SGB: Episode 125

Episode 125: Veteran Player (4)

People often say that humans are social animals.

Whoever said that first made a very apt analogy.

Although they might not be as primal as beasts, humans also judge each other based on first impressions.

To be respected, you need to avoid being underestimated.

Especially if you’re a transfer student who’s joining in the middle of the semester.

“What… what did you just…?”

The Fox Mask asks back as if she misheard.

The other masked figures just watch with interest.

It’s a kind of initiation ceremony.

My first impression will be determined based on how I act here.

Therefore—

“Why don’t you say it again?”

I look at the Fox Mask, who is glaring at me with a menacing aura, and firmly engrave it in her mind so there’s no misunderstanding.

“The one who recommended me to this place is your mo—”

“What the hell is wrong with this guy?!”

Crazy bastard, lunatic, stubborn fool, and so on.

No matter what I hear, it’s better than giving them the impression that I’m weak.

However, there’s one thing I didn’t expect.

“Hey, you.”

The moment a fierce light shoots out from the slits of the Fox Mask…

‘…This is a strange feeling.’

I feel a tingling sensation on my skin from the clear murderous intent.

Not a metaphor, but literally.

My heart pounds, and goosebumps appear as I feel a threat to my life.

How is this possible in a world where physical force doesn’t even exist?

Fortunately, I know about this phenomenon.

‘So this is that technique.’

It’s the first time I’ve experienced it myself, but it’s definitely the technique that Lee Baekho told me about earlier.

Something that can only be used within Ghostbusters, the spiritual world where thoughts and intentions have power.

He said it’s a useless trick, but it’s perfect for scaring newbies.

“Are you going to say it again? The same thing?”

The Fox Mask asks me once more, increasing the density of her killing intent. I even think I see a cold sneer behind her mask.

Therefore…

“I, I, I…”

…I stutter again.

Smirk.

I hear laughter.

It’s not from the Fox Mask, but from the others.

They must find it amusing that a newbie who was acting all high and mighty is now backing down.

“Why can’t you say it? You were doing so well earlier.”

Is she really pissed off?

She shows no intention of letting it slide as her killing intent intensifies.

Of course, it’s not a problem.

“No, it’s, it’s no, not that… I, I…”

“Speak. Clearly, without missing a single word.”

“Alright, whatever.”

I decided to stop acting like an idiot.

“The one who recommended me to this place is your mom. So what? Do you have a problem with that?”

“Wh… what…?”

The Fox Mask looks bewildered at my sudden change in attitude.

“No, he’s clearly under the influence of my intent? How…”

Instead of answering, I first pick my ear with my pinky finger, which has been itchy since earlier.

It seems like the others have already figured out what’s going on.

“This is certainly an interesting situation.”

“Newbie, enough with the games, it’s a bit too much.”

“Although it’s impressive, that kind of attitude will only make enemies. Lion.”

I click my tongue as I hear their respective comments.

Interesting guy, arrogant guy, pathetic guy.

That's all there is to it, their evaluation of my act. Geez, I even put in effort to manage my image with acting.

‘Right, this isn’t even worth being surprised about.’

Come to think of it, it’s only natural.

This is a veteran player’s club.

It’s impossible to expect special treatment just because I endured one attack of killing intent.

“How dare you mock me…?”

The Fox Mask, who belatedly realized that I was acting like an idiot, shows the most intense reaction, but…

…my first impression would still be just an annoying guy.

Therefore, I close my eyes tightly and recall the conversation I had with Lee Baekho.

[You want me to hit you with killing intent? Eh, no way. If I do that and something goes wrong, you might develop a mental illness. Since this uses intent, the stronger your mental strength, the stronger the effect becomes…]

The power of killing intent is proportional to your mental strength.

For reference, by mental strength here, he doesn’t mean the stat, but actual mental strength.

[That’s why I said it’s only for veteran players. The more you kill, the more you brush with death, the stronger your mental strength becomes. Well, some people are just born with it.]

Then what about me?

Well, I’ll find out if I try it.

I haven’t actually used it because Lee Baekho didn’t have time, but it doesn’t seem that difficult.

[Anyway, I’ll tell you how to use it. No, actually, there’s no special method…]

Lee Baekho said that…

…to unleash killing intent, you first need to hypnotize yourself.

[Think of them as an enemy. An enemy you absolutely have to kill and eliminate.]

Coincidentally, self-hypnosis is one of my specialties.

“Um… someone is talking to… me…”

The Fox Mask, who meets my gaze as I open my eyes, freezes for a moment, then scoffs as if it’s absurd.

“Ha, you call this revenge?”

It seems like it worked properly, but the effect wasn’t that strong.

Therefore, I focus on my intent even more.

“How childish.”

These guys are goblins.

Bastards who are trying to kill me.

Right, enemies who are threatening my life.

“Just apologize. I’ll admit that I was testing you at first, so if you apologize sincerely, I won’t hold a grudge over this.”

I hypnotize myself, imagining running towards them and smashing their heads in with my mace.

That’s when…

‘Huh?’

…I feel a sensation as if something is being drained from my head. It’s a strange feeling that’s completely different from pain, something I’ve never experienced before.

“No, pride doesn't mean a single apology—"

The Fox Mask, who was scolding me, suddenly stops talking.

And she freezes stiff, unable to move.

As if she’s been caught by something invisible and can’t even budge.

“……!”

The emotions in her wide eyes are also familiar to me.

The look that my enemies showed at the very end.

The look they had when they saw the mace about to smash their heads.

‘Uh, I didn’t expect it to be this effective.’

I look around to confirm, feeling a bit surprised.

The three, who were reacting to the Fox Mask’s behavior, all show clear responses as soon as our eyes meet.

Swoosh.

The Antler Mask, who was leaning against a pillar, moves his hand towards his waist, where a sword should be.

He’s the one who thought I was arrogant.

Flick.

The Crescent Moon Mask averts his gaze and looks down.

He’s the one who looked at me with pity.

“……Uh, well, I didn’t say anything?”

The Yellow Clown Mask waves his hands exaggeratedly and steps back.

He’s the one who thought I was an interesting guy.

‘What is this?’

Instead of feeling happy, I’m even more confused by their intense reactions.

Why? Why is it so effective?

I don’t have time to calmly contemplate.

Crackle.

It feels like my brain is being wrung out like a wet towel.

I feel mental fatigue as if I’ve been awake for three days and nights.

I instinctively realize…

…that I only have a few seconds left to maintain Barbarian Killing Intent Mode.

‘Damn it, he didn’t mention this.’

I hurriedly look at the Fox Mask.

She’s trembling.

“Pl, please stop. I, I’m in danger…”

She begs with difficulty as I just stare at her silently.

And at that moment, Killing Intent Mode ends.

“Whew…!”

The Fox Mask takes a deep breath, as if surfacing from underwater.

I look at her flinching as our eyes meet, and I’m certain.

‘Whatever it was, it worked out thanks to that.’

The image I wanted to create as soon as I realized the atmosphere was hostile towards newbies.

I’ve successfully become a crazy bastard who shouldn’t be messed with.

______________________

“…To cause this much of a scene just from one test. Things are going to be tough from now on.”

The silence that filled the room is broken as the Antler Mask mutters.

“Pfft, it was an interesting experience. How much more do I have to kill to be able to do that?”

Just as the Clown, looking at me with a strange gaze, mutters…

Clack!

…the four doors connected to the room all close at once.

Honestly, I was scared shitless, but it’s a good thing I didn’t show it.

It’s just that the entry time is over.

“It’s already this late.”

“We’re ending with just the four of us again this time… no, five of us.”

I take a random seat as everyone else is sitting down. However, before the meeting officially begins, questions are directed at me.

Unlike earlier, they’re not questions that try to gauge my identity.

“Lion, this must be your first time at the gathering. I thought you might be a founding member after seeing that killing intent… but the Lion mask has always been on the wall.”

I nod at Crescent Moon’s words.

There’s nothing more pointless than denying something when there’s clear evidence.

It’s better to just admit it coolly.

“So what do you want to say?”

“…Have you met the Master? Ah, you can just say no if you don’t want to answer.”

Crescent Moon’s tone is polite and cautious, as if my crazy bastard image is effective.

Is this why people should act like maniacs?

It’s a realization that I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t become a barbarian.

“If you want a reward, I’ll give it to you. Although it might be difficult to meet your expectations.”

“Forget about the reward. Why do you think I met the Master?”

I answer arrogantly.

Because I don’t even know who the Master is.

“That’s… a strange question. You’re a newbie who joined a year after the Master disappeared, wouldn’t it be natural to think that?”

“That’s probably why Fox tried to test you and got screwed over.”

The Fox Mask turns her head away in shame as the Clown mutters as if to himself.

‘It seems like the Master refers to the founder of this gathering.’

As I’m piecing together the information and trying to understand, Crescent Moon continues,

“Ahem, anyway, not only that, but you seem to know a lot about this place for a first-timer.”

Hmm, that’s not thanks to the Master, but to Lee Baekho.

Wait, who the hell is that guy?

I make a mental note to gradually find out about Lee Baekho and end my thoughts.

“So can we get an answer to the question? If you just tell us when and where you last saw the Master, that would be enough—”

“The answer is no.”

“Whew, I see. Alright.”

Crescent Moon cleanly lets go of his curiosity and steps back.

If I seemed like a pushover, he would have definitely pestered me with questions.

“Anyway, leaving aside the Master, how about we get started?”

The Clown, who seems less interested in the Master’s whereabouts compared to the other three, wraps up the conversation and signals the start of the meeting.

I’m glad I knew the rules beforehand.

If I had asked such a question here, my mysterious image would have been shattered.

“Then I’ll go first.”

The first turn goes to the Clown who initiated the conversation.

“The King of Lafdonia's illness has worsened.”

A red light illuminates the jewel embedded in the center of the round table.

It means that the information is true and that more than half of the people gathered here know about it.

“Worsened? Isn’t that too vague?”

“Everyone knows that the King’s health is serious. Tell us something more useful.”

The Fox and Crescent Moon frown and criticize the Clown.

I just stay silent.

‘I didn’t know that…’

The King is sick?

I’ve never heard of it. There weren’t any rumors like that circulating in the city. Well, it would be strange for the King’s health to be a topic of conversation on the streets.

“Whew, they don’t even know how important this is. Pathetic.”

The Clown glances at the Fox and Crescent Moon and then subtly looks at me.

‘You understand what I mean, right?’

That kind of meaning seems to be embedded in his gaze.

“…………”

I just stay silent again.

Because I'll at least be in the middle ground then.

“The captain of the Rose Knights died yesterday. How about this? You'll admit this is useful, right?"

A heavy silence falls upon the round table as the Clown shares more information.

“...The palace will be bloody.”

“Yes, we need to prepare too.”

Who the hell is the captain of the Rose Knights?

Anyway, since the jewel emits a green light, we move on to the next turn.

This time, it’s the Fox Mask’s turn.

“The Jagun Clan succeeded in subjugating the 1st-floor Floor Master.”

“Hoo, as expected of those guys.”

“Pfft, I saw the purchase request disappear from the exchange, so it seems like they got the strategy from somewhere. I thought they would never be able to defeat it.”

I remain silent this time too.

It’s not because I don’t know anything, but because it’s about me.

‘So the Jagun Clan was the one who defeated it.’

I couldn’t find any information in the city besides the fact that the Floor Master had been summoned.

‘…It’s a good thing I came here.’

Since the jewel emits a green light again, it’s Crescent Moon’s turn next.

“Huhu, I don’t think anyone knows about this.”

“Just spit it out.”

“If you activate the hidden piece on the Isle of Tranquil Fairies, ‘Labganus’ will appear three times guaranteed.”

The Fox and Antler masks are surprised at Crescent Moon’s words.

“That’s good news for anyone who’s been trying to get Labganus’ essence.”

“Wait, what about the hidden piece? What is it?”

“Wouldn’t it be shameless to ask for that too? Anyway, it’s the next turn… huh?”

Crescent Moon, who was about to naturally pass the turn, freezes.

It’s because the jewel emits a red light.

Unlike before, where anonymity was maintained, it’s easy to guess who already knew the information.

Because the previous two made it obvious that they didn’t know.

“Crescent Moon, don’t be too disappointed. Most people wouldn’t know what you’re talking about, you know?”

Crescent Moon sighs as the Clown offers words of comfort.

“Until now, I just had to worry about Clown not knowing, but now there’s one more…”

I shrug.

Who told him to share something that you can learn just by playing the game?

“You can just tell us about the hidden piece.”

“That is… it’s still a secret.”

“Hoo, then you’ll inevitably be banned today—”

“Haha, what are you talking about? I was just saying that it’s embarrassing because I have to reveal my hand.”

Crescent Moon sighs and then reveals new information.

“They say the fairies have found traces of the ‘Sacred Relic Thief’.”

Although the jewel emits a green light, the Fox narrows her eyes and raises an objection.

“Traces? Isn’t that too vague?”

“Information about the ‘Sacred Relic Thief’, which had no leads until now. This alone is highly classified information.”

“Hmm, fine. I’ll admit it.”

“Crescent Moon, as expected, you were a fairy, weren’t you?”

Crescent Moon’s turn ends as the Fox, who raised the objection, backs down.

And all eyes turn to me.

Although Antler is still there, it’s naturally my turn since we’re going clockwise.

‘I’m getting nervous.’

Is it because of their expectant gazes?

I feel pressured even though I’ve chosen some useful information to share during my turn.

If it’s all information they already know, it will be embarrassing.

‘I should just start with something I’m sure about.’

I want to maintain my mysterious image as much as possible, so I select information that would be difficult for others to know.

“If you kill a Demonic Halfling with three people, an essence is guaranteed to drop.”

As expected, the jewel on the table emits a green light.

However…

“…Kill a Demonic Halfling with three people?”

Why are they surprised about that part?

It’s easy to do it with three people on cheat mode, isn’t it?

‘It’s even an easy monster to defeat…’

I can’t understand it at all.

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