[{"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-224":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},1327901,1764,"Chapter 224 Like a Flame (4)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-224",224,"\u003Cp>Like a Flame (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a Flame (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness, just a few steps away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We maintain a tight formation, relying on the flickering torches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfriendly gazes surround us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Geez, they’re staring.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of eyes gleaming in the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s like we’ve entered a cruel fairy tale, characterized by a gloomy and eerie atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it’s just the atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we overcome this adversity, it will become a story of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if we crumble, it will just be a cruel tale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stiletto-shaped shadow that was embedded in my shield is pulled back into the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s already happened several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bastard is being shy since it’s our first meeting, just poking us from afar with normal attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this a good thing for us, who are trying to buy time?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I check the condition of my equipment with that thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My shield is riddled with holes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior next to me mutters,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll have to buy a new shield when we get out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a statement based on the premise that we’ll survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckle and answer,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I’ll have to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re going to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As many of us as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After four consecutive normal attacks, I hear movement from the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, the probing is over?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appears with an eerie gust of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s about 2 meters tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s wearing a ragged robe, like something a dead person would wear, and he has no weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His silhouette is that of a basic human form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But like an incorporeal monster…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…only dark blue smoke billows from the parts of his body that are exposed outside his clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…where his head should be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only crimson eyes gleam in the shadowed area beneath his hood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s clearly different from a human’s structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, there’s only one eye emitting light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it’s not even on the left or right side, but in the center of his face, making the proportions off, and…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…it’s huge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if his entire head is a giant eyeball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Try not to make eye contact with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I fixed my gaze on his shoulder as soon as I saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason is simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Don’t be afraid.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a certain probability of being afflicted with the ‘Fear’ status effect if you make eye contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Look at me.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…if Fear stacks nine times, that character permanently becomes a subordinate of the Lord of the Abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the countless monsters in the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They become enemies and attack us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It was a bullshit pattern.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s practically an instant death move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Monsterization’ doesn’t even disappear after the boss is defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, we’re not trying to defeat him, we just have to endure for 10 minutes…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t think anyone will reach ‘Monsterization’ within 10 minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I can’t relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We didn’t come here fully prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We haven’t done any Fear-related setup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, even the ‘Fear’ status effect alone is a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior next to me groans and clutches his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems like he made eye contact with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was afflicted with Fear, he would have either dropped his weapon and run away or attacked us—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bjorn!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watch out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shadow shoots out from Verzak’s chest while I’m briefly checking on my companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s the same stiletto that attacked my shield several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it’s a different pattern from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stiletto, which was flying towards me menacingly, splits into dozens of strands and envelops me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadows cling to my body like octopus suckers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel a pulling force from all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His intention is clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s trying to drag me into the darkness since it would take too long if he just used normal attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh, we’re not that weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ekobir Iheran Aiphoun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyle casts a spell he prepared beforehand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 7th-grade support spell, ‘Attribute Imbuement’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For reference, the attribute is Sun, which is the opposite of dark-type monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A white flame, a combination of fire and holy attributes, envelops everyone’s weapons except for the knights’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason he didn’t use it on the knights is simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They can damage him even without ‘Attribute Imbuement’ since they have Aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Save Bjorn!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warriors charge forward and cut or smash the shadows that are binding me with their flame-engulfed weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body is freed in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But dozens of shadows shoot out from his body again before I can even catch my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a different pattern again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s targeting everyone, not just me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hurriedly adjust my shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s starting now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s time to start the real battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_____________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eye monster I killed earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ‘Abyssal Watcher’ is a summoning skill that Verzak uses to choose his next target after finishing a battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s summoned throughout the cave, and it searches for sacrifices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For reference, once you encounter it, that’s it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s no way to shake off the aggro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I crushed its eye without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We wouldn’t be able to lure him out if someone didn’t draw aggro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As you can see, he only recognized me as an enemy until my companions attacked to save me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[But wouldn’t it be better for someone to step up and sacrifice themselves?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone suggested that when we were making the plan, but it was an impossible strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving aside the question of who would take on that role…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Verzak’s line of sight is about 2 kilometers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s meaningless unless they can endure until the expedition party completely escapes from his sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘10 minutes.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyle estimated that time to be about 10 minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we collapse before then, he’ll chase after us and start a massacre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…we endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with the mages and warriors who followed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We resist the darkness, wielding our burning weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His normal attack is a stiletto-shaped shadow with high penetration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, I would have been able to react easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wouldn’t be seriously injured as long as I blocked it with my shield, although I don’t know how long it would last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn game.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…the problem is that I can’t see properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t react in time because I’m looking down to avoid making eye contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For reference, it was the same in the actual game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Don’t make eye contact with Verzak.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you applied this instruction to your character, their evasion and block success rates would plummet, no matter how high their Agility stat was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shadow pierces deep into my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Body regenerates quickly due to [Moderate Healing] effect.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t drink enough potions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the aggro is somewhat dispersed, I’m still the main target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the midst of that…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, aak!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…he doesn’t just stab us, he throws shadows in the shape of nets, dragging companions into the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although we’ve been blocking them by cutting them…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…we can’t block them forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first casualty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sillian!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sillian Nerf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guy who followed me because he thought it would be a cool story to tell at a drinking party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaaaak! Aak! Ack!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Horrible screams come from the darkness where he was dragged away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel a strange sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game, I just thought it was an effect to enhance the atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anger boils inside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I have to get a grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone has to be rational in this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll die too if you go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s impossible to save him now that he’s been dragged in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not at our level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior vents his anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t even watch his comrade, who he had fought alongside all day, die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just heard the screams from beyond the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s an emotion I’ve felt countless times today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the battle continues, whether we’re powerless or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Body regenerates quickly due to [Moderate Healing] effect.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Verzak also used a skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Abyssal Call].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a skill that summons all trash mobs within his line of sight to one location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grrr! Grrr!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Abyssal Goblins who were called swarm, throwing Monster Pouches and summoning monsters, and scattering traps from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One person died because of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chaotic battle where traps are triggered and monsters summoned from Monster Pouches run rampant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stiletto-shaped shadow pierces a companion’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the mages, who were casting Mana Shield to prevent fatal blows, couldn’t react in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another one dies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kyle! How much time is left?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“4 minutes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What, 3 minutes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“4 minutes have passed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phew, I almost got my hopes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwagic!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s when the first variable occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a troll! Push it back!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another one dies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cause of death was a troll that was summoned right in front of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem wasn’t the troll, but the fact that the casualty was a mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I considered the death of a warrior to be inevitable, but a mage was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We placed them in the center to protect them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At this rate, we’ll run out of mana quickly…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued moving despite that thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“5 minutes left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“4 minutes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyle told us the time every minute, as if to boost morale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just endure for 3 more minutes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no casualties after the mage died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected of veteran explorers, their combat proficiency was starting to increase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that’s when, after 8 minutes…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t cast any more spells. It’s all I can do to maintain the imbuement spells.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Kyle made an announcement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘We have to endure for 2 more minutes without the mages’ support…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s earlier than expected, but it can’t be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One mage died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He probably had no other choice if he wanted to save enough mana to activate that magic circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kyaaaaaak!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters summoned from the pouches start to pile up as the mages’ AoE spells stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our numbers have decreased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And we don’t have magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Verzak didn’t stop, shooting shadows like arrows from afar as the burden on us increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another one dies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t keep that promise.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can’t leave a last will and testament in the middle of such a fierce battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the enemy is a monster or a human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re not kind enough to give you the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So we talked about it beforehand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If you can take their equipment, take it and give it to their companions.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the last will and testament of the guy who just collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as I said back then, it doesn’t seem like there will be any time for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aak! He, help me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guy next to me was dragged away by a shadow and disappeared into the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aak! Aaaak!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my teeth, listening to his screams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Deliver the news to my son. I have a feeling you’ll be famous when you get out. He’ll be happy.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll be able to keep this one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I can return alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re using the magic circle now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One minute left until the 10-minute mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mages activated the magic circle they had drawn beforehand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swung my mace mindlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t see my shield anywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, I threw it away earlier, saying it was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not like I can repair it anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yandel, come here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, is it done already?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brilliant light erupted from the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Verzak also stopped attacking and looked at us, as if wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same for the other monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle stopped for a fleeting moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly scanned the surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t see all the corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were dragged away into the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He must be nearby… ah!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corpse I was looking for was at the edge of the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly approached it and retrieved the sword and shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to use quite a bit of force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still holding onto his weapons, his eyes open even in death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bjorn!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone shouted, and I rolled on the ground and entered the magic circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warriors didn’t ask why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That was… right, we had that promise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His companions will be grateful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly got up, and I saw monsters approaching us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hesitated for a moment at the light emanating from the magic circle…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…but they judged that it wasn’t a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re annoying us until the very end!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, mage! It’s time to go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a little longer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked straight ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Verzak, he was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I’ve seen you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seen my ass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I fixed my gaze on him and repeated the names of the dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sillian Nerf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neil Famez.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paul Agmus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garpen Gullun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Matt Elvans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lefrey Siaberus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six people in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Right, I’ll see you again someday.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riakis, the Lord of Chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regal Vagos, the Dragonslayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Verzak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Kyle Pebrosk has cast the 4th-grade spatial magic [Mass Teleportation].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope these bastards know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That I won’t always run away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>__________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, we made it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How far did we get from him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, it should be about 3 kilometers. He won’t be able to follow us since we’re completely out of his sight. Ah, it would be a different story if we encounter the Abyssal Watcher again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I instinctively looked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t a single one of those damn eyes in the darkness. It meant we really succeeded in teleporting that far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Amazing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Amazing my ass. Even I wouldn’t have been able to teleport this far if I hadn’t left the coordinate designation medium here. Ah, and I also shared mana with the other mages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, although he said it awkwardly, it wasn’t something just anyone could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the other mages’ help…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…it wasn’t easy to cast that kind of magic in a place where mana efficiency was reduced by 75%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then I’ll be going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without resting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can rest while we’re moving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened a potion and poured it over my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I moved forward while the other warriors were receiving treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I soon found the people I was looking for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Garpen Gullun’s companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were so close that they even came to the front lines to drag him back, asking why he was trying to suffer needlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They also recognized me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gazes were on the sword and shield I was holding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is he dead?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A female explorer asked tearfully, and I just remained silent. She spoke again after a moment of silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I, I’ll take this. But please take this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took the sword and then handed me the shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought you… might need it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to accept the shield without refusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, I lost my shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it seemed like refusing would only hurt them more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll be going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before I knew it, I reached where my companions were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyone get injured while I was gone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one answered my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They just stared at me blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha’s hands were even trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, are they going to scold me for getting injured?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should run away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s good that you’re not injured. Then I’ll be—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, just rest for a bit. You’ve done enough. Okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Mr. Yandel. Do as Miss Kaltstein says. It won’t help if you go to the front now. You said we might have a big fight later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although we had gone through so much, there were still mountains to climb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be better to conserve our strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recovered my stamina, following the procession next to my companions while other warriors were clearing the path at the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some time…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Halt!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…an order to stop the procession came through the message stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I instinctively knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That we had reached our destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The portal… is the portal open?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard Kyle’s voice, and then Teterud, the leader of the dwarf clan who was in charge of the front lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It’s open.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, so we came to the right place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My legs felt weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this one was also destroyed, I would have lost my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Raven, I’ll leave this to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay, go ahead. You’re going to go anyway even if I stop you, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pushed past the explorers and headed towards the front lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teterud greeted me as soon as I arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what are you going to do? Are you going in right away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As soon as the preparations in the back are complete.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you going to take the lead again this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does it matter? You’re just going to follow us anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, that’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I then stood in front of the portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about 10 minutes, I received a message from Kyle through the message stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We’re ready. You can enter now.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even I could feel my ragged breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I tried to focus on the positive aspects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There might be no one there.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noark would have thought the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That even if someone survived, it would only be a small number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s more advantageous for them if we return to the city and testify about what the royal family did, causing chaos.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it’s just a possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They might have stationed troops and tried to eliminate even the few survivors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They wouldn’t have left many behind.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much equipment they looted on the 1st floor, they couldn’t live off of that. The core forces would be on the upper floors, mining magic stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t be certain, even though I thought that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not like it’s my first time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When was I ever truly certain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We didn’t have a choice anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we just waited here, our strength would only decrease as we were harassed by Abyssal Goblins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…I took another step and entered the portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Entered 2nd Floor Goblin Forest.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My vision went black for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then I felt a sensation of weightlessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened my eyes, and a green forest came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was good news and bad news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The good news was that there weren’t many enemies nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the bad news…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it, I can’t believe these bastards are still here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My prediction that the core forces would be on the upper floors, mining magic stones, was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I landed on the ground and observed the three people in the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could tell who they were just by their appearances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the first survivor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ruin Scholar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who destroyed all the portals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, I told you someone would come if we waited, didn’t I? Hey, barbarian! Congratulations. It must have been a tough journey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unidentified beastman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo, we meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who was still wearing that white mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems like we’re fated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Corpse Collector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled, looking at me.\u003C\u002Fp>",3186,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","a9f0168b27a314785612c97e9f119c4284f518a97edfc39e921d610aeb4fb9c3","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-225","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-223",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]