Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 405: Dilemma (2)

Chapter 405: Dilemma (2)

Chew, chew.

I savored the jerky, trying to make it last.

It was a special high-calorie jerky, made for explorers.

If someone asked why I was eating breakfast so late, the answer was simple.

This was our last meal.

Chew, chew.

We had run out of food.

It meant we wouldn't be eating anything until we reached the 8th floor.

Maybe that's why...

It tasted even better than usual—

'What? Where did it go?'

I was lost in the blissful taste of the jerky when I realized it was gone.

"It's... already gone?"

Seriously? This was our last meal!

I'm still starving!

And why were the rations the same for everyone when our calorie needs were different?

Rumble.

This was discrimination!

Mages and paladins were weaklings with low metabolisms, and they didn't even have to exert themselves. They just had to wave their staffs and chant their spells.

But they get the same amount of food as the warriors who risk their lives on the front lines?

This was an insult!

If I were a competent leader, I would never—

'Wait, I'm the leader.'

Right, what can I do?

I didn't want it to be like this.

But if I gave special treatment to the warriors, they would accuse me of favoritism.

So I had to set an example.

'Well, it seems like a failed policy.'

I had earned the indifference of the other professions and the resentment of the warriors.

Ah, how do I know they resent me?

Because I'm one of them.

"Heh heh heh."

"Mister, what's wrong?"

"Warriors always laugh when they're in pain."

"Is... is that a laugh?"

Erwen approached me, her face contorted with disgust.

Then she smiled and offered me something.

"J-jerky...?"

"Yes!"

"You're... giving this to me...?"

"Yes!"

I couldn't believe it, but she nodded without hesitation.

I stared at the jerky, and then I realized what I was doing.

"N-no! I'm not hungry! You eat it!"

"You should at least try to control your expression when you're lying."

My expression? What does she mean?

Erwen summoned a water spirit and shaped it into a mirror.

I saw my reflection.

I was grinning like an idiot.

"..."

"See? That's a real smile. Hehe."

"..."

"Just eat it. I'm fine. The others are also sharing their food with you."

"...What?"

What is she talking about?

Amelia answered my question.

"The ranged attackers saved some of their rations. They're sharing it with the warriors."

"They saved it? How? It would have spoiled."

"They're talking about after we entered the cave. There haven't been any blizzards since then."

"Ah, right..."

I was so focused on my hunger that I had forgotten about that.

Anyway, that wasn't the important part...

"Are you serious? They're sharing their food with others?"

"You can see for yourself."

Okay, I have to see this.

"Halt!"

I used my authority as the leader to stop the expedition.

It was time for a break anyway.

"Oh, a break!"

"Finally!"

"Quartermaster! Blankets! Give us some blankets! We need to get some sleep!"

The paladin activated [Purge Evil], creating a safe zone, and the members collapsed on the ground, exhausted.

And...

Thud, thud.

I walked towards the rear, observing the scene.

Erwen was right.

"Here, have this."

A paladin was offering food to a warrior.

And...

"...J-jerky...? For me?"

The warrior looked at him with suspicion and disbelief.

"Yes, you must be tired."

"A-are you... in love with me? Then I can't accept this. I have a wife and children in the city—"

"It's not like that, so don't worry."

"What? You're giving me jerky without even loving me...?"

The warriors were shocked, but they quickly devoured the jerky.

It was happening everywhere.

"I-I'll never forget this debt! I'll repay you with my life!"

Countless warriors were making vows, their eyes filled with tears.

It was a heartwarming scene.

"My policy... wasn't a failure..."

The expedition force was united, helping each other.

"Schuitz? Did you say something?"

"Ah, Jun... it's nothing."

"Yes, but what are you doing here...? Is it related to the sudden halt?"

I nodded, even though I had just come here to get some jerky from Erwen.

I had to maintain my dignity as the leader.

"How's the mood?"

"The mood...?"

"We ran out of food this morning. Are there any complaints?"

"They're strong people. They've been through worse. They understand that this is unavoidable."

"I see..."

I wasn't really interested in the mood, so I just nodded and left.

_______________________

As I was returning to the front lines after my conversation with Jun,

"Oh, Schuitz! Thanks for last time!"

"You look even thinner than before."

"Here, have some of mine."

The warriors greeted me warmly.

It was probably the biggest change since Pike Neldain's execution.

We had to fight together on the front lines whenever a major battle occurred, so it was natural for us to form a bond.

But it wasn't just the warriors.

"..."

"..."

The other professions weren't as friendly, but their gazes had softened.

They used to glare at me and whisper behind my back...

It was a heartwarming change.

'This is all thanks to Neldain.'

A common enemy unites a group.

His betrayal had shifted the blame from me to him.

And I was the one who exposed him.

My reputation had naturally improved.

"Schuitz, that guy... I can't tell if he's smart or stupid."

"I heard he suggested eating monster meat and got scolded by his teammate..."

"He's a bit eccentric, but not stupid. He helped us catch the traitor."

"Ah, that? I heard the mage did all the work, and he just took the credit."

Haha, there was another traitor among them.

I wanted to punish them...

But I changed my mind after hearing their conversation.

"A capable leader knows how to choose his subordinates. And besides, he's a good guy."

"That's... true. I haven't talked to him much, but he seems kind."

"He's always the first to volunteer for the dirty work, even though he could just order others around."

"That's the kind of person you want on your side when things get tough."

So they were just ordinary companions.

Thud, thud.

I reached my team's position as the 20-minute break was ending.

"Mister! See? I told you!"

"Yes, you were right."

"Now, eat this! Don't be shy, everyone's doing it."

"Ah, I already ate on the way here."

"Hehe, good job! I'm the only one who cares about you, right?"

"Yes, you're the only one."

I finished the conversation and leaned against the wall, fiddling with the ring.

Amelia approached me.

"Are you thinking about why the ring stopped glowing?"

"That's right..."

No. 6111 Fate Tracker.

The Traffic Light Ring, as I called it, had suddenly stopped working.

It happened four days ago.

"It's strange. A detected fate wouldn't just disappear for no reason."

"That's what I'm saying."

It was a baffling phenomenon.

Nothing significant had happened...

"Schuitz, it's time to go."

Ah, already?

"Everyone, get up! We're moving! And if you took anything out of the sleds, put it back before we leave."

I stretched my stiff muscles and noticed Raviyen chewing on something.

"Raviyen, didn't you finish your breakfast? Where did you get that jerky?"

"Ashid gave it to me."

"...Ashid?"

Did she take it by force?

I looked at Ashid, and he chuckled.

"I gave it to her willingly, don't worry."

"But you're also struggling, aren't you?"

"Haha, that's what companions are for. And besides, I need Raviyen to be strong so she can protect me."

"...I see."

It didn't seem like she had forced him, but I felt uneasy.

Could he be interested in her?

'No, that's ridiculous.'

There's a huge age gap between them.

_______________________

20th day in Ice Rock.

We finally reached the end of Ice Rock.

'I didn't expect us to arrive exactly on the 20th day.'

We had allocated 20 days for traversing Ice Rock.

But we had encountered several unexpected events, and we had to push ourselves to make it on time.

'Maybe the schedule was too tight from the beginning.'

We had taken the inexperience of the members into account when planning the expedition.

But we only had their information on paper.

We didn't know their actual skills.

The expedition force was strong offensively, but lacked in safety and mobility.

Well, I guess that's to be expected for a team created for war, not exploration.

"Mister, what are you thinking about?"

"...Nothing."

I shook off my thoughts and looked around.

The bottom of the Eye of the Glacier, marked with a giant eye-shaped pattern.

"Everyone, calm down and wait! We'll draw lots in order!"

We had reached the portal to the 8th floor, but the atmosphere was chaotic.

It was understandable.

This was Ice Rock, a desolate wasteland where no one came.

We were the first ones here this season.

"How are we going to decide the order?"

"It doesn't matter, let's just hurry up and get this over with. I'm starving."

"What? Then you can just leave!"

"Leave? I wasn't even planning to participate! I'm a mage!"

The maximum number of people for the Bonding spell was six.

And the first clear experience points were also limited to six people.

So we decided to draw lots.

It was purely based on luck, regardless of rank or achievements.

"Damn it! Why is mine blank?!"

"Hey! Don't even think about using your abilities to peek inside the box! I'm watching you!"

"Woohoo! The 8th floor! I never thought this day would come!"

Cheers and groans filled the air as the line shortened.

"Aren't you disappointed?"

Raviyen approached me and asked.

"Disappointed about what?"

"You're the expedition leader. You could have just taken a spot for yourself."

"Ah, that..."

It had been discussed among the team leaders.

They had suggested that we take the experience points ourselves and leave one spot for the others.

Kaislan had even argued that we should give the last spot to the one with the most achievements.

He really knew how to handle his subordinates.

"...Are you listening?"

"Yes, I am."

"Why did you give it up so easily?"

Raviyen asked, and I shrugged.

She already knew the answer.

"Damn it, it's blank."

Amelia returned, clicking her tongue.

"Schuitz, it's your turn."

"How many are left?"

"One."

I see...

I discreetly turned my head and counted the remaining explorers.

'Four left.'

So the probability was 1 in 4.

And...

'There's no Hans among them.'

All signs pointed to good fortune.

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

A cold wind swept through the chasm, chilling me to the bone.

Swoosh.

I took off the ring.

I didn't need it now.

Thud, thud.

Fate is something you create yourself.

"Good luck."

Kaislan encouraged me as I stood in front of the box.

It was time for the final showdown.

"Uwaaaaaaaaah!"

I let out a war cry and drew a lot.

And...

"Too bad, it's blank."

Damn it, I failed.

Why isn't there any BGM?

This is the perfect time for a dramatic soundtrack.

Thud, thud.

As I stepped aside, Raviyen walked past me.

Ah, she was next.

Could she really win—

"Is this the one with the circle?"

"Yes, congratulations."

Wow, she actually got it!

'I should have drawn last...'

I felt a pang of regret, but then...

"Can I transfer this to someone else?"

"Didn't you hear me earlier? We discussed it and decided to allow transfers."

"Really?"

Raviyen finished her conversation with Kaislan and walked towards me.

And...

"Here."

She handed me the lot.

"...?"

I couldn't understand.

She had entered the labyrinth alone so she could speedrun and get more experience points.

She was clearly in a hurry...

"Why are you giving this to me...?"

"I don't think this belongs to me."

"...What?"

I was confused, and she answered with an embarrassed smile.

"I've been watching you. You've been working the hardest."

What...

"Whoo!"

"Yeah, yeah! You led us here, you deserve it!"

"That's a shame. I was going to give it to him if no one else transferred theirs."

"Liar! You were so happy when you drew it!"

"I'm serious! I even argued for allowing transfers during the meeting!"

"Just take it! A true explorer knows how to seize an opportunity!"

The frigid air of the chasm couldn't reach me.

'It's warm...'

I felt like I was going to cry.