Episode 94 Barbarian Trophy (1)
The vision darkens and then slowly the light returns.
‘This is my room.’
Bjorn Yandell’s inn room, not Lee Han-soo’s.
I checked my watch and saw that exactly 12 seconds had passed since I was called there.
‘Is one hour there one second here?’
The time gap itself was not surprising.
The labyrinth was like that too.
No matter how many days I spent there, when I returned to the city it was always noon the next day.
‘I don’t know the principle, but it’s a convenient phenomenon.’
Still, I think we need to be careful.
In other words, doesn’t that mean you’ll be defenseless for up to 12 seconds? Of course, if it’s an emergency, you can just log out and leave right away, so there’s no problem… … .
What if it’s not an emergency?
Like roasting beans over a lightning fire.
What if something happens during those 12 seconds?
‘It will be difficult to respond properly.’
Well, that doesn’t mean I won’t use the community for this reason. I just subconsciously make myself aware of these risks.
That way, when something happens, you can make a decision a little faster.
“Phew… … .”
Stretch and exhale deeply.
I was feeling a little tired.
Mental fatigue, not physical.
‘Well, I guess I was awake for 12 hours.’
I closed my eyes, thinking that if there was anyone who overslept on this day in particular, I could suspect them of being a player.
I wasn’t planning on going to sleep right away, I just needed some time to gather my thoughts.
‘It was a good thing I came in early.’
Ghostbusters.
It was a place that was built and operated with a higher level of perfection than I expected. It was not lacking at all in serving as the information source I was hoping for.
Thanks to that, I was able to obtain information about dimensional collapse.
‘It’s a rumor… … ‘
It’s a good thing, that’s for sure.
But for some reason, a sense of emptiness and anxiety take shape at the same time.
When I first heard it, I thought, this is it.
If not this, then what the hell is going to explode?
‘… … I need to be more careful.’
Advertisements
With that thought in mind, I fell asleep.
And time passed and the next morning.
The day has come to keep my promise to Baron Martoin.
***
“Have a nice trip! Come back and tell me about it!”
I came out onto the street, seeing Misha off.
And after changing carriages several times on the platform.
Arrived at Baron Martoin’s residence.
“Come here. I don’t have time.”
As soon as I entered the spacious mansion, I was taken to a fancy room and had to change my clothes.
Is my behavior not barbaric enough to attend the count’s banquet today?
‘Nimiral.’
As a Barbarian, I guess this is what happens.
Normally, I would have decorated it neatly for the opposite reason.
“Oh my, look at those muscles… … .”
With the help of the maids, she takes off her breastplate and shirt.
And wear shoulder pads on your bare body.
A shoulder guard with a design that resembles a thorn on one side and a beast skull on the other.
In that cold state… … .
“Could you please lower your body a little?”
“Okay.”
The maids standing on the step are groaning and wrapping something around their stomachs.
A championship belt that’s over a span long by my standards.
Why the hell would I wear something like this?
One breastplate can protect your entire torso.
“Please raise your arm.”
Since then, various fashion accessories have been added to my body regardless of my will.
Equipment focused on intimidation rather than defensive power.
The weight balance was so off that every movement was uncomfortable, and the maids’ hair kept falling down, obstructing their vision.
but…….
‘I know what you want.’
When I looked in the mirror.
Beyond him stood a barbarian warrior, quenching his thirst with dragon’s blood and feasting on ogre meat as a snack.
Suddenly, that thought occurred to me.
What if it lacks defense or practicality?
Advertisements
Shit, if you approach me like this, everyone will be busy peeing themselves and running away.
The pressure was that great.
Namely Show Window (Genuine) Barbarian Mode.
But was this not enough in his eyes?
“Tsk.”
A goat-bearded man looks at me with a disapproving look.
So this kid’s name is… … .
I haven’t heard it yet.
“What is your name?”
The butler’s little cub frowned at my question and gave a short answer as if he didn’t want to engage in conversation.
“Call me Assistant—”
“Yes, butler.”
“… … Tsk, I guess I’m just an ignorant barbarian.”
The butler was a man I didn’t like in many ways.
Are those who grew up without it adding more?
He always spoke to me as if he was talking to an inferior. But the Baron’s son never did anything like that.
Do you know what you are?
‘Even so, in the end, he’s just a commoner.’
Even though I grumbled inside, I put the insoles inside my shoes under the butler’s instructions.
Due to excessive design greed, the sheet metal boots ended up weighing a whopping 7kg. With foreign substances stuck on them, it was literally a nightmare… … .
“It’s a bit more tolerable now. It was too small before.”
Well, only this baby.
‘Well, let’s just suffer for one day.’
They said they would give me 1 million stones per day.
It wasn’t just words, it was a real reward.
Anyway, for the butler who has no manners, there are things like the path, and where the Baron should stand when talking to someone else.
After receiving such detailed education, it was time to leave.
“Time’s up. Let’s go.”
I leave the palace-like room and head towards the main gate.
A luxurious carriage was already waiting.
The Baron, whose face I haven’t seen even once today, is probably riding over there.
“What are you doing standing still? Your position is over there.”
I stood at the very front of the carriage procession.
If I walk in front, you’ll follow?
“This is an important mission, so make sure to look straight ahead and keep your posture… … .”
Advertisements
The butler’s son kept nagging at me until I left, wondering if I was being rude.
“depart!!”
Soon a knight on horseback right behind me hoisted his flag and shouted, and I led the procession at a moderate pace.
Thud, thud.
As I leave the main gate, a wide, paved street comes into view. It is the street of the Imperial City of Karnon, the first district, which I would not have been able to enter if I were of my original status.
Even the store buildings were grand, and the people’s clothing was equally elegant.
Also, the imperial palace, which was not visible from where I live, is revealing its presence from far away.
‘Ugh, I need to quickly break through here to use the Sky Auction House… … .’
The butler told me to just walk forward, but I didn’t miss this opportunity and walked around looking around.
Was that why?
“stop!!”
The procession stopped for a moment as they took a wrong turn.
The butler’s little boy ran towards me in a daze and shouted something.
But I proudly dug my ears.
Who would leave that to a barbarian?
***
The distance from the Baron’s mansion to the Count’s residence where today’s banquet is being held is about 6km.
I have a history of crawling on three legs and traveling longer distances… … .
‘Nimiral.’
I overlooked the fact that he was wearing a full set of equipment that was nothing short of irrational.
Sweat is pouring down.
If only there hadn’t been an insole shoved in at the end, it wouldn’t have been this hard.
“Baron Martoin, please!”
As I was walking, chewing out that butler, I finally arrived at my destination.
As soon as the main gate of the Count’s house opened, curious gazes flew in from all over.
It seems that the nobles would not even be able to enter the castle with all sorts of attractions, but it seems that this is the first time they have seen a barbarian leading a carriage procession.
“Putting the Barbarian in front? You must have been inspired by that anecdote and followed it!”
“It was a very intimidating feeling. It felt like a giant was walking in.”
“Wow, Father, can’t we come in like that next time?”
The nobles gathered in the outdoor banquet hall where the banquet was laid out livened up the atmosphere by expressing their feelings one by one.
Was that a reaction you liked?
The Baron, who got out of the carriage, burst into laughter like I had never seen before.
“This is the first time I’ve received this much attention just for my position. When I return, I’ll be generously rewarded.”
The Baron was so happy that he even promised a bonus.
“I will go and greet the Count, and you too can enjoy the banquet.”
Advertisements
Soon, the Baron entered the mansion accompanied by only a few of his retainers. Then, the knights naturally dispersed and mingled with the banquet.
Only then did I notice.
“… … .”
That I was left alone in this large banquet hall.
“Oh my, look at those horns on that helmet. They’re scary.”
“It looks like it was modeled after the ancient demon Parseira!”
Suits, tuxedos, and high-cut dresses.
The knights’ armor boasts a white sheen and precious metals that shine like rippling waves.
I am alone in it, looking like a savage.
This isn’t some monkey in a zoo.
“Oh, I walked. Where are you going?”
Just taking one step causes words of curiosity to burst out here and there.
I feel like the PTSD I thought I had overcome is coming back.
Then a man approached me.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
He was the knight who served as a rider right behind me.
“You’re a monster too. You’ve been walking this long without stopping while wearing that.”
The reporter who had watched my hardships more closely than anyone else snickered and tapped my shoulder.
“How about we go over there and rest together until the Baron returns?”
What is this? Is this man light?
“good night.”
I followed the article and sat down in the empty seat.
Although all kinds of delicacies were around him, he had no appetite. It was the same for the knights, as they just sat still and drank alcohol to moisten their throats.
I suddenly became curious and asked.
“Is it okay if you don’t hang out with them?”
“You won’t be welcomed there. I’m an explorer like you.”
Somehow, this one was the only one with yellow sprouts.
“I am Bjorn, son of Yandel. What is your name?”
“It’s Karls Erimor.”
After a brief introduction, we talked.
I felt it from the beginning, but Karls was a pretty good guy.
He was an explorer by birth, so he was easy to talk to, and perhaps because of that, he didn’t show any of the arrogance that is characteristic of a knight.
That little butler kid should learn from this—
“What are you doing now? Who told you to sit down?”
The butler who had entered the mansion with the Baron discovered me and ran towards me.
Advertisements
It looks like he doesn’t like the fact that he’s resting.
“Listen, aide. Enough. I told this guy to take a break.”
“…Is that so?”
When Karls, unable to stand watching, muttered, the butler flinched and lowered his voice.
“If you’re done resting, then get up. What will people think if a Barbarian sits and rests?”
“… … Are you resting?”
“No, people will think you are that weak. So get up. Whatever your nature, you must be an iron-blooded warrior today.”
Due to the butler’s urging, I eventually got up from my seat without being able to rest for long.
‘… … Okay, let’s just suffer for one day.’
Wasn’t it a promise to become a proud existence like the Baron’s trophy?
Let’s thoroughly act out the way he wants.
Of course, it was far from resignation.
Iron-blooded warrior.
A savage in this world who uses his fists more than the law.
Barbarian.
Yeah, if that’s me… … .
“Behel—raaaa …
As soon as the mind control was over, a scream burst out on its own.
“Hey, what are you doing all of a sudden!”
Do you know how much it cost to custom-make the gear you’re wearing today, or how pathetic you looked when you got lost earlier?
The butler who had been using abusive language frowns.
When I see that, I wonder why I endured it all this time.
Aren’t I a barbarian?
“I just felt like doing that!”
In that sense, I picked up a piece of meat that was next to me in a Bavarian manner.
Is it something like a tomahawk?
There is a bone attached to the meat like a handle.
“Yeah, that’s what I was hoping for—”
The butler nods in agreement as he begins to eat meat with his bare hands like a savage.
but…….
“… … ?!”
My facial expression hardens as I watch him chew me to the bone.
To him, I spoke politely, maintaining my dignity as a Barbarian warrior.
“Butler, I want to break your head.”
“……what?”
Advertisements
The kind of words he had never heard before in his life. I kindly added an explanation while looking at the butler who seemed to doubt his ears.
“I somehow feel like doing that!”
Agjak, agjak.
Even as I spoke, the bones of some unknown beast were crumbling into tiny pieces in my mouth.
***
“No, that’s a bit too much of a joke.”
“Are you kidding?”
When I tilt my head as if to ask what he means, the butler’s face turns pale.
I guess I just realized it now.
No matter what, I too am a Barbarian.
“Did I sound like a joke to you?”
The Barbarian is simply ignorant.
And be true to your feelings.
Of course, the butler may not have any knowledge of the Barbarian’s physiology.
but…….
‘If you’ve done any background checks on me, you’ll know what happened in the guild.’
Of course, there are excuses.
There was no other choice at that time.
Because most things can be punished with fines, except for plunder, non-payment of taxes, and a few laws related to the nobility.
I figured that as long as I could prove that I wasn’t a looter, I could handle the rest.
But, that’s something only I know.
To other people, I probably just looked like a crazy kid.
“… … I have something to do, so I’ll go, I’ll go. Now, you rest.”
The butler left hurriedly with an awkward expression on his face, wondering if he had really done any background checks on me.
Karls, who was watching the situation, laughed out loud.
“Hahahaha! I never knew that guy could make that kind of expression!”
For some reason, my actions a little while ago seemed to be favorable to this guy.
“But is this okay?”
“It’s okay. It’s on the sturdy side.”
Rather than an innate ability, it is a residual effect obtained by increasing the bone strength stat.
For some reason, my appetite started to return, so I started eating food in earnest.
“Look at that!”
“Oh my, how barbaric!”
The noble ladies looked at me as if I was meeting a living creature for the first time, but now I didn’t care.
What’s wrong with looking like a savage?
Advertisements
If only I could let go of my shame, there’s no position more comfortable than this.
“Behel—raaaaaah!”
“Why are you yelling again all of a sudden?”
“it’s good!”
For a moment, I hesitated in the elegant banquet atmosphere.
I too began to enjoy the banquet in earnest.
