[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game":3,"chapter-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-269":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1218761,1604,"Chapter 269: Choose your price.","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-269",269,"\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never panic, no matter what the situation might be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words, had carried me through more challenges in this world than I could count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subconsciously staying calm, assessing the situation, and thinking logically was the cornerstone of survival-an essential lesson I'd ingrained into myself ever since waking up in this maddening reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More specifically It was a crucial skill I developed naturally when it came to handling Liyana ever since we were young...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding the right actions and words just to please her most of the time was an almost must.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how much you prepare, no matter how many times you repeat the mental exercises to steel yourself, emotions have a way of creeping in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They slither past the defenses of logic, a delirium you can't fully control, and remind you that you're, unfortunately, human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After years of being stuck in this world, I thought I'd become adept at handling nearly anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprises?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could try to deflect them no matter how unexpected they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chaos?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'd learned to navigate through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had honed my reactions to the point where maintaining an apathetic poker face was pure muscle memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or so I believed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turns out, even I have limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trails of Light... how'd you know of its existence, son?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Duke's question shattered my composure like a sledgehammer to glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excuse me?\" I blurted, barely keeping the tremor out of my voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze narrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm? Why are you acting surprised? You were the one who personally sent the message to the emperor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that, I felt the blood drain from my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here we go again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technically, he wasn't wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The message had been sent under Riley Hell's name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But-and this is a very important distinction-it wasn't me who sent it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was other Riley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bastard had apparently decided to meddle in world-altering secrets and conveniently left the consequences for me to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The urge to shout, \"That wasn't me!\" at the Duke's imposing face was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, of course, logic prevailed. Yelling at the strongest swordsman in the world wasn't exactly on my bucket list of good ideas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Trails of Light...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the most treasured secrets of the Germania Empire, a mystery so profound that even the most dedicated historians and scholars dared not speak of it without trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A secret closely guarded by the imperial family, shared only with their most trusted subordinates and advisors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden beneath the floors of the imperial castle lay the Trails of Light-a sacred relic said to be the last known gift left behind by the goddess herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more than just a place; it was a phenomenon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An open, glowing path of light that shimmered with ethereal brilliance, almost as if it defied reality itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The legend spoke of the Trails of Wishes and Dreams—a place where one could walk through the goddess's trial, face untold challenges, and be granted a single wish in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wish that could bend fate itself, but not without a cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For every dream fulfilled, the goddess demanded a price-a balance for the scales of divine intervention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game, it was a pivotal point in Snow's arc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Trails of Light had served as the ultimate test of resolve and faith for her character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was where the main protagonist and Snow solidified their bond and a guarantee happy ending for Snow was established, it was where their trust in each other deepened as they braved the trials together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was it a narrative highlight, but it was also crucial for a smooth gameplay later on. Completing the Trails provided Snow and the protagonist with the necessary upgrades to their specs, ensuring they could stand a chance against the epilogue bosses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a place where Lucas's contract with the holy sword got fully established... the place where he recalled lost memories of his childhood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And also, the place where he learnt the truth of his origin and purpose...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, somehow, I was dragged into this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Duke mentioned it, the pieces clicked into place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Riley must have had the same understanding as I did or maybe even more, given\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his apparent knowledge of secrets I hadn't uncovered yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel the weight of his intention pushing me forward, nudging me into this unexpected\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But wasn't this way too fast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the original timeline, the [Trails of Light] weren't even mentioned until much later, and\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the challenges were supposed to align with specific growth benchmarks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here I was, far from ready to face the demands of such a trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the love of everything holy, why did he have to approach this in such a direct and reckless way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sending a message to the Emperor about the Trails of Light-just casually throwing one of the empire's most protected secrets out into the open like that-was practically begging for\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially coming from an absolute stranger, it's no wonder the Duke got involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, what I'd done was essentially a breach of national security-borderline treason if I wanted to exaggerate it. No, scratch that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the imperial family, I'd basically waved a massive red flag over one of their most sensitive\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Threatening national intelligence with a message like that? Yeah, I'd be lucky if the Duke\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>wasn't involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In hindsight, it made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor likely summoned the Duke not only to assess the situation but to keep things from escalating into full-blown chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because let's face it-if things had been handled more directly, a battalion of shadow knights would've already been hunting me down, blades drawn and ready to silence me permanently. And now, here I was, standing in front of Luther Heavens-the strongest swordsman alive The worst part was the growing realization that the other Riley, the one who'd hijacked my life for this little detour, likely knew all this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had access to my memories and relationships, he'd have known about my relationship and intentions with Snow, the Duke, and the high stakes surrounding the (Trails of Light.] Sooner or later, I would've approached Snow about the trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed the power it offered, not just to survive but to grow strong enough to face whatever lay ahead, and secure my happy ending...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Everyone's happy ending...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, if the other Riley thought skipping the careful, diplomatic buildup and diving headfirst into chaos was a good idea, he clearly underestimated the risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Duke or Emperor allowed me to move forward with this-and that was a massive\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"if\" —there was no guarantee I could clear the trial in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game, the Trails of Light had a recommended level of 150, a threshold not lightly advised. I was nowhere near that mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke's sharp gaze bore into me, his tone dangerously calm as he leaned forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mentioned wanting to take part in the trial, claiming you had the right to do so. And\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then... you sent a warning to the Emperor himself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tensed, realizing my other self-had done more than necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The fact that you not only know of the Trails of Light but also the truth about the Emperor's\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>grave weakness...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weakness...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuck....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't tell me I actually threatened him with that right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to an icy edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly, I'm finding it harder and harder to believe this entire situation was caused by my\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>docile son-in-law.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SWIISHHH!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, before I could even process what was happening, a white flash surged toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body tensed as an overwhelming sense of dread froze me in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I thought I felt the phantom sensation of my head being severed-only to\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>snap out of my trance, heart pounding in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silvery blade, glimmering with pure aura, hovered just centimeters from my throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its cold, radiant energy seemed to pierce my very soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat pressing closer to the edge of the deadly weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke's crimson eyes locked onto me, dark and brooding, their intense red hues glowing\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>with suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression, calm but laced with menace, carried an unspoken warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me,\" he said, his voice low and unwavering. \"Are you really my son?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stomach churned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze bore into me with the weight of judgment, as if he were dissecting every inch of my\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>being for answers I didn't have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade didn't move, a silent reminder of just how little separated me from death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't need to guess what kind of conclusions his mind was forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke wasn't a fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything about this situation screamed inconsistency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his eyes, the Riley he knew would never have acted like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley, the timid shadow, who always lingered in the background, silently following Liyana's\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>whims. Riley, who lacked the initiative or boldness to challenge anyone and even interact in most\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>normal affairs, much less interfere in imperial affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the system's somewhat functional help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too many things had changed, and far too quickly for his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My sudden spike in strength, the transformation of my body, my newfound decisiveness-it\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was all a far cry from the man he once knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the academy... Ever since I'd entered those halls, the stories surrounding me had become stranger and more\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rumors, the unexpected victories, and now the audacity of my actions-it all painted a\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>picture of someone vastly different from the Riley he had known for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't blame him for doubting me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Did his suspicions start at the grand festival last year?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even I would've found this situation suspicious if our roles were reversed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, I had to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with the Duke's crimson eyes glaring at me like a predator ready to strike, one wrong\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>word could be my last.\u003C\u002Fp>",1658,"2026-06-03T14:40:38.925Z",1,"novelbin.me","b475b90de9568871c320c63bb63a5eabd38d9bf8eca82c03fc33a352cabb5c82","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-270","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-268",727,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-cover.jpg"]