young barbarians immediately fell silent.

I continued the ceremony.

But not in the traditional way.

It would be much easier to help the newbie this way. And there might be other newbies I hadn’t noticed.

“Makal, second son of Putil!”

I approached a young warrior and patted his shoulder.

“Come forward and choose your weapon!”

“Yes, sir!!!!!”

He roared, seemingly touched by my encouragement, and rushed towards the weapons.

“A two-handed axe! Excellent choice!”

I continued calling out the warriors’ names and encouraging them, subtly giving hints to the newbie.

“From this day forward, you are a warrior. May the blessings of ‘Lafdonia’ be with you!”

After a while,

It was finally the newbie’s turn.

“Bekta, third son of Kiltau!”

Thud.

I placed my hand on his shoulder, and he trembled.

But I pretended not to notice and spoke.

“Come forward and choose your weapon!”

“...Yes, sir!!”

His voice was quieter and more hesitant than the others.

But...

‘At least he’s quick-witted.’

He was imitating the other warriors, so he would probably survive once he gained some experience—

‘Huh?’

I chuckled as I saw the weapon he had chosen.

“A shield...”

I mumbled unconsciously, and he flinched as if he had done something wrong.

‘A newbie shield barbarian...’

I walked past him and approached the shield display.

And I handed him the item he had left behind.

“Here.”

I had used my authority as chieftain to change the rules.

Now, when a warrior chose a shield, they would also receive a small one-handed hammer.

“Bekta, third son of Kiltau! You are now a warrior!”

He was momentarily confused by the change, but he took the hammer and returned to his spot.

He tried to hide it, but his expression was troubled.

‘He needs some time to process this.’

I ignored him and continued the ceremony, and soon the last warrior had chosen his weapon.

“Warriors!”

But before they left for the city, I gave them a short speech.

Or rather, a review.

“Let’s all recite together. What’s a good looter?”

“A dead looter!!!”

“What about the Explorer’s Guild?”

“Don’t trust them!!”

“What do you do when you meet a Hans in the labyrinth?”

“Run away! If you want to live!”

I was reviewing these things with them because...

Repetition is key.

I couldn’t feel any sympathy for him.

A good looter is a dead looter. And besides, I couldn’t trust him if I didn’t treat him harshly.

“Emily.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on him in the labyrinth.”

We had that conversation right in front of him, but he pretended not to hear.

He didn’t even try to reassure us or promise to behave.

‘He’s quick-witted.’

But I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing...

“Um... Bjorn? Shouldn’t we be going?”

“Ah... right.”

The portal was shrinking, so we headed towards it.

And...

「Entered the 1st-floor Crystal Cave.」

The first expedition of Clan Anabada had begun.

______________________

The Crystal Cave, shimmering with a faint purple light.

“North.”

“North.”

“The Goblin Forest.”

We all spoke at the same time as soon as we entered.

Me, the student of Lotmiller, Amelia, the Guide, and Erwen, who had received tracking training from her sister.

“....”

“....”

It was a bit awkward, having three guides in a five-man party.

“Ahem.”

“I was faster. Than her.”

“.....”

“Hahaha! Are you two children? Competing over something like that!”

Ainar laughed heartily, and Erwen glared at her.

But her glare was ineffective.

“That’s a good look, Erwen!”

Ainar even nodded in approval.

“......?”

Erwen frowned, as if she had encountered an incomprehensible creature, and Ainar shrugged.

“You look happy! Unlike the last time I saw you!”

Her words made me flinch.

The last time... she must be talking about the day Raven told me about.

Ainar had stepped on a landmine.

But...

“...What are you talking about?”

Erwen didn’t seem angry.

She just looked away, embarrassed.

‘Right, she’s weak to this kind of thing...’

Maybe Ainar’s presence was a good thing.

Honestly, I was a bit worried that Amelia wouldn’t be able to handle Erwen alone.

‘And she’s become a bit more mellow these days...’

As I was thinking that...

“Alright, let’s go! I’m so excited to be exploring with Bjorn again!!”

Ainar charged ahead, and I chuckled, stopping her.

“Ainar, where are you going?”

“Huh? We started in the north, so we’re going north! I know how to plan a basic route! I can even read a compass now!”

I was proud of her progress, but...

“We’re not going to the Goblin Forest today.”

Amelia’s firm words made Ainar tilt her head.

“...Oh? Really? Then where are we going? The Land of the Dead?”

“The Rocky Desert. Hmm, that’s strange. I’m sure I shared the exploration plan with you...”

“Ah, sorry! I forgot!”

“...I see.”

Amelia was speechless, and I quickly took control of the situation.

We couldn’t waste any more time here.

“Hmm, then...”

Who should I assign as the guide?

Amelia, the Guide? Or Erwen?

I hesitated for a moment, and then I made a decision.

“...I’ll be the guide!”

The main objective of this expedition was to build teamwork.

I had to minimize the chances of conflict.

“Huh? You don’t have to do that, Mister—”

“What are you talking about! We have to share the burden! Come on, follow me!”

I cut Erwen off and led the way.

We had a lot to do this time.

Even though Ainar didn’t seem to remember anything...

‘At least she won’t be suspicious of me.’

It was actually an advantage.

In my old team, I couldn’t even use my game knowledge properly because I was worried about Raven’s reaction.

「Entered the 2nd-floor Rocky Desert.」

Alright, let’s start by clearing the low-level raids.