Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

The world of males is ruled by hierarchy.

If you’re not strong from the moment you’re born, you get weeded out within the pack, and the higher your rank, the better mate you get.

That’s the law of nature—and even if you try to deny it, human males aren’t much different.

Humans are part of nature too.

That desire to rise in rank is etched into the DNA we’re born with.

Maybe the reason men are so obsessed with games is because of that deeply ingrained instinct.

Or maybe not. Whatever.

“King, huh…”

Even though I knew better than anyone that a high position came with heavy responsibility, the word “king” still sounded alluring.

Men, by nature, have a bit of that craving in their genes—to sit atop the hierarchy and wield unrivaled power.

But…

“What the hell kind of trick is this supposed to be?”

I decided to address that first.

After all, this was the same Marquis who had been placing a vicious curse on me not long ago.

So why the sudden shift in attitude?

It didn’t feel like some last desperate struggle after giving up everything.

“A trick, you say? Do you think I still have the leisure for such games?”

“Who knows? Nobody can say for sure.”

“What are you so wary of? It’s something you’d have had to do anyway, whether it was me or not.”

“…What did you just say?”

I scoffed in disbelief, but the Marquis didn’t flinch. He simply replied shamelessly.

“Am I wrong? Think about it. If the king were to try to harm that child, would you really just stand by and watch?”

“…Depends on the situation.”

I thought for a moment before answering, and the Marquis nodded as if that was enough.

“That vague answer says it all. You’ll try to protect her as much as possible.”

I had to admit, there was some truth to that.

But…

“You’re mistaken about something. It’s true I have some rapport with Ragna, but not to the point of giving up everything for her.”

I drew the line firmly—and, to my surprise, the Marquis accepted it without protest.

“I know. To be blunt, your relationship with that child isn’t that deep. That’s exactly why I’m offering this deal.”

“…”

“You already know it, deep down. As long as the king is alive, you’ll never truly have peace of mind.”

As I listened silently, I clicked my tongue.

Tch. This bastard really has a nest of snakes in his gut.

“Haa… Fine, go ahead and talk. If I do want to become king, are you saying I really can become one?”

“Glad to hear you’re at least interested.”

“It’s curiosity, for now. I get that you want to use Ragna, but I don’t know exactly what you’re thinking.”

I gave him a look urging him to get on with it.

The Marquis took a slow breath before opening his mouth.

“It’s possible.”

“On what grounds?”

“There are several, but the most important one is… me.”

“You?”

“I’m still alive, aren’t I? Even after openly rebelling against the royal family. That alone proves that the royal family isn’t as absolute as it once was.”

“Or maybe they’re just up to something shady and weird.”

“The very fact that they have to resort to something shady proves how weak they’ve become. Back in the day, he wouldn’t have needed tricks.”

It was all circumstantial evidence, but somehow it sounded convincing.

Not completely far-fetched, I guess.

Still, that’s that, and this is this.

“If that’s your only argument, I don’t see much reason to listen any further.”

“Then I’m glad. This conversation gets to continue a little longer.”

“Cut to the point. I hate wasting time.”

Like the Marquis said earlier, this wasn’t cooperation—it was a transaction.

And in this transaction, the power dynamic was clear.

He had to persuade me, not the other way around.

“If that child dies, you’ll never become king.”

“Hmm?”

“Even if the loyalty is mostly for show, the nobles will never accept a king with no legitimate claim. Especially not a barbarian.”

“So you’re saying using Ragna will reduce the nobles’ resistance?”

“Exactly. Even a flimsy justification is better than none. Sit on the throne without it, and there’ll be constant bloodshed.”

“I’ve got a lot I could say to that… but fine. I get the gist. What else?”

“Even while preparing for this great undertaking, her presence will be a great help.”

“Meaning I can use her to build up my power in advance.”

“As you know, it’s not something one man can accomplish alone.”

I smirked at that.

Seriously, I asked him to stick to the main points, and yet…

Why the hell does this guy keep dancing around?

“You don’t actually think this kind of talk will convince me, do you? I don’t even want to be king in the first place.”

“I know. You’re not interested in that kind of position. But the very fact you’ve listened this far means you know it too—some things in life have to be done, even if you don’t want to.”

Is this some kind of deathbed clarity?

The Marquis’s words were heavier than usual today.

Almost like he could see right through me.

Of course, it’s not like “taking the throne” has become a “must-do” for me.

Still… I figured I should keep it in mind.

The more options, the better.

“Don’t overthink it. I’m not asking you to protect her unconditionally.”

“…”

“Just promise. That you’ll do your best, within reason.”

Only then did I realize something.

The Marquis had called it a “deal” earlier.

But…

“…This wasn’t a deal.”

A deal means giving and receiving in equal measure.

So this doesn’t qualify.

If anything, it’s more like an offering—a prayer given with a sliver of hope.

***

“Fine, I promise. I’ll do what I can, so long as it doesn’t compromise my priorities.”

“That’s enough.”

Only after receiving my promise did the Marquis finally relax, exhaling with a sense of relief.

Then, he offered up the rest of his “offerings.”

He talked at length about the royal family.

Outlined what must be done if I want the throne.

Even listed nobles who might be swayed.

And then—

“The authority over Urae that I held is now yours.”

Astonishingly, the Marquis handed Urae over to me.

Though, I didn’t really feel it.

“…You’re telling me something like this can let me fire Urae?”

Unlike the destructive form I’d imagined, Urae had no physical shape.

“That’s not what I heard.”

“Whatever you heard, Urae refers to the ancient magic circle embedded in this city. As long as you have the authority and the ammunition, anyone can use it. What you heard was probably the extractor. One shot of Urae requires the souls of many.”

“How many shots are left?”

“Five.”

Didn’t feel like a lot—but it wasn’t too little either.

A single shot could obliterate an entire palace.

“But Urae can’t be used inside a labyrinth. Like I said, it’s a spell circle embedded in the city itself.”

“…I see.”

“Oh, and one more thing.”

The Marquis slowly raised his arm, stared at his hand as if reminiscing—

And then…

Shaaak—

With eyes closed in concentration, a black ring appeared on his ring finger.

He gazed at the ring for a long time before removing it and handing it to me.

“Take this too. It’s one of the royal treasures.”

As soon as I heard that, I remembered a past conversation with Ibaekho.

[That bastard revives in the royal palace even if you kill him.]

[Oh, you didn’t know? Must be because it wasn’t in the game. Anyway, there’s a royal treasure that lets that happen—and the Marquis has it right now.]

So this was it…

“A generous gift.”

“…You even know what it is?”

“Roughly. It revives you in the royal palace when you die, right? Only within the city.”

“…You really do only know the basics.”

“…Huh?”

“That effect is real. But you don’t have to die to use it. Whether it’s forced or voluntary, once the ring activates, you get transported to a specific place in the palace. I’ve been there once before… and I’m sure it holds some vast secret.”

A secret chamber, huh…

I had a hunch and described the place I’d seen beneath the palace.

But the Marquis shook his head.

“Not the one you’re thinking of. Still, I get the feeling you, of all people, might someday uncover what that place truly is.”

“Could be. Who knows.”

“Don’t wear it casually. Someone’s bound to recognize it.”

“Got it.”

I completely agreed—so I didn’t put the ring on and instead stored it in subspace.

And with that, the deal was done.

“Then let’s end it here. This neck of mine will be useful on the road ahead.”

The Marquis closed his eyes, signaling the conversation was over.

Something about his composed attitude stirred a strange feeling in me.

I could’ve swung my hammer and ended his life right there, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Instead, I spoke.

“Why are you giving me all this? You were obsessed with killing me just a few days ago.”

“Everything has priorities. And right now, I have no other choice.”

Yeah… that makes sense…

I let out a quiet breath and muttered.

“I won’t say I’m sorry.”

This bastard sent me to Ice Rock, where countless people died who shouldn’t have.

Not only that, but he tried to kill me multiple times—and Rotmiller died in the latest attempt.

So yeah…

“Nor will I.”

Of course he wouldn’t.

For him, a revenant was a being worthy of ultimate hatred.

“…Have you ever watched your child’s mother scream, asking why she had to give birth? Ever had to tie her hands down because she kept punching her swollen belly? Ever seen your son suddenly turn into something that just pretends to be your son?”

…I hadn’t.

And that’s why I couldn’t answer.

Reading a one-volume diary would never be enough to grasp the depths of the Marquis’s pain.

“You, a revenant, have no right to blame me.”

There was even a hint of fury in that murmur—and I smiled bitterly.

“I’m not blaming you.”

We were simply on opposite sides.

***

Crunch—!

A sharp, unsettling noise echoed through the room.

The Marquis’s breathing stopped as he collapsed onto the bed.

I stood over the blood-soaked sheets, opening and closing the hand that had held the hammer.

“……”

I always thought this moment would feel exhilarating.

But it wasn’t just anticlimactic—it left a bitter taste.

Still…

Smack—!

I slapped my cheeks with both hands, clearing out the useless thoughts.

No point wasting time on unproductive emotions.

Just do what needs to be done.

‘…He’s light.’

I lifted the Marquis’s body and stored it in subspace.

Proof for the king, of course.

‘Guess that clears the mission…’

With the evidence secured, I opened the door to leave—only for the bespectacled guy pacing in the hall to rush over.

And—

“How did it go? Was the persuasion successful—”

The moment he saw the blood-soaked bed through the cracked door, he flinched hard.

“Th-That… What is that?! D-Don’t tell me you killed the Marquis?!”

The guy practically fainted in shock.

I just patted his shoulder.

“Relax. I got Urae without issue.”

“Haah… That’s a relief… Huh? Got it?”

The guy let out a breath of relief—then blinked, confused.

It was baffling to me, as a barbarian.

Why was this so hard to grasp?

“I mean I received Urae. How is that hard to understand?”

I explained it again, patiently—but his reaction remained annoyingly dense.

“…Hand it over. Now.”

He stared at me with suspicious eyes and spoke sharply.

And I—well, I just couldn’t understand it.

“Hand it over? ★ 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Why would I give my thing to you?”

Urae was mine now.