Barbarian in a Failed Game

Chapter 028. Wagner (2)

It’s been a week since the confrontation with Darkin.

Darkin’s underground workshop had completely collapsed. If Khan hadn’t taken care to keep the necklace engraved with “Aecharis’s Pit” from Norman, the entire party would have perished there.

They found a magic stone filled with dark power in Darkin’s personal workshop, and Jerome managed to reactivate the necklace using it to escape.

After a painstaking descent from the mountain, they were greeted by a city plunged into chaos from the events of the previous night.

The city’s largest mercenary band was annihilated overnight, and its leader died withered, transformed into something resembling a dark mage’s experiment.

On top of that, the news was out that the deputy director of the city’s monastery, essentially in charge, had fallen into corruption, attacking the priests.

‘Once they hear about Darkin on top of all that, even the nobles who care least about city governance would be in a panic.’

It was clear that dealing with the aftermath would be a huge hassle. After all, they were directly involved.

So they made a swift exit from Nordic.

“Do you know what I did back there? No! I could not betray my friend! Kill me instead! That’s what I told Nero, rejecting his offer.”

“Ooh… And then? What happened next?”

“What could I do? I was bound in chains, unable to move a muscle… That’s when Boss showed up. To save me, he broke through all those mercenaries…!”

Oh— And then? What happened next?

‘These two are a headache.’

Khan, looking at the incessantly chattering duo with dismay, shook his head. It was bewildering how they never tired of their babble.

A garrulous guide who never shut up, and a mage whose mere presence made one’s nape tingle — indeed, a group composition that offered little comfort.

‘It’s as if I’m carrying a burden around.’

While Ron, who was suspected to possess high-level skills, might be useful in urgent situations, accepting the mage into their group seemed more and more like a mistake. Regret was setting in.

But there was a reason for it.

“I can’t prepare what you’ve requested right away. And it’s unlikely you’d follow me to my study. So, take my apprentice with you.”

“Really necessary?”

“Absolutely. It’ll give you peace of mind. Informing the Mage Tower’s branch will inevitably lead to leaks. You wouldn’t want that, right? Besides, he’ll prove helpful on your journey. A tender soul, yes, but significantly more capable than any common riff-raff or wanderer.”

“I’m not fond of the idea…”

To include a mage in the group was against Khan’s principles. Above all, Khan never trusted the magus, Jerome.

‘It’s obvious he’s up to something.’

In the end, they did take Jerome’s apprentice with them only to facilitate smoother transactions.

It was not a decision made out of trust in the mage.

‘Although it might itch a bit to keep an eye on him, as long as we’re together just to collect on the deal. Better to manipulate him to get the most out of him.’

The cunning middle-aged mage probably thought he had greatly benefited from this deal, chuckling to himself internally.

In the short term, it seemed like Khan was enduring political losses to accommodate his request.

‘Considering Darkin’s research could solve a major problem plaguing the Mage Tower…’

The benefits Jerome would reap later were significantly substantial, something he was definitely aware of.

‘He must’ve quickly agreed to the proposition and secretly passed on various pieces of information to the Mage Tower.’

But that was a misconception. The biggest beneficiary of Darkin subjugation wasn’t anyone else but Khan himself.

Craddling in a pouch made of troll skin were treasures that brought a satisfied smile to Khan’s face.

[??? Scale Fragment]

─This minute fragment, splintered by someone after eons, has lost most of its original power.

Whether it was the scale fragment from a mythic era true dragon that Khan had been searching for was uncertain. But it was undoubtedly a significant clue.

It seemed it had passed through someone else’s hands before Darkin’s.

‘That someone might just be the person who handed over the scale to Darkin.’

Khan speculated as much.

Perhaps once Jerome’s research was concluded, the truth would be unveiled. Maybe… simply possessing it was enough to lead him to the truth.

Darkin had fought purely with physical strength against Aries and Jerome the priest, nearly overwhelming them.

‘Just this “dust” that has lost most of its power, managed to exert such influence.’

‘If the one behind Darkin’s machinations hears that the scale has been taken…’

Would they remain silent? Absolutely not. They wouldn’t easily give up such power. They’d surely take action.

Whether Jerome uncovers it or their patience wears thin, Khan was destined to learn the truth one way or another.

[Blood Vessel]

─A masterpiece created by Darkin Perayas, a master of necromancy and body modification, who devoted his life to its creation.

─Blood Reservoir :: Capable of absorbing and storing blood.

─Exposed to dark power for a long period. Those with insufficient resistance may suffer status ailments.

-??:: This is an incomplete item. It will unlock under certain conditions.

-Stamina +4

Despite the differences from the game description, it was undoubtedly the ‘Essence of Blood,’ the most precious drop item among the rewards of Act 5.

A whopping additional stat of 4. And it was an item attached with the stamina stat, which was urgently needed by Khan.

Recalling that in the game, it had an additional 8 stamina points and several other effects, it seemed plausible that there could be a way to upgrade the item.

‘I should probably seek purification at the Pantheon Church… But since Aries has helped, it’s only a matter of time.’

“Hmm.”

Khan suddenly licked his lips, remembering the words left by the platinum-haired girl who was healing from the injuries and aftereffects of ascension in Nordic.

—

“I’m going.”

“Of course. Having obtained useful information from that sinister mage, I should hasten to investigate. Besides, it’s not prudent to stay here forever.”

“….”

The cold, lavender eyes glared at Khan as if in reproach, but Khan simply shrugged.

“And, I absolutely detest political issues. Being a barbarian, I hardly understand such things.”

“Shameless.”

“Speak your mind. In fact, I was intending to leave without saying a word, but Ron, that idiot, was so furious.”

“Ignorant barbarian.”

“A barbarian can be ignorant, indeed.”

Normally, he would have argued that he was not ignorant, but Aries slightly smiled at Khan’s teasing demeanor.

“Where to? The north?”

“Yes. There seems to be trouble with an artifact presumed to be from the mythic era. It’s just an assumption, but since the source is the Mage Tower, it can’t be completely off base. Anyway, there’s nothing much to do until Jerome finishes analyzing Darkin’s journals.”

“I heard the mythic era was a myth.”

“That’s because the gods of the Pantheon Church claim they were beings from ancient times. They have no choice but to desperately deny it. Simple political logic.”

“I thought you didn’t know politics.”

“Just something I picked up.”

Aries rare showed her feelings with a click of her tongue.

“What do you need?”

But her forcefulness soon softened.

Khan, unable to ignore the emotions hidden in her concise question, looked down to meet Aries’ gaze.

“…I couldn’t do anything in the fight against Darkin. It was my revenge, but if Khan weren’t there, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything. I would have fought alone and… eventually have been overtaken by Darkin.”

No, you could have managed on your own, he could have comforted her simply.

But he did not.

Khan nodded, affirming the truth.

“Erendal would be grateful too. Finally freed from the necromancer’s grasp, returning to the side of the gods. The Goddess of Justice would be pleased as well. Of course, I am too.”

What relationship Aries had with the named ‘Dark Knight Erendal’ Khan did not know.

Aries wasn’t featured in the game. Even if she had been, given his tendency to skip all text, he wouldn’t have been interested.

But one thing was clear.

In the original game story too, Aries would have fought Darkin and died in obscurity.

Her absence in Act 5 proved that.

“So, if you have any requests, just tell me.”

“A request…?”

‘Come to think of it, there was something appropriate.’

“I have an item that needs purification. It’s heavily corrupted with dark magic, and I’d like it cleaned up as much as possible.”

“…Go to the Al-Ranzas Convent in the north. Speaking to the abbess, Berta, and mentioning my name should suffice.”

It seemed Aries herself was currently unable to use holy powers, thus she recommended a high priest she knew.

Moreover, its location overlapped with their destination in the north, which was convenient.

“And.”

“Hmm?”

What more could there be? What is this audacious girl planning to say now….

“Next time something happens, I’ll help you.”

Khan couldn’t help but smirk at the brash remark that came to mind. What help could she possibly offer, he thought, about such a little lady.

“Boss, what’s with that creepy smile? Gives me the chills.”

“Shut it. Unless you want a punch.”

“Cough. It was actually a joke. That friend over there was worried because you looked upset.”

“Mr. Ron! Don’t suddenly throw it on me…!”

“You’re the one who said his expression looked like he could kill someone!”

“When did I ever say that!”

‘These damned fools….’

Listening to the idiotic conversation was so annoying that Khan gestured with his hand for them to get lost.

“Um… Mr. Warrior.”

“Just call me Khan. Do I look like someone who wants to be called by such an embarrassing title?”

“Well. It’s easier for me. Actually, Mr. Warrior, I was curious about something, may I ask?”

“Me?”

Khan wondered why this guy was suddenly so bold. All this time, he would flinch at just a glance. What did he eat wrong?

“Ask.”

Though he didn’t refuse, there was a need to open up since they were traveling together anyway.

“Yes. I…was wondering why you, Mr. Warrior, aren’t settling down somewhere and instead are chasing the traces of the mythical age. With your skills, you could easily get treated as well as a high-ranking knight in the empire. It seems like you’re wandering without settling anywhere.”

It was a smart question if put nicely, and tactless if not. It was almost like prying into the true purpose of someone who was almost a stranger.

Khan took a moment of silence as if choosing his words carefully in his head, then gave as concise an answer as possible.

“Because the beings from the mythical age are, beings from outside of Midland.”

“Excuse me? Ah… You mean the beings from the mythical age are extraterrestrial… That thing the High Master of the Magic Tower said, right? But that theory was discarded by the Pantheon…”

Whoever in the Magic Tower said that, Khan didn’t care. But he knows after witnessing the ending of ‘Midland Quest.’

That the divine dragons, giants, and Archdemons were transcendent beings who came from beyond Midland.

Whether voluntarily or not.

They, like Khan, were beings who crossed dimensions to come to Midland.

“But… That doesn’t answer my question. What does coming from the outside have to do with you chasing the traces of the mythical age?”

“Don’t you see what kind of person boss is by now?”

As the questioning got more insistent, Khan was about to scowl when Ron suddenly inserted himself with a know-it-all attitude. What blunder would this fool spout now?

“Do you know, Mr. Ron?”

“Of course. There’s no one in the kingdom who knows barbarian as well as I do.”

“Ooh…! Tell me!”

Jan’s eyes sparkled with interest, and Khan, equally curious about what this guy would say, couldn’t help but listen closely.

‘It’s obvious they don’t know I’m a possessed person…’

After basking in the attention for a bit, Ron finally spoke up.

“The dragons of the mythical age! The giants whose bodies are as large as mountains! The Archdemons, heralded as the forefathers of all demons! The primordial gods, older than the gods of the Pantheon! Don’t you still get it? Really?”

“Yes! Please tell me!”

“Ah, dear. What a dull friend we have here. Aren’t they all incredibly powerful beings? Beings no entity in the world could stand against! If you were a foolish warrior obsessed with battle from the freezing mountains, naturally you’d think like this!”

“So! Boss’s goal is this,” Ron announced, holding up a hastily bought hammer from the Noric forge as if to draw attention, then shouted.

“Boss is seeking proof of valor, chasing after the monsters of the mythical age! To beat down monsters humans couldn’t stand against!”

“Oh…!”

“Madman.”

With a loud smack on Ron’s forehead, Khan hurried away as if he couldn’t stand any more nonsense.

“Mr. Ron… I don’t think that’s it?”

“Cough. That can’t be…”

Once far enough away from the two fools, Khan mindlessly scratched his long, grown-out hair.

‘Beat them down, huh…’

Well, he had no such intentions at the moment, not to mention if it was even possible.

But for some reason… Ron’s nonsense was oddly appealing.