Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 308

The silence that had punctuated our conversation several times stretched out again, long and heavy.

“……”

“……”

Auriel Gavis looked at me with calm eyes, and I met his gaze without flinching.

Even though I tried not to show it, I felt a strange tightness in my chest.

And in that moment.

“Well then…”

Auriel Gavis opened his mouth.

Calmly, as if nothing had happened.

“So, is it my turn now?”

My heart pounded at those words.

This old man was like the abyss a certain philosopher spoke of.

Looking beyond the veil through this conversation was the same for him as well.

[How many of those who cleared the original will remain after 20 years?]

With his first question, he checked if there was a ‘replacement’ for me.

[Do you want to return to Earth?]

Secondly, he examined if I had any weaknesses.

Then, what would the third question be?

The answer was now coming from his mouth.

“What was the name of the body that your soul inhabited after crossing the gate of the abyss?”

Bjorn Yandel, my name.

A means to find me, beyond this spiritual world veiled in anonymity.

“Forget about the name ‘Nibelz Enche.’ I checked it out that day because I felt something was off.”

I remembered the meaningful look he gave me when I mentioned the name ‘Nibelz Enche.’

I thought I had gotten away with it back then.

“That day, what I asked was the name you use ‘here,’ right?”

Auriel Gavis, having noticed the trick I had used, had begun his investigation.

“Do you know? There are a total of seven people using that name in Lapdonia. I went to see six of them and confirmed they were ordinary people, but…”

“You couldn’t find one.”

“A 6th-grade explorer, Nibelz Enche.”

“Surprisingly, his race was Barbarian. I was sure it was a human-style name.”

With each word, I felt like the walls were closing in, and thanks to that, I realized.

[…You, are you perhaps a Barbarian?]

Even that joke from earlier was part of his strategy to probe my true nature.

If I had given a name from a disguised identity, he would have assumed my race was the same.

“Then, I’ll ask again.”

Auriel Gavis repeated the same question once more.

“What was the name of the body that your soul inhabited after crossing the gate of the abyss?”

There was no option to deflect with another name.

When asked with such conditions, there was only one correct answer.

‘Damn it.’

Even if I didn’t know anything else, I had to hide my name.

I had also learned what kind of ‘person’ Auriel Gavis was.

It was too early to conclude he was an enemy, but at least one thing was certain.

[How could I be at ease? Of course, I feel sorry. I also feel responsible. I will probably live with these feelings for the rest of my life, atoning for my sins.]

This old man could never be an ally.

Therefore….

“I will not answer.”

I confidently invoked my right to remain silent.

“Hmm…”

Auriel Gavis, surprisingly, didn’t say much.

He just observed me, as if even my reaction was interesting.

“It seems it was a very difficult question? Well, it’s natural for you to be wary of me. Then, I’ll change the question.”

He didn’t dwell on not getting my name and continued.

“How long has it been since you opened your eyes in that body?”

It was a question about my time here.

Knowing that I came from 20 years in the future, Auriel Gavis could use this information to estimate when I opened my eyes in the ‘Barbarian’ body.

Therefore.

“I will not answer.”

“Is that so? Then another question—”

“No, the Q&A session is over now.”

I ended the truth game without any regrets.

There were still many things I wanted to ask, but this old man was not a bottomless pit.

If he wanted something, he had to pay the price.

And I had decided.

It was dangerous to give any more information here.

“……Wait, over? What do you mean?”

“It’s exactly as I said. You were the one asking the questions, so there shouldn’t be any problems, right?”

At my abrupt statement, Auriel Gavis clicked his tongue and stared at me.

Well, he couldn’t logically refute it.

It wasn’t like we had agreed beforehand on how many questions we would ask.

He was just expressing his disappointment.

“Unexpected. I thought you would have been full of questions for me.”

“Maybe.”

Certainly, my list of questions was pages long.

In fact, my next question was whether it was possible to return to the original timeline using the fragments of records that the Lord possessed.

However….

‘It’s a good thing I postponed it.’

Looking back, it was fortunate that I had put it off.

That question could have revealed that I was currently in Noahrc.

“You don’t seem to have any intention of changing your decision?”

The old man, who had been staring at me, sighed deeply and suddenly praised me.

“You are truly clever, the more I see you.”

“……”

“Then, what will you do now? Will you go back?”

Contrary to expectations, Auriel Gavis acted like a gentleman, saying he would send me back whenever I wanted.

‘…What should I do?’

I hadn’t anticipated that the truth game would end so early, so I needed time to organize my thoughts.

‘It’s still a bit of a shame to just go back like this.’

After a moment of contemplation, I decided to follow the plan I had made earlier.

“What about what you said earlier? About having a conversation where others are present.”

“Huh? Isn’t that over and done with?”

“I think it’s a good idea. Though, I’ll need to fix a few things.”

Of course, I had to see their faces since I came all this way.

***

The truth game with Auriel Gavis was like Russian roulette. Especially in that each turn was nerve-wracking.

But….

‘That’s enough limited-edition information.’

Either way, I was full of things I didn’t know.

And it wasn’t like Auriel Gavis was the only one with useful information. Especially if the targets were the otherworldly demons who had been summoned to this world decades before me.

“Hmm, you’ve come up with a rather interesting idea.”

Free information sharing, not answering questions.

However, it had to be the truth, and it had to be information that half of the participants didn’t know.

When I explained the rules, which were taken directly from the future Round Table, Auriel Gavis laughed as if he was amused.

“It seems good. The framework is well-established for something you just thought of. What did you do originally?”

The answer was, an ordinary office worker.

Of course, I had no intention of telling him honestly.

“I thought I said the Q&A session was over?”

When I answered curtly, Auriel Gavis muttered as if he was slightly wronged.

“……I was just curious. And it’s not like I asked for any great secrets, right?”

He was right, for sure.

But, because it was you asking, it felt like there was some hidden intention behind the question.

“Anyway, wait a moment. To add the rules you mentioned, I’ll need to infuse more authority.”

Auriel Gavis then closed his eyes as if concentrating, with his hand on the jewel.

And how much time had passed?

Whoooosh-.

It wasn’t clearly visible to the naked eye, but the air around the jewel began to refract, like heat haze shimmering on a summer road.

“It’s all done.”

“It looks easier than I thought?”

“Heh heh, it makes me feel very wronged when you say that. Believe it or not, with this, I’ve lost most of my authority over this space.”

Well, I don’t really understand even if you say that….

Seeing my look, the old man explained something he hadn’t been asked about.

“For example, the power of manifestation. I can still create things by focusing my thoughts, but it will be different from the real thing.”

I, who had been half-listening, flinched.

Manifestation, thought concentration, I didn’t care about any of that.

It would be different from the real thing….

“Wait a minute, is that why the cider tasted bland earlier…?”

At my question, asked on a whim, Auriel Gavis nodded without hesitation.

“That’s right. Is there a problem?”

Of course, there was.

It meant that I wouldn’t be able to taste the refreshingness of that cider anymore.

“……”

“You, you have a serious cider addiction.”

“……”

“But seeing how much you miss it, it seems like quite a long time has passed since you came here?”

What is this old man saying?

Even in this situation, he was trying to extract information.

Thanks to that, I came to my senses and subtly asked.

“……That’s enough, why are you doing this? That authority looks like a very important ability.”

“Heh heh.”

Auriel Gavis, knowing my thoughts, answered as if I was cute.

“Didn’t you say that you received an invitation from someone with the nickname GM?”

Ah, I did say something like that.

“So?”

“That means the ownership of this space has passed to that person. I don’t know the circumstances, but if it’s going to fall into someone else’s hands anyway, there’s no reason to hold onto the core.”

I think I understand his psychology.

Even if it was something he would never do normally, it was different if it was a dead server with a set end date.

It wouldn’t be a waste to do all sorts of crazy things.

However, there was one thing I was curious about.

“Why don’t you ask more about the GM?”

“Heh heh, you said you don’t know much about them other than that nickname.”

Ah, that’s true.

As I nodded in agreement, Auriel Gavis muttered.

“And even if I knew more, I wouldn’t want to ask.”

“……Why?”

When I asked as if I genuinely couldn’t understand, Auriel Gavis continued in a somewhat lonely voice.

“Didn’t I say that the observed future cannot be changed no matter what you do?”

Well, does that mean it’s better not to know?

I felt like I understood something when he said that.

“Enough with the small talk, let’s go. The others will probably find it interesting too.”

Auriel Gavis got up first, and I followed him.

To the room with the round table, which was all too familiar to me.

***

The round table with dozens of seats.

Screeeak.

As Auriel Gavis entered through the door, the gazes of the four men and women sitting inside converged.

“……Master.”

Their reactions were the same.

I didn’t know what he had done after sending me away last time, but they all looked at Auriel Gavis with fearful eyes.

And on the other hand….

“Behind you… that person from last time is there too.”

They showed curiosity towards me.

However, perhaps because Auriel Gavis had firmly drawn a line regarding my identity last time?

No one dared to speak up boldly.

“……”

“……”

A strange silence filled the round table room for a moment.

It was Auriel Gavis who broke the silence.

“Heh heh, you’re all too tense.”

That one word was like the word of an absolute being.

It was like a consideration for the weak, that they could relax from now on.

“I suppose it can’t be helped. You showed such a side of yourself at the end…”

A woman I didn’t know opened her mouth as if exhaling a breath she had been holding, and Auriel Gavis laughed heartily, saying he was sorry.

With this, the atmosphere became more relaxed.

“Anyway, it’s good that you’re all gathered here. I was talking with this friend and came up with something interesting.”

Auriel Gavis then placed the jewel in the center of the round table and continued.

“I called you here for the purpose of exchange, but in fact, we haven’t had a proper conversation, have we? Perhaps this will solve that problem.”

“Could you explain in more detail?”

At the question from the black-clad man, presumed to be the leader of Orculius, Auriel Gavis briefly explained the rules of the meeting.

The reactions after the explanation were varied.

“Having to say information that more than half of us don’t know, that’s difficult.”

The woman seemed worried.

“But it has to be that much for a proper exchange. Until now, everyone has been busy hiding their true intentions.”

The middle-aged man with the name Kagureas opened his mouth as if he was pleased.

And….

“Is Master also participating?”

The little one, the Destroyer, who spoke in a dignified tone despite his childlike appearance, only asked one thing.

“Of course, I also intend to participate. And so does this friend next to me.”

At Auriel Gavis’s answer, the gazes of the four men and women once again converged on me.

It was a somewhat uncomfortable look.

Well, if a stranger whose identity was unknown suddenly appeared and said they would join this meeting, they wouldn’t want to share information even if they had it.

‘I seem to be getting preferential treatment for now, but they’re probably wondering if I’m really on their level.’

Well, what should I do?

It seemed like it would be good to prove my worth first. After a moment of thought, I called out to Auriel Gavis.

No, to be precise, I was about to call out.

“Um…”

“Ah, just call me Master. You’re the only one who knows my name.”

Oh, suddenly?

It was the moment the old man cut me off sharply.

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

The eyes of the four men and women lit up.

‘What is this….’

To be honest, ‘baffled’ was an understatement.

No, how on earth was this old man treating these people?

“You… know his name…?”

I didn’t think he wouldn’t even tell them his name.

‘……Anyway, it seems like it worked out since I got through this?’

As I tried to think positively while calming my bewildered emotions, I saw Auriel Gavis smiling at me, so that only I could see it.

‘He’s so transparent.’

The reason the old man was helping me was obvious.

If it wasn’t for me, Auriel Gavis would have no reason to participate in this meeting.

From the start, the reason he readily agreed to my proposal was probably to get more information about me.

No, was that all?

“Alright, everyone, sit down. It’s natural to be wary, but if you’re worried, then that friend can open his mouth first.”

Auriel Gavis naturally guided the atmosphere.

An atmosphere where I had no choice but to reveal great information.

“……More than that, shouldn’t we first ask if everyone will participate?”

I opened my mouth, not hiding my displeasure at the old man’s trick.

But, what was this again?

“……!”

“……!”

The pupils of the four men and women dilated again.

As if they had seen something unbelievable.

“How can you speak so casually to Master….”

“……But Master doesn’t seem to mind.”

No, I really can’t say anything.

I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t even laugh.

Clunk.

So, I just pulled up a chair and sat down anywhere.

From this point, one by one, they opened their mouths and expressed their intention to participate.

“I will participate.”

“Me too.”

“……Who would refuse such an opportunity here?”

There were 0 people who declared their non-participation.

Auriel Gavis, unable to hide his satisfied smile, took on the role of moderator.

“Then, it’s unanimous. There’s no need for introductions, so let’s begin. You go first, then we’ll go clockwise.”

At those words, the gazes once again converged on me.

Even I couldn’t help but feel burdened.

After all, I was the first in this meeting that was created today.

The quality of the information I revealed would determine the level of information they would reveal.

‘Even if it’s not that, it wouldn’t be good to be looked down on.’

I learned something from the Round Table 20 years later.

If you act like you know what you’re doing, you’ll get lucky even in your sleep.

It’s the same as how people will applaud even if you take a dump if you’re famous.

In fact, there were many times during the Round Table meetings when people would pass their turns with trivial information, assuming there was some hidden meaning behind it.

‘Hmm, what should I do?’

I continued to ponder for a moment while slowly examining the faces of the members sitting at the round table.

Everyone was showing a strong interest in me, and among them, the most enthusiastic was Auriel Gavis.

‘Okay, you’re dying to know what information I’ll reveal in this atmosphere, right?’

Thanks to that, my worries were over.

I knew what this old man was expecting, but….

‘No way.’

How long have I been at the Round Table?

Having finished my thoughts, I opened my mouth.

Something that would not expose useless information to Auriel Gavis, but would satisfy the other members.

“The Earth Witch is alive.”

It was called the Lion Style.

First Form, Information Recycling.