Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Field Boss (2)

Field Boss (2)

The Floor Master.

It's a field boss-like monster that exists on each floor.

These guys have different names, attributes, and patterns, but they share one thing in common.

It's impossible for explorers of that floor level to fight them, no matter what they do.

For example, to defeat the 1st-floor Floor Master, you need to form a raid of at least 30 people.

Of course, that's assuming they're all at least 4th-floor explorers.

That's the absolute minimum number of people.

Misha and I.

If the two of us happen to encounter it, it's game over. It's a monster that's impossible to outrun at normal movement speed.

So where should we go?

What should we do to increase our chances of survival, even if it's just a little, instead of just trembling and praying that we don't encounter it?

The answer was to head to the Orc Encampment.

Just like most of the explorers here.

"Bjorn, why are there so many people here?"

"The Dzarwi Clan is here."

The Dzarwi Clan is a large clan that operates on the 6th floor or higher. The dwarf mentioned that they have hundreds of members.

It's unlikely that all of them are gathered here at the same time, but...

'At least 10 teams must have come down. Even though it's the 3rd floor, they need that many people to control the hunting grounds.'

Of course, even with this much manpower, subjugation is difficult.

Well, it's not impossible if they're willing to accept casualties...

But that's assuming they know the proper strategy and have prepared for months.

'Still, if we stay with these guys, even if we encounter the Floor Master, we'll at least have time to escape.'

Having made a decision based purely on practicality, I lead Misha towards the dense crowd of explorers.

A rather strange situation is unfolding.

"Ex, excuse me! I heard there's a high-ranking mage among you! Please cast a dimensional gate spell for me! I'll pay you any amount of money..."

"It's you! You guys summoned the Floor Master!!"

"Wh, what's going to happen to us? They're a large clan, they wouldn't kick us out, would they?"

Those who plead earnestly.

Those who deny reality and seek someone to blame.

And those who try to calmly assess the situation.

Amidst the cacophony of various people's cries, an executive of the Dzarwi Clan speaks up.

"Everyone, please calm down. This place is safe. Our priestess has cast Evil Banishment, and our scout is already keeping watch in all directions."

"Our Dzarwi Clan will do our best to ensure that as many explorers as possible return to the city alive, in accordance with the regulations agreed upon with the royal family and the guild."

"However! If anyone disobeys our control or causes trouble! We have no choice but to expel them, so please understand."

Although it's a bit long-winded, it's a fairly clear announcement.

The warning at the end was particularly effective, as those who were shouting recklessly all disappear.

"At least we don't have to worry about getting kicked out."

"Whew, that's a relief..."

I look around for a moment and then sit down with my back against a tree at a suitable spot.

"...Isn't that too relaxed?"

"There's nothing else we can do."

We should rest as much as possible when we can.

No one knows how the situation will change in the future.

"Hmm, that's true."

Misha seems to agree and sits down next to me.

"Misha, just in case, are you good with your ears?"

"I don't know, but some people have said they like my ears."

What is she talking about?

"I meant, are you good at hearing sounds from afar?"

"Ah, if that's what you mean, I'm quite confident."

"Then listen carefully to their conversation. Don't stare obviously, it'll be noticeable."

"Got it."

Misha closes her eyes as instructed.

And as if concentrating, she keeps twitching the triangular ears on top of her head.

"Hmm, I'm not sure, but it seems like they're arguing."

"About what?"

"I can't hear very well because of the distance. But one thing's for sure, they're talking about the Floor Master."

Well, of course they would be.

What else would the executives be discussing urgently in this situation?

'If we get any closer, they'll notice, so is this the best we can do...?'

"Keep listening for now. If there's anything special, let me know."

"Got it."

Misha stays in eavesdropping mode and observes the surroundings, checking the crowd's reaction.

There are some complaints and anxieties, but…

The general atmosphere is one of relief.

"When we were about to get kicked out, I thought this was such a shitty situation, but the world really is unpredictable."

"That's right. Such a wide-range Evil Banishment... it's because they're such a large clan that they have a priestess like that with them."

"It's like God intervened. The Floor Master appeared on the 3rd floor for the first time in 10 years, and these guys just happened to be down here?"

Regardless of the Dzarwi Clan's wrongdoings in occupying the Orc Encampment, most people are satisfied and grateful for the current situation.

Well, not everyone is like that, but...

"Hey, are there only two of you?"

As I'm observing the surroundings, a man approaches me.

He's probably not here to pick a fight.

"What do you want?"

"It's nothing special, just that we should stick together in times like this, don't you think?"

"Keep it brief."

"There are about thirty of us gathered here. It seems like you lost your companions in this incident too, wouldn't it be good to have someone to rely on, even if it's just for a while?"

Before answering, I confirm one thing.

"I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel. What's your name?"

"Jack Reacher."

Okay, as long as it's not Hans.

"Alright."

Let's just say yes for now.

If something seems wrong, I can just keep my mouth shut.

It's not like I signed any documents or anything.

"As expected of a barbarian, you're straightforward. Then I'll be on my way, so rest up. I'll come find you later if something happens."

"Alright."

As soon as the man leaves, we spend about 2 hours without any trouble.

Thanks to the high-ranking priest's Evil Banishment, the Chaos Spirits can't even approach, and there doesn't seem to be anything that could become a variable.

At least in terms of external factors.

"Misha, wake up."

I shake Misha awake, who has switched from eavesdropping mode to sleep mode.

"Did something happen?"

Not yet.

But if my prediction is correct…

“It will soon.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look around, there are too many people.”

The Dzarwi Clan has been accepting refugees unconditionally.

And they’ve finally reached their limit.

The area currently under Evil Banishment is only about twice the size of a school playground.

And it’s not even an open space, it’s a forest.

But there are already over 500 people here.

“…Shouldn’t they stop letting people in?”

“If they accept any more, we won’t even be able to sit down.”

“If monsters come in while we’re like this…”

Selfishness always flourishes using the situation as nourishment.

Anxiety spreads among those who entered first, and such arguments start to arise.

“Bjorn, what’s going to happen to us?”

“Well, it depends on the Dzarwi Clan’s decision.”

Whether they continue to accept everyone until the limit…

Or stop accepting people and lock the gates…

The clan will also have to make a choice.

And in fact, not long after, there was a new announcement from a clan executive.

“Due to Evil Banishment, this place serves as the only safe zone on the 3rd floor. It is truly a miraculous event. However…”

To cut to the chase, the gist of it was simple.

“Our priestess wishes for everyone here to show reverence to God.”

Reverence.

For reference, it didn’t mean intangible values like prayer, conversion, or worship.

“1 million stones per person. It must be paid immediately on the spot, and magic stones or goods are also acceptable.”

No one believed it was the priestess’s request.

Well, there might have been an agreement between them, but…

The clan must have been the ones who proposed it first.

‘They started off pretending to be honorable, mentioning the royal family and the guild, but in the end, they chose personal gain.’

Even if they stop accepting refugees, they’ll still be criticized for that choice later.

So they decided they might as well make some money.

Naturally, there was backlash.

“There’s no way we would have that many magic stones, and asking us to hand over our equipment in this situation is basically telling us to die!”

The one who raised his voice the loudest was Jack Reacher.

“Our 100-strong suicide squad will not stand idly by and watch your tyranny!”

With a powerful shout, Jack Reacher looks around. I, who had anticipated this and was already looking elsewhere, manage to avoid eye contact.

But was it the same for the other 100 members of the suicide squad?

“Uh, uh… Everyone, please say something. If we just stay silent, we can’t resist their tyranny…!”

Jack Reacher stammers, flustered.

And that’s the end of the short protest.

“1 million stones is reverence for God and a protection fee. You might lose a few pieces of equipment for now, but what’s there to worry about when we’re here?”

Of course there’s something to worry about, you bastard.

Evil Banishment is an OP skill, but it’s like a piece of paper to the Floor Master.

Of course, it’s just a complaint I keep to myself.

I’m a barbarian who knows how to compromise with reality.

“Misha, leave the consumables like potions and just take out anything we don’t need.”

“Got it.”

Just like the other explorers, we hurriedly rummage through our backpacks and sort out anything that can be turned into cash.

Since we looted equipment from the marauders earlier, we don’t have to take off what we’re wearing.

‘Phew, 1 million stones just to rest on the dirt floor…’

It’s a huge waste, but it’s worth paying as a fee for using Evil Banishment.

And besides, didn’t he just say it himself?

That it also includes a protection fee.

“If those guys don’t try to rip us off, this should be enough.”

We finish preparing our offerings, having gathered a few pieces of equipment from the religious fanatics’ party.

However, not everyone is as well-off as us.

Although they’ll probably be able to get 1 million stones if they hand over the equipment they’re wearing…

“Without this, you’re telling me to starve to death next time?”

“To ask for 1 million stones just to survive for a day, it’s ridiculous.”

Quite a few people refuse to pay the protection fee and choose to leave voluntarily.

The clan doesn’t stop them.

And they continue to collect protection fees from newcomers.

At least from over three hundred people.

‘They earned at least 300 million stones. In just one day…’

It’s practically like printing money.

Damn it, is power truly invincible and divine?

I don’t know, but in the end, even these guys have to pray to the heavens.

If the Floor Master arrives here…

At that moment, the market will crash.

‘In the first place, if it weren’t for that possibility, they wouldn’t have even collected the protection fees.’

I keep feeling that the people here lack imagination.

Of course, they must have had their reasons for making this choice.

They probably thought that the 3rd floor is vast, so the chances of not encountering the Floor Master are higher than encountering it.

Since it’s Day 15, even if we encounter it, we just need to hold out for one day, they probably thought.

That this much manpower is enough to do that.

Yes, that’s what they must have thought.

As positively as possible.

In a way that’s most beneficial to them.

But they need to understand.

No one knew that the Floor Master would be summoned, and that all the explorers on the floor would have to stop hunting and face this situation.

‘Well, the same goes for me.’

However, at least I imagine the worst-case scenario that could happen to me.

Of course, these imaginations don’t come true more often than they do…

But what about this time?

‘We’ll see.’

I quietly close my eyes.

And after some time, like the calm before the storm…

[19:07]

5 hours left until Day 15 ends.

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter-

Black raindrops fall from the ceiling between the trees, staining the ground black.

「The location is eroded, and [Evil Banishment] is deactivated.」

The pure white pattern that covered the ground instantly loses its light.

And also…

[Grooooowl—!!]

A giant beast roars from outside the forest.