Chapter 25: The Plunderer (2)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 25: The Plunderer (2)

We ran through the dark. Occasionally, I opened the compass to check the direction we were headed, but otherwise, I ran wildly.

"Gahhhk!"

Various monsters, such as ghouls and skeletons, were blocking the way, but it wasn't a problem because they were all slow. However, that meant they wouldn't be a problem for our pursuer either.

Whoosh!

Had it been about five minutes? The ruthless plunderer must have finished looting the bodies by now.

That was the one thing we had going for us. If we hadn't been dressed like amateurs, that bitch would have given up on looting those guys and pursued us right away. In other words, that meant she was confident she could catch up with us even if she gave us time to run away.

Still. At least we had bought some time.

"Bjorn, isn't that the mark?"

The good news continues.

In the Land of the Dead, collapsed stone buildings were everywhere. Every time I had passed one, I left a mark so we could find our way back to the portal to the first floor.

"This way!"

Although we had been active in the general vicinity, the marks were closer than I had expected.

Maybe luck is—

"Who are you?!"

Damn, I shouldn't have thought that.

Ainar and I stopped at the same time. We had encountered another group of adventurers. But wait, maybe this was a good thing?

Plunderers were a common enemy of all adventurers. If I explained the situation to them and offered appropriate compensation, there was a possibility we'd be able to get help from them.

"Barbarians?"

The group of adventurers who had emerged from the darkness pointed their weapons at us and cocked their heads. There were four in total. They were all human, and their equipment looked at least twice as good as ours.

Humans are hard to trust, but we have no choice.

"We are being chased by a looter. Help us."

"And how do we know you're not the looter?"

"I swear it on my honor as a warrior. Every word I say is true."

Unlike an elf's vow, a warrior's oath didn't have any actual authority behind it. But surprisingly, it worked every time.

The bald man, who seemed to be the leader of the group, thought it over for a moment and then opened his mouth.

"If we catch the looter, we take the entire reward. Do you agree to those terms?"

"Of course."

"Fine."

At Baldy's signal, the other adventurers lowered their weapons. If I hadn't been a barbarian, it definitely would have taken longer for them to lower their guards.

"Come over here for now. We'll talk more afterward."

As I approached them, a blond-haired man standing at around five feet tall activated his special ability.

"This is a gnome's special ability. When cast on a certain area, it will make you blend into your surroundings as long as you stay within a radius of three yards."

To put it simply, it was a goblin archer's stealth ability, but instead of only affecting the user, it could be used on any creature within a certain area of effect. In return, it had the disadvantage of not being a mobile ability—you couldn't change where you wanted it once you activated it.

"Are you injured?" Baldy asked.

"No."

"How lucky..."

"Lucky" was indeed the only way to describe it.

The group of adventurers we just so happened to stumble upon had a ranged stealth ability? With them by our side, it might be possible to avoid a battle altogether—

"...for two barbarians to come up to us all on their own."

Fuck, he had been talking to himself.

No wonder things had been working out so well. Of course.

***

[You are now restrained.]

***

"Haha."

Greed danced around in the eyes of the adventurers, including Baldy. One of them had already rummaged through my backpack and opened the pouch of mana stones.

"You made a lot in just two days."

I wanted to crush his ribs with the mace, but my body wouldn't move. And it was the same for Ainar.

"What? Are you scared because you can't move?"

This was the power of an essence, and I could already guess what kind of essence it was. There were many similar abilities, but there was only one that adventurers at our level could have.

Is it a Stone Golem's restraint...?

Without a doubt. We had just been taken down by the active skill of a rank-eight monster, a Stone Golem. The easiest way to get out was to take even the slightest bit of damage, but...

If these bastards had any sense, they'd know to be careful.

"Hey, buddy, there's no use glaring at us like that. This isn't an ability you can deal with that way."

"Horrible" was not a strong enough word to describe this situation.

Fuck, I went through all that to live another day and now I'm going to die like this?

"Look at those ferocious eyes. Still don't understand the situation?"

"Okay, Ramod. Let's wrap this up here. If the looter they mentioned shows up, it'll be a problem."

"Tsk, that's too bad. We finally caught a woman, but she's a barbarian."

"You fool, isn't it better that she's a barbarian? You know how much money you can make from their hearts alone?"

With that, their ugly desires were finally revealed, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Soon, Baldy pulled out a sharp blade.

"Kill them in one shot. Don't mess this up."

"Tut, don't worry."

Whip!

Murderous intent flew forward on the wind. And the spot it was aiming for was none other than my neck.

...The neck?

Even now, when death was imminent, my brain synthesized the information it was given and suggested a solution. Of course, I didn't know if it would work. However, it would be much more productive than reflecting on my past regrets.

Stab!

Time seemed to pass in slow motion. Then, suddenly, a sharp blade cut through my neck. At the same time, a tingling sensation ran through me, and my body went slack. I immediately tilted my head back like a boxer turning his face to take a powerful punch.

"Are you injured?" Baldy asked.

"No."

"How lucky..."

"Lucky" was indeed the only way to describe it.

The group of adventurers we just so happened to stumble upon had a ranged stealth ability? With them by our side, it might be possible to avoid a battle altogether—

"...for two barbarians to come up to us all on their own."

Fuck, he had been talking to himself.

No wonder things had been working out so well. Of course.

***

[You are now restrained.]

***

"Haha."

Greed danced around in the eyes of the adventurers, including Baldy. One of them had already rummaged through my backpack and opened the pouch of mana stones.

"You made a lot in just two days."

I wanted to crush his ribs with the mace, but my body wouldn't move. And it was the same for Ainar.

"What? Are you scared because you can't move?"

This was the power of an essence, and I could already guess what kind of essence it was. There were many similar abilities, but there was only one that adventurers at our level could have.

Is it a Stone Golem's restraint...?

Without a doubt. We had just been taken down by the active skill of a rank-eight monster, a Stone Golem. The easiest way to get out was to take even the slightest bit of damage, but...

If these bastards had any sense, they'd know to be careful.

"Hey, buddy, there's no use glaring at us like that. This isn't an ability you can deal with that way."

"Horrible" was not a strong ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠enough word to describe this situation.

Fuck, I went through all that to live another day and now I'm going to die like this?

"Look at those ferocious eyes. Still don't understand the situation?"

"Okay, Ramod. Let's wrap this up here. If the looter they mentioned shows up, it'll be a problem."

"Tsk, that's too bad. We finally caught a woman, but she's a barbarian."

"You fool, isn't it better that she's a barbarian? You know how much money you can make from their hearts alone?"

With that, their ugly desires were finally revealed, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Soon, Baldy pulled out a sharp blade.

"Kill them in one shot. Don't mess this up."

"Tut, don't worry."

Whip!

Murderous intent flew forward on the wind. And the spot it was aiming for was none other than my neck.

...The neck?

Even now, when death was imminent, my brain synthesized the information it was given and suggested a solution. Of course, I didn't know if it would work. However, it would be much more productive than reflecting on my past regrets.

Stab!

Time seemed to pass in slow motion. Then, suddenly, a sharp blade cut through my neck. At the same time, a tingling sensation ran through me, and my body went slack. I immediately tilted my head back like a boxer turning his face to take a powerful punch.

"...Huh?"

I could see the dumbfounded expression on Baldy's face. The hand that had been holding the dagger was empty.

That was when I registered a strange sensation in my neck.

Oh, it's already half-stuck.

The moment I realized it, my brain reached a prompt conclusion.

It isn't that bad. As long as there's minimal bleeding, I can hold on a little longer.

Sting.

I forced my weakening legs to move and found my balance. Then, I swung the mace in my hand... right toward the bald man's shiny head.

Crunch!

With his face half sunken in, Baldy collapsed. Time still seemed to be moving at about half-speed.

"Darvan!"

There were many startled faces around me now.

Why, you didn't think a guy with a knife in his neck could fight back?

"You..."

Actually, I hadn't expected that either.

"...fucking...bastard..."

Something kept oozing up my throat. My body began to lose all strength, and the lights around me began to blur.

Am I going into shock?

Everything tingled from my head to my toes. I was low on both oxygen and blood.

Clang!

The mace and shield I was holding fell to the floor as my hands lost their grip on them. I wanted nothing more than to collapse and rest, but...

There was still work to be done.

I didn't get into this mess just to take one asshole down with me.

Sting.

I staggered forward and straightened my swaying form. Then, after pulling out the knife stuck in my neck, I threw it toward Ainar, who was about four steps away.

Stab!

Oops, I didn't think it would stab you like that.

"Ugh!"

Sorry, but at least your body is moving now.

Stab!

At the same time, the dagger pierced into her forearm, Ainar swung her greatsword at the nearby archer's waist. Then, in a connecting movement, she rotated her body once more, leaped upwards, and slammed it down on the other guy's head. The iron helmet he was wearing was useless against her blow.

Crunch!

Blood dripped from his helmet as it was turned into scrap metal.

"What the fuck—!"

The blond guy, who was farther away, saw this and immediately made a run for it. It was a quick decision, like that of a goblin.

"Bjorn!"

Ainar, who had finished clearing the surrounding area, rushed to me and knelt.

Whew, then I can leave the rest to you—

"Bjorn...!"

Ainar hugged me and sadly called out my name... like she was holding a dead person.

Getting a somewhat ominous feeling, I forcefully opened my hazy eyes and said, "Po..."

"...Huh?"

I could see the dumbfounded expression on Baldy's face. The hand that had been holding the dagger was empty.

That was when I registered a strange sensation in my neck.

Oh, it's already half-stuck.

The moment I realized it, my brain reached a prompt conclusion.

It isn't that bad. As long as there's minimal bleeding, I can hold on a little longer.

Sting.

I forced my weakening legs to move and found my balance. Then, I swung the mace in my hand... right toward the bald man's shiny head.

Crunch!

With his face half sunken in, Baldy collapsed. Time still seemed to be moving at about half-speed.

"Darvan!"

There were many startled faces around me now.

Why, you didn't think a guy with a knife in his neck could fight back?

"You..."

Actually, I hadn't expected that either.

"...fucking...bastard..."

Something kept oozing up my throat. My body began to lose all strength, and the lights around me began to blur.

Am I going into shock?

Everything tingled from my head to my toes. I was low on both oxygen and blood.

Clang!

The mace and shield I was holding fell to the floor as my hands lost their grip on them. I wanted nothing more than to collapse and rest, but...

There was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠still work to be done.

I didn't get into this mess just to take one asshole down with me.

Sting.

I staggered forward and straightened my swaying form. Then, after pulling out the knife stuck in my neck, I threw it toward Ainar, who was about four steps away.

Stab!

Oops, I didn't think it would stab you like that.

"Ugh!"

Sorry, but at least your body is moving now.

Stab!

At the same time, the dagger pierced into her forearm, Ainar swung her greatsword at the nearby archer's waist. Then, in a connecting movement, she rotated her body once more, leaped upwards, and slammed it down on the other guy's head. The iron helmet he was wearing was useless against her blow.

Crunch!

Blood dripped from his helmet as it was turned into scrap metal.

"What the fuck—!"

The blond guy, who was farther away, saw this and immediately made a run for it. It was a quick decision, like that of a goblin.

"Bjorn!"

Ainar, who had finished clearing the surrounding area, rushed to me and knelt.

Whew, then I can leave the rest to you—

"Bjorn...!"

Ainar hugged me and sadly called out my name... like she was holding a dead person.

Getting a somewhat ominous feeling, I forcefully opened my hazy eyes and said, "Po..."

"Okay! I will avenge you!"

No, don't worry about that.

[Achievement Unlocked.]

[Condition: Health drops below 0.1%.]

[Reward: Your Spirit stat has permanently increased by +1.]

I used the last of my energy to open my mouth.

"Potion..."

Fuck, don't let me die.

***

[Bjorn Yandel

Level: 2

Physique: 46

Spirit: 39 (New +3)

Special Ability: 4

Item Level: 202

General Combat Power: 139.5 (New +3)]

***

Chhhh!

As the hole in my neck began to heal, it was accompanied by pain. But I was happy. I could feel the life being breathed back into my dead body.

"Ugh..."

The burning pain revived my fading consciousness. I had lived.

I had really thought I was going to cross the Jordan River this time. I was glad I didn't do anything else with the 1.4 million stones and had gotten the Immortality Imprint first. If it hadn't been for that, I would have been dead a long time ago.

"Ainar."

"Are you okay?"

"Gear, get their gear first..."

As soon as I had the energy to speak, I gave instructions to Ainar. After that, I forced myself to get up and toss the remaining potion down my throat.

Gulp.

This was all money, but it couldn't be helped.

Even if the wound on my neck felt like it was getting better, I couldn't tell what was happening on the inside. I also didn't know what kind of damage had been inflicted on my brain thanks to what had just happened. So, it was better to take precautions in advance.

"Ugh..."

In fact, before long, a tingling sensation began in the back of my head. Considering the intensity of the pain, it didn't seem to be serious, but if left unattended, it might have led to a major problem.

"Can I check it?"

"...What about the equipment?"

"I grabbed everything I saw."

In that case...

When I nodded, Ainar lifted my chin and carefully inspected the wound.

"It will leave a scar."

It felt weird. Erwen had once said the same thing. However, the sentiment behind it had been completely different.

"Amazing! You will be the only barbarian with a scar from getting stabbed in the neck!"

Does this look like a Medal of Honor to her?

It was true, though. No matter how many barbarians were out there in the world living like brutes, it was probably rare for one to survive after being stabbed in the neck.

"Now what?" Ainar asked, wondering about our future plans.

This woke me up as well. Just moments before, I had been walking the line between life and death... But none of our problems had actually been solved.

"How long has it been?"

"Max? About five minutes."

Five minutes...

Contrary to what I had initially believed, running into these bastards had made the situation go from bad to worse.

How stupid of me.

No matter how dangerous the situation was, I should have known better than to ask for help from scumbag adventurers.

Anyway, let's moan about this later.

"Which direction did that guy run off to?" I asked.

"That way."

I led Ainar and moved in the direction the blond-haired guy had escaped. Although the floor was muddy, there had been no footprints left behind, so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it was impossible to properly track him.

But, just as expected...

"There you are."

Not too far away, I could see blond hair.

After all, since it's so dark here, how far could he possibly have gotten?

It seemed that while running, he had banged his head on one of the ruins, fallen over, and passed out on the ground. After taking away anything that could be a weapon, I stomped on his back to wake him up, and his blond hair fell flat across his face.

"Eek! H-Have mercy!"

Compared to before, he was being very polite. Earlier, he had complained that the woman they had happened to catch was a barbarian, but now?

"Ahh!"

Ainar grabbed the man's neck and easily lifted him up with one hand. The blond-haired man was so small that his feet didn't touch the ground.

He started to choke.

As I watched him getting strangled, instead of feeling sympathetic, all I thought was "good riddance."

That's why you should always make sure to aim for the head, not the neck.

If he had, regardless of any ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠potions or my Immortality Imprint, I would have been helpless.

"Ainar, release him."

Despite clearly questioning my orders, Ainar released her grip. I approached the guy as he slumped on the ground and spoke into his ear.

"Use your powers if you want to live."

That was the only reason I hadn't ripped this blond rat's head off right away. The gnome ability this guy had. I needed it right now.

"I-I already did!"

"How long can you keep it going?"

"Thirty minutes! No, I can last forty minutes! So—!"

Too many words.

I wish he would just answer my question. I gripped his collar and asked another.

"How long will it take for you to use it again?"

"I-I need to rest for as long as I last used it."

"I see."

I released the hand that was holding him by the neck and pressed his upper body into the ground with my feet before he could even think of escaping.

Like dealing with a goblin...

"Wouldn't it be better to just kill him? I think that woman has given up on us anyway."

I wondered how Ainar had come to that bullshit conclusion, but it really might look like that from her point of view. Although we had managed to escape, it wasn't clear whether or not we had been pursued in the first place. Even factoring in the time it would have taken to loot the corpses, it was strange that that woman hadn't shown her face yet.

"Given up, huh..."

Certainly, that possibility existed. Perhaps the plunderer bitch didn't think we were worth chasing.

As for the issue of us potentially returning to the city to testify against her, if the face we saw earlier was some kind of magical illusion, that would explain her brazen, bare-faced murder.

But...

Smirk.

Things couldn't work out that well, could they?

Not for me, at least.

"Okay! I will avenge you!"

No, don't worry about that.

[Achievement Unlocked.]

[Condition: Health drops below 0.1%.]

[Reward: Your Spirit stat has permanently increased by +1.]

I used the last of my energy to open my mouth.

"Potion..."

Fuck, don't let me die.

***

[Bjorn Yandel

Level: 2

Physique: 46

Spirit: 39 (New +3)

Special Ability: 4

Item Level: 202

General Combat Power: 139.5 (New +3)]

***

Chhhh!

As the hole in my neck began to heal, it was accompanied by pain. But I was happy. I could feel the life being breathed back into my dead body.

"Ugh..."

The burning pain revived my fading consciousness. I had lived.

I had really thought I was going to cross the Jordan River this time. I was glad I didn't do anything else with the 1.4 million stones and had gotten the Immortality Imprint first. If it hadn't been for that, I would have been dead a long time ago.

"Ainar."

"Are you okay?"

"Gear, get their gear first..."

As soon as I had the energy to speak, I gave instructions to Ainar. After that, I forced myself to get up and toss the remaining potion down my throat.

Gulp.

This was all money, but it couldn't be helped.

Even if the wound on my neck felt like it was getting better, I couldn't tell what was happening on the inside. I also didn't know what kind of damage had been inflicted on my brain thanks to what had just happened. So, it was better to take precautions in advance.

"Ugh..."

In fact, before long, a tingling sensation began in the back of my head. Considering the intensity of the pain, it didn't seem to be serious, but if left unattended, it might have led to a major problem.

"Can I check it?"

"...What about the equipment?"

"I grabbed everything I saw."

In that case...

When I nodded, Ainar lifted my chin and carefully inspected the wound.

"It will leave a scar."

It felt weird. Erwen had once said the same thing. However, the sentiment behind it had been completely different.

"Amazing! You will be the only barbarian with a scar from getting stabbed in the neck!"

Does this look like a Medal of Honor to her?

It was true, though. No matter how many barbarians were out there in the world living like brutes, it was probably rare for one to survive after being stabbed in the neck.

"Now what?" Ainar asked, wondering about our future plans.

This woke me up as well. Just moments before, I had been walking the line between life and death... But none of our problems had actually been solved.

"How long has it been?"

"Max? About five minutes."

Five minutes...

Contrary to what I had initially believed, running into these bastards had made the situation go from bad to worse.

How stupid of me.

No matter how dangerous the situation was, I should have known better than to ask for help from scumbag adventurers.

Anyway, let's moan about this later.

"Which direction did that guy run off to?" I asked.

"That way."

I led Ainar and moved in the direction the blond-haired guy had escaped. Although the floor was muddy, there had been no footprints left behind, so it was impossible to properly track him.

But, just as expected...

"There you are."

Not too far away, I could see blond hair.

After all, since it's so dark here, how far could he possibly have gotten?

It seemed that while running, he had banged his head on one of the ruins, fallen over, and passed out on the ground. After taking away anything that could be a weapon, I stomped on his back to wake him up, and his blond hair fell flat across his face.

"Eek! H-Have mercy!"

Compared to before, he was being very polite. Earlier, he had complained that the woman they had happened to catch was a barbarian, but now?

"Ahh!"

Ainar grabbed the man's neck and easily lifted him up with one hand. The blond-haired man was so small that his feet didn't touch the ground.

He started to choke.

As I watched him getting strangled, instead of feeling sympathetic, all I thought was "good riddance."

That's why you should always make sure to aim for the head, not the neck.

If he had, regardless of any potions or my Immortality Imprint, I would have been helpless.

"Ainar, release him."

Despite clearly questioning my orders, Ainar released her grip. I approached the guy as he slumped on the ground and spoke into his ear.

"Use your powers if you want to live."

That was the only reason I hadn't ripped this blond rat's head off right away. The gnome ability this guy had. I needed it right now.

"I-I already did!"

"How long can you keep it going?"

"Thirty minutes! No, I can last forty minutes! So—!"

Too many words.

I wish he would just answer my question. I gripped his collar and asked another.

"How long will it take for you to use it again?"

"I-I need to rest for as long as I last used it."

"I see."

I released the hand that was holding him by the neck and pressed his upper body into the ground with my feet before he could even think of escaping.

Like dealing with a goblin...

"Wouldn't it be better to just kill him? I think that woman has given up on us anyway."

I wondered how Ainar had come to that bullshit conclusion, but it really might look like that from her point of view. Although we had managed to escape, it wasn't clear whether or not we had been pursued in the first place. Even factoring in the time it would have taken to loot the corpses, it was strange that that woman hadn't shown her face yet.

"Given up, huh..."

Certainly, that possibility existed. Perhaps the plunderer bitch didn't think we were worth chasing.

As for the issue of us potentially returning to the city to testify against her, if the face we saw earlier was some kind of magical illusion, that would explain her brazen, bare-faced murder.

But...

Smirk.

Things couldn't work out that well, could they?

Not for me, at least.