Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 76

Ghostbusters(5)

The Secret Security Department directly under the Raphdonia Royal Family.

“What? He came back beaten to a pulp?”

The man who received his subordinate’s report laughed hysterically.

He didn’t even know where to start with his anger.

“Tell me, why did you make contact with him, when all I ordered was to follow him?”

“…It seems to have been a unilateral decision made on the spot.”

“Seems to have been? Are you joking? Speak clearly.”

“They thought it would be easy to identify him since he’s a 3-month-old barbarian.”

The man sighed deeply.

It’s not incomprehensible.

Most evil spirits less than a year old are incredibly naive. Simply approaching them and pretending to be in the same situation is enough to make more than half of them reveal their identity.

And the rest usually give themselves away through their expressions.

“So, there was no such reaction?”

“Yes, as soon as he heard, he frowned and became angry and said to speak clearly without talking nonsense. It would be quicker for you to see it directly”.

The subordinate pulled out a button from his pocket.

A specially made video recording device.

When he placed it on the crystal ball on the desk, the events from the scene were recreated.

The man observed the barbarian’s facial expressions, eye movements, and facial muscle movements in detail, replaying the recording several times.

[The United States? Taiwan? Europe? Where did you come from?]

The guy who made the mistake this time approached too carelessly…

But even so, this reaction is definitely special.

[What are you talking about? Stop talking nonsense and speak clearly.]

The response came back immediately, without a moment’s hesitation.

Normal evil spirits panic, trying to figure out the other’s identity.

But what about this barbarian?

[Wow, almost fooled. Really good acting. Weren’t you a 3-month-old?]

[Acting? I told you to stop with the difficult words, didn’t I?]

The vocabulary and manner of speech.

[Then I will ask comfortably. Are you an evil spirit by any chance?]

[I’ve already been exposed, haven’t I? So…]

Thoughts and doubts.

[That’s enough. No need to say more.]

[What? What do you mean—]

[The chief said. We must kill evil spirits on sight.]

And the reaction.

All of it was clearly different from the usual evil spirits.

Or rather, it’s consistent with a reaction that’s unique to non-evil spirits.

“Even those who don’t want to reveal their identity usually choose to evade in that situation.”

But what about this barbarian?

He chose a direct confrontation as soon as he made his decision.

Without any hesitation, truly like a barbarian.

After a moment of contemplation, the man came to a final conclusion.

“It certainly doesn’t seem like he’s an evil spirit.”

Bjorn Jandel.

Just as his name has come to our attention, the evil spirits would have also shown interest in him.

But he had only gained fame a few days ago.

‘He wouldn’t have heard about our methods yet, as the ‘assembly’ hasn’t even taken place yet…’

All the circumstances indicate that he is not an evil spirit.

It was also doubtful whether such a reaction would be possible even if he were aware of the existence of the Secret Security Department.

Moreover, the incident at the guild was impressive.

Framed and facing death, he broke out of prison and wreaked havoc? That’s definitely not something the pretentious evil spirits would do.

Only a barbarian would do that.

Therefore—

“Bjorn Jandel is innocent.”

The man stamped the report with a blue seal.

Then he filed the report in a folder and placed it in the cabinet.

The subordinate watching sighed in relief.

“…That’s fortunate.”

“Yes, fortunate indeed. If he had been beaten to a pulp by evil spirits, he would have died by my hand.”

“What about the punishment?”

“He contacted the target on his own during a surveillance mission. A 3-month suspension, a 12-month salary cut, and the promotion review postponed until next year.”

“I’ll convey that then.”

After the subordinate left the office, the man sat alone, lost in thought.

‘Not an evil spirit, yet he gained notoriety in just 3 months…’

Regardless of this incident, he seems worth watching in the future.

‘Could he really be born with the fate of a hero? Maybe the count will take a liking to him.’

This city always needs talent.

「Your character’s fame has increased by +1.」
「Your character’s fame has increased by +1…」
「…」

‘Is it morning already…?’

I stayed up all night.

It was because of the letter I found last night.

Is the content of this letter real or not?

After pondering until sunrise, I sighed.

‘It seems real, but…’

It’s just an intuition, not a certainty.

So, as soon as day broke, I quickly washed up and went outside.

I intended to find out about this pill.

Of course, it could be a trick by the evil spirit hunters…

‘No, rather, that’s why I need to show I’m investigating.’

Think from the perspective of a local.

Someone entered my room and left a letter with unreadable characters and a pill?

It’s normal to be curious about their identity.

It would be chilling from their point of view.

“I thought you forgot our appointment since you didn’t come for a few days, but it seems not?”

That’s why I visited the magic tower.

I figured a mage, a scholar in this world, might know something.

Indeed, she knew more than I expected.

“Oh, seeing that pill, you must have gained some fame this time?”

That was her reaction when I showed her the letter and pill.

“Fame?”

“Yes. Don’t worry too much. I heard everyone gets them once they’re a bit famous.”

The Raven looked at the letter and pursed her lips.

“It’s a pity, though. It would have been nice if you came to me right away.”

By the way, the letter was blank.

Whether something magical was added, the letters disappeared within 10 minutes after reading.

“Aren’t you curious, Mr. Jandel? What the evil spirits wrote in the letter?”

“Evil spirits?”

“Oh, I didn’t tell you that. That’s a letter written by evil spirits.”

“I didn’t even know it was a letter. As expected, you are amazing.”

I naturally praised her, and Raven snorted in her usual manner.

And she dove into her usual TMI mode.

“Of course, it’s a story unknown to ordinary people. Can I see that pill?”

“Here it is.”

“Do you know what this pill is?”

“I don’t.”

“It is made by a very skilled mage, one with immense knowledge of mental, dimensional and alchemical magic”.

“So, what is this pill?”

After my brief question, she finally got to the point after a long introduction about the many mages who worked hard to decipher its formula.

“If you take this pill, you can enter a specific spiritual world.”

“Spiritual world?”

“Ah, that sounds a bit complex, doesn’t it? Think of it as another dimension. Your body sleeps while your mind travels somewhere.”

Raven continued her explanation:

• If you take this pill, on the 15th of each month at midnight, you’re summoned to a specific spiritual world.
  Probably, the evil spirits are exchanging information there.
• Many who took the pill and infiltrated were found dead the next morning, vomiting blood.

This made me pause for a moment.

“Found dead?”

“Yes. So, Jandel, don’t ever take it just because you’re curious.”

“Wait, isn’t it just poison?”

“Hey, what do you take us magicians for? I swear, there’s no such ingredient or formula in this pill.”

“Then what about those who died?”

“Well, there are many theories… The most plausible is that the evil spirits have a way to distinguish non-evil spirits. When the soul and body separate, it leads to physical death.”

“…It’s a dangerous pill.”

I meant it sincerely.

After all, taking the pill means my life is in their hands.

I somewhat trust that the sender is a player…

But I have no information on what kind of person this player is.

“Anyway, it’s definitely not poison. Though not official, there are rumors that a captured evil spirit confessed about this assembly. It means it’s not a pill that kills anyone who takes it.”

“I see.”

“Ah, and another thing, in that place, you appear as a soul, so it’s impossible to tell who they really are.”

That was a relief to hear.

Most of my questions were answered.

Is this why connections are important?

Without my ties to the mage, I would never have heard such information.

But I had one more question.

“Is there any way to identify someone who has taken the pill?”

“Absolutely not. If there was, we would have caught all the evil spirits by now.”

I see.

That explains why the sender was so confident about the anonymity in the community.

“So, can I research this pill?”

“If it counts as today’s session, sure.”

“How stingy, after answering everything. Fine. It’s not like my research will reveal anything more. Now, if the chit-chat is over, sit here.”

Following her instruction, I sat on the chair.

I didn’t bother to ask if this chair was some kind of execution device.

“Let’s start.”

“…Hurry up and finish.”

Of course, it’s not like before.

The chair is a magical device for blood collection.

By around four in the afternoon, a day’s worth of research was completed.

No need to waste time at the magic tower until next week.

“Oh, is that the famous guy these days?”

“Little Balkan, they say that’s the nickname given by Lord Hernecion…”

“That strict person liked a barbarian? That’s surprising.”

Leaving Raven’s lab, I saw a group of mages in the lobby, all looking at me.
Is this the power of fame?

‘Last time, they treated me like a lab material…’

I felt the weight of my increased reputation—

“Did he eat the Essence of the Orc Hero?”

“Aruga said, he even has the Guardian Essence of a Vampire?”

“Definitely… this is precious.”

The way they looked at me was not as a mere experimental material, but as something extremely valuable.

After all, to these guys, what does an explorer’s reputation matter?

“Hey! Could you come here for a moment?”

“I’m busy.”

“Just for a moment—”

“I’m hungry, can’t do it.”

I left the magic tower almost as if fleeing, cutting through the much more uncomfortable stares than usual.

‘It’s too late to go to the library now, better just go back and rest.’

I returned to the inn after about an hour, pondering my thoughts, and collapsed onto the bed.

Taking out the pill, I observed it closely.

As my thoughts deepened, it felt like sinking into a trance.

‘An anonymous community…’

The biggest reason I avoided contact with other players was the risk involved.

If even one person knows, it’s no longer a secret.

But Raven’s words made it seem like a virtual web space.

I used to think there was no use in contacting other players…

Now, my thoughts have changed.

‘Certainly, those people would know more than I do.’

I’m not talking about hidden pieces or secret information in the game.

If others know it, I should too.

But this is another world, not a game governed by decimal systems.

With reduced risk of identity exposure, the advantages seem more prominent.

‘I can’t be sure until I check it out myself, but getting information first isn’t a bad idea.’

For instance, the methods used by evil spirit hunters or new laws tested by the adventurer’s guild.

Entering the community would make it easier to access such latest news.

Essentially, a source of secret information.

‘I’m not particularly excited, but they might know how to return.’

After much contemplation, I made my decision.

‘It’s better to take the pill.’

A conclusion reached by carefully weighing the risks and potential returns.

I wasn’t going to take it right away.

I needed time to confirm if there were other risks…

‘Even if anonymity is assured, the person who sent the invitation must be there.’

Think about it.

If three people are invited and all join the community, the sender can infer their identities and roles.

‘It would be safer to take it after at least three to six months.’

Of course, if the community doesn’t operate as I think, all these assumptions are meaningless.

But…

‘There’s no rush for information.’

I’ll wait patiently, as always.

There’s a saying, “Everything comes to the one who waits.”

In a research lab in the upper levels of the magic tower.

[00:01]

The moment the clock’s minute hand passed midnight, a man lying in a chair opened his eyes.

He immediately got up and contacted someone through a crystal ball.

“Soulqueens, how did it go with the new recruit?”

Despite trying to hide it, his voice clearly betrayed excitement and anticipation.

However, soon a deep disappointment crossed his face.

[There was none.]

“Hmm, so he really isn’t a player.”

[It seems likely. What about the letters not sent out this time?]

The man pondered.

Originally, seven letters should have been sent before this assembly, but this time, only one was sent.

There was something he wanted to confirm.

But…

“Because of my insistence, I shouldn’t delay here. Please send out the remaining letters sequentially before the next assembly?”

[Okay, I’ll pass on the message.]

The brief conversation ended.

The research lab was filled with silence again.

“I had high hopes when I heard he chose the shield at the coming of age ceremony.”

He muttered, letting out a sigh.

“It wasn’t ‘him’ this time either.”

At this point, he even started to believe the rumors circulating among the players.

He had always denied them out of fandom…

‘But really, managing such vast data alone doesn’t make sense…’

Does ‘he’ really exist?

As many speculated, was it just someone from the game company?

After 20 years in this strange world, even his belief was starting to crack.

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