There were three main advantages to becoming a chieftain:

First of all, I won't need to hide the fact that I've received an oracle.

Secondly, I could change to my liking the irrational system of the barbarians, which had been in decline for several decades...

Thirdly, in the future, once I have obtained the Treasure of Barbarian Existence, I will be able to use it as I see fit.

This could not have been done because you are a leader. It was just that before that, it was necessary to change the policy of the tribe. In general, barbarians are a conservative race that values tradition, but under some leaders of the past, they made progress (albeit slightly), such as using formal language and showing respect for the king. They also recognized the existence of evil spirits and sent their corpses to the Great Temple. Given its long history, it hadn't been long since it had become a matter of course for warriors to live in a city rather than in the Holy Land. Maybe about 600 years?

In the past, erasing essence in the temple was racially prohibited.

In general, it was quite absurd that this was the only thing that had changed in thousands of years. Instead of saying that the chief has no right to make changes, it would be more correct to assume that such a person has not yet appeared. Not only did the chief of the tribe have overwhelming authority in the affairs of the tribe, but the warriors were also inclined to believe and follow most of his words, since they considered the chief smarter than themselves. But even so, if reform begins, there will inevitably be a backlash, but this was the part that could be changed gradually, given enough time.

Not bad.

The shaman's words seemed insane to me for only a moment. But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a perfectly reasonable option. The problem was that it would take at least several years to become a tribal leader in the usual way.

I heard that the current chief was once an explorer on the 8th floor.

The exact rank of the researcher was unknown, but it was clear that it would take a long time to catch up with him in the combat unit.

But...

I don't have to go to the 8th floor.

Most likely, the cut-off point should be approximately on the 6th floor. Not all of the tribal leaders in the past were as strong as they are now. Even if they lacked combat power, if they possessed good leadership qualities or prudence, they were appointed tribal chief.

From now on, I must begin to recruit supporters. Even if I don't become a chieftain, I won't hurt to have influence in the tribe.

The moment I finished organizing my thoughts.

"Warrior, you seem to have a lot to worry about. I'm hungry, so get out of here.

"Oh, oh... Yes. Of course. Enjoy your meal.

The shaman ordered me to leave.

God, he was the first to light the fire in my heart.

*Rumbling!*

It looks like I'm hungry too.

***

Leaving the shaman's tent at about nine in the morning, I smiled bitterly.

For some reason, every time I come here, I lose a whole day.

Maybe because I lost consciousness, my body felt fresher than when I woke up normally, and that was enough to start the day. In this mood, I turned to one of the elders passing by with a question:

"Do you know where Einar is?"

"I didn't see her yesterday after the Warrior Forest.

Maybe she's still there?

I got a little worried and went to the forest where the funeral took place yesterday. How much time has passed? I saw Einar lying in the bushes, drooling.

"B-Bjorn?"

"Did you spend the night here?"

"I didn't mean to, but—" Ainar turned away in embarrassment, wiping her saliva with the back of her hand. Unfortunately, her eyes fell on Kiduba.

As if waking up from a dream and facing reality, Einar let out a short sigh. After being silent for a while, she spoke cautiously.

"Hey, Bjorn?"

— Speak.

"Do you have anything to eat?"

That was in the spirit of a barbarian. I grinned and lowered my backpack. Then he took out the canned food he had eaten in the maze, and we ate together.

"Are you better now?"

"I'm a little annoyed, but still better.

"Annoyed?"

"He deceived me. If he had been honest, I would not have shown myself from such a pathetic side. Kiduba made me a coward in front of everyone.

Ainar snorted angrily, as if the truth was annoyed. That she was able to overcome her sadness and enter the anger stage in just one day was simply amazing.

"By the way, Bjorn, has something happened to you too?"

"What do you mean?"

— It just seems to me so. Your expression has become more gloomy than it was the last time we met. If it's because of me, then I just wanted to tell you that you shouldn't be like that.

A darker expression, huh?

— ... It's not because of you, so don't worry.

"If not because of me, then because of whom?"

"That's—" I wondered if I could make an excuse, but I stopped myself. - Probably because of the death of a teammate.

— ... Got it. Is it okay if I ask what happened?

I briefly described what happened on this expedition. Unlike usual, Einar listened calmly, without interrupting or making any remarks. And when it was all over...

"Riol Varb Dvalki...

Einar said the name quietly so as not to forget it, and then let out a short sigh of regret.

"I wish I had met him sooner.

Ainar and Dvalki, right? It wasn't easy to imagine the two of them together, but Dvalki was the best friend even for a dwarf. They could have become good friends. However, it didn't matter now.

"Anyway, Bjorn, why don't you fight me?"

Shortly thereafter, Einar rose from her seat and made an unexpected proposal.

"I want to see if I've become a strong enough warrior not to hold you back.

"So you want to join the team I'm creating?"

"If you think I'm worthy of it."

How barbaric. That she did not expect any friendly concessions was encouraging. However, it is necessary to distinguish between work and personal life.

"Ainar, there is only one place left besides the mage's place. I was thinking of putting a mage in this place as well.

"Put it simply.

"That means give it your all," I grinned.

Ainar answered:

'Behellaaa

Before I knew it, there was a sword in her hand, and she swung at my neck.

***

Tank, Melee Dealer, Ranged Dealer, Mage: All the necessary positions have already been determined. However, thanks to the fact that Mr. Bear was a guide, the scout's position became vacant, a kind of bonus position. The character class I put in this place will determine the appearance of the team I create.

Would it be two mages with instant power or two truckers with constant damage? If not, should you strive for stability and speed of hunting with two melee damage dealers? After much deliberation, I decided to choose two Magi.

But...

'Behellaaa

As the sparring with Einar began, my fears grew.

… She has definitely become much stronger.

She had half a year of swordsmanship training, an increase in her stats through hardening, plus a rank 4 essence that she had inherited from the elder.

I didn't expect her to inherit this essence. She was really lucky.

Now she was almost no different in strength from Misha.

Considering that she only had two essences, her potential for the second half was significant. Only one detail bothered me.

Because of this, the team will be too focused on close combat.

Thanks to the Ogre essence, I was able to deal damage as well. So if Einar joins us, we will have three melee fighters on our team.

"Let's stop there.

— … I can still do more!

"I know. But I don't think there is any point in continuing.

— ... Am I not qualified enough?

I shook my head decisively.

"That's not the point.

Although I wasn't wearing equipment, the fact remained that it made me bleed even in the state of [Gigantization]. Needless to say, it has passed.

"Then can I go with you on the next expedition?!"

"Can you give me some time to think?"

"Ahh!" Ok! Of course. Is one minute enough?

— ... One minute is too little, let's give three.

"I can wait so long!" As you know, I am very patient!

I closed my eyes and ignored the qualities that Einar implicitly emphasized. Since I had already made up my mind in my heart, I didn't have to wait long. I just wanted to check everything again.

Soon I opened my eyes and looked at Einar.

"I hope we will work well together.

"Wait. Does that mean...?

"Everything is as you think.

Ainar, Feneline's 2nd daughter: It passed.

***

The reason for accepting Ainar was simple, and not at all because of the fond memories of the massacre of the Death Fiends together. To make a decision, I looked a little into the future.

Anyway, two teams will have to roll out to the 6th floor.

On the 6th floor, the ideal option was a small clan rather than a single team. The scale of the monsters and the research methods were too large for five people. I decided that it would be wise to send Misha or Einar to another team when the time came, as her growth potential was undeniable.

"Ainar, have you already received the print?"

— Not yet. As you know, I have no money...

— Exactly. Good job.

Later, I will explain to her in detail the path of the Imprint... With that, I ended the conversation. Einar went to the elder's tent to pack her belongings, and I waited outside, collecting my thoughts.

There is only one mage left...

Actually, this was the biggest problem when creating the team. All the Magi were very arrogant. Anyone who wasn't one couldn't be a true Magus.

Phew, I'm tired of just thinking about what I'm going to have to do.

This reminded me that it was a good idea not to resort to the strategy of two magicians. I knew two mages, Raven and Ragna, but I wouldn't be surprised if they both turned me down.

As soon as I return, I will first need to raise the rank of researchers Misha and Ainhar.

As I wandered around the Holy Land, trying to figure out how to convince them, a barbarian friend noticed me and called out loudly:

"Bjorn, son of Yandel!"

"Charon, son of Tarson?"

"Glad to see you!" But what are you doing here?

When I said that I had come on business, Charon said that it was a fortunate coincidence, and asked me to say a few words to the young soldiers. I thought for a while and agreed. Wasn't I going to seriously claim the position of leader? I was not going to miss the opportunity to enlist support. It seems that Einar also needed time.

"Really?!" Young warriors will be delighted!

Soon I followed Charon into the clearing. Dozens of young warriors had already gathered there, and as soon as I announced my name, cheers rang out.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel!"

"A great warrior!"

"Wow!

Although I knew it was the result of Charon's brainwashing, I still had a strange high. Probably, I still could not change my nature.

"Behella!" "I wanted to scream, and I screamed.

Then the young barbarians followed my example.

'Behellaaa

It was the kind of ecstasy I hadn't experienced since Ainar left the team.

Yes, it was it.

I tried my best to hide a satisfied smile and began to play the role of a guest lecturer in earnest. It turned out to be not so difficult. After making them fight each other like barbarians, I wandered around and gave unlimited advice on smashing the opponent's head.

And then he filled in the gaps in their education.

"When you have the money, the first thing to do is to buy a dashcam. It will come in handy if you are accused of looting.

I was not going to stop the method created by Charon to make money.

It was too much even for me, but... The victims were looters anyway. It will be better for the world if they die out.

"Okay, let's do it again. A good looter?

"A dead marauder."

"The Explorers Guild?"

"Not trustworthy!"

"If you meet Hans in the labyrinth?"

"Go away!" If you don't want to die!

As I hammered into the heads of the barbarians what they needed to know as explorers, suddenly goosebumps ran down my spine.

... Murderous energy?

I interrupted my studies and turned around. Right behind me, like a ghost, stood a familiar barbarian. A large scar on his face. A long, braided beard. A characteristic smell of sweat, as if he hadn't washed for days.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel." "It was the chief. "Lately, there has been a lot of communication from the Guild. Is it all your fault?

I slowly rolled my eyes and looked at Charon, who assured me that the chieftain would not be looking for us during training.

He was already moving away from me with a pale face.

"Explain yourself before I misunderstand you."

And... uh... uh...

Bloody hell...