Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 795: Skull Island (2)

Discovering the secret of Skull Island is surprisingly straightforward.

As you wander the map while hunting, you have a slight chance of encountering a monster identified as the “Key Keeper.”

Think of it as a low-tier mini-boss; it is not particularly formidable.

Its official classification is Grade-4, but in practice, its combat capability rests right on the threshold of a high-end Grade-5.

Essentially, once you target it with a [Distortion] spell and dispatch it, you claim a “Key” meant for the island’s central cave.

Then, the real journey begins.

‘If you manage to push through and finish the gauntlet, you finally reach the boss chamber.’

The boss residing on Skull Island presents a significant challenge.

Although it is a Grade-3 monster, the mechanics dictate that only one party can occupy the boss arena simultaneously.

Raids on a massive scale are simply unavailable.

Furthermore, its attack patterns are notoriously tricky.

Years ago, the Ghost Busters syndicate sold intel on Skull Island, and that specific data detailed the exact method to defeat the boss.

‘I wonder if she ever actually succeeded...’

Come to think of it, I never saw her username mentioned again—neither on the forums nor the Q&A boards, even after Ghost Busters folded.

Regardless, that is not my concern right now.

“Yandel, are you certain about this?”

“Hm? Certain about what?”

“The situation. You were adamant that we would be the first to reach the cave... yet we haven't even spotted a Key Keeper.”

Ah, that matter.

It is admittedly frustrating that not a single one has appeared over the last two days.

Still...

“Have patience. We will be the ones to walk through those doors first.”

I never intended to follow the conventional path.

Let’s be honest—what were the odds of twelve people beating ninety others to the key just by aimlessly roaming the wilderness?

My confidence was drawn from a different well.

This island hides a guaranteed method to acquire the key—

“Whew, finally managed to track it down.”

Talk about incredible timing.

It took two full days of scouring nearly every inch of the map before it manifested.

It arrived so late that I was beginning to sweat the details.

Thankfully, the opposition seemed no more fortunate; they had yet to unlock the cave either.

Crunch, crunch.

I pushed forward, my boots crushing the bone shards that carpeted the earth.

That is the defining feature of Skull Island.

The ground here is a graveyard of every variety of bone—human, beast, it makes no difference.

And the crucial detail is this:

‘Deep among the debris lies one unique skull.’

Just like this one.

I finally stood before the cranium I had been hunting and peered down at it.

It was massive, more akin to a boulder than a skull.

However, such proportions are common enough on this island that it drew no unnecessary attention.

‘Two horns and a square-shaped jaw.’

After confirming the visual markers, I lifted my hammer—only for Raven to interject.

“Could this skull... actually be the Key Keeper?”

“Hm? Doesn't look like much.”

“No, I’m certain. I actually have an anatomical diagram with me...”

“Why on earth would you carry something like that?”

“I did some homework before our trip to Skull Island. Look! Can’t you see the resemblance?”

“...Yeah. It’s an exact match.”

Not just similar—absolutely identical.

“Maybe other adventurers used [Distortion] to kill it and just left the remains? It’s not like the Ocean floor—the Labyrinth doesn’t reset.”

Hmm... that is plausible.

The 6th floor stays static, so it’s entirely possible.

But then, shouldn't there be a trail of these skulls left behind? Why does there always seem to be only one?

A flicker of genuine curiosity touched me—my explorer instincts reacting.

But...

“Not my problem.”

I shrugged it off with the mindset of a veteran gamer.

Think about it. Players don’t care for the underlying mechanics.

They only care about exploiting them.

Which is exactly what I was doing.

Only one objective mattered to me:

Smash—!

The knowledge that destroying this specific skull near the center of the isle rewards you with the key.

“Beleg. Lead us back to the cave.”

With the key in our possession, we moved toward the center of the island with haste.

As we trekked, I couldn't suppress a grin, prompting Raven to ask:

“What are you smirking about?”

“Nothing.”

I was just picturing the look on the “Gold Ghost” bastard’s face when I arrived with the key in hand.

***

Upon reaching the cave entrance, the area was deserted except for a single team acting as sentries.

They tilted their heads upon our arrival but quickly grew visibly agitated as we drew closer.

“D-Did you... happen to find the key?”

“And what if I did?”

“...”

“Move.”

“W-Wait! Could you pause for a second, please?”

As I moved to unlock the cave, they tried desperately to block our path.

I had anticipated this, yet I scowled as if completely puzzled.

“Why should I wait? You clearly don’t have the key, and I do. That grants us priority entry. That was the agreement, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, you are right. You’re completely correct. But... please, just a moment! Hear a word from our clan leader?”

“Hmm... I’ll give you ten minutes.”

“Uh...? Ten minutes?”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, no! Of course not! Thank you for the chance!”

The moment our conversation concluded, the fastest member of their squad took off—and shortly after, the “Gold Ghost” appeared.

Total time spent: roughly eight minutes.

‘So he wasn’t even hunting. Just standing by, managing his people.’

It’s not my place to critique his leadership.

Personally, I prefer lead-from-the-front tactics.

“Whew... I’ve been briefed. Thanks for waiting. I heard you possess the key?”

“And what if I do? You intending to stop me?”

My tone was biting, but the Gold Ghost merely gestured with his hands while shaking his head.

“Certainly not. I merely wanted to make a proposal. I am grateful you would even spare me the time.”

What a performative clown.

He was thanking me before I had even agreed to listen.

“Fine. Spit it out. Time is ticking. And as you know, time is currency in the Labyrinth.”

“Understood. Since you prefer directness, I will get to the point. Name your price.”

“...You’re attempting to purchase the key?”

“No, we secured our own roughly thirty minutes ago. We don’t need the key—only the privilege of the first raid. Naturally, if we fail, you’ll be next in line.”

Is it because they call him the “Gold Ghost”?

The moment things don't go according to plan, he reaches for his wallet.

“But both of us know how this goes. The first ones inside are destined to win.”

“Which is exactly why I’m asking. Name your price.”

“Why do you keep pressing me to set a price?”

“You need to—”

“If I demanded 10 billion Stones, would you pay it?”

“......”

See? Left him speechless.

“Let’s cut the nonsense. Tell me the absolute max you’re willing to pay. I’m not here to haggle like a merchant. I loathe tedious bullshit.”

“...How about 400 million Stones?”

“You could sell the boss’s Essence alone for 500 million.”

“But there is no guarantee that we will secure the Essence.”

Hmm, he has a point.

Honestly, I wouldn’t invest that kind of money for first-entry rights either.

If the Essence fails to drop, it’s a net loss.

‘Still... it truly sounds like he offered every last coin he had.’

While we argued, news must have traveled fast. Teams from all across the isle began converging on our spot.

“So, what’s your decision?”

“Hmm...”

I pretended to deliberate before answering:

“I’ll accept the terms.”

“Oh, a wise—”

“On one condition. Hand over Avman Urikfrit to us.”

“...?”

The Gold Ghost’s expression shifted instantly.

He dropped the mask of his constant, fake smile for the look of a predator spotting new prey.

“So you two are closer than I realized.”

“Someone you can actually trust in the Labyrinth is a rare find.”

“Haha. You are not wrong.”

“Well? Your answer?”

“I decline. As you said—trust is a scarce resource in the Labyrinth.”

Trust?

Coming from this guy?

The man who stood by while the Bear Guy was treated like garbage in his own clan?

I wanted to smash that sanctimonious face, but I restrained myself. After all, I am a civilized modern man.

He wasn’t finished.

“And a man like Urikfrit, so ready to sacrifice himself for the group, is even rarer.”

You scoundrel...

That was clearly a threat.

He intends to keep throwing the Bear Guy into suicidal missions and treating him like dirt.

“Hah...”

Mustering superhuman patience, I held back one last time and said:

“Fine. Forget the payment—just give me Avman, and we’ll surrender the cave—”

“Sorry, but that’s also impossible.”

“...What?”

“Given the debts he owes, it would cost far more than 400 million to settle things. The interest has long since overtaken the principal.”

“What...?”

How much did he borrow for it to outweigh a 400 million Stone contract?

I had no idea—but our negotiations reached an impasse.

“Then we’ll cover the difference—”

“No. We aren’t tearing up our contract with Urikfrit.”

“......”

“Well then, please. Proceed inside, Viscount.”

He turned his back on me without hesitation, appearing almost satisfied with the outcome.

[Open the cave before the Golden Tree Clan.]

Main quest objective complete.

However...

[Extract the Bear Guy from that scumbag clan.]

...the subquest was a total failure.

***

The entrance to the cave was constructed of massive, bleached bones.

It felt like something out of a nightmarish prehistoric theme park.

You walk directly into the gaping maw of a colossal skull, where a solitary iron door awaits—featuring a prominent keyhole.

SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE—!

As I inserted the key and twisted it, an eerie, bone-chilling roar vibrated across the entire island.

“What are you doing? Get inside already!”

I glanced into the dark interior and cast a quick look backward—catching the Gold Ghost watching me from the distance.

‘...Was that a smirk?’

Seriously, what a piece of work.

I have no clue what is going on inside his head.

“Yandel?”

Sigh... Right. Focus on the main quest first.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m moving.”

Suppressing the vague unease rising in my chest, I stepped into the cave.

And then—

Boom—!

The heavy stone entrance slammed shut behind me.