Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Return (2)

"Percy? Percy!"

The leader hastily called out someone's name.

Of course, there was no answer.

Because I'd instructed Erwen to shoot the crossbowman first.

"What the hell did you do?"

The leader then asked me.

But even so, did he already anticipate my response? Because he was being wary of his rear area, not of me.

This was a very big mistake.

I hate bastards who ask questions with already fixed answers.

A lot, too.

‘Smash!'

The moment the leader's gaze turned to the bushes at his back.

Without hesitation, I dashed forward and swung my shield.

Whoooosh!

Unfortunately, I didn't feel the taste of impact.

Did you avoid it? if it were a goblin, it would have disappeared into the light of the world without fail.

"Illys! Now!"

At the leader's call, the samurai dashed towards me, slashing horizontally with a restrained posture.

Clang!

Sparks bounced off from the shield with a metallic sound.

What crazy shock is this? I almost dropped my shield.

But despite being surprised, I ran towards the three instead.

To distract their attention, and to give Erwen a more surefire opportunity.

But…

Whoosh!

Another ‘smash' missed.

Was it because they were adventurers on the second floor?

While trying to deal with them, I found the short reach of the shield to be particularly annoying for the first time.

But the more I thought so, the more I narrowed our distance and swung my shield more aggressively.

Then, I heard the sound I'd been waiting for.

Hwiiiiiiiiiiiiiish!

At last, Erwen's support fire had begun.

However, the arrows didn't hit the forehead, neck, legs or arms. Because the bastard with swords-and-shield blocked them with his shield.

"I will stop the arrows! Don't worry and handle the barbarian!"

Somehow, he alone didn't fight.

Did you decide to focus just on the arrows?

Again, humans are too picky compared to goblins.

Bang!

As I was receiving the samurai's strike with my shield, the leader sharply swung his sword at my left arm.

Slash–!

Fortunately, I managed to react in time, so it didn't cut deep enough.

I did get cut, but it didn't mean much because the arm was already damaged, and it didn't even hurt too much because of all the paralytic poison.

"Hey, what a monster…"

The leader muttered at the sight of me not even blinking at the cut on my arm.

Fuck, man, I have an excuse. Not cool.

Spitting out some swearwords, I pushed with the shield and forcefully deflected the samurai's strike.

Then came another support fire.

Hwiiiiiiiiiiiiiish!

Maybe she just changed the shooting position, because it came from a completely different direction than before. Even as far away as she was, it wouldn't have been easy.

Thud!

The beanpole once again blocked the arrow with a shield.

Are you some kind of outfielder? All you do is dive in with your body and block incoming fire.

Just when I was getting irritated over the battle situation that showed no sign of progress –

Crackle!

The shield that was looking like a hedgehog, riddled with arrows, began to burn quickly.

"Shit!"

The beanpole couldn't stand the heat and threw the shield away.

Sorry, but our archer is a spirit archer.

That's why you should've used a full metal shield like me, you bastard!

Hwiiiiiiiiiiiiiik!

Since the annoying shield had disappeared, Erwen also fired another arrow without hesitation.

"Aaaaah!"

She hit the beanpole's shoulder this time.

And then, he lost even the sword he'd been holding and became a useless bastard.

"Illys! I'll take care of the fairy bitch!"

Only then did the leader grasp the situation, entrust me to the samurai and run to the bushes.

It was already too late for me to catch up.

Shit…

It seemed that I had no choice but to trust Erwen.

"Just stop and give up, barbarian."

The samurai stepped back, and spoke with a dignified voice.

Really, fucking humans were always like this.

What fucking bullshit is that? You're clearly trying to buy time until your leader comes back.

Thud!

As I dashed forward and used ‘smash', the samurai's face wrinkled.

"You afraid, all alone?"

"He isn't alone!"

I asked the samurai a question, but the beanpole was the one who answered, trying to stand up.

In his left hand was the one-handed sword he'd dropped earlier.

However …

Swish!

Was it because he was right-handed? He wasn't any good with it.

Your shield technique was also a wild mess, what's wrong with you?

Slam!

Taking a step back, I neatly evaded the beanpole's attack, and knocked him down from a distance with a kick.

The beanpole made an enraged squeal[1].

"Aaaaah!"

Uh, I didn't know it would break like that.

The beanpole fell to the floor, clutching his neck with both hands.

I even wanted to use this opportunity to finish off the battle, but unfortunately my plan had to be cancelled thanks to the samurai.

Thud!

I couldn't get used to this heaviness behind the impact no matter how many times I blocked it.

Why was he hanging out with these bastards?

Was there some story behind it?

I didn't know, but it was the biggest mistake this bastard ever made in his life.

Whoosh!

As I used ‘smash', the samurai dodged with a familiar distance.

Immediately, I dropped my shield and reached out my hand, dashing once more.

Let's call it… ‘grab while pretending to smash'.

Now I was too lazy to even name it. It wasn't fun anymore.

"Uh-huh!"

The samurai, who got caught by the nape of his neck, looked perplexed.

"I guess you didn't expect this?"

I pulled the samurai towards me with full force.

And, instead of moving my left arm, I used my mouth to bite his neck –

Tear–!

– And ripped it out.

"Ah, ah, ah…"

The samurai couldn't even scream.

He took a step backwards, covering his neck with both hands, which was pouring blood like a fountain, his eyes blank…

He crumpled to the floor.

"Uncle!"

Did you handle that side on your own, too?

As soon as the battle was over, Erwen appeared from the bushes.

"Uncle… huh?"

I spat out the chunk of meat on the floor, and wiped my mouth with my arm.

Fuck, that was fucking filthy.

The difficult battle was over.

No, was I the only one who felt that way?

Fortunately, Erwen was looking no worse than when we'd last parted, as if the battle was over before the enemies even got close.

On the other hand, I was looking completely shredded.

"Uncle! Drink this right now."

Finally relaxed, I knelt on the floor, and Erwen held out a potion towards me.

Gulp, gulp, gulp…

I carefully emptied a bottle of potion as if I was drinking a herbal tonic.

Although it looked like poison, Erwen explained that it was better to drink it because there was no single deep wound.

Anyway, was it because I emptied the whole bottle?

The feeling was completely different from usual.

"Lay off…"

Something was boiling inside me.

I felt pain as if small chestnuts were bouncing around my blood vessels, and my skin was so hot that I felt like I was going crazy.

This went on for over ten minutes.

"… Uncle, be strong."

Erwen wiped the sweat off my body bit by bit with the old handkerchief.

Was it because of the poison? Or was I just that dirty?

I didn't know, but the white handkerchief turned completely black.

… I'd have to buy a new one later.

"Finished. It’s okay now, it’s okay."

Having grown a little bit leaner, I struggled to get up from the floor.

Looking down, I could see scabs covering the cuts and stabs, large and small.

If I grabbed another bottle of potion, these would disappear too, but I decided not to.

"This looks a bit ugly…"

So what if there are scars? I am a barbarian!

"Water."

"Yes yes! Here you go."

At one word, Erwen quickly rummaged through her bag and pulled out a water bottle.

It sure felt like being the boss.

Gulp, gulp, as I drank the whole bottle, my stamina began to slowly recover.

Was the water this good?

The veins that had bulged all over my body began to sink down.

"Take out my watch."

With Erwen's help, I checked the time.

And stiffened up.

[23:20]

Damn, you don't even give me any time to rest.

There were only forty minutes left until the seventh day ended.

If you can't get down to the first floor by then, you'll have to live for three more days in this damn place.

"Erwen, take off the clothes."

"Yes yes?"

No, their clothes, not yours.

I didn't have the energy to talk, so when I pointed at the corpses, Erwen loosened her grip on her front collar.

"No, leave the clothes alone. We don't have time, so just pack the gear, magic bag, and backpack."

"Yes yes!"

Knowing that there was no time, Erwen moved quickly.

"Oh, I’ll go search that redhead and the crossbow guy too!"

Yes, be careful not to step on traps.

While Erwen was away, I took the equipment off the samurai and the beanpole.

Throw away the chest protector, the katan used by the samurai, and the wooden shield that has turned into charcoal…

After the equipment classification was over, I made a rough estimate, selected only those that looked expensive and packed them up.

And just as I was putting them in my backpack, Erwen arrived.

"Eww…"

It seemed a bit too heavy for her to carry two backpacks.

But sorry, I can't help you. Because I have three.

I checked the time once more.

[23:35].

Only twenty-five minutes left.

"Let’s run."

"Are you alright? You look tired…"

"Never mind that."

Erwen was full of concern, but seeing my expression, she nodded and started scouting.

So the marathon started.

"I'll follow you somehow, so speed up as much as you can and scout the way."

"Yes."

I put Erwen in front first, and then I kept running while adjusting the pace.

My body felt strangely heavy because of all the mental fatigue.

No, was it just because of all these backpacks?

… Still, I can't leave these behind. I did all that hard work, so there should be a reward. Isn't that what you'd call a just world?

"Whew, whoo, whoo…"

How long had it been?

Suddenly, a portal appeared in the distance.

Erwen, who arrived first, was waiting for me in front of it.

Her expression, an interplay of joy and regret, was like a shoujo manga protagonist.

Fuck, this was a kind of atmosphere that made me feel like I'd be left behind.

Feeling a bit anxious, I pulled out all the stops and spurred my steps.

And…

"Go in, first!"

"Eh, I, okay!"

Since this was reality rather than a manga, I boldly omitted the emotional embrace and entered the portal.

Flash–!

The burst of brilliance was the same as usual.

But somehow, I felt the light embrace me.

The feeling of returning to the first floor was not much different from when I'd entered the second floor.

That same feeling of rolling inside something's stomach.

"Hey!"

Unfortunately, even the result coincided.

No, was this worse?

Thud–!

While I was almost jerked around by the head and thrown to the ground, Erwen landed fine this time as well.

… How the hell was this possible?

When I was thrown on the second floor, I still floated in the sky and drew a parabola, but this time it was like somebody was pitching a fastball. Me being the ball, obviously.

Damn, my bones hurt.

"This is fun!"

Yeah, it would be.

I too think it would be funny if there was a guy like me next to me.

"Haaa…"

I got up, relaxing my aching body, and dusted off the dirt.

And checked the time.

[23:58].

I was really close to being home safe.

I didn't want to say I was lucky.

Then there would be too many things to blame the heavens for.

If things go well, it's because of me, if things don't go well, that too is because of me.

Living like that is best for your mental health.

"You worked hard, uncle."

"Yeah, you worked hard too."

We looked at each other for a moment and said goodbye.

Wait, I feel like I forgot something…

"Loot distribution!"

"Oh right! Essence!"

Erwen and I both shouted as if we'd remembered at the same time.

"Essence?"

"Yes! You told me to promise you something!"

Oh right, there was that.

Now I remembered what I had forgotten.

But there was no time for a long talk.

I quickly checked my watch again.

[23:59].

I looked at the second hand and there were about 15 seconds left.

I quickly closed the watch and raised my head to look at Erwen.

So, that, that… What was the name?

I think it was something black…

"Black Whale! Let’s meet at the Black Whale Tavern!"

"Yes!"

Erwen nodded at my urgent cry.

Now, I thought I'd be able to rest assured –

「The labyrinth is closed.」

「The character is moving to Rafdonia.」

Oh, fuck, I didn’t tell her what time.

Editor's Notes:

[1] 목에 핏대를 세우며 (lit. blood around the neck), be very angry or excited.