[{"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-456":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},1327676,1764,"Chapter 456: Raid (1)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-456",456,"\u003Cp>[Dungeon and Stone] is a farming game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main appeal of the game is strengthening your character by accumulating experience, absorbing essences, and obtaining equipment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Typically, you level up your character by gathering experience points and absorbing essences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because experience points are only awarded for the first kill of a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you don't strengthen your character with essences, you can't even reach the next level to farm experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But somehow, I haven't encountered any bottlenecks until reaching level 7.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this is largely due to the fact that I absorbed the 7th-grade Corpse Golem, 5th-grade Vampire, and Orc Hero essences early on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those essences alone were enough to power through the lower floors, even if I just focused on experience points. The 'Tempered Desire' that allowed me to absorb the Ogre essence in the mid-game also played a significant role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, the ongoing war also helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'So this is the first time I've encountered a real bottleneck...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this isn't because I'm lacking in skill. It's just that the only way to get stronger is to go above the 7th floor, but I can't go there because it's a war zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realistically, I could start farming the Bellarios essence right now if my clan was stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bjorn! How long do we have to wait here? The monsters here are too weak, it's boring!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to focus on low-level raids for this expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking back, it was the best choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We could farm experience points from monsters we would have to hunt eventually, practice our teamwork, and even absorb essences if they dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All four of us had one essence slot left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just be patient. As I said, the essence from this monster is useful for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster we were hunting had an essence that was particularly useful for Ainar. It wasn't a top-tier essence, but it would make her about 30% stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, even if you say that...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ainar didn't seem convinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She probably couldn't believe that a 2nd-floor essence could be helpful at this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's just a 5th-grade essence! Can't we just keep going up? You need stronger enemies to show off your skills, right? I'll show you how much I've improved!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah... so that's what she was really after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored her and focused on chewing my jerky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after a while...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia, who had been farming with her clone, called out to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the same time, Erwen spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are people approaching.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, she's right. Someone's coming this way. How many—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twelve.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, why are they competing over this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They'll be here in about two minutes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We waited, and soon a team of twelve explorers appeared from the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, should I call it a team, or a clan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their equipment was too good for 2nd-floor explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We sized each other up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader of the group approached us and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It seems we have company.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words made it clear that they were after the same monster. We were after the same raid boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, there's only one solution in this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, so you should leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First come, first served.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asserted our claim to the hunting ground, and the leader looked at us with a thoughtful expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it had been a few years ago, he would have been wary of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, what can he do about it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was an honor to meet such famous explorers. May the blessings of Lafdonia be with you, Baron Yandel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned around and left without a word, just like the three teams we had encountered earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after a while...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has slain a Sandworm.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has slain a Sandworm.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has slain a Sandworm...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We waited, slaying the Sandworms that spawned in this specific area of the Rocky Desert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally, the conditions were met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, the ground is shaking!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The desert trembled as if an earthquake had struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sandstorm swept through the area, blocking our escape route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then a giant worm burst from the ground, its jaws wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Deathworm has appeared.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 5th-grade monster, Deathworm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a common target for 'experience runs' because it always spawned as a high-variant and its spawn location was on a lower floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyiieeeeeeek!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worm, its upper body rising from the sand, let out a chilling roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar, eager to prove her worth, leaped into the air, her greatsword raised high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she was a step too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Amelia Rainwales has cast [Abyssal Strength].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has cast [Rupture].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Ainar could even swing her sword, the Deathworm was pierced by arrows and a dagger and collapsed onto the sand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Deathworm has been slain. EXP +5」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「High-Variant Kill Bonus. EXP +1」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was over in a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was weaker than I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister, I killed it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you talking about? My blade bisected its body before your arrow even left the bow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it was my arrow that blew its head off!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaaaargh! Damn it! I waited so long, and this is what I get?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, the essence didn't drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After slaying the Deathworm, we left the Rocky Desert and returned to the 1st-floor Crystal Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been three months since we last visited the 'Green Mine'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to enter the 1st-floor rift again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I haven't explored this place yet.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been skipping the lower floors, so I had only visited the 3rd-floor White Temple and the 4th-floor Doppelganger Forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had spent so little time on the 2nd floor that I hadn't even seen the rift opening effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I wonder if we'll be able to enter this time...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I wasn't sure. Entering a rift wasn't something you could just decide to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha! It's been a while! I feel nostalgic, don't you, Bjorn?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar exclaimed as we arrived at the Great Sage Monument in the center of the Crystal Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could understand how she felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had felt the same way when I last visited this place three months ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was where I had first opened a rift with Ainar, where we met Raven and Hikurod for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was also the place where we were surrounded by Noark and had to fight our way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's been over three years...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had lost a lot of time traveling to the past, but even considering that, it felt like a long time ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like it had just happened yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We placed the 8th-grade magic stone we had obtained in the Rocky Desert on the altar, and the portal opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has entered the 1st-floor rift.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last remaining 1st-floor rift, the one I hadn't cleared yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the 'Steel Tomb'...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen illuminated the area with her spirit, revealing a narrow passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like entering a pyramid from a documentary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was a clear difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walls were made of metal, not stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister, what language is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha! I bet Aruru would love this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough chatter. Let's move.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We started exploring the rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar was the one leading the way this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had insisted on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia and Erwen also seemed curious about her skills, so I let her do as she pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was also curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar, the vanguard, started clearing the rift at an incredible pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, you would have to carefully disarm the traps and find the path to the final chamber... but that was meaningless for Ainar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For her, traps were meant to be triggered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as your body was strong enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ainar, left at the next intersection!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Woohoo!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I guided her through the rift, and she triggered the traps and smashed the monsters with her greatsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang! Kwagic! Kaboom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a spectacular display of brute force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Ainar Frenelin has cast [Reaping Slash].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Same target hit.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Explosive Scars] activated.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her basic combo, [Reaping Slash] and [Explosive Scars].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was a noticeable difference from her previous self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Mandel Oil] doubles the power of [Explosive Scars].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 5th-grade essence, Smug, activated its passive skill whenever a fire-based skill was used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Residual Heat] activated.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Deals additional damage proportional to the damage dealt.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even had the 4th-grade essence, which dealt 50% reduced damage after dealing fire damage to multiple targets in a short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every swing of her sword triggered a chain of explosions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'She actually absorbed all the essences I recommended...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched her, impressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like seeing a student who had completed all their homework.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had recommended essences that boosted her Resistance stats, so she was practically immune to traps and monster abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, even if she was injured, she would recover quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Ainar Frenelin has cast [Wings of Greed].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Natural Regeneration is greatly increased.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar's build focused on passive skills, so her MP consumption was low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only had one active skill besides her basic attack, [Reaping Slash].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she could maintain her healing ability without any problems...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「8th-grade monster slain.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Regenerates Soul Power proportional to the monster's rank.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...and thanks to the 3rd-stage Slayer Engraving effect, [Devour], she recovered both HP and MP whenever she fought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even had the 6th-stage Slayer Engraving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Engaged in combat with an 8th-grade monster.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Physical stats continuously increase proportional to the monster's rank.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'She even has [Combat Learning]...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was becoming stronger with every battle, a true barbarian warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It would be fun to fight like that...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a pang of envy as I watched her fight, but I quickly dismissed the feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shield Barbarians had their own appeal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And [Dungeon and Stone] was a game where everything revolved around the main tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could clear raids without healers, mages, or archers... but not without a main tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We followed Ainar through the rift, and the experience points flowed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Mummy slain. EXP +1」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Ironclad Soldier slain. EXP +3」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Buried One slain. EXP +2」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Guardian's Eye slain. EXP +2」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Iron Lizardman slain. EXP +3」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Riddlekeeper slain...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We even found the two hidden pieces and shared them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has consumed Mercurial Liquid.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Magic Resistance permanently increased by +3.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「This effect does not stack.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has received the Blessing of Iron.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Physical Resistance permanently increased by +3.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「This effect does not stack.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stat increase was small because it was a 1st-floor rift, but it would add up over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has entered the Steel Tomb.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We reached the final chamber after about three hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Three hours for a solo run... she's really fast.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had proven her worth, but Ainar, still unsatisfied, insisted on fighting the boss alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Iron Golem Ildium slain. EXP +4」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「High-Variant Kill Bonus. EXP +1」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Guardian Kill Bonus. EXP +3」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boss fight ended quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as soon as it did...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes were on the spot where the boss had been standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The essence didn't drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither did the rift stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A flower?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? Is there a flower-shaped Numbered Item?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Numbered Item had dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No. 9999 Beginner's Luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A very rare one.\u003C\u002Fp>",1866,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","abdc4e80cd47ba6869bd6a322424c716adfcf7b04b8b1af7c5bb332d76861b4b","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-457","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-455",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]