Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel 2025 - Chapter 441
C441: Giant Step (3)
A brief silence descended on the round table.
“…….”
“…….”
Any doubts about the value of the information the goblin had spat out had long since faded, and now everyone was too absorbed in their own thoughts.
It was an additional effect of the “Entertaining Judgment.”
“The Immortal Sage… Who in the world could that be…?”
Well, I don’t know who that person is, either.
The moment I heard it, Auril Gavis popped into my head, but I’m not sure it’s him. But by leaving it at that, they will diligently investigate.
“…Pssit, I guess I’ll have to find out as soon as I leave.”
“If you find a clue, let me know. I will pay a corresponding price.” the Queen offered spoke to the clown.
“There’s nothing I can’t do, but only if you promise too.”
“I promise.”
Yeah, good luck with that.
I have high expectations for both of you after all.
‘Is the goblin issue resolved then?’
It seems so.
Honey dripped from the eyes of the clown.
“Pssit, it’s really unpredictable with people. Who would have thought that Mr Goblin would hit the jackpot!”
The goblin nodded awkwardly, unaccustomed to the clown’s praise.
Ah… Yes… That’s right… Ha ha ha…”
It seemed like he himself couldn’t believe the current situation.
“…Now it’s my turn.”
After the commotion died down, it was Deer Horn’s turn. I’d planned to keep a poker face no matter the story, but this time it felt harder to do so.
“Ragna Litaniel Phefroc is the illegitimate daughter of Marquis Tercerion.”
I’d heard that name once earlier from Hyun Byeol.
And now again.
Ironically, I heard that name twice just today.
Swish—
Soon, a green light emerged on the jewel, and no one objected to it.
“…So that’s why the Marquiss has been steadily backing her in political circles,” Crescent Moon chimed in, and the Queen also had a reaction of her own.
“This is turning out to be quite an interesting affair…”
Her murmur was almost like talking to herself.
“…Is it that important that she’s illegitimate?”
When goblin hesitantly interjected, the Queen chuckled and replied.
“Well, it’s a political weapon to use against a person who’s almost the second-in-command of a country.”
“Ah, right… I see…”
It seemed like there was another reason the Queen found it amusing, but I couldn’t pry any further.
So instead, I focused on a different aspect.
‘Ragna was the marquis’s daughter… No wonder she always had an aura about her.’
Emotionally, this was even more shocking than the information earlier released by the clown or the Queen.
‘Haah… Things just got more complicated.’
I’d have to look into it more later, but for now, all I can do is hope.
Hope that Ragna and the Marquis aren’t firmly on the same side.
‘Worst case, I’ll have to find a way to get Hyun-byeol out of this, at least.’
Anyway, after the Deer Horn’s turn ended, all eyes naturally shifted to Crescent Moon.
Hmm, wonder what he’s going to share.
Probably something about the Fairy tribe—
“Genesis Relic.”
…Huh?
“The Dwarves are working on a way to craft a new Genesis Relic, and they’ve made some progress.”
…Seriously?
“What? Is that true? They’re making one?”
The Queen sprang to her feet.
That reaction told me one thing:
‘Looks like she and the GM are really trying to find a way back.’
On the other hand, the Clown looked uninterested.
He was slightly surprised, but overall he seemed to shrug it off. Maybe that guy has no desire to return.
Maybe he likes being the Corpse collector.
“So, what’s the method?” the Queen asked.
“I’ve given you a clue, the rest is up to you.”
“Wait a minute. Isn’t that too vague to move on? You said there’s still only some progress, and it’s not even confirmed?”
At the Queen’s strong objection, the Crescent Moon relented with a sigh and gave more details.
“Countless Rift Stones.”
“…?”
“And even more blood.”
“……”
“The Dwarves believe that if those two conditions are met, they can create a brand-new Genesis Relic.”
Wow. Like mad scientists.
Whether it can truly work is a separate issue, but the idea alone is pretty fascinating.
‘A new genesis
Is that really possible?
They’re supposedly items that have existed since the world was formed.
‘…I’ll think about that later.’
I quickly shook off any idle thoughts.
Sure, for now, everyone was still reeling from the Crescent Moon’s bombshell, but it wouldn’t last forever.
In fact, it wasn’t long before their gazes gathered again.
“……”
“……”
Unlike before, there were almost no uneasy looks.
Probably because the Goblin’s “Entertaining Judgment” had changed the mood significantly…
‘Alright, what should I share…?’
I didn’t spend long thinking.
It’s only natural to go to the water if you want to catch fish.
‘The one who used to go by the name ‘Elfnuna’”
Let’s throw the bait.
“That person has already entered this world.”
Now, I too was getting curious.
What secret was hidden behind this nickname that both Baek-ho and GM were making such a fuss?
***
Swaaah.
The jewel glowed green, and almost on cue, everyone started talking at once.
“Elfnuna… That’s the one, right? The person rumored most likely to clear the original version of the game?”
“Pssit, so he really has been summoned, it means that at least half of the rumours circulating in the community are true.
I knew what the Clown was talking about.
The rumour is that Elfnuna had cleared the original version and was summoned here long ago, and as a reward for clearing the original, he had received tremendous perks.
It’s a story that makes me laugh whenever I hear it.
‘Perks, my foot…’
What a joke.
If anything, I stepped on a trap in the Goblin’s cave right after I got here and almost died.
“…Half of it, you say?”
“Well, we still don’t know if he really cleared the original difficulty.”
For all we know, they might have realized it was impossible and changed the multiplier at some point.
Adding that remark, the Clown gave a shrug.
He didn’t seem to care much about Elfnuna.
Unlike the Queen.
“……”
She didn’t utter a single comment.
She just sat there, petrified.
Rather, her manner showed how important this information was to her.
‘Okay, then this news will reach the GM too…’
The GM will likely make the first move.
Moreover he’ll try to engage me in a one-on-one conversation to probe more about Elfnuna.
All I need to do then is one simple thing:
Leverage my upper hand and slowly squeeze out information from him.
‘Anyway, thanks again for the mystical tidbits today, pssit.’
“Mr. Lion Have you ever met that person—”
“Deer Horn! It’s rude to ask such a question, don’t you think?”
I didn’t even have to interrupt him; the Clown, acting as my press secretary, jumped in and shut down the question.
And then…
“Pssit, by the way, it looks like going for another round of info is impossible”
He let out a derisive laugh, as if mocking the other members.
Though maybe it was just my imagination…
He also didn’t seem to have any more information to share, so he was pushing to end it here.
“Y-Yes, let’s stop here for today…”
“I agree.”
“As do I.”
Starting with goblin, the fox, and Crescent Moon declared their non-participation, and naturally, the meeting concluded with this round.
I walked out without looking back.
“Phew…”
Back to Han Soo’s room.
Having ended the round table, fatigue surged over me.
This community session felt unusually busy.
‘Feels like I’ve spent almost a week in here.’
I sat down at my computer desk.
Then, moving the mouse, I hovered over the Log Out button.
Normally, I would have browsed the forums, but…
‘Let’s just go back.’
I just wanted to return and rest today.
Click, click.
As I clicked the logout button, my surroundings flashed and twisted.
「Your character is moving to Raphdonia.」
When I opened my eyes again, I’m in my room on the second floor of Erwin’s mansion.
Amelia was there next to me again.
“You’re back early today?”
“Ah, yeah, sort of.”
Every time I go to the spiritual world, she stands guard next to me.
It’s both reassuring and a bit embarrassing.
“It’s good you’re back. Then rest. You look tired. I’ll tell the fairy not to wake you until you’re up on your own.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“……”
Amelia then coolly stood up as if she had no further business, and before leaving the room, she even turned off the lights.
Just the right silence and lighting to fall asleep.
‘…I was going to tidy up a bit before bed.’
But the moment my head hit the pillow and I closed my eyes, a tide of exhaustion overwhelmed me.
After using my killing intent and attending the roundtable, I feel like I’m about to die.
Hope Lee Baek-ho’s doing okay.
“…….”
I ended up passing out.
***
A dark room with thick curtains blocking out even the moonlight.
“Phew, it feels like I survived.”
The first thing the blond man did upon waking was to get up and check the door.
“Okay, no signs of intrusion while I was gone.”
Jeez, who’d have thought my ban would get lifted this time.
It was quite disconcerting to be taken away so suddenly.
Usually, I prepare everything before I leave.
“Ugh, my head…”
After confirming the front door was secure, the man finally felt the full force of his fatigue and sat down on the edge of his bed.
All he wanted was to lie down and fall asleep on the spot.
But…
‘If I really fall asleep today, someone will come in and take me away……….’
The man forced himself to endure the tiredness and opened the subspace.
He then pulled out a coffin-shaped metal box.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve used this in the city.’
No.1,577, the Coffin of Eternal Rest.
He’d always taken it into labyrinths instead of a sleeping bag, partly for the boost to health regeneration and partly for its massive durability.
‘Right, I’ll just sleep in here tonight.’
He squeezed into the coffin and closed it from the inside. It felt ridiculous to do this with a perfectly good bed just a few feet away, but he had no choice.
Preparing for even the remotest possibility—
‘…’
Although the spot was uncomfortable, as soon as he felt safe, his mind eased.
He closed his eyes and organized his thoughts.
There was one scene that kept coming to his mind.
[Not really.]
Bjorn Jandel’s response to the question if it seemed possible to kill him.
[I don’t think I can’t.]
As soon as he heard that voice, he instinctively felt it.
Like when he had detected the lie about pressing the button.
That statement was undoubtedly true.
‘…Man, he’s not an easy one.’
Even now, the memory sent shivers down his spine.
On the other hand, the memory of him emitting a killing intent made him laugh again and again.
“Ah, I need to sleep, but this is driving me crazy…”
He hadn’t expected things to go this far.
This makes me want it even more.
Elfnuna.
‘I hope the next month comes quickly.’
With that thought, Baek-ho fell asleep.