Chapter 8

008.

I hurried toward Zakan’s tent with the Muscle Potato tucked against my chest.

A hidden item that would strengthen Zakan, our tribe’s one-man army.

Since it was a precious item personally gifted by the Goddess herself, Zakan had to eat it.

“Zakan.”

When I quietly called to him from the entrance of the tent, a large shadow inside flinched.

But just as I was about to enter, an uninvited guest butted in.

“Izak, where are you going instead of farming with me?”

It was Malko.

Malko, who had been pulling weeds beside me while insisting he would help me, had followed.

The guy, who had about as much tact as a potato peel, scampered over and blocked my path.

Why is this bastard following me? Did he notice the existence of the Muscle Potato?

Pretending it was nothing, I waved my hand.

“Farming is finished now. Go.”

“No. I help Izak. I stay beside Izak.”

What kind of damned stubbornness is this now?

Malko, with his horse-like face, stubbornly plastered himself to my side.

Ever since he saw me produce potatoes, he had been following me almost like I was the ancestral god.

I appreciated the loyalty, but right now he was in the way.

Before I knew it, I could feel Zakan’s gaze from outside the tent.

Zakan stared at Malko, then looked at me. His eyes seemed to ask what this was about.

‘Damn it…… there’s only one Muscle Potato.’

Obviously, it was a hundred times better for Zakan to eat it than lanky Malko.

And that’s also the way for you to survive, Malko!

But oblivious as ever, he insisted, ‘I stay with Izak and Chief too,’ and tried to follow us inside.

I sighed and used my last resort.

“Malko.”

“What is it?”

“As expected, you’re the only one who can help me.”

I grabbed his shoulders with a solemn expression.

His ugly nose twitched.

“Organize and guard the warehouse. Potatoes will start pouring in now. If not you, who will protect those precious potatoes?”

“Ooh……!”

The simpleton’s eyes sparkled.

“With the authority of the shaman, I appoint you the Great Warehouse Keeper. Spe-cial-ly.”

“Gasp-! G-g-great Warehouse Keeper? And special? Appointed directly by the shaman!”

Malko covered his mouth as though overwhelmed and let out a high-pitched scream.

In truth, there was not even a rat in the warehouse.

And it did not have a door.

But apparently, it sounded like an extremely important duty to him.

“Understood! I guard warehouse. Nobody gets in.”

Malko excitedly ran toward the warehouse.

Watching his back as he ran without even looking back, I sighed in relief.

All right, now that the nuisance is gone, shall we get to the point?

Zakan stared blankly for a moment in the direction Malko had disappeared, then abruptly turned and strode back into the tent.

I quickly followed him inside, but he would not even look at me.

‘Huh?’

He went to his bed, turned his back to me, and sat down.

What’s with him now?

Anyway, that was not the problem. The Muscle Potato. Let’s make him eat the Muscle Potato.

I lit a fire in the small brazier in one corner of the tent and placed a pot on top, but Zakan still did not move.

“Hey, are you sick?”

“…….”

No answer. He just sat facing the wall and refused to respond.

Did he catch a cold? He doesn’t look like someone who could catch a cold with a body that big.

While I was thinking as I watched his turned back, the water in the pot began to boil.

Soon, the savory smell of a cooking potato spread through the tent.

When I stabbed it with a branch, it went in without resistance. Perfectly cooked.

“Zakan. Eat this.”

“I won’t.”

He answered curtly.

This is frustrating!

“This is a special potato. It’s good for your body.”

“I won’t.”

“This is an amazing potato! Only one came out of all the potatoes I’ve harvested so far!”

“I won’t. Give it to Malko.”

Snap.

My patience cracked.

I knew he was going through puberty, but this was a life-or-death situation and he was acting like this.

“Zakan!”

When I shouted, Zakan’s shoulders flinched.

“I brought this special potato for Zakan, so why won’t you eat it!”

“……For me?”

Zakan slowly turned his head.

“Yes. I brought it so only Zakan could eat it. This is Zakan’s.”

“Hmm…….”

He looked once at the steaming potato, then held out his hand.

After receiving it, Zakan stared down at the potato for a moment before a faint smile appeared on his face.

Seriously, what is with this guy?

Without even blowing on the hot potato, he shoved the whole thing into his mouth and chewed.

It definitely said it was tough and tasted bad…….

[Zakan has consumed the ‘Shining Muscle Potato.’ Strength permanently increases by +1.]

Anyway, he ate it, so I guess that’s enough.

Looking at the message window that appeared, I asked with anticipation in my eyes.

“How is it? Do you feel stronger?”

“……Tastes bad.”

Zakan frowned as he spoke.

Even if it tastes bad, it’s good for you, so eat it, brat.

Raising a kid is really hard.

I sighed and was about to leave the tent when a quiet voice stopped me.

“Thank you…… Izak.”

A chuckle escaped me at his clumsy expression of gratitude.

_____________

Time passed, and only one day remained until the Red Moon.

The field was empty after the final harvest.

I stood between the furrows and checked my Status Window.

==========

【Player Information】

• Name : Izak (Kang Jin-ho)

• Race : Barbarian (Northern Rock Tribe)

• Class : Novice Farmer

• Level : 4

【Basic Stats】

• Strength : 20+1 / Agility : 15 / Constitution : 22 / Intelligence : 20 / Mental Strength : 8+2

• Fame : 4

• Remaining Stat Points : 4

【Farming Journal】

• Potato

- Harvest Quantity 620/2000

- Understanding 40%

==========

What a shame. I wanted to reach Level 5 quickly.

But I could not farm any more here.

‘I’ll put the 4 points into Strength.’

The Red Moon would rise tomorrow. Wouldn’t it help even a little with survival?

Next… I had to erase the traces of farming before the Volcano Tribe arrived.

If I left the field empty like this, it would simply look like wasteland where no weeds grew.

“This should be enough.”

I sighed as I looked at the empty field.

But the anxiety in one corner of my heart would not disappear.

Will the kids move properly according to my plan? What if something unexpected happens?

“Izak! Let’s eat dinner!”

The children called to me from afar.

I shook off my distracting thoughts and headed toward the village.

Today was the eve of the Red Moon.

It was time to enjoy our final feast.

.

.

.

The bonfire crackled as it burned.

The central clearing of the village was filled with the smell of stew packed with potatoes and dried meat.

Of course, I made it.

We were severely lacking in spices…… no, we practically had none, but it was still better than starving.

The tribe members sat gathered together and enjoyed their meal.

“Delicious! Potatoes are best!”

“Lots of meat too. Today stomachs burst!”

Broth smeared around the children’s mouths, Chief Zakan silently tearing into meat, and Malko telling the children the heroic tale of how he became the Warehouse Keeper.

‘Peaceful.’

I rested my chin on my hand and watched them, overcome by a strange emotion.

At first, I had only started this to survive and level up.

But why do these 40 barbarians feel like my family?

Was it because I had never had a family in my previous life?

This feeling was definitely unfamiliar, yet at the same time, it was something I had always longed for.

‘I want to protect them.’

I hoped this peaceful dinner would not be our last.

I hoped the children’s laughter would not turn into screams.

Near the end of the meal, Zakan stood up.

He quietly called over several warriors.

Malko, and the older warriors in their late teens.

They were the core fighting strength of our Rock Tribe.

“Do you understand?”

Zakan’s voice was low and serious.

“The Red Moon rises tomorrow. The Volcano Tribe will come.”

“We know, Chief.”

“We are ready.”

“Remember. The goal of this battle is not victory.”

Zakan glanced toward the tents where the children were sleeping.

“Survival.”

“…….”

“While Volcano fights, we defend. If anything breaks through, you stop it.”

“Understood!”

A grim determination filled the air.

Zakan’s gaze was fierce, and the young warriors standing before him were equally serious.

I also approached them and quietly spoke.

“And one more thing. Volcano is strong, but we are strong too.”

“That’s right!”

The warriors nodded.

We exchanged glances.

There was no need for words.

Because we were all looking toward the same place.

Time flowed like water, and before we knew it, night had fallen deeply the next day.

The sky just before the Red Moon rose was dyed an unpleasant purple.

‘So this is what it looks like.’

I engraved the unfamiliar sight into my eyes.

Amid the heavy air and eerie silence where even the sound of insects could not be heard, we checked the barricades and fences at the village entrance and sharpened our weapons.

I did not know how effective the crudely made barricades and fences would be, but they were better than nothing.

After finishing our preparations, I took 50 potatoes from the warehouse and put them into sacks.

It was the payment for the Volcano Tribe. Volcano had demanded 100 potatoes, but I had no intention of blindly following their demand.

The rest had been buried deep inside the cave behind the village.

“They’re coming.”

Zakan drew his greatsword.

Dust was rising on the far side of the canyon.

- Boom. Boom. Boom.

The earth shook beneath enormous footsteps, and red-skinned giants appeared.

The Western Volcano Tribe.

Around 20 warriors arrived with Chief Burta at the front.

‘The rest must be protecting their own land.’

Looking closely, the vice-chief who had come with them the first day was nowhere to be seen.

“Were you waiting, Rock brats?”

Burta approached with a grin.

His gaze first swept over Zakan, then landed on me.

Finally, he smacked his lips as he looked at the sacks of potatoes piled behind me.

“We came as promised. Are the potatoes ready?”

“They are here.”

When Zakan pointed to the sacks of potatoes, Burta furrowed his brow slightly.

He probably thought the amount was insufficient.

“Is that the amount we agreed on?”

Zakan nodded and spoke exactly as I had instructed.

“Half the promised amount. The other half will be given after the Red Moon passes.”

“A contract is sacred. Do you intend to break your promise!”

“I never said I would break it. We will give you exactly the promised amount. But before that, Volcano must protect us perfectly.”

Burta stomped his foot with a boom.

I was terrified inside, but my body, controlled by Barbarian Spirit, did not even blink.

In situations like this, it was a very useful trait.

Burta glared at us for a moment, then bit his lip and frowned as though he had no choice.

“Cunning brats. Fine. I keep promises. Tonight, I will make sure not a single hair on your heads is touched.”

He looked at us with frightening eyes, then turned his head and slowly scanned the village.

Like a predator searching for prey.

‘There’s something going on with this bastard.’

I sensed it instinctively.

As expected, this guy was suspicious.

They had not come here tonight merely to act as mercenaries.

They had come to obtain something greater.

That was when it happened.

- Graaaaaaaah!

A beast’s roar echoed from the distance.

It was not the sound of an ordinary wolf or bear.

This…… this was literally the spine-chilling roar of a magical beast, as though it were tearing the air apart!

I reflexively looked up at the sky.

The black clouds parted, and at last, it revealed itself.

A massive moon stained blood-red.

The Red Moon seemed to hover right before us, as though it might drip blood at any moment.

[The Red Moon has risen.]

[The magical beasts’ berserk state begins.]

[The first wave is approaching!]

“It has begun.”

Burta grinned as he rested his axe on his shoulder.

His white teeth gleamed eerily beneath the red moonlight.

“Now then, warriors of Volcano! Let’s go earn our food!”

“BARBARIAAAAN-!”

The Volcano Tribe warriors roared as they charged forward.

Behind them, I swallowed dryly.

I was scared and terrified.

But I desperately held myself together and tapped Zakan on the back.

“Let’s go, Chief. We have to protect too.”

Zakan gave a heavy nod.

The earth trembled as a pitch-black wave surged over the dark barrier.

A magical beast wave.

At the front was a pack of Black-Maned Wolves.

Normally they would have been about the size of calves, but under the magic of the Red Moon, they had transformed to the size of houses, and behind them, Spiked Boars and Mutated Black Bears thundered forward, shaking the ground.

“Stop them!”

“Barbarian!”

At Burta’s command, the tribe warriors who had charged ahead collided with them.

- Booooom!

The Volcano Tribe warriors’ axes crushed wolf skulls, while charging boars dented the warriors’ shields.

Blood and chunks of flesh instantly sprayed in every direction.

‘So that’s a barbarian.’

It was closer to slaughter than combat.

The barbarians’ fighting style, which I was seeing for the first time, was overwhelming.

Enough to make me wonder whether I should really consider those things tearing magical beasts apart to be human.

Among them, the one who stood out most was undoubtedly Burta.

“They’re coming this way too.”

While I was staring blankly at the scene, Zakan’s voice snapped me back to my senses.

But they could not block 100% of the magical beasts.

There were simply too many.

The clever magical beasts chose to go around them rather than face such powerful enemies, and naturally, those groups were aiming for us.

A nimble shadow burst through a gap in the Volcano Tribe’s defensive line.

A dog-shaped magical beast with exposed red muscles, a Blood Hound.

It charged toward us at insane speed, more precisely toward the cave where we had hidden the children.

- Slash

A black flash gleamed.

The charging Blood Hound’s head flew into the air, and Zakan stood amid a fountain of blood, swinging his greatsword.

“Protect the children!”

At Zakan’s command, the young warriors of the Rock Tribe moved as well.

Malko thrust his spear into the side of a boar, while the other warriors pressed their shields together and formed a defensive line.

Our first battle was clumsy.

We lacked strength.

But they were not weak. Because they had family behind them that they had to protect.

And I…….

- Whoosh!

“Kieeeek!”

Why does this work?

Without even realizing it, I hurled my axe at a Blood Hound charging toward Zakan and split its skull open!

“……!”

Zakan looked at me in surprise for a moment, then immediately swung his greatsword at the magical beasts charging toward him.

It was a desperate struggle.

A hellscape where the smell of blood, screams, and burning flesh mixed together.

‘So this is the Red Moon.’

This was no longer a game. It was reality.

Amid the terrible fear, I silently cut down the magical beasts that charged at me again and again. Perhaps because of Barbarian Spirit, despite it being my first time, I did not feel disgusted, and despite it being my first time, I could move like the other barbarians.

How much time passed like that? The magical beasts’ momentum finally weakened.

The vanguard of the wave had been annihilated by the overwhelming force of the Volcano Tribe.

The canyon floor was piled high with the corpses of magical beasts.

But something was strange.

Even though the battle was over, the Volcano Tribe did not withdraw and still stood with weapons drawn as though surrounding our village.

“Zakan.”

When I quietly called him, he turned toward me.

“Look over there.”

Zakan looked where I pointed.

In the middle of the battlefield.

The last remaining magical beast, a massive Mutated Black Bear, was panting heavily, covered in blood.

And for some reason, Burta stood looking down at it without killing it.

At that moment.

Burta’s eyes met mine.