Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

A brief silence followed my suggestion to give it a try.

During that time, Raven, who had been staring at me with a serious gaze, reluctantly shook his head.

"Eh, but it's still a bit too soon to just experiment immediately, right?"

"In the labyrinth, you won't know until you try."

"That may be true, but this is a precious item... I'd hate to lose it uselessly."

When the original owner of the crack stone says that, I have nothing to say.

Even if some hidden effect activates, it could be problematic.

I plan to continue exploration as soon as the rainy season ends, and wasting time would disrupt the schedule.

'Everyone's already on edge being trapped here...'

So for now, the plan to activate the statues with Cambormier's crack stones was put on hold.

"Well, I'll be going!"

Raven left, saying he'd think of a name for the crown, and I was left alone in the barracks.

My mind was full of thoughts—not about the statues or crack stones.

'What a coincidence.'

The abilities Raven told me about ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) the crown kept lingering in my head.

Killing the archbishop who became Karui's priest, and the item obtained grants mental immunity?

'Seems like an item meant to be used in that chapter...'

I was still bothered by the red portal I couldn't enter last time.

What was beyond it?

With this crown, maybe next time we challenge it, we could see beyond with our own eyes.

Though, of course, a retry isn't possible right now.

'Definitely not an immediate retry.'

For now, the crack was considered cleared.

The guardian statues on floors five and below, which were conditions to open cracks, no longer open portals when touched.

So for now, besides using the portal in the stone chamber to get outside, we have no options.

'I wonder how long the cooldown is...'

I won't know until I try going out.

After leaving and re-entering, there might be a chance to retry immediately, or I might have to wait until cooldown ends.

Considering the basement first floor is covered with unknowns, if this is a one-time crack, we might never be able to enter again.

Swoosh.

While sitting alone in the empty barracks, organizing my thoughts, I pulled out a backpack from the pocket dimension.

The backpack the chief gave me before entering the crack.

He said he had placed a notebook inside, containing all the answers to my questions.

So as soon as I finished my business, I read it all.

But...

'Did he catch some deadly disease that makes him not want to say everything clearly?'

The more I read, the deeper the mystery grew.

[If you feel something nearby in the Library Island, go out for a day and come back. The messy bookshelves will be all arranged.]

That must be Hamshik talking.

[If you discover another dimensional stele, never pay attention to it. Again, the only exit you seek is the one from our village.]

That seems to be about the dimensional stele on Giant Island.

Everything below that was cryptic.

[If a huge shadow suddenly falls on the ground while exploring Giant Island, never look up. Wait a moment and the shadow will disappear, then you can continue your journey.]

[There's nothing at the top of the tree island you call. If you see or hear something, wear a blindfold and earplugs and hold your breath. Then you'll pass safely.]

[If waves start rolling during the rainy season, immediately stop and find a hiding place. Every island has at least one. But don't go to the rocky island where you first opened your eyes. It's the only one without a hiding place.]

[The golden book won't particularly help you achieve your goals.]

[If you see a horse running in the sky outside the rainy season, don't act rashly. If you don't attack or get close first, nothing will happen.]

By now it felt more like spreading rumors than giving information. Still, the last item was easy enough to understand.

[If a dimensional collapse starts and the entire layer begins to crumble, head to the island where our village was. A portal to the surface will be open.]

If dimensional collapse happens, we can escape the basement first floor.

From this, one conclusion can be drawn.

'The chief doesn't seem to know any escape method besides this.'

He's just waiting for the collapse.

That explains why he left alone using the [Heretical Altar] instead of trying to escape with us.

He doesn't know when I'll escape.

If I hold on until the collapse happens, it's unknown how long that will take...

'No mention of the Rainbow Island.'

I reread the notebook several times and searched the chief's backpack thoroughly, but there was no mention of Rainbow Island.

I think Rainbow Island is the key to escape.

'Did he leave it out knowingly? Or just not know?'

I have no way to check now.

I can't grab the chief by the collar and ask since he must have already woken up in the city long ago.

'I'll just have to go see for myself.'

In the end, I have no choice but to continue exploring.

Like an explorer should.

As soon as the rainy season ended, we took the portal and went outside.

A towering stone gate in the middle of the sea.

The small boat we arrived in was nowhere to be seen, and as soon as we stepped out, a misfortune happened—we plunged into the silvery sea.

But...

'Ugh, what a hassle.'

After many bothersome procedures, all our expedition members safely boarded the summoned ship.

And during this process, I learned one thing.
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The stone gate wasn't always open.

"The gate is sinking underwater!"

The moment the last member jumped out of the portal, the giant stone gate closed and began to sink.

'...So no immediate retry.'

A little disappointing, but we resolved to try next time.

Eventually, the gate will rise back to the surface once cooldown ends.

If this isn't a one-time content.

"Baron, preparations for departure are complete."

Watching the stone gate sink from the bow, I glanced around.

Three warships floated around, escorting my ship.

"Raise the departure flag!"

As I gave the order, the ship started moving and the flag rose atop the watchtower.

Shwaaahhh—!

Our ship cut through the silver waves, followed by three warships.

Life is full of ups and downs, huh?

When we arrived, we were following behind those warships.

"Bjorn, aren't you hungry?"

"Ah, thanks."

While chewing snacks Misha prepared, Amelia approached and spoke.

"...What's that?"

"This? A snack from the secretary."

"...How long are you going to keep playing that ridiculous secretary role?"

Uh...

Even I would feel a little hurt hearing that.

"Do you dislike being search squad leader that much?"

For reference, the search squad leader manages talented scouts assigned to reconnaissance.

Since I'm considered a founding figure, I made a new position and gave it to her...

"Haah..."

Amelia just shook her head at my question and disappeared to do her work.

'Nothing to do...'

I patrolled for a while longer but had nothing to intervene in, so I ended up resting in my room or chatting with comrades.

And some time later.

"I'm going out alone for a bit."

When we finally arrived at Library Island, I got off alone and headed down the island.

The books we messed up were already all arranged, and even the sound of my footsteps echoed several times.

'Quiet.'

No sign of Hamshik yet.

Is he sleeping at home?

"Hamshik—!!"

Calling out loudly, a fluffy creature cautiously peeked from the bookshelf.
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"Oh, hey. You were there? Why aren't you home?"

[...Are you really asking that?!!]

Ah, right. We smashed this place before leaving.

"...Sorry."

[Ha! So what are you doing here? Alone too.]

"I came to see you. The others are waiting above, so come here."

[... ]

Maybe my visit was sudden?

Hamshik glanced around warily before emerging.

[You... came to see me?]

"Yes."

[Why?]

The reason was simple.

Because I saw him at the crack we recently visited.

[My name is not Hamshik—!]

The other Hamshik I met in the cave who didn't even know his own name.

After meeting the second Hamshik, I thought:

Hamshik must be hiding some big secret.

Even if he doesn't know it himself.

"Don't be so stingy! Do you need a reason to visit a friend?"

But hiding my true intentions, I laughed heartily as I approached, yet Hamshik became even more wary.

[Don't lie!]

"...?"

[You didn't just come for nothing! You have a purpose!]

Huh, he's already tamed this much.

I preferred when Hamshik was innocent.

I smiled and spoke honestly.

"Yes, I have a purpose."

[Hmph! I knew it—]

"Hamshik, let's leave here together."

[...What?]

Hamshik looked surprised but confused.

I'd prepared some oiling and bright words for this.

[Leave together... what do you mean?]

"Exactly that. Staying here means endlessly organizing books. Without us, there's nothing to organize anyway."

[... ]

This must have been his Achilles' heel.

Hamshik looked displeased.

But to change life, shock is always necessary.

"You've been here long enough. So now come with me."

[...What would change if I leave?]

"A lot."

Hamshik seemed unconvinced.

So I elaborated.

"First, you'll see with your own eyes what's outside. After all, you've been here so long but don't even know what's out there."

[I'm not really curious.]

"Oh? Not curious at all about the vast silver sea or the unknown islands?"

[Not curious.]

Unexpected reaction.

He really seemed sincere, not just making excuses...

"Then how about this? You lost your memories, right? You don't know who you are. Maybe if you wander outside, you can regain them."

[...How can you be so sure?]

Oh, a slow answer. Maybe this interests him?

To his reasonable objection, I confidently answered.

"How can you be sure it's impossible?"

Hamshik was momentarily speechless but finally answered after a while.

[...That's a stretch.]

Not wrong.

But I could say confidently,

"But nothing will change if you stay here forever."

It's my life philosophy.

Like the saying "starting is half the task."

Zero and one are different.

They might look similar at first, but over time the gap becomes enormous.

Yet Hamshik still hesitated to step forward.

'Huh, I think I just need to push him a little...'

[Just one thing.]

"...?"

[Just answer one thing. Why do you want to take me with you?]

Ugh, persistent.

I sighed inwardly and looked at empty space, not Hamshik.

"...Why are you just staring?"

[...?]

"A friend stuck at home miserably."

That was another reason I wanted to take Hamshik with me.

I must have grown fond of him, because I kept worrying about him.

Hamshik answered only after a long time.

[I'll go. Follow you outside.]

It seems my persuasion that if he changed his mind, I would take him out anytime worked.

"Good decision."

[...But if I'm nearby, there will be problems. Others... see me terribly.]

"You can hide your appearance anyway. Just stay hidden in your cabin."

[Then what's the difference?]

"Hiding place?"

[... ]

"You lost your home anyway. The cabin has a bed. A very soft one."

[... ]

"What are you hesitating for? Decision's made. Let's go! We don't have time!"

Worried he might change his mind, I hurriedly took Hamshik and left the island.

And...

"Tell everyone to stay inside for now."

After clearing the deck, without anyone's gaze, I let Hamshik into my cabin.

"How is it? Not bad, right? There's a window so you can see the sea well."

[Hmph. So what? I've seen it a few times already.]

"Oh, so you've come up alone a few times? Didn't seem interested in the outside world."

[... ]

"Well, I'll come back later. The others should be told it's okay to come out, and we have to set sail."

[... Do as you please.]

After hiding Hamshik in my room, I restored the personnel arrangement.

And...

"Set sail!!"

We resumed the journey.

The destination was the unknown Rainbow Island about a month away from here.

Shwaaahhhh!

Four ships sliced through the waves, steadily moving forward.

Then suddenly—

"...Horse?"

"How is it? Doesn't it really look like a horse?"

...A horse?

I quickly looked up and saw the figure of a white, shining horse flying in the sky.

I hurriedly took out the chief's rumor notebook.

[If you see a horse running in the sky outside the rainy season, don't act rashly. If you don't attack or approach it first, nothing will happen.]

I didn't expect to see it so soon.