Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 438: Showdown (4)

At first, I was just dumbfounded.

But as I stood there, watching Lee Baekho disappear, the reality of the situation slowly sank in.

“Phew…”

He’s really gone.

That bastard.

‘What was with that ‘poof’ sound…?’

At least I feel a bit lighter now.

I hadn’t even noticed how tired I was until he left.

“…….”

My head is pounding, even worse than when I pulled all-nighters in college, fueled by coffee.

‘Wait, is that why he said his head wasn’t working?’

Ah, whatever.

It doesn’t matter.

Thud.

I collapsed onto the sofa.

I needed a mental break.

But…

‘I can rest later.’

I recited my to-do list out loud, my mind still sluggish.

“…First, I have to review the conversation.”

From our first reunion to his sudden departure.

I replayed every detail of our conversation in my mind.

It’s my usual routine after an incident.

But my head felt like it was about to explode.

I couldn’t remember his exact expressions or the nuances in his tone.

“Ugh, my head hurts…”

It was like trying to accelerate a car with an empty gas tank.

I had the will, but my mind wasn’t cooperating.

So I focused on the most important parts.

[Are you really Bjorn Yandel?]

The bait he threw.

[We’re friends, aren’t we? I can do that much for you. Right?]

His willingness to give up Misha after finding out my identity.

[There’s a button. And if you press it, you can return to Earth.]

His expectations.

And…

[You’re lying.]

His disappointment.

‘There was a lot…’

My thoughts became hazy as I reviewed the conversation.

Maybe he was somewhat satisfied.

He hadn’t gained anything, but…

He hadn’t lost anything either.

At least not today.

‘…Revealing my identity as Bjorn Yandel was part of the plan anyway.’

I had planned to subtly probe his intentions, reveal my identity, and then use our connection to demand Misha’s return.

If that didn’t work, I would threaten him.

I could imply that I was the one who had him unbanned, and that I could have him banned again.

Well, I didn’t even have to mention that.

[Unban me quickly. Or you’ll really die here.]

Considering how desperate he was to return to the community, even after causing chaos in the city, it would have been an effective threat.

‘…But why was he so desperate to be unbanned?’

That thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t dwell on it.

How could I possibly know what he was thinking?

He probably just missed talking to other Koreans.

“…….”

I closed my eyes and let my thoughts wander.

‘What is he expecting from me?’

I couldn’t understand.

[Help me reach the 10th floor.]

Help him reach the 10th floor?

I’m flattered, but… am I really that valuable?

‘Well, considering my growth rate, it’s not a completely unreasonable expectation…’

But there was something that bothered me.

He had realized that I was an evil spirit back in Gnome Tree.

[Remember, we’re strangers next time we meet.]

He had been indifferent back then.

He didn’t even try to befriend me.

But…

‘This is strange…’

If he had simply judged that ‘Bjorn Yandel’ wasn’t worth his time back then…

What had changed?

My growth rate was even more ridiculous back then, and I had just become a hero, even receiving a noble title—

[I’ve been nice to you since we first met!]

One of his statements suddenly came to mind.

‘From the beginning…?’

Yes, he had been friendly from the start.

Then why?

“Because I’m Lee Hansu, not Bjorn Yandel.”

No, that’s wrong.

[I believe you. You’re Korean.]

Then because I’m Korean?

Hmm, that’s ambiguous.

Maybe it was just a prerequisite.

He had been waiting in the empty Korean channel for over three years.

Waiting for a fellow Korean who might never come.

‘…Would someone that obsessed with his goal waste his time just because he’s lonely?’

I don’t think so.

Hyunbyul was also Korean, but she was cold and distant, unlike him.

Then what was the reason?

Why was Lee Baekho so friendly towards me from the beginning?

“This is crazy.”

I opened my eyes and sat up abruptly.

And then I realized as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

“Nickname.”

Yes, it was the nickname.

The nickname I had created without even realizing I was famous in the community, just adding a letter to my old one.

[Elfnunna]

There was no other explanation.

I hadn’t thought about it until now because Lee Baekho had never mentioned it…

‘But it’s strange that he never even brought it up…’

Even in the ‘Newbie Room’, where I had first entered with this nickname…

[Elf Noona?!]

[The one who wrote the stat guide?]

[…Isn’t she from the game company?]

[She’s Korean! I knew it!]

Everyone had been excited to see me.

[You seem to be a fan of hers.]

Even the GM, who wasn’t usually expressive, had seemed happy to see me.

[What a strange nickname…]

Even Hyunbyul, who didn’t know anything about ‘Elf Noona’, had frowned at my unusual nickname.

But Lee Baekho hadn’t reacted at all.

That playful kid who loved dinosaurs and farts…

‘He didn’t say anything about my nickname…?’

It wasn’t certain yet, but maybe…

Maybe he had been waiting for me.

From that day forward.

Hiding his true intentions behind a smile—

“Um…”

I heard a voice next to me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Oppa, what are you doing, staring at the mirror…?”

It was Hyunbyul.

_______________________

‘I’ll think about Lee Baekho later… when my head is working properly…’

I couldn’t rest for long.

Should I just run away?

“…You’re thinking bad thoughts again, aren’t you?”

“…No, I’m not.”

Well, it would be ridiculous to burden her with my problems when she’s also exhausted.

“Hmm, that’s exactly the look you had…”

“I said I’m not. By the way, why are you using banmal with me when you were so harsh with Lee Baekho?”

“What are you talking about? It’s normal.”

She looked at me with a condescending expression and sat down next to me on the sofa.

But she left one seat empty between us.

“There’s plenty of space, why are you sitting so far away?”

“Because there’s a line between us. I can’t cross it.”

…It seems like she’s still upset about me asking her to leave earlier.

Well, she should have just said no.

“…….”

“…….”

Silence.

Our relationship had been like this.

We were comfortable with each other, even in silence.

Well, that was when we were dating.

‘…This is awkward.’

I spoke first, unable to endure the silence any longer.

“Hyunbyul.”

“Yes.”

“…Why aren’t you saying anything?”

I glanced at her, and she was staring at the fireplace, not at me.

“You looked tired.”

“…Huh?”

“You look like you just got scolded by your boss.”

Well, she didn’t know how much worse it was compared to that.

“So… do you want me to keep you company?”

“No.”

“Okay, then I’ll be quiet.”

“Quiet?”

“I have a lot of questions, but I’m trying to be considerate. I don’t want to burden you.”

Uh…

Really?

That’s…

“Thank you…?”

“…Whatever.”

She turned away, as if embarrassed by my gratitude.

Damn it, I wasn’t being sarcastic.

She’s making me feel awkward.

“…I’m going to rest for a bit.”

“Okay.”

I decided to accept her consideration.

I was exhausted.

It wasn’t just because of the killing intent I had used, but also because it was my first time being exposed to such a powerful aura.

“…….”

“…….”

A peaceful silence followed.

It felt like I was back on Earth.

The only difference was that the sound of Hyunbyul flipping through a book was replaced by the crackling of the fireplace.

Crackle, crackle, crackle.

I slowly opened my eyes.

“You’re awake?”

“Ah, uh…”

I was a bit surprised.

So you can fall asleep in the spiritual world too.

I felt a bit more refreshed.

“How long was I asleep?”

“About an hour and a half.”

Whew, there’s still time before the Round Table.

“You look better now.”

“Thanks to you.”

“Then let’s begin.”

“Huh?”

Begin? Begin what?

“Oppa, what was that about? That guy?”

She asked as soon as I woke up.

“That guy?”

“Lee Baekho. That was him, right?”

Her grammar was a bit off, but I understood what she meant.

I was just surprised.

“Yes.”

So Hyunbyul knew about Lee Baekho.

She nodded, as if she had expected it.

“I knew it. I could see the crazy in his eyes.”

“Wait, you knew who he was, and you still acted like that?”

“What’s the problem? It doesn’t matter how strong he is outside, his abilities are sealed here.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

She’s still a newbie.

I need to teach her before she makes a mistake.

“It’s not always like that. There are skills you can use here.”

I explained ‘killing intent’ to her.

“I understand the concept… that it’s a connection between souls, that it amplifies your aura and transmits it to the other person… but…”

She understood the theory, but she couldn’t grasp it.

“I don’t know. A fear of death? You’re saying it can affect you even in real life?”

Well, she wasn’t wrong.

Fox’s killing intent was just a form of pressure.

“Ugh, it’s hard to explain.”

“Maybe you just lack the vocabulary?”

What? I’ve read countless novels.

Well, I’m not as good as her.

“Ah, it’s better to just experience it firsthand.”

I wouldn’t have suggested this to anyone else.

I was already mentally exhausted.

But…

‘It’s Hyunbyul.’

I could do this much for her.

“Let’s do it.”

“W-wait! I need to think about it—”

Think about what?

This is much faster and more accurate.

I unleashed my killing intent, hoping she wouldn’t make any mistakes outside.

“…Ugh!”

Her reaction was immediate.

“S-stop…”

She was struggling, just like everyone else, except for Lee Baekho.

‘He was fine…’

Right, he was immune to killing intent—

“Stop… it…!”

Ah…

I just wanted to give her a taste…

“…..”

Damn it.

______________________

Was her first experience with killing intent that traumatic?

‘I barely did anything…’

Even though I had only given her a taste, she was complaining of severe fatigue.

“But… I understand now… why it can affect you even in real life.”

“Oh, I’m glad to hear—”

“But I’m going to be angry next time. If you do something like this without my permission.”

“Understood.”

“…Oppa, are you mad at me?”

“No, why?”

“Haa…”

What’s wrong with her?

She mumbled something and then said she was going to rest because she had a headache.

But before she left, she asked a few questions.

The first one was this:

“Oppa, you know Bjorn Yandel, right?”

My heart sank.

What? Is she suspecting me too?

Thankfully, she wasn’t.

“…I know him.”

“Really? Then do you know if he’s really an evil spirit?”

“Uh, well… I’ve never met him, so…”

“Hmm, I see.”

She clicked her tongue, seemingly disappointed.

I cautiously asked,

“But… why are you asking about Bjorn Yandel?”

“Ah, it’s for work. I need to know for sure if he’s an evil spirit or not to proceed with my plan.”

Her plan…

That’s unsettling.

She wasn’t an explorer, but a clerk.

[My next goal is to gain power.]

To find a way to return to Earth through power.

That sounded like a typical Hyunbyul plan.

But…

[I’ve recently found a powerful backer.]

Who was this ‘powerful backer’?

If it was the Marquis…

“Hyunbyul.”

“…Yes?”

“Who are you working for?”

She frowned at my serious tone.

“Oppa, I thought we agreed not to cross that line—”

“The situation has changed.”

“…Yes?”

“I might accidentally kill you.”

“…….”

“So tell me. Who is it?”

She stared at me for a long time.

And then…

“Viscountess Peprok.”

She sighed and answered.

It was an unexpected name.

I was relieved that it wasn’t the Marquis or the Duke, but…

“…Viscountess Peprok?”

I never thought I would hear that name here.

“Yes, I’m working for her. It’s a long story.”

Ragna Ritanyel Peprok.

The librarian and mage.

One of the members of the ‘friend group’ I had joined in my newbie days, when Shabin Emure’s information was invaluable.

“Is that all?”

“Yes.”

I wanted to ask more, but it wasn’t the right time.

I had confirmed that she wasn’t working for the Marquis.

There was no reason for us to be enemies.

At least not now.

“By the way, oppa.”

Hyunbyul placed her hand on the empty seat between us.

“You…”

“…Huh?”

“You crossed the line first.”

Before I could even respond, she stood up.

“I’ll see you next month. I’m too tired today.”

She left the chat room.

I didn’t need to stay any longer either, so I returned to reality.

And…

[03:07]

I collapsed onto the bed and rested for a while.

I wanted to log out and go to sleep…

But…

Flash!@@novelbin@@

I couldn’t miss this.