Chapter 20: Rafdonia (4)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 20: Rafdonia (4)

"Good job. You can leave now."

"Goodbye!"

Erwen did not argue and quickly prepared to leave. It seemed that the half-day I had spent studying her abilities had taken quite a toll...

"I'll be back!"

You're coming back? Oh, I forgot to mention.

"You don't have to make time to come over here anymore."

"Ehhhh?"

Why are you surprised? This is normal. You are no longer my teammate.

"You will need some time to get used to your new ability. It would be better to spend your time before the labyrinth opens again more productively."

Strictly speaking, that advice applied to me as well.

Yesterday, I set a new goal for myself: to become a middle-class adventurer and reach the eighth floor.

So, there was much work to be done going forward. First, I had to use three million stones to develop my abilities. If possible, I also wanted to receive professional combat training. I hadn't been able to fully utilize the abilities of this monstrous body yet. In addition, I needed to acquire common sense and common knowledge of this world by reading more books and taking time to wander around the city as much as possible to adjust to the city's prices and culture.

In short, I had no business fooling around with Erwen.

"Yes! T-That's true."

"You said you have a younger sibling. You should spend time with them since you will be back in the labyrinth in three weeks."

"Right..."

Erwen nodded with a sullen look on her face.

Is it because I was her first ally?

She seemed to have some strange fantasies about me. To be honest, I could kind of guess what kind of fantasies they were. But business relationships lasted longer.

"I plan to stay here until then, so if anything goes wrong, don't hesitate to come find me here. I will help out as much as I can."

"R-Really?"

"Aren't we comrades?"

"Hehe, we are! Okay!"

As soon as I tossed in that extra tidbit, Erwen left with a satisfied look on her face. She was still easy to handle.

Since things had turned out like this, I decided to keep this friendship with Erwen. This was also a kind of networking. I may not have had blood ties here, but relationships with locals could be acquired.

Perhaps they would be of use someday.

"...Does that make me a social climber?"

Well then, let it be so. This was not the time to be picky. After a quick shower, I went straight to the library again. I read books for about five or six hours after the lazy librarian I had seen the day before cast her spell on me.

Is there a restaurant here that sells beef stew?

It was a little late, but for lunch, I headed to a cheap-looking restaurant and took care of lunch with a thick stew and a few slices of bread. The price was 450 stones. It seemed to me that it would be more cost-efficient to have meals back at the inn.

"It's Bjorn, son of Yandel, the Greatest Warrior!"

After eating, I visited the Angry Rhino Inn where Ainar was staying. Surprisingly, it was crawling with barbarians.

"Are you here to stay at this inn too? Good idea, man! It's only 300 stones a day!"

What, 300 stones?

Surprised by the unbelievable price, I looked into it and found there was definitely a reason for that number. As soon as you entered one of the rooms, which had five narrow beds, the thick scent of sweat that had been ripening for several days filled your nose.

"Are five people sharing a room?"

"No! Ten warriors are staying together!"

"...But there are only five beds?"

"We set a time and take turns sleeping!"

So it was not that it was cheap, it was just that several people were paying for it. These guys had each earned thirty to forty thousand stones at most, so they probably didn't have a choice.

"But what brings you here?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"I am looking for Fenelin's third daughter, Ainar."

"Fenelin's second daughter, Ainar, headed out in the morning!"

Right. Second daughter. I shouldn't have changed it at the last minute.

Anyway, after waiting for about an hour, Ainar returned.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel? Did something happen?"

As a barbarian herself, she got straight to the point.

"I want to fight you."

"Are you talking about a match?"

"Yes."

What I currently needed was training. In the labyrinth, I had accomplished more than any other barbarian, but in terms of pure combat skill alone, I was no match for them.

"How strange."

Ainar cocked her head in confusion, though I didn't think it was because it was a difficult request to fulfill...

"If that's the case, why not just go out to the yard instead of asking me?" she said.

Yard?

Soon, Ainar led me out through the inn's back door. Around fifteen barbarians were already gathered there, sweating as they threw fists and rolled together on the floor...even shedding some blood.

"Ha ha ha ha! Your punch just now was pretty strong!"

"So was yours!"

No wonder it had been so noisy this whole time. While elves just chatted about the voices of the elementals, this was what barbarians' daily life looked like. While I watched the barbarians flashing pained smiles and fighting as viciously as if they were facing off against lifelong enemies, Ainar asked, "Is there a reason why you have to face me?"

As a matter of fact, there was not. I just thought that Ainar would grant my request. But it would seem strange if I said no here.

"Because you're the only one who uses a sword."

"Do you want to learn how to fight a swordsman?"

"Yes."

"If that's the reason, okay. I have to learn the alphabet in the morning, so come here around this time and I will face you as much as you want."

In other words, her schedule was free after five o'clock. From now on, I would visit this place every day.

"You want to start today?"

"Of course."

I waited for a bit while Ainar went back to her room and came back with her sword.

"Ainar and Bjorn are going to face off!"

"Are you here to stay at this inn too? Good idea, man! It's only 300 stones a day!"

What, 300 stones?

Surprised by the unbelievable price, I looked into it and found there was definitely a reason for that number. As soon as you entered one of the rooms, which had five narrow beds, the thick scent of sweat that had been ripening for several days filled your nose.

"Are five people sharing a room?"

"No! Ten warriors are staying together!"

"...But there are only five beds?"

"We set a time and take turns sleeping!"

So it was not that it was cheap, it was just that several people were paying for it. These guys had each earned thirty to forty thousand stones at most, so they probably didn't have a choice.

"But what brings you here?"

"I am looking for Fenelin's third daughter, Ainar."

"Fenelin's second daughter, Ainar, headed out in the morning!"

Right. Second daughter. I shouldn't have changed it at the last minute.

Anyway, after waiting for about an hour, Ainar returned.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel? Did something happen?"

As a barbarian herself, she got straight to the point.

"I want to fight you."

"Are you talking about a match?"

"Yes."

What I currently needed was training. In the labyrinth, I had accomplished more than any other barbarian, but in terms of pure combat skill alone, I was no match for them.

"How strange."

Ainar cocked her head in confusion, though I didn't think it was because it was a difficult request to fulfill...

"If that's the case, why not just go out to the yard instead of asking me?" she said.

Yard?

Soon, Ainar led me out through the inn's back door. Around fifteen barbarians were already gathered there, sweating as they threw fists and rolled together on the floor...even shedding some blood.

"Ha ha ha ha! Your punch just now was pretty strong!"

"So was yours!"

No wonder it had been so noisy this whole time. While elves just chatted about the voices of the elementals, this was what barbarians' daily life looked like. While I watched the barbarians flashing pained smiles and fighting as viciously as if they were facing off against lifelong enemies, Ainar asked, "Is there a reason why you have to face me?"

As a matter of fact, there was not. I just thought that Ainar would grant my request. But it would seem strange if I said no here.

"Because you're the only one who uses a sword."

"Do you want to learn how to fight a swordsman?"

"Yes."

"If that's the reason, okay. I have to learn the alphabet in the morning, so come here around this time and I will face you as much as you want."

In other words, her schedule was free after five o'clock. From now on, I would visit this place every day.

"You want to start today?"

"Of course."

I waited for a bit while Ainar went back to her room and came back with her sword.

"Ainar and Bjorn are going to face off!"

The other barbarians stopped fighting and came to watch.

I had come here to learn, but I had no intention of getting utterly defeated, so I grabbed my shield and readied myself. However, the end result was...

"Then here I go!"

She completely pummeled me. It took maybe three minutes for me to drop the shield after getting the crap beaten out of me.

Ainar fought really well. Still, it was a good experience in many ways.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel, was not the greatest warrior of all time!"

"Now Ainar is the greatest warrior ever!"

"Ahhh!"

Except for these bastards.

***

How many more strikes had I taken since? Soon the sky turned dark.

"You want to do more? I would like a break sometime soon."

"No. Today's match will end here."

The other barbarians had already left the yard. After much deliberation, I made a decision.

"Ainar."

"What is it?"

Ainar, who was walking toward the building, stopped and stretched.

"Are you planning on entering the labyrinth alone next time as well?"

"Yes. I don't have enough money to build a party. If possible, I want to try the second floor this time."

Once again, I realized how hardcore these barbarians were.

A compass and a torch. With just these two things, they could advance to the second floor. But to make enough money to buy consumables during the first expedition, and go straight to the next floor with that money...

"Wouldn't it be difficult on your own?"

"I have no choice."

No choice, huh...

Perhaps this was the reason why the lower floor was only populated by humans. Nonhuman races, whose taxes were several times higher than humans, could not pay their annual taxes simply by operating on the first and second floors. That much was clear from my barbarian colleagues. The guy who had earned the most out of them had earned just over twenty thousand stones.

"If I am lucky, I may even be able to find other barbarians on the first floor and form a party."

"I see."

"So, what did you want to say?"

As my point was getting longer, Ainar immediately got straight to it. So, like a barbarian, I said outright, "Ainar, would you like to be my comrade?"

"Comrade?"

"I will bear the cost of setting up the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠party."

I had felt it after going against her a few times today. Ainar was strong. Based on what the others had said, it seemed that she was at the top of the class among the barbarians. And, on top of all that, she was pretty smart.

"Thanks for the offer, but why?"

Well, you needed a teammate. It was hard work to look for a night companion every night, and having a partner increased your profits.

Plus, Ainar was not only powerful in combat, but she also came with the advantage of me not having to worry about being betrayed due to the inherent nature of barbarians. Our classes would overlap, but... since Erwen was gone, Ainar was the best option I had.

Of course, there was no need for a long explanation.

"I just want to."

"I see." Ainar nodded and immediately came to a decision. "Fine. Entering the labyrinth with a clever warrior like you is what all warriors wish for."

This was a much more positive response than I had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠expected. Could I be a bit greedier?

"However, there is a condition."

"What is it?"

"I take eighty percent."

Ainar frowned at my abuse of power.

Did that offend her?

I opened my mouth again and continued to explain.

"I'll pay the cost of forming a party. And I promise, even with that ratio, you will make much more money than if you went into the labyrinth alone. Besides, I'll pay for all the other supplies—"

"Stop, no further explanation needed. Even if you explain it, I won't understand. So pay me as you like. I trust you."

"I see."

I had no choice but to admit that I had underestimated the barbarians.

"I will be indebted to you, Bjorn, son of Yandel."

Soon after, Ainar came over and slapped me hard on the back. It was too powerful to be considered a gesture of goodwill by most normal people, but...

Well, I had better get used to it quickly.

"I'll do my best."

I now had a reliable barbarian ally.

***

The next morning, I visited the holy land with Ainar.

The holy land was a community childcare facility. Barbarians who left for the city sent their children here. Because they had to be warriors until the day they died, they couldn't raise children. And once those barbarians grew up and left for the city as adults, the cycle repeated. However, that was not something I needed to worry about right now.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel."

Upon arrival, the chieftain came over to greet us.

Shit, this was why I had wanted to avoid coming here as much as possible...

"It is rare for a warrior who has left the nest to come visit. Have you come to learn to read like Ainar, second daughter of Fenelin?"

Calming my racing heart, I shook my head.

"No, Chief, the reason I came to the holy land is a different one."

"A different reason..."

The chieftain looked at me with curiosity in his eyes.

Don't be nervous.

Hadn't I learned things like how barbarians spoke and what titles they used from Ainar right before this? Just don't make any mistakes.

"Tell me what it is."

I took a deep breath and said calmly, "I want to imprint a spirit."

Different races had different characteristics. For example, elves made deals with elementals, and dwarves dealt with artifacts.

Similarly, Barbarians had the Spirit Imprint.

It was a way of gaining power that couldn't be used at the beginning of the game because it required a lot of money... But luckily, I now had a whopping million stones. So, after much thought, I had come to a decision.

Although it was still terrifying to stand in front of this fucking chieftain bastard...

"To be more precise, I want to receive the Immortality Imprint."

There was no doubt. This was the best way to spend my money.

The other barbarians stopped fighting and came to watch.

I had come here to learn, but I had no intention of getting utterly defeated, so I grabbed my shield and readied myself. However, the end result was...

"Then here I go!"

She completely pummeled me. It took maybe three minutes for me to drop the shield after getting the crap beaten out of me.

Ainar fought really well. Still, it was a good experience in many ways.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel, was not the greatest warrior of all time!"

"Now Ainar is the greatest warrior ever!"

"Ahhh!"

Except for these bastards.

***

How many more strikes had I taken since? Soon the sky turned dark.

"You want to do more? I would like a break sometime soon."

"No. Today's match will end here."

The other barbarians had already left the yard. After much deliberation, I made a decision.

"Ainar."

"What is it?"

Ainar, who was walking toward the building, stopped and stretched.

"Are you planning on entering the labyrinth alone next time as well?"

"Yes. I don't have enough money to build a party. If possible, I want to try the second floor this time."

Once again, I realized how hardcore these barbarians were.

A compass and a torch. With just these two things, they could advance to the second floor. But to make enough money to buy consumables during the first expedition, and go straight to the next floor with that money...

"Wouldn't it be difficult on your own?"

"I have no choice."

No choice, huh...

Perhaps this was the reason why the lower floor was only populated by humans. Nonhuman races, whose taxes were several times higher than humans, could not pay their annual taxes simply by operating on the first and second floors. That much was clear from my barbarian colleagues. The guy who had earned the most out of them had earned just over twenty thousand stones.

"If I am lucky, I may even be able to find other barbarians on the first floor and form a party."

"I see."

"So, what did you want to say?"

As my point was getting longer, Ainar immediately got straight to it. So, like a barbarian, I said outright, "Ainar, would you like to be my comrade?"

"Comrade?"

"I will bear the cost of setting up the party."

I had felt it after going against her a few times today. Ainar was strong. Based on what the others had said, it seemed that she was at the top of the class among the barbarians. And, on top of all that, she was pretty smart.

"Thanks for the offer, but why?"

Well, you needed a teammate. It was hard work to look for a night companion every night, and having a partner increased your profits.

Plus, Ainar was not only powerful in combat, but she also came with the advantage of me not having to worry about being betrayed due to the inherent nature of barbarians. Our classes would overlap, but... since Erwen was gone, Ainar was the best option I had.

Of course, there was no need for a long explanation.

"I just want to."

"I see." Ainar nodded and immediately came to a decision. "Fine. Entering the labyrinth with a clever warrior like you is what all warriors wish for."

This was a much more positive response than I had expected. Could I be a bit greedier?

"However, there is a condition."

"What is it?"

"I take eighty percent."

Ainar frowned at my abuse of power.

Did that offend her?

I opened my mouth again and continued to explain.

"I'll pay the cost of forming a party. And I promise, even with that ratio, you will make much more money than if you went into the labyrinth alone. Besides, I'll pay for all the other supplies—"

"Stop, no further explanation needed. Even if you explain it, I won't understand. So pay me as you like. I trust you."

"I see."

I had no choice but to admit that I had underestimated the barbarians.

"I will be indebted to you, Bjorn, son of Yandel."

Soon after, Ainar came over and slapped me hard on the back. It was too powerful to be considered a gesture of goodwill by most normal people, but...

Well, I had better get used to it quickly.

"I'll do ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my best."

I now had a reliable barbarian ally.

***

The next morning, I visited the holy land with Ainar.

The holy land was a community childcare facility. Barbarians who left for the city sent their children here. Because they had to be warriors until the day they died, they couldn't raise children. And once those barbarians grew up and left for the city as adults, the cycle repeated. However, that was not something I needed to worry about right now.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel."

Upon arrival, the chieftain came over to greet us.

Shit, this was why I had wanted to avoid coming here as much as possible...

"It is rare for a warrior who has left the nest to come visit. Have you come to learn to read like Ainar, second daughter of Fenelin?"

Calming my racing heart, I shook my head.

"No, Chief, the reason I came to the holy land is a different one."

"A different reason..."

The chieftain looked at me with curiosity in his eyes.

Don't be nervous.

Hadn't I learned things like how barbarians spoke and what titles they used from Ainar right before this? Just don't make any mistakes.

"Tell me what it is."

I took a deep breath and said calmly, "I want to imprint a spirit."

Different races had different characteristics. For example, elves made deals with elementals, and dwarves dealt with artifacts.

Similarly, Barbarians had the Spirit Imprint.

It was a way of gaining power that couldn't be used at the beginning of the game because it required a lot of money... But luckily, I now had a whopping million stones. So, after much thought, I had come to a decision.

Although it was still terrifying to stand in front of this fucking chieftain bastard...

"To be more precise, I want to receive the Immortality Imprint."

There was no doubt. This was the best way to spend my money.