[{"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-422":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},1327492,1764,"Chapter 422: Ice Like This (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-422",422,"\u003Cp>We abandoned the hope of being rescued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We discarded our food, and our equipment as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after running like that, we had to watch helplessly as our comrade died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Survival was all about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giving up, and giving up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deceiving yourself that it was the most rational choice in an unreasonable situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why we burned everything we had, using it as fuel to move forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Enemies! New enemies have appeared!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, I already know the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jun, I’ll leave this place to you for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hurriedly handed over the baton and headed to the rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I turned around, I saw the enemy’s ranged unit rushing towards us from the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main force was following behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mister…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Erwen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About fifteen of them! They’re not knights, but they use Aura! Gerold is holding them off alone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bentis Gerold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ability user from the 3rd Team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man with a sunny disposition and an overly optimistic outlook, whom everyone teased but loved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for letting me know. Quickly join the main force with Akuraba.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Be careful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I reached the rear, he was lying on the ground, bleeding profusely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood steamed as it made contact with the frigid air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So… another one is dead.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for him, more people would have been injured, even killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart clenched, but this cruel reality didn’t give me time to grieve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifteen enemies were standing over Gerold’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was reminded of a conversation I had with the leader of Orculus in Noark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[A human woman.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[A red aura in the shape of a dagger.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[All hallmarks of the Rose Knight Order.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rose Knight Order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The royal family’s special forces unit, specializing in assassination, infiltration, and covert operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, we finally meet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip, drip, drip, drip—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman holding a blood-stained dagger stares at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reminds me of Amelia when we first met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes are devoid of emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Viscount Bjorn Yandel, I presume.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice is flat and emotionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to our intel, he has at least 2nd-grade sword defense. His combat power is two levels higher than ours, so proceed with caution.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as her briefing ended, they assumed combat stances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a chill run down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t afraid of those who threatened to kill me without even knowing who I was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these were different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were professionals, trained for a single purpose: to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart pounded, sensing the upcoming battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did the Marquis send you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, my body tense with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they didn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geez, those eyes are scary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They don’t talk to their targets?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My faint hope of reasoning with them vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had to know at least one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you know we were coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Answer me. I can’t figure this out. Don’t you feel sorry for us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman stared at me, her expression unchanged, and then spoke in a monotone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…We were ordered to wait here just in case. Even the Intelligence Department thought it was unlikely that you would actually come this far.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unlikely…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had deployed a force this strong to prevent an unlikely scenario?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like I was surrounded by walls, closing in on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The negotiation has failed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman spoke, breaking the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Failed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those who are broken don’t have that look in their eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? She was hoping I would give up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I whined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s strange. I’m pretty desperate right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then are you going to die here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’ll fight until the end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see... There are people like you. Those who don’t seek death as an escape...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression changed for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was subtle, but she seemed to feel a bit sorry for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even if I was right, it wouldn’t change anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems like we’re done talking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need for further conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vol-Herchan, the Aura Resistance essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had allowed me to become a knight’s worst nightmare, but it didn't make me invincible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's no such thing as invincibility in [Dungeon and Stone].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash, slash, stab!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her daggers pierced my flesh, leaving behind countless minor wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priests had already run out of divine power, so I couldn't rely on healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has been poisoned by Royal Compound Poison.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character's Physical stats are above 700.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Poison Resistance is above 100.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Poison effect is reduced by 70%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poison on her daggers made the wounds tingle, the sensation spreading throughout my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It even had an anti-regeneration effect, preventing my wounds from healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The injuries kept accumulating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swung my hammer, but it missed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She dodged all my attacks, moving like a phantom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would climb the walls, perform somersaults in midair, and change direction abruptly, defying the laws of physics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And whenever I showed the slightest opening, she would attack, her daggers slicing through my flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wounds weren't deep, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash, slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My movements became sluggish, and the number of injuries increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the terrain was wider and all fifteen of them were attacking me at once, I would have been shredded to pieces by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stumbled, losing my balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seized the opportunity and aimed for my neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Now!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I activated my trap card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stomped on the ground and swung my hammer upwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Damn it, just take the hit!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She dodged again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's like fighting a machine, not a human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This game is bullshit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has cast [Soul Dive].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Soul Power is regenerated proportionally to the amount consumed.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I activated [Soul Dive], which was off cooldown, and replenished my MP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're here to help!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reinforcements arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raviyen and Amelia, who had been holding off the Noark explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about the front lines?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're holding them off at the boundary line.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they're recovering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They're waiting for us to weaken before attacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Damn it, we're caught in the middle...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my shield, protecting my upper body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dagger bounced off harmlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I don't feel the usual pain in my legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would have attacked my lower body by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I realized the reason as I looked at the Rose Knights, who were keeping their distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ah, it's because of them.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were too busy watching Amelia and Raviyen to focus on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, melee attackers should fight melee attackers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Whew, at least I have some breathing room now.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shouted towards Akuraba, who was in the backline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was a tank, and also the expedition leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to do both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Akuraba, tell them to hold their position! Focus on recovering! We'll need their full strength soon!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It pained me to give the Noark explorers time to recover...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we didn't have a choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then I noticed something strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rose Knights didn't react to my shout. They weren't ignoring me, they looked like they couldn't hear me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emily, is the voice control magic active?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, the mages must have activated it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The mages?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is she talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raviyen parried a dagger that was aiming for my shoulder and explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They used levitation magic to escape when the attack started.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Escape? There were enemies above us too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. Royta Mamender, the priest, was killed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems like the bad news never ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So there were more enemies than we thought, and we even lost a priest...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Nineteen left...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expedition had started with thirty members, and now we were down to nineteen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if we survived, less than half of us would return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a surge of anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had given up so much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had abandoned our dreams of a bright future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had fought and bled for this miserable existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why did the misfortune never end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to scream and curse the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uwaaaaaaaaah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a deep breath, calming myself down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We couldn't afford to be consumed by anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least not me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Akuraba!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry about helping us. Focus on recovering. We'll need your full strength soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We only had one chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's insane!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll all die if we follow his orders!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one objected anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Alright, we'll do as you say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akuraba immediately followed my orders, and so did the other members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had I earned their trust?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a sense of pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My efforts weren't in vain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rose Knights' attacks intensified as the support from the backline was cut off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel is fighting over ten enemies alone! We have to help him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then the Noark explorers, who had been recovering, joined the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And we did one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold the line!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priests were out of divine power, and the ranged attackers were silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were surrounded, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uwaaaaaaaaah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...we held our ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noark and the Rose Knights were engaged in a silent standoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were waiting for us to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They think we're all going to die, and then they'll fight each other?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it's a good thing they're underestimating us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It gave us an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground shook, as if an earthquake had struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A white fog rose from the chasm, enveloping the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has been exposed to [Frozen Faith].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The Bonding spell has been deactivated.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kariadaea, the Glacier Witch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it! Break through!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Noark explorers shouted in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Eliminate them quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rose Knights were also surprised, although they were much calmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I'm the only one who took the boss monster's arrival time into account.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why they were so relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyaaaaa!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thousands of skeletons emerged from the fog, their arms flailing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the center of it all, the Elder Lich, Kariadaea, glared at us with her crimson eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel! We're ready!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 'big thing' I had requested from the ranged attackers was ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to gamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「James Kala has cast [Piercing Light].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has cast [Elemental Fusion].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Titana Akuraba has used [No. 1911 Paveler's Broken Pocket Watch].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Bersil Gowland has cast the 3rd-grade attack magic [Flame of Retribution].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Mckelly Leyaders has cast the 3rd-grade attack magic [Judgment].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Liard Ashid has cast the 3rd-grade attack magic [Mana Beam]...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just the ranged attackers, but anyone who had a ranged skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They unleashed everything they had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not at Noark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not at the Rose Knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaboom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the Elder Lich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The Glacier Witch, Kariadaea's first Soul Vessel has been destroyed.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had enough firepower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyaaaaa!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Banshees shrieked in pain as they were pulled out of the fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack, crack, crack, crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elder Lich, her bones reassembled, looked at us and raised her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The Glacier Witch, Kariadaea has cast [Soul Extraction].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Soul Extraction].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pattern she used in her second phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all I could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had rolled the dice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「All characters within range are stunned.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could only hope for the best.\u003C\u002Fp>",1881,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","4986e751640f9715193ae718f6306b156adccdf5babff8433a9545da3ae52dc2","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-423","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-421",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]