It was quite common for barbarians to team up with humans. However high their physical attributes and fighting skills, even barbarians needed allies after the first floor. The standard route was to form a team around the second or third month to head to the second floor.
The problem is that it's rare to find decent teams.
Fairies, dwarves, beastmen—the other races got the better end of the bargain. Not only were they less naive than the barbarians who had merely honored their combat skills in the holy land, but their hearts weren't sold at a high price to be used as magical ingredients.
"What are the others doing? Most of them are dead."
Not even a third of the barbarians who had gone through the coming-of-age ceremony with me finished. Could it really be the monsters' fault?
Impossible.
With that reasonable suspicion, I listened to their conversation.
"Then I'll rest now too. Have a good watch."
Was it my turn next?
They all fell sleep in turns, and the topic of the barbarian baby didn't go any further. Of course, it wasn't a big deal because I got a pretty good idea of what the other three were like from that brief conversation.
They don't seem to have any intention of doing anything today.
They must have been planning to work him to the bone, and then kill him on the last day, since it was more efficient.
What should I do?
I didn't know what to do. As a barbarian myself, I didn't want to ignore that endangered barbarian baby. But I couldn't follow them forever and watch them until they revealed their true ambitions.
Should I go and kill them all?
I smiled contentedly and shook my head. It was an easy and convenient option, but not the best. It didn't matter that I still didn't have proof that those three were raiders. I was confident I could convince Missha and the barbarian baby with plausible words.
But even if I did, the same thing would happen again.
Sometimes you have to experience it yourself to truly understand something.
After all, training was the main goal, so I can dedicate up to a day...
After contemplating, a plan happened to me, and I woke Missha. "Missha."
"Hmm...?"
I raised a finger to tell her to be quiet and went somewhere where we couldn't be heard. Then, I briefly explained the plan to her.
Even as she rubbed her eyes, Missha listened without complaint. "Um... So, you're saying they could be looters?"
"Yes. If it's okay with you, I'd like to take some time to check it out."
"I don't care. Since he's a barbarian, he's not even a stranger."
"Isn't he a stranger?"
"N-no! I didn't mean that... I mean it could be someone I've met before."
She seemed to be referring to how I acted as a guide to young warriors over the past few months. Hmm, maybe it was one of them. Although I advised them to be careful with humans countless times, they wouldn't really understand it until they experienced it themselves.
«That is, then. Let's change clothes». Some preparations were needed for this plan. I put my mace, breastplate, and shield made of lithinum in my bag.
The gun... I can say I lost it.
After finishing my preparations, I did one last check of my appearance. Excluding the helmet, he had the perfect appearance of a barbarian baby without iron equipment. Next to me was an amateur beastwoman.
«Ughh... this is awkward...» To execute the plan perfectly, I had Missha put on Jencia's beginner equipment instead of her existing stuff. But for some reason, Missha kept fiddling with the chest and bothering me.
«What are you doing?»
«Hey? The chest area is super tight...»
«The chest area?»
When I looked down, Missha hit me in the stomach. Judging by the cold reaching my bones, it seemed that the damage from the cold had been welcomed. «Where are you looking? It's definitely not because he's fatter than that woman, okay?».
I mean, I didn't say anything. I only looked first because it was a complaint I hadn't thought about. Their original pork rinds must have been the same size.
When I pointed out the contradiction, Missha responded calmly. «The other one was also small, but it didn't have an iron plate».
Well, if you say so. Both Jencia and Missha had agile bodies like agility characters, but he was sure they had their differences. For example, their complexions. This boy was on the higher side. I hadn't measured it, but it must have been around five feet tall. He also had a cold impression that at first made me think he was a feisty guy.
«It is only the chest area that is tight, and the rest is quite loose. Understood?»
«Okay.» I didn't know what I wanted, so I just gave a rough answer.
Sensing this, Missha let out a deep sigh. «Ugh, yes... What do you know about a woman's body?».
«Yes, you are absolutely right».
«Are you going to continue answering so insincerely?»
«If you're ready, let's go.» This was not the time for idle conversations, so we moved to the previous location after that, deliberately making loud noises.
«Behell-ahhhhhhhhh!»
«Kyaa! Why do you suddenly start crying?!»
«I wanted to do it!»
«What?» Missha looked at me with a bewildered expression, but the effect was astonishing.
«W-Who are you!» An instant scream came from beyond the darkness.
«Wait! There are people there!» I screamed innocently and ran in the direction I had heard the sound from. Before long, the invisible distance of the labyrinth came to an end and the four explorers who had lit a bonfire appeared: three humans and a barbaric baby who were sleeping soundly.
«Stop, don't come any closer». The three humans were already awake and distrusted us.
«Royce, wake him up quickly».
An archer named Royce woke up the baby barbarian with a tap of his foot.
«What is it? Is it a monster?»
«They are explorers».
«Explorers? Then why are you waking me up? I was in the middle of a good dream...»
«Didn't I tell you last time? Explorers can be just as dangerous as monsters.»
«Ah! I remember! But... that man is one of mine». As I nodded at the archer's words, the baby barbarian saw me and greeted me happily. «I am Kharon, son of Tarson!»
«I am Bjon, son of Thor!» I took the opportunity to move forward, shake his hand and even bump our shoulders. Then, when I took a look, everyone's gazes were a spectacle; not only from the three humans, but even from Missha, to whom I told the plan beforehand.
What the hell are these barbarian bastards doing?
They were watching us with eyes as if nothing had happened. Sensing this, Kharon looked at me as if telling me not to worry, and then said to his companions: «Everyone put down your weapons! Thor's son Bjon is not a bad explorer!»
«Yes! I'm not a bad explorer!»
At our words, the archer and the spearman looked at a person. Apparently that man was the leader. The man sighed and nodded, and everyone lowered their weapons. I guess you thought it would be ridiculous to stay alert at this point.
«So, barbarian-»
«It's Bjon, son of Thor.»
«Yes, Thor-»
«Thor is my father's name.»
«Ahem, Bjon-»
«We're not that close yet, so I'd like you to call me by my full name».
The leader, who had been interrupted three times in a row, seemed quite upset, but showed patience and smiled. He spoke to me again. «So Thor's son Bjon?»
«Speaks».
«If you have nothing to do, I would like you to leave. As you can see, we were resting».
The leader's words were reasonable and logical. It was polite and common for explorers not to approach at all. But so what? Right now I was a big, precious baby barbarian who didn't know anything about that.
I screamed like that was even better: «What a coincidence that you're resting! We were just looking for a place to rest!».
«And... what does that have to do with us?».
«This has to be like this. Let's rest together! That, night companion? Yes that!»
«Night companion?» As if they had heard something they shouldn't have, the three humans' expressions were strangely distorted.
It's not that I didn't understand it. Finding friends for the night was a culture limited to the first floor. They would not have imagined that they would receive such a proposal from some barbarian on the second floor, where the explorers operated as a team.
«Phew...» As if he didn't know where to start explaining himself, the leader touched his forehead.
Meanwhile, Kharon nodded. «Ohh, that's a good idea. Come here, I've been lying here and it's less hard than anywhere else».
It was total chaos. The leader displayed superhuman patience and explained the customs of the explorers. In short, it was simple.
«You mean, don't you make late-night friends on the second floor?».
«Yes that is. If you understand...»
Well, understanding was for those who were willing. I spoke as if that was genuinely pathetic. «You are so stupid! If we all sleep together, we can sleep more!»
«Hey?»
«If you have a head, think about it. There are four of you and the two of us. If six people take turns watching, each one... Anyway, you can sleep more!». It was a harsh statement from a barbarian, from beginning to end. Everyone looked stunned, as if they had heard a hallucination.
Oh, except one person. «That's right... true! Why haven't explorers done this before?». Seeing that Kharon nodded vigorously at my argument, they realized that continuing to talk made no sense.
«Look. We'll take care of our side, so you should take yours and take it-» The leader looked away from me and spoke to Missha, then stopped abruptly. Apparently he only saw her face. His voice, which had only been filled with irritation, changed before he realized it. «Ahem. I'm sure it's normal, but what do you think?».
Apparently, Missha didn't like those scrutinizing eyes. He stood still, but when I looked at him, his expression changed. «Well... I'm not sure. Since you also have a barrrbaroo, you don't seem like dangerous people...»
«Haha, the same thing happens to you too».
«Anyway, he lost his gun so I was worried about leaving him alone on night duty. So, if that's okay with you, I think it won't be a bad idea to spend the night together...»
«Damn, did you lose your gun?» The man looked at me strangely at Missha's words. It seemed like he had just realized that I was bare-handed.
«Oh, weapon? I accidentally dropped it in a fight with a monster and it disappeared».
«I see.» When I made up an excuse, the man believed it. After all, barbarians were cheating characters.
Anyway, this should be enough bait...
I made the final offer in a clear voice. «So, are they going to be our night companions or not? Decide quickly. Because I'm getting sleepy».
If he refused, he planned to go his separate ways. If he refused after having come this far, it was likely that he would have misunderstood those three.
"Well... It's not a common situation..." The leader spoke, exchanging glances with the other two humans, then smiled cheerfully. "Since you're in a difficult situation, sending you away would be too cruel."
"If you say it in such a difficult way, I can't understand it."
"You can spend the night here if you want."
I barely suppressed my daughter because I could see through his intentions so clearly.
Everyone had a plan.
It was a one-night stand. It was a bit strange to describe it like that, but oh well. First, we introduce ourselves.
"These are Royce, Victor, and I am Briol." Royce the archer, Victor the lancer, and Briol the hammer-wielding leader/warrior.
...Right, Hans?
Perhaps it was a pseudonym? No, if he had used a pseudonym, that barbarian baby would have found it strange.
Feeling slightly awkward, Missha and I lay down close together. The urge to open a blanket was very tempting, but then they would make I had an expandable backpack.
"You all take a break. I'll pass your turn last."
"Oh, you are very nice explorers!"
"Hahaha... this guy."
Anyway, as soon as I lay down, Missha whispered in my ear, "Bjorn."
"Be quiet."
"Do we really have to go so far?" Although she obeyed my instructions, Missha did not seem happy with the current situation.
True, even if they were amateur bastards, it wouldn't be comfortable to lie defenseless.
"Wait. I'll let you ask for in favor next time."
"...Really? You promise?"
I stuck to this plan, even dangling another carrot in front of Missha. There was a chance that, starting today, the barbarian baby Kharon Tarson would be reborn as a warrior, destructive of humans and killing his predators.