[{"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-478":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},1327698,1764,"Chapter 478: Big Fish (1)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-478",478,"\u003Cp>This was my second coming-of-age ceremony as Chieftain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I had already done it once, the ceremony proceeded much more smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No newbies this time, I guess.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of the young warriors acted suspiciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warriors wouldn't have to worry about their bodies being stolen, and the players wouldn't have to suffer as evil spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That damned game needed to disappear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Charon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Chieftain?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bekta, Kiltau's third son? Ah, the one who chose the shield!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. How is he doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, worried about him, are we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just answer the question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's doing well. I heard he did quite well in the labyrinth...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charon, the tribe's gossip king, gave me a detailed report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's like a younger version of you. Just like you went to the 2nd floor on your first expedition, he also went to the 2nd floor with his teammates.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The 2nd floor...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newbie had made good use of the team system and starting items I had introduced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had traded a potion for a torch and cleared the Dark Zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the 2nd floor, he had acted as a tank, protecting his teammates...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He earned quite a bit of money on his first expedition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he was adapting well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't easy, even with game knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I was a little worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'If he keeps showing off, he'll attract the attention of the Secret Police's Evil Spirit Hunters...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, he would be fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was foolish enough to reveal his identity, he wouldn't survive for long anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We should add a torch to the starting items from next month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's a good idea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our conversation ended, and I escorted the young warriors to the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we were walking...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chieftain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charon called out to me, his voice tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... found something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know why those warriors died. You asked me to investigate, didn't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing I had done after returning to the sanctuary was to check on the casualties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven warriors had died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a record-high survival rate of almost 90% for a first expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I wasn't satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had given them potions, shoes, and even formed teams of three or four... and yet three of them had died?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what was the cause of death?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charon's voice was grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems like they were killed by looters. There were reports of barbarian corpses found in the Crystal Cave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to the reports, there were signs of foul play.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had suspected as much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something that didn't make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's strange. They were in teams of four, and yet they were killed by looters? On the 1st floor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought so too, so I investigated further. And...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charon lowered his voice so the young warriors wouldn't hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The price of barbarian hearts has increased significantly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Increased...? What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The standard price set by the Mage Tower has skyrocketed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now I understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The supply of barbarian hearts had decreased, and the demand had increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'With each heart worth millions of stones... it's only natural that some would resort to looting.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was more profitable than exploring the 4th or 5th floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how many potions or teams I gave them,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn't stand against experienced looters who specialized in hunting lower-level explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to the witnesses, most of the bodies showed signs of being ambushed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those bastards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to take action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I escorted the young warriors to the Dimension Plaza and had a guild mage cast the Bonding spell on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't the same mage as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had a mage in our clan now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a low-level spell, but... it's still tiring with this many people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Bersil Gowland.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah... I wasn't trying to take credit...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's fine. You should be proud of your skills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I patted Bersil's shoulder, and Amelia sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...There he goes again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know what she was talking about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel, let's go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the warriors were bonded, we entered the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Entered the 1st-floor Crystal Cave.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crystal Cave. A familiar sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We headed straight for the central Dark Zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...This feels strange. Coming back here...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bersil muttered, looking around the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Erwen wasn't impressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's so strange about it? You just opened a portal and ran away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bersil flinched, but she apologized instead of getting angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made the atmosphere awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't apologize. It wasn't your fault.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Erwen didn't seem to agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was her fault. If she hadn't run away, more people would have survived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had lost her sister in that incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are always consequences for making the wrong choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You're right. And I'm paying the price.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bersil seemed genuinely remorseful, and Erwen didn't press her further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even apologized to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Mister, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh...? It's fine. Don't worry about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? She was surprisingly calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She usually held grudges for much longer...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bjorn! When are we going to fight that monster?! I've been waiting for this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar's excited shout broke the awkward silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Barbarian, you've asked that question countless times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I forgot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S-Sorry...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar had learned her lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she still asked the same question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... when can we fight him? I remember the strategy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia sighed and answered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...On the 7th day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-We have to wait that long?! But we can summon him on the 3rd day!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're saying the same thing you said at the meeting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 1st-floor Floor Lord could be summoned on the 3rd day, as long as there were five or more explorers in the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the spawn rate increased exponentially over time, so it was practically a guaranteed spawn after the first day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'We'll start the summoning ritual on the evening of the 6th day.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, we could guarantee a spawn on the 7th day, the last day of the labyrinth cycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the standard five-man strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... we just wait here until then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar looked bored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could already imagine her complaining about it every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I wasn't worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ainar, don't worry. I have something for you to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh! Really?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar's face lit up, while Amelia tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yandel, what do you mean? I haven't heard anything about this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, she wouldn't have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a plan I had come up with on the way here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can't stay together until the 6th day. You three can rest here. I'll be back soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What are you planning?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia looked suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought I was going to cause trouble again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry. We're just going for a walk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would be removing my expensive equipment first, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would be disguised as a newbie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left the group with Ainar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen had offered to help, but I had politely declined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a simple reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only barbarians could do what I was about to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar and I walked through the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We didn't have a destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already stored my usual equipment in my subspace pocket and put on the barbarian newbie set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pair of boots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cloth backpack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a random iron weapon from the coming-of-age ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Bjorn, do you really think they'll fall for this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar seemed skeptical, even though she had agreed to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're both pretty well-known...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They know our names, not our faces.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're naive! They'll recognize you, even if they don't recognize me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't think so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First impressions were based on appearance and demeanor, not just names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're too old for this... They'll think we're strange.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was worrying too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barbarians all looked old. A few years wouldn't make a difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, the source of my confidence was my own experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all looked excited when I approached them...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gurgle, gurgle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A goblin emerged from a crevice in the crystal wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...it was immediately slain by Ainar's iron sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ainar! What are you doing?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-What?! I just killed a goblin...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked indignant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's the problem! You killed it too easily!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Then what am I supposed to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll show you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found a 9th-grade goblin and demonstrated the proper way to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"G-Gurgle...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a single goblin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused my killing intent on the monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grip tightened on the sword hilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"B-Behel—laaaaa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I roared and swung my sword randomly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goblin dodged easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few more swings, I finally landed a hit and killed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rushed to pick up the magic stone, as if I hadn't eaten in days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See? Can you do that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bjorn... even newbies don't fight that badly... I mean, I—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was arguing with me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just tell me if you can do it or not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll try...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And always shout the war cry. It makes you look more convincing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was shouting our ancestor god's name for a 9th-grade goblin... but Ainar suppressed her embarrassment and followed my instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"B-Behel—la...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her enthusiasm seemed to have waned, but it was good enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That concluded the basic training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was time for the real thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll be doing this from now on. Understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We began exploring the Crystal Cave, fighting 9th-grade monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We avoided other explorers and ate rock bread when we were hungry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Barbarian Fishermen Mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was surprisingly difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a glancing blow could kill a goblin...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I gradually got used to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 1, Day 2...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we hadn't encountered any looters yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They'll be more cautious on the first few days, when there are more explorers around.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 3. Most of the explorers had moved to the upper floors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was our chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble, rumble...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was on watch duty, trying to stay awake, when I finally sensed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four explorers approached us, their footsteps heavy and unhurried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their equipment was decent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'At least 4th floor...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stopped a short distance away, surrounding us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally, we found them. Those two have been running around like crazy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them grinned at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was exactly what I had been thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We finally found you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had finally found each other.\u003C\u002Fp>",1734,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","d8bee9b803e0db74e9b0d14b0fa29d8dc071efda413d29500bf6166b942da09d","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-479","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-477",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]