Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 392: Captain Barbarian (2)

Chapter 392: Captain Barbarian (2)

The apprentice shaman, who had been doing odd jobs under the old shaman, looked quite impressive.

The eyepatch that gave him a mysterious aura, the tattoos that covered his body...

He looked like a proper shaman, despite his youthful appearance.

But...

"Stop fidgeting and take off your shirt. Little warrior."

His childish voice, forced into a deep, theatrical tone, broke the illusion. Was he even blind in that eye, or was the eyepatch just for show?

Swoosh.

I sat down and took off my shirt, despite my doubts. The baby shaman immediately placed his hand on my shoulder.

And...

He had figured out my path with a single touch.

His hand moved down to my chest, groping me like a pervert.

"Then let's see how close you are to the ultimate realm."

His voice was laced with skepticism.

But his skepticism didn't last long.

Swoosh.

His hand moved from my shoulder to my chest, then to my side, where my latissimus dorsi muscle was.

The location of the 3rd stage Undead Engraving.

The point where my specialization began.

"Kkeuk, kkeuk... You chose the spirit of the Wild."

That's where I obtained [Wild Release].

A tank needs a threat-generating skill.

"You're young, but you've already received the Soul of the Deceased... You must have worked hard—"

The shaman's voice trailed off as he froze. His hand had moved from my latissimus dorsi to my back.

I seriously considered punching him in the face.

But that would bring his face too close to mine.

And he was practically hugging me from behind.

Swoosh.

His hand moved up my back, reaching the nape of my neck.

"Oh... You've already opened the Spirit Path? Not bad—"

The 4th stage engraving, which increased my Mental and Soul Power stats.

His hand moved back to the front, reaching my heart.

"...Y-you've even opened the Life Path?"

His voice trembled with surprise.

It seemed like he had expected to perform a low-level engraving, based on the Marquis's explanation.

I was getting annoyed, so I forcefully removed his hand.

"W-what are you doing?! I'm performing a sacred ritual to read your path—"

That's why I'm telling you to stop. It's a waste of time.

"Spirit Path, Life Path... whatever. Stop groping me. I've already received the Weapon Soul Engraving."

"W-weapon soul... You've even opened the Blood Path...?"

The shaman flinched again when he heard I had completed the 6th stage engraving.

But he seemed to think it was too anticlimactic.

"Ah... Do you know? You need a very rare offering for the next engraving—"

"I've already brought the Soul of the Deceased, so don't worry about it."

"..."

I didn't understand why the warrior had to lead the engraving ritual... but I had given him all the necessary information.

"We've talked enough, so let's get started."

I lay down on the bed that had been prepared for me.

But the ritual didn't begin.

"Shaman, what are you doing?"

"...Wait a moment. I need to gather my breath and focus before the ritual—"

Focus?

He was just nervous.

I sat up, sensing his hesitation.

And then I voiced my suspicion.

It couldn't be true... but...

"Shaman, you don't mean to tell me..."

"..."

"You've never performed a high-level engraving before?"

"...There were no warriors who requested it. But I've learned how to do it."

Shit, that made me nervous.

__________________

I felt like I had become a guinea pig for a young shaman's training... but I didn't have a choice.

I couldn't ask them to bring the old shaman back.

And this guy didn't recognize me, so it was better to get it done here.

He was a certified shaman, after all.

He would do it properly.

That's what I thought.

Until the first needle pierced my skin.

Stab.

"Aaaaaah!"

"...!"

Stab.

"Kyaaaaaaaaah!"

"...?"

Stab.

"Hey, what the hell? You stabbed me in the wrong place!"

"...N-no, I didn't!"

"You didn't—?"

"Just be quiet! It's going well!"

Stab.

"Kyaaaaaaaaah!"

Was the Spirit Engraving always this painful?

It was excruciating before, but not this bad.

Stab.

Stab.

Stab.

Stab!

Time slowed down, and the pain intensified, searing my brain.

How long did it last?

"I-it's done..."

The exhausted shaman finally spoke.

?Undead Engraving 7th stage activated.?

A strange energy flowed into my body, revitalizing my exhausted spirit.

It felt different from the stat increase you got from absorbing an essence.

It seemed like the engraving itself was successful...

?Special stat 'Recovery Power' created.?

Recovery Power was a stat similar to Muscle Mass.

If Muscle Mass increased your total Strength by 1% per point, Recovery Power increased all healing and regeneration effects proportionally to its value.

It wasn't as noticeable as Strength, but...

?Physical stats increased by +120.?

The stat increase itself was significant.

Special stats, which couldn't be obtained from essences, were proportional to your main stats.

With my current Strength, it would be around 120, right?

"Kkeu, kkeu, kkeu..."

It was a huge reward, worth the pain and suffering.

I chuckled, forgetting the pain, and the shaman next to me let out a strange sound.

"...It's the first time I've seen a warrior smile after receiving a new soul."

"That's because you're inexperienced. Warriors always smile when they're in pain."

"That's not true...! I've engraved countless warriors—"

What? How many could he have engraved in the two years and six months I was gone?

"Yeah... good job. You did well."

I felt my energy returning, so I got up from the bed.

The room was lit by candles, and the curtains were drawn, so I hadn't noticed it was already nighttime.

'They said it could take a while, so they won't be worried.'

The shaman would return to the sanctuary on his own, so I just grabbed my clothes and left.

The servant who had guided me earlier was waiting outside.

But why was she looking at me like that?

She seemed scared...

"Um... are you alright, sir?"

Ah, she must have heard me screaming. She probably thought I had been tortured or something.

"I'm fine. I'm leaving now, so can I just go?"

I hoped they had prepared a carriage for me, like last time.

The servant hesitated and then spoke.

"The Marquis wishes to see you, sir."

"The Marquis...?"

I unconsciously dropped the honorifics, and the servant's face paled.

But she couldn't correct me in front of a guest.

"Yes, the 'Marquis' is waiting for you, sir. Please follow me."

She emphasized the honorifics and led me away.

Shit, I should be more careful.

I couldn't reveal my true identity yet.

Creak.

We arrived at the Marquis's study.

The Marquis looked up from his documents and dismissed the servant.

And then, as soon as the door closed, he greeted me.

"How was the engraving, Viscount Yandel?"

"It went well, thanks to you. But why did you call me again?"

I was tired, so I got straight to the point, but the Marquis didn't seem offended.

He just went along with it.

"I have something to tell you."

He didn't even show any displeasure.

But the more he acted friendly, the more wary I became.

"What is it?"

"First, I've finished persuading the people you wanted to recruit."

He then explained that he had successfully recruited the mage I had chosen, but the priest had refused, so the backup support ability user would be joining us.

Damn, I wish we had gotten the priestess. We would have more options.

"Well, that's the first thing. I guess there's a second."

"Indeed. The first one could have been conveyed in writing."

"I'm curious, so tell me."

"We've decided to hold a meeting with the team leaders tomorrow. I'll try to steer the conversation towards choosing the commander."

"...Tomorrow? So suddenly?"

"The labyrinth opens soon. Even if we can't launch a major operation right away, we need to finalize the organizational structure. Is there a problem?"

"No, I agree. It's better to get this done early. So how will the commander be chosen?"

"I said I would steer the conversation. All five teams have backers, so they'll all want to be the commander."

"So you're going to let them fight it out."

"That's one way to put it. So, are you okay with it?"

"Don't worry. I don't like working under someone incompetent."

This was a special forces unit for dangerous missions.

I would rather be the commander than watch some idiot screw things up.

Well, if there was a competent leader, I wouldn't mind being a subordinate...

"So, where will the meeting be held?"

"I've invited them to my mansion. We'll have lunch together tomorrow."

Lunch tomorrow...

It would be a hassle to come back again.

"Can I stay here tonight?"

"Of course. I'll help you contact your companions so they don't worry."

"Ah, then please do that."

We talked for another 30 minutes, and then the Marquis helped me contact Erwen and Amelia through the Mage Tower branch in the 7th District.

I then went to my room and got ready for bed.

Fluffy!

The Marquis's bed was unbelievably comfortable.

As always, I fell asleep as soon as I lay down.

Snore—!

I hoped no one would try to assassinate me again tonight.

__________________

The next morning.

I woke up early, even though the meeting wasn't until lunch. I had to get ready for the Marquis's sake.

The servants helped me get dressed and styled my hair.

Neatly combed hair and a well-fitting suit.

It had been a long time since I last wore such formal attire...

'Not bad.'

I looked in the mirror and was satisfied with my appearance.

Maybe it was because my body was smaller now?

It didn't feel as awkward as before.

"Please wait a moment, sir."

"Some of them have already arrived."

"We'll go when everyone is here."

I finished getting ready early, but I had to wait in my room.

It would be disrespectful to wait in the dining room.

There was a hierarchy, even in a meeting like this.

"It's time, sir. They're all waiting."

"Okay, let's go."

I followed the Marquis to the dining room.

Creak.

The servants opened the door for us.

"Greetings, Marquis Terserion."

"I didn't expect you to join us for lunch."

"It's an honor to dine with you. I'm truly grateful."

The four people who were already seated stood up and bowed to the Marquis.

The Marquis greeted them and sat down at the head of the table.

I sat down next to him, as instructed.

And...

"Bring the food."

As the servants filled the table with dishes, the Marquis started the introductions.

"Some of you are meeting for the first time, so let's introduce ourselves. What do you think?"

"Yes, then I'll go first."

The man sitting across from me stood up.

"I'll speak informally. You're all younger than me, and none of you are nobles."

Neatly combed red hair and a well-tailored uniform.

The checkered embroidery on his chest.

His name was...

"Melend Kaislan."

Ah, I remembered.

The Marquis had mentioned him yesterday.

The youngest son of Count Kaislan, a veteran knight with a long list of achievements in the military.

He was the youngest son, but he was over forty and had a family of his own.

"I've been in the military for decades, so I'm well-versed in combat. But command is a different matter. I've seen countless talented individuals die meaningless deaths under incompetent superiors."

He had stood up to introduce himself, but he launched into a lengthy self-promotion speech.

"I'm not trying to belittle anyone, but if one of us has to lead, I believe I'm the most qualified."

He was a seasoned veteran, so his military-style speech was impressive...

But it also revealed his lack of flexibility.

And it wasn't just me who noticed it.

"...Oh my, wasn't this just a simple introduction? You're making the rest of us nervous."

The dwarf woman next to him chuckled and stood up.

"I'll go next."

She was smooth.

I recognized her immediately.

There weren't many female dwarf explorers in her age range.

"Titana Akuraba."

Titana Akuraba.

She didn't reveal her age, but everyone knew she was 61.

Of course, she looked much younger than a human of the same age, thanks to her race's longevity.

But age didn't matter to her.

"...Akuraba? Are you really Titana Akuraba?"

The knight next to her looked surprised.

She was that famous.

Or rather, legendary.

"I wouldn't dare lie to the Marquis."

"Of course not. I'm just surprised. I heard you retired ten years ago."

This was the first time I had heard of her.

She had been part of a legendary team that explored the 9th floor, but she retired ten years ago and disappeared from the public eye.

In other words, she was from a completely different generation.

"Ho ho, I guess I'm back in the world. So, can I continue, young knight?"

"...Of course."

She silenced the knight and continued her self-promotion.

"I'm confident that no one here knows more about the labyrinth than me. The same goes for the unwritten rules of explorers. I think that's enough, isn't it?"

She was confident in her abilities.

But as soon as she sat down, another man stood up.

"Haha, I never thought I'd meet one of my idols here. I'll go next."

He had a lighthearted aura.

He was short, barely over 160 centimeters.

"James Kala, Vice-Captain of the Sawtooth Clan."

The Vice-Captain of the Sawtooth Clan, one of the four largest clans in the city.

He also spent a considerable amount of time promoting himself, just like the previous two.

He was up-to-date on the latest information and could synthesize everyone's opinions to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

It was clearly aimed at the old dwarf and the stubborn knight, but I wasn't impressed.

I just remembered the information I had read in the documents.

'He's an archer, right?'

That was all I remembered about him.

As soon as he finished, the paladin next to him stood up.

"Jun, from the Heindel Church. I've abandoned my secular name."

A short introduction, unlike the previous three.

"...Is that all?"

The knight asked, and the paladin clicked his tongue.

"There's nothing more fickle and dangerous than human will. Everything will happen according to fate, according to God's will."

"It seems like the Three Gods Church isn't interested in this mission."

"..."

The knight tried to probe the church's intentions, but the paladin ignored him.

And...

"Now... it's your turn."

All eyes were on me.

They were curious.

I was the Marquis's chosen representative, but they had never seen me before.

They were wary, not knowing anything about me.

Creak.

I pushed my chair back and stood up.

And I simply said my name.

"Lihen Schuitz."

They frowned.

'That's it?'

That's what their eyes were saying.

Even the Marquis looked at me with a similar expression.

He was probably wondering why I wasn't actively promoting myself like the others.

'Geez, stop rushing me. It's embarrassing.'

I wasn't going to waste my breath on a lengthy speech.

They would just forget it anyway.

Swoosh.

I slowly looked around, meeting each of their gazes.

"Knight."

First, the noble soldier.

"Explorer."

Then the old dwarf.

"Clan."

Next, the Vice-Captain.

"And God."

Finally, the paladin.

I looked down at them and said,

"I don't listen to those who are weaker than me."

A short and impactful self-introduction is the best.