Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

A proposal to let me leave this place.

After being stuck in the basement for months, such words were unbearably sweet.

But...

"What's the price?"

Nothing in this world is free, and the sweeter the offer, the more dangerous the conditions.

Well, this time it was a bit ambiguous.

[You must never return here.]

The demand was completely incomprehensible, so I needed more info.

"What exactly do you mean by 'never return'?"

[Don't you understand? I think there's no room for misunderstanding that phrase.]

Does this guy not understand how conversation flows?

"I mean, why impose that condition on me?"

[It's a proposal with only benefits for you; does the reason matter?]

"How can you be so sure it benefits only me?"

As if needing time to load, the director paused briefly before answering.

[I see. You're wary because you don't know how my offer will affect the future.]

"Well, I don't know anything about you."

[Then would you accept if I tell you about myself?]

"That depends on who you are."

No sooner had I spoken than the director continued.

[In the past, I was the head of the Panthelion lab, committing many atrocities. But in the end, I repented and was forgiven by the witch. After that, I became a completely different person—unable to deceive others, always kind and considerate.]

"......"

[I can't go into detail now, but the proposal to never return is for your sake.]

"...Are you kidding me?"

Showing my disbelief plainly, the director seemed to expect this.

[See? It's pointless to talk.]

"No, you never really intended to tell me—"

[If I told you a more plausible story,]

The director interrupted me.

[Would you have believed it all?]

Overwhelmed by his flat voice, I couldn't answer.

It hit the mark.

[The only way to find truth through others is to trust. So it's a waste of time for me to keep talking.]

"......"

[That's why it's a deal. Who I am is irrelevant. You just decide whether to accept my offer or not. Much more efficient.]

"Huh, this is frustrating..."

I had many things I wanted to say but didn't know how to respond.

Still, I summarized as best I could.

"I asked about you to decide whether to trust you."

[Then that's strange. Earlier, I said you wouldn't believe anything I said.]

"No, but... there's no 100% in this world. I want to listen before judging."

[Then judge now. What I said before is all I have to say. What's your decision?]

Damn... I thought he was at least somewhat reasonable.

I can't punch the guy beyond the screen.

'Why is he so stubborn?'

Maybe it's strategy—to distract and deflect.

[If decision is hard, I'll give one more piece of info. Whether you believe it is up to you.]

"......"

[Will you listen?]

Though I felt reluctant, I couldn't refuse. After all, curiosity won.

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"...Tell me."

Like sighing, he revealed the new info.

[If you don't leave within half a year, you'll be in serious trouble. That's when he appears.]

"Who?"

[If you leave before then, you don't need to know. If not, you've refused, so I have no reason to tell.]

What the hell is this guy?

Usually, these types are best avoided or knocked out immediately for sanity.

But no such luck here.

"Fine, tell me. What kind of trouble?"

[You'll survive. But those around you? Maybe a handful will remain.]

"About five people?"

[That's my estimate; there could be small error.]

In modern warfare, losing 30% is considered annihilation. This is truly massive.

Besides, I'm not who I was before.

Back then, protecting just one finger was enough; now five fingers aren't enough.

[So, do you believe me now?]

"Considering it."

[I hope I influenced you positively.]

"......"

[Still hard to decide—]

"Be quiet and let me think."

[......]

Finally, silence.

In a way, the director's words made sense.

When trading with a stranger in an unknown place, who they are matters less.

What matters is what they can give you and what you must give in return.

If these match, the deal stands.

Trust is better, but not required...

'Judging by his talk, he won't reveal much about himself.'

I could refuse and test him again, but that's last resort.

"About the item."

Breaking the long silence, I said,

"I don't care about your story; tell me about the item."

[...Item?]

"How will it help us leave?"

[Ah, that.]

"You don't have to say everything; just enough so I can decide."

[A fair request.]

The director answered without hesitation.

[You've probably found the door by now, so I won't say more. If you accept, I'll grant you the qualification to open it.]

"Qualification? Seems like you can get it another way?"

[Not wrong. If someone proves the qualification, I must grant it.]

"So you're saying I can leave without dealing with you?"

[Theoretically, yes. You can prove the qualification. But...]

He added,

[It'll take a long time. And time isn't on your side.]

Back to that vague threat.

I felt frustrated but kept talking.

"But is it okay to grant qualification so easily? You said it must be proven."

[Granting it is my authority. And I must grant it when proven. No contradiction.]

Strange logic, but who am I to argue.

[Enough info to decide now?]

"One last thing."

[Go ahead.]

Hesitating briefly, I spoke.

"Don't you worry?"

[Who do you mean?]

"About me breaking the promise. I'm a barbarian who values promises above all. Really, you can trust me."

Trying not to be misunderstood, I added that, but he showed no concern.

Just said,

[Ah, I forgot.]

"...What?"

[Once you promise and get qualification, you can never return here. Literally. If you don't promise, then not forced.]

Unexpected.

'No wonder...'

Honestly, I wondered why 'promise' was a condition at all.

Maybe it's just a pretext and the real goal is granting qualification itself.

'My head hurts.'

Everything is sudden.

I just came to stop rails, but suddenly a strange guy appears on screen with a weird proposal...

I need time to think.

I don't even know what to trust.

"I want a few days to think and answer, is that okay?"

[Fine. I'll be here.]

Surprisingly cool.

So the deal was on hold.

I was about to leave control room.

[One more thing.]

The light cluster on screen flickered like a grin.

[Even if you accept, I don't recommend leaving immediately.]

"...Why now say this?"

[Not a trick, but for your own good. You should know what this place is.]

I guessed what he meant.

[If you leave within half a year, you'll be safe. Get as much as you can; then you'll never come back.]

"......"

[Choose carefully.]

Not reaching basement alone was huge loss.

"Since we're at it, one more thing. Where are my kidnapped comrades?"

[You must find out yourself. If you want qualification, that's first step. But don't worry; you'll find them soon.]

Seems like I gained nothing.

After talking with the director, I went back down to the underground factory.

First, I quietly called Amelia and Raven aside to share what happened.

I didn't distrust Misha, Elwen, or Ainard, but honestly, they weren't much help in this.

'Versil still doesn't know I'm a player.'

Their reactions were roughly similar but for different reasons.

"Absolutely no. That director hides something. We don't know what he might do to you."

"I disagree. Even if his offer is true, there's still much to explore. And if we leave, we can't return. Others will take credit for ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) our discoveries!"

Actually, both were things I'd thought alone.

Still, the director's words lingered.

[You'll survive. But those beside you...]

Whether true or not, the warning pressed on me.

An ominous feeling grew.

Maybe that's why I explained despite opposing opinions.

"Emily, if he's right, it could be worse. Raven, once outside, we probably can't return. The royal family blocks explorers from entering."

Raven thought it was temporary, but I doubted.

My gut said the royal family wouldn't allow entry.

There's a greater secret in the basement.

That's why it's hard to decide.

"Thanks for discussing. I'll think more."

"Call anytime."

"Same here. You always try to do everything alone. Though today, you're better."

Anyway, first meeting ended.

We resumed rail searches and experiments.

Best if we can prove qualification ourselves...

The director said it too.

[Get as much as you can.]

The basement was a land of opportunity.

Library Island, Stone Gate Island, and all islands scattered with magic stones after the rainy season were jackpots.

This lab was no different.

Precisely—

Snap!

In the underground factory center stood a device that created monsters with traits of three magic stones when the stones were inserted.

'This machine is the jackpot.'

Monsters created this way were treated as new types, gave no experience.

But...

"It's essence...!"

Defeating these monsters drops essence—rarely, but much more than usual monsters.

Simply put—

"Wait, this essence really contains all three monsters' traits?"

Custom essence creation was possible.