Soul Queen finally waved the white flag. It seemed like he realized how silly it was to try to win the game.
«Pshehe, what a funny woman. You were so bold when he revealed the GM's identity, but will you lower your tail now that it's about you?»
Queen did not respond to Clown's contempt and held on. Considering the status that had been built in that short time at the Round Table, it was also a regrettable thing.
It would be a shame to end like this.
Accepting defeat here would be foolish. Because Queen of the Soul seemed sensitive to hierarchy, it would probably be a good idea to imprint it on her forever this time around, just like the elf I met on my first day in this world did to me: who's up and who's down.
«Why...» I said, tapping the chair with my index finger once more, «Should I do that?»
Queen of Soul shuddered at the brief question before answering in a low voice. «... If you stop here, we won't make you angry». Including not banishing me from the community, of course, meant that she wouldn't criticize me for revealing the GM's identity sooner.
I laughed coldly at her soft words, which were not characteristic of her. After all, this was like making an offer to an equal partner. «You haven't learned yet». With that, I tapped the base of the chair again with my index finger. However, if there was a difference compared to before, it was that I did not hide my displeasure.
«... If there is anything you want, please tell me», Soul Queen pleaded.
«I don't want anything from you». She didn't seem to understand my words so I made it clear to her. «I'm not afraid of you either.»
At least that was true on the outside. If I was uncomfortable with the idea of becoming an enemy of management, would I have attacked it without thinking about something like that? To these guys, he probably just seemed like an uncontrollable madman.
«I'll ask one last time». I asked Soul Queen again: «Why should I do that?»
«I-that's it...» Of course, she couldn't give me a reason. Everyone she saw as business partners would have had the desire. It was natural for an eloquent tongue to freeze at the sight of a new species. «I...»
She was an intelligent woman in many ways. The threats didn't work and I didn't even ask for compensation. I was just trying to continue this punishment even at this moment, as if it were a fun pastime. What should I do to persuade such an opponent?
Reflecting on this for a long time, he came to an answer: put aside the thought of persuasion and wait for mercy. «Lo... sorry...» It was the last resort that the weak could turn to the strong when they had nothing to offer. «Please forgive me...»
«It seems that stupid woman has finally realized her position. Pshehe».
Queen of the Soul was unfazed by Clown's ridicule and lowered her stance like I did to Antlers before. Then he looked at me and said with difficulty: «I will never... do anything... to offend you again... So please forgive my mistakes today...»
To be honest, I was very impressed. I didn't expect her to come out so submissive. Was it so shocking that he knew their identities? When I looked around, I saw the members looking back and forth between Soul Queen and me without saying a word. They seemed curious about whether he would really accept her apology.
That's enough to organize the hierarchy...
I looked at Queen of the Soul and said: «Much better».
Yes, this is all.
«Queen's nickname is Queen of the Soul. And I won't say his real name». I put my hand on the table again to end my shift and received the green light.
«Phew...» The tension eased at that and the members who were observing the situation exhaled loudly. The same thing happened with Queen of the Soul. «Thanks... to you...» That expression of gratitude was probably like removing your skin. I didn't bother to respond and an awkward moment ensued.
It was Antlers who cautiously ended the silence. «... What is going to happen with the meeting? Will continue?»
Once I finished my shift, the second round ended. When it dragged on, there were times when we would do four or five rounds, but it wasn't unusual to end the meeting here. What decision would these kids make?
«Y-I'll stop here...» Queen of the soul, who was reprimanded for getting angry once, looked at me as she said that. If I told him to stay, he would probably stay, but nothing would change just because he did.
«Then I will stop here too...» Goblin, who barely managed to get through after two red lights, declared not to attend and the meeting naturally came to an end.
Well, it's over...
It was unfortunate that the Round Table he had returned to after two and a half years ended up with two rounds, but there was nothing he could do.
But since I showed my face today, I'm sure that next month they will bring something more interesting.
«Pshehe, so let's prepare more for next month. Oh, of course, assuming Mr. Leon comes back!» Clown looked at me even as he pretended to talk to the other members. It could have been considered something nice. What I really wanted to ask myself was if I would come back next time.
Slide.
It wasn't right to answer that so kindly, so I didn't answer anything and left the Round Table as it was.
«Phew...» As soon as I returned to Hansu Lee's room, I immediately took a deep breath and lay down on the bed. I was considerably fatigued, probably as a result of the murderous energy I used earlier.
I'll probably sleep like a rock until tomorrow night.
Of course, since that was my future self, the present did what I could without rest. First, organize the information.
I don't think anyone thinks I'm Bjorn Yandel after what happened today...
I reviewed the events that took place at the Round Table. Although I made a good comeback, it wasn't perfect. She couldn't pretend to be dead forever and live in the shadows.
The moment my return is known, the same suspicions will arise.
Of course, there were quite a few ways to approach this. After traveling back in time, he had many cards with which he could bluff.
I'll cross that bridge when I get there...
The really important part was elsewhere. To be honest, this almost made me lose my mind at the Round Table.
«But the first source was that woman, Missha Karlstein».
«That's the same. That woman is now Baekho Lee's teammate».
Missha Karlstein. Why did that rumor start and how did she become Baekho's teammate? As much as I activated my imagination, I couldn't think of cause and effect so easily. But, if I still had to make an assumption, this would probably be the key.
«Baekho Lee has the Stone of Revival».
For example, it could be possible that Missha had to join Baekho to save me.
... Is that too many illusions? Ha, why couldn't they send me back even a year earlier?
The two and a half year gap seemed so big again and frustration increased. But what could I do? The situation had reached this point.
Anyway, if Missha's goal is to save me... What is Baekho's goal?
Well, I didn't know. There wasn't enough information yet. The only thing we had in common was that we were both Korean, but Baekho and I had only had brief conversations. We hadn't even had an honest conversation.
...I will think about this again after learning more about Baekho.
I closed my eyes and continued organizing. The CEO, Auril Gavis, Amelia, Noark and the palace... There were more than enough things to think about regardless of what happened first. After continuing my fluid thoughts as if I were brainstorming, I sat in front of the computer again and spent my time reading posts I hadn't reviewed before.
I thought the GM or Soul Queen would send a message or something, but there's nothing like that.
I moved the cursor without hesitation. It didn't seem like anything great was going to come of careful scrutiny here, and there wasn't much time left until the community closed.
Click.
When I clicked log out, there was a flash and darkness soon fell. In a bedroom where all the windows were boarded up and not a single ray of moonlight entered, Erwen was looking at me.
«Hehe, you're awake...»
Erwen Fornacci di Tersia was now the reigning master of pureblood and the contractor of the Elemental Ruler. As proof of this, he was awarded the sacred bow and was also a member of the Mighty Seven who played an important role in the war, earning him the nickname Blood Spirit.
«Pshe, what is that crazy woman planning?»
«I don't know what it is, but it looks like there will be more bloodshed».
She was the only one among my clanmates who sacrificed everything for revenge.
«No matter what they say, to me you are Bjorn Yandel».
The woman told me that it didn't matter if I was an evil spirit or not, but that it was difficult to be grateful and moved by that dedication. It was too excessive. So why was she so obsessed with me? At first, I thought it was because of the Obsession statistic. The three essences that Erwen had consumed (Goblin Archer, Iron Hill Hunter, and Carnivore) had the Obsession stat. Since another person close to her died shortly after her sister, I thought it might have been a catalyst.
«Sir... If you have already finished sleeping... Do you want to go for a walk? I-the moon rose beautifully today...»
But that was Erwen two and a half years ago. The Erwen who received enough support from her clan to send even the aristocrats' children to flee had changed most of her essences. The problem was that the changes were not necessarily positive.
He had patrolman Ertes from Golem Island on the sixth floor. The defense mechanism here was +45. With the wolf beast Kalban, who had the unique trait of being passive during the day, but aggressive at night, Impulse was +30 and Distrust +30. From the rank 4 monster Metcrow, Possessiveness +24 was added, and from two other essences, -30 Control and +40 Foul.
If you looked at each one individually, they weren't statistics that caused major psychological problems, but when you added all this up, there could only be one influence. After realizing this, I was as careful as possible not to provoke Erwen. If he lost it, the situation could get worse beyond his control.
Yes, until now I had done it.
«Oh, sure...! I also bought a necklace... With this, I can know where you are at any time!»
I can't postpone this forever. This is not my style either.
Grifo.
I abruptly moved Erwen's hand away, touching my body without hesitation.
«... Oh?» Erwen was clearly confused. «M-Sir...-are you angry? But... why...?» His eyes trembled with confusion as he searched for the cause of my change on the outside. «Now that I think about it... the tables... in the room were a little broken».
I had thought about taking them off out of frustration, but did she see this any other way?
«Amelia Rainwales. It was that woman, right...? That woman came, right? That's why you...» Erwen created a ridiculous fantasy and started shaking. A murderous energy flashed in his eyes in a short time. To be honest, seeing that in the middle of the night made me shiver.
«Amelia no vino».
And? Running away because I'm afraid or uncomfortable goes against my beliefs.
Even when I was framed and imprisoned in the guild's underground prison, even when I encountered the dragon slayer in the Labyrinth of Larcaz, even in the battle with Noark where I gained the reputation of Giant, I always faced him head-on, which was why I was able to survive.
«Why... why... do you still call her by that name?»
I answered without hesitation: «Because she is my comrade».
Erwen's reaction came after a brief pause. «T-that's it! I told you repeatedly that you don't need a woman like that because I will be with you in the future...!»
Yes, you said that.
«Why can you decide that?»
«I-that's it...» Erwen was speechless.
I didn't feel particularly bad. Perhaps because I was wearing the Lion's mask just a few hours ago, my words continued naturally. «Bad manners».
Erwen's eyes widened. At that moment I woke up my sleeping muscles. What would someone with an unstable state of mind do now?
«... Who are you?»
«Soy Bear Yandel».
«M-liar…you are an evil spirit…»
Soon, a black aura began to emerge from Erwen's body. It was Erwen's specialty, the spirit of darkness.
Thumpthumpthumpthump.
Feeling a threat, my heart was beating like crazy. I was prepared for this, but being in front of it was very intimidating. But the more it was, the more I remembered it.
Who was I? A barbarian warrior who had overcome all kinds of difficulties. Giant, Bjorn, son of Yandel. The only user who overcame the original difficulty. The absolute ruler of the Round Table had the heart of a lion.
To structure.
As soon as I remembered my identity, which I had forgotten for a while, my heart swelled and anger welled up in me.
«N-it's not too late, so just tell me. D-say it was a mistake you made in your sleep—»
«Erwen Fornacci di Tersia.» Before this determination cooled, I told him: «There's a problem with your head right now».
Yes, there was a problem, the only solution was to solve it the way I did best.
«Stop talking and fight me».