[{"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-280":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},1327628,1764,"Chapter 280 Whirlpool (6)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-280",280,"\u003Cp>The monster raised its harpoon high in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My first thought was,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Already?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had taken a lot of damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had pierced his shell, severed his arm, and even stabbed him in the chest with a poisoned dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But 40% HP already?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ah...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked up and understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia was clinging to its back, her dagger embedded in its neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was a bit disappointed, but Amelia wouldn't have done that on purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must have dodged her attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused on something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I've never seen that skill before.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black aura was swirling around the wound on its neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, is that...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Amelia Rainwales has cast [Abyssal Power].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura, Doppelganger essence, and now this? This woman was a monster. It was a miracle we had survived her attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, I'll think about that later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't stop!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave the order and approached the monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But maybe it was too much for my companions, who didn't know what was going on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They froze, unable to focus on the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Stormgush has cast [Call of the Storm].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Call of the Storm].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It recovered MP by absorbing the surrounding wind, but if it was used during [Rain Dance], when the area was filled with rainwater, it also recovered a large amount of HP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that would be the end of it normally...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was an additional effect when raiding on this cursed island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The water! It's like a wall!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a tsunami...!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rising water, pulled by the wind, surged towards us like a tsunami.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of water, growing larger and larger like a snowball rolling down a hill, crashed towards us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh no!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a terrifying display of nature's power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, there's no need to be scared of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The violent waves crashed over us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「A sanctuary has been created somewhere on the island.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wh, what just happened...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know the details either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just a cinematic in the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raven, illuminate the area!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water had plunged the area into darkness, so we needed light. We could see our surroundings more clearly now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strange feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like being trapped in a fish tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we didn't have time to admire the scenery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone move! Now's our chance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave the order, and my companions snapped out of their daze and started moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle had entered a new phase, and it was even more intense than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Stormgush has cast [Dragon Vein].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Avman was hit by the air pillar that erupted from the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He managed to dodge most of it, so he wasn't blown out of the sanctuary...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Avman...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, I'm fine... Priestess, just focus on healing Yandel...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was incapacitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would recover thanks to [Hungry Claws], but it would take a few minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Wooong...?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron Bear, who had been tanking at the front lines, was also unsummoned after Avman was injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the bad news didn't end there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The [Whirlpool] that erupted from the [Dragon Vein] hole started swirling around the limited space, harassing us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't get hit!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had to treat the [Whirlpool] as an instant death attack now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we got caught in it, we would be thrown into the sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia severed the monster's arm with her Aura-infused dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its massive arm, still clutching the bone harpoon, fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even without a weapon, it was still dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Groooooooooar!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It swung its left arm, and Partslan was knocked back, his stomach ripped open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't dodge in time because of the [Whirlpool].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's not a fatal wound.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had lost one fighter, but I remained calm. As long as he was alive, we could heal him with potions or divine power. That was one of the few good things about this world...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to retreat as the [Whirlpool] approached me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment, Nebarche, the archer from Amelia's team, was killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had used [Emergency Escape] to avoid the [Whirlpool], but he landed right in front of the monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ah, that was a random blink skill...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nebarche was devoured before he could even scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch, crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first casualty of the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't feel any guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who told him to use a trash skill like [Emergency Escape]?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, as long as my companions were safe—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha was injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She dodged the downward strike, but she lost an arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Misha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry! I can still fight with one arm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She can still fight with one arm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl has become tough after following me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't tell her to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We didn't have time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just focused on attacking with more intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has cast [Swing].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swung my mace with all my remaining MP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I aimed for its snout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster flinched and swatted at me with its tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blocked it with my shield, but the impact reverberated through my bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did its physical stats increase because of [Rain Dance]?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't this strong before...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Damn it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My arm was broken, and my ribs ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I was immediately healed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Lyrine Ersina has cast [Heal].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warm and mystical power reconnected my tendons and pieced my bones back together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was telling me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't rest, keep fighting and protect your companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grueling battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster was strong and tenacious, as expected of a 3rd-grade monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its flesh was torn by Aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of arrows were embedded in its shell, draining its life force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curse magic was stacked on it, preventing regeneration and making it bleed green fluid. And Misha's sword was embedded in its eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it kept fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if we were the villains and it was the hero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't tire, and every time it moved, someone was injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack, crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its sharp claws tore through my shield and armor...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sometimes pierced my flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priestess was out of divine power, so I couldn't even be healed in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what could I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did it think I would fall first?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swung my mace, dodged the whirlpools, and endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after about a minute...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Groooooooooar!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster roared and stared at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was asking why I wasn't falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, you feel the same way, don't you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You're praising me, you monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Just use your next pattern, damn it!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smashed its neck with my mace, putting all my frustration into the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It flinched, but it wasn't a significant blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia took the opportunity and stabbed its temple with her dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaak!!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster screamed in pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the same time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thick barrier of wind enveloped it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Stormgush has cast [Priest of the Storm].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its last resort, activated when its HP dropped to 10%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been waiting for this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raven!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shouted the mage's name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was already casting a spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bright magic circle appeared on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I retreated, not just to the edge of the barrier, but much further. And so did Misha and Amelia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We knew what was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pelz Askar Bier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the military spells Raven had learned, designed to kill a single powerful target, not a group of enemies...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Well, it has a pretty wide range.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gulped and stared ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Arrua Raven has cast the 4th-grade attack spell [Divine Retribution].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderous roar came from the water-covered ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a second later...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world turned white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't blindingly bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white light, refracted countless times on its way down, enveloped us softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaboom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Divine Retribution], in the form of a lightning bolt, struck the monster's head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stormgush had high Physical and Magic Resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had strength comparable to an Ogre and was surprisingly agile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why it was called the Ogre of the Sea, but its HP was actually much lower than an Ogre's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And its skills were designed for a quick victory. The longer the fight dragged on, the more disadvantageous it became for us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why I aimed for a quick victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We conserved our resources and only used normal attacks until its HP reached 70%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then we increased the tempo and started dealing damage, going all out at 40% when it used [Call of the Storm].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at 10%, we would finish it off with a burst of damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a classic strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only problems were that we didn't have any counter skills for its patterns, which increased the risk...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And we had used most of our resources to get its HP down to 10%, so the final blow was up to Raven alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it was a decent plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what about the result?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaboom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Divine Retribution], in the form of a lightning bolt, struck the monster's head, and I saw the result with my own eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'We failed.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a crushing defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster's shell was steaming, like a well-cooked lobster, but it was still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the whirlpool protecting it was still there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't because we missed the timing and hit it while it was invincible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'We didn't have enough damage.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven's final attack wasn't strong enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I thought that spell would be enough...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was my fault for not considering the terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would have been different in a normal environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the lightning bolt had lost some of its power passing through the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It, it's still alive! What do we do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What do we do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We go to Plan B.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Partslan! Get the boat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Partslan, clutching his ripped stomach, asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The boat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, did I not tell them about Plan B?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, I definitely did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he forgot because he was in pain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't like repeating myself, but I told them the key part of Plan B again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're running!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We'll all die if we stay here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>____________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The spirit of the storm is starting to dwell in Stormgush's body.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Stormgush is temporarily immune to all damage.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「10%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「20%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「3...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>____________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had to use Plan B, but there were a few positive aspects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, the archer from Noark was dead...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Misha had lost an arm, Ainar was unconscious, and Avman was seriously injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone else had survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, that's enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, the boat...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Partslan seemed to have remembered Plan B and hurriedly reached for his subspace ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he had a thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"B, but... how can we even launch a boat in this situation...? Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He coughed up blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Raven continued his question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Partslan is right. The whole place is flooded, how are we going to launch a boat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't you remember? His boat is made of 'Artene wood'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Artene wood is the best material for shipbuilding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was incredibly durable and buoyant. The boat would float even if we just threw it in the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Partslan! Hurry up and get the boat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven urged him, and Partslan, clutching his stomach, summoned the boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was large enough to comfortably fit ten people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I carried the unconscious Ainar and the injured Avman onto the boat and tied them to the mast with ropes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tie yourselves down! You might fall off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who could move tied themselves to the boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha, clutching her severed arm, asked me, \"Bjorn, I have something to tell you.\" She didn't have to hold it so tightly, I had already tied it securely with a rope...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll talk later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't you trust me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha hesitated and then shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I trust you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, then we were ready to set sail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...But how are we going to get there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven looked at me, panicked, after everyone had boarded the boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Oh, right.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How do we launch a boat that's on land?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't considered this when I made the plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'If I didn't think about it, it must be because I didn't have to.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, that must be it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body was already moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wh, what are you doing? You're not going to carry the whole boat...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hey, just be quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You're making me tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ughhhhhhh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I groaned and lifted the boat with both arms. And I walked towards the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't hold it for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone hold your breath.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave them one last piece of advice and threw the boat into the sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boat, made of buoyant wood, quickly rose to the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be fine once it was in the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Priest of the Storm] was activated, so there wouldn't be any whirlpools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The game didn't block escaping by boat at this stage either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...It's gone.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned around after the boat disappeared from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia was staring at me with a strange look in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really care about your companions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're small and precious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had a habit of answering most questions with \"I see.\" It was annoying because I could never tell what she really meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just said what I wanted to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You surprised me. I didn't expect you to agree to this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our mission was to be bait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster would unleash a powerful AoE attack after charging up, and I couldn't block it with my shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The squishy mages, priestess, and injured warriors wouldn't last a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So we had agreed to retreat with Plan B.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we couldn't all leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had to hold it off, or it would chase us with its tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We couldn't defeat it while on the boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This role...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not something I would normally do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed to think it was strange herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why did she stay?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't stand being in debt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, she was serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was truly impressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was risking her life because I saved her once?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I should remind her about this debt later.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? What's with that look?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, did I get caught? I was just thinking how highly I value you because you keep your promises.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Spare me the flattery.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just don't look at me like that. I wouldn't have stayed if I didn't think your plan would work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Barbarian, what does that 'I see' mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It means... ah, it seems like it's almost over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia also stopped talking and looked ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「90%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whirlpool surrounding the monster was subsiding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final phase was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gripped my mace tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as if sensing my intention...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, the original plan was to just hold out and escape, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia questioned my aggressive stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I also tilted my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...We're trying to endure...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Then wouldn't it be more efficient to put away your mace and just use your shield?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh? What is she talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does that have to do with anything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My mace is a great defensive weapon!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best defense is a good offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when the enemy is almost dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you should also use your weapon! Don't just dodge and waste time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You owe me your life!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn't refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>",2546,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","6d608fa6ae75a4c72ef5d8a984031774441c38d618c36c6dc275868036429027","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-29","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-28",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]