Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 314: Legacy (3)

Chapter 314: Legacy (3)

6th-grade Dwarf explorer, Aitomz.

He was an ordinary explorer, just like any other.

He wasn't part of a large clan, and he had joined his current team through the Explorer's Guild's matchmaking service.

Well, the only unusual thing about him was that he had recently become the team leader after the previous leader died...

But that didn't change the fact that he was ordinary.

His team's main hunting ground was the 4th floor.

His teammates were all average in terms of skill, and their personalities and mindsets were no different from any other explorer.

They usually hunted monsters and collected magic stones, but like any other explorer, they wouldn't hesitate to kill if a good opportunity presented itself.

That's why Dwarf Aitomz and his teammates were in a dilemma.

Their encounter with this barbarian was purely coincidental.

They were passing through the Thornreed Field on their way to the Witch's Forest when they heard him shouting for help.

He said he had gotten separated from his team after sneaking away to drink during a break...

'What an idiot...'

Aitomz was dumbfounded at first, but he didn't think the barbarian was lying.

He was a barbarian, after all!

Anything could happen with those guys, and they weren't known for lying. Even when they did, it was obvious.

'So he really is lost...'

"Dwarf, what are we going to do?"

"We can't just leave him, can we? I think that ring he's wearing is a subspace ring."

"He said he lost his weapon too. Let's do it quickly, his teammates might come looking for him."

Greed flickered in their eyes.

It was understandable.

Subspace rings were valuable, their resale value almost the same as their purchase price. Unlike equipment, they didn't have a limited lifespan and didn't require specific stats to use.

They were worth millions of stones.

'His armor looks good too...'

"What are you guys talking about?! You said you would help me find my teammates!"

"Jackson, keep him distracted. Barbarian! Are you hungry? Have some jerky!"

"Oh! Jerky! But... do you have any alcohol?!"

"Haha, of course. Have a drink with us."

Aitomz sent one of his teammates to distract the barbarian and then exchanged glances with the others.

They all nodded in agreement.

A silent consensus.

"Ugh, I'm so tired after running all day... Can I take a nap while you guys discuss?"

"Haha, go ahead."

The barbarian then lay down on the ground, seemingly exhausted, and soon started snoring.

Snore! Snore!

Aitomz felt a pang of guilt, but he quickly dismissed it.

It was the barbarian's fault.

He was practically begging to be looted, who could resist?

Aitomz signaled to his teammates, and they slowly approached the sleeping barbarian.

And...

'Now!'

They all lunged at him simultaneously, their weapons aimed at his vital points.

But then something unexpected happened.

Clang!

Their weapons were blocked.

The impact felt like they had hit a stone wall, and the sound was different. Instead of the sound of flesh tearing, there was a grating sound of metal scraping against metal.

"...What the..."

They were all stunned, and then...

The barbarian sat up abruptly, not a single drop of blood on him. And he roared, his fist flying towards them.

"You bastards!!!"

As if he had been waiting for this moment.

____________________

"Huh... it actually worked."

Pelic Barker chuckled after the first looting was successfully completed.

He had been skeptical at first, but the results were undeniable.

"Leader, there was nothing in his bag, but his equipment is surprisingly good for his level."

"I'm not surprised. He's done this before, judging by his actions."

That was the irony of this world.

Those who worked hard and hunted monsters were often left behind, while those who preyed on their fellow explorers grew stronger much faster.

Well, sometimes they got ahead of themselves and ended up dead...

"So, what do you think? My method isn't bad, is it?"

I puffed out my chest proudly, and Pelic Barker nodded.

"It's not bad. No, to be honest, it's revolutionary."

He seemed genuinely impressed, and he showered me with praise.

"The fact that we can use someone like you as a runner is unbelievable. Who could possibly defend against a surprise attack from the inside and the outside?"

Indeed, they had all turned their backs on me during the last battle. As soon as the clan members hiding in the reed forest ambushed them, they were all knocked out.

The battle lasted less than 10 seconds.

"Barbarians are truly amazing! Who would have thought they could use a child as a runner without anyone suspecting a thing!"

...Is that a compliment?

I felt a strange sense of dissonance, but I just brushed it off.

I wasn't a real barbarian anyway, and it was a compliment, after all.

'Anyway, I've shown them how effective this method is...'

It was time to move on to the next step.

I had shared this method for one reason.

"So you like it? Then you guys will all use my method now?"

I didn't want to loot innocent explorers, even if I had to work with these guys for a while.

And I couldn't just stand by and watch them do it either.

So I decided to guide them towards hunting looters.

"I wish we could, but..."

Pelic Barker clicked his tongue.

"Unfortunately, there's a fatal flaw in your method."

"What is it?"

"There's only one of you. It's a good method, but it's not very efficient to have everyone move together for this."

Ah, that?

"Don't worry, I've already thought about that. Hey, you two."

I grinned and called over two explorers I had been observing from Team 1 and Team 2. And I had them take off their shirts.

"Why do we have to take off our clothes...?"

Why? I just wanted to check their physiques.

'Okay, they're a bit soft, but their size is good enough.'

Swoosh.

I took a step closer, and the two men instinctively covered their chests with their arms and stepped back.

What, am I going to do something to you?

"Please tell us what you're planning to do..."

"I'll make you warriors."

I said so and took out the items I had prepared.

They realized what I was going to do.

"That's...!"

"No way!!"

It was a brush and a set of paints.

______________________

Surrealist painter Salvador Dali once said,

[I am not strange. I am just not ordinary.]

Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh also said,

[I am uncertain of my life. But the starry nights make me dream.]

Ah, and there's also a famous quote from Pablo Picasso:

[Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.]

Will I ever leave behind such famous words?

I don't know, but I can say this:

"...Stay still! Or you'll die!"

Ugh, why are they squirming so much?

It's messing up the lines.

Swoosh, swoosh.

The more they struggled, the more I focused.

Red, green, blue, black.

Using these four common colors, I diligently painted, the words of the great masters echoing in my mind.

Unlike the 'art' that these criminals couldn't understand,

My canvas was human skin.

Swoosh, swoosh.

The criminals surrounding me muttered incessantly.

"...It looks like scribbles."

"The lines are so crooked..."

Tsk, how barbaric.

They don't even understand modern art.

"Ahem!"

I coughed loudly, and they all shut their mouths.

Ah, much better. I should have done that sooner.

"..."

I continued my work in the quiet atmosphere.

It didn't take long.

It was fun at first, but it got boring after a while.

"Done! You can get up now!"

I finished my work and patted the two men on their backs. They slowly got up.

Geez, don't kill my artistic inspiration.

"Why are you covering the tattoos with your arms?"

I pushed their arms aside, revealing my masterpiece.

I was quite satisfied with the result.

It was a bit rough compared to my own tattoos, but...

"...It's surprisingly subtle."

Even the clan leader, who had been looking at me with a 'This guy is crazy' expression, seemed surprised by the result.

It wasn't that noticeable in the dark labyrinth.

But as the artist, I couldn't help but notice the flaws.

"Why are you looking down? Are you embarrassed?"

Look at their timid expressions and posture.

No one would believe they were barbarians.

So...

"Come here, I'll make you real warriors."

I asked the clan leader for permission and took the two men aside for some 'training'.

It wasn't difficult.

It took about 30 minutes.

"Be, Behella!"

"Louder!"

"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"

"Good. Now, what do you shout when you're running?"

"I'm lost! Help me!!!"

"Snoring!"

"Snore! Snore, snore!!"

"Sit down!"

Thump.

Yes, now you look like barbarians.

______________________

Under the bright moonlight, Erwen Fornachi di Tersia knocked on the door of a house.

Knock, knock.

It took about a minute for the door to open.

Creak.

The fairy man who opened the door froze when he saw Erwen.

Her solemn expression told him why she was there at this hour.

"...You've made your decision."

"Yes."

Her unwavering answer made him sigh.

He understood her feelings.

But...

"The process of obtaining the power of the pureblood is much more gruesome than you can imagine, and it's not something you can achieve just by wanting it."

"I know."

"Please, reconsider. Just one more time."

He couldn't bear to watch her walk this path.

He knew what awaited her.

But Erwen's resolve was unwavering.

"I'm sorry, but I've already made my decision."

"..."

"Please help me. I want to become the pureblood."

Erwen raised her head.

Her amber eyes, usually filled with warmth and light, were now burning with ambition.

He felt a lump in his throat.

He had seen too many people with that look in their eyes meet a tragic end.

But...

"Alright. I'll help you."

He couldn't refuse her request.

He was a hero of the tribe, a powerful figure, but in front of these sisters, he was a sinner.

"Thank you. I'll be going now."

Erwen turned to leave, and he unconsciously stopped her.

"Wait."

"...Is there something else?"

"What if... Yes, what if..."

He wanted to ask what she would do if there was a way to bring him back.

But he couldn't finish his sentence.

"Never mind, I was being silly. It's late, go home. I'll talk to the elders."

"Yes."

Erwen tilted her head, confused, but she soon turned and left. This time, he didn't stop her.

He couldn't.

The one who knew about the 'Stone of Resurrection' was absent from the recent gathering, and...

"..."

He already knew who that stone was meant for.