Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 306

The study was filled with a calming scent of wood.

‘Nothing much has changed.’

As I looked around, thinking that, one change caught my eye.

A white mask.

The very white mask I wore during my last visit was hanging on the empty wall.

‘Is he telling me to wear it?’

I chuckled and put on the mask.

Then, as I opened the door and stepped out, just as I expected.

I saw an old man walking from far down the hallway.

Auriel Gavis.

An unidentified person who might hold the answers to all my questions, and also…

“Heh heh, you’ve arrived. I’ve been waiting.”

The old man who couldn’t even hide his joy at the mention of ‘Original Clear’.

“Have you been well? I was so worried that something might have happened to you after I sent you off that day.”

Even if he starts off with a hearty laugh, creating a gentle atmosphere and greeting me warmly, I can’t let my guard down.

Because I saw it in the past.

The commander of Orculys, the scholar of destruction, and others.

Powerful figures who wouldn’t bow down anywhere were all watching this old man’s every move, carefully gauging his mood.

“I’ve been fine. But what happened to them back then?”

“Huh? Them?”

“Didn’t you send me away, saying they broke the rules again at the end?”

Only then did Auriel Gavis nod as if he understood.

“Ah, you were talking about those failures.”

Failures, huh…

Through that word, which he uttered so casually, I realized that the real mind game had begun.

The intention of that unfathomable old man, who didn’t hesitate to use the word ‘failures,’ which I should be wary of, was obvious.

‘It seems he didn’t like being dragged around by me last time.’

It’s a kind of modified version of the carrot and stick.

The only difference is that the stick is wielded not at the target, but at others.

“The failures should be gathered in that room, so don’t worry. I showed them clearly what happens if they cause trouble again that day.”

While showing a ruthless side to others, wielding the stick to establish his authority.

He only shows a warm side to the target.

Yes, like this.

“Ahem, I was inconsiderate. It must have sounded a bit harsh to you. But don’t worry too much. I know better than anyone that you are different from them.”

The favor contrasted with the coldness from before.

The recipient of that favor can’t help but think.

I don’t want to have an uncomfortable relationship with this person.

To do that, I must reciprocate that favor.

Such a psychology naturally arises in the subconscious.

Well, I’m immune to such despicable rhetoric.

“You are special. Aren’t you?”

I chuckled at the old man’s question and replied.

“I don’t know.”

“Huh?”

“Cut the crap.”

I’m not a fan of carrots.

“…Crap, you’re being harsh?”

At my provocative words, the old man’s expression changed, and he stared at me intently. There was no tingling murderous intent, but a strong aura emanated from his gaze and atmosphere.

But I didn’t back down.

Because I need to let this kind of opponent know in advance.

That I’m not afraid of having an uncomfortable relationship with you at all.

“I didn’t come here to have this kind of conversation with you.”

“Huh…?”

“Enough, if you’re just going to chat, send me back. No, I’d rather you make sure I don’t come here again.”

The old man was momentarily flustered, then shouted as if he was wronged.

“W-What do you mean chat! You were the one who asked what happened to them!”

Ah… that’s true too.

The situation became a bit funny.

But what can he do about it?

“So, are you saying it’s all my fault?”

Watching a barbarian farting loudly anywhere, I learned the importance of faith.

A strong trust in oneself.

That firm heart forms confidence and allows one to move forward without being intimidated by any difficulties.

Therefore…

“No, I’m not saying it’s your fault, but…”

“Apologize.”

I demand it confidently.

“Wait a minute, calm down. What did I do to make you so sensitive—”

Even if it’s unreasonable.

Even if I’m not in the body of a barbarian right now, but in the form of Lee Han-soo.

“So, you’re not going to apologize?”

“…Heh heh, I guess I was seen as too easy.”

At my repeated demands, the old man became serious.

Unlike before, the surrounding space was rippling, which was very ominous.

To be honest, it was terrifying.

But…

“Apologize.”

Nothing changes.

What’s he going to do if he gets serious?

Is he going to kick out the ‘Original Clear User’?

“Hoo… why are you doing this?”

The old man sighed and asked.

The rippling of the surrounding space had stopped.

It was as I expected.

It was obvious that he was pretending to be angry to break through this situation.

Ah, was he really angry?

“Why do you keep provoking me? You weren’t this rude last time.”

“You speak as if you know me well.”

I quickly continued.

“And you say you saw me as easy? Weren’t you the one who saw me as easy first?”

“What are you talking about? I saw you as easy—”

“Saying things like ‘failures’ and then saying you were inconsiderate, did you think I would just bow down?”

“…”

Surprisingly, the old man didn’t refute my words.

He didn’t say it was a mistake or that he didn’t mean it.

He had many excuses to make, but he seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Indeed, you are definitely different from the others…”

“…?”

“I apologize. I treated you too lightly, even though you, who broke the original that was considered a failure, couldn’t possibly be ordinary. I will be more careful in the future.”

Oh, I didn’t expect such a sincere apology.

I was a bit flustered, as my plan was to accept a perfunctory apology and gain a little more control in the subsequent conversation.

‘No, maybe he even intended this.’

“…Since you say that, I’ll let it go.”

I usually don’t accept empty apologies, but I accepted it, thinking that if I acted more like a barbarian here, the relationship itself might really break down.

With the atmosphere slightly softened.

“Well, then, instead of standing here, let’s go to that room and have a drink or something. Ah, do you have a preferred type of tea?”

Why ask the obvious?

“Cider.”

That’s all I’ve been thinking about from the start.

***

Ah, this is it.

This was the timing when I should have had such thoughts.

Yes, it should have been like that.

But…

‘Why does it feel so bland?’

Is it because I asked for ice?

Clink.

I put the glass with only ice left on the table and pondered for a moment. It’s not that it doesn’t feel refreshing, but it feels like the carbonation has weakened?

It definitely tastes worse than before.

‘Could it be that this old man is harboring a grudge…?’

When I shifted my gaze, thinking of the most plausible reason, Auriel Gavis opened his mouth.

“So, shall we get to the main point…”

It was a bit funny.

In fact, he’s not the kind of person who would be carefully watching someone like me.

‘That means I’m that important to this old man.’

Although my efforts have contributed to it to some extent, the better my treatment, the higher my vigilance rises.

There’s no one in this world who is nice without a purpose.

I also put aside my concerns about the refreshment and thought slowly.

‘Why is the Original Clear User so important?’

Well, I have no idea.

Is it because I have more game knowledge than other players?

That’s true, but that can’t be the reason.

The old man in front of me is Auriel Gavis. That is, the game creator.

He would naturally know the knowledge I have, and if he needs a player with knowledge, he can just share it.

But why is he so obsessed?

‘I’ll have to find out from now on.’

“Ahem, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

“Ah, sorry. I was thinking about something else for a moment.”

“Ha! In front of me!”

Auriel Gavis was dumbfounded, as if he himself found the situation absurd. Ah, of course, such a rude attitude didn’t last long.

“Hoo, is it starting again?”

“Ah, no. I just meant that this situation is refreshing because it’s been a while.”

“Ah, I see. I almost misunderstood.”

“…Are you perhaps a barbarian?”

Huh?

Oops, did I show it too much?

I felt a pang of guilt, but I pretended not to be flustered and brushed it off as if I had heard something unpleasant.

“Is that even a question?”

“No, of course not. It was a joke.”

Looking at his expression, it seems he really was joking, but I need to be more careful now.

“Anyway, since we’re talking about questions…”

“It’s okay, don’t hesitate and ask.”

As soon as my permission was given, the old man quickly got to the point.

“Before we parted last time, we had a conversation about fairness. I’ve been working hard every day without fail—”

“Briefly, just the key points.”

“I’ve created an item that can solve this.”

Yes, it can be summarized in one line.

“Hmm, an item?”

“This is it.”

Instead of speaking at length, Auriel Gavis took out a fist-sized gem from his inner pocket.

It was a very familiar object to me.

“This is…”

Looking at it from above, from the side, there was no doubt.

It was the gem that was embedded in the center of the Round Table.

Huh, I never thought it would be created through such a story.

Then, is this old man the master?

“…Do you perhaps know what it is to have such a reaction?”

“No, it just looks expensive.”

“Expensive… Heh heh! This is an item that cannot be converted into such real-world wealth… Ahem, I almost went off on a tangent again.”

Auriel Gavis, who stopped his rambling through several lessons, quickly explained the item.

“It’s an item made by objectifying some of my authority that exists in this spiritual space.”

I didn’t understand the principle at all, but I didn’t bother to open my mouth. In the first place, it didn’t seem like I could understand it even if I did…

Originally, when you don’t know something, it’s best to stay quiet.

“The operation is very simple. If you tell the truth in front of this gem, a green light will turn on, and if you lie, a red light will turn on. Would you like to try it?”

I had already given up on the idea that it was fake from the moment it appeared, but I didn’t bother to show it.

Because it was like giving me a free question opportunity.

“Auriel Gavis, are you over 300 years old?”

I deliberately spoke with a standard.

If I asked how old he was and he answered 1 year old, the gem would just turn red and that would be the end of it.

“…I am not.”

Auriel Gavis answered as if he would let it slide, even though he knew my intention.

And…

Whoosh.

A red light turned on in the gem.

“That means it’s a lie.”

Wow, so he’s over 300 years old?

The ‘Chronicles of the Great Rift’ was created 150 years ago, so I just threw it out there…

What kind of monster is this?

I was shocked inside, but I didn’t show it.

“How is it? With this, there won’t be any unfairness even if we ask each other questions, right?”

“Hmm, but isn’t this a bit much? Since it’s an item you made, you might be able to decide which light comes out of the gem.”

A very valid suggestion.

Surprisingly, Auriel Gavis chose a head-on approach.

“I swear on my name. That’s impossible.”

A vow, huh…

It was a rather nostalgic word for me.

How many times have I sworn and then betrayed them?

“It’s hard to believe with that. Maybe if you swear on your parents, I might believe you.”

“P-Parents…?”

“Since you can’t, it seems it was a lie after all.”

“That’s not true! It’s just… it’s such an absurd story that I was just flustered. How can I swear on those who are no longer in this world?”

Did he not know that a vow on his own name wouldn’t work?

Auriel Gavis was lost in thought for a moment.

“Whether you believe it or not is your decision, but I’ll say it anyway. My vow just now was true, and now I can’t even tell if you’re telling the truth or a lie without this item.”

“Huh?”

As I tilted my head, a green light appeared.

“I told you earlier that I used a significant portion of my authority to create this one item. I can no longer even read your total soul capacity.”

“Total soul capacity…?”

“I meant that I can’t read what grade of essence you have.”

Another green light appeared.

But does this old man know?

That the more he does this, the more my trust in him is disappearing.

‘He’s making himself look more suspicious by revealing his weaknesses like that…’

Is he really not manipulating it?

It was when my gaze towards the old man was becoming more blatant.

“Do you remember those people you saw that day?”

“The ones you called failures earlier?”

“That’s right. Actually, what I said earlier was just that, but they are people who would be treated well anywhere just by their names and abilities.”

“If it’s names and abilities, that’s two things.”

“…That’s just how it is.”

“Anyway, what are you trying to say?”

Auriel Gavis sighed and presented a new idea.

“How about we have a conversation in the place where they are? They may not know everything, but they are capable enough to notice and object if I tell an absurd lie.”

“…What?”

I was genuinely dumbfounded as soon as I heard that.

This isn’t some Round Table demo version.