[{"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-241":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},1327918,1764,"Chapter 241 Branch Point (1)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-241",241,"\u003Cp>Branch Point (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A total of 12 knights were dispatched as my bodyguards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight of them stood guard outside the house, while three entered to prepare for any unexpected situations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining one followed me closely wherever I went, even inside the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said your name was Raymond Keplo?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight answered politely, no matter what I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unfamiliar, but I could understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, I was about to receive a title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like Antler was a meticulous person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I would have to find out more later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said it was an order from your superiors, but who exactly gave the order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keplo answered my question,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That… I actually don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I carefully observed his expression as he answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t seem like he was making an excuse. I asked him a few more questions, and he said he was just dispatched after receiving orders from his direct superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Right, they would try to hide their identity if they had a reason.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a bit disappointing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had more connections with the royal family, I might have been able to find out Antler’s identity…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Wait a minute.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A possibility suddenly crossed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[They’re trying to make you a hero, right? It would be fun if you died as soon as you received a noble title. The royal family’s prestige would plummet!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought it was just something he said out of anger back then since he sounded so frustrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[To kindly warn the enemy because you can’t control your emotions, you’re truly a child.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Antler also thought the same about the Clown’s actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Don’t tell me, that bastard was aiming for this from the beginning?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe the Clown’s goal from the start was to find out Antler’s identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there would definitely be an ‘assassin’ since the jewel emitted a green light…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He probably judged that it wouldn’t be a loss if he could use this as bait to find clues about Antler.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made more sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Clown was just being beaten up at the Round Table…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…he was also one of the big shots in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a high chance that even his ‘mistakes’ were intentional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And Antler must have considered that possibility, so he sent people as discreetly as possible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha, there’s no one easy in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed, but it also motivated me to stay alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, today…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…if I had slept in because I was tired, Antler might have found it strange after receiving the report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, come here and have some tea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t receive personal favors from a civilian—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, this isn’t a favor. You’re working hard to protect Bjorn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha served tea to the knights as if she were the mistress of the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she think this close protection was some kind of service that came with the title?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, that’s possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t know about the assassin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said your name was Raymond Keplo, right? I don’t know how long you’ll be staying with us, but make yourself at home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha even made Keplo sit down at the table and drink tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’ll call you Lady Kaltstein.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Just Misha is fine, but… well, I can’t stop you if you want to call me that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha naturally made Keplo use honorifics, using my authority as someone who was about to receive a title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I didn’t think she did it intentionally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It just happened.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, Misha briefly introduced Keplo to Erwen and Ainar, who wasn’t here today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should I call you Lady Tersia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, uh… that’s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen trailed off, as if she was uncomfortable being addressed formally by a knight. Misha helped her, as if she knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What Lady Tersia? Can’t you see she’s uncomfortable? Just call her Erwen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ye, yes! I think that would be better…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll tell my subordinates to call you that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nickname situation was quickly resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s when…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock, knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…we heard another knock on the front door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A companion of Bjorn Yandel is here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight informed us of the visitor as if he were a servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why everyone is so obsessed with power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a mage named Arrua Raven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keplo then looked at me as if asking for my permission, and I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened as Keplo went to greet her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised one arm and greeted her elegantly while sitting on the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, you’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s the Noble Barbarian Mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven let out a sigh as if she couldn’t believe it at my formal greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean ‘you’re here’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would you like some tea?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Black tea, please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven glanced at Keplo, who was standing behind me like a bodyguard, and then sat down on the sofa across from me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s as you see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you angry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geez, what’s she going to do if she’s angry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The royal family sent knights to protect me, saying nothing should happen before the title bestowal ceremony.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, that’s understandable. You have a lot of enemies, Mr. Yandel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven readily agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it was a well-known story in the city that the Corpse Collector wouldn’t leave me alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the large clans also seemed to dislike me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Raven, my enemies are also your enemies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven seemed to be in a bad mood, perhaps because it was morning, which wasn’t her usual active time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here’s your tea. You know where the sugar is, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha served her tea, and Raven took a sip and then looked at Erwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, hello, Miss Raven…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, ye, yes… Hello…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two of them exchanged awkward greetings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I involuntarily tilted my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you guys use each other’s names before? I’m pretty sure you did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Yandel, just stay quiet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven then led the conversation as if she was the older one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How are you doing these days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’m fine. You don’t have to worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s what you want. But are you planning to stay here from now on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes… Fortunately, my sister allowed me to…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, really? Interesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their conversation continued for a few more sentences, and then it ended as Erwen said she was tired and went back to her room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is Mr. Keplo just going to keep standing there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m used to this kind of mission, so please don’t mind me and continue your conversation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s the case…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she said that, Raven’s expression was filled with discomfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t seem like she wanted to speak first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, I decided to just ask what I was curious about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what was that about just now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please use a subject.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Erwen. You wouldn’t be acting awkward around her now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could clearly sense it from their conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven was very uncomfortable around Erwen. And it didn’t seem like it was just because Erwen had recently lost her family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what was the reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there something I don’t know about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, you’re only perceptive in strange situations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what’s the answer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven hesitated for a moment and then sighed and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just… I feel bad… I think it’s my fault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your fault?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That spell that mage Dwarkey used. I can actually use it too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven’s explanation could be summarized simply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Ruin Scholar appeared, Raven had a hunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference in their skill as mages was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wouldn’t be able to overcome this crisis unless she used the ‘Awakening’ spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I couldn’t chant it, even though the formula and mana were fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a spell that any mage should be able to use, but it’s not a spell that anyone can use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was hesitating…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ruin Scholar’s spell was cast, and the stone walls Raven erected with her mana were shattered effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the result…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sometimes I think about it alone in my empty lab. If I had just used that spell back then, maybe her sister would still be alive…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never even imagined she was thinking about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the same for you and our other companions. We could have all died. But I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is she talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut her off before she could fall into the common self-loathing pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. Erwen is unfortunate, but no one on our team died, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a slightly harsh statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, she hadn’t spent much time with Erwen and Daria, so they couldn’t be her priority over her companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that’s because you did what I couldn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, well, I’m the leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled and said it jokingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Raven just sighed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right, that’s why…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I was just saying it’s not like me to be so sentimental.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but nod at her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, her image was completely different when we first met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, Raven changed the subject, as if she didn’t want to talk about this anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Yandel, what are you going to do about Erwen? There’s no room on our team.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m thinking about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what about the labyrinth? Are we going in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m planning to wait and see. It’s difficult to enter in the current situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So is that all you came here for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I have something else to tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was the type who believed that no news is good news, so Raven’s words were enough to trigger my anxiety sensor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m going to take lessons from Mr. Pebrosk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? You’re not leaving the team to take lessons, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes? There’s no way. Why would you think that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it had happened a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what are you going to learn? You already belong to a school.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t learn royal magic at the Artemion school.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, right, she received the qualification to learn royal magic as a reward this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was hoping to find someone to teach me the basics, and fortunately, Mr. Pebrosk agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven then said she would be staying near the royal palace, not at the Magic Tower, and that I could contact her there if I needed anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s all. I’ll be going now. See you later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she really just came here to say that, Raven left as soon as she finished her tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>May 18th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Team Apple Nark, excluding Raven, visited the royal palace again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there were still two days left until the title bestowal ceremony, they said I should come and choose my reward beforehand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, it’s better to give it to me in front of everyone.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t a banquet, so we didn’t have to dress up like last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I still had to wear neat casual clothes since I couldn’t wear my equipment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Yandel! You’re here today too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Familiar explorers greeted me as soon as we entered the royal palace. They were also here to receive their rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’ve been calling people sequentially for the past few days.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the monetary reward had already been given, those who had the opportunity to choose an essence or equipment had to draw a number and wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bjorn! We’ll be going then!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I parted ways with my companions after arriving at the royal palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because their rewards were different from mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s… just the two of us now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the guard knight, the royal guide, and Erwen were left in the waiting room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mister… is it really okay for me to receive this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who else would receive it if you don’t? They’re not kind enough to reward someone who didn’t contribute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was being like this even after coming all the way here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have to become stronger. Both of us. So that we don’t lose anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen nodded as if reaffirming her resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another guide arrived and took Erwen away while we were chatting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Silver Treasury, where 4th-grade essences or items of similar value were stored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If she had access to the Golden Treasury, I would have given her the graduation essence right away…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a bit regretful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there were core essences for bow-wielding fairies among the 4th-grade essences, I could have given her a better one if her rank was just one level higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She’ll get it someday. It’s about time for us to go to the 6th floor.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dismissed my regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our strength would increase significantly after receiving the rewards this time. Therefore, there was no need to grind on the 5th floor and build up our strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was those Noark bastards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But judging by what the royal family was doing, it seemed like they had a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bjorn Yandel, please come this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My guide arrived and led me to the Golden Treasury while I was organizing my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was in the basement, without a single window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t dark at all since there were bright lights everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it was so luxurious that it didn’t even feel like a basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘We must have come down at least five floors… the architecture in this world is surprisingly advanced.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight with an intimidating aura greeted me as soon as we arrived. There was also a mage next to him, and he gave me a brief explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time limit was 3 hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could choose one essence or item, and I would be severely punished if I tried to steal anything or damage the items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Geez, how strict.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A giant metal door opened smoothly, as if it were floating in zero gravity, after the explanation ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…thousands of essences, stored in test tubes and displayed in glass cases, greeted me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all essences on par with the ‘Ogre’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I could only take one…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…I couldn’t help but smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is like using a cheat code.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to get stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>",2323,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","73f64f76a96a0994332909fbd3d9eb2692d2245f3ca07519385cf1fd0d676dd8","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-242","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-240",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]