Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 784: Upgrade (2)

Beleg Shusia di Tersia.

The uncle on Elwen’s mother’s side, as well as the eerie ghost who once donned the Crescent Moon mask during the Round Table gatherings.

To be honest, confronting this man feels rather uncomfortable.

To some extent... actually, forget that—it's straightforward.

No matter how I try to backpedal, the truth remains: I tricked him.

"[So legends and actual events truly differ...]"

"[...Your revelation allowed me to abandon my naive illusions, at least.]"

"[Yet I can’t claim to be thankful.]"

On the day the Round Table dissolved, I disclosed the true requirements for the Resurrection Stone—details I had intentionally withheld before—and these were his words to me.

Back then, his gaze held a deep void.

Now, bringing up the Resurrection Stone once more...

'Did I misjudge this entirely?'

This abrupt idea prompted me to have him take a seat so I could verify the basics right away.

"The Resurrection Stone can revive only two individuals. However, for it to work, the deceased must have passed away not long ago, and their corpse is required. Are you aware?"

"I am."

Hmph, he’s aware then...

This seals it—he’s indeed the one behind the Crescent Moon mask.

Thus, I straight-up posed the question.

"Who do you intend to resurrect?"

"...Myself."

"...Huh?"

"I wish to apply the Resurrection Stone to myself."

...What in the world?

***

Upon hearing this absurd notion of employing the Resurrection Stone on his own person, my mind froze completely.

It’s like I reached that level of bewilderment where shock simply walked out...

Perhaps noticing my stunned expression, he hastily provided more details.

"I’ll speak plainly as the requester. Initially, the souls I aimed to revive via the Resurrection Stone were Belua and Daria."

"...Belua?"

"Their mother. My... little sister."

"And?"

"Yet I lack the bodies of either. For Daria, after the fire took her, I avoided cremation on the off chance and instead interred her. Occasionally, I’d covertly unearth the tomb and apply spells to preserve her form... But once I learned it requires a recent death, I ceased."

This tale was utterly staggering.

It implied Daria’s remains had remained preserved in their casket up until recently.

'...Has this man lost his mind?'

Delivering such deranged words with such courteous demeanor sent shivers racing along my spine.

Nevertheless, separate matters remain distinct.

"...I understand the devastation from losing their remains. But how does that connect to self-application of the Resurrection Stone?"

The concept stretched my comprehension to the breaking point, nearly frying my thoughts—yet astonishingly, his following statement helped it click.

"I learned that the Resurrection Stone’s use... erases all memories from one’s lifetime."

Ah...

"...The Resurrection Stone is essential for me. To continue existing."

His even, emotionless delivery prompted an involuntary nod from me.

On multiple levels, the irony cut deep.

A person still breathing requiring the Resurrection Stone merely to persist...

The idea seems preposterous, but in a strange way, it fits.

Perhaps it resonates because I’ve endured a comparable ordeal.

"......."

My mind begins to ache.

It feels as if my thoughts are scorching hot.

From past instances, I realize that in such moments, boiling things down is the wisest move. The suffering party endures alone, and I remain myself, after all?

"Essentially, you’re requesting the Resurrection Stone from me?"

"Yes."

"You don’t anticipate it without cost, do you? What’s your proposed exchange?"

"I’ve existed without desires all my days, leaving me with no assets to trade. Save for this form."

...What on earth?

Was it merely my imagination, or did “this form” echo oddly?

Hmm, likely I’m reading too much into it.

"Employ me however you see fit. Be it within the Labyrinth, across the city, or past these barriers—I’ll accompany you and obey any command."

In essence, he proposed becoming part of our group for the Resurrection Stone.

"I might not appear so, but I trust my skills. Far from hindering, I’ll prove invaluable."

"You’d likely contribute well. Yet suppose your contributions fall short of the Resurrection Stone’s worth?"

He replied without pause.

"I’ll remain until they don’t."

The swift, resolute response left me feeling sheepish for probing him.

A heavy internal breath escaped me.

Even during his Crescent Moon mask days—he remains unchanged.

Exploited at the Round Table like that, and now he arrives with yet another outlandish proposal.

"Suppose I exploit you fully and renege on our agreement?"

"I know you’re not such a character."

"......."

"Above all, should you be—it would hold no significance for me."

"How could it hold no significance?"

"......."

Previous queries received crisp replies, but here he went quiet.

Even so, I refrained from pushing.

For I already inferred his intent.

Existence inevitably brings encounters with such individuals.

Those who appear to have already checked out of life.

This man carried that aura in his stare.

'Haa...'

This aspect complicated the choice immensely.

Were it another soul, hesitation wouldn’t occur.

I’d reject outright.

A resounding refusal.

Beleg’s fighting prowess scarcely matches a Resurrection Stone’s value.

Yet the issue lies in...

'He’s kin to Elwen.'

Engaging him thus, in direct conversation, conjured dire scenarios in my thoughts.

What if he abruptly ends it all?

The impact on Elwen would be devastating.

And for myself?

Should the figure I so completely misled at the Round Table perish in torment over an unrealized desire...

"Hoo..."

Deciding required little time.

The Resurrection Stone serves to restore the departed—not sustain the alive.

"Alright. I’ll welcome your recruitment. However, as you stated—I determine the moment you receive the Resurrection Stone."

What truly sustains a living soul isn’t a foolish gem.

It’s an element somewhat more comforting.

***

Beleg’s formal recruitment wrapped up in merely three days.

In that brief period, he resolved all his lingering ties—both political and sentimental—in the Sanctuary before integrating into our Anabada Clan.

He didn’t fully relocate his home, however.

His sole condition involved remaining to care for Elwen’s sibling, Mei, who resided solo in the Sanctuary, barring any emergencies. Refusing made no sense to me.

"...My uncle has enlisted with our clan?"

I happened to inform Elwen afterward by coincidence—yet her response proved far more composed than anticipated.

No—more accurately, it stayed vague.

"He won’t join my squad, will he...?"

"Likely not."

"In that case, it doesn’t concern me."

She valued him as family but showed little desire for frequent meetings.

And I believed I grasped the reason.

Instances abound where partners separate following a child’s loss. Though one yearns to move past it, constant proximity reopens the scars.

I once failed to comprehend, yet presently, it registers.

Occasionally, allowing a scar to mend demands avoidance of disturbance.

Persistent prodding only worsens the infection.

In any event, I’ll monitor their dynamic ahead...

"Here’s the record of today’s registrations at the Alminus Central Exchange. After your review and approval, they’ll hit the market come morning."

Recently, aided by Amelia, I’ve been daily scrutinizing the exchange’s new entries.

That’s straightforward.

Uncommon goods rarely seen at the exchange now emerge with greater regularity lately.

"Ah, appreciated. A quick glance reveals several intriguing entries already."

"I initially viewed it as a passing phase, but the volume continues to rise."

Amelia admitted ignorance on the cause—though I suspected otherwise.

"Likely the war’s toll on the nobility."

The Thunderbolt’s strike on the Palace of Glory eradicated numerous lineages. Certain houses lost solely the patriarch, others their successors too.

Amid the turmoil, properties transferred to rightful heirs, and lineages persisted...

"This seems the aftermath."

Noble houses now grapple universally.

During such eras, a fresh patriarch’s initial act?

Converting surplus treasures to currency.

With the elite “Sky Auction” devoid of patrons, it’s inevitable the prime active venue—the Central—would overflow with offerings.

After my clarification, Amelia concurred with a nod.

And subsequently...

"Such as that Nomilat ruby, perhaps?"

Amelia teased playfully, glancing my way—and I failed to mask my thrill.

"No way... did you secure a method to acquire it? Word was another bidder claimed it."

"Where there’s determination, paths appear."

With a cunning smirk, Amelia flashed a triumphant grin.

"You actually obtained it? How on earth? Relisted for bids?"

"Hardly. I slipped into the exchange, examined the records. Located the vendor and offered to handle their fees if they voided the sale and dealt with us directly."

"...They consented?"

As I inquired, it struck me as redundant.

Absent agreement, she wouldn’t mention it now.

"I invoked your name, claiming your urgent need. No inquiries followed; they simply assented. Also, they insisted you note their title—Viscount Bertan."

"Viscount Bertan, is it..."

Limited interactions with that lineage, but the name rang familiar.

An ancient house, yet lacking notable might or political sway...

I recalled their alignment with the lesser nobles’ group.

"Incidentally, I inquired about its prior whereabouts. It merely adorned the ground-floor atrium."

"What...?"

That invaluable item served as mere ornament?

Tch, the nobility’s wasteful excesses.

'Without the ongoing turmoil, it’d never have surfaced for sale.'

Regardless, I’m grateful from my viewpoint.

Such expendable resources prove toughest to procure.

"However... what’s your intended application? I’m aware consumption enhances bodily power, but that alone wouldn’t excite you this much."

"Ah, the intent?"

With a broad smile, I responded to Amelia.

"It completes the components for Phase 8 in the Spirit Engraving."

Finally, Phase 8 materials were all assembled.

***

Phase 8 of the Undying Engraving demands fifteen components.

Most acquireable readily in town given sufficient funds.

Barring three.

Phase 8’s vital trio derives from level-three beasts, rendering them exceedingly difficult to procure.

On my prior outing beyond the barriers, fortune favored me in obtaining two...

'Thus, everything’s now in place.'

With Amelia’s clever maneuvering yielding the last piece, I stand prepared to advance once more.

It won’t deliver a colossal surge in might.

Nevertheless—a single stride nearer to Phase 9, which holds the true import.

'Reaching Phase 9 unlocks that potential.'

Achieving Phase 9 and integrating two additional targeted Essences will finalize my cherished shield-barbarian configuration...

「You have activated Undying Engraving Phase 8.」

Only a handful of advances remain.