Surviving as a Barbarian in the Game - Episode 578
578angry return (4)
This cider is filled with ice and has a refreshing feel..
I shook the glass a bit to make it cool, and then drank it down in one go..
Well, when the ice melts, the taste becomes bland.?
“Ugh…….”
Yeah, this is it.
How much I missed this taste.
Everything in this world is bearable, but there are no carbonated drinks..
Although carbonation can be found in beer, it feels very different from modern beer..
‘…Should I go back??’
The taste is enough to make the will to return, which has now largely disappeared, sprout again..
Baekho Lee needs to know.
I know that if I had made cider and fed it a few times while using the stone of revival and all, I would have seriously considered returning..
“Sir, please give me one more drink..”
After emptying my glass, I even got a refill..
However, this time I did not hit one shot and savored the taste slowly..
“you… You look really happy?”
Well, it makes people feel embarrassed..
People like us are happy, but when we hear something like that, we have a tendency to suddenly feel bad..
“Well then, tell me a little bit now. How did you meet??”
“Oh, you mean the witch??”
“okay. I just don't understand. No matter how much I think about it, I don't think there was any way for you to meet her.…….”
Hmm.
“How can you be sure of that??”
When I ask with my eyes wide open, Auril Gabis turns into a mute and rolls his eyes..
“…….”
Honestly, I got goosebumps..
What, they were really watching my every move.?
In what way?
While I was thinking about it, the old man passed away like a snake..
“First of all, I guess we didn't meet on the first basement floor due to timing. And I remember you were very busy during that time. It's a matter within the tribe, it's a magic tower or something, didn't they even capture the class lord twice during that time??”
Well, it's true that I've been busy..
While I already had a lot of work to do, I was also sued by Count Alminus, so I was out of my mind..
But that doesn't mean that the old man's words don't sound like excuses..
“You already drank it all. Give it to me. I'll pour you another drink..”
As soon as the glass was empty, Auril Gavis quickly took it and refilled it..
It's a bit hard to say this, but in some ways, he was a very consistent old man..
Depending on the situation, should I say that switching sides is like a ghost??
“Sir, no matter how much you say, I can’t tell you for free. I need something left too.”
Let's draw a clear line, and when only the two of us are left, Auril Gavis takes off his mask and becomes angry..
“It's free! What does that mean? Didn’t they pour you some cider like this?!”
“yes. thank you for that.”
“If you really appreciate people—.”
Oh, you're crossing the line.
“If it's all done with cider, why is there money and why are there magic stones? Just drink a glass of cider and you're done.?”
Auril Gavis's expression hardened when he was openly mocking him..
“I always feel like you have a knack for making people uncomfortable..”
I felt a lot of pressure because he was smiling like a neighbor's old man and then suddenly made a straight face like that..
But, so what??
This isn't the first time I've experienced this situation. Now I know about this old man too..
“Don't act angry. Because it still doesn’t work anyway.”
In fact, when I passed it over like nothing happened, Auril Gavis returned to his original expression as if he had never done that before..
“LOL, you really aren't that easy either. So… what do you want from me?”
The only thing you can offer a wild horse that doesn't respond to the whip is a carrot..
“I'm sure you're doing this because you want something.?”
In fact, there is nothing I want for sure..
No, to be precise, there are so many things I want to ask that I'm having trouble deciding what to choose..
Therefore, we need to set priorities.…….
‘The question of what you're planning would be too broad.’
In the end, after much thought, I decided on a more specific question..
“Why do you want to shut down Ghostbusters??”
Questions asking about the motive of the old man's most recent actions.
“Hmm, can I just answer? There are no jewels here to hide the truth.”
It seemed like he would make a new gem right away if I wanted to, but I just declined..
“Okay, so just give it a try. Anyway, just because it exists doesn’t mean you can trust it 100%..”
“It's up to you to decide whether it's true or not..”
“yes. So please answer well. If you get caught messing around, it's ultimately your loss..”
“loss?”
“From now on, no matter what the elders say, you will never believe it..”
It may sound childish, but this time it was a fairly effective threat. Because this old man wants to control me like a puppet..
We have to somehow maintain a good relationship.…….
“Hmm…….”
But why doesn't this old man answer and just look at me like a pervert??
“why. Do you have anything to say??”
“Nope.”
“No, what were you trying to say now?.”
From the beginning, people looked at him as if he was joking, and soon Auril Gavis reluctantly opened his mouth..
“I was just a little impressed..”
“……?”
“Your attitude toward faith.”
This is the sound of someone hanging from the roof and eating straw shoes while sleeping.?
When I looked at him with that expression, the old man continued speaking..
“If anyone betrays you, there will be punishment. Because that's what faith is to you..”
Isn’t that the same for everyone?.
Then I was betrayed, hahaha, just smile and move on.?
Even though I was thinking that in my mind, I just held it in and listened..
“Just as the stricter the law, the more difficult it is for people to commit crimes, your faith is also established by having the means to punish.—.”
Oh, I really can't listen to you..
Just hearing you say it, doesn't it feel like I'm a patient with a serious suspected illness who can't trust people if I don't have the upper hand?.
I asked bluntly.
“Sir, do you have a problem with your head? No, how on earth can you possibly interpret what I said to that extent??”
“Hmm…….”
“First, think about what the old man did in the first place. What do I see and believe??”
“So it's different for your colleagues??”
Of course it is..
…I tried to answer, but for some reason I couldn't answer right away..
It's because I remembered what this old man said a little while ago..
[If someone betrays you, there will be punishment..]
punishment.
Maybe what I did to Misha was one of those things??
I don't know, but this topic ends here.
“……Okay, just answer the questions I ask. Why are you closing this door??”
“If I answer a question, will you answer it too??”
I answered my grandfather’s question without any hesitation..
“Just give it a listen and if you think it's worth it..”
To interpret it, it means that it is ready to run at any time..
***
Vague answer, not a definite answer.
Auril Gavis must have clearly recognized the meaning contained in that nuance..
but…….
“Good. Then listen and decide..”
For some reason, this old man accepted my offer without saying anything..
“As expected, old man, you are feeling refreshed today as well.?”
“……Could you please stop changing your attitude so quickly? I feel like I'm a child who can be consoled and comforted..”
“It's my mood. Blame it on my mood.”
“…….”
“So what is the answer??”
When asked with a friendly smile, Auril Gavis answered with a sigh..
“The reason they want to shut down Ghostbusters is simple. This place isn't doing very well for players right now. It's different from what I intended..”
“It's not working well.?”
“This place is like a haven for players. You can share stories about your hometown and relieve loneliness with people in the same situation..”
“But why does it have a bad effect??”
“That's the problem. People who are satisfied with the present will eventually choose to settle down..”
“ah…….”
I think I know what you mean..
In fact, you can immediately sense that atmosphere just by looking at the free bulletin board..
It's easy to find posts about things such as discussing house prices, getting married, or even having a child..
“The same goes for those friends from earlier. A few years ago, I would never have passed up an opportunity like that..”
This old man seemed to think that the reason the OX quiz ended in vain was because of that mentality..
Well, it's not wrong..
“So you're saying you're going to get rid of it? Because if this place is in operation, no one will think about going back to their hometown.?”
“You can roughly think of it like that..”
You can roughly think of it like that.…….
Just by looking at it, it seems like there's a lot left unsaid..
“Well then, what about it? Is this enough??”
“no. I don't know if there is some great secret hidden there, but my conclusion is that it is too valuable to exchange for the witch's information..”
To put it simply, I'm going to run away..
However, surprisingly, Auril Gavis' expression was calm..
It feels like there is nothing to lose even if the conversation ends like this..
Are you acting calm to protect the initiative??
In the end, I was the one who spoke first..
How did the meeting happen, but we couldn't part ways like this without any benefit?.
“That's why…….”
“…….”
“Why not just leave the community alone? Then I will also give you information about the witch..”
Actually, I didn't say this because I wanted to protect the community..
I was just curious about Auril Gavis' reaction to this offer.—.
“That's impossible.”
Yeah, this is rejection..
This means that shutting down the community is a higher priority than hearing information from witches..
If so, what is the reason?.
No matter how you look at it, I don't think the reason is that the players' minds have become lax..
“Well, today’s story ends here..”
“yes. Even if you ask in detail, you won't get an answer anyway, right??”
“LOL, you need to trust people..”
“I trust you. Who can you trust?.”
With that soulless answer, the conversation slowly came to an end..
“I guess I'll just have to go now. There's one last thing I need to do before it closes. See you next time then.”
“yes. I don't know when, but the next time I see you, please tell me everything that's on your mind..”
“That sounds a bit strange. Actually, I can still tell you everything. If you're ready to believe everything I say.”
Oh, so many lies in my mouth.
When I laughed in an absurd tone, Auril Gavis also laughed as if he knew that..
and…….
“I don't know if you believe me or not, but I'll give you one last piece of advice..”
“advice? I'll listen first, so tell me..”
“Baekho Lee.”
“Baekho Lee……?”
“Don't be too close to that friend..”
It was endless, but there was no way to say anything back..
“That's all the advice. See you later.”
With those words, Auril Gavis left the round table, and as I watched the scene in vain, I slowly came to my senses and gathered my thoughts..
It was because of the number of cases that suddenly came to mind..
‘Baekho Lee…….’
perhaps…….
Not sure yet, but maybe.
Could this be the reason Auril Garvis is shutting down the community??
Just as if you burn thatch, you will be sure to kill fleas. If this community disappears, the way for me to communicate with Baekho Lee will be blocked..
Well, in the end, it's all just my guess so it's meaningless..
“Damn old man. How is it that there is no way to say anything properly until the end?.”
The sighing murmur echoes hollowly in the hall..
“…….”
Somehow, an unknown silence.
An empty seat with only a bunch of chairs and a round table where the jewel that was a symbol of the meeting has disappeared..
‘I really feel like I'm screwed.’
Now, I'm thinking about going out and doing something, but I can't stop moving..
Should I say that I don’t really feel it??
Antlers and Crescent left in the first lap, followed by Auril Gavis, who left the rally one by one..
Tuk.
I picked up the lion mask I had taken off earlier while drinking cider and put it on my head. This will probably be the last time I wear this mask..
I felt somewhat attached to it..
“Is this really the last time?…….”
It's hard to say, but it feels empty somewhere..
I didn't imagine a happy atmosphere like the graduation ceremony, but I never thought it would end like this..
Is that why??
[I can't say thank you.]
[Do you really think this is fun? you are?]
For some reason, the last words the two said keep ringing in my ears..
However, I shook my head and shook off the distracting thoughts..
‘What kind of predicament are you in? In the first place, we didn't gather to be friends or anything..’
Immediately, I smiled, took off my mask, placed it on the round table, and then looked around the empty round table..
“……It's not fun.”
That's how the last meeting ended..
***
Hansoo Lee’s room after watching the end of the round table.
After rolling around in bed for a while, I soon composed myself and sat down in front of the computer to check my message box..
‘First of all, there was a message.…….’
Contrary to expectations, it is not the message from GM that one was waiting for..
[From: HS123]
HS123.
In other words, a note from Hyeonbyeol..
Well, because of Lee Baek-ho, I couldn't even say hello properly..
So what is written in the note?.
Click click.
As soon as I open the note, the contents inside unfold..
[I know that when we asked each other to reveal our identities in the past, my brother drew the line first. But now I want to do whatever I want. I can't tell you in detail about my identity in a message because the management might spy on me secretly..]
In the end, the main point was the last line..
[See you outside.]
It's outside…….
First of all, I need to escape from the labyrinth quickly..
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