Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 308

The Round Table (2)

“You know, like a jury system of sorts.”

He began cautiously, as if making an excuse.

“Of course, I don’t particularly like this method, nor do I think it’s ideal. I only mentioned it because you don’t seem to trust me. If you don’t like the idea, you can reject it.

As he spoke, he kept glancing at me, probably taking my glare as a sign of disapproval…….

“A round table, huh…”

In fact, it’s not a bad suggestion for me.

If we’re going to do it, it needs some adjustments, like actually bringing everyone to the round table rather than just mimicking a jury.

The leader of Orcules, the Ruin Scholar, and even those two mysterious old-timers.

Engaging in a round table discussion with them is bound to yield useful information.

But…

“I’ll decline. I’m not interested in airing everything out in front of others.”

Right now, obtaining limited edition information from Auril Gavis takes priority. The round table can wait until later.

“Decline, huh… I kind of expected that. From your perspective, it’s understandable if you see me and them as being in cahoots.”

Auril Gavis sighed and asked, “So, what will you do now?”

I chuckled.

What else? We’re going back to square one.

“Three questions for one.”

“Hm, better than when it was five for one.”

“Well, you brought this item, didn’t you?”

As I pointed to the gem, Auril Gavis also chuckled.

“I appreciate that you acknowledge my efforts, but wouldn’t it be fairer to take turns asking questions?”

Sure, it makes sense from his perspective.

With the lie detector in play, one could argue that we’re on equal footing.

However…

“Consider it the price of trust.”

Even though I’ve seen the gem in the future, I can’t fully trust that the old man can’t manipulate its results. 

After all, he’s the one who made it.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s hidden a cheat code.

That’s why.

“It’s contradictory.”

Auril Gavis laughed as if incredulous.

“You know, don’t you? If I intended to deceive you, no matter how many additional questions you get, it wouldn’t make a difference.”

Of course, I know that.

But what are you suggesting I do about it?

“So, are you rejecting the offer?”

“Haha, not at all. Strangely enough, despite the contradiction, it makes sense. At least you’re throwing yourself into an uncertain situation.”

His acceptance was surprisingly straightforward.

I thought the negotiations would drag on a bit more.

“Can I at least ask the first question? You already asked my age earlier.”

“Sure.”

This time, I conceded a little.

The old man must have had something up his sleeve, but he’s shown considerable leniency so far…

Besides, being questioned isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

One can sometimes gauge the other person’s intentions through their questions.

“Then, I’ll ask.”

Thus began the time for the truth game.

Soon, Auril Gavis opened his mouth.

“How many people have cleared the original after 20 years?”

That’s his first question?

Suddenly, that thought crossed my mind, but it was too early to relax.

It’s a question asked despite the unfavorable exchange rate of one in three.

It’s unlikely to be a mere curiosity.

‘Why is he curious about this…?’

Perhaps he’s wondering.

Whether there’s anyone who could replace me in the future.

So I answered honestly.

“I’m the only one who cleared the original. At least, as far as I know.”

A response that leaves some room so he doesn’t become too fixated on me, while also asserting my unique advantage in this relationship.

“I see.”

As the green light from the gem signaled the truth, Auril Gavis nodded slightly with an inscrutable expression.

Now, it was my turn to ask a question.

I had already prepared a list of questions, so I didn’t need much time to think. Of course, since the gem was in play, some adjustments were necessary.

“Have you ever used the Fragment of Record?”

I deliberately asked it in a way that could be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”

This method might yield less information, but…

It ensures proper fact-checking.

Once I have the facts, I can infer the rest. I trust my deductions more than the words of others.

“I didn’t expect to be asked such a question right from the start… You really aren’t easy to deal with.”

“Your answer?”

“I’ve used it.”

So, it was as I thought.

I calmly confirmed the green light on the jewel and selected my next question.

At that moment, Auril Gavis asked curiously.

“But how did you know?”

The answer was simple.

There were hints when we talked last time.

To be honest, it was just a shot in the dark.

But in the world of competition, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

“If you’re curious, ask later.”

“Ahem…”

“Then, for the second question.”

“Go ahead.”

After taking a moment to catch my breath, I spoke.

The second piece of information I needed to confirm first.

“Did you create this spiritual world?”

Auril Gavis flinched slightly and looked at me with a peculiar gaze.

“I really don’t understand your intentions.”

“What do you mean?”

“I find it hard to understand why you’re curious about that. If it’s just out of curiosity, I can accept that. But you don’t seem like the type to act on emotion.”

I think I get what he means.

To him, it probably seemed like a low-priority question.

Although I hadn’t received a definitive answer, the context was clear enough.

It probably seemed like a waste to him to confirm something so obvious.

But…

‘Sometimes, things like this need to be clarified.’

This space, which drags me in on the 15th of every month, is peculiar.

The royal family and the mage tower are aware of its existence and have conducted extensive research on it, but no one has uncovered how this world is implemented.

Even now, the mages can only speculate.

They assume it was created by a mage so great that they can’t even imagine it.

So, is this old man really that extraordinary?

“So, what’s your answer?”

“It’s as you suspect. I created this place.”

Auril Gavis soon provided his answer.

And then…

“A red light, huh.”

The jewel judged his answer to be false.

Both Auril Gavis and I were taken aback by this unexpected turn of events.

I didn’t anticipate a lie being detected here.

“What’s going on?”

I narrowed my eyes as I asked, and Auril Gavis hesitated.

“Well… it seems it was a bit ambiguous.”

Ambiguous…

I understood the situation roughly because I knew about the gem. The gem is based on the subject’s “psychology.”

If the person feels uncertain, the green light won’t turn on.

When I gave him a look that urged him to explain, Auril Gavis gave a Zen-like response.

“I created this space, but I didn’t create it.”

What kind of wordplay is this?

“Are you serious?”

“But the green light did turn on, didn’t it?”

“Speak clearly. What do you mean by that? Do you have a collaborator?”

Auril Gavis paused briefly before answering.

“That could be one way of looking at it.”

So there was a collaborator, but he wanted to hide it?

It’s ludicrous, but at least the green light did turn on.

‘…So, it’s possible he wanted to hide the fact that there was a collaborator. The red light must have come on initially because he felt guilty for trying to gloss over it.’

I got an unexpected gain.

“…Then it’s the third question. Ask away.”

Auril Gavis urged me with a voice that suggested he was somewhat drained.

Persistent, aren’t you?

“Is the Earth Witch really dead?”

Even if it’s not an immediate concern, it’s something I’ll have to address sooner or later.

***

The Earth Witch.

Even without much interest in history, it’s a name I can’t avoid hearing in this world.

Come to think of it, I’ve always been curious.

Just how much of the stories I’ve heard about the ‘Witch’ are actually true?

“…You don’t ask anything easy, do you?”

“Your answer?”

Urged by me, Auril Gavis smiled bitterly and answered.

“She’s alive.”

Wow, really…?

Suddenly, a flood of thoughts filled my mind.

This means that the royal family deliberately hid this fact…

‘There wasn’t even a hint of this in the game, no easter eggs or anything.’

The game’s creator is this old man.

And yet, he knew but didn’t include this information?

This is the same guy who crammed in all kinds of unnecessary information and lore before saying, “Tutorial complete”?

This doesn’t add up.

It’s more likely that he deliberately withheld this information, hoping players wouldn’t find out.

‘So, why did he want to keep this a secret?’

I tried speculating, but I’m still unsure.

There aren’t enough clues.

However, I have a hunch that digging into this will reveal the ultimate goal of the royal family or this old man.

In simple terms, this question has provided me with at least a basic guideline.

As I was organizing my thoughts…

“Haha, finally, it’s my turn.”

The old man, having endured a long wait, burst out laughing.

Geez, what kind of question is he planning to ask now?

As a sense of unease crept in, the old man opened his mouth.

“Do you want to return to Earth?”

The intent behind the question was clear.

He was being indirect, but what he really wanted to know was something else.

Does he have the will to open the Abyss Gate?

Yeah, that’s what he truly wanted to ask.

“I don’t know.”

I exhaled a breath I had been holding in and gave my answer, and soon the gem emitted a green light.

“You don’t know, huh…”

Auril Gavis smiled, seemingly conflicted, then changed his expression as if nothing had happened.

And uncharacteristically, he offered me some advice.

“I hope you choose soon.”

“Why?”

“It would be better for both of us.”

When I asked what he meant, the old man played dumb, saying, “Is that your next question?” and with that, the topic was closed.

Now it’s my turn again.

Without wasting time, I asked straight away.

“Did the Witch’s poison really exist?”

“…Were you originally so interested in her?”

Well, not really.

It’s just that as we talked, I began to think the ‘Witch’ might be central to this story.

“Hoo…”

Auril Gavis took a sip from his teacup and answered as if recalling an ancient tale.

“That much is not a fabrication. The world almost ended because of her. If not for the Labyrinth’s existence, it would have surely been the end.”

The gem’s light was green.

Hmm, so the outside world being okay really was due to the passage of time?

With that thought, I moved on to the next question.

“If the Witch is alive, where is she now?”

This was the only open-ended question I asked today.

Since I had no knowledge, I judged that this couldn’t be answered with a simple yes or no.

However, Auril Gavis played dirty.

“She is where everyone’s desires converge.”

Hmph, this damned cryptic way of speaking.

I sighed and checked the gem.

Since the green light was on, it seemed like I could let it slide…

“Are you really going to be like this?”

I decided to give it a try and glared at him, asking the question. Auril Gavis placed his hand back on the gem and spoke again.

“But really, there’s no better way to explain it.”

Once again, the green light came on.

Judging by his smug expression, pushing further wouldn’t change his stance.

So I gave up.

‘Well, at least I confirmed one thing.’

Auril Gavis knows where the Witch is.

And he doesn’t want to tell me.

In other words…

Me learning about the Witch might go against Auril Gavis’s goals.

“You’re already on the third question.”

This time, the old man smiled leisurely as if the questions hadn’t been too challenging.

‘That smirk is annoying.’

It might be time to confirm something.

Something that might be even more important to me than the witch or the other questions.

“Go ahead.”

I hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

“Do you ever feel sorry for me?”

A moment of silence passed.

***

I knew he was a mage.

He seems to know a lot about the hidden history of this world, including that of the Witch.

He’s the game’s creator, and he’s at odds with the royal family.

So now it’s time to find out.

Who exactly is Auril Gavis?

“Heh, you’re asking another tough question.”

The old man’s hearty laugh broke the brief silence.

“You answered earlier that you didn’t know if you wanted to return to Earth, right? That means life here hasn’t been too bad for you.”

But that wasn’t an answer to my question.

I didn’t bother responding, just stared at him.

“What’s with that look? You should know, sometimes you have to set aside emotions for the sake of your goals.”

While I agree, that still wasn’t an answer to my question.

“If answering this question is so difficult, let’s change it.”

Auril Gavis readily agreed when I appeared to concede.

“Oh, would you?”

I nodded and rephrased my question.

Since the previous one seemed tough, I made it a bit more specific.

“Auril Gavis, do you feel any guilt for the countless ‘lost souls’ who were dragged here and died because of your greed?”

Once again, there was no answer.

“Haha…”

Just a nervous laugh.

But that laugh was answer enough.

As I was coming to that conclusion…

“Hahaha! Hahahaha!”

Auril Gavis burst into laughter.

It was a bizarre sight from my perspective.

It even sent shivers down my spine.

“You really aren’t someone I can take lightly.”

He looked at me with eyes stripped of all playfulness.

At that moment, the atmosphere grew heavy.

Thud.

Auril Gavis placed his hand on the gem in the center of the table and spoke in the same amiable tone as before.

“Do you think I’m at ease? Of course, I feel pity. I feel a sense of responsibility too. I’ll probably live with this burden and seek atonement for the rest of my life.”

He smiled broadly as he said this.

“So, does that answer your question?”

“…Sufficiently.”

I answered briefly, then checked the gem.

A vivid red light was glowing from the gem.

See you on Monday! By the way, you can join here and binge-read all my advanced chapters, with new updates every day. Your support is the only way to keep the website running, so please consider supporting if you can. Thank you! 🙂