Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel 2025 - Chapter 499
Chapter 499: Quest (4)
Melbeth. A union made up of non-human nobles.
By joining them, my Anabada Clan was able to receive support through my title as Baron Yandel. Though in actuality, the clan itself didn’t receive much physical money. Instead, they simply provided a location for us to build and make our clan house, and at a cheap rate. They also gave us the option to take out loans through their public funds in the future.
A request…
That was why the request was all the more important. Even though it was called a
“request,” it was more like a contract.
If I fulfill their request, they’ll be willing to treat me better. After all, my position among them will be all that much more valuable.
In terms of the game, it was something like the Accomplishment System. By fulfilling a quest, you were able to rise in rank. Naturally, the benefits increased as well.
Still, before I blindly accepted their request, I first needed to check if it was even possible.
“What is the request?”
Rather than asking for the reward, the details of the quest had to come first.
“Information.”
“…Information?”
What a complete curveball. Normally, a request belonged to one of these three categories: hunting, gathering, or fighting. But they wanted information?
Viscount Goodrix sipped on his tea as he proceeded to slowly tell me the details.
“So…as you know, something incredibly big has happened recently.”
“Don’t beat around the bush and be straight with me.”
The viscount, who was used to talking in a roundabout way like the noble he was, choked on his tea at my sudden response.
He cleared his throat. “I’m talking about how your name was written on the Stone of Honor. As you know, it says that a hidden area has been unlocked. And that likely refers to a new floor,” he said, speaking clearly.
Well, I don’t know if it was all that clear, though?
Even though he wasn’t as direct as I would have liked, I was still able to understand what he was getting at. Since I was the one who accomplished the feat, he wanted information directly from me.
“Baron Yandel, aren’t you already planning to explore the new area next time? We would like you to share the results of your expedition with us. Whether it is really a new floor, where the entrance is, how to get in, what’s inside, and such.”
Hmmm…
As I collected my thoughts for a moment, he elaborated, “Ah, and like I said before, this is a request that has been formally recognized by Melbeth’s council. Upon completion of the request, you will be paid accordingly.”
“What’s the reward?”
“It depends on the value and scarcity of the knowledge you provide. After all, we don’t know anything about it yet. For all we know, knowledge of its entrance and the way to enter the floor might become common knowledge among all explorers.”
If that’s the case, there’s no reason to offer more than a common reward. On the other hand, if nobody else knows about it, it becomes all the more deserving.
Thirteen houses have already agreed to it.’
“Thirteen?”
“Well, everyone has a different opinion on this opportunity. But it’s already been decided that your reward will be paid through the public funds of the thirteen houses that have agreed to it.”
In other words, the other houses all deemed this request as a so-called waste.
“So that’s why you met with me as the representative instead of a formal meeting with all the houses.”
“That’s correct. Unfortunately, we were unable to gain the majority vote when the idea was first suggested. Ah, but there’s no need to worry. It has been officially approved, and as such, the public funds will be kept aside for the request, so there won’t be any issues with you receiving your reward.”
Listening to the cumbersome process of how their public funds worked, I started to realize the issues with political groups. Still, they had their advantages.
“So…do you need time to consider?”
“Not so much time, but I would like to ask a few questions first.”
“Of course.”
“What are you planning to do with the information?”
Viscount Goodrix took a moment to think my question over, then said, “Do you know what the most expensive rank 9 essence ever sold in history was? It was the Deep Salmon. It’s not even all that good compared to other rank 9 essences, yet it was sold for 3.2 billion stones. Do you know why?”
It was my first time hearing it, but I could easily guess the reason.
“…Because it was the first.”
“Exactly. Because it was the first one found in a rift on the ninth floor, the magic tower paid as much as they could to buy it. It was simply worth that much.”
Even so, when I asked him if they wanted my information for money, he shook his head, saying that wasn’t the case.
“Since ancient times, there have been countless treasures and opportunities with a newly opened area. For example, Myulmarin the Slayer of the Sea Dragons. Since he was the first to defeat the Sea Dragons, he gained incredible strength and power. After that moment, it was something that no one else in the history of the labyrinth was able to receive.”
“So?”
“The information we receive from you will be told to other explorers of each race.
Only those that can be fully trusted.”
“You want my information to make them stronger.”
“That’s right. The stronger non-human explorers become, the greater our strength will be as well.”
Although he kept talking in a roundabout way, I fully understood the point he was making. I knew exactly why Melbeth was making such a request to me. It convinced me as well.
“Of course, you must be unhappy that your valuable adventurer knowledge that you worked for will be shared with us. Nevertheless, I promise that we will keep it confidential and only hand the information down to those we fully trust.”
With all the details revealed, he asked me one more time if I would accept. I quickly responded, “Alright. I accept the request.”
There’s not even a penalty if I fail this quest. So there’s nothing to lose by accepting it, right?
“Then I’ll see you next time.”
After leaving his house, I went back home, then gathered my team members to share the news of our new quest. Some had concerns, but no one objected since we could still change our minds later after discovering the hidden area and evaluating it.
Tick, tock.
After discussing our future plans until late in the night, I reclined in bed. Amelia and Erwen sat on two chairs by the bed watching me.
“Tersia, you don’t have to be here as well.”
“I don’t want to leave. I’m going to stay here and protect Mister as well.”
“…Are they still not getting along? We’ve been together for so long now. Why does nobody get along with each other?”
Tick, tock.
I closed my eyes as I listened to the sound of the clock, on the bedside table.
[Your soul has resonated and is drawn to a specific world.]
A month and a half had already passed.
***
When I opened my eyes, I was back in Hansu Lee’s room. I quickly went over to the computer to turn it on, and enter the community.
[LongLiveKorea’sIndependence] – 0 people are online.
They’re not here yet…
I would just enter the room when the two of them came in later. In the meantime, I checked the online community board. As expected, people were already posting things.
[Did you all see the patch notes?]
I still can’t believe I’m using such a term in this world. Does it make any sense that there are still hidden areas?
BurtusMaximus: Reason why Dungeon and Stone is considered a god-tier game = over 10 years old and free and is still getting patched.
└these99: In return, the game won’t let us go home.
└BurtusMaximus: Yeah. This really is a god-tier game. Dear god, please send me back home now.
Looks like this patch was more shocking to the players than the natives of this world, I thought.
Even though there were also posts about the black market and magic tower, most people were talking about the new area.
[But how come a new patch came out when Bjorn defeated the Lord of Terror?]
Did he do something wild like throw its dead body on a frying pan and eat it? Weird that there would suddenly be a new patch when all he did was defeat it.
Futuralis: Because he did it in a team of 5.
└AI_DIDIGO: Info1. It wasn’t a team of 5, but rather 4.
└Futuralis: Then maybe the condition was defeating it in a group of 4?
└AI_DIDIGO: Info2. Bjorn Yandel wasn’t the first to clear it in a group of 4.
└Futuralis: So what’s the conclusion?
└AI_DIDIGO: Conclusion. There is a 92.24571% chance that Bjorn Yandel defeated the Lord of Terror after meeting a special condition.
└Writer: This guy’s concept is hilarious.
└Nyacreeps: But it’s true though. Even the royal researchers think that Gabrielius’s achievements were because he triggered a special condition.
The players talked with each other, discussing the multiple possibilities of why a sudden patch came out. I assumed that something useful might come out of it since everyone was working together to figure it out, but in the end, no one had any idea what the special condition could possibly be.
Well…it doesn’t really matter at this point.
After looking through the community board, I hovered over the chat room again.
[LongLiveKorea’sIndependence] – 2 people are online.
Alright, both of them are here.
I hurried into the room and when I entered, they suddenly looked my way as they greeted me.
“Big bro! You’re here!” Baekho Lee ran over to me and bowed down in an exaggerated way.
“Oh, you’re here?” Hyeonbyeol only glanced at me, not saying much.
When I walked past the two of them to sit on the sofa, Baekho quickly sat down next to me. “Big bro! Did you know? Me and Hyeonbyeol were having a conversation before you came. And it turns out, she still has feelings for you!”
“…Huh?”
The opening topic was a gut-puncher.
I gulped, quickly glancing toward Hyeonbyeol, whose expression was stiff. “…I never said that. You don’t believe him, right?”
“O-of course not. I don’t believe it.”
“Bro! Are you disappointed? I don’t know why big sis is acting like that. When I asked her if she would date you again, she was even blushing!”
Oh… So that’s what happened… What a relief.
I was wondering how I could face Hyeonbyeol in the future.
“…I wasn’t blushing. And even if I did, how was that your conclusion?”
“Haha. Silence in itself is a strong affirmation.”
“Baekho Lee… you’re a piece of trash.” Hyeonbyeol quickly finished the conversation here, no longer falling for Baekho’s mischief. She then glanced toward me, a fierce look in her eyes.
“Hyeonbyeol, I got it. I never trusted this guy in the first place. And Baekho, stop fooling around.”
“Alright!”
“He seriously pisses me off…”
When I calmed the situation down, Baekho Lee continued to act cheeky with an irritating expression on his face. Seeing that, Hyeonbyeol clenched her fist and jaw.
When did the two of them become so close?
I was curious, but I didn’t bother asking. If I did, I worried that Hyeonbyeol would have another fit again. Not to mention the fact that I could only meet Baekho Lee here once a month for an hour, so I couldn’t waste any more time.
“Hyeonbyeol.”
I decided to send Hyeonbyeol away first while I talked to him. When I called her name, she quickly calmed down and unfurrowed her brows. She apparently already knew what I was going to ask her. Thanks to that, I didn’t need to say much.
“I have something to say to Baekho…”
“I’ll be back in an hour.” Hyeonbyeol glared at Baekho once more before she left the chatroom.
“Phew! She’s such a funny person, right? Even though she always acts so intimidating, whenever she’s with you she becomes so meek and quiet…”
“Baekho.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t tease her too much.”
“…Alright. I won’t play any more pranks on her.”
I sighed inwardly. How could I control this kid?
While I was lost in my thoughts, Baekho Lee suddenly brought up a new topic. “By the way, bro.”
“Yeah?”
“So about kitty… I mean, Missha Karlstein. Did you meet with her?”
“Yeah. Thanks to you.” Maybe it was because so much time had passed, but things were awkward and distant with us. Still, I was sure that, with time, it would get better.
Alright, then it was time to ask my question…
“But Baekho.”
Now that Missha has safely returned to me, I could finally bring up the question I wasn’t able to ask last time.
“What is the Records Stone?”
It was time to stop being pushed around by a story I didn’t even know.