Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 369

The Lion Mask is Bjorn Yandel.

This claim was first made at this Round Table by the Soul Queens.

The basis for this was that the Lion Mask disappeared immediately after Bjorn Yandel’s death.

So, to put it simply…

‘If I just solve the alibi, it’s over.’

The Lion Mask is not Bjorn Yandel.

The moment this one sentence becomes an absolute premise, their suspicions lose a lot of power.

[I heard you even consumed the Ogre’s essence?]

[I don’t think he would have set up a stand-in and used a nickname.]

[Then it makes sense that the Golden Mage omitted this report.]

[The possibility of him faking his death exists.]

After all, these suspicions stem from the possibility that the Lion Mask is Bjorn Yandel.

The Clown’s reaction proves that.

[Psh, what are you all talking about? Bjorn Yandel is dead.]

Because he firmly believed that the Lion Mask could not be Bjorn Yandel, he was the only one at this table who didn’t react to the suspicion.

‘Huh, he’s really different inside and out.’

When I meet him outside, I just want to smash his head and kill him, but when I meet him at the Round Table, I have to admit there’s an unexpectedly cute side to him?

Ah, this is not the time to be thinking about this.

It seems like they are slowly coming back to their senses.

“……”

“……”

In the heavy silence, the first to speak was the Fox.

“…22 years ago, you said?”

Her voice was filled with a shock that couldn’t be explained in just a few words.

Well, it’s understandable.

“Um… is, is this even possible? If that’s true, it means Lion Mask has been around for over 20 years…”

As the Goblin trailed off, the Deer Horn naturally interjected, taking over the conversation.

“It’s not impossible. GM [Game Master], it’s known that he was dragged in around that time too.”

The estimated entry time is comparable to GM, who is known as the longest-running player.

“Psh, if I kill people for another 10 years, can I become like Lion Mask?”

Right, Clown, it seems you’ve been around for about 10 years now.

Looking at the others, it seems like they’re all around that time too.

“But Queen, why are you so quiet? Psh.”

The Clown spoke, mocking the Soul Queens who had made a wrong guess.

“Shouldn’t you quickly bow your head and apologize? Lion Mask being Bjorn Yandel, what kind of ridiculous nonsense are you spreading?”

Having said that, the Clown enjoyed his position as the only one with the correct answer(?) and glanced at the other members.

“You guys are the same! Bjorn Yandel? Even if that guy was alive, do you think such a nobody could even compare to Lion Mask? Huh?”

“Haha… we were just thinking about it, we didn’t really think that…”

The Goblin trailed off, laughing awkwardly.

On the other hand, the Deer Horn didn’t avoid responsibility and reflected on his own words.

“In the first place… now that I think about it, the idea that Bjorn Yandel is alive is a big leap.”

“…I actually don’t really believe that Bjorn Yandel, that person, is an evil spirit. The royal family’s announcement is also a bit suspicious… I’ve actually met that person in person.”

The Fox has met me in person?

She was a high-ranking person who escaped through the dimensional gate, wasn’t she?

Well, maybe we could have met by chance even if it wasn’t then?

‘I’ll think about this part later…’

The Clown soon agreed with the Fox’s words.

“Psh, I agree with that. That ignorant barbarian being an evil spirit? Does that even make sense?”

This time, even the Deer Horn, who had a bad relationship with the Clown, uttered words that were somewhat agreeable.

“Certainly… it was hard to believe that the way he acted at the investiture ceremony was an act.”

“…Are you talking about the incident where he pushed the Marquis of Cudo in front of the chancellor, with so many nobles watching?”

“Hehe, I heard about that later too. He yelled that the marquis did a somersault because he was using him, right?”

…Embarrassing.

What am I supposed to do if you praise me like this to my face?

‘Anyway, it seems like the suspicion has been completely cleared…’

As I glanced around, the Soul Queens, who were still a step back from the conversation, caught my eye.

‘But what is she thinking so hard about?’

As I watched the Queen, curious about her inner thoughts, the Clown changed the subject.

“Queen, how long are you going to keep doing that? It’s your turn now. Can’t you see that Lion Mask is waiting?”

It seems that he interpreted my staring at the Soul Queens in this way.

He’s not even a professional lackey.

Why is he so eager to speak for me?

“Ah, ah! Yes. That’s right… I should…”

Anyway, did the Clown’s urging have an effect?

The Soul Queens also seemed to have regained their senses a bit, took a breath, and slowly opened their mouths.

“…The royal family already knows GM’s identity.”

It was quite an interesting story.

***

The magic scholar, Yurben Havelion.

The head of a school and an idol of many manufacturing mages.

But that’s just the surface story.

His true nature is different.

The leader of the evil spirits’ community, Ghost Busters.

GM, a legendary figure among players.

That is his true identity.

However…

Swishhhhh-!

The green light on the Round Table proved that the information the Soul Queens had revealed was true and that it was information that the majority did not know.

“The royal family knows of his existence…”

This implied only one thing.

Beyond the fact that the royal family intentionally released GM—

“Then it’s highly likely that they were in a cooperative relationship. GM and the royal family.”

That much can be understood.

That behavior of seemingly excluding the threat of the royal family in my confrontation can also be explained.

Then, why did the Soul Queens reveal this information at the Round Table?

The reason was soon revealed.

“Psh, so GM was the same kind of guy after all. No wonder no rumors spread in the city no matter how much I tried to make them.”

It must have been advice and a warning.

There’s no point in trying to spread rumors, so don’t do useless things.

“Wait a minute, but isn’t this a bit strange? GM was clearly defining the royal family as his enemy, wasn’t he?”

When the Goblin pointed out the contradiction, the Crescent Moon answered with a bitter smile.

“There’s nothing as futile as believing in eternity. Especially if the target is a person.”

It means that no one knows whether his purity has been maintained until now, even if it was true in the early days of GM.

“If this gets out, this community itself might disappear.”

The Deer Horn murmured in a sighing tone.

“Yes. If the news that GM has sided with the royal family gets out, all the players will be in anxiety. That goes for me too.”

When the Fox stared at the Soul Queens, the other members naturally shifted their gaze as well.

“Queen, tell us. You’re on the management side, right? What was GM’s intention in joining hands with the royal family?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“So you mean we should interpret it ourselves—”

“But I can confidently say this one thing.”

The Soul Queens cut off the Fox’s words.

And…

“If my turn is over, then I’ll just start from the beginning this time.”

She then placed her hand on the jewel of the Round Table.

“GM is someone who acts and lives for the sake of the players more than anyone else.”

“……”

“I swear, he would never offer other players as sacrifices to the royal family. In the first place, such a thing is not possible with the functions of this community.”

The moment she finished speaking and took her hand off the jewel, a green light began to flow from the jewel.

“Haha, I feel a little relieved to hear you say that.”

The Goblin broke the silence, laughing as if he was uncomfortable with the awkward atmosphere itself, and from this point on, the atmosphere of interrogating the Soul Queens completely disappeared.

“It’s a relief that it’s functionally impossible.”

In fact, this was probably the decisive factor.

GM’s mind may change later, but the fact that the worst-case scenario can be avoided technically relieved their anxiety.

“Well, if GM had the authority to find out our identities, this situation wouldn’t have happened…”

“It’s more likely that it’s a relationship where they give what they can give and take what they can take, rather than being under the royal family.”

“Then it’s your turn now.”

The Soul Queens didn’t want to talk about this topic for long, so they quickly wrapped up the conversation and passed the turn to the Clown.

“Psh, I heard an interesting story from the beginning…”

The Clown trailed off, as if choosing the information to pass on.

However, did he quickly come up with something suitable?

“Ah, this will be good!”

The Clown clapped his hands exaggeratedly and placed his hand on the jewel.

“…I also found out recently, and it’s quite a surprising story.”

“You said earlier that dragging it out would only make you look pathetic.”

“Psh, but the Goblin and I are different, aren’t we?”

The Clown shrugged his shoulders, and the Deer Horn nodded slightly.

“Why are you nodding…”

The Goblin let out a groan as if he was hurt.

However, no one in the Round Table paid attention to the Goblin.

Because the Clown’s mouth had just begun to open.

“The Dark Continent is a real place.”

The Clown’s words, which flowed out in a highly excited atmosphere, were difficult to understand.

“…It’s a green light, at least.”

“More than that, what does it mean? I don’t understand the meaning.”

“Psh! It’s exactly as it sounds! Exactly! I found out after going outside the city and going here and there. Even if there are slight differences in terrain and structure, this land we are standing on is exactly like the 7th floor Dark Continent!”

It was information that piqued a gamer’s curiosity after a long time.

“…If this is true, then that hypothesis might be true.”

“The hypothesis that the labyrinth is not a passage connected to another dimension, but a dimension created by someone?”

“The Crystal Cave, the Rocky Desert… perhaps they are places that were modeled after real spaces.”

If that’s really the case, it’s a bit ironic.

Someone modeled the labyrinth after this world, and then someone else modeled the labyrinth city into a game.

‘I’m a little curious about the outside world…’

Will the day come when I can explore that side too?

***

The second wheel, which started turning in reverse order, proceeded smoothly without any red lights, but unfortunately, that was all.

‘The Queen and the Clown were good, but the rest of the information is a bit…’

Regardless of the objective value of the information, it wasn’t helpful to me.

Just look at the Fox.

The Fox received a green light for the fact that the Blood Spirit Marquis had bought a mansion for a large sum of money and borrowed a large sum of money using the mansion as collateral.

What about the Crescent Moon?

He sighed and said that the Blood Spirit Marquis seemed to have bought essence with that money.

And…

“He even got a honeymoon home and buys essence for her… Psh, that woman is really extreme! It’s not like Bjorn Yandel will come back to life because of that.”

The reactions that came out here were a bit hurtful.

“…Richen Schuetz, I’ll have to find out who he is later, but he doesn’t seem like a normal guy.”

“B-But I heard he’s really strong? It doesn’t seem like he could get that strong with just a few essences…”

“The one who already has it is more extreme. Using a woman’s wounds to take care of his own interests, it’s a disgrace to men.”

“Oh my, Deer Horn, you’re a very romantic person?”

“Ahem…”

“We should also look into him on a race level in the Fairy Clan. We only knew that he bought the essence, but we didn’t know that he would give it to a complete stranger…”

Sigh, if this happens, everyone will be investigating me from all over as soon as the Round Table ends.

‘If I could just get my hands on the Explorer Guild’s data, I could feel a little more at ease…’

I need to find an answer as soon as possible.

“Haha, it’s my turn already!”

Anyway, the Goblin and the Deer Horn, who were next in line, weren’t much different.

Like the previous two pieces of information, they weren’t related to me, but they weren’t things that I thought were necessary information.

‘Well, it’s not like only necessary things can always come out.’

I glanced around, leaving my disappointment behind.

Was it because it was my turn soon?

The atmosphere in the room was a little different from before.

“……”

The gazes gathered with anticipation of what kind of information would come out this time.

The air, where even the breathing was organized, was beyond the word ‘quiet’.

And within that.

‘So what should I do…’

I pondered once more for the last time.

However, there was no changing what I had already decided.

I then opened my mouth.

“I have met Auril Gavis, the creator of [Dungeon & Stone].”

Yes, I need to make sure to nail this down.

“……!”

“……!”

So that no one would even think that the Lion Mask is Bjorn Yandel.

***

“Hoo, I’m tired…”

As soon as I returned to Lee Han-soo’s room, I threw myself on the bed, closed my eyes, and reviewed what had happened at the Round Table.

‘It’s been a while since we went up to three rounds.’

After completing two rounds, another round followed.

There was useful information, but most of it wasn’t.

Therefore…

[It wouldn’t make much of a difference if the Goblin was gone, so let’s all continue?]

[It doesn’t seem like anything interesting will come out even if we do.]

I coldly ignored the Clown’s regretful gaze and got up from my seat.

Because if the Goblin leaves, the majority ratio decreases, right?

As always, at this point, one or two more people would leave even if I didn’t step up first. I judged that it was better for me to take the lead first.

‘…It’s also true that it doesn’t seem like high-level information will come out.’

Okay, I rested for a bit and my head is working again.

I should spend the rest of the time web surfing.

Click, click.

After getting up from the bed, I browsed the community and read the posts.

“Keuheuh, those crazy bastards, really…”

It’s just a bunch of nonsense for aggro, but why is it so funny?

What’s in everyone’s brains?

“Keukeuk…”

I was laughing and web surfing for a long time with one leg on the table when…

“…Huh?”

I quickly corrected my posture.

Even if I rubbed my eyes and leaned forward, the letters on the monitor didn’t change.

[Long Live Korean Independence] – 1 person is connected.

Connected? Who the hell is it?

Could it be Lee Baek-ho?

No, there’s no way GM would have lifted the ban already…

‘In the first place, even if it was lifted, it’s impossible to enter right now.’

Then, are they just a bunch of people who came in because they were bored?

Or are they really Korean?

‘…Maybe there was a Korean among the new recruits who came in recently.’

Whatever it is, I’ll find out if I meet them in person.

With that thought, I double-clicked the mouse.

And…

Click, click.

The view turned white and the surrounding space changed.

Unlike the basic skin of the chat room, which is an empty lot or a field, it was a lavishly decorated noble mansion.

The place that Lee Baek-ho, who was the room master, had decorated himself.

‘What, it’s a woman?’

The side-rear view of a woman sitting in front of the fireplace was visible.

[HS123]

It was difficult to determine her nationality from her nickname, but looking at her hair color and skin, it was clear that she was East Asian.

Well, is she really Korean?

‘Well, I’ll find out if I talk to her.’

It’s easier with a man, but it’s not like I’m not happy to see a woman.

If she’s from the same country, I’m willing to lend a helping hand to some extent, just like Lee Baek-ho did for me.

With that thought, I made a sound to make my presence known.

“Ahem.”

“Kyaa!”

The woman who was sitting flinched and her shoulders trembled.

It seems like she didn’t even know that I had entered the chat room… A strong scent of a newbie that couldn’t be created with acting flowed—

“…Huh?”

The woman, who was startled, turned around, and we made eye contact.

And at the same time.

“Uh…?”

“Uh.”

The woman’s eyes widened.

No, my eyes widened just as much.

“Uhhh?”

What is this?

Is this a dream?

Why is she here?

“Uh…”

My thoughts stop.

The opened mouth only blinked like a goldfish, unable to utter a sound with a proper language system.

And the same was true for the other person.

“Uh, uh.”

“Uh…”

“Uuh?”

Still, the other person recovered faster than me.

“Han-soo… oppa [older brother]?”

The woman asked with an expression that showed much more surprise than joy.

“Hyun-byeol…?”

I blankly asked back, while also lowering my gaze.

A neat blouse with a suit skirt that came down to her knees.

And…

“Ha… really, oppa, you’re still the same?”

…She was wearing black stockings.