[{"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-407":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},1327477,1764,"Chapter 407: Dilemma (4)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-407",407,"\u003Cp>Before I started playing [Dungeon and Stone], the online game I enjoyed the most was a PvP-focused one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you created a character, you had to choose one of two factions. You would then grow your character on a different continent and fight for dominance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best part of the game was leading an expedition into the enemy faction's territory and stealing their field bosses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thrill of PK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The satisfaction of landing the final blow on the boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the sweet, sweet praise from the enemy players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It was a fun game.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren't for [Dungeon and Stone], I might still be playing that game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was that good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought crossed my mind, but it was too late for regrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason that almost-forgotten game suddenly came to mind was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current situation was similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dark Continent was currently occupied by Noark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our expedition force had infiltrated their territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And most importantly...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The same tactics work here.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel the same thrill as I did back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A-ambush!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did they get here?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deal with the monsters first!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaaargh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The panicked reactions of the enemy explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-you cowards...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To think they would ambush us at a time like this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll take you all with me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sweet, sweet praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Bon Dragonian defeated. EXP +7」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the 3rd-grade monster kill, like a cherry on top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the best part was yet to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Essence! Essence!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, did I get a reward for being a good Samaritan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had we successfully ambushed the enemy without any casualties, but the monster we killed even dropped an essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the second 3rd-grade essence we had obtained on this expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ashid, go secure the essence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the mage secured the essence, I quickly finished cleaning up the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the essence wasn't the only loot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh, ugh... S-spare me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know I can't do that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell, is he talking to a corpse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Move aside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I drew my hammer and ended their suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack, crack, crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies went limp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I confirmed their deaths and then ordered the team members to strip them of their equipment. We stored everything in our shared subspace pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whew, with the equipment in their subspace pockets, this is a huge haul.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll all be rich when we get back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team members were excited, even just from the visible loot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a 3rd-grade essence couldn't compare to the equipment of fifteen 7th-floor explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And we hadn't even broken a sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Loot secured.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any casualties?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"None, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't hide my satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clean victory in under five minutes, without a single casualty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Do you plan to fight like this every time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there a problem with that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akuraba trailed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the most efficient way to ambush unsuspecting enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, there was one drawback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Thirty minutes...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle itself was over in five minutes, but waiting for them to encounter a monster took a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be a much bigger loss if someone was injured or killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But still...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaislan cautiously approached me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schuitz, it was a bit hasty to kill them all. We should have captured one and interrogated him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, he's right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll keep that in mind for the next ambush.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaislan's expression brightened as I acknowledged his advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mages, incinerate the bodies and erase all traces!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We cleaned up the battlefield and then hid ourselves in the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And we continued our journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence was broken by a conversation between two team members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you see their equipment?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we can pull this off ten more times... We'll be rich beyond our wildest dreams.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, they'll find out soon enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our routine in the Dark Continent was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We moved through the darkness, concealed by shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enemies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we encountered an enemy group, we waited for them to engage with monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We ambushed them while they were distracted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaboom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whiiiiiish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We focused our ranged attacks on their backline, eliminating them before they could react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wipe them out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The melee attackers then charged in, overwhelming the remaining enemies, who were pinned down by the monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another easy victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That's ten.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We repeated this tactic throughout the Dragon's Lair, and by the time we reached the exit, we had ambushed ten enemy groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mages! Set up a sound barrier!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey! Be careful when you're looting! You're ripping off their flesh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team members efficiently collected the loot and erased all traces of the battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A team member dragged a survivor before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leader! Here's the one you asked for!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're welcome, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had been capturing one survivor from each battle since the second ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We interrogated them for information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's always better to be prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The labyrinth is a place where anything can happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides, I wasn't the one doing the interrogating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave it to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just had to hand the survivor over to Jun, our official information extractor. He would take care of the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, that the explorers we had encountered on the 8th floor were Noark's elite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that their base was practically empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had obtained a lot of useful information through these interrogations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only problem was that we hadn't encountered anyone with new information lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schuitz, come here for a moment. It's urgent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun called me during an interrogation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rushed over to his tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The survivor was still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant he had obtained valuable information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me. What did you find out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a bit ambiguous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ambiguous...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun pointed at a glowing stone on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a message stone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A message stone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a familiar item.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He had it in his possession.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone contacted him. What are your orders?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jun asked, the message stone vibrated again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many more times would it buzz?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to make a decision quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my hand, signaling for time to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Is it a local contact, or from further away?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The range of a message stone was limited, depending on its quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was Noark's territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contact could be from a distant location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why the royal family had sent us here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana wave emitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A device similar to a modern-day cell tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noark had brought this massive device, which couldn't be stored in a subspace pocket, into the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It allowed them to communicate freely with their troops scattered throughout the continent and coordinate their attacks against the royal forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone buzzed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to make a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, do you think this message is from someone trying to trick us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I-it's probably a routine check-in. They're just confirming our status!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His overly enthusiastic response and stuttering made me suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jun, what's the probability of him trying to deceive us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very low.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant he was confident, even though he couldn't guarantee it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I-I can do it! I'll do whatever you ask! J-just please... kill me...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The survivor's desperate plea helped me make my decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alright, he seems trustworthy enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Answer the call. If they ask if anything is wrong, tell them everything is fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I placed the buzzing stone in front of his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed the button.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man's voice came from the stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Finally, we've reached you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep, resonant voice that sent chills down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recognized it instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"R-Regal Vagos... sir... is that you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So you're here too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had encountered many enemies in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had crushed most of their skulls, but some were too strong for me to handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Chaos, Riakis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Corpse Collector, Abet Necrapheto.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ruin Scholar, Belvev Ruinjenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a long list of enemies, but the one I hated the most was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragonslayer, Regal Vagos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt my blood boil as I heard his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to calm down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now wasn't the time for revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused on the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Meiras, where are you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I'm in the Dragon's Lair, hunting with my teammates!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Really? Then do you know anything?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Know anything, sir...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[None of the teams I sent to the Dragon's Lair are responding.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-is that so? I, I don't know anything about that. We're... we're doing fine here. Really!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His excessive explanation and stuttering made me suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun silently picked up an awl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The survivor immediately corrected his tone and posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's strange. I wonder what happened to them. Perhaps they were attacked by monsters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke calmly, without a hint of stuttering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Even those fools wouldn't be wiped out completely.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Right, sir. Is everything alright on your end?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even dared to ask for information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[For now.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Don't do anything stupid and wait there. I'm sending reinforcements. Join them and follow their orders.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Tsk, useless fools.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ended the call, clicking his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a shame we couldn't find out how many reinforcements he's sending.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I agree...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Are you alright? You look pale.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's nothing. Don't worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just trying to control my anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice had triggered a flashback...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard a gasp behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned around, and Erwen was standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was holding something in her hands, but it had slipped from her grasp and fallen to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, she would have picked it up... but she just stared at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Erwen? What's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I approached her, and then I noticed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, you're trembling...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"T-that v-voice...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down. What's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was... t-that was him, wasn't it...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"D-dragonslayer, R-regal Vagos...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen was terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>",1647,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","a83a45e0444908f92c3df9088778fdb211ea7c4c7a2c188ad6898531e1f503f4","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-408","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-406",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]