Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

From the previous time travel experience, I felt it deeply.

Knowing an unchangeable future is close to a curse.

But...

"So... does that mean something will happen a year from now?"

"Yes. Something will happen. A very interesting and big event."

Still, there is a positive side to think about.

Assuming Ibaekho's words are true, it means we can spend the next year without trouble.

"You're not going to tell me what kind of event it is?"

"Bro, if you knew in advance, it wouldn't be an event."

"Then at least tell me this. When that event happens, will District 7 get wrecked again...?"

"Hmm, I don't think so...? The event I'm talking about isn't that kind of thing..."

That was a relief to hear.

Especially important to me since I planned to expand my real estate business greatly.

'But... if it's not that kind, then what exactly is it?'

As I silently thought this over, Ibaekho made an 'oops' expression.

"Ah, did I give too many hints?"

Too many hints? Not at all.

I don't get a single clue.

"Anyway, I guess we're done talking now, right...?"

Not done?

"...What?"

Just as I tilted my head, Ibaekho disappeared right in front of me.

"Poof."

Ha... I really need to get stronger faster.

A few days after visiting the marquis's house, the reconstruction work in District 7 officially began.

Our tribe's proud labor warriors.

Adult men from Viphron.

And construction experts sent by various noble families belonging to Melbes, led by Count Goldbeard.

Everyone united to start demolition work, and construction began immediately where demolition finished.

With tens of thousands of workers involved, the work progressed very quickly — faster than modern construction sites, it seemed.

Well, of course.

Kwaaaaaaang!

Though there was no heavy machinery, magic existed.

Also, they weren't building complicated high-rise buildings from complicated designs, and most importantly, the workers themselves had incomparable capabilities.

"Wait! If you put it like that, isn't there a risk of back injury—!"

"Hm?"

"...It's amazing no matter how I look. Is it not even heavy?"

"This kind of work doesn't count as exercise!"

They completed the processes that usually require equipment using bare hands, so there was no reason to lag behind modern construction in speed...

"If the Baron Tailan offered a bit more money, they said they would sell the entire 7-2 commercial district."

"Sell the whole commercial district? Buy it immediately."

While continuing the construction work, I bought land in District 7 cheaply from nobles introduced by the elder broker.

And...

"7-2 commercial district? That was scheduled to be worked on much later."

"The plan changed. It's by Baron Yandel's order."

Of course, once land was bought, demolition and reconstruction began immediately.

You have to build houses quickly to find tenants who will rent them and use that money to buy more land.

"This will be the house I stay in for two years...!"

"It's small but has everything!"

"Being next to Viphron is uneasy, but there's no choice. House prices in other districts are too high..."

Contrary to my inner anxiety, finding tenants for lease was not difficult. The apartments were divided into studios, with dozens living in one building.

Naturally, the burden was low...

Moreover, loan approval from the bank at low interest rates and the housing funds provided by the royal family to existing District 7 residents were good news for the business.

"At this population density, my judgment is that opening a shop won't fail."

Also, as more residents moved in, merchants began showing interest, creating a virtuous cycle and steadily expanding the business.

Of course, there were still some problems along the way.

"Ahem... sorry, but forget about selling like you said before."

As District 7 rapidly normalized, many nobles who planned to sell their land withdrew their intentions.

But...

"Excuse me, Baron...?"

"Ah, I'm really busy, so why do you keep coming?"

"I wanted to ask why construction isn't happening on our family's land—"

"Don't rush. Can't you see everyone is working hard?"

"...Isn't that the problem? The surroundings are already built up, so why is our land still barren? We've even submitted the blueprints; all we have to do is build—!"

"Ah, I said to wait. Who said it wouldn't happen? It will be done when the time comes."

"..."

Note that each family is completely blocked from hiring separate workers to build.

Reconstruction of District 7 must proceed through our Baron Yandel's family.

"Fine. I will sell..."

Many families surrendered, unable to withstand my blatant scheming, but it's also true many resisted to the end.

'They can start construction last...'

One month, two months, three months...

Time flew by, business got on track, and I had fewer things to worry about.

So from then on, I focused more on other matters than the business.

Making money is good, but it's meaningless if you lose sight of what matters.

"Finally, we became one family. Welcome."

"Phew... I didn't think it would take this long."

James Carla, deputy leader of the Gear-Tooth Clan.

Paladin Sven Parab.

Noble officer Meland Kaislan.

Lilith Marone from the Mage Corps.

They all left their former groups and officially joined the former Ice Rock expedition members, now fully civilians.

"Will Akuraba-san join us?"

"Not sure yet. I contacted her wanting to meet, but no reply."

"Seems similar to Lavien."

"...Not an easy decision. Much time has passed since that day."

"But I still don't understand! I still can't sleep properly because of that incident...!"

"P-please calm down, Miss Marone... They all have their reasons, I suppose?"

Well, I think it's more a matter of temperament.

While there's someone like Lilith Marone, others think it's better to forget and move on.

Realistically, that's more comfortable.

"So... we joined because we were told to, but what do we actually do?"

"To be honest, I wondered that too. Now that the labyrinth is closed, what can we do by gathering like this...?"

"Could it be... the labyrinth will open again soon?"

I shook my head at the new members' question.

"No, I haven't heard the labyrinth will open. But there is other news."

"News?"

"There will be a big tournament at the festival held ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ in the 13th month."

This was high-level information I managed to get in advance using my noble connections, and not many knew it yet.

"A tournament? What kind of tournament do you mean...?"

"Details may change, but for now, they said they will gather all clans to compete. Our primary goal is to win that tournament."

"...Ah! I heard such a tournament was held a few times before!"

"But I don't understand why they hold it at a time like this."

"On the contrary, that's why. The royal family always wants to blind the people's eyes."

"Um... but if that's the primary goal... does that mean there's another goal...?"

Seeing Sven Parab showing more interest in this than the tournament, I smiled.

"Of course there is. It's still secret though."

"...What?"

"Don't make that face. It's just at the thinking stage. When it becomes more concrete, I'll tell you."

Mentioning the existence of a second goal was enough for now...

"Follow me! Everyone's waiting."

After that, I took the new members inside and started the welcoming ceremony.

The existing and new members mixed and sat drinking and eating, naturally building camaraderie.

"Kalstein, your face looks much better."

"Oh, really...? I don't know..."

"You definitely look better. You seemed hard to approach on the 1st basement floor."

"Hahaha... Was that so?"

Among the goblins and Kaislan who stayed on the 1st basement floor, everyone was already acquainted, but there were also some new faces today.

"James Carla! Nice to meet you!!"

"Ah... likewise. I've heard a lot about you."

"You shoot arrows, right? Try shooting me once!"

"W-well... you said that now...?"

"You become friends through fighting!"

James Carla and Lilith Marone, who didn't participate in the 1st basement expedition, were meeting Ainard, Misha, and Auyen for the first time today.

"Marone, say hello. This is Misha Kalstein. This is our navigator Auyen Rockrove."

"Ah, yes... nice to meet both of you."

Without overstepping, they introduced themselves briefly and moved aside; the three who understood the intention naturally continued their conversation.

Ah, until Ainard's eyes caught sight of that.

"Hey! What are you three talking about!? Let us join!"

"...Huh?"

"Oh, right! Do you want to watch too? He said he's going to shoot an arrow at me."

"...I didn't say that."

Everyone seemed drained by Ainard, but I did not intervene.

After all, in these situations, having one extrovert makes the atmosphere smoother.

"Yandel, come here for a moment."

While watching the spot where Ainard was from afar, Amelia approached silently and led me to a secluded corner.

"What's up?"

"I have something to tell you about what you asked."

I immediately lowered my voice.

"Ah, did you find out...?"

"I don't know if it's true, but I did get some income."

Honestly, I was a little surprised.

Though I asked, I didn't expect to bring back results so quickly.

"Even if it's completely wrong, just tell me quickly."

At my urging, Amelia told me what she had learned so far, and I listened silently.

How much time passed, I don't know.

"But..."

After finishing her explanation, Amelia asked me with worried eyes.

"Are you really going to do it...?"

Though she accepted the request and found a method, her voice sounded reluctant.

But...

"Isn't there no other way?"

Noark bastards hide too much.

The royal family hides even more.

Ibaekho and the jester keep crucial information tightly hidden, so there's no reliable info.

Meanwhile...

[So... does that mean something will happen a year from now?]

[Yes. Something will happen. A very interesting and big event.]

Something is brewing beneath the surface.

And given my personality, I can't just sit still and watch.

It's not a choice befitting an explorer.

"Emily, don't worry too much."

"......"

"Eventually, the time has just come."

Now it's time to explore beyond the walls.