The Barbarian Enters the Dungeon (3): The Barbarian's First Solo Dungeon Run
"Hmph, heh."
Sigh, now I feel alive.
Washing the arm drenched in blood made the lingering discomfort fade a little.
And the stares from everyone else watching me.
People, huh? After diving into the dungeon, you get holes in your body and bleed, right?
It's like they're acting as if this is the first time they've seen such wounds in a dungeon city.
Sigh, tsk tsk.
"Have you finished washing?"
When I returned to the reception after washing, Mary greeted me with a smile.
Um.
No, I'm a bit pissed off.
Unlike a sheep beastfolk, Mary's usually expressionless forehead was slightly furrowed...!
"Sorry, Mary. I made the reception desk bloody."
"No, that's fine... No, thinking about it, it's not fine. What kind of thing did you do to get so many wounds on your arm?"
"Ah! That's what I mean!"
I explained the events from the dungeon to Mary.
The first time I pierced my palm, and the second time I swung the axe at the perfect timing to split it! A heroic tale!
I thought it would work since it was possible at first, and did it after, but it didn't.
Perhaps beginner's luck, but I kept failing and more holes appeared in my arm.
But since I succeeded quite a bit later, isn't it a good harvest?
Mary, who heard this, put her hand on her forehead and sighed.
"Barca-nim. With such a fighting style, you wouldn't die even if you die. Why were you so reckless when you have no party?"
"Hey, a few holes in the arm aren't gonna kill me. And since I have potions, if it looks bad, I'll just throw them."
"If it's the lowest grade potion you can get from Barca-nim, right? Even that can't treat a single through-and-through wound."
"My body's tough though. If I sleep after bandaging, I'll be fine the next day, so don't worry too much!"
"Haa... Okay. Then, Barca-nim, I'll deliver the payment for this exploration's results."
"Ooh!"
How much is it?
Since I was solo, it should be quite a bit. There were almost 15 horn rabbits.
"9 intact horn rabbit leathers and horns. 15 low-grade magic stones. Total 15 gold coins. Is this okay?"
"Yeah, that works."
One gold per head.
If in party, four people would divide, 25 silver coins.
More expensive than I thought?
Magic stones aren't that valuable, so probably the leathers and horns.
Drop rate was higher than expected, so this profit is decent.
Satisfied, Mary handed me 15 sparkling gold coins.
"...Ooh."
15 gold coins.
Just three days ago, I got 17 gold from beating up thugs, but now 15 in a day.
Of course my arm has many holes, but this is enough.
Smiling at the satisfying amount, I put the coins in my pocket.
"Then, Barca, how is your schedule after? Going back to the inn?"
"Yeah? Ah, I can't enter inns. Because I'm a barbarian."
"...What?"
Is it surprising that barbarians can't enter inns?
Mary's usually expressionless eyes widened for the first time.
But that makes her really sheep-like.
Horns, and fluffy white hair.
I want to touch those horns just once.
When that desire was bubbling.
"All inns reject Barca-nim. Is that what you mean?"
"Yeah? Yeah. Barbarians are absolutely barred from inns. So I'm camping near the wall."
"Are you satisfied with that, Barca-nim?"
"Mad. I want to sleep in an inn too. It's a prejudice that barbarians want to sleep in the field. I like beds too."
"I see... Okay. Then, Barca-nim, when the work is done, come with me."
Where to?
My heart's pounding.
Looking at her without expectation, Mary corrected rarely sternly.
"It's not a date. It means I'm helping you secure an inn."
"Ah, that meaning...? Got it! Then when work's done, tell me, Mary. I'll be stuck in the corner."
"Okay. And call me Mary."
"Sure!"
Knock.
I sat in the chair in the corner and immediately checked the explorer certificate.
Status activation complete...
The first time I received it, it only had my name, but now other things were clearly visible.
My stats or traits.
Wait, this body was 19 years old?
With this face, a barbarian.
On the other hand, body stat 23?
The +15 was from the Descendant of the Giants trait.
Then total 38.
Insane.
Human base physical performance is 10, but now I'm 38, so 3.8 times stronger?
Smiling at the satisfying stats, I put the explorer certificate in my pocket.
On the other hand, what about Mary's casual clothes.
Sheep beastfolk, white dress?
Or suit?
Or fresh casual?
Well, anything suits her.
While imagining Mary's casual clothes, time passed.
"You've been waiting long."
Mary's voice made me turn my head immediately.
Here, Mary's clothes...!
Why work clothes?
When I made a disappointed face at the same outfit as before, Mary answered with an indifferent face.
"I always come to work in work clothes."
"Why? I bet your casual clothes are pretty."
"Thanks. Then, Barca-nim, follow me?"
I was ignored.
But Mary ignored my pain and left the office.
"So, where are we going now?"
"As I said earlier, the inn that will take care of Barca-nim."
"That wasn't a date?"
"No. It's my friend's inn, but it's a bit in the back. Is that okay?"
"Of course! I'm not the type to camp because I like it?"
"Then it's good."
With that, Mary walked without saying more.
I wanted to say something, but Mary.
She looked very tense, so I didn't say anything.
So, one sheep and one barbarian walked silently for dozens of minutes.
"Here it is."
"Ooh..."
Where the Beasts Dwell.
Probably because one of the beastfolk made it, naming sense is off.
Beasts, beasts.
Well, barbarians are beasts too.
"Wait a moment. First, I'll explain the situation to the inn owner."
"Okay!"
While Mary was talking, I leaned against the wall a bit away from the building.
If I say it's a barbarian's inn, reputation might suffer.
After leaning on wall for how long.
With a creak, the door opened.
"Barca-nim, I have permission from the inn owner."
"O, ooh."
Haa, very tense.
Like seeing an interview for the first time.
But I'm a barbarian.
I already rejected such tension!
I entered the inn boldly!
Nyanya nyanya nyaa━!
Nyaang━!!
Haha, fuck.
It was a cat's den.
Cats here, cats there.
The cats outside, since all were brought, can't tell if it's a shelter or inn.
Indeed, that's why "Where the Beasts Dwell".
I thought it was an inn used by beastfolk, but it's a stray cat shelter.
Hearing the loud meowing of cats, it was driving me crazy, but Mary lightly petted the cats rubbing against her.
"That one? The one who stole Mary's heart."
And in the middle of such a shelter.
The shelter master, no.
The owner of "Where the Beasts Dwell" smoked a cigarette and glared at me.
"It's not at all, Luna-nim. Barca-nim, this person is Luna. She is an explorer and the owner of this 'Where the Beasts Dwell'."
"Hmph!"
"And Luna-nim, this person is the Barca I mentioned. A newbie explorer and a barbarian."
"Nice to meet you..."
"Tsk━!"
Wow, what did I do?
No, it was my fault for choosing barbarian.
Plus the cats.
Why are they clinging to me so much.
People reject, but beasts should reject more, right?
Cats rubbing my legs. And every time, Luna's face twists as she looks at me.
Why?
And every time receiving that gaze, my body tingles?
Is this... killing intent!?
I didn't look away from the killing intent estimated to be from an explorer.
What are you trying to do with the killing intent.
Even if I'm dumb as a barbarian in Aurelia, I can kill.
I won't look away till I see you swing.
"Puff..."
Luna, who had been frowning, laughed.
"Pu, puhaha! Barbarian, a barbarian...! Surrounded by cats, can't move, sending killing intent!"
"What...? No!"
"Ha, puhu...! Yeah, I'll think that! Puhuhup..."
Fuck, can't hit.
But Luna doesn't know my mind, keeps laughing.
The one who calmed her was none other than our Mary...!
"Luna-nim."
"Ahaha! Ah, yes. You want me to accept this barbarian guy? If you follow these three, okay."
"Three!? Tell me anything!"
"Puh."
Luna's conditions were simple.
1. If you want breakfast and dinner monthly, pay additional 5 gold.
2. Cats are not food.
3. Don't rape.
1 is obvious.
2 what? Did the barbarian come here to eat cats?
But as a barbarian I heard...! I can do that...!
Scary, barbarian.
But more annoying than 2.
3. Don't rape.
But why? Should be female, why...!
"...Don't rape women, right?"
"Women, men, cats, I'm talking about."
...Fuck.
What kind of race is this?
With a horrifying answer, my mind cleared...