Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 402: Ice Rock (3)

Chapter 402: Ice Rock (3)

"A traitor...?"

"What do you mean?"

The team leaders frowned at my blunt statement.

But they must have understood the gist of it.

James Kala cautiously spoke.

"...Are you referring to the incident where we lost the supplies?"

I nodded without hesitation.

"Yes."

"But that incident was—"

"A coincidence? You brought it up as soon as I mentioned the traitor. You must have suspected something too."

"..."

James Kala fell silent.

Akuraba, as if defending him, interjected with a hint of annoyance.

"Thinking about it and mentioning it are two different things. A traitor? That's a very sensitive and dangerous accusation to make without any evidence."

She was right.

But she was missing the most important part.

"So what's your point?"

"Whoever you suspect, you need concrete evidence that everyone can agree on."

Ouch, that hit a nerve.

Did she think I was suspecting her?

Well, she was in charge of supplies.

Maybe she thought I was blaming her and was already defending herself.

I had to clear up the misunderstanding before it got worse.

"Don't worry. I'm not suspecting you."

"Yes? But you just said..."

"If I suspected you, I wouldn't have called you here."

To be precise, I had suspected all of them, but not anymore.

I knew who the culprit was.

Thankfully, it wasn't one of our precious team leaders.

"Then... who do you think the traitor is?"

"Pike Neldain."

As soon as I said his name, everyone looked at James Kala.

"...He's a warrior on James Kala's team, right?"

"He's also the one who's been badmouthing the expedition leader."

"Hmm... then his motive might have been to undermine the leader."

They started analyzing the situation, assuming my accusation was true.

James Kala quickly spoke up.

"W-wait! There must be some misunderstanding! Neldain, he's a bit narrow-minded, I'll admit that, but—"

"It's surprising to hear you say that. How well do you even know him?"

"...?"

"I've already investigated him. He joined the expedition through the Explorer's Guild's recommendation, right? You didn't know him before."

"That's true, but..."

James Kala trailed off, and Akuraba came to his defense.

"Schuitz, I think we should hear your reasoning first. Why do you think he's the traitor? Do you have any evidence?"

Ugh, evidence, evidence, evidence.

I'm sick of hearing that word.

But I calmly explained my reasons for suspecting Pike Neldain.

And when I finished...

"I see..."

"I understand that you're not just making this up."

"It's still just circumstantial evidence, but it's enough to raise suspicion."

All the team leaders, except for James, agreed that my suspicion was valid.

"But we don't have any concrete evidence! You can't just accuse someone without proof! Someone might even think this is a personal vendetta!"

James raised his voice for the first time, but I wasn't offended.

It was natural for a team leader to protect his teammate.

"Calm down. I know that, that's why I called you here."

I looked at James Kala and asked,

"Do you still think I'm making this up?"

"I... don't think so."

"Good. Then that's settled."

I clapped my hands, trying to lighten the mood, and continued.

"Listen. I need your help."

"Help?"

"I'll explain."

I shared my plan with the team leaders, and they all agreed.

And...

"It's getting dark outside."

Night had fallen.

Well, it was always dark inside the cave.

"That's all for today. Go and gather everyone, including Pike Neldain."

It was time for a trial.

__________________

A frozen cave with a giant sinkhole in the center.

Thirty expedition members were gathered around a campfire.

"...What's going on? Why are we all here? Does anyone know?"

The explorers were shocked, but no one dared to intervene.

It was an explorer's instinct.

When the situation was unclear, they observed and waited.

"W-what are you doing—!"

"You seem to like making friends. But I guess you didn't have any real friends to help you out."

"L-let go—!"

It's too early to give up.

Squeeze.

I tightened my grip, cutting off his air supply.

Thump! Thump!

He punched my arm with all his might.

It was a futile effort.

Swoosh.

I pulled him closer, ignoring his struggles.

And...

"Neldain, do you know this?"

"...G-guh...!"

"The expedition leader has the right to execute any member in an emergency."

"G-g-guh...!"

"And I think this is an emergency."

As I loosened my grip slightly, he desperately shouted.

"T-they won't believe you... not outside...!"

"That's right, they won't."

The nobles weren't stupid.

And there were too many witnesses.

If I executed him here, the Marquis's rivals would use it against me and try to remove me from the leadership position.

But...

"Why should I care?"

"...?!"

"I don't care what they think."

I tightened my grip, my killing intent surging.

His veins bulged, and his face turned red from the blood rushing to his head.

"...!!"

He had been trying to stay conscious, but he couldn't look at me anymore.

He just looked around, desperately seeking help.

"Should we stop him?"

"This is going to be a problem..."

"Sir Kaislan! We have to stop him!"

The members were worried.

But the team leaders remained silent, observing the situation.

They had already made a promise.

"..."

"..."

They silently watched, their expressions conveying their support.

And...

"I... c-can't..."

Pike Neldain realized the truth.

He was alone.

"It's okay. Die."

I focused my killing intent on his neck.

Crack!

The sound of his neck snapping.

His eyes rolled back, and his pupils dilated.

"Damn it!"

Someone cursed, and at that moment...

「Pike Neldain has cast [Overload].」

His weight suddenly increased, and my arm buckled.

So that's his trump card.

Kwaaang!

He fell to the ground, my grip loosening.

"Gasp...!"

He took a deep breath, his body convulsing.

And he shouted with all his might.

"Y-you madman! Stop him! Stop this madman!"

His desperate cry caused a stir among the members.

They looked like they were about to intervene.

"What are you all waiting for?!"

He looked at the team leaders, pleading for help.

But their expressions were cold.

"So it was true."

"That's [Overload]... a warrior would never use that skill."

"Let's restrain him first. We can't hear his story if he kills himself."

Today's lesson.

If you have a hunch, you can create evidence.