Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 576

As the Fox left, the already small group dwindled even further. Wolf, Goblin, Queen. Now, only three people remained in the game.

Auriel Gavis murmured, looking at the empty round table. “I prepared so thoroughly, but it’s a bit disappointing. There are only three left already.”

It wasn’t that he disliked the situation; he seemed more surprised. Well, I could understand his feelings. I was also a bit surprised by this development.

‘I didn’t expect them to give up their return tickets so easily.’

Losing anonymity and having their identities exposed? In this world where evil spirits are subject to immediate execution, it’s incredibly dangerous. But if they could return home, it wouldn’t matter at all.

That’s why I thought a game of chicken would unfold. But… The Clown and the Black Mask left from the start, the Butterfly quickly cut ties, and the Fox gave up because living in this world wasn’t so bad. They were dropping out one after another even before the game had properly begun…

“Then, we’ll continue as planned.” Just as Auriel Gavis was about to resume the OX quiz, the Goblin cautiously raised his hand. “Um… I’d like to quit here too…”

The third declaration of surrender, following the Butterfly and the Fox. Auriel Gavis clicked his tongue. “Is that so? Then leave quickly.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me for my reason…? I’m not… I’m not questioning it… I’m just curious…”

“…Alright, what’s the reason? Did you perhaps have a change of heart after hearing what the Fox said?”

“Well… I can’t say it had no influence at all…”

“No influence?”

“Um… I don’t know how to put this…”

“Enough, just speak.” As Auriel Gavis spoke with a hint of annoyance, the Goblin avoided eye contact and murmured softly, “I just have a bad feeling about it.”

Hmm, if it’s the Goblin’s intuition, it’s worth trusting. That thought immediately came to my mind, but on the other hand, Auriel Gavis seemed to find it absurd.

“I see. Now that I know the reason, leave quickly. Oh, do you need time to say goodbye too?”

“Ah, yes… then just briefly…” The Goblin then spoke to everyone. “I once heard a friend at the language school say that even a brush of sleeves is a connection [a Korean saying about how even a brief encounter can create a bond]. If that’s true, then being dragged into this strange world and meeting while wearing masks is no ordinary connection. Some of you even know who I am.”

A long introduction. However, the main point was very short. “So, even if you have a reason to kill me, please spare me. Aren’t we fellow players?”

What was he trying to say? “…Is that it?” “Yes? Ah, yes… that’s all I wanted to say.” “Then go.” “Ah… yes… then goodbye everyone…”

As the Goblin left, the Queen and the Wolf looked at each other with awkward expressions. It had become a final match with only two people left… ‘Is this the real end game now?’ That thought came to mind first, but the situation took another completely unexpected turn.

“I’m going to quit here too.” At those words, Auriel Gavis showed genuine emotion for the first time. “…What’s your reason?” A voice that was beyond displeasure, almost angry. Well, it was understandable. He seemed to have prepared quite diligently, but things weren’t going as planned.

“The reason is simple. I don’t trust you.” “Distrust… I have the ability to send you home.” “Yes, maybe you do. No, I think there’s a high chance you actually have that ability. But still, I can’t trust you.”

The Queen glanced at the Wolf and continued. “That person has a close relationship with you, right?” The Queen seemed worried. About being toyed with, using their desire to return home.

“In the end, there’s no way for me to know if you’ve designed it so that person wins in the end. In the first place, to win in the current situation, the Wolf would have to give up, and it doesn’t seem like the Wolf would make that choice.” It was a very rational judgment. However, it wasn’t just possible; it was clear that she was influenced by seeing the others quickly cut ties.

“No need for goodbyes, I’ll be leaving now.” After that, the Queen left the room without saying goodbye, and the winner of the OX quiz was decided in a very anticlimactic way. “Uh… uh…?” The winner who had obtained the sweet reward was the Wolf Mask.

The Wolf, who seemed dazed as if he couldn’t believe it, seemed to come to his senses and asked in an excited voice, “Gavis-nim, so… does that mean I can go home now?” Does he not understand the situation? I didn’t know, but as an observer, it was a very good sight.

“Of course. A promise is a promise.” “Th-thank you…! I’m really grate—” “So, can you please keep your mouth shut for now?” He seemed so excited during the OX quiz. ‘He’s angry, he’s angry.’ It was a very rare sight.

***

“…” “…” As the Wolf, belatedly realizing the atmosphere, closed his mouth, a heavy silence settled. But even in this situation, did he find the courage? “So… when can I… receive the reward…” The Wolf mentioned the reward to Auriel Gavis once more.

“I will come to you when the time is right. So, can you please go outside for now?” A voice filled with deep annoyance. The Wolf didn’t press further and bowed deeply. “…Yes. Then I’ll be waiting outside. Gavis-nim.”

As the Wolf also left, only the two of us remained at the round table. I, who had been quietly observing, opened my mouth after a long time. “Are you really going to send them back?” A question implying that he should be honest now that it was just the two of us. However, there was no way this sly old man would answer honestly.

“Hmm, what do you think?” “Well, to be honest, I don’t think it’s going to end well.” “You lack faith in me.” That’s an absurd thing to say. Then he should act trustworthy.

“Anyway, it’s a shame. If we had gone around for another round or two, you could have seen something interesting.” “Interesting sight, you have a unique taste.” “I won’t deny that… but you’re not one to talk, are you?” Well, I couldn’t deny it either. My actions while wearing this mask weren’t much different from this old man’s.

I asked directly. “So, why did you do all this?” The apology for revealing my face was just an excuse. But I still didn’t understand why he prepared this OX quiz game. What was the reason? “Trust is like gambling. I hope that this time, they will return as much as they have bet.”

“But?” “I wanted to show you something before we talked. But… as things have turned out, it would be a bit ridiculous to explain it in words.” “You have a talent for making ‘it’s a secret’ sound long.” “Hahaha, then do you have a talent for making everything simple and clear?”

He’s old enough to know better, but he won’t give in even a single word. He was a more and more repulsive old man, but I, who was born and raised in a Confucian country [a country with a strong emphasis on respecting elders], decided to endure it. I couldn’t waste this opportunity since we had met after so long.

“Enough, I have a question I want to ask.” “A question? Go ahead.” “How did you find out about me?” It was a question I had wanted to ask when we were alone. Because it didn’t seem like he was testing me.

[In fact, isn’t this place practically made by you?] That old man said those words as soon as he saw me when he entered the round table today. In short, it meant that he knew the Lion Mask was ‘Nibelz Enche’ whom he had met 20 years ago. ‘No, actually, judging by the way he talks, it seems like he even knows that I’m Bjorn Yandel.’

Anyway, before we started the conversation in earnest, I needed to check how much that old man knew… “But your speech keeps changing from short to long every time we meet?” “Why, would you prefer it if I called you ‘Elder,’ ‘Elder’ now?” As I asked with a smirk, Auriel Gavis responded with a welcoming voice.

“Oh… would you? Now that everyone’s gone, there’s no need to pretend to be the Lion…” It seemed he was secretly uncomfortable with me speaking informally. “Well, fine. Let’s do that. It’s not difficult. Anyway, so what about the answer? Is that also a secret?”

“Ah, you were asking how I found out about you, right? The answer is simple. I waited and waited for 20 years. With that much information, it was easy to find out that you were Bjorn Yandel.” Hmm, is that so? It was a plausible explanation, but another contradiction arose here.

“But there’s something strange about that. Then why didn’t you recognize me right away when we first met at the round table?” “Well, from your perspective, you hadn’t met me yet. I thought it was better to wait a little longer.” “And that time is now?” “Similar. Until now, I was trying to avoid meeting you as much as possible… but there’s one thing I want to confirm as soon as possible.”

Ah, now that I think about it, he said he came because he had a question for me. “Then tell me quickly. What is it that you’re curious about?” As I coolly asked as if I would tell him anything, the old man quickly asked his question, seizing the opportunity. “You said you met a witch, here at this round table, didn’t you?” “Yes. So?” “I want to hear in detail where and how you met the witch.”

This is like déjà vu. It was the exact same question the Wolf had asked me earlier. ‘Ah, did he come directly because I didn’t answer?’ Well, it seems reasonable to think that way. That means that information is so important to this old man that it would change his original plan.

And if you look at it from another perspective… ‘That means I’m the one in control?’ As soon as I realized that, my body was already leaning back on the chair, arrogantly crossing my legs. The instinctive behavior of a K-Barbarian [a humorous term for a Korean person who is quick to take advantage of a situation] who catches on to advantageous situations like a ghost.

“…” Auriel Gavis looked at my change in attitude with a questioning gaze, but didn’t say anything. ‘Okay, so he’s just going to endure this much?’ Tuk, tuk. My gaze, which had been meaninglessly tapping the table, fell on the discarded OX sign. They were objects that the old man had created with a single gesture.

‘Come to think of it, he said he had regained all his authority, right?’ I smacked my lips and ‘asked’ Auriel Gavis. “Hey, Elder? I’m thirsty, so can you make me a cider?” “…?” “Ah, with ice floating in it, nice and cold.”