Surviving the Game as a Barbarian-Chapter 520: One on One (3)

Lee Baekho’s sudden comment had made the atmosphere heavy, but it didn’t last long.

He quickly regained his usual cheerful demeanor, and I didn’t mention it again.

But I couldn’t help but wonder…

‘…What would he be like now?’

I knew about his past.

A few years before I woke up in this world, his identity had been revealed due to a teammate’s betrayal.

And he had become the person he was today.

Just like me, he had been diligently clearing the labyrinth when his team disbanded, and he had to continue on his own.

His distrust of others was a natural consequence.

‘Well, it’s a bit strange to call it a ‘betrayal’ from a native’s perspective…’

But if he hadn’t been betrayed…

What would he be like now?

“Huh? Hyung, why are you staring at me? Did I do something wrong?”

“Just looking. Did you do something wrong?”

“…Hyung, you’re too much! Of course not. Haha.”

“…….”

“Anyway, can we talk privately for a moment?”

Lee Baekho glanced at Hyunbyul, and she sighed.

“It’s not like you two are dating.”

“Haha, are you jealous, noona?”

“…I’ll be back.”

Hyunbyul left the room without much fuss, as usual.

I was a little surprised.

She didn’t seem to mind him calling her ‘noona’ anymore.

Had she finally given up on correcting him?

“Hehe, so it’s just the two of us now? Let’s have a nice, private—”

“Cut it out. I’m serious.”

“Yes, sir.”

“So what’s the rush? Why did you ask Hyunbyul to leave?”

“Ah, that? It’s not really a rush…”

“Then what is it?”

I sat down on the sofa and rested my chin on my hand. Lee Baekho sat across from me and asked,

“Hyung, are you really trapped in the labyrinth?”

“Yeah.”

“Time flows normally even after the labyrinth closes… that’s amazing. Have you found a way out?”

“Not yet.”

“Hmm, that’s a problem. Should I come rescue you?”

“Just focus on your own business.”

“Hehe, I knew you would say that. And I can’t go anyway.”

“Are you outside now?”

“Yes. I thought there would be amazing discoveries out here, but there’s nothing. Not even a single rat. I should have stayed in the labyrinth and searched for the hidden area.”

“I was wondering… why did you leave the kingdom?”

“I didn’t expect you to find the hidden area so quickly.”

So that was the reason.

I had found it strange that he, who was so obsessed with the labyrinth, had left the kingdom at this point in time.

“Hyung, how’s the hidden area? Tell me about it.”

“For free?”

“Come on… you’re curious about the outside world too, aren’t you? Let’s share information.”

“You said there was nothing out there.”

“Not yet. But my intuition tells me there’s a huge secret hidden out here!”

He sounded like he was trying to sell me something, but I had a similar feeling.

There was something hidden beyond the walls.

I didn’t know what it was yet.

“Fine. Deal.”

“As expected of my hyungnim!”

I told him about the 1st Basement Floor.

The variant and new species of monsters.

The summoning books in the library.

The floating objects in the sea.

But I didn’t mention the Elder.

I didn’t feel guilty.

I hadn’t received anything from him yet, and he probably wouldn’t tell me everything he had discovered outside the walls either.

‘Maybe I could learn something new if I discussed the Elder with him…’

But I couldn’t trust him.

I had a feeling he would betray me eventually.

But he was too valuable to just abandon.

“So that’s it for now.”

“Huh? What about the tree island? That was getting interesting.”

“We’re still exploring it. I was taking a break when I was summoned here. I was so surprised.”

“That’s good. I was worried when Hyunbyul noona asked me if you were really dead. She looked like she was about to cry.”

Right, he was outside the walls, so he must have heard about it from Hyunbyul.

He didn't seem to read the forums.

“Hyung, I’m leaving now.”

“Huh? But you still have plenty of time left.”

“I know, but I think I should go now.”

“What do you mean?”

He grinned at me.

“I’m spending time with Hyunbyul noona today. She was really worried about you.”

“Ah…”

“I’ll be going now.”

“Baekho, wait.”

I stopped him, and he tilted his head.

I hesitated for a moment and then spoke.

It might be unnecessary…

“Being smart isn’t about keeping secrets.”

“…What? Did I hear you correctly?”

He looked confused, so I continued,

“It’s not about being secretive.”

“…Then what is it?”

“It’s about being afraid.”

You.

And me.

We were always thinking about the worst-case scenario.

______________________

Lee Baekho left early, and Hyunbyul rejoined the chat room soon after.

“How did it go?”

“It went well.”

“You ended early today.”

She asked casually, and I answered in the same tone.

“He said he was spending time with you.”

“…W-What?! That… that liar!”

“Why are you so flustered? It’s not like it’s the first time he’s said something like that.”

“That’s true… I guess…”

She said that, but she was fanning herself with her hand, as if she was feeling hot.

It had been a while since I had last seen her like this.

I felt a surge of playfulness.

“Were you that worried?” freёnovelkiss.com

I asked, a teasing smile on my face, and she frowned and glared at me.

“…Do you want to fight?”

“Uh… no? Why would you say that?”

“Seriously… you’re becoming just like him.”

“…….”

I had just been teasing her, and yet I was being scolded.

I didn't understand, but I quickly changed the subject.

“How’s work?”

“It’s fine. I’m gaining Viscountess Peprok’s trust.”

“What’s she like?”

“…She’s a kind person. And naive. She’s been a little troublesome lately, though.”

“Troublesome?”

“Don’t you know? It’s because of Bjorn Yandel.”

“Ah…”

It hadn’t been my intention, but I had inadvertently caused trouble for her twice now.

“Well, at least things are looking up. I saw the post on the forums. A lot of people believe it. And it has a lot of views. The news will spread throughout the city soon.”

“That’s good.”

“Yes, it is. If it had been any later, your assets would have been seized, and your family would have been disbanded.”

Right, it was a close call.

“…I was talking about your boss not bothering you anymore.”

“Oh, really?”

She was openly testing me now.

I would have to show her what a true barbarian was capable of when we met in person.

She would never doubt me again.

“Oppa, what are you thinking?”

“Nothing.”

“You had a sinister look in your eyes.”

“You’re overthinking it.”

I cut her off before she could say anything more, and we spent the rest of the time reading and chatting.

And after a while…

“Oppa, it’s time for me to go.”

“Ah, right. It’s already that time.”

It was almost time for the Round Table meeting.

I left the chat room and returned to Lee Hansu’s room. I checked the forums again and then entered the Round Table just as the timer was about to run out.

A navy blue suit and a lion mask.

It had looked ridiculous at first, like I was wearing a costume… but now I was used to it.

Alright, I was dressed…

Step, step.

…and I arrived at the Round Table. The other members were already there, waiting for me.

“That’s ridiculous. It has to be a lie.”

“Well, I’m not so sure. The comments on the post say it’s probably true.”

“Heehee, I know that guy! Didigo, right? The one with the weird roleplaying.”

“That’s right, but he’s not someone to be ignored.”

“Well, he does seem to know a lot of things… Ah!”

They stopped talking and greeted me with their eyes.

Except for Clown.

“Pfft, welcome, Lion.”

He even stood up and bowed like a medieval nobleman. I ignored him and sat down.

‘Parab’s sitting next to me today.’

Goblin was sitting next to me, which was unusual.

Did he want to go first?

I was curious, but I would find out soon enough.

“Let’s begin.”

I gave the signal, and the meeting started without any delay.

“I assume you’ve all read the post on the forums. There’s a high probability that it’s true.”

“…And?”

“…That’s my information.”

The other members groaned.

“’High probability’? What kind of information is that?”

“Pfft, then I’ll go next. There’s a high probability that Goblin’s brain capacity is 3kb!”

“Heehee, Clown, you got that from the forums, didn’t you? That guy was so pathetic.”

“P-Pfft…”

Clown chuckled awkwardly at Butterfly’s comment.

But he had anticipated the ridicule.

“Then I’ll present the evidence that supports my claim.”

Goblin continued, and the members, their curiosity piqued, listened intently.

“…Evidence?”

“Oh, so there’s more to it?”

“He wouldn’t have revealed such a vague piece of information otherwise.”

Goblin, seeing their interest, began his explanation.

“I’m good at using the internet. I love arguing, and my specialty is doxxing.”

“…What does that have to do with anything?”

“I’ve been investigating the author of that post. I read all their posts and comments, looking for clues.”

“…And?”

“I couldn’t identify them, but I’m certain they’re a member of the Hex Clan.”

I was genuinely surprised.

The other members looked confused, but I knew he was right.

‘…He actually did it?’

It was an unexpected talent.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“The Hex Clan… they were one of the sixty explorers who entered the hidden area with Bjorn Yandel…”

“Queen, what do you think? You’re close to the GM, so you must know something.”

Queen nodded, her expression a mix of surprise and confusion.

“…I can’t believe it, but Goblin’s theory matches ours.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But… I don’t understand how he did it. We had to recover the deleted posts to reach that conclusion…”

“Deleted posts? What kind of posts?”

“There were quite a few. And they were all related to the Hex Clan. They kept praising the clan’s welfare system and then deleting the posts before the community closed.”

What? Were they advertising their clan on the forums?

It was ridiculous, but Queen’s testimony changed the other members’ perception of Goblin.

“Hehe… I’m glad my investigation was correct.”

…What was this guy’s deal?