[{"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-188":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},1327808,1764,"Chapter 188 Item Power (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-188",188,"\u003Cp>Item Power (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Item Power (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm walking through the dark forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Endlessly following the direction where the Doppelganger disappeared from the Shadow Altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I move my feet in the tense atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For reference, I'm at the forefront, and the others are following a few meters behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's a bit of a distance for a typical formation...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what can I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Battle stations!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I sense a presence ahead...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...dozens of Doppelgangers appear from the darkness beyond the reach of the light orb spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's a change that occurs when you enter the fourth chapter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the Doppelganger's seal is released, the number of clones in the field increases exponentially.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enemies of the, the Empire...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill... them!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...they no longer transform into our appearances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least not until we meet the main body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't know why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just accepted it when I played the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I guess there must be some hidden background to this phenomenon...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that's not what I should be thinking about right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has cast [Leap].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I jump and land in the middle of them before they get any closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground shakes as soon as I land, and the special terrain effect [Recoil] follows. Dozens of Doppelgangers are thrown into the air simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwagic!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swing at one of them like I'm swinging a baseball bat and cast [Wild Release].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My threat level is tripled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Doppelgangers, disguised as soldiers, charge towards me like beasts with their eyes rolled back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They can't ignore the taunt since they're classified as monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For... the Empire...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Doppelgangers disguised as soldiers don't have any skills, they're still formidable opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because their base stats are incredibly high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just by looking at the shield warriors enduring my mace swings, I can tell that each of them is at least as strong as Ainar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the fact that they're composed of various classes like archers, spearmen, swordsmen, mages, crossbowmen, and shield warriors also contributes to the increased difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwagic! Kwagic!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they block what they need to block...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...they never dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the first place, dodging is pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We're surrounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have no choice but to tank the hits and wait for my companions' support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Arrua Raven has cast the 5th-grade attack spell [Lightning Bolt].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long-awaited magic is finally completed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning bolts rain down from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Kyleman Parteian has cast the 5th-grade support spell [Spell Enhancement].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power is about twice as strong as usual, thanks to Parteian's support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, I pause for a moment to avoid getting hit by the magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 'Lightning Bolts', which resemble a natural disaster, strike for about 5 seconds, but it's enough to cripple half of the Doppelganger army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'As expected, hunting is all about mob farming.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We take care of the remaining stragglers with the help of my companions, who were waiting in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, one battle ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mace warrior wipes the blood off his weapon and mutters,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Mr. Parteian, Miss Sarman will be alright, right? I'm worried.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you see? The Doppelgangers couldn't even get close to the altar. She'll be fine as long as she doesn't go outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still, wouldn't it have been better to bring her with us...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems like the mace warrior is still worried about Guide Girl, whom we left in the safe zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was an unavoidable choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there might be a way to utilize Guide Girl considering the Doppelganger's characteristics...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...that's only if we use her as a disposable pawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we bring her along as someone we need to protect, the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop it. Miss Sarman also agreed. We'll all die if we fail anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Parteian, observing my expression, ends the conversation, and I resume exploration without saying anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's no point in wasting time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we continue fighting and moving through the dark forest, I feel a slight tremor beneath my feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It means the unsealing rate has reached 20%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it increases by about 1% every 10 minutes, so it was about time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Yandel, can we go a little faster?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We increase our speed as if being chased by time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...we finally reach our destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's a sinkhole that we didn't see when we were searching the forest for the mid-bosses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we go down here, the boss battle will begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But first...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's search the vicinity before we go down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We follow Raven's instructions and search the area around the sinkhole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It doesn't take long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected, the book was right. There's always one hidden near the entrance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A white stele emitting an eerie sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game, it was called a 'Sealing Stone'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it's not really a hidden piece on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They appear all over the forest once the fourth chapter begins...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The book was right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...and you can naturally learn about the Sealing Stone through the [Record of Offerings] that's generated at the Shadow Altar after the third chapter ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, even so, it just tells you to find and activate it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The record didn't mention anything like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a different book, not the record.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven doesn't answer Parteian's question in detail and places her hand on the Sealing Stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black light shoots up into the sky like a pillar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The Sealing Stone has been activated.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Unsealing rate decreased by 10%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this, the Doppelganger's unsealing rate has decreased by 10%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it doesn't really matter in our strategy...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...but there's no reason to skip it since it's on our way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we've finished all the preparations we can do here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We then return to the sinkhole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone ready?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's time for the boss battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has entered the Marauder's Hideout.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boss battle, the flower of a rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the boss battle in the 'Doppelganger Forest' is a bit unique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First of all, the expedition party has to be split into two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One team fights the boss...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...and the other team searches for Sealing Stones in the forest filled with Doppelganger soldiers and manages the unsealing rate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's the standard strategy written in the [Record of Offerings].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What an annoying concept.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can only clear this place if you trust each other and fulfill your roles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We would have also split into two teams, each with two or three members from each team, and fought the boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that landmine hadn't exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We can't use that method anymore. There are only seven of us.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things went wrong as the expedition party was halved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We don't have enough people to split into teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what should we do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I came up with an answer after checking the loot left behind by the dwarf and Hans G's teams, and I subtly hinted it to Raven so that she would reach the same conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All-in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of splitting our already small number into two and achieving nothing...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...we'll focus all our strength in one place and aim for a quick victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, it's the veteran player strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It might be a bit risky, but is everyone okay with this?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[There's no other choice, is there?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, the foundation for the strategy is laid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I estimate the success rate to be 90%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, probability is just a number, so we have no choice but to try it and see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life isn't something that always goes according to Plan A.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I jump down the hole first, like a barbarian, to check if it's safe. And when I give the signal, the others follow one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The air is chilly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's a cold cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaak—!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems like he also sensed our presence, as he lets out a grotesque howl from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is one of a barbarian's roles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you waiting for? Let's go get him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To encourage my companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I take the lead without hesitation and enter the straight passage, and the others, who were hesitant, regain their composure and follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking for about forty steps...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...the fog that was scattered throughout the cave clears, revealing the boss room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cavern with a giant magic circle drawn on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stones of Truth are scattered around like toys, and something in the shape of a person is crouching in the center, its back to us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a sniffling sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, you too... came to kill me...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something turns its head and looks at us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The face that's revealed isn't any of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just an ordinary child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren't for the fact that his eyes, nose, and mouth are upside down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, I didn't do anything wrong...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child glares at us with resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then the emotion in his eyes turns to anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's a common intro to a boss battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm the same as you—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, I skip it before he can finish his line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it's not a good environment to use 'Leap', I just dash forward and swing my mace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child's head is crushed while he's still sitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it doesn't feel like the usual impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's like hitting a sandbag filled with water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyaaaaaaaaak!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scream echoes throughout the cave, and the child turns into a black slime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bubble, bubble, bubble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It expands and contracts like sea urchin spines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I'm the first one, huh.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the process is over, another me is standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mimicry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's a unique skill possessed only by Doppelgangers, something you can't obtain even by absorbing an essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it's a bit different from the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kyaaaaaaaaak!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer imitates my words and actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The nameless marauder has cast [Swing].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...he's not just mimicking, he's stronger than the original.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's like a 5th-grade monster's stats are added to the stats and skills of the mimicked target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He's not a 4th-grade monster for nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I first dodge to the side as a test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mace crashes into the ground...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...and creates a crater, shaking the entire cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's a level of power that I wouldn't be able to achieve until my Strength stat increases by at least 200. I feel a sense of pride, thinking that this is my future self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I can definitely block this.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can just make up for my lacking stats with items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I block him with my shield, preventing him from reaching my companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't hear the clear sound of impact I was expecting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the weight I feel through the shield is beyond imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is 50% reduced impact?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raven!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I call for support, like a cunning explorer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic flies towards me immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's mostly curse magic with short casting times since our opponent is a high-grade monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attacks are a bit easier to handle now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it just means the first prerequisite for the strategy has been met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real first phase starts now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The nameless marauder has cast [Flesh Explosion].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black slime splatters from the Doppelganger's body, which is mimicking me, and falls to the ground. They're small particles, too many to count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Iherno Haindar!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven's staff spews flames and melts the particles, but it's impossible to eliminate them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The particles that stubbornly crawl on the ground start to mimic our appearances after going through a transformation process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are four of them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven calmly informs me, and…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…I make a quick judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they’re clones, they won’t be as strong as the original.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the plan continues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ignore me and defeat them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decide to focus on the main body and leave the clones to my companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s when…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re all Hans Krisen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…I freeze at Raven’s additional briefing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I check my surroundings, even though we’re in the middle of a battle. Of course, Raven didn’t give me the wrong information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can they all be Hans G?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They should transform into one of the fifteen people, whether dead or alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what the hell are the chances of this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven shouts, oblivious to my thoughts,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a good thing there’s no Mr. Yandel among the clones! Let’s hurry up and take care of them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice is as if she’s delivering good news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can understand her feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans G’s combat power is relatively low among us, and having four summoners would be a bad combination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s definitely a good thing for us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…my heart starts pounding like crazy.\u003C\u002Fp>",2081,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","417817ec6e7fc54914115f213ae4e5d9791f3a41290e2d48e0fefd81e7f4b801","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-189","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-187",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]