[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian":3,"chapter-surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-131":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Surviving the Game as a Barbarian",{"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},1327751,1764,"Chapter 131 Team Play (1)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-131",131,"\u003Cp>Team Play (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Team Play (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten days have passed since I visited the Kaltstein residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the first day, I was worried that Misha might have told her father everything…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What?! Are you crazy?! You barbarian! How could you say something like that!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Then what did you do there?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That’s…! You don’t need to know!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…but it was an unnecessary worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t know why she’s keeping it a secret, but I could definitely feel that nothing like that happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are two ticking time bombs in the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Dwarkey, let’s talk.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day after returning from the Kaltstein residence, I met with Dwarkey right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I spoke indirectly while drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What? Is it true? That Misha likes chubby men?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes, she definitely said that last time.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I, I see. Thank you for telling me. I, I almost made a mistake by being too hasty.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For reference, Dwarkey ordered a lot of food after that conversation and stuffed himself until his stomach was bulging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One problem solved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He won’t confess until he gains some weight.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve bought at least a month or two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarkey’s personality is such that he won’t have the courage unless he gains a significant amount of weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And by the time he does, Misha and I will be leaving the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This makes me feel like a real asshole…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it can’t be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his mental state were strong, it might be different…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what if he confesses to Misha and gets rejected?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He won’t be able to focus even in the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that could put the team in danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Uh, but why am I so sure that he’ll get rejected?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That question suddenly comes to mind, but I don’t think about it too deeply. Sometimes, the data accumulated in the subconscious makes the most accurate predictions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, next is Rotmiller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Be careful. My father must have done something to that Rotmiller.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian Urbans, the Regional Manager’s daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If her words are true and Rotmiller made contact with the Regional Manager, there’s a high chance that an unsettling conversation took place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Regional Manager and I have a bad history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I’m not sure why he’s trying something now, after several months…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Anyway, I can’t show any signs of suspicion.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Rotmiller’s case, unlike Dwarkey, I approached the matter cautiously, taking my time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man is scary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I haven’t seen him angry yet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…but that’s why he’s even scarier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These types of people tend to go all the way once they snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Then let’s decide on the nearest destination based on our starting point on the 1st floor.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Haha, marriage? You ask strange questions. I have no intention of starting a family until I can truly take responsibility for someone.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You sit on the inside. You’re too big, and you’ll keep bumping into people if you sit near the aisle.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued to observe Rotmiller during regular meetings and even casual gatherings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing particularly different from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was quiet, serious, and considerate of others in most situations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ha, this is a real headache.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after hearing Julian’s warning, I can’t imagine Rotmiller betraying me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, I even feel guilty for suspecting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, we’ve shared joys and sorrows for months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to not trust him just because of a single word from an outsider?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s the epitome of contradiction.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more I think about it, the more ironic the situation becomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the more that’s the case, the more I feel like I need to confirm it for sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly did Rotmiller talk about with the Regional Manager at the Explorer’s Guild that day?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If he had told me first, I would have dismissed my suspicions without hesitation.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotmiller didn’t mention anything about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I called him out separately today to create an opportunity for conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re really running out of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The labyrinth opens tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, I finish my drink in one gulp and get straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rotmiller. Why did you go to the Explorer’s Guild the other day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotmiller looks slightly surprised at my direct question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But did he also have a hunch?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So something really did happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know someone at the guild.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answer briefly and then demand an answer to my first question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotmiller sighs and replies,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I was called there, and the 7th Regional Manager was in the room. He offered me a reward if I betrayed you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told him I’d pretend I didn’t hear it and left. Is that a satisfactory answer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he tries to hide it, Rotmiller seems quite annoyed by my questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I take it all and ask again,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why didn’t you tell me until now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you, I said I’d pretend I didn’t hear it. And besides, I thought it would just make things awkward if I told you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see. Thanks for answering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation ends there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I push him any further, it would just sound like I don’t trust him. I judged that it wouldn’t be a wise move, no matter what Rotmiller’s true intentions are.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It wouldn’t change anything anyway.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t enter the labyrinth without a scout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The option of finding a new one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That also has its risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s difficult to find a skilled scout if you don’t go through the guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, it’s the perfect environment for the Regional Manager to slip in someone strange into the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I doubt the dwarf or Dwarkey would agree in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And most importantly, it doesn’t seem like Rotmiller is lying about refusing the offer.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finally make my judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry for bothering you at night. Get some rest today, and I’ll see you at the meeting place tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotmiller will also be joining this expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>__________________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, about 7 hours left until the labyrinth opens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mister, then I’ll come see you when you get back! Please come back safely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, you work hard too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen, who had been chatting at my accommodation since receiving the Bonding spell with her sister in the morning, leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Misha arrives just in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the, why is she coming out of here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She said she came to say hello. Since she has nothing to do after receiving the Bonding spell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, you came at the right time. Let’s go in and get some sleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We set the alarm on the alarm clock I bought recently and sleep to adjust our condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after some time…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bjorn, wake up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We have a simple meal and then pack our pre-organized luggage and leave. Since we came a bit early, there’s no one at the meeting place yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, those two aren’t here yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, Rotmiller arrives on time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, it seems like Dwarkey and Hikurod are running late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s not even surprising anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since those two are either early or late, we continue to wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s when…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, Bjorn! Look over there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I look in the direction Misha pointed and see a group of young warriors who just finished their coming-of-age ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, I quickly approach them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be rude not to greet them now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you guys lost? If you are, just follow those people who look like explorers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you to say something so obvious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Bjorn, son of Yandel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What! Little Balkan! It’s an honor to meet you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After revealing my name, I ask,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what do you mean obvious? Are you saying you’re not lost?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course not! We just have to follow the explorers like we learned in the sanctuary. Why would we be lost?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The sanctuary taught you that? Not by showing you that strange map and telling you to memorize it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Map? We’ve never seen a map!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m stunned at the young warrior’s answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did the training method change or something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it’s not bad for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a much more rational method than telling them to memorize a map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We still have some time, so listen to my story.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Story?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, stories that will help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tell them the same stories I told the previous group of newbies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what is this again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be wary of humans? That’s only natural. We have to protect our own hearts, don’t we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This group of baby barbarians is clearly different from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time I say something, they react as if it’s obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow… barbarians have evolved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha seems to feel the same way, so it’s not just me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why this change?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who taught you that in the sanctuary?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ask out of curiosity and freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Karon, son of Tarson!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without me knowing…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…a change is brewing from the bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we’ll be on our way! Bjorn, son of Yandel, it was an honor to meet you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to ask more, but the baby barbarians leave, eager to enter the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as soon as they disappear, the two we were waiting for arrive at the meeting place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, sorry for being late! Did you wait long?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha! Forgive us, Dwarkey here had an upset stomach!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wh, wh, what are you talking about?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Geez, you too. What’s there to be embarrassed about? It’s just us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough, let’s get going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the two of them were 20 minutes late, we hurriedly head towards the Dimensional Plaza.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The portal is already open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, then let’s go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Dwarkey casts the Bonding spell, we enter the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Entered 1st Floor Crystal Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crystal Cave, filled with brilliant light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s been a while since I’ve seen this sight, as I skipped it last month using a bug, but there’s no time to leisurely admire the view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s because we decided to speedrun this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Rotmiller’s request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If you guys allow it, I want to try it properly. Although it’s unlikely we’ll get any achievement points, I’m curious how well I can do.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he doesn’t usually assert himself strongly when planning expeditions, everyone unanimously agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s depart right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately starts navigating after checking our current location by touching the walls and the ground as soon as he opens his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he starts running as if jogging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s actually quite fun.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotmiller is at the forefront, finding the path…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…and Misha takes care of the trash mobs right behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The formation that’s solely for movement is novel, and since we started running as soon as we entered, I see things I couldn’t see before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, they’re running too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Explorers are dashing through the cave to find portals, just like us. It’s a sight that’s hard to even see when you’re moving leisurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now I understand why it’s difficult to shorten the time on the 1st floor.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I also realize something new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 1st-floor cave has many sharp turns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it’s difficult to run at full speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, if you exceed a certain level, the movement speed of all explorers is similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This makes the scout’s ability even more important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, or the stamina of the team members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew, phew…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although we have stamina that far surpasses ordinary people, sweat is pouring down as we jog for hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conversation naturally disappears among the party members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hikurod, are you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the dwarf, who lacks agility and endurance, looks like he’s almost at his limit, he doesn’t complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, how could he say that in front of Rotmiller, who’s like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if his words about wanting to test his limits were true, Rotmiller doesn’t lose his focus and continues to find the path for hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s passion, in a good way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be seen as madness, in a bad way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this man this passionate?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m impressed by his unexpected side, but I keep moving my feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after some time…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[06:12]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…we reach the portal in a whopping 6 hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, unfortunately, the portal has already been opened by someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, I didn’t know we could get here this fast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha exclaims, but the dwarf and I first check Rotmiller’s expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it! Why am I…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s the first time I’ve seen him make such an expression.\u003C\u002Fp>",2041,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","c0f226af53f9df132176feb3a042c0c78a93897d50890b8c930996eccc65fe28","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-132","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-130",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]