Chapter 441: Giant Step (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 441: Giant Step (3)
Silence momentarily fell over the Round Table. Any doubts about the value of Goblin's information were long gone, and everyone was lost in thought. This was a bonus effect of something being Judged as Entertaining.
"Who could... the Sage of Eternal Life be?"
I had no idea who they were, either. Auril Gavis immediately came to mind, but there was no way of knowing for sure. At least this way, these guys would diligently investigate this on my behalf.
"...Pshehe, I'll have to look into it as soon as I get out."
"If you find any clues, let me know. I will pay accordingly," said Queen.
"Why not? But only if you promise to do the same."
"I promise."
Okay, do your best. I expect a lot from the two of you. Anyway, is the Goblin problem resolved now? Hmm, it seems so, based on the stars in Clown's eyes.
"Pshehe, you really can't know how things will turn out. To think Mr. Goblin would hit the jackpot!"
Goblin nodded awkwardly, uncomfortable with Clown's praise. "Oh... right... th-that's right. It's... hahaha..." It looked like he was having a hard time believing it too.
"...Then it's my turn." When the commotion died down, Deer's turn began. I was planning on maintaining a poker face no matter what came out of his mouth, but that was actually kind of a challenge this time. "Countess Ragna Peprok is Marquess Tercerion's illegitimate daughter."
Once from Hyeonbyeol earlier and once again now—this was my second time hearing that name today.
Shaaaaaa.
Before long, the jewel lit up green and no one raised any objections.
"No wonder the marquess kept pushing her forward in government. So that was why," Crescent commented.
Queen also reacted. "This is getting interesting," she muttered, mostly to herself.
"Um, is it that important that she's his illegitimate child?" Goblin cautiously joined in.
Queen smiled. "Well, it can be used as a political weapon, after all. Against the prime minister, who is essentially this country's second-in-command."
"Ah, right... I see..."
It was clear Queen was also interested for another reason, but it wasn't like I could ask her. So, I focused on something else.
To think Ragna was the marquess's daughter. No wonder she always gave off a rich girl vibe.
In terms of emotional impact, this was more shocking than Clown's or Queen's news. Ragna was one thing, but this meant Hyeonbyeol was also involved in this mess.
Ha... This is going to be trouble.
I'd have to look into it further, but I desperately hoped at this moment that Ragna wasn't too solidly on the marquess's side.
In the worst-case scenario, I'll have to somehow force Hyeonbyeol to get out of there.
Anyway, when Deer's turn ended, the attention naturally shifted to Crescent.
Hmm, I wonder what he's going to say. Probably something about the elves.
"The Genesis Treasures."
Huh?
"The dwarves are looking for a way to produce new Genesis Treasures and have achieved some success."
Really?
"Pardon? Is that true? What do you mean produce?" Queen jumped up from her seat, bombarding him with questions. Her reaction made one thing clear:
I guess she and the GM are intent on going back.
Clown, on the other hand, didn't seem to care. He seemed a little surprised but ultimately just accepted the information at face value.
Hmm, does this prick not want to go back? Maybe he likes his life as a toy collector.
"So what's the methodology?"
"I already gave you a hint, so the rest is up to you."
"Wait. Don't you think your information is too vague for us to simply move on? It's not like they've found a surefire way to do it—you only said there's been some success."
Crescent pretended to let Queen bully him into revealing additional details. "It takes numerous Rift Stones and even more blood. The dwarves believe if these two conditions are met, the Genesis Treasures can be created anew."
Ha, are they mad scientists or something?
Regardless of whether the approach worked or not, the concept was impressive in itself.
Making Genesis Treasures, huh? Could that really be possible? These are items said to have existed since the creation of this world, after all. Well, let's think about all that later.
I shook off any distracting thoughts. The other members may still have been preoccupied with Crescent's information, but that wouldn't last forever. Before long, eyes started to turn in my direction. Unlike earlier, there were almost no anxious looks. It seemed like my deeming Goblin's information as interesting played a big role in shifting the mood at the table.
Now, what should I tell them?
I didn't have to think for long. If you wanted to catch fish, it was only natural to go to the shore.
"The person who used the nickname Elfnuna in Stone Iven..."
So let's throw in some bait.
"That person is already in this world."
I was starting to get really curious now too. What was the big deal about that thoughtlessly chosen nickname that even Baekho and the GM were kicking up such a fuss about it?
Shaaaaaa.
As the green light on the jewel blinked on, the jaws of every person at this gathering beside me dropped as if on cue.
"Elfnuna... is that person, right? The person who's said to have the highest chance of clearing the original version of the game," said Queen.
"Pshehe, I guess half the rumors circulating around the community were true, then."
I knew the rumors Clown was referring to. They said that Elfnuna was summoned to this world a long time ago and that they received huge perks here for clearing the original game. As the subject of said rumors, I had to laugh.
Perks... Are you joking? I was almost killed by a goblin trap as soon as I got here.
"Half?" said Queen.
"We don't know for sure yet if they really cleared the original version. You never know. Maybe they realized it was impossible in the end and adjusted the mode," Clown said with a shrug. He didn't seem overly interested in Elfnuna, unlike Queen.
Soul Queen didn't say a word. She just sat there, frozen like a statue. That showed me just how important this information was to her.
Okay, then this news will be conveyed to the GM too.
Really?
"Pardon? Is that true? What do you mean produce?" Queen jumped up from her seat, bombarding him with questions. Her reaction made one thing clear:
I guess she and the GM are intent on going back.
Clown, on the other hand, didn't seem to care. He seemed a little surprised but ultimately just accepted the information at face value.
Hmm, does this prick not want to go back? Maybe he likes his life as a toy collector.
"So what's the methodology?"
"I already gave you a hint, so the rest is up to you."
"Wait. Don't you think your information is too vague for us to simply move on? It's not like they've found a surefire way to do it—you only said there's been some success."
Crescent pretended to let Queen bully him into revealing additional details. "It takes numerous Rift Stones and even more blood. The dwarves believe if these two conditions are met, the Genesis Treasures can be created anew."
Ha, are they mad scientists or something?
Regardless of whether the approach worked or not, the concept was impressive in itself.
Making Genesis Treasures, huh? Could that really be possible? These are items said to have existed since the creation of this world, after all. Well, let's think about all that later.
I shook off any distracting thoughts. The other members may still have been preoccupied with Crescent's information, but that wouldn't last forever. Before long, eyes started to turn in my direction. Unlike earlier, there were almost no anxious looks. It seemed like my deeming Goblin's information as interesting played a big role in shifting the mood at the table.
Now, what should I tell them?
I didn't have to think for long. If you wanted to catch fish, it was only natural to go to the shore.
"The person who used the nickname Elfnuna in Stone Iven..."
So let's throw in some bait.
"That person is already in this world."
I was starting to get really curious now too. What was the big deal about that thoughtlessly chosen nickname that even Baekho and the GM were kicking up such a fuss about it?
Shaaaaaa.
As the green light on the jewel blinked on, the jaws of every person at this gathering beside me dropped as if on cue.
"Elfnuna... is that person, right? The person who's said to have the highest chance of clearing the original version of the game," said Queen.
"Pshehe, I guess half the rumors circulating around the community were true, then."
I knew the rumors Clown was referring to. They said that Elfnuna was summoned to this world a long time ago and that they received huge perks here for clearing the original game. As the subject of said rumors, I had to laugh.
Perks... Are you joking? I was almost killed by a goblin trap as soon as I got here.
"Half?" said Queen.
"We don't know for sure yet if they really cleared the original version. You never know. Maybe they realized it was impossible in the end and adjusted the mode," Clown said with a shrug. He didn't seem overly interested in Elfnuna, unlike Queen.
Soul Queen didn't say a word. She just sat there, frozen like a statue. That showed me just how important this information was to her.
Okay, then this news will be conveyed to the GM too.
If I waited, the GM would inevitably try to contact me. He'd probably want to meet with me one-on-one to find out more about Elfnuna. From there, I'd only have to do one thing: take advantage of having the upper hand in our interaction and sneakily use it to dig for information.
"Anyway, thank you for more fascinating information. Pshehe."
"Lion... have you met them—"
"Mr. Deer! Don't you know it's rude to ask a question like that?" Without me even having to intervene, Clown stepped forward and blocked any questions in my stead. "Pshehe, looks like another round would be pushing it."
He snickered like he was mocking the other members for not having anything else to offer. But, and maybe this was just me, it seemed to me that he wanted this to end because he had no more information to share.
"Yes, I-I'll stop here..."
"Me too."
"Me as well."
Goblin, Fox, and Crescent declared that they were opting out, and the meeting naturally came to an end. I walked out without looking back.
Whew...
Now free, I returned to Hansu Lee's room. Maybe it was because the Round Table was over, but I was completely drained. It felt like a lot of things had happened in Ghost Busters this month.
It feels like I've been here a week.
I dragged myself over to the computer and sat down. Using the mouse, I moved my cursor to the logout button. Normally, I would've looked around the bulletin board for a while, but...
Let's go back.
I just wanted to go home and sleep.
Click-click.
As soon as I clicked Logout, there was a flash of light, and space distorted around me.
[You are being transported to Rafdonia.]
When I opened my eyes again, I was in my room on the second floor of Erwen's mansion. Once again, Amelia was beside me.
"You're back early today."
"Ah, it worked out that way this time."
Jeez, I'm only gone a few seconds, but she guards me every time.
I felt reassured, grateful, and also kind of embarrassed at the same time.
"As long as you're back. Get some rest. You look tired. I'll tell the elf not to wake you up tomorrow."
"Ah, thanks."
Amelia coolly got up from her post and even turned off the lights before leaving. It was the optimal amount of quiet and darkness to fall asleep in.
...I was going to get some of my thoughts in order before going to bed, but...
When I laid my head on the pillow and closed my eyes, sleep came over me like a dam that had burst. With the whole murderous intent debacle and forcing myself to go to the Round Table after, I really felt like death.
I wonder if Baekho's all right.
That was my last thought before I passed out.
***
It was a dark room where even the moonlight was blocked off by thick curtains.
"Whew, that's much better."
The first thing the blond man did when he opened his eyes was get up and check the door.
Okay, no signs of a break-in while I was there.
He never expected the ban to be lifted this month, and the man was quite startled about being dragged to that place all of a sudden. Normally, he prepared for everything well in advance.
"Ugh, my head..."
A wave of fatigue swept over the man after he was done checking the door, and he sat on the edge of his bed. He wanted to lie down and fall asleep right away.
"I feel like someone could kidnap me in my sleep tonight and I wouldn't wake up..."
The man fought through his fatigue to open his sub-space. He took out a coffin-shaped metal box.
I haven't used this in the outside world in a while.
No. 1577: Coffin of Eternal Rest was an item he often used in the labyrinth instead of a sleeping bag. It was tremendously durable in addition to speeding up the user's stamina recovery.
Yeah, I'll just sleep in here today.
The man squeezed himself into the coffin and shut it from the inside. It was probably funny that he was sleeping here instead of on the comfortable bed next to him, but he had no choice. Constantly being alert to potential dangers was this man's longest-standing ground rule.
Though it was uncomfortable, he felt himself relax as his body registered that he was in a safe space. The man let his eyes fall shut and gathered his thoughts. There was one that kept running through his mind.
"I don't think it's totally impossible."
The response his opponent gave when he asked if he truly thought he could kill him. As soon as the words left the guy's mouth, the man instinctively sensed it. Just as he saw through his opponent's lie about pressing the button, he immediately realized that that statement was the unmistakable truth.
He's not an easy customer.
It still sent shivers down his spine. But on the other hand, the man felt himself laugh at the memory of his opponent unleashing his murderous intent.
"Ugh, I really need to sleep ..."
He hadn't expected all of that to happen, but it honestly just made him want even more.
Elfnunna... I hope this month flies by.
Baekho Lee fell asleep with that thought in mind.
If I waited, the GM would inevitably try to contact me. He'd probably want to meet with me one-on-one to find out more about Elfnuna. From there, I'd only have to do one thing: take advantage of having the upper hand in our interaction and sneakily use it to dig for information.
"Anyway, thank you for more fascinating information. Pshehe."
"Lion... have you met them—"
"Mr. Deer! Don't you know it's rude to ask a question like that?" Without me even having to intervene, Clown stepped forward and blocked any questions in my stead. "Pshehe, looks like another round would be pushing it."
He snickered like he was mocking the other members for not having anything else to offer. But, and maybe this was just me, it seemed to me that he wanted this to end because he had no more information to share.
"Yes, I-I'll stop here..."
"Me too."
"Me as well."
Goblin, Fox, and Crescent declared that they were opting out, and the meeting naturally came to an end. I walked out without looking back.
Whew...
Now free, I returned to Hansu Lee's room. Maybe it was because the Round Table was over, but I was completely drained. It felt like a lot of things had happened in Ghost Busters this month.
It feels like I've been here a week.
I dragged myself over to the computer and sat down. Using the mouse, I moved my cursor to the logout button. Normally, I would've looked around the bulletin board for a while, but...
Let's go back.
I just wanted to go home and sleep.
Click-click.
As soon as I clicked Logout, there was a flash of light, and space distorted around me.
[You are being transported to Rafdonia.]
When I opened my eyes again, I was in my room on the second floor of Erwen's mansion. Once again, Amelia was beside me.
"You're back early today."
"Ah, it worked out that way this time."
Jeez, I'm only gone a few seconds, but she guards me every time.
I felt reassured, grateful, and also kind of embarrassed at the same time.
"As long as you're back. Get some rest. You look tired. I'll tell the elf not to wake you up tomorrow."
"Ah, thanks."
Amelia coolly got up from her post and even turned off the lights before leaving. It was the optimal amount of quiet and darkness to fall asleep in.
...I was going to get some of my thoughts in order before going to bed, but...
When I laid my head on the pillow and closed my eyes, sleep came over me like a dam that had burst. With the whole murderous intent debacle and forcing myself to go to the Round Table after, I really felt like death.
I wonder if Baekho's all right.
That was my last thought before I passed out.
***
It was a dark room where even the moonlight was blocked off by thick curtains.
"Whew, that's much better."
The first thing the blond man did when he opened his eyes was get up and check the door.
Okay, no signs of a break-in while I was there.
He never expected the ban to be lifted this month, and the man was quite startled about being dragged to that place all of a sudden. Normally, he prepared for everything well in advance.
"Ugh, my head..."
A wave of fatigue swept over the man after he was done checking the door, and he sat on the edge of his bed. He wanted to lie down and fall asleep right away.
"I feel like someone could kidnap me in my sleep tonight and I wouldn't wake up..."
The man fought through his fatigue to open his sub-space. He took out a coffin-shaped metal box.
I haven't used this in the outside world in a while.
No. 1577: Coffin of Eternal Rest was an item he often used in the labyrinth instead of a sleeping bag. It was tremendously durable in addition to speeding up the user's stamina recovery.
Yeah, I'll just sleep in here today.
The man squeezed himself into the coffin and shut it from the inside. It was probably funny that he was sleeping here instead of on the comfortable bed next to him, but he had no choice. Constantly being alert to potential dangers was this man's longest-standing ground rule.
Though it was uncomfortable, he felt himself relax as his body registered that he was in a safe space. The man let his eyes fall shut and gathered his thoughts. There was one that kept running through his mind.
"I don't think it's totally impossible."
The response his opponent gave when he asked if he truly thought he could kill him. As soon as the words left the guy's mouth, the man instinctively sensed it. Just as he saw through his opponent's lie about pressing the button, he immediately realized that that statement was the unmistakable truth.
He's not an easy customer.
It still sent shivers down his spine. But on the other hand, the man felt himself laugh at the memory of his opponent unleashing his murderous intent.
"Ugh, I really need to sleep ..."
He hadn't expected all of that to happen, but it honestly just made him want even more.
Elfnunna... I hope this month flies by.
Baekho Lee fell asleep with that thought in mind.