[{"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-38":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},1327650,1764,"Chapter 38","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-38",38,"\u003Cp>Guild (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Flesh explosion].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its one of the few crazy skills that use the character's life force itself as fuel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe its because of the adrenaline rush, the pain does break through my pain tolerance, but\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thats just the price I have to pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeeech!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grate melts halfway, as its drenched in my acidic blood that splattered along with the explosion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I apply some force sideways, it bends very easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ouch\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the pain, both my hands heal up quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's not just the effect of the undying imprint, it's thanks to the vampire essence I got this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I go out into the hallway, I encounter a guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What, what! You!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its the same guard whod visited me before to ask about my final meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems like he heard something explode and ran in straight away\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You! Everybody, jailbreak! Jailbreak!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he can get any louder, I immediately dash forward and sink my fist into his stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puff!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He falls to the ground, insensate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I riffle through his clothes and take out the keys, the other prisoners, whod been watching the situation with interest from the other cages, begin to go crazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's pretty obvious what I'm trying to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey! Barbarian! Are you really doing this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kiheeheee! You're crazier than I thought!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me too! Take me too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering that this place is inside the basement of the Adventurers' Guild, most of them must be pillagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm not in a position to be picky about my methods.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A poor barbarian whod been unfairly framed can't care about all that, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, things wont last long.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only good pillagers are dead pillagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This belief, which Ive formed within the first few days after waking up in this world, is probably something Ill carry with me for the rest of my life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahahaha! Im finally free! Freedom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lets get out of here!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I release all the prisoners on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I naturally cant rein in these bastards, but that doesn't matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thats not my motive in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waaaaaaagh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, I don't really need to do anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An infectious insanity spreads through them like a bonfire, as the prisoners unite and head upstairs, subdue the guards, and release more and more prisoners with the keys they find.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there are quite a few who dont participate in the mass escape even after the doors to their cells are opened wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a percentage, about 50%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either their cases are still under investigation, or they're really innocent, like me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I make my way quickly through the chaos, I see a group of prisoners gathered in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its the door to the interrogation room, which Ive gone into and out of countless times in the past two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation is quite simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"C-come on, hurry, go back to your rooms!! I-, if you go back now, we can pretend nothing happened \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards tremble at the other side of the locked door, and the prisoners try to rip the door open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Theyve got the keys we need to go upstairs!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tear it out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, its unlikely that the thick iron door would break, no matter how much you pound on it with your arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do I have to do this shit again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Im busy pondering\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think youre going to go scot-free after this? Youre all getting death sentences! Execution!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar voice comes from beyond the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking through the small grate, I see that polite investigator bastard, sandwiched between the two guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't expected to see him this early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get out of the way!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a happy heart, I push away the prisoners blocking my way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then I explode my left arm, which had just recovered, again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flesh explosion, flesh explosion, flesh explosion\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After repeating it five times, the door handle melts and the locking mechanism is disabled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The price being only my flesh, blood, and pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prisoners burst into cheers like crazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waaaaaaaaaaaagh!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Barbarian! Barbarian!! Barbarian!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hes the barbarian who freed us!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator's eyes widen as I enter the interrogation room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, you! Bastard, what uh, how!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's not easy for him to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the abilities a ninth-grade adventurer can have are insignificant for the most part. That was why they hadnt put any restraints on me other than locking me inside the iron cage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he have known that I have such an ability?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I can say is this\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Blame your poor family environment, where you had no choice but to grow up with a lack of imagination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, I grew up in a decent family!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was so terrible that you even grew up a liar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh, what! Cough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator falls to the floor and wriggles like a worm when I hit his solar plexus with all the anger Id been holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hes still conscious, perhaps due to the thick layer of fat that absorbed the shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, you crazy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The uneducated swine slurs all kinds of curse words at me, unable to even breathe properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Youre dead! Your power mightve been enough to cause a riot inside the prison, but do you think youll be able to handle what comes next?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can I handle it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think that's rather a question for you to think about. After all, if my plan works out, you'll be fucked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, what do you think you can do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chuff of laughter breaks out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What can I do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a fucking useless question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should rather ask, what cant I do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm an asshole who wont balk at anything, however crazy it might be, if my life is at stake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its this pitiful lack of imagination that I was referring to, you piece of shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So take a nap for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you wake up, either you will be in hell or I will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puff!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time my fist kisses his face instead of his plump belly, and the investigator bastard faints in a single blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its a guard who shouts at me next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Key.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All, all of you, do you even know what you are doing right now?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I do know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But whatreyoutrying to say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That itd have been better if Id just stayed there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only repeat that one word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Key.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It, its still not too late \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Key.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"H-, here you are\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I pluck the key from his hand and turn back, the prisoners smoothly part before me, like its some kind of a movie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing between them, I find myself standing in front of the stairs that lead to the ground, and take a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it really okay to up the ante even more?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such worries suddenly arise, but\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's those bastards who didn't give me a choice.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raise the key up, and roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lets go!!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything thats gonna happen next is self-defence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To protect this precious life of mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prison was built deep underground beneath the Adventurers Guild branch office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The double doors that connected the basement to the ground floor were so thick that the people outside hadn't felt anything even when the situation underground had reached this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's pretty lucky for me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Climbing up the long stairs and opening the door, I could see a peaceful interior room that was completely different from the dungeon Id just escaped from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lots of administrative staff, and adventurers bustling in front of the counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, how did you get in here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A staff member asked as he saw me come from inside the building, where ordinary adventurers were not allowed to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I didnt need to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member noticed the open door behind me and understood the situation in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"J-, jailbreak!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eyes of everyone present converged on me at his cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy silence descended in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, among the careless adventurers, there was a bastard who was particularly quick in judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister clerk! If I catch this guy, will you have a drink with me after work?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man standing next to a female employee jumped over the counter in an instant and ran towards me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waaaaaaaaaaaagh!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The smell of freedom!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prisoners started pouring out from the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, uh, uh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, stop!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reward will be paid by the guild! Adventurers, lend us your strength!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaaagh!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prisoners rushed in without fear, and adventurers took out their weapons to fight back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the peaceful Adventurers' Guild office, blood began to flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I, whod been the cause of all this, took a step back from the front and hurried towards my destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dont have time.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prisoners could perhaps earn me five minutes, or even less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for a few clubs that Id stolen from the guards, I didn't have any weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I climbed the stairs to the second floor and looked out of the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Itd be unreasonable to escape, too.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the commotion had already reached the outside, because adventurers all along the street were also paying attention to the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I went out in this state, Id just get beaten up and taken down again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer, therefore, was above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, who are you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the staff I encountered in the hallway, I stunned with a hit from my fists, and then peered over the railing to check out the situation on the first floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of people were fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached out my hand to the air, over their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flesh explosion.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As my hand burst, acidic blood poured down like a sprinkler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaaah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adventurers, prisoners, and shitheads were all splattered without discrimination, and dozens of screams sang in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, I felt a bit guilty, but\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no helping it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to increase the chance of success of the next step of my plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The character has cast [mark of sacrifice].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the link activated, tattoos were engraved on the foreheads of those stained with my blood, and red light sparked here and there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The characters physical ability temporarily increases proportional to the number of sacrifices within a 100m radius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sacrifices numbered at least several dozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why the players were so addicted to this skill.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Power boiled all over my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The railing I grabbed unintentionally was starting to creak as if itd snap any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the anxiety in my heart had disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This much, was sufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahhhhhh!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the commotion behind, I climbed the stairs again and headed to the third floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, it doesn't look like he's gone.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third floor was completely different from the lower floors, with the door only slightly ajar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire floor was made up of offices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wooden furniture, decorations and the plaques on the walls gave off a rather old-fashioned vibe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell is that commotion! Go down and check it out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes! Branch Manager!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's the branch manager.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having identified the target, I hid behind the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the moment the man whod gotten his orders opened the door and came out\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hit him on the chin with my fist, holding nothing back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh, I didn't mean to break your jaw\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was an assistant to the branch manager, so Id been cautious thinking he might be strong, but he collapsed to the floor bonelessly in one shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the branch manager jumped up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who, who are you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A poor barbarian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If more clarification was needed, then I was here to prove my innocence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a proper barbarian, in a physical manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mustve caused that disturbance below!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man quickly judged the situation, as expected of a branch manager of the guild, and immediately pulled out a sword thatd been hanging on the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps he was a former adventurer? His posture was different from the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of the staff below had been civilian pencil-pushers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it didn't matter in the end, because Id doped up in advance expecting something like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Girl, come stand behind me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ye-, yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman whod been sitting facing the branch manager quickly hid behind him, and both sides were now ready to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this what youd call a boss battle, in game terms?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For my plan to succeed, I had to defeat this guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ideally, before the commotion on the first floor calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel-raaaa!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because of my [mark of sacrifice] thatd targeted dozens of people below?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I kicked off the ground, my body surged forward with an explosive acceleration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, even I myself wasnt used to this kind of speed\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the branch manager wasn't helpless either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword accurately read my movements, traced a precise trajectory, and dug into my wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, it wasnt enough to cut my bones in ultrabarbarian[1] mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dull sound rang out, as if something had gotten stuck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, blood sprayed from the cut and drenched the branch managers head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeech!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh! Aaaagh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unexpected pain made him lose focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was ridiculously simple after that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking advantage of the distraction, I hit his throat with my fist, and that was the end of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ka, kahagh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The branch manager groaned and knelt down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to how nervous Id been, the boss battle ended so quickly\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really hadn't thought that a simple blood spray would result in something like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, lack of imagination was a tradition in the Adventurers Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, you bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I always planned imagining the worst possible outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I didnt know what kind of essence this former adventurer might have, I slapped him on the back of his head and stunned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The preparations were ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"P-, please spare me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what about the girl?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the way shed crouched behind the branch manager, she didnt seem like a bigshot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She, shes the district chiefs daughter! Touch her even slightly and you\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell, how did he wake up so quickly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puff!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After applying a little more force this time, I calmly continued my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daughter, the district chief's daughter'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might make things a little easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or, make everything spiral out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Branch Manager! Are you alright?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A staff member came up to check up on the situation once the commotion on the first floor died down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was no problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the branch manager had already finished changing his job to become my pet parrot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell them its okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" Im okay. What happened downstairs?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everythings sorted out! A few escaped into the city, but theyll be found soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so Good job.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah! But wheres Secretary Robert? I thought he'd be here with you\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager's assistant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was resting in a closet with a broken jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was impossible for the branch manager to answer honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Say hes taking a look around.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" Hes got some business outside, so he went out. I have some urgent work to finish, so make sure nobody comes up until I call.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member left with an affirmative, and I immediately got out from behind the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my arms was the daughter of the regional chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The branch manager brushed his moustache as he looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I sincerely advise you; itd be better for you to quit even now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The advice went through my one ear and out the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better for me? What bullshit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I quit here, wont all I have done come to nothing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Think about it, I dont know what your purpose is, but I might be able to help \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, yeah, I hear you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I picked my ear with my little finger, the branch manager couldnt bear it anymore and roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You crazy bastard! Do you even know what you're doing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, to be honest, I'd heard it so many times already that my ears were about to scab over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What choice did I have?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either I did something crazy, or I died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a simple, binary choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I perfunctorily nodded my head again, the branch manager probably got too stimulated and tried to scream again\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell do you even \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you dont shut up, Ill kill this woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I bluffed and pretended to tighten my grip on the district chiefs daughters neck, the branch manager promptly shut his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon closer inspection, his face looked pale and bloodless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it wasnt like I couldnt understand his predicament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did a jailbreak incident occur at his branch, the daughter of the local chief who was with him was also taken hostage\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was in a terrible mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how this ended, this bastard won't be fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You reap what you sow.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I was thinking that, the hostage suddenly opened her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My name is Julianne Urbans. Not this woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice had calmed down compared to the terrified tone from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heartbeat, which I could naturally feel due to how closely our bodies were entwined together, was also quite stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me what you want. There mustve been a reason for someone like you to do this kind of a crazy thing, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone like me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had I ever met this woman before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I tilted my head, she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You arent intimidated or anxious at all. Your breathing is even, and your eyes are calm and still.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Summarize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you plan all this? A long time ago, too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plan? I did, at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was about thirty minutes ago, to be precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought she was going to say something important, but it turned out to be a waste of time.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe you even knew that I was going to be here today \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be quiet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, urp!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Covering the woman's mouth with my hand and shutting up her excessively narcissistic analysis of the current events, I asked the branch manager to make the necessary preparations for my future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need you to bring me the investigator who was in charge of my case, a guy named Hearth Young of the Crystal Union clan whos active on the first floor, a wizard from the tower, and an official priest of the temple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Id laid the foundation as much as I could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now was the time to turn this thing around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Editor's Notes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[1] (chobabalian). has many meanings but here it means ultra or extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>",3104,"2026-06-05T19:32:48.785Z",1,"novelbin.me","4e7071ed4898e70a1277c454b4dae844149dcfb671334e5307584da9922dfffc","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-293","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-292",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]