Surviving as a Barbarian in a Fantasy World

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 267: Drawing the Holy Sword (1)

“First of all, thank you for saving the Mercenary King. If it weren't for you, he would have surely perished at the hands of the demons.”

The majority of the current prestige of the Mercenary Guild stemmed from the Mercenary King, a top-tier warrior.

If something were to happen to the Mercenary King, the guild's influence would be drastically reduced.

For this reason, Ketal saving the Mercenary King was a tremendous favor in the eyes of the guild.

Ketal replied casually.

“I don’t have a hobby of letting my comrades die, so don’t worry about it.”

“Even so, you are a benefactor of the guild. This is a reward.”

The Guild Master took out a jewel box and placed it on the table.

Inside the box were jewels, literally overflowing with them.

Every gem was flawless and large.

Ketal let out a small exclamation of surprise.

He wasn’t well-versed in jewels, but they were worth a great deal.

He would have been even more astonished if Ketal had known their true value.

The jewels in the box could literally buy a castle.

“I hope you won’t refuse this token of our gratitude.”

“Then I’ll gratefully accept it.”

Ketal accepted the jewel box, and the Guild Master's eyes gleamed.

Ketal smiled slightly.

“So, you didn’t come just to express your thanks. How about we get to the main topic?”

“Hahaha. You can't be fooled, Ketal.”

The Guild Master laughed awkwardly and then spoke in a lowered voice.

“Ketal, you are currently a mercenary, right?”

“That’s correct.”

Ketal was a C-rank mercenary.

He still carried his mercenary badge.

The Guild Master quietly asked,

“Do you have any thoughts of quitting mercenary work?”

“No, I don’t. I’m not working as a mercenary now, but I plan to whenever the opportunity arises.”

“Oh, I see!”

The Guild Master’s voice grew louder.

He quickly continued, as if not wanting to miss his chance.

“You still identify as a mercenary, Ketal! Ah, I was just curious because it seems you haven’t been active in mercenary work for a while! Hmm, yes, I see. You still see yourself as a mercenary!”

His tone was strange, as if it was important that Ketal still considered himself a mercenary.

“Ah, I understand now.”

Ketal let out a curious smile as if he had realized something.

“The jewels were to secure me, right? A sort of signing bonus.”

At this, the Guild Master flinched.

“…You figured it out?”

“I’m not so naïve as to be unaware of my own value. Since I don’t plan to quit being a mercenary, I don’t mind.”

“Haha, that’s good to hear. Ketal, you’re a mercenary. Currently, a C-rank one, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then I’ll promote you to S-rank.”

“Huh? Is that allowed?”

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“It would be more of a problem if you weren’t S-rank.”

Anyone who had reached the superhuman level could become an S-rank mercenary.

However, Ketal was a hero-class warrior.

It was only natural for him to be S-rank.

Ketal asked with curiosity,

“But aren't there procedures for this? I haven’t done much mercenary work, so isn’t that an issue?”

“Normally, there’s a qualification assessment, but for someone like you, Ketal, there’s no issue! I can upgrade you with the Guild Master’s special privilege!”

The Guild Master spoke confidently, wanting to show that he was considerate and attentive to Ketal’s needs.

“I’ve already checked with the Mercenary King! He said there’s no problem with you becoming S-rank! You don’t have to worry about it!”

“Hm.”

But Ketal’s expression was uncertain.

S-rank mercenary.

It was a position of great respect, the highest rank among mercenaries.

‘But I don’t want to get it this way.’

The idea of earning the title solely because of his strength, without actually doing mercenary work, felt like cheating to Ketal. After a moment of contemplation, Ketal asked,

“One question. Can an A-rank mercenary still have the right to challenge S-rank dungeons?”

Ketal was interested in S-rank dungeons because within them, he could obtain the catalyst he sought.

“Yes. As long as you get permission, it’s not an issue.”

“Then that’s good. I’d like to remain an A-rank mercenary.”

“Huh? Are you sure about that?”

“I haven’t done enough as a mercenary to be considered on the same level as the Mercenary King, so it would weigh on my conscience.”

“Ah, I see.”

The Guild Master was taken aback, as he hadn’t expected Ketal to refuse.

However, he quickly recovered.

“Understood. I’ll adjust your rank to A-rank. You can visit the guild later to receive your new badge.”

“Thank you.”

Ketal smiled.

The conversation had come to an end.

The Guild Master bowed deeply.

“Then, I look forward to working with you!”

“Yes, likewise.”

The Guild Master left with a beaming smile on his face.

Back in his quarters, he clenched his fist in triumph.

“Great. This is great! Meeting him here was unexpected, but it’s a huge win!”

He had confirmed that Ketal still identified as a mercenary and had a sense of belonging.

This was extremely important to the Guild Master.

In this world, the influence of strong individuals was immense.

The Mercenary Guild had grown so large because of the presence of the Mercenary King, a top-tier superhuman.

And Ketal was a hero-class warrior who had defeated the Mother of All Demons, someone even stronger than most heroes.

Frankly, it was a mystery why someone of his caliber wasn’t more widely known.

Just having him affiliated with the Mercenary Guild increased the guild's influence.

Confirming this was the Guild Master’s duty.

The Guild Master grinned.

Of course, he couldn’t exploit Ketal’s name or use it carelessly.

But just the fact that he was a mercenary added significant influence.

Satisfied, the Guild Master whispered quietly.

“Hey, how did it go?”

He asked his assistant, a fairy.

Elves were beings of nature.

They were more sensitive to the natural order than anyone else, which is why they felt threatened by Ketal's presence before he contained his intimidating aura.

It was like being in front of a wild predator.

And fairies, beings of fantasy, had the ability to see the essence of things and people.

The Guild Master asked,

“Did you see anything… hey, what’s wrong with you?”

“Ugh, ah…”

The fairy's face turned pale.

Her already white face became even whiter, like a blank sheet of paper.

"Th-that. What is that?"

"I told you before. A recently appeared hero-class strongman. Did you forget?"

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

"No. No."

The fairy shook her head vigorously.

That wasn't what she was asking about.

"Wh-what is that? Ugh, ahhh..."

"What's wrong?"

The guild master's face was filled with confusion.

The guild master had encountered several hero-class strongmen with the fairy before.

Each time, the fairy had muttered various things.

She had once described them as massive monsters, another time as swords that cut through everything.

She had even likened them to boxes whose contents were unknowable.

But he had never seen her so terrified before.

The fairy stammered as she spoke.

"I-it's mimicking. No. No. It's overlapping. H-how? This doesn't make sense. It shouldn't be possible for them to overlap... How is this even happening?"

"What are you talking about? What is that?"

"I-I don't know. Don't ask."

The fairy frantically shook her head as if she didn't want to think about it.

"If it wasn't hidden by overlapping... I-I would have... Ugh, aaah..."

The fairy clutched her head and groaned, as if just glimpsing the essence of Ketal was driving her mad.

"Wh-what's wrong?"

The guild master was flustered.

He had seen many things, but this was the first time he had seen the fairy in such distress.

Panicking, he tried to comfort her somehow.

* * *

The next day.

Kretein gathered everyone and spoke.

"The time has come! Everyone! The gate to the Holy Sword has been opened!"

"Ooooh!"

The people who had been waiting cheered.

Finally!

They could approach the Holy Sword! Ketal's eyes sparkled as Kretein continued.

"You are all first-class warriors. You have the first chance to draw the Holy Sword. Unfortunately, there must be some order. However, within this group, we will proceed as fairly as possible."

"How will it be fair?"

In response to someone's question, Kretein brought out a box.

"Please each take a piece of paper from this box. The number written on it is your order."

The people hurried over and lined up.

Ketal also took a place in line and drew a piece of paper.

7.

That was Ketal's number.

"Now, let's begin. Whoever drew number one, please come forward."

"I'll go!"

A man who appeared to be a mercenary boldly stepped forward.

Following the guidance of the priests, he walked toward the Holy Sword.

The others watched with expectant faces, or with nervous expressions, worried that he might be the one to pull out the sword.

Ketal asked Kretein.

"Can anyone pull out the Holy Sword immediately?"

"If they pass the trial, yes."

"Oh, do you know what the trial is?"

"No. I don't know. The trial changes each time. It can take an hour for one person, or it can be over in a minute."

As they talked, the mercenary returned from the Holy Sword.

His face was filled with disappointment.

"About five minutes."

"The trial seems relatively short this time."

"I'm next!"

The next person, who looked like a wizard, stood up confidently.

But five minutes later, he too returned with a gloomy expression.

One after another, people went in, but none returned with a smile.

"Now it's my turn."

Finally, it was Ketal's turn.

Kretein spoke cautiously.

"...Good luck."

"Thanks."

Ketal laughed cheerfully and stood up.

He followed the priests' guidance and entered the sacred grounds.

Finally, he arrived at a small door.

The priests stepped back.

"Please enter through here."

Ketal grabbed the doorknob and opened it.

Inside, a vast plaza appeared.

A massive plaza, about the size of a soccer field.

And in the center of the plaza.

There, a single silver sword was embedded in the ground.

"Ooooh..."

Ketal let out a breath of admiration.

That was the Holy Sword.

The Holy Sword appeared before him.

As he stared at the Holy Sword, it suddenly trembled.

As if it had seen something that shouldn't exist.

At the same time, golden swords began to materialize in the air.

Kiiiiiiing!

Dozens of swords appeared.

Each one brimming with divine power.

Ketal smiled.

"A trial, huh. That's good. Let's enjoy it."

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]