Chapter 75 - Ghost Busters (4)

There are several reasons for my conclusion.

“Excuse me, why aren't you saying anything?”

For starters, I've never revealed my identity to anyone. That means whoever this is, all he can have is a suspicion. There's no evidence proving I'm an evil spirit.

So—

“I told you, I'm from America. We're both outsiders here, in the end. Shouldn't we stick together?”

This behavior is clearly out of place. A fellow Player might suspect I'm a Player and try to sound me out. But this blatantly? It makes no sense on several levels. I could be a local. What gives him the nerve to reveal his identity first?

'In a city where being exposed as an evil spirit means instant execution, no less.'

Well, maybe if this were his first month. That's when you're still naive. But didn't he just say it himself? He's been in this city for over three years. Surviving three years while acting like that is nonsense to begin with...

“We've formed a sort of ‘game’ association among ourselves, you see. I could recommend you, Mr. Jandel.”

Above all, his pronunciation when he says the specific word “game” sounds incredibly fucking stupid. Like a Korean character in a foreign movie.

'If he wasn't trying to hide his identity in the first place, he could've just tried speaking to me in English.'

That probably would've made me a little less suspicious. Instead, this bastard keeps talking in circles when the easiest option is right there.

And so... I reach my final conclusion from the evidence at hand.

“Look, can't you trust me now?”

This bastard isn't a Player. But he's pretending to be one to test me. And I can think of only one reason a local would conceal his own identity like this.

'He came specifically to target me.'

To be fair, I figured this day would come eventually. This is a city where even the general public knows about evil spirits. I couldn't find anything about it in any library book, but there must be an agency specializing in dealing with them.

'They're still only suspicious. There's no way they have any hard evidence.'

Which makes what I need to do clear, too. I have to dispel their suspicions. Right now they're only probing, but who's to say they won't eventually start an “investigation” using magic or something? I need to nip this in the bud completely, before they even think of doing that.

'But how?'

What do I have to do to convince these people I'm not an evil spirit? The answer to that question is remarkably simple.

THUD.

I take a large step forward.

“... Why are you coming closer all of a sudden? You're too clo—”

“I have a question.”

A question from me, after all that silence. He hesitates briefly, then smiles as though this is a welcome development and nods.

“Oh, yes, of course. Anything.”

“Then I'll ask plainly. Are you an evil spirit?”

“What would be the point of hiding it now? Yes, I am. So...”

Okay, that's a definite answer secured.

“Enough. You need say no more.”

“What? What do you mea—”

“The chieftain told me to kill evil spirits on sight.”

“W-what...?”

Confusion blooms across his face. I charge at him, roaring loudly enough for the whole world to hear.

“VEHELLLAAAAAA!!”

A barbarian does not stand idly by in the face of injustice.

* * *

My fist lands squarely on his temple. Confusion, bewilderment, and fear fill his eyes as his face crumples like a squashed steamed bun.

But looking at me like that won't help. It's not as if I'm doing this over a personal grudge... And when you think about it, hasn't he brought it on himself?

THWACK!

He openly revealed his identity. If I pretend not to notice and run away now, I'll only make myself suspicious. No properly raised local barbarian would ever do that.

So—

CRASH!

As he loses his balance, I grab him by the neck and slam him into the ground like I'm chaining a combo. Then I straddle him.

THWACK! THWACK! THUD! THUD! THUD!

I rain down my watermelon-sized fists without pause.

His skin is fairly tough, suggesting a pretty high Physical Resistance stat, but it's useless against me after my recent massive increase in Strength.

“N-no, wait...!”

His face is a bloody mess after just a few punches. But I carry on doing what needs to be done without hesitation. Naturally, he cries out as though he's being wronged.

“I-I'm not! I'm telling you, I'm not!”

Yeah, I'm sure you're not an evil spirit. But what can I do? I need to stay alive, too.

“Lying, too? You really must be a wicked evil spirit.”

“No, listen—! Aaagh! Agh!!”

I tune him out and land a few more punches. Before long, the sudden brawl draws a crowd that packs the area, and even the guards come rushing over. Exactly as I'd hoped.

“You there! What do you think you're doing? How dare you resort to violence in the middle of the city?”

“Get him off!”

I promptly stop punching and stand up. Is it because of my tier-two-material armor? Unlike when I was falsely accused and hauled away at the Guild, the guards approach warily, closing the distance with care. Really, there's no need for that.

THUMP!

I pick up the unconscious man and toss him toward the guards. Then I shout loudly enough for everyone around us to hear.

“This man is an evil spirit! He said so himself, then tried to do something strange to me!”

“What? An evil spirit?”

The guards approaching the unconscious wreck of a man, whom they'd assumed was the victim, flinch at my words. The onlookers start murmuring, too. Most of their voices, of course, are skeptical.

“An evil spirit? Isn't that barbarian just confused?”

“... Mistake or not, beating someone that badly is going to cost him a pretty penny.”

Fair enough. A barbarian's shouting probably doesn't carry much credibility. But how about this?

“My name is Bjorn, son of Jandel! On my honor as a warrior, I speak no lies!”

Little Valcan. Bjorn, son of Jandel. I hate to say it myself, but mine is the hottest name in the city these days.

“Little Valcan?”

“... Come to think of it, I heard he wears a raitinium breastplate.”

“Then is that really him?”

“If it is, he might be worth believing...”

“An explorer that famous wouldn't spout nonsense and beat up an innocent man, would he?”

As the murmurs continue, public opinion shifts. The guards, having realized who I am, look unsure what to do. Just then, someone who appears to be their captain approaches.

“May I see your identification badge?”

A polite request I could never have imagined receiving before. I hand him my badge, and after checking it, he gives me a peculiar look.

“It really is you. First, let me thank you. My younger brother returned alive from the Labyrinth thanks to you.”

“Is your brother with the Djarwi Clan?”

“Hardly. My brother was one of the few who paid the protection fee and followed your group.”

Huh. Fewer than ten of those people survived. That's quite a coincidence. But that's one thing, and this is another.

“So when will you kill that evil spirit? Leaving him alive makes me uneasy.”

“That won't be decided until after the investigation. For now, I'll need you to accompany us to the local office. Would that be all right?”

“Hmm, but I'm hungry...”

“We'll certainly provide a meal. If what you say is true, you may have rendered a great service.”

“A great service...”

Unlike usual, I consider this carefully. How would a barbarian respond? As always, my deliberation doesn't last long.

“What does that mean?”

A question that could only come from someone truly at one with his inner barbarian. The guard captain chuckles and answers.

“It means you've done something remarkable.”

“Something remarkable? Then will there be meat with the meal?”

Hmm. Is that going too far, even for a barbarian? The thought crosses my mind... But judging by the captain's expression, apparently not.

“... I'll treat you out of my own pocket if necessary, so please come with us.”

“In that case, sure.”

Afterward, I follow the guard captain out of the central square. But for some reason...

“Little Valcan defeated an evil spirit!”

“Just telling this story will get my drinks paid for tonight.”

Those voices keep reaching me from the crowd receding behind us.

* * *

「The character's Fame has increased by +1.」

「The character's Fame has increased by +1...」

「...」

* * *

Since the plan was something I'd practically squeezed out on the spot, I did feel a little anxious. But everything afterward went remarkably smoothly. When a Public Security officer searched the unconscious man's clothes, he found a badge.

“Huh? This is an evil spirit hunter's badge.”

At first, it caused an uproar in Public Security. Naturally, since the man brought in on suspicion of being an evil spirit had an evil spirit hunter's badge. They contacted his organization, and before long, someone who seemed to be his superior arrived.

And...

“Uh, well, this man... is indeed one of ours...”

Initially incredulous, the man took in the whole situation and answered the mystery in a miserable voice.

“He said he was an evil spirit himself. How do you explain that?”

“Well... this is a measure customarily taken with individuals who gain renown in a short period or demonstrate exceptional achievements...”

“Stop. I don't understand complicated talk.”

“We suspected you, Mr. Bjorn.”

“What? You suspected me of being an evil spirit? Who was it! Who dared suspect me! Was it you?!”

As I snort and rage as though I've been insulted, the superior sweats profusely, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

“As I mentioned, this is a routine procedure...”

“Use simple words!! Are you making fun of me?!”

“What's certain is that this won't happen again! So please, keep your voice down...”

I think I'm starting to understand why barbarians live the way they do. It's convenient. And watching people squirm is pretty entertaining, too.

“Hmm. Then what happens to me? If he's not an evil spirit, do I get punished?”

“O-of course not.”

“That's a relief. I'm sleepy, so I'll be going now.”

“Y-yes? Oh, yes... Of course...”

The moment I see an opening to leave, I head straight out of the building and back to my lodgings. I'd acted shamelessly in front of them... but inside, I'd been desperate to get out of there.

'Fuck...'

Honestly, I'm drained. As much as when that Floor lord was chasing me.

'I never imagined the people here knew that much.'

America, Europe, and all that. He'd even talked about the game, and his manner of speaking had been natural enough to pass for someone from Earth. Sure, his fucking awful English pronunciation had tipped me off... But still. What kind of bullshit difficulty level is this?

'Right. So not all the bastards here are idiots...'

No wonder Tarikan Lien ended up on the guillotine.

[“America? Taiwan? Europe? Where are you from?”]

[“Wow, you almost fooled me. You're a really good actor. Aren't you only three months in?”]

[“Oh, there's no need to be wary. I'm from America. I never should've touched that damned game.”]

In an unfamiliar city without a single person to rely on, most people would naturally be tempted if someone suddenly approached them and said those things.

'Motherfucker...'

The more I dwell on it, the more I realize what a fucked-up world this is. Being dragged here out of nowhere and treated like an evil spirit is bad enough, but one wrong move and bastards like these show up dangling bait? At least I can just beat monsters to death. I can't do that with these guys, which makes them even worse.

“Whew...”

I finally let out the sigh of relief I've been holding in.

'Still, I guess I've made it through for now.'

Of course, I have no way of knowing whether those evil spirit hunters, or whatever they're called, have really stopped suspecting me. But I've done everything I can for now. All that's left is to be careful and wait.

'I'll have to act even more like a barbarian from now on.'

Revising my plans for how to conduct myself, I enter my room at the inn and lie down on the bed without changing. But what's this?

“...”

There's a piece of mail on the bed. I open the envelope to find a letter and a pill the size of my thumbnail.

'What's this? Did Misha write me a letter? No, she wouldn't have had time—'

Then I start reading the letter and freeze.

[This letter is a random letter sent to an explorer presumed to be a player. If you could read th…….]

A letter written in English. For a moment, I'm so startled I almost throw it away, but first I make sure no one is around and crawl under the covers. There, I carefully read on. Roughly translated, it says this:

[This letter is sent at random to explorers presumed to be Players.]

[If you can read this, never reveal to anyone that you are a Player.]

[Oh, and if evil spirit hunters catch you, please don't translate this letter for them.]

[Anyway, here's what I want to tell you.]

[We have a community that guarantees complete anonymity. Taking the enclosed pill will allow you to enter it.]

[If you don't wish to join, please dispose of the pill. We sincerely wish you survival.]

The more I read, the more tangled my thoughts become. Could this be another trick from those bastards?

'Fuck, it seems too convincing for that...'

The fact that they've used simple words wherever possible? That makes perfect sense if they're considering people who aren't native English speakers. The game only supported English to begin with. They probably figured anyone could read this much.

'If I wanted to identify and recruit Players, I'd probably write something like this myself.'

This is different from those evil spirit hunters merely pretending. This letter is written entirely from a Player's perspective.

[GHOST BUSTERS]

Even the community's name at the very top shows it. Isn't that far too witty a name for something they forced an evil spirit awaiting execution to write in an interrogation room?

'And those bastards supposedly wrote this?'

Of course, it could be a staggered attack. Act incompetent first, then strike when I let my guard down.

Which is why I desperately hope the sender is a Player. I don't particularly need a community... But if the evil spirit hunters sent this letter, I don't have the confidence to survive in this city.

Because...

[P.S. Rafdonia’s king, Mother fucker]

How am I supposed to beat bastards this dedicated to hunting evil spirits?