Surviving the Game as a Barbarian-Chapter 450: Expansion (3)

A noble is a king’s subject.

Then, is it possible for a noble to simultaneously hold the position of leader of a tribe?

If someone were to ask that, the answer is very simple.

No one knows.

‘Because there’s no precedent.’

Of course, it was clear that there would be a huge uproar in the noble society if the first case ever arose.

Again, a noble is a king’s subject.

A noble must act only for the king and the kingdom.

Not for a specific tribe.

Even if there is no law or system prohibiting it, there is still an unspoken rule.

But…

“Let’s move.”

The chieftain didn’t mention anything about those political issues.

Whether it was because he didn’t know about the unspoken rule, I couldn’t tell.

However, I let go of my curiosity.

What did it matter if the chieftain knew or not? Even if he did, the outcome wouldn’t have changed. The chieftain was also a barbarian.

The aftermath… well, it didn’t matter.

Just like the thousands of warriors roaring around me.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Leading a crowd so large that it could be said that all the warriors within the sanctuary had gathered, we moved to a place called the ‘Grounds of Proof’.

It was the place where warriors, who would usually brawl anywhere when a small dispute arose or during training, would go to engage in a sacred ‘duel’.

‘Well, it’s just a large pit dug in the middle of the forest.’

Indeed, the ‘Grounds of Proof’ was very crudely made.

The ground wasn’t even, filled with pebbles, and sometimes rainwater would pool there, and duels would be held in that state.

But…

Thump!

My warrior’s heart started to race as soon as I arrived.

Yes, what did it matter whether it was a grand marble floor or a place with a towering statue? The important thing was that the chieftain had brought me here. ṛΆN𝘰₿ΕŠ

Unlike the last time we fought, he didn’t just swing his axe at me.

‘I feel… acknowledged.’

It was a strange feeling.

I wasn’t even a real barbarian warrior.

Thump!

Why was I so excited?

Boom!

The chieftain, who had been standing opposite me, jumped down into the pit, which was over 7 meters deep.

A cloud of dust arose with a booming sound.

I exchanged glances with Ainar before following him down.

But…

‘What’s that?’

She nodded at me, as if cheering me on, but she wasn’t smiling like she usually did.

‘…Maybe she thinks I stole it from her.’

It was understandable.

After all, Ainar was the one who had been studying and training to become the next chieftain while I was gone.

Maybe she wasn’t happy about my challenge—

“Bjorn…”

Ainar approached me and shouted, her voice tense and serious,

“Win! You have to win! I believe in you!!”

I felt a sense of relief.

So she was just nervous for me?

‘That actually calms me down.’

I chuckled and bumped fists with her.

“Alright. I won’t let you down.”

I then jumped down into the pit, into the Grounds of Proof.

Boom!

A tingling sensation shot up from my feet, and a cloud of dust surrounded me. I could hear Ainar’s voice from above, piercing through the cheers of the crowd.

“The great warrior has promised victory—!!”

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Damn, now I can’t afford to lose.

‘Not that I was planning to.’

I focused my gaze forward.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

I could see the chieftain approaching through the dust cloud.

Thud, thud.

His footsteps echoed through the air, even amidst the deafening roar of the crowd.

Thud.

He stopped at a distance and drew the large axe from his back. I quickly grabbed my hammer and shield, assuming a fighting stance.

And…

Swoosh—

There were no introductions.

No oaths sworn before a priest.

Not even any trash talk like the brawls between explorers.

Just…

“…….”

We exchanged glances, confirming that we were ready.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

And then we charged at each other.

_______________________

Axe and shield clashed.

Clang!

The chieftain, slightly taller than me, swung his massive axe down.

A clash of strength followed.

‘Back then, he lifted me up with his axe, even though I was using [Gigantification].’

I remembered our previous encounter, but the outcome was different this time.

I didn’t have Penny’s ‘Blessing of the Earth Dragon’, Bion’s essence, Stormgush’s essence, Vol-Herchan’s essence, or the Deep Sea Giant’s essence back then.

I wouldn’t lose in a strength contest now.

But…

「Character has cast [Gigantification].」

I activated [Gigantification] and pushed him back, axe and all.

I had been annoyed by…

Zzzzt—

…him looking down on me.

「Character has cast [Wild Release].」

「Threat level temporarily increased by 3 times, and physical stats increase proportionally.」

I roared and swung my hammer at the chieftain, who had been pushed back.

「Character has cast [Swing].」

「Blunt weapon damage is greatly increased proportionally to Strength.」

The chieftain blocked the attack with his axe.

Clang!

A deafening roar erupted as our weapons collided.

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Frictional Heat].」

A wave of heat washed over me.

But that was all.

「Target’s weapon absorbs a certain amount of impact.」

「Heat generated.」

It was a stacking skill.

“……!”

The more stacks it accumulated, the stronger it became, but in the early stages of the battle, it was just a minor damage reduction skill.

The chieftain’s massive body bent forward.

‘Okay, that’s a good angle.’

I kicked him in the stomach with all my might, and his body flew into the air like a soccer ball.

He was airborne.

Whooosh!

I wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

I swung my hammer like a baseball bat.

But at that moment…

Whoosh!

The chieftain stomped on the air and leaped even higher.

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Flame Leap].」

It was an advanced movement skill, superior to [Leap].

Unlike the Manticore’s skill, it could be used in midair, but the distance was shorter.

And most importantly, the additional effect was different.

「Fire damage of the next skill used is increased by 200%.」

A double damage bonus, a rare effect for a movement skill.

That’s why it was considered the ultimate movement skill for fire-based builds…

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Thunderflame].」

He landed behind me and swung his axe down.

Kwaaang!

An explosion erupted on my shield, and for the first time in a while, I felt the impact in my bones.

「Heat generated.」

It felt like I was fighting a boss monster.

I swung my hammer, determined to return the favor.

And…

Thud!

What? It landed?

The hammer struck his jaw, and he stumbled back three steps.

‘Ah… he’s a strength-based fighter too…’

I had been fighting mostly agility-based explorers lately, so I guess I forgot.

Clang!

I swung my hammer again before he could recover, but he blocked it with his axe.

「Heat generated.」

Three stacks now?

I didn’t need to keep track.

He would let me know when he reached 10 stacks.

「Heat generated.」

「Heat generated.」

「Heat generated…」

「….」

「The next attack is enhanced by the accumulated heat.」

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Flame Leap].」

「Fire damage of the next skill used is increased by 200%.」

He leaped into the air and swung his axe down.

I couldn’t just stand there and take it.

Tadat.

I could have blocked it, but I decided to dodge to preserve my shield.

And…

Kwaaang!

His axe slammed into the ground, creating a crater large enough to bury three people.

‘Okay, is that 10 stacks?’

His normal attacks were enhanced every 10 stacks, so I had to be careful.

If I got hit in the head, even I would be in trouble—

‘Huh?’

He suddenly stomped on the ground.

It was the 3rd-grade monster, Hellsmith’s, skill.

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Hammering].」

「The flames within the earth awaken.」

I was surprised.

I didn’t expect him to use his ultimate skill so early.

Kwaaang!

The ground cracked open, and flames engulfed his body. Or rather, covered his body.

[Hammering] was a buff skill.

「Damage of all fire skills is greatly increased.」

「Physical stats are greatly increased proportionally to Fire Affinity.」

「Continuously burns the surroundings.」

He charged at me, his body wreathed in flames.

Whoosh!

I blocked his axe with my shield, but the heat scorched my skin.

Well, it was better with the Orb of Fire activated.

「Orb of Fire activated.」

「All fire damage received within a 15-meter radius is reduced by 50%.」

I’m glad I brought it.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

“Bjorn, son of Yandel, is pushing back the Flame Warrior!!”

“Wooooooo—!!”

The exchange continued, and as the spectators roared, I gained the upper hand.

I had the advantage in terms of elemental affinity.

Clang!

I blocked all his attacks with my hammer, and he couldn’t break my stance because he was weaker than me.

Whoosh!

The fire damage was negligible, easily healed by my natural regeneration…

「The next attack is enhanced by the accumulated heat.」

…and I dodged the more dangerous attacks.

He must be frustrated.

It’s not like I’m a pure tank with impenetrable defenses.

Thud!

I was still landing blows, despite focusing on defense.

Kwaaang!

He was a tough opponent.

「The next attack is enhanced by the accumulated heat.」

He swung his axe without using the [Flame Leap] combo, denting my Adamantium shield.

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Nature’s Resonance].」

「Gudnulf Olga has cast [Fuse].」

He unleashed a barrage of powerful skills, befitting his title of Flame Warrior.

And that wasn’t all.

「All stats are temporarily increased by the accumulated heat.」

He became even more ferocious when he reached 50 stacks.

「Gudnulf Olga gains regeneration proportional to the fire damage dealt due to the unique effect [Embers].」

「Gudnulf Olga’s stats increase proportionally to the resources consumed due to the unique effect [Incandescence].」

The various effects of the Golden Sun Engraving were also surprisingly troublesome.

Judging by the activation of [Incandescence], he must have at least the 9th-grade engraving…

‘Damn it, that’s why he’s so persistent.’

He was a textbook example of a high-level barbarian warrior.

Powerful attacks, a sturdy body, regeneration…

And most importantly…

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”

…the more cornered he was, the more ferocious he became.

‘His title is… the Flame Warrior…’

I finally understood the stories about his younger days.

He had been offered a leadership position in one of the largest clans back then.

It was because of the Frost Lord’s Palace raid, an 8th-floor rift.

I hadn’t thought much of it back then, but…

‘He’s definitely worthy of that offer.’

He might be considered one of the weaker chieftains, but he was still strong.

But he couldn’t overcome the clear difference in level.

‘It’s time…’

…to end this.

‘One, two, three…’

As I counted to three, the flames surrounding his body dissipated.

「[Hammering] deactivated.」

His ultimate buff had finally ended.

I immediately intensified my attacks.

Clang!

I used [Swing] on every attack, and I continuously chained [Transcendence] and [Eye of the Storm], not giving him a chance to breathe.

Of course, this would drain my MP quickly…

‘But I haven’t even used [Soul Dive] yet.’

As if sensing my determination to end the fight, the chieftain’s resistance became even more fierce.

And…

Crack!

My shield, which had been dented by his axe countless times, finally shattered.

Damn, how much will it cost to repair this?

I felt a pang of regret, even in this tense situation, but it was still a good deal.

If it weren’t for the shield, it would have been my arm that was shattered.

Thud!

I used my now-free hand to punch him in the jaw. He glared at me and swung his axe even as his jaw was dislocated.

Clang!

I blocked his axe with my hammer.

And at that moment…

「All heat has been fully charged.」

His axe started to glow red, as if it had just come out of a forge.

Damn it, he finally reached full stacks.

I had tried to finish him off before that.

「The stat increase from Heat is greatly amplified.」

He had reached full stacks, but his condition was far from perfect. Blood was dripping from his forehead, and his entire body was swollen and bruised.

I honestly didn’t know how he was still standing…

‘Ah.’

I finally realized.

This is what it felt like for the others…

“Bjorn, son of Yandel.”

He spoke.

Damn it, can’t he at least put down his glowing axe before talking?

But it was the first time he had spoken during the battle, so I listened while dodging his attacks.

“You’ve become stronger.”

Is that what he wanted to say?

“I think I can entrust the tribe to you now.”

His eyes didn’t show any sign of defeat.

And his next words confirmed it.

“But…”

He roared, his voice filled with a fierce determination.

“I’m still not going to lose!!”

“…….”

“I’m the one who wins…!!!”

He charged at me again, ignoring the pain from my hammer blows.

My response was the same.

Dodge, block, counter, and keep swinging until he falls.

And then…

“————!”

“——, ——— ——!”

The sounds around me faded away, as if I was wearing earplugs.

The warriors on the cliff were still roaring, but…

I could only hear the sounds I needed to hear.

It wasn’t anything special.

“———, —————!!!”

Barbarians only hear what they want to hear.

And right now, it was his breathing, the sound of his feet hitting the ground…

Whooosh!

…and the wind.

Tadat.

I didn’t dodge with my eyes.

My body moved on its own.

I jumped back, and his red-hot axe grazed my body.

“…!”

What the…

How did I dodge that? If I had been hit, I would have been in serious trouble.

And what did he do to make his axe swing upwards like that?

I felt a chill run down my spine as questions flooded my mind.

But my body was already moving.

Crack!

I swung my hammer, aiming for his hand.

His wrist bent at an unnatural angle, but he didn’t let go of his axe.

So I swung again.

Crack!

His wrist shattered, and the axe fell to the ground.

But it wasn’t over yet.

“……?”

He clenched his remaining hand into a fist and glared at me.

It was a silent challenge.

‘Damn barbarians…’

I felt a mix of emotions.

He was being stubborn, but it was also admirable.

And I was a bit disappointed.

I had wanted a more spectacular knockout, considering the audience…

‘Well, I guess it can’t be helped…’

This was also a barbarian thing.

Thump!

I threw my hammer to the ground.

And I deactivated [Gigantification].

And…

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”

I fought him until he was satisfied.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

It seemed like I wasn’t the main character today.

“W-we have a winner…!!”

“Bjorn, son of Yandel! Bjorn, son of Yandel is the new chieftain…!!”

The succession ceremony finally ended long after lunchtime.