It is often said that humans are social animals. I don't know who was the first to say this, but the analogy is very apt. We may not be as primitive as animals, but we still judge someone by first impressions. To be respected, you need to prevent others from looking down on you, especially if you were a transfer student who came to class in the middle of the school year.

"You... A what... Did you just say? Fox Mask asked, as if she had misheard me.

On the other hand, the rest of the masks were just watching what was happening, as if it was interesting. It was a kind of initiation ceremony.

Depending on what actions I take here, the first impression of me will depend.

"Repeat what you said."

Therefore, when faced with the fox mask that was staring at me with ferocious energy, I decided to clarify the situation to her so that there would be no misunderstanding.

"Your fat mother recommended me here.

"What kind of idiot?!"

Madman, crazy bastard, idiot, and so on. No matter what they said, it was better than giving them the impression of me as a weakling.

"Hey, you.

However, I did not expect this.

A terrible glow emanated from the cracks in the fox mask.

… It's a strange feeling.

My skin was tingling from the obvious threat.

Not metaphorically, but really feeling the threat to my life, my heart beat faster, and goosebumps ran down my skin. In a world where physical force as such does not exist, how is this possible?

Fortunately, I have information about this phenomenon.

So this is the very ability.

It was the first time I had experienced its direct effects, but it must have been the same technique that Baek Ho had told me about earlier.

It can only be used in the spirit world, which operates with will and thought, such as Ghostbusters. It wasn't particularly useful, but it was a side ability that only veterans use to intimidate newcomers.

"Can you say the same thing again?"

Soon, the fox mask increased the density of its killing energy and asked me again. It seemed to me that I felt a cold mockery through the mask.

Here's why...

"I-I—" I began to stutter.

*Laughter*

I heard laughter. It did not come from a fox mask, but from someone else.

Some newcomer who dared to joke with them lowered his tail, so it must have been quite funny.

"Doesn't it work?" You used to say it's just fine.

Apparently, she was really angry. As if she wasn't going to get away with it, the fox mask murderous spirit was becoming more and more intense. Of course, it was not without problems.

"N-no... I just...

"Say it." All.

— Yes, of course.

I decided to stop acting like an idiot.

"I was recommended here by your fat mother. Any problems?

— ... Wh-What? The fox mask looked very puzzled by the sudden change in my behavior. "No, you were just pretending?" But how...?

Instead of answering, I raised my little finger and scratched my ear, which tickled from the very beginning.

Obviously, everyone else noticed what was happening.

"It's definitely an interesting situation...

"Beginner, stop joking. This is too much...

"Impressive, but such an attitude is sure to make enemies, Leo...

I tasted every review and rating they expressed.

Funny, brazen, pathetic – that's what I've heard: their assessment of my demonstration, even though I've put effort into creating my image.

Yes, I am sure that there is nothing surprising in this.

Well, come to think of it, it makes sense. Isn't this a club for old people? Just calmly enduring the murderous energy is far from something that requires special treatment.

"Do you dare to mock me?" Fox Mask reacted furiously, belatedly realizing that I was behaving like a jerk on purpose. Despite this, the first impression of me would be just annoying. So I closed my eyes tightly and remembered my conversation with Baek Ho.

"Do you want me to shoot you with murderous energy? No way. If something goes wrong, it will hurt your head. Since consciousness is used here, the stronger the mental force, the stronger the energy..."

The power of the killing energy was proportional to the mental strength. For reference, mental power here meant real mental power, not a numerical indicator.

"That's why it's only for old-timers. Killing a lot of people and overcoming death every day will definitely increase your mental strength. Well, there are people who are just born with it."

And what about me then? I guess I just had to experiment with it.

Baek Ho didn't have time for me to try, but it didn't seem to be too difficult.

"I'll tell you how to use it for now. It's not really a method, but..."

Baek Ho said that in order to emit murderous energy, one must first hypnotize oneself.

"Think of the target as an enemy. An enemy that must be defeated and killed."

Coincidentally, self-hypnosis was one of my specialties.

"Hey, I'm saying... with you—" When I opened my eyes, the fox mask met my gaze and stiffened, then snorted as if it were funny.

"Ha, do you call it revenge?"

The ability worked fine, but apparently there wasn't enough energy, so I focused more on deep thought.

— Childishness.

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

"Just apologize." I've tried to figure you out, too, so if you apologize properly, I won't have any ill feelings towards you.

I hypnotized myself, imagining myself running forward and smashing her head with a mace. It was at this moment...

And?

… It felt like something was coming out of my head, a strange feeling, different from pain.

"Are you too proud to-...

The fox mask that had been scolding me suddenly fell silent and froze like a stone. She didn't even move, as if she had been grabbed by something invisible. The emotions in her round eyes were also familiar to me: what my enemies saw at the end; eyes looking as the mace descends on their heads.

Oh, I didn't expect it to be so effective.

Feeling suspicious, I looked around to make sure. The other three who doubted the fox mask's behavior showed a clear reaction every time my eyes met theirs.

*Sigh*

The deer mask looming near the pillar moved his hand to the belt where the sword should have been. He was the one who thought I was impudent.

The crescent moon mask closed his eyes to avoid my gaze.

He was the one who looked at me as pathetic.

— ... Whoa, I didn't say anything.

The clown mask shook his hands exaggeratedly and stepped back. He was the only one who thought I was a funny guy.

What is going on?

Seeing such a violent reaction, instead of being happy, I began to doubt.

Why was it so effective?

I didn't have time to think things over calmly.

*Stabbing pain*

Suddenly, a sharp pain flashed in the back of his head. It felt like my brain was being squeezed out like a wet towel. I felt mentally tired, as if I had not slept for 3 days and 3 nights. I instinctively realized that there were only a few seconds left to maintain the Barbarian Killing Energy Mode.

Hell, he didn't say anything about it.

I hurriedly looked at the fox mask. She was trembling. As I continued to stare at her without reacting, she struggled to get out of herself.

"Stop... You are welcome... A little more,... and I will be in danger...

At this moment, the Barbarian Killing Energy Mode ended.

*Breath...! *

The fox mask took a deep breath like a person who was underwater. Seeing her flinch as soon as our eyes met, I was convinced of it.

I don't know what it is, but everything worked out.

This was the image I wanted to create as soon as I found out that there was an atmosphere of rejection of newcomers. I've managed to become a madman who can't be touched.

***

— ... You make such a fuss because you were probed only once. Everything will only get more complicated in the future.

Starting with Deer's muttering, the silence in the hall disappeared.

"Hehe, I think it was an interesting experience. I wonder how many more kills I need to commit before I can do something like this?

The clown looked at me with strange eyes.

*Rumble!*

At that moment, the four doors leading to the room closed at once.

To be honest, I was damn surprised, but I'm glad I didn't show it. It's just that the login time is over.

"The time has come.

"This time there are four of us... No, five.

Since everyone was already sitting, I sat down too. However, before the meeting began in earnest, questions poured in on me. Unlike the previous ones, they did not interrogate me about my identity.

"Leo, this will be your first meeting," Crescent said to me, referring to my mask. "I was wondering from the beginning if you were an earlier member based on your murderous energy, but... The lion's mask always hung on the wall.

I nodded at his words. There is nothing more pointless than denying something with clear evidence behind you. Cold-bloodedly admitting this will help me look better.

"So what do you mean?"

— ... Have you met the Master? Oh, if you don't want to answer, just say it.

Perhaps the image of a madman was effective, because Crescent's tone was both polite and careful.

So why do some people behave like bandits?

I would never have known this if I hadn't become a barbarian.

"If you want something in return, we'll give it to you." Although, it may be difficult for you to be satisfied with this.

"Don't think about it. Why do you think I met the Master? I didn't even know who the Master was.

"This... Strange question. You're the first recruit since the Master's disappearance. Isn't it natural to think so?

"That's why Fox took on the role of an investigator and got a punch in the gut," the Clown muttered to himself. The fox mask turned away bashfully.

I think that by "Master" I mean the founder of this collection.

As I gathered the information I had received and put it in my head, Crescent Moon spoke again.

"Ahem, not only that, but I thought so, because it seemed to me that for your first time, you know a lot about this place.

Well, it's not because of the Master, it's because of Lee Baek Ho.

Wait, who the hell is he?

I decided to learn more about his personality in the future and finished my thoughts.

"So, can we get an answer to the question?" Just tell us when you last met Master, and that'll be enough..."

"I refuse to answer," I said.

"Ha... Got it. Ok.

The crescent moon threw away all lingering regrets and stepped back. If I looked like an amateur, they would have interrogated me further.

"Anyway, why don't we start?"

Unlike the other three, Clown ended the conversation and announced the start of the meeting, as if he wasn't very interested in Master's actions.

It's good that I familiarized myself with the rules in advance. It was clear that if I asked how things worked here and now, my mysterious image would be destroyed.

"Then I'll begin," the Clown was the first to speak. "King Raphdonia's illness is getting worse.

A red light emanated from the jewel mounted in the center of the round table. This meant that the information was true, but half of the people at the round table already knew about it. He will not be allowed to stop until he provides more complete information.

— Is it getting worse? That sounds too vague.

"Everyone knows that the king's illness is serious. Tell us something more useful.

Fox and Crescent frowned and called out to Clown. I just stood still.

I didn't know...

Is the king sick?

This is the first time I've heard it. Such rumors have never been circulating in the city. It would be funny if the king's health were talked about in the streets.

"Don't you know how important it is?" What a pity.

The Clown looked at the Fox and the Crescent Moon, then at me.

His eyes seemed to say, "I'm sure you know what this means."

I remained standing where I was again. That way I'll go at least half the way.

"A captain of the Order of the Knights of the Rose passed away yesterday. How do you like it? Will you accept it?

The clown gave out another portion of information, which caused a heavy silence to hang over the round table.

— ... Blood will be spilled in the palace.

— Yes, we must also prepare.

Wait, what the hell is the Order of the Knights of the Rose?

In any case, the gem turned green, and it was the turn of the next person.

This time it was the Fox.

"The Yagun Clan managed to defeat the Lord of the 1st Floor.

"Oh, this guy did it after all.

"Ha. I saw that the message disappeared from the exchange. Probably, they learned the strategy from someone? I thought they would never catch him.

This time, too, I said nothing, not because I didn't know anything, but because they were talking about me.

So the guys who killed him are from the Yagun Clan.

All I could find out in the city was that the Lord of the Floor had been summoned, but that was about it.

It's good that I came here.

The gem glowed green again, and it was Crescent's turn.

"Haha, I'm sure none of you know about it.

"Closer to the body!"

- When a hidden element is activated on the Isle of Tranquil Elves, up to three Ravgans appear.

The Fox and the Deer were very surprised.

"Good news for those who are looking for Ravgan's essence.

"No, wait. What is this hidden element?

"Don't you think you're asking for too much information at once?" In any case, the next person can continue... hmm?

The crescent moon, which was about to take its turn, tensed. This was due to the red light emanating from the gemstone.

Unlike in the old days, when anonymity was observed, it was now easy to tell who already knew the information, because the Fox and the Deer showed that they didn't.

"Crescent moon, don't be too discouraged. Most won't know the information you just said," Clown said words of comfort.

Crescent sighed.

"Until now, you're not the only one who wasn't in the dark, but now there's another person..."

I shrugged my shoulders.

Then you should not disclose information that can be learned just by playing the game.

— This is a dilemma. I haven't prepared anything else," Crescent said.

"Then you can just tell us about the hidden element.

"This... still needs to be kept secret.

"Oh, then we have no choice but to banish you after this round..."

"Haha, nonsense. I just meant that I had a dilemma because I would have to show my card.

Soon Crescent sighed and reported new information.

"It is said that traces of the thief of holy relics were found among the elves.

A green light emanated from the jewel, but the Fox narrowed her eyes and objected.

"Footprints?" Isn't that too vague too?

"This is information about a thief about whom there were no leads. This is quite secret.

"Hmm, okay. I accept it.

"So you're really an elf, eh, Crescent Moon?!"

The turn of the Crescent Moon passed, and all eyes turned to me. Although the Deer also stayed, but since we were moving clockwise, it was naturally my turn.

I don't know why I'm nervous.

Could it be because of those waiting eyes? Even though I had already decided what information to use while the others were talking, the workload increased for no reason. It would be embarrassing if everyone knew about it.

You just need to give something out.

Wanting to preserve the mysterious image for as long as possible, I chose information that would be difficult for others to know.

"If you defeat the Half-Demon in a group of three, you will definitely drop the essence.

As expected, the gem of the round table emitted a green light.

However, someone asked:

"Defeat the Half-Demon in a group of three?"

Why are you surprised by this part?

Isn't it easy with three people in cheat mode?

This is generally an easy monster ...

I could not understand why they were surprised.