Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 343: Comeback (2)

Chapter 343: Comeback (2)

I ran countless simulations before coming to the Round Table.

After all, there had been a sudden gap of two years and six months. The members would definitely be curious about my absence.

‘Maybe someone even figured out that I’m Bjorn Yandel because our disappearances coincided.’

But I wasn’t too worried about that.

Only Amelia and Erwen knew I was alive.

I could dispel those suspicions just by showing my face at the Round Table.

The real problem would be after I revealed that I was alive…

‘Well, I’ll figure it out when the time comes.’

There was a more pressing matter.

I had run simulations, considering various scenarios, and I had reached a conclusion.

“Lion…”

“…You’re really alive.”

I didn’t have to explain anything, no matter how surprised or curious they were.

“Aren’t you going to move aside?”

“Ah… yes…!”

Clown, who had been standing frozen in front of the door, flinched and stepped aside at my curt words.

SoulQueens did the same.

Of course, she was much better than Clown, who was completely stunned.

“…You haven’t changed at all, have you?”

She observed me with an amused gaze as she moved aside. Although her relaxed tone bothered me, I didn’t show it.

I just ignored her and walked past.

Thud.

I sat down in my usual spot, acting indifferent.

“…….”

“…….”

A strange silence followed. The members stared at me, glancing at each other.

Their intentions were clear.

They wanted someone else to ask the questions.

‘Damn, it’s been a while.’

Could it be because I had been cooped up at home for the past few months?

I felt a liberating sense of power.

A few seconds passed in silence.

Thud!

The doors that had been open slammed shut.

It was past 3:10, and the entry period was over.

In other words, it meant that the meeting could begin.

Therefore…

“Are you going to keep standing there?”

I looked at Clown and SoulQueens and said,

“Sit down.”

I had a lot to hear from them.

And a lot to tell them.

______________________

“Pfft, I showed you an embarrassing side of me.”

Clown, who had been frozen against the wall, snapped out of his daze and sat down.

He looked at me with unconcealed joy.

“Welcome back, Lion.”

What the hell is this guy talking about?

Did he forget that I told him not to act so friendly last time?

Well, I guess he could have forgotten after two years and six months.

“…….”

I ignored him, and he chuckled, as if he had expected it.

“Reason.”

Stag Antlers was the next to speak.

“You disappeared for over two years, and now you’re back. Why?”

He stood up and asked me directly, his tone aggressive.

But my answer was already prepared.

“Well.”

“You’re not going to answer?”

Stag Antlers’ voice rose as I exercised my right to remain silent. It sounded like the tone the royal family used when interrogating someone…

I felt a bit sorry for him.

He had lost his edge after being away from the Round Table for two years and six months.

“I’m offended.”

I spoke as coldly as I could.

And…

Whoosh!

…I slowly unleashed my killing intent.

I had to re-establish my authority since I had been away for so long.

“…Ugh.”

Stag Antlers clenched his fists, as if in pain. It seemed like he was ready to listen, but I wasn’t satisfied. I continued to press him with my killing intent.

“Never.”

Stag Antlers’ neck bulged as I spoke.

He was better than Clown, who had been wriggling on the floor like a worm, but it wasn’t much different.

“Look down on me.”

Stag Antlers’ body slowly bent as I unleashed my full killing intent.

As if something was pressing down on his shoulders.

I looked at him with satisfaction.

“Yes, like that.”

Stag Antlers was now kneeling on the ground, looking up at me.

His arms, which were on the table to support his weight, were trembling. It seemed like he was reaching his limit…

But honestly, I was also reaching mine.

‘Ugh, my head…’

The killing intent vanished as soon as I felt a headache.

And at the same time…

“…Gasp!”

Stag Antlers took a deep breath.

Clown scoffed at the sight.

“…Pfft, you foolish and stupid human. Have you forgotten what to do when you have a question for Lion?”

“…….”

“Bring something interesting! Something interesting!”

Clown glanced at me as he spoke.

As if asking for my approval.

I ignored him again.

And after some time…

“Lion.”

A man’s voice broke the silence.

It was Crescent Moon.

The fairy who longed for the Stone of Resurrection more than anyone else at the Round Table.

“It doesn’t matter what you’ve been doing.”

He swallowed his anxiety and questions and said,

“Thank you for coming back.”

It was the perfect reaction.

I felt a bit guilty. He must have been worried sick while I was gone.

‘Should I give him a clue?’

I was thinking that when…

“Hmm, so everything’s settled now?”

SoulQueens spoke in a cheerful voice, changing the mood.

“Then shall we begin? I think we have a lot to talk about today.”

And so, the meeting began.

______________________

The order was quickly decided.

“Then Fox goes first.”

“…It seems that way.”

As always, it was clockwise.

But I would be the last one to go.

“Why did I have to sit here…”

It was an unspoken agreement.

They would share information first, and then I would evaluate it and share my own information in return.

That was how the Round Table usually worked.

“…I haven’t prepared anything special today, so I’ll just share what I was going to talk about here.”

Bersil, the Fox, was the first to share information.

It was a rather interesting story.

“The Dragonslayer, who disappeared after the High Priest kidnapping incident three years ago, has reappeared in the Dark Continent. According to witnesses, he’s much stronger than before, and it seems like he’s even overcome the ‘Dragon’s Curse’.”

News about the Dragonslayer, whom I had almost forgotten.

‘He overcame the Dragon’s Curse…’

It was unfortunate news, but I didn’t dwell on it.

Nothing would change even if he could use Dragon Speech.

I wasn’t the same person I was before.

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

The jewel on the Round Table emitted a green light, signaling the end of the first turn.

But then…

“Pfft, you’re clever, Fox.”

Clown chuckled and spoke to Bersil.

“…What do you mean?”

“That wasn’t the information you were originally going to share, was it? It’s something that could reveal your identity.”

“…….”

“And judging by Stag Antlers’ reaction, it seems like even the royal family hasn’t heard about this. Did you meet him yourself?”

“I won’t answer any personal questions.”

“Well, whatever. I’ll just ask that salamander bastard who he met in the labyrinth.”

Bersil frowned at Clown’s rude behavior and then remained silent.

The turn naturally passed.

“Then it’s my turn… now.”

It was Stag Antlers’ turn.

He avoided eye contact with me, his expression awkward.

It seemed like he was still affected by my killing intent from earlier.

But he cleared his throat and spoke, trying to act nonchalant.

“The royal family is going to issue a conscription order to all titled nobles soon.”

He was looking at Clown as he spoke, as if trying to gauge Noark’s reaction.

But…

“Pfft, you think I’m scared? It just means they’re desperate.”

…Clown just scoffed, and Stag Antlers didn’t react.

Crescent Moon spoke as soon as the green light went out.

“It’s my turn now.”

I was expecting something good since he had been diligently bringing information after being hooked by the Stone of Resurrection bait…

“Unfortunately, I haven’t prepared anything special.”

…but he had been caught off guard by my sudden appearance.

He seemed worried that I might be disappointed and stop coming.

“It’s about the Blood Spirit Marquis.”

But surprisingly, he shared something interesting.

“A few weeks ago, the Blood Spirit Marquis took most of the support funds the royal family gave to the fairies, saying she needed money. She didn’t give us a reason.”

It was practically a tribal scandal.

SoulQueens asked,

“But even the Blood Spirit Marquis can’t just take that much money without a reason, can she? The royal family’s support funds aren’t a small amount.”

“Of course, it’s an unusual situation. But the elders had no choice when she threatened to sell the Sacred Tree Bow.”

“…Sell the Sacred Tree Bow?”

“It’s embarrassing, but it’s true. But she said she needed the money for something important, so we have to believe that she has a reason.”

The other members couldn’t hide their unease at Crescent Moon’s explanation.

“Pfft, what the hell is that crazy woman planning?”

“If she needs that much money, it can only be for one thing.”

“Well, there’s going to be another bloodbath.”

I felt a strange sensation.

What kind of reputation did Erwen have?

No, wait…

‘She told me she had plenty of money… so she extorted it from her tribe?’

I was speechless.

I had wondered where she got the money to buy a mansion in one day…

‘What would happen if the fairies found out?’

I would be devastated…

Goblin cautiously spoke as I was lost in thought.

“Th, then… can I go now?”

Ah, it was his turn.

‘He’s a paladin from the Leathlas Church, right?’

I was a bit curious about what he would share since I knew his identity, unlike Clown.

“The main church has decided to send all its forces, except for the 1st Paladin Order, to join the royal army.”

What the hell, another war story?

I was disappointed, but I couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘The main church… he’s not even trying to hide it anymore. Or maybe his identity was revealed during the past two years.’

I continued listening, wondering what kind of conversations they had at the Round Table while I was gone.

“Pfft, you guys are so boring. Don’t you know how to entertain Lion?”

It was Clown’s turn.

He shook his head dramatically and then spoke, his eyes gleaming.

“Lee Baekho has the Stone of Resurrection.”

…Huh?

____________________

Clown’s casual announcement caused a stir.

And Crescent Moon was the most agitated.

He couldn’t hide his emotions and muttered,

“Lee Baekho… the one the royal family issued a secret assassination order for…? The Stone of Resurrection…?”

Crescent Moon seemed surprised to hear that Lee Baekho had the Stone of Resurrection, but I was different.

‘Why is Lee Baekho suddenly being mentioned…?’

It was an unexpected name, and I didn’t even know when he had become this famous.

He was just ‘that guy’ two years ago, a name only a few people knew.

And how did he get the Stone of Resurrection?

It was an item you couldn’t obtain without luck, even if you knew the conditions.

“How is it?”

I didn’t have time to space out.

“I thought you might be interested in Lee Baekho, so I brought it up.”

The jewel emitted a green light, and Clown subtly asked for my opinion. I hesitated for a moment and then answered,

“Indeed.”

It was more valuable than the previous information.

I was more interested in this than the war stories.

But I couldn’t be too impressed.

“It wasn’t bad.”

I gave him a lukewarm response.

After all, he would only bring me this kind of information if I showed some appreciation.

‘I should ask Erwen if she knows anything about Lee Baekho when I get back.’

I organized my thoughts and looked ahead.

“Clown, is that true?”

“You can see for yourself, can’t you?”

“Pl, please tell us more—”

“Pfft, I refuse.”

“…….”

Crescent Moon was being humiliated by Clown.

I felt sorry for him, but there was nothing I could do.

It was my first time hearing that Lee Baekho had the Stone of Resurrection.

‘Hmm, this makes it difficult to use the Stone of Resurrection as information… What should I share later?’

I observed the situation, thinking about what information to share next, and then SoulQueens clapped her hands, drawing attention.

And…

“Well, then it’s my turn, isn’t it?”

…she spoke in a seductive voice, looking at me.

“Lion hasn’t logged into Ghostbusters for two years and six months.”

“…….”

“Where have you been all this time?”

Haha…

____________________

All members of the community are forcefully summoned to this spiritual world on the 15th.

Well, there was a way to log out as soon as you entered…

“What do you mean ‘hasn’t logged in’?”

“It means what I said. There’s no record of him logging in.”

It was strange that there was no login record at all.

She must have confirmed it through the GM.

“So I thought he must be dead…”

She must have concluded that I was Bjorn Yandel.

I was the only famous person who died around that time.

But did Goblin sense a contradiction in her words?

“De, dead? But you were waiting for Lion, weren’t you?”

“No, I was waiting for the Master. The one who created this Round Table. I was hoping he might come back.”

“Ah…”

Goblin nodded, and everyone looked at me.

Their intentions were clear.

Swaaaaaaaaaa!

The jewel on the Round Table emitted a green light, so it was true that I hadn't logged in for two and a half years.

They were expecting an explanation.

“Ah, are you going to avoid answering again? Well, this isn't exactly interesting information for you—”

I cut her off and said,

“You’re being bold.”

“Then do I have a reason to be afraid?”

She looked at me confidently, as if she had a way to counter me, even if I unleashed my killing intent.

“Interesting.”

“Oh, so you’re going to tell us? What happened?”

I glanced at the jewel, which had lost its light, and then answered,

“It’s my turn now.”

“Are you ignoring me?”

“Well.”

It wasn’t ignorance.

It was punishment.

“Magitechnician, Yurven Habelión.”

I had to teach her a lesson to maintain my authority as Lion.

Even if it wasn’t through brute force.

“That’s the GM’s name.”

That there were consequences for defying me.