[{"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-409":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},1327479,1764,"Chapter 409: Dilemma (6)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-409",409,"\u003Cp>Luring the Dragonslayer and his men out of their base was easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's a saying that the most dangerous enemy is the one inside your own ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had 'Enlightened', the Noark explorer who had been converted by Jun, send a false message to the Dragonslayer, and he took the bait immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...You're saying there's a group of thirty explorers from the royal faction?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes! They must have crossed Ice Rock!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You said you were following them, right? Stay put. I'll be there soon.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell for it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a naive one, in a way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, let's move.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After luring the Dragonslayer away, we headed south, towards the Dragon's Lair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We didn't have to worry about running into them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had Enlightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What's your current location?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're in the western region of the Dragon's Lair.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Still heading west. Are you going to Ironfalls?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems like they are, sir!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Alright. We're heading that way too. Let me know if they change direction.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the Dragonslayer reached Ironfalls, we would be at his base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he received the message and turned back immediately, we would be long gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enemies ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Halt. We'll wait for them to pass.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two days of forced marches and minimal combat, we arrived at a vast plain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our vision was limited by the darkness...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn't important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally, the Gray Plains.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gray Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The central region of the Dark Continent, located between the Dragon's Mountain Range and the Dragon's Lair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The location of Noark's base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's surprisingly deserted. I expected more activity around their base.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It means the main force is doing a good job distracting them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our mission was a diversionary tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The royal forces had entered the Dark Continent through the Ghostly Canyon and were engaging Noark's main force near the Dragon's Mountain Range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our role was to strike from behind while they were distracted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll slow down from here and move stealthily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll have the scouts spread out. We need to detect them early.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, I'll leave the details to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We moved cautiously through the Gray Plains, but couldn't avoid all combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The labyrinth was full of monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if we avoided the explorers, we couldn't avoid the monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Void Ant defeated. EXP +4.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dark Crystal defeated. EXP +6.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Minum defeated. EXP +5.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Hell Ghoul defeated. EXP +4.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Zambet defeated...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters emerged from cracks in the barren ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were even 3rd-grade monsters among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vol-Herchan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the monster I needed for my final build.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the battle was easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you all waiting for? Spread out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Warriors, focus on defense! The mages will finish them off!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had fought three 3rd-grade monsters at once in Ice Rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And we were well-fed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Vol-Herchan, known for its high defense, put up a good fight... but it eventually fell and turned to light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Vol-Herchan defeated. EXP +7.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't drop an essence, but I wasn't disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already had one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's ironic.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never imagined I would get the essence before killing it for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The order of things was different in reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The snowball effect from absorbing the Ogre essence in the early game?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought crossed my mind, but the true starting point was the Corpse Golem essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hadn't absorbed it, I wouldn't have been able to kill Vampire Duke Cambormier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schuitz, the scouts found their base.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had been marching for about a day through the Gray Plains when we finally received a report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A giant tower, guarded by about a hundred explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was definitely their base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was one problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...They're outnumbered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems the Dragonslayer took more troops with him than we expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see... We'll gather information first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll send out the scouts again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about the others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell them to rest and prepare for battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about Purge Evil?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't activate it. They might detect us. We can't risk losing everything for a minor advantage. If we encounter monsters, eliminate them quietly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sent the scouts, who had stealth skills, to gather information. The rest of us hid in a crevice and rested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed a break too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look tired.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia approached me and handed me a piece of jerky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had plenty of food now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch, crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I munched on the jerky, and Amelia said something ominous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schuitz, this is going too smoothly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had to say that, didn't she?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been trying not to jinx it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wasn't talking to you. What's wrong? Did you find something suspicious?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not really, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia trailed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't seem like she had any concrete evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry. It's not going too smoothly. We just prepared well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepared well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We went through hell in Ice Rock, didn't we? And we even had a traitor among us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's... true. Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She apologized, but it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was already worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'A hundred...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We could probably handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scouts said there weren't many notable explorers among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And they're not expecting an attack from behind.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noark's main force was busy preventing the royal forces from crossing the Dragon's Mountain Range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had left a reserve force at the base, led by the Dragonslayer...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But he's out on a mission.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the perfect opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And there's no Hans around.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only variable was the information the scouts might bring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schuitz, the scouts are back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did they find?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No one within a 5-kilometer radius.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no unexpected variables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been worried it might be a trap...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I shook off my anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell the scouts they did a good job. Let them rest. Well, it won't be for long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Are we attacking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. It's time to get ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to end this long expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood in the darkness of the barren plain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't see it, but I could sense it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noark's base, hidden in the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waited patiently, my body tense with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expedition force was ready to attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom, boom, boom, boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We heard a deafening roar coming from the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any experienced explorer would recognize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The footsteps of a large monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"M-monsters!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence was shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could imagine their expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell?! How many are there?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it, this is bad luck! Get your weapons ready!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are they all coming this way?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them figured it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's an ambush! Someone's luring them here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noark explorers were known for their resourcefulness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was quick to catch on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An ambush...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it! Could it be them? The ones Regal Vagos mentioned?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Call for backup! Now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kaislan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I called his name, and he raised the royal flag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mages, archers, and ability users unleashed their attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaboom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy formation was shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monsters, sensing the weakness, charged through the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it! Where are they?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaaargh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Block them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They tried to regroup, but we didn't give them a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kaislan, again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We bombarded them with ranged attacks, and they finally located us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There they are!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're over there!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaboom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whiiiiiish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We continued our barrage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buzz!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My message stone vibrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew who it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the only one who had been contacting me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Where the hell are you?!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have received my last report, about our location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I'm at the spot you mentioned, but there's no one there! And I'm receiving reports of a battle near the Sky Eye!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sky Eye was the name of the mana wave emitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'So they've already attacked it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood why the royal family was so obsessed with destroying it. It had caused them significant losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Are you ignoring me?! Answer me! Where are you?!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to be honest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your backyard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little psychological warfare never hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waited for his reaction, but he was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spoke, his voice flat and emotionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Who are you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll find out if you come here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...This was your plan all along.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. It's obvious, isn't it? Anyway, I'm busy, so I'll see you later. Enjoy the view while you're there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You won't die peacefully. I'll make sure of that.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He threatened me, but I ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already used that line before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, good luck with that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What? You think this is a joke? You think I won't—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ended the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time for the next chapter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akuraba reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schuitz, we've cleared most of the monsters!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy had finished dealing with the monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was our cue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Charge formation!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Warriors, forward...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We stormed the battlefield, our veteran warriors leading the charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Charge!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wipe them out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy tried to block us with a shield wall... but it was futile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our warriors broke through their lines, and we poured into their formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were overwhelmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're heading for the Sky Eye!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They realized our target and tried to stop us, but it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kaislan, again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We bombarded them with ranged attacks while our warriors held them off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Halt!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We reached the Sky Eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We formed a defensive circle around it, protecting it from the enemy's desperate attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schuitz! Over here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hurry! We have a problem!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akuraba called for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? A problem?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gregson, take over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left my position and rushed to the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akuraba was standing awkwardly in front of the Sky Eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I've tried everything, but I can't contact the main force!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is bad.\u003C\u002Fp>",1629,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","4661d95ddfd5cb51709c363bd116974b77c6f2189932e69016b4f944c71fcd8e","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-410","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-408",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]