Chapter 239 - Awl (4)

“Pfft.”

As Goblin snickered, the Clown turned an icy gaze on him.

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Goblin cleared his throat and averted his eyes, pretending he had merely coughed. Stag Horns stepped in to defend him.

“Why pick on poor Goblin? It isn't his fault you ended up in a tiny body.”

The Clown offered no reply to the taunt. He simply stared at them, trembling with humiliation.

'At this rate, isn't he going to stop coming?'

The worry crossed my mind, but fortunately, the Clown was a true professional.

“... Heh.”

Even in a situation where I wouldn't have blamed him for bursting into tears, the Clown forced a smile.

“What childish tricks.”

I had a feeling I knew what he was trying to do. There was only one way to turn around a completely one-sided exchange of blows.

“It isn't even my body. Do you honestly think saying that will hurt me?”

Declare a victory in his own head.

'This guy really is something else.'

His words sounded breezy, but his voice overflowed with seething indignation. Stag Horns, on the other hand? His eyes held nothing but delight.

The winner had effectively already been decided.

But Stag Horns was a ruthless man, without a shred of a victor's generosity.

“Hmm, so you admit it's small?”

Was this man a devil?

“...”

After taking one final blow right in the gut, the Clown finally chose silence. He had realized that continuing this conversation would only hurt him.

“Honestly, men.”

Queen chuckled as the exchange ended.

Somehow, I felt embarrassed on their behalf. Well, grown men squabbling over something like this probably did look pathetic.

Anyway, with that little incident out of the way, the gathering resumed.

“We got a little sidetracked. I'll pick up where we left off.”

Announcing the resumption, Stag Horns shared the information for his turn.

“Three days ago, the royal family captured a spy from Noark. It seems they smuggled a few people up before activating the barrier.”

A captured spy...

I wondered if it might be Amelia, but somehow, I didn't think it was her. She didn't strike me as someone who would be caught easily.

“They intend to kill the spy once they've extracted all the information they can. Oh, after enough torture to make death seem preferable, of course.”

Stag Horns continued, looking tauntingly at the Clown, a resident of Noark.

'Well, Stag Horns definitely seems to be with the royal family... '

Another useful result of his clash with the Clown.

“Heh, how naive. Do you think I'll bat an eye over the deaths of one or two worms who couldn't even look after themselves?”

For all that, his voice was full of displeasure. Regardless of the spy's life, he probably just disliked how smug Stag Horns was being.

“My turn, then.”

The moment Stag Horns's turn ended, the Clown spoke as if launching an immediate counterattack.

“An assassin will be going after Bjorn Jandel soon.”

... Huh? Out of nowhere?

“They're busy building him up as a hero, aren't they? Wouldn't it be amusing if he dropped dead right after receiving a noble title? The royal family's prestige would go straight down the fucking drain!”

Ha. So this was what it meant to get caught in someone else's crossfire?

My initial surprise at being mentioned so abruptly quickly gave way to irritation.

'An assassin? I haven't even fully recovered yet... '

Still, the silver lining was that I'd learned about it in advance. Did Stag Horns feel the same way?

“Idiot.”

He clicked his tongue.

“You can't even control your emotions, so you kindly warn your enemy? You really are a baby.”

“Tsk. Where does that confidence come from? Knowing about it doesn't mean you can stop it.”

The two were already gearing up for another clash of wills. It had been entertaining at first, but I was starting to get tired of it, so I cut in to end it.

“My turn now.”

The room fell silent in an instant when I spoke for the first time in a while. I swept my gaze over the members, then fixed it on Queen.

“Ghost Busters was created by an evil spirit from another world.”

Tch. I'd been planning to save that one.

* * *

In truth, this was a preemptive move of sorts.

I'd originally been saving it as a reward for someone who told me an “entertaining” story, but...

[“The GM wasn't the one who created this community, you know?”]

If Queen knew that, she would surely also know that the community's creator was an evil spirit from another world.

I figured I should use it before it became worthless. Especially since I was gradually running out of cards that could reinforce Mr. Lion's imposing image—

“Created by an evil spirit from another world...”

Huh?

“Yes, so that really was it.”

As the gem glowed green, Queen nodded as if something had finally clicked into place.

What? Had she really not known?

'... I assumed a moderator would know that, obviously.'

Then was she not SoulQueen after all?

The thought crossed my mind, but nothing was certain yet. Maybe the Master simply hadn't told her that much.

While I was considering that...

“W-wait! An evil spirit from another world? What do you mean? Are you saying there are Players from places besides Earth?”

After a brief pause, Goblin asked me in astonishment. But there was only one answer I could give.

“The interpretation is yours to make.”

If he really wanted me to talk, he could bring me something entertaining. Though I'd just declare it boring anyway.

“... I've heard of such beings. But until now, I thought they were merely rumors.”

Stag Horns, who had seemed deep in thought for some time, also let out a murmur of wonder, as if he'd just heard an astonishing secret.

'Things like this really show how impressive Baekho is.'

Like this latest revelation, most of the information that had done the most to establish Mr. Lion's current persona had come from Lee Baekho.

“Heh. I knew staying was the right choice.”

Even the Clown, who had been getting battered throughout the gathering, nodded in satisfaction, evidently intrigued by my information. Apparently, he felt his shameless persistence had paid off.

“... Now I'm even more interested.”

With eager eyes, Queen suggested another round, but unfortunately, that was the end of this gathering.

Goblin had raised the white flag too.

“I have nothing more to share, so I'll stop here.”

“Then I'll stop here as well. I doubt I can find anything that all four of us don't know.”

Stag Horns also withdrew, and the gathering naturally came to a close.

“I'll be leaving first, then.”

The Clown, who usually seemed to stay behind and chat with the members, left as soon as the gathering ended.

Well, lingering for a chat probably felt uncomfortable now that everything had been exposed.

“Heh. I'll be sure to bring something entertaining next time.”

Even after everything he'd been put through, the Clown kept acting friendly to the bitter end.

Frankly, it was a little absurd... but his willingness to bow to the strong and bully the weak was almost worth emulating. I supposed there was a reason he'd survived so long.

“I'll be going too.”

I rose, opened the door, and stepped outside, where Fox was waiting, leaning listlessly against the wall of the empty hallway.

“Oh, is it over?”

When I nodded, she led me somewhere else. Not the main room with the Round Table, but a small reception room nearby.

Oh, so they had rooms like this too.

“...”

An odd silence settled between us as we sat on sofas facing each other. But speaking first here would be an amateur's mistake.

I waited patiently until Fox broke the silence.

“Um... first of all, thank you for making time for me.”

“Get to the point.”

At my terse response, Fox flinched with a small “Ah,” then asked cautiously,

“Mr. Lion, do you happen to know why I asked to see you today...?”

Of course I didn't. But answering honestly here would also be an amateur's mistake.

“Are you testing me?” I said coldly.

“I, no! Th-that's not...!”

“You must not be that desperate yet.”

As I said it, I made as if to stand.

After all, she was the one in a hurry. I didn't know the details, but that much was certain. Otherwise, she wouldn't have arranged this private meeting.

'Something must have happened that requires Mr. Lion's power or information.'

I'd taken my time thinking through Fox's situation during the Round Table gathering. Ultimately, I'd concluded that if I played this right, I might be able to discover her identity.

Now, how would it actually go?

“Please, I'm begging you. If you know my situation, help me.”

Fox pleaded earnestly. Yet even that plea revealed that she didn't fully trust me.

“If you know,” huh...

'Just as I thought. Seeing that I knew the Clown's identity made her come to me for help.'

If her identity was already exposed, she had nothing to lose by accepting help. Otherwise, she wanted more time to consider it.

What a sly one.

“You insist on insulting me to the very end.”

I stood as if there were nothing more to discuss. There was nothing I could do for her as things stood anyway.

The truth was, the Clown was the only member whose identity I knew. I didn't know the slightest thing about Fox's circumstances.

And so...

“You aren't desperate enough yet.”

I told her. That wasn't the way to ask Mr. Lion for a favor.

“Come back when you're more desperate.”

As I straightened fully and headed toward the door, Fox cried out urgently.

“Y-you could just tell me! At least tell me whether you know my situation or not!”

There was a hint of aggrievement in her voice. Her unexpected innocence made me chuckle despite myself.

“Why should I?”

“That's—”

I spoke without letting Fox answer.

“This is more entertaining.”

Yes. Now that was Mr. Lion.

* * *

A spacious room reminiscent of a hotel suite.

“What could those two be talking about this time?”

A man lying on the bed muttered to himself and sat up.

“Eh, why bother wondering? They never tell me anything anyway.”

In truth, he was used to it. Ever since his school days, he'd often found himself somehow on the fringes of his friend groups.

Well, he'd still been lucky. Some cryptocurrency he'd bought out of boredom had hit it big, letting him live in a home like this.

Not that it meant much now.

“Whew. Less than five hours left now.”

After checking the time, he sat at the living room table and began typing on his laptop. This once-a-month occasion was his only pleasure. Chatting in this virtual space made him feel as if he'd returned to his old world.

“Bjorn Jandel, huh...”

The forum he was browsing was filled almost entirely with discussions about one man.

Right, so that was today's hot topic?

[Anyone hear Bjorn Jandel's becoming a noble?]

-Seriously jealous. Lots of people say he's a Player, but who cares? At that point, Player or not, I'd probably just want to stay here.

The man spent his leisure time commenting on various posts.

[Bling0_0: Agreed. Nobles can have multiple wives too. I'd stay here myself. Heard his teammates are super pretty too.]

[└arolf5205: Misha's the main wife. Saw her from a distance, and she's seriously cute.]

[└Ykbell: Erwin, was it? I like that elf.]

[└cherylvander: For a real man, obviously it's got to be that barbarian woman, right?]

He'd picked a popular post and stirred the pot a little, and the replies came pouring in. As he scrolled through them, he frowned.

[Pnec: Dumbass. Being jealous of that fucking scrub of a barbarian tells me everything about your level.]

Okay. This guy would be today's target.

The man grinned. He knew that badly raised assholes like this gave the most satisfying reactions.

'Come to think of it, insults about that seemed pretty effective.'

Remembering the incident from earlier, he chuckled and posted a reply.

[└Bling0_0: Yeah, and your dick's 3 cm. A tenth of Bjorn's. You're shaking with jealousy right now, aren't you?]

DING!

Before long, a notification popped up announcing a reply.

[└Pnec: ... Fuck, who are you?]

That was a slightly unexpected reaction.

[└Bling0_0: What? Wait, is it actually 3 cm?]

[└Pnec: Why are there so many fucking weirdos? Just piss off.]

[└Bling0_0: Nope, not pissing off. Your future wife will, though. Even the nicest woman can't put up with 3 cm. She'll run away. So even if you become a noble, you won't get a single concubine.]

[└Pnec: ... Hey, where do you live?]

As expected, the rave reviews didn't take long to arrive.

Grinning, the man kept at him relentlessly. His opponent did start throwing personal attacks back partway through, but...

[└cherylvander: Kept getting notifications and wondered what was going on. What the hell are these two doing here? lmaoooo]

[└Ykbell: Everyone stop. As an MIT engineering graduate, I can tell you this is a crushing defeat for 3 cm.]

[└1spring: But judging by what he's saying, I think he really is 3 cm.]

The users who'd been watching the fight for entertainment joined the pile-on, and before long, his opponent deleted all his comments and fled.

'Pathetic little shit.'

Victorious, the man stretched luxuriously, feeling refreshed.

How much time passed like that?

Before he knew it, the community was closing.

“Sir Parav! Sir Parav!”

When he opened his eyes, a priest sitting beside him was calling in a hushed voice and shaking his shoulder.

“You can't fall asleep!”

“Ah, I'm sorry...”

The man quickly apologized and listened to the bishop at the pulpit.

Or rather, he pretended to.

This wasn't the world inside the community, where he could show his true nature. He had to play the part of a devout paladin.

'Ha. If I'd known it'd be this tough, I'd have picked a different class.'

About another hour passed before the night's midnight prayers ended. Before returning to his room, though, the man spent a little time chatting with his colleagues to maintain his friendships.

But perhaps because he'd just been to the community, he was tired and mostly listened instead of speaking. One of his colleagues asked in concern,

“Parav, are you all right? You don't look well.”

“Is it because of what happened? You have to let it go. How is it your fault an upset stomach kept you out of the Labyrinth that day?”

“We're glad at least you survived.”

“God was watching over you.”

His colleagues had the wrong idea, but he didn't correct them. He merely nodded with an air of bitterness.

“Yes, I have to move on.”

In fact, he hadn't had an upset stomach at all. He'd simply had a bad feeling and made an excuse to take a break.

When the pillar of fire rose from Dimensional Plaza the next day, the thought of how close he'd come had left him reeling.

“Why don't you head back first and rest?”

“No, I'll stay with you. I think that would be better.”

“... If you say so.”

His colleagues continued chatting. Here, too, that barbarian was the topic of conversation.

“He's becoming a noble, isn't he?”

“I think it's a good thing. From what the priestess who was there that day told me, he's a truly noble soul.”

As religious men who valued humility, his colleagues praised the new hero without envy or suspicion.

'Honestly, they're so boring.'

There really was no finding the community's freewheeling atmosphere here. Feeling somehow stifled, he blurted out,

“Don't you find him a little suspicious?”

“Suspicious?”

“To build that kind of reputation in his first year isn't exactly normal, is it?”

“Well, that's true, but...”

“Perhaps he's an evil spirit?”

He said it like a joke, but he meant it. Even in the community, opinion was starting to lean toward him not being one... but the man thought none of it made sense unless Bjorn was a Player.

What would his colleagues think?

“...”

His words were met with silence. It didn't last long, though.

“Hahahahaha!”

His colleagues all burst into laughter.

“An evil spirit? Surely not.”

“Commander Crovits took a liking to him. You shouldn't harbor suspicions like that.”

“What evil spirit would risk his life for his companions and make sacrifices for others?”

“You're taking your jokes too far today, my friend!”

The man felt his face grow hot. Of course, this wasn't anything particularly unfamiliar. Ever since childhood, he'd been teased like this, always on the fringes of the group.

'Right. I suppose I'm just wrong again this time.'

With a deep sigh, the man returned to his room.

It happened all the time.