[{"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-699":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},1218918,1604,"Chapter 698: Frozen Trials 9.5","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-699",699,"\u003Cp>This place is larger than I thought...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley had already known the Ice Castle was massive from the outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towering spires, walls carved from ancient frost, gates that looked like they could hold back an army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the inside?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corridors stretched far longer than they logically should.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staircases spiraled upward for what felt like entire city blocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halls branched into wings that shouldn’t fit within the structure he saw from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused for a moment and closed his eyes, sensing the space around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bounded fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Layer upon layer of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The castle wasn’t just built—it was folded inward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Space expanded through celestial enchantments, overlapping dimensions carefully woven into each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind of large-scale spatial manipulation that would drain entire nations dry if attempted recklessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casting this many stable layers...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone was a feat only a handful of beings in the world could accomplish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, Rose or Lavine could probably pull something like this off without breaking a sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought almost made him smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he continued walking through the halls, frost crunching lightly beneath his boots, he noticed something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They roamed the castle freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frost-born races of all kinds—tall crystalline humanoids, pale-skinned beings with faint blue veins glowing beneath their skin, even smaller creatures with horns and elegant cloaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The variety was wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what surprised him wasn’t their appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was their behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t hostile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one growled. No one lunged. No one glared at him with bloodthirsty eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything... they were composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some carried books.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others conversed quietly in corners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few even wore extravagant suits and flowing dresses as if attending some eternal banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One passed him with a polite nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley slowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters had never really crossed his mind as logical creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his experience, they were driven by instinct. Aggression. Hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They felt almost... refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More civil than most humans he’d dealt with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was surreal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And oddly amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Frost Queen’s influence clearly went beyond raw power or authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just fear-based rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Culture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she was treated as a monster—and at her core, she was one—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had once been human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley knew that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So eventually, Riley stopped paying attention to the strangeness of it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first few halls had felt wrong—monsters walking politely, conversations echoing through frozen corridors like this was some noble estate instead of a fortress in the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after a while, the oddness faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply accepted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the only human in the castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without sensing their gazes, he could feel it—the brief looks, the subtle pauses when he passed by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood out like a stain of warmth in a place built entirely from cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet none of them confronted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they returned to whatever they were doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost... respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For context, the reason he was even wandering the castle in the first place was because of the Frost Queen herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming that Snow had entered the third trial, the Frost Queen had casually mentioned that this one would take longer than the previous ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unlike the others,\" she had said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since there was nothing Riley could do to interfere anyway, she suggested he explore the castle freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he remained within the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An open invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she still hadn’t told him why she had invited him here so openly in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That ambiguity hadn’t escaped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since he had time—and since there was no immediate threat—he decided not to waste the opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He learned more about the Frost Queen in these few hours than he had ever expected to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was... different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very different from the Frost Queen he remembered from the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, she was a distant existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Detached. Almost mechanical in her cruelty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A final obstacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being whose motives were vague at best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the one here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was calm, yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold, definitely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not mindless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the way she spoke about Snow—there was evaluation in her tone, not disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t revealed much about herself directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It gave him something to measure her by at the very least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Riley continued through the winding corridors of frost-carved stone, his footsteps eventually slowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because ahead of him—beyond the archway of sculpted ice pillars—he saw something he genuinely hadn’t expected to find inside this castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the pale, dying green of moss clinging desperately to frozen walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not some enchanted illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But living, breathing green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fresh grass stretched gently across a patch of dark, rich soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vines curled naturally along low crystal fences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Small flowers bloomed in quiet defiance of the surrounding cold—white lilies, faint blue blossoms, even streaks of soft violet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their colors were vivid against the endless whites and blues of the Frost Queen’s domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was warm here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not by much—but enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, controlled climate. Subtle magic humming beneath the soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A garden... huh,\" Riley murmured under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a castle carved from eternal frost, this place felt almost... human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped closer, boots pressing lightly into grass that had no right to exist in such a place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air smelled faintly sweet—earthy, alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess she isn’t as cold as she intends herself to be...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fragment of something she refused to completely erase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A memory, perhaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or longing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley could guess at the reasons—but he wasn’t particularly curious enough to dig deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she wanted to keep this hidden, then he would pretend he hadn’t noticed its meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing there, surrounded by quiet life, his thoughts drifted naturally to Snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even back when he had played the game, that part had been troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had needed multiple retries just to achieve the outcome he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike combat-based challenges, this one wasn’t about strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was about decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trial forced Snow to confront what it meant to become the Absolute Essence of Frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every answer shaped her mindset. Every choice tilted her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And once completed, it would determine what kind of Queen she would eventually become.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold tyrant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Detached guardian?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merciless sovereign?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or something else entirely?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the trial revolved around embodying frost itself—purity, stillness, inevitability—there was no doubt that parts of Snow’s personality would be influenced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finishing the third trial wouldn’t even be the true end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that awaited the Frost Staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final acknowledgement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That trial was not merely psychological.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was lethal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley placed a hand on his chin, eyes narrowing slightly in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, everything had proceeded smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Frost Queen had accepted Snow’s right as her heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had shown no hostility. No resistance. No desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost as if she had already made peace with her fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t mean everyone else had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doubted her subordinates—the generals, the ancient frost beasts, the nobles of this frozen kingdom—would simply kneel once Snow completed her trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Power shifts always caused ripples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And ripples in a place like this turned into blizzards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he preemptively eliminate potential threats?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought crossed his mind naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could do it quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remove the instability before it even had a chance to form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he acted now, the Frost Queen would undoubtedly intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that would cause unnecessary trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley stood there for a moment longer, fingers still resting against his chin as his thoughts ran in quiet circles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Preemptive action?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or patience?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He weighed the options carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with a faint sigh, he lowered his hand and turned his gaze slightly to the side—toward one of the massive frost pillars lining the garden’s edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anica... isn’t it about time you finally explained why you keep following me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a brief silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From behind the pillar, a familiar silver-haired figure slowly stepped out, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve as if she had simply happened to be there the entire time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gugh... you noticed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her golden eyes darted around nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You weren’t exactly hiding your intention,\" Riley replied flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica puffed her cheeks in protest. \"But I’m pretty sure I used the highest level of stealth—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused mid-sentence, clicking her tongue softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk. You know what, never mind. If the great being is interested in you, I guess something like this is only natural...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley’s brows twitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Great being...? Is she talking about the Frost Queen?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t voice the thought aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a frost dragon—one of the highest-ranking beings in this castle—her current demeanor was... surprisingly timid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She avoided his gaze at first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then forced herself to look directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uhm... Lord Riley...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She straightened immediately, nearly bowing. \"Please don’t mind my address toward you! I-it’s only proper—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t sure when this hierarchy had been established.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica swallowed, gathering her composure with visible effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uhm... anyway, my lord... this unworthy dragon has a favor to ask.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that caught his interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He studied her carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, she had acted sharp-tongued. Proud. Confident in her strength. But now? There was hesitation in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A favor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" She nodded quickly. \"Could you please ignore me watching you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I’ll make sure not to bother you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she hurriedly added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won’t interfere. I won’t speak unless spoken to. I won’t even let my presence be known if possible! So please—just do your own thing and ignore me from now on!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riley blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1625,"2026-06-03T14:41:09.353Z",1,"novelbin.me","c5ef72b8d78d28b9cf5c69d8bacbd886300a1a706507990636a19001f4865c86","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-700","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-698",727,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-cover.jpg"]