[{"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-470":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},1327690,1764,"Chapter 470: Friend or Foe (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-470",470,"\u003Cp>Marquis Terserion. The Prime Minister of Lafdonia and the second most powerful person in the kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a constant source of anxiety for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was the one who had tricked me into leading the suicide mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must see me as a thorn in his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And there were so many things I didn't understand about his actions...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My promotion, for example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could have easily blocked it if he wanted to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it had been approved without any resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the fact that he had suggested the Evil Spirit Integration Policy to Ragna was also suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll keep it brief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho's explanation cleared up some of my questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reason Marquis Terserion announced that Bjorn Yandel was an evil spirit and then suggested the Integration Policy... was because of me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho had used my reputation to promote the integration of evil spirits into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a ridiculous plan, but also a plausible one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ragna's perception of me had changed because of it. She had become a genuine supporter of the policy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was the perfect symbol for his cause. A living example of a 'good' evil spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you so obsessed with integrating evil spirits?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because the players need to gain more influence if we want to overthrow the royal family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho's goal was to overthrow the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed that reaching the 10th floor required dismantling the current power structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what about the Marquis? Why would he agree to your demands?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I blackmailed him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Blackmailed him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. His son is also a player.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That surprised me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that's why he had been so willing to use the royal family's name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had leverage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'A noble from birth? Talk about unbalanced...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The players who started in Noark would be furious if they heard about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn't my concern right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Marquis agreed to my demands to protect his son.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had chosen to protect his son rather than risk his family's reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He needed time. He didn't have any other heirs. If his son disappeared, the entire family would be in turmoil.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sure his relatives would be calculating their chances of inheriting the title.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. No one would try to assassinate him, but his faction would be weakened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But wouldn't it be better to just give the title to another relative than to risk it all for an evil spirit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you, he needed time. He's been working tirelessly to find a solution, hasn't he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't need to know that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made me uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was old enough to be my grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this his last hurrah?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Maybe Ragna was also part of his plan B...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was thinking that, Lee Baekho suddenly apologized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, I'm sorry, hyung. The Marquis probably sent you on that expedition because of me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What are you talking about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you returned alive and proved that you weren't an evil spirit, it would have disrupted my plans for the Integration Policy. So he wanted to eliminate you. Quietly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his plan had failed, and I had returned alive, declaring my innocence in front of everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He contacted me after that, saying he had no choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho had accepted the situation and decided to remove me from his plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was no longer a useful pawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He asked me if I could kill you. He said you would become a problem later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a chill run down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been plotting against me from the moment I returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told him I would think about it. His offer was quite tempting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that why you said you were glad I was alive?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahaha... You're sharp.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...I had almost died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without even realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now that I know you're my hyung, I told him I wouldn't do it. And I told him to leave you alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... I've paid my dues, haven't I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least until he found a solution for his son, the Marquis wouldn't dare harm me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I guess that's one less thing to worry about...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an unexpected gain, but I remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So? What else can you do for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Showing satisfaction would only weaken my bargaining position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho then listed the other ways he could help me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they were mostly empty promises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you have anyone you want dead, just tell me. I'll take care of them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? Then kill the Marquis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, that's a bit... He can be resurrected by the royal palace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Resurrected? What are you talking about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, you don't know about that. It wasn't in the game, was it? Anyway, there's a royal treasure that can resurrect people. And the Marquis has it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what about Count Alminus?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's always with that Dragonkin, so it's difficult. He's a tank...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was he even talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had sounded so confident...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So who can you actually kill?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked patiently, and Lee Baekho suddenly looked down and mumbled,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean, it's not my fault... Why are you always asking about such difficult targets...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his meekness didn't last long. He quickly recovered and said cheerfully,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah! Then how about this? You're planning a Dreadfear raid, right? I can help you with that—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It'll attract too much attention. I don't want people to know about our connection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh... we can just use disguises.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. I can handle it myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like I had to be more direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about money?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How much do you need?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About a billion stones.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"T-That's a bit... even I don't have that much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then 500 million?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm a little short on cash right now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...100 million.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I've had a lot of expenses lately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? He was poorer than me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then give me some equipment. What Numbered Items do you have?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh... they're all core items, so I can't give those away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was he even trying to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No money, no equipment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Baekho, do you know what a damp squib is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho didn't answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about essences? You can farm some for me. Bellarios, for example.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hyung... that's a war zone...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Baekho, you always find excuses, don't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Alright! I'll do it! I'll start farming next time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, he could do it if he wanted to. Why was he acting so weak?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I didn't expect to skip the Bellarios grind so easily.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a decent reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time for the next topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Baekho, I have a few questions for you. Will you answer them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes! Anything!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did you figure out that I was Bjorn Yandel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That? Thanks to the GM. He summoned me as soon as my ban was lifted. He said you blackmailed him into unbanning me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the... Seriously?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was shocked. I didn't know you were that strong. So I pretended to be on your side and asked him about you, and he started spilling information.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM had lived up to his reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He said you were using a Lion mask at the Round Table.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had revealed my identity at the Round Table...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That wasn't a problem. But then he asked me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...and then he had revealed the crucial piece of information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He asked why you hadn't been online for over two years. He asked if we were plotting something together...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's when I knew.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't surprising that he had figured it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My long absence from the community coincided with Bjorn Yandel's disappearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the other Round Table members had suspected me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't want to hear any more about the GM, so I moved on to the next question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened between you and the Ruin Scholar when the fire broke out in the Imperial City? You both disappeared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been curious about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had they become companions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing much. He told me he was an otherworldly evil spirit, that his goal was to open the Gate of the Abyss, and that he wanted to work with me. I needed a mage, so I agreed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to sound nonchalant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like Lee Baekho had sensed my lie before,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel it instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. I was worried because he was old and missing a few teeth, but he's quite skilled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, is that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...was lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A skilled liar hides the lie within the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was true, most of what Lee Baekho had said was probably true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My future plans? They're simple! We'll join forces and take down the royal family and the labyrinth! Ah, just kidding. What I'm actually planning is—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked him a random question, and while he was answering, I analyzed his previous statements one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[He told me he was an otherworldly evil spirit.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a known fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[His goal was to open the Gate of the Abyss.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was also true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[He wanted to work with me.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had probably asked for his cooperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I needed a mage, so I agreed.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only part that didn't add up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho hadn't teamed up with the Ruin Scholar because he needed a mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was another reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he had hidden it from me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Because it's something he can't tell me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had almost let my guard down, charmed by his seemingly naive demeanor... but I was now wary of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho was a dangerous opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What else is he hiding?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had given me very little in return for my information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had reluctantly agreed to farm Bellarios essences, and he had promised to return Misha... but that was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...He's clearly hiding something. Is he really trying to help me?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't be sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The royal family is the biggest obstacle. The players are still hiding, so it's difficult to gather them. We need to bring them out into the open—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Lee Baekho my friend, or my foe?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, it was time for Lee Baekho to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still had the one-hour logout restriction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hyung, can you ask the GM about the time limit? He must have taken the early version pill too. Ask him if there's a way to increase the time limit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay. See you later!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't had a chance to ask him about the Record Stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn't a big deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things were going smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could ask him about it later, after getting Misha back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oppa, how did it go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Lee Baekho left, Hyunbyul returned, and we chatted for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It went well, thanks to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't get too close to him. He's not trustworthy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That's good. I was testing you, by the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Testing me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. He was acting like he knew your identity, so I wanted to see how tight-lipped you were. He didn't say anything in the end, though.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to believe that had been her intention, but I didn't have any proof to the contrary, so I just let it go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after a while...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hyunbyul, I'm leaving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're leaving early again...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Round Table always started at this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See you later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left the chat room and entered the Round Table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I put on my navy blue suit and my Lion mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all the preparation I needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked through the empty hallway towards the main room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! Fox, it's been a while!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I arrived, there were three unfamiliar masks in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, you're Lion? Nice to meet you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...three new members.\u003C\u002Fp>",1970,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","ccf045eaa55382445533c886f62dd705bc706d2d094609766b32cb19d27cd84f","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-471","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-469",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]