Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 4

Tutorial (3)

In terms of [Dungeon and Stone], I consider myself an authority.

From which areas monsters emerge, their behaviors, and vulnerabilities, I have them memorized deeply.

Drawing from that expertise, I reached my ultimate choice.

Merging a barbarian's robust build with my insights, it should suffice to endure within this maze.

At that moment, I truly held that conviction.

"Haaa"

The instant I stepped into the labyrinth, darkness engulfed my sight.

This wasn't poetic imagery; it was absolute blackness. So intense that a blindfold over my eyes would've changed nothing.

Indeed, the effect would have been negligible.

"Fuck."

It hit me like a sudden assault from the shadows.

Barbarians typically wielded only one weapon, so I never questioned it initially.

Torches weren't required on the initial level.

The wall-embedded crystals provided illumination.

True, a shadowed region exists on the first floor, but it avoids the outer sections connecting to the lower level.

Did I end up there right away?

I swiftly formed a theory.

Labyrinth entry points randomize upon arrival.

Yet randomness doesn't guarantee a drop like this. Even starting at the edges, a glowing crystal ought to be visible nearby.

But this wasn't the game's simulated view on a screen.

Suppose those features were developer conveniences for players?

In the real world, could an unfortunate soul spawn directly in the dark zone?

That might account for my predicament.

Actually, it must explain it.

Were the whole first floor pitch black, I couldn't guarantee lasting even a day.

"Hooo "

After sorting my ideas, I regained some composure.

Luckily, my eyesight adjusted to the gloom, improving visibility from earlier. Still, I discerned only faint shapes.

The circumstances didn't warrant drastic measures like self-harm by tongue-biting.

Better to investigate surroundings initially.

Now that solitude enveloped me.

"Status window, equipment window, character information, status, inventory. Check journal damn."

Every command failed.

I hadn't anticipated success, regardless.

"Let's go."

Gripping the shield in one hand and trailing the wall with the other, I advanced.

Slower than a crawl, barely.

That made perfect sense.

No matter what, accelerating beyond this pace proved impossible.

Danger lurked everywhere here.

"Aaaaaaah!"

A piercing agony suddenly flared at my ankle.

This novel torment scrambled my senses for the first time ever. Yet I rapidly identified the source.

What in the world had happened?

Without a combat record, the explanation surfaced swiftly.

The character triggered a goblin trap.

Damn, I'd activated a trap.

Where did my plan falter?

No deep pondering required.

The shield offered mental reassurance, no doubt.

However, it blocked a significant portion of my sight.

Had I strapped the shield to my waist and concentrated on scanning the ground, I could have spotted the trap.

What good is a shield in total darkness?

Practicality demanded priority over comfort.

Shit.

"Fuck it hooo"

Pain threatened to gray my hair prematurely.

The urge to yell overwhelmed me.

Yet I resisted with fierce determination.

Uncertain if shouting would ease the suffering.

But certain it would worsen my plight.

My pulse raced wildly.

"Huuk, huuk, huuk"

Lips clamped, I compelled steady breaths.

Forget the injury's severity for now.

Only one monster type on the first floor deploys traps.

Goblin.

And one surely prowled close by.

""

I instinctively lifted the shield to guard my head.

Then held my breath, straining to listen.

Silence reigned, as if the world had paused.

No presence detected?

Hard to confirm.

Possibly, it had temporarily vacated its spot. Even goblins answer nature's call.

Damn, stop entertaining such notions.

I crushed that budding optimism and banished it from my mind.

Two factors prompted this.

Firstly, positivity differs from foolish naivety.

Secondly, pessimism served me best here.

""

Uncertain? Assume the direst scenario.

The goblin caught my scream.

Lurking in shadows, it awaited my exhaustion.

Hence the utter quiet.

In the game, traps implied goblins nearby.

"Whew"

I gradually released the pent-up breath.

The area remained hushed, so vigilance would alert me to any approach.

Prioritize necessary actions.

" Huuup!"

Squat low, pry the trap apart with both hands, free the foot. Rip trouser fabric, remove the boot, and firmly compress the injury.

The ruined footwear got discarded.

Hardly qualifying as a shoe now.

What I wore resembled sandals more.

Curse those barbarian fools.

Proper leather boots from the start would've survived this crude trap intact.

What nonsense am I dwelling on?

Such irrational musings chilled me.

Cease regretting bygones.

Cursing changes nothing about the present.

Ultimately, my oversight in scouting the path caused this.

Quit complaining; assess your condition.

Huh, this looks severe.

Numbness gripped my right foot.

A lingering warmth faded gradually.

"I know you're hiding, so come out."

I murmured softly.

Darkness yielded no response.

Thus, I crept onward gradually.

..

The injured leg ached, yet pain fell short of anticipated levels. Likely due to paralytic toxin in the trap.

Debatable if this qualified as fortunate.

"Come out, you bastard."

I boldly challenged the foe while progressing.

Delaying confrontation wasted time.

Earlier fights proved advantageous.

Injuries aside, allies might join him.

"Arent you coming?"

Sure, this could all stem from imagination, with no goblin present.

I'd appear idiotic for trapping myself and staging a solo performance.

So be it.

Survival remained paramount.

"Then how about you just stay there? I will go."

Increase pace.

Slightly above crawling, but it felt like a frantic dash.

Step after step.

During movement, throbbing intensified in my right foot.

"Sssspp, haa, haa"

Two explanations.

Either paralysis waned, or agony overwhelmed the toxin's suppression.

Interestingly, both outcomes benefited me.

Sensation returning meant recovery potential.

Pain indicated intact nerves.

No, why such optimism now?

I preferred avoiding that line of thought.

Mental resources were scarce.

" Your mother is a fucking goblin."

Unfiltered words escaped my lips.

Blood loss perhaps?

My mind dehydrated, like cured meat in spirits.

"Your father is also a fucking goblin."

Insults flowed freely, but motion persisted.

"So you are one too, you fucking goblin."

Suddenly, noise broke the quiet.

Subtle, yet thunderous to my attuned ears.

At last, it revealed itself.

"What, couldn't stand your parents being cursed?"

I recognized the falsehood.

Not a curse truly.

The noise originated from behind.

More precisely, distance forced its pursuit.

I hastened my stride.

Footfalls quickened in pursuit.

The steps seemed off.

Each impact carried a viscous adhesion to slick ground.

Despite goblins' sub-meter stature in lore, dread mounted like a colossal beast's chase.

To dispel terror, I addressed it verbally.

Ultimately, I embodied a barbarian.

Once in melee, victory over a goblin was assured.

"Dont just follow me, come have a go. You fucker."

Thus, I persisted in provocation, yet it trailed at fixed intervals.

Stealth no longer concerned it.

"Gruck, gruck!"

Resembling animalistic snarls, but intent registered.

"Grurururuck! Gruck!"

Laughter now. Pure glee at my hemorrhaging demise. It aimed to instill fear through noise.

Cunning creature.

Alright, strategy shift.

I halted, then collapsed dramatically.

!

Skull striking stone threatened fracture, but silence held.

Endurance contest ensued.

Its approach on perceived defeat meant triumph.

Prior collapse signified failure.

"Gruck?"

Trusting this resilient form that traversed 300m on an impaired foot.

Approaching steps grew nearer.

Deliberately languid, yawn-inducing.

Even with anticipated downfall, suspicion lingered.

Insane, why such wariness from this goblin?

Profanities surfaced unbidden.

In-game, goblins ranked as frail foes. Toxins and snares aided, but direct prowess lagged.

Yet reality's version demanded respect. I understood the NPCs' emphasis on goblin intellect.

Far surpassing those brutish barbarians.

It paused 5 to 10 meters distant.

Why halt?

Intrigue mounted.

A thud impacted my shoulder.

..

This wretch now hurled rocks.

Not planning to pummel until pulped, I hoped.

"Grurururuck! Gruck!"

Contrary to dread, joyous bellows erupted.

My inaction convinced it of my demise.

Rapid approach followed.

Exuberance pulsed in its nearly prancing gait.

Suppressing my zeal, I gauged proximity by audio. At optimal range

"Fuck you!"

I sprang upright, lunging hands-first.

Hands extended quicker and farther than shield retrieval.

Yet intuition signaled mishap.

Two causes again.

Primarily, a step's separation remained.

Secondarily, agility exceeded expectations.

"Gruck!"

It bent backward from torso, retreating.

Invisible, but sensation confirmed.

I sensed the opportunity lost.

Damn, alternative now? Mind raced for option.

But instinct commandeered movement.

"?"

An uncanny sensation.

Darkness persisted.

Yet goblin's trajectory registered instinctively.

By awareness, my grasp already pursued.

"Gruck?!"

Fingertips ensnared it.

Limb or throat, irrelevant.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Roaring, I dashed it groundward. Fracture echoed. Reluctant to ease, I mounted swiftly.

"Gr, gruck!"

Dynamics reversed.

"Now I'm up, and you're down. You piece of shit!"

Fists rained madly on its visage.

Occasional misses struck floor amid frenzy, but this form's might astonished.

Rather than bruising knuckles, rock splintered.

""

Motion halted eventually.

And

Dust dispersed.

Unusually luminous motes.

Fists paused.

The goblin's remains disintegrated, wafting skyward.

Absurdity defined this.

"Haah, fuck, this same thing again?"

Prefer clarity: game or mimicry of life?

Confusion over rhythm persisted.

You have defeated a goblin. EXP +1

The form vanished utterly.

Irritation surged inexplicably; I grasped a nearby pebble.

You have acquired a grade 9 mana stone.

Faint glow emanated, unpowerful yet present.

Mana stone, [Dungeon and Stone]'s tender.

Value recalled swiftly.

"A piece of bread."

Goblins' typical game yield.

Laughter bubbled forth.

"Kahahahaha"

Sole reward from that vile entity?

Post-battle calm crystallized sentiments.

Like post-sob hysterics.

"Kaha, kahahaha."

Labyrinth exists, monsters infest.

Slain beasts dissolve, dropping loot.

Beyond, a city harbors diverse races.

Undeniably, this realm's nature.

But

Uncertainty ends now.