Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 798: Skull Island (5)
Previously on Surviving the Game as a Barbarian...
Back when I was a child, I'd grab bugs straight with my bare hands.
I'd slap them hard against the wall using my palm, give a twist to squash them dead, hurry to the bathroom, flush the bug away in the toilet, and scrub my hands clean.
Eventually, I switched to using tissue since it felt kinda nasty...
Yet the basic technique stayed the same.
This time around, I'm swapping tissue for a shield.
Crunch.
Press down firmly.
“Urgh...!”
Follow up with a twist and grind.
Crack—
The trick lies in nailing that twist-crush motion perfectly.
Screw it up, and the bug could slip free.
Sllrp.
As I gradually lifted the shield jammed against the wall, a partially squished woman collapsed onto the floor.
“Good. Still alive.”
I grumbled while gazing down at her, and Raven, who hurried over, chimed in:
“She won't last long if we abandon her like this.”
“Parab! Heal her up.”
No point squandering coin on potions, so I summoned our clan's sole cleric to unleash healing magic.
Naturally, we bound her three times over even as she got treated, to prevent any breakout attempt.
Stripped of every piece of gear, arms and legs secured tight, face-down on the ground, with my foot lightly pinning her back—
“......”
Not the most flattering scene, but hey, necessities call.
Barbarians uphold genuine equality between genders.
Truth be told, it's not only barbarians; the entire world operates that way.
Man or woman alike, dirty deeds demand payment.
“You're awake now.”
While I murmured watching her pretend to be out cold, the woman shot back instantly.
Though labeling it a proper “reply” might stretch it.
“...Kill me. I worked alone.”
That caught me off guard.
Never figured she'd spit that out fresh from blackout.
Kaislan let out a mocking snort.
“Thinks she's a Rose Knight or something?”
Utterly unforeseen.
She wasn't one of those indoctrinated royal troops from brutal drills—just an ordinary clan fighter.
“Why such fierce loyalty to Gold-Ear?”
“...Told you, I acted alone.”
“Sigh, tough nut.”
I heaved a deep sigh and probed once more.
“What's Gold-Ear's aim?”
“Like I said—”
“Fine, what's your aim then?”
“...Just kill me.”
“What, he holding your family captive or whatever?”
Her shoulder jerked faintly then.
'No way... pure shot in the dark.'
Gold-Ear, what shady crap are you pulling backstage?
Couldn't confirm it outright, but this woman stood apart from those mind-controlled royal guards.
Which implied... potential to flip her.
“You flinched at ‘family,’ so debt's involved, right? Die, and they target your kin to collect. Then they can't cover taxes and wind up dead too?”
Another twitch hit her.
That simplified things.
“I vow on my warrior's honor and name—tell the truth, and I'll pull every string to aid you.”
“.......”
“Back in the city, we'll shield your family right away. Hell, make them our vassals if you wish.”
Long silence stretched out, and I waited patiently for her decision.
However...
“...Kill me.”
Same answer again.
Over and over.
Utterly illogical.
My reputation alone should outweigh any threat from Gold-Ear—switching allegiance makes perfect sense.
'What twisted crap did that scum pull to warp her this way?'
At least deception wasn't her forte.
Her face screamed her inner turmoil.
Controlling your features with death breathing down your neck? Tough feat.
“Gold-Ear still lurking on this island?”
Twitch.
“Sent you to take us out?”
Silence.
“Hmph, not that... then scouting us maybe.”
Twitch.
“Figured we weren't just Skull King hunting.”
Twitch.
“Caught on back when...”
“......”
“He dangled early access for Avman Urikfrit handover. That's likely when he sniffed we skipped the Skull King. Wondered what we truly chased.”
She jolted like pricked, eyes slamming shut in defeat.
She'd sealed off talk herself—
“Raven.”
“Yes?”
“Deafen her ears. Clan talk time.”
“One moment.”
Raven wove a spell to mute her hearing, kicking off our private chat.
“Talk open,” I urged. Misha jumped in first.
“Doesn't seem like she wanted us dead. Just probing our secrets.”
I nodded in accord.
Offing a noble? Capital offense, ninety eyes on it. No hiding that.
Even total wipeout leaves Gold-Ear with a volatile bomb strapped on.
“Sly fox.”
“Zero proof. City report? He walks free.”
“Her fate then? Reasons or not, labyrinth spares no pity, yeah?”
Spot on.
Free release? Never crossed my mind.
Attack attempt seals it—no debts owed, morals included.
Exactly. Thus...
“Pass that over.”
I snatched Amelia’s dagger, plunging it straight into her heart smoothly.
Shhk—!
No noise, no fuss. Pure, quiet end.
“...Drop the voice block now.”
Labyrinth's sole mercy granted.
***
“Next move?”
That query halted me.
“Charge them head-on! Sneaking after explorers in labyrinth? Instant death warrant!”
“He'll confess, you think?”
“Force it out!”
Elwen, unusually fierce, barked loud. Misha offered careful pushback.
“Yet... prioritize our goal? Handle them post-city return...”
“...Why wait?”
“Ninety strong. Solo takedown? Suicide risk.”
Guildmaster backed her.
“Gold-Ear rumors: grips members via weakness leverage. Half-true? Fifth-floor clan was pushovers. These die hard.”
Makes sense.
See this woman.
Multiple lifelines tossed, she clammed up.
'Bear-Old-Man too...'
Never got his story, but help? Refused.
Now picture battling their full crew?
Casualties inevitable, light or heavy.
Still...
'Swallowing it to push on till city irks me...'
Mid-dilemma, Amelia piped up.
“I’ll hang back, surveil them.”
“Huh?”
“They’re clueless we nabbed her. Still lurking. I’ll tail while you dive deeper.”
“...Risky.”
“No sweat. Covered.”
She snagged a spoil.
'No. 16 – Ebony Emblem.'
When # Nоvеlight # equipped, stealth skills skyrocket.
That's their entry spell dodge—and why Beleg missed the tail.
'Amelia with that? Ghost mode...'
Hesitation lingered. Amelia approached.
Then—
“Gotta say, your worry feels nice.”
She gripped my hand.
“Relax. I got this.”
“...Alright.”
Before more words, she released and faded away.
No footfalls heard—but certain.
She bolted cave-ward already.
“Phew...”
Sighing, I eyed the forward path, sensing stares.
“...Why the gawk?”
Kaislan spoke for all.
“You blind?”
“......”
“Whatever. Spare us that mush. Save for alone time. Goosebumps city.”
“Goosebumps?”
“...Drop it.”
So unjust.
'...Did zilch wrong.'
I cherish my team, that's all.
***
Post-Amelia's Golden Tree watch, we picked up our stalled delve.
Detoured for rat hunt, yet...
Entrance sat close.
“...Entrance here? Blends right in.”
Short passage beyond fork led to wall-end.
One distinction though.
'Blends? Wall torches hit exactly forty-four.'
Like first-floor Crystal Caves, Skull Island caves shift per run—save one fixed point.
Forty-four torches signal next stage door.
Conditions still required to unlock.
Regardless.
“Adnus. Wall touch.”
Guildmaster, vital dungeon keyholder, neared the stone. Quake hit, wall parted.
Simultaneously—
「The Cursed One has discovered a Memory of the End.」
「A fragment of a long story has been completed.」
Portal bloomed crimson.
Not standard blue Dimensional Monolith—blood-soaked red, real gore tint.
Whooooooom—!
I eyed it, drawing deep breath.
'Here we go at last.'
Plans and prep set, crossing still chilled me.
But...
'No options left.'
March in.
Three graduation Essences inside—for teammates.
「Character has entered the Memory of the End.」
Count incoming?
Unknown—but a thought struck.
“Adnus, Gold-Ear's true name?”
“...Unaware?”
“Asking means no.”
“Intro'd it before? Bill Ironred.”
Ah yes.
Forgot quick? Not memorable.
Asked pointlessly—
—or thought so.
“Recall though, name change once.”
Wait what?
“...............Prior name?”
“Dunno. Pre-fame. Claimed luck surged post-change.”
“...For real?”
“Yep. Old one too plain, he said.”
Heart raced then.
Bad vibes.
“‘Too plain’...?”
Those words crushed my chest.
“...So? Issue?”
Please... say coincidence.
