Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 543

Ghost (2)

The Ghost Busters, a gathering of evil spirits, is held every 15th of the month based on the city’s calendar.

My routine here was almost always the same.

Weeeeee-!

First, I turn on the computer, access the community, and check how many people are in the chatroom ‘Long Live Korean Independence.’

‘No one’s here yet.’

Then, I go to the free board, skim through it, and quickly check the latest information. I enter the chatroom and chat with Baekho for an hour.

When Baekho leaves, I talk with Hyunbyeol for the remaining time, and when it’s time for the Round Table to open, I naturally leave the chatroom.

Click, click.

Today was no different from my usual routine.

As always, I naturally brought up the free board on the monitor. And I quickly scanned the titles of the posts that had already started to appear.

Like reading the newspaper while having morning coffee.

Relaxed, without any rush—.

“…Huh?”

The moment I flipped through the already pushed-back pages and checked the title of the first post uploaded today, I couldn’t help but utter that dumbfounded sound.

I couldn’t help it.

[Decision to Close the First Basement Floor of the Laphdonia Royal Family.]

What is this?

Click, click.

While wondering if it was just an attention-grabbing post, I rapidly clicked the mouse button.

It was a title I couldn’t possibly ignore.

—ㅇㅇㅇㅇ.

Of course, as expected, there was no content in the body of the post.

Usually, these types of posts get the top spot first and then fill in the content using the edit function.

The important thing is the comments.

Just by looking at them, you can at least do a fact check.

Just like this.

[arolf5205: Ah, I was going to write this first.]

[NIKAMOTO: This is going to be a hot topic again.]

[AI_DIDIGO: Info 1, 56% of the first posts on the day the community opens get over 100 comments and become hot topics.]

[└Ki11Humans77: Wow, it’s Didigo. Please let me get a 3rd grade essence in the next exploration.]

[└MarkG: But what’s good about getting a hot topic?]

[└Paweł: The admins give some GP [Game Points]. But I don’t think they do this every time just for that.]

Users weren’t talking about it being a clickbait or attention-grabbing post, but rather discussing other topics.

Through this reaction, I could tell one thing.

‘Damn, it’s real.’

Decision to close the first basement floor of the Laphdonia Royal Family.

This information was true, and it was already considered ‘common sense’ among many people.

I quickly refreshed the post and scrolled down.

Because productive stories always come out later.

Since it takes time to write them.

[Darkrealm93: But I don’t understand the royal family either. Why are they blocking us from going there starting from the next exploration?]

[└Akaistos: Haven’t you heard? It’s too dangerous.]

[└Darkrealm93: Do you think I’m asking because I don’t know that? I’m saying there must be another reason.]

[└WhyDoYouSniffShit: It’s obvious. They’re probably pissed because people keep trying to go to the first basement floor and desert while they’re in the middle of a war.]

[└funkinthetrunk: But we don’t even know how to get to the first basement floor yet, so does banning entry even make sense?]

[└WhyDoYouSniffShit: So, they’re saying don’t waste time on useless things and just be arrow fodder as usual.]

I roughly understood the situation.

It’s been a month since the existence of the first basement floor became known to the outside world.

In fact, in the last round, two more clans entered.

And…….

‘I heard that quite a few people from both clans couldn’t enter at that time.’

A bunch of explorers returned to the city while watching their companions head to the first basement floor.

Surely, the existence of the first basement floor would have spread even more through them.

Those with good skills might have already figured out how to enter.

No, they must have figured it out.

‘So, everyone must have been preparing to go down. That’s why the royal family is trying to stop them.’

Also, if it’s information that a large clan can find out, it means that the royal family must also be aware of the entry method…….

“Hmm…….”

This situation is getting interesting.

After skimming through the comments and the posts that were popping up like mushrooms for a while, I put down the mouse.

Tuk, tuk.

Suddenly, I have a lot of thoughts.

If the royal family has issued a ban, they probably won’t try to go down, if possible. Tsk, does this mean I have to just modify my plan and watch?

I ran various simulations in my head.

And how much time had passed like that?

“Ah, they must be waiting.”

Realizing that a considerable amount of time had passed while I was lost in thought, I quickly snapped out of it and entered the chatroom.

“Oppa, you’re here?”

“Oh, hyung! You’re late again?”

As soon as I entered, Hyunbyeol and Baekho, who had arrived earlier, greeted me.

“Sorry. I’m a bit late today.”

“It’s okay. I wasn’t worried anyway.”

“……What?”

Baekho grinned as I tilted my head, as if I didn’t understand what he was saying.

“It’s like the main character appears late? Well, I don’t see it negatively. No, rather, it’s cool…….”

What’s with him again?

I shouldn’t have focused on listening.

I chuckled and sat down on the empty sofa.

“So, did anything happen to you two?”

“No. I’m fine, oppa.”

“Baekho, how about you? Are you okay?”

A question that indirectly asks whether things are good or bad, omitting the details. However, while doing so, I unconsciously glanced at Hyunbyeol.

And did this guy notice it again?

“I’m fine. Hyunbyeol noona knows who I am anyway, right?”

“……Huh?”

“Hey, hyung! I’m not that clueless, you know? It’s okay to talk about it in front of noona. That I’m outside the castle right now.”

“……Heh.”

As Baekho casually talked about his recent situation, Hyunbyeol listened quietly with an intrigued look.

“…Baekho, are you really okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? We’re all from the same hometown anyway. I don’t mind. Honestly, it was a bit much to always talk just the two of us, excluding noona. It’s more fun to chat when there are three of us.”

The question of whether it’s really okay remains.

Well, it’s not my problem if he’s okay with it.

Besides, I also sympathized with it.

‘It does feel like something’s clicking when the three of us are talking…….’

To be precise, it feels closer to being in Korea.

This was the only place where we could talk about things like military stories, politics, or how much we miss kimchi.

Although I’m quite satisfied with my life in this world.

There were definitely moments when I missed those kinds of conversations.

“Anyway, how is it over there? Did you meet the people of Noark?”

“Yes. It’s been about a week now, and I’m currently in the stage of going around and finding out things. I haven’t found Auriel Gavis yet.”

“Auriel Gavis……?”

“Ah, Hyunbyeol noona doesn’t know him. The reason I went outside the castle was to find that bastard.”

“Ah… is that so?”

Hyunbyeol, who usually didn’t back down and acted like she was the best, seemed flustered when such a large-scale story came out so casually.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen this side of her.’

As I was watching that side of her, feeling a bit nostalgic, Hyunbyeol glared at me.

“I didn’t laugh just now.”

“I didn’t say anything either.”

“…….”

Anyway, after that, I asked Baekho about the things I was curious about outside the castle walls, and Baekho kindly explained what he had found out.

Since it was a completely unknown area even in the game, every little detail was interesting, but if I had to pick one, it would be this.

“It’s possible to farm.”

Unlike Laphdonia, it’s possible to live outside the castle walls without ‘magic stones’.

However, that makes the question even bigger.

“But why do they keep trying to crawl into the labyrinth?”

Why is Noark still continuing the war?

Why can’t they leave the labyrinth, even to the point of creating portals to the outside?

Unfortunately, Baekho couldn’t give a clear answer.

“I don’t know. But there must be a reason. And it’s highly likely that ‘Auriel Gavis’ is deeply involved in that reason.”

“I guess so? Anyway, okay, if you find out anything more, please let me know.”

“Yes, hyung.”

When one topic was settled, it was about 10 minutes before Baekho’s logout time, so we spent the remaining time just talking nonsense.

“Phew, somehow it feels like I’ve been talking about myself a lot today. Please tell me about yourself next time, hyung. I’ve been really curious, you know? You know what I mean, right?”

“I know. I’ll tell you then.”

“Then, see you next time!”

With that, Baekho left when it was time, and nothing special happened during the time I spent with Hyunbyeol.

“Seeing how curious he is, it seems like he’s doing something fun?”

“Ahaha… it’s not really like that…….”

“Stop changing the subject. I’m going to read a book now, do you want one too, oppa?”

“Ah, then thanks.”

I received a book from Hyunbyeol as usual and started reading.

I was a bit curious since it had been cut off at an interesting part last time.

‘Why is this so fun?’

I chuckled while reading, and when emotional parts came up, my eyes welled up.

As I was completely immersed in reading, Hyunbyeol, who was lying on the sofa, tapped my knee with her toes.

“Uh, why?”

“Isn’t it time to go?”

“Ah, it is.”

As I closed the book with a regretful feeling and stood up, Hyunbyeol said as if throwing it away.

“If it’s that fun, come again later. I’ll lend you the book again then…….”

“No. There’s no need to go that far. I have a lot of GP, so I’ll just buy it and read it.”

“…….”

“Then, see you next time.”

After saying that, I left the chatroom and stretched my body. Actually, it was a space where stretching wasn’t necessary, strictly speaking…….

Somehow, I’ve developed a habit of doing it after reading a book.

Besides, it feels like my mind is refreshed again when I do this.

“Okay, let’s go then.”

There were quite a few things to do at the Round Table today.

***

A lion mask that covers the entire face.

And a neat navy suit worn underneath.

As I looked at myself in the mirror wearing the same set I always wore, I felt an inexplicable confidence welling up.

It was like I had become a being capable of anything.

However, regardless of that feeling, I coldly self-diagnosed my current state.

‘It’s severe.’

Phew, it’s hard to keep up with this concept for years.

It’s like I’m going to be devoured by the concept I created.

Ah, of course, that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop now.

Thud, thud.

After checking my attire in the mirror, I walked down the hallway towards the Round Table room.

As always, everyone had arrived before me.

“Hehehe, you’ve arrived.”

“Heh… nice to see you, Lion!”

“You’ve come last again today.”

As I ignored their greetings and headed to my designated seat, I suddenly remembered what Baekho had said earlier.

[It’s like the main character appears late?]

Actually, Baekho was right, at least when it came to the Round Table.

I deliberately arrived as late as possible when coming to the Round Table.

However, to make an excuse, it wasn’t because I enjoyed the attention of being the last one to arrive, but rather it was an unavoidable action.

That’s because…….

‘It’s weirder if I arrive early.’

Usually, people who arrive early talk to each other.

But what could I do if I joined in?

It’s not like I could laugh and chat, and if I just sat next to them, the atmosphere would just become awkward.

Just like now.

“Then… now that everyone’s here… shall we start…….”

“…….”

“Is there… perhaps… any problem?”

I was just sitting there, ignoring their greetings and spacing out, but the Wolf cautiously looked at me and spoke.

“Not really.”

“Then… let’s start. Everyone’s busy.”

For some reason, the Wolf was leading the meeting today, taking charge of the conversation.

Well, I don’t care who does it—.

‘Ugh, why does my mindset change to this when I wear this mask?’

I’m starting to think that I need to be cautious and pay attention, but I decided to put that thought aside for later and opened my ears.

The first turn was the Deer Horn.

“The royal family’s directive regarding the closure of the first basement floor has been confirmed. If anyone ignores the order and goes down to the first basement floor, they will be executed regardless of their status.”

“That’s an unusually harsh punishment.”

“Ah, of course, it’s only a severe punishment for clans above a certain size. We believe that they won’t impose such severe punishments on ordinary explorers.”

Well, it’s an understandable measure.

Just by preventing the desertion of clans, they can prevent the collapse of the battlefield.

‘Ugh, those damn royal family bastards. They never do anything helpful.’

Anyway, starting with the Deer Horn, the members quickly took their turns, and there were two things worth remembering.

“When you cast ‘Distortion’ magic on the nameless statues that appear on the 3rd floor and defeat them, you can obtain pieces of three types of patterns, and these are the keys to the first basement floor.”

The Queen shared the entry method to the first basement floor, the record archive.

And…….

“Hehehe, this might be good news for you all. Unfortunately, our elite forces who were attacking the 8th floor have failed and suffered great damage.”

The Clown.

It was something that could be easily overlooked, but as soon as I heard it, I felt like lightning struck my head.

‘They failed to attack the 8th floor……?’

There was no basis, but it didn’t seem like a simple coincidence.

So, I unconsciously spoke out.

“Calheum.”

Calheum, the city of light, one of the rifts on the 8th floor.

The very field where Milayel, who dropped the Verdant Greatsword, appears as the rift guardian.

It was the moment I mentioned this.

“……He… hehe?”

The Clown, who was laughing with a deflated sound, stopped laughing.

“How did you… know that, Lion?”

What, was it really there?

Then, is there some connection between the failure to attack the rift and the fact that he appeared down here?

As I was thinking and reasoning, the Clown regained his composure and continued to speak.

“Ahem, ahem! I, I asked a foolish question. Lion, you must have hidden ears in Noark.”

I just left it alone, and he seemed to have added a basis and understood it on his own.

Is that why they say to become famous first?

I don’t know, but whether the Clown was making a fuss or not, the members’ gazes were focused on me.

‘It’s already my turn.’

Then, what information should I reveal?

There was no need to worry about that today.

I had been keeping up with the concept by revealing information that corresponded to the interesting information that came out, but…….

‘Today, I didn’t come to hear information.’

To be precise, that was the original plan, but it’s closer to the fact that there have been changes. Didn’t the royal family dump a lot of crap this time?

If this continues, the influx of new members will be cut off.

So, I have no choice but to respond actively.

‘The Queen already told us the entry method, so I can just skip that…….’

The royal family has taken a hard line by threatening execution, but I wasn’t too worried.

Because I know the nature of explorers well.

“The first basement floor record archive.”

Explorers don’t value their lives.

“Here, Bjorn Yandel obtained two single-number items in two months.”

If there is enough gold beyond that.