Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 799: First-Class (1)

Schrödinger’s cat.

This famous quantum mechanics experiment is well-known, yet truthfully, I lack the precise details.

Coming from a liberal arts background, just one fact stands out to me.

Two potential futures exist before opening the box, yet observation locks in just one.

Science's deeper significance eludes me still, but the experiment imparted a valuable lesson.

Not knowing can sometimes serve as mercy.

Exactly like this moment.

“.......”

I struggle to suppress the question bubbling up in my throat.

An everyday name.

Is it Hans, perhaps?

Asking would bring confirmation, fixing the future in place.

A gacha of quantum choices.

Nothing novel there, though my luck isn't something I rely on.

Indeed, therefore.......

'This is far enough.'

Better to remain ignorant.

That leaves open the possibility it's not him.

Thump—!

Forcing aside the heavy thuds in my chest, I survey the area around us.

「The character has entered a special area.」

Bones once strewn over floor, ceiling, and walls had vanished entirely, yet the cave layout matched precisely what it was before the portal.

“Let’s get out of here first.”

Retracing steps past the tunnel from the earlier rat capture using my memory, we left the cave—to face a utterly revamped new field.

A blood-red sky overhead.

Earth fractured and shattered.

Lava coursing through the cracks.

KWAHHHH—!

A landscape tailor-made for “apocalypse” vibes.

Oh, and this spot boasts its own distinct field effect.

「Field Effect - Apocalypse is in effect.」

「Status Effect [Eternal Scorch] has been applied.」

「The character takes continuous flame damage, and that damage increases over time.」

Nothing special about ongoing damage, so no big deal.

「Status Effect [Terminal Countdown] has been applied.」

「The character will die in 24 hours.」

Entering the special field ‘Memory of the End’ spells death for any character within 24 hours.

Naturally, a counter exists.

Simply exit via the entry portal, and the effect lifts right away.

'But once you leave, you can’t come back in.'

Thus, the smart play involves scouring the field for items to restart the countdown timer.......

“This is the island......?”

“I’ve never seen something so terrifying in my life.”

The team gawked in shock at the island erupting like a massive bomb, faces etched with bewilderment.

Truthfully, I shared their sentiment.

2D visuals versus reality make a world of difference, after all.

“Don’t stray too far from me, all of you.”

Prior to true exploration, I triggered the Fire Orb against the [Eternal Scorch] effect.

「Fire Orb has been activated.」

「Within a 15m radius, all continuous flame-based damage is reduced by 50%.」

In ‘Memory of the End,’ the Fire Orb ranked among top utility tools for reliability.

Granted, given sufficient time, it falls short eventually......

'But having it is basically the same as doubling our survival time.'

Of course, that hinges on handling [Terminal Countdown] correctly.

“All right, let’s go. As I said before—stand by. First, we’re leaving this island.”

“Huh? Leave the island?”

“You’ll see.”

I guided the entire team to the beach of our initial boat arrival.

The coast had transformed dramatically too.

“Nothing but skeletons or seas of fire... This island really goes all out.”

The entire isle resembled a raging volcano now. Lava spilled forth, cooling into dark stone upon sea contact.

Smoke from lava clashing with seawater obscured all vision.

[Terminal Countdown] looming, typical explorers wouldn't dream of venturing offshore......

Yet veterans approach it otherwise.

Huh? Boat summon allows actual departure from the island?

Clearly, secrets await in the waters beyond.

That hunch proved spot on.

It demanded countless runs and party wipes to uncover, however.

Anyway.

“Then... I’ll set sail......!”

Everyone climbed aboard the beach-summoned boat, its flame-resistant hull prepped for precisely this, slicing through dark fumes into open sea.

Swooooooshhh—!

Smoke-induced blindness didn't persist.

Straight-line travel for minutes cleared the haze; glancing back revealed the island in explosive turmoil.

“Where are we going now?”

“Oh? You didn’t hear?”

“You said we were going to find something, but you never said how we’d find it.”

Ah, yeah. Auyen was the only one informed.

“We’re heading to Arta Island now.”

“...Arta Island?”

Raven cocked her head, recollection dawning as she spoke on.

“Oh! That island! One of the Seven Mysteries of the Labyrinth! The little island with those three weird pillars standing there!”

“That’s the one.”

Arta Island has long held fame among mages and explorers alike.

Come on now.

An island free of monsters, filled only with bizarre structures? Naturally, everyone suspected hidden secrets there...

“Wow! So we’re about to reveal the mysteries buried on that island? Mind if I publish a paper about it?”

“No.”

“But it’s among the Seven Mysteries...”

“Write it once I’m dead. I won’t object then.”

“Hey, don’t say stuff like that... Even joking.”

Hmm, did I overdo it there?

Raven’s serious frown made me feel a bit uneasy too.

Honestly though, it wasn’t completely a joke.

“Anyway, clan rules demand that all expedition discoveries stay secret. If you’re itching to write, jot down notes for now, and publish after we all retire. Understood?”

“Understood, understood... I was only musing. But is the island close by?”

Auyen, at the helm, responded instead of me.

“Arta Island lies nearest to Catacoma, Lady Raven.”

“Really? Why didn’t it show up on our inbound path then?”

“Plotting the optimal course—that’s what navigators do.”

That’s precisely why I dragged Auyen along this far, despite his zero combat value.

A boat was essential here.

Sure, we could spot Arta Island sans navigator, yet...

Thanks to [Terminal Countdown], every minute saved counts big time.

Exactly like now.

「Auyen Rockrove has cast [Tailwind].」

「The ship’s movement speed increases by 50%, and all onboard characters’ soul energy recovers rapidly.」

「Auyen Rockrove has cast [Trade Route].」

「While the helm is fixed, the ship’s movement speed increases by 300%.」

「Auyen Rockrove has cast [Ghost Ship]......」

Powers surged into the vessel, rocketing our velocity skyward.

Raven appeared mildly astonished.

“...[Trade Route]? Impressive—you’re truly a top navigator. Such a scarce Essence.”

“Haha... Acquired it not long ago.”

“Huh? Labyrinth’s still closed though. Where’d it come from?”

“Bought it at the marketplace. Emptied my savings... but I couldn’t keep holding the team back, yeah? Haha...”

“......You’ve endured hardships. Stuck in a spot like this.”

“No worries. Thrilled to be part of this.”

Raven warmed to Auyen quickly, conversing with him awhile. I slipped aside quietly as Ainard approached.

“Bjorn! Question for you!”

“Shoot.”

“How do those abilities come about?”

Usually I’d redirect her to Raven, but with her occupied by Auyen, I explained myself.

“Certain monsters captain vessels.”

“Huh? Never encountered such things.”

“They lurk in zones folks steer clear of.”

Take the Pirate Archipelago in the southwest seas—orcs and goblins manning ships to waylay explorers.

Ghost Island too, patrolled by spectral fleets.

Oh, and note: neither spots the path to the seventh floor, so no prior visits.

‘...[Airship] is out of reach, huh?’

Briefly, the navigator’s pinnacle Essence from the 10th floor crossed my mind—then I dismissed it.

Snagging it would let us cruise all floors beyond just the sixth, slashing expedition times in half...

Yet that drop spawns only on rare luck.

Plus, I lack the power to fell it currently.

“Captain! Island in sight!”

Auyen’s yell yanked me from reverie; I peered ahead from the prow.

A tiny isle loomed afar.

Correction—I spotted three pillars.

“Oh... one of the Labyrinth’s enigmas!”

An odd islet where pillars dwarfed the landmass.

“But... aren’t they sorta altered from last reports?”

Kaislan’s murmur drew my eye to the shift in Arta Island’s pillars.

Nothing drastic.

“Were the pillars... blue originally?”

“Nah, black.”

The «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» once-black pillars had turned blue.

Looks don’t count for much anyway.

“Dock us.”

“Aye, Captain.”

Ship secured shoreside, the team disembarked.

Travel time here...

'4 hours and 40 minutes.'

Round trip at same pace: 9 hours 20 minutes.

[Terminal Countdown] grants 24 hours...

'Better wrap in under 10 hours for margin.'

Return might drag, plus two-hour cushion needed back home to refresh the timer.

Tap.

I banished the summoned craft and advanced to the island’s heart.

Next...

“What’s our move now?”

“Hold.”

Three pillars outlined a triangle, its core holding a modest altar.

Blood must stain that altar...

“Parab, handle it.”

“Eh?”

“My blade’s too dull.”

“Oh...”

Per my order, Parab gashed his palm. Crimson drops fell onto the altar.

Right then—

FWOOOOOSH—!

Light erupted from the pillars' depths, and baffling symbols—unrecognizable even as ancient script—started shining across their surfaces.

Zzzt, zzzt—!

Unstable magic crackled like a faulty circuit, gradually forming in the center as the energy gathered together.

“...Another portal?”

“That’s how the Labyrinth always is.”

A wry chuckle escaped me even as I spoke those words.

Isn’t it a tad excessive?

Truth be told, ‘Memory of the End’ was already a hidden piece—and here comes another one tucked inside it...

'The one who crafted the Labyrinth sure loves secrets.'

I’ve got no complaints, so long as the rewards pay off.

“So, are we heading in now?”

“Hold up—I need to take care of one thing first.”

With that, I started a ten-hour timer.

Tick, tick—

We have to get out before it ends.

If I don’t want to lose anyone.