Surviving The Game As A Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 332

What am I doing right now, and for what purpose?

To become a great gamer, one must always be aware of their goals and means. If you keep this in mind, you can reduce unnecessary time wastage.

It’s the starting point for an efficient gaming life.

Therefore…

*Lick*-

While licking my lips, I organize my thoughts.

What is my goal in this community’s current situation?

Without much thought, it boiled down to one sentence.

The goal is to find out the GM’s identity.

And the means is…

‘Hmm, this is the best way after all.’

Lion Style.

Fourth Form, Possession.

It’s a technique that allows you to go beyond method acting and continue the conversation as if you were possessed by the person.

Ah, I just made that up.

“Heh heh, surprised?”

As I laughed like an old man, the white man’s eyes widened.

“A-are you really the Elder?”

His voice was full of joy.

But was it because he belatedly felt a sense of incongruity?

The wariness that seemed to be fading slightly seemed to have deepened even more in his eyes.

“No, you’re not the same height… and your skin is different too…”

Heh, for a newbie, he’s quite suspicious. He’ll go far.

I smiled contentedly, as if I were pleased with such suspicion, and said,

“You’re the same, aren’t you?”

My tone was as if I were kindly teaching a young grandson.

At this, the man looked around as if he had realized something, and then checked his reflection in the glass window on the wall.

“Ah, so that’s your true form, Elder?”

“That’s right.”

“But, why the mask…”

“Because I don’t want to show my true form to others.”

“Ah…”

Ah, what ‘ah’.

It was quite funny how he nodded as if he understood, thinking there must be a reason, but I maintained my composure.

Because I’m not Lee Han-soo right now.

“Heh heh, so how is this place?”

I decided to start with a light question and gather information step by step.

“Ah, yes… I don’t know yet. I don’t know how to do what you told me either…”

What I told him?

I had no idea what he was talking about, so I used the Second Form, ‘Stay Still’.

“…”

As always, it was a secret technique that allowed me to achieve at least a minimum average, and soon, I got a bite.

“That… the materialization you mentioned? It’s not easy to do…”

Ah, that thing.

Fortunately, it was a field I knew well.

It was a manipulation method that was essential to learn in order to be active in the Ghost Busters community.

‘Originally, it was only possible in the chat room or the inner world. It seems he can do it here because he took over the master position.’

I interpreted the situation and continued the conversation naturally.

“Heh heh, it’s natural that it’s difficult at first. Let me help you a little. Is there any food you want to eat?”

“…Yes.”

“Close your eyes and imagine it concretely in your mind. And think that it’s in your hand. Yes, good job. You’re a fast learner.”

“Yes…?”

“Open your eyes?”

“Yes… uh, uh?”

The man, who opened his eyes, widened them as he looked at the hamburger in his hand.

And he took a big bite.

“…I can’t feel the taste.”

Ah, that?

Sorry, that function disappeared when I made the Round Table before you came…

‘There’s no need to tell him the cruel truth.’

“It can’t be helped, so don’t be too discouraged.”

“Yes…”

He nodded, but he couldn’t hide his disappointment, and he hung his head.

It wasn’t an emotion I couldn’t empathize with.

Even when I first joined the Ghost Busters, I couldn’t hide my disappointment after trying the cans of cola in the refrigerator.

“Ah, excuse me.”

“Speak.”

“But, what happened to you, Elder? You said we wouldn’t see each other again…”

Judging by the nuance, he wasn’t asking out of suspicion, but simply out of curiosity.

It wasn’t a difficult question, so I answered easily.

“I was worried about you. I thought I should meet you here once and help you before leaving.”

“Ah, I see…!”

The man, like an innocent newbie, believed it without suspicion.

As soon as I saw him, I knew this was the time.

It seems I’ve gained some trust…

Now, should I start digging into his personal information?

“Don’t worry too much.”

I patted the man’s shoulder and casually said, as if I had no other intentions.

“If you have the talent for magic, you’ll quickly improve at things like materialization.”

The GM is a magician.

This was certain because I had met him directly, but even so, the reason I deliberately used the expression ‘talent’ was simple.

It’s good to be cautious about everything.

He might not have become a magician yet since it’s only been a year.

“Ah, magic… so that’s why you chose me, Elder.”

Judging by his tone, it seems he’s already on the magician route.

“But there are still some parts I don’t understand. There must have been more skilled people than a half-baked magician like me, so why me…”

“Don’t belittle yourself. How many people who have been called to this world have settled down as quickly as you? You will become an even greater person.”

As I started praising him mindlessly, the man turned his gaze away as if he were embarrassed.

At this point, I tried to dig into his personal information once more.

“By the way, what was your rank?”

“Rank 6.”

What?

I was genuinely surprised.

No, it hasn’t even been a year since he was summoned.

But rank 6…? Is that even possible in that amount of time?

While such questions lingered.

“I’m just lucky to have a high rank, but I still can’t use magic properly, so I live in constant tension…”

The man muttered in a self-deprecating voice.

Thanks to that, my question was resolved.

Combining what he said earlier, calling himself a ‘half-baked magician,’ and what he just said, ‘I can’t use magic’…

‘The possessed character was already a magician!’

There’s a statistic that the possessed body is fixed at 20 years old.

However, unlike explorers who can enter the labyrinth from adulthood, magicians can change jobs from a young age.

‘Ha, I started as a bare-handed barbarian.’

For the first time in a while, I felt jealousy towards someone, and at the same time, I engraved the information I needed to remember in my mind.

There are cases like this among the evil spirits.

“Um… why are you doing that?”

“Heh heh, it’s nothing. I’m just proud of you.”

“…Please don’t do that too much. I’m embarrassed…”

“Embarrassed? How can it be embarrassing to know your shortcomings and work hard?”

At my words, which were so warm they could prick, he looked at me with moved eyes.

“Elder…!”

Okay, at this point, it seems like he’s almost in a groggy state in a game.

I subtly asked.

“But… what’s your name?”

I think it’s about time to hear it.

***

The identity of the GM, which was only rumored.

I knew he was a magician, but I didn’t know his name or face.

So, I wanted to find out his personal information at this opportunity.

However…

“Yes? Are you talking about my name? Why…”

At my question, he tilted his head.

His gaze turned to me, and in his eyes, the suspicion that I had barely erased while building trust was showing signs of resurfacing.

‘Tch, I guess this won’t work.’

I quickly made a decision and pulled out Plan B.

After all, Plan A was just a probe.

“Heh heh, I was asking for your real name.”

“R-real name?”

When I spoke teasingly, he was flustered, but then he breathed a sigh of relief as if he was relieved.

“Ah… I wondered why you were suddenly asking for my name. There’s no reason to ask such a question.”

“Heh heh, it was just a question out of curiosity, so you don’t have to answer if you’re uncomfortable.”

“No. What’s the point of hiding my real name? It’s Oliver Weisman.”

“That’s a nice-sounding name, heh heh…”

While laughing like an old man, I casually brushed off the name ‘Oliver Weisman’.

Like he said earlier, what’s the point?

In this place, a real name that’s useless.

“By the way, Elder.”

“Yes?”

“Can I ask for some advice?”

“Of course. Go ahead.”

“Didn’t you tell me to manage this place well and make it a place where evil spirits… no, players can interact?”

Oh, did I?

“Did I?”

“I think I can make the pills you mentioned myself if I study a little more, but I’m not sure about the other parts. Can I get some advice on this?”

“Hmm…”

“I’m not sure how to decorate this place.”

If that’s the case.

After a moment of thought, I gave the GM some very important advice.

Once I made a decision, there were no difficult parts.

He’s worried about how to run this community?

I just need to explain the way it looked in the future.

“As much as this world distinguishes you as evil spirits, they will be reluctant to enter this place rashly. It seems like a system that can thoroughly maintain anonymity will be needed.”

“Ah! I have an idea for that! It would be good to make it just like an internet community…”

“Internet community?”

“I’m sorry. That must be an unfamiliar term for you, Elder.”

The GM explained the community in an easy-to-understand way, as if he were teaching an old man about modern civilization.

It was useless to me, who had lived with the internet my whole life.

However, thanks to that, I learned one more thing.

‘Right, Auriel Gavis didn’t properly introduce himself.’

Judging by what he said, it seems he was only introduced as an evil spirit from another world.

Anyway, that’s not the important thing.

“Hoo, that sounds like a pretty good idea. But if possible, it would be good to use that ‘computer’ thing you mentioned earlier. It’s suitable for the form of a community, and it would be faster to adapt to something familiar, wouldn’t it?”

“Oh… that’s a wise point!”

“It would be good to create something like a trading post so that everyone can benefit from each other. If they can exchange real-world items without revealing their identities, this place will become a very attractive place for them.”

“Wow…”

“And when you send the pills, it would be good to send a letter in the language you use in your hometown to explain what kind of place it is.”

“You’re amazing…! It’s amazing that you immediately understood the concept of computers and communities, but how did you come up with these ideas right away…!”

I explained the final form of the Ghost Busters to the GM as if I were giving advice, and the GM exclaimed with admiration each time I continued.

But did he think of this belatedly?

“It sounds like it will be a great place just by listening to it. But how do you make such a thing?”

The GM asked, tilting his head.

I had nothing to say about this.

How is that possible?

‘That’s for the engineer to figure out.’

How would I know how to do that?

I said firmly.

“You can do it.”

“Yes…?”

“It’s the same with materialization, you’re still inexperienced, but you’ll get used to it eventually, won’t you? I believe in you.”

“Ah, yes…”

The GM answered half-heartedly as if he lacked confidence, but it wasn’t something I needed to worry about.

Because that’s how it will be in the future anyway.

I ended the feasibility debate and continued the design work.

“Ah, and one more thing. How about writing something like an entry password at the end of the letter?”

“Password, you say?”

“Yes, if you use a phrase that insults the royal family as a password, you can filter out the spies to some extent.”

In fact, PS later acted as a password.

Of course, it didn’t mean much.

Whether they guessed the password or not, the ‘Soul Queens’ had to come and verify them before they could be granted membership.

Well, I, who have a keen sense, deciphered the trick hidden in the letter and entered the password before that woman even came…

‘Oh, but when I think about it, the abbreviation for password isn’t PS, it’s PW?’

But why did it become that?

Was it just a case of stumbling upon it by chance?

I suddenly thought that there might have been another way to solve the password, but it wasn’t a problem to think about now.

“Elder, is there something wrong with you…?”

“Ahem, no. Where was I?”

“You were talking about how to distinguish spies.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

After that, I gave him information ranging from the content of the letter to individual private spaces, and measures to filter out and expel spies.

‘This much guideline should be enough.’

Since I was telling him verbally, I couldn’t help but miss some of the details, but I wasn’t particularly worried.

How many times has this happened since I returned to the past?

Whether I talk about it or not, this mansion will gradually transform into the community I know.

‘Hmm, maybe this was my role left in this era…?’

I suddenly had that thought, and I was worried that I might return to my original time as soon as I left the community.

But…

‘Nah, that’s not it. Surely not?’

I tried to ease my worries.

It was at that time.

“But, Elder…”

The GM cautiously spoke to me.

“I’m not sure, but I think I know who the person you mentioned at the end was.”

“…”

“That… after hearing that I cleared it 15 times, you said that a user who cleared the original difficulty would come here someday, didn’t you? The one who would fulfill the wishes of all players.”

Ah, I said that.

While understanding the context of the conversation, my body flinched.

‘It wasn’t just a future story that I heard and passed on to anyone.’

Now that I see it, he was given the role of a supervisor.

Well, the GM himself doesn’t know it.

‘But what’s with the wish? Is he talking about the abyss gate?’

Hmm, maybe that old man just said anything to motivate the GM. Like, you can only go back when I appear.

Anyway, let’s think about this later.

“I did, didn’t I?”

As I added an interjection, the GM continued.

“I’ve been thinking about it since then, and I have a guess. There’s a person who was very famous in the Stone Iven community… someone I respected very much. I got a lot of help from his writings while clearing the 15x mode.”

I knew who that person was without him saying it.

But since I’m currently disguised as Auriel Gavis, I asked as if I were looking forward to it.

“Who is it?”

“It’s someone who used the nickname Elf Sister.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m not sure, but in my opinion, the only person who can clear the original difficulty is her. And last time, you said that the user would be a ‘Barbarian’, didn’t you? Coincidentally, she also mainly raised a ‘Shield Barbarian’.”

“Is that so… I see. But it’s not certain, so it would be good to keep all possibilities open. Maybe that person isn’t a ‘Barbarian’.”

I gave a hint as naturally as possible so that the pursuit could be confused.

But was this a mistake?

“Yes? It can’t be?”

Oh, why is he suddenly having a fit?

While I was flustered, I smiled calmly.

“Heh heh, I just meant that there’s a possibility.”

“Is that so…”

The GM spoke as if he had understood, but his eyes didn’t.

“Elder.”

“Speak.”

“Excuse me, but can I ask you one more question?”

The GM stared intently at my eyes, the only part of my face that was visible from the mask, and asked.

“What’s my name?”

Sigh, this has become troublesome.

***

Looking back, maybe I took it too lightly.

No matter how much of a newbie he is, he’s a veteran who has been running a community for over 20 years and has thoroughly hidden his identity.

Even if his instantaneous judgment is lower than in his prime, his intelligence itself should not be low.

The fact that my appearance was different from the outside.

The mask I’m still wearing.

And the fact that I asked for his name.

I made him understand with all plausible reasons, but even so, the sense of incongruity must have been growing.

No matter how much I act like an old man, I can’t do it perfectly. He must have kept getting the feeling that something was missing during the conversation.

What just happened must have acted as a decisive mistake.

“…Why are you silent?”

At his question, I smiled bitterly without a sound.

It wasn’t the time to think about the cause of the situation becoming like this so quickly.

“Maybe you don’t know my name—”

I cut off the GM’s words and quickly opened my mouth.

“Zerkif Elmen Macinder.”

I didn’t just throw out any name because I was in a hurry.

[There are three of them, should I tell you all?]

One of the names of the three magicians who were suspected of being the GM, which I heard from Baek Ho a long time ago.

So, to summarize…

‘The probability is 33.3%.’