Chapter 557: Chapter 557: First Clear (2) - Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 557: First Clear (2)

Even the monster world had its share of celebrities. For example, if I grabbed a regular person off the street and asked them about Bellarios, not one of them would have a single clue what I was talking about. Ogres, Orcs, Trolls, Goblins, and Minotaurs, however? Even a normal citizen of Rafdonia could conjure an image of those in their minds in perfect detail.

So then, what was the difference between the two groups?

Stories.

In my opinion, stories played a big role. Just as people from Earth learned about the Little Mermaid and the Nutcracker when they were kids, the people of this world also grew up hearing stories.

The Cunning Goblin.

The Savage Orc.

The Minotaur of the Labyrinth.

The Tyrant Ogre of the Forest.

The monsters with famous tales about them often had descriptors like that attached to them, and the same went for rank-one monsters.

"...Has everyone heard? It looks like we might have to fight either Kashan or Leviathan."

"You mean the Wolf of Prophecy or the God of the Sea?"

The Wolf of Prophecy, Kashan, and the God of the Sea, Leviathan. Sometimes they were only referred to by their titles, so I'd had to look them up after arriving in this world to figure out what people were talking about. In any case, that wasn't the important thing.

"...If we can defeat one of them in battle, this will truly be a legendary expedition."

"I am a bit worried. Will we be able to take down monsters like those...?"

Everyone knew by now that we were going to have to fight a rank-one monster, yet even among the members of the palace's expedition group, public opinion was split.

"Haha, you worry too much. Yes, they're incredibly difficult to fight when you face them in their original territories, which is why they have legendary status. But aren't they still just monsters? With our might, we'll be able to take care of them no problem."

"Hmm, I do hope that's the case..."

Some were confident while others were openly worried. Jerome listened in a bit to gauge popular opinion before glancing at his wizard, who promptly cast another sound restriction spell so we could continue our discussion. "We won't be able to defeat any of them except Kashan... Your Lordship, could you elaborate?"

"There's nothing more for me to say. I've made my opinion clear, so make your decision. Will you put your trust in the word of your wizard, or the word of an adventurer?"

The old wizard next to me let out a chuckle at that. Or, well, his mouth was laughing, but his eyes were not. "I understand that you ascribe great importance to your experience, but we are the ones who have spent decades delving into firsthand accounts and becoming experts in these creatures."

"So?"

"I can't accept your assertion that Kashan is our only option. The most recent instance of a rank-one monster being defeated involved only forty combatants. And from where I stand..." The old man shrugged and looked out at the expedition group, and only then did I realize why he was so confident.

"So you think that just because forty people were able to do it, a group this big can do it too," I deduced.

"That's right. Gathered here, we have nearly two hundred talented individuals who were handpicked by the palace itself. What goal exists that we cannot accomplish?"

"Let's make sure we're on the same page first. Are the forty people you're talking about the Boating Clan, who disbanded decades ago after a dimensional collapse?"

My question sent a hint of surprise flashing across the old man's face. "...So you know the story?"

Of course I did. It wasn't like I relied solely on my knowledge of the game—I studied a lot.

"From what I've heard," I continued, "every single one of them was one of the best adventurers in the kingdom, and they prepared for that single hunt for over half a year. They also spent nearly a billion stones to buy all the items they needed."

"If you're worried about resources, our expedition group has more than enough—"

"Sir Versilus," Jerome said pointedly. "Do not interrupt His Lordship."

The old wizard fell silent, and I was thankfully able to continue my explanation unimpeded.

"You think we have enough supplies? There is no way. An hour ago, we didn't even know we were going to have to face off against a rank-one monster. Do you really think that potions and scrolls alone will be enough to take one down?"

"If we go by your logic, Lord Baron, then what difference would fighting a Kashan make?" the old wizard replied, clearly annoyed. "We would be just as unprepared either way."

Yeah, I figured you would say that.

I snatched up the opportunity I was given before he could get another word out. "The monster Kashan has the lowest resistances of all the rank-one monsters."

"But in ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠turn, its attack power is that much higher."

"That's the reason we have any chance of beating it."

"...On what grounds are you basing that claim?"

"The fact that I am here." I pointed at myself with my thumb. "I should be enough to hold back the wolf."

"Hah!"

Before the speechless old wizard could grumble himself into a fit at my bold declaration, I quickly tacked on a more logical explanation.

"Also, there is no established method for hunting a Kashan. In other words, that means Kashans can be hunted without needing special preparations. Although we'll have some casualties, the Kashan is definitely beatable."

"What do you say to that, Sir Versilus?" Jerome inquired.

The old-timer was slow to respond. "...With that logic, you could argue that any monster is beatable or unbeatable depending on what's most convenient for you."

All he did was shoot down my argument without even bothering to engage with it.

However, Jerome didn't seem to have anything to say about that. "I see," he trailed off, nodding as he fell into thought.

Seeing an opportunity, the sneaky old wizard muttered, "Commander Saintred, how about we ask everyone? Ask them if we should summon the Leviathan like I suggested, or summon the Kashan as the baron suggests."

In other words, he wanted to put this up for a vote. I couldn't sit idly by and let that happen. It was obvious what the group would go with if they were forced to choose between trusting a barbarian's advice and trusting a wizard's.

So now he's using his brains.

I needed to prevent a vote at all costs. But before I could so much as open my mouth, a stern voice sliced through our argument.

"I will not let that happen," said Jerome.

"Won't let it happen?" the old man echoed incredulously. "Why is that?"

"Forcing the responsibility of making a decision on my subordinates simply because I couldn't choose between a mere two options myself? Sir Versilus, a leader willing to do such a thing could never earn the genuine trust of the people beneath him."