Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel 2025 - Chapter 462
C462: Proof(2)
The lingering heat of the battle still seared my skin.
Over that heat came a chill in the air and hostile gazes.
‘I didn’t think they’d be this blatant.’
The atmosphere was tense, as if a fight could break out at any moment. Still, I didn’t let myself get swept up in it. I remained as calm as possible to assess the situation.
Fortunately, this was not the worst-case scenario.
A threat usually means they want something.
‘If they were really out to finish me off, they’d have pretended to leave with a smile, then ambushed me.’
So why were these guys resorting to such obvious bluffing?
I need to figure that out first.
I had a guess or two, but nothing was certain yet.
“Plunder, huh…”
Once my thoughts were in order, I continued with a broad smile.
“First, let me ask this. On what basis did you decide that I committed plundering? When I met Riakis, it was definitely wandering alone. Isn’t that right, Erwin?”
“Yes? Ah, yes! That’s right. I didn’t detect any explorer within a minimum radius of 1km. And in such cases, it’s often argued that no ownership can be claimed.”
With that, Erwin helpfully confirmed the circumstances at that time, offering me covering fire.
But the dagger boy wasn’t about to retreat so easily.
“That applies to regular monsters. You cannot view a floor lord on the same level.”
“So what exactly are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying that the fact Riakis was separated from our clan was merely an unavoidable part of our ongoing strategy. It doesn’t mean we gave up our claim on him.”
Unavoidable process, my foot.
One glance at their equipment told me everything I needed to know.
They’d cleared Phase 3, yet their gear was all intact?
‘They must’ve needed time to pull out new equipment from storage space.’
They’d likely used that decoy squad I saw earlier to create a distraction. While the main force pulled back to re-equip, the decoy would stall for time, then circle back to regroup. That had probably been their initial plan.
But they failed.
The evidence? Among the dozens of clan members surrounding us, there was no sign of the decoy squad.
‘They must’ve realized late that the decoy squad got wiped out, searched the vicinity frantically, and eventually found us. Then they rushed over here—now.’
I was beginning to see the bigger picture.
Well, I don’t know what the real story is.
Well, maybe the actual details differ a bit, but probably not by much.
“Baron Jandel, you intercepted the floor lord we were in the middle of subjugating. And we suffered immense damage in the process.”
“We had no idea you’d run into complications.”
“But in the end, you ignored our pleas and took the Essence for yourself.”
“How is that a problem? I took the spoils of the monster I killed.”
“But without us wearing it down first, you never could have defeated that monster.”
All right, I had to concede that point.
But from the looks of it, you guys summoned that thing without permission, didn’t you?
In any case, you failed to keep it under control, and I stepped in so that lower-level explorers wouldn’t suffer harm.
No need to say all that out loud, though.
“So, what do you want?”
I cut straight to the chase.
No matter how many logical arguments we made, neither side was going to admit defeat.
Ultimately, logic wasn’t what mattered here.
“In the name of the honorable Royal Family of Raphdonia, we ask you to make a promise right here.”
In the labyrinth, in the city.
In any world, in any era—
“Admit you made a mistake, and when you return to the city, pay us the equivalent value of the Floor Lord’s Essence.”
Power was always what proved logic.
“Yes. If you promise to do so, then today’s issue won’t be ‘plundering’ at all.”
In other words, if I refused, they’d label me a ‘Plunder’ and start a PK (player kill).
Things were getting simpler now that we were at the heart of the matter.
Which left me with three choices:
Agree without a fight and pay compensation.
I’d lose all my money, maybe even go into debt for a few years. But since I did get the Essence, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad trade.
Agree without a fight, and then break my promise later.
But there was a recording crystal running even as we spoke. Breaking my promise would be an insult to the royal name, costing me my noble title.
So, realistically, I had only one choice:
Prove that my logic was correct.
Having decided, I didn’t hesitate.
“Now, Baron Jandel. What will you do?”
What do you think?
“No matter how I look at this…”
I rested the war hammer I was holding on my shoulder as I spoke.
“I don’t recall making any mistakes.”
“…So you’re going to choose the poisoned wine, are you?”
“Does it matter? Wine is never sweet, anyway.”
“You think we really can’t do it, Baron Jandel.”
It’s not that I think you can’t do it.
After all, clan warfare is part of this game’s content, too.
“Aynar, Emily, Erwin!”
I swiftly called my companions.
I realized too late that I’d forgotten our sailor Auyen, but I didn’t bother correcting myself.
He’d handle herself fine, anyway.
Not that he’d be of much help in a situation like this.
“Prepare for battle!”
At my command, the party moved as one, drawing their weapons and taking positions.
We formed a tight circle, our backs facing one another.
With Amelia’s glance, Auyen cleverly positioned himself right behind me, and we were ready in an instant.
“Therefore…”
“Kill anyone who approaches immediately.”
I told Dagger boy, fixing my gaze on him.
“I’ll take full responsibility.”
Now, it all depended on his choice.
***
There is a shivering silence as we both point our weapons at each other.
For quite some time.
“…”
“…”
I wished he would make a decision soon.
How long was he planning to keep this up?
Though I was getting impatient, I didn’t rashly provoke them.
It was best for us not to fight.
Even if we were superior in individual skill, the difference in numbers was overwhelming, and there was too great a risk of casualties on our side.
But still, I chose a head-on approach.
The reason was simple.
‘It’s just as risky for that guy.’
If a floor artifact had dropped, that’d be a big prize. But now?
What could he gain from fighting?
Not like the essence would spill out if even he cut us open.
At best, the equipment we wore was all he could take.
And if we somehow slipped away and reported them in the city, they’d be accused of attempting to kill a noble.
‘But letting us go like this would be irritating for them.’
That’s why we had this standoff: a kind of game of chicken.
We were speeding toward a cliff, and whoever stopped first would lose—but if neither side stopped, both would plummet.
“Half…”
Just then, the dagger-boy finally broke his silence.
“We’ll demand only half the value of the Essence.”
A dramatic compromise, offered as we both teetered on the brink.
“Half, is it…?”
“In reality, we suffered the biggest losses pushing the floor lord to that point.”
He mentioned they’d lost fourteen men, each one elite. It’d take years, plus astronomical funds and effort, to fill their ranks again. Even half the Essence’s value would merely cover the cost of broken gear and spent consumables.
Once he started talking, the Dagger boy didn’t stop, adding persuasive arguments.
“Of course, the value of the essence will be fairly determined based on the appraisal set by the guild’s committee—”
I didn’t need to hear more.
“Thanks for the offer, but I decline.”
When I cut him off, he mumbled blankly.
“Refuse…you refuse…?”
Why the surprised look?
In this line of work, when you back down, you don’t get anything in return. Explorers risk their pride for a reason.
The moment you take a step back, it confirms one thing:
This bastard isn’t willing to see it through to the end.
‘So why should I concede anything?’
Now that I’ve confirmed it’s all bluffing, not betting would just be stupid.
“Just so you know, even if you cut that in half again, my answer won’t change.”
I seized this chance to apply more pressure.
“So cut the chatter—and come at me.”
A bold provocation I hadn’t dared until now.
Still, even then, the guy didn’t draw his weapon.
Once again, he just kept flapping his gums.
“…Please, calm down and think this through.”
“I’ve never been more rational.”
“You truly are a reckless man, Baron Jandel.”
“Well, I don’t think someone who tries to brand a royal baron as a ‘plunderer’ is in any position to speak.”
“Can you truly handle… what comes next?”
What is he even talking about?
“Do you think I would be standing here if I were afraid of that?”
I don’t bluff clumsily like you.
“I’ll give you a count to three.”
“…?”
“If you’re still in front of me when I’m done, I’ll assume you’ve come to assassinate me.”
“That… that’s just—”
“One.”
As soon as I began the countdown, the dagger boy clamped his mouth shut.
His expression clearly showed his inner conflict.
What to do now? Just back off?
No way. Would he really charge? There are so many of us.
…But he’s a madman. Maybe he really would. Reason doesn’t work on him.
“Two.”
He still hadn’t decided.
He had just become the vice-captain, after all. It wouldn’t have been easy to make such a crucial decision.
Therefore…
“Three. Time’s up.”
I decided to give him a push.
If I really swung a hammer, it might make his decision easier—
“…Vice
At that moment, an archer standing to the right of Dagger Boy suddenly stepped forward and whispered something into his ear.
They must have activated ‘voice control’ as I couldn’t eavesdrop on their conversation.
As I was about to intervene quickly, wondering what this trickery was about.
“Mister, I’m picking up multiple explorers approaching.”
“…Huh?”
“Around a few hundred of them…”
A few hundred…?
Where the hell would that many show up from out of nowhere—?
“It’s probably the same people we met back there.”
Ah, I’d almost forgotten about them.
I panicked for a second, wondering if they were the enemy’s reinforcements.
‘But it looks like it might be good news for us?’
Sure enough, the dagger boy, after double-checking, was grinding his teeth with a furious scowl. He must’ve gotten a similar report.
With no chance to handle this quietly, he had only one choice:
“…Everyone, put your weapons down.”
Yes, that’s right.
“Hurry and get out of here!”
The moment he gave the order, the group started breaking formation to leave.
But apparently leaving just like that was too humiliating.
“…Then, I shall see you in the city, Baron Jandel.”
Oh… It seems my tasks have just increased.
***
After the Gearfang Clan had left, I waited a while before hundreds of low-rank explorers arrived.
“Ooooh! Chief, congratulations on your magnificent achievement!”
“Hahaha! I knew it! I knew you’d pull it off!”
They came running and cheering as soon as they spotted us.
Afraid they might trample us, I used [Gigantification] to keep them at bay. Then I picked one guy out of the crowd to ask what had happened.
“Louis Siyur! What exactly is going on?”
“Well, as soon as everyone realized the floor lord had been slain, they wanted to come and thank you…”
So they sprinted off in the direction we’d disappeared earlier?
Their intentions were nice, but…
‘Well, I guess I should be grateful for that, too.’
They did inadvertently help us get out of this jam without a scratch.
‘And I might need them to testify when we get back to the city.’
Having made my calculations, I approached the other explorers besides Louis Siyur and struck up a conversation, asking for their names.
But for some reason—
“Bent Maheilo, was it? Got it. I’ll remember.”
“…Wh-What an honor!”
The longer we spent exchanging names, the stranger the looks from these lower-floor explorers became.
“He treats people like us this way…?”
“He may be of a different race, but there’s no doubt he’s truly worthy of respect.”
“Yes, surely this is what they mean by calling someone a hero.”
Uh… all I did was find out their personal info.
I felt a little like a con artist, but I saw no need to correct them.
「Your character’s fame level has increased by +1.」
「Your character’s fame level has increased by +1.」
「Your character’s fame level has increased by +1.」
「Your character’s fame level has increased by +1…」
「…」
Yeah, gotta raise your Fame whenever you can.
“Alright, then we’ll be taking our leave!”
After learning everyone’s names and where they lived, I left the scene without any hesitation.
“Are you leaving…? Ah, are you heading to the upper floors?”
“That’s not it, but I have other things to do.”
There’s no point in going up to the 4th floor anyway.
Even if I enter the 15th day, the labyrinth will close before I reach the 5th floor.
Honestly, after dealing with this event, I also want to rest a bit.
“Mister, where are we going now?”
Once we were away from the group and among ourselves, Erwin asked about our destination, and I candidly answered.
“We’re going to the Witch’s Hut.”
“Huh? That hut…?”
“You mean that rest area in the forest? But why there?”
Why, indeed.
Tsk, these dungeon newbies…
We just defeated a Chaos Lord.
[Achievement Unlocked]
Condition: Defeat Chaos Lord Riakis
Reward: ???
I’ve gotta pick up that unknown achievement reward before I go.