[{"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-372":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},1327542,1764,"Chapter 372: Black Star (5)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-372",372,"\u003Cp>It was surprisingly easy to talk to Hyunbyul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought it would be much more awkward, considering our past relationship and the things we were hiding from each other…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s convenient that she never crosses the line once it’s drawn.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Economy, culture, politics, administration, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many topics we could relate to, and we freely discussed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some time…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The library… maybe we ran into each other a few times?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you go there often?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whenever I had time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been about two hours since I met Hyunbyul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, it’s been a while since I lost track of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should we talk about next?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was contemplating, Hyunbyul cautiously spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oppa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of people are your friends?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Suddenly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head, and Hyunbyul spoke nonchalantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just curious. It’s all your fault that you didn’t have any friends, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What? Are you going to hit me where it hurts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyunbyul quickly added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I mean… it was up to you whether you considered someone as a friend or not. I’m sure there were people who considered you as a friend. Like those who contacted you on New Year’s Day or your birthday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those aren’t friends, they’re acquaintances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s what I’m saying, your mindset was the problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I had a lot to say, I didn’t refute her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood what she was trying to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why I’m so surprised. You consider your current friend… as a real friend, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly, I don’t understand how someone like you changed. What kind of people are they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Is it really that strange for me to have a friend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a strange sense of bitterness, but I answered her question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re trustworthy. I wouldn’t be worried even if they were holding a knife behind my back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, so you were able to build a deep bond because you often risk your lives together?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But isn’t that just a companion, not a friend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Considering the setting of this world, a companion is socially considered to be a closer and more trustworthy relationship than a friend—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So they’re just companions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did it matter whether they were friends or companions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The important thing was that they were important to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What’s with that look?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come to think of it, you didn’t have any friends either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There were tons of people who considered me as a friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was similar to me, wasn’t she?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prioritizing her own judgment over what others thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, did you make any friends here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I don’t need any. I’m going back anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Then it can’t be helped.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyunbyul looked up at me with a frustrated expression as I chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was short-lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just heard a ‘ding’ sound.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, you got a message.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Message…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you post anything on the exchange?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, but I sent an offer to someone who was looking for information. I thought it would be nice to earn some GP. How do I check my messages?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can’t check them here. You have to go back and use the computer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Then I’ll check later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go check it now. Judging by how late the reply came, they probably received other offers too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyunbyul’s face brightened as I suggested it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like she also thought it was the rational choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll be back soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? You’re coming back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re leaving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not like you’ll be able to focus if you’re waiting for me. It’s fine, we can see each other again later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And besides, you said this was your first time in the community. You should check out the other features.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s… true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, she nodded without any objections when I explained logically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then see you next month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, take care.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We said our goodbyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that’s what we should have done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why aren’t you leaving?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, you want me to go first? Then—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to focus and leave the chat room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyunbyul grabbed my sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oppa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…she asked, looking away,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do I… leave…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, I thought she was doing something, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was trapped because she didn’t know how to leave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t tell me… you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t waiting for someone, she was stuck because she didn’t know how to get out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>____________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Twenty-two years ago…? You’re saying he joined twenty-two years ago?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white man asked, biting his lip, and the woman answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. That’s what he said. The jewel on the Round Table emitted a green light.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is this even possible? The community wasn’t even properly established back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a hunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masked man he met for the first time after inheriting the spiritual world’s authority from the old man, presumably Auril Gabis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Believe it or not, that’s your choice. I just came here to warn you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had pretended to be someone else at first, and then he gave him a warning or a threat after being exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So that’s your name.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…he had forcefully learned his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Master, my hands are shaking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man unconsciously looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingertips were trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been over twenty years, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…he knew now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That the aura he felt back then was killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his trembling hand into a fist and forced himself to calm down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignorance is bliss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, knowing the truth only makes you more afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t even imagine how many people he would have to kill to have that kind of killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But to think Lion was that guy…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t connected the dots immediately because it had been so long ago, but now it all made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How he knew his real name, Yurven Habelión.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the unbelievable killing intent that SoulQueens reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Three months… he said…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man felt both fear and relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had refused his threat and acted arrogantly, that man might have become his enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had to know more about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lion, the mysterious man he met 22 years ago, was really that powerful…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was his goal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be the key to the current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He reappeared in the community three years ago.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His nickname was Elfnunna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem to be an otherworldly evil spirit, but he couldn’t be sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a secretive person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He contacted Lee Baekho as soon as he joined the community, and then he entered the Round Table.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what was his reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clue was in their conversation from 22 years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Auril Gabis…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the game developer’s name, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had warned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be wary of the old man, Auril Gabis, who had handed over his authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he was the one who summoned them to this world, and that he didn’t feel any guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, you were thinking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pieces were starting to fall into place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lion was an enemy of Auril Gabis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the reason he had reappeared in the community after nearly 20 years…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Was it because the Master of the Round Table… was Auril Gabis?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nickname 0720.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who created the Watchers of the Round Table, and the one he suspected was an otherworldly evil spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, there are too many contradictions.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“SoulQueens, you said the Master of the Round Table visited the Round Table once, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I wasn’t there, but that’s what I heard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And it seemed like they were close.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. They seemed so comfortable with each other that the other members were surprised.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought he had finally figured it out, but he hit another wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he dug, the deeper he sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t figure out what Auril Gabis, the Master, Lion, or Lee Baekho wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lacked the clues to connect the dots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…one thing was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at this moment, in a place he didn’t know…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…powerful figures were scheming and moving towards their goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I guess we have to admit it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Admit what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man kept his mouth shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner of the community? The GM? The oldest player?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what the other players called him, the truth didn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just a small fry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“SoulQueens, it seems like a lot of things are happening behind our backs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I’ve been feeling that way too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have to work harder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man chose to acknowledge his shortcomings and move forward instead of despairing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as if heaven had answered his prayers…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…M-Master! Lion is in the Korean chat room! There are two people—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’s the other one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“HS123. The one I helped earlier. And, she’s Korean!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So she’s a new recruit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man quickly gave an order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Send her a message. I need to meet her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_____________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small room with a bed on one side and a computer desk on the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kang Hyunbyul found it a bit ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This space is a manifestation of your imagination.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guide she met when she first entered the community had said that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she couldn’t see it because her mental barriers were too thick…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…this space was based on the place that first came to mind, the place where she felt the most comfortable and secure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is ridiculous. To think it’s here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kang Hyunbyul smiled coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She understood why it was this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the most important person was missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Let’s just get to work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked around the room and then sat down at the computer desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she frowned as she checked her messages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the, it’s not from the buyer?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt a strange sense of annoyance, but she carefully read the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because of the sender’s nickname.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘SoulQueens… that guide from earlier.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, she was requesting a meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click, click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kang Hyunbyul entered the password for the chat room without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were two people there, a man and a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She recognized the woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the man…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Elfnunalove.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell is that nickname?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt a sense of disgust, but she didn’t show it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello. Nice to meet you. I’m Elfnunalove.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello. But what is this about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have something to tell HS123—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just call me ‘you’. It’s a bit awkward to be called by that name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahaha, I understand. It is a bit strange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man laughed good-naturedly at her request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He knows that, and he still chose that nickname?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glared at him coldly and then quickly made a judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s acting so humble… there must be a reason.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t going to underestimate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might seem stupid…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…but it was foolish to judge someone based on their appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SoulQueens was part of the management team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was no way the man who was standing next to her, acting like her assistant, was an ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could he be the GM…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to think about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The timing of the message, that creepy nickname, his humble attitude…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He must be related to Hansu oppa.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re Korean, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry, but can we get to the point? I don’t have much time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, I understand. It’s your first time here, so there’s a lot to check.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kang Hyunbyul didn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, it was an effective method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re quite blunt. Then let’s get to the point. What’s your relationship with the user ‘Elfnunna’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why should I answer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give you GP.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re strangers. Why would I tell you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man with the strange nickname, Elfnunalove, seemed to be contemplating her words, and then he revealed his reason for calling her here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to buy information about Elfnunna.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re asking me to investigate him? I just met him today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any information will do. I heard Koreans are close. He’ll probably lower his guard if you approach him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What’s the reward?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man answered curtly at Kang Hyunbyul’s cautious question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anything you want.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You know what I want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have the power to grant your wish, whatever it may be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is… is that true…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kang Hyunbyul smiled, dismissing her cold demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had no intention of refusing and leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oppa is so careless… I don’t know what he’s been doing, but to have someone like this behind him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile widened.\u003C\u002Fp>",2094,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.065Z",1,"novelbin.me","acbbbd66c1fd0ca8de6c0cbcd2a2cffbfdd6f8f19cbc939e2a08c856cc17c6cd","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-373","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-371",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]