[{"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-471":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},1327691,1764,"Chapter 471: Friend or Foe (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-471",471,"\u003Cp>Fox, Goblin, Clown, Queen, Stag Antlers, Crescent Moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And me. The seven members who had maintained the Round Table for so long now had new company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, you're Lion? Nice to meet you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Wolf mask with a boisterous voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black mask with no distinguishing features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a Butterfly mask with a youthful voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I looked around, Fox helpfully explained the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! I've been busy since the Master disappeared, but I finally remembered this place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, I thought you were dead. You're surprisingly resilient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aha! Clown's venom is as potent as ever!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, so Wolf was a returning member.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave Fox a look, and she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These two... I'm meeting them for the first time today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Black Mask and Butterfly were newbies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could trust Fox's judgment. She had been at the Round Table the longest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something else that bothered me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Newbies at this point in time...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last newbie had been Queen, who had joined without an invitation, thanks to the GM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had received an invitation from the 'Master' in years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyway, it's fate that brought us together, so let's introduce ourselves! I've already met Queen...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wolf extended his hand for a handshake, but I ignored him and went to my seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! Right! Introductions aren't that important!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wolf awkwardly returned to his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black Mask remained silent, showing no interest in me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ahem...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly Mask coughed awkwardly and avoided my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed, signaling the start of the gathering. A strange silence filled the room. The existing members were also surprised by the sudden appearance of the newbies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goblin's nervous gulp echoed through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that Lion's here, shall we continue our conversation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen, sensing the awkward atmosphere, spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We know about Wolf, but I'm curious how these two got here. Butterfly, and... what should I call you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black Mask answered curtly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Black.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a low voice, but definitely a woman's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Black... Alright. So, Black and Butterfly, how did you get here? Did you meet the 'Master'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ehehe...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly giggled awkwardly, while Black Mask replied coldly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why should I answer that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly chimed in,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, Black's right. Asking about each other's identities is against the rules... isn't it? Hee.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She giggled again, not holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just because you're wearing a Queen mask doesn't mean you're a real queen, you know. Hehe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What did you say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh? Nothing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen's face flushed red, and she glared at Butterfly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an interesting scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wow... she's not as naive as she looks.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the other members seemed to agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clown burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! That's a good one! We have an interesting new member!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like Butterfly and Clown were on the same wavelength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Do all frivolous people get along?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't understand their world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a word of advice, you only need to be careful what you say to Lion here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren't you going to ask why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's obvious, isn't it...? He looks dangerous...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly glanced at Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could almost hear her unspoken words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Unlike you.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen scoffed, seemingly offended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly ignored her and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So when are we starting...? I've been looking forward to this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other members looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were waiting for my approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were asking if I was okay with the newbies joining the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I didn't have the authority to kick them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This should be interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was curious too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who were these new members?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! I'm excited. It's been a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehehe... So who goes first? I'm a little nervous...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered who they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wolf, a returning member.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black Mask, shrouded in secrecy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly, with her innocent demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three of them were suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wolf was less suspicious than the other two, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'A returning member after all these years...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't a coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't seem interested in the Master's whereabouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, Wolf, you're back after all these years, but you're not curious about the Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen, thinking along the same lines, asked Wolf directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! He's probably doing well, wherever he is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, is that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Shouldn't we decide on the order first? Ah, by the way, I don't want to go first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was acting suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like Auril Gabis had sent him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Black Mask and Butterfly are the most likely candidates.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There weren't many ways for newbies to join the Round Table anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either they were invited by the GM, like Queen... or they had an old invitation code, like me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Or maybe Queen brought them in and is pretending not to know them.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was all speculation for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's just go with the traditional order. Wolf goes first, next to Lion. Pfft.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would observe them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until they made a mistake and revealed their true intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Traditional order? What are you talking about? We didn't have that before—?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wolf, things have changed while you were gone. If you don't like it, you can leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clown's blunt words made Wolf hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, you can't leave, can you? So you're not just a casual visitor? Did someone tell you about this place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clown was also trying to extract information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! It's good to see you all again. I can't just leave now. And it's not that difficult to go first. I should adapt to the new rules.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wolf laughed heartily and began his turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, here goes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I came back because I recently learned something shocking. But I didn't have anyone to share it with—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wolf, you talk too much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clown cut him off, urging him to get to the point, and Wolf chuckled awkwardly, clearing his throat. Then he lowered his voice and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Master of the Round Table is Auril Gabis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange silence filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't that shocking? The one who brought us together, the one who shared his knowledge with us... is the creator of [Dungeon and Stone]—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen had revealed the same information last month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wolf flinched as the jewel glowed red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why? Because most of us already know. Did you forget the rules while you were gone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Try again. Something more interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clown, who had been shocked by the same information last month, was now mocking him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It proved that Wolf wasn't connected to the existing members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn't have revealed old information if he had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Well, it could be an act...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew... Alright, one more time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wolf sighed and tried again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The royal family is responsible for summoning players to this world. And Auril Gabis's goal is to help them escape.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, waiting for the jewel to light up. As soon as the green light appeared, he continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... what do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had openly connected himself to Auril Gabis...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Are you sure about the royal family? Is that reliable information?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...and the information itself was shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many rumors among the players, but no one had ever claimed that the royal family was responsible for summoning us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn't have a motive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would the royal family summon us and then try to kill us as evil spirits? It doesn't make sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wolf's answer to Stag Antlers' question was firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't reveal the details, but trust me. It's a reliable source.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, did you hear that from the King himself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clown tried to provoke him, but it didn't work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're curious, ask me next round.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, so... next turn?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fox went next and shared some information about the war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't pay much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew most of it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The royal family is behind this...?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...and I was still thinking about Wolf's claim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'How much of it can I trust?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jewel had glowed green...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn't mean it was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a loophole in the Round Table system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the speaker believed their information was true, the jewel would glow green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It could be misinformation.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the question became: How did Wolf come to believe this false information?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn't important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why did he reveal this information at the Round Table?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was in the information itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He wants the players to turn against the royal family.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who would benefit the most from this information...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Auril Gabis gave Wolf this misinformation and sent him here.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...was that too far-fetched?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know, but I decided to clear my head and focus on the present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It's your turn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fox, Goblin, Crescent Moon, and Stag Antlers had all finished their turns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time for the newbies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Black.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was also suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are other ways to return to Earth, besides opening the Gate of the Abyss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black Mask's short statement earned her a green light. The other members bombarded her with questions, but she remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Other ways to return to Earth.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was one possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'She's probably talking about dimensional magic...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had learned about dimensional magic from the Ruin Scholar 20 years ago. He had been researching it, hoping to return to his homeworld. He had even made some progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe that's why Lee Baekho had teamed up with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something else that bothered me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Black Mask... could she be Lee Baekho's spy?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was plenty of evidence to support that theory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho knew about dimensional magic, and he had an extra invitation code.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And he has a motive. He's curious about me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It's your turn, Queen. Pfft.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen, who usually competed with Clown by revealing high-quality information, shared some generic political news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was interesting, but it was clear that she was just trying to get her turn over with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hehe, it's my turn?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly's turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The royal family can intentionally trigger a dimensional collapse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, the newbies were revealing more impactful information than the veterans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So the rumors were true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members were shocked, but no one questioned the information's validity or source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all seemed to believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they knew that asking wouldn't get them an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, it's my turn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clown's turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Noark has begun their conquest of the 9th floor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was valuable information, giving the veterans a chance to save face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was approved without any objections, and then all eyes turned to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was my turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already decided what to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Of course, I feel remorse. I feel responsible. I'll probably carry this burden for the rest of my life and atone for my sins.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I remembered Auril Gabis's words and focused my emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Wolf and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the royal family was really behind this or not,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke with conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Auril Gabis is the players' enemy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jewel glowed green, confirming my belief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reaction was immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Lion, do you have any evidence to support that claim?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wolf cautiously challenged me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I wasn't worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't know what had happened while he was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Pfft, it must be true. Lion said so.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the green light and my reputation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would take a mountain of evidence to refute my claim.\u003C\u002Fp>",1898,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","4b18c713f7e0aa7b3e6dc73eeff835e568a46d6ec55b36be610999a2eb3654d5","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-472","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-470",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]