[{"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-476":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},1327696,1764,"Chapter 476: Of Men and Women (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-476",476,"\u003Cp>Baron of Lafdonia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hero of the Explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New Chieftain of the Barbarians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leader of Clan Anabada.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All these titles referred to one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bjorn Yandel, the Giant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's... really alive...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha Carlstain clenched her fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had gone to the city at dawn and asked around. Lee Baekho's words had been true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mixture of emotions washed over her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joy, sadness, relief, and a sense of emptiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had Bjorn Yandel faked his death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And deceived her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he hadn't...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wouldn't have had to spend the past few years with those criminals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook her head, dismissing the thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There must have been a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bjorn Yandel wasn't that kind of person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would trust him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until she heard his explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes, that's right...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She muttered to herself and headed towards Bjorn's address.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the house was empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He... moved...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why now, of all times?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She found a nearby inn and stayed the night. The next morning, she asked around again and finally found his new address.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commelby...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had talked about moving to the city center someday...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This is his house...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood in front of the house, but she couldn't bring herself to knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How would Bjorn react when he saw her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if he wasn't happy to see her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had heard he was living with that fairy and Emily Raines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Emily Raines... the one from Parune Island.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was their relationship?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had they become companions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were the rumors about them true?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anxiety gnawed at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha Carlstain spent the entire day wandering around the house, occasionally peeking inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'At least I saw him...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had seen Bjorn return late at night, but she hadn't been able to talk to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had looked tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Yes, that's the reason. Nothing else...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would come back tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the same thing happened the next day. Bjorn left early in the morning and returned late at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could have talked to him, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have a good day, Mister!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I wish you were staying for dinner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women would see Bjorn off in the morning, and he would scold them for coming all the way to the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She finally understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's... okay.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bjorn Yandel's life hadn't changed much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, two days, three days, four days...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued to watch him from afar, occasionally using her ability to conceal her presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women were sensitive to presences, and she almost got caught a few times. But she hadn't entered the house, so she had managed to avoid detection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she gradually became bolder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She moved from the street to the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And from the window to the backyard wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She watched them, hidden in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And one day...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A magic circle appeared, and Bjorn returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked about the changes in the backyard, and the two women answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...? It just... happened. It looks a little crude, but... we didn't have a choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We couldn't let one person have it all, so we decided to share.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they really talking about the backyard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha didn't think too much about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They went to the kitchen, and the mysterious man prepared a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is it? Does it suit your taste?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's perfect. Just the right amount of seasoning. And plenty of meat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He always complained about my cooking being bland...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ladies instructed me to always prepare extra, in case you came home hungry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ladies?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were the rumors true?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bjorn didn't say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't deny or confirm it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had also been misunderstood while living with him, but he had always denied the rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister, you don't have anything scheduled for today, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal, they went to the garden and chatted over tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The backyard, divided into a training ground and a garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A round table with three chairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...They're too close.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn't stay here any longer. She would be discovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She carefully moved towards the wall, trying to avoid making any noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she moved away from them, a single thought kept repeating in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had accepted Lee Baekho's offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And waited for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would she be sitting there with them now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just wondering what it would be like to have a family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no room for her here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's what she had decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two figures charged at her from both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been too distracted to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Eek?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she came to, she was kneeling on the ground, her arms pinned behind her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been caught spying on her former teammates... or rather, her ex-boyfriend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could she possibly say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahaha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She chuckled awkwardly and tried to greet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-It's been a while... Bjorn... Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bit her tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a terrible reunion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A room on the second floor, overlooking the backyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman stood by the window, nervously biting her nails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why is she back now...? After abandoning him...? And she's trying to... steal him away from me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her muttered words revealed her anxiety. Amelia, who had been watching her, finally spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I can't hear her. She's using a magic tool... Is there anything we can do...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we should—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bjorn won't like it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen immediately shut her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she continued to bite her nails, staring out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia, unable to stand it any longer, asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why don't you do something about it? You've been passive for too long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen turned and glared at Amelia. Her eyes were cold and sharp, but Amelia just shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Am I wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Erwen looked like she was about to lose it, she wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize her relationship with Bjorn Yandel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath that prickly exterior was a scared, insecure girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen didn't answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She avoided the question and remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I don't usually meddle in other people's business, but...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can't just leave her like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia walked over to the window and sat down next to Erwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then she asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tersia, what kind of relationship do you want with Yandel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen didn't answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, Amelia would have just given up... but she persisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If things continue like this, nothing will change, even if Misha Carlstain returns.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want to be in a romantic relationship with him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Erwen answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Is that... wrong...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a typical response from someone who lacked confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't say it was wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Then what are you trying to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cornered coward became aggressive, and Amelia took a step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm just curious. Why haven't you expressed your feelings?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know, don't you? Yandel is oblivious. He's too busy thinking to notice anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So tell me. Maybe I can help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ha! You? Helping me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen scoffed and then asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about you...? What kind of relationship do you want with him...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a sensitive topic, but Amelia answered honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm happy with the way things are. I'm already having fun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't mind Erwen's childish tantrums or the fact that she always had to clean up after Yandel's messes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like Yandel said, this is what it's like to have a family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen was speechless. The coldness in her eyes had vanished, replaced by confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Tell me... what should I do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her prickly exterior had finally cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia smiled gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Wait?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He'll run away if you approach him now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hunter had to corner their prey before making a move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia calmly explained the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel probably thinks you're not thinking straight. He thinks your feelings are just a temporary infatuation. That's why he's avoiding you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was one more thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He doesn't want to ruin your current relationship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fairy and the barbarian were similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They both hid their insecurities behind a tough exterior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you have to wait. If you approach him now, he'll just make excuses and run away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Until he thinks you're over it. Until he thinks you're thinking rationally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When that happened, he would finally face her feelings head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, you can't just wait. You have to nurture your relationship in the meantime.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...How?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop using honorifics.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia then gave her some advice on romantic relationships, and Erwen listened intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her advice was surprisingly effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It all made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tying his tie for him...? That's...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen looked at Amelia with a newfound respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you... been in a relationship before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen frowned, her trust wavering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, then how do you know all this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia chuckled awkwardly and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I read it in a book.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten days after meeting Lee Baekho,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finally reunited with Misha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I never imagined it would be like this...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let Amelia and Misha inside and activated a portable sound barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't want Erwen to overhear our conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An awkward silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't a heartwarming reunion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My muscles tensed, and my neck felt stiff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why is this so awkward?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your hair... it's long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah... this...? Yeah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't much of a conversation starter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I continued, trying to break the ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't think I've ever seen you with your hair tied back like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I used to do it all the time when I was cooking... Ah, I mean... I did...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her usual awkwardness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled, feeling more relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just speak normally. It's not like we're strangers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... I really did fix it... while you were gone...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Fix it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes... I still... revert sometimes when I'm nervous... But I've fixed it... mostly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she was nervous too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A-Anyway, now that we've greeted each other, I-I have to go—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn't she understand the situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are you going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a step forward and grabbed her wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...She's so thin.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn't escape now, unless she had a Blink skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she learned one while I was gone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't be sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Misha Carlstain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at her and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're not going anywhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1756,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","2016db54100931b074cad9c397e4b16ec6e188816772edf8a6e6b5ff08b75841","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-477","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-475",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]