When I first played this race—literally translated as "savage"—I chose the greatsword.
Because, well… it looked cool.
Every guy has this urge to grip a giant sword in both hands, spin wildly in the middle of the battlefield, and mow down enemies like a madman.
The problem was… I kept dying way too easily.
Fascinated by the barbarian class, I started researching. How could I build a barbarian that was also tanky?
I tried a bunch of things, but the barbarian still died too easily. No matter how much I built for survivability, he was nothing more than a berserker.
Every fight was a tightrope act, which made the class unstable.
And then, at some point, I had a realization.
"Do I really have to use this guy as a damage dealer?"
Among the playable races, barbarians had the highest base HP and strength—enough to equip adamantium gear.
Okay, they weren't as busted as the dwarves with their broken passives, but they had the basics of a decent tank.
That said, I didn't really want to play a tank barbarian...
But I figured I may as well try it out, since I'd already put so much research into the class.
After several rounds of trial and error, I came up with a build.
"Wait… this thing's a cheat code."
I ditched the dwarf I'd always used as my tank without a second thought.
So what if I couldn't fight with flashy combos?
I've always prioritized efficiency. I'm the kind of gamer who'd sacrifice my preferences if it meant a better strategy.
Just like the decision I made now.
Thud.
After choosing my weapon and returning to my spot, I could feel the eyes of the other barbarians on me.
What? Never seen a shield-barb before?
I walked back to my spot confidently—like a true barbarian, completely unbothered.
No need to fake it this time.
"Next!"
I have no regrets about my choice.
For three reasons:
One, among the starting weapons, the shield sells for the highest price if resold.
Two, even if I picked up a blade, I probably wouldn't be able to use it properly yet.
Three, my ultimate goal is to become a shield-barbarian.
Today, I made the most rational decision I could.
"With this, you are now a warrior!"
Now that I'd chosen my weapon and returned to my place, I finally had some time.
While the others went through their coming-of-age ceremony, I decided to think through what had led to all this. Honestly, I should've done it sooner, but...
Well, what choice did I have?
Back then, I was too busy not dying to think clearly.
「You have reached the Abyss.」
Let's break it down now.
I reached the final boss room.
That was likely the trigger.
"Wait… then who was that person who died earlier? Did they also reach the boss room?"
…Maybe.
There are tons of people out there, and surely there are others as eccentric as me. Let's not dwell on this for now.
「Tutorial complete.」
I interpreted that message like this:
You've been told everything you need to know—now use that knowledge and try to survive.
Whoever made this… they're a sadist, no doubt.
If they really wanted me to survive, they should've at least explained what that "evil spirit" thing was.
I almost died the second I got here, you bastard.
"Hoo…"
Maybe it's the barbarian's body, but I'm having a hard time controlling my emotions today.
That's why I decided to stop overthinking.
If I get too worked up, I might mess something up—and honestly, stressing out over the past isn't like me.
What's done is done. There's no going back.
What matters is how I move forward from here.
So for now…
Yeah, let's just focus on that.
"Survival."
The coming-of-age ceremony was over.
And now, I'm walking through a forest path.
In front of me is the chieftain. Behind me, the young barbarians.
Everyone looks like they're heading off on some kind of picnic.
But unlike them, I can't smile from the heart.
Because I know exactly where we're headed.
"Halt!"
We passed through thick underbrush and arrived at a towering city wall—at least 30 meters tall.
"Open the gate!"
The gate creaked open with the clunky sound of old machinery.
It moved so slowly, it was yawn-worthy.
But the young barbarians watched it like they were holding their breath, completely captivated. In the strange silence, the grey city finally revealed itself beyond the gate.
"Lapdonia…"
At this moment, my eyes probably looked just like theirs.
Paved roads. Stone buildings.
A spire towering up into the sky.
I never imagined I'd see in person what I'd only ever seen in loading screen illustrations.
Goddamn.
"Warriors!"
As the gate opened, the chieftain turned around and shouted.
I wondered if he was about to say something inspiring before sending us off…
"Go! Your fate lies beyond!"
Barbarians didn't need long-winded speeches.
"WAAAAAAAH!!"
The young barbarians, having just come of age, let out wild cheers and charged into the city. I wasn't thrilled, but I shouted along and followed them.
Sure, some people were probably fast asleep in the dark buildings up ahead, but who cared?
I was a barbarian.
Thud—!
The sound of the gate closing echoed behind us.
Naturally, not a single barbarian cared.
Still hyped up, the group kept running for a while before finally calming down and slowing their pace. Only then could I continue my thoughts in peace.
Right now, I was caught between two conflicting emotions.
"..."
Fear about the situation I was in.
And a strange excitement—because I had become part of the world of the game I once enjoyed the most.
It's a bit ridiculous.
I literally just told myself to focus on surviving, and now here I was getting sentimental.
…Yeah, I guess I'm not normal.
Though I'm still more rational than these savage meatheads.
"Stop!"
The leading barbarian came to a halt and turned to the rest of us, shouting boldly.
"I think we're lost!"
The group murmured in shock.
"Karak, third son of Phanun, has led us astray!"
"He lacks the qualifications to lead!"
"He must take responsibility!"
What the hell? They all followed him willingly just moments ago.
Is this how barbarian society works? Cold-blooded.
"…Fine. Enough. I admit I'm unfit to lead. I'll step down."
Bowing his head under the barrage of complaints, Karak—Phanun's third son—returned to the group.
The next leader chosen was a female barbarian.
"Ainar, second daughter of Fnelin!"
"Ainar the Wise will surely lead us down the right path!"
Amid high expectations, Ainar took the lead with a bright smile.
But it didn't take long for her to follow the same fate as her predecessor.
"…I think we're lost."
Amazingly, she used the exact same words.
"This is bad! We have to reach the labyrinth in time!"
"Ainar is unfit to lead!"
"She is!"
Thrown into chaos, the barbarians began a serious debate on who should be the third leader.
"I think Jin, second son of Tetron, would be good."
"No, I don't agree. I think actually…"
Do these idiots even have brains?
Do they seriously not realize that whoever leads, they won't reach the destination without knowing the way?
At this rate, my turn might come.
"..."
I quietly slipped back and approached the second leader, Ainar.
Standing just under two meters tall, she had withdrawn from the group, looking dejected.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel? Have you come to blame me too?"
Of course not.
From what I could see, they were all the same.
I shook my head, and Ainar tilted hers, puzzled.
"Then why? I don't need comforting."
"No. I came to tell you how to find the way."
"…Are you serious? How?"
I pointed with my hand.
"Just follow them."
"Follow them?"
She looked at me like I was crazy.
But I stayed calm and explained logically, step by step.
In the middle of the night, the buildings along the main street are all dark. Yet there are still quite a few people walking around.
And they're not in casual clothes—they're geared up.
Where else would armed people be heading at this hour?
"…You're right. Now that you mention it… Let's try that."
She returned to the group and shouted, "I found the way!" The barbarians instantly abandoned the idea of electing a third leader and erupted in cheers.
"As expected of Ainar!"
"Our wise warrior woman!"
Anyway, the group began moving again.
As we kept going, more and more armed individuals appeared around us—clear evidence we were on the right track.
Eventually, in the distance, we began to see radiant lights spreading outward.
At least we wouldn't get lost now.
"It's the labyrinth! I see the labyrinth!"
"A sacred realm of battle!"
And once again, my interrupted thoughts resumed.
My biggest concern now was this: Is entering the labyrinth really the right decision?
"I feel it! The labyrinth is calling to my soul!"
In their frenzy, the barbarians wouldn't even notice if I slipped away quietly.
If I don't enter the labyrinth, I won't have to fight monsters and spill blood.
But even knowing that better than anyone, I still couldn't bring myself to make a final decision.
'Probably because I know running away won't solve anything.'
In Dungeon & Stone, there's a tax system.
From the age of twenty, all city residents are required to pay taxes. Fail to do so, and you're executed.
Sounds like a trash game mechanic, right? But once you understand the worldbuilding, it kind of makes sense.
It's not something I need to worry about yet, but still…
"Ainar! Pick up the pace!"
"UWOOOOOO!!"
Anyway, I need money.
Sure, I don't have to enter the labyrinth to earn it.
Even working at a tavern would be enough to feed and house myself.
…If I wasn't a barbarian.
Barbarians are the only race in the game that start with a weapon.
And there's a simple reason for that:
[Barbarian? Sorry, someone just filled the position.]
[What, you again? There's nothing for barbarians to do here! What are you planning to break this time?!]
Barbarians can't do normal jobs.
In the game's setting, their only source of income is fighting monsters in the labyrinth.
Though I don't know if that restriction applies in real life too…
Maybe I could find work easier than I think.
But even if I wanted to bet on that, there's one big problem.
"10 minutes until the gate closes. Please enter quickly!"
The labyrinth only opens once a month in game time.
In other words, if I don't go in now, I'll have to survive in this city for a whole month.
But what if I can't find a job?
What if no one will hire me just because I'm a barbarian?
Well… then my future looks grim.
Even if I could survive a week on the food the chieftain gave me, after that I'd have to scavenge leftovers and food waste just to stay alive.
I might even starve to death before that.
One thing is certain: even if I manage to endure that time, my body will be nothing like it is now.
"I'll go in first!"
"No! I'm going first!"
Hunger, cold, sleeping in unsanitary conditions—
I know better than anyone just how fatally these things affect the human body.
So if I'm going to enter the labyrinth anyway, it makes sense to do it now, while I'm in my best condition.
'The problem is, that might just shorten my lifespan.'
Just as I was lost in thought—
"Bjorn, son of Yandel!"
Someone grabbed my shoulder.
It was that female barbarian from earlier.
Her name was…
"Einarr, third daughter of Phnellen."
"Second daughter."
Right. So what does she want from me?
"All the other warriors have already entered the labyrinth. Only you and I remain."
"Oh."
No wonder it got so quiet.
Looking around, not only are the other barbarians gone, but even the entire square is nearly empty. As the second leader, she probably came to check on me since I hadn't moved yet.
"We need to hurry. We arrived late, so there's not much time left."
At her words, I lifted my head and looked straight ahead.
The portal, which had been glowing brightly even from far away earlier, had now shrunk noticeably in size.
"Five minutes until closure!"
Right on cue, the guide announced the time remaining.
Five minutes. Tighter than I thought.
I really need to decide soon…
"Go on ahead. I'll follow right behind you."
"Understood."
Einarr nodded and headed for the portal. With that, my internal struggle only deepened.
So… what should I do now?
As someone who always chased maximum efficiency, who preferred doing everything fast and early, this indecision is foreign to me.
But this time, my real life is on the line.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel!"
Just as I was about to instinctively take a step back—
Einarr, who had been walking away, suddenly turned around.
"Thanks for earlier."
"…You don't have to thank me."
"And there's something I want to ask you."
Anything but my mother's name.
I nodded, and Einarr asked in a completely sincere voice:
"How can I become wise like you? You're the smartest barbarian I've ever met. I want to be like you."
That's… a hard question. How to become smart? Honestly, you might as well be reborn.
Wait—why am I even seriously considering this?
Just give her a quick answer and send her off.
"Always think before you act."
"Hmm, I see!"
I hadn't given it much thought, but Einarr pondered my words with a serious look.
Then she said something unexpected.
"Thanks for the advice. If I survive the labyrinth, I'll make sure to repay you."
"If I survive," huh?
That sounds… strange coming from a barbarian.
It made me say something uncharacteristic.
"…Are you afraid of dying?"
"Of course. Isn't everyone? I'm sure the other warriors are too. Even if they don't show it."
Really?
Honestly, even hearing that doesn't make it feel real.
Barbarians in the game were fearless by design.
And in real life, they didn't seem much different.
I didn't say anything, so Einarr explained further.
"We were born as warriors. If we cannot fight, we die."
Her words were clumsy and stiff, but somehow I understood her perfectly.
"I see."
Just like me, they never had a choice.
Because they were born barbarians.
Because if they couldn't fight and kill monsters in the labyrinth, they couldn't survive in this city.
That's why they learned to overcome fear from a young age.
That's all it was.
That's why they looked like savages.
"Let's survive and see each other again, Bjorn, son of Yandel."
And with that, Einarr entered the portal.
"One minute until closure!"
Now, there's nothing holding me back.
Only my choice remains.
Just like when I used to step into the final boss room, I'm faced with two options.
[ Yes / No ]
Somehow, the mess in my head clears up.
Yeah, I'll just think of it like a game.
Whenever I played, I always prioritized efficiency in pursuit of my goals.
I weighed all the possibilities before acting, always thinking two or three steps ahead.
Even if something looked profitable short-term, I'd choose "No" if it meant a loss overall.
If the opposite, then "Yes."
That's why, in the end, I never really had a choice.
"The gate is closing soon! Please step back!"
I ran forward.
Just like when the chieftain first called my name, fear surged up from the deepest part of my heart.
Which makes sense, since I've been frail my entire life and never even gotten into a real fistfight.
Let alone fighting monsters?
My knees were already shaking.
"It's dangerous!"
Still, unless the odds are truly zero—
I now possess the absurdly powerful body of a barbarian.
I have knowledge built from raising thousands of characters.
Most importantly, I have a grand goal: to survive.
So I have no choice but to go.
Even though I know better than anyone that this is a nightmare choice no sane person would ever make—
Because I've already decided it's the most rational one.
[ You have entered the Crystal Caverns – Floor 1. ]
That's the conclusion I came to.