[{"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-469":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},1327689,1764,"Chapter 469: Friend or Foe (1)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-469",469,"\u003Cp>Ding-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cheerful notification sound greeted me as I turned on my computer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A message...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I checked my inbox, and a new message with an unread marker was at the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time stamp was only a few seconds ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant the message had been sent as soon as the community opened...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click, click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened the message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Sender: Ghost master.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short, one-line message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below it were the name and password for a private chat room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I accepted the invitation, Lee Baekho would be waiting...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hesitated for a moment, but I quickly made up my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...It won't take long. And I'm curious what he wants.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I could get some information about Lee Baekho from the GM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn't hurt to be a little late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn't leave without talking to me, anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's been a while, Lion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I entered the chat room, and a white man with the nickname 'Elfnunalove' stood up and greeted me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored his greeting and sat down on the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what's this about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you requested, I've lifted Baekho's ban. Did you meet with him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was trying to take credit for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that all you wanted to talk about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM sat down on the sofa and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard something interesting at the last Round Table. You said 'Elfnunna' had already entered this world?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, it was because of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a sense of accomplishment, but I maintained a serious expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me ask you directly. Are you 'Elfnunna'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a blunt question, even for a barbarian like me who preferred direct communication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't expected him to be so straightforward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why should I answer that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM replied immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm the one who lifted Baekho's ban. Do you really think I did that for no reason?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been sweating nervously back then, so it wasn't like I was intimidating him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn't a complete lie either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You need something from me, and I need something from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Give and take.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM had given me what I wanted because he also wanted something in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't afford to lose my information at the Round Table. He had lifted the ban as a gesture of goodwill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But he summoned me immediately after hearing about \"Elfnunna\"...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It only made me more curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want to maintain our current relationship, you'll answer my question. Are you 'Elfnunna'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was the GM so obsessed with 'Elfnunna'?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the reason I had mentioned the nickname at the Round Table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before I answer that, I have a question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, trying to be subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you believe what that old man said?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had met the GM in the past, when I was a newbie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I'm not sure, but I think I know who you're talking about.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[She was a famous figure in the Stone E-ven community... someone I greatly respected.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had mistaken me for Auril Gabis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I had theorized that the GM's obsession with Elf Noona stemmed from his belief in Auril Gabis's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have no reason not to believe him. At least, the story about the Record Stone was true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His answer was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Record Stone...?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had never heard of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the Record Stone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Is it like the Fragment of Records that sent me back in time? A legacy of the Great Sage?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know, but it felt important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might be the key to solving all my questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I remained silent and listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's no one else. Who else could possibly clear the original difficulty?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM's story felt incomplete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if a crucial piece was missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I could understand one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's impossible without her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His faith was almost religious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reminded me of my aunt, who had been obsessed with a cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a sense of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had to make a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, tell me. Are you 'Elfnunna'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same question he had asked before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his faith and admiration were genuine, I could use him. I might even be able to recruit him as an ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I ultimately decided against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The information about the Record Stone and the GM's resources were tempting...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But this is the right choice.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to investigate the Record Stone before revealing my identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most irreversible mistakes stemmed from ignorance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You mustn't open the Gate of the Abyss.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Earth Witch's warning was also bothering me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, the GM didn't seem suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just been testing me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then tell me about 'Elfnunna'. Where is he? What's his race—?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's rude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I answered your first question out of goodwill. Because you kept your promise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, lifting Lee Baekho's ban was the only reward I was giving him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM looked dumbfounded, and I felt a pang of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn't back down now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be strange to pretend I didn't know anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want my favor, you'll have to return the favor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So you want something in return?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Lion's rule at the Round Table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... isn't that unfair?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I lifted Lee Baekho's ban at great personal risk. And you're asking for information in return for answering a single question—?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see what you mean.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you really think lifting Baekho's ban and revealing 'Elfnunna's' information are of equal value?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM was speechless, and the conversation was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you understand, I'll be going now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left the chat room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I returned to Lee Hansu's room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I checked the chat room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Long Live Korean Independence] - 2 users online.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two users...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho and Hyunbyul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn't left yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Let's organize my thoughts before going in.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned back in my chair and replayed the conversation with the GM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I have no reason not to believe him. At least, the story about the Record Stone was true.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't certain yet, but maybe Lee Baekho's interest in 'Elfnunna' was also related to the Record Stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...I should ask him about it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had made the right decision by talking to the GM first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked on the chat room and entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...But I can't! Hansu hyung will kill me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we keep it a secret, how will he—?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two figures were sitting on the sofa in front of the fireplace, engaged in a suspicious conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eek!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho noticed me and jumped up, rushing towards me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyunbyul flinched and looked at me with an apologetic expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hyung! It's not my fault! Hyunbyul noona wanted to know about you, and I told her I couldn't tell her!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Hyunbyul, and she avoided my gaze, glaring at Lee Baekho.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You're incorrigible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a cold, emotionless statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, Noona! That's not what I—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you calling me noona?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You told me to call you that—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you really think this is the same as before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho fell silent as Hyunbyul cut him off repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Well, at least he kept my secret.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to intervene...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wait a minute.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why should I defend him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had betrayed me and then run away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I almost let him get away with it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I remembered the humiliation and anger I had felt that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hyunbyul.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My voice was cold and calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyunbyul flinched and replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you leave us alone for a moment? I need to talk to him. We can continue this later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyunbyul left the chat room without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An awkward silence filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at Lee Baekho, and he finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha... Hyung... are you still mad at me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mad? Was that even the right word?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just tell me what you decided.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said you would give me an answer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahaha... about Misha... right...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho scratched his neck awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I wasn't fooled by his act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew how calculating he could be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was putting on a show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've been thinking about it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Surprise! I've decided to give her back! Yay! Clap, clap, clap! What a joyous occasion!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he insane?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I maintained a serious expression. I couldn't let myself be swept up in his act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... hyung... do you believe me now? I was just kidding before! Joke, joke! Just kidding!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on! Are you still mad at me? Let it go! Think of the bigger picture!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't help but sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You sighed! So you're not mad anymore? Right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would sighing mean that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be like that...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had always been weak against this type of person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't just punch him in the face here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop talking nonsense. When are you giving her back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anytime! Should I send her tomorrow?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, now. And don't tell her about what happened between us. Can you do that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yep. I was planning to tell her to visit you anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you stop with that tone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yep? Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, alright. I'll stop. Don't be mad, hyung.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried my best not to get swept up in his act... but it was difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had backed down and offered a compromise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It would have been troublesome if he had refused.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So we're done talking about Misha, right? Can we move on to the next topic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The next topic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes! You said you would listen to my request if I gave Misha back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said I would listen, not that I would agree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's the same thing. What do you have to lose?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's for me to decide. So tell me. What can you do for me if I help you reach the 10th floor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A lot. I've already done a few things for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave him a look, and he said smugly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marquis Terserion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Prime Minister?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. He can't touch you anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...What was he talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>",1694,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","5e2c8464a8856550146a11e5b71d8d5ad449d0b5210b93873ec4256db4ac4e9b","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-470","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-468",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]