Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Of course, Ibaekho also has a team.

And I know his team pretty well.

After all, before I returned, Misha was once a member of that team.

"Ah! Baron Yandel! By the way, how is Miss Kalstein doing? She was a kind beastkin! Though a bit cold to us!"

Rek Aures, former Noark gatekeeper.

He's a tank like me, and besides having met once in the past, we have some history.

Back when Ibaekho was disguised as Rihen Schutz, he was the one who consumed the 'Deep Sea Giant' essence he took from me.

And then...

'The Doom Scholar.'

Belvev Ruinzenes.

The first mage to join Ibaekho's team, and someone I must repay someday.

I grabbed Elwen's wrist tightly, fearing she might act rashly, and felt her strong trembling.

It was natural.

"That man... your sister..."

Elwen's sister, Daria, died.

Blocking a spell the Doom Scholar cast to kill Elwen.

"Not yet the time. Don't act rashly."

Muttering shortly, I released her hand, and Elwen took a step back after a moment.

Despite seeing someone like a mortal enemy, she somehow regained her composure.

"Hmm, impressive. To lose one's light so much in the meantime."

The Doom Scholar, watching Elwen from afar, muttered something incomprehensible.

"Is it because someone with a greater destiny is nearby?"

Like a cult fanatic, his murmurs felt unpleasant.

Turning my gaze sideways, I saw two figures.

'Judging by their appearance, that one must be the archer Misha mentioned...'

The other was wrapped tightly in a robe.

Judging by build, likely a man...

Anyway, it seems to be the new companion Ibaekho mentioned.

Someone not to be revealed outside yet.

'Most likely a healer based on the composition...'

Of course, this isn't something to worry about right now.

It seemed he was coming to his senses just then.

"Ahem ahem! Long time no see! Baron Yandel!"

The awkwardly pronounced 'Baron' grated on my ears, but I understood.

We weren't alone here.

I had needed time to collect my thoughts anyway.

However, the reactions of his companions were quite striking.

"...Baekho, did you eat something bad?"

Starting with the gatekeeper bluntly asking, to the genuinely surprised look on the archer's face.

"Could you really speak that way...?"

Considering how arrogant he usually is, it's absurd that using even a little honorific causes this reaction.

But remembering his old self, I understood.

Well, is it really his 'old' self?

"Ah, and you too, long time no see! So your name is... Emily Raines now?"

"......"

"Strange how my companions like Nyang and you all end up near Baron Yandel. No manners at all?"

No manners my ass.

Misha was originally my companion.

I heard Amelia didn't join as a companion but infiltrated as a spy on a mission.

"Yandel, be careful. That Ibaekho guy is very dangerous."

Maintaining a standoff, Versil quietly advised me.

But did he hear that from that distance?

"Huh? You know me? I think this is the first time we've met."

"...Yes, first time."

"Then why say such bad things?"

"......"

"Tch, that's why prejudices are scary. Pretending to know everything without ever meeting..."

Despite Ibaekho's rude words, Versil didn't reply and averted his eyes.

He looked visibly scared...

"Well, do you think I'd kill you? Relax—"

"That's enough."

As a leader, I couldn't just stand by, so I cut in.

Though confused by the sudden meeting, first I had to confirm something quickly.

"Ibaekho."

"Yes, speak."

"Did you... follow us?"

What was Ibaekho's intention?

Since we were outnumbered and outmatched, this was the first thing to confirm.

Otherwise, I might regret not bringing all our clan members.

"Saying I followed you is a bit self-conscious, isn't it?"

"Then it was just a coincidence?"

"Yes. I was really surprised. Why is our Baron Yandel in a place like this? With no witnesses or helpers?"

"......"

Though the remark didn't sound like a joke and gave me chills, it was probably just part of his move to take control in our conversation.

Ignoring it, I judged based on the information.

Honestly, judging by the situation, it really seemed like a coincidence.

So, the second question.

"Then what about you? Why did you come all the way to this secluded place?"

Why did he come down here?

His answer was beyond imagination.

"To go to a convenience store."

Uh...

"...What?"

"Ah! Right, our Baron Yandel doesn't know what a convenience store is! My bad! My bad!"

Is this guy crazy?

Staring seriously, Ibaekho continued with an embarrassed look.

"Just kidding... probably for the same reason."

"For the same reason...?"

"Huh? Baron, weren't you here to go outside too?"

So, you came here for the same reason.

"But I'm curious. Why does our Baron suddenly want to go outside? Can you tell me just a little? Just between us, okay?"

Maybe because we weren't alone, talking to this guy felt especially tiring today.

He lives without caring about others, but I can't.

"Enough jokes. If this really was a coincidence, just move on first."

"Hmm... alright then."

Leading his companions, Ibaekho moved away from the door and entered Noark through the side door first.

And then...

"Will that guy do?"

He asked me as he passed, tossing the question casually.

Not knowing what or who he meant, I stayed silent for a moment, and Ibaekho chuckled.

"What? Is this your first time today? No wonder..."

No wonder?

Though the remark felt somewhat unpleasant, I no longer wanted to talk with him.

"...Just get lost already."

"Yes, enjoy your game!"

Is there anyone more detestable than this guy?

Ibaekho didn't warn me not to follow or try anything like that.

He just went straight ahead like he didn't care, and seeing that made me sure the letter he once sent me in Korean wasn't a lie.

Honestly, I was a bit skeptical.

So I asked Amelia to check separately for double confirmation...

'Amelia also said the place seems to be the plaza.'

The spot where Ibaekho's team stopped was indeed that location.

"They stopped."

Noark Plaza, once bustling with marauders.

Flash!

A brief burst of light appeared, and Amelia and Elwen simultaneously lost their sense of their presence.

"...They disappeared."

We hurried to the plaza, and Elwen quickly scanned the empty space, looking at Versil.

"Was that... magic just now?"

"Yes. Multi-dimensional teleportation magic. From the residual mana, it seems a hidden magic circle beneath this plaza was activated..."

"Don't worry. I know the spell to activate that magic circle."

"What? You know?"

How?

Looking at Versil's expression, I awkwardly smiled.

"He's a noble. There are ways to find out everything."

"Ah..."

Well, I can't honestly say I heard it from Ibaekho.

"Now, let's begin."

Standing in the middle of the plaza, I gathered my companions nearby to prepare for any emergencies.

And slowly recited the incantation.

Actually, it was very poetic, so it felt a bit embarrassing to say alone...

But what can you do?

Ancient mages must have had this kind of sensibility.

"My body is made of swords. My blood is steel, and my heart is glass..."

Still, I had questions.

Why is a sword mentioned in a magic spell?

I couldn't understand, but continued the chant clearly.

And then...

"...That body is undoubtedly made of swords."

Having braved the embarrassment, I completed the incantation.

Flash!

No sound or light burst forth.

"...?"

"...?"

My companions looked at me with confused eyes.

Actually, I was the most confused.

'What? Why nothing happened?'

It didn't take long to realize the situation properly.

No, more precisely, I understood.

[What? Is this your first time today? No wonder...]

Ibaekho's earlier unheard remark.

'No wonder he didn't get angry.'

...I'd been tricked.

The moment I realized I was being toyed with, a burning fury rose from deep inside.

But getting angry wouldn't help.

"Uh... I guess that info was wrong! It happens!"

"Don't blame yourself. Nobles don't always get correct information."

"......"

Though my companions comforted me, I quickly regained my composure to seek a solution.

"Versil, could you—?"

"Not now. These ancient magic circles require many conditions to activate."

"How long do you think it will take?"

"...I don't know. I have no knowledge here. I can't even guess."

That ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) damned Ibaekho bastard.

[Will that guy do?]

Now I know who he was referring to when he said that.

Unfortunately, it seems Versil noticed it too.

"Today is full of frustrating things."

Though he said 'frustrating,' his voice sounded more like resignation than anger.

I understood how he felt.

Realistically, only a few top-tier mages in an era can be like the Doom Scholar.

'...It's something to overcome alone.'

Thinking back, it was the same with Rotmiller.

Such feelings can only be overcome by oneself regardless of what others say.

"...Can I look around alone for a bit?"

"Sure. We'll stay far away."

"Thank you."

At Versil's request, we left the place, and I took a long walk around Noark with nothing better to do.

Actually, it wasn't only Versil whose mind was troubled.

If anything, his mind seemed more troubled.

"...Elwen."

"Yes?"

"Are you alright?"

"...Yes, I'm fine. It's just not the time yet. Not yet."

Even though she smiled bravely, I couldn't feel reassured.

Maybe because Amelia, walking silently beside me, had similar thoughts, she brought up a new topic.

"By the way, Yandel, I've been wondering... what exactly is a convenience store?"

"Oh, that...?"

Knowing she wanted to change the mood, I answered brightly.

And some time passed.

"...Feels like we're out for a stroll. Nice."

Thankfully, Elwen seemed to relax gradually.

Well, it's hard to understand calling a dark underground city a 'stroll' in natural light.

"By the way, the place we reunited was here too, right...?"

"Yeah. Do you know how surprised I was then?"

"...Sorry. I was too distracted back then."

"No need to apologize."

Anyway, when we returned to the plaza after the unexpected walk, Versil was still examining the floor diligently.

"How about taking a break? We can clear our schedules and stay a few more days."

"Ah... alright."

"...Did you find anything?"

I asked cautiously, and after a long silence, Versil answered in a tiny voice, like an ant crawling.

"...Yes."

"Oh, that's a relief—"

"For me, even if given years, I couldn't find anything."

Ah...

For a moment, I was lost for words, but hearing him continue, he didn't seem too broken.

"Well, that's only natural. I never really studied this field. I spent all my time learning battle magic."

Listening to him, it seemed less rationalization and more acceptance of reality.

"So I just give up. Don't say I lack determination."

"I never thought that."

"It's quite embarrassing, but what can I do? Sorry. To investigate further, we'll need a much more skilled and professional mage."

A professional mage...

"Do you have anyone to recommend?"

"There is one. That person might shorten the time more than the Doom Scholar."

"More than the Doom Scholar? Who's that?"

I asked, tilting my head, and Versil named someone completely unexpected.

"Jurben Havelion."

Jurben Havelion.

"He's known as the Arcane Engineer, leader of a school, and an idol among manufacturing mages."

Versil's explanation was accurate, but if you look closely, one crucial detail was missing.

Jurben Havelion.

GM of the ghost community 'Ghost Busters.'

'...Maybe it's not a bad idea to meet him this time.'