Killing energy is the intention to kill someone. Usually, it would just end with trembling, but in this spirit world, this effect was multiplied tenfold. Since the spiritual body is not protected by the physical body, in severe cases a person could receive a severe shock, accompanied by irreversible consequences in real life.

Players have called this phenomenon "Psychological Pollution". When this state is reached, the victim can permanently develop speech disorders, for example, stuttering, and in severe cases, consciousness is destroyed and disintegrated into fragments.

Here's why...

"You look like a beetle.

I stared at Clown with even more intent.

Even drooling, the Clown asked:

"Wh-why...

The reason was simple. The clown was a necromancer. It will take him a long time to recover the number of corpses he lost during this battle, and until the barrier around Noark is removed, he will not be able to enter the city to harm me.

However...

Orcules.

He belonged to the same group as the Dragon Slayer who killed Dvalki. After all, this guy was also an enemy that I had to defeat someday. If I could do it in advance, it would be wiser to do it.

—... Whew, ha!

As the duration of the killing energy increased, I felt a sharp pain in the back of my head. Since this skill required the expenditure of psychic energy, it was inevitable. Most likely, tomorrow I will have to sleep all day, or even two. But the more painful I was, the more I increased the pressure. That son of a bitch must have already considered Bjorn Yandel his enemy and was going to take revenge.

It's better to crush him here.

This bastard was more dangerous than the Dragon Slayer. Unlike that bastard who had lost his memory, he had a clear hostility towards Bjorn Yandel. If I don't finish him off this time, then one day he'll hurt my comrades.

— …!

The killing energy became so intense that even the others, apart from Clown, felt it on their own skin.

Bloody hell.

As the effects of the killing energy continued, a sudden feeling of stiffness began to arise in my brain. I've experienced something like this before: all my psychic energy has been exhausted to use the murderous energy.

"P-pre-rati. You are welcome...

It seemed that I could finish if I had a little more strength. Even feeling disappointed, I squeezed all the remaining killing energy to the end, holding it for a few more seconds.

*Woooooh*

When it stopped, Tricky took a deep breath as if he had emerged from the water, then coughed and vomited.

"Khak, uhhhh...!"

Although he looked pathetic, I wasn't in the best shape either. I felt like I could pass out if I closed my eyes.

"Why... Why...?

When he came to his senses, the Clown stood up with difficulty and looked into my eyes. His breathing was a little labored, but it didn't look like he had trouble speaking.

It seems that I have not even come close to Psychological Pollution.

Hmm, so that's it...

This was quite an expected result. In the past, when I unleashed my murderous energy on the Fox, my psychic energy also ran out before I even reached that point. The Clown, who has killed countless people, must have a more powerful mental barrier than the Fox.

Well, judging by the energy, I also became much stronger, but it was still not enough.

Feeling bitter, I carefully watched the Clown's eyes. In those trembling pupils, I felt doubt rather than resentment. A fear that blossomed because he couldn't understand the reason for my actions.

—…

I continued to look at the trembling Clown.

What should I do now? There were no such questions.

What, if my abrupt first strike turned out to be a failure, then I must have a convincing reason? Useless worry. That's because I'm not Bjorn Yandel. I am a Leo.

"Is that all?"

The killing energy ran out not because of mental exhaustion, but because I felt sorry for him.

Having hypnotized myself in this way, I turned away indifferently, as if I had lost interest, and hissed irritably:

"Click." I thought you'd be a little helpful if the rumors were true.

As if I was testing him.

***

The plan to overwhelm Clown with murderous energy failed, but I didn't regret it too much, because it had its advantages. Since ancient times, it has been said that enemies should be kept as close as possible.

Since everything turned out this way, then it is probably worth taking advantage of this and further benefiting from the situation

The clown was a member of the criminal organization "Orcules". As long as Noark is his base, he will continue to receive useful and quality information.

"Uh... You all right?

The Queen watched with bated breath before cautiously approaching the Clown and extending her hand to him.

But it seemed to hurt his pride.

*Flop*

The clown knocked her hand away, as if to vent his anger, grabbed a chair and sat down himself. Then he looked at me. He ignored the other participants, but no one seemed to mind. And without taking his eyes off me, he shouted words that I did not understand.

—... Mr. Leo, are you by any chance not "he"?

And? Who is "he"? As a character whose name cannot be called?

—…

I didn't know, so I just kept silent, as always, deciding that it would do half the battle. And indeed, after a while, as if gathering his thoughts, the Clown muttered:

—... No, this is impossible. You are not "he".

The deer seemed to understand something and said:

- Yes, he cannot participate in the meeting due to restrictions.

The Queen, who had been watching with interest, also spoke, as if she didn't need to hold back.

"This place is more upscale than I thought. Yes. He can't be here. After all, the chat opens at 3 o'clock.

Impossible because it's already 3 o'clock? It seems that he was talking about someone I know.

… Are they talking about Lee Baek Ho?

This thought suddenly occurred to me, but there was no way to confirm it. This was one of the few disadvantages of Leo. Even if I had a question, I could never ask it first, especially if it was low-level information that everyone knew. Lev had a face that needed to be preserved.

Anyway, I'll deal with that later.

It was time to intervene. Everyone had already said that this was not the case, so there was no need to stand still.

I grinned and said:

— Yes. I'm not "that guy"

Not "he," but "that guy": Whoever it was, I chose a word that implicitly put him and me on the same level.

But did this strategy work?

"Who are you...?"

Despite the fact that I had brought him to that pitiful state, the Clown looked at me with stunned eyes. There was not the slightest sign of resentment in them. Perhaps he wasn't even hostile.

"Do you want to know who I am?"

The clown swallowed and nodded, but immediately flinched, as if he did it unconsciously. However, he did not correct himself. It seems that the beating made him really think about who I was.

I shrugged my shoulders slightly, making a gesture that everyone knew except the new member, the Queen.

—... What does it mean? The Queen asked, and the Clown replied as a subordinate:

"That means we'll find out if we bring him some interesting information."

"Oh, by the way, that's the concept of this secret chat, right?"

— Yes, that's right. So, who is the "he" that everyone was talking about? The Goblin asked, but the Queen ignored him as if she hadn't heard.

"Are you seriously going to reveal your identity...?" Clown asked, stunned, and I didn't answer. I just stared at Clown, as if saying that there was nothing I couldn't tell while they were "entertaining" me, even if it had to do with my personality. As if even such a situation could amuse me.

"I've been seeing it for months, but I just can't understand it," Deer spoke as if he was tired of it. "I don't know how long you've been in this world, but you've been thoroughly broken. If you continue in the same vein, then even when you return, you will not be able to live a full life.

Worry about the life of a stranger? He turned out to be a nicer guy than I thought, but when I pretended not to hear him, and didn't even look at him, the Deer fell silent in anger.

Then the Queen stepped forward.

— In any case, it's interesting. If I bring you information, can I also hear who you are? I'm getting curious.

"If you can entertain me."

The Queen smiled at my answer.

"Just wait. Maybe I don't look like one, but I know a lot of interesting stories. Huhu.

Hmm, that made me look forward as this woman was also who she was.

Judging by the fact that she came at such a time, it seems that she is here on the recommendation of the Master, unlike me...

At first, I didn't pay much attention to her, taking up the education of the Clown, but in the future I will have to keep a close eye on her.

"Then why don't we start...?"

—…

There was a natural silence, no one spoke. Eventually, the Goblin spoke, and the bewilderment dissipated somewhat.

"That's right, the door closed a long time ago, so we can't sit like this forever. In the end, the Crescent Moon did not come.

"If he's not here at this time, then something has happened.

Everyone seemed to believe that Crescent did not survive this incident. But he was the most active of all.

"So, who will be the first this time?"

Normally, the Fox would take on the role of host and start the meeting, but given her strange state, the Goblin took the lead.

"I'll go later." This is my first time, so I guess I need some time to get used to it.

— Of course. Then who will go?

"If no one wants to, I'll be the first."

Deer was the first to speak.

Since we mentioned "him" earlier, let's continue. "He" was released into the world 5 days ago.

"What?" "He" was released...?

Clown was surprised, as if he had never heard of it.

"Hmm... If we want to be fair, shouldn't you first tell us who "he" is...?

The goblin tried to understand what was happening, but the Fox's eyes remained the same.

No, did she listen at all?

*Woom*

Anyway, the Round Table's jewel glowed with a green light. This meant that the information was true and more than half of those present did not know about it.

"But I don't understand. Is it possible to disclose such valuable information like this? The Clown asked, and the Deer replied impassively, as if there was nothing special about it:

"In a week, most of those who need it will already know, so I should at least use it here."

"Then can I try the next one?" The queen raised her hand slightly.

It was usually customary to walk clockwise, but everyone agreed because they were curious about what information this woman would give away.

"Huhu, this is my first time participating in a meeting like this, so I'm a little nervous.

However, there was not a drop of nervousness in her voice. The queen met everyone's gaze, as if enjoying the attention, then said slowly:

"He's in the Magic Tower now.

Oh, about "him" again?

Since I couldn't say with certainty who "he" was, I wasn't particularly impressed.

As soon as the words left the Queen's mouth, the eyes of the Clown and the Deer turned to the center of the round table, to a jewel capable of recognizing authenticity.

"That's true...

"The first place he goes to after entering the world is the Magic Tower?" Doesn't that pique your interest?

When the opportunity arises, I will definitely find out who "he" is. If these guys behave like this, then "he" is an unusual person.

.... If this is really Lee Baek Ho, then what is he doing?

As I thought about it, I felt a gaze on me from where the Queen was sitting. I don't know when it started, but she was staring at me.

"Mr. Lev, you don't seem surprised by what you heard. As if you already knew.

Uh, so that's how she sees it? I just don't know who "he" is, so it doesn't matter to me where "he" is.

"I suppose you also have someone in the Magic Tower?"

— Well, anything can happen.

The queen tried to figure me out, and I ignored her as if it was a cute trick.

"Next... I'll go.

After that, it was the Fox's turn. After the meeting began, Lisa, who had previously been silent, was rejected three times in a row.

The first two were recent information that everyone already knew, and the third was deemed unusable.

"To think that the head of the Elkapad clan was a player, that's quite interesting. But isn't it useless? I remember he died as soon as he left the portal.

—... Value is relative. For example, for that matter, neither I nor the Goblin know who "he" is. So it was meaningless information.

There was common sense in the logic of the Fox, but it was a Round Table where the majority rules.

"However, now you know that such a person exists in this world. Hee-hee.

—... Do you all share the same opinion?

Everyone was silent in response to her question, and this silence was the best possible answer. In the end, Lisa had to try a fourth time.

— Clan Leader Tevern has No9.

Information about a numbered item with a single number.

"The head of the Tevern clan, huh...?"

"It's like putting a pearl necklace around the neck of a pig. Hee-hee.

The Round Table's gem emitted a green light, and no one objected this time. Because unambiguous numbered items are so important. To be honest, it seemed that the Fox had revealed a secret that she had been keeping for a long time.

"I'm going this time."

Next was the Goblin. As befits a paladin, he once again revealed information related to religion.

"In the end, all denominations decided to abandon their support for the king. In a few days, they will again keep their distance as before.

Since this was information that could not be known to anyone except a key figure in the religious sphere, of course, it passed brilliantly.

"Hee-hee, then it's my turn.

As soon as it was his turn, the Clown made a shocking statement.

"I live in Noarka.

What did this bastard do?

Did he really have problems with his head because of the murderous energy?

***

It was information that revealed his own identity. Everyone, including me, was stunned by this incomprehensible act.

—…

More precisely, everyone except the Queen.

"Noark!" You're probably a very interesting person too, Mr. Clown! The Queen remarked in an innocent voice.

However, the Clown's eyes were fixed only on me and were not going to move away. For some reason, it reminded me of one evil spirit hunter. That bastard was also casting the bait and watching my expression.

Trying to find out how much I know?

This thought suddenly occurred to me, and I also carefully examined the Clown's eyes. It seemed to me that I even saw relief in his eyes.

"Judging by your surprise, you probably didn't know who I was?" Hee-hee.

What is this madman talking about?

"Mr. Crescent said that Mr. Leo seems to know all our personalities. I don't think that's true either.

It was a kind of test.

The lion was unusual, but how much? Did he only possess personal power and influence, or was he an absolute with a huge faction plus information?

— Was it interesting for you?

Getting additional portions of "entertainment" with its help was, of course, an effective move.

"Definitely," I grinned and said, "That was a funny trick.

At this moment, the green light on the gem went out, meaning that the turn had passed. The time has come for my long-awaited move.

I have already selected the information that I am going to post:

"A clown is a collector of corpses.

Well, shall we continue to have fun, idiot?