Chapter 156: Male Lion (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 156: Male Lion (2)
A community of evil spirits, Ghost Busters, was a source of information I had that Missha and Ainar did not know about.
Okay, let's do it.
Forcing my eyes away from Hansu Lee's plush-looking bed, I turned on the computer first. This community was only active for twelve hours. There were things I needed to learn at that time.
Orcules, Noark, Dragon Slayer.
In the past, this had just been rumors of a distant land, but now it was closely related to my survival. Library books had their limits. The medium of books itself could be slow when it came to providing up-to-date information.
[1-140,000 GP] All information related to Orcules.
First, I put up a post seeking information and decided to join a chat room. I figured that this might be more helpful than the Exchange.
[Long Live Korea's Independence - 1 person is online.]
Baekho seemed to have entered his chat room as soon as the community opened. True, he had been really sad when he logged out last time. He even seemed worried that I might not come back, like a child who didn't want to be separated from his parents.
Whew, still, he's not a kid you can easily meet up with.
It left something of a bitter taste in my mouth. He was a symbol of misfortune brought here on the day of his discharge from the military, and a veteran who had survived in this world for nearly ten years. Baekho viewed me in a very good light, but... I couldn't fully trust him. He told me last time that he was in hiding. Warning me that he wasn't up to date with current events, he introduced me to the Watchers of the Round Table. I had let it slide then, but I couldn't rule out the possibility that he could be a member of Orcules or the underground city of Noark.
Whether we're both Korean or not, here, we're just strangers who don't even know each other's faces or names.
Soon, I got my thoughts in order. Maintaining a relationship with Baekho had more positives than negatives. So, while I dug into his true identity, I should try to feel out some information about Orcules without overdoing it.
"Brooo!"
The moment I double-clicked the mouse, I was once again in a large room reminiscent of an aristocratic mansion. Before I could get a proper look around, Baekho ran toward me.
"Bro! What took you so long!?"
"I came here straight away..."
"Do you know how anxious I was that you might be dead!?"
This seemed to be the truth because his eyes were sharp and his hair messy, as if he'd been tugging at it. It hadn't even been five minutes since the community opened, and this was his reaction? How starved for affection was he?
"Brother, you can't die yet! We haven't even talked about K-pop singers yet, or cussed out politicians and the military. I can only do that with you! We have to talk about Dungeon Fighter, too!"
Oh... So that was the problem. Well, expecting a normal person's sensibilities from a guy who'd survived this place for ten years would be laughable. I smiled and sat down in the chair. "Stop it. I'm not going to die."
"Okay. Then what should we talk about first? Oh, Lovel Lovel's third full album? That would be best, right?"
Wait, who the heck was Lovel Lovel? Since I had no interest in the entertainment industry, I smoothly changed the subject. I had a feeling that if I confessed to not knowing them, he'd get irritated. "...Let's talk about the military."
"Absolutely! Huh? But now that I think about it, weren't you in public service?"
"I still went to the training center, man."
"Mm..." Perhaps talking about our trainee days wasn't so appealing to him. A strange look appeared on Baekho's face, and the next time he spoke, it was hesitant. "Bro, maybe we should just talk about Dungeon Fighter."
"I haven't tried that."
"What?! Didn't you say you were in public service?!" Baekho screeched like he was shocked. He came back to his senses a beat later. "Ahhh! I'm sorry, bro. I didn't mean anything by that. You know that, right?"
"Yeah... let's just go with that."
"Okay..."
The air between us instantly grew awkward. Baekho scratched his cheek, looking somewhat dispirited. It was not that I couldn't understand his thought process. He was so happy to meet a fellow Korean, but was now realizing that we didn't have much in common.
"Pffft! Hehehe..."
"Why are you laughing?"
"No, bro. Isn't it funny, though? The conversation we just had."
Was it? I wasn't sure exactly which part was so amusing.
"I can't really explain it, but for some reason I felt like I was just back in Korea."
Oh, that. "...I think I know what you mean. And roughly what it feels like."
"Right?" Baekho chuckled and leaned back in his chair.
Rather than trying to force a topic, we let the conversation flow naturally. Starting from our original jobs, we exchanged stories and somehow ended up talking about the military.
"The training center was so funny. I didn't know there were so many wackos in our country."
"I guess it's just the environment. And then everyone returns to normal outside."
"Well... that's true. We never knew we'd end up here, either. Once we get back, we'll probably have to go to a mental institution."
"I think it would be best not to talk about that."
"No. Haven't you thought about it? Killing people if they get in the way, killing them if they're suspicious, wondering whether every person we meet is going to harm us or not. Human life... just feels like a game here. We're madmen."
As if the humorous atmosphere from earlier had never existed, the air grew heavy.
"You'll adapt quickly. Just like when you got here."
"...You think so?"
"Yeah."
A moment of silence passed after that. Baekho was the first to speak. "Anyway, that's why I'm grateful to you. To be honest, these days I've started to wonder whether I really need to head back or not. Not that I like it here, but... You know what I mean?"
"Yeah."
"You might think it's no big deal, but it motivates me, at least. Laughing here gives me faith that I'll be able to do it when I get back, too."
Faith, huh? I got the strange sense that that word was out of place, but I didn't examine the feeling too closely. I wasn't sure of anything yet, and I decided that there was nothing to gain by looking into it.
"Oh, by the way, do you know about Orcules?" I brought up the main topic on my agenda in a nonchalant tone as if I was just mentioning it to put an end to the tension. After I threw out that question, I focused on examining Baekho's expression for any changes.
"Absolutely! Huh? But now that I think about it, weren't you in public service?"
"I still went to the training center, man."
"Mm..." Perhaps talking about our trainee days wasn't so appealing to him. A strange look appeared on Baekho's face, and the next time he spoke, it was hesitant. "Bro, maybe we should just talk about Dungeon Fighter."
"I haven't tried that."
"What?! Didn't you say you were in public service?!" Baekho screeched like he was shocked. He came back to his senses a beat later. "Ahhh! I'm sorry, bro. I didn't mean anything by that. You know that, right?"
"Yeah... let's just go with that."
"Okay..."
The air between us instantly grew awkward. Baekho scratched his cheek, looking somewhat dispirited. It was not that I couldn't understand his thought process. He was so happy to meet a fellow Korean, but was now realizing that we didn't have much in common.
"Pffft! Hehehe..."
"Why are you laughing?"
"No, bro. Isn't it funny, though? The conversation we just had."
Was it? I wasn't sure exactly which part was so amusing.
"I can't really explain it, but for some reason I felt like I was just back in Korea."
Oh, that. "...I think I know what you mean. And roughly what it feels like."
"Right?" Baekho chuckled and leaned back in his chair.
Rather than trying to force a topic, we let the conversation flow naturally. Starting from our original jobs, we exchanged stories and somehow ended up talking about the military.
"The training center was so funny. I didn't know there were so many wackos in our country."
"I guess it's just the environment. And then everyone returns to normal outside."
"Well... that's true. We never knew we'd end up here, either. Once we get back, we'll probably have to go to a mental institution."
"I think it would be best not to talk about that."
"No. Haven't you thought about it? Killing people if they get in the way, killing them if they're suspicious, wondering whether every person we meet is going to harm us or not. Human life... just feels like a game here. We're madmen."
As if the humorous atmosphere from earlier had never existed, the air grew heavy.
"You'll adapt quickly. Just like when you got here."
"...You think so?"
"Yeah."
A moment of silence passed after that. Baekho was the first to speak. "Anyway, that's why I'm grateful to you. To be honest, these days I've started to wonder whether I really need to head back or not. Not that I like it here, but... You know what I mean?"
"Yeah."
"You might think it's no big deal, but it motivates me, at least. Laughing here gives me faith that I'll be able to do it when I get back, too."
Faith, huh? I got the strange sense that that word was out of place, but I didn't examine the feeling too closely. I wasn't sure of anything yet, and I decided that there was nothing to gain by looking into it.
"Oh, by the way, do you know about Orcules?" I brought up the main topic on my agenda in a nonchalant tone as if I was just mentioning it to put an end to the tension. After I threw out that question, I focused on examining Baekho's expression for any changes.
There were none. "Orcules? Why do you want to know?" Baekho asked the reason first. Until now, he had answered everything easily, no matter what I asked. That created more questions. Who was this guy, really?
"You know how you need a Genesis Treasure to get to the last floor? I was wondering if they stole it. Oh, you know about the theft, right?" I recited the lines I had prepared without pause.
Baekho nodded. "Yes. I do. So that's why you asked... I'm relieved."
"Relieved?"
"Oh, it's nothing." Baekho glossed over that and continued. "Anyway, you managed to think that far ahead, then. I actually used to think the same."
"You mean you don't anymore?"
"Yes. I've done some research, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Makes sense, since the Genesis Treasures were all stolen half a year ago."
"All of them?"
"Oh, you didn't know that. All six races were robbed. On the same day, too."
Huh, the elder had said that the other races might be in a similar situation. He had been right.
"Realistically, though, it makes no sense. I don't know about the other races, but how could Orcules steal from the dragonians? No matter how skilled the thief, it's not possible. Well, I tried to investigate just in case, but I couldn't find any clues."
"So you don't know who stole them?"
"No. If you learn anything, let me know too. Since there's no other way to get back home without one."
I asked the question because I was curious about Orcules, but I had learned something unexpected instead. This guy knew nothing about the Genesis Treasures, either. I had even had some momentary delusions that he might be the final boss.
"Bro, you're not having weird thoughts, are you? Like that we have to compete or whatever. You can open the door with up to five people, anyway. I can help."
"No, it's not that..." Because I couldn't tell him what I was thinking to his face, I brushed it aside. "It's just that it's a little weird for you to say that to me. How can I find clues that you couldn't even find?"
"Uh, I don't really have much to say to that... But for some reason, I have a feeling that you're special. Actually, I've had that thought since I first saw you."
"That leaves me with nothing to say..."
"Come on, didn't you say you beat the game at Times Ten? In ten years, you'll be like me. Realistically, I have no more areas to improve."
Apart from saying that he had no more room to become any stronger, Baekho's resolve shone through in those casual words. This guy really thought it'd take another ten years to find the Genesis Treasures, but he still wasn't giving up. How did someone become so tenacious?
"Oh, right. Wanna hear something interesting? I'm sure you don't know this, either. It's a setting that didn't exist in the game."
"What is it?"
"There is a huge underground city under the sewers called Noark."
"...Noark?" I tried my best to keep my composure. I hadn't dared to bring it up, but I had wanted to. To think he would mention it first.
"Yes. Talking about Orcules reminded me of it. That's actually their home base. You know the Ormi Revolutionary Corps, right?"
I laughed at the slightly unexpected name. "Those guys that appear sometimes as special events. They approach you to ask you to start a revolution with them as soon as you get some fame."
There were none. "Orcules? Why do you want to know?" Baekho asked the reason first. Until now, he had answered everything easily, no matter what I asked. That created more questions. Who was this guy, really?
"You know how you need a Genesis Treasure to get to the last floor? I was wondering if they stole it. Oh, you know about the theft, right?" I recited the lines I had prepared without pause.
Baekho nodded. "Yes. I do. So that's why you asked... I'm relieved."
"Relieved?"
"Oh, it's nothing." Baekho glossed over that and continued. "Anyway, you managed to think that far ahead, then. I actually used to think the same."
"You mean you don't anymore?"
"Yes. I've done some research, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Makes sense, since the Genesis Treasures were all stolen half a year ago."
"All of them?"
"Oh, you didn't know that. All six races were robbed. On the same day, too."
Huh, the elder had said that the other races might be in a similar situation. He had been right.
"Realistically, though, it makes no sense. I don't know about the other races, but how could Orcules steal from the dragonians? No matter how skilled the thief, it's not possible. Well, I tried to investigate just in case, but I couldn't find any clues."
"So you don't know who stole them?"
"No. If you learn anything, let me know too. Since there's no other way to get back home without one."
I asked the question because I was curious about Orcules, but I had learned something unexpected instead. This guy knew nothing about the Genesis Treasures, either. I had even had some momentary delusions that he might be the final boss.
"Bro, you're not having weird thoughts, are you? Like that we have to compete or whatever. You can open the door with up to five people, anyway. I can help."
"No, it's not that..." Because I couldn't tell him what I was thinking to his face, I brushed it aside. "It's just that it's a little weird for you to say that to me. How can I find clues that you couldn't even find?"
"Uh, I don't really have much to say to that... But for some reason, I have a feeling that you're special. Actually, I've had that thought since I first saw you."
"That leaves me with nothing to say..."
"Come on, didn't you say you beat the game at Times Ten? In ten years, you'll be like me. Realistically, I have no more areas to improve."
Apart from saying that he had no more room to become any stronger, Baekho's resolve shone through in those casual words. This guy really thought it'd take another ten years to find the Genesis Treasures, but he still wasn't giving up. How did someone become so tenacious?
"Oh, right. Wanna hear something interesting? I'm sure you don't know this, either. It's a setting that didn't exist in the game."
"What is it?"
"There is a huge underground city under the sewers called Noark."
"...Noark?" I tried my best to keep my composure. I hadn't dared to bring it up, but I had wanted to. To think he would mention it first.
"Yes. Talking about Orcules reminded me of it. That's actually their home base. You know the Ormi Revolutionary Corps, right?"
I laughed at the slightly unexpected name. "Those guys that appear sometimes as special events. They approach you to ask you to start a revolution with them as soon as you get some fame."
Accepting the event always resulted in your character ending up dead. I had tried countless times to see if there was a hidden condition to get around that, but there was nothing I could change because the problem lay in the structure of the game itself.
"Noark was created by those bastards. Their rebellion failed and they fled underground."
"That's interesting. And then?"
"That's it. They have similar goals, right? That's why they're partnering together."
The existence of an alliance between Noark and Orcules was something I had discovered from the letter left behind by High Priest Ludwig. In other words, everything from now on was important. Was there a way for me to ask for information about the Dragon Slayer without being suspicious?
"Bro, I'm just telling you this just in case, but if a commission related to this comes down from the palace or guild, don't even go near it."
"I think I need to hear the reason behind that first."
"Ah, that makes it a long story..." Baekho sighed but quickly continued. "There's this bastard called the Dragon Slayer who did something really stupid recently. He kidnapped a High Priest but lost him. Apparently, someone picked up his letter and brought it to the temple or something."
I gulped. "But how?"
"I don't know the details. I heard that he lost his memory and doesn't know what happened to him."
Lost his memory? Could that have something to do with the vine that fell off? I wanted to ask for more details, but Baekho steamrolled forward and didn't give me a chance to.
"Anyway, what I wanted to say is their alliance has broken up, so they might end up getting taken over by Rafdonia. So don't ever participate. They're not doing so well down there. Getting caught up in it will only get you hurt. Okay? Dang it, time's up already. Bro! See you next—" A moment later, Baekho's voice cut off and he disappeared without a trace.
"Goddamn it."
In other words, he had bounced because his time was up.
***
After Baekho disappeared, I returned to my room and took a moment to get my thoughts in order. To be precise, I mulled over one particular sentence he said again and again.
"I don't know the details. I heard he lost his memory and doesn't know what happened to him."
Considering the pill that deranged bitch fed me, this was a very plausible turn of events. The problem was, I didn't know if that was true. It was possible that Baekho had heard rumors created by Orcules itself and passed them on to me. But if it was true...
It makes sense that the vine broke.
To some extent, the logic was sound. This ring did not actually stop ill-fated meetings with the bastard—it only postponed them.
After all, it's only a matter of time before I get caught.
If he looked into who had delivered the letter, he'd find out about me someday. There was also the issue of disposing of the sword called Dragon Slayer. And even setting that aside, the possibility that Noark had a way of restoring memories was also on the table.
My job will remain the same.
I sat down at my computer again and did what I had to do. I checked for posts selling information and, when there were any, met up with the users to purchase it at a reasonable price. Assuming that anyone could become my enemy, I gathered more and more information, not just about the Dragon Slayer.
Eventually, it was 3:09 a.m., just about time for the Watchers of the Round Table to open. I deliberately waited until there was only one minute left to enter the chat room. The beauty of performing a character lay in the details.
Creak!
When I put on the lion mask that was on the table, the closed door opened. A red carpet led up to the Round Table's room. As I moved slowly, I could hear the sound of conversation in the distance.
"That man, is he not coming this time?"
"That wouldn't be strange. Someone like him has no need for us."
"Who the hell is he that you guys are acting like this?"
There was a new voice in their midst. It seemed to be a member who hadn't attended the last time.
"It's hard to explain."
"He's kooky. So if you ever meet him, watch what you say. Otherwise, you will have a very hard time."
In response to their senior's experienced advice, the newbie said, "Ha, I really don't understand. You're all making messing with me, right? Physical strength doesn't work here, and he can't even learn our identities, so what are you so afraid of?"
"Psh. There's one thing: murderous intent."
"What... No matter how strong he is, we're strong enough to defend against it," the newbie muttered incredulously.
I kept walking and made my presence known.
Step.
At the sound of loud footsteps, the members seated at the Round Table turned their heads in unison. I quietly passed behind them and sat in the seat I had used last time.
"Long time no see, Mr. Lion."
Except for Clown, they all looked at me silently.
Apparently, this vibe was not to their liking, because the newbie acted like a newbie and laughed awkwardly. "Oh, um... I-I guess there really is a newcomer. Haha."
I quietly stared at the newbie and released the murderous intent I had put so much effort into practicing. If there was a newbie, it was important to cut them off at the pass. Wasn't that tradition here?
Accepting the event always resulted in your character ending up dead. I had tried countless times to see if there was a hidden condition to get around that, but there was nothing I could change because the problem lay in the structure of the game itself.
"Noark was created by those bastards. Their rebellion failed and they fled underground."
"That's interesting. And then?"
"That's it. They have similar goals, right? That's why they're partnering together."
The existence of an alliance between Noark and Orcules was something I had discovered from the letter left behind by High Priest Ludwig. In other words, everything from now on was important. Was there a way for me to ask for information about the Dragon Slayer without being suspicious?
"Bro, I'm just telling you this just in case, but if a commission related to this comes down from the palace or guild, don't even go near it."
"I think I need to hear the reason behind that first."
"Ah, that makes it a long story..." Baekho sighed but quickly continued. "There's this bastard called the Dragon Slayer who did something really stupid recently. He kidnapped a High Priest but lost him. Apparently, someone picked up his letter and brought it to the temple or something."
I gulped. "But how?"
"I don't know the details. I heard that he lost his memory and doesn't know what happened to him."
Lost his memory? Could that have something to do with the vine that fell off? I wanted to ask for more details, but Baekho steamrolled forward and didn't give me a chance to.
"Anyway, what I wanted to say is their alliance has broken up, so they might end up getting taken over by Rafdonia. So don't ever participate. They're not doing so well down there. Getting caught up in it will only get you hurt. Okay? Dang it, time's up already. Bro! See you next—" A moment later, Baekho's voice cut off and he disappeared without a trace.
"Goddamn it."
In other words, he had bounced because his time was up.
***
After Baekho disappeared, I returned to my room and took a moment to get my thoughts in order. To be precise, I mulled over one particular sentence he said again and again.
"I don't know the details. I heard he lost his memory and doesn't know what happened to him."
Considering the pill that deranged bitch fed me, this was a very plausible turn of events. The problem was, I didn't know if that was true. It was possible that Baekho had heard rumors created by Orcules itself and passed them on to me. But if it was true...
It makes sense that the vine broke.
To some extent, the logic was sound. This ring did not actually stop ill-fated meetings with the bastard—it only postponed them.
After all, it's only a matter of time before I get caught.
If he looked into who had delivered the letter, he'd find out about me someday. There was also the issue of disposing of the sword called Dragon Slayer. And even setting that aside, the possibility that Noark had a way of restoring memories was also on the table.
My job will remain the same.
I sat down at my computer again and did what I had to do. I checked for posts selling information and, when there were any, met up with the users to purchase it at a reasonable price. Assuming that anyone could become my enemy, I gathered more and more information, not just about the Dragon Slayer.
Eventually, it was 3:09 a.m., just about time for the Watchers of the Round Table to open. I deliberately waited until there was only one minute left to enter the chat room. The beauty of performing a character lay in the details.
Creak!
When I put on the lion mask that was on the table, the closed door opened. A red carpet led up to the Round Table's room. As I moved slowly, I could hear the sound of conversation in the distance.
"That man, is he not coming this time?"
"That wouldn't be strange. Someone like him has no need for us."
"Who the hell is he that you guys are acting like this?"
There was a new voice in their midst. It seemed to be a member who hadn't attended the last time.
"It's hard to explain."
"He's kooky. So if you ever meet him, watch what you say. Otherwise, you will have a very hard time."
In response to their senior's experienced advice, the newbie said, "Ha, I really don't understand. You're all making messing with me, right? Physical strength doesn't work here, and he can't even learn our identities, so what are you so afraid of?"
"Psh. There's one thing: murderous intent."
"What... No matter how strong he is, we're strong enough to defend against it," the newbie muttered incredulously.
I kept walking and made my presence known.
Step.
At the sound of loud footsteps, the members seated at the Round Table turned their heads in unison. I quietly passed behind them and sat in the seat I had used last time.
"Long time no see, Mr. Lion."
Except for Clown, they all looked at me silently.
Apparently, this vibe was not to their liking, because the newbie acted like a newbie and laughed awkwardly. "Oh, um... I-I guess there really is a newcomer. Haha."
I quietly stared at the newbie and released the murderous intent I had put so much effort into practicing. If there was a newbie, it was important to cut them off at the pass. Wasn't that tradition here?