[{"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-354":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},1327524,1764,"Chapter 354: Isolation (1)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-354",354,"\u003Cp>The lakeshore where the base was established was one of the few safe zones in the Dark Continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it simply meant that monsters didn't naturally spawn here, not absolute safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters aren't the only danger in the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beep! Beep! Beep!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The alarm magic blared like an emergency siren, sensing the presence of enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious who they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if monsters wandered in by chance, they wouldn't be firing magic cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's Noark!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that raised another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We knew who the enemies were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how did they get here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main force had supposedly been thoroughly searching the area as they advanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The main force couldn't have been defeated.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I started with that premise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had overwhelming numbers. It was impossible for them to be defeated in such a short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if they were in trouble, they would have contacted us, and the 3rd Corps would have been dispatched immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They bypassed the main force and ambushed us.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the most plausible scenario. And if that was the case, the attackers were likely a small elite force. It would be much easier to avoid detection that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I wouldn't know for sure until we saw them...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister...! What are you doing? Let's go!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hey, it's Lihen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it's not like Raven would believe me even if I corrected her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right, let's go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly finished organizing my thoughts and rushed out of the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, oh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ball of pure magic energy was flying towards us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good thing I was at the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaboom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blocked it with my shield, and the magic energy exploded, scattering debris everywhere. The impact was significant, but I didn't get knocked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mark of the Guardian Corps absorbed 50% of the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you alright?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He's scared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that what happens when you're always in the rear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reassured Raven's assistant, who was startled by the magic cannon fire, and quickly gave orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alex, was it? Stay close behind me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emily, Erwen, you two protect him from the rear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The formation was quickly established.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was usually Alex's job as our squad leader, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed like the type who only followed orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't seem to mind me taking charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alex, where's the Vice-Captain's tent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"R-right over there!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we'll head there first. Follow me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As other explorers rushed out of their tents and gathered with their squads, we moved towards the center of the base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our mission was to protect Raven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Well, that was just an excuse. I figured we could get more information about the situation if we went to the command center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And Raven might be in danger...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We soon arrived at Raven's tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was standing outside, surrounded by mages in uniform. They had drawn a magic circle on the ground and were chanting something...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vice-Captain Raven, what's going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven frowned at my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you here...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're here to carry out our assigned mission. It's an emergency.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven nodded, seemingly remembering that she had changed our squad's mission to protect her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something still bothered her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Assistant Vice-Captain Alex Hailo, why is he asking questions instead of you? Aren't you the squad leader?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex froze under Raven's glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-well...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like he had just realized that I was leading the squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that wouldn't be an excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well...?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"N-no, I... I'll fix it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fix what? How? Ugh, we don't have time for this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vice-Captain! Mana charging complete!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the mages shouted, and Raven cut off the conversation, moving towards them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Arrua Raven has cast the 2nd-grade defensive spell [Wall of Thousand Gold].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive iron wall, shaped like a dome, enveloped the entire lakeshore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>____________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wow... she's using 2nd-grade magic now?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2nd-grade defensive spell, [Wall of Thousand Gold].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of mages had poured their mana into it, but Raven was the one who cast it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant she had grown strong enough to use 2nd-grade magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This is... strange.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vice-Captain of the Magic Corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she even had the nickname 'Golden Mage', so I knew she must have become strong...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But could I really bring someone like her back to the clan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was practically a high-ranking official, she wouldn't need to explore the labyrinth anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That should buy us some time. Good work, everyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was nothing, Vice-Captain!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Follow me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven exuded an aura of authority as she walked, and the mages followed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly caught up and walked beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are we going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was worried, but thankfully, Raven answered with a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...We received a message from the 3rd Corps command. They told us to activate the defensive barrier and join them at the central headquarters. And please, don't ask any more questions. I have a lot on my mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could relate to the feeling of having your thoughts interrupted, so I quietly followed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We soon arrived at the central headquarters, and Raven entered alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to follow her, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Why are you following me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our mission is to protect you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stay outside. That's an order.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven firmly drew a line, and I had no choice but to back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was curious about what they were discussing inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there a way to eavesdrop?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked Erwen and Amelia, but they didn't seem to have any ideas either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So we waited outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after about 30 minutes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vice-Captain!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven emerged from the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately approached her and asked what had happened, but she just gave me a cold response, refusing to share any information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Damn... she's really different now.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I missed the old Raven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She used to get flustered but always helped me out, even when I was being ridiculous...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emily, can you find out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was already planning to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Information was more valuable than gold in this situation, so I sent Amelia to gather intel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was experienced in this, so it didn't take long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Communication with the main force has been cut off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So we can't get any reinforcements?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not necessarily. They communicate at regular intervals. If communication is cut off, they'll know something's wrong here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then the key is whether we can hold out until they return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been almost 10 hours since the main force departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they turned back immediately, it would still take a considerable amount of time for them to return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about the other explorers? How are they reacting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're calm. They trust the Golden Mage. They believe that nothing will happen, like last time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Last time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, I know about that!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, there had been one previous incident where the base was attacked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It happened in the early days of the war, when they didn't have much information about each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She used the magic circle she had prepared beforehand to summon this wall. The Noark forces tried to break through for hours, but they eventually gave up and retreated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was how Raven earned the nickname 'Golden Mage'. And after that, Noark realized that Raven was always guarding the base and never attempted such a thing again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, until today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something's off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia agreed with my mumble, but Erwen tilted her head, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They never repeated the same mistake after that failure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they were using the same strategy, it meant they had a way to break through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noark wasn't stupid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had prepared a large-scale explosion magic to counter the dimensional gate escape during the previous incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would they really just try the same thing again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The question is, how are they planning to break through...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought about the [Wall of Thousand Gold] spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a high-level spell that required mastery of both earth and lightning magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And its main characteristic was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's not a channeling spell.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike other magic that required a constant flow of mana to maintain, this spell's duration was determined by the amount of mana used during its initial activation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And it can be repaired by adding more mana. They could even recast it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now I understood why the explorers weren't panicking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had dozens of mages at their disposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the wall was damaged, they could just repair it, or even recast it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This can't be the end...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had just met a Hans, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had to be a hidden card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I racked my brain, trying to anticipate their next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh... mister?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's thinking, leave him alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What are they planning to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did they bring a high-ranking mage like the Ruin Scholar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Do they even need to break through?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I were them, I wouldn't waste my time with long-range attacks. I would close the distance and force a chaotic battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they didn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They attacked from afar, giving Raven time to cast [Wall of Thousand Gold].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if they wanted her to use it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It means they wanted her to cast the spell.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer came to me as I thought about it from their perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're already inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's no easier way to defeat an enemy than to strike from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Amelia didn't seem to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of answering, I looked at the [Wall of Thousand Gold] that covered the lakeshore and asked her,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know how long the wall lasted last time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About eight hours... They said it didn't collapse even after the main force arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, I knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Eight hours...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was how long we would be trapped inside this wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>____________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I figured out Noark's plan, I stormed into Raven's tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have something to tell you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you to wait outside. Are you trying to imitate that woman's rudeness?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven frowned, but I ignored her and told her everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She initially looked confused, but as the story unfolded, her expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why Noark would repeat a failed strategy... We were also curious about that. And your reasoning makes sense. I'll report this to my superiors right away—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Report? We need to take action now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I'll handle it, so please leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even cut me off, but it didn't seem to be working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Damn... she's really different now.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I missed the old Raven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems like she's not taking it seriously.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can only hope she reports it properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We waited outside her tent, and after about 30 minutes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something dark and slimy landed in front of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it slowly rose to its feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Grooooan...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a stitched-together corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>",1782,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.065Z",1,"novelbin.me","0030db2e00035444aac66675a6b5aa03b7f61a6d4b068d7553b6622138153699","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-355","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-353",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]