Medieval Fantasy Barbarian

The priest thought he had overcome the crisis situation with his witty rhetoric, and even felt pride in that fact.

Wasn’t this proof that despite the passage of time, he was still a wise counselor and a person more suited to be a priest than anyone else?

Unfortunately, it took less than a day for that pride to crumble.

This was because people’s attention was focused not on the priest but on the subject of the miracle.

In the face of divine miracle, all the achievements the priest had built up were nothing but insignificant.

The priest had to admit that in trying to avoid a minor danger, he had created the worst enemy.

If Ivan were left alone, he could completely strip away the priest’s influence just by breathing.

This was not a delusion but a clear truth, and the priest could not bear this fact. Even if Ivan had truly been chosen by God, it was unacceptable.

He had to be crushed before he grew larger.

If necessary, even by framing him.

Therefore, from the moment Ivan came back from death, this matter was as good as decided.

Although he came to find an excuse, the priest had genuine curiosity about the thing called soap.

After all, he too was one of the mystics who dealt with mysteries. It wasn’t strange to be fascinated by new knowledge.

He momentarily forgot his purpose. Until the soap slipped from his hand and struck his nose.

Now the priest was convinced that Ivan was truly an evil spirit.

What else could make such a wicked object if not an evil spirit?

“This cursed wretch is now trying to kill me, too!!”

As the priest convulsed like a deranged old man, people immediately gathered around.

Ivan found the current situation difficult to understand. The man had been pretending to be quite proper until just now, but did he suddenly develop dementia?

“What are you doing now?”

“Silence! Today, I will unmask that hideously unmatched facade!!”

The priest stormed out, panting, and shouted loudly in front of the people.

“As the priest of our tribe, I have something to tell you all!! What happened a few days ago was not a divine miracle but a terrible tragedy!!”

“Nonsense!”

Habel was furious. He looked like he might throw a punch at any moment.

“Are you saying that my brother coming back to life is a terrible tragedy?! If that’s what you came here to say, you’d better be prepared!”

“I’m sorry, but that friend of yours is already dead. An evil spirit has merely stolen his body.”

‘How did he know?’

Although it was a lucky guess, Ivan, unaware of this, felt chills throughout his body.

“You yourself said it was a divine miracle!”

“It was a misconception. No, rather than a misconception, the evil spirit momentarily clouded my eyes, preventing me from making a normal judgment.”

“You call that an explanation…”

“Think about it. Does it make any sense to lose memory after coming back from death? If Lord Baldor had bestowed a miracle, it wouldn’t be so flimsy.”

The priest was a bit surprised by his own words. He had just blurted them out, but it was quite plausible logic.

“That is a bit strange.”

“Indeed. Would the great Baldor bestow a miracle on such a wretch?”

There is spiritual power in the words and actions of a mystic. Additionally, with a few plants in the crowd adding their voices, sparks spread everywhere.

The priest sensed that the tide had turned in his favor.

“Moreover, he has been hiding under the pretext of recuperating and making an abomination that is difficult to even mention! I went alone to confirm its true nature but suffered this terrible fate.”

The priest pointed to his nose, which was still bleeding.

Ivan felt a terrible murderous impulse looking at that detestable sight. Habel felt the same.

The difference was that Habel did not stop at just thoughts.

“Shut up!! You crazy old man, I see you’re really determined now!! How dare you slander my brother!!”

As Habel charged with an axe in hand, the priest’s face turned deathly pale.

“Oh my!! This, this one has been completely bewitched by the evil spirit!!”

“I’ll kill you!!”

Before anyone could stop him, the hand axe was about to split the priest’s skull when a thick hand grabbed Habel’s wrist and twisted it.

“Who dares to… Father?”

Instead of answering, the man slapped Habel’s cheek with his other hand. Habel, unable to withstand the shock, fell and rolled on the ground.

He looked down at the fallen Habel with cold eyes.

“Foolish one. How many times have I told you not to call me that in front of people?”

“…Chief, I’m sorry, but this is a personal matter. Please step aside.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ve heard enough of the situation.”

The chief stared at Ivan intently.

“I won’t kill you. Leave this place. Right now.”

It was not a suggestion but a unilateral notification. Habel cried out as if wailing.

“Why on earth, don’t tell me you actually believe that ridiculous nonsense!”

“The truth doesn’t matter. What’s important is that the priest has been dedicated to the tribe since before you were born.”

“What does that have to do with anything…”

“It matters. Especially for the future of the tribe.”

Turning his back on the stunned Habel, the chief asked Ivan.

“Tell me. Between you and the priest, who is the more valuable person?”

“……”

Faced with a question whose answer was already determined, Ivan could not say anything.

“No answer. I’ll take that as acceptance.”

The chief left without looking back, as if he had said all he needed to say. In the chaotic atmosphere, people’s gazes focused on Ivan.

‘Fuck.’

Should have chosen a better class. Ivan repeated his regret for the umpteenth time.

“…Ivan, don’t worry too much. You’ll be able to return soon. I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Yeah, don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Until then, you can just live here for a while. Do you remember? It’s where we used to play often as children.”

Ivan looked at the shabby house in the corner of a remote forest. Though a bit worn, it seemed to have all the basics.

His first thought was that this situation seemed overly convenient.

Could my exile have been part of the game’s progression? Otherwise, why would there be a house in such a place?

It might just be a delusion, but Ivan decided to think of it that way. At least it was better for his mental health.

If all of this was an inevitable flow of fate, what could he do by struggling?

Habel put down the sack he had brought.

“Ivan, I’ve brought some things you might need. I’ll visit often, so don’t worry.”

“Thanks, Habel. I’m always just receiving from you.”

“No need to thank me. This much is natural between brothers. Oh right, I almost forgot this.”

Habel took out a hand axe from his waist and handed it to Ivan.

“It’s my most cherished possession. It will probably be of great help.”

Ivan felt choked up for a moment. At the same time, he felt a strong desire to confess the truth.

“Habel, I have something to tell you…”

“Hmm, what is it?”

But when it came to revealing the truth, the words wouldn’t come out.

Fear washed over him that he might lose even this friend who was the only one taking his side in this remote world.

That would truly be a terrible thing.

“…No, it’s nothing. Just… thank you.”

“Don’t be silly. Well, take care.”

Even after Habel left, Ivan stood there blankly for a long time.

A terrible loneliness pierced through to his bones.

He even thought it might be better to just die without doing anything.

At that moment, Ivan raised his hand and slapped his own cheek with full force. He hit himself so hard that his face swelled red.

Only then did his mind clear a bit. Ivan spat out saliva mixed with blood.

“Come to think of it, this is bullshit. Did I come here because I wanted to? I was forcibly dragged here.”

When pushed to the edge of a cliff, one needs to be a bit shameless to survive.

Ivan completely erased the weak emotions of regret, loneliness, and guilt swirling in his mind.

Creeak-. Opening the old door, he saw an empty house. Cool wind blew through holes scattered here and there.

It would be better if he could burn some firewood. But first, he needed to eat something.

‘It felt quite heavy… I wonder what’s inside?’

Ivan, licking his lips, untied the sack he had received.

Inside were a long knife, seasonings like salt, a fur pelt to sleep under, and a pouch filled with alcohol.

No matter how many times he searched, there was no food.

“Ah, this crazy bastard…”

The image of Habel giving a thumbs up automatically formed in Ivan’s mind.

What could he do? If he wanted to survive, he had to do something.

Ivan sighed deeply and, with the axe in hand, set out to find prey.