C289, 290, 291
Chapter 289: Big Shot (1)
There was no second knock.
As if the first knock was just a notification, the door opened without even a word of permission.
Creak.
An old man entered.
He had a full head of white hair, and his skin was wrinkled.
But he didn't give off the usual frail aura of an elderly person. His gait was steady, and his back was straight.
And most importantly…
“Hmm.”
…his presence.
His body language and gaze spoke for themselves.
This old man was dangerous.
“Judging by your clothes, you must be from Earth.”
The old man scanned me and muttered.
“How did you get in here?”
My mind went blank.
What should I say?
They were definitely otherworldly evil spirits, judging by their clothes.
“…….”
I chose to remain silent.
I decided to try and figure out the situation by letting him speak first, instead of rushing to answer.
Well, that was the plan…
“Amazing. You already have three 3rd-grade essences. It’s only been a little over a year since you were summoned here.”
…but the old man was already reading my information, even though I hadn’t said a word.
Damn it, where did he get that ability?
“This is… intriguing. I’m curious. Forget about how you got in here, tell me this first. Who are you?”
“…….”
“Are you just going to stare at me?”
He would have been wary of a stranger entering his room uninvited, but the old man urged me on in a friendly voice.
‘Phew, what should I say?’
Should I just tell him I’m from the future?
That thought crossed my mind, but I dismissed it.
It wasn’t wise to reveal my information when I didn’t know anything about him.
So…
“I’ll ask the questions first.”
“Hoo, then will you answer my questions?”
“To some extent.”
I took the initiative by using his curiosity.
He must be curious about my identity, just like I was confused.
I had to use this to get as much information as possible.
“Go ahead.”
I asked my first question as soon as he gave me permission.
“What’s your name?”
“Haha, my name…”
The old man chuckled as if it was a boring question, but his name was very important to me.
I had the advantage of coming from twenty years in the future.
Even if it was a name that wasn’t known now, it might be different in the future. I might even be able to figure out what kind of life he lived based on his name.
“You’re quite polite, wanting to introduce ourselves first.”
The old man smiled.
And…
“I’m—”
…he was about to open his mouth when…
“…….”
…he frowned and closed it.
But it was only for a moment.
“I apologize. It seems like something came up, so we’ll have to continue this conversation later.”
The old man, speaking in an elegant tone, then made an unexpected suggestion.
“It would be rude to just leave you here. Hmm, what should I do… Why don’t you come with me?”
I hesitated for a moment and then agreed.
What else could I do, being alone in this room?
I might be able to get more information if I followed him.
“Alright, you’re quite bold. But you’ll attract attention from the other members in that outfit. Here, wear this.”
The old man waved his hand, and clothes that suited this era appeared in the air.
But was that not enough?
“Ah, it would be better to cover your face too.”
He then created a white mask and handed it to me.
What is that convenient ability?
It must be something he could only use in this spiritual world.
I put on the clothes and the mask.
“Is it uncomfortable?”
“No, it fits perfectly.”
“Huhu, I should prepare some masks here. Some people might not want to show their faces.”
“…….”
“Let’s go.”
We left the room and followed the old man.
And he gave me some instructions.
“Don’t be surprised or act like you know anyone you see. No, if possible, just keep your mouth shut and observe, like you did earlier.”
“What if someone talks to me first?”
“That won’t happen, and even if it does, I’ll take care of it, so don’t worry.”
Well, if he says so.
I continued to observe my surroundings as I followed him.
The more I looked around, the more I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
The room I was in earlier was also like that, but this place felt similar to the mansion where the ‘Round Table’ was.
‘There are no windows either.’
Of course, the decorations on the walls, the location of the rooms, and the width of the hallways were all different.
But…
‘It’s too much of a coincidence.’
I didn’t dismiss it as just a feeling and carefully scanned my surroundings.
After some time…
“We’re here.”
…the old man stopped walking and slowly opened a large door.
‘What the…’
There was a round table beyond the door.
_________________________
The room with the round table that I had entered countless times wearing the Lion mask.
There were quite a few differences.
First, there was no jewel on the table that could distinguish between truth and lies, and the room was a bit smaller.
But…
‘It’s similar.’
Other than that, it was practically identical.
The patterns engraved on the edge of the table, the picture frames on the walls with paintings I couldn’t understand…
Most of it was the same as the Round Table twenty years later.
Then how was this possible?
‘Don’t tell me this old man is the ‘Master’?’
Master.
The mysterious figure who created ‘Watchers of the Round Table’, whom I had only met once.
Maybe the old man in front of me was him. Well, it wasn’t impossible that one of the people here had modeled it after that place…
‘Anyway, I’ll think about it later.’
I was momentarily stunned by the familiar round table, but I quickly came to my senses.
What did this round table matter?
The important thing was the people sitting there.
‘Four.’
There were four people in the room.
Three men and one woman.
They looked at us as soon as the door opened.
And…
“Who’s that behind you?”
…they were very interested in me, who was even wearing a mask.
It was a bit similar to when I first joined the Round Table.
‘Geez, those eyes.’
They felt like thorns.
Every time their gazes landed on me, my skin tingled, and I felt a stabbing sensation.
That’s when, as that uncomfortable time continued…
“It’s none of your business who he is.”
…the old man drew a line, his tone authoritative and strong, unlike when he was talking to me. And he immediately got to the point in the suddenly quiet atmosphere.
“I heard there was a conflict while I was gone.”
“…….”
“Of course, I believe you’re not foolish enough to forget the rules of this place.”
“…….”
“But I should at least hear you out. What happened?”
The old man spoke as if he was scolding children, and an awkward silence fell over the room.
They all avoided making eye contact as if they were trying to decide who would take the blame.
A middle-aged man with a large build was the first to speak.
“…I’m telling you this beforehand, but we had no intention of fighting amongst ourselves. But this guy keeps instigating us.”
The man in black frowned at his accusation.
“Why is it wrong to want to kill the King?”
“Ha, do you think I don’t know why you want to kill the King? Don’t try to drag us into your personal vendetta.”
“Kagureas. Are you still clinging to hope after failing to find a way for decades?”
“Of course. Just like everyone else here. Ah, except for you now.”
“That’s funny. If you want to return, you should be helping me. The royal family, who holds a great secret, is the end of all questions.”
“…It’s too dangerous to touch him. And there’s no guarantee that the royal family is even hiding the clue to returning.”
I could see why they were arguing.
The hardliners who wanted to kill the King and find the clue, and the moderates who thought it was too dangerous and wanted to find another way.
That’s when, as I was listening intently to their conversation, finding it fascinating…
…my mind went blank at the middle-aged man’s next words.
“Do whatever you want. I don’t care if you form a group called Orculus or whatever. It has nothing to do with me.”
What? Form Orculus?
‘…Don’t tell me, he’s the ‘Captain’?’
The unexpected appearance of a big shot.
I suddenly remembered what the old man said earlier.
To not be surprised no matter who I saw?
It made sense for him to say that if he was the captain of Orculus. After all, he was a famous figure shrouded in mystery.
I can’t believe I met him here—
“But Master Ruinjenes is different.”
The middle-aged man then looked at the child-like figure and spoke.
My mind went blank again.
‘Huh? Ruinjenes…’
Belvev Ruinjenes.
The real name of the ‘Ruin Scholar’, who was once the leader of a large school but became a criminal after dabbling in forbidden magic.
“I won’t stand idly by if you try to persuade him with your pathetic words.”
“Do you really believe that he can complete the dimensional magic?”
“I do. It’s much more plausible than your ridiculous plan to kill the King.”
I clenched my fists, looking at the child who was casually sipping tea.
Slurp.
Seriously, this kid is the Ruin Scholar…?
________________________
The captain of Orculus.
And the Ruin Scholar.
‘Damn, what a lineup…’
I naturally became curious about the other two after learning the identities of the two big shots.
But…
‘I’ve never heard of the name ‘Kagureas’ before.’
I had never heard of the middle-aged man’s name.
And I didn’t know anything about the woman since she hadn’t said a word.
Just who were these two?
“Enough, I understand the situation.”
The old man then spoke, silencing the room.
Although he didn’t seem charismatic, everyone was intimidated by his single word.
“Everyone, leave. We have more important matters to discuss today, so we’ll talk about this later.”
“More important matters?”
The woman, who had been silent until now, finally spoke at the old man’s words.
“Are you talking about the person behind you?”
“That’s right.”
Everyone’s gaze turned to me as the old man readily agreed.
He’s more important than us?
That’s what their gazes were saying.
But they all just looked at the old man, holding back their words.
“Who is he? It’s your first time bringing someone here. And why is he wearing a meaningless mask?”
The woman asked again, and the old man answered.
It was the same answer as before.
“Mind your own business.”
“…….”
“Now, can you all leave?”
The people in the room, starting with the woman, got up and left at the old man’s order.
And…
“Haha, we’re finally alone again.”
…the old man smiled kindly, as if he had taken off a mask, as soon as everyone left.
“Then let’s continue our conversation. Where were we?”
“…You were about to tell me your name.”
“Ah, right.”
He laughed like a friendly grandfather, saying I would also become like him when I got older.
And he introduced himself casually.
“You’re from Earth, so you might already be familiar with my name.”
“……?”
“Nice to meet you. My name is Auril Gabis.”
Auril Gabis.
The author of the Compendium of Rifts, and the name of the game developer who created [Dungeon and Stone].
-----------------------------------
Chapter 290: Big Shot (2)
Thump.
My heart started to race.
“…You’re saying you’re Auril Gabis?”
He might be the one who could answer all the questions I had since waking up in this body.
“Did you… really make that game?”
“You were only supposed to ask one question, but I understand how you feel, so I’ll answer.”
He nodded.
“That’s right. I made that game.”
Phew, so it really is him.
Assuming he wasn’t lying.
“Well, then it’s your turn now that I’ve told you my name. What’s your name?”
He asked for my name, as if it was only fair since I had asked for his.
But…
‘He probably has the same intention as me.’
Names are important.
Especially in this spiritual world where appearances are meaningless.
As we could see from the Ruin Scholar, who was in the form of a child, we take on the appearance we believe ourselves to be in this place.
Revealing your name meant losing your anonymity.
It meant giving him a way to find me outside.
So…
“Lee Hansu.”
I revealed my real name, which I had never told anyone except for Lee Baekho.
But the old man wasn’t satisfied.
“Oh, so you’re from Korea? But I wasn’t asking for that. I was asking for the name you use here.”
“The name I use here…”
Okay, I knew he would say that.
“Nibels Enche.”
It was a name I used here, right?
I deliberately mixed in a trick, having seen Lee Baekho, who could distinguish between truth and lies.
This old man might be the one who created the Round Table.
If he was the one who created the jewel that was the core of the gathering system, it wouldn’t be strange for him to have that ability.
‘And besides, it doesn’t hurt to be careful…’
He stared at me meaningfully after hearing my answer.
“Hmm…”
“Is there a problem?”
“No. Then it’s your turn now.”
He ended his turn after observing me with an ambiguous gaze.
My mind was racing.
What should I ask first?
I had so many questions I wanted to ask him that it was difficult to prioritize.
But…
‘Right, let’s ask this first.’
I chose one of the questions on my list.
“Why did you summon us to this world?”
The root of all incidents.
Motive.
Why did he do this?
“…You’re truly special.”
Auril Gabis said something strange instead of answering.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve met a few people from Earth, and most of them think they’re just in a game.”
Ah, so that’s what he meant.
Well, I used to think that way too.
But I had experienced so much and obtained so many clues in this world. There’s no way I would still be under that delusion.
This is a separate world.
If my guess is correct, [Dungeon and Stone] is a game based on this world.
“So, what’s the answer?”
“Well, I guess that’s the thing you’re most curious about.”
Auril Gabis then opened his mouth.
The reason why they had to summon beings from another world.
“Because you’re the only ones who can open the Gate of the Abyss.”
“What? Gate of the Abyss? What’s that…?”
Auril Gabis cut me off.
“One question at a time, wasn’t that the rule?”
“Ah…”
Right, that’s true.
“Go ahead.”
He chuckled as I handed over my turn.
“You…”
“…….”
“Did you use the Fragment of Records?”
The old man’s eyes were filled with anticipation.
_____________________
The Fragment of Records.
A heirloom passed down through generations of the Noark Lord’s family, a treasure with the absurd ability to reverse time.
‘How the hell did he find out?’
My heart sank the moment he mentioned it.
I wasn’t even thinking about it.
I didn’t expect his second question to be one that could reveal everything.
‘…Damn it, what should I say?’
It was too late to pretend I didn’t know what the ‘Fragment of Records’ was.
He must have noticed that I was flustered.
“You can take your time to answer.”
Although Auril Gabis said that, I quickly made a decision and asked back,
“Why do you think so?”
Of course, I knew that asking this was practically the same as admitting it.
But what could I do?
I didn’t think he would be fooled by a lie…
‘He must have a reason.’
Auril Gabis was almost certain.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have specifically mentioned the ‘Fragment of Records’.
“There are three reasons.”
He smiled kindly, as if talking to his grandson, and explained his reasoning.
“One, you’re too strong for someone who’s only been here for a year. Two, I never invited you here. Three, you’re strong, but not strong enough to enter my domain without permission.”
“Just from that…?”
“Haha, it’s not just ‘that’. It’s the only explanation for this level of contradiction.”
Well, even if he said that, I didn’t really understand…
“So can I assume that the answer to your question is yes?”
I just admitted it since it would be ridiculous to deny it now.
It was a shame that it was revealed on the second question, but what could I do?
I just had to do well from now on.
“Huhu, you wouldn’t have come from the past since you’re from Earth. What year are you from?”
“214th year of the Change Era.”
“Twenty years in the future.”
He slowly asked about my personal information, and I did the same.
“Are you hostile towards the royal family?”
“…You could say that.”
“You ‘could say that’? I’d like a definite answer.”
“We’re enemies.”
Hmm, I see.
So they weren’t on the same side.
“It was my future self who gave you the invitation… no, I’ll ask again. Who gave you the invitation?”
“An evil spirit from Earth nicknamed GM.”
“…GM?”
“I don’t know anything else.”
“I see. It’s your turn now.”
“Why is the royal family hiding the fact that the outside world is fine?”
“Hmm, so you know about that twenty years later?”
Auril Gabis subtly tested me, and then he answered when I didn’t react.
“The royal family firmly believes that it’s the way to protect this world.”
“So it’s not just because of greed.”
“Unfortunately.”
He then asked me what difficulty I had cleared the game on, and I answered,
“15x.”
“…You’re lying.”
Geez, he’s so serious.
But at least one thing was clear.
He really had a lie detector.
“I don’t understand. Why would you lie about something like this…”
Auril Gabis trailed off.
And then he realized something.
“…The original! Don’t tell me, you cleared the original version I made?”
He raised his voice excitedly.
‘Damn it.’
It was a checkmate.
If I said ‘no’ here, it would also be an answer.
‘Damn it, and he was the one who said my question was unfair?’
It was ridiculous, but what could I do?
The strong always win.
Small fries like me just have to endure.
“…….”
I couldn’t even say ‘no’ and just kept my mouth shut.
“I see, I see! Of course, there’s no way the Fragment of Records would react to someone who only cleared that trash mass-produced version…!”
The old man, interpreting my silence as agreement, started muttering excitedly.
I felt a strange sensation.
“Tell me, how did you clear it? How long did it take? No, what did you do before you came here?”
He suddenly seemed desperate.
But old people are usually emotionally unstable, so I had to confirm.
“I want something to drink.”
“Huh? You shouldn’t feel thirsty here…”
“Are you saying I’m lying?”
The old man hurriedly created a cup and filled it with water as I frowned.
Hmm, this wasn't enough.
“Sprite.”
“…Sprite?”
“I want Sprite, not water.”
“Ah! You mean that?”
The old man quickly changed the liquid in the cup.
It was clearly Sprite, with bubbles rising from the bottom.
I immediately chugged it down.
“Ahhhhh.”
Unlike the tasteless water in my room, the refreshing carbonation filled my throat.
“Burp.”
“Haha, you drink well. Anyway, now that you’ve finished your drink, answer my question. Are there many people like you who cleared the original version twenty years later?”
I couldn’t help but smile at his question.
My barbarian instincts were telling me that I was the one in power now.
“Hmm, are you that curious?”
Maybe I was the one who had the upper hand now.
-------------------------------------------
Chapter 291: Big Shot (3)
Ironically, human relationships are all like that.
The one who's more desperate usually becomes the underdog.
Like right now.
“One more.”
“Ah, here.”
“Ahhhhh.”
I refilled my Sprite and drank it.
The old man seemed eager to continue the conversation…
…but no way.
“Do you have Coke too?”
“Haha, you must be homesick.”
“Ahhhhh!”
This is the life.
My whole body trembled at the refreshing taste of carbonation, something I hadn’t had in a long time.
But I decided to stop abusing my drink privileges.
‘He knows what Sprite and Coke are, so he must have been to our world. But how did they get here? They didn’t open the ‘Gate of the Abyss’…’
Various questions filled my mind.
‘If I could just figure out how they did it, could I go home without climbing the floors?’
Of course, it was just a thought, I wasn’t that desperate. Honestly, my biggest concern these days was whether I even had to go back.
I had already adapted to this world.
Although it was a bit inconvenient, it was a livable place.
Yeah, even without carbonated drinks.
“Haha, seeing you so happy makes me happy too. Do you want another one?”
“No, I’m good.”
“Really?”
Auril Gabis tilted his head and then asked me the same question as before.
But…
“It’s my turn now, isn’t it?”
He coughed awkwardly as I rebuked him.
“Ahem, ah, I apologize. I got carried away. You’re right, it’s your turn, so ask me anything.”
What the hell, he didn’t even answer my questions properly.
I said firmly,
“No more questions.”
“Huh?”
What do you mean ‘huh’?
How shameless.
“What’s the point? I can’t even tell if you’re telling the truth or not.”
The old man looked indignant as I pointed out his underhanded tactic of using a lie detector.
“But I’ve never lied!”
Yeah, that’s right.
He just didn’t tell me the important parts.
His actions actually made me trust him more.
But…
“It’s still unfair, isn’t it?”
This old man could just change the subject when it was uncomfortable, but I couldn’t even stay silent.
“…What do you want me to do?”
Well…
I pretended to think for a while and then spoke.
“How about I ask ten questions, and then you ask one?”
“What…?”
The old man exclaimed in disbelief.
Damn it, was that too much?
I quickly made an excuse.
“In the first place, I’m taking a huge risk just by talking to you.”
“Risk?”
“I don’t know how this will change the future.”
It was a line that implied the risks I was taking and the value of information from twenty years in the future.
But…
“What? Hahahahaha!”
Auril Gabis burst into laughter as if he had heard something truly funny.
It was so hearty that I felt offended.
I wasn’t telling a joke.
“Ah, sorry for laughing suddenly.”
He cleared his throat and composed himself as I just stared at him.
And…
“It’s just… I didn’t expect that. Well, it’s understandable from your perspective, but…”
Auril Gabis continued.
“You can’t change anything with the Fragment of Records.”
That was why he laughed.
______________________
My mind momentarily short-circuited.
But even after regaining my composure and thinking about it again, I couldn’t understand.
So I just asked him directly.
“What do you mean I can’t change anything?”
“Ah, is that a ‘question’?”
Uh…
“…….”
I felt speechless.
I suddenly wanted another sip of Sprite.
“Haha, I’m just kidding.”
Auril Gabis chuckled and answered my question.
“It’s difficult to explain the concept of time and causality to you now, so just know this.”
“…….”
“Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The order isn’t important. The history of the universe only happened once.”
I didn’t understand what he meant by the history of the universe.
But I understood what he was trying to say, even if I didn’t know the principle.
So, this old man was saying…
“You’re saying that no matter what I do here, the future won’t change?”
“That’s right. Once a timeline has been observed, it can’t be changed.”
“Simply put.”
“No matter what you think or do here. No matter what conversation we have. It’s already happened in the past.”
Understanding and accepting were two different things.
I understood the theory…
But what about Dwarkey?
The letters I left at the sanctuary?
So no matter what I did, nothing would change?
‘There’s no way.’
I decided to take his words with a grain of salt. This old man wasn’t omniscient.
He didn’t even know I had cleared the original game.
“You don’t seem to believe me.”
“…….”
“Well, you’ll understand when you finish what you have to do here and return. What it means to be called by fate.”
Auril Gabis then changed the subject and returned to our original conversation.
“So about fairness… ten questions is a bit much. How about three for one?”
Geez, he’s taking advantage of me while I’m confused.
I focused on the negotiation, deciding to think about the history of the universe later.
“Three is too few. How about five for one?”
“…Aren’t you being too shameless? Although information from twenty years in the future is valuable, the things I know are no less valuable.”
Auril Gabis frowned as if his pride was hurt.
Well, I could understand.
If you asked a hundred players from Earth, all of them would be interested in the information Auril Gabis had and think it was more valuable.
But…
“Then don’t do it if you think that way.”
The value of water is relative.
To a thirsty person, a drop of water is more valuable than a hundred pounds of gold.
“Five questions for one. Take it or leave it.”
I gave him my final offer.
That’s when…
“These damn bastards…”
…the old man’s expression hardened.
I was nervous, thinking I might have crossed a line, but…
“Ah, I apologize. I wasn’t talking about you. It’s just that those guys I saw earlier are breaking the rules again.”
Fortunately, it wasn’t because of me.
He even seemed worried that I might have misunderstood.
“It seems like I have to go now. How about we continue this conversation next month? I’ll think about the fairness issue.”
Although it was sudden, I didn’t show my disappointment. If I did, our negotiation might fall apart.
“Okay.”
I nodded as if I wasn’t in a hurry, and he waved his hand.
And…
“…I’m back.”
…I was lying in bed in my room when I came to my senses.
_______________________
[00:00].
I checked the time, midnight on the 15th, and then lay down and tried to sleep.
Of course, sleep didn’t come easily.
Countless thoughts, worries, and anxieties flashed through my mind.
But the sun still rose.
“…Nothing has changed.”
I got dressed and headed towards the library as soon as I woke up.
That the future wouldn’t change no matter what I did?
That it was meaningless since it had already happened in the past?
So what?
That couldn’t be a reason for me to just stay still.
There was a chance that Auril Gabis, that old man, was mistaken.
The probability was zero if I didn’t do anything.
‘She’s not here today.’
I went to the library, but Raven wasn’t there.
Where did this kid go?
Did she get in trouble for electrocuting someone?
‘…She didn’t come after all.’
I waited until the time Raven usually went home, but she didn’t appear.
It was the same the next day.
‘…Damn it, this is making me worried.’
I regretted not finding out where she lived, but I continued to visit the library. Raven finally appeared the next day.
“Why didn’t you come for the past few days?”
“I had something to do. What about you?”
“Just…”
Raven answered vaguely and sat down, starting to read a book.
But then…
“Why do you keep turning your head?”
“I’m not.”
No, you are.
And your hair is a mess.
“Come here.”
“No.”
“Then I’ll go to you.”
I strode towards Raven and moved her bangs aside.
And I barely managed to control myself.
‘So that’s why she was hiding it.’
There was a large bruise around Raven’s eye.
“Who did this?”
“…It doesn’t matter.”
Damn it, how do I get her to talk?
As I was sighing…
…Raven looked at me cautiously and muttered, as if trying to comfort me.
“…Don’t worry about it. I just came home late and my mom found out I was at the library.”
I felt a bitter taste in my mouth.
Aside from the fact that this child was beaten up by her mother…
‘Came home late…’
She was always on time.
Then how did she end up coming home late?
“Did you wait for me and come home late?”
“…….”
Raven remained silent, and her silence was a clear answer.
Well, she did say ‘no’ belatedly…
But it was too late.
“Forget about me, tell me about the labyrinth. We were talking about it before.”
“…Where did we leave off?”
“The Doppelganger Forest. We talked about how doppelgangers are good at playing dead. But that’s not very interesting, so tell me something else.”
I told her stories about the labyrinth, as if entertaining a child, and then it was time for Raven to go home.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Okay.”
“Are you… coming tomorrow?”
“If nothing comes up.”
Raven left the library after hearing my answer.
So I also left.
And…
‘Should I follow her?’
I started following Raven.
I didn’t want to get involved in her family matters…
‘But she didn’t do anything wrong.’
Damn it, this was crossing the line.