The Barbarian Enters the Dungeon (1)
Barca let out a long sigh. “Hmm… did I mishear that?”
“Receptionist, my hearing seems off. Could you say that again?”
“I told you, I cannot issue an explorer certificate to you.”
Hmm.
Indeed.
“You’re a barbarianist too?”
These guys are everywhere. No, wait—the ones who discriminate against the world are the barbarians themselves, right?
Anyway, I hadn’t expected to face discrimination even here, so I started banging on the desk in frustration. The receptionist sighed.
“Employees at the Exploration Office never discriminate based on race.”
“Then why won’t you give me an explorer certificate? I can pay, and I can write, can’t I?”
I didn’t know about the special perk of this world, but I could speak the language of this world.
So, I must be somewhat intelligent among the barbarians.
Feeling incredibly wronged, I stared with wide eyes, showing my resolve that I wouldn’t back down. The receptionist sighed again.
“Barbarian Barca. What do you think an explorer does?”
“Go into the dungeon and make money. Hunt monsters inside, collect magic stones and loot, or bring back items from the dungeon.”
“Yes, correct. It seems you’ve studied quite a bit more than other barbarians, Barca.”
Huh.
Even if I do say so myself, I’ve graduated from university.
Feeling praised, I puffed out my chest proudly. The receptionist covered her eyes with her hand and continued.
“Then, Barca, do you think your current outfit is suitable for entering the dungeon?”
“My outfit?”
I looked down at my clothes.
Yesterday I had beaten up some delinquents and gotten some blood on my pants and shoes, but they were still decent. And my upper body was bare, showing off my muscles.
…Is this okay? I came in my original barbarian clothes.
Wait.
“Sorry… You want me to take off my lower clothes too? Even though I’m a barbarian, that’s a bit much.”
“That’s not what I meant! You need to wear proper armor and bring a weapon to qualify as an explorer with at least the basics!”
“Speaking of which, I don’t have a weapon. Sorry, receptionist.”
“It’s not about the weapon… Well, it’s a problem, but… Anyway, Barca. If you want to get an explorer certificate, please come back with proper armor, a weapon, and 1 gold coin. And call me Mary.”
“Okay. Mary. Armor and weapons, right? I’ll get them right away!”
“Yes, thank you. Next, please.”
Leaving Mary’s voice behind, I left the Exploration Office and wandered around several shops until I found one.
Second Chance.
The shop name was cool, so I came in. It was a secondhand shop.
Well, since the dungeon is dangerous, there are probably many who go in with dreams of instant riches but give up midway and come out.
Especially beginners.
Anyway, I didn’t plan to keep beginner gear for long, so I chose the cheapest here.
Decent leather pants, shoes with iron toe caps, a helmet to protect my head, a leather shield, and an axe.
Yeah.
This is what a barbarian looks like.
My reflection in the mirror looked exactly like a barbarian from an illustration.
The shopkeeper was fussing about buying a shirt too, but barbarians don’t wear those.
Crushing the shopkeeper’s tears and efforts to make even one more coin, I headed straight to the Exploration Office.
“Please wear the shirt as well.”
It was a perfect barbarian setup by anyone’s standards, but our strict Mary couldn’t accept it.
So I had to go back to Second Chance and buy leather armor. The 17 silver coins I earned vanished in an instant. But since I made 2 silver from beating up the delinquents, it was fine.
Anyway!
This time I finally got the explorer certificate I had been waiting for… even if it was a bit lacking to call myself a barbarian, but whatever.
After three attempts, I finally obtained the long-awaited explorer certificate!!!
“Congratulations, Barca. From today on, you are also a proud explorer.”
“Thanks, Mary!”
“Call me Mary. The explorer certificate activates when you enter the dungeon, but it’s already late today, and you don’t have a party. How about entering tomorrow?”
“I’m fine going alone…”
“I already told you it’s too late.”
“I see.”
I had originally planned to enter the dungeon right away, but wasting time buying gear made lunch pass by.
Honestly, I thought solo was possible, but…
Our Mary, who had just become an explorer, got angry, saying that a beginner like me couldn’t challenge the dungeon alone without a party.
“But Mary.”
“Mary.”
“Can I join a party?”
After living here for over ten days, I realized.
The discrimination against barbarians is much more severe than just being avoided in games. It’s beyond avoidance; it’s rejection.
Even staying at an inn was difficult, so I asked if a party was possible.
Mary slightly lifted her glasses and curled her lips.
“Don’t worry. This is the Exploration Office, a place that prepares everything for the dungeon.”
“Oh, oh…”
“Please visit tomorrow morning. I’ll find a party for you. Barca, are you okay with being a warrior, i.e., vanguard?”
“Y-yes!”
“Good. Then, see you tomorrow morning, Barca.”
Trustworthy.
The receptionist bowing her head was something I hadn’t seen from an Exploration Office employee before!!!
“Well, thanks, Mary.”
“Call me Mary.”
Trusting Mary’s confident attitude, I left the Exploration Office. Tomorrow I could go to the dungeon, so first, buy a potion…!
Even the lowest grade potion cost 1 gold.
Now the remaining money is 1 gold and a few copper coins.
Enough for a few meals… but…
“Out!!!”
Unfortunately, there was still no shop that welcomed me with open arms.
I thought wearing the armor had erased many barbarian characteristics, but when they saw my face, they shouted for me to get out.
What the hell have these barbarians been doing?
Fortunately, I could buy food at a street stall, so I ate that and slept rough again.
“Hmph, hmph.”
I lightly washed my body at the well in the corner of the city, then headed to the Exploration Office full of anticipation.
Who will my party members be?
The jobs in this world are warrior, archer, thief, priest, mage.
Of course, as they grow, higher or hidden jobs might appear, but for a beginner party, those five.
The most neutral among them is a warrior and archer combination, but priests are tough.
According to the setting, priests are taken even in mid-level parties. So, three warriors and one archer?
“Hmm!”
No, no archer needed.
These guys are stupid AI, so there were more enemy orcs.
Of course, now that it’s reality, that won’t happen, but four warriors would be safer.
Thinking about party members, I arrived at the Exploration Office.
I opened the door with force and immediately approached the empty counter of Mary!
“Good morning, strong and handsome!”
“Barca…!! I’m really sorry…!!”
“…What?”
“The other party members… said that Barca seems a bit difficult…”
Aha.
Fucking discrimination against barbarians in this world.
Or rather, this is natural. In the happy dungeon city of Aurelia overflowing with discrimination, this is how barbarians are perceived.
There were no tears rising, but I lifted my head slightly.
“Well, I guess it’s unavoidable. It’s because I’m a barbarian.”
“I’m really sorry. I’ll definitely recruit a party for Barca, so please wait a little longer…”
“Who would want to party with a barbarian? Fine. I’ll go alone today.”
“It’s dangerous to go alone, Barca!”
“It’s okay, it’s okay. I won’t die! See you later!”
“Barca! Barca…!”
Leaving Mary’s voice behind, I headed to the entrance of the dungeon.
Close to the Exploration Office.
Right in the center of the dungeon city Aurelia.
“Haa…”
There was a massive portal there.
A huge portal shimmering with blue light, swaying slightly.
I was fascinated by its movement that seemed to lure people.
In the game, there was an NPC who talked about how attractive the portal was.
While thinking about what the guy said, I headed to the dungeon entrance.
Then, the guard at the entrance stopped me.
“Huh?”
“Explorer certificate.”
“Ah, here.”
“Hmm… Since the certificate isn’t activated yet, you must be a newbie. Party?”
“As you can see.”
Pointing at myself with a shrug, the guard nodded.
The reputation of the barbarians is indeed great.
“Don’t cause trouble inside, barbarian. Although what happens inside the dungeon doesn’t come out, remember that we always watch over you.”
“Yes.”
“Pass!”
Wow, scary.
Receiving the certificate with the guard’s fierce warning, I headed to the portal.
The portal shimmering with blue light.
Looking at that, I thought of a lanternfish luring prey in the deep sea.
While thinking that, my body was swallowed by the portal, and the blue light covered me.
After a moment.
“…Wow.”
Crossing the blue light, the view that unfolded was a lush forest with trees.