[{"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-338":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},1327458,1764,"Chapter 338: Snowball (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-338",338,"\u003Cp>Two years and six months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had spent about six months in the past, so time had flowed five times faster here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was that the time ratio wasn't fixed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amelia, did you arrive before me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, even though I was already certain, and she answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, it was a long wait. I left that magic tool you were holding. I set it up to signal me when you returned. I didn't expect it to take over two years, though.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that was why I heard the beeping sound when I woke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the magic tool activating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyway, I'll explain everything later. Just keep running for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something I didn't understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, if Erwen is the one chasing us, why are we running away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You wouldn't know, but she'll definitely try to kill me. And if we fight in this city, I'll definitely lose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood that she would lose...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But why would she want to kill you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because she thinks I'm responsible for your death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could finally picture the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I still couldn't understand why Amelia was running away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I can just talk to her and explain—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It won't be that easy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, confused, and Amelia stopped running. She turned to me and said in a serious voice,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel, she's not the Erwen you knew.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked like she was talking about a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia was certain that I wouldn't be able to control Erwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what happened to her...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A lot has happened. I don't have time to explain everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia cut me off and continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn't matter if she still wants to kill me or not. The important thing is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She can't protect you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt confused and frustrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't understand what was going on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Protect me? From who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, dumbfounded, and Amelia answered curtly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From everyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did she mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to ask another question when...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bjorn Yandel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia called my name and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This happened two years ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was firm and bitter, like a doctor giving a patient a terminal diagnosis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The royal family announced that you were an evil spirit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lazy afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sunlight streamed through the window of a spacious office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the atmosphere inside was far from peaceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That's all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex Hailo, the Vice-Captain of the 3rd Magic Corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finished his regular report and stood at attention, his chin held high, observing his superior's expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was frowning as she read through the documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She finished reading and looked up at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes were filled with exhaustion, a familiar sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew from experience...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he would be safe this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good work. The report is well-written. The part about Noark's movements was especially interesting. It's just speculation, but it shows imagination. It's much better than the garbage you usually bring.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that a compliment or an insult?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't know, but he had only one answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You thought I would say that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice had suddenly changed, and he instinctively swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes were no longer filled with exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were still tired, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were sharp, like a predator about to pounce on its prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew he couldn't just stand there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me what needs to be fixed, and I'll fix it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The format is wrong. I told you last time, but you made the same mistake again. Don't you know that this report goes to Captain Febrosk after I approve it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I'll fix it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the content is even worse. Noark surviving in the labyrinth? You should write novels instead. Well, they probably won't sell, though.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll fix it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you a parrot? How will you fix it? Tell me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, it was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I'll rewrite it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Then get out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze shifted to another document, and he clung to his shattered soul and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carefully closed the door, trying not to disturb her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could see her through the closing gap. She was focused on her work, her tired face illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something captivating about her dedication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood why the soldiers in the corps feared her, but didn't hate her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'She would be much more popular if she was just a little nicer...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Vice-Captain of the 3rd Magic Corps, known as the 'Little Ghost' within the corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'She's definitely beautiful—'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing? Get out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, I apologize! Nia Lafdonia!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurriedly slammed the door shut and saluted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh, when will he be useful...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrua Raven, the Golden Mage, sighed as she watched the door close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her attention quickly shifted back to her work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She picked up her pen and continued working through the pile of documents on her desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after some time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's enough for today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven stretched, her stiff muscles aching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun had already set, and the sky was dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I finished all the important tasks today. I'll come back early tomorrow and finish the rest...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She unbuttoned her uniform jacket, then stopped and buttoned it back up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would have to wear it again tomorrow anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She put on her officer's coat, finished organizing her desk, and then checked the calendar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>December 2nd, 156th year of the Change Era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still felt a strange sense of detachment whenever she looked at the calendar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should be getting better by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she still felt a tightness in her chest, her body stiffening from time to time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had experienced loss, and that made her realize...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How precious those short expeditions with him and his companions had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those days were gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's already been over two years...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two years and six months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So much had happened during that time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to summarize it briefly...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bonds she had tried so hard to maintain had been shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had joined the royal army as a 6th-grade mage from the Artemion School and had become the Vice-Captain of a corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold winter breeze blew in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She closed her eyes and thought about her former companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barbarian warrior, Ainar Frenelin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Avman, who was often unreliable but always came through when it mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Misha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's been over six months since I last saw them...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time she saw Avman was six months ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an awkward encounter in the 6th floor. They had briefly talked about their lives and then parted ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had seen Erwen two months ago, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were no longer companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had just made eye contact and walked past each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'At least Avman and Ainar seem to be doing well...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She closed her eyes, thinking about her former companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then she thought about the one who hurt the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Misha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was she doing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven reached out and caught a snowflake in her hand. She remembered her last conversation with Misha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[There's something I need to tell you...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been two years and four months ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The end of summer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intuition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Explorers often called it their sixth sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was surprisingly useful in life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't uncommon to hear stories of explorers dodging a fatal blow because they had a bad feeling and ducked, even though there was no logical reason to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn't something you were born with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more experienced and intelligent you were, the more accurate your intuition became. It was a combination of countless pieces of information stored in your subconscious, like grains of sand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You just couldn't explain how you arrived at that conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was a reason for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you need to tell me...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven tried to ignore the unsettling feeling and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing concrete yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intuition was often wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it was more common for it to be wrong than right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... need to tell you... something...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Um... your speech...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, this...? I'm trying to change it. I can't stay like this forever, so...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah... I see? Good for you! I'm rooting for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, Misha's change was positive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven knew about Misha's past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had injured her tongue a few years ago. It had healed, but she still spoke like that because of a mental block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was her heart racing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt ominous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So what did you want to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha trailed off and averted her gaze, then finally spoke with a heavy heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm leaving the team.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was quitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven wasn't surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had expected this to happen eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could fill the barbarian's shoes. The team's expeditions had been put on hold indefinitely, and it was only natural for the team to disband eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay... I understand. But what are your plans?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't want their bond to end just because they weren't exploring together anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm going back to my family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, you're going to take a break? I support your decision—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I'm going back to the labyrinth. No... I'm going back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven couldn't understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was quitting the team, but she was going back to the labyrinth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The labyrinth? With who? Did you already find a new team?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven felt betrayed and asked frantically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Misha didn't answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just changed the subject with a bitter voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's not all I wanted to tell you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven felt a chill run down her spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ominous feeling intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Go ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was cold and calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha looked down at the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then she spoke in a barely audible voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's a rumor going around... that Bjorn is an evil spirit...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah! It's, it's just a rumor! Don't, don't believe it! I, I just wanted to tell you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she lost her mind because of his death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this even a normal conversation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven felt a sense of dissonance, and then it hit her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was intuition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sixth sense, telling her the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're going to spread that rumor, aren't you? I don't know why, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha backed away as Raven spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You wanted to tell us beforehand, right? You didn't want us to remember him as an evil spirit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had already realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said it was just a rumor...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth behind the unsettling feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not just a rumor, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven grabbed Misha's wrist and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a foolish mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mage couldn't overpower a physical explorer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha pulled her hand away and ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the next day, the rumor that Bjorn Yandel was an evil spirit spread throughout the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where did she go...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the last time Raven saw Misha.\u003C\u002Fp>",1831,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.065Z",1,"novelbin.me","a638f0cd3943a06a7ae29485a3d169e7517426cfc9734dfb0153f0a7c03bb166","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-339","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-337",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]