[{"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-157":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},1327777,1764,"Chapter 157 Lion (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-157",157,"\u003Cp>Lion (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lion (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newbie wearing the Goblin Mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strictly speaking, I'm the newbie, and he's the returning player...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, but if you're coming back after a long time, you should at least know what's changed. Or you should have listened carefully to the patch notes that the seniors told you about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pl, please stop...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately withdrew my killing intent the moment the Goblin managed to speak. But if I end it here, they'll just think I'm a bad guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Is this all?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decide on today's line, recalling the last words I left them with at the previous gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had some hope since a new member joined...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I mutter briefly, expressing my disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if I had some expectations because of the new member, but as expected, it turned out the way I thought it would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if I was just trying to gauge his level, not bully him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boring.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turn my gaze away from the Goblin Mask, as if that was my only intention. And I glance at the Clown, Fox, Crescent Moon, and Antler Mask one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Implying that I'll be even more disappointed if they only share boring information again today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, don't worry, Lion. I brought something you'll find interesting this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just rest my chin on my hand and wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking inwardly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Clown, if he's saying this, it must be really important information.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this why everyone bosses around their juniors?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I'm pretending to be indifferent...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doors to the round table room close as the time comes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It means there won't be any more members joining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there's one thing I need to do before the meeting officially begins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Goblin, get a grip.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This guy is funny. He's always acting all high and mighty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, compared to last time, Lion was being considerate, and he's still like this! Ha! Don't you feel ashamed because of him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fox and Antler Mask chuckle as if they agree with the Clown's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed... it wasn't as intense as last time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. I was able to endure it this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel a pang of guilt as I see them subtly winking at me, as if thanking me for going easy on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason is simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That was my full power...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's the maximum output of my killing intent, which I can freely turn on and off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I practiced countless times after seeing the Kaltstein master use it in real life, but once I enter full-on mode, I can't control it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it's a good thing they interpreted it as consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this why people should at least appear strong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, sorry. I'm fine now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, the Goblin finally comes to his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still avoids my gaze as soon as our eyes meet, as if traumatized by what happened earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's definitely weaker compared to the other four.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just look at the Fox Mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She endured my full-on killing intent for much longer, but she's only wary and cautious, not terrified like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then who should we start with?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fox then looks at the Clown, taking the initiative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Clown shrugs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You save the best for last, right? How about we start with Mr. Goblin?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem, sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goblin clears his throat as if to make up for his earlier blunder and shares information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone knows that High Priest Ludwig of the Star went missing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The culprit was Orculus. They kidnapped him and were using him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't tell me, this guy is a priest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that why he knows?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought crosses my mind, but the jewel on the round table emits a red light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, it seems like more than half of us already know about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel a bitter taste in my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hasn't even been a fortnight since I delivered the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho and the others who should know about it have already heard something—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll get used to it quickly. You need more than just ordinary information to satisfy those two.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't know about this. Maybe the temple will support the royal family because of this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to Fox and Crescent Moon, it seems like they didn't know about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Then the red light came on because the Clown, Antler, and I knew about it?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can't help but click my tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But has the Clown been observing me the whole time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gets up and scolds the other three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, are there no unspoken rules anymore? I thought we agreed not to make it obvious that we didn't know something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, I felt bad for Goblin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We let it slide when it was just us. But there's a new member now, right? Let's all be careful from now on. Okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Al, alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, so there was a rule like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, if they keep doing that, it's inevitable that it will be revealed who knows what.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was secretly worried about this, but it worked out well thanks to the Clown stepping in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But it doesn't seem like he did it just for me...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something similar happened at the previous gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Crescent Moon, don't be too disappointed. Most people wouldn't know what you're talking about, you know?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Clown was the first to act like this back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That means...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Did he judge that the information could be used to deduce his identity?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I'm not sure, it seems plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if that guess is true...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The Clown is either from the temple or the underground city. One of the two.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter seems more likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can't imagine him working for the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, he might be intentionally playing a character like me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But that's not what's important right now.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focus back on the meeting and listen to the Goblin's next piece of information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he shocked that the previous information received a red light?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Goddess of Stars has given an oracle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next piece of information immediately receives a green light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But does even the Clown not know about this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to buy information about who received the oracle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know about that...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, even the paladins don't know? It seems like the temple is really keeping it under wraps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We agreed not to say that!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, my apologies. But why are you so sensitive when it's something everyone knows?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goblin Mask glances at me at those words, and the Clown laughs incredulously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think he would even care about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Goblin Mask can only sputter angrily, unable to refute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I make a mental note.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Goblin Mask = Paladin.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, the meeting continues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next turn after Goblin is Fox, who's sitting next to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Double Numbered Item will be auctioned at the Celestial Auction House next month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Double Numbered Item.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, it means a Numbered Item between 11 and 99 will be auctioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But did the Clown's words about following the rules have an effect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there's no conversation after the information is shared, the atmosphere becomes heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if they're looking at each other as competitors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Phew, I need to get access to the Celestial Auction House soon.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celestial Auction House is located in the Imperial City of Karnon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to enter the Imperial City, I need to gain more fame or increase my explorer rank and accumulate achievement points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It will take at least a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And I don't even have the money to buy a Double Numbered Item. I guess I'll have to give up this time.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cleanly let go of any lingering thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't even know what item it is, and if I had that much money, it would be better to use it on 'Garpas's Necklace' that I obtained from the Count's banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The royal family is planning to subjugate Noark.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Fox, Antler shares information, and the green light comes on. So Lee Baekho's words about a subjugation force being formed were true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should stay away from that, as he advised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next is Crescent Moon's turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Items presumed to be the Dragonslayer's equipment appeared on the black market. Although Dragonslayer itself wasn't there, something must have happened to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green light comes on again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I barely maintain my composure, keeping my chin on my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Appeared on the black market?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only took Dragonslayer itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, I'm confused, but I quickly figure out the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What Baekho said must be true.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dragonslayer lost his memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably because of that pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person who fed him the pill must have taken the rest of his equipment and sold it on the black market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's finally the Clown's turn.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's now the Clown's turn, as we're going clockwise from Goblin. Everyone is looking at him with anticipation, as he built up the atmosphere beforehand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, would you like to go first, Mr. Lion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seem quite confident.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. If I share information that everyone already knows, you might not come back next time, Mr. Lion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckle and nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have no intention of playing along with his childish games, so I'm just telling him to go in the original order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, then it can't be helped. Maybe Mr. Lion's story will be more entertaining!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Clown shrugs flippantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he stretches, contorting his body in a bizarre way, and then casually says,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Bonding spell that can bind up to six people will be created within three years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence follows his words, spoken in a playful tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And everyone's gaze turns towards the center of the round table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Green light...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It means that the Clown's words are true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, at least he believes them to be true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crazy, is that even possible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The guild, the royal family, the clans... everything will change.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members exclaim in shock, regardless of the unspoken rules that the Clown mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it's only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It means that not only will the basic team composition change, but the scope of explorers' activities will also expand significantly...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Six people can enter the last floor?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's practically like the probability of clearing the game has increased several times over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five people and six people are different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It means that combinations and synergies that were impossible in the original game, whether it's 10x mode or 100x mode, become possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, in the midst of all that, the Clown is only staring at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he doesn't care about the other members' reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes, hidden behind the small holes of his mask, meet mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emotion within them is clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This is like a child who wants to be praised.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckle and open my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, but without breaking character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is... a bit interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One praise sticker earned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>__________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's a saying, 'Even whales will dance if you praise them'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, they might also dance after being whipped hundreds of times…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there's a huge difference in efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What truly motivates people is the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reward they desperately desire and anticipate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem, then it's Mr. Lion's turn, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Clown, who received a praise sticker, awkwardly averts his gaze and changes the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turn towards me as if they've been waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's eyes are sparkling, thanks to the bombshell the Clown dropped earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...This is a tough one.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, I had prepared a few pieces of information to share here today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The quality of information has increased significantly.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to the words I left them with last time, it feels like everyone is revealing their trump cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Clown is especially determined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Information about a 6-person Bonding spell?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's something I wouldn't have gotten if I hadn't adopted a mysterious persona.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Phew, it's a good thing, but...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure has increased significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell should I talk about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I do have information that would meet their expectations, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This is something that will affect me too if others know about it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem is choosing information that's useless even if you know about it, like the Demonic Halfling one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides, it would be strange to bring up a labyrinth-related topic when everyone else is talking about things outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hmm, this is the best option, I guess.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I make a decision after carefully calculating the impact of this information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were curious about the oracle earlier, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I look at the Clown and speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to say I'll reward him for entertaining me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wasn't planning to talk about the reason—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut off the Clown's misunderstanding and mutter,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was an oracle with a sacred relic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A new sacred relic appeared in the world through an oracle given by the Goddess of Stars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Clown, who was momentarily dazed as if he heard something unbelievable, comes to his senses. And he looks at the jewel emitting a green light and asks cautiously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...May I ask what kind of sacred relic it is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice is cold, unlike his usual playful tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Right, what's important to you isn't who received the oracle, but what the sacred relic is.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smile happily and answer,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you bring me something interesting again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, I'm glad you'll come back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Clown then laughs flippantly as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I can feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That I'll be able to hear more interesting information next time I come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I can't even imagine what it will be...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I look forward to it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When that time comes, I'll probably say this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That it was boring.\u003C\u002Fp>",2261,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","f59c14757bf70c0ff6bda49bdaff47af513efc0d59bc0573a60c624392781e68","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-158","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-156",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]