Surviving the Game as a Barbarian-Chapter 529: Escape Plan (2)
Day 63 of the expedition, 3 p.m.
We had scheduled plenty of time and arrived at Human Island one day before the rainy season began. Originally, I planned to spend the leftover time hunting around the island, but changed the plan and went straight into the village.
“...As I heard, this is truly a village of monsters.”
“Mr. White... is this really safe?”
“Didn’t the Baron tell you all to be cautious?”
Though we had briefed the explorers beforehand, they still showed signs of unease when they entered the village and saw monsters everywhere.
Of course, this only applied to the Hexts Clan.
“A monster that claims to be human...”
“This is... very rare indeed.”
“I heard that if you speak the ancient language, communication is possible?”
“Haha! Haven’t I told you over and over? In this vast labyrinth, it would be a huge waste of space if there wasn’t a single intelligent being who could communicate!”
Members of the Armin Expedition, who had explorer blood flowing through their veins, showed curiosity rather than fear toward the monsters.
Naturally, the three mages were the most excited.
“They said we’ll stay here until the rainy season passes, right? If there’s a chance, I want to try conversing with them.”
“...Damn, I should’ve studied ancient language more seriously.”
“Don’t worry. All conversations I have will be recorded and translated. This is an unprecedented great discovery in the history of this labyrinth!”
From their perspective, the monsters on Human Island must feel like aliens.
Some would feel fear; others curiosity.
“From here on, I’ll go alone. You all stay back. Emily, you can lead them, right?”
“No problem.”
I made the rest of the team wait in the house given by the chief, then entered the chief’s house alone.
“Good to see you back without delay.”
“Were you worried?”
“Of course. After all that long wait, you finally showed up.”
Yet there was no emotion in the chief’s voice when we met again.
It felt like talking to a machine.
When I saw the monster who became friends with Ainard, his voice wasn’t emotionless, so maybe it wasn’t just monsters who lacked feeling.
“By the way...”
While thinking that, the chief spoke first.
“I see your comrades have increased while I didn’t see you. What happened?”
Apparently, he’d already heard from monsters in the village that our numbers had grown since arriving here...
“That’s because time seems to pass outside, even if we’re here.”
“So time passed and new explorers arrived here?”
“Yes.”
I nodded but asked a question.
“But you don’t seem surprised?”
“The fact that time passes outside has already been proven through you.”
Well, that’s true.
But now that I think about it, one question arises.
[Glad to meet you again. You must be explorers from Rafdonia.]
The first day I met the chief on this island.
[Yes, how much time has passed outside?]
That question could only be asked by someone who knew time was passing.
‘The more I think about it, this guy is suspicious as hell...’
Still, I kept that suspicion inside and never voiced it.
Right now, I need the chief’s power and knowledge.
And if he had some scheme, he wouldn’t tell me honestly anyway.
“So what’s been happening outside the island?”
The chief asked, and I summarized our stories.
From exploring Tree Island, meeting explorers on Rock Island, rescuing explorers on Giant Island, to the portal stele found in the cave.
And finally, the colossal giant seen when leaving that island.
“...You found many things in such a short time.”
The chief spoke, sounding anything but impressed, then asked.
“But why did you suddenly return to Rock Island?”
I expected that question.
I had omitted any mention of the evil spirit when telling the story before.
So there was a gap in the tale.
“Chief, after thinking about your words, I concluded that time passes outside as well. So I went just in case. Also, I got stuck in a dead end while exploring Tree Island.”
“Hmm... I see.”
The chief accepted my prepared excuse without suspicion, and the info sharing ended there.
Then the chief moved on to the next topic.
“The portal stele that doesn’t work... maybe that’s the key to escape. What are your next plans?”
“Oh, about that.”
Before answering, I mentioned this first.
“Chief, you and I made a deal. You help our expedition, and we give you information we discover.”
“Is that so?”
The chief seemed puzzled about why I suddenly said this.
Trying to get something for free, huh.
I smiled wryly.
“From now on, I’ll need your help.”
The first step of the escape plan.
“My help...?”
We need to become stronger.
I felt the desperate need to level up right after leaving Giant Island. After all, we saw that colossal giant at the end.
‘If difficulty rises exponentially... I have to keep in mind that the Library Island and Tree Island might also have such monstrous bosses.’
Well, it’s just a possibility for now.
Still, it was clear that giant «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» was the boss of that island.
That island was where the portal stele was found.
According to the big data accumulated from long play of [Dungeon & Stone], it’s very likely that the giant is the key to escape.
But...
“I need time to think.”
The chief gave a lukewarm answer.
Even though he’s been trapped here for countless ages, he must want to leave more than anyone.
“The rainy season will start tomorrow, so give me your answer before then.”
“Understood.”
So the topic was postponed for now.
After that, we talked about less important matters.
“With more people, one house won’t be enough. I’ll prepare new lodgings by tomorrow, so bear with the inconvenience.”
“A day won’t matter. These people are used to sleeping on the bare ground.”
“That’s good.”
“But where did those guys go?”
“If you mean the Silver Lion Clan, they left the island not long after you departed. And haven’t returned yet.”
Hmm... really?
The rainy season is about to start.
‘Could they have gone to some strange island and met disaster?’
Given their level, that was believable.
We ourselves started actively recruiting because we lacked people to reach end content.
“We’ll wait as long as possible, but once the rainy season starts, we’ll lock the village gates.”
“That’s only natural.”
They might be on their way back to the island now, so we ended the discussion about the Silver Lion Clan.
And then...
“Anything else?”
“No. Tell me your decision immediately once you have it.”
“Will do.”
Having shared all that needed sharing, I returned to where the comrades were staying.
The lodging that was roomy during last rainy season had now turned almost into a refugee camp.
Well, seven people became thirty-nine, so naturally.
“Hext, Muul, hang in there. The chief said he’ll prepare a new place by tomorrow.”
“That’s a relief.”
While White Hext showed relief as survival was top priority, Armin was different.
“I don’t care about lodging. But... I heard stories about the chief...”
“Oh?”
“That the chief is the Dragon Knight, Cornelius Brüngrid—is that true?”
“Who told you that?”
Muul flinched at my question and stared at one spot.
Ainard, sitting at that spot, avoided my eyes.
“Hah...”
Yeah, that’s my fault.
I hadn’t told him to keep it secret this time. If I had, he wouldn’t have spread it.
Muul noticed the mood and quickly defended Ainard.
“Sorry, I asked an unnecessary question...”
“No, it’s not a secret anyway. To answer, the story is only half true.”
“Half true?”
“Yes. He claims to be that, but it’s not confirmed.”
“I see...”
Since it came to this, I wanted to hear Muul’s opinion. He’s been searching for labyrinth secrets almost all his life.
Maybe he knows something.
“Muul, what do you think? Could that be true?”
“Hmm... I haven’t met him myself, so I can’t say for sure. But if it’s true, one thing bothers me.”
“What is it?”
“That he inhabits a monster’s body and enjoys immortality.”
“Why?”
“The Sage’s biography is famous... but records about his comrades are suspiciously scarce. I once collected their records eagerly because I was curious about their secrets—”
“Enough, get to the point.”
“I once found an old document about Brüngrid at an antique market.”
“What was it?”
“Before I explain, I must say this clearly: although the document is confirmed as a record written at that time, its authenticity remains unproven.”
Come on, just give me the gist.
“Of course. So what was in it?”
Muul Armin carefully began.
“The dragon knight Cornelius Brüngrid was obsessed with immortality and clashed repeatedly with the Sage because of it.”
An ancient secret I heard from Muul for the first time, with uncertain authenticity.
But somehow...
“Immortality...”
Why do I suddenly feel uneasy?
Day 64, 9 p.m.
The chief visited our lodging.
He had two reasons.
One, to solve the cramped housing problem by preparing new lodgings...
“I have decided to accept your proposal.”
And second, the chief finally made a decision.
After hearing about immortality, the chief felt a bit more awkward, but didn’t mention it.
It’s not good to confront the chief now.
Better to take what’s offered first, then investigate carefully.
Therefore...
“All the warriors in the village are ready.”
The chief gathered the village warriors and went outside with us.
The reason was very simple.
Basement 1, the records repository.
Escaping from here is difficult at our current level.
We must get stronger.
And to get stronger, hardship is necessary.
“There are about two hours left. If you change your mind, tell me. Charging headlong into disaster is foolish.”
“No matter what, I won’t change my mind.”
Though the chief spoke persuasively, I never wavered.
And then, how much time passed?
“...”
Nearly 300 soldiers, including the village warriors, waited with grim expressions.
Finally, the moment arrived.
[Uuum!]
[Gero, gero, gerok...!!]
[Keng! Keng! Khreuherhng!]
Countless monsters’ howling echoed loudly from the sky in harmony.
Crunch!
Monsters plunged headfirst into the hard ground, then vanished in bursts of light.
Shwaaaaaa—!
The surviving monsters, battered and bruised, charged at us.
The waiting explorers and monster warriors drew weapons to fight back.
And...
‘What disaster?’
I raised my shield high and shouted.
“Behel—laaaaaa!!!”
The rainy season.
A disastrous event where monsters pour down from the sky.
But as I expected, this event went as planned.
「Defeated Ritule Talisman Caster. EXP +4」
「Defeated Werewolf.」
「Defeated Wall Mole.」
「Defeated Akeltas. EXP +5」
「Defeated Underground Dragon. EXP +4」
「Defeated Aiantro.」
「Defeated Orc Warrior.」 freewebnoveℓ.com
「Defeated Archipelago Guardian...」
「...」
「...」
Cracks, hidden fields, and monsters that appear very rarely in normal fields fell from the sky.
「Character leveled up.」
「Soul power increased by +30.」
「Maximum absorbable essences increased by +1.」
If this isn’t a burning event, then what is?
