[{"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-402":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},1327472,1764,"Chapter 402: Ice Rock (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-402",402,"\u003Cp>\"A traitor...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team leaders frowned at my blunt statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they must have understood the gist of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James Kala cautiously spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Are you referring to the incident where we lost the supplies?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But that incident was—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James Kala fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akuraba, as if defending him, interjected with a hint of annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thinking about it and mentioning it are two different things. A traitor? That's a very sensitive and dangerous accusation to make without any evidence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was missing the most important part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what's your point?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoever you suspect, you need concrete evidence that everyone can agree on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouch, that hit a nerve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she think I was suspecting her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, she was in charge of supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe she thought I was blaming her and was already defending herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to clear up the misunderstanding before it got worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry. I'm not suspecting you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes? But you just said...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I suspected you, I wouldn't have called you here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be precise, I had suspected all of them, but not anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew who the culprit was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, it wasn't one of our precious team leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... who do you think the traitor is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pike Neldain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I said his name, everyone looked at James Kala.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...He's a warrior on James Kala's team, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's also the one who's been badmouthing the expedition leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm... then his motive might have been to undermine the leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They started analyzing the situation, assuming my accusation was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James Kala quickly spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-wait! There must be some misunderstanding! Neldain, he's a bit narrow-minded, I'll admit that, but—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's surprising to hear you say that. How well do you even know him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've already investigated him. He joined the expedition through the Explorer's Guild's recommendation, right? You didn't know him before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's true, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James Kala trailed off, and Akuraba came to his defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schuitz, I think we should hear your reasoning first. Why do you think he's the traitor? Do you have any evidence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ugh, evidence, evidence, evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm sick of hearing that word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I calmly explained my reasons for suspecting Pike Neldain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when I finished...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand that you're not just making this up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's still just circumstantial evidence, but it's enough to raise suspicion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the team leaders, except for James, agreed that my suspicion was valid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But we don't have any concrete evidence! You can't just accuse someone without proof! Someone might even think this is a personal vendetta!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James raised his voice for the first time, but I wasn't offended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was natural for a team leader to protect his teammate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down. I know that, that's why I called you here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at James Kala and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you still think I'm making this up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... don't think so.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Then that's settled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clapped my hands, trying to lighten the mood, and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Listen. I need your help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Help?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll explain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shared my plan with the team leaders, and they all agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's getting dark outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night had fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it was always dark inside the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's all for today. Go and gather everyone, including Pike Neldain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time for a trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>__________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A frozen cave with a giant sinkhole in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thirty expedition members were gathered around a campfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What's going on? Why are we all here? Does anyone know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard there's a traitor among us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A traitor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They say he's the one who caused the supply loss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team leaders had shared some information, and the members looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their confusion soon turned to curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So who is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll find out soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess they figured it out, since they called us all here at this hour.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmurs subsided, and all eyes were on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I ignored their gazes and focused on one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Neldain, what's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pike Neldain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warrior from James Kala's team who had been badmouthing me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's scared.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had avoided eye contact at first, but now he was staring back at me defiantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a common trait of liars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were afraid of being seen as suspicious if they averted their gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, be quiet!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaislan stepped forward and silenced the members, and a heavy silence fell over the campsite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the perfect atmosphere for a one-sided conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pike Neldain, step forward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I finished speaking, everyone looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What? Is it him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't call him 'him' yet. We don't know for sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispers filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you going to keep hiding?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I spoke, the explorers around Pike Neldain stepped back, creating a path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked towards me, his face contorted with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Here I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're quite bold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have every right to be. What is this about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had expected this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't think he would confess just because I created a tense atmosphere and intimidated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pike Neldain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm listening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're being accused of a serious crime.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A crime?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You sabotaged the expedition and caused us to lose valuable supplies. It's an act of treason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I don't understand. What did I do? Are you doing this because I badmouthed you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pike Neldain!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off before he could continue his rambling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You caused the ground to collapse twice during the expedition! You intentionally led us to those dangerous areas! Do you deny it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course I do! It's not true!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're going to deny it until the very end?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you all just standing there?! Is it right for the expedition leader to accuse a member without any evidence?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appealed to the other members, trying to paint me as a vengeful leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it seemed to be working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This doesn't seem right...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the point of calling us all here if he's going to accuse him without proof...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's always been badmouthing the leader...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But can he really be a traitor? Where's the evidence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ground collapsing... wasn't that just a coincidence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted them to think that I was taking revenge on him for personal reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schuitz, you've made a mistake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at me with a smug expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're going to frame me, you need to have evidence that everyone can agree on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Evidence...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the biggest obstacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unrealistic to torture him into confessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I didn't have 'Distorted Trust'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Verification magic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most explorers above the 5th floor were immune to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many of them would it even work on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been struggling with this problem...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'There's no other way.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't have any—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has cast [Gigantification].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body expanded rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grabbed his neck before he could finish his sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explorers were shocked, but no one dared to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an explorer's instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the situation was unclear, they observed and waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-what are you doing—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seem to like making friends. But I guess you didn't have any real friends to help you out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"L-let go—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's too early to give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tightened my grip, cutting off his air supply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump! Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He punched my arm with all his might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a futile effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pulled him closer, ignoring his struggles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Neldain, do you know this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...G-guh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The expedition leader has the right to execute any member in an emergency.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"G-g-guh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I think this is an emergency.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I loosened my grip slightly, he desperately shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"T-they won't believe you... not outside...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right, they won't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles weren't stupid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there were too many witnesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I executed him here, the Marquis's rivals would use it against me and try to remove me from the leadership position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why should I care?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't care what they think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tightened my grip, my killing intent surging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His veins bulged, and his face turned red from the blood rushing to his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been trying to stay conscious, but he couldn't look at me anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just looked around, desperately seeking help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should we stop him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is going to be a problem...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir Kaislan! We have to stop him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members were worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the team leaders remained silent, observing the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already made a promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They silently watched, their expressions conveying their support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... c-can't...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pike Neldain realized the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's okay. Die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused my killing intent on his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of his neck snapping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes rolled back, and his pupils dilated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone cursed, and at that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Pike Neldain has cast [Overload].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His weight suddenly increased, and my arm buckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that's his trump card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell to the ground, my grip loosening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gasp...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath, his body convulsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he shouted with all his might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-you madman! Stop him! Stop this madman!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His desperate cry caused a stir among the members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked like they were about to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you all waiting for?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at the team leaders, pleading for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their expressions were cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it was true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's [Overload]... a warrior would never use that skill.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's restrain him first. We can't hear his story if he kills himself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today's lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you have a hunch, you can create evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>",1594,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","86d87a81dee8a114748feea3df9ffa892308b48f5e10ec3f9907426c1ffc1f64","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-403","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-401",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]