Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 469: Friend or Foe (1)

Ding-!

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

"A ssage...?"

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

The ti stamp was only a few seconds ago.

It ant the ssage had been sent as soon as the community opened...

Click, click.

I opened the ssage.

[Sender: Ghost master.]

[I'd like to have a word with you.]

A short, one-line ssage.

Below it were the na 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 mont, but I quickly made up my mind.

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

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

It wouldn't hurt to be a little late.

He wouldn't leave without talking to , anyway.

"It's been a while, Lion."

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

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 et 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 sothing 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 accomplishnt, but I maintained a serious expression.

"So?"

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

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

I hadn't expected him to be so straightforward.

"Why should I answer that?"

The GM replied imdiately.

"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 sothing from , and I need sothing from you."

Give and take.

The GM had given what I wanted because he also wanted sothing 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 imdiately after hearing about "Elfnunna"...'

It only made 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 ntioned the nickna 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 t 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... soone I greatly respected.]

He had mistaken for Auril Gabis.

So I had theorized that the GM's obsession with Elf Noona stemd 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 Fragnt of Records that sent back in ti? 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 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 . Are you 'Elfnunna'?"

It was the sa 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 stemd from ignorance.

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

And the Earth Witch's warning was also bothering .

"...I see."

Thankfully, the GM didn't seem suspicious.

He had just been testing .

"Then tell 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 sothing 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 an."

"...?"

"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 !"

"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 and jumped up, rushing towards .

"..."

Hyunbyul flinched and looked at 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 statent.

"Haha, Noona! That's not what I—"

"Why are you calling noona?"

"You told to call you that—!"

"Do you really think this is the sa 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 and then run away.

'I almost let him get away with it.'

I rembered 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 mont? 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 ?"

I couldn't believe it.

Mad? Was that even the right word?

"Just tell what you decided."

"...?"

"You said you would give 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 now? I was just kidding before! Joke, joke! Just kidding!"

"..."

"Co on! Are you still mad at ? 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 an 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?"

"Anyti! 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 troubleso 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 sa thing. What do you have to lose?"

"That's for to decide. So tell . What can you do for 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 Pri Minister?"

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

...What was he talking about?