Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 125

Grade 3 monster, Bandemon.

Its attack difficulty is on the lower end for a Grade 3 monster, but because of its specific appearance conditions, encountering it is rare, making it a kind of ‘rare’ monster.

That’s why I chose this as the first piece of information to share.

Even for a player using cheat mode, defeating a Bandemon wouldn’t be a common occurrence.

And catching one with three people would be even rarer.

‘More than anything, this information is practically useless.’

In fact, that was the biggest reason I chose it.

Bandemon are hard to find.

And defeating one with three people is even harder.

This isn’t the cheat mode where you can consume up to 30 essences at once. Simply put, it’s the kind of information that, even if you hear it, you’d just think, ‘Oh, that exists? Interesting,’ and then forget about it.

Yes, that’s how it should have been, but…

“Is that really true?! Ah, ah! I didn’t doubt it. Really. You know?”

Starting with the fox mask, who jumped to ask a question and then quickly made excuses, everyone’s reaction is a bit strange.

“…Catching a Bandemon with three people?”

“If it’s a Bandemon, it’s definitely a Grade 3 monster, is that even possible…?”

They reacted as if they had heard something absurd.

“Then let’s move on to the next one.”

I passed the turn as if it was nothing special.

Actually, it was an attempt to divert the attention focused on me, but thanks to my mysterious image, no one seemed to notice.

“Fortunately, the green light turned on.”

After that, the last turn, the deer antler, also shared information and got an okay, and one round was over.

According to the announcement I saw when I entered, from now on, the participants would decide whether to do another round through discussion…

“I’ll stop here for today.”

When the crescent moon, who didn’t have much prepared, declared that they would leave after the first round, the atmosphere shifted towards ending the gathering here.

“Hmm, then I’ll stop here too. I’ll save what I was going to use today for the next gathering.”

“If Fox is leaving, then I’ll quit too. I have a lot prepared… but I’m not confident that it’s information those two don’t know.”

As the fox and deer antler expressed their intention to not participate for different reasons, the clown looked at me with a subtle tone.

“What about you, Lion? I’m fine with continuing the gathering with just the two of us—”

“I’ll stop here too.”

“Huh? Why is that?”

I shrugged and kept my reasons to myself.

Of course, I also wanted to go around a few more times and gather information, but…

‘If it’s just the two of us, there’s a risk of getting caught.’

The risk is too high.

If I throw out a probing piece of information and the green light turns on, it could expose that I’m a newbie.

And getting one piece of information for one piece of information isn’t very efficient either.

“Hmm, that’s a shame. It’s the first time I’ve met someone who could be helpful to me, and it’s over like this.”

With the clown’s words, dripping with regret, the gathering came to an end.

But what is this again?

“……”

Even though the gathering is over, everyone is still in the chat room, quietly watching each other.

It wasn’t hard to see that their attention was on me, even though they were pretending not to be.

It seemed like they were expecting me to say something before leaving.

‘……Okay, so I was the main focus today.’

I chuckled and seriously considered it.

The first gathering I attended.

Today, I succeeded in building a ‘concept’ that wouldn’t make me look down upon by the veterans here.

Then, what would be the most appropriate action for this concept?

“……”

Clown, Deer Antler, Fox, Crescent Moon.

I slowly looked at each of the four veterans I met today.

And…

“Is that all you’ve got?”

I left just like that.

***

“He’s gone…”

As soon as Lion left, Fox let out a long breath she had been holding back.

“Fox, are you okay?”

Crescent Moon looked at her and asked cautiously.

The subject was omitted, but the meaning was clear.

It was really dangerous earlier.

“…I’m fine.”

Killing intent.

The intention to kill someone.

Usually, it’s an intangible thing that’s hard to feel unless you have a good sense of it.

However, in this special space where minds meet, it’s a bit different.

“Are you really okay? Your fingertips have been trembling since earlier.”

Because there’s no filter of the physical body, the moment you’re exposed to killing intent, an overwhelming fear is engraved in your mind.

Of course, most of the time, it ends there, but…

In severe cases, the spirit body can be severely damaged, and the aftereffects can even accompany you in the real world.

“It’ll stop soon. Fortunately, it didn’t lead to mental contamination.”

Even as she said that, Fox was dizzy.

What if Lion had withdrawn his killing intent even a little later?

The thought alone made her shudder.

Even if she didn’t become a madman, she could have developed a speech impediment, like stuttering.

“Who on earth is he…?”

Fox voiced the question she had been holding back.

A newcomer who entered a year after the Master disappeared.

She thought she had a high mental barrier, but the killing intent she could barely withstand for a few seconds.

She wondered what kind of experiences a person would have to go through to reach that level of mental strength, but…

What’s really surprising is something else.

“That person, as soon as he noticed that I was at my limit, he erased his killing intent. In an instant.”

“…So it wasn’t just my imagination.”

The killing intent that had been tightening disappeared in less than a second.

It’s hard to explain in words.

To erase the intention that was formed through extreme immersion, in an instant?

Is that even possible with a human mind?

‘Why did I have to step forward at that time…’

While Fox was regretting her reckless actions, Deer Antler opened his mouth.

“More importantly, what do you think about what he said earlier?”

“About Bandemon?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not a lie… I guess. The light of truth turned on, after all.”

Of course, the jewel on the round table isn’t absolute.

If the speaker firmly believes that what they’re saying is ‘true,’ the jewel emits a green light.

But…

“Somehow, I don’t think that person is mistaken.”

“That’s… I agree too. That’s why I’m confused.”

For Lion’s information to be true, one premise must be satisfied.

That is, to defeat Bandemon with three people.

“It’s definitely something from the game, but it sounds too far-fetched to me.”

“Wouldn’t it be possible with about 50x mode? Well, I don’t think Lion cleared it with that kind of difficulty.”

Crescent Moon laughed and joined the conversation at Deer Antler’s mutterings.

And at that moment.

“Hmm, are you all assuming that Lion’s information is something he found in the game?”

The clown said something meaningful, and a moment of silence fell.

“……”

“……”

Of course, that time was extremely short.

All three of them shook their heads and smiled.

“…Haha, there’s no way that’s possible.”

“Clown, you always say strange things.”

Fox didn’t say anything negative like the other two, but she felt the same way.

To attack Bandemon with three people, how could they do that here when it’s difficult even in the game?

“Tsk, you all lack imagination.”

The clown clicked his tongue as if he didn’t like something.

“Anyway, please prepare diligently next time.”

“Prepare?”

“Information! Information! What is this? We had to send someone like that away right away because we didn’t have enough information. Are you going to take responsibility if that person loses interest in this place? We don’t know what he’ll tell us in the future, do we?”

“Hey, losing interest is too much of an exaggeration—”

“Didn’t you hear what that person said earlier? He was clearly disappointed, disappointed!”

“Cough, cough…”

“If you don’t have anything useful, at least find something stimulating and interesting. I’m not going to miss this opportunity because of you guys. Got it?”

The three of them shut their mouths at the clown’s sarcasm.

And they maintained an awkward silence without saying anything.

The Watchers of the Round Table.

A secret place of exchange that ordinary players don’t even know exists. The three of them had a certain pride in being members of this place.

However…

[Is that all you’ve got?]

Everything was shattered by that one sentence.

They realized that everything was arrogance in the face of his cold, mocking gaze. They couldn’t help but admit it as they watched him leave without looking back.

The Watchers of the Round Table.

In the end, this was just a well to someone else.

***

‘That was an interesting place.’

I opened my eyes with a feeling of utmost satisfaction.

Lee Han-soo’s room, where the bed and computer desk were close together.

I checked the time and closed my eyes again.

‘The Watchers of the Round Table…’

This community that Lee Baek-ho told me about was more beneficial than I had expected. It was perfect as a source of high-level information, which I lacked the most.

‘I should stick around until it collapses.’

Of course, to do that, I needed to consistently maintain my concept.

Even if they didn’t immediately kick me out for being a newbie, the attempts to find out my identity would become much more direct.

‘Anyway, I’ll organize the information I can share there tomorrow…’

I soon changed the subject.

[Sergeant Lee]

Lee Baek-ho.

The embodiment of misfortune who was summoned here after clearing a game he couldn’t beat during his vacation on the day he was discharged… and a player who reeks of stagnant water [a term for someone who is stuck in a game or situation].

To be honest, I’m still uncomfortable.

It’s not like a pickpocketing.

‘I should thank Baek-ho when I see him next time.’

I just went in because I missed Koreans, and I ended up creating a huge connection. Of course, I don’t intend to remain in a one-sided receiving relationship.

I don’t want that kind of relationship, and…

Lee Baek-ho, that guy is definitely not a pushover either.

‘Yeah, a relationship lasts long when you know not to cross the line when you’re laughing together.’

With that, I finished my thoughts and sat in front of the computer to do community activities.

Unlike last time, I sold small pieces of information to earn GP [Game Points], and in my remaining time, I went into the bulletin board or chat room to adapt to the atmosphere here.

And so, my second community activity ended.

「Your character is moving to Lapdonia.」

Not Lee Han-soo’s room, but Bjorn’s room.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I checked the time.

Again, almost no time had passed.

‘……It would be perfect if I wasn’t so tired.’

I had been awake for about 12 hours more than my usual sleeping time, so my mental fatigue was considerable.

No, is it just because I used too much killing intent?

Whatever the reason, it’s a relief that I cleared my schedule for tomorrow—

“Bjorn! How long are you going to keep sleeping!”

Damn it.

I just closed my eyes for a moment, and Misha is here.

The window was bright, so it must be morning already.

“Just a little more…”

“Sigh, what do you mean just a little more? You always call me lazy. Did you spend the night at the library again this time?”

“It’s not that.”

Misha was sensitive about meals, so I obediently got up, ate with her, and then collapsed back onto the bed.

And how much time had passed?

When I opened my eyes and looked at the window, I could see a faint reddish-orange light on the glass.

“To wake up only when the sun is setting, what did you do yesterday?”

“I just didn’t sleep well.”

“……You?”

I feel a bit sad that she reacted like that, but I don’t have anything to say. It was a barbarian’s body that could fall asleep immediately if I just decided to sleep.

“But… were you here all this time?”

“There’s no way. I finished my morning training, met Dwarki for a while, and even went to my family’s house.”

“What? Wait a minute, you met Dwarki…?”

“Yeah. He said he had a problem, so I gave him some advice.”

Misha said it like it was nothing, but I, who knew Dwarki’s heart, couldn’t let it go.

In [Dungeon & Stone], relationships between comrades were a shortcut to bloodshed.

“So… what was his problem?”

“Hmm… well, it’s someone else’s problem…”

Oh, barbarian, don’t be sad.

“Why are we someone else?”

“Well… I guess it’s okay to tell you, Bjorn.”

When I subtly showed my disappointment, Misha spilled someone else’s problem.

It turned out to be a normal love consultation.

He had a crush on someone, and he was worried about whether to reveal his feelings or not?

‘I didn’t know there were people who actually did this…’

I chuckled, but I asked further to confirm.

“So, what did you answer?”

“Huh? I just told him to confess like a man?”

“I see…”

It was a somewhat expected answer.

Isn’t Misha someone who hasn’t had a normal relationship until she was twenty-five? Just by looking at how she usually acts towards me, I can tell that she has no interest in relationships—

“But, but, so, that’s why…”

Then, Misha suddenly avoided my gaze and trailed off.

Her face looked strangely red.

What is it? Is it because of the sunset?

While I was thinking that, Misha grabbed my hand.

“Bjorn, if it’s okay, can you come to my house with me tomorrow?”

“…Come with you?”

Not asking me to come?

I asked again, thinking that the words didn’t make sense, but Misha just nodded.

“Yeah, yeah. How about it? I’ll do whatever you tell me to do in the future. Okay?”

I was wondering what the heck was going on.

Soon, I finished figuring out the situation.

She wouldn’t be like this just for inviting me to her dorm.

“Could it be that when you say our house, you mean your family’s house…?”

At my question, Misha lowered her head.

“Yeah…”

I could feel a nervous tremor in her hand.

Also, had the sun set even more? The sunset that was shining on Misha through the window had become even deeper.

Misha swallowed and added an explanation.

“M, my father said he wanted to meet you… so… can you… come with me…?”

An invitation from her parents.

It would be a lie to say that I wasn’t flustered, but…

I answered without hesitation.

“Okay.”

“…What? Really? Really? Wow! No take-backs?”

“Okay, what time should I go tomorrow?”

It felt like what was coming had finally arrived.