Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Ding-!

A cheerful notification sound greeted me as I turned on my computer.

"A message...?"

I checked my inbox, and a new message with an unread marker was at the top.

The time stamp was only a few seconds ago.

It meant the message had been sent as soon as the community opened...

Click, click.

I opened the message.

[Sender: Ghost master.]

A short, one-line message.

Below it were the name and password for a private chat room.

"Hmm..."

What should I do?

If I accepted the invitation, Lee Baekho would be waiting...

I hesitated for a moment, but I quickly made up my mind.

'...It won't take long. And I'm curious what he wants.'

Maybe I could get some information about Lee Baekho from the GM.

It wouldn't hurt to be a little late.

He wouldn't leave without talking to me, anyway.

"It's been a while, Lion."

I entered the chat room, and a white man with the nickname 'Elfnunalove' stood up and greeted me.

I ignored his greeting and sat down on the sofa.

"So what's this about?"

"As you requested, I've lifted Baekho's ban. Did you meet with him?"

He was trying to take credit for it.

"Is that all you wanted to talk about?"

"Of course not."

The GM sat down on the sofa and continued.

"I heard something interesting at the last Round Table. You said 'Elfnunna' had already entered this world?"

Right, it was because of that.

I felt a sense of accomplishment, but I maintained a serious expression.

"So?"

"Let me ask you directly. Are you 'Elfnunna'?"

It was a blunt question, even for a barbarian like me who preferred direct communication.

I hadn't expected him to be so straightforward.

"Why should I answer that?"

The GM replied immediately.

"I'm the one who lifted Baekho's ban. Do you really think I did that for no reason?"

He had been sweating nervously back then, so it wasn't like I was intimidating him.

But it wasn't a complete lie either.

"You need something from me, and I need something from you."

Give and take.

The GM had given me what I wanted because he also wanted something in return.

He couldn't afford to lose my information at the Round Table. He had lifted the ban as a gesture of goodwill.

'But he summoned me immediately after hearing about "Elfnunna"...'

It only made me more curious.

"If you want to maintain our current relationship, you'll answer my question. Are you 'Elfnunna'?"

Why was the GM so obsessed with 'Elfnunna'?

That was the reason I had mentioned the nickname at the Round Table.

Therefore...

"Before I answer that, I have a question."

I asked, trying to be subtle.

"Do you believe what that old man said?"

It was a test.

I had met the GM in the past, when I was a newbie.

[I'm not sure, but I think I know who you're talking about.]

[She was a famous figure in the Stone E-ven community... someone I greatly respected.]

He had mistaken me for Auril Gabis.

So I had theorized that the GM's obsession with Elf Noona stemmed from his belief in Auril Gabis's words.

But...

"I have no reason not to believe him. At least, the story about the Record Stone was true."

His answer was strange.

'Record Stone...?'

I had never heard of it.

___________________

What was the Record Stone?

'Is it like the Fragment of Records that sent me back in time? A legacy of the Great Sage?'

I didn't know, but it felt important.

It might be the key to solving all my questions.

I remained silent and listened.

"There's no one else. Who else could possibly clear the original difficulty?"

The GM's story felt incomplete.

As if a crucial piece was missing.

But I could understand one thing.

"It's impossible without her."

His faith was almost religious.

It reminded me of my aunt, who had been obsessed with a cult.

"..."

I felt a sense of unease.

But I had to make a decision.

"So, tell me. Are you 'Elfnunna'?"

It was the same question he had asked before.

If his faith and admiration were genuine, I could use him. I might even be able to recruit him as an ally.

"I'm not."

But I ultimately decided against it.

The information about the Record Stone and the GM's resources were tempting...

'But this is the right choice.'

I had to investigate the Record Stone before revealing my identity.

Most irreversible mistakes stemmed from ignorance.

[You mustn't open the Gate of the Abyss.]

And the Earth Witch's warning was also bothering me.

"...I see."

Thankfully, the GM didn't seem suspicious.

He had just been testing me.

"Then tell me about 'Elfnunna'. Where is he? What's his race—?"

I cut him off.

"That's rude."

"...?"

"I answered your first question out of goodwill. Because you kept your promise."

In other words, lifting Lee Baekho's ban was the only reward I was giving him.

"..."

The GM looked dumbfounded, and I felt a pang of guilt.

But I couldn't back down now.

It would be strange to pretend I didn't know anything.

"If you want my favor, you'll have to return the favor."

"...So you want something in return?"

It was the Lion's rule at the Round Table.

"But... isn't that unfair?"

"I lifted Lee Baekho's ban at great personal risk. And you're asking for information in return for answering a single question—?"

"I see what you mean."

"...?"

"Do you really think lifting Baekho's ban and revealing 'Elfnunna's' information are of equal value?"

"That's..."

The GM was speechless, and the conversation was over.

"If you understand, I'll be going now."

I left the chat room.

___________________

I returned to Lee Hansu's room.

"Phew..."

I checked the chat room.

[Long Live Korean Independence] - 2 users online.

Two users...

Lee Baekho and Hyunbyul.

They hadn't left yet.

'Let's organize my thoughts before going in.'

I leaned back in my chair and replayed the conversation with the GM.

[I have no reason not to believe him. At least, the story about the Record Stone was true.]

It wasn't certain yet, but maybe Lee Baekho's interest in 'Elfnunna' was also related to the Record Stone.

'...I should ask him about it.'

I had made the right decision by talking to the GM first.

I clicked on the chat room and entered.

"...But I can't! Hansu hyung will kill me!"

"If we keep it a secret, how will he—?"

Two figures were sitting on the sofa in front of the fireplace, engaged in a suspicious conversation.

"Eek!"

Lee Baekho noticed me and jumped up, rushing towards me.

"..."

Hyunbyul flinched and looked at me with an apologetic expression.

"What are you doing?"

"Hyung! It's not my fault! Hyunbyul noona wanted to know about you, and I told her I couldn't tell her!"

As expected.

I looked at Hyunbyul, and she avoided my gaze, glaring at Lee Baekho.

"...You're incorrigible."

It was a cold, emotionless statement.

"Haha, Noona! That's not what I—"

"Why are you calling me noona?"

"You told me to call you that—!"

"Do you really think this is the same as before?"

"..."

Lee Baekho fell silent as Hyunbyul cut him off repeatedly.

'...Well, at least he kept my secret.'

I was about to intervene...

'Wait a minute.'

Why should I defend him?

He had betrayed me and then run away.

'I almost let him get away with it.'

I remembered the humiliation and anger I had felt that day.

"Hyunbyul."

My voice was cold and calm.

Hyunbyul flinched and replied,

"...Yes?"

"Can you leave us alone for a moment? I need to talk to him. We can continue this later."

"Okay..."

Hyunbyul left the chat room without a word.

And...

"..."

"..."

An awkward silence filled the room.

I stared at Lee Baekho, and he finally spoke.

"Haha... Hyung... are you still mad at me?"

I couldn't believe it.

Mad? Was that even the right word?

"Just tell me what you decided."

"...?"

"You said you would give me an answer."

"Ahaha... about Misha... right..."

Lee Baekho scratched his neck awkwardly.

But I wasn't fooled by his act.

I knew how calculating he could be.

He was putting on a show.

"I've been thinking about it..."

"..."

"Surprise! I've decided to give her back! Yay! Clap, clap, clap! What a joyous occasion!"

Was he insane?

"..."

I maintained a serious expression. I couldn't let myself be swept up in his act.

"So... hyung... do you believe me now? I was just kidding before! Joke, joke! Just kidding!"

"..."

"Come on! Are you still mad at me? Let it go! Think of the bigger picture!"

"Ha..."

I couldn't help but sigh.

"...You sighed! So you're not mad anymore? Right?"

"Why would sighing mean that?"

"Don't be like that..."

"..."

I had always been weak against this type of person.

I couldn't just punch him in the face here.

"Stop talking nonsense. When are you giving her back?"

"Anytime! Should I send her tomorrow?"

"Yes, now. And don't tell her about what happened between us. Can you do that?"

"Yep. I was planning to tell her to visit you anyway."

"Can you stop with that tone?"

"Yep? Why?"

"..."

"Hehe, alright. I'll stop. Don't be mad, hyung."

"Ha..."

I tried my best not to get swept up in his act... but it was difficult.

He had backed down and offered a compromise.

'It would have been troublesome if he had refused.'

"So we're done talking about Misha, right? Can we move on to the next topic?"

"The next topic?"

"Yes! You said you would listen to my request if I gave Misha back."

"I said I would listen, not that I would agree."

"That's the same thing. What do you have to lose?"

"That's for me to decide. So tell me. What can you do for me if I help you reach the 10th floor?"

"A lot. I've already done a few things for you."

"...?"

I gave him a look, and he said smugly,

"Marquis Terserion."

"The Prime Minister?"

"Yes. He can't touch you anymore."

...What was he talking about?