Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

The stone door swung wide open.

However, it was clearly different from when the door usually opened after summoning monsters. Back then, the beyond the stone door was shrouded in darkness, and even when approaching, something invisible seemed to block entry.

But now...

Whoooosh—!

A dazzlingly bright white light poured out from the gap of the opened door.

Because of it, seeing inside was just as impossible.

“Alright, follow me!”

Seeing Hamsik leading the way, it seemed possible to enter.

“Somehow... this is making me nervous.”

“Can we really trust that terrifying monster...?”

“Don’t worry unnecessarily. We have the baron, don’t we?”

Though uneasy, the members followed behind me and Hamsik with expectant eyes.

Then...

“Well, I’ll go in first. See you inside!”

Hamsik stepped into the light first, and after briefly gathering my courage, I quickly followed.

Whoooosh—!

Like stepping into a portal, the light enveloped me completely.

「Character has entered Record Storage Room No. 1.」

When I opened my eyes, I was in an unfamiliar space.

A circular room.

Bookshelves lined the walls, packed tightly with books in colorful hues.

And...

“Be careful! The ceiling might break!”

The space was very narrow.

Even without being in [Giant Form], I had to bend over and twist my neck awkwardly.

It felt like entering a mini library.

But looking around, only one other person shared this uncomfortable posture.

“Ugh! What’s this place? Feels so cramped I could die! And filled with books!”

Ainard complained just like me.

It made me wonder again why society was so unkind to barbarians. If ceilings were just 30 cm higher on average, this world would be much nicer.

While grumbling inwardly, I searched the surroundings carefully.

“This is where I usually stay... You’re my first guest, how do you like it?”

“A wonderful place.”

“R-really...?”

“Probably.”

I answered vaguely and glanced around, but only one thing was clearly visible.

‘Just books.’

Books on shelves. Books piled like towers on the floor.

Wherever you looked, there were only books.

But it was too early to be disappointed.

“Hamsik.”

“...Y-yes?”

Ignoring Hamsik’s anxious look, I approached a spot and pulled out a book hidden among the piles.

“What’s this? Looks like someone hurriedly hid it before I came.”

“C-come on, can’t you tell? It’s just an ordinary book!”

Oh, friends always like this.

The gold leaf on the cover made it clear it wasn’t ordinary at all.

“Oh, an ordinary book, lucky me. I’ll take this as a housewarming gift.”

“A housewarming gift? Do you take me for a fool? Housewarming gifts are given by guests!”

Tch, it knows that?

It was a bit annoying, but no big deal.

“Well, Hamsik, that’s old-fashioned.”

I wasn’t the one saying it, so what could it do?

“...Huh?”

“Nowadays it’s common for guests to receive gifts... Maybe you’ve been here so long you forgot even that.”

“...Ah! Right! I was mistaken for a moment!”

“Uh...”

“Really! Don’t misunderstand! It was just a momentary mistake!”

No, actually, I was the one taken aback that it worked so well...

“Ahem! I said it’s true!”

Watching Hamsik’s obvious reaction was strangely amusing.

“Alright, I believe you. Because we’re friends.”

“Yes! Friends! Friends are supposed to trust each other most!”

...Why does it suddenly look so cute?

It’s just a monster I need to exploit.

Trying to detach emotionally, I continued.

“So, will you give it to me? The book?”

“N-no! I-I’d rather give you something else!”

“Why? You said it was ordinary?”

“...”

Stuck on what it said earlier, Hamsik chose silence.

Avoidant? It gets quiet when troubled.

Wondering how to legally get this golden book.

“Baron! There’s Ancient Tongue written here. Could you come and help interpret it?”

One of the three mages from the Armin Expedition approached.

It seemed to be one of the books on the shelf...

“You insolent ones! How dare you touch others’ belongings without permission!”

Only then did Hamsik notice and burst into anger.

Honestly, it was justified.

Even I thought it was a bit much.

“Check everything carefully!”

“Oh! Sorry! I accidentally tore a book while pulling it out.”

“Forget that trivial thing. Let’s try pushing the bookshelf! Something might be hidden behind it!”

The members enthusiastically rummaged through the room, eyes wild.

Once again, I realized explorers were embodiments of destruction and greed.

“These beasts...!!!”

Hamsik raged again, but no one cared.

“That monster seems angry.”

“An awful roar indeed...”

“Is that okay?”

“Ah, it’ll be fine! Didn’t you see? The baron intimidated it and it opened the door right away!”

“Haha! No one will believe it when you tell it outside. That a monster obeyed the baron’s authority? That kind of story only belongs in fairy tales!”

“Surely the baron is no ordinary person...”

Ah, from their point of view, that made sense.

In reality, I just took advantage of an innocent hamster clueless about the world.

‘Better not to know.’

Why do Jumong and Park Hyeokgeose hatch from eggs, and why do similar myths exist among ancient rulers worldwide?

Because it helps them rule.

“Hamsik, calm down.”

“What? You want me to watch that mess—!”

“Isn’t organizing books your job? Or do you hate it?”

“Uh... not really...”

“Good. We’re helping you do what you love, so why be angry?”

“Uh, I guess... maybe so...”

Okay, enough persuasion.

“Can I open it?”

“Huh? Ah... yes... if it’s just opening...”

With Hamsik somewhat resigned, I quickly opened the golden book wide.

Honestly, I was very curious.

It seemed part of the summoning book.

‘What kind of monster will be inside?’

A rare species like a mimic?

Or a Rift Guardian like Milayel?

Maybe it gives special rewards after defeating monsters—.

‘Hm?’

I froze as I read the first page.

“Once upon a time, in a faraway village, a brother and sister lived happily together.”

...What’s this?

Written in crooked Ancient Tongue like a child’s diary. Unexpected, but I read it slowly.

It didn’t take long to finish.

Though thick, the story was only on the first page.

“Baron, can you tell us what it means?”

Even without the three mages, everyone looked curious, so I summarized it briefly.

“Long ago, a brother and sister lived happily in a village. But when the brother left to become a mage, the sister was very sad.”

“And then?”

“That’s it.”

“...What?”

Seriously, that’s all it said. No way to elaborate.

I didn’t even hesitate to tell them.

There was nothing to judge as hidden or not; it was just too short.

I flipped through the rest; no more story.

But oddly enough...

‘It can’t be a meaningless story.’

It makes the importance of this story even greater.

The mysterious and unknown first underground floor.

And the strange monster Hamsik treasured this book in its secret place.

Surely this story is not meaningless.

So...

“Do you know who the siblings are?”

Time to use collective intelligence.

“Hmm... siblings? I think of the Kyraze siblings.”

They were famous explorers only a few hundred years ago, so pass.

“Maybe it’s mythology? When I studied theology, I saw theologians claim that Reatles and Heindel were born from the same parents.”

But it doesn’t seem like a god’s story either.

“Well, the Immortal King comes to mind. Before ascending the throne, he had several siblings.”

Sure, a big family would have younger sisters, but...

Calling it a village might be misleading.

Though Rafdonia is at the continent’s edge, it’s said they made a fortune in trade.

“Emily, what do you think? Does anything come to mind?”

“...I’m more concerned about the brother leaving to learn magic than the siblings.”

“Oh, that.”

“Could this be about the last great sage, Gavrilius?”

Hmm, that fits well.

The problem is that even if the guess is right, there’s nothing more to find out.

Hmm... maybe not entirely empty?

“Hamsik, do you know who this story is about?”

“...No.”

I asked just in case, but Hamsik didn’t know either.

“So you kept this precious book without knowing who it was about?”

Said with a tone that warned it to be prepared to lie, Hamsik shook its hands sincerely.

“It’s true! I just felt I had to... so I kept it safe.”

“Hmm, alright. Then can I take it?”

“Absolutely not! This is a book that must be passed on someday!”

“Passed on? To whom?”

“To someone qualified.”

“What qualifications?”

“I don’t know... but you’ll know when you see. Or rather, I have a feeling you will.”

The more I talked with Hamsik, the greater my curiosity.

Who is it?

Who made it, and why did it have to spend so long alone in a place no one visits?

“Anyway! You don’t have the qualifications, so don’t even dream! Until then, it stays with me!”

“Hamsik, friends don’t have yours and mine—”

“Piii! No means no!”

Tsk, no use again.

I put aside my interest in the golden book for now.

Not giving up entirely, but the one-line story lowered its priority.

“Versil! Anything new?”

“Of course! Come here! I have so much to show you!”

The secret room contained more than just the golden book.

The investigation of this secret space was simple.

Pull out books.

Push aside empty shelves.

Chop or magically destroy the revealed wall.

Maybe barbaric, but this was the explorers’ typical method of dealing with the unknown.

Because something always comes out of it.

I myself had a habit of destroying everything I saw in games, which helped me find many hidden pieces.

“You barbaric fiends...!!”

From the owner’s perspective, it was frustrating.

Anyway, thanks to this exploration style, one thing was clear.

“There seems to be nothing hidden.”

Nothing concealed in walls, floor, or ceiling.

“I told you! There’s nothing!”

At that time, I didn’t know better.

“I’d believe you if you didn’t usually lie.”

“When did I lie?”

“You said there was nothing in this room too.”

“...”

Anyway, lack of hidden things didn’t mean no findings.

“Baron! Look at this book! I’m pretty sure it’s a map of B1 floor!”

“This looks like a summoning book; it has more than ten mimics drawn inside.”

“This pen left on the desk is emitting magical fluctuations that are incomprehensible here. We need to investigate more...”

“This picture frame seems ordinary but was physically damaged, and it hasn’t restored since...”

Listening to the incoming investigation results, I nodded with satisfaction.

Yeah, this is exploration.