It's often said that humans are social animals. I don't know who said it first, but it's a very apt analogy. We may not be as primitive as animals, but judging someone based on first impressions was still the same. To be respected, you needed to avoid being looked down upon, especially if you were a transfer student joining the class mid-semester.
"You... What... did you just say?" asked the fox mask, as if it had misheard me.
On the other hand, the other masks simply observed the situation as if it were interesting. It was a kind of initiation. My first impression would depend on the actions I took here.
"Open your mouth again."
Therefore, facing the fox mask as it glared at me with fierce energy, I firmly impressed it so there would be no misunderstandings. "The person who recommended me here is your mother-"
"What kind of idiot is this guy?!"
Crazy, crazy bastard, idiot, etc. It didn't matter what they said; it was better than giving them a weak image of me. However, I hadn't expected this either.
"Hey, you." The moment those blue eyes begin to radiate light beyond the cracks in the fox mask, I felt a tingle on my skin from the clear threat.
It's a strange feeling.
Not metaphorically, but truly feeling my life threatened, my heart raced and I got goosebumps. In a world where physical strength itself didn't exist, how was this possible? Fortunately, there was information about this phenomenon.
This is that skill.
It was the first time it had directly affected me, but it must have been the technique Baekho had taken me earlier. It was said to be usable only in Ghostbusters, a spirit world that operated with clear will and thought. It wasn't particularly useful, but it was a secondary skill only used by veterans to scare the newbies.
"Can you say the same thing one more time?" Soon, the fox mask increased the density of its murderous energy and asked me eleven more. I thought I detected a cold mockery through the mask.
"Uu-uhh..." I stuttered again.
I smiled mockingly.
He could hear daughter. It wasn't coming from the fox mask, but from someone else. Some rookie kid who dared to mess with them was lowering his tail, so it must be pretty funny.
"Why can't you do it? You said it so well before." I guess she was pretty angry. As if she had no intention of letting this go, the killer spirit of the fox mask grew ever stronger. Of course, there was no problem.
"N-no... II just..."
"Say it. Everything."
"Yes, of course." I decided to stop acting like an idiot at this point. "The person who recommended me here is your mother. Is that a problem?"
«...W-what?» The fox mask seemed very bewildered by the sudden change in my attitude. «No, were you just acting? But how...?»
Instead of responding, I raised my little finger and reached for my ear, which had been tickling me before.
Apparently, the others had realized what was happening.
«This is definitely an interesting situation».
«Newbie, enough of the jokes. It's getting excessive».
«Impressive, but such an attitude is destined to make enemies, León.»
I licked my lips at every sentimental comment. Funny guy, cheeky guy, pathetic guy, that's what I heard: his evaluation of my performance, even though I directed my own image creation.
Yes, surely there is nothing surprising about this.
Well, if you thought about it, it made sense. Wasn't this a club for veterans? Calmly enduring a murderous energy was a far cry from receiving special treatment.
«Do you dare to make fun of me?» The fox mask reacted violently, belatedly, after realizing that he had been acting like an idiot. Still, my first impression would only be that of an annoying guy. Therefore, I closed my eyes tightly and remembered the conversation I had had with Baekho.
«Do you want me to shoot you with murderous energy? No way. If something goes wrong it will mess your mind. Since this uses an intentional mind, the stronger the mental power, the stronger the force...»
The power of the killing energy was proportional to the mental strength. For reference, mental strength here meant real mental strength, not a numerical value.
«That's why it's only for veterans. Killing many people and defeating death daily is meant to increase your mental strength. Well, there are also people who are simply born with it».
And what about me? I guess I had to experiment with it. Baekho didn't have time for him to try, but it didn't seem too difficult.
«I'll tell you how to use it for now. Well, it's not really a method, but...» Baekho said that to exude murderous energy, you needed to hypnotize yourself first. «Think of the target as an enemy. An enemy that must be killed and defeated».
Coincidentally, self-hypnosis was one of my specialties.
«Hey, I'm talking... with you...» When I opened my eyes, the fox mask met my gaze and stiffened, then snorted as if it were ridiculous. «Ha, do you call that revenge?».
It worked well, but I guess the power wasn't strong enough, so I focused more on deep thinking.
«How childish».
These are goblins. Bastards trying to kill me. Yes, enemies threatening my life.
«Just apologize. I was trying to probe you too, so if you apologize properly, I won't hold a grudge for this».
I became hypnotized, imagining myself running forward right now and blowing off his head with a mace. It was at that moment.
Hey?
A sensation like something came out of my head, a strange sensation that was different from pain.
«Are you too proud to apologize...?»
The fox mask that had been scolding me suddenly stopped talking and hardened like a stone. He didn't even move, as if he were prey to something invisible. The emotions in his round eyes were also familiar to me: what my enemies saw at the end, the eyes they laid as they watched the mace hit their heads.
I didn't expect it to be so effective.
Feeling suspicious, I looked around to confirm it. The other three, who had doubts about the fox mask's behavior, showed a clear reaction every time my eyes met theirs.
Slide.
The deer mask that was resting on the pillar put its hand to its waist, where its sword should have been. It was he who considered me shameless.
Whip.
The crescent moon mask covered his eyes as if to avoid my gaze. They were the ones who looked at me pathetically.
«...Woah, I haven't said anything». The yellow clown mask shook its hands exaggeratedly and took a step back. He was the one who only thought of me as a funny guy.
What's happening?
Seeing such a violent reaction, instead of making me happy, my doubts grew. Why was it so effective? I didn't have time to think about it calmly.
Zzzzz.
Suddenly, a sharp pain erupted in the back of my head. I felt like my brain was being squeezed like a wet towel. I felt mental fatigue, as if I had been awake for three days. I instinctively realized that there were only a few seconds left to maintain the barbaric killer energy mode.
Damn, he hadn't told me any of this.
I hurriedly looked at the fox mask. I was shaking. When I continued looking at her without answering, she begged with difficulty. «Stop, please. Plus, I'm in danger...»
Just then, the killer energy mode ended.
Gasping...!
Zorro's mask breathed deeply like someone who has been underwater. Seeing her grimace in pain as soon as our eyes met, I was convinced.
I don't know what it is, but it worked because of it.
It was the image I wanted to create as soon as I knew that the atmosphere here was one of rejection of newbies. I managed to become a madman who should not be touched.
«...Making such a fuss about being polled just once. It won't be a smooth trip in the future». Starting with the murmur of the deer, the silence in the room disappeared.
«Hehe, I think it was still an interesting experience. I wonder how many more deaths I need before I can do something like that». The clown looked at me with strange eyes.
Ding!
Just then, the four doors leading to the room slammed shut. Honestly, I was shocked as hell, but I was glad it wasn't noticeable. It's just that check-in time was over.
«It's already that time».
«We are four-no, five this time».
Since everyone was sitting, I also took a seat. However, before the meeting began in earnest, the questions flew for me. Unlike before, they weren't questioning me about my identity.
«León, this will be your first meeting», addressed my Crescent Moon, referring to my mask. «I was wondering if you were a member from the early days based on your murderous energy, but... the lion mask has always been on the wall».
At his words, I nodded. There was nothing more insignificant than denying something with clear evidence behind it. Acknowledging it coldly would make me look better. «So what do you mean?».
«....Have you met the Master? Oh, if you don't want to answer, just say so».
I suppose the madman's image was effective, because Crescent Moon's tone was both polite and cautious. Was this why people should live like hooligans? It was a realization that I would have lived my entire life without knowing if I had not become a barbarian.
«If you want something in return, we will give it to you. Although it can be difficult to satisfy you».
«That does not matter. Why do you think I met Master?». I responded arrogantly. He didn't even know who the Master was.
«That's... a strange question. You are the first recruit since Master disappeared. Isn't it natural to think like that?»
«That's why Fox took on the role of investigator and it was her turn to rebound», the clown murmured to himself. The fox mask turned its head in embarrassment.
I believe that «the Master» is referring to the founder of this meeting.
As I gathered the information given and put it into my head, the crescent moon spoke again. «Ahem, not only that, but I thought about it because it seemed like you knew a lot about this place for your first time».
Well, it's not because of Master, but because of Baekho Lee. Wait, but who the hell is he?
I decided to learn more about his identity in the future and finished my thoughts.
«So can we get an answer to the question? Just tell us when was the last time you met with Master and that's enough...»
«I refuse to answer», I declared.
«I see. Okay». Crescent Moon abandoned all her regrets and took a step back. If I had looked like an amateur, I would have been questioned more.
«Anyway, other than that. Why don't we start?» Unlike the other three, the clown concluded the conversation and announced the beginning of the meeting, as if he was not very interested in the Master's actions.
Thank goodness I had learned the rules beforehand. It was clear that if I asked how it worked here and now, my mysterious reputation would be destroyed.
«Then I'll start». The first to speak was the clown. «King Rafdonian's illness is getting worse».
A red light radiated from the jewel embedded in the center of the round table. That meant the information was true, but half of those present at the roundtable already knew it. He would not be allowed to stop until he produced better information.
«Getting worse? That sounds too broad».
«Everyone knows that the king's illness is serious. Please tell us something more useful».
The fox and the crescent moon frowned and criticized the clown. I remained motionless.
I didn't know that... Is the king sick?
It was the first time I heard it. Rumors like this never circulated in the city. It would be funny if people talked about the king's health on the street.
«Don't you know how important this is? How pathetic». The clown looked at the fox and the crescent moon, and then at me. I'm sure you know what it means, his eyes seemed to say.
I stayed still again. That would take me at least halfway.
«The captain of the Order of the Rose died yesterday. What do you think? Do you accept this?» The clown blurted out another piece of information, which caused a heavy silence to hang over the round table.
«...Blood will be shed in the palace».
«Yes, we should prepare too.»
Wait, who the hell was the captain of the Knights of the Rose? Anyway, the jewel turned green, so it was the next person's turn.
This time, it was the fox mask. «The Jagun Clan managed to subjugate the Lord of the First Floor».
«Oh, that guy got it after all».
«Ha. I saw that the position disappeared from the exchange. I guess they learned someone's strategy? I thought they would never catch it».
I also stayed silent this time, not because I didn't know anything, but because they were talking about me.
So those who caught him are from the Jagun Clan.
The only thing I could find out in the city was that they had summoned the Lord of the Soil, but nothing more.
Thank goodness I came here.
The jewel lit up green again, so it was Crescent Moon's turn.
«Haha, I'm sure none of you know this».
«Can you say it once and for all?»
«When a hidden piece is activated on Quiet Fairy Island, the appearance of up to three Ravganus is confirmed».
At those words, the fox and the deer were greatly surprised.
«Good news for those looking for the essence of a Ravganus».
«No wait. What is the hidden piece?»
«Don't you think you're asking for too much information at once? Anyway, the next person can proceed... hmm?» The crescent moon, which was about to pass its turn, stiffened. It was due to the red light flowing from the jewel.
Unlike before, when anonymity was maintained, it was easy to deduce who already knew the information because the fox and deer had proven not to.
«Crescent, don't be too discouraged. Most won't know the information you just said». The clown uttered words of comfort.
Crescent let out a sigh. «Until now it just had to be you who was in the dark, but now there is one more person...».
I shrugged.
So don't decide to reveal information that you can learn simply by playing.
«This is a dilemma. I haven't prepared anything else», Crescent said.
«You can just tell us about the hidden piece, then».
«That... still needs to be kept secret».
«Ohhh, then we have no choice but to banish you after this meeting-»
"Haha, Nonsense. I just mean I was in a dilemma because I'll have to expose my card." Soon, the crescent moon sighed and brought out some new information. "They say they've found traces of a 'holy relic extortionist' among the fairies."
A green light emanated from the jewel, but the fox squinted and protested. "Traces? Isn't that a bit too vague?"
"It's information about the relic thief who had no leads. This alone is top secret."
"Hmm, okay. I accept it."
"So you really are a fairy, huh, Crescent Moon?"
Crescent Moon's turn ended when the objecting fox withdrew, and all eyes turned to me. Although there were still deer around, as we moved clockwise, it was naturally my turn.
I don't know why I'm nervous.
Was it because of those expectant eyes? Even though she had decided which information to use while the others spoke, the burden increased for no reason. If it were all the known information, it would be shameful.
I'll have to state the obvious first.
Wanting to maintain an air of mystery as much as possible, I selected a piece of information that would be difficult for others to know. "If you catch a Vamdemon in a group of three people, an essence is guaranteed to drop."
As expected, the jewel on the round table issued a green light.
However, one asked, "Catching a Vamdemon in a group of three?"
Why are you surprised by that part? Isn't it easy with three people in trap mode? It's even an easy monster...
I couldn't understand it.