Surviving the Game as a Barbarian
Chapter 531: Escape Plan (4)

A dagger bearing the Silver Lion Clan's emblem.

Why was it here?

The moment that question arose, a possibility naturally surfaced in my mind.

[If you're asking about the Silver Lion Clan, they left the island shortly after you did. And they haven't returned.]

The Elder’s words from our previous conversation might have been a lie.

Perhaps… the Silver Lion Clan hadn’t returned not because they couldn’t, but because they were dead.

Killed by someone.

“…….”

“…….”

Judging by her expression, Amelia seemed to be thinking the same thing.

“Was there anything else besides the dagger?”

“That’s all I found. So far.”

“I see…”

It was too early to jump to conclusions.

The dagger could have been dropped accidentally and picked up by the natives. Or maybe the explorers had traded it to them.

In other words, I could be optimistic if I wanted to.

But…

“This is troublesome.”

When a variable appeared, it was always best to assume the worst.

“As you can see, he’s dangerous.”

The Elder’s strength was monstrous.

He had slain the Hippermachant with a single throw of his sword. Could I survive an attack like that?

I wasn’t sure, so I asked a question first.

“…Who knows that you brought this dagger back?”

“No one, yet. I found it while checking on Frenelin.”

“Can you return it without being noticed?”

We didn’t need a long discussion.

“If I go now.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

“Understood.”

Amelia carefully concealed the dagger.

She also understood the risks of confronting the Elder at this point in time.

‘We’re trapped in this village until the rainy season is over…’

The Elder was hiding something.

That much was certain.

But we weren’t ready to confront him yet.

______________________

The next day, after Amelia successfully returned the dagger to the forge…

“Starting today, I want you to investigate the Silver Lion Clan’s whereabouts. Discreetly. And don’t tell anyone. Not even Ainar, Bersil, or Erwen.”

“Yandel, what about you?”

“I’m going to see the Elder.”

I gave Amelia a new quest and then headed towards the Elder’s residence.

“You’re early.”

“I don’t have anything else to do.”

“I would offer you some tea, but we don’t have that here. Have a seat.”

Perhaps it was because of the Silver Lion Clan’s dagger…

I felt my muscles tense up, even though we were just having a normal conversation.

Thump!

It felt like I was sitting across from a psychopathic killer. But I maintained my composure and acted naturally.

I was good at this kind of thing.

“So what did you want to talk about? You didn’t call me here just to chat.”

“Hmm, I’m not sure… but it’s business, if you can call it that.”

The Elder looked at me and said, his voice as emotionless as ever,

“Bjorn Yandel. I’m curious about you.”

“…What?”

“Is that strange? To be curious about the explorer who might be able to get me out of here?”

“Not really…”

It was an unexpected topic, but I quickly regained my composure.

The Silver Lion Clan was one thing, and this was another.

“Why should I tell you anything?”

I used his own words against him.

“You said I should focus on my own task and not be distracted by unnecessary curiosity, didn’t you?”

I deliberately used a disrespectful tone, but the Elder didn’t seem offended.

“That’s true.”

In fact, he agreed so readily that it made me feel awkward.

“Then how about we answer each other’s questions? I’m sure you’re curious about me as well.”

Hmm…

A truth-telling game…

“Alright.”

I didn’t hesitate.

This world wasn’t designed to let you get what you want without taking risks.

‘And I’m used to this kind of situation.’

I took the initiative.

“Can I ask the first question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you still have the essences you possessed as a human?”

It was the most important question.

Brugrid’s essence combination was well-known.

Like other famous heroes, his build had been passed down through generations.

Well, not all of his essences were known, but…

It would still give me a rough estimate of his strength.

“No, I don’t.”

Hmm, he didn’t?

“Then what was that glowing sword you used yesterday?”

“It’s my turn now.”

“…Go ahead.”

I let him take his turn. There was always something to be gained from listening to the other person's questions.

What would he ask first?

As I was wondering, he spoke.

“How old are you?”

It was a completely unexpected question.

“How old…?”

“Was it a difficult question?”

“…Twenty-four.”

I answered honestly, despite feeling a little confused.

‘Why did he ask about my age? Is he trying to make me lower my guard before asking the important questions?’

It made me feel a little uneasy, but it wasn't a bad question to answer.

“You’re much younger than I expected. To achieve so much at such a young age… and even establish a noble family… impressive.”

I ignored his flattery and started my turn.

“If you don’t have your old essences, does that mean you obtained your current abilities on this island?”

The natives of this island were unique.

They were born with both passive and active skills.

Just like other monsters.

But…

“That’s correct. I had nothing but time, and as you can see, this island is swarming with monsters.”

…they could also absorb essences.

They couldn’t level up, though, and the number of essence slots they had varied from three to seven, depending on the individual…

‘…It’s hard to say whether they’re monsters or not…’

Honestly, they were just like any other race in Lafdonia: fairies, dwarves, barbarians, beastmen…

Each race had its own unique characteristics.

Fairies could summon spirits, barbarians could use Soul Engravings, dwarves received bonuses from their equipment, and beastmen used Soul Water to enhance their abilities.

And in that sense…

‘They’re born with a fixed level and a single race-specific essence.’

It could be considered a ‘racial trait.’

But…

‘They drop magic stones.’

I had seen the monster warriors disintegrate into light after being slain.

That meant they were monsters…

‘It doesn’t matter.’

I stopped my biological musings and let the Elder take his turn.

“Tell me about your first labyrinth expedition.”

“…Why are you curious about that?”

“To understand you.”

“It’s a long story.”

“I have plenty of time. But you don’t. You can summarize it.”

“…Alright.”

I shared a few anecdotes from my first expedition and then took my turn again.

‘What should I ask now?’

I wanted to ask him about the Silver Lion Clan’s dagger, but…

I probably wouldn’t get a straight answer.

I wasn’t using ‘Distorted Trust,’ so he would probably just lie to me.

So I decided to ask a different question.

“Tell me about the Immortal King.”

He claimed to be an ancient hero, after all.

If he was telling the truth, he might know some ancient secrets. And even if he wasn't, it would give me a clue about his identity.

“The first king of Lafdonia.”

“Ah, you mean the Lord Protector? That’s a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?”

“I have plenty of time.”

“Hmm… I don’t know where to begin. He was a very lucky man.”

“…Lucky?”

“Yes. He was just an ordinary man. But… he was friends with the most talented mage in the world.”

“The Last Sage.”

The Elder nodded and continued.

“The Last Sage had foreseen the apocalypse and had been preparing for it. He convinced his friend, the Lord Protector, and they used all their wealth to prepare for that day. Everyone mocked them, calling them fools.”

But after the apocalypse arrived, everything changed.

“The kings of neighboring countries, the greatest swordsmen on the continent, the mages of Inkarun… they all came to Lafdonia, begging to be let inside.”

The Lord Protector and the Last Sage had carefully selected the refugees.

And…

“That’s how Lafdonia was born.”

“Wait a minute, then what about Noark?”

“…?”

“The underground city. They have a portal to the labyrinth too.”

“Ah, the underground shelter. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard of it.”

Hmm… a shelter…

“Sorry for interrupting. Continue.”

“…Anyway, the city’s resources were quickly depleted with so many people trapped inside. And then the Last Sage created a portal to another dimension.”

That dimension was the labyrinth.

An unknown land filled with monsters.

The original plan had been to relocate the entire city to the new dimension.

“The Last Sage formed an exploration team, and I was lucky enough to be chosen.”

They had explored the labyrinth.

And after the mages discovered the value of magic stones, the relocation plan was abandoned.

Magic stones.

A versatile material that could be used for food, water, and even metal.

“That’s how the city stabilized. It gained a sustainable foundation. The city grew, and the number of portals increased. But if you ask me what the Lord Protector did during this time… I don’t have an answer.”

All the achievements belonged to the Last Sage, and the Lord Protector had just been a lucky man.

That was the Elder's assessment.

‘He’s surprisingly… dismissive…’

I wanted to ask him another question, but it was his turn.

“Tell me about your second labyrinth expedition.”

He asked about my expeditions again, and I cautiously answered his questions.

“The Blood Citadel… a nostalgic name. An interesting story. Thank you.”

“My turn.”

Damn it, what should I ask now?

I decided to take a risk and ask a sensitive question.

“How did the Immortal King obtain immortality?”

It was a question about the royal family’s power, and it would also give me a clue about Cornelius Brugrid’s identity.

I waited for his answer with anticipation…

Knock, knock.

…when I heard a knock on the door, followed by a voice speaking in ancient language.

[Elder, I have something urgent to discuss.]

“I apologize, but we’ll have to continue this conversation another time.”

The Elder dismissed me, and I reluctantly left his house. As I opened the door, I saw a familiar face.

‘Marupichi’s father.’

He was a respected warrior in the village, and he seemed to be the Elder’s right-hand man.

“…….”

[…….]

We exchanged awkward glances, and I walked past him, heading back to my lodgings.

As I walked, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

‘Something urgent…’

It had to be important if he had come all the way here to interrupt our conversation.

I wondered what it was.

______________________

My conversation with the Elder had been suspicious.

‘…Why did he ask about my age?’

I couldn’t figure out his intentions.

He could have easily obtained that information from the captured Silver Lion Clan members.

‘…Did I make a mistake?’

I suddenly wondered if the dagger had been a red herring. Maybe the Silver Lion Clan had really just gotten lost and died in the labyrinth.

But…

Slap!

That’s when you were most vulnerable.

I changed my approach and replayed the conversation in my mind.

‘He asked about my age.’

Why?

Was he really just curious?

‘No way.’

He could have easily obtained that information from other sources.

Which meant…

‘He wasn’t really curious about me.’

Then why had he suggested the truth-telling game?

It was like buying a loaf of bread with a gold bar…

‘Wait a minute.’

I suddenly had a realization.

‘Maybe… that was his intention.’

To give me a ‘gold bar.’

In other words, to give me information under the guise of a truth-telling game.

If that was his goal, it all made sense.

‘He didn’t have to show me that glowing sword…’

I hadn’t known about his strength before.

He could have easily hidden it.

And yet, he had slain the Hippermachant with a single blow, right in front of me.

‘…It was all intentional…’

I still didn’t know his motive.

I needed more information.

But…

One day, two days, three days…

I visited the Elder’s house every day, but he wasn’t there. The villagers just said he was busy.

‘Is he avoiding me? Or is there really something urgent?’

As my doubts grew…

“Yandel…”

“What is it?”

“I can’t find Raines. She usually comes back by now… I thought she might be here.”

Bersil reported that Amelia hadn’t returned yet, and I tried to suppress my anxiety, waiting until the next morning.

But…

“She’s not coming back.”

I couldn’t afford to waste any more time being optimistic.

“Everyone, grab your gear.”

Amelia, who had been exploring the village every day, was missing.