Surviving The Game as a Barbarian (Novel) Chapter 199, 200, 201

  

C199, 200, 201

Chapter 199: Master Key (4)

The Stone of Resurrection is on the 9th floor.

Finding the Stone of Resurrection with just this clue is practically impossible.

Crescent Moon probably knows this.

He’s also a player who played this hardcore game.

But could it be that even this is like a godsend to him?

“Wh, why…”

Crescent Moon asks me, pushing aside his joy.

“Why are you being so kind to me?”

He seems genuinely curious, but…

…there’s only one thing I can say as ‘Lion’.

“Because it seems like it would be fun.”

Crescent Moon clenches his mouth shut for a moment, as if pondering the meaning of my words, and then he trembles.

“You… you’re a truly frightening person.”

Huh? Suddenly?

I just stare at him with my chin on my hand since I don’t understand what he means.

Did he realize he made a mistake?

“…Please forget what I just said. I shouldn’t have said that. It doesn’t matter to me what kind of person you are. I would even offer my soul if it means I can obtain that item.”

Crescent Moon mutters with self-deprecation after declaring his resolve.

“Well, you probably already know about my situation.”

It’s a statement I can’t understand at all.

No, how would I know?

‘Why does he misunderstand like that?’

I try to recall the events at the Round Table, but I can’t figure out the reason, so I just stay silent again.

As always, that’s the safest option.

“As expected… you really knew.”

I don’t bother denying it.

It would be a bit ridiculous to say I don’t know in this situation.

I just change the topic as if I’m not interested.

“It’s my turn now.”

Everyone’s attention turns to me as I speak.

It seems like they’re expecting me to say something. I feel a strange sense of awkwardness and share one of the pieces of information I prepared.

It’s information that’s interesting to hear, like the ‘Demonic Halfling’ one, but useless in practice. And it’s not even as impactful as the ‘Stone of Resurrection’.

“Pfft, I knew about this one.”

The Clown looks at me with a disappointed expression, even though the jewel on the round table emits a green light.

Of course, it’s not something I should be concerned about.

In the first place, even the Clown seems to think it’s his fault for not bringing anything interesting, rather than blaming me.

“If it’s okay with everyone, I’d like to continue. What do you guys think?”

The meeting continues after the first round, as if they have a lot prepared since we skipped a month.

I consistently share similar types of information and pass my turn, and soon the third round begins.

“I, I’ll be leaving after this turn.”

Goblin, who was the first, barely manages to pass his turn after receiving four red lights, and then finally raises the white flag.

But could it be that everyone else is also running out of material, although not as badly as Goblin?

“Hmm, then I’ll stop here too.”

Fox also declares her withdrawal, and it’s naturally decided that the meeting will end after this round.

I’m not particularly disappointed.

‘I think I’ve heard everything worth hearing.’

Although I had no idea how the situation would unfold after the conflict between Noark and the royal family, I’m starting to get a sense of it.

It’s the opposite of the rumors circulating in the city.

‘As expected, the royal family has the upper hand.’

Although they suffered heavy losses from the subjugation’s failure, the underground city is in a similar situation. Judging by what they’re saying, Noark’s lockdown seems like a last resort.

‘And since they’ve created unforgeable identification tags, I don’t have to change my plans too much. There doesn’t seem to be any immediate danger.’

I subtly glance at the round table.

The jewel is emitting a green light at the information Crescent Moon just shared about Orculus.

“…Now only Mr. Lion is left.”

Everyone’s attention naturally focuses on me.

Their eyes are sparkling.

‘Geez, this is pressuring.’

I tap my fingers on the armrest, contemplating.

What should I do for the finale?

I already have something in mind, but maybe there’s something more fitting for the current atmosphere.

Indeed, something suitable comes to mind.

Thud.

I stop tapping my fingers and smile.

It’s not one of the pieces of information I prepared beforehand…

“Goblin.”

“Ye, yes?”

Goblin stammers, startled by my sudden question.

I look at him and say,

“Come to think of it, you said something earlier. That ‘that old man’ might be a more skilled mage than the GM who created this community.”

“Ah, ah! Ye, yes, I did, but…”

Goblin trails off as if he doesn’t understand my intentions, while Fox brightens up.

“Don’t tell me, it’s information about the Master?”

Although she’s better than Goblin, who seems clueless…

“Wrong.”

I completely ignore Fox and speak to Goblin.

As if to say that they’re fundamentally mistaken about something, even though I let it slide earlier.

“This community wasn’t created by the GM. To be precise, it’s closer to him modifying an existing space into its current form.”

I parrot the information I heard from Lee Baekho.

And at the same time, everyone’s gaze turns to one spot.

The jewel embedded in the center of the round table.

“…It’s green.”

I’m not surprised since it’s the expected result.

Although I didn’t check it myself…

…I don’t doubt this information at all.

“…I can’t believe it wasn’t created by the GM.”

“Pfft, this is news to me too.”

“Then who created this place?”

The members, who were pouring out questions, all shut their mouths at the same time as if they had made a promise.

And their gazes turn to one spot.

The only one here who can answer that question.

‘Okay, I think the aggro worked well.’

I speak amidst the heightened silence.

In a voice that betrays no expectations.

Without a single emotion.

“I hope it will be more interesting next time.”

I say that.

So that they’ll bring something more useful next time.
___________________

“…He’s gone.”

A heavy silence hangs in the air in the Round Table room where Lion left.

The reason was simple.

His last words.

To be precise, the emotion behind those words.

“…Is he angry at us?”

The Clown scoffs at Fox’s muttering.

“Pfft, Miss Fox, you overestimate us. Do you think we’re even worth him getting angry at?”

“That’s…”

Fox shuts her mouth, unable to refute.

She remembers what the Master said earlier.

[Wouldn’t you have nothing to gain from participating here, at your level?]

A secret gathering that ordinary players wouldn’t even know about. Fox had been using the information she obtained here to her advantage.

So it was hard for her to accept it at first.

But after hearing even the Master’s words, there’s no point in denying it.

This place holds no merit for Lion.

‘No, it’s not that there’s nothing…’

Fox can’t help but smile bitterly.

[I hope it will be more interesting next time.]

Interesting.

Something that would alleviate his boredom, even a little.

In short, entertainment.

That’s the only thing Lion wants from this gathering.

But what have we been doing so far?

We couldn’t even do that properly.

And we’re just expecting him to tell us everything…

“…We must have seemed pathetic.”

“That’s right. He’s a different kind of person from the Master. Although they’re a bit similar.”

Fox tilts her head at Antler’s words.

“…Similar? In what way?”

Crescent Moon answers,

“At least since he came here, we haven’t felt the Master’s absence.”

She’s starting to understand what he means.

The Master was that special of an existence at the Round Table.

He was the one who gathered the current members, and he was the one who taught them valuable information and knowledge that no one else knew.

“The difference is that Mr. Lion isn’t the type to volunteer like the Master. Pfft.”

“Volunteer…?”

“What, am I wrong? Or do you really think the Master created this place to obtain information?”

Fox doesn’t refute.

No, she can’t.

Everything the Clown said is true.

The Master always knew everything.

And he shared it generously.

Like a teacher in a classroom full of students.

“Pfft, in the first place, that’s why Miss Fox follows the Master so devotedly.”

Fox doesn’t deny it this time either.

“…You’re right. If I didn’t think he was volunteering, I wouldn’t consider him as a benefactor.”

This gathering has been maintained thanks to the Master.

Just look at what happened recently.

There were only four regular members before Lion came. The members’ participation rate decreased significantly after the Master disappeared.

The other members would only occasionally enter the chat room to check if the Master had returned and then leave.

‘I guess the others will also participate regularly if they know someone like this joined. Just like Mr. Goblin.’

She feels a strange sensation.

But Fox pushes aside her emotions and focuses on the conversation the other members are having.

The topic is the Master, who reappeared after a year.

No, to be precise, it’s about Lion, who seems to be acquainted with the Master.

“Mr. Lion must be someone we’ve at least heard of. If the Master calls him ‘amazing’, he must be one of the best.”

“Well, he even treated the infamous ‘Corpse Collector’ like a child.”

“Child… Yes, he did say that. Pfft.”

It’s time for deduction again.

“His last piece of information is also meaningful. That the GM didn’t create this community… How could he even know that?”

“Well, maybe he knows the GM.”

“…You mean the GM who’s shrouded in rumors?”

“That might be the case for us, but he’s the one who calls the Master ‘old man’. There must be a world we don’t know about.”

“I see…”

The Clown asks Goblin, who seems genuinely impressed,

“But why are you acting like this today? Last time, you treated everything he said as an exaggeration.”

“…I didn’t know much about him back then.”

“Pfft, so your two eyes weren’t just for show?”

Goblin avoids the Clown’s gaze and coughs awkwardly.

That’s when Antler speaks.

“More importantly, am I the only one who felt it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I felt intent when the Master left.”

“Ah, if you’re talking about that, I felt it too.”

“Wait a minute, both of you. Intent? Are you saying he used ‘Whisper’?”

Fox is genuinely surprised.

‘Whisper’ refers to an ability that can only be used in this spiritual space, a kind of telepathy.

The principle is similar to killing intent.

It’s conveying your thoughts to the other person in the form of language.

“But the Master said even he has trouble using that…”

“Huhu, Miss Fox, why are you surprised again? Did you think Mr. Lion wouldn’t be able to do that?”

“…….”

Although it’s an annoying tone…

…I have nothing to say.

Come to think of it, it’s not that surprising, as the Clown said. He’s a man who unleashed that much killing intent from our first encounter.

It would be strange if he couldn’t use ‘Whisper’.

“Anyway, so you’re saying that the Master and Mr. Lion had a conversation before he left?”

“Yes. They must have had something to talk about in secret.”

“And even Mr. Clown doesn’t know what they talked about?”

“Of course not. Both the Master and Mr. Lion are practically monsters!”

Fox clicks her tongue, unable to hide her disappointment.

If she could just know the content of their conversation, it might have been a clue to the Master’s situation…

“Kick, but it’s not like there were no gains.”

“Yes? Gains?”

Fox comes to her senses at the Clown’s words.

The Clown chuckles, pleased with her attentive posture.

“I, I didn’t feel anything at all.”

“Please, can you elaborate a bit more?”

“Mr. Lion’s intent! I couldn’t feel anything, even though he was clearly focusing it. Unlike the Master, whose intent I could at least faintly sense.”

Fox, who has some knowledge about ‘Whisper’, freezes.

It’s only natural.

Although he spoke in his usual playful tone, the content itself wasn’t lighthearted at all.

“Wait a minute. You’re saying…”

The Clown reveals the ‘gain’ he obtained today on behalf of Fox, who can’t even finish her sentence.

“Yes. Maybe Mr. Lion is an even bigger monster than the Master.”

Everyone is speechless at the shocking guess.

Silence falls.

“I…”

That’s when Goblin cautiously speaks.

“Maybe the Master just spoke to him? Then it would explain why Mr. Clown couldn’t feel his intent… Ah, no, why are you all looking at me like that? I was just saying. Just saying. I didn’t really mean it!”

The silence continues for a while.

-----------------------------------

Chapter 200: Master Key (5)

Nickname ‘Elfnunalove’.

A player more commonly known by the name ‘Ghost Master’ in official settings, whose true identity is shrouded in rumors.

He slowly opened his eyes and checked the time.

“…….”

It was just past midnight.

The location was his personal lab, located in the upper levels of the Magic Tower.

As always, he spent a few moments organizing his thoughts while sitting in his chair.

‘What will he do now?’

He had just permanently banned a player from the community as soon as it opened.

The target was ‘Sergeant Lee’.

A Korean player with the unique nickname ‘Sergeant Lee’.

‘He must be fuming right now, wanting to find me and kill me.’

He didn’t want to make an enemy of ‘Sergeant Lee’ either.

‘Sergeant Lee’ was the one who was closest to the ‘key’, and he was also the player with the strongest combat power.

…Among those from Earth, that is.

‘…He’s the one who didn’t listen even when I tried to reason with him.’

Although he was a bit worried that he might have poked a sleeping tiger…

…it was something he had to do.

It was his last attempt to persuade him before permanently banning him.

And it was Sergeant Lee who refused.

Of course, he understood his situation, so he had left him alone until now, but he couldn’t be considerate forever.

He would have to make a choice now.

‘…I feel a bit sorry for that person, though.’

His thoughts naturally shifted to another man.

The Korean player with the nickname ‘Elfnunna’.

‘That person also seemed to be a fan of hers.’

Having met many Korean players, he knew…

…how few of them there were.

It wasn’t for nothing that ‘Sergeant Lee’, who was desperately searching for a fellow countryman, begged for a few minutes to talk at the end.

‘It’s funny when you think about it. If he misses his hometown that much, he should be thinking about cooperating with everyone to clear the game and return.’

The man chuckled and got up from his seat.

His crystal ball was vibrating, indicating an incoming call.

“A call at this hour, it seems like something happened on your end, SoulQueens.”

[Yes. I was just about to leave work, and I found a strange login record.]

“Strange login record?”

The man adjusted his posture.

It wouldn’t be a trivial phenomenon, considering that it was her, who understood this space as much as he did.

[There’s a login record, but it doesn’t show who it is. And most importantly… the login time is around 3:00 AM.]

“So you’re saying someone entered the community in the middle of the session.”

[Yes. That’s why I found it strange…]

“Can you give me some time to think?”

The man cast a spell on himself while staying on the call. It was his own combination spell, ‘Meditation’, which he created by adding a few spells to ‘Thought Acceleration’.

One person came to mind.

“Watchers of the Round Table.”

[Ah! That suspicious person you banned a year ago!]

Nickname ‘0720’.

He learned about his existence a year ago.

All the guides who helped newbies enter the community said they didn’t remember helping him, and he was suspicious after entering his inner world and seeing him dressed in the clothes of this place.

People usually wear modern clothes.

He judged him to be a spy from the royal family who had somehow obtained a pill and secretly infiltrated the community. Or a player from somewhere other than Earth.

‘…And most importantly, he was an old man.’

Players are generally young.

It’s only natural.

They’re people who enjoyed this hardcore game.

It’s hard to imagine an elderly man over 70 clearing this game.

“Maybe Watchers of the Round Table is a group they created to avoid our eyes.”

[But didn’t you judge the remaining members to be normal?]

“Yes, I did back then. But just in case, SoulQueens, would you mind entering and checking for me?”

[…But it’s a private chat room.]

“Don’t worry about the invitation code. It might take a few months, but it’s not impossible.”

[Okay, if that’s the case…]

SoulQueens agreed, and the man was about to end the call.

He couldn’t give her any further instructions until he entered next month and checked again.

There was nothing he could do right now.

But…

“SoulQueens, do you remember a player named ‘Elfnunna’?”

He couldn’t help but ask, as the nickname suddenly came to mind.

[Ah, that person? He joined a few months ago, and I remember him clearly because he was unique. Not just his nickname, but other things about him were also impressive.]

“Impressive?”

[I couldn’t see his inner world at all. It was my first time encountering someone with such a thick mental barrier in all my time doing this.]

“…I see.”

The man felt a sense of dissonance.

Having an unusually thick mental barrier could be attributed to individual differences.

SoulQueens’ time as a guide was short.

But he felt like he was missing something.

He didn’t dismiss it as just a feeling since his ‘Intuition’ stat also increases in ‘Meditation’ state.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

He asked for her understanding and checked the records in his head.

To be precise, it was the list of people who sent letters to Elfnunna around the time he joined, as SoulQueens had mentioned.

‘They’re all newbies.’

He expanded the search to 3-month intervals in case he obtained the pill later, but the result was the same.

There wasn’t a single player who reached the 5th floor or higher.

But could his mental barrier be that high?

“…Bjorn Yandel?”

A name caught his eye as he expanded the search range.

A barbarian who chose a shield, which was rare.

He had sent him a letter, wondering if he might be ‘that person’, but he had dismissed his suspicion because he didn’t enter.

“SoulQueens.”

The man gave a new order.

“Investigate the player named Elfnunna. What posts he made, how much GP he has, what information he bought. Even if you have to restore deleted data.”

He needed to check.
___________________

The morning after the community opened.

Amelia woke me up.

“…What’s going on? This early in the morning.”

“Morning? It’s already past noon.”

Geez, can’t a barbarian sleep in?

I gulp down a glass of water and ask,

“So what’s up?”

Amelia usually appears in the evening.

We also agreed to meet around that time when we parted ways yesterday.

Then why did she come looking for me in broad daylight?

Amelia’s answer was simple.

“I thought I should at least tell you.”

“You’re leaving.”

“Yes, so you can stop the search.”

Judging by her tone, it doesn’t seem like she’s leaving because she found ‘Auril Gabis’…

I naturally try to get more information.

“It seems like something came up.”

Amelia didn’t answer.

But that was enough for me.

She’s a woman who’s been busy doing something in the city every day.

[Noark sent a few people to the surface right before the lockdown. Their goal is to kill one explorer! Surprising, right?]

Maybe the assassination mission that Clown mentioned is starting today.

I had no intention of getting involved.

It’s not something I can stop.

No, actually…

“Are you going to come back and look for him later? I can let them know if you need anything.”

I make a good-natured offer.

She’s the type who’s sensitive to favors and debts.

I judged that it would be helpful to have her owe me one.

“There’s no need. It doesn’t seem like I’ll be able to find him this way anyway.”

“I see.”

I don’t offer again when Amelia refuses.

And so, the conversation ends cleanly.

“Then see you later.”

I say goodbye briefly, and Amelia silently stares at me.

“See you later? What do you mean?”

Ah, so she was curious about that.

Well, I was the one who acted like I didn’t want to be involved with her. It must have sounded meaningful to her.

I answer honestly,

“I have a feeling we’ll meet again.”

This is already our fourth encounter.

I don’t know how long it will take for me to return home, but we’ll definitely meet again at least once.

“…You’re a strange person.”

Amelia then disappears before my eyes like smoke, as usual.

Alright, then it’s time for me to start my day.

Ding-!!

First, I press the call bell I installed next to my bed.

“You called, Boss?”

Jingjing appears in less than a minute, as expected of my right-hand man.

I first give him the order to stop the search and then have a simple lunch before going out together.

It’s our daily after-meal walk.

There’s nothing else to do in Bifron.

“Let’s go to the distribution center.”

“Distribution center… sir?”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, sir. I’ll guide you to the nearest one.”

Today’s destination is one of the twelve distribution centers in Bifron.

When we arrive, I see a long line.

It’s the line for receiving the food supplies that the city provides every morning.

It’s a sight that was rare just a few days ago.

Originally, each faction would occupy the distribution centers and monopolize them.

“As you ordered, I made sure that at least minors can take whatever they want without any conditions.”

“Good, keep it that way.”

I look at the line of children with a satisfied smile and then turn around. And I start exploring the city, walking wherever my feet take me.

That’s when I see a familiar child.

It’s the kid who guided me to that inn on my first day in Bifron, offering to show me the way.

“Come here.”

“Yes, sir!”

The child, who was subtly backing away as soon as our eyes met, approaches me and stands at attention.

“Where are you going?”

“I, I was just coming back from the distribution center…”

“You’ve gained some weight since then.”

“Yes, sir…”

Is it because I’ve become the de facto ruler of Bifron?

The child trembles, even though I haven’t harmed him since that day.

Geez, I just called him because I was happy to see him.

Is this the loneliness of an absolute ruler?

“How have you been?”

“I, I read books in my spare time. At the library that Ya, Yandel built…”

It’s not a library I built, but rather one that I revived.

There are still many empty bookshelves since so many books were used as kindling, but I ordered them to gather all the books and fill them up, so it will get better over time.

“I, I swear I won’t do anything like that again! If I need money, I’ll register at the labor camp and earn it honestly!”

The child starts making excuses, as if he’s anxious because I’m just staring at him.

“Come to think of it, you said your dream was to be a scholar.”

“Ye, yes, sir!”

I chuckle and give him a piece of advice.

“Keep living like that. If you try to cheat others and get your head messed up, you’ll eventually disappear someday.”

“…Yes?”

“You can’t be a scholar without a head.”

“Yes? Ah, ye, yes…”

Although he doesn’t seem to understand at all, I don’t bother explaining further.

I don’t want to be a nagging barbarian.

“Go.”

I then continue my walk with Jingjing.

Distribution centers, libraries, residential facilities, labor camps, and so on.

I’ve been fixing the irrational aspects of the city since there’s nothing else to do besides looking for Auril Gabis, and the city has definitely become more lively compared to when I first arrived.

The biggest factor is that the tyranny of each faction has disappeared.

‘Well, it will probably go back to the way it was once I’m gone.’

In that sense, I head to the sewers with Jingjing.

“Um, why are we here…?”

Jingjing looks at me, trembling and speaking in a strange voice.

Geez, anyone would think I’m going to kill him and bury him here.

“I’m going to the city for a bit, do you need anything?”

“…Yes?”

Jingjing, who rarely repeats himself, asks back with a dazed expression.

“To, to, to the ci, ci, city…?”

“Ah, I didn’t tell you? There’s a passage connected to the city.”

“Th, th, th, th, th, th, th… there’s no wa, way?”

“Why are you stuttering? Did something happen to your head?”

“No, sir.”

Jingjing hangs his head low, his face filled with despair, as he had only been thinking about being freed in a few days.

But did he belatedly realize that it might be a bluff?

“Anyway, you said you don’t need anything—”

“No! I do!”

“Really? Tell me.”

Jingjing makes one request as I’m about to leave for the city.

It’s skewers from a certain shop in the 9th district.

“It will be cold by the time I bring it back.”

“That’s okay!”

I chuckle and nod.

I know what he’s thinking.

He’s trying to confirm whether I really have a way to go to the city.

“Then you can go back now.”

“Yes, sir.”

I then enter the sewers after sending Jingjing away. And I head towards the secret passage that Amelia told me about.

That’s when…

Buzz.

The message stone I always carry with me, not in my subspace pocket just in case, vibrates.

It’s the one I received from the Dragonkin man.

We agreed that he would contact me when they decided whether to give me the ‘Dragon’s Blessing’ I requested in exchange for Dragonslayer.

‘He said it would take a month or two, and it took exactly two months.’

I wonder what their decision is.

I press the button on the bottom, and a voice comes through.

[Tear the paper I gave you.]

“I’m more curious about what happened.”

[The elders decided to meet you in person and then decide.]

“I see.”

I tear the paper I had shoved in my subspace pocket as instructed.

‘Meet me in person and then decide…’

It’s not the ‘YES’ I was hoping for, but I’m not too worried.

To make it happen even if they say no…

…that’s the spirit of a K-barbarian.

-------------------------------------

Chapter 201: Blessing (1)

A magic circle appeared on the sewer floor.

As I stood still, bathed in the light emanating from it, the stench of sewage vanished.

“You’ve arrived.”

It was the Dragon Temple, the same place I had been transported to before.

The Dragonkin man stood at the forefront, and behind him, six Dragonkin caught my eye. They must be the elders he mentioned.

Although their eyes were reptilian slits, I could sense their gazes weren’t favorable.

So, time for a battle cry.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”

I didn’t use [Wild Release] since I wasn’t here to pick a fight. But was that enough to draw their attention?

The elders frowned as they stared at me.

As if wondering, ‘What the hell is this?’

“Ah, sorry. I just felt like it.”

The Dragonkin man, the only one here who had experience with me, spoke with a strange look in his eyes as I scratched the back of my head and apologized.

“You… haven’t changed.”

Is that a compliment?

Now that the introductory shout was over, I got to the point.

“So, what should I do now?”

Whether they would give me, a barbarian, the Dragon’s Blessing.

The Dragonkin man said the elders would decide after meeting me in person.

But they weren’t really curious about my face.

What kind of ‘verification’ were they planning?

“It’s nothing special.”

The Dragonkin man said.

“Before making a final decision, each elder will ask you a question or make a request.”

“I understand ‘question’, but what do you mean by ‘request’?”

“Well, I’m not sure either. But just so you know, you can refuse if you want.”

Refuse my ass.

They’ll definitely vote against me if I do.

‘Is it because it’s the Dragon’s Blessing? They’re being awfully picky.’

“So, are you going to do it?”

I nodded, grumbling inwardly.

It’s annoying that they’re being so demanding, even though I returned Dragonslayer…

But the Dragon’s Blessing is definitely worth it.

“Alright, then it’s decided. There’s no need to waste time, shall we begin right away?”

“Okay.”

The Dragonkin man glanced at the elders behind him at my answer.

It was a sign to start the ‘verification’.

The first to step forward was one of the two female Dragonkin.

“I’ll go first.”

It was impossible to guess her age based on appearance due to the Dragonkin’s characteristics, but her tone and gaze gave off the youngest vibe among them.

“Bjorn, son of Yandel. What is your greatest desire?”

I had a hunch about the purpose of this hearing as soon as I heard that question.

It was literally verification.

To confirm what kind of person I am before passing on the Dragonkin’s secret art, the ‘Dragon’s Blessing’, to another race.

After a moment of contemplation, I answered honestly.

Returning to Earth?

That’s just a secondary goal.

“To survive.”

My top priority has always been survival.

But it’s changed a bit now.

Survival is still my top priority, but there’s something I want to add.

“With my companions, if possible.”

I feel a strange sensation as I answer.

Maybe this is the biggest change since I fell into this strange world.

Then what’s their feedback to this answer?

“…I see.”

The Dragonkin woman, who was looking at me with a meaningful gaze, asked an additional question.

“If your companion could survive because of your sacrifice, what would you do?”

“…Didn’t you say you would only ask one question or make one request?”

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

The Dragonkin woman said so in a voice that truly didn’t seem to care, and I answered honestly again.

“I don’t know yet.”

Liol Wobu Dwarkey, the mage of Team Misfits.

If you asked me if I could make the same choice as him, this is the only answer I could give.

Because I know that any words and promises I make before that situation arises are meaningless.

Death always puts humans to the test.

“But when that time comes, I’ll make the choice I have to make.”

“…You could have just said you would.”

The Dragonkin woman looked at me as if she didn’t understand, and I dismissed her briefly.

“It wasn’t a question I wanted to answer.”

It wouldn’t be respectful to him to do that.

The Dragonkin woman, who couldn’t possibly know what happened to me, stared at me for a moment and then stepped back.

“That’s all for my question.”

I couldn’t tell from her expression whether she liked my answer or not.

The next turn began without a moment’s respite.

“I’m Geornavehanuters.”

A middle-aged man with a physique as impressive as mine made a request instead of a question.

“Let’s spar.”

He even subtly unleashed his Dragon Fear as he made the offer.

I answered without a moment’s hesitation,

“Alright.”

It would be ridiculous for a barbarian warrior to refuse that offer.

And besides, it’s a good opportunity.

A Dragonkin elder should be at least 7th-floor level, right?

If I can fight him without worrying about dying, there’s no reason not to.

That was my judgment, but…

“Everyone, stop it.”

The Dragonkin man intervened.

“We agreed not to make requests like that.”

“What’s more certain than a fistfight? Don’t you think so, barbarian warrior?”

Uh, I was going to use a mace…

Although I believe that equipment is also a skill, I agreed with him for now.

“Of course.”

“Hahaha! I like this guy!”

The macho Dragonkin laughed heartily, pleased with my answer.

“…I didn’t expect him to agree to fight without even a moment’s hesitation.”

It seemed like the other elders also found the situation interesting.

“So what are you going to do?”

“Then I’ll ask a question and move on.”

The macho Dragonkin asked me in a slightly disappointed voice,

“Barbarian, what are you most afraid of?”

The first thing that came to mind was death.

But giving the same answer as the first question wouldn’t be good for the interview.

I elaborated on my answer.

“Fighting someone stronger than me.”

“…What?”

The macho Dragonkin tilted his head as if he misheard.

But did he have a different thought?

“Don’t tell me you thought I was weaker than you?”

The macho Dragonkin asked, sounding a bit angry, and I shook my head.

“No.”

“But you just…”

“You weren’t planning to kill me.”

“That’s true, but…”

I cut him off and muttered briefly,

“I have to fight because I’m afraid. Even more so.”

I know it might sound un-barbarian-like to some.

But so what?

This is the essence of a barbarian.

Fortunately, it seems like they understood the meaning of my words.

“To not run away because you’re afraid, but to prepare for that moment… It’s a truly rational answer.”

The macho Dragonkin chuckled.

“Interesting. Are all barbarians like you?”

“Similar.”

Actually, it was Ainar who taught me what it meant to be a ‘warrior’, and the advice she gave me back then showed me the path I had to take when I was cornered.

“I see. That’s all for my question.”

The macho Dragonkin then returned to his seat with a satisfied smile.

At least I know one thing.

I definitely secured one vote.
_________________

The third one was also a question, not a request.

And a rather strange question at that.

“Do you have someone you love?”

“…No.”

“Your answer was a bit late. It seems like someone came to mind.”

The female Dragonkin with sleepy eyes returned to her seat without asking anything further.

And so, the fourth turn began.

“I will test your insight.”

The old Dragonkin with a thick mane of white hair handed me an item. I could tell what it was as soon as I saw it.

A puzzle ring.

“Try to separate them all.”

Huh, I didn’t expect there to be a mission like this.

“To give you a little help, you can only separate them all by using the correct order and the correct method.”

The old Dragonkin chuckled and even gave me a hint as he handed me the puzzle ring.

He probably thinks there’s no way I could solve it.

Geez, does he really think I’m a barbarian?

I played with puzzle rings a lot when I was a child in the hospital.

“I’ll give you as much time as you need. After all, sometimes you reach the truth through perseverance.”

I first examined the structure of the puzzle ring, looking at it from all sides.

There’s no way I couldn’t solve it if I had enough time.

Hmm, that should have been the case…

“Huhu, 5 minutes have passed.”

Damn it.

What the hell is this?

“10 minutes have passed. Are you still far from solving it?”

I admit it honestly.

It doesn’t seem like I’ll be able to solve it even if he gives me more time.

Therefore, there’s only one way.

‘Gigantification.’

My body expands in an instant.

I grab the rings with my enlarged hands and pull them apart.

And…

Kwagic.

…I successfully separate the seven rings.

“Wh, what are you doing!!!”

“I separated them.”

“…Th, th, that’s impossible!!”

“You didn’t say I couldn’t break it.”

I answer confidently.

Because I already figured out the trap in this puzzle.

The old man said he would test my insight, not my intelligence, at first.

He also gave me the hint about reaching the truth through perseverance.

In other words, this puzzle ring was impossible to solve from the beginning!

‘He probably gave this to me to see how I would solve a problem with no solution—’

“Th, this is! This is how you solve it…!”

The old Dragonkin mutters, staring blankly at the puzzle ring with a few more pieces, fiddling with it.

His eyes seem sad.

“Ahem.”

“I, I can’t even get another one…”

“Who’s next?”

I ignore the old Dragonkin and look at the elders, and the verification resumes.

The fifth one is a question about my past.

“How many people have you killed so far?”

I recall each and every one of them in my mind and then tell him the exact number, and the elder asks me why I killed them.

The answer isn’t difficult.

Although the methods were diverse, the reason boils down to one.

“Because they tried to kill me.”

“I see.”

The fifth one ends as the elder who asked the question nods and steps back.

Now only the last one is left.

I don’t know if it went well.

‘At least that old man who gave me the puzzle seems to be against it…’

The macho Dragonkin will vote in favor.

The rest? Well, I don’t know.

“Then it’s my turn.”

A handsome man in his late twenties steps forward.

And he asks,

“Did you tell the truth?”

His tone is as if he has the ability to distinguish between truth and lies.

Although I’m a bit uneasy, I’ve answered all the questions truthfully so far.

I judged that if I fail, I can start the K-Barbarian negotiation then.

“Yes.”

“Alright, then it’s over.”

The hearing is finally over.

The Dragonkin man, after exchanging glances with the man who went last, speaks.

“We need to discuss it among ourselves, so please wait for a while.”

“How long will it take?”

“Well, it should be over in an hour.”

Hmm, then it’s fine.

I then follow the Dragonkin woman who asked the first question and head inside the temple.

And we arrive at a room.

I thought it would be a reception room for guests since she’s guiding me to a place to rest…

“You’re the barbarian who’s supposed to come today?”

…but there’s someone already inside.

An unknown Dragonkin child, seemingly in his early teens.

The child looks at me and giggles.

“Wow, you’re ugly!”

What the hell? This impertinent kid?

I’m momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack, but I laugh it off, like a mature adult.

“Haha, it seems like you don’t have a mother.”

“…Huh?”

“If you had received a proper upbringing, you wouldn’t tell such a ridiculous lie!”

Bjorn Yandel is a handsome man, not ugly.

Trial

I like Korean novels (Murim, Dukes, Reincarnation, etc, etc, etc)

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post

ADPORT6

ADPORT7