Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 206 A Fleeting Moment (2)

A Fleeting Moment (2)

A Fleeting Moment (2)

[It’s been a while, Miss Rainwales.]

Amelia involuntarily tilted her head as she received a call from the city through the crystal ball.

Because it wasn’t the Lord’s voice that was in her memory.

“…Old Man Alchemist?”

[Kekeke, it’s an honor that you recognized me by my voice.]

“…How can you use the communication network?”

[I asked the Lord. I told him I had something to ask you and that it would be more convenient for both of us if I could speak to you directly. And I could hear your voice too.]

It wasn’t something she couldn’t understand.

The alchemist was as important as the Lord in Noark. The Lord had no choice but to grant his request.

Amelia quickly got to the point.

“So what is it you want to ask?”

[Ah, it’s nothing special. More importantly, how are you doing?]

“…You know that kind of talk doesn’t suit me.”

[You still haven’t let go?]

Amelia kept her mouth shut, avoiding the question.

The old man, whom she had known since childhood, was one of the few people who knew her circumstances.

[Miss Rainwales, I have a guess as to why you accepted this mission. But it’s time to let go. I’m sure your sister would also rather you—]

“Stop.”

Amelia cut him off coldly.

“Enough with that, just tell me what you need.”

Those who are left behind have their own roles to fulfill.

She didn’t want to be interfered with, even by the old man.

[…Alright. Then let’s get to the point.]

The alchemist then listed a few items he needed, and Amelia wrote them down so she wouldn’t forget.

They were mostly alchemy ingredients like magic reagents.

Nothing special, but things that were difficult to obtain in Noark, which was under lockdown.

[How long will it take you to get them all?]

“A few days should be enough.”

[Really? Then could you get me some Sleeping Flower Pollen a little earlier?]

“I can send it to you right now.”

[Oh, do you have some?]

“…You already knew, didn’t you?”

Sleeping Flower Pollen has a sleep-inducing effect.

Although the effect isn’t that strong, she often used it because it could bypass poison resistance.

Not on her enemies, but on herself.

“I’ll put it in the two-way subspace pocket as soon as we’re done.”

[Kekeke, then we’re already done?]

The old man chuckled as if he was disappointed.

Amelia, who was about to end the call, stopped as a question came to mind.

“But… what do you need Sleeping Flower Pollen for?”

Amelia felt awkward asking that question.

Because she wouldn’t have asked if it were normal.

She rarely asked others questions first. Especially if it was out of simple curiosity.

But…

“There are very few alchemy formulas that use Sleeping Flower Pollen.”

…today was different.

She felt like she was missing something important.

[Ah, that?]

The old man’s voice soon came through the crystal ball.

[It’s for treating Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos. Ah, not for making medicine, but it would be easier to put him to sleep beforehand.]

“…Don’t tell me you found a way to restore his memories?”

[Not that, I’m just planning to heal his broken body first. As you know, we need all the strength we can get right now.]

“I see.”

Amelia let out a sigh of relief.

As long as his memories weren’t restored, it wouldn’t affect her, whether he recovered or not—

[Kekeke, but once his body recovers, I’m planning to try restoring his lost memories.]

Amelia froze.

[The method is so drastic that it’s impossible in his current state. Well, the success rate is only about 50% since there aren’t many samples.]

50% success rate.

It was an incredibly low probability to leave things to chance.

But it wasn’t a big problem.

It would be fine if his body didn’t recover.

“I see.”

Amelia ended the call with that.

And she put the Sleeping Flower Pollen in the two-way subspace pocket as promised.

Coated with a deadly poison that destroys living tissue upon consumption.

___________________

The second vine broke.

I had let my guard down because it had been quiet for a while…

‘What the hell is that bastard up to?’

A sense of urgency washed over me.

Because I wasn’t fully prepared to meet him yet.

Although I had grown in many aspects, I was still just a 5th-floor explorer, not a 4th-floor explorer anymore.

But there’s only one left now.

‘6th floor. I have to get to the 6th floor as soon as possible.’

If I reach the 6th floor, there’s a chance I can absorb that essence.

My second core essence after [Gigantification].

If I just obtain that, I’ll be able to somehow go toe-to-toe with him—

“Mister!”

Huh?

“What are you thinking about so hard?”

I snapped out of my thoughts at Erwen’s voice.

Could it be because we had such a long period of peace?

It wasn’t even the last one, just the second vine broke, but I kept having anxious thoughts, making my mind complicated.

“Sorry. Where were we?”

“We weren’t talking, I was asking what you wanted to order…”

“Ah, right.”

I glanced at the menu and ordered some snacks and beer.

“This place hasn’t changed at all.”

Erwen muttered, looking at the employee who was returning after taking our order. I didn’t have to ask what she meant.

“We’ve changed so much.”

I was currently at a bar called ‘Fidefuss’, the place where we had our return drinks after my first expedition with Erwen.

So it was only natural for me to feel a strange sensation.

The barbarian who struggled on the 1st floor because he didn’t have a companion had become a fairly famous explorer in the city.

Although I haven’t gained fame, Erwen had also grown tremendously for someone who just finished her 1st year.

The change was evident just by looking at her equipment.

“This is our first time drinking together since then, right?”

“Ah, when I paid my 1st-year taxes?”

For reference, it was right after I moved.

So I was wondering where to meet her and decided on this place.

Misha would definitely be unhappy if I invited her to our house.

In the first place, I can’t do whatever I want since it’s a shared space with three people living together.

“Anything happen during this expedition?”

“…No, it was the same as before.”

We started talking in earnest after the drinks and snacks arrived.

The main topic was catching up with each other.

We didn’t have much in common anymore since our paths diverged, unlike before when she would visit every day.

“How’s the atmosphere in your clan? I’m a bit curious. Any news?”

“Well? Even if there is, they wouldn’t tell us…”

Erwen and her sister, who joined a clan they knew as mercenaries, were still exploring the labyrinth with them.

For reference, their area of operation was the 5th floor.

But we haven’t encountered them in the labyrinth yet since we were only hunting in the Hellfire Canyon.

“By the way, I’m so annoyed. You know that guy I mentioned before? The one who keeps hitting on my sister? He’s doing it to me now.”

“You’re having a hard time.”

“Yes, he’s a high-ranking member, so I can’t just shoot an arrow between his eyes… I just have to endure it. Until I get everything I can and leave.”

I realize that she’s also changed a lot as we continue talking.

It’s only been a little over a year since she became an explorer.

But she’s no longer naive.

Well, it’s only natural.

A year in the labyrinth is enough time to see all sorts of things.

“By the way, tell me now. You said you had something to say.”

“Ah, that…”

Erwen hesitated for a moment and then spoke as I judged that the atmosphere was ripe.

“Do you remember? I said I still had a lot to learn from my sister…”

“I remember.”

She also said she would join my team after absorbing everything from her sister within six months.

Well, it’s already been more than six months since then.

I never brought it up first.

There was no room on our team, and besides…

“I thought you changed your mind since you didn’t say anything.”

I just thought it ended vaguely.

But was that not the case at all?

Erwen vehemently denied it.

“Wha, what are you talking about! There’s no way I would do that. We’re companions!”

Strictly speaking, my first companion was Hans A.

He was that ‘Hatz’ spirit or whatever.

“So what do you want to say?”

“That… it will take a little longer.”

“What do you mean?”

“You, you’re all 5th-grade, right? There’s no room for me to squeeze in at my current level… Actually, I don’t think there’s any hope anymore… Ah, no, we’re practically li, living together now…”

“What are you talking about? Speak clearly.”

Erwen chugged down the rest of her drink at my words.

“I regret it. Back then… why didn’t I accept your offer? I thought I would be able to close the gap quickly, but it’s only widening…”

It was closer to a lament than a request.

But I think I understand what she’s trying to say.

She wants to join our team, but she can’t ask us to kick someone out.

Her specs aren’t even better than the current members.

Hmm, so she hasn’t changed her mind.

“Anyway, so what I’m trying to say is…”

“Stop.”

I cut her off.

There was a misunderstanding I had to clear up first.

“I never intended to add you to the current team.”

“…Yes?”

A brief silence fell.

Confusion appeared in Erwen’s eyes a moment later, as her gaze darted around restlessly.

Tsk, that wasn’t what I meant.

I said firmly before the misunderstanding grew any further,

“Erwen, I’m going to form a clan.”

“A, a clan?!”

“Of course, not now, it will take a few months. But if you’re okay with it, I’d like you to join—”

“Okay!! I’ll join!!”

The answer came before I could even finish my sentence.

“No, but at least let me explain—”

“It’s okay! I’m joining anyway!”

“…If that’s the case. Anyway, this is a secret. I haven’t told anyone on our team yet.”

“Uh, so I’m the first one you offered this to…?”

Huh?

I tilted my head.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

How could I make an offer without even mentioning that I’m forming a clan? In the first place, there’s no need to even ask Misha and Ainar.

Raven, who’s from the Magic Tower, will probably refuse.

I’m not sure about the bear-like man.

‘He seemed to have some bad memories of clans.’

That’s when…

“Hehe, hihihi!”

…Erwen started making a strange laughing sound.

__________________

The drinking party with Erwen, which started in the early evening, lasted longer than expected.

I was originally planning to just listen to her request and catch up, and then leave…

“What? The clan master is bald?”

“Yes, that’s right. It was so hard to hold back my laughter when his wig came off during a hunt.”

But our conversation was very entertaining today.

Is it because I haven’t had alcohol in a long time?

Why is it so funny even though it’s nothing special?

‘Ah, the kids will be waiting at home…’

That thought crossed my mind, but Erwen kept bringing up interesting stories, so I couldn’t find the right time to leave.

But it’s really time to go back now.

“We, we should—”

“Ah, right!”

“Huh?”

“Did I tell you about the new essence I absorbed?”

What? She absorbed an essence?

I couldn’t just leave without hearing about this.

“It has a really unique ability. And it suits me well.”

“Stop beating around the bush and tell me. What did you absorb?”

I adjusted my posture and listened to Erwen attentively.

It was a 5th-grade essence.

Since it was an essence her veteran sister recommended, it was a perfect fit for her, a bow-wielding fairy.

‘I don’t have to remove this later.’

I thought I should help Erwen plan her build when I get back and asked her about the essence she absorbed.

“Wow, you know? Your eyes are sparkling all of a sudden.”

Well, it’s only natural.

I’m a player who loves this game more than anyone else.

“It’s an essence that people say is very unique. I can’t help but be curious about how it actually feels.”

“But it’s hard to explain. I can’t show you…”

Hmm, that’s true.

That’s when, as I nodded in understanding…

“Um, so… mister.”

…Erwen glanced at me, trailing off.

Her face was flushed, perhaps from the alcohol.

“Do you want to go upstairs and see my ability for a bit?”

…What should I do?