Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 183

The rules of the third chapter, the Shadow Altar, are simple.

Find the expedition member possessed by the doppelganger and offer them to the altar, and it’s over.

If it’s the correct answer, the doppelganger inhabiting the body is removed.

What happens if it’s the wrong answer?

‘You become incapacitated until the rift is cleared.’

In other words, if used well, it also means it’s possible to keep troublesome guys in check.

“Dwarf, your expression looks strange. Do you have a problem with your head or something?”

“Hmm, seeing you push me from the start, it seems you’re the more suspicious one.”

The dwarf, who became the first target, didn’t panic and launched a counterattack.

He’s not an easy opponent after all.

But, the real attack starts now.

“Suspicious? That’s strange. When we first met, you clearly said you didn’t know anything about this place. But now you’re talking as if you do?”

“Oh, now that I think about it, you’re right?”

When Raven agreed, the members of HansG’s team also began to express their doubts.

It’s only natural.

We just arrived here, and we hadn’t even said what the third chapter was yet.

Then how did the dwarf know and counterattack?

“That’s…”

The dwarf pondered for a moment, then spat out, not hiding his displeasure.

“I heard it from Hans Chrisen.”

“…You’re lying to avoid the crisis.”

“N-No, it’s not a lie. I told him.”

HansG, who happened to step forward, assisted the dwarf.

“You told him? When?”

As someone who had been watching the two of them throughout the journey, it was a story I couldn’t understand at all.

“Uh, it was when we were on night watch yesterday.”

Certainly, he wasn’t within my field of vision at that time.

However, I had put Bear Uncle next to me in preparation for this.

“Abman, is that true?”

“No way. Those two didn’t have such a conversation.”

“Abman, who was with you, says so. Hans Chrisen, why are you defending the dwarf?”

As I took a threatening step forward, HansG waved his hands frantically.

“I-I’m not defending him, it’s the truth! We talked using a magic tool at that time… So, Mr. Urikfreed couldn’t have known!”

A conversation using a magic tool…

It doesn’t seem like they’re lying.

Damn it, when did these two get so close?

If I hadn’t known, it would have been a big problem.

“What did you talk about?”

I need to find out the content.

“T-That’s…”

As I intentionally scattered my killing intent, HansG trailed off, unable to withstand the pressure.

I thought I was almost there.

“Why should we tell you that?”

The dwarf steps forward as if protecting HansG.

“It was a private conversation. And with this, I think the question of how I knew about this altar has been resolved.”

The dwarf, with his skillful handling, decisively ends the topic without leaving any room for further discussion.

Of course, it didn’t affect my plan yet.

Even if it wasn’t this, there are countless ways to attack these guys.

“From now on, let’s talk about each other.”

The dwarf is an explorer from Noark, and HansG is a being called an evil spirit in this world. If I target this part, there’s bound to be a problem with their answers.

“Dwarf, what rank explorer are you? Do you have a family? Do you have any siblings?”

“…I don’t want to talk about myself.”

“That’s a refusal, then.”

I smiled slyly.

Silence is freedom, but the responsibility for it lies with the person. There’s a justification for every question here now.

“Hey, instead of being like that, I think it’d be better to do as Yandel says. I’m not saying this because he’s our team leader, but it’s true that a doppelganger has infiltrated here, right?”

Raven provides supporting fire with logical words.

Also, the mage from HansG’s team, thinking this method was right, added his support to our opinion.

“Let’s do that. We can’t just offer anyone to the altar without thinking. Let’s all gather and talk. Then we might be able to tell who it is. Even if it’s a doppelganger, there’s a way to find them.”

With this as a starting point, the public opinion quickly shifted.

In the end, the dwarf had no choice but to step back.

“…Okay, then what are we going to do?”

HansG answered the dwarf’s question.

“Well, I think verification magic is the best way, right?”

As expected of a player, he suggests the most orthodox method of attack as if he had been waiting for it.

At that moment, a blunt weapon warrior from HansG’s team cautiously raised his hand and expressed his doubt.

“Hey, I know there are quite a few people who aren’t affected by verification magic?”

It was a sharp question, unlike his usual demeanor.

In fact, verification magic doesn’t apply to everyone.

For example, I’m one of them.

It didn’t work in the guild in the past.

According to Raven, it’s not just about magic resistance, but also because I have a naturally thick mental barrier.

“It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work. I heard that doppelgangers aren’t affected either.”

“Y-Yes, yes! That’s right! At least we can reduce the number of suspects, right?”

“Well, that alone would be helpful enough.”

As Raven and HansG, who had been the brains throughout the exploration, agreed, no more dissenting opinions were voiced.

Thus began the full-scale search operation.

“Are you a man?”

“…Why are you asking that?”

“Haha, it’s just to double-check if the magic is working properly, so just answer however you like.”

“I’m a man, as you can see.”

“That’s the truth.”

Two mages went around and tried verification magic on everyone.

And as a result.

“…There are nine of them.”

Nine people who were not affected by verification magic were identified.

[HansG Team]

HansG, Mage, Elf Archer.

[Dwarf Team]

Dwarf, Archer, Sorcerer, Priest.

[Bjorn Team]

Me, Raven.

For reference, it was a number that far exceeded my expectations.

I could understand mages and sorcerers with high magic resistance and mental strength, but there are more here?

Is it because they’re all explorers who have reached a certain level?

‘To think that it would be more than half of the total number…’

Thanks to that, I also started to get a headache, but what I had to do didn’t change.

“Are you a doppelganger?”

We first asked the same question to those who were affected by the verification magic, and everyone answered ‘no,’ greatly reducing the list of suspects.

“So, that means a doppelganger bastard is hiding among us nine?”

The gazes they exchanged with each other became sharper than ever before.

It was an atmosphere that was nothing but good for me.

“Then I’ll start first.”

As soon as those who answered ‘no’ were excluded, I swung my sword like a madman.

My targets were only two.

The dwarf and HansG, who were also the leaders of each team.

“Where did you get the equipment in your backpack?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“Just answer the question.”

“…I won’t say.”

Exercising the right to remain silent…

That’s not bad either.

“Hans Chrisen, you seem to know a lot about this forest, where did you get that information?”

“I-I read it in a book.”

“What’s the title of the book?”

“That’s… I won’t say.”

With each question, the no-comment stack piled up.

That was the part I intended.

If you look closely, it’s a question that has nothing to do with the doppelganger, but the appearance of hiding something will surely look suspicious to people.

“…Even though verification magic doesn’t work, not a single one of you is answering properly?”

As I muttered in a meaningful tone, the dwarf let out a hollow laugh.

“Do you think you’re any different?”

It seems like the aggro was properly pulled.

The dwarf, who had been getting beaten up by the negative strategy, couldn’t hold back any longer and started to fight back.

“What essence do you have?”

“…I can’t say.”

“Is it because you’re a doppelganger that you can’t remember properly?”

As the dwarf opened fire, the members of his team, who had only been watching their leader get beaten up, joined in and attacked me.

“Come to think of it, it was that guy who started driving people into a corner without any evidence.”

“It’s like he wants to put anyone on that altar.”

“Not only that, but his actions were too logical for a barbarian.”

Amidst the various attacks, I just stood there and got beaten up. Then, one by one, members of HansG’s team started asking me various questions.

“I heard that doppelgangers don’t have complete memories. Do you remember when we met in the Land of the Dead before? What happened then?”

“That’s… I don’t remember well.”

“Hmm, did you forget?”

“…I am a barbarian.”

“Pfft, that’s a very convenient race.”

The elf archer, who was sneering and mocking me because I couldn’t answer, seemed to be annoyed that HansG had been attacked by me earlier…

Well, that’s why they’re newbies.

“S-Seeing you drive me into a corner, you must be the doppelganger! Misha! Ainar, don’t you think so too?”

“Huh? Uh, uhm…”

“It’s the word of the great warrior Bjorn, so it must be right!!”

Even his teammates showed an ambiguous reaction and didn’t agree with him, in a way that was obviously forced.

And so, the gaze towards me grew colder.

And finally, the moment I had been waiting for arrived.

[00:00]

At that moment when all the hands of the clock overlapped, a pure white light emanated from the altar in the center.

「The Stone of Truth has been created.」

The key item for this chapter’s attack.

Without me having to say anything, Raven explained it on his own.

“It’s the Stone of Truth. It can make you speak only the truth once, no matter what. Even if you’re a doppelganger.”

“…Is it possible to get another one?”

“I heard it comes out every midnight. But every time you use it, the doppelganger’s power gets stronger.”

“That means we have to use it carefully.”

I shut my mouth tightly.

Like someone who was uneasy about something.

I looked at people’s faces, and while doing so, I made eye contact with the dwarf.

“Let’s decide by voting. I’ll vote for that barbarian. He looks suspicious no matter how I look at him.”

The dwarf smiled slyly, giving me the finger.

Without even making a ballot box, several people raised their hands, and 8 votes were quickly gathered.

That meant more than half.

“…Think again. I’m not a doppelganger.”

I gave sincere advice, but they completely ignored my advice.

“How do you use this? Ah, is this how you use it?”

The Stone of Truth, which the dwarf was fiddling with, began to emit a white glow.

In that state, he asked.

“Barbarian, are you a doppelganger?”

Am I a doppelganger?

“I am not a doppelganger.”

I answered as if I had been waiting for it.

And…

Crack.

The Stone of Truth, having exhausted its power, shattered.

“Mage, what happened?”

“What do you mean? It means he only spoke the truth.”

Now that I’ve gotten what I wanted, I’ll stop acting like a moron.

I stretched and loosened my stiff neck muscles.

“So, didn’t I tell you to think again?”

I obtained the citizenship I needed for my plan.

In short, from now on, no one can suspect or attack me.

So…

“Dwarf, why did you accuse me of being a doppelganger? Are you perhaps the doppelganger?”

It’s time to start politics in earnest.

***

“That’s! Because you were acting suspiciously…!”

The dwarf shouted as if making an excuse.

It was a content that was easy enough to understand.

It was me who attacked first, and it was none other than me who showed a sloppy appearance in many ways.

But that doesn’t mean I have to let him off the hook.

“What suspicious actions did I do? I answered all the questions you asked.”

“…You didn’t talk about your essence!”

“You’re like you’re from another world. Don’t you know how rude it is to ask an explorer what kind of essence they have?”

“Then how do you explain that! What the elf asked earlier—”

“I said that I forgot about it.”

I confidently straightened my shoulders without a hint of shame. No, if the Barbarian-nim forgot, what are you going to do about it?

“…!!”

Perhaps realizing that he had been played by my trick, the dwarf shut his mouth tightly. However, was it hard to watch the leader suffer humiliation?

“That’s enough, Barbarian. The voting results show that you looked suspicious enough.”

That’s right.

Words that are being beaten by a mindless barbarian!

“That’s!! It’s all because you guys were driving me into a corner!!”

The roar of the wronged barbarian echoed loudly.

The archer on the dwarf’s side said something, but it was all buried by my overwhelming voice.

“Did you give me time to explain properly? Who took what Raven was holding and used the stone!”

“No, that’s—”

“I suspect you!! Take responsibility and go into the altar!!”

“So, it’s not that I took it, but—”

“Take responsibility and go into the altar!!”

Only then did the archer, who had been muttering, shout with all his might as if screaming.

“We’ll use the Stone of Truth tomorrow too!! Isn’t that okay!!”

It seems like these guys are starting to realize the advantages that can be gained through the Stone of Truth.

But, what to do.

It’s already too late.

“Yes, it’s you!!!!”

At the same time as the line I had been waiting for came out, I took a step forward, unable to hide my excitement.

The atmosphere became fierce in an instant.

“Say it again, archer!! Not only did you waste it on me, but you’re going to use the Stone of Truth again? Are you perhaps the doppelganger?”

I changed my target from the dwarf to the archer.

This was my original plan.

After all, no matter how much they whine, it would be impossible to put the dwarf or the priest, who is an important force, on the altar.

“Come to think of it, it was you! Every time I said something, you were sneering and subtly coaxing the dwarf!!”

“It wasn’t just me, everyone—”

“Take responsibility and go into the altar!! It’s not like you’re going to die!! There’s no problem breaking the rift even without one archer!!”

A violent shout that makes rational thinking difficult.

The archer’s face, who was suddenly hit by a stray spark, turned pale.

But did that appearance feel strange?

“Certainly, that might be a more rational choice than using the stone.”

“…It’s not like you’re going to die anyway.”

Some of HansG’s team members began to show signs of agreement, and eventually, the dwarf, who couldn’t stand it any longer, stepped forward.

“Okay, let’s put him on the altar.”

“Huh? What do you mean—”

“Enough, listen to me this time. If you’re not a doppelganger, that is.”

Perhaps because the leader’s authority was strong, the archer couldn’t move at the dwarf’s words.

“Martan! Are you really going to put that guy on the altar?”

The dwarf nodded firmly at his companion’s anxious gaze.

I knew what he was thinking without even looking.

‘He’s trying to turn the public opinion around with this.’

He’s trying to repeat what I did.

I put the archer on the altar with my claim, and he’s not a doppelganger?

Now the right to attack goes to their side.

‘…Since I can’t attack, he’ll probably target Raven.’

A strategy of abandoning the archer and putting our important force, the mage, on the altar.

From their point of view, it can be seen as an advantage.

Mages are also a class that exhibits crazy performance in PK [Player Killing].

‘Idiots.’

They must have thought it was a choice with nothing to lose.

If the archer is a doppelganger, that’s a good enough story.

But…

‘No, would a doppelganger be crazy enough to go to the altar on their own accord?’

I tried to hide my smile as I watched the archer being dragged to the altar by the leader’s hand.

“Don’t worry too much. You’ll be released unharmed after defeating the guardian.”

“…I’ll be waiting.”

Soon, the archer stood in front of the altar.

Everyone was silent and watched the scene.

Whoosh-!

As the archer touched it with a determined face, a black glow began to flow from the altar.

And…

「The soul of expedition member Arca Petrei is sealed.」

The soul that was pulled out of the archer’s body floated in the air, connected to the altar. A look and gesture that seemed very painful at a glance.

“Mage. No, Hans Chrisen. What does this mean?”

“…I-It, it means he’s not a doppelganger.”

The dwarf took a long breath and closed and opened his eyes. Even though it was his own choice, seeing that appearance, he seemed to have a complicated feeling.

But, did he think that this wasn’t the time to be like this?

“Barbarian, are you ready to take responsibility for your words?”

The dwarf said as if growling.

Therefore, I immediately answered.

“No, why should I take responsibility?”

“Because… because of you… my companion ended up like that! According to your logic, you guys should also be checked now!”

Tsk tsk.

I said as if I was pathetic.

“What are you talking about like a child?”

“…What?”

“Is finding a doppelganger a joke to you? Throw away your emotions and think rationally.”

“…”

Even at my natural words, the dwarf didn’t say anything.

Well, he wouldn’t have expected to hear these words from a barbarian who had been screaming and going crazy until just now.

“Grow up, dwarf.”

Well, his height will probably stay the same though.

“You son of a bitch!!”

As I watched the dwarf spew out curses, I calmly reached out my hand and stopped him.

“Wait a minute, you’re not going to attack me, are you? If you’re not a doppelganger, there’s absolutely no reason to do that, right?”

The dwarf’s body began to tremble.

Therefore, I also ended my personality attack at this point.

“I’m sorry about your companion. To think that he would go like that. He seemed like a good guy…”

“Stop.”

“…?”

“Enough, get to the point.”

“I also made a mistake because I was excited. But how about we forget the past and focus only on breaking the rift? If we lose more power here, it’s uncertain whether we’ll be able to return alive.”

For reference, this was the reason why I could act so recklessly. No matter how angry he is, the dwarf bastard will also know.

That if we fight each other now, it will only lead to destruction.

“…So, how are you going to find it?”

“I think your priest is a little suspicious—”

“Stop it!”

At that moment, the mage from HansG’s team shouted.

His name is… Parteian.

A man who has a certain middle-aged charm.

“Let’s end this meaningless consumption here. I have a way to find the doppelganger.”

It was a line that no one in this place had expected.

***

“You have a way?”

Looking at his determined expression, it couldn’t be a joke.

“Tell me.”

As I urged him, the mage took out one item from his subspace.

It was a small disc the size of a compass.

As soon as I saw it, I had a feeling of what it was.

No.7234 Misaligned Trust.

An item that consumes charges and makes it impossible to lie within a 10m radius when activated.

“Y-You had something like that, too…?”

HansG, who was a player, trembled as if he had met his nemesis.

Only I could 100% empathize with that feeling.

“Isn’t that something you wouldn’t use unless you had to? Well, I’ve had to use it a few times in my life. So this is the last one. I’m sorry I didn’t take it out sooner.”

‘…I haven’t dealt with the priest bastard yet.’

I cleanly erased my disappointment.

The mage, who couldn’t stand watching our infighting, took out an item he had been saving.

But it would be strange to back out here without using it.

Anyway, if we find the doppelganger early, there are advantages to that, so there’s nothing bad for me.

“Okay.”

“…Me too.”

The dwarf also temporarily put aside his hostility towards me and took a step towards peace.

It seems like we had similar thoughts…

“You thought well. Then, would everyone gather here?”

As everyone who had not yet been cleared of suspicion gathered in the center, the mage used ‘Misaligned Trust’.

The duration of the effect is only 10 minutes.

“Then, who will go first?”

“I’ll go first.”

The start was the dwarf.

An expression that didn’t show even an inch of anxiety as to whether he was really a doppelganger or not.

However, this was only for a very short time.

“Then, I’ll ask to check if it’s working properly.”

The mage asked.

Just like when he asked a verification question like ‘Are you a woman?’ when he did the verification magic earlier.

As if it was nothing special.

“What city are you from?”

He stepped on a landmine.

‘Damn it.’

There was no way the dwarf could answer this question.

“…”

A cold silence fell.

The dwarf’s crooked lips convulsed in a completely unmanaged state.

But did he only realize it then?

“Why aren’t you answering? Is there something wrong…?”

The mage stopped talking and shut his mouth.

He realized why he couldn’t answer, the reason why.

“You, could it be…!!”

The moment the mage opened his mouth wide.

I shouted with all my might.

“Prepare for battle!!!”

I’m screwed.