Medieval Fantasy Barbarian

The priest felt a despair as if the world was collapsing.

The moment Habel returned alive, the priest’s lifeline was as good as finished.

Unless he was an idiot, Habel couldn’t help but know who was behind the incident. To make matters worse, he didn’t return alone but brought along that spine-chilling evil spirit.

Just recalling Ivan’s venomous gaze made his knees go weak.

‘If I had known this would happen… I shouldn’t have messed with him from the beginning.’

Even the chief seemed to have roughly grasped the whole story. There really was no way out.

The priest, with barely a lifeline attached, was already as good as dead.

He thought it might be better to take his own life, but he couldn’t muster the courage to do so.

Elena mocked the priest as she watched him wither away.

However, it was problematic for him to despair over just this much. Her share of revenge hadn’t even begun yet.

A tribal warrior opened the door and entered.

“Priest, please come and check on Habel’s condition.”

For a moment, a glimmer of hope flickered in the priest’s eyes.

“…Is there something wrong with him?”

“Fortunately, he’s perfectly fine. But, you never know, right?”

The priest inwardly cursed the fool before him in every way possible.

“…I’m sorry. I’m a bit tired today. Could you visit another time?”

Are you telling me to die? It’s obvious that fellow Ivan would be by his side.

If he went now, it wouldn’t be strange at all if he were beaten to death the moment their eyes met.

The warrior, who didn’t expect to be refused, showed a troubled expression.

“But…”

“Then, I’ll go instead.”

Elena quickly interjected into the conversation.

“Is that okay?”

Normally, he would have scolded her for daring to step forward without permission.

But now, not only did he lack the energy, he even felt grateful that she was taking on a task he should have done.

“…Do as you please.”

The priest watched Elena’s retreating figure, which seemed somewhat excited, and thought.

Yes, who knows, maybe she might ensnare them with her beauty.

“Hmm, it’s all healed.”

Without any particular first aid, in less than a day, the bleeding had stopped and scabs had begun to form.

Though northern warriors were known for their robustness, Habel was particularly outstanding among them.

Can this even be called human? Ivan was inwardly impressed.

“…You’re quite a monster too.”

“No matter what, I don’t think you’re one to talk.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I vaguely thought you were hiding your abilities, but you’re a completely different person from when I last saw you. What exactly happened?”

Ivan briefly considered how much he should reveal.

‘Even if I tell the truth, he probably won’t believe it…’

Well, it doesn’t matter. Why would he need to hide what actually happened?

He was sick and tired of hiding things at this point. Ivan sincerely shared everything.

Habel’s mouth fell open.

“…So, you’re saying Baldor… directly taught you?”

“In conclusion, yes. This sword was also given to me by that old man.”

When Ivan casually presented the red sword, Habel had an outright fit.

“Goodness! To think I would see Hrundal in my lifetime!”

So the sword’s name was Hrundal? That was unexpected.

“I thought it felt familiar… Oh, Baldor…”

Habel, seemingly moved, started to tear up and then firmly grabbed Ivan’s shoulder.

“Ivan, you must keep this hidden from others no matter what. Even if suspicions arise, you should insist it’s just a similar sword.”

“It’s not that big of a deal. Surely I wouldn’t have any foolish thoughts?”

“Isn’t it obvious? If that sword is truly Hrundal, there would be countless people willing to kill you to take it.”

Ivan thought for a moment and then understood.

If it was indeed the sword used by the God of War, it would be an item anyone would covet.

‘Maybe I’m too used to that old man, so it hasn’t sunk in yet.’

Habel, still unable to escape his excitement, rejoiced like a child.

“I have such a great brother. It’s truly a matter of pride.”

Ivan felt tempted to expose the old man’s ugly true self in detail but refrained.

When he’s so happy, why burst his bubble?

“I fully understand. If Baldor personally taught you, it’s not strange that you’re so strong. Was there anything else?”

Ivan leaned in with a mischievous expression and whispered secretly.

“It’s a secret from others, but it seems you’ll soon have a sister-in-law.”

“…Even for you, that’s hard to believe. You met a woman while stuck in the forest?”

“That’s nothing special. Someone of my caliber naturally attracts women.”

Ivan boasted shamelessly.

Habel wanted to refute but had nothing specific to say. That made it even more annoying.

“…Well, if you say so, then it must be true. There’s nothing surprising about it anymore.”

“I wonder where she is and what she’s doing now. She was absolutely crazy about me.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the door opened with a creaking sound.

“Really? Was there ever a time I was like that?”

Elena looked down at Ivan with a cold smile.

‘What is this? A prank show?’

His thoughts froze for a moment. Anyone in the same situation would have reacted similarly.

Ivan’s eyelids trembled.

“…This isn’t a dream, is it?”

“I wonder. Would you prefer this moment to be a dream?”

Chilling. It felt like a dagger had flown and pierced his chest.

At this moment, no words had any meaning. Ivan quickly dropped to his knees.

“I apologize.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“…Please spare my life.”

“I’ll let it go just this once. There won’t be a next time.”

Habel, who had witnessed the entire process from the front row, had a puzzled expression.

“…Could it be that the sister-in-law is… Wait, did you two know each other?”

Ivan bowed his head deeply, feeling shame and humiliation. Anyway, this big mouth of his.

“Yes, I fell for her at first sight and clung to her.”

“Right.”

Elena nodded as if satisfied.

“Anyway, let’s set aside such trivial stories for later. I came because I have something to say.”

“Something to say? What is it?”

“The priest. What do you plan to do with him?”

Ivan spoke without much thought.

“Of course, I’ll play with him until I’m satisfied and then kill him. Why are you suddenly asking… Are you related to the priest in some way?”

“If I had to specify, he’s my father.”

“…I seem to have had a small misunderstanding with my father-in-law. Isn’t the greatest revenge forgiving the opponent?”

Elena chuckled.

“It’s a joke. We’re not related by blood anyway, and I have some grudges against him too.”

Ivan sighed in relief. His mind was dizzy from the rapid emotional rollercoaster.

“I happen to have a good plan. Want to hear it?”

“Sure, I suppose you would know better than I do.”

“Since you’ve been acknowledged as a member of the tribe again, you’ll soon go through the coming of age ceremony.”

“Coming of age ceremony?”

As Ivan blinked his eyes, Habel explained in his place.

“The coming of age ceremony is a procedure to be recognized as a proper warrior of the tribe. It’s a ritual commemorating when young Baldor killed a hundred enemies with his bare hands.”

“Ah, that old man…”

“…The protagonist of the coming of age ceremony faces a hundred warriors in order and is recognized as a more outstanding warrior the more victories they achieve. I took down fifty.”

From what he heard, it was an utterly unreasonable condition.

Is it realistically possible to defeat a hundred, and skilled warriors at that, all alone?

“That doesn’t make sense. Has anyone ever won all hundred matches?”

“In the long history of the North, exactly two people have.”

“Two people?”

“Yes, one is the great Baldor. And the other is Eirik, the chief of the North and my father.”

“Then there will be a third soon.”

If anyone heard this, they would have laughed and called it absurd boasting, but Ivan was serious.

Of course, both Habel and Elena didn’t doubt Ivan’s victory either.

“It shouldn’t be difficult for you. First, the plan is to win at the coming of age ceremony. I’ll tell you the rest afterward.”

“Why? You could tell me now.”

“But that wouldn’t be fun. I’ll be going now, see you next time.”

Elena left a farewell, waving her hand gently.

‘What kind of plan could it be?’

Ivan had an ominous feeling, but he tried to shake it off.

Surely nothing major would happen.