Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Request (3)

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"Bjorn, are you going to the sanctuary again today?"

"There's something I couldn't finish yesterday. I'll be back in the evening, so don't slack off and practice."

As soon as day broke, I headed to the sanctuary to receive the 3rd stage engraving that I couldn't get yesterday.

The cost was the same as in the game, 2 million stones.

It was also consistent that you could get a characteristic imbued every time you went through a stage that was a multiple of 3 in the Spirit Engraving.

"Kuku, I've never seen a barbarian with so much money. You have three paths to choose from."

The shaman asked as I put the money into the jar.

"There is the Soul of Flame, the Soul of Steel, and the Soul of Wildness. Warrior, which will you choose?"

Just in case, I listened to the shaman's explanation, but there didn't seem to be any changes due to the reality patch.

Therefore...

"I will choose the Soul of Wildness."

I chose Wildness without hesitation.

It's because each of these characteristics is a core part of my shield barbarian build.

「3rd stage of Undying Engraving activated. Physical Resistance and Fire Resistance greatly increased.」

「Physical stat increased by +50.」

「The Soul of Wildness is imbued into your body.」

「Character's base threat level greatly increased.」

「[Wild Release] can be used.」

Threat level.

In other words, the probability of drawing monsters' aggro just by breathing has increased.

Also, I can now temporarily increase my threat level by 3 times using [Wild Release] and gain physical bonuses proportional to that increase.

'I used to only use it occasionally when I was building a greatsword barbarian.'

In the early days, I often used the Undying Engraving to compensate for the barbarian's lack of survivability.

However, [Wild Release] back then was a double-edged sword.

The stronger the character became, the more enemies swarmed.

Of course, it's different for a shield barbarian.

'No risk, high return.'

Monsters' aggro being drawn?

That's something to welcome as a tank.

And on top of that, physical stats increase?

It means increased stability, and...

If I use it together with [Gigantification], which greatly increases threat level, I can experience a real power boost, even if it's temporary.

'I didn't expect to finish [Gigantification] and the 3rd stage engraving in just 3 months.'

While I'm satisfied with my own growth, I also feel a bit bitter.

I was just struggling to survive...

And somehow, I ended up like this.

"Leave now, you must be tired."

It was 5:00 PM when I came out after receiving the Spirit Engraving.

Misha promised to grill beef for me, so I quickly stopped by the library to confirm the meeting time and then returned to the accommodation.

And...

After various experiments, I figured out the activation condition for [Wild Release].

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"

So this is how you use it.

_______________________________

「Bjorn Yandel」

Level: 3

Physical: 380 (New +50) / Mental: 124 / Ability: 115

Item Level: 828

Total Combat Index: 822 (New +50)

Acquired Essences: Corpse Golem - Rank 7 / Vampire (Guardian) - Rank 5 / Orc Hero - Rank 5

_______________________________

The next day, lunchtime.

I headed to the meeting place alone.

The shop's name was 'Promise of Flowing Water', so I wondered what kind of shop it was, but it turned out to be an ordinary dessert shop.

Damn it.

"......Barbarian?"

"What is it? Does the owner owe him a debt or something?"

Gazes gather as I open the door and enter.

It's even worse than the library.

It's not like I came to a place I shouldn't be.

"Mr. Bjorn, right? Over here!"

I don't think it's efficient to change locations, so I go to the designated seat and sit down.

"Are you the client?"

"Yes, I'm Shabin Emuer, a 7th-grade secretary at the Ravigion Administrative Office. Please call me Shabin."

"Alright."

Shabin Emuer.

She's human. I thought she would be young since she's my friend's friend, but she looks to be in her early thirties.

Her first impression is quite kind, but I'll find out her true personality once we start talking.

"I didn't order anything because I didn't know what you would like, what would you like to have?"

"Beer and grilled meat."

"......Yes?"

"It's fine if you don't have it. I don't like sweets."

"Ah, yes..."

I guess that's enough of the silent protest about why she called me to this kind of place...

Let's get to the point quickly.

"So what's the request?"

"Didn't Ragna tell you?"

"Ragna? Ah, you mean that librarian?"

Shabin flinches at my question, then nods as if she understands.

"You didn't know her name. Well... that's understandable, considering her personality. Her name is Ragna Ritaniyel Peprok. She's not a bad person, so don't be too angry."

There's nothing to be angry about.

I didn't even ask in the first place.

I mutter to myself,

"Ragna Ritaniyel Peprok..."

"It's Ritaniyel, not Ritaniyel."

Yeah, whatever.

Why is her name so hard to pronounce?

"...Is she a noble by any chance?"

"No, but..."

I ask involuntarily, and I get a somewhat strange response.

"I can't tell you the details. She'll definitely get angry if she finds out."

So there's a story, right?

"Just tell me about the request."

"It's a simple patrol request. Criminals and tax evaders sometimes hide in the sewers, so we need to patrol them periodically. But..."

Shabin trails off with a strange tone.

As if she's waiting for something.

"...But?"

I play along just in case, and Shabin continues her explanation as if she's been waiting for this.

"The explorers we used to entrust with patrol requests didn't return from the labyrinth this time, you see? As Mr. Bjorn knows..."

"...Knows?"

"There was a big incident on the 3rd floor, wasn't there? It seems like they got caught up in it! Oh, what a sad story, right?"

I don't know about it being a sad story, but I do know there's something wrong with this girl.

"So you decided to entrust the request to me."

"Yes. It's an official request from the administrative office, so we can't just give it to anyone. So while we were looking for the right person, Ragna told me about Mr. Bjorn!"

"I see."

I understand the general situation.

But...

"Why me? There must have been more suitable people."

From what I hear, it's practically a chore.

The administrative office must have been outsourcing the request to explorers.

The reward probably isn't that great either.

'It's not like those Evil Spirit Hunter bastards sent her...'

I inwardly consider even the worst-case scenario, but the answer is ridiculously simple.

"You're the hottest topic these days?"

"What?"

"Honestly, I was a bit curious. I also wanted to meet you in person..."

In other words, she used the excuse of an administrative office request to satisfy her personal curiosity.

"Ah, I'm going to pack some cookies from here later, is it okay if I brag to my colleagues that Mr. Bjorn gave them to me as a gift?"

"...Do as you please."

Judging by her bright expression, it doesn't seem like she's acting.

"So what do you think? The reward is only 200,000 stones, but it's not a bad offer for Mr. Bjorn either. It's a bit embarrassing to say this myself, but..."

Ugh, again?

Can't she just speak directly?

This is like playing with people.

"...It is, but...?"

I play along once more with a lifeless voice, and Shabin continues with a smile, as if she's enjoying it.

"Some people consider just receiving a request from the administrative office as a reward! Our selection criteria are a bit strict, so they think of it as a sign of being a verified talent, you know...?"

This time, her voice trails off upwards for some reason.

It seems like it's a bit awkward for her to explain it in a way that a barbarian can understand...

"It means my credibility will increase."

I'm a barbarian who possesses both the mind of a modern person and the body of a savage.

Shabin claps her hands as I summarize it briefly and concisely.

"Yes! That's right! Hmm, well... with your fame, Mr. Bjorn, I guess you would get requests from everywhere even without this."

"That's not exactly the case."

I smile bitterly.

It's been two weeks since I gained the title of Little Balkan.

Yet this is the first time someone has contacted me for a request.

I can roughly guess the reason.

'It's because I'm an unrefined barbarian.'

Being good at fighting is different from being good at work.

But maybe I can use this opportunity to change people's perception of me.

Of course, I can't stand out too much either...

"I'll take the request."

I finally make my decision.

___________________________

"Then I'll be on my way."

As soon as the explanation of the request's details is finished, the barbarian leaves without hesitation.

Shabin smiles as she watches him leave.

'He was an interesting person for once.'

She wondered why that girl mentioned someone else for once, but now she thinks she understands.

It's been a while since she had a conversation with someone so pure, and it makes her feel mentally at ease.

That girl must have felt something similar.

Even though it was just a passing remark...

It's been years since that girl mentioned another person first.

'Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself...'

But it's time for that girl to make a friend.

__________________________________

Two days later.

Ten days before the labyrinth opens.

I arrive at the sewer entrance, guided by administrative office employees.

Somehow, I'm here with all the members of Team Misfits.

"...Bjorn, you didn't say it would smell this bad."

"I didn't know it would be this bad either. But you should have expected it to some extent since it's a sewer, right?"

"Th, that's true, but..."

This is what happened when I mentioned the request at yesterday's gathering.

[You don't have to share the reward. Exploring the sewers, a place with all sorts of ghost stories? Hahaha! How could I miss out on such an opportunity?]

[Is it okay if I tag along? My head has been hurting from reading books lately, it would be a good change of pace.]

[Hmm, the sewers must have a complicated layout, right? It would be perfect for testing out my new abilities.]

[You said criminals hide there? It might be dangerous to go alone.]

Everyone seemed bored from training every day and wanted to come along.

So I just said okay.

There's no reason to refuse free labor when they even said they don't need a share of the reward.

'Rotmiller, the scout, will be quite helpful, at least...'

I hand the map I received from the administrative office employee to Rotmiller and attach the video recording device to the slot on my helmet to record the patrol process.

Then the preparations are complete.

"Let's get going."

I take the lead and open the iron gate.

And I descend the damp stairs into the underground.

By the time I reach the last step, it's so dark that I have to light a torch.

"It's more spacious than I expected?"

"That's why there are people who live here in hiding. Hahaha!"

Sewage flows slowly, and there's a ditch next to it.

The torch flickers, creating a somewhat eerie atmosphere.

"This way."

I follow Rotmiller's guidance and walk carefully along the ditch to avoid falling into the water. The surroundings become noticeably darker as we move away from the entrance.

"You know that ghost story about a terrifying monster living in the sewers...?"

The dwarf laughs and spreads rumors, as if he's enjoying it.

Misha and Dwarkey listen intently.

"Dwarkey, do you think there really are monsters?"

"I heard that waste from the Magic Tower also flows into the sewers. If reagents or monster corpses were to mix randomly and react in some way, it's possible that such monsters could be created."

"Uh, is that really true?"

What does he mean, 'really true'?

Our predecessor received 150,000 stones per visit and went in and out of the sewers for 2 years without any problems, so realistically, how could there be such things?

Splash, splash-

I sigh inwardly and move my feet carefully.

But is it because of the ghost stories that the dwarf kept talking about?

The sound of my footsteps seems particularly loud.

'With five of us here like this, it feels like we've entered a dungeon.'

Damn it, nothing will really happen, right?

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