Chapter 372: Chapter 372: Black Star (5)

It was surprisingly easy to talk to Hyunbyul.

I thought it would be much more awkward, considering our past relationship and the things we were hiding from each other…

‘It’s convenient that she never crosses the line once it’s drawn.’

Economy, culture, politics, administration, and so on.

There were many topics we could relate to, and we freely discussed them.

After some time…

“The library… maybe we ran into each other a few times?”

“Did you go there often?”

“Whenever I had time.”

“Well, there’s no better place to get information than a library.”

It had been about two hours since I met Hyunbyul.

Wow, it’s been a while since I lost track of time.

What should we talk about next?

As I was contemplating, Hyunbyul cautiously spoke.

“Oppa.”

“Yeah?”

“What kind of people are your friends?”

“…Suddenly?”

I tilted my head, and Hyunbyul spoke nonchalantly.

“Just curious. It’s all your fault that you didn’t have any friends, isn’t it?”

“…What? Are you going to hit me where it hurts?”

Hyunbyul quickly added,

“No, I mean… it was up to you whether you considered someone as a friend or not. I’m sure there were people who considered you as a friend. Like those who contacted you on New Year’s Day or your birthday.”

“Those aren’t friends, they’re acquaintances.”

“That’s what I’m saying, your mindset was the problem.”

Although I had a lot to say, I didn’t refute her.

I understood what she was trying to say.

“That’s why I’m so surprised. You consider your current friend… as a real friend, right?”

“That’s right…?”

“Honestly, I don’t understand how someone like you changed. What kind of people are they?”

…Is it really that strange for me to have a friend?

I felt a strange sense of bitterness, but I answered her question.

“They’re trustworthy. I wouldn’t be worried even if they were holding a knife behind my back.”

“Hmm, so you were able to build a deep bond because you often risk your lives together?”

“Probably.”

“But isn’t that just a companion, not a friend?”

Uh…

Well…

“Considering the setting of this world, a companion is socially considered to be a closer and more trustworthy relationship than a friend—”

“So they’re just companions.”

“…….”

I didn’t answer.

What did it matter whether they were friends or companions?

The important thing was that they were important to each other.

“…What’s with that look?”

“Come to think of it, you didn’t have any friends either.”

“There were tons of people who considered me as a friend.”

I know.

But she was similar to me, wasn’t she?

Prioritizing her own judgment over what others thought.

“So, did you make any friends here?”

“…I don’t need any. I’m going back anyway.”

“Really? Then it can’t be helped.”

Hyunbyul looked up at me with a frustrated expression as I chuckled.

But it was short-lived.

“Huh?”

She suddenly flinched.

“I just heard a ‘ding’ sound.”

“Ah, you got a message.”

“Message…?”

“Did you post anything on the exchange?”

“No, but I sent an offer to someone who was looking for information. I thought it would be nice to earn some GP. How do I check my messages?”

“You can’t check them here. You have to go back and use the computer.”

“…Then I’ll check later.”

“Go check it now. Judging by how late the reply came, they probably received other offers too.”

Hyunbyul’s face brightened as I suggested it.

It seemed like she also thought it was the rational choice.

“Then I’ll be back soon.”

“Huh? You’re coming back?”

“…You’re leaving?”

“It’s not like you’ll be able to focus if you’re waiting for me. It’s fine, we can see each other again later.”

“…….”

“And besides, you said this was your first time in the community. You should check out the other features.”

“That’s… true.”

As expected, she nodded without any objections when I explained logically.

“Then see you next month.”

“Yeah, take care.”

We said our goodbyes.

Well, that’s what we should have done.

But…

“…….”

“…….”

“Why aren’t you leaving?”

“…….”

“Ah, you want me to go first? Then—”

I tried to focus and leave the chat room.

“Wait!”

Hyunbyul grabbed my sleeve.

And…

“Oppa.”

…she asked, looking away,

“How do I… leave…?”

Damn it, I thought she was doing something, but…

She was trapped because she didn’t know how to leave?

“Don’t tell me… you…”

She wasn’t waiting for someone, she was stuck because she didn’t know how to get out?

____________________

“…Twenty-two years ago…? You’re saying he joined twenty-two years ago?”

The white man asked, biting his lip, and the woman answered.

“Yes. That’s what he said. The jewel on the Round Table emitted a green light.”

“…….”

“How is this even possible? The community wasn’t even properly established back then.”

The man was silent.

He had a hunch.

The masked man he met for the first time after inheriting the spiritual world’s authority from the old man, presumably Auril Gabis.

[Believe it or not, that’s your choice. I just came here to warn you.]

He had pretended to be someone else at first, and then he gave him a warning or a threat after being exposed.

And…

[So that’s your name.]

…he had forcefully learned his name.

“…Master, my hands are shaking.”

The man unconsciously looked down.

His fingertips were trembling slightly.

It had been over twenty years, but…

“…….”

…he knew now.

That the aura he felt back then was killing intent.

But…

Clench.

He clenched his trembling hand into a fist and forced himself to calm down.

Ignorance is bliss.

Sometimes, knowing the truth only makes you more afraid.

He couldn’t even imagine how many people he would have to kill to have that kind of killing intent.

‘But to think Lion was that guy…’

He hadn’t connected the dots immediately because it had been so long ago, but now it all made sense.

How he knew his real name, Yurven Habelión.

And the unbelievable killing intent that SoulQueens reported.

‘Three months… he said…’

The man felt both fear and relief.

If he had refused his threat and acted arrogantly, that man might have become his enemy.

But he had to know more about him.

If Lion, the mysterious man he met 22 years ago, was really that powerful…

What was his goal?

That would be the key to the current situation.

‘He reappeared in the community three years ago.’

His nickname was Elfnunna.

He didn’t seem to be an otherworldly evil spirit, but he couldn’t be sure.

He was a secretive person.

‘He contacted Lee Baekho as soon as he joined the community, and then he entered the Round Table.’

Then what was his reason?

The clue was in their conversation from 22 years ago.

“Auril Gabis…”

“That’s the game developer’s name, isn’t it?”

He had warned him.

To be wary of the old man, Auril Gabis, who had handed over his authority.

That he was the one who summoned them to this world, and that he didn’t feel any guilt.

“…….”

“Sorry, you were thinking.”

The pieces were starting to fall into place.

Lion was an enemy of Auril Gabis.

And the reason he had reappeared in the community after nearly 20 years…

‘Was it because the Master of the Round Table… was Auril Gabis?’

Nickname 0720.

The one who created the Watchers of the Round Table, and the one he suspected was an otherworldly evil spirit.

‘No, there are too many contradictions.’

“SoulQueens, you said the Master of the Round Table visited the Round Table once, right?”

“Yes. I wasn’t there, but that’s what I heard.”

“And it seemed like they were close.”

“Yes. They seemed so comfortable with each other that the other members were surprised.”

“I see…”

He thought he had finally figured it out, but he hit another wall.

The more he dug, the deeper he sank.

He couldn’t figure out what Auril Gabis, the Master, Lion, or Lee Baekho wanted.

He lacked the clues to connect the dots.

But…

Crack.

…one thing was certain.

Even at this moment, in a place he didn’t know…

…powerful figures were scheming and moving towards their goals.

“…I guess we have to admit it.”

“Admit what?”

The man kept his mouth shut.

The owner of the community? The GM? The oldest player?

No matter what the other players called him, the truth didn’t change.

“…….”

He was just a small fry.

“SoulQueens, it seems like a lot of things are happening behind our backs.”

“Yes, I’ve been feeling that way too.”

“We have to work harder.”

The man chose to acknowledge his shortcomings and move forward instead of despairing.

And as if heaven had answered his prayers…

“…M-Master! Lion is in the Korean chat room! There are two people—”

“Who’s the other one?”

“HS123. The one I helped earlier. And, she’s Korean!”

“…So she’s a new recruit.”

The man quickly gave an order.

“Send her a message. I need to meet her.”

It might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

_____________________

A small room with a bed on one side and a computer desk on the other.

Kang Hyunbyul found it a bit ridiculous.

[This space is a manifestation of your imagination.]

The guide she met when she first entered the community had said that.

Although she couldn’t see it because her mental barriers were too thick…

…this space was based on the place that first came to mind, the place where she felt the most comfortable and secure.

But…

‘This is ridiculous. To think it’s here.’

Kang Hyunbyul smiled coldly.

She understood why it was this place.

But the most important person was missing.

“…Let’s just get to work.”

She looked around the room and then sat down at the computer desk.

And she frowned as she checked her messages.

‘What the, it’s not from the buyer?’

She felt a strange sense of annoyance, but she carefully read the message.

It was because of the sender’s nickname.

‘SoulQueens… that guide from earlier.’

For some reason, she was requesting a meeting.

Click, click.

Kang Hyunbyul entered the password for the chat room without hesitation.

There were two people there, a man and a woman.

She recognized the woman.

And the man…

[Elfnunalove.]

What the hell is that nickname?

She felt a sense of disgust, but she didn’t show it.

“Hello. Nice to meet you. I’m Elfnunalove.”

“Hello. But what is this about?”

“I have something to tell HS123—”

“Just call me ‘you’. It’s a bit awkward to be called by that name.”

“Ahaha, I understand. It is a bit strange.”

The man laughed good-naturedly at her request.

But she was dumbfounded.

‘He knows that, and he still chose that nickname?’

She glared at him coldly and then quickly made a judgment.

‘He’s acting so humble… there must be a reason.’

She wasn’t going to underestimate him.

He might seem stupid…

…but it was foolish to judge someone based on their appearance.

SoulQueens was part of the management team.

And there was no way the man who was standing next to her, acting like her assistant, was an ordinary person.

‘Could he be the GM…?’

There was no need to think about it.

The timing of the message, that creepy nickname, his humble attitude…

There was only one possibility.

‘He must be related to Hansu oppa.’

And she was right.

“You’re Korean, right?”

“I’m sorry, but can we get to the point? I don’t have much time.”

“Haha, I understand. It’s your first time here, so there’s a lot to check.”

“…….”

Kang Hyunbyul didn’t answer.

As always, it was an effective method.

“You’re quite blunt. Then let’s get to the point. What’s your relationship with the user ‘Elfnunna’?”

“Why should I answer?”

“I’ll give you GP.”

“We’re strangers. Why would I tell you?”

“Hmm…”

The man with the strange nickname, Elfnunalove, seemed to be contemplating her words, and then he revealed his reason for calling her here.

“I want to buy information about Elfnunna.”

“You’re asking me to investigate him? I just met him today.”

“Any information will do. I heard Koreans are close. He’ll probably lower his guard if you approach him.”

“…What’s the reward?”

The man answered curtly at Kang Hyunbyul’s cautious question.

“Anything you want.”

“…You know what I want?”

“We have the power to grant your wish, whatever it may be.”

“Is… is that true…?”

Kang Hyunbyul smiled, dismissing her cold demeanor.

It was only natural.

She had no intention of refusing and leaving.

That would be foolish.

‘Oppa is so careless… I don’t know what he’s been doing, but to have someone like this behind him.’

Her smile widened.