Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Jinx (2)

Jinx (2)

The identification tag that we only received right before entering the labyrinth.

It's called an identification tag, but it's really just a steel pendant with the royal emblem on it.

For reference, Raven, who has a regular appraiser license, estimated the production cost to be less than 3,000 stones.

[So it's really just an ordinary necklace.]

[Even the royal family wouldn't be able to create and distribute something like a magic tool in that short amount of time.]

And there wasn't even a name on it, so it would be impossible to tell who stole it.

But as we examined it closely...

It wasn't anything special, but...

It was something that neither the official who gave it to us nor the knight we met on the 1st floor bothered to mention.

[What the hell is written here?]

[...It's in the ancient language.]

A small number written in the ancient language between the royal emblems.

The number on our identification tags is 2.

Raven and I made several guesses and then reached a conclusion after comparing it with various other explorers' identification tags.

[The clan we met earlier all had 3 written on their identification tags.]

This ancient number represents the explorer's level.

It doesn't indicate the exact rank, but 1 means low-ranking, 2 means mid-ranking, and 3 means high-ranking.

[I was wondering why they asked about our rank when they were distributing them, so this was the reason.]

[But why didn't they tell us?]

[To prevent Noark from exploiting it.]

Of course, it's a flimsy measure, as anyone who can read the ancient language could figure it out like we did.

But it's not bad in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Adding one more number when stamping the emblem isn't that difficult, is it?

And we're actually benefiting from it right now.

'Phew, damn Hans effect.'

I try to control my expression and clench my hand holding the shield. The number on the identification tag that the dwarf's team showed us earlier was 1.

It means they're from Noark, having stolen the identification tag.

Judging by their equipment and everything, there's no way they're low-ranking explorers.

'Now, what should I do?'

Should I just attack them right now?

It was the first option that came to mind, but after careful consideration, it was the worst possible move.

It seems like Raven also has a similar thought.

[They don't know that we've figured out their identity yet. So for now, let's pretend we don't know and explore first.]

Right, this is the best option.

I nod in response to her Whisper spell, and the dwarf glances at me with a meaningful look.

"Is there a problem?"

"No. Let's just introduce ourselves. I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel. You?"

"Jagurs Marthan."

It's a dwarven name, but it's probably a pseudonym.

"Ah! I, I'm Hans Krisen!"

The introductions between leaders end as Hans G also reveals his name.

"Identification tags?"

"Ah, here they are. What are you guys doing? Show them to him."

I also check Hans G's team's identification tags, just in case.

Except for one newbie with 1 written on it, they're all 2.

"Um... we, we have to move together from now on, so how about we introduce the other members too?"

"Hmm, move together? Do you know anything about this rift?"

"Yes, I'm somewhat knowledgeable since I like reading books."

Hans G confidently nods at the dwarf's question.

It's kind of funny, seeing him like that.

He learned from books?

Isn't that the excuse I always use?

"Explain. What happens next?"

"If we all gather and touch it, a path will open. And if we follow that path, we'll reach a forest."

"...You're useful."

"Haha... I'm gl, glad to be of help. In that sense, how about we take some time to get to know each other? What we're good at, and all."

We then have a brief introduction session, sharing our team compositions.

To summarize:

[Hans G's team]

Summoner, mage, mace warrior, Guide, fairy archer.

[Dwarf's team]

Dwarf warrior, beastman swordsman, sorcerer, archer, priest.

"Oh! You have a priest!"

Hans G's face brightens up as soon as he hears the dwarf's team composition. He seems happy about the presence of a priest since we'll have to do raids from now on...

But he's probably a priest of Karui.

"Um, then how about the loot distribution...?"

As expected of explorers who met in a rift, they immediately start discussing the loot after the introductions are over.

And as a result...

Each team keeps the trash mobs they kill.

And for the loot obtained from hunting together, we'll roll dice.

However, it's not a fair dice roll.

"Shouldn't the team that contributes more get more? Mr. Krisen, was it? Just by looking at you, it seems like your team will be the least helpful."

"Ah, as I said before, we have information about this rift—"

"I also know a lot about the Doppelganger Forest."

Raven's negotiation mode, toying with the opponent with her soft-spoken voice.

"Wait a minute, aren't you being too rude?"

The fairy archer from Hans's team explodes in anger, but nothing changes.

"Meilin, stop it. He's no, not wrong."

"Right, admit what you have to admit. Didn't we all suffer because of that barbarian's Doppelganger? It's unfair to them to demand fairness when there's such a difference in strength."

"......"

The fairy archer clenches her teeth in frustration, unable to say anything as both the leader and the mage say the same thing.

Hans G then speaks in a bitter voice,

"We'll subtract 1 from the number we roll on the dice."

"Subtract 2. And we'll use a 10-sided dice."

"...Alright. But in return, please increase our share if we make a contribution."

"That's a reasonable suggestion. Actually, why don't we make that the rule? We subtract 1 from the number if any team makes a mistake, and add 1 if they do well. How about it?"

Raven looks directly at the dwarf and says that, and the dwarf nods readily.

"Not bad."

Because they're planning to backstab us anyway.

Is it just my imagination that I heard that?

__________________

We gather at the altar in the center of the cavern and place our hands on it, and the vines blocking the passage move aside, revealing an uphill path.

"We'll go first. But we'd prefer if you didn't follow too closely."

"That's only natural."

We proceed through the passage, maintaining a safe distance between the teams, and soon a forest appears.

The second chapter begins.

「Character has entered a special area.」

「Field effect - Doppelganger Forest is applied.」

「Status effect [Distrust] is applied.」

「Damage dealt to party members is doubled.」

The content of this chapter is simple.

We just have to wander through the forest, defeat three mid-bosses, and find an altar that's hidden somewhere.

"So which team will take the lead?"

"It's better to take turns."

As expected of explorers with 'Distrust' as a passive, we move in a formation where the teams are separated, instead of moving as one.

It looks like an isosceles triangle from above.

Each team takes care of the monsters in their respective directions, and they provide support if there's danger.

"Activate the Voice Control spell."

Although we're quite far from the other teams, I activate the team voice magic. And we continue exploring, defeating the Doppelgangers that appear every few minutes.

After some time...

"Nyaha! What the, that dwarf! He was acting all tough, but he's nothing in a fight!"

We naturally hunt the Doppelgangers of the other members and gather information.

Hans G's side is as easy as expected, and the dwarf's team isn't as strong as we thought.

'They're probably around 5th-grade level.'

It's good news for me, who was even considering the possibility that they might be as strong as the Dragonslayer.

"Raven, activate Voice Control."

"Yes? I'm already using it."

Ah, I didn't tell her.

"Just between you and me."

It's a sensitive topic.

"Huh? Why just the two of us...?"

"I'll explain later."

Although the three who are being ostracized express their doubts, they nod after seeing my expression.

"...It's done. But you're not going to tell them?"

"I don't think those three are good at acting."

Although I didn't intend it, our gazes naturally turn towards Ainar.

"...Let's end this conversation here."

"Yes. That would be best."

I get to the point.

"So what do you think they're going to do?"

"It's 50/50. They might just want to finish the exploration peacefully and leave... or they might get greedy."

It's a slightly unexpected answer.

"50/50?"

I thought she would say that the probability of them being greedy is higher.

"They're outnumbered. And after fighting them, they're not even stronger than us."

Hmm, that's true.

"But one thing's for sure, they won't do anything right now, even if they're greedy. It will probably be after we defeat the guardian."

I agree with this part.

The Doppelganger Forest is a rift with a maximum capacity of 15 people.

It means it's difficult to clear with just one team unless they're incredibly skilled.

"You know, right? Conversely, it also means that we can't attack them first until we defeat the guardian."

"Yeah, I know."

It's the most frustrating part of the current situation.

Cutting off the source of the problem.

After all, you can only relax after completely uprooting the problem, but we can't attack first!

My mace is itching to be used.

"Then what about them?"

"The team with Hans?"

"Yeah. Did you notice anything suspicious?"

"I don't know. He seemed a bit clueless, but he didn't seem like a bad person."

"He didn't seem like a bad person..."

Indeed, he does seem that way.

But I know.

That Hans G is the one who led over a hundred explorers to their deaths just to save himself when we were trapped in [Crack of Evil].

He's not someone who can be dismissed as an idiot.

And he's a player.

"Ha..."

I can't help but sigh.

Hans G and now a team of explorers from Noark.

Why does the difficulty level increase every time I enter a rift?

"Bjorn, Doppelganger!"

"...Keep an eye on them too. Tell me immediately if you notice anything strange."

"Okay."

I end the conversation with Raven and focus on the exploration. Surprisingly, no one asks about our conversation.

They must be curious...

But they're just trusting us and waiting, assuming there's a reason.

'...Geez, I feel bad.'

"Co, could we get some support?!"

Anyway, time passes without any major incidents, except for the occasional request for support from Hans G's team.

And as night approaches...

...we find one of the three mid-bosses.

"It, it's a Manticore!"

It's one of the few non-Doppelganger monsters in this rift, and it's known for its cost-effectiveness in terms of both byproducts and essence.

「Killed Manticore. EXP +5」

The strategy itself wasn't difficult thanks to Raven and Hans G's information.

However, the problem was...

No, is it even right to call it a problem?

"Stop!"

...an essence dropped.

It's an essence that I can absorb, something that hasn't happened in a long time.

"Raven, take out the dice!"

I have to win this.

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