Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 468

Clang-!

The cheerful notification sound greeted me as soon as I turned on the computer.

“A message…?”

I quickly checked my inbox, and a message with an unread mark appeared at the very top.

The sending time was just a few seconds ago.

This meant someone sent me a message as soon as the community opened…

Click, click.

I opened the message to check it.

[Sender: Ghost master.]

[I would like to talk for a moment.]

A short, one-line message.

Below it, only the name and password of a secret chat room were written.

“Hmm…”

What should I do?

If I accept this invitation now, Baekho Lee will be waiting.

I was a bit hesitant, but it didn’t take long to make a decision.

‘…I’ll just finish quickly. I’m also curious about what business he has calling me for.’

Perhaps I could get a clue from the conversation with the GM [Game Master] that would help me deal with Baekho Lee.

Yeah, what’s a little delay?

Is Baekho Lee going to just leave because of that?

“It’s been a while, Mr. Lion.”

As soon as I entered the chat room, a white man with the nickname ‘Elfnunalove’ stood up and greeted me.

I didn’t respond to the greeting and immediately sat on the sofa.

“So, what’s the matter this time?”

“As you requested, I released Ben, but did you meet Baekho Lee well?”

He’s really trying to take credit.

“Is that all you called me for?”

“No, of course not.”

The GM also sat on the sofa and continued.

“I heard an interesting story at the last Round Table. ‘Elfnuna’ is already in this world, right?”

So that’s why.

I was proud that the bait I had laid out had worked well, but I tried to maintain a serious expression.

“So?”

“I’ll ask directly. Is ‘Elfnuna’ perhaps you?”

Even as a barbarian who likes to get to the point, it was a slightly embarrassing question.

I didn’t expect him to ask so directly.

“Well, why should I answer that?”

When I spoke slyly, the GM answered immediately.

“Because I was the one who released Baekho Lee’s ban. Do you really think I would have accepted such a request just for my own safety?”

I still remember the way he was sweating back then, so it’s hard to say he wasn’t scared.

However, it wouldn’t be a complete lie.

“Mr. Lion, you need something from me, and I also need something from you.”

Give and take.

The GM also had something he wanted from me, so he offered the card of Baekho Lee’s ban.

As the saying goes, keep your enemies closer than your friends.

The GM would also have been reluctant to give up the information I provided at the Round Table. He must have wanted to accept the request and watch me.

‘But in the midst of all that, as soon as ‘Elfnuna’ was mentioned, he called me right away…’

At this point, my curiosity grows even more.

“If you want to maintain our current relationship, please answer. Are you ‘Elfnuna’?”

Why is the GM so obsessed with ‘Elfnuna’?

The reason I mentioned that nickname at the Round Table was to resolve this question.

That’s why…

“Before I answer, let me ask you one thing first.”

I asked back.

Of course, if I asked directly, it would seem like I didn’t know much, so I asked as indirectly as possible, like a lion.

“Do you believe what that old man said?”

It was a kind of probing.

I had a conversation with the GM in the past when he was a newbie.

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

[He was a very famous person in the Stone Iven community… someone I greatly respected.]

At the time, the GM mistook me for Aurel Gavis and said those words.

Therefore, I hypothesized that the GM’s obsession with Elfnuna might be because he believed Aurel Gavis’s words.

But…

“There’s no reason not to believe it. At least the story in the record stone was true.”

A very strange answer came back.

‘Record stone…?’

It was the first time I had heard that word.

***

What is a record stone?

‘Is it like a legacy of the Great Sage, like the fragments of records that were sent to the past?’

I didn’t know, but I had a strong feeling that it was important information.

Perhaps it was the key that could solve all the questions I had.

However, I didn’t show it and quietly listened to the story.

“There’s no one else but him. If it’s not him, who else could clear the original difficulty?”

Perhaps because I didn’t know about the record stone, the GM’s story sounded like something was missing.

But at least I knew one thing.

“No matter what anyone says, it’s impossible without him.”

The GM’s belief is similar to that of a fanatic.

My aunt, who was caught up in a cult, had the same look in her eyes.

“…”

As the person to whom that belief is directed, I felt a kind of physiological discomfort first.

But it was time to make a decision.

“Now, tell me. Mr. Lion, are you really ‘Elfnuna’?”

It was a question that had been repeated several times.

I was quite conflicted.

If that blind faith and favor weren’t an act, I could at least use it. Maybe I could even bring the GM into my team.

“I am not that person.”

However, this was the decision I ultimately made.

It would be a lie to say that I wasn’t tempted by the information about the record stone and the various foundations that the GM had built up over a long period of time…

‘Yeah, this is right.’

At least, I decided that it was right to answer that question after investigating what the ‘record stone’ was. Most irreversible mistakes are caused by ignorance.

[You must not open the gate of the abyss.]

…And what the witch said back then keeps bothering me.

“…Is that so.”

Fortunately, the GM easily accepted it and moved on.

Since he asked so pointedly if it was me, I thought he might have some basis for it.

It seems he was just testing the waters.

“Then tell me about ‘Elfnuna’. Where is he now? What is his race—”

I cut off the barrage of questions.

“That’s rude.”

“…Yes?”

“The fact that I answered your first question honestly was a favor for you keeping your promise with me.”

In short, the reward for releasing Baekho Lee’s ban was over.

“…”

I felt a bit of guilt looking at the GM’s dumbfounded expression, but there was nothing I could do.

It would be strange to pretend I didn’t know here, right?

Yes, in this case, it’s best to just use the concept to get through it.

“If you want my favor, you must also show favor.”

“…You’re saying I have to pay a price.”

The Lion’s unique rule that has been going on since the Round Table.

“But… isn’t this too unfair?”

As expected, a complaint came out of the GM’s mouth.

But so what?

“I took the risk and released Baekho Lee’s ban. But just one question is the end—”

“I misjudged you.”

“…?”

“Do you really think that? That releasing Baekho Lee’s ban in just a few seconds and information about ‘that person’ have equal value?”

“That’s…”

The GM was speechless, and that was the end of the conversation.

“If you understand, I’ll be going now.”

With those words, I quickly left the chat room.

***

Back in Lee Hansoo’s room after finishing the hit-and-run.

“Hoo…”

After taking a breather, I manipulated the mouse to check the chat room.

[Korean Independence Forever] – 2 people are connected.

Two people…

One is Baekho Lee, and the other is Hyunbyeol, right?

Fortunately, they didn’t leave just because I didn’t come right away.

‘Let’s organize my thoughts for a moment before going in.’

I leaned back in my chair and reviewed the conversation I just had with the GM.

[There’s no reason not to believe it. At least the story in the record stone was true.]

Nothing is certain yet, but the reason why Baekho Lee is concerned about Elfnuna might also be related to that record stone.

‘…If possible, I should try to probe Baekho Lee about it this time.’

Good, it was a good idea to go to the GM first.

After finishing my thoughts, I clicked the mouse and entered the chat room.

“…I’m telling you it won’t work! If Hansoo hyung finds out, I’m dead for real!”

“If it’s just the two of us, how would Hansoo oppa know—”

Two people were sitting on the sofa in front of the fireplace, having a suspicious conversation. I was watching them for a moment, wondering what was going on, but unfortunately, they noticed me.

“Eek!”

Baekho Lee was startled as if he had seen a ghost.

“…”

Hyunbyeol, who was next to him, also flinched and looked at me cautiously with that unique expression she had when she did something wrong.

“What are you two doing?”

At my question, Baekho Lee jumped up and ran to me, hurriedly making excuses.

“Hyung! I didn’t do anything wrong! Hyunbyeol noona asked me to tell her about hyung’s identity, and I just said no!”

I kind of thought that was the case.

I looked at Hyunbyeol to see if it was true, and Hyunbyeol avoided my eyes and glared at Baekho Lee.

“…As expected, Baekho Lee is an impossible human being?”

A voice that seemed to be stating only the facts without emotion.

“Haha, noona! It’s not like that—”

“Why am I Baekho Lee’s noona [older sister]?”

“Yes? You told me to call you that earlier—”

“Does it look like it’s the same as before, Baekho Lee?”

“…”

Every time he said something, Hyunbyeol cut him off sharply and shot out sharp words, and Baekho Lee awkwardly smiled and gave me a look as if asking for help.

‘…Well, he did keep the secret from Hyunbyeol.’

I was about to step in and try to resolve the situation.

‘No, wait a minute.’

Suddenly, that thought came to mind.

Why should I defend him?

The guy who was going to kill each other and then literally ‘poof’ed and ran away when things got difficult?

‘Hoo, I almost let it slide without realizing it.’

Remembering the emptiness, anger, and humiliation I felt that day, I regained my composure.

“Hyunbyeol.”

A voice that resonated as low as the cold emotions that were sinking.

Hyunbyeol flinched and answered.

“………Why?”

“Go out for a moment. I have something to talk about with him. We’ll do what we were doing later.”

“Okay…”

Perhaps because she had done something wrong, Hyunbyeol left the chat room without a word.

And…

“…”

“…”

A moment of awkward silence flowed in the chat room where only the two of us were left.

As I stared at him silently, Baekho Lee opened his mouth first.

“Haha… Hyung… are you still very upset?”

I was speechless.

Upset? Is that what he should be saying here?

“Enough, just tell me the conclusion.”

“…?”

“You said you couldn’t think straight back then, so you’d answer me next time, right?”

“Ahaha… Nyaongi… no, Misha, I mean…”

Baekho Lee scratched his neck with an awkward face.

However, far from looking ridiculous, his appearance only made me more wary.

Because I know.

How calculating this fickle and frivolous-looking guy actually is.

Even this appearance he’s showing now is all intentional.

“Well, I’ve been thinking about it…”

“…”

“Surprise! In the end, I, Baekho Lee, have decided to return it! Wow! Clap clap clap! It’s a celebration, a celebration!”

Is this guy really crazy?

“…”

I was just keeping a straight face, judging that I would be swept away by the atmosphere if I accepted it, but Baekho Lee continued his unique tension without caring.

“How is it, hyung? Do you understand my sincerity now? It was really a joke back then? Joke, joke! Just kidding!”

“…”

“Oh, come on! Are you still angry? Let it go already. Okay? You have to look at it from a grand perspective! A grand perspective!”

“Haa…”

In the end, a sigh escaped my mouth.

“Oh! You sighed! Does that mean it’s okay? You’re not angry anymore, right? Yes? Right?”

“Why does sighing mean that?”

“Hey, you’re just saying that again.”

“…”

Come to think of it, I’ve always been weak to this type.

I don’t know if I could punch him in the mouth, but I can’t use that method here.

“Stop talking nonsense. So when are you going to return it?”

“Anytime. Should I send it tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Send it right away. Don’t mention what happened between you and me. Can you do that?”

“Yes. I think they’ll go straight to you as soon as they hear about you?”

“Can’t you… do something about that way of speaking?”

“Yes? Why?”

“…”

“Hehe, okay. I won’t do it. Don’t be angry. Hyung [older brother].”

“Haa…”

I tried my best not to get caught up in this atmosphere, but it wasn’t easy.

It would be different if the situation had gone to the worst, but it’s true that Baekho Lee took a step back and conceded.

‘It would have been difficult if he had refused to return it and acted like a stubborn fool.’

“So, is the Misha thing all done? Can we talk about the next thing now?”

“The next thing?”

“Yes! You said that if I sent Misha back, you would listen to my request, right?”

“I said I would listen to it.”

“That’s the same thing. What do you have to lose, hyung?”

“That’s for me to decide. So tell me. If I help you break through the 10th floor, what exactly can you do for me?”

“A lot. I’ve already done some things for you.”

“…?”

When I gestured for him to speak quickly without dragging it out, Baekho Lee opened his mouth with a triumphant face.

“The Marquis of Terserion.”

“The Chancellor?”

“Yes. That bastard can’t touch you anymore.”

…What is he talking about?