Surviving the Game as a Barbarian-Chapter 546: Ghost (4)

The next day after visiting the community.

I woke up feeling deeply fatigued and started my day as usual.

Simply put, that meant I ate breakfast first.

“Alright, meal’s ready!”

It was distinctly different from the chaotic days when three groups tangled and operated in a slapdash manner.

Even outside of battle, roles were clearly divided.

Now, four people took turns preparing our meals daily.

Ah, by the way, Misha was the head of the meal duty team.

“How is it? Does it suit your taste? I made it a little less salty than usual since it’s breakfast.”

“It’s fine, except for the small amount of meat.”

“Ah... meat...”

“Just kidding. We have to save the meat. You never know when it might come in handy.”

After the meal, I went to Versil, the supply manager, to check the remaining food stock.

“For a total of 38 people, we have supplies for 61 days left. If we reduce rations now, we might stretch it by about four more days.”

“That’s enough. If we cut more, what strength would we have to fight with?”

Our current food stock was roughly enough for two months.

This was thanks to the Armin Expedition bringing plenty of provisions.

The Hext Clan, stranded after losing their ship, had long exhausted their supplies, while we had prepared four months’ worth for seven people.

‘Day 86...’

If this were an ordinary labyrinth, the seventh floor would have closed, and ten days more would have passed.

Yet we were still trapped inside.

And the problem was...

‘At this rate, I can’t guarantee we’ll escape even by day 200.’

Still, I wasn’t too worried about food.

Soon new novices would join, and if worse came to worst, we could hunt monsters using ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) ‘Distortion’ magic.

Just like we did in Ice Rock.

“Anyway, got it. If anyone needs anything, give freely except for food.”

“We already do that. Oh, and...”

“And?”

“...Never mind. I’ll tell you once I’m sure.”

I had a good guess what she was about to say.

There was probably a spy of demonic origin hidden in our expedition.

But to say that, she’d have to reveal she was a demon too, so she hesitated.

“Alright? Then I’ll get going.”

“Yes.”

After finishing the supplies check, I asked Amelia if anything unusual had happened last night.

She was the leader of the security squad.

“Nothing particular.”

She always ended with such words, but her role was indispensable.

In the labyrinth, you could never be sure if enemies might appear from outside—or even inside.

We always had to be on guard for any unpredictable variable.

Just like this.

“However, it seems Wilkus, the warrior of the Hext Clan, is under extreme stress. These days, he often struggles to sleep properly.”

The security team had mostly acted like watchers, standing guard every night and reporting incidents to me.

By the way, there were six members total, including a former royal investigation officer acting as Amelia’s right hand.

“Understood. I’ll go talk to him later.”

“Then you don’t need to worry too much about that.”

“Hm?”

“You’re like an idol to the warriors. Besides, he seems to respect you especially, so he should get better.”

After the morning chat with Amelia, I visited the three mages of the Armin Expedition.

“I heard Emily researched all night. Any progress?”

They acted as our investigation team.

They studied monster corpses, essences, and also summoning books in the library, summoning altars, stone gates from which monsters appear, and everything else found here.

“Uh... it’s hard to call it progress...”

“We found unusual data in the blood sample of Hiphramagent...”

“If you give us a bit more time and budget...”

They always seemed to tremble nervously and watch me carefully when I asked about progress.

I repeatedly assured them I wasn’t pressuring, but they didn’t get better.

Maybe a habit from their time as research tower staff?

“Hehe, Baron, you’re the chief, right?”

“No matter how you put it... it’s hard for us to relax.”

“Right, being careless doesn’t produce results on time either.”

Well, I had nothing to say to that.

Anyway, after hearing the investigation report, the morning routine was over.

“Alright, if everyone’s done digesting, return to your posts!”

Time to get back to work.

We had a good meal and digested it well.

“From now on, we summon monsters!”

Time to return to the main job.

The routine after the morning was simple.

Stack the books gathered yesterday evening in one place, then hunt endlessly.

Swaaaaaah—!

Magic stones poured out; when essences appeared, we paused to identify them.

Ah, now we didn’t even need to rely on witness testimony, a primitive method.

We had recording crystals set up to record the entire hunting ground.

“It’s the essence of Katanda.”

“The green essence of Katanda must be [Prophecy of the Omen], Baron?”

“We’re good.”

“Anyone else need it?”

After confirming the essence, I was given first choice; if I declined, the next in line took it.

If no one wanted it, it was discarded.

“Isn’t it strange? A grade 4 essence no one wants.”

“No surprise, even grade 3 essences are sometimes discarded.”

“We can find better essences later; no rush.”

“Hehe, thinking about the future just by looking at the essence in front of you. If you go outside and tell what happened here, no one will believe you.”

“Not even putting it in a test tube, what a waste. How valuable is that...”

“But Baron said to use test tubes sparingly. I think that’s wise.”

Surprisingly, explorers were glad when essences got discarded.

Hunting paused until essences naturally disappeared.

Well, it didn’t mean they rested completely.

“What’s going on? Replenish the books we used while essences disappear!”

I used every spare moment.

I sent everyone to the shelves to grab summoning books, and when there were enough books, we quickly prepared meals.

And thanks to the hard work...

‘Ten whole days...’

It was the first proper success in ten days since arriving at the library to hunt.

“Baron?”

“We’ll take this.”

After passing dozens of essences, we finally got one worth taking.

‘Speardipper.’

A grade 3 monster that could be met by deep diving in a certain zone of the sixth floor sea.

Of course, it had an owner.

“Ainard.”

“Oh! As expected!!”

As soon as I called him, Ainard rolled his eyes nearby and ran over quickly.

Since he used a spear, he seemed to expect this when he heard we’d take it.

But just giving it away felt boring.

“Wait.”

“Ugh...! Why wait! You were going to give it to me anyway—”

Tsk.

“...”

Right, I thought so.

“Eat.”

“Woohoo!!”

Once permitted, Ainard rushed for the essence.

Did he still have any greed left despite his exhaustion?

[Ainard Phnell’s soul absorbs the [Speardipper Essence].]

The essence’s light seeped into Ainard’s body, and he opened his eyes, shouting like someone addicted.

“What is this! No joke! It’s been a long time since I felt this strong...!!”

Well, of course.

His base stats were all invested in physical attributes.

Of course, stats weren’t the important part, skills were.

(P) Discriminator — When attacking non-kin targets, damage increases proportionally to battle time. Opposite effect applies against kin.

A passive perfectly matching Ainard’s ‘Slaughterer’ brand.

And...

(A) Trident — When attacking with the spear, deals the same damage to two nearby enemies.

No cooldown, low MP cost active skill.

Though not ridiculously powerful on its own...

Filling a build with only such skills makes a weak character.

[Trident] was meant to replace [Repeated Slash] as Ainard’s basic attack skill.

‘Okay, Ainard’s done now...’

Of course, many essences needed replacing, but I had no slots for them now, so I wouldn’t worry until returning to the city.

That left...

‘Me, Elwen, and two Amelias...’

Those were the essences we could eat right away, and storing them in test tubes would greatly increase the count.

It’d be even better to clear out essences immediately upon leaving and switch settings quickly.

And in that sense...

‘...I should try to get materials for engraving too.’

Stage 8 materials for the Immortal brand drop from three kinds of grade 3 monsters.

Of course, there were more materials...

‘But those can be bought with money in the city anyway.’

Unlike low-grade materials, you couldn’t buy grade 3 materials just by having money.

Even the soul of the deceased at stage 7 was like that.

Dropped by the grade 4 monster Lich, but only one item was listed in the central market.

So I spent all my money to buy it, not knowing when I’d get another.

[Ainard Phnell casts [Trident].]

While Ainard tested the new essence’s power, adapting to his strengthened body...

“Captain!!”

The only non-combat personnel among the 38.

Navigator Auyen Rockrove ran up to me clutching a large summoning book urgently.

“I-I found it...! F-Finally!”

“Found what? Calm down and tell me—”

“It’s the book that summons Bellarios!!”

Hearing this, I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply.

“Phew...”

Finally, it appeared.

Bellarios.

A grade 3 monster shaped like an Eastern-style dragon.

Its habitat was the Dragon Mountains in the center of the Dark Continent.

But since that place turned into a battlefield, despite its attainable stats, no one had yet defeated it.

“Versil, gather all the books in the shelves.”

Having long awaited meeting it since coming to this library, I hurriedly assembled everyone and briefed them on Bellarios.

Maybe they were a little annoyed?

“Um...”

Someone cautiously raised a hand among the focused explorers.

“What is it, Ainard? Hungry?”

“No, I haven’t even fully adapted to the new essence yet...”

“So?”

“I genuinely prefer practicing here to fighting... That efficiency? Seems better too.”

This was something all barbarians could understand.

But...

“I just prefer training over fighting...”

Ah, yes.

That damn fighting spirit.

“Can’t you just practice here while the rest fight?”

He seemed to want to avoid fighting whenever possible.

Of course, my answer was firm.

“No. You’re joining this battle too.”

“...Understood.”

Seeing him so dejected made me feel like a villain and softened my heart, but I cut off emotions coldly.

Elwen quietly whispered to me.

“Sir... even though there are two grade 3s, wouldn’t that be enough for us?”

I wasn’t sure when she got close enough to support me from behind, but she wasn’t wrong.

Ainard skipping battle?

Not much matter this fight.

But...

‘The problem is others will see it.’

Even among clanmates, showing leniency in these matters can build resentment.

Even if it wasn’t obvious outside.

So...

“I already decided. No arguments.”

“...Yes, sorry.”

After firmly dismissing Elwen’s persuasion, I finished the briefing.

When I was confident the team perfectly understood the enemy...

I placed the summoning book on the altar.

And...

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

The stone gate opened and closed over a hundred times today, and two monsters appeared.

Flare—!

A goat-headed warrior carrying a hammer with a pouch of molten red liquid on his back.

‘Helsmith.’

The owner of the essence once held by the chieftain known as the Flame Warrior.

And...

‘Bellarios.’

I couldn’t help but lick my lips while gazing at its sleek scales.

「Bellarios casts [Scales of Greed].」

「Bellarios gains immunity modifiers to all magic damage.」

Hand it over, now.