Barbarian in a Failed Game

『Young Warrior, are you aware of the strange phenomena occurring throughout the North?』

“I have a rough idea. An incurable disease by any power, and it’s also called a living corpse by the people here.”

『That is not a disease. Therefore, it cannot be cured with the blessings of the pantheon. Rather, it is as though it is already dead.』

A trace of anger seeped from the will of the Goddess of Justice, and as a result, a thunderous rumble echoed in Khan’s mind.

『The cycle of life and death is a natural law of this world, and an inevitable fate for those who cannot escape the cycle of mortality. However, there are ruthless individuals in the North who are artificially twisting this law.』

“Do you have any idea who these people are?”

『All those who serve me are my eyes and ears.』

So, they’re saying they don’t know about their own front yard in such an old-fashioned manner….

Khan inwardly mocked the Goddess’s brazen response as he selected his next question.

“So, what does this phenomenon and the task you wish to assign me have to do with each other?”

『Indeed. I will entrust you with the task of dealing with these ruthless ones. Each of my children has their own role, and there exists a struggle for power among the mortals’ nations. No one is more suitable than you, young warrior. If the cycle continues to be disrupted in this manner, the world will face yet another rift.』

‘Another rift?’

This particular part was intriguing. Was there a recent rift, or are they speaking of something in the past? However, those thoughts were halted as the will of the Goddess of Justice continued its transmission.

『Your role is to deal with these ruthless ones and assist my scale in guiding souls to the rightful path.』

“scale?”

Khan frowned, remembering who the Goddess’s Scale were. Was he really supposed to accompany that mad zealot? Wait, was she even in this area?

At the moment Darkin Perayas invades the Empire’s territory in Act 5. The Goddess’s Scale, a named NPC who appears under the protection of paladins, was not exactly a welcome ally for Khan.

The fact that the Goddess of Justice occasionally smites players through her, and her tendency to treat players as heretics and adversaries, made it impossible to properly recruit her as an ally.

Moreover, her unpredictable and random algorithm behavior was a hindrance to gameplay.

“… What about your sword, aries?”

『That child is currently at the monastery receiving my divinity. The others are assisting in that.』

“Oh, I see….”

Perhaps it’s related to some NPC awakening event? In any case, Khan was pleased with the promise that Aries, whom he had agreed to assist, would become stronger. It’s good news since he didn’t have the opportunity during Darkin’s time.

“I understand I must accompany the scale to guide souls. But I have a question. Is it really possible to extract a living person’s soul with some sort of spell? Even the ancient mages couldn’t handle souls, I heard.”

The magus of the Mage Tower, Jerome, had avoided detailed discussions about the living corpses.

Revealing the Mage Tower’s research was deemed too risky for both parties. However, it was made clear that it had something to do with the mythological era.

In other words, the Mage Tower had either speculated that the ‘living corpses’ were related to souls or had already proven it.

‘The Mage Tower, being the most proficient group in ancient spells, would naturally think it’s related to the mythological era.’

“I was under the impression that handling souls was only possible for demons or a very few dark mages. Even they cannot extract souls from the living.”

『Young Warrior. It is surprising, given your lineage as a descendant of the Warrior God, how vast your knowledge is. However, I must clarify that it is not impossible to handle souls through spells. The magic sword at your hip is also an object that contains a soul within. Of course, the origin of that spell comes from a being of transcendence. A being of considerable stature.』

“Are you suggesting… something like a dragon, a transcendental species, wouldn’t find it too difficult?”

The Goddess of Justice remained silent, as if avoiding the topic. It was unclear whether it was reluctance to answer or if there was some reason that prevented further discussion.

“So, how should we proceed to release these souls? Don’t you have even a hint?”

『It will soon fall into your hands. There’s no need for me to personally inform you. Young Warrior. When the time comes for your strength to be needed, as long as you do not flee.』

The statement sounded like a subtle provocation. Khan simply shrugged his shoulders.

“I get the whole picture. You want to borrow my strength to resolve this matter. Have you thought about what you’ll offer me in return?”

With an enigmatic smile, berta’s hand moved. Her fingertips, smooth beyond belief for someone of age, reached toward the axe tied to Khan’s waist, and a beam of pure white light was shot towards it. Khan paused momentarily but gracefully accepted the light beam.

『A weapon touched by a mortal is not bad, but it’s unworthy of a divine apostle’s hand. Next time you meet the Warrior God, ask for a weapon that befits the dignity of an apostle.』

Khan let her words go in one ear and out the other as he checked the item’s information. The axe was now reinforced with the divine essence of the Goddess of Justice, enhancing its durability and weight.

“This is awesome.”

“I shall also purify the object you obtained from that dark mage. And, if you successfully fulfill your role, I will grant you a fragment of divine power depending on your achievements.”

“You’re quite generous. Unlike the Warrior God I’ve never seen, that is.”

『Even if it’s just sweet talk, it’s pleasant to hear. The Warrior God would have found it amusing. What were you intending to do with that object? Since it’s been tainted by evil hands, it might be best utilized now. If there’s any trouble, I’ll resolve it promptly.』

Who could call her an unmerciful punisher when she offered so much?

If there were any who dared, Khan resolved to split them in two with this holy axe. After all…

‘She would have done it without being asked, so generous to a fault… Where could a goddess like her be found?’

***

“Wow. Twenty years? I haven’t even been born for twenty years yet, that’s amazing…!”

“Eh-heh-heh! It’s nothing. The fellows here and the man who went inside are the impressive ones!”

“Really?”

Asked Elena, a girl with wavy reddish-brown hair and bright, sparkling eyes.

“This lady is quite esteemed in the mercenary guild, one of the rare young talents. Honestly, I’d doubt my own abilities if we truly sparred. Her spear skills are formidable!”

“Is that so? She looks like a wealthy young lady to me!”

“Heh-heh. That’s not entirely incorrect. The Eldred family is well-known among the kingdom’s knightly houses. And yes, they do have considerable wealth.”

“Wow…”

“Enough with the nonsense.”

Elena marveled as Maya rolled her eyes and turned away, growing tired of Ron’s rambling.

Elena’s curiosity then shifted to another member of the party, Jan, who appeared to be about her age.

“Is that person also incredibly impressive?”

“Well, if we exclude the man who went inside, this friend here is our most valuable asset. A powerful mage, taken in by none other than the magus of the tower. A far cry from the common strays you find on the streets.”

“That, that might be overstating it a bit.”

“Jan, you lack too much confidence. Even compared to the mages hired by the kingdom’s nobility, one of your calibre is rare. Not even worth comparing to mercenary mages.”

Flustered by the direct praise, Jan could only offer an awkward smile.

“Maybe I’m just heading in a different direction. My spells aren’t primarily geared towards combat, so if a real fight broke out, those others might be more useful.”

“That’s exactly what someone who doesn’t know any better would say. The spells you effortlessly conjure would cause common mages to make a big fuss. The difference between the tower’s mages and those outside it is greater than you think.”

Jan responded with a puzzled look to Ron’s conclusive statement. It was a natural reaction, considering his experience.

In his life, the only mages Jan had encountered were his master, his peers from the tower, and occasionally, elven mages with whom he interacted.

Not to mention, the first mage he dealt with outside the empire in the kingdom was the renowned ‘Witch of Loren’, followed by the dark mage, darkin Perayas, who had dragon scale implanted in his body.

‘I’m not that remarkable…’

It was only natural for Jan, already modest by nature, to downplay his significance even further.”

The mage tower! Does that mean you’re from the empire? By any chance, have you ever visited the main church of the Pantheon?!”

However, elena’s interest wasn’t in ‘how amazing Jan’s magic was’, but rather that he had come from the empire.

Her enthusiasm was so fervent that Jan, normally unaffected by the admiration of a mere girl, found himself stepping back under its weight.

“I… haven’t had the chance to visit the main church… Though I have seen high priests and paladins before.”

“Oh, I see…”

But Elena’s interest faded as quickly as it had flared. Even merely seeing a high priest or paladin should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ordinary believers, yet she seemed utterly indifferent to these revered figures.

“It’s a pity. I’ve spent all my life in this convent, hoping to visit the main church someday. I heard from a friend it’s the most sacred place in the world.”

“A friend? Do you know someone from the empire?”

“Yes. There was this girl who stayed here for a while. She was my age but truly remarkable…”

The sparkle in Elena’s eyes as she spoke made one wonder what was so special about this friend that even high priests or paladins couldn’t induce the same excitement.

“So. There’s still a companion we haven’t heard about, right? The one who went inside with Abbess Berta… The barbarian?”

“Oh, right. Honestly, I have a lot to say about him but not much explanation to give.

“Why is that?”

“…Well.”

Looking around to make sure no one else could hear, Ron lowered his voice as if sharing a secret.

“I actually think he might be a descendant of giants… Given all the incredible things he’s done, it’s hard for me to describe it any other way.”

“Giants?”

“Yes, giants. Beings who could smash mountains with their fists, who toppled great walls with a kick. I reckon he could shatter a wall with just a punch.”

Elena showed little reaction to Ron’s words, her thoughts inscrutable before she suddenly burst into laughter.

“Come on, that’s just ridiculous!”

“Cough. Girl, if only you had seen him in action…”

“Really, if you’re going to tease me for being naïve, then I might as well leave!”

And with that, elena turned and left.

The innocence that had endeared her to those other than her fellow nuns was nowhere to be seen.

‘Descendant of giants… What nonsense.’

Her expression was blank, but an unusual fervor swirled within. Her eyes, normally bright, now emitted a formidable aura, and her once simple gestures had transformed, revealing the poise of a warrior honed through discipline.

‘Inferiors, born without the mana bestowed during creation by the gods of the Pantheon. And those from foreign lands who worship uncertain, barbaric gods, could never possess the power reserved for those devoted to the gods!’

To Elena, this was apparent and absolute truth.

‘Aries. I thought to learn more about you for having relied on a barbaric heretic. Has deception blinded you? How could you… Berta was right about the calamity being these heretics.’

She thought to herself that the barbarian interacting privately with Berta must be expelled from this sacred sanctuary to prevent further contamination.

That’s when she saw it, her eyes widening as if witnessing the unbelievable.

“This energy…!”

Elena, hurrying through the convent with an urgency that didn’t compromise her grace, paused before Berta’s room where Berta and the barbarian were expected to be facing each other. Drawn as if by enchantment, she flung the door open.

And beyond the wide-open door, a translucent figure of a woman holding a scale in one hand and a sword in the other, was embracing the ash-colored barbarian. Moreover, elena could clearly feel it.

The divinity of the goddess she worshiped, residing in the heart of the barbarian.