Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Alminus Central Exchange, Auction Hall No. 1.

Even during regular auctions, where only decent items were presented, this place was rarely more than half full. But today, it was packed with people.

And they weren't just any ordinary people.

"The master of the Nenma Clan is here too."

"He's not here for himself, but for the explorer known as 'Iron Wall'. Didn't the guardian of their 1st Team die recently? He's probably here to fill the vacancy."

Explorers with shiny equipment...

"Oh, is the Ragman Trading Company also interested in that essence?"

"A merchant wouldn't refuse a good deal, no matter what the item is."

"Hmm, but auctioned items rarely sell for their true value..."

"Ah, if you can use this as an excuse to attend the banquet, you can make a good impression on many nobles."

...and wealthy individuals who weren't explorers.

There were no casual onlookers.

It was understandable.

The auction had become a hot topic, and even the entrance tickets were being sold at exorbitant prices.

'It was a nightmare just getting tickets...'

If it weren't for Amelia, who had tipped me off about the auction before the information was released, I would have had to buy a ticket from a scalper and enter alone.

"Stop looking around. You'll attract unwanted attention."

I quickly changed the subject, sensing a lecture coming.

"By the way, have you been to this place often?"

"...Enough times."

Well, she had been an explorer much longer than me.

"Then I can ask you if I have any questions."

I continued to observe the surroundings discreetly.

"There are a lot of people wearing masks, just like us? I heard the winning bidder's identity is kept anonymous."

"There are always people who don't want to be known."

"Oh, what about that guy in the suit? He doesn't look like an explorer or a merchant."

"He's a representative from a powerful family. He's dressed neatly, but it's not a noble family. They always prioritize their reputation."

"Oh, really?"

She was like a walking encyclopedia.

Every question was answered immediately.

I continued to ask her questions, testing her knowledge, and soon the auction began.

"Amelia... can we even afford anything here?"

"...If we give up on the essence."

"So we can't afford it..."

It seemed like she had put a lot of thought into other items besides the 3rd-grade essence. The first item, and the ones that followed, were all high-quality.

'A Triple Numbered Item at the central exchange?'

And it wasn't even a trash Triple Numbered Item.

It was a general-purpose item that any damage dealer could use, even though it wasn't very useful to me.

'Damn it, if I had the money, I would have bought it and put it in the vault...'

I watched the heated bidding with a pang of regret every time a new item was presented.

"140 million stones! 140 million stones! Any higher bids?"

"..."

"...Sold to the anonymous bidder!"

The auction was very straightforward.

It wasn't the usual system where you gradually increased your bid in small increments, but a free-for-all where you could write down any amount.

But the bidding method was surprisingly modern.

Click, click, beep, click.

Each chair had a magic tool on the armrest where you could enter your bid, and your bid would appear on the electronic display on the stage when you pressed enter.

The bidder's identity was kept anonymous.

'Well, it would be a bloodbath if they didn't protect their anonymity.'

This method was first used at the Sky Auction House.

I had learned it while studying history at the library. There was an incident where two prestigious noble families got into a fight after bidding against each other in a public auction.

"Now, for the seventeenth item!"

The next item was presented on the stage.

It was a test tube stored in a luxurious box.

Several essences had already been auctioned, but this one was different.

"Yandel."

"I know."

Unlike the previous essences, a large painting was placed next to the box. A giant monster with thick shells, roaring ferociously.

Vol-Herchan.

'They even prepared this... They really put a lot of effort into this auction.'

The monster in the painting looked so lifelike that it seemed like it would jump out at any moment. The participants murmured in awe.

"Oh... indeed..."

"I thought this essence would be auctioned last."

"Yes, it's a bit strange. There are 35 items in total, so we're not even halfway through..."

Some were confused by the timing, but I didn't find it strange at all.

It was actually a clever marketing strategy.

"Alminus Trading Company is playing smart."

If the essence was auctioned last, those who had prepared their funds would have to wait until the very end.

That would reduce their chances of bidding on other items.

But if they auctioned it in the middle and quickly found a buyer?

The situation would change.

Those who had spent their money on the essence would be more likely to bid on other items.

"This item is Vol-Herchan's essence, obtained by 'Lightning Spark' of the Maruel Clan after slaying the ferocious beast during their recent expedition..."

The auctioneer began his sales pitch, and the atmosphere in the hall changed.

"Ahem..."

The participants, who had been chatting and socializing, started to eye each other warily.

The explorers' eyes gleamed with desire, and the merchants' eyes were sharp like wolves sensing an opportunity.

It was like a battlefield without weapons.

And in that situation...

'Who are you trying to outbid?'

Click, click, beep, click.

I entered my bid.

And...

"Starting bid is 50 million stones—"

As soon as the auction began,

Beep.

I pressed enter.

The number appeared on the electronic display.

[870,000,000]

870 million stones.

This was why the auction became so famous.

"...!"

"...!"

There was only one bid.

________________________

A brief silence followed the overwhelming bid.

"870 million stones...! 870 million stones! Any higher bids?"

The auctioneer, maintaining his professionalism, tried to keep his voice calm, but the hall erupted in chaos.

"870 million stones?"

"Who the hell would bid that much from the start..."

Some were dumbfounded.

"Who could possibly afford that..."

Others were curious about my identity.

Those who had given up on the competition were simply amused, but those who had been serious about the essence were different.

"You have to make a decision quickly before it's sold."

They hurriedly started discussing, their faces pale.

And as always, their reactions were mixed.

"870 million is impossible..."

Some had already exceeded their budget.

"We could afford it, but... it's insane to spend that much on an essence that only guardians use. We're out."

Others made a rational decision based on cost-effectiveness.

And...

"Why shouldn't we bid?"

"Maybe the exchange is trying to pull something."

Some were hesitant, suspicious of foul play.

"You mean shill bidding?"

"That's a possibility, but... maybe they never intended to sell it in the first place. It could be a bait."

Some even considered the possibility that the Vol-Herchan essence was a fake, just a lure to attract customers...

But that wasn't the important part.

"..."

"..."

The overwhelming bid had stunned them.

And they were lost in thought, unable to make a decision in the midst of the chaos.

But...

Tick, tock, tick, tock.

Time was ticking away.

"Any... higher bids...?"

The auctioneer, who usually hammered the gavel without hesitation, was stalling for time.

And...

"..."

"..."

He saw the participants hesitating, unable to make a decision.

So he announced the end of the bidding.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of the gavel echoed through the hall.

I smiled in satisfaction and nodded.

Yeah, instant buy is the best part of an auction.

______________________

After the chaotic auction ended, we went to the item delivery room and paid for the Vol-Herchan essence.

"870 million stones... confirmed."

The employee who delivered the item seemed to be a high-ranking official in the exchange. He looked at us with a mixture of disapproval and curiosity.

But he maintained his professionalism.

"Have a nice day."

He didn't ask for our identities or engage in any unnecessary conversation.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go."

We left the delivery room, feeling the gazes of the other participants on us. They were all curious about what we had bought.

But they couldn't tell which item we had purchased, so no one dared to approach us.

"Any tails?"

"None. They were probably just curious."

"Really?"

"Where to?"

Where else?

"The church."

We left the exchange in a carriage and headed straight for the Leathlas Church. It was almost evening, the time when they usually stopped accepting visitors, but we made it just in time.

"You're here to remove an essence?"

"Here's the donation."

"Please wait outside."

I paid the priest and removed the essence.

I had decided to remove the Corpse Golem essence.

'I've never removed an essence at a church before.'

I had heard about it from others, but it was a strange experience.

'Look at the production value. In the game, it was just a few clicks on the keyboard.'

I was enveloped in a white light and arrived in a pure white space.

I was naked, and a blue dagger was in my hand.

And...

Giant monsters were all around me.

They were all locked in cages.

Ogre, Orc Hero, Stormgush, Manticore, Bion.

And my target for today, the Corpse Golem.

I observed them for a moment and then used the dagger to cut the thread of light connecting the Corpse Golem to me.

And...

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

I opened my eyes, and I was back in the church.

"It feels strange..."

"It's natural to feel that way. You've just severed a connection that was engraved in your soul. It's a common experience for first-timers. You'll get used to the empty slot in a few days."

It was a very Leathlas Church-like statement, but I couldn't help but agree.

It wasn't just the emptiness from losing stats.

It felt like a part of me was missing.

"Are you okay?"

"Ah, it's nothing serious. I'll be fine after some grilled meat."

We left the church and returned to the inn.

And I took out the test tube.

"Amelia, are you ready?"

"...?"

Amelia looked at me with a confused expression.

"I just meant, don't be surprised if the Fragment of Records reacts when you absorb this."

"Ah..."

I had already met the GM, and I had deposited the hammer in the vault.

Amelia had even taken care of her sister's finances, making sure she wouldn't be audited in the future.

So if my guess was correct...

'This is the last piece of the puzzle.'

I took out the Fragment of Records and absorbed the essence.

'Ah... this is why I farm essences.'

The feeling of fullness was overwhelming, even though I missed the Corpse Golem essence.

The light from the test tube flowed into my body, and I felt a surge of power.

Of course, it wasn't as intense as when I absorbed the Ogre essence.

Raw Strength wasn't a common stat for 2nd-grade essences and above.

'Well, the skill is what matters anyway.'

I opened my eyes, savoring the feeling.

And I looked at the Fragment of Records, which was still silent.

"...Could it be that this wasn't it either?"

What else did I have to do?

Was I going to be stuck here for years?

I was starting to feel anxious when...

"Well, it's about time..."

Amelia muttered, as if sighing.

"Huh?"

I looked at her, and she smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry, we'll be going back tomorrow."

Her eyes seemed a bit sad.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!