[{"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-389":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},1327559,1764,"Chapter 389: Wild Horse (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-389",389,"\u003Cp>The dead of night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An intruder, having picked the lock and entered the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were two options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, verbally reprimand him and ask why he had snuck in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the second...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I hope you're ready to die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Express my anger physically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to think twice about how a barbarian would react to an intruder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tightened my grip on his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a natural response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A barbarian confronting an 'assassin'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did the Marquis send you to kill me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...G-guh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struggled to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...N-no... Let's talk...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious what he was going to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he had no intention of killing me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was probably true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't armed when he entered the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Marquis had plenty of other ways to get rid of me if he really wanted me dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't deny that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't talk to those who try to kill me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't let him off the hook that easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'll get my compensation from your father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tightened my grip, cutting off his air supply, and then punched him in the stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His back arched like a shrimp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, he's still conscious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then one more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He's tough for a knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I just knock him out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to aim for his jaw when...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gah—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew his sword, sensing the danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a small dagger, similar to the one I used to cut jerky. But size didn't matter when it was in a knight's hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blue aura enveloped the dagger, expanding its size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dagger, infused with aura, shot towards my wrist like lightning. He couldn't free his neck, so he was going to cut off my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most knights believed that any obstacle could be overcome with a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has cast [Iron Fortress].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Evolved Hide] effect is increased by 1.5 times.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly activated my skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the aura struck my wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura barely pierced my skin, stopped by my bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same expression I had seen on the Blood Knight's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wasn't it cutting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knights, accustomed to their aura slicing through everything, couldn't comprehend this phenomenon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I wasn't going to explain it to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were hiding a weapon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dripped from the cut on my wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't let go of his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really are an assassin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't even shake his head in denial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Strength wasn't high enough to overcome my grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened in terror...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...and then my fist connected with his jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, let's go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dragged the unconscious Marquis's son out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I encountered a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'How do I find the Marquis?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know where he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't wake this guy up and ask him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip, drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, I want to meet the Marquis before the cut on my wrist heals...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't have to think for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strong body meant a simple mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Let's just go outside.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was currently staying in a guest house east of the main building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked through the empty hallway and headed for the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants, who were everywhere before, were nowhere to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant the Marquis had ordered them to stay away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Well, at least the 1st floor is still active.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance hall on the 1st floor was brightly lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though there were no observers, one of the servants standing guard screamed as soon as she saw me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaaah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she a human alarm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's going on?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scream alerted the knights guarding the main gate, and they rushed inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were four of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lihen Schuitz...! What are you doing?! Who is that?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn't recognize the Marquis's son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I shouldn't have hit his face...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's wearing our family crest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if he's a guest, you can't just attack him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Release him and surrender!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They surrounded me, their swords infused with aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a scene that would make any ordinary explorer tremble in fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why they were so confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is your last warning. Surrender and await the Marquis's judgment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if I don't?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...We'll have to use force.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? Then try it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shrugged, and they frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if I had made a foolish choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dropped the Marquis's son on the floor and drew my Demon Crusher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tadat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged glances and charged at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How kind of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stomped on the ground, and a whirlwind erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has cast [Eye of the Storm].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't combine it with [Transcendence].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more efficient to use it normally in a group fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whiiiiiish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights were swept towards me by the powerful wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They swung their swords, their aura easily slicing through my armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uwaaaaaaaaah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't bother defending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just swung my hammer, again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was a damage-tank barbarian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we traded blows...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would win in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the knights charged at me, swinging his sword down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't dodge or block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade sank deep into my shoulder, almost reaching my collarbone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smashed his temple with my hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another knight slashed at my ankle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He went for my Achilles tendon, that bastard.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stumbled, but my tendon wasn't severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly regained my balance and kicked him in the face with my other foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flew back and crashed into a pillar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I heard a thud from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, he stabbed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Piercing damage reduction: 75%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't even hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"H-how... are you...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? Does he have something to say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I elbowed him in the jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't even shake his head in denial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last knight charged towards me, his sword glowing with a golden aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's aiming for my neck.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blocked it with my shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kicked him in the stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whirlwind subsided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had traded blows, but the winner was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was still standing, while they were all on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of them were still conscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one I had kicked in the stomach seemed fine, but the one I had hit in the temple might be dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Did he use a defensive skill?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight who had been hit in the head stumbled towards the open gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"B-backup...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, he's dedicated to his job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I used [Transcendence] and [Eye of the Storm] to pull him back and then knocked him out with a headbutt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I can ask him where the Marquis is...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I crouched down and grabbed the other knight's head, turning it towards me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a question—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ptoo!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...He spat a mixture of blood and phlegm in my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was disgusting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had always been the one spitting, so it felt even worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I endured the urge to punch him and asked again,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where's the Marquis?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll... follow me... eventually.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already resigned to his fate. It seemed pointless to ask him anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knocked him out with a headbutt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What should I do now? Should I go outside?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There might be mages out there...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I didn't want to cause any more trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just wanted to talk to the Marquis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I wait for his son to wake up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was contemplating my options, I sensed someone approaching from the open gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked up and saw the Marquis standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slowly stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I guess I don't have to go looking for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_____________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis was wearing the same casual clothes as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant he hadn't gone to bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he was working late...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a hunch he was waiting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights surrounding him were a dead giveaway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stood up, the Dragonkin woman next to the Marquis reached for her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stay back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She immediately obeyed his order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I observed her carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn't a knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura was exclusive to humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'A Dragonkin.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes had the characteristic reptilian glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then I looked at her equipment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Holy shit.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recognized the sword she was wearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No. 19 Ignixen Dragon Slayer.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A transformation-type longsword that amplified physical damage and could convert it to magic damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was my counter, especially with my incomplete magic resistance build.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I've never heard of her...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If her equipment reflected her skill, she must be one of the strongest in the city. And Dragonkin were rarely weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we move to a different location?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can I trust you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, then let them leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis nodded, and the knights escorted the unconscious bodies away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone except for Ms. Raviyen, leave the mansion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dismissed all the other guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the Dragonkin woman remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with her present, the Marquis didn't hesitate to call my name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Viscount Yandel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know why you did this. You must have misunderstood something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misunderstood...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have been surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He probably didn't expect me to react this way, even if he knew I wasn't an evil spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially not in his own mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I wasn't going to be considerate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You sent an assassin to my house and now you're talking about misunderstandings? You're shameless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's why it's a misunderstanding. I just wanted to confirm if you were an evil spirit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...An evil spirit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had known his intentions all along, but I feigned ignorance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And added a touch of anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Are you saying you suspected me of being an evil spirit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glared at him, and he calmly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's better to be sure. You know that evil spirits are summoned to a gathering every 15th. And they're completely vulnerable during that time. I just wanted to confirm if you were conscious or not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...And?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've confirmed it. You're not an evil spirit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was one of my main goals for coming here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why did you send your son?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought... he would be able to handle it even if you woke up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Handle it...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, I didn't expect you to cause such a commotion. And second, I thought he would be able to adapt to the situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, he thought his son would be able to subdue me if things went wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you think he could die? He's your only son.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He'll only grow weak if I coddle him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was his parenting style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a bit unsettling, but I could understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, now that the misunderstanding is cleared—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just because the misunderstanding is cleared doesn't mean the resentment is gone. And besides, it's not like everything is cleared up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis frowned as I cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? I can't even speak my mind?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I showed him the cut on my wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost healed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your son did this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...He attacked you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He tried to kill me as soon as I started talking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's... I'll discipline him properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about my compensation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I showed him the other injuries I had sustained while fighting the four knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were minor compared to the injuries the knights had suffered...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Marquis chuckled and gave me the answer I wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was our mistake. We'll compensate you accordingly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, that was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, can we talk? I'd like to hear about the second condition you mentioned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded, and the Dragonkin guard summoned a chair from her subspace pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a luxurious and comfortable chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, she carries that around in her subspace pocket?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobles...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm getting old, and my body isn't what it used to be. Do you need a chair too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what's the second condition?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first condition was participating in the war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the second?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before I tell you that, I have one more question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis dodged my question and asked his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, I couldn't refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your son aside... the four knights you fought were quite skilled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't feel that way since I had defeated them before they could even use their skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be direct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How strong are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strange question, but it made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't know my true strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just planning to use my reputation in the war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, it seems like a difficult question for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't difficult, just hard to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How do you measure strength?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was relative, just like time. You needed a point of reference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at the Dragonkin guard, and the Marquis's eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're saying you can defeat her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had never fought her before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't hesitate to answer the Marquis's question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm strong enough to break through her and crush your skull.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that a satisfactory answer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis, who had always been calm and composed, flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You're even more insane than I thought.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard's exclamation was proof.\u003C\u002Fp>",2244,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.065Z",1,"novelbin.me","feb726859cec7fb6948d60b63284b2e4427fc37f2276a04196d05c4bed7d0734","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-390","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-388",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]