Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

A roar erupted from all sides like a raging storm—a sound I had never heard even on the day of the improvement meal.

"Waaaaaahhhhh—!!!"

...How many people are here, anyway?

No matter which direction I looked—east, west, south, or north—there were only people, people, and more people. Because of that, even the barbarians seemed to be tensing their shoulders and back muscles excessively.

'I didn't expect this event to be this huge...'

I had heard from the marquis that the scale would be large, but seeing it with my own eyes and feeling it on my skin made it a whole different reality.

'This is no joke.'

Amid chaotic international affairs and an uncertain future.

Perhaps because this was a rare entertainment event born in such times?

The marquis's extensive publicity certainly helped, but I believe these combined factors made this event a huge success.

Well, the event itself was interesting, too.

I mean, who wouldn't be curious if those noble families with construction skills were competing?

"You're handsome!! Bjorn Yandel...!!"

"Kyaaaaahhh!"

Still, I felt a bit awkward since I didn't expect such a festival-like atmosphere.

Well, I didn't plan to stand stiff like a wooden statue and leave.

「Character has cast [Transcendence].」

「Character has cast [Gigantification].」

I shouted at the top of my lungs, inflating my body to be clearly visible even to the distant audience.

"Behe—laaaaaaaaaaa—!!!"

The cheers covering the entire stage cut through the noise made by tens of thousands of spectators.

As expected, the reaction was explosive.

"Waaaaaahhhhh—!!!"

"Kyaaaaahhhhhhh!!"

"It's the giant!!"

The passionate cheers echoed back.

「Character's fame increased by +1.」

「Character's fame increased by +1.」

「Character's fame increased by +1.」

「Character's fame increased······.」

「······.」

Hmm, maybe my fame went up a bit?

I couldn't read the system log, so I wasn't sure, but even if it didn't rise, it didn't matter.

Since I was already playing the clown, I might as well give a proper fan service.

Everyone's going through hard times, after all.

We need something to enjoy.

"Now, all the technicians from the Yandel Barony have completed their entrance!"

As I and the technicians took our places, the MC naturally began the event.

A brief introduction of the five families, the purpose of this competition, and the details on how the competition would be conducted.

'Please let it be something easy...'

After the rough explanation ended, the drawing started immediately.

Each family drew a ball to decide the test theme for this competition...

"The first box contains balls with the number of floors the building must have today. I wonder what the result will be...!"

Unfortunately, the first to draw was Viscount Kiembrota, who pulled the number 4.

"Four floors! The technicians must build a four-story building for today's competition. Right from the start, it's a very difficult setting!"

Considering five floors was the maximum, this was basically like getting a four-star difficulty.

"The second box contains the main building materials that must be used today."

There are two main types: stone buildings and wooden buildings.

But if you go into details, there are many different materials: bricks, synthetic clay, logs, wooden boards...

"Reinforced stone!"

"Huh...!"

As soon as the material was announced, groans erupted here and there.

That's because reinforced stone is the hardest material to handle.

It's heavy and difficult to process physically.

But...

'This might actually be good for us.'

If the material had been something like synthetic clay—which behaves like cement in this world—that would have been even more difficult.

Barbarians can't handle such delicate work.

Anyway, the drawing proceeded quickly, and soon the test theme was fully decided.

A four-story building made of reinforced stone.

"The third box's ball... is 8!"

Each floor must have at least eight windows...

"A residential building! It's a residential building!"

The building's purpose is residential, not commercial.

And...

"The ball you, Baron Yandel, will draw now contains the artistic theme of the building to be constructed. By the way, some balls contain traits like elegance, softness, and imposing nature, which will be major judgment criteria... Ah! The ball just came out!"

The building's theme is...

"Happiness! Happiness!"

...Tsk.

For some reason, the theme that is the furthest from me came out.

The total construction period for this competition is three days.

Considering it's a four-story building, the schedule is extremely tight...

'Maybe it has to be that way to be properly evaluated.'

Since they're all professionals, if given plenty of time, everyone would build a complete building.

Then it would only be an artistic evaluation event.

'What matters is how well you build a decent building in a short time.'

"Let's start by digging the ground! Whatever four-story building you build, you have to do foundation work first!"

As the competition started, I had the warriors start digging while I gathered with the technicians for a brief discussion.

"If we modify the blueprints we prepared a bit, I think it'll work. What do you all think?"

"I think it's better to base it on this blueprint."

"The theme is happiness, right? Even if it means fewer rooms, wouldn't it be better to make the rooms bigger?"

The discussion about the test proceeded quickly.

Listening quietly, I felt everyone was obsessed with the theme of 'happiness.'

"Do you think just making it big will make people happy? It needs to give off a comfortable atmosphere!"

"Nah, I think it's better to create a cool layout that everyone envies."

"Hey! Let's decorate the kid's room nicely."

People's feelings about happiness differ.

So, to me, those worries were pointless.

'It's an art score from the start, isn't it?'

To me, it all comes down to interpretation.

Isn't there a saying? The most important skill in modern art is persuasion.

And from that perspective.

"How about this structure?"

"...Huh? Anyone can see this is far from happiness."

When I proposed a new structure, the technicians tilted their heads.

But after I explained why I chose this structure and gave my artistic interpretation, they reluctantly agreed.

Though it sounded like sophistry, it made some sense.

"Sure... even if it doesn't get an art score, this method will be rated highly."

"The goal of this competition isn't to build a beautiful building anyway."

"Besides, I heard that on the last day, the audience's evaluation also counts... maybe we'll get a high score then."

Maybe because I'm the overall head of this competition?

After I asserted myself a bit more strongly, the technicians, though looking uncertain, accepted the decision.

"...So, this blueprint is the final decision?"

"Do it. I like it very much."

After about an hour of discussion, the blueprint was completed, and the basic excavation finished just in time.

"Warriors, start carrying the materials!"

"We're working on the sewage system!"

"The structure is simple for the competition, so it'll be done quickly!"

Then the dwarf technicians started sewer construction, while the barbarians tirelessly carried materials.

Almost as if competing, they worked passionately.

"Carrying two of those big ones at once...?"

"Hey! That one is carrying three!"

"That one is running..."

"Oh! Look! Four! Someone is carrying four... Ah! They all dropped them..."

Excited by the crowd's attention for the first time, they overexerted themselves, making lots of noise, but I expected that.

I had no intention of reprimanding them.

Soon, they wouldn't act like that anymore.

As construction officially began, the massive crowd noticeably thinned at a rapid pace.

"They're revealing the finished building the day after tomorrow, right?"

"I'll have to come back then."

No matter how noble or competitive the event is, the essence is still a construction site.

"Oh! People are leaving!"

"Could it be because we're bad?"

"Five! This time we'll try five! So don't leave and keep watching!"

The warriors tried even harder to keep the crowd, but as the entertainment ran out, most of the crowd, having enjoyed enough, left without hesitation.

"Ah, ah... everyone left...!"

"I, I'm not worthy of being a warrior...!"

Suddenly, their motivation dropped drastically.

Since the warriors' spirits were down, I had no choice but to intervene.

"It's normal for most people to leave around now, so don't worry! The second and third days will be closed to the public anyway!"

"Oh, so it's not because we're bad that they left?!"

"Of course not! So work hard! When you show the finished building on the morning of the fourth day, the crowd will be packed again! Will you disappoint them?"

"Nooo!"

"Behe—laaaaaa—!!"

Okay, that's enough mental care...

Afterwards, I observed other families' construction and waited nearby, ready to advise if there was any feedback for our work.

But what was this?

"I've never seen a barbarian doing construction before."

"I wonder if it'll collapse on the last day."

I saw workers from other families whispering nearby, full of disdain and prejudice toward the barbarians.

"We did it! Successfully carried four at once!!"

Luckily, our barbarians were too focused on their work to hear it...

"Tch, construction isn't just about brute strength."

"Haha, don't blame them too much for their ignorance. They're poor souls who have no way to make money in their tribe, so they came all this way."

The comments gradually grew harsher.

It wasn't anger I felt, but confusion.

'What on earth do these boneless fools think they're doing?'

What if young warriors hear this and throw down their shovels?

Are they hiding some secret strength?

But watching them carry materials, that didn't seem likely...

"Ahem!"

I cleared my throat sharply; the whispering workers were startled and returned to their spots.

Fearing an accident might happen, I kept watch to keep other workers away.

And time flew by in an instant...

One day, two days, three days.

"The work is finished. Until tomorrow's judging, no ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ one is to touch it, and any cheating will result in immediate disqualification, according to the Marquis."

At the stroke of midnight on the third day, the construction was exactly finished, and the exhausted workers collapsed on the ground.

Our warriors were no different.

They hadn't slept properly for three days but worked hard, and got results matching their effort.

"But... even now, I wonder if this is really okay."

"Isn't this the Baron's order? Let's not think about it."

The dwarf technicians still looked uncertain.

Anyway.

Shaaahhhh—

Strong wind and sharp rain soaked the dust-filled construction site.

"Good work, everyone! I think we've clearly won over there!"

"I didn't expect such an unrefined building to come out of such a big competition..."

"Haha! That was their best, wasn't it?"

I didn't rebut the workers from other families mocking the building made by our warriors.

The calm before the storm.

Whether they're right or we are, the results will tell.