Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 794: Skull Island (1)

We are drifting across the central zones of the island without any real direction.

Snap—! Crack—! Crunch—!

Naturally, we are dismantling every creature that crosses our path in real-time.

However, I would still characterize our movement as “wandering” for one simple reason.

In truth, we aren't engaging in any significant combat.

“...This is mind-numbing.”

“Indeed... I honestly believe I would find more enjoyment in filing paperwork at this stage.”

The standard monster tier on Skull Island sits at grade 6.

Even that estimate feels inflated by the occasional high-level beast, as the majority are merely grades 7 or 8.

There haven't been any signs of new, exotic monsters either.

Up to this point, the only creature on this island worth slaying for experience was a solitary Skull Ghost (Grade 6).

“...I sincerely hope that secret you mentioned emerges soon, Commander.”

Even Auyen, who isn't a combatant, was chiming in—which proves just how excruciatingly dull things had become.

‘It’s funny to recall how fiercely competitive he appeared just a few days ago.’

I can hardly hold it against him, though.

Two full days have bled away since that initial skirmish.

“...It seems they haven't located it yet either, right?”

“Highly unlikely they have. If the cavern had been breached, we would have certainly sensed something.”

“But what if they possessed a method to conceal it?”

When Raven posed the question, I was on the verge of scoffing, but I reined myself in.

It wasn't an entirely impossible scenario.

“I mean, they did have those items, did they not? Multiple units of them, even.”

“Ah, those...”

Raven was clearly talking about the [Numbers] series of artifacts.

While their possession of them wasn't verified, it remained an extremely probable deduction.

“You were in agreement, weren't you? It really wouldn't have made sense for them to remain hidden otherwise.”

Yeah... that is true.

Detection is merely a secondary skill. Had they been accompanied only by Elwen or Amelia—whose expertise lies purely in combat—I would have dismissed the notion.

However, they had brought Beleg along this time, a man known as the “Chaser.”

In other words, a true master of detection.

And yet, they had managed to spot us first—and successfully masked their entire force without leaving a single trace.

How could such a feat be achieved?

Following an extensive discussion with Beleg himself, I arrived at a single conclusion.

The credit belonged entirely to their equipment.

One specific item stood out as highly suspicious.

No. 16 – Ebony Emblem.

It is an artifact that offers massive enhancement to stealth-related skills when equipped.

It bolsters stats while concealed and adds bonus modifiers for ambushes... essentially the perfect graduation gift for an assassin.

But the two critical features are as follows:

If you remain stationary while wearing it, you achieve a state of absolute stealth.

Furthermore...

By activating its ability, you generate 29 tokens that sustain the effect temporarily for others nearby.

‘If they utilized that, it explains perfectly how they suppressed their presence so effectively.’

Looking back at the event, they were all positioned perfectly still. They only unmasked themselves once we had reached the cavern entrance.

There was even a witness report documenting a similar item being seen.

The only hurdle is that they would require at least three of those to shield all ninety individuals...

Yet, if that theory holds, my primary curiosity isn't how they procured these rare items.

It is why the so-called “Gold Ghost” felt the need to collect three of them.

Everything about that individual reeks of ulterior motives—

“Viscount Yandel.”

At that precise moment, Beleg drew close and whispered to me.

“I have told you already—just address me as Commander.”

“...Approaching targets are detected.”

“How many?”

“Six.”

There was no need to question their identity.

It was almost certainly a subgroup belonging to the Golden Tree Clan.

“If we maintain our current trajectory, we will intersect.”

Regardless, this was unforeseen.

We had avoided direct contact entirely over the past two days.

Even when our paths crossed, each side sensed the other from a distance and intentionally steered clear.

“It appears they have business with us. We shall wait here.”

We halted our movements, and shortly afterward, a scouting party emerged from the eerie, vine-choked brush—sporting the crest of the Golden Tree Clan.

And then...

“...Yandel?”

“Avman.”

An entirely unexpected reunion.

We had caught brief glimpses of each other during that standoff at the cave, but we hadn't found the opportunity to exchange words.

Now that I had a second to process it, I couldn't suppress a smirk.

Judging by his flustered expression, it was fairly obvious they had no intention of engaging in casual conversation.

“Are you lost, then?”

“...Certainly not. We were merely passing through.”

Right, and I am a giant squid.

One look at them made it clear he was functioning as the guide, leveraging his [Pathfinder] ability.

Bear Guy is a guide, but he possesses absolutely no sense of direction.

He also lacks the foundational detection skills that most guides possess by default.

During my time with Team Apple Narak, we relied on a perfectly competent pathfinder, yet I still took mentorship lessons from Rotmiller.

In retrospect, it paid off...

“Ugh... again?”

One of Bear Guy’s teammates let out a heavy sigh.

Unlike the warm sighs we used to share in Apple Narak, this sound felt... quite different.

It carried a sting of pure frustration.

“Were you not listening? The Captain commanded us to minimize contact with others.”

“Ah...”

“Did you do this on purpose? Simply to catch up with your old comrade?”

“N-No, of course not! Th-this was entirely a coincidence!”

“Coincidence my foot. You are simply incompetent.”

The moment that exchange concluded, the atmosphere between them became painfully frigid.

From those few sentences alone, I could discern the dynamic between Bear Guy and the rest of his group.

And based on his reaction, it was clear he realized it too.

Or more precisely...

“...”

It was the expression of someone caught in a situation they desperately wished to hide.

I shouldn't blame him.

Nobody wants their friends or old allies to witness them being belittled by a superior.

And this was likely far from the worst of it.

They were undoubtedly restraining themselves because I was present.

Who could say what degree of abuse occurs when nobody is watching?

“Regardless, our apologies, Viscount Yandel. We did not come seeking conflict... As you can observe, this was solely his blunder.”

“...I am not shifting the blame onto you, so let it go.”

“That is a relief. You heard the man—let us be off.”

I wanted to press Bear Guy for a conversation, but given the circumstances, I couldn't hold them back.

I could force the issue, but it would only backfire on him.

They might accuse him of leaking intelligence or label him a turncoat.

More importantly, it seemed he had no desire to linger.

I was prepared to let them vanish without a word when...

“Phew... How on earth did a halfwit like that end up on our roster anyway.”

The volume was far too loud to pass as a simple mutter.

And at that moment—

[Misha Kalstein has cast Frozen Soul.]

A towering wall of ice sprung up before the departing group with one swift strike of her blade.

“You... what did you just utter?”

Misha was undeniably, utterly furious.

***

The biting chill from the ice wall caught the breeze and brushed against my skin.

It was a rash maneuver—but things hadn't crossed the point of no return yet.

She hadn't actually launched an offensive attack.

But should events escalate further...

“Viscount Yandel.”

The man acting as the team leader ignored Misha and spoke directly to me.

“Am I to interpret this as a violation of our pact?”

His gaze was hostile, and frankly, it was absurd.

She wasn't even the leader—merely a standard team member.

I prepared to step in and intervene—

“Forget that. You there! Goblin-head! What did you just say to Avman?”

“...”

“Are you planning to answer or not?”

Misha’s breathing became labored as she watched the team leader treat her as if she were air.

Vrrrrr...

Even the hand gripping her sword was shaking with rage.

She was truly, deeply incensed.

“Answer me, quickly.”

Her voice dropped in register—and with that transition, her characteristic speech impediment seemed to fade.

Finally, the team leader responded with a tone dripping in pure condescension.

“Is this tantrum regarding the ‘halfwit’ comment?”

“You...”

“Tch. So it was accurate, then.”

“I am requesting politely—take it back.”

“Quite honestly, I am failing to see by what right you think you can demand that of me.”

“What...?”

“Indeed, I am aware that you and Urikfrit were once teammates. But he is a member of our clan now. I would appreciate it if you refrained from interfering in our internal business.”

“So as long as he isn't part of your clan, it is acceptable, is it? Avman! Step away from them! Abandon that pathetic excuse for a clan and—”

“Enough, Misha Kalstein.”

It wasn't me or the team leader who quieted her—it was Bear Guy.

His tone was so final that Misha looked genuinely wounded.

“...Why?”

She had only sought to assist him—why shut her down in such a manner?

He didn't offer an explanation.

However, the team leader did.

“You call him a former comrade, yet you lack even this basic knowledge?”

“...?”

“Urikfrit borrowed capital from our clan. The Labyrinth remained shuttered for over a year, his business could no longer hold out... He had no other path forward.”

“Ha! What is the sum? We will settle the debt—”

“That is irrelevant. In exchange for the loan, he committed to completing a fixed number of expeditions. This is merely the first one. Once this concludes, he has 23 remaining.”

“So... You handle him like garbage simply because he is unable to resign?”

“I have no idea what you are rambling ab—”

“That is enough.”

At that point, I intervened.

Misha looked as though she had much more to say, but I cut her off with a sharp glance.

“I have no intention of meddling in your affairs. And I have no desire to break our pact. Let us conclude this here.”

“Much appreciated.”

I stepped back first, and the team leader offered a curt bow.

It appeared the tension had been diffused.

However, Misha was not prepared to let the matter drop.

“...Why do you act this way?”

She addressed them once more as they turned to depart.

Amelia attempted to restrain her—but this time, I signaled Amelia to stand down.

It didn't appear Misha was about to launch a physical assault.

“What are you referring to?”

“Why do you act this way? You are a team, comrades... are you not? So why treat him as if he signifies nothing? Why bully him in such a way...? Is this... is this genuinely meant to be entertaining for you...?”

The team leader’s expression wavered for a split second—then grew stone-cold.

“Must be nice. Living in a world so detached from our own.”

“...What?”

“Good day.”

With that final word, they melted back into the shadows of the brush.

Misha bit her lip, clearly distraught.

“Bjorn...”

“Do not worry. I have a notion.”

“...Truly?!”

I hadn't formulated the plan until this moment—but now I had.

[New Subquest: Outperform the Golden Tree Clan and monopolize the Skull Island proceedings.]

If that was the main objective, this was the newly formed side mission.

Even if Bear Guy himself has reservations about it.

‘The Guildmaster is vacating the premises—so someone needs to step into the void, right?’

I am not allowing this to continue for a moment longer.