Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 291

The Giant (3)

Ironically, that’s how human relationships generally work.

Usually, the one who’s more desperate ends up at a disadvantage.

Just like right now.

“One more drink.”

“Ah, here you go.”

“Ahhhhhh.”

I refilled my glass with soda and drank it down.

The old man seemed eager to continue our conversation, but…

No chance.

“Can I have cola instead?”

“Haha, you must be really missing home.”

“Ahhhhhh!”

Yes, that’s it.

My whole body shivered with delight at the refreshing sensation of carbonated drinks that I hadn’t had in a long time.

However, this would be the last time I pushed my luck with the drinks.

‘If he knows what soda and coke are, he’s definitely made it to our world, but how did he get there? I don’t think he opened the abyss gate…….’

Many questions swirled in my mind.

‘If I could just figure out his method, could I return home without climbing all the floors?’

Of course, it was just a fleeting thought. Honestly, my biggest concern lately has been whether I really need to go back at all.

I’ve already adapted well to this place.

It’s an uncomfortable world, no doubt, but still bearable.

Yes, even without carbonated drinks.

“Haha, seeing you so happy makes me feel good too. How about another glass?”

“No, that’s enough.”

“Really?”

Auril Gavis tilted his head in confusion, then asked me the same question as before.

But…

“Wasn’t it my turn to ask questions now?”

When I pointed it out, he coughed awkwardly.

“Ahem, my apologies. I got ahead of myself. As you said, it’s your turn now, so ask away.”

Really, after all those evasive answers earlier?

I spoke firmly.

“This is it for the questions.”

“Huh?”

What ‘huh’?

How shameless.

“Is there any point in continuing? I can’t even tell if what you’re saying is true or not.”

When I pointed out the slyness of him using a lie detector in the background, the old man protested as if wronged.

“But I’ve never lied!”

Yeah, sure.

You just avoided all the important stuff.

In fact, that makes me believe you haven’t lied.

But…

“It’s still unfair, isn’t it?”

This old man can just dodge uncomfortable topics, but I can’t even stay silent.

“……What do you propose?”

Hmm, let’s see.

I pretended to think it over, then spoke at the right moment.

“How about you get to ask one question for every ten questions I ask?”

“What…?”

The old man seemed incredulous.

Well, maybe that was too much?

I quickly pulled out a prepared excuse.

“Talking to you in itself is a huge risk for me.”

“Risk?”

“I don’t know how the future might change because of this.”

Implying both the risk I’m taking and the value of 20 years’ worth of future information.

But…

“What? Hahahaha!”

Auril Gavis burst into genuine laughter.

He laughed so heartily, it almost made me feel bad.

I wasn’t joking.

“Ah, sorry for laughing suddenly.”

As I stared at him blankly, the old man managed to control his expression while coughing.

Then…

“It’s just, I never thought of it that way. It makes sense from your perspective, but…”

Auril Gavis continued.

“Fragments of records cannot change anything.”

That’s Why he laughed at my words.

****

My mind went blank for a moment.

Even after regaining my composure, I couldn’t understand.

So, I asked bluntly.

“What do you mean ‘cannot change anything’?”

“Ah, is that a ‘question’?”

Oh…

“……”

I was at a loss for words and felt like I couldn’t even breathe.

I desperately wanted another sip of soda.

“Haha, just kidding.”

Auril Gavis laughed as he answered my question.

“It’s hard to explain the concepts of time and causality to you right now, so just know this.”

“…….”

“Whether the chicken or the egg came first doesn’t matter. The history of the universe only happens once.”

Even with his talk of the universe, I didn’t quite get it.

But I understood his main point.

So, what he’s saying is…

“No matter what I do here, the future won’t change?”

“Exactly. Once a timeline is observed, it doesn’t change.”

“In simpler terms.”

“Whatever you think or do here, whatever conversations we have, they’ve already happened in the past.”

Understanding and acceptance are different things.

I got the theory, but…

What about Dwalki?

What about the letters I left in the sanctuary?

Does this mean nothing I do will change anything?

‘That can’t be right.’

I decided not to take the old man’s words at face value. He can’t be all-knowing.

After all, he didn’t know I clear the original game.

“You don’t seem convinced.”

“…….”

“You’ll understand once you finish what you need to do here and go back. You’ll see what it means to be called by the era.”

Auril Gavis shifted the topic back to our original discussion.

“So, about fairness… Ten questions are unreasonable. How about three questions for one?”

Trying to take advantage of me when I’m distracted.

I’ll think about the universe stuff later and focus on the negotiation.

“Three questions are too few. How about five questions for one?”

“…Are you shameless? Even if the information from 20 years ahead is valuable, what I know is equally important.”

Auril Gavis looked displeased, clearly offended.

I understood his sentiment.

If you asked a hundred Earth-born players, they’d all find Auril Gavis’ information more valuable.

But…

“If you really think that, then don’t agree.”

The value of water depends on the environment.

To a thirsty person, a handful of water is more precious than a hundred pounds of gold.

“Five questions for one. Take it or leave it.”

I made my final offer as if I’d been waiting for this moment.

Then…

“These damn things…”

The old man’s expression hardened.

I worried for a moment if I’d crossed a line…

“Oh, sorry. I wasn’t talking to you. Those guys I saw earlier broke the rules again.”

Fortunately, his stern look wasn’t aimed at me.

He quickly clarified, worried I might misunderstand.

“It looks like I need to leave now. How about continuing this conversation next month? I’ll think about the fairness issue in the meantime.”

Though his words were abrupt, I didn’t show any disappointment. Showing it now would weaken our negotiation.

“Fine.”

I nodded as if I wasn’t in any hurry, and he waved his hand in the air.

Then…

“…I’m back.”

When I came to, I was lying on my bed in the dormitory.

****

[00:00].

I checked the time as the clock struck midnight on the 15th, then lay back down to sleep.

Of course, sleep didn’t come easily.

Countless thoughts, worries, and anxieties swirled in my mind.

But, despite it all, morning came.

“…Nothing has changed.”

As soon as morning came, I got dressed and headed to the library.

So, nothing changes the future?

Nothing I do matters because it’s already happened in the past?

So what?

That’s no reason to stay still.

Auril Gavis might be wrong.

If I do nothing, the possibility is zero.

‘Not here today.’

With that thought, I went to the library, but Raven was nowhere to be seen.

Where has that kid gone?

Did she get scolded for electrocuting someone while I was away?

‘…She didn’t show up after all.’

I waited until Raven’s usual time to come home, but she didn’t show up.

The same thing happened the next day.

‘…Sigh, this is worrying.’

Regretting not finding out where she lived earlier, I continued to visit the library. Raven finally appeared the day after another fruitless visit.

“Why didn’t you come the past few days?”

“I had something to do. And you?”

“Just stuff.”

Raven answered evasively and started reading a book.

But what’s this now?

“Why do you keep turning your head?”

“I’m not.”

Yes, you are, even now.

And her hair is a mess.

“Come here.”

“No.”

“Then I’ll come to you.”

I walked over and pushed Raven’s bangs aside.

And barely managed to suppress my anger.

‘So, this is what you were hiding.’

Raven had a large bruise around his eye.

“Who did this?”

“…It’s none of your business.”

How do I get her to open up about this?

As I sighed and pondered, Raven glanced at me nervously and murmured soothingly.

“…Don’t worry. I got home late and my mom found out I went to the library.”

My stomach churned as soon as I heard that.

Leaving aside the fact that this kid got beaten by her mother.

‘Got home late…’

She always kept to her curfew strictly.

So what made her come home late this time?

“Did you wait for me and got home late?”

“…….”

Raven’s silence was a clearer answer than anything.

She eventually said it wasn’t true, but…

Too late, kid.

“Never mind about me, tell me more about the labyrinth. You were telling me about it before.”

“…Where did I leave off?”

“The Doppelgänger Forest. You said doppelgängers are good at playing dead, but that’s boring. Tell me something else.”

I pretended everything was normal and told her more about the labyrinth as she wished, and time passed until it was time for Raven to go home.

“I’ll be off then.”

“Alright.”

“Will you come tomorrow?”

“If nothing comes up.”

Hearing my answer, Raven left the library quickly.

So, I left as well.

And…

‘Should I follow her?’

I began to follow Raven.

I didn’t want to meddle in other people’s family affairs, but…

‘It’s not like she did anything to deserve getting beaten.’

Yes, this was crossing the line.