Just Throw a Barbarian In

At first, Edmund seemed troubled by the fact that the “Barbarian Respect Association” would be accompanying him.

Well, if there’s something you want to hide but even more eyes are watching, it would be unwelcome.

But could he really back out now, after coming this far? He’d already said everything that needed to be said.

“I-I’ll go as well.”

In the end, Edmund permitted the “Respect Association” to join us.

But on closer thought, there was no way Edmund could refuse.

He’d already been punched by Barkal, his face was swollen. In that state, with over ten barbarians standing before him.

It kind of felt like intimidation. Or maybe not?

“Really… It will really be okay, right?”

Edmund looked at the barbarians with a worried expression.

I eased his concern.

“Do not worry. Barbarians are not wise enough to spread rumors.”

“Isn’t it possible someone like you might exist?”

Someone like me?

That didn’t sound entirely complimentary.

“They are not wise, and I am not foolish.”

It sounded like I was insulting the barbarians, but honestly, it was true, wasn’t it?

Barbarians aren’t exactly smart.

But they are loyal, strong, and pretty cool guys.

Edmund looked conflicted at my words, but eventually nodded.

“Then let’s depart at dawn tomorrow…”

“Understood.”

Thus, the schedule was set for the fire-attribute filial performance of Edmund Steldian, the lord and noble of Iushil.

Truly, this is a bizarre commission.

But that’s that.

Fifty gold coins.

Music to my ears.

* * *

As promised, at dawn the next day, we headed to the rendezvous point with Edmund.

It was something that couldn’t be exposed. So, I understood why he picked a dark morning hour. I’d have done the same.

Leaving the Bearded Cat Inn earlier than the agreed time, we waited for everyone to gather.

After some time, the three members of the adventure party “Dungeon God” and fifteen barbarians from the “Barbarian Respect Association” assembled.

“It’s dark enough that I can’t see, but with the barbarians, it’s like there’s no light at all.”

Just as Serena said, the barbarians gathered in the darkness were truly imposing.

The street lamps made of mana stone. Their lights were completely blocked by the barbarians’ massive bodies, making the world even darker.

It almost felt as if a black hole were prowling around Iushil.

“Is everyone here? Then let us depart.”

Edmund, who joined for safety reasons even though it wasn’t planned, took the lead without an attendant, unfazed by the barbarians. For a noble, that was impressive.

The tomb of Merland, the highly regarded noble of Iushil and Edmund’s father, was located on the outskirts of the city.

It wasn’t far. We didn’t need a carriage; a short walk brought us to our destination.

“If you go down these stairs, you’ll find my father’s tomb.”

So, the tomb of a high-ranking figure was this grand.

The fact that it was underground too. Its scale was unimaginable for most people.

“But, as soon as you cross this entrance…”

“Does it lead to a dungeon?”

Edmund nodded at the question.

“Is there a need to go in? Aren’t we here to dig up the grave?”

As Grunt stepped forward, the other barbarians took a step as well.

Wait.

Looking closely, they were holding something in their hands.

Not weapons, but shovels and pickaxes. When did they grab those?

“If you just say the word, we’ll start digging this place up right now!”

“The tomb is below! Digging here is pointless!”

“Then we’ll dig until we see the tomb!”

That’s not the point. There’s a dungeon down there.

As Grunt and the Respect Association insisted, Barkal clicked his tongue and stepped forward.

Looks like he’s about to say something. Finally, you’ve matured, Barkal.

“I forgot to bring a shovel! I’ll be right back, brother!”

“No worries! I brought extras!”

Just as I suspected.

After telling them just to follow me, I led Edmund down the stairs.

They seemed endless in their depth. From the outside, the tomb had looked large enough, but inside it still felt enormous.

The stairs continued down and down.

“It’s narrow.”

“Far too narrow!”

From behind, grumbles came from the barbarians. As they said, the passage was indeed too narrow for barbarians to fit comfortably.

But that didn’t last long. When the endless stairs finally ended, a wide underground chamber appeared before us, along with the sight of a massive axe.

“It’s definitely a dungeon.”

Seeing the axe swinging from the ceiling, Serena spoke up.

Just as she said, this was a dungeon. No matter that a noble of Iushil was buried here—who would set traps like these in a tomb?

Even if it’s to deter grave robbers, this is overkill.

“Are you sure Lormond’s tomb is past here?”

“P-probably.”

Edmund nodded, but he didn’t seem confident.

That was understandable. He’d probably never checked further in.

I checked again, staring straight at the swinging axe.

A dungeon full of traps. It was a type of dungeon I’d encountered many times in Dungeon God.

“It’s my first time seeing a dungeon like this. With traps like these at the entrance.”

It would definitely be unsettling for someone experiencing such a dungeon for the first time.

Of course. Usually, a “dungeon” is an ecosystem formed by monsters, and you break it while killing the ‘dungeon master’.

There is even a class that’s absolutely required when overcoming these “trap-type dungeons.”

That’s the “Rogue” that Barkal despised so much. Rogues, with their dexterity and sharp eyes, excel at disarming traps.

But, there’s one class almost as good for “trap-type dungeons” as Rogues.

And that is: Barbarians.

“Grunt.”

“What is it, brother?”

“We want to move ahead. Can you help us?”

At my question, Grunt nodded enthusiastically.

“Wise one, if you ask it, our Barbarian Respect Association will do anything!”

With that, Grunt summoned the barbarians of the “Respect Association.”

Why are Barbarians the next best thing after Rogues for “trap-type dungeons”?

The reason is simple.

Barbarians are tough.

No matter how many traps, they’re fine taking them head-on.

So there’s a famous tactic for breaking through “trap-type dungeons.”

Namely:

Just throw a Barbarian in.

“Uwaaaaaaaah!!”

Led by Grunt, the members of the “Barbarian Respect Association” began to roar.

It was so loud the dungeon itself could have shaken. Then, they charged ahead.

What awaited them were countless axe traps. Traps that would have split ordinary people in two in an instant.

“Khahahaha! Something like this can’t stop us!”

Some barbarians grabbed the axe blades; the rest leapt up and smashed the mounts on the ceiling with their pickaxes.

Crash!

Down went the axe traps.

“Next!”

At Grunt’s shout, the barbarians rushed forward.

Their momentum was unstoppable.

Next was the collapsing ceiling trap.

“Hold it up! Brothers who kneel are brothers no more!”

All fifteen barbarians braced the ceiling with their hands and shoved it back up.

Next, a flooding-water trap.

“Khahaha! I was thirsty anyway!”

The fifteen barbarians drank all the water. The room dried out before it could ever fill.

Next up, a room with many doors. Only one likely led to the true path.

Normally, you’d inspect them one by one, but our barbarians just each checked a door.

Chaos erupted from every room, but in the end, all the barbarians made it back to the start.

“The real path is here!”

It was the manliest approach possible.

“There’s even a way to clear a dungeon like this.”

The one most interested in the barbarian way was none other than Serena.

She nodded even when they smashed axes barehanded, as if she’d found a good revelation.

Don’t try to copy that.

I wanted to tell her, but honestly, if it’s Serena, with all her blessings, maybe she could pull it off.

“I-Isn’t that method a little too reckless?”

Edmund asked in disbelief at our current approach. Too reckless? Of course, it was completely reckless.

“At the same time, it’s efficient.”

If you checked out every trap one by one, there’s no telling how long it’d take.

So just throw a Barbarian in.

And if it can’t be solved with Barbarians, maybe the problem is you don’t have enough Barbarians.

* * *

A room full of scorpions.

After clearing that last room, we finally arrived at Lormond’s tomb.

“That was a fine meal.”

“The tingling flavor was exquisite!”

“I was broke, but this worked out perfectly!”

The barbarians patted their stomachs as if they’d just finished a big meal.

All those scorpions—deadly to any normal adventurer—were just a hearty breakfast for the barbarians.

Madmen.

“Is this your father’s tomb?”

At the center of the dungeon, we found a crypt-like structure. When I asked, Edmund nodded.

“Yes, that’s right…”

He looked as if he was facing something terrifying—the color drained from his face.

I walked up to Edmund and quietly whispered so only he could hear.

“From now on, you must enter alone.”

At my words, Edmund looked at me with frightened eyes.

“Are you afraid?”

Edmund nodded. Perhaps something had happened—he was clearly scared to enter his father Lormond’s tomb.

I didn’t know the details. Not unless he told us.

“Barkal, Serena, and I can accompany you inside.”

But if we did that, we might discover whatever it was Edmund was trying to hide.

“Please—come in with me.”

Maybe having made up his mind, Edmund took the lead.

I told the Barbarian Respect Association to wait outside, then we entered.

The tomb doors opened, and Edmund entered. After a short walk down a hallway tinged with an eerie chill, we saw a massive headstone.

“Lormond Steldian rests here.”

That’s what it said.

“So this is what you were trying to hide.”

It was Barkal, not me, who spoke first. He wrinkled his face in disgust, glancing around before glaring sharply at Edmund.

“Yes.”

Edmund looked troubled. Understandably so—there were all sorts of magic circles drawn around the headstone, familiar to all of us.

Edmund hesitated, then dropped his gaze and spoke quietly.

“My father, Lormond Steldian, was not a necromancer, but he did worship their god, Mortis.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep