León was Bjorn Yandel. This idea was first raised at the Round Table by Queen of the Soul. The basis of the theory was the fact that Leon had disappeared immediately after Bjorn Yandel's death.
So, to put it simply... I just have to find an alibi.
León was not Bjorn Yandel. The moment this phrase became a fact, all those suspicions would lose most of their weight.
«You said it even had the essence of an Ogre».
«Even someone like Blood Spirit wouldn't go so far as to hire a double and call him by the same name she called him...»
«Then it would make sense for the Golden Sorceress to omit this in her report.»
«It is possible that he faked his own death for that reason».
In the end, all these suspicions derived from the possibility that León was Bjorn Yandel. Clown's reaction was proof of this.
«Pshehe, what are you talking about? Bjorn Yandel is dead».
Since he believed that it was impossible for León to be Bjorn Yandel, he was the only one who did not believe the theory.
Huh, this guy really has two faces.
When I met him outside all I wanted to do was smash his head, but surprisingly he was almost cute at the Round Table.
Ah, now is not the time to think about that. It seems that these guys are slowly coming to their senses.
Fox was the first to open her mouth and break the heavy silence. «...Twenty-two... years ago?» His voice contained an immense shock that could not be described in words alone. Well, that made sense.
«It's possible? That means that Mr. León has been in this world for more than twenty years...»
When Goblin interrupted himself, Deer gently offered his two cents. «It is not unfounded. The general consensus is that the GM was brought into this world by then as well.»
That meant that, in their minds, it was safe to say that I had been here almost as long as the GM, who as far as everyone knew was the player who had been here the longest.
«Pshehe, so if I kill people for ten more years, can I become like you, Mr. Leon?»
Um, so I guess Clown's been here for about ten years now. And it seems that the others are in a similar situation.
«But Queen, why are you so quiet? Pshehe». Clown mocked Soul Queen for barking at the wrong tree. «Shouldn't you bow down and apologize? For spreading the ridiculous rumor that Mr. León is Bjorn Yandel?». Clown seemed to enjoy being the only person who was right, and looked at the other members. «You are equal! Bjorn Yandel? Even if that bastard is still alive, do you think he's a match for Mr. Leon? Hey?»
«Hahaha... it was just an idea. Actually, we didn't think that...» Goblin laughed awkwardly.
Ciervo, on the other hand, did not shirk responsibility and instead reflected on his actions. «Now that I think about it... It would be a big leap to assume that Bjorn Yandel is alive».
«To be honest, I still can't believe that man was an evil spirit. There's something a little suspicious about the royal family proclamation... I've seen that guy in person.»
Has Fox seen me in person? In that case, it should have been one of the high-ranking people who escaped through a portal that day, right? Hmm, or maybe he ran into me by chance another time?
I'll think about it later...
Clown supported Fox. «Pshehe, I agree with you on that. How could that barbarian blockhead be an evil spirit? What sense does it make?»
This time, even Deer, who was on bad terms with Clown, expressed his assent. «True... It is difficult to interpret what he did at the title ceremony as an act».
«Do you mean how he pushed Marquis Kudo in front of the prime minister and so many nobles?»
«Haha, I found out about that later. I heard you shout something about how the marquis used it to do a somersault, right?»
What a shame. How am I supposed to react to receiving such a big compliment right in my face? Anyway, I think that should have dispelled all suspicions...
As I looked around the table, I could see that Soul Queen had tuned into the conversation around her.
What are you thinking so much about?
While studying her, Clown changed the subject. «Miss Queen, how long are you going to sit there? Now it's your turn. Don't you see that Mr. León is waiting?». It seemed that this was how he had decided to interpret the way he stared at Soul Queen.
Man, he's like a professional henchman. Why are you so eager to speak on my behalf?
«A-Ah! Yeah. True... I should go...» Anyway, I figured Clown's insistence worked because Soul Queen seemed to come to her senses by taking a breath and slowly parting her lips. «The palace already knows the identity of the GM».
It was interesting information.
The Magical Engineer, Yurven Havellion, was the director of a magical school and a role model for many magician builders. But that was just what it seemed to be on the surface. In reality, he was the GM, the head of a community of evil spirits called Ghostbusters, and a legend among players. That was his true identity.
¡Shaaaaaa!
The Round Table light turned green, confirming that Soul Queen's information was accurate and most of those present had not heard about it.
«The palace knows your identity, huh?».
That could only mean one thing. Not only had the palace intentionally let the GM go easy ...
«That means it's very likely that the GM and the palace are working together in some capacity.»
It could definitely be interpreted that way. That would also explain why he seemed to completely ignore the threat from the palace as he confronted me. So why did Soul Queen reveal this at the Round Table? The reason soon became clear.
«Pshehe, so the GM was one of them the whole time. No wonder rumors about him never seemed to spread in the city, no matter what uproar people made».
It was probably a way to advise me and warn me that there was no point in spreading rumors, so I shouldn't waste saliva.
«Wait, but isn't it strange? The GM himself called the palace our enemy, right?».
When Goblin pointed out that contradiction, Crescent responded with a cynical smile. «There is nothing sillier than believing in him forever. Especially when it comes to people». Perhaps Goblin's claim would have been true if it were the GM of the early days, but now, no one could know if he was still an innocent party.
«If this comes to light, the community itself could disappear», Deer lamented.
«Yeah. If the GM is known to have allied himself with the palace, all players will live in fear. Including me». When Fox looked at Soul Queen, the other members naturally diverted their attention towards her as well. «Miss Queen, tell us. You are part of the management team, right? Why did the GM join forces with the palace?»
«I can't tell you that».
«Then I'll take it as you saying that we should come to our own conclusions...»
«But I can tell you this with confidence». Queen of the soul cut Fox. «If this round is over, I'll start this time». She placed her hand on the jewel of the Round Table. «The GM is someone who puts players above everything. He would never sacrifice another player for the palace. Such a thing is not possible with the way this community works in the first place».
The moment he finished speaking and removed his hand from the jewel, a green light began to shine.
«Haha, I feel a little relieved now that you said that». Goblin laughed, breaking the silence as if bothered by the uncomfortable tension in the air. With that, everyone stopped interrogating Queen of the Soul.
«Thank goodness it's functionally impossible».
In fact, that was probably the most decisive factor. The GM might change his mind later, but his anxieties were diminished by the knowledge that the worst could be avoided thanks to established systems.
«True, if the GM had the ability to know our identities in the real world, this conversation wouldn't be happening in the first place...»
«It seems like he has a give-and-take relationship with the palace rather than one where he works for them».
«Then now it's your turn». Soul Queen didn't seem to want to continue talking about this, and hurried to end the conversation by passing the baton to Clown.
«Pshehe, it's been such an interesting start...» Clown made a gesture of beating around the bush as if it were going to happen, but it seemed like he soon came up with something suitable. «Aha, this should be good!» Clown applauded exaggeratedly and placed one of his hands on the jewel. «I also learned this recently and it's pretty surprising gossip».
«You used to call me ridiculous for dragging things out».
«Pshehe, but you and I are different, Mr. Goblin». Clown waved at him, and even Deer nodded.
«Why are you nodding?» goblin whimpered, clearly hurt, but no one at the Round Table paid attention to him. That was because Clown had begun to speak, finally breaking the growing tension.
«The Dark Continent is a real place». The information provided by Clown was difficult to assimilate.
«... Eas long verde».
«But what does that mean? I don't understand what you mean by that».
«Pshehe! It's just like I said! Literally. After leaving town and wandering outside for a while, I realized. There may be differences in topography and structure, but the land we walk on is exactly the same as the Dark Continent on the seventh floor!».
This information piqued the curiosity of the player in me for the first time in a long time.
«...If that is true, then it means that theory may be true as well».
«The theory that the labyrinth is not a passageway that connects to another dimension, but one created on purpose by someone?».
«The Crystal Cave and the Rock Desert... perhaps they were modeled after real places».
If that was true, it was a bit ironic. Someone designed this maze based on this world, and then that maze was used to design a game.
I also want to know the outside world...
I wondered if the day would come when I could explore the outside.
The second round went smoothly, in reverse order and without any red lights, but unfortunately that was all I could say about it.
The Queen's and the Clown's were good, but the rest of the information was more or less.
Regardless of the target value, I did not find the information personally useful. Just look at Fox. He received the green light for sharing the fact that Blood Spirit bought a mansion for a large sum and that mansion was used as collateral to borrow another large sum. Growing? He sighed and said that it seemed like Blood Spirit had used that money to buy an essence.
«It got her a happy home and even an essence... Pshehe, that woman is dedicated! It's not like I can bring Bjorn Yandel back to life by doing all that».
The reactions of others were a little hurtful.
«...Riehen Schuitz. I'll have to look into it, but I don't think it's normal».
«Although I have heard that it is strong. It is not easy to become so strong with just a few essences...»
«People who have more power are always worse. Using a woman's pain for her own personal benefit is a plague against all men.»
«Wow, you're a romantic, huh, Mr. Deer?»
«Ejem ... »
«The elves will have to investigate it too. We only knew that he bought an essence, but we never thought that he would give it to a total stranger...»
Ugh, they're going to do all kinds of research on me after this. I could rest assured if I could get those documents from the Adventurer's Guild... It looks like I'll have to find a solution to that as soon as possible.
«Haha, it's my turn!»
Anyway, Goblin and Deer, who came later, were similar in terms of usefulness. Your information was not related to me, unlike the previous two, but I did not find it useful.
Well, it can't always be useful.
I looked around, stopping regretting. Was it because it was already my turn? The atmosphere in the room was a little different than before. My eyes were focused on me waiting for the information I would give them this time. Not even the sound of breathing could be heard in the sepulchral silent room.
What should I do?
I thought about it one last time, but decided to continue with what I had already decided to share. I opened my mouth. «I have met Auril Gavis, the creator of Dungeon and Stone».
It was better to emphasize things so that no one thought that León was Bjorn Yandel.
***
«Ugh, I'm tired...»
As soon as I returned to Hansu's room, I lay down on the bed and mentally reviewed what had happened at the Round Table.
It had been a while since we had done three rounds.
Even after completing two rounds, another had been held. There was some useful information, but most of it wasn't.
«It's not like Mr. Goblin leaving makes any difference, so why don't we continue?»
«I don't think anything interesting will come of that».
Ignoring Clown's disappointed look, I stood up heartlessly. That was because, without Goblin, the proportion needed to achieve a majority would fall. Even if I wasn't the one taking the initiative, one or two of the others would have retired, as always. So I had decided it was best to leave first.
...In any case, there would have been no quality information. Okay, my brain finally works after that break. You should spend the remaining time browsing the web.
Click, click.
After getting out of bed, I wandered around the community and read the forum posts.
«Heh, these weird assholes...». Why were these trolls so funny? What the hell was going through their heads? «Hehehe...»
I was in the middle of surfing the net, with one leg resting on the table, when I saw him.
«…¿Eh?»
I sat up quickly. Even after rubbing my eyes and bringing my face closer to the monitor, the text on the screen didn't change.
[Long live Korean Independence – 1 person is online.]
Online? Who is? Could it be Baekho? No, the GM couldn't have lifted the ban already... Even if he had, it would be impossible for him to connect right now. Is he just a boring person? Or a real Korean? There could be a Korean in the recent batch of rookies. Either way, I'll find out when I meet them.
With that thought in mind, I double-clicked the mouse.
Clic, click.
Everything turned white and my environment changed. Unlike the default chat room skin, which was an empty lot, the inside of it looked like an elaborate mansion. This place had been decorated by Baekho himself, the chat moderator.
What, is it a woman?
I could see the back of a woman sitting in front of the fireplace. It was difficult to determine her nationality from the nickname on her head - HS123-, but based only on the color of her hair and skin, she was undoubtedly Asian.
So is she really Korean? Well, I'll find out when we talk.
I was more comfortable with men, but that didn't mean women weren't welcome. And if it really was someone from home, I was also willing to extend some help to him, just like Baekho did to me. With that in mind, I announced my presence.
«Ejem. »
«Kyaaa!» The seated woman jumped, her shoulders flying to her ears. It seemed like he hadn't even realized I was in the chat room. The revealing air of a novice radiated from her, impossible to imitate. «...Eh?» The surprised woman turned around and we looked into each other's eyes.
«¿Eh…?»
«Uh.»
The woman opened her eyes wide. Actually, my eyes were probably no different.
«¡¿Eh?!»
What is this? It's a dream? Why is she here?
«Uh. »
My brain short-circuited. My jaw hung like that of a goldfish and none of the sounds coming out of my mouth were coherent enough to be classified as «language». The same thing happened with the woman.
«U-Uh. »
«Uh. »
«jaUh?»
Still, he recovered faster. «Hansu...?» The woman seemed more surprised than happy to see me.
«Hyeonbyeol...?» I asked dazedly, my eyes automatically sliding down. She was wearing a formal skirt that reached her knees, a neat blouse, and... «Ha... you look exactly the same».
She was wearing black stockings.