Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 353: Dark Continent (4)

Chapter 353: Dark Continent (4)

"Lihen! Here's some water!"

"Ah, thank you."

As the explorers, including myself, quenched their thirst with water or alcohol, the royal officials moved through the ship, conducting a headcount.

And...

"The ships will be unsummoned immediately after disembarkation, so please make sure you have all your belongings!"

Following their instructions, we boarded smaller boats and headed towards the shore.

The troops who had already disembarked were lined up in formation on the shore.

Well, it was still a far cry from the modern standard of marching in perfect unison.

"It seems like they weren't waiting to ambush us."

"Well, they'd be hard-pressed to win against this many soldiers."

We waited in line, and the troops soon began their march.

Of course, we didn't follow them.

Our ship, the 3rd-class ship 3-21, was assigned to escort the 3rd Magic Corps.

And the 3rd Magic Corps, being part of the 3rd Army, was responsible for securing the rear.

In other words, our role in this war was to establish a base here and defend it after the main force departed.

"Let's set up camp!"

As the remaining ships of the 3rd Corps disembarked, the base construction began in earnest.

Explorers set up the provided tents, and mages busied themselves drawing various magic circles.

And after some time...

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

The deafening roar of the waterfall subsided, and the fog that had obscured our vision cleared.

"Phew, finally..."

"Everyone, have a drink and rest! We'll announce the tent assignments and mission details soon!"

As the base construction neared completion, we were assigned our tent.

A six-person tent located in the east, near the lake.

Even though we were under military control, they didn't separate us from our team.

"Let's introduce ourselves. We'll be working together from now on."

Three strangers joined us.

We weren't just sharing a tent, we were assigned to the same squad for guard duty and patrols.

'That's why they put us together.'

Clans or teams usually consisted of five... no, six members after the Bonding spell update.

But we were only three, so they matched us with others.

'Well, it doesn't seem completely random.'

I looked at the man who was leading the conversation with a friendly smile.

He was wearing a fancy uniform and a sword at his waist, but he was a mage. The emblem of the 3rd Magic Corps on his chest proved it.

"Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Alex Hailo, Assistant Vice-Captain of the 3rd Magic Corps."

"Assistant Vice-Captain?"

I mumbled, and Amelia whispered in my ear.

"It means he's the Vice-Captain's assistant."

Oh, so he's Raven's right-hand man?

It was obvious why he was sent here.

To monitor and control us... or rather, to keep an eye on Erwen.

"The six of us assigned to this tent will be part of Squad 3-17, and as the squad leader, I'll do my best to—"

"Squad leader? Who decided that?"

Erwen's hostile question cracked the man's smile.

"Haha... I understand you might have some concerns about that. But it's an order from my superiors, so—"

"You're putting on a brave face, but you're quite nervous, aren't you?"

"...Yes?"

"Why, am I making you uncomfortable?"

The man flinched and then forced a smile, shaking his head.

"...Of course not. I'm actually quite reassured."

It was clearly a polite lie.

He wouldn't be avoiding Erwen's gaze if he really felt that way.

"Stop it."

I knew he was just following orders, so I intervened.

"But we're fine with just the three of us..."

"Isn't it better to have more people?"

"But a squad leader..."

"There's nothing wrong with a military officer being the squad leader. Why are you so against it?"

"...Okay, I'll stop."

Erwen finally backed down, but her behavior seemed to have left an impression.

The man turned his attention to me.

"And you are...?"

"Lihen Schuitz."

"Ah, yes... I know. Nice to meet you. And you must be Emily Raines."

"Yes."

He greeted me and then introduced the other two, who had been awkwardly observing the situation from afar.

"These two were on the 3rd-class ship that sank on the way here. They were rescued, but unfortunately, their other companions..."

So that was why they had taken two members from other teams.

"It's an honor to meet you, Blood Spirit Marquis. Of course, I mean all of you. I'm a 5th-grade explorer, Laikion Elt."

He seemed like a decent guy.

He was polite and had good manners, judging by how he waited for his turn to introduce himself.

He was a 5th-grade explorer, so he could definitely hold his own in battle.

And his situation seemed rather unfortunate...

"I'll do my best not to be a burden! I'm... Hans Kaiser!"

"...What?"

I couldn't help but blurt it out, and he kindly repeated his name.

"Hans Kaiser!"

Are you kidding me?

____________________

I thought about it for a moment.

What happened the last time I met someone named Hans?

It didn't take long to remember.

Hans J, the one we met on Parune Island, was a traitor.

And...

'I was dragged into the past after meeting him.'

I spent six months there, and when I returned, two years and six months had passed in the original timeline.

And that wasn't all.

Not only were my companions scattered, but I was also branded as an evil spirit.

"Huh..."

I let out a dry chuckle, and Hans K tilted his head.

"Uh... is something wrong?"

I didn't answer.

It would only bring bad luck.

"Erwen."

"Yes, mister."

"You said we were fine with just the three of us, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Hmm..."

I was seriously conflicted.

One word from me, and Erwen would tear this squad apart.

But...

'That would reach Raven's ears.'

That was what bothered me.

Raven knew about my Hans phobia. She might start suspecting me after hearing about this.

'Wait, but as long as it doesn't seem like I kicked them out because of their name...'

That would be fine, right?

Alright, I made up my mind.

"They're trash."

"...Yes?"

"You guys will only hold us back."

My cold words made their faces harden.

They never expected me to say something like that, especially not Erwen.

"Haha... what do you mean? Didn't you just say it's better to have more people, Schuitz?"

Ah, right, I did say that.

"I changed my mind."

Hans was a serious matter.

I then suggested that they either remove those two or let us leave. The officer looked troubled, but...

"That's ridiculous. You think you're something special just because you're with the Blood Spirit Marquis?"

"Fine, then we'll leave. We don't have to stay here and be insulted. But make sure you tell the military that it wasn't our fault."

My words must have struck a nerve. They declared their withdrawal and stormed out of the tent.

Phew, that takes care of one problem—

"How dare they say that. Should I go after them?"

"No, don't even talk to them."

"Okay!"

As they left, I noticed Raven's right-hand man, Alex, glaring at me with disgust.

Well, he must have heard about the incident from Raven.

He probably thought I was a pathetic loser who relied on others for protection, even though I seemed decent at first.

"So what are you going to do? There are only four of us now, but the squad is supposed to have six."

"...I'll report to the Vice-Captain and let you know."

"Alright."

Alex also left to report the situation, and Erwen cautiously asked me,

"But... why did you do that?"

"His name was Hans."

"...What's wrong with Hans?"

Ah, she doesn't know about my Hans jinx?

Hmm, come to think of it, I don't remember telling her.

As I was about to explain, Amelia chuckled and spoke for me.

"You don't even know that about your companion?"

"...So you know?"

"Of course."

Amelia shrugged and briefly explained my Hans jinx.

She knew how significant it was since she had called me 'Lee Hans' before.

But Erwen seemed offended that she was the only one who didn't know.

"Hans..."

She muttered the name with a chilling voice, then clenched her fist.

"Hans Aulock, the traitor from Parune Island, his name was also Hans. I'm sorry. I won't forget it."

"Uh... o-okay..."

I was worried she might start shooting arrows at anyone named Hans, but I decided not to worry too much.

Well, what difference did it make? They were all Hans anyway.

They must have some sins to atone for.

'The problem is, I've already met a Hans...'

We had managed to kick them out of the squad, but I had spent too much time in the same space as Hans K.

And it wasn't even a well-ventilated space.

Considering we were in the middle of a battlefield on the 7th floor...

"Mister... my hands are shaking..."

Ugh, this is going to be a problem.

____________________

What kind of disaster was about to unfold?

I couldn't even relax and enjoy the break, my hands trembling with anxiety.

"Your squad assignment has been decided."

Alex returned and told us about the situation.

Nothing had changed.

We were still a four-person squad, and he was still the leader.

But...

"From now on, we'll be assigned to VIP protection instead of perimeter patrol or guard duty."

Our mission had changed to protecting Raven, the Vice-Captain of the 3rd Magic Corps.

Well, there was no problem with that.

Raven was the most important person in our unit now that Kyle had joined the special forces of the 1st Corps.

It seemed like they just wanted to keep an eye on her and prevent any accidents...

Yes, there was no problem with that.

Kaboom!

A magic cannon fired from somewhere.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The alarm magic activated, blaring throughout the base.

"Ambush! Ambush!!"

"All units, prepare for battle!!"

It happened less than two hours after we met Hans K.