Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 368
Black Star (1)
Click, click.
I moved the mouse to check the chatroom first.
This was always one of the first things I did whenever I logged into the community.
[Long Live Korean Independence] – 0 users online.
The Korean chatroom where I first met Lee Baek-ho.
As expected, no one was logged in this time either.
‘Sigh, I kind of wish I could meet him once and have a proper conversation…’
After a brief glance, I switched the screen to the free bulletin board. Usually, posts would flood in right after the community opened.
There’s no better time to quickly review the events of the past month.
[Breaking News) Viscount Lamleon killed during exploration]
-Orcules brought four people and wiped him out.
-It’s highly likely the vacant Third Corps Commander position will go to the Chief of Staff, who acted as deputy during the exploration.
[these99]: Now that the weakness of the [Golden Wall] has been exposed to everyone, the rear won’t be an easy spot anymore.
[└SecureId7: It’s still not that bad. Not many people died. Maybe just more patrols from now on.]
[stevencastle: But isn’t that chief of staff El Tora Terserion, that bastard?]
[└OP: Yeah, it’s the Chancellor’s son.]
[└stevencastle: Ha, I’m never going to the 3rd Corps. Every time I’ve been involved with him, it’s ended badly.]
As expected, most of the posts on the board were about the ongoing war.
[Anyone heard anything about the Blood Spirit Queen?]
-Apparently, she killed some Orcules member called the Lighthouse Keeper. Is that true? I heard there was also the Blood Knight, the Corpse Collector, and the Screaming Witch on the other side.
[marcelone: Yeah, it’s confirmed info. But she didn’t do it alone; she teamed up with the Golden Mage.]
[└OP: Wow, really? I heard they were comrades before, so maybe their relationship isn’t as bad as the rumors say]
[marcelone]: Still, the opponent’s power was so strong that various speculations are coming out. No matter how strong the Blood Spirit Queen is, it’s unbelievable that they took down the support role, the Lighthouse Keeper, in that situation.
Tsk, there are people who question that here too.
If suspicions are circulating here, perhaps investigations have already started elsewhere.
Click, click.
Thinking about various things, I continued reading the posts.
And how much time had passed?
Ding-!
Suddenly, a message arrived.
[From: Ghost master.]
The sender’s nickname was the GM, but that wasn’t surprising.
System messages and announcements from the community were always sent under this name.
Over 90% of my inbox was filled with messages from the GM.
But still…
‘Makes me nervous, given my track record.’
Feeling like the inevitable had arrived, I clicked on the message.
And, as expected:
[I was too busy last round and am only contacting you now. If you have time, let’s meet now.]
An invitation had come from the GM.
***
It wasn’t particularly surprising.
I had already expected the GM to contact me.
Rather, it was strange that it came only now.
‘Honestly, I thought he’d contact me immediately in the last round.’
I revealed the GM’s identity at the Round Table.
And this must have reached GM through Soul Queens’ mouth.
‘But the fact that he contacted me only in this session…’
There are two possibilities.
Either he wanted to take his time and meet carefully.
Or, he was in an environment where he couldn’t receive messages while the community was active.
Well, it doesn’t really matter.
‘So, what should I do…’
I stared at the message, thinking.
Even if I refuse the invitation, the GM probably wouldn’t ban me. After all, I’ve been playing the role of a big shot behind the Lion Mask.
If he’s smart, he wouldn’t want to make an enemy out of me.
Especially considering he nearly killed himself when he banned Lee Bae-kho.
‘…Alright, I’ll meet him.’
Once I made up my mind, there was nothing holding me back.
I closed the message and navigated to the secret chatroom, entering the password.
‘0720? Could it be an anniversary or something?’
The thought crossed my mind, but even if it were true, it wasn’t something I needed to dwell on.
Whoosh!
A bright light emanated from the monitor, and when I opened my eyes, I was in a library with a vintage interior.
“……”
The faint smell of books filled the air.
The atmosphere of this place, which inexplicably made me feel calm, was somewhat familiar to me.
I had been here once before.
It was during the time when rumors of dimensional collapse were rampant. While checking if the rumors were true, I got information from a man here.
[Elfnunalove]
The guy with the weird nickname above his head.
I never imagined he was a GM at the time.
Though I suppose the feeling was mutual.
“It’s been a while, Elfnunna. Or should I call you Lion mask?”
“Either way is fine.”
“Your way of speaking has changed a lot. Or is this your true self?”
I had no reason to answer his probing question, so I ignored it and sat on the sofa opposite him.
He then put on a fake smile.
“By the way, this is our third meeting. Isn’t it quite strange? Human relationships, I mean.”
Indeed, it’s strange.
Our first meeting was when I was a newbie seeking information in the community, and the second was in the chat room with Lee Baek-ho.
[It’s exactly as I said. You won’t be able to meet Lee Baek-ho here again.]
He briefly explained the situation to me, who was of the same nationality as Baek-ho, and that was it.
To him, I was just a rare Korean player—nothing more, nothing less.
“You’ve become rather quiet since the last time we met.”
“……”
“Then I’ll ask directly. Actually, I don’t easily believe in things like fate. What do you want from me?”
Want something, huh…
“Why do you think I want something?”
“Well, because the first time we met, it was clearly intentional.”
So that’s how he interpreted it.
It was purely a coincidence, though.
“You were the one who invited me to the chatroom back then.” I replied
“Yes, I did. But thinking about it now, it seems odd. You specifically posted a question about the Tarutein school and the mage Shernal Fergus.”
“……”
“It seems like you deliberately mentioned something that would pique my interest, as if you were trying to draw me in.”
This guy is hilarious.
What would I gain from that?
“Thinking that way, it gives me chills. It means you knew me that well.”
His reasoning was absurd, but there’s no benefit to clarifying it now.
“…You didn’t call me here just to talk about that, did you?”
“Are you avoiding the question?”
Avoiding? Not at all.
I just can’t tell the truth.
“Think whatever you want.”
“As you wish.”
“So, why did you call me here?”
When I cut to the chase, the guy smiled and answered.
“That’s an odd question. Weren’t you the one who called me?”
Huh? Why is the conversation taking this turn?
“……”
I stayed silent, and he continued.
“I don’t know how you found out my real name, but didn’t you tell Soul Queens to get my attention and set up this meeting?”
Oh…
His sharp words hit the wrong mark, leaving me feeling a bit awkward.
But as always, I didn’t spend too much time deliberating.
“Indeed.”
Since it’s come to this—
“You’re no fool after all.”
Let’s change the course a bit.
***
“What do you mean by that…?”
He trailed off and glanced at me.
I just shrugged.
“……!”
As expected, he’s trying to test me.
It’s clear he’s trying to get information by asking such questions.
If I admit it, he confirms his suspicions; if I deny it, he can eliminate a possibility.
So, for him, even taking a wild guess wouldn’t be a total loss.
Therefore—
‘Let’s make him keep guessing.’
I finally spoke.
“Yeah, I do want something from you.”
On second thought, it’s not a bad situation.
Not just for the sake of saying it—there are things I genuinely want from GM—
“You could’ve quietly contacted me for that.”
Oh, that part…
“That wouldn’t be any fun.”
I answered casually, and sure enough, he interpreted it on his own.
“Well, I think you revealed my information to threaten me.”
Sure, think whatever you want.
I returned to the main topic.
“So, aren’t you going to ask?”
“Ask what?”
“What it is that I want from you.”
“……”
He stared at me for a moment, then sighed.
“Fine. Let’s hear it. What is it that you want?”
After a brief pause, I answered.
“Lift Lee Baek-ho’s ban.”
This is the only thing I need the GM’s power for.
Once Lee Baek-ho is back in the community, I can talk to him. And I need to get information about my cat he’s temporarily fostering.
But perhaps he had already anticipated this request?
“…I see, so that’s your goal.”
GM remained calm.
Well, forming groups based on nationality isn’t unusual among players.
“Then, was it Lee Baek-ho who told you about my identity?”
He seemed certain that I was in cahoots with Baekho.
There was no need to answer.
“Who knows.”
“What exactly… are you two planning?”
“I wouldn’t mind telling you.”
“…What?”
His expression turned dumbfounded at my response.
Well, people should really listen until the end.
“I could tell you, if you bring something of equal value.”
As I continued speaking, he frowned.
“Perhaps… you’re talking about interesting information?”
So, that rumor has reached you as well.
As I maintained my silence without denying it, he tapped his knee with his index finger and then…
“Hahaha…”
Suddenly, he started laughing like a deflated balloon.
What the hell, why’s he being so creepy?
“You must be very confident in yourself.”
His tone turned cold, completely different from his previous politeness.
“I wouldn’t say I lack confidence.”
“Well, that makes two of us.”
“Does that mean you’re rejecting my offer?”
Without hesitation, he replied.
“Yes. You’ve spread my information without permission and are making demands. I have no reason to comply.”
“……”
“If you want Lee Baekho’s ban lifted, bring something that’s actually worth my time.”
He then stood up, as if preparing to leave, and glanced at me, as if asking if I had any final words.
Well, at least he’s giving me time to speak.
“That’s unfortunate.”
I spoke with genuine regret.
“That it looked like I was trying to make a deal.”
He tilted his head in confusion.
Pretending not to understand, huh?
It’s been obvious since our first meeting that, despite his composure, he’s scared of me.
[Your tone has changed quite a bit.]
He maintained his polite demeanor despite my disrespectful language.
[Well, I think you revealed my information to threaten me]
Rather than venting his anger at my behavior, he expressed his disappointment.
Therefore…
“I’ll give you three months.”
“…Are you threatening me now?”
I neither affirmed nor denied it.
As always, interpretation is up to the listener.
He then said,
“…Even Lee Baekho couldn’t do anything to me.”
Well, saying that in such a small voice only makes it seem like he’s trying to muster courage.
And there’s something to correct.
“To be exact, you almost died to him, too.”
“…….”
“Do I look as soft as him to you?”
“…….”
He said nothing.
Therefore…
“Remember this: three months.”
“…….”
“After that, I’ll come find you myself.”
Now it was my turn to stand up.
***
“Phew… I feel alive now that I’m back.”
Leaving the chat room and returning to my computer room, I collapsed onto the bed.
Even though I’ve gone through this countless times while wearing the Lion’s Mask, the exhaustion never goes away.
“I didn’t expect things to go like this.”
Originally, I intended to meet the GM to find out how much he knew about me—to gather some information.
If possible, I planned to bring up Lee Baek-ho as well.
Yes, that was definitely my initial plan, but…
“Who knew he’d be this afraid of me.”
As I conversed with him, my thoughts changed.
The magitech engineer, Yurben Havelion.
A mysterious and powerful figure.
It seems my position caused him considerable anxiety, which worked in my favor.
“But even though his identity was exposed, the royal family didn’t seem to be wary.”
Looking back on our conversation, I realized a question I hadn’t considered before.
Without even needing to harm him directly, just leaking the information about him being an ‘evil spirit’ to the royal family would mean certain ruin for him.
So why did he seem to be wary only of direct threats?
“…Does he have some backing in the royal family? Enough to cover up the evil spirit issue?”
If that’s the case, I’d love to share in that protection.
…But that’s probably not possible.
‘The last part of our conversation also bothers me a bit…’
I recalled his final question before I left the chatroom.
[You didn’t say anything about the password.]
It was quite an unsettling experience.
Why would he ask about the password? The way he spoke suggested there was some deeper meaning.
[…….]
I had no idea, so I kept quiet, which he seemed to take as an answer.
[So, you really have no connection to him…]
[…….]
[Sorry for holding you up. I suppose we’ll meet again soon.]
Sigh, that left me feeling uneasy.
‘0720…’
What had the GM been trying to confirm with that number?