Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 327

August 26, 2024 • 10 min read • 1720 views

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Ouroboros (2)

It was like a monster that had lost its life.

Swoooosh!

Jerome’s limp body, hanging above the sewer’s surface, scattered into glowing particles.

Some items remained, but most were worthless. The seemingly expensive sword, armor, and other equipment were all engulfed in light and vanished.

“Is it Iblus…?”

I had a hunch about what the essence was.

But that wasn’t important right now.

“……”

“……”

The sewer was filled only with the sound of flowing water.

Auril Gavis, who had been grinning as if his face was paralyzed, finally spoke.

“Let me ask, are you an evil spirit?”

It wasn’t a question but a final confirmation.

By now, he was certain that Nibels Entze, the sixth-ranked explorer who was impossible to find in the city, was indeed the “Iron Mask.”

‘Even so, he wants to hear it directly from my mouth…’

Having witnessed him disable the strongest royal knight with a mere gesture, I activated my Barbarian Confucian mode and spoke.

“An evil spirit? I’m not sure where you got that idea, but I am not. Sir.”

At my polite tone, Auril Gavis scoffed.

“Lies.”

Ah, so he could detect lies here as well.

I expected as much, but it still left a bitter taste in my mouth when my attempt failed.

But there was no time to be disappointed.

After all, this isn’t in the community.

There could be physical consequences.

So…

“Haha, I can’t fool you, sir. You’re truly remarkable.”

I quickly changed my stance.

Continuing to deceive him would likely seem like an insult, so I decided to admit it.

“Yes, I am the person you’ve been looking for. I didn’t expect to meet you outside, so I couldn’t be completely honest.”

“Because you were caught off guard…?”

“Yes, I was caught off guard. Besides, I didn’t exactly lie, did I?”

At my bold question, Auril Gavis chuckled dryly.

“Haha, indeed. Come to think of it, you didn’t lie.”

That’s right. I hadn’t lied back then.

Asked about the city’s situation?

I said the lord had teamed up with the royal forces for an ambush.

Asked if a barbarian had entered about five or six months ago?

I answered that there had been one and even kindly provided his name as “Bjorn, Son of Thor.”

“Yes, I couldn’t possibly lie in front of you, sir—”

“But here’s the thing.”

“…Yes?”

“Being deceived in that way is far more unpleasant than being lied to.”

“Ah…”

He had a point.

There might not be a way around that.

“…I apologize.”

I apologized first.

“And I suffer from a mental illness.”

Then I added an excuse.

“…Mental illness?”

“Yes. Surviving here has made me deceive people without even meaning to. I really shouldn’t be living like this…”

A kind of shared responsibility.

If I say the environment made me this way, then it’s this old man who pushed me into that environment.

“Haha…”

Auril Gavis, who had suddenly become the primary culprit, chuckled.

At least this time, he was smiling with his eyes as well.

It seemed my brazen attitude amused him.

Alright, the mood’s lightened…

“By the way, did you come here because of me?”

“Indeed.”

“Hmm, snooping around like this feels a bit invasive…”

As I trailed off and glanced at him awkwardly, Auril Gavis cleared his throat.

“Ahem, but how else could I find you if I didn’t?”

“Oh? By the way, why did the community suddenly shut down? I was wondering if you might have expelled me.”

“Ah, that was due to certain circumstances.”

“Circumstances?”

“Let’s just say the royal family got involved. It’s mostly restored now.”

“Oh, does that mean I can see you there again starting next month?”

“Not exactly. I recently transferred ownership to a friend. You might still see me, but it’ll be rare.”

“By friend, do you mean the GM?”

“Yes, that would be it.”

Curious, I asked who the GM was, but Auril Gavis didn’t answer.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t tell me.

It felt more like he was sulking.

“Well, there’s no real reason to keep it a secret… But try to find out on your own.”

“…Sorry?”

“If you see me as merely a trading partner, I have no choice but to do the same.”

“Ah, I see…”

For someone over 300 years old, he sure sulks easily. It’s his fault for having a built-in lie detector.

“By the way, how long are you going to keep up that manner of speaking?”

“…Sorry?”

“In the community, you talked all formal, but here, it feels strange, like you’re a different person.”

“Haha, sir, that was just a concept.”

“A concept?”

“Yes, another character, so to speak. A desperate attempt not to be underestimated? I wouldn’t be so disrespectful to you, sir.”

“Hmm, I don’t fully get it, but I think I see what you’re saying.”

Auril Gavis nodded quietly.

And then, there was a brief silence.

It took a while before he spoke again.

“Anyway, I’ve come to see if we can start our relationship over.”

His words were like those of a clingy ex-lover.

“…Sorry?”

I couldn’t hide my confusion, so the old man quickly explained.

“I want us to be on friendly terms. We could both benefit from each other, don’t you think? Instead of beating around the bush, wouldn’t it be easier to work together?”

“Oh…”

“So, I’ve brought you a gift.”

“A gift…?”

I couldn’t help but flinch at the word.

I felt both excited and worried.

What could he be planning?

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing bad.”

“Could you elaborate?”

“As you know, I want you to open the door to the abyss. While I call it a gift, it’s also for my benefit.”

Geez, why is he so long-winded?

“Right, so…?”

“It’s a power that will help you keep your identity hidden.”

Auril Gavis briefly explained the “gift.” Essentially, he would use his authority to give me a permanent buff.

“So, if I accept, I won’t be affected by verification magic or interrogation items like ‘Misaligned Trust,’ correct?”

“Exactly. The shield protects your body, but it won’t work if your mind is exposed.”

“When my mind is exposed…?”

“For example, in the place you get summoned to every month.”

Ah, so it won’t work in the community.

That means I can’t just lie my way through the Round Table.

“So, what do you think of my gift?”

I thought it over briefly.

It was undoubtedly a useful ability.

Since he explained it himself, receiving the gift should protect me from things like “Misaligned Trust.”

But…

‘I feel like he might secretly try something else too.’

I don’t know much about magic.

If Auril Gavis planted a tracking spell or something, I wouldn’t have the ability to detect or remove it.

And the problem is…

‘I can’t refuse.’

He’s the old man who knocked out the  Knight of Light with a flick of his finger.

In simple terms, if he harbored ill intentions, he could force them upon me.

“Alright, will you do it right now?”

“Actually, I’ve already done it. As soon as I saw you again in the sewer.”

“Really? I didn’t even notice…”

“That’s my specialty.”

Ah, I see.

So, I never had a choice from the beginning.

‘This is pretty frustrating.’

No wonder he kept speaking in past tense.

****

After the “gift” discussion wrapped up, Auril Gavis spoke decisively.

“Just to be clear, I have no intention of controlling you by force.”

That was good news.

I didn’t know how long that promise would hold, but it was better than being strangled by magic right away.

“As expected of you, sir. I respect you.”

“Haha, you flatter me…”

Though I spoke politely and he laughed humbly, we both knew it was nonsense.

But in social life, even hypocrisy is a form of courtesy.

I smiled and organized my thoughts.

I had two choices moving forward.

  1. “Haha, nice to meet you. You said no force, right? Well, I have something urgent, so I’ll be off… Stay healthy!”

Try to shake off Auril Gavis and head to rescue Amelia.

And…

  1. Exploit the old man.

Take advantage of Auril Gavis’s help.

It didn’t take long to decide.

I had tried to avoid him, but here we were again.

And shaking him off was impossible.

Even if I chose option 1, this stalker-like old man would undoubtedly follow me.

‘The iron mask hiding my face would come off easily if he wanted, and then finding out my name would be a piece of cake.’

If I’m going to give in anyway, I might as well get something out of it. That seemed like the most reasonable choice.

‘Might as well milk him for all he’s worth.’

Having made my decision, I carefully spoke.

“Sir…”

“Yes, go on.”

“Could I ask for one favor? If you grant me this, I’ll reveal my face and name.”

“Your face and name…?”

“Yes, haven’t you always been curious?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Let’s work together on one job.”

Auril Gavis didn’t respond right away.

He just stared at me.

As if to say, “What scheme is this guy planning now?”

***

Meanwhile,

Amelia, who was leading her sisters through the sewer, suddenly stopped.

“Wh-Why did you stop…?”

No signs of anyone around.

But one of her essence abilities, which had been active, suddenly went dead.

In other words…

“He’s here.”

The traitor, Ricardo Lühensprache, was nearby.

‘So, it’s come to this…’

Then what happened to Jandel, who had been fighting him?

That thought came first, but Amelia pushed it aside.

She had promised to trust him.

Right now, that wasn’t the issue.

“You mean… him?”

At Amelia’s murmuring, Laura flinched.

Amelia had once told them about Ricardo Lühensprache chasing her, in response to questions about her severed arm.

“Yes, him.”

As Amelia confirmed, both girls tensed with fear. The image of him slaughtering hundreds of explorers just hours ago flashed in their minds.

“Amelia, Laura.”

“…Yes, yes!”

“Listen carefully. We’re almost there.”

Amelia quickly and concisely explained the way to the city.

“Go. I’ll try to hold him off.”

The sisters had different reactions.

“Why would Emily do this for us…?”

Her younger self seemed bewildered.

It almost looked like she was worried about leaving her behind.

But her older sister, Laura, was different.

“Amelia, come here quickly.”

“But…”

“Quickly!”

Despite her doubts and gratitude, she quickly grabbed her sister and ran down the path.

For Laura, one thing mattered far more than personal feelings.

“……”

Amelia watched them run, hand in hand, for a moment.

She didn’t need to close her eyes to remember it vividly.

That dark passage’s end.

The memories of what she had experienced there.

Could she truly change that future?

It was still unclear.

But…

“Those girls seem precious to you.”

A deep, resonant male voice echoed softly.

“That’s perfect.”

She turned to see Ricardo Lühensprache smiling wickedly.

“I’ll show you what it feels like to lose them.”

Amelia tightened her grip on her dagger.