Barbarian in a Failed Game

The Spellblade, Veil.

He was a renowned gold-tier mercenary in the Empire. His young age, good looks, and straightforward personality contributed to his fame. However, it was his unusual skill in both swordsmanship and magic, excelling in both, that truly set him apart.

Magic is a difficult discipline to master alone, and without a proper mentor, Veil began learning magic by running errands for the Mage Tower.

He became friends with Ironhammer Ron, a middle-aged mercenary from the Argon Kingdom, due to their similar situations—both working for the Mage Tower in exchange for learning magic. More precisely, Veil liked Ron’s easygoing nature.

‘Damn Ron. He assured me this would be the safest option, but all we do is go from one death trap to another.’

Even as a mercenary, Veil couldn’t escape the war against the Great Forest. Employed by the Mage Tower, Veil was destined to be conscripted under the name of the Mercenary Guild. Ron then made him an offer.

He suggested forming a separate unit with his companions, which would allow them to avoid moving with the Imperial Army. He assured Veil that everyone was strong, and his life would be safe.

To someone who found the idea of joining the military horrifying, Veil couldn’t refuse such an offer. Soon, he discovered the official name of their separate unit was the “Emperor’s Special Task Force.”

At that moment, he regretted his decision.

‘What do you have to do to be an independent unit directly under the Emperor, with the authority to requisition resources? Damn it…!’

Is Ron some hidden relative of the Emperor or something? That bumbling idiot…?

What made it even worse was that Ron’s assurances weren’t just empty boasts.

Their special unit didn’t have to follow any orders from any Imperial commanders. Despite traversing through hellish situations, they displayed overwhelming force, crushing the beastmen left and right. The problem was that Ron’s idea of safety was vastly different from Veil’s.

“Just because your head’s still attached doesn’t mean you’re safe…. Damn Ron.”

What kind of life must someone live to laugh off near-death experiences by saying, ‘As long as my limbs are intact and my head’s still on, I’m safe, hahaha!’? Veil couldn’t even imagine it.

“Do you think the same, spellblade?”

“Hmm?”

Lost in his own thoughts, Veil was approached by some mercenaries scavenging the battlefield left by the retreating beastmen. They were once well-known in the Empire’s mercenary circles but avoided joining the military and were drafted by the special unit leader, Maya Eldred, due to their skills.

While they were part of the same special unit, their paths to joining were different, which kept them distant from each other. This was the first time they had approached Veil for a conversation.

“What do you want to say?”

“No need to get defensive. Don’t you think this special unit is overly dangerous?”

“So, are you suggesting we plot something?”

“Damn. You’re sharp for a young guy. Just look over there, look. Our captain and her friends chatting and laughing with that demon contractor who was rampaging just moments ago. Doesn’t that seem odd to you?”

Veil’s face contorted in confusion. The mercenary from the special unit, perhaps interpreting Veil’s reaction as agreement, chuckled and began to share his thoughts.

“Actually… I heard there’s a spy among the beastmen within the Empire. That’s why the front lines are struggling, and this spy is apparently someone in a pretty high position. Now, look at that scene. Doesn’t it seem like they’ve teamed up with a demon contractor?”

“Get to the point.”

“Oh, right. What I’m saying is, we should use this as an excuse to get out! I can’t trust this anymore. Do you want to stay here after seeing them cozying up to a demon contractor?”

Veil’s eyes narrowed.

‘So, they want to run away because they’re too scared to stay in the special unit?’

What fools…

They’re planning to use suspicions about the people the Emperor trusts enough to give independent operational command as a pretext to escape because they’re afraid of getting caught up in a battle and dying? Veil decided he would definitely find out how these idiots earned their gold badges through the guild later.

“I’m not interested. Do whatever you want…”

“There you are.”

“…!”

The sudden interruption startled the mercenaries, causing them to raise their weapons. They were in the middle of a secret conversation, after all. However, Veil was shocked for a different reason.

‘How did I not sense them approaching?!’

While Veil was in shock, the intruder strode toward the armed mercenaries without a hint of threat, as if watching a child’s play.

“Stay back…!”

“Demon contractor! You’re here to kill us!”

“Hmm?”

The intruder—the monstrous figure who had just showcased terrifying power, overwhelming the main forces of the special unit—continued advancing, seemingly unfazed by the terrified mercenaries’ shouts.

But Veil, observing from a distance, realized something. The demon contractor’s interest wasn’t in the mercenaries but in him.

‘Why?!’

That was even more terrifying. It made sense if he was targeting the fools bad-mouthing him, but why show interest in Veil? As Veil’s mind raced, he recalled something he had heard before.

‘Gray skin, Ron mentioned working with a barbarian before coming to the Empire. Maya, the captain, is also from the Argon Kingdom. They mentioned a hero who saved their kingdom, a Dragon Slayer barbarian…!’

Finally, Veil connected the dots about the identity of the demon contractor.

The Dragon Slayer of Argon, the Demon Slayer of Georges Principality, and the mysterious barbarian with countless other titles and rumors. That was who this demon contractor was.

Crunch. Crash─!

A mercenary who finally swung his weapon at the barbarian was sent flying, crushed as if hit by a wagon. The barbarian had swatted him away with a casual gesture, smashing a gold-tier mercenary effortlessly. Veil, about to cast a spell in tension, paused.

Seeing the atmosphere with Ron and the others, it was clear the barbarian with dark energy wasn’t their enemy. In fact, opposing him seemed more dangerous. Veil made his decision, which turned out to be the right one.

A sly grin spread across the barbarian’s face.

“Spellblade, Veil. Right?”

Nodding…

The barbarian, who had a sinister smile—a smile he called his own business smile—extended his blood-stained hand toward the mercenary and spoke.

“Let’s do a job together.”

“Alright… No, I understand…”

Without realizing it, Veil cautiously extended his hand in return, and as the barbarian’s grin became even more menacing, Veil thought to himself.

‘I am screwed…’

***

‘I’ve struck gold.’

A ponytail hairstyle and a sharp-looking face, a first-rate mage as well as a skilled swordsman—the Gold Badge Mercenary.

No doubt about it.

He is the hero-level ‘Magic Sword Veil’ who would later become known during the chaos of the Empire.

Before the period of chaos, he was known as a ‘Magic Swordsman’ who did errands for the Magic Tower, but to think they would meet like this.

‘Though he calculates the practical benefits as a mercenary, he’s a trustworthy character who doesn’t betray easily.’

There’s no need to mention his skills. During the chaos period, he explosively grows under the Magic Tower’s active investment and through numerous battles, becoming a hero-level powerhouse. Comparatively, he’s almost on par with the ‘Sword Demon Leniyar’ from the game.

Although he’s not yet called the Magic Sword…

‘If I work him hard and invest properly, he’ll shine.’

Khan wondered how he could handle this guy so that he’d be reputed for it. As Khan indulged in pleasant imagination,

“What is it exactly that you want me to do…?”

Veil, feeling a hint of fear from Khan’s ominous smile, asked cautiously. Khan, looking pleased at the promising candidate, explained with a satisfied face.

“It’s nothing major. Just go deep into the Great Forest with me and cut off the heads of the chieftain and all the shamans.”

“…?!”

“How about that, simple right?”

***

Originally, the plan wasn’t like this.

Since I had already indebted the chieftain “Cunning Claw” and displayed a noble sacrifice, the goal was to leverage that to enter the depths of the Great Forest without bloodshed. The ultimate objective was to eliminate the leaders, the Beast King and the Great Shaman.

However, an unexpected variable had arisen.

If the Demonic Realm, that thing called the Law wielded like a supreme sword, was eating away at the world…

‘It seems there might be less time than I thought.’

So, the entire plan needs to be expedited.

“While I’m inside taking everyone down, you just need to respond from the outside. Simple, right?”

“Sure… it’s, very, simple. Yes.”

Ignoring the sickened expression on the “rising stock” Veil’s face, I patted his shoulder with a satisfied grin and summoned my dark energy.

Flinch.

As I transformed from a barbarian to a demon contractor, Veil flinched visibly.

‘This should be it…’

I roughly recalled the entrance that matched what I had seen in the game, raising my claw imbued with dark energy.

Following Cunning Claw to reach this hideout, I knew there were always hidden hideouts not revealed during gameplay, but the key strongholds that never changed location were a given.

‘If they fled, it must be here.’

Arriving at the spot indicated by Ron’s enhanced senses, I knew it couldn’t be wrong. As a guide, he’s not just elite—he’s practically the best.

『Are you going to knock?』

‘Of course.’

As I thrust my claws into the base of a tree trunk about as thick as an orc’s waist, a bizarre scraping sound echoed in the air, revealing the hidden tunnel’s entrance.

The trembling entrance to the tunnel alerted the beastmen inside, who began moving frantically. Understandably, they reacted to a demon contractor attacking their entrance.

“Lord Yoro…!”

Then, as the unstable tunnel entrance opened, a familiar beastman appeared.

It was Cunning Claw.

“You survived! What happened to those despicable creatures?! No, we should discuss this inside. The other chieftains and the Great Shaman of the Great Forest need to hear this as well. We were just talking about you, lord Yoro.”

With an uncharacteristically innocent face, Cunning Claw inquired about my well-being and the fate of the Empire’s “special unit”.

Little did he know, his eagerness was evidence of his distrust.

‘Well… that’s why he’s called Cunning Claw.’

Leading him to where the other chieftains and shamans were gathered was a tactic to confirm information while ensuring they had enough forces to completely annihilate Khan if necessary.

If he hadn’t known the character and behavior patterns of Cunning Claw, he might have been completely deceived. The performance was that perfect.

‘Yet, even with a bit of suspicion cleared, this reaction….’

The reaction was one of completely identifying Khan as an ‘enemy’.

What exactly had instilled such certainty in him? As Khan pondered, a voice interrupted.

“Is this the one? The bastard claiming to be a demon contractor?”

Suddenly, a man shot forward, leaving a lingering afterimage like taffy being stretched, and stared intently at Khan’s face. Just like Khan, he was surrounded by a ferocious aura of dark energy.

“Who are you? Where did you come from? Your dark energy is something I’ve never seen before….”

Khan’s lips twisted into a grin as he recognized the man. So, it was you who blabbed about me.

“Lapdog of Behelanokto’s lapdog.”

The demon contractor who had formed a pact with the first knight of Behelanokto, the Scion of the Arch Demon. One of the demon contractors collaborating with the Great Forest to summon demons into Midland.

Demon Contractor Ashfield.

“You… how do you know my identity…?”

“Because I’m practically family with the Scion of the Arch Demon, you idiot.”

“This bastard, how dare you mock me…!”

“But it’s true.”

BAM!

A blow packed with condensed dark energy struck Ashfield’s face. His body was sent flying past his original spot, crashing into the hideout wall. As Cunning Claw’s eyes widened in shock, Khan grabbed his neck, dispelling the dark energy that had concealed his true form, and laughed.

“Today, I end this war.”