Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 369

Black Star(2)

My worries about the GM didn’t last long.

It’s not like thinking about it would lead to any answers, right?

Rather than wasting time on unnecessary worries, it’s more efficient to spend it doing what I can.

Like web surfing, for example.

Click, click.

Unlike in modern times, web surfing here isn’t just a pastime to kill time. It’s a precious opportunity to gather and organize information for next month’s survival.

“…Hehe, this is so funny.”

It’s frustratingly amusing.

Click, click.

As I continued moving the mouse, checking posts, time quickly passed.

And then…

‘It’s almost time.’

The time to enter the Round Table had arrived.

***

In an antique study room.

 A white man sat with his fingers interlocked, deep in thought.

“To think that he would be allied with Baekho…”

He hadn’t completely ruled out that possibility, but it wasn’t a situation he desired.

Just dealing with Lee Baek-ho, someone uncontrollable, was already a headache, and now another variable had been added.

“…Where on earth did this guy come from?”

‘Elfnunna’ joined the community about three years ago. The Lion Mask appeared around the same time.

This means…

‘He was probably pretending to be a newbie from the beginning.’

But why had he infiltrated the community?

His strength was comparable to Baek-ho, and considering his superior intelligence, it seemed he had established his own group.

‘Watchers of the Round Table.’

The man concluded that his goal was to enter that secret chat room.

Username 0720.

An otherworldly evil spirit who secretly infiltrated the community, and created the “Watchers of the Round Table”, and personally filled it with big shots like the Corpse Collector.

The man believed there might be a connection between him and the Lion Mask.

But…

‘He didn’t seem to know.’

The man expected some reaction if he saw that password, but what was the actual outcome?

There was no reaction until the end of the conversation.

Even when he directly mentioned it at the end, it was the same.

He seemed to have no idea why the Man brought it up.

Well, it could be an act, but…

‘If he really has nothing to do with it, did he join the community just to easily contact Lee Baek-ho?’

Hmm, maybe so.

The man considered and reconsidered various possibilities.

At that moment.

“Sorry. There was a problem with the bulletin board, so I couldn’t come right after getting your message.”

A white woman appeared in the study where he was alone.

Floating above her head was the nickname “SoulQueens.”

“So, what did you call me for?”

She asked, sitting on the sofa across from him, and the man briefly explained what had happened earlier.

“I met the Lion Mask.”

“…I see. What happened?”

“He threatened me. Told me to lift Baek-ho’s ban.”

“So… what are you going to do?”

“Fortunately, he said he’d give me three months. I plan to make a decision within that time.”

At the man’s words, the woman cautiously asked.

“But… does he really have such power?”

It was a subject the man had been constantly doubting and worrying about.

Because he knew nothing about him.

Except that he’s a Korean player.

The man unknowingly clenched his fist.

‘Damn Koreans.’

In retrospect, it seemed unfair.

After all, since creating this community, the number of Koreans he’s met is few. That’s because very few Koreans play this game.

In terms of numbers, it’s significantly less than most Western countries.

But what about their impact?

Despite joining later, Lee Baek-ho had grown into an unstoppable force. And now there was this ‘Elfnunna.’

And now, the newly emerged “Elfnunna.”

‘Even Elfnunna is likely Korean.’

At this point, it made him wonder if Koreans had some genetic advantage.

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t ask if he is related to Elfnuna and why he chose such a nickname. Well, he probably wouldn’t have answered anyway.’

The man thought that if someone cleared the original and entered this world, it would most likely be “Elfnuna.”

While everyone else sought the easy path and enjoyed the cheat versions, he consistently delved into the original game.

“Master?”

“Ah, I was lost in other thoughts for a moment.”

At the woman’s call, the man ended his reverie and gave instructions.

“Just as you said, SoulQueens. We still have no information about him.”

“……”

“So please look into him more actively. To the extent that it won’t provoke him.”

At the man’s instruction, the woman answered after a brief pause.

But unlike her usual self, who always handled tasks perfectly with a confident attitude.

“……I’ll try.”

Her voice was full of reluctance.

****

With the familiar Lion mask on my face, I walked through the quiet corridor and arrived at the Round Table room.

Everyone had already arrived before me.

“…You’re here! I was worried, pssit!”

The Clown, clearly anxious that I might skip the meeting, stood up and greeted me.

“……”

The Queen awkwardly averted her gaze when our eyes met.

Considering what happened last time… it’s no surprise. And she must’ve already heard about my meeting with the GM.

“……”

Once I took my seat, I noticed the Fox Mask in front of me.

In her case, she gave a brief nod when our eyes met…

But…

“Tsk.”

Every time I see her, I feel disappointed.

If only I hadn’t been suddenly sent to the past, I could have used that situation to uncover her identity—

“Um…”

Just as I was lamenting internally, the Fox mask spoke up cautiously.

“Did I perhaps make some mistake…?”

At first, I was confused, but then I realized why.

‘Ah, because I clicked my tongue.’

It’s like throwing a stone and accidentally hitting a frog.

Not only the Fox mask but others were also subtly glancing at me, trying to figure out why I did it…

I didn’t bother to clear up the misunderstanding.

“Who knows.”

An ambiguous response, neither a yes nor a no.

The Fox gulped, clearly assuming she had made some unknown mistake.

Well, I felt a bit sorry for making her feel this way…

‘Let’s just change the subject.’

“Shall we begin?”

With the entrance time over and the door to the Round Table closed, the others also stopped wondering about Fox’s ‘mistake’ and focused on the present.

“I’m already excited to hear what interesting news we’ll have today, pssit.”

“Then, shall we start with that side?”

At the Crescent Moon’s question, everyone’s gaze turned to the Deer Horns seated to my left.

It was an unspoken rule of the round table.

Starting from my left meant I would be the last in turn.

They always shared their information first, and I would listen, judge, and then share equivalent information.

Man, I really positioned myself well, didn’t I?

“……I’ll start.”

Then, the Deer Horns calmly shared the prepared information.

“At the royal council, the agenda to incorporate the evil spirits into the nation was discussed again after 150 years. Of course, due to the opposition, it was immediately dropped from the agenda.”

It was a brief statement that would be hard to understand unless one had worked in public office.

In other words…

‘What is he talking about?’

I didn’t understand either.

Of course, there was no problem.

There was always someone at the Round Table who would explain things when such gaps in knowledge arose.

“An agenda to incorporate them as a people…?”

The Goblin asked in a timid voice, and SoulQueens explained on his behalf.

“It’s a proposal not to define the evil spirits as enemies but to embrace them and accept them as subjects. It was proposed once 150 years ago but was canceled for various reasons.”

“I see… But it’s surprising that such talk is coming from the royal family…”

“Pssit, to me, it sounds like they’re lacking in military power—”

“Well, at least we know you know nothing about the royal family’s military power.”

“…Why do you always pick a fight with me?”

“…Why do you always pick on me?”

“Oh my, how self-conscious. I was merely stating the facts.”

As SoulQueens laughed nonchalantly, the Clown didn’t continue.

He seems strangely weak against her.

Maybe it was because he had been beaten verbally so many times.

‘The clown is such a perfect example of someone who bullies the weak and avoids the strong.’

Anyway, the Deer Horn’s information received a green light on its first try, signaling a smooth start. Then, it was the goblin’s turn.

“Ahem, a few days ago, a divine revelation descended upon the Church of Leatlas.”

“Surely… that’s not all, is it?”

“Haha, of course not. Anyway, upon looking into it, it was a rather peculiar oracle.”

“How about you stop dragging it out and just tell us the content? It’s just disgraceful otherwise, Pssit.”

At the Clown’s criticism, the Goblin glanced as if wondering why he was being targeted, and then spoke.

“The king’s bloodline bears the Black Star, and you must aid the one who will become its master.”

“…?”

“That was the message.”

Leatlass, the Goddess of Stars.

A prophecy from the deity who governs souls and destinies, one open to interpretation.

“A black star… Could it signify treason?”

“Or perhaps a connection to Noark?”

“But to help the one who will become its master…”

“Maybe it means the queen is pregnant, and the child is dark-skinned, pssit!”

“…How can you say something so vulgar?”

“What’s wrong with dark skin? Did I make a racist remark?”

The Clown chuckled as if he’d just made a hilarious joke, but the reactions around him were cold.

This guy definitely didn’t have any friends.

Probably spent his days playing Dungeon & Stone—

‘Damn.’

I stopped my thoughts before they could lower my self-esteem. At least the conversation about the divine revelation was coming to a close.

No matter how we interpret and speculate, we usually only understand their true meaning after time has passed.

“Now it’s my turn.”

The third in line was the crescent moon.

In the past, he brought some great intel about the genesis relics, but lately, that hasn’t been the case.

And unfortunately, today was no different.

Sigh, every time he speaks, the conversation shifts to war intel.

Well, I guess it’s still useful in the long run.

Since I don’t lead a group, it’s hard to gain any immediate advantage from this kind of info.

Next.

“The royal family has begun to transfer warship construction technology to the private sector. It seems like an inevitable choice to quickly produce damaged warships. We might soon see large clans sailing military ships.”

The fox mask’s information was similar.

True to her usual form, she logically laid out the information and its implications, but that was about it.

‘It’s the first round, so the intel is pretty lackluster.’

The only things that piqued my interest were the divine revelation and the ‘incorporation’ agenda that was brought up in the royal council.

‘Accepting spirits… Will that really happen?’

I briefly entertained the thought, but I didn’t have high hopes.

As the deer horns mentioned, it was immediately rejected after being proposed.

“Pssit, now it’s my turn.”

After more than half a round, it was finally the clown’s turn. Unfortunately, his information was no help to me either.

No, rather, it did me harm.

“The lighthouse keeper is dead.”

“Though the public thinks it was the Blood Spirit Queen’s doing, the truth is different. It was actually thanks to the strange man accompanying that crazy bitch.”

“…A strange man?”

“Yes, seeing that she even fed him the [Gigantification] essence of the Orc Hero, at first I thought the Blood Spirit Queen was using him as a substitute for Bjorn Jandel…”

“Rihen Schuiz. Even the royal family is keeping an eye on him.”

“Pssit, was that his name? Anyway, since I hope to have information about this person at the next Round Table, I’ll tell you more in detail.”

“……”

“……”

“I don’t know where such a person came from, but he’s such an absurd monster that even if the four of us teamed up, it would be impossible to kill him. Pssit.”

“……There was such a person?”

“Wait, there was no such report from the Golden Mage? Are you sure?”

“If I wasn’t sure, would it have passed the green light?”

At the Clown’s words, the members were shocked and showed deep interest.

‘Ugh, the thought of all these guys investigating me is exhausting…’

While I secretly sighed to myself…

‘Why is she staring at me again?’

I felt someone’s gaze and glanced to the side. It was SoulQueens, who was watching me with fixed eyes.

For some reason, she was muttering something under her breath.

So quietly that only I, sitting next to her, could hear.

“Gigantification… joined 3 years ago… Blood Spirit Queen…”

Could she have figured something out?

Or maybe she’s piecing everything together, finally putting things in order.

And she wasn’t the only one who felt something was off.

“Wait a minute, isn’t he the real person rather than a substitute? [Gigantification] isn’t a common essence. And they say he seems to have consumed an Ogre’s essence too…”

It started with the Goblin.

“Certainly, no matter how crazy the Blood Spirit Queen is, I don’t think she’d use a double and call him by a nickname…”

The Fox Mask nodded.

“Pssit, what are you all talking about? Bjorn Jandel is dead.”

The Clown scoffed at such suspicions.

But…

“What if he’s alive? And he’s been secretly building his strength? Then it would make sense that the Golden Mage omitted such a report.”

Then Deer Antler murmured.

“It makes sense. Not long after, his identity as an evil spirit was exposed. There’s a possibility he faked his death because of that.”

Crescent Moon said as if summarizing.

And then…

“If Bjorn Jandel is really alive…”

The Queen said, looking at me.

“That period overlaps with the time when Mr. Lion disappeared.”

At that moment, all eyes focused on me.

They wanted to ask outright if I was Bjorn Jandel.

But perhaps due to past experiences they seemed hesitant to speak up.

‘Well, I thought this might happen, and it really did.’

But I didn’t feel particularly cornered.

This kind of thing ends with just one alibi.

“Ah, this story again.”

I placed my hand on the gem of the Round Table.

And then…

“Since you’re all curious about me, I’ll go first this time.”

I said.

As if mocking the doubts in their eyes.

“The time I joined this community was…”

“……”

“22 years ago from now.”

The green light turned on.