Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 367: Responsibility (5)

Chapter 367: Responsibility (5)

Episode 367: Responsibility (5)

She was almost 2 meters tall.

But thanks to her good proportions and slim muscles, she didn't look bulky.

However...

'It feels strange to be looking up at her.'

She must have removed the Bone Knight essence.

Ainar's current appearance felt unfamiliar.

I had only seen her smaller form for the past few months.

Well, I did have some memories of her original form...

'...But she looked much younger back then.'

She had matured significantly.

Well, maybe it wasn't just her appearance, but her aura?Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Haha! It happens, people doze off while reading. Are you discriminating against me because I'm a barbarian?"

"I... I'm not! I, I really—"

"Just kidding! Just kidding! I promise I won't do it again, so please forgive me. Okay?"

Her hearty laughter and confident tone were impressive. She knew how to use her barbarian traits to her advantage, creating a friendly yet persuasive atmosphere.

I was honestly impressed.

She had learned how to use her barbarian charm.

"...Alright."

The librarian reluctantly agreed, and Ainar, true to her word, started reading again.

'She can even read now?'

I felt a surge of pride.

I kept glancing at her, pretending to read my own book, and then...

"Hmm..."

Ainar frowned.

She seemed to be struggling with a certain word.

But even here, Ainar's growth was evident.

"Hey, buddy!"

She called out to me without hesitation.

"...Are you talking to me?"

"Haha, what a strange fellow! Is there anyone else here? Can you come over and read this for me?"

Wow, she even called me 'buddy' and asked for help.

Did she see me as a fellow barbarian?

"Don't be scared! I'm not going to hurt you!"

"...I'm not scared. I'm just surprised. I heard barbarians hate humans."

"That's just a stereotype! Well, I used to think that way too, but I realized there's no reason to hate them."

Hmm, it seemed like she didn't mistake me for a barbarian.

And she didn't seem to recognize me as Bjorn Yandel either.

I moved to her table.

"I'm reading this, but I don't understand this word. Can you tell me what it means?"

"This is... 'logistics'. It's a military term for managing and supplying resources."

"Logistics? What's that? Sounds delicious."

Wait, she can't even read this word, but she's reading a military strategy book?

I was dumbfounded, but I answered her question.

I then glanced at the other books she had piled up.

There were various books besides military strategy.

Most of them were about history.

'...She's reading these?'

"Anyway, thanks! Now I can finish reading this!"

Ainar thanked me and returned to her book.

I went back to my own table.

And after a while...

I couldn't hold back my curiosity.

"Why are you reading those books?"

"Huh? Are you picking a fight with me?"

"No, I'm just..."

"Haha! Don't worry! I know I'm a bit different!"

Wow, she's good at controlling the conversation.

Ainar laughed heartily and then continued in a serious tone.

"The warrior I respected the most loved reading books."

"..."

"Well, I can't even compare to him... But someone has to do it."

Her voice was tinged with sadness.

I remembered what Erwen and Raven had told me about Ainar.

'She declared that she would become chieftain after I died.'

It was a bold declaration, made in front of her grieving tribe.

At first, they were skeptical, but as time passed, they started to accept her.

She was practically the next chieftain now.

"But... it's a bit disappointing..."

His daughter's death a year ago?

"...Was she his only daughter?"

I didn't know.

We weren't close.

'Well, I should at least check.'

I found a book with articles from a year ago and started searching.

And I soon found what I was looking for.

[Julian Urbanes, Eldest Daughter of the Urbanes Family, Announces Engagement to Alminus Trading Company Executive.]

First, there was an engagement announcement.

And then...

[Julian Urbanes Dies on Her Wedding Night.]

Three months later, there was a death announcement.

The cause of death was a fall.

She had fallen from the 3rd-floor terrace, headfirst, while drunk.

[Nail Urbanes Insists It Was an Accidental Fall, Not Suicide, After Receiving Compensation Claim.]

I felt a bitter taste in my mouth.

We weren't close, but I knew her circumstances.

I couldn't help but feel responsible.

'I shouldn't have looked into it...'

__________________

One day, two days, three days, four days...

Time flew by in the city.

Well, there were a lot of things to do at the beginning of the month.

Exchanging vouchers for money, selling equipment, and so on.

And then it was time for the payout.

"This is more than enough to pay off the debt."

"Th-then we don't have to sell the house?!"

"That's what I was going to talk about. I'm thinking about postponing the repayment."

"W-why...?"

There was still plenty of time until the due date.

And I had to invest this money first.

"Ah... if, if you say so... I, I can't stop you... But why are you going to use that much money...?"

"I'm going to buy a ship."

"...A ship?"

Erwen was confused, but Amelia seemed to understand.

"That's a good idea. If you're not going to participate in the war anymore, it would be convenient to have a ship."

"Exactly. I'm planning to explore the 6th floor next time."

I had joined the war as a mercenary, but we had already earned enough money to buy Vol-Herchan's essence.

There was no reason to keep fighting.

We would make a lot of money, but I had other priorities.

"Explore the 6th floor? Where are you going?"

"The Submerged Island."

"...Submerged Island? Was there an island with that name on the 6th floor?"

Even Amelia didn't seem to know about it.

Well, Raven would definitely know, but...

Anyway, I briefly explained the characteristics of the Submerged Island, and both Erwen and Amelia seemed to have heard of it.

"An island hidden beneath the sea... Ah, I think I heard about it."

"I think my sister told me about it!"

"But can we even go there with just the three of us? We don't have a navigator."

"That's why we're looking for one now."

"...Looks like we'll be busy again."

Thankfully, they agreed to my exploration plan without any objections.

And from the next day, we started searching for a ship and a navigator.

Time flew by...

"Where's Erwen?"

"She's sleeping."

"Really? You didn't have to come."

"...I came just in case. If you don't like it, I won't come next time."

Uh, I didn't say I didn't like it...

"Ahem, thank you for coming."

"...How is that a thank you?"

Well, if you think so...

I chuckled and checked the clock on the desk.

And then...

"I'll be going then."

"Okay."

As soon as I closed my eyes, the world was engulfed in a white light.

「Character's soul resonates and is drawn to a specific world.」

Okay, let's turn on the computer first.