Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 236
Awl (1)
A dimly lit room.
White light seeping through wood-tone blinds.
A single $200 mattress and a desk with a laptop on it. A single chair against the wall next to a one-person tea table.
A woman stood in that cramped room.
With an extremely confused face.
“This place…”
This place wasn’t unfamiliar.
It was the rental apartment she first contracted when she moved to New York for her job, and the place she had been summoned to at midnight on the 15th of every month for several years.
“Why am I here…?”
The woman felt a headache as she tried to recall her memories.
Gradually, things started coming back to her.
[Dark Mages!!]
[Stall for time. I will handle it soon.]
Day 1 in the labyrinth where the war began.
Reaching the safe zone after multiple teleportation spells.
A ruthless decision that had to be made after a long meeting with the higher-ups.
[The royal bastards are trying to escape and abandon us!! Stop them!!]
She and her clan members running through the dimensional gate while the knights confronted the explorers.
And then….
Shwaa-!
The magic circle emitting a brilliant light from the ground.
Boom-!!!!
The gigantic pillar of fire engulfing the sky.
“No, no way…”
She finally understood.
Why she, who had just returned to the city through the dimensional gate, was here.
“Has it been 15 days…?”
The woman hurriedly turned on her laptop.
And she started looking through the bulletin board to find out exactly what had happened.
For someone who frequently did this sort of thing, it didn’t take her long to find the information she wanted.
Among the explorers who came out of the dimensional gate, only 103 survived.
All were in a coma, and even the high priest of the Tobera Church, known as the ‘Agent’, had given up on healing them.
“No, it can’t be….”
Raler Clan‘s Deputy Leader, Vercil Gowland.
Her face turned pale as she realized the reality.
***
As soon as the computer was turned on, I checked the chatroom first.
[Long Live Korean Independence] – 0 members online.
As expected, this time too, Lee Baek-ho did not return.
Well, since the Ghost Master himself kicked him out, there wasn’t much he could do.
Sigh, it was definitely better when he was around.
“Ultimately, I have no choice but to get premium information from the Watchers of the Round Table…”
I moved the mouse, trying to shake off the regret.
The Round Table opens three hours after the community starts. Until then, I planned to browse around and get a feel for the place.
“As expected, a lot of players died.”
When the community opens, players who have been waiting flood the exchange and free boards with posts.
But this time?
“About one-third.”
The same goes for the chatroom.
Even the large chatrooms that always had more than 50 people now barely had a little over ten people.
“Sigh…”
Facing such changes makes me sigh.
It feels like a ‘great flood’ has swept over the world.
Everywhere is devastated, and there are no normal places left.
“Will new players fill this place as time passes…?”
Well, they will.
Even in Korea, nothing was left after the war, but eventually, we got to where we are now.
When that time comes, I won’t be a newbie anymore, but a top-tier player.
Ah, am I already in the top tier?
Yeah, no matter how I think about it, there can’t be many who have gained a noble title.
Click, click.
Thinking about this and that, I surfed various boards.
Every board was filled with stories about this incident, and I saw my name mentioned quite frequently… no, quite a lot.
[Bjorn Jandel, what the hell is this guy?]
└I thought a Rank 5 Explorer would be around 30, but it’s only been a year since he completed his coming-of-age ceremony?
└What have I been doing for the past 5 years?
I was mentioned a few times during the Layer Lord battle on the 3rd floor, but it was nothing like this.
The number of posts about me was enormous, with dozens of comments on each one.
[└these99: I think he is not rank 5 to begin with. If it weren’t for the guild points, he would have easily reached rank 4 already.]
[└O.P: Wow, really? It’s only been a year? That makes me feel even worse.]
[└NExtlevEL: You’re exaggerating. O.P has nothing to be ashamed of. It’s common to reach rank 5 within a year if you get good essence.]
[└NExtlevEL: Also, it doesn’t seem like he has much essence. From what I saw, he’s barely at rank 5.]
[└these99: Reaching rank 5 within a year is common? Do you play the game alone? How can you say he’s barely at rank 5? He already proved himself by crushing the Corpse Collector.]
[└NExtlevEL: Are you American? It’s obvious you’re trying to make a hero out of him. And even if he won, do you think he did it alone? It’s all teamwork.]
[└Pnec: This guy’s right. The Corpse Collector fought hundreds of enemies, how can you say he got crushed? Are you an idiot?]
Just like people argue about celebrities online, players had various opinions about me.
Some comments made my heart sink.
[fliccolo: I think he’s a player].
[└O.P: Ah, that could be it. Why didn’t I think of that?]
Questions that inevitably arise when you gain fame quickly.
But my journey helped.
[└arolf5205: What player? If you saw him in person even once, you wouldn’t say that LOL.]
[└stevencastle: Those who say this are all the ones who were lucky enough not to enter the labyrinth. If you saw him biting the Corpse Collector’s ear off while blind, you wouldn’t say he’s a player.]
[└cherylvander: He’s a real man.]
[└Ykbell: When he screamed after stepping on a goblin trap, it even fired me up. No modern person could evoke that feeling. Everyone who was there would agree.]
[COOOOL75: BETHE—RAAA!]
Reading both defamatory and praise posts about me gave me a strange feeling.
I have grown enough to become a hot topic.
While intense interest is burdensome, but I think it’s a path I must cross to go higher.
Because I’m going to keep rising.
You can’t help but gain fame as you go higher.
“It’s about time.”
After browsing the boards for a while, three hours had passed since I entered the community.
[03:01]
In the past, I would enter as late as possible to attract attention, but this time, I entered as soon as the time came.
I was curious about the pre-meeting chatter.
“Hopefully, not everyone died except the Clown…”
With a bit of anxiety, I quickly double-clicked the mouse.
Flash!
For a moment, a light flickered in front of my eyes, and when I came to, I was in the familiar fitting room. I quickly put on the suit I wore every day and the lion’s mask, then made my way to the main room where the Round Table was.
Creak.
Three people were already there.
Goblin, Fox, Deer Horn.
‘Seems like the clown isn’t here yet’
As I entered, the three who were already there glanced at me and let out strange exclamations.
“Ah…”
“Fortunately, you came again today.”
They always react like this whenever I arrive.
I took my seat, pretending not to care much, and rested my chin on my hand
If I do this, they’ll entertain themselves.
I just need to close my eyes and listen.
“There are already four survivors.”
Goblin, as if uncomfortable with the static atmosphere, muttered to himself.
“It’s surprising. I thought you, of all people, would be in danger. How did you survive?”
It was something I was curious about too.
Most religious figures, except a few priests, had left through dimensional gates,
Meaning, most of them are dead.
So how did Goblin make it?
“Well, it’s related to my personal circumstances. Let’s just say I was lucky.”
“Tch, what’s so great about that.”
Goblin evaded the question skillfully, and Deer Antlers clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. They then engaged in small talk
Strangely, Fox didn’t join the conversation.
Did the other two notice that?
“Fox, you seem off today.”
“Yes, you’ve been out of it since earlier…”
Deer Horn and Goblin expressed their curiosity about Fox, who flinched and tilted her head.
“…What? What did you just say?”
“See, I told you something’s off.”
“If something’s bothering you, please tell us. I’d be more than willing to help you out…”
Goblin, seizing the opportunity, attempted to cozy up to Fox.
Fox exhaled deeply and shook her head.
“I appreciate your concern, but it’s nothing. So, please mind your own business.”
“Ah, yes. If you say so…”
Goblin, seemingly embarrassed by Fox’s unusually curt response, changed the subject.
“By the way, the others aren’t here yet?”
There were only five minutes left until the entrance closed. Two members still hadn’t shown up: the Clown, whom I was eagerly waiting for, and the Crescent Moon, who desperately wanted the Stone of Resurrection.
“They both didn’t die, did they?”
“Hmm, even if Crescent Moon is gone, I doubt Clown is dead.”
“…Right? Probably not?”
The Goblin replied in a slightly regretful tone.
Creak
The door to the hallway customization room opened, and I heard footsteps.
‘Is it the Clown?’
I turned my head to check, pretending to be indifferent.
And then…
“Huh?”
I froze, just like Goblin and Deer Horn.
It wasn’t the mask I had expected.
‘A Queen?’
A mask adorned with elegant jewels.
The decorations around the eyes were like makeup made of gold, and the forehead was shaped like a crown.
And a gorgeous red dress.
‘A returning member?’
I wondered briefly but then realized otherwise as she gracefully introduced herself.
“Oh, hello. I’m new here, so I might not know much, but please take care of me.”
She was a new member.
****
She was the first new member since I had joined.
Naturally, all the attention was on her. The Fox, in particular, was the most enthusiastic.
“New? How did you get in here? Did you also meet Master?”
Unlike her earlier daze, the Fox couldn’t hide her excitement and bombarded the Queen with questions.
“Well, yes… I guess so?”
When the Queen Mask half-affirmed, the excitement in the Fox’s voice grew even more.
“Him! Where is he? Or can you at least meet him? I have a very urgent request…”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can fulfill that request.”
The Queen drew a firm line.
Then she led the conversation with surprising ease for a new member.
“Anyway, shall we introduce ourselves?”
The Queen spoke as if it was her own place.
Deer Horn responded, clearly displeased.
“We don’t use names here.”
“I see! So, this is Goblin, that’s Fox, and this is Lion. Hm, then what should I call you?”
“Deer Horn.”
“Not just Deer?”
“Didn’t your mask have a name on it too?”
“Oh, right. Then I’ll be the Queen? Hoo-hoo.”
While the others chatted and interacted with the Queen, I continued to observe her closely.
A mask doesn’t hide everything.
The Goblin had a bronze skin tone, making me think he was either Southeast Asian or South American.
So what about this woman?
‘She’s definitely Western.’
Blue eyes and flowing blonde hair. Her skin was very pale, like that of a Caucasian.
Of course, this information alone isn’t enough to deduce anything about her in this world.
But still, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
‘I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere…’
A strange sense of déjà vu.
Why do I feel this way?
“Anyway, Fox, it’s so nice to meet you. As you know, there aren’t many female users, right? Oh, and Goblin, you have a great voice. Deer Horn, you seem very kind too.”
The Queen’s energy was almost draining. When she turned her gaze to me, Fox quickly intervened and warned her.
“Lion is…”
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“I understand what kind of person you are, but it might be best not to get too friendly with him.”
“Huh? Why?”
The Queen tilted her head, and the Fox, glancing at me, looked awkward. Did she think I’d try to assert dominance like with the Goblin?
Well, maybe I would have done that under normal circumstances.
If one glance could free me from this demonic tension, it would be worth it.
But…
“Hmm, Lion is very quiet. Let’s talk more once we get to know each other!”
“…”
I simply ignored her words without doing anything.
It’s for a simple reason.
I needed to conserve my energy.
‘Looks like he’s here.’
With about a minute left before the entrance closed.
Creak, another door in the hallway opened.
“Oh, another member is here?”
The attention shifted from the Queen to the source of the sound.
“Wow! So many survivors!”
From a distance, the Clown spoke in his usual annoying tone.
“To be honest, Goblin, I thought you’d be de—… huh?”
The Clown stopped and tilted his head when he saw the Queen.
“Hello. Should I call you Clown from now on? You seem like a very interesting person, so I’m really excited!”
“…Who is this overly cheerful woman?”
“She’s a new member. It seems she was recommended by the Master.”
“Hmm… Is that so?”
Clown, who had been observing the Queen, sat down. Then, losing interest in her, he spoke to me.
“Pssit, Lion, have you been well?”
It was the usual routine.
This bastard always acted chummy with me.
As if I were the only one on equal footing with him here.
“Look forward to it. I’ve brought some very interesting stories this time.”
What is he saying, idiot?
“…”
I slowly gathered my killing intent.
Normally, I’d have to control my mind and harbor a murderous intention, but this time, it wasn’t necessary.
‘If it weren’t for this bastard…’
Daria would still be alive.
Many other explorers could have returned to their families.
But what is this bastard doing now?
“Hehe, seeing that Crescent Moon isn’t here, I guess she’s dead?”
Laughing brightly as always.
So, yeah…
“But why haven’t you spoken a word since earlier, Lion?”
Filling my mind with a single thought, I opened my eyes.
Pure intent to kill.
The moment our eyes met, the Clown grabbed his throat with both hands. He writhed in agony, as if he had entered a vacuum, then collapsed to the floor, twitching.
“…!”
The members, not knowing what was happening, were flustered.
I slowly stood up and walked over to the Clown.
Then I looked down at him from above.
“You, you, stop…!”
It was a bit funny.
Always treating people like idiots with that idiotic tone.
“You’re like a bug.”
No more pretending to be friendly, bastard.