Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 658

Of course, Baek-ho also has a team. And I’m quite familiar with his team. After all, Misha was once a member of that team before I returned. “Ah! Baron Yandel! By the way, how is Miss Carlstein doing? She was such a kind beastkin! Though she was a bit cold to us!” Lex Aures, the former gatekeeper of Noark. He’s a tank like me, and we have a connection beyond just meeting once in the past. When I was disguised as Richen Schweitz, he was the one who ate the ‘Deep Sea Giant’ essence that Baek-ho took from me. And… ‘The Ruin Scholar.’ Belbebe Ruinjenes. The mage who joined Baek-ho’s team first, and someone I must repay someday. Squeeze- I grabbed Erwen’s wrist, worried she might do something rash, and felt her trembling intensely. It was understandable. “That person… killed my sister…” Erwen’s sister, Daria, was dead. She died blocking the magic the Ruin Scholar shot to kill Erwen. “It’s not time yet. Don’t act recklessly.” I muttered briefly and released her hand, and Erwen took a step back after a moment. Even after seeing someone who was practically her mortal enemy, she somehow regained her composure… “Hmm, impressive. How can one lose their light so much in such a short time?” The Ruin Scholar, watching Erwen from afar, muttered something incomprehensible. “Is it because someone with a greater destiny is nearby?” A murmur that felt unpleasant, like a cult fanatic in front of me. I shifted my gaze to the side and saw two figures. ‘Looking at their attire, that must be the archer Misha mentioned…’ The remaining one is completely wrapped in a robe. Judging by their build, they seem to be a man… Anyway, they seem to be the new colleague Baek-ho mentioned. Someone who shouldn’t be known to the outside world yet. ‘Considering the composition, they’re likely a healer…’ Of course, that’s not the issue right now. Because it seems like he’s also come to his senses. “Ahem! It’s been a while! Baron Yandel!” The word ‘Baron,’ which sounded awkward for some reason, made my ears prickle, but I understood. This place isn’t just between the two of us. In the first place, I was just standing still because I needed time to organize the situation in my head. However, his companions’ reactions were quite impressive. “…Baek-ho, did you eat something wrong?” Starting with the gatekeeper who asked directly, to the archer who had a genuinely surprised look on his face. “You, you can use that kind of tone…?” How arrogant has he been living if he gets such a reaction just from using a little honorific speech? It’s absurd, but if I think about his old self, it’s understandable. No, can I even call it his old self? “Ah, and it’s been a while for you too! So, your name is… Emily Raines now?” “……” “But it’s so strange. Both Nyaong and you, why do all my colleagues go to our Baron Yandel’s side? If you think about it, you have no business ethics, do you?” No business ethics, my ass. Misha was my colleague in the first place. From what I heard, Amelia didn’t join as a colleague but infiltrated as a spy for a mission. “Mr. Yandel, be careful. That Baek-ho is a very dangerous person.” While maintaining the standoff, Bersil advised me in a small voice. But did he hear that from that distance? “Huh? Do you know me? It seems like it’s our first time meeting?” “…It is our first time meeting.” “But why are you saying such bad things?” “……” “Tsk, tsk… That’s why prejudice is scary. You’ve never even met me, but you act like you know everything…” Even with Baek-ho’s rude words, Bersil didn’t answer and avoided eye contact. She seemed to be very scared. “What, am I going to kill you or something? Loosen up your face–” “That’s enough.” As the leader of a group, I couldn’t just stand by, so I interrupted and intervened. It was confusing with the sudden encounter, but I had to check things first. “Baek-ho.” “Yes, speak.” “Did you… follow us?” What exactly was Baek-ho’s intention? Since we were outnumbered and outmatched, that was the first thing I needed to confirm. Otherwise, I might regret not bringing all of our clan members. “Follow you? Isn’t that a bit self-conscious?” “Then it’s just a coincidence?” “Yes. I was so surprised. Why is our Baron Yandel in a place like this? In such a secluded place with no witnesses or anyone to help?” “……” I got a slight chill from the underlying meaning that didn’t sound like a joke, but in the end, that was all just a detail to take the lead in the conversation with me. I ignored it and judged based on the given information. Honestly, looking at the situation, it seemed highly likely that it was a coincidence. So, here’s the second question. “Then what about you? Why did you come to such a secluded place?” Why did this guy come down here? Baek-ho’s answer was something I couldn’t even imagine. “I was going to the convenience store.” Uh… “…What?” “Ah! Right, our Baron Yandel doesn’t know what a convenience store is! My bad! My bad!” Is this guy really crazy? As I stared at him with a serious face, Baek-ho continued with an awkward expression. “Just kidding… Maybe it’s for the same reason?” “If it’s the same reason…” “Huh? Isn’t the Baron also here to go outside?” Yes, so you came for this too. “But I’m a little curious. Why is our Baron suddenly trying to go outside? Can you whisper it to me? I’ll keep it a secret. Huh?” Is it because we’re not alone? Talking to this guy feels particularly tiring today. He lives as he pleases without caring about others, but I can’t do that. “Enough with the jokes. If it’s really a coincidence, then pass by first.” “Hmm… I guess so.” He led his companions away from the door, and Baek-ho entered Noark through the side door with his companions. And… “But will she be okay?” He asked me as he passed by, as if throwing a casual remark. I didn’t know what he meant or even who he was talking about, so I chose to remain silent for a moment, and Baek-ho chuckled. “What, is today your first time? No wonder…” …No wonder? His last words were a bit unsettling, but I didn’t want to talk to him anymore. “…Just get lost already.” “Yes, sir. Have fun in the dungeon!” …Is there anyone more annoying than this guy? *** Baek-ho didn’t warn us not to follow him or anything like that. He went straight ahead as if he didn’t care, and seeing this, I could be sure that what was written in the handwritten letter he sent me before was not a lie. Honestly, I was a bit doubtful. That’s why I asked Amelia to check it separately, and she double-checked it… ‘Amelia also said that the location seems to be the plaza.’ The point where Baek-ho’s team, who were moving quickly, stopped was also that point. “They stopped.” The Noark Plaza, once bustling with plunderers. Flash-! Soon, a short flash of light appeared, and Amelia and Erwen simultaneously lost track of their presence. “…They disappeared.” So, we also hurried to the plaza, and Erwen, quickly scanning the empty plaza, asked Bersil. “Was that… magic just now?” “Yes. It’s a multiple teleportation magic. Judging by the residual mana, it seems they activated a hidden magic circle under here… under this plaza…” “Don’t worry. I know the spell to activate the magic circle.” “Huh? You know it?” How on earth? Looking at Bersil with such eyes, I smiled awkwardly. “I’m a noble, aren’t I? There’s a way to find out everything.” “Ah…” Well, I couldn’t honestly say that I heard it from Baek-ho, could I? “Okay, let’s begin.” I stood in the middle of the plaza and gathered my companions near me, just in case. Then, I slowly recited the activation words. Actually, the content was so poetic that it was a bit embarrassing to say it alone… What can I do? I just had to think that the ancient mages had this kind of sensibility. “My body is made of swords. My blood is steel, and my heart is glass…” Of course, there are still questions. Why does a sword come out of a magic spell? It was incomprehensible, but I continued to chant clearly. And… “…That body is surely made of swords.” The moment I finished the activation words, enduring the embarrassment. Flash-! There was no sound or light. “…?” “…?” My companions looked at me with questioning eyes. Actually, I was the most confused. ‘What, why isn’t anything happening?’ It didn’t take long for me to understand my situation. No, to be precise, I realized it. [What, is today your first time? No wonder…] I realized what Baek-ho’s last words, which I hadn’t heard before, meant. ‘No wonder, he didn’t get angry.’ …I was tricked. *** The moment I realized I had been fooled, a fierce anger surged from the depths of my heart. However, there was nothing I could do just because I was angry. “Uh… it seems like it was wrong information! It can happen!” “…Don’t blame yourself too much. Nobles don’t always get the right information.” “……” Regardless of my companions’ consolation. I quickly regained my composure and looked for a solution. “Bersil, maybe you–” “It’s impossible right now. These ancient magic circles require many conditions to activate.” “How long do you think it will take?” “…I don’t know much about this kind of knowledge. I have no idea. I don’t even know how long it will take.” That damn Baek-ho bastard. [But will she be okay?] I now know who he was talking about when he asked that question. Unfortunately, Bersil seems to have noticed it too. “Today is full of… frustrating things.” She said she was frustrated, but her voice seemed to contain more acceptance than resignation. I understood her feelings. Realistically, only a few people in an era can become top-tier mages like the Ruin Scholar. ‘……It’s something she has to overcome on her own.’ Thinking about it, it was the same with Rotmiller. No matter what you say, the only way to overcome this kind of feeling is to do it yourself. “…Can I look around alone for a bit?” “Go ahead. We’ll stay far away.” “Yes. Thank you.” After that, we moved away at Bersil’s request, and during the remaining time, we took a leisurely stroll around Noark. Actually, Bersil wasn’t the only one with a complicated mind. If anything, she was probably worse off. “…Erwen.” “Yes?” “Are you okay?” “…Yes, I’m okay. It’s just not the right time, right? Not yet.” Even though she said that with a forced smile, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. As if she had similar thoughts as me, Amelia, who had been walking silently beside me, changed the subject. “By the way, Yandel, I’ve been wondering since earlier… what is a convenience store?” “Ah, that…?” Knowing that she was trying to change the mood, I tried to answer in a bright voice. And how much time had passed? “…It feels like we’re on an outing, which is nice.” Fortunately, Erwen seemed to be feeling better. Well, it was hard to understand the sensibility of saying it felt like an outing while walking through a dark underground city with no natural light. “Come to think of it, this is where we reunited with the old man…” “That’s right. Do you know how surprised I was back then?” “…I’m sorry. I was too out of it back then.” “I’m not blaming you, so there’s no need to apologize.” Anyway, after finishing our unexpected walk, when we returned to the plaza, Bersil was still diligently investigating, touching the floor. “Why don’t you take a break? We cleared our schedule in advance, so we can stay a few more days.” “Ah… yes.” “…Did you find anything?” I asked cautiously, and Bersil remained silent for a long time before answering in a voice as small as an ant. “…I did.” “Oh, you did, that’s a relief–” “I found out that I wouldn’t be able to figure anything out even if I had years.” Ah… I was speechless for a moment, but after listening to her next words, it didn’t seem like she was that mentally broken. “Actually, it’s natural. I’ve never properly studied this kind of thing, and I’ve been learning combat magic all the time.” Listening to her, it didn’t seem like rationalization. It seemed more appropriate to say that she had just accepted reality. “So, I’m just giving up. Please don’t say I don’t have the guts.” “I never intended to say that in the first place.” “It’s a bit embarrassing, but what can I do? I’m sorry. It seems like we need a much more skilled and professional mage than me to investigate further.” A professional mage… “Do you have anyone you can recommend?” “There is one person. That person might be able to shorten the time more than the Ruin Scholar.” “More than the Ruin Scholar? Who is it?” I tilted my head and asked, and an unexpected name came out of Bersil’s mouth. “Yurven Havelion.” Yurven Havelion. “He’s the head of a school, known as the ‘Magical Engineer,’ and an idol to manufacturing mages.” Bersil’s explanation was correct, but if you look closely, one of the most important explanations was missing. Yurven Havelion. The GM of the ghost community, ‘Ghost Busters.’ ‘……It might not be a bad idea to meet him this time.’