Ding!
As soon as the computer turned on, a cheerful notification bell rang.
«Mail...?»
I rushed to check my inbox to see an unread message at the top. It was only a few seconds old, which meant that whoever it was must have sent it to me as soon as the community opened.
Click click.
I opened it to see what it contained.
[Ghost Master]: I'd like to talk to you for a moment.
It was all a single sentence. Beneath it, the name and password of a secret chat room were written.
«Hmm ... »
What should I do? If he accepted the invitation, he would be making Baekho wait. The idea of doing it worried me a little, but it didn't take me long to decide.
...I can deal with this quickly first. I wonder why he wants to meet with me.
Maybe my conversation with the GM would give me ideas for dealing with Baekho. Besides, the guy probably wouldn't leave just because he was forced to wait a bit, right?
«It's been a while, Mr. León». As soon as I entered the chat room, a white man with the username Elfnunalove stood up and greeted me.
I ignored his greeting and sat on the couch. «What do you want this time?».
«I have unseated Baekho Lee, just as you asked me. Have you met him yet?»
«Did you call me just to ask me that?»
«No, of course not». The GM also sat on the couch. «Last month you told a very interesting story at the Round Table, but I wanted to hear it for myself. Is it true that Elfnuna has already entered this world?»
So that's what it was about. I was glad my bait had worked, but I couldn't let it show on my face. «Why do you ask?»
«Déjame ser franco. ¿Eres tal vez Elfnuna?»
Even as a barbarian who likes to get straight to the point, that caught me off guard. I didn't expect it to be so direct. «Well, why should I answer that?»
«Because I was the one who unseated Baekho Lee», the GM responded when I dodged the question. «Did you really think I would fulfill that request without expecting anything in return? Especially when doing so has put my safety at risk?».
It was true that he had unseated Baekho Lee, even putting his own life at risk. He could still personally remember his last meeting with Baekho, and the memory of that moment was enough to make even me, an unrelated party, break into a cold sweat. However, that was not the topic at hand.
«You need something from me, and I need something from you», he said.
Give and receive. The GM gave up his lead over Baekho because he wanted something from me. You should also be curious if I might be able to provide you with any other useful information.
And of course, as soon as they mentioned Elfnuna, he sent me a message right away...
I couldn't help but be curious to know what his deal was.
«If you want us to maintain this friendly relationship, please answer my question. Are you Elfnuna?»
Why was he so obsessed with Elfnuna? The reason he had mentioned that old username in the Roundtable was to answer that same question.
«Before I answer that, let me ask you something», I responded with a question of my own. Asking him directly why he wanted to know more about Elfnuna would only put me in a bind and make me seem uninformed and out of touch. Instead, he had to act like we were at the Round Table and go on the offensive. «Do you believe what that old man said?»
I thought about something the GM had told me when I was still a rookie.
«This is not certain, but the person you mentioned last time. I think I know who he is».
«He was very famous on our forum, his name was Stone Iven... and someone I respected a lot».
Back then, the GM had mistaken me for Auril Gavis and said all that, so I deduced that his obsession with Elfnuna might have arisen from a sincere belief in Auril Gavis' entire narrative of «the original cleaner will save us all».
«There's no reason you shouldn't believe him. At least the Stone of Records corroborates his claim».
His answer to my question was strange.
The Stone of Records...?
It was the first time I had heard of her. What was?
Is it something the Great Sage left behind? Like the Stone Fragment of Records that can take people back in time?
I had no idea, but I knew that whatever it was had to be important. Maybe he would even answer all my questions. However, I kept my mouth shut and hid my confusion as I listened to the rest of his story.
«He is the only one who can do it. If not him, who else could clean up the original game?».
Maybe it was because he didn't know what the Records Stone was, but the GM's story was difficult to follow. But he knew at least one thing for sure.
«No matter what others say, I know it would be impossible for anyone but him.».
The GM was no different from a fan. His gaze was the same as my aunt's when she fell prey to a sect. Since the person in whom I had placed his faith was none other than me, a feeling of discomfort came over me. Still, right now, my priority was to act quickly and figure out how to handle this.
«Please tell me, Mr. León, are you Elfnuna?».
He had already asked me the same question several times, and I had spent more than enough time reflecting. If he truly had complete confidence in me, it might be beneficial to reveal myself so I can enjoy his full support. The GM could even become a close ally of mine in the future.
«I am not him».
But in the end, I decided to take another path. I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in learning about the Records Stone or taking advantage of the network and resources the GM had accumulated over the years. However...
Yes, this is the right choice.
I decided I shouldn't tell him the truth until I at least found out what the «Record Stone» thing was. After all, most irreversible mistakes were the result of ignorance.
«Do not open the Gate of the Abyss».
...There was also something about my encounter with the Witch that was repeated in my mind.
«...Ya veo.»
Fortunately, the GM seemed to accept my answer as he quickly moved on. He had asked me if I had any basis to suspect me, but apparently he was just asking just in case.
«So please tell me about Elfnuna. Where is it now? What race was he?
When the GM started bombarding me with questions, I cut him off. «What a lack of respect».
"...¿Which?"
«Giving you an honest answer to that question was my thanks for fulfilling my previous request». In other words, he no longer owed him anything for unbanning Baekho Lee. The GM's stunned expression made me feel quite guilty, but I couldn't help it. It would be weird to back down now, so I decided to stand my ground. «If you want a favor, then you have to give me something in return.»
«...Are you asking me to pay you for more information?» These were the same rules that were used at the Round Table. «But isn't it unfair?»
As expected, the GM was not happy. But what was I going to do about it?
«I took a chance and lifted the ban on Baekho Lee, but you only answered one question of mine and...».
«I guess you're not as smart as I thought. Do you really think it was a simple question? Information about that person is worth the same as unseating Baekho Lee, don't you think?»
«Me alone...» The GM was speechless.
As a result, I decided that this conversation was over. «Now that I've been clear, I'm leaving.»
With that, I quickly left the chat room.
***
I was back in Hansu Lee's room after dinner and running out of my meeting with the GM.
«Uf…»
After a quick breath, I moved my cursor towards the chat rooms.
[Long live Korean Independence – 2 people are online.]
There were two people inside. One had to be Baekho Lee and the other Hyeonbyeol. Fortunately, it seemed like they didn't leave just because I was late.
Let me sort out my thoughts for a moment before I enter.
I pondered the conversation I had just had with the GM as I leaned back in my chair.
«There's no reason you shouldn't believe him. At least the Stone of Records corroborates his claim».
He still couldn't be sure, but the reason why Baekho Lee was interested in Elfnuna could also be because of this mysterious Stone of Records.
...You should take this opportunity to ask Baekho about it.
Okay, I was glad I went to the GM first. After sorting out my thoughts, I pressed the mouse to enter the chat room.
«...I can't tell you! If Big Brother Hansu finds out, I'm dead!».
«You won't know if we keep this between us».
Two people were sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace, having a rather suspicious conversation about me. As I watched them, wondering what they were talking about, they finally noticed me, who was standing to the side.
«Eeek!» Baekho Lee jumped as if he had seen a ghost.
Hyeonbyeol, who was next to him, also shuddered when he saw me, and then gave me that same meek look that he used to give whenever he did something wrong.
«What are you doing?»
Baekho Lee jumped up and ran towards me, rushing to excuse himself. «Brother! It's not my fault! Hyeonbyeol kept bothering me, trying to figure out who you were!»
Yes, that's what I imagined.
When I looked at Hyeonbyeol, she avoided my eyes to glare at Baekho Lee. «...You really are someone I can't get along with, Mr. Baekho Lee». She spoke without any emotion, simply stating a fact.
«Haha, but Big Sister! It is not like that...»
«Oh? Am I like a sister to you now?»
«Hey? But I've been calling you that since...»
«Does our relationship seem to be the same as before, Mr. Lee?»
Every word from Hyeonbyeol hit Baekho like a bullet. He smiled awkwardly, then looked at me in a plea for help.
...Well, he kept my identity a secret from Hyeonbyeol.
Just as I was about to step in and fix things, something suddenly occurred to me.
No, wait a minute.
Why should I defend him? Not long ago, I was fighting that bastard myself. He even threatened to take my life as if nothing had happened.
Huh, I almost let him escape without realizing it.
Remembering the emptiness, anger and humiliation I felt that day, I made up my mind.
«Hyeonbyeol,» I called her in a cold, emotionless tone that made her shudder.
"...¿Which?"
«Please leave for a moment. He and I need to have a little chat to make sure something like this doesn't happen again.»
«Okay...» Hyeonbyeol quickly left the chat room without saying another word, perhaps because he felt guilty for his transgression.
Now that it was just the two of us, things in the chat room became awkward. I stared at Baekho until he finally opened his mouth.
«Haha... Are you still angry?».
No gasté saliva en contest.
I'm still angry? What the hell do you think?
«Forget it. Just give me your answer. You said you'd do it the next time we met. Or have you already forgotten?»
«Hahaha... About Kitty... I mean, Missha...» Baekho scratched the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.
That expression only made me raise my guard even more. I couldn't see him as the funny, quirky guy I once thought he was. Now he knew how smart and calculating he really was. Everything he did, even the way he acted, was a carefully planned act.
«I've been thinking about it and... surprise! I, Baekho Lee, have decided to give it back to you! Ha ha ha! They applaud! Congratulations! Hooray!»
Was something wrong with this guy?
Baekho was still strangely excited and excited, despite my disappointing reaction. For some reason, he always acted like this. «What do you think, brother? Are you still mad at me? Don't be mad anymore, okay? We have to work together for a better future!»
In the end, I was not able to contain the deep sigh that escaped from my mouth.
«Oh! Did you just vent? So you're not angry anymore, are you?».
«Why would a simple sigh mean I'm not angry anymore?»
«Hey, why do you look angry again?»
Come to think of it, I was always bad at getting along with people like him. I seriously wanted to punch him in the face, but unfortunately, that wasn't an option here.
«Cut the roll at once. When are you going to return it to me?»
«Whenever you want. I can even give it back to you tomorrow».
«Huh, then do it. And don't tell him anything about what happened between you and me. Can you do it?»
«Yeah. I'm sure the moment I mention your name, she's going to ask to get back with you right away anyway.»
«'Aye-aye'? Why do you talk like that?»
«...Haha. Okay, I got it. I won't talk like that again, so don't be angry».
Suspired.
I did everything I could to avoid falling into his theatricality as much as possible, but it wasn't easy. Who knew what would happen if the relationship between us soured even more? After all, the fact was that Baekho Lee was willing to back down and give it back to me.
Things would have gotten worse if he had refused to let her go.
«So that's enough about Missha, right? Can we move on to the next topic?»
«Next topic?»
«Yes! Last time you told me you would return the favor if I returned Missha» to you.
«I remember.»
«Yeah. Don't worry brother. It's not a bad deal for you either».
«I decide that, so get to the point and tell me. How can I help you clear the tenth floor?»
«There is much you can do. And there's a lot you've already done».
I gave him a look that told him to stop beating around the bush and hurry up, and he gave me a triumphant smile.
"Tercerion marked".
«The Prime Minister?»
«Yeah. That bastard. You can't touch him».
...What the hell was he talking about now?