Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 372



Episode 372: Black Star (5)

Surprisingly the conversation with Hyeonbyeol was comfortable.

I thought it would be much more awkward because relationships are like that and there are things we hide from each other.

‘Once the line is drawn it’s very convenient because you never cross it first.’

economy culture politics administration etc.

Even if we didn’t know each other’s identities there were many topics we could relate to and we talked about them freely.

How much time has passed like that?

“It’s a library… so maybe we’ve bumped into each other once or twice while passing by?”

“Did you go often too?”

“Just as soon as you have time?”

“Well there’s nothing better than books to get information.”

I checked the time and realized that about two hours had passed since I met Hyeonbyeol.

It’s been so long since she lost track of time.

What should we talk about next?

As she was worrying Hyeonbyeol cautiously opened her mouth from her side.

“But brother.”

“Huh why?”

“What kind of people are your friends?”

“…suddenly?”

When I tilted my head Hyeonbyeol said in a nonchalant tone.

“I’m just curious. “Actually it’s all your fault that you don’t have any friends right?”

“…uh? “You’re hitting the solar plexus here?”

When I asked in a daze Hyeonbyeol quickly added an additional explanation.

“No that’s not what I’m saying… It means that the standard was whether or not my brother considered the other person a friend. Actually there must have been quite a few people who thought of you as a friend right? “Why do people contact me every New Year or birthday?”

“Hey what kind of friend is that? “He’s an acquaintance.”

“So that way of thinking is the problem.”

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There was a lot to say but I didn’t refute it because what he wanted to say was clearly conveyed.

“That’s why I was surprised. “The friend you just met… you think of him as a friend too right?”

“yes…?”

“To be honest I don’t really understand what kind of magic was done to change someone like you like this? “What kind of people are they?”

…Is it so strange that he would say that? I have a friend.

For some reason I felt bitterness but I gave the answer.

“Just believable. “To the point where I don’t have to worry at all even if I hold a knife behind my back.”

“Hmm you mean you were able to build deep trust because you had to fight for your life a lot?”

“I guess so?”

“But isn’t that just a colleague not a friend?”

uh….

But…

“If you think about the background of this era socially colleagues are considered a close and trustworthy relationship that is more than just friends—”

“Well we were just colleagues.”

“….”

I didn’t answer anything.

Well what does it matter whether you are a friend or a colleague?

The key is that we are important people to each other.

“…What is it? “What about those eyes?”

“Come to think of it you didn’t have any friends either right?”

“There are a lot of people who think of me as a friend right?”

You know that.

But you’re similar to me right?

What I think is more important than what others think.

“So have you made any friends here?”

“…There is no need. “I’m going back anyway.”

“okay? “Then there’s nothing we can do.”

When I said this with a grin Hyeonbyeol looked up at me with somewhat resentful eyes.

However that time was short.

“uh?”

Hyeonbyeol suddenly flinched.

“Suddenly I heard a voice in my ear ‘Tiring!’ “I heard a sound.”

“Oh I see you got a message.”

“Is it a note…?”

“Have you posted anything on the exchange?”

“I haven’t posted anything but I did send a suggestion in the information purchase post. I thought it would be convenient if I earned some GP. “How do I check my brother’s message?”

“You can’t see that here. “You have to go out and see it for yourself on the computer.”

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“…Then I guess I’ll have to check later.”

“Don’t do that go and see now. “Given the late reply I think a message was sent to another seller as well.”

When I said that first Hyeonbyeol’s expression brightened.

It seems she thought this was reasonable.

“Then I’m sorry but I’ll be back soon.”

“huh? “You’re coming?”

“…Are you sure you want to go?”

“If you wait you won’t be in a hurry to finish quickly. Why do you do that? “I’ll see you again next time.”

“….”

“Besides today is your first time coming to the community? “Instead of just sitting here with me we should check out other functions as well.”

“That’s… right.”

As expected when I spoke logically Hyunbyeol nodded without much rebuttal.

“Then see you next month.”

“Okay I’m doing well so far.”

Soon we even briefly said goodbye.

Well that was definitely the case.

however….

“….”

“….”

“What are you doing if you’re not going?”

“….”

“Oh should I go first? then-”

I was trying to focus my mind to leave the chat room.

“for a moment!”

Hyeonbyeol urgently grabbed my sleeve.

and….

“Hey brother.”

Hyeonbyeol turned her gaze into space and continued speaking.

“How do I get out…?”

Huh I was wondering what I was doing alone in an empty chat room.

I heard he also has a really strange and sharp side.

“No way you….”

It’s not that you were waiting for someone to come but that you were stuck because you didn’t know how to get out?

***

“You mean… 22 years ago?”

The white man asked pressing his lips and the woman answered.

“yes. I definitely said that. “The jewel on her round table glowed green.”

“….”

“How did this happen? “That was before the community was even properly created right?”

The man pursed his lips at those words.

Actually he had something to point out.

The masked man I met for the first time after taking over authority over the spiritual world from an old man believed to be Auril Gavis.

[Whether you believe it or not is your choice. I just came here to warn you.]

At first the man pretended to be someone else but when the story was revealed he gave advice that was unclear whether it was a warning or a threat.

and….

[Yes that was your name.]

He was forced to learn his own name.

“…Master’s hands are shaking.”

The man lowered her head without realizing it.

Her fingertips were trembling slightly.

It was already more than 20 years ago but still.

“….”

Of course he knows now.

The energy that was constricting his body at that time was to survive.

but….

Wow.

The man grabbed her knees with his trembling hands and forced her to stop shaking.

As the saying goes ignorance is medicine.

Sometimes knowing something makes you even more afraid.

He couldn’t even imagine how many people he would have to kill to do something like that.

‘But who would have guessed that the lion mask was him…’

It was so long ago that I couldn’t make the connection right away but thinking about it now it all explains.

I also knew his real name was Jurben Havellion.

That ridiculous way of living that Soul Queens reported.

He said 3 months….’

She felt both fear and relief at the same time.

If he had shown courage and immediately rejected the threat the man could have become his enemy.

But as much as she was afraid she needed to know about him.

What if the unidentified man I encountered 22 years ago was a detective?

What on earth is his purpose?

That will be the key to the current situation.

‘It was three years ago that he reappeared in the community.’

Nickname is Elfnuna.

I believe it is not an evil spirit from another world but this is not certain either.

He’s too secretive to say anything about.

‘As soon as he entered the community he contacted Lee Baek-ho and immediately entered the round table.’

If so what was the reason?

The clue was in a conversation we had 22 years ago.

“Auril Gavis….”

“Isn’t that the name of the game creator?”

He warned the man who had just taken over the reins.

He told them to beware of Auril Garvis the old man to whom he had handed over authority.

He brought us into this world and he doesn’t feel any guilt about it.

“….”

“Excuse me. “You must be thinking.”

Slowly the thread unravels.

The investigator is Auril Gavis’ enemy.

The reason why he reappeared in the community after nearly 20 years…

‘Because the Master of the Round Table was… Auril Garvis?’

Nickname 0720.

The one who created the Watchers of the Round Table and the one who assumed that he was an evil spirit from another world.

‘No there are a lot of contradictions here too.’

“Soul Queens you said that the Master of the Round Table once visited the Round Table right?”

“yes. “I wasn’t there at the time but that’s what I heard.”

“At that time the two seemed to be close friends.”

“yes. “It is said that all members were surprised because it seemed like an informal relationship.”

“That’s right….”

It seemed like the thread was finally coming loose but the man hit the wall again.

Does it feel like the more you dig into it the more you sink into a swamp?

Auril Gavis the Master the Investigator and Baekho Lee.

I had no idea what I was hoping for.

Even though I tried to put it all together I ran into contradictions due to the lack of clues.

but….

Crackling.

Still one thing was certain.

Even at this very moment in a place you don’t know.

It is said that giants who are incomparable to themselves are advancing towards their goals with great determination.

“…I guess I have no choice but to admit it at this point.”

“What?”

Her man clamped her mouth shut.

Owner of the community? GM? Oldest player?

Even though many players call him that and look up to him the truth does not change.

“….”

In the end he too was nothing more than a fool.

“Soul Queens it seems like a lot of things are happening in places we don’t know about.”

“Yes I’ve been feeling that way a lot lately too.”

“I guess I’ll have to try harder in the future.”

However rather than the man despairing she chose to acknowledge her shortcomings and move on.

And as if the heavens responded.

“…Master Ma! There is an investigator in the Korean chat room! Two people can enter—”

“Who is one?”

“HS123. I am the person who helped you enter the room earlier. “Ha he was Korean!”

“…It means that you are a new member of this team.”

The man hurriedly gave instructions.

“Send a note there. “I need to meet you.”

She didn’t know if this was an opportunity she would never have again.

***

A small room with a bed on one side and a computer desk on the other.

Kang Hyeon-byul thought she was kind of funny.

[This space is the embodiment of my imagination.]

The guide I met when I first entered the community said that.

Her mental barrier is so thick that she can’t see herself.

Are you saying that this space is based on the place that comes to mind first? I thought it was where I thought I should be or where I felt most stable.

however….

‘It’s so funny. ‘It’s here.’

Kang Hyun-byeol smiled coldly.

I know it’s this place.

But isn’t there someone who should be the most important?

“…Let’s just do what we have to do.”

She looked around her room and then sat down in front of the computer desk.

Then she checked the note and frowned.

‘What it wasn’t a note from the buyer?’

Aside from feeling somewhat annoyed Kang Hyeon-byul carefully read the contents of her note.

It was because of her nickname written in her sender’s address.

‘If it’s Soul Queens… it’s the receptionist girl I met earlier when I first came in.’

I don’t know why but she was requesting a meeting with me through her note.

Click click.

Without much hesitation Kang Hyeon-byul entered the password written in her message and entered the chat room.

There were two men and a woman there.

The woman was someone she knew.

And the man…

[Elfnunalove.]

What on earth is this nickname?

Kang Hyeon-byul said she felt physiological discomfort from the beginning but she did not show it outwardly.

“hello. nice to see you. “It’s called Elf Noona Love.”

“yes. hello. “But what’s going on?”

“Something to say to HS123—”

“Please just say that. “It’s a bit weird to be called that name when you’re face to face.”

“Ahaha I understand. “There is a bit of that.”

At Kang Hyeon-byeol’s request the man burst into a good-natured laugh.

But she was just being ridiculous.

‘Does someone who knows that have a nickname like that?’

She quickly finished her judgment while looking at him with her cold gaze.

‘Anyway I went out a little harshly but the fact that he came out in such a low manner… I guess there’s a reason for that.’

Kang Hyeon-byeol had no intention of looking at the man standing in front of her in the slightest.

Although he looks kind of stupid….

Because it is foolish to judge only by appearance.

The woman with the nickname Soul Queens was the manager.

But is it possible that the man standing with such a woman as if assisting him is an ordinary person?

‘Someone who may be the GM personally called me a newbie…’

She didn’t need to think deeply.

When the message arrived that creepy nickname strange posture etc.

Looking at it all together there is only one possibility.

‘I guess it has something to do with Hansoo oppa.’

In fact her guess was correct.

“You said that person was Korean right?”

“Excuse me but can we get straight to the point? “I don’t have much time.”

“Haha I understand that this is your first visit. “If you check everything even 12 hours is not enough.”

“….”

Kang Hyeon-byeol didn’t bother to answer.

As always the method was very effective.

“You were a blunt person. So let’s get straight to the point. What is Elvenunnara’s relationship with the users?”

“Why do I have to answer?”

“I’ll give you a GP.”

“We met for the first time today. But why is that?”

“Hmm….”

The man with her strange nickname Elf Sister Love seemed to be wondering whether what she was saying was true or not and then she began to tell him the reason why she had called him here.

“I want to buy information about Elfnunna.”

“Are you telling me to investigate that man? “I saw you for the first time today?”

“Even trivial information is good. I heard Koreans are close to each other? HS123… No if that person approaches I will let my guard down a little.”

“…What about compensation?”

When Kang Hyeon-byeol asked carefully her man gave a short answer.

“Everything you want.”

“…Do you know what I want?”

“No matter what it is we have the power to make it happen.”

“Is that… really…?”

Soon Kang Hyeon-byeol put aside her cold attitude and raised the corners of her mouth.

That was natural.

She said she would keep her faith and had no intention of leaving her position.

Isn’t that such a stupid thing to do?

‘My brother is so rude… I don’t know what he’s doing but he’s following these guys behind him.’

Her eyes widened.