Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 343

[The Lion has no record of logging into Ghost Busters for two and a half years.]

When I first heard those words, I was quite taken aback, but after thinking about it carefully, there was no reason to be too afraid.

At least, this much was certain.

‘At most, they’d have found out my nickname is ‘Elfnunna’.’

After all, even Auril Gavis couldn’t uncover someone’s real identity from the spiritual world.

And you’re telling me the GM, who received a half-baked version of that, could do it?

It’s absurd.

The problem, however, is that if they know my nickname, they could ban me from the community…

But if you think about it differently, it’s not that big of a deal.

‘It’s not like I’ll die if I can’t participate in the community.’

On the other hand, if I act submissively, I’ll lose a lot.

At that moment, that woman would judge that it’s my weakness.

[Where have you been all this time?]

After that, even more blatant questions will be directed at me. If I keep avoiding these questions, it’s only a matter of time before the Lion’s mask is peeled off.

So, in that case.

‘The best defense is offense.’

Believing in that conviction, I decided to flip the coin.

After all, wasn’t the GM the one who almost got killed in a real-life fight after banning Baekho?

Just like how nuclear weapons are a deterrent in war.

I judged that boldly puffing myself up even more might be the only solution.

Well, I can’t be sure what the result will be yet…

‘I’ll know soon enough.’

I then looked around.

“……”

“……”

A silent stillness where even breathing had stopped.

Within that, each gaze was focused on one place.

The place at the round table where the jewel that discerns truth from falsehood was placed.

However, I looked at a different place rather than the jewel.

The Soul Queens.

The GM’s companions who participated in the round table wearing queen masks.

Her eyes, which had always been relaxed, were wavering.

‘Why did it turn out like this?’ She was filled with such questions. As if she hadn’t expected things to turn out this way at all.

“…Uh, e, uhh…”

Her mouth wanted to say something, but it only let out deflated sounds without any coherence.

The situation was similar with her hands, not just her mouth.

“Uh, uh…?”

Her hand, stretched out as if to stop something, lingered in the air for a moment before falling weakly.

She knew it herself.

That such gestures couldn’t stop anything.

That the water had already been spilled.

Swoosh-!

As if enjoying the concentrated attention, the jewel emitted a green light after a short pause.

And, the short silence came to an end.

“GM… this magical engineer…?”

“W-wait a minute… my head can’t keep up. H-how can that person be an evil spirit… no, a GM?”

“…Heh, it seems like it was worth waiting over two years for the Lion. Such a secret from the start.”

The members each voiced their thoughts, and a chaotic atmosphere continued.

Within the murmuring, there were things worth listening to.

“More than that, I’m surprised about the Queen too. There were speculations that she was on the management side, but…”

Right, I thought it was strange that they were talking about login records in front of everyone.

There was no reason to hide it so desperately.

It seemed that the Queen’s identity had also been revealed to some extent during my absence. Hmm, considering this woman’s personality, was it revealed or did she intentionally reveal it?

Of course, that’s not what’s important right now.

No matter what people around me were saying, I still stared at one place.

“Handle…”

The Soul Queens, who had been bowing her head with her hands on the table, was glaring at me.

But it didn’t feel particularly fierce.

For a very simple reason.

“C-can you handle it…?”

She even stuttered while saying that.

Who would be scared after hearing that?

“I don’t know how you found out, but after doing this kind of thing–”

I interrupted her and said.

“You said there was no reason to be afraid earlier.”

“……?”

“You’re trembling.”

“……!”

The Soul Queens hurriedly turned her head to look at her hand.

Her hand was shaking violently like someone with tremors.

Clack.

She then grabbed her trembling wrist with her other hand and glared at me again. And after taking a breath like someone who had made a decision.

“Okay, so that’s how you’re going to play it. I’ll go first this time.”

She placed her hand on the jewel on the table and told anyone who wasn’t participating in this round to leave.

Of course, no member would leave in this situation.

And…

“The Lion is Bjorn Yandel.”

Soon, the jewel lit up.

***

1. The Lion is Elfnunna.

2. Elfnunna has not logged into the community for two and a half years, and neither has the Lion.

3. Therefore, the Lion is Bjorn Yandel.

As it was a conclusion derived through a reasonable process, she must have been 100% certain of this fact.

At least until she entered this round table today.

Swoosh-!

In an atmosphere that was tense to the point of being sharp enough to cut skin, the jewel emitted light.

“…It’s red.”

As expected, the green light did not turn on.

This jewel is not an object that discerns ‘facts’.

It seems that the Soul Queens wanted to get one over on me, but… with a crack in her belief, it’s just a meaningless struggle.

‘But the problem is, this woman doesn’t seem to be so mentally broken that she wouldn’t know this simple thing.’

Then why did she make such a meaningless struggle?

The answer could be found through the goblin’s question.

“Um, wasn’t Bjorn Yandel dead? The Lion is alive and here in front of us… but why such a question…?”

“There are many questions about his death. Even his companions didn’t see him die directly.”

The possibility of Bjorn Yandel being alive.

This woman had even considered that when she said those words.

Well, she did get a red light because of her lack of faith.

“Heh, even so, she should have known that such a guess would turn on the red light, right?”

“…I won’t answer that part.”

The Soul Queens said that and took her eyes off me.

Now that I think about it, maybe what she just said was just a probe.

No, it must have been.

Looking back, even at the moment the jewel lit up, this woman was only looking at me.

‘…Ha, to probe me in reverse in that situation. Seriously, why can’t she ever just let things go easily?’

While worrying about what judgment this woman would make after seeing my reaction, I didn’t show it.

However, did she gain confidence because I was quiet?

“…Anyway, since the red light turned on, I’ll have to do it again.”

The Soul Queens said she would retry as if nothing had happened and glanced at me.

And…

“I can prevent the Lion from ever setting foot in Ghost Busters at any time.”

She spat out information that confirmed she was a member of the management and received a green light.

It was an action within my expected range.

She said she could handle it, but at best, the only penalty she could give me was that.

Unlike me.

“Heh, I wish you wouldn’t do such a thing. Ah, but you can’t anyway.”

“…What do you mean?”

“From the start, if I was going to be expelled, why would you leave me alone? I’m from Noark, which you guys hate so much. Isn’t it because you’re curious about this side’s information that you just left me alone?”

“…What does that have to do with it?”

“Heh, I guess that’s the right answer? Anyway, for that reason, you shouldn’t expel the Lion even more. You don’t know what kind of story this person will tell you later…”

The Clown said decisively.

“Isn’t it right not to do things you can’t handle?”

“…Things I can’t handle?”

“Yes. He’s someone who even knew the GM’s identity, so what kind of trouble are you trying to get into?”

It was a statement that scratched my itch.

After all, if I said such things myself, wouldn’t it look a bit pathetic?

If someone else steps up like this, I can save face.

It’s similar to how there’s always a lackey next to the bullies.

“……”

I turned my gaze away from the Queen, who couldn’t say anything and kept her mouth shut, and met eyes with the Clown.

He was smiling.

‘Did I do well?’

With exactly that look.

***

Did he think that he had roughly repaid the past grievances with this much?

“Heh. Well, that’s just what I’m saying, it’s not like it’s my place to meddle.”

The Clown, who had said everything he wanted to say, continued in a refreshing voice.

“Anyway, if we’re going in reverse order now, is it my turn this time?”

Thus, the second round, which had been resumed in earnest, began.

From the start, a story that couldn’t be easily overlooked came out.

“Bjorn Yandel, since that bastard’s name came up, I’ll say this… that guy might not actually be an evil spirit.”

Huh?

“Heh, it was Baekho who spread the rumor that he was an evil spirit.”

…Baekho?

He revealed my identity?

While I was inwardly shocked, the Deer Antler nonchalantly spat out even more shocking information.

“The original source would have been Misha Kalstein, that woman, right?”

…Huh? Misha?

“Isn’t that the same thing? That woman is now one of Baekho’s companions.”

No, what is this all about?

Why is Misha one of Baekho’s companions?

“Heh, thankfully, the green light turned on. I thought everyone wouldn’t know that the story of that cat-kin woman becoming Baekho’s companion.”

My head was spinning as information that was difficult to accept was being injected in real-time, but I barely managed to keep my composure with the mindset that I shouldn’t show it.

In that state, the next turn came.

“…Hoo, it’s not easy after all.”

The goblin, who had received a red light twice after spitting out information related to the war, succeeded in turning on the green light on his third try.

It was information about the internal affairs of the Leatlass Church.

It wasn’t surprising since he always had a habit of selling out his own church when cornered.

“Now it’s my turn again.”

Thus, it was the Crescent Moon’s turn again.

Since there was talk about Erwen earlier, I was interested, but unfortunately, the information that came out was just okay.

It was information related to the war.

The same was true for the Deer Antler who received the next turn.

“Heh, it seems like the royal family has really drawn their swords this time.”

Even the Clown, who always ridiculed the Deer Antler, was like that, so it seemed like it was quite important information, but for me right now, the war was a story that was of no importance.

Scattered companions.

Clearing the evil spirit accusation(?), etc.

There were countless homework assignments to take care of first.

In that sense, the fox’s information was somewhat interesting.

No, should I say it was more like a worry?

“A few months ago, double numbers were obtained at the Alminus Central Exchange. An unidentified woman borrowed a large sum of money using them as collateral, and the repayment date is not far away. Perhaps we might see that item at the exchange auction soon.”

Surely… it’s not about my demon crusher, is it?

Yeah, it can’t be.

That kind Amelia wouldn’t do that.

“……”

As I was trying to rationalize it, I felt people’s gazes gathering on me.

‘Ah, it’s already my turn.’

I had already decided what to say, so there was no need to worry now.

I slowly scanned each person.

Everyone was looking at me with anticipation, wondering what I would say.

Except for one person.

“……”

Perhaps because of what had happened earlier, the Soul Queens seemed more anxious than expectant.

Is she the type who has a high pride but is more afraid than she seems?

‘Anyway, I think I’ve stalled enough.’

Tap tap, I tapped the chair twice without any particular meaning, then looked at the Soul Queens.

“You asked if I could handle it.”

Now it was my turn to answer that question.

No, strictly speaking, it was the moment to ask back.

What about you?

Just like the Clown said earlier.

Are you really ready to handle it?

Gulp.

The moment the Queen’s slender Adam’s apple twitched, I continued without hesitation.

“The Queen’s nickname is Soul Queens.”

As soon as I finished speaking, all the members’ gazes were focused on the jewel.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Hey, I haven’t even finished talking yet.

“And Soul Queens’ real name is…”

Actually, I don’t know either.

However, I deliberately trailed off, looking at her.

If there was no reaction, I would pretend to be merciful by saying something like, ‘I’ll save it for later fun.’

“Hoo.”

As I stalled once more, the interest in the members’ eyes deepened even more.

The most interested was the Clown.

Well, he had been greatly humiliated by this woman before.

“I hope she’s not the type who’s just stuck in a magic tower like the magical engineer. Because then it’ll be hard to kill her. Hehehe…”

Along with the Clown’s chilling laughter, the Soul Queens’ Adam’s apple twitched once more.

Tap tap.

I tapped the chair once more, meaninglessly.

And at that moment.

“S-stop it!”

The words I wanted flowed from her mouth.

“P-please stop… I don’t want my identity to be revealed here…”

Tsk, she should have done that sooner.