[{"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-313":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},1327433,1764,"Chapter 313: Legacy (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-313",313,"\u003Cp>Misha's body froze as if she had encountered a predator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart pounded erratically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite her constant thoughts of wanting to die, her body instinctively clung to life. As if reading her mind, Lee Baekho's smile widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know Bjorn Yandel is a player, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I don't. What are you talking ab—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha immediately denied it, but Lee Baekho didn't even bother listening to the rest of her sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, so you did know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone didn't sound like he was simply testing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She unconsciously held her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were empty, a bottomless abyss that seemed to pierce through her facade and see right through her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt exposed, vulnerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Misha trembled, unable to speak, he finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did Bjorn Yandel die?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was flat, devoid of emotion, as if he was simply seeking confirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Misha sensed an underlying anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn't understand why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could they have been close? No, that didn't make sense. If they were, why would he be directing his anger at her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They say in the city that he died buying time for you to escape...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air suddenly grew heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn't kill him, did you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An oppressive pressure weighed down on her, making it difficult to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the anger in his voice intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You knew he was an evil spirit, didn't you? So you just backstabbed him and took everything? I heard he even left his inheritance to you. That's a pretty good reason to kill someone, isn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's ridiculous—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ridiculous? You don't even see us as human.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was cynical, mocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha realized that he had experienced something similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That realization felt like a knife twisting in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't just because she was afraid of him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Bjorn have felt this way too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he been secretly worried that she would despise him if she knew his true identity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he been drawing a line between them all along?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What were his last thoughts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought of it made her chest tighten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have been scared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why he didn't leave anything in his will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He always smiled in front of them, but behind that smile, there must have been a deep loneliness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Answer me. Did you kill him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cared about them more than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Misha looked him in the eye and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's... impossible...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew her words wouldn't reach him, but she had to say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How... could we do that to him...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she regretted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She should have told him sooner. Then he wouldn't have had to worry about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn't afraid of this stranger anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just endured the overwhelming emotions that washed over her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You have good companions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unlike me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was no longer that of a tyrant, but one tinged with sadness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha opened her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oppressive pressure had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're Misha Kaltstein, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y, yes... but...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha was confused by his sudden change in attitude, and Lee Baekho smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How would you feel if I told you there's a way to bring Bjorn Yandel back to life?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes crinkled at the corners, but his smile didn't reach them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two weeks had passed since I joined Pelic Barker's clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was sitting by a crackling campfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were camping in the Rocky Desert on the 2nd floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind me, four explorers were busy setting up camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, it was on my orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would take too long if I let one of the runners handle everything, as they usually did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh, why do we have to do this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut up, they'll hear you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They already heard you, idiot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled, watching them work. One of them, a muscular but soft man, caught my eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the one I fought on my first day in the clan, the one who almost got his head split open in the 'contest'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His explorer rank was 6, based on the surface standards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lost to me in 3 seconds, and barely survived thanks to a potion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was his name again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dumbo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It's Derbon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had mispronounced his name, but he didn't have to get so worked up about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't even know what was important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His name was probably an alias anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You still haven't learned your lesson?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I got up and walked towards him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He started trembling, remembering the beating he received on our first meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why act tough if you're going to be this scared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dumbo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I placed my hand on his shoulder, the weight of my position as the 3rd Team Leader of Barker Clan pressing down on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do I look like a joke to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I squeezed his shoulder and continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your name is Dumbo now. It's easier for me to pronounce. Got it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Answer me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good, you should have just agreed from the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I patted Dumbo's shoulder, encouraging him after his successful name change, and sent him back to work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I returned to the campfire and started eating jerky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Munch, munch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After winning three 'contests' on my first day in the clan, I was promoted to 3rd Team Leader with the clan leader's approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in Noark, a world of true men, the team leader's authority is absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Is this the taste of power?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was enjoying my newfound authority, watching them work, when a skinny explorer came over and reported that the camp was ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can go to sleep now. We'll take care of the watch...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was this guy's name again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I can't remember.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, he was our team's scout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't a Guide, and his navigation skills were slightly worse than Rotmiller's. But he had been looting for a long time, so he knew all the good spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not sleepy yet, I'll stay up a bit longer. You're the first watch, right? I'll wake you up if I get sleepy, so you guys go to sleep first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, yes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave them permission to sleep, and the skinny scout relayed the message to his companions before getting into his sleeping bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can I sit down?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A red-haired woman sat down across from me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was our team's runner, a young girl with a mature aura despite her youthful appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia's older sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What was your name again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Laura Rainwales.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laura answered formally, her eyes wary of her new team leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a strange sense of dissonance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They look alike, but their personalities are completely different.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their features were similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Laura had a much gentler and friendlier aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I knew she had killed a seasoned explorer at the age of twelve to protect her younger sister, and despite her formal tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there something wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I was just thinking you must have been through a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laura looked surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She probably didn't expect me to say something like that. I was known for being harsh on my team members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your sister is also a runner, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, she's working under Team Leader Martis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren't you worried about her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laura pursed her lips and glanced at me. She seemed curious about my intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she must have decided that it wasn't wise to ignore her new team leader's question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not worried at all. I believe Team Leader Martis will take good care of my sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laura gave a rehearsed answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ugh, this makes me feel like a spy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's okay, you can be honest. You're sisters, of course you'd be worried.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed her, and Laura finally opened up a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm worried, but I believe Team Leader Martis won't mistreat my sister or send her to dangerous places.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Because I'm valuable to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had absorbed four low-grade essences, if I remember correctly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was still a runner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A runner, despite being strong enough to be a full-fledged explorer. She received good treatment for a runner, but she was still a slave to the clan, unable to claim her share of the loot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You gave up your share in exchange for him looking after your sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not like I can keep the money I earn anyway. I was the one who brought her to this clan when our father tried to sell her as a runner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least in this clan... she wouldn't have to go through those things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're a good sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laura didn't answer, and an awkward silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't uncomfortable, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just sat there, staring into the fire, lost in thought. And when I started to feel sleepy, I got up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm going to sleep now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've been on watch for about an hour, switch with the next person in another hour.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes? But my shift is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll be too tired to fight tomorrow if you stay up for two shifts. You said you could handle it yourself, didn't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So switch with the next person in an hour and go to sleep. If anyone asks, tell them I ordered you to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I got into my sleeping bag and lay down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laura tried to say something, but she sighed and closed her mouth when she heard me snoring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Laura Rainwales...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept thinking about her as I drifted off to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I save her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>____________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, after our first night in the Rocky Desert, we resumed our journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We arrived at the Pilgrim's Path on the 3rd floor on the second day, and we continued towards the clan's gathering point through the Twilight Slope, the Rocky Desert route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Thornreed Field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hunting ground that encompassed part of the western field of the Witch's Forest, the heart of the 3rd floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we arrived on the fourth day, all the other teams were already there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exchanged a brief glance with Amelia and then headed towards the clan leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any problems on the way here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"None. They're all skilled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, they might not be as strong as you, but they're all capable explorers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does this guy not know how to filter his words?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled and sat down on an empty chair next to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that everyone's here, we should get moving, but I'll go over the plan one more time since we have some new members.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clan Leader Pelic Barker smoothly transitioned into his briefing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn't much to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were going to loot other explorers, using this reed forest as our base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll say this beforehand, but if you encounter an opponent that seems too strong, contact the other teams through the scout. We'll come and help you immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finished his brief briefing and asked if anyone had any questions. I immediately raised my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't this a bit inefficient?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Inefficient?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan leader looked at me as if I had said something strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He probably found it odd that a barbarian was talking about efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a bit offended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What other race values efficiency as much as barbarians?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak your mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he gave me permission, I spoke confidently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Using runners is a problem. Why do we even do that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you before, having an inside man is a huge advantage when ambushing. It also reduces the cost of combat consumables.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you talking about? That's not what I meant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what do you mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan leader frowned at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I explained patiently, like a teacher instructing a slow student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That way, we can only kill 'good' explorers who let the runners in. And 'good' explorers are usually poor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What are you trying to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We should be hunting looters, like us. Then we can take all the equipment they looted from others!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I explained my plan in detail, and a brief silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then laughter erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahahaha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you laughing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, sorry if I offended you. I've been in Noark for over ten years, and I've never heard of such a thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what's your answer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It sounds logical, but you're missing the most important part. We're not the Gods of Justice. How are we supposed to distinguish between looters and explorers?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haha, I knew he would say that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grinned and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry, I have a plan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2083,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.065Z",1,"novelbin.me","4ea7c7866e7c1849ebc47f516e9e1699ff77e3230d037afd2b243517e4d628a1","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-314","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-312",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]