Chapter 125 - Veteran (4)

People often say that humans are social animals. Whoever first said it, the comparison is apt. We might not be as primal as beasts, but we judge others by first impressions just the same.

To earn respect, you have to keep people from looking down on you. All the more so when you're the transfer student joining halfway through.

"You... what did you just say...?"

The woman in the fox mask asks again, as though she misheard me. Meanwhile, the other masked figures simply watch with interest.

This is a kind of initiation. How I act here will determine their first impression of me. Therefore—

"Go on. Say that again."

Facing the fox-masked woman and her menacing glare, I make certain there's no room for misunderstanding.

"The person who recommended me was your mo—"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

Lunatic, crazy bastard, idiot—whatever they call me, I figure it's better than coming across as weak.

But even I didn't expect this.

"Hey. You."

The moment a fierce gleam shoots through the openings of her fox mask, I think, '...What a strange feeling.'

The unmistakable murderous intent prickles against my skin. Literally, not figuratively. Sensing a threat to my life, my heart pounds and goose bumps rise across my body.

How is this possible in a world where physical force doesn't even exist?

Fortunately, I know something about this phenomenon.

'So this is that technique.'

I've never experienced it firsthand, but it has to be the technique Lee Baekho told me about earlier. The one usable only within Ghost Busters, a spiritual world governed by clear intent and thought. A little veteran trick with no real use, but perfect for scaring newbies.

"Would you care to say that one more time?"

The fox-masked woman intensifies her Bloodlust and asks me again. I almost fancy I can see a cold, twisted sneer behind her mask.

And so...

"I-I-I..."

I stammer again.

A snicker reaches my ears. Not from the fox-masked woman, but from the others. Some newbie bastard who didn't know his place had mouthed off and then tucked his tail between his legs. It must look pretty funny.

"What's wrong? You had plenty to say earlier."

Have I really pissed her off? Her Bloodlust grows even stronger, as though she has no intention of letting me off the hook.

Of course, that isn't a problem.

"N-no... I, th-that's not..."

"Say it. Clearly. Every single word."

"Sure, why not."

I decide that's enough playing the dumbass.

"Your mother recommended me. What, got a problem with that?"

"Wh... what...?"

My abrupt change in attitude leaves the fox-masked woman visibly bewildered.

"But you're clearly enveloped in my intent. How in the world...?"

Instead of answering, I raise my pinkie and dig into the ear that's been itching for a while now. From the looks of it, the others have already figured out what's going on.

"This is certainly an interesting development."

"Newcomer, why don't you stop messing around? You're taking it a bit far."

"Impressive, but that attitude will only make you enemies, Lion."

I smack my lips at their respective assessments.

Amusing. Arrogant. Pathetic.

Judging from their remarks, that's about all they think of my act. And here I'd gone to the trouble of staging a whole performance to build my image.

'Right. So this much isn't even remarkable to you.'

Thinking about it, that makes sense. This is a club for veterans, after all. Calmly enduring one blast of Bloodlust is hardly enough to earn special treatment.

"You dare make a fool of me...?"

The fox-masked woman finally realizes I've been playing the dumbass and gives me a somewhat stronger reaction, but... at best, I've established myself as an irritating bastard.

So I squeeze my eyes shut and recall my conversation with Lee Baekho.

["You want me to hit you with Bloodlust? No way. If something goes wrong, I could give you a mental disorder, bro. It uses intent, so the stronger your mental fortitude, the stronger it gets..."]

The power of Bloodlust is proportional to mental fortitude. And that means actual mental fortitude, not a stat.

["That's why I said it's a veterans-only trick. Kill enough things and cheat death on a regular basis, and your mental fortitude is bound to grow. Though some people are just born with it."]

Then what about me? Well, there's one way to find out. I didn't get to try it because Lee Baekho was short on time, but it doesn't seem particularly difficult.

["I'll at least tell you how to do it. Not that there's really much of a method..."]

Lee Baekho said that to project Bloodlust, you first need to hypnotize yourself.

["Think of them as enemies. Enemies you absolutely have to kill."]

As it happens, self-hypnosis is one of my specialties.

"Excuse me, I'm talking to... you..."

When I open my eyes and meet her gaze, the fox-masked woman flinches, then gives an incredulous snort.

"Ha. Is that supposed to be payback?"

It seems to be working, but it isn't very powerful. So I focus harder on my intent.

"How childish."

These are goblins. Bastards trying to kill me. Yes, enemies threatening my life.

"Just apologize. I did test you first, so if you give me a proper apology, I won't hold this against you."

I hypnotize myself, imagining charging forward this instant and smashing their skulls with my mace.

Then, at some point...

'Huh?'

I feel something draining out of my head. A strange sensation unlike anything I've ever experienced, distinctly different from pain.

"Honestly, is your pride so important that one little apology—"

The fox-masked woman abruptly stops lecturing me. She freezes like stone, utterly motionless, as though something invisible has seized her and won't let her move.

"...!"

The emotion in her wide eyes is familiar, too. The one my enemies only showed at the very end. The look in their eyes as they watched my mace come down on their skulls.

'Uh, I didn't think it would work this well.'

Puzzled, I glance around to check. The other three, who had been wondering about the fox-masked woman's behavior, each react distinctly when our eyes meet.

Stag Horns, leaning against a pillar, slides a hand to his waist, where his sword would normally be. He's the one who thought I was arrogant.

Crescent Moon swiftly lowers his eyes, avoiding my gaze. He's the one who looked at me as though I were pathetic.

"... Whoa, I barely said anything!"

The figure in the yellow clown mask backs away, waving his hands in exaggerated protest. He's the one who merely found me amusing.

'What's going on?'

Their reactions are so extreme that I'm more puzzled than pleased. Why? Why is this working so well?

I don't get the time to calmly think it through.

A sharp jolt runs through my head. It feels as though someone is wringing my brain out like a wet towel. Mental exhaustion washes over me, as if I've stayed awake for three days and nights.

I instinctively realize I can only maintain barbarian Bloodlust mode for a few more seconds.

'Fuck, he never mentioned this.'

I hurriedly fix my gaze on the fox-masked woman. She's trembling.

"Please, stop. Any more, and I'll be in danger..."

As I stare without a word, she finally manages that desperate plea. Just then, with perfect timing, Bloodlust mode ends.

"Haaah...!"

The fox-masked woman draws a long breath, like someone who has been held underwater. When our eyes meet and she flinches, I'm certain.

'Whatever that was, it worked out nicely.'

The image I'd wanted to establish as soon as I realized how hostile they were to newcomers—a lunatic you absolutely shouldn't mess with.

I've succeeded.

* * *

"... All this fuss over a single little test. We're in for a rough time."

Stag Horns's mutter breaks the silence hanging over the room.

"Heehee, it was an enjoyable experience in its own way. How many more people do I have to kill before I can do that?"

Just as Clown sweeps a peculiar gaze over me...

CLUNK!

All four doors leading into the room shut at once. Honestly, it scared the shit out of me, but thankfully I didn't show it. It was just the end of the admission period.

"It's that time already."

"So once again, it's just the four... no, five of us."

As everyone sits down, I take a seat wherever. Before the gathering can begin in earnest, however, someone asks me a question. Unlike before, it isn't a probe into my identity.

"Lion, this must be your first gathering. After that display of Bloodlust, I wondered whether you might be an early member... but the lion mask has been hanging on the wall all this time."

I nod at Crescent Moon's words. There's no point denying something when clear evidence proves otherwise. Admitting it coolly will look more impressive.

"What's your point?"

"... Have you perhaps met the Master? Ah, if you don't wish to answer, just say so."

Perhaps my lunatic image is working, because Crescent Moon's tone is both polite and cautious. Is this why people live like absolute bastards? It's a revelation I would never have had if I hadn't become a barbarian.

"If you want compensation, I will offer it. Though it may be difficult to satisfy you."

"Forget that. Why do you think I've met the Master?"

I answer arrogantly. After all, I don't even know who the Master is.

"That's... a rather strange question. You're the first newcomer in the year since the Master disappeared. Isn't it natural to think so?"

"Which is why Ms. Fox volunteered to test you and got thoroughly burned, I believe?"

At Clown's seemingly idle mutter, the fox-masked woman turns her head away in shame.

'The Master must be the founder of this gathering.'

As I piece together the information and cram it into my head, Crescent Moon continues.

"Ahem. Besides, you seem remarkably familiar with this place for a first-time visitor. That was another reason."

Well, that's thanks to Lee Baekho, not the Master. Actually, who the hell is he, anyway?

I put my thoughts aside, deciding to look into Lee Baekho's identity over time as well.

"So, may I hear your answer? Just telling us when and where you last met the Master would be enou—"

"My answer is no."

"Phew. I see. Very well."

Crescent Moon gives up without any fuss. If I'd looked like some weak-ass nobody, he would surely have kept pestering me with questions.

"Anyway, never mind the Master. Shall we get started?"

Unlike the other three, Clown doesn't seem particularly interested in the Master's whereabouts. He wraps up the conversation and announces the start of the gathering.

Thank goodness I already know the rules. Asking about them now would destroy my air of mystery.

"I'll go first, then."

Having spoken up, Clown takes the first turn.

"The king of Raphdonia's illness has worsened."

The jewel embedded in the center of the Round Table lights up red. That means the statement is true, and at least half those seated at the Round Table already know it.

"Worsened? That's rather vague."

"Everyone knows the king is seriously ill. Tell us something more useful."

Fox and Crescent Moon frown and chide Clown. I just stay quiet.

'I didn't know...'

The king is ill? That's news to me. There hasn't been so much as a rumor about it in the city. Well, I suppose it'd be strange for people to discuss the king's health in the streets.

"Honestly, not even realizing how important this is. Pathetic."

Clown glares at Fox and Crescent Moon, then glances at me. His look seems to say, Surely you understand what this means?

"..."

Once again, I simply stay quiet. That way, at least I won't embarrass myself.

"The commander of the Rose Knights died yesterday. How about that? Surely even you can acknowledge this one?"

As Clown offers another piece of information, a heavy silence settles over the Round Table.

"... Blood will flow in the royal palace."

"Yes, we'll need to prepare as well."

Who the fuck is the commander of the Rose Knights?

Anyway, the jewel lights up green, so we move straight on to the next person. This time, it's the fox-masked woman.

"The Jagun Clan has successfully slain the first-floor Floor lord."

"Oh, so it was him after all?"

"Heehee, no wonder the buying post disappeared from the Trade market. They must have found a strategy somewhere. I thought they'd never kill it."

I keep quiet again. Not because I don't know anything, but because this concerns me.

'So the Jagun Clan were the ones who killed it.'

No matter how much I asked around in the city, all I could learn was that a Floor lord had been summoned.

'... I'm glad I came.'

The jewel shines green again, and Crescent Moon takes his turn.

"Heh heh, I doubt anyone knows this one."

"Would you just get on with it?"

"If you trigger the hidden piece on Silent Fairy's Island, up to three Lavganus are guaranteed to appear."

Fox and Stag Horns react with considerable surprise.

"Good news for anyone seeking a Lavganus Essence."

"Wait a minute. What's the hidden piece, then?"

"Wouldn't it be shameless to expect that as well, all in one turn? Anyway, it's time for the next... hm?"

Crescent Moon freezes just as he's about to smoothly pass the turn along. The jewel is glowing red.

Unlike the previous rounds, where anonymity had been preserved, it's easy to work out who already knew this information. The other two have made their ignorance obvious.

"Don't be too disappointed, Crescent Moon. Most people wouldn't know that."

At Clown's attempt at consolation, Crescent Moon sighs.

"Until now, all I needed was something Clown didn't know. Now there's another one..."

I shrug. Who told you to offer up something anyone could learn just by playing the game enough?

"Why not tell us about that hidden piece?"

"That... needs to remain a secret for now."

"Oh, then I'm afraid you'll have to be expelled after toda—"

"Haha, what are you saying? I merely meant I was troubled at having to reveal my hand."

Sighing, Crescent Moon offers a new piece of information.

"The elves have found traces of the 'Sacred Relic Thief.'"

The jewel glows green, but Fox narrows her eyes and objects.

"Traces? Isn't that a bit short on details?"

"This concerns the Sacred Relic Thief, whom no one had any leads on whatsoever. Even this much is highly confidential."

"Hmm, fine. I'll accept it."

"So you were an elf after all, Crescent Moon?"

With Fox withdrawing her objection, Crescent Moon's turn ends. Everyone's eyes turn to me. Stag Horns hasn't gone yet, but since we're moving clockwise, my turn naturally comes first.

'I'm a little nervous.'

Is it because of those expectant looks? Even though I've already picked out some useful information during the others' turns, the pressure builds for no reason. It'll be embarrassing if everyone already knows it.

'I'll start with a sure thing.'

Wanting to preserve my mysterious image as much as possible, I select something from my handful of facts that others would have trouble knowing.

"If you kill Bandemon with three people, it's guaranteed to drop an Essence."

As expected, the Round Table's jewel shines green.

But...

"... Kill Bandemon with three people?"

Why is that the part that surprises them? Isn't it easy enough with three people in cheat mode?

'It's not even a difficult boss to figure out...'

I simply don't understand.