Bjorn Yandel the Barbarian

Episode 578 Return (4)

Cider filled with ice doubles the sense of refreshment.

After shaking the glass moderately to make it cool, I drank it all at once.

So, when the ice melts, the taste gets mild, right?

“Big…”

Yes, that’s it.

How much I missed this taste.

Everything in this world is tolerable, but there is no soda.

At least you can find carbonic acid in beer, but even that feels very different from modern beer.

‘…Should I go back?’

The taste is enough to make the will to return, which has almost disappeared, sprout again.

Baekho Lee should know.

If I had made cider and fed it a few times in the time of the stone of resuscitation, I would have seriously thought about returning.

“Give me one more drink, sir.”

After emptying one glass, I even got a refill.

However, this time, I did not hit the one shot and savored the taste slowly.

“You… you look really happy?”

Make people feel embarrassed.

Even though people like us are happy, we have a tendency to suddenly feel bad when we hear such words.

“Now then, tell me something. How did you meet?”

“Oh you mean witch?”

“okay. I mean, I don’t understand it at all. No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think you’ve ever had a chance to meet her…”

Hmm.

“How can you be sure of that?”

When I asked with my eyes wide open, Auril Gavis turned into a honey-drinking mute and rolled her eyes.

“…”

It gave me goosebumps, to be honest.

What are you really monitoring my every move?

In what way?

While I was thinking about it, the old man passed over like a snake.

“Didn’t we meet on the first basement floor due to timing? And I remember you were very busy during that time too. It’s my tribe’s job, it’s the magic tower, and didn’t even kill the hierarchical ruler twice during that time?”

Well, it’s true that I’ve been busy.

In the midst of a lot of things to do, I was distracted because I was even sued by Count Alminus.

That doesn’t mean the old man’s words won’t sound like excuses, though.

“You already drank. give it here I’ll pour you another drink.”

As soon as the glass was empty, Auril Gavis quickly took it and refilled it.

It’s hard to say this, but in some ways he was a very consistent old man.

Do you have to switch gears according to the situation like a ghost?

“No matter how much you say, you can’t give it away for free. I need to have something left.”

As soon as the line was cut and drawn, Auril Gavis, who had taken off his mask since the two of them were left, is furious.

“It’s free! What does that mean? Didn’t they pour cider like this!”

“yes. Thank you for that.”

“Of course, if you really appreciate people—.”

It’s over the line.

“If it’s all done with cider, why do you have money and why do you have magic stones? Is it okay if I just roll a glass of cider?”

Auril Gavis’s expression hardened when he was openly sarcastic.

“I always feel it, but you have a knack for offending people.”

I felt a lot of pressure when I was laughing like a neighbor’s grandfather and suddenly looked like that.

But what do you mean?

It’s not like I’ve been through this situation once or twice. I am now figuring out this old man.

“Don’t pretend to be angry. Because it doesn’t work anyway.”

In fact, when he passed it on casually, Auril Gavis returned to his original expression as if he had never done that.

“I mean, you’re really not too hard on yourself. So… what do you want from me?”

The only thing that can be presented to a wild horse that does not work with a whip is a carrot.

“I’m sure you want something, so aren’t you doing this too?”

In fact, there is nothing to be desired for sure.

No, to be precise, there are so many things I want to ask, so I’m worried about what to choose.

Therefore, we need to set our priorities…

‘The question of what they’re up to is probably too broad.’

In the end, after thinking about it, I decided on a more specific question.

“Why do you want to shut down Ghostbusters?”

A question asking about the motive for the elderly person’s most recent action.

“Hmm, can I just answer? There are no jewels here to cover the truth.”

It sounded like I would make a new jewel right away if I wanted it, but I just declined.

“It’s okay, so just do it. Just because it exists doesn’t mean you can trust it 100% anyway.”

“It’s up to you to decide if it’s true or not.”

“yes. So please answer me well. If you get caught in Kurachida, it will eventually be a loss to the elderly.”

“loss?”

“From now on, no matter what the elders say, I will never believe them.”

It may sound childish, but this time it was a threat that sounded quite effective. Yes, this old man wants to manipulate me from behind like a puppet.

We have to maintain a good relationship somehow…

“Hmm…”

But why does this old man just look at me like that and look at me like that?

“why. Do you have anything to say?”

“No.”

“No, what were you trying to say just now?”

From the start, I looked at him with eyes asking if he was joking, and soon Auril Gavis opened his mouth reluctantly.

“I was just a little impressed.”

“…?”

“Your attitude toward faith.”

What is this, hanging from the roof while sleeping and eating straw sandals?

As I looked at him with that expression, the old man continued.

“If someone betrays you, punishment will follow. Because that is what you believe in.”

Isn’t that the same for everyone?

Then, when you were betrayed, did you laugh hahahoho and move on?

While I was thinking about it, I held it in for a moment.

“Just as the stricter the law, the less likely people are to commit crimes, your faith is also established when there is a means to punish—”

I really can’t hear you

If I just listen to what he says, it’s as if I’ve become a patient with severe suspiciousness who can’t trust people if I can’t stand the upper hand.

I asked straight forward.

“Do you have any problems with your hair? No, how on earth do you think you can interpret that much with what I said?”

“Hmm…”

“Think about what the elder did in the first place. What do I see and believe?”

“So you mean it’s different for your colleagues?”

Of course it is.

I tried to answer, but for some reason I couldn’t answer right away.

It’s because I remembered what this grandfather said a while ago.

[If someone betrays you, punishment will follow.]

Punishment.

Maybe my actions towards Misha were one of those things?

I don’t know, but this topic ends here.

“…Okay, please answer any questions I ask. Why are you closing the door here?”

“If I answer a question, will you answer it too?”

To my grandfather’s question, I answered without hesitation.

“Once you hear it and think it’s worthwhile.”

Translated, it means ready to run at any time.

***

Ambiguous answer, not definitive answer.

Auril Gavis would have clearly recognized the meaning behind the nuance.

But…

“Good. Then listen and decide.”

He’s an old man who accepts my offer without saying anything for some reason.

“As expected, the elders, are you feeling refreshed today?”

“…Could you stop changing your attitude so quickly? It seems like you’ve become an adult and comforting child.”

“It’s because of my mood. Blame it.”

“….”

“So what is the answer?”

As soon as I asked with a soft smile, Auril Gavis sighed and answered.

“The reason for shutting down Ghostbusters is simple. This place isn’t doing very well for players right now. Contrary to my intentions.”

“Isn’t it working well?”

“This place is like a haven for players. You can talk about your hometown and soothe loneliness among people in the same situation.”

“But why do you think it has a bad effect?”

“That’s the problem. People who are satisfied with the present will eventually choose complacency.”

“Ah…”

I think I know what you mean.

In fact, you can immediately notice such an atmosphere just by looking at the free bulletin board.

It is easy to find articles that discuss the price of a house, get married, or even have a child.

“The same goes for those friends. A few years ago, I would never have missed an opportunity like that.”

This old man seemed to believe that the reason the OX quiz ended in vain was based on such a psychology.

I wouldn’t say anything wrong.

“So you want to get rid of it? If this place is in operation, everyone won’t think about going back to their hometowns, right?”

“I guess that’s roughly how it is.”

If you look at it roughly,

it seems that there are many things left unsaid.

“So what? Is this enough?”

“no. I don’t know if it’s hidden some great secret, but my conclusion is that it’s too low in value to exchange with the witch’s information.”

To put it simply, I’m going to eat and run.

However, surprisingly, Gavis’ expression was calm.

It felt as if there was nothing to lose even if the conversation ended like this.

Are you pretending to be calm to keep the initiative?

In the end, I was the one who spoke first.

It was a meeting that happened, but I couldn’t part without income like this.

“So…”

“…”

“Can’t we just leave the community alone? Then I will also give you information about the witch.”

Actually, I didn’t say it because I wanted to protect the community.

I was just curious about Auril Gavis’ reaction to this proposal—.

“That is impossible.”

Yes, it is a rejection.

It means community closure has a higher priority than listening to information from witches.

If so, what is the reason?

No matter how I look at it, I don’t think the reason is that the players’ mentality has become lax.

“Then, today’s story will end here.”

“yes. Even if I ask in detail anyway, won’t you answer?”

“Cuckold, you need to trust some people.”

“I believe in you. Who can you trust?”

With such a soulless reply, the conversation flowed into an atmosphere where the conversation was slowly coming to an end.

“I have to go. One last thing to do before lockdown. Then see you next time.”

“yes. I don’t know when it will be, but next time I see you, please tell me all about it.”

“That sounds a bit odd. Actually, I can still tell you everything. If you are ready to believe everything I say.”

That’s a very lie, your mouth is completely hungry.

When I laughed in an absurd tone, Auril Gavis laughed as if he knew it.

And…

“I don’t know if you believe me or not, but I will give you one last piece of advice.”

“advice? I’ll listen and see, so let’s talk about it.”

“Lee Baek-ho.”

“Lee Baek-ho…?”

“Don’t get too close with him.”

It was a bottomless and endless word, but there was no time to ask anything back.

“The advice ends here. See you later.”

After those words, Gavis left the round table, and I, who had been watching in vain, gradually came to my senses and organized my thoughts.

It was because of the number of cases that suddenly came to mind.

‘Lee Baek Ho-ra…’

Maybe…

Not sure yet, but maybe.

Could this be the reason Auril Gavis wants to shut down the community?

If you burn thatch, you can catch fleas for sure. If this community disappears, the way I can communicate with Lee Baek-ho will be blocked.

Well, in the end, it’s all my guess, so it doesn’t mean anything.

“Damn old man. Why is there no way to say anything properly until the end?”

The murmur that he exhaled with a sigh echoed in the hall.

“…”

A strange silence.

An empty seat with only a bunch of chairs and a round table without jewels that were the symbol of the assembly.

‘I really feel like I’m ruined.’

I think I’m going to go out and do something, but I don’t feel like stepping out.

Should I say I don’t feel it?

Antlers and Crescent left on the first lap, then Auril Gavis appeared and left the assembly one by one.

Took.

While drinking cider, I picked up the lion mask I had taken off earlier and put it on my head.

I was quite right.

“Is this really the last time…”

It’s hard to say, but it feels empty somewhere.

I didn’t imagine a friendly atmosphere like the graduation ceremony, but I never thought it would end like this.

Is that why?

[I can’t say thank you.]

[Do you think this is really fun? You?]

For some reason, the last words the two of them said keeps ringing in my ears.

However, I shook my head and brushed off my thoughts.

‘What kind of palace are you? We didn’t even come together to be friendly in the first place.’

Soon after, he smiled and took off the mask, put it on the round table, and looked around the empty round table.

“…not funny.”

So the last meeting was over.

***

Lee Han-soo’s room after watching the end of the Round Table.

After lying on the bed for a while and rolling around, I soon recovered my composure and sat down in front of the computer to check the message box.

‘There was a note, but…’

Contrary to expectations, it was not the message from GM that was waiting.

[From: HS123]

HS123.

In other words, a note from Hyunbyeol.

Well, because of Lee Baek-ho earlier, I couldn’t say hello properly.

So, what is written on the note?

clack clack.

As soon as you open the note, the contents inside unfold.

[I know that oppa first drew the line when we asked each other to reveal our identities in the past. But I’m going to do what I want from now on. I can’t tell you more about my identity through a note because the management team might sneak a peek.]

In the end, the main point was the last line.

[Look outside.]

It’s outside…

First of all, we have to escape from the labyrinth.