Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel - Chapter 755
Chapter 755: First Blood (5)
Alminus Central Bank. The place where all the world’s money gathers, and considering the various treasures stored in private vaults, it’s literally no different from a dragon’s lair. As much as it holds countless riches, the security facilities are also exceptionally well-equipped…… To me, it seems far more suitable than a police station or a guild’s underground prison. For detaining important figures.
“Isn’t the intention too obvious……?”
However, as expected, when I explained the situation to Raven, that was the response.
“Harin Savy? I don’t know why you’d exchange ‘love papers’ with her, but she’s the right-hand of Countess Peprok. And Countess Peprok is a clear supporter of the Marquess faction.”
“……”
“Anyone can see it’s a trap. I hate to say it, but why else would they have taken Ainar instead of killing her right away?”
I had similar thoughts myself. Of course, Raven doesn’t know that Harin Savy is Hyeonbyeol and what our relationship is. I don’t think Hyeonbyeol would lie and give false information despite working for the Marquess.
But……
‘It doesn’t change the fact that it’s a trap.’
The fact that the information reached my ears through Hyeonbyeol is a problem. If Noark truly intended to keep this a secret, I wouldn’t have heard about it at all.
‘Moreover, considering the Marquess’ personality…’
This isn’t just a maybe; it’s 100% a trap. Like Raven said, the fact that they took Ainar alive indicates as much. So I expected some sort of negotiation attempt, but instead, she’s scheduled for execution? It’s too transparent.
But……
‘Right now.’
Maybe this moment is the golden time. After all, this information came through Hyeonbyeol. The royal family hasn’t even gotten hold of this information yet, so they wouldn’t imagine that I know about it. In other words, it means there’s a high possibility that the trap hasn’t been fully set yet……
‘I need to hurry.’
Time is running out.
***
The building right across from the Alminus Central Bank. It was originally the main headquarters of the Alminus Merchant Guild, but it had long been plundered and was now little more than ruins. A woman was quietly hiding in that place.
“Ms. Emily……?”
“Be quiet, I’m thinking.”
Amelia Rainwales looked out the window.
But could anyone tell what she was thinking just by looking at her?
“Even if it’s you, Ms. Emily, it’s too much in your current state… I won’t suggest going to a safe zone or District 3. But how about hiding and resting until your wounds heal?”
Auyen’s voice was filled with genuine concern. He didn’t know what others might think of him, being a former pirate, but he regarded Amelia and Yandel as benefactors. So he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
“Besides… You’re unable to use your arm right now.”
Auyen spoke more firmly. Under normal circumstances, it might be different, but right now, Amelia had a severe injury to her right arm.
It was an injury she sustained while being chased by Noark’s troops, but it wasn’t as if her entire arm was gone. But in some ways, it was even worse than that.
The bone and muscles in her forearm were completely split lengthwise. And Amelia couldn’t even take potions because of her special essence.
“The bleeding only just stopped; what do you plan to do with your body in that condition?”
Though he wasn’t clinging to her leg, Auyen’s tone and attitude were not much different from pleading.
But……
“I said I was thinking, didn’t I?”
Amelia spoke calmly without batting an eye, which only made Auyen more anxious.
Having been by her side for so long, he knew. When she said she was thinking, it wasn’t about whether or not to do it. The decision had already been made. The only thing she was contemplating now was how to do it.
“Do you think Captain Yandel would approve of you doing this?”
In the end, Auyen played his trump card, and finally, Amelia’s gaze shifted from the window to him.
“……”
Even just being looked at made him feel overwhelmed. But despite his trembling, Auyen did not avoid her gaze.
“Auyen Rockrobe, you’re crossing the line.”
“I have no choice. To bring back someone who’s crossed the line, I have to cross it too.”
It was a declaration of his resolve not to back down. Amelia, who had been exuding a cold killing intent, sighed as if she had conceded.
“I know it’s dangerous, but this is something I can’t avoid.”
“Why is it unavoidable?”
“…Because I don’t want Ainar Fenelin to die.”
In a way, this was the root of all their problems. The building they were hiding in just happened to be along the route where Ainar was being transported, and they had secretly followed and confirmed that Ainar was taken into the bank building.
“Why do you think she’ll die? They won’t kill her immediately if they’ve taken her prisoner. They’re surely planning to use her for negotiations with the royal family or the Captain.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Exactly, so for now—.”
“But what if they don’t?”
Amelia interrupted Auyen.
“What if they decide it’s not the right time and wait, and Ainar Fenelin loses her life in there?”
“……Even if that happens, it wouldn’t be your fault.”
It wasn’t a false consolation. But even as he said it, Auyen couldn’t help but avert his eyes. Seeing this, Amelia gave a faint smile.
“There’s no need for that. It’s not like what you’re saying is wrong.”
In fact, Amelia herself once held that very mindset. A life of surviving by any means necessary.
“…Huh? Ah! Then……”
“Enough.”
Amelia ended the conversation there. She wasn’t confident in persuading him with words. She wasn’t even sure how to explain it in words to begin with.
“I’ll be careful. Stay hidden here.”
She said it as a command, and Auyen offered no further arguments.
“Yes, please be careful……”
Amelia didn’t respond to his words. At some point, her figure vanished from Auyen’s sight, leaving him alone.
“……”
In the empty third-floor office of the merchant guild, Auyen approached the window and looked at the bank’s front entrance. But no matter how intently he observed, he couldn’t see any sign of Amelia. Of course, it was only natural. She had to move stealthily; there was no way she’d enter through the main entrance. Even if she did, she would have done it so covertly that he wouldn’t have been able to see her.
“……Please be safe.”
Even though he wasn’t religious, he closed his eyes and prayed, and once he finished, he kept watch on the bank, alert for any disturbances outside.
How much time had passed?
“Hey, there’s actually someone here?”
“See, I told you. I sensed a life force.”
He was startled by voices from behind, prompting him to spin around. And at that moment.
Thud!
A blunt object struck his forehead, and he collapsed to the floor. As his consciousness began to fade, he could hear the Noark soldiers talking.
“Who is this guy?”
“Isn’t he one of Yandel’s scattered comrades?”
“Doesn’t seem like it…? He got knocked out with a single hit.”
“Maybe he’s just a civilian hiding in District 4, or one of those explorers who got teleported here. I heard there were hundreds of barbarians and various small clans.”
“Then he must be one of them.”
They were speculating about his identity. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, they hadn’t realized he was a member of the Anabada Clan. The problem was, this didn’t mean he had a chance of surviving.
“So, what should we do with him?”
“What’s there to think about? Just take him to the headquarters as usual. The magic weapon’s fuel is running low.”
“Come on, do you know how far it is from here to the headquarters?”
“We’ll get paid, though. This guy looks like he’s consumed a few essences, so he should be worth some pocket money.”
“Hmm… Fine, let’s do that. It’s not like there’s much else we can do with him anyway—.”
The man talking suddenly stopped.
“Hey, he’s still conscious?”
Crunch!
That was Auyen Rockrobe’s last memory.
***
Greed brings misfortune. Auyen Rockrobe tended to agree with that saying. Perhaps he had survived so far because he never once indulged in greed.
“Next.”
He abandoned the desire to become a great explorer. So he learned navigation skills.
“Next.”
Though he ended up in an evil clan that treated like a slave, he was grateful just to have something to eat and never entertained other thoughts.
“Next.”
It was the same when he was taken in by that barbarian. Even if he was trapped underground without seeing sunlight, he was satisfied just being alive and didn’t dream of escaping.
“Next.”
As a result, they slowly accepted him, and he found solace in that acceptance. There was the humiliation of being called ‘Rockrock’ or ‘Nguyen,’ but…… That didn’t matter. Cooking meals they enjoyed, hearing a word of appreciation when he took on the job of a stable hand. At those times, he felt something he thought would never be fulfilled was finally being fulfilled. Well, it felt more like being a handyman than Yandel’s comrade……
“Next.”
But what of it? Do heroes just eat grass and never defecate?
“Next.”
Of course, there should be at least one person like this. He was undoubtedly contributing to their journey. So he worked even harder.
While shopping for groceries, he studied cookbooks, got better at handling horses, and never stopped studying navigation for any future tasks requiring it. Perhaps he had momentarily forgotten.
“Next.”
Greed brings misfortune. Just because a snake lives beside a dragon doesn’t mean it will become one.
Yes, so…
‘This must be fate……’
He thought his current situation was inevitable. Of course, it was. Who wouldn’t see it that way?
Anyone could see he was a burden following them around despite knowing his place, so this outcome was only natural—.
“Didn’t you hear me say next?”
A soldier in armor grabbed him roughly by the nape and started dragging him forward. Ahead was a massive mechanical contraption. It had a crude form and a simple structure. It was a pillar-like structure extending downward, and for some purpose, they were shoving people down it.
‘So this… is how I die……’
For someone like him who had lived his entire life suppressing his desires, compliance was as natural as breathing.
“Ugh, ugh……!”
He didn’t even consider resisting. Maybe he could take down one or two of them… but what would happen after that? He would likely face brutal torture and a horrific death. It seemed cleaner to just enter that machine—.
“Wait, stop.”
As he was about to be shoved headfirst into the deep hole, someone approached, granting him a brief reprieve. The execution was halted by a man in a knight’s uniform. This man grabbed Auyen’s chin, inspecting him before nodding.
“…Now that I look closer, it’s certain. This is Auyen Rockrobe… Despite his appearance, he’s a member of the Anabada Clan.”
“Is, is that true?”
“I don’t know where you found him, but I’ll take him from here. His Excellency will judge him personally.”
He was then led away by the knight, and when he came to his senses, a middle-aged man with a commanding presence was looking down at him. He recognized him immediately.
“I brought the one you mentioned, Your Excellency.”
“His hands are free?”
The Marquess, looking at him, uttered a single sentence. The knights, as if explaining, responded quickly.
“Although he is a comrade of Yandel, he serves as a navigator. His estimated combat strength is below that of an orc, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Is that so……”
The Marquess seemed to accept this and said no more. Auyen felt a brief moment of clarity before understanding the situation.
‘They don’t know.’
It made sense. The royal family knew about the essences Yandel had obtained but they wouldn’t have imagined he would give any to Auyen. Moreover, since Auyen had never needed to use it, there was no chance for that information to leak.
Yes, so……
“Uh, uh……”
This might be his chance……
“If you want to live, speak.”
His thoughts didn’t continue. It was a surprising experience for him. Normally, even when buying eggs, he would carefully consider which were better, but this time, he didn’t hesitate at all.
“How valuable are you to Bjorn Yandel?”
As soon as the Marquess finished speaking, Auyen activated his ability.
An unavoidable, instant attack.
It was also unblockable, with decent destructive power, a low Soul Power cost, and a short cooldown. It was an ability Yandel had praised—.
The very ability of the rank 3 monster, Bellarios.
[Auyen Rockrobe has cast Shatter.]
The ability spread from his hand.
And……
The mastermind behind this civil war. The former Prime Minister of Rafdonia, Marquess Tercerion.
A person of such high standing that someone like Auyen would never normally converse with, and now a traitor that the entire city desperately wanted to capture and kill.
“Urgh……!”
He collapsed, coughing up blood.
English
Bung
Let’s go Auyen!!!!!