The Shield Barbarian
The first time I played a barbarian, I chose a Great Sword. Why? Because it was cool. I had imagined how epic it would be to brandish a massive blade with both hands, spinning like a madman through an enemy camp.
The problem was that they died too easily.
Fascinated by the class, I began my own research: How do you keep a barbarian alive? Even after countless attempts, my characters kept falling. No matter how high their survival stats were, they eventually became berserkers. Every battle was like walking a tightrope. It made the barbarian an unstable, high-risk character.
Then, I had a realization. Do I really have to use him as a damage dealer?
Barbarians had the highest natural survivability of any class. Their potential strength was high enough to carry Adamantium gear. While they lacked the specialized defensive skills of a Dwarf, they had incredible raw tanking potential. To be honest, I didn't want to be a "barbarian tank," but I didn't want my research to go to waste.
After some trial and error, I created a build that felt like a cheat code. I abandoned my Dwarf tank without a second thought. I didn't care if the battles were less "exciting." I valued efficiency above all else. I was the kind of player who would ignore personal taste if it meant a better strategy.
Thud.
When I returned to my spot after choosing my gear, I felt the other savages staring at me.
What? Never seen a barbarian with a shield before?
I kept my expression dignified and unwavering. I didn't even have to act this time; I was confident in my choice.
«Next!»
I didn't regret it. There were three reasons:
Among the starting gear, the shield had the highest resale value.
Even if I took a sword, I probably wouldn't know how to swing it properly yet.
Ultimately, a "Shield Barbarian" was the most efficient build for survival.
The Gates of Rafdonia
«With this, you have all become warriors!»
As the ceremony wound down, I finally had a moment to think. While the others celebrated, I speculated on how I got here. I should have thought about it sooner, but I'd been too busy trying to keep my head attached to my neck.
[You have reached the Abyss.]
That message from the game—reaching the final boss room—was likely the trigger. But what about the guy who died earlier? Did he reach the boss room too? Probably. There are billions of people in the world; a few of them were bound to be as obsessed with this game as I was.
[Tutorial Complete.]
I interpreted that message as: I've taught you everything; now use it to survive. They were ruthless bastards. If they really wanted me to survive, they should have given me a heads-up about the "evil spirit" thing. I almost died the second I arrived.
Assholes.
Maybe it was because I was in a barbarian's body, but I found it harder than usual to control my irritation. I forced myself to stop. Getting emotional was a liability. What happened had happened. It was more productive to focus on the next step.
How do I survive this?
The ceremony ended, and we marched through the woods. The chief led the way, and the young barbarians followed, acting as if they were going on a picnic. I couldn't join their laughter. I knew where we were going.
«Look!»
We emerged from the thick forest to face a castle wall at least thirty meters high.
«Open the gates!» the chief roared.
The massive doors creaked open with the slow, grinding sound of heavy machinery. The young barbarians watched, breathless. Beyond the gates, a sprawling gray city appeared.
«Rafdonia...»
For a moment, my eyes sparkled just like theirs. I saw organized stone paths, sturdy structures, and a spire so high it seemed to pierce the sky. I never dreamed I'd see the loading screen illustration in real life.
«Warriors!» the chief turned and shouted. I expected a grand farewell speech, but this was a tribe of barbarians.
«Go! Your destiny lies within!»
«RAAAAAGH!»
The new adults charged into the city, screaming at the top of their lungs. I didn't want to, but I joined the shout and followed. There were likely people sleeping inside those buildings who didn't appreciate the noise, but it didn't matter.
I was a barbarian now.
BOOM!
The gates slammed shut behind us. None of the others cared. They ran until their initial excitement burned off, eventually slowing to a halt. As they calmed down, reality set in.
«...Hold on,» the barbarian leading the pack, Karak, stopped and turned around. «I think I'm lost.»
The group began to murmur. «Karak has led us astray!» «He's not fit to lead!» «Someone else must take responsibility!»
It was cold-hearted. They had all followed him willingly, yet they turned on him in an instant.
«I understand,» Karak bowed his head. «I am not worthy. I resign.»
They immediately appointed a woman as the next leader. «Ainar, second daughter of Fenelin!» «Wise Ainar will lead us!»
Ainar smiled and led us forward... only to stop five minutes later. «...I think I've also lost the way.»
The cycle repeated. «Incredible! We must reach the Labyrinth on time!» «Ainar has no leadership skills!»
I watched them, exasperated. Do these kids have no brains? It doesn't matter who leads if no one knows where they're going. I silently slipped away from the bickering group and approached Ainar. She stood apart from the rest, looking discouraged.
«Bjorn, son of Yandel? Have you come to blame me too?»
«No,» I said, shaking my head. «I've come to show you how to find the way.»
«How?»
I pointed down the street. «Just follow them.»
«Follow... them?»
I sighed. I had to explain it logically. It was the middle of the night. The streetlights were off. And yet, there were dozens of people in the streets, all wearing armor. Where else would they be going?
«That... actually makes sense. I'll try it.»
Ainar returned to the group and shouted, «I found the way!» The barbarians cheered. They were simple creatures.
The Choice
As we approached the center of the city, the crowds grew thicker. A glowing portal pulsed in the distance—the entrance to the Labyrinth.
Should I really go in?
I could slip away. I wouldn't have to fight monsters. But I knew running wasn't a long-term solution. Dungeon and Stone had a brutal tax system. From age twenty, every resident had to pay, or face execution.
More importantly, I needed to eat. I could try to find work in a tavern, but the game's lore was clear: nobody hires barbarians for "normal" jobs. They were seen as destructive and clumsy.
[«A barbarian? Sorry, we're full.»] [«Get out! I'm not hiring a barbarian just to have you break my furniture!»]
The Labyrinth only opened once a month. If I didn't enter now, I'd have to survive in the city for thirty days with no money and no food. I'd be a starving beggar by the time the portal reopened. If I was going to fight, I had to do it now while I was still at full strength.
«Bjorn, son of Yandel!»
I turned. It was Ainar.
«The others have already entered,» she said. «Only you and I are left.»
I looked at the portal. It was shrinking.
«Five minutes until closing!» the guide shouted.
«Go ahead,» I told her. «I'm right behind you.»
Ainar nodded, but then she stopped and turned back. «Thank you for earlier.»
«It was nothing.»
«I want to ask you something,» she said, her voice sincere. «How can I be wise like you? I have never met a barbarian so intelligent. I want to be like that.»
I didn't have a deep answer. «Just think before you act.»
«I see!» She took the advice to heart. «Thank you. If I return from the Labyrinth alive, I will pay you back.»
If? I looked at her. «Are you afraid of dying?»
«Isn't it obvious?» she asked. «Of course I am. The others are too, even if they don't show it. But we were born warriors. If we don't fight, we die.»
I understood then. They weren't fearless "savages" by choice; they were people who had accepted a hard reality.
«I see. See you on the other side, Ainar.»
She stepped into the light.
«One minute left!»
I stood alone. My knees were shaking. I had been a sickly person my whole life; I'd never even been in a fistfight, let alone a battle with monsters. But I had the body of a titan and the knowledge of a veteran player.
Yes. I'll treat this like a game.
In a game, I always chose the path of maximum efficiency. I didn't move unless the probability of success was high.
«The door is closing!»
I ran. My heart hammered against my ribs, but I didn't stop. It was the only logical choice.
[You have entered the Crystal Cave: Floor 1.]