[{"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-462":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},1327682,1764,"Chapter 462: Proof (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-462",462,"\u003Cp>My skin was still burning from the heat of the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the air around me was cold, and the gazes of the Sawtooth Clan members were hostile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I didn't expect them to be this aggressive.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere was tense, but I tried to remain calm and analyze the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't the worst-case scenario yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Threats meant they wanted something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'If they were really planning to fight us, they would have ambushed us instead of coming here and talking.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why were they bluffing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to figure that out first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Loot...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What makes you think I looted it from you? Riakis was roaming the floor alone when I encountered him. Isn't that right, Erwen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes? Ah, yes! That's right. I didn't detect any other explorers within a 1-kilometer radius. And besides, there are many precedents that state that you can't claim ownership of a monster that's roaming freely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen provided her testimony, but the dagger user wasn't backing down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That applies to ordinary monsters, not Floor Lords.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what's your point?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We were separated from Riakis during the raid, but that doesn't mean we gave up our claim to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Separated during the raid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their equipment told a different story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their equipment was pristine, even though they had supposedly cleared the 3rd phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They must have been trying to buy time to re-equip.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The decoy group must have bought them time to retreat and re-equip. They were probably planning to regroup and come back for Riakis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they had failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The decoy group was nowhere to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They must have realized that the decoy group was dead and searched the area. And then they found us and rushed over here.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could see the whole picture now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I couldn't be sure...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was the most likely scenario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Baron Yandel, you stole the Floor Lord we were raiding. We were risking our lives to slay him, and you just swooped in and took the essence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We didn't even know you were there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you still took the essence, even after we warned you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's wrong with that? It's my loot. I earned it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you wouldn't have been able to slay him without our efforts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was right about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they were the ones who had summoned the Floor Lord without permission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they had failed to hold aggro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had intervened to protect the lower-level explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't bother explaining myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what do you want?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I got straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no point in arguing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logic wouldn't solve this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We demand compensation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Compensation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. We demand that you compensate us for the essence you stole.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll let the guild's appraisal committee decide the price.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had three options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Agree to their demands and pay them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would lose a lot of money, maybe even go into debt for a few years... but I had the essence, so it wasn't a complete loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Agree to their demands and then break my promise later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The recording crystal was active, so if I did that, I would be accused of insulting the royal family and lose my noble title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, so I only had one real choice?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Prove that I didn't do anything wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made my decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't think I have anything to apologize for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I placed my hammer on my shoulder and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't remember stealing anything from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You're choosing to fight us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, I'm not sure if I can call it a fight. It's more like a public execution.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't seem to believe me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry, it'll be quick and painless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I called out to my teammates,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ainar, Amelia, Erwen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had forgotten about Auyen, but I didn't bother correcting myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn't be of any help in this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get ready for battle!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My teammates immediately drew their weapons and took their positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They formed a circle, their backs to each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Auyen, sensing the tension, hid behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyone who approaches us will be slain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at the dagger user and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll take full responsibility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his turn to make a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We stood there, weapons drawn, for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was getting impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long were they going to stall?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to avoid a fight...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I also knew that I couldn't back down now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They're in a difficult situation too.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they backed down, they would get nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already lost fourteen members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if they let us go, they would be accused of letting a noble steal their loot and lose face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They can't just walk away.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why they were stalling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a game of chicken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two cars racing towards a cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first one to swerve loses... but if neither of them swerves, they both die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Half...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dagger user finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll settle for half the value of the essence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had offered a compromise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, half...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We were the ones who suffered the most losses while fighting Riakis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had lost fourteen members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it would take years and a fortune to replace them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if we take half, it'll barely cover the cost of our damaged equipment and consumables.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued to plead his case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, we'll use the guild's appraisal price as a basis—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I appreciate your offer, but I'll have to decline.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at me, stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decline...? You mean...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an unspoken rule that the loser of a standoff gets nothing. Explorers valued their pride more than anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why should I back down?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were bluffing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I didn't push my advantage, I would be the fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if you offer me more, my answer will remain the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed my advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So attack me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a bold provocation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn't attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just talked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Please reconsider. Let's be reasonable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm being perfectly reasonable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You're a reckless man, Baron Yandel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, you're the one who's accusing a noble of Lafdonia of looting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you really think you can handle the consequences?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was asking if I was prepared to fight them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think I would be here if I wasn't?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll give you three seconds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don't attack me within three seconds, I'll consider you assassins sent to kill me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"T-That's ridiculous...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was conflicted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he back down?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or should he fight me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had the numbers... but I was a barbarian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He might actually do it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still hadn't made up his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to say 'three'...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Vice-Captain!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...when one of the archers whispered something to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They activated the 'Voice Control' spell, so I couldn't hear them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to intervene...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister, there are explorers approaching.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hundreds of them...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did they come from—?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think it's the group we rescued.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought it was another enemy clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Is this good news...?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at the dagger user.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was grinding his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have received the same report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn't attack us now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Everyone, stand down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're leaving!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They quickly dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he left, the dagger user turned around and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...We'll meet again in the city, Baron Yandel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had more work to do now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Sawtooth Clan left, hundreds of lower-level explorers arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, Chieftain! Congratulations on your victory!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha! I knew you could do it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warriors cheered as they saw me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to use [Gigantification] to avoid being crushed by the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found Lewis Siyur and asked him what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lewis Siyur! What's going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They wanted to thank you for saving them...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they had rushed over here after hearing that Riakis had been slain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hmm, maybe I should be grateful.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had helped us resolve the situation peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And I might need their testimony later.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made a mental note to remember their names and faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bent Maheil, was it? I'll remember you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I-It's an honor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I continued greeting the explorers, I noticed something strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were looking at me with awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're looking at us with such respect...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They must admire you, Baron.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, you're a true hero.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had just been gathering information...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It feels like I'm scamming them.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a pang of guilt, but I didn't correct them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character's Fame has increased by +1.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character's Fame has increased by +1.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character's Fame has increased by +1...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should take advantage of this opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, we're leaving!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We left the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are we going? To the upper floors?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, we have something else to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We couldn't go to the 4th floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The labyrinth would close before we could reach the 5th floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I wanted to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister, where are we going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen asked, and I answered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're going to the Witch's Cabin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The cabin...? You mean...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The shelter in the forest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were they looking at me like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn't they understand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had to collect the reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Achievement Unlocked」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Condition: Chaos Lord Riakis slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reward: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We couldn't leave without claiming the reward for the hidden achievement.\u003C\u002Fp>",1578,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","cbd8893132b8e63b653760ff2ac5d4f15cb405db104cdbc86bc83e203b1f7c13","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-463","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-461",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]