Chapter 309: Chapter 309: Round Table (3)

A long silence, like the ones we had several times during our conversation, followed.

“…….”

“…….”

Auril Gabis looked at me calmly, and I met his gaze.

I felt suffocated, even though I tried to hide it.

And in that silence…

“Well…”

…Auril Gabis spoke.

Casually, as if nothing had happened.

“It’s my turn now, right?”

My heart pounded at his words.

This old man was like the abyss that some philosopher talked about.

Looking into the abyss, it also looks back at you.

[How many people cleared the original version twenty years later?]

He used his first question to check if there was a ‘replacement’ for me.

[Do you want to return to Earth?]

And his second question was to see if I had a weakness.

Then what about the third?

The answer was coming from his mouth.

“What was the name of the body your soul possessed after crossing the Gate of the Abyss?”

My name, Bjorn Yandel.

A means to find me outside this anonymous spiritual world.

“Don’t say ‘Nibels Enche’. I checked because I felt a bit uneasy that day.”

I remembered his meaningful gaze when I gave him that name.

I thought I had gotten away with it.

“What I asked that day was the name you use ‘here’.”

Auril Gabis, who had noticed the trick I used, started investigating.

“Did you know? There are seven people in Lafdonia who use that name. I was able to confirm that six of them were ordinary people…”

“But I couldn’t find the last one.”

“A 6th-grade explorer, Nibels Enche.”

“And surprisingly, he’s a barbarian. I thought it was a human name.”

I felt like the walls were closing in on me as he spoke, and I realized…

[…Are you a barbarian?]

…that even that seemingly casual question was part of his plan.

He probably thought I would have used my real race, even if I gave him a fake name.

“Then I’ll ask again.”

Auril Gabis repeated the same question.

“What was the name of the body your soul possessed after crossing the Gate of the Abyss?”

I couldn’t give him a fake name.

There was only one right answer when he asked a question with such specific conditions.

‘Damn it.’

I had to hide my name, no matter what.

I had learned what kind of ‘person’ Auril Gabis was.

Although I couldn’t be certain that he was an enemy, one thing was clear.

[Of course, I’m not happy about it. Of course, I feel sorry for them. I feel responsible. I’ll probably live the rest of my life atoning for this.]

This old man could never be an ally.

Therefore…

“I won’t answer.”

I confidently exercised my right to remain silent.

“Hmm…”

Auril Gabis didn’t say anything.

He just observed my reaction with interest.

“It seems like it was a difficult question. Well, it’s natural for you to be wary of me. Then I’ll change the question.”

He continued, not dwelling on the fact that he didn’t get my name.

“How long has it been since you woke up in that body?”

He was asking about my experience.

He knew I was from twenty years in the future, so he could guess when I woke up in the ‘barbarian’s’ body with this information.

Therefore…

“I won’t answer.”

“Really? Then I’ll ask a different—”

“No, the question and answer time is over.”

I ended the truth game without hesitation.

Although I still had many questions, this old man wasn’t like a bag of cats.

He had to pay a price if he wanted something.

And I judged…

…that it was too dangerous to pay any more.

“…Wait, over? What do you mean?”

“It means what I said. You were the one who went first, so there’s no problem, right?”

Auril Gabis clicked his tongue and stared at me as I unilaterally ended the game.

Well, he couldn’t refute me logically.

We hadn’t agreed on a set number of questions.

He just expressed his disappointment.

“This is unexpected. I thought you would have a lot of questions for me.”

“Well.”

Indeed, I had pages of questions left.

The next question I was going to ask was whether I could return to my original time using the Fragment of Records that the Lord had.

But…

‘It’s a good thing I didn’t ask.’

I had belatedly realized that the question could have revealed that I was currently in Noark.

“It seems like you’re not going to change your mind.”

The old man sighed and then suddenly complimented me.

“You’re very smart.”

“…….”

“Then what are you going to do? Are you going back?”

Contrary to my expectations, Auril Gabis was being a gentleman, as if he would send me back whenever I wanted.

‘…What should I do?’

I needed time to think since I didn’t expect the truth game to end this early.

‘It’s a shame to just go back.’

I hesitated for a moment and then decided to follow the plan I had made earlier.

“How about what you said before? About talking in the room where the others are.”

“Huh? Didn’t we already talk about that?”

“I think it’s a good idea. We just need to make a few changes.”

Damn right, I should at least see their faces since I’m here.

_____________________

The truth game with Auril Gabis was like Russian roulette.

It was nerve-wracking every time we took turns.

But…

‘This is enough limited edition information for now.’

I didn’t know anything anyway.

And it wasn’t like Auril Gabis was the only one with valuable information. Especially not those otherworldly evil spirits who were summoned decades before me.

“Hmm, that’s an interesting idea.”

Sharing information freely, not just answering questions.

But it had to be the truth, and something that more than half of the participants didn’t know.

Auril Gabis chuckled as I explained the rules, which were practically identical to the Round Table twenty years later.

“I think it will be fun. It’s well-structured for a sudden idea. What did you do before you came here?”

The answer is, I was an ordinary office worker.

Of course, I wasn’t going to tell him that.

“I thought the question and answer time was over.”

Auril Gabis muttered as I answered curtly.

“…I was just curious. And besides, it wasn’t a big secret.”

He wasn’t wrong.

But I had a feeling that even this question had a hidden motive because he was the one who asked it.

“Anyway, wait a moment. I’ll have to add some authority to the jewel to implement the rules you mentioned.”

Auril Gabis closed his eyes, focusing his mind, as he touched the jewel.

And after some time…

Whoosh.

Although it wasn’t visible to the naked eye, the air around the jewel started to shimmer like a heat haze on a summer road.

“It’s done.”

“That was easy.”

“Haha, that makes me feel a bit offended. Believe it or not, but I’ve lost most of my authority over this space because of this.”

Hmm, I don’t know…

The old man explained as I glanced at him skeptically.

“For example, my ability to materialize. I can still create objects by focusing my thoughts, but they’ll be different from the real thing.”

I flinched.

I didn’t care about materialization or focusing thoughts.

Different from the real thing…

“Wait a minute, is that why the Sprite tasted bland earlier?”

Auril Gabis nodded without hesitation at my question.

“That’s right. Is there a problem?”

Of course, there’s a problem.

It meant I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the refreshing taste of Sprite anymore.

“…….”

“You have a serious Sprite addiction.”

“…….”

“But judging by how much you miss it, it seems like it’s been a long time since you came here.”

What the hell is this old man talking about?

He’s still trying to extract information from me in this situation.

Thanks to him, I came to my senses and subtly asked,

“…What’s the reason for all this? It seems like that authority is a very important ability.”

“Huhu.”

Auril Gabis chuckled, as if he knew what I was thinking.

“You said you received an invitation from someone nicknamed GM.”

Ah, right, I did say that.

“So?”

“It means that the ownership of this space has been transferred to him. I don’t know how it happened, but if it’s going to be taken over by someone else anyway, there’s no reason for me to give him the core too.”

I roughly understood his reasoning.

Even if it was something he would never do normally, it was different if the server was shutting down.

He wouldn’t hesitate to do anything.

But there was one thing I was curious about.

“Why aren’t you asking more about the GM?”

“Haha, you said you didn’t know much about him either.”

Ah, that’s true.

Auril Gabis muttered as I nodded in understanding,

“And even if I knew more, I don’t want to ask.”

“…Why?”

Auril Gabis answered in a somewhat melancholic voice,

“I told you, didn’t I? You can’t change the future that’s already been observed.”

Hmm, so he’s saying ignorance is bliss?

That’s when, as I was feeling a strange mix of emotions…

“Enough small talk, let’s go. They’ll be interested too.”

…Auril Gabis got up from his seat.

I followed him.

To the room with the round table.

_____________________

A round table with dozens of seats.

Creak.

Auril Gabis opened the door and entered, and the four people sitting inside looked at us.

“…Master.”

Their reactions were the same.

I didn’t know what they had done after sending me back, but they all looked at Auril Gabis with fear in their eyes.

And…

“He’s… with you.”

…they were curious about me.

But could it be because Auril Gabis had firmly drawn a line about my identity last time?

No one dared to speak.

“…….”

“…….”

A strange silence filled the room.

It was Auril Gabis who broke the silence.

“Haha, everyone’s so stiff.”

His words were like the words of an absolute ruler.

As if telling them to relax.

“It’s only natural. You acted like that last time…”

The unidentified woman spoke, as if letting out a breath she had been holding, and Auril Gabis chuckled apologetically.

The atmosphere softened.

“Anyway, it’s good that everyone’s here. I came up with something interesting while talking to this friend.”

Auril Gabis placed the jewel in the center of the table and continued,

“I summoned you all for the purpose of exchange, but we haven’t really had a proper conversation, have we? Maybe this will solve that problem.”

“Can you explain in more detail?”

Auril Gabis briefly explained the rules of the meeting at the request of the man in black, who seemed to be the captain of Orculus.

Their reactions were mixed after he finished.

“To share information that more than half of us don’t know, that’s difficult.”

The woman seemed worried.

“But that’s what’s needed for a proper exchange. Everyone has been hiding their true intentions until now.”

Kagureas, the middle-aged man, spoke as if he welcomed the idea.

And…

“Are you participating, Master?”

…the Ruin Scholar, the child who spoke in a mature tone despite his appearance, just asked one question.

“Of course, I’m planning to participate. And so is this friend next to me.”

Their gazes turned to me at Auril Gabis’ answer.

They looked uneasy.

Well, they wouldn’t want to share information if a stranger suddenly appeared and joined the meeting.

‘It seems like I’m being favored, but they’re probably also wondering if I’m even on their level.’

Hmm, what should I do?

It seemed like a good idea to prove myself first. I hesitated for a moment and then called out to Auril Gabis.

No, to be precise, I was about to call him when…

“Um…”

“Ah, just call me Master. You’re the only one who knows my name.”

Huh? Suddenly?

That’s when, as the old man cut me off…

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

…the four of them looked at me with surprise in their eyes.

‘What the hell…’

Honestly, I was dumbfounded.

How the hell was this old man treating them?

“You… know his name…?”

I can’t believe he didn’t even tell them his name.

‘…Anyway, is this a good thing?’

I tried to think positively as I composed myself.

Auril Gabis was helping me for an obvious reason.

He wouldn’t have a reason to participate in this meeting if it weren’t for me.

And he readily agreed to my suggestion because he wanted to get more information about me.

No, that wasn’t all.

“Alright, everyone, sit down. It’s natural for you to be wary, but if you’re that concerned, this friend can go first.”

Auril Gabis naturally steered the conversation.

To create an atmosphere where I had to share valuable information.

“…Shouldn’t you ask if everyone wants to participate first?”

I spoke, not hiding my displeasure at the old man’s scheme.

But then…

“……!”

“……!”

…the four of them widened their eyes again.

As if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

“How dare you speak so casually to the Master…”

“…But the Master isn’t saying anything.”

Damn it, I’m speechless.

This is ridiculous.

Thud.

I just pulled out a chair and sat down.

And they each expressed their willingness to participate.

“I’ll participate.”

“Me too.”

“…Who would refuse to participate in a gathering like this?”

No one refused.

Auril Gabis couldn’t hide his satisfied smile and volunteered to be the moderator.

“Then it’s unanimously decided. There’s no need for introductions, so let’s begin. You go first, and then we’ll go clockwise.”

Their gazes turned to me again.

Even I couldn’t help but feel pressured.

After all, it was the first turn of this newly created meeting.

The level of information they shared would depend on the quality of the information I shared.

‘And besides, it’s not good to be underestimated.’

I had learned something from the Round Table twenty years later.

First, act like you’re a big shot, and good things will come to you even in your sleep.

It’s the same as how you get applauded even if you shit your pants if you’re famous.

Indeed, there were times when I shared trivial information at the Round Table, and they just let it slide, thinking there must be a hidden meaning.

‘Hmm, so what should I share?’

I continued to contemplate as I observed the members.

They were all showing strong interest in me, and Auril Gabis was the most enthusiastic.

‘Right, you’re dying to know what kind of information I’m going to share, aren’t you?’

Thanks to that, my contemplation ended.

I knew what this old man was expecting…

‘But no way.’

I’m a veteran of the Round Table.

I opened my mouth after finishing my contemplation.

It was something that wouldn’t reveal any unnecessary information to Auril Gabis, but would satisfy the other members.

“The Earth Witch is alive.”

The Lion Style.

First Form, Information Recycling.