[{"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-480":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},1327700,1764,"Chapter 480: Big Fish (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-480",480,"\u003Cp>There are two types of people in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who focus on the results, and those who focus on the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm the former.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as the outcome is good, I don't care about the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that sense, the current situation wasn't bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'As long as the Count withdraws his lawsuit, it's a win.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they interfered with our raid and revealed their connection to Count Alminus, it would be enough to force him to back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interfering with an authorized guild raid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a serious offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The raid's success rate was low anyway...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why I had been hoping for this scenario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My strategy almost guaranteed survival, but we often lacked the firepower to land the final blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'If Erwen hadn't absorbed the Riakis essence, I wouldn't have even considered this raid.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, considering all the factors, I estimated our chances of success at around 20%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a risky gamble, but it was better than the alternative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We could always try the raid again later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the lawsuit was a more pressing issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Something in the darkness is watching you.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, I could feel the tension rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The summoning conditions were almost met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't let your guard down. He could appear at any moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We maintained our formation, ready for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had to summon the Floor Lord and make it look like we were actually trying to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They know we're recording this, so they'll probably wait for the most opportune moment.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bersil, is the recording crystal working?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry. I've checked it several times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I briefed my teammates on the plan one more time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Something in the darkness feels hatred towards you.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The probability had increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bjorn... it's getting colder, isn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar was the first to notice the change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was surprisingly sensitive to environmental changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get ready. He'll be here soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My teammates tensed up, gripping their weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after a while...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cave walls shook, and the crystals that had lost their light began to glow crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Special Condition - Five Believers has been met.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dreadfear, the Lord of Terror, tests the faith of the pilgrims.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreadfear, the Lord of Terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 1st-floor Floor Lord, summoned when five or more explorers gathered in a specific location after the 3rd day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His appearance was dramatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark cave was bathed in crimson light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Rising Terror.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The Bonding spell has been deactivated.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bonding spell of those who had met the summoning conditions was deactivated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character's vision is limited to a 2-meter radius.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our vision was restricted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...He's over there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark, red-lit passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squish-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We turned towards the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange, wet sound, like something sticking to the floor and then being pulled away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squish-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our vision was limited to a 2-meter radius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, he appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ugh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bersil gagged, covering her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had a weak stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've heard stories, but... it's truly horrifying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the best illustrators couldn't capture the true horror of these monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squish-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about 5'4\".\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much smaller than Riakis, the Chaos Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreadfear was a humanoid monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squish-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two arms, two legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked upright, wielding a bone greatsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn't mean he looked human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Zombies are also humanoid monsters, technically.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreadfear was similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had the basic shape of a human, but the details were obscured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was covered in maggots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squish-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each step he took produced a sickening sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maggots that fell from his body wriggled on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I understand why explorers avoid this place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Amelia and Erwen, who were usually unfazed by grotesque sights, looked uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Ainar seemed to be enjoying the show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh! That's him? He looks weaker than I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, someone had to be entertained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! What are you all so scared of?! He doesn't even smell that bad!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed inwardly at his naive comment, but then I remembered the stench of the Corpse Golem, and I felt a little better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe misery really did love company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough chatter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squish-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreadfear stopped at the edge of our vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was small, but he exuded a powerful aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I charged at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best way to overcome fear was to face it head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyiieeeeeeek!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared and swung his maggot-covered greatsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Klang-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact was surprisingly powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost as strong as Riakis's attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something more pressing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maggots that fell from his body crawled towards me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'In the game, it was just an aura skill...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has been infected with [Gnawing Terror].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Mental stat continuously decreases.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dreadfear's Rage increases proportionally to the damage received by the character.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maggots crawled on my skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt itchy and painful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My Physical Resistance didn't help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Bersil Gowland has cast the 5th-grade Sun Magic [Holy Flame].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bersil, as instructed, cast a buff on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the key to the 1st phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had recommended the same strategy to the Ghostbusters when they were selling the Dreadfear guide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, there were other options...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...but this was the easiest and most effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When in doubt, burn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Gnawing Terror] has been dispelled.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, that took care of the aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Klang-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blocked Dreadfear's attacks, getting used to his patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giant maggots, the size of human heads, started crawling out of the cave walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the token monsters of the 1st phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't have to worry about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaboom-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar and Bersil, who specialized in AoE attacks, would handle them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So we had two people left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had ordered them to wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emily, where are they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We weren't just fighting Dreadfear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had to observe the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...They're still watching us from a distance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they were waiting for the 1st phase to end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren't sure if we could actually kill him, and...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best time to interfere was later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Erwen, what time is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I checked the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"7:57 PM.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About four hours until the floor closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'If they had waited a little longer...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to move on to the 2nd phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren't planning to interfere in the 1st phase...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And time was of the essence in a Dreadfear raid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He received a buff every five minutes in each phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'In the 1st and 2nd phases, it's every five minutes after he spawns.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ideally, we would skip the first buff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The buffs stacked throughout the raid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emily, keep an eye on them. Erwen, you can start now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We began the raid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We only had one damage dealer, but I wasn't worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen had absorbed a Floor Lord essence. She was on a different level now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Erwen Fornachi di Tersia has summoned [Dicloe, the Dark Spirit King].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I gave the order, Erwen unleashed her ultimate skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took exactly 15 seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Dreadfear's 1st phase to end and the next pattern to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The resentment within Dreadfear awakens.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The echoes of Erwen's attack still lingered in the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maggots that had covered his body fell to the ground, motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we still couldn't see his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black smoke billowed from beneath the maggots, enveloping his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Okay, so the 1st phase is over...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly assessed the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had used about half of her MP in 30 seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Erwen, you can rest now. And keep an eye on the outsiders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sent Erwen to the back to recover her MP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amelia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Amelia took her place...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack, crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maggot corpses on the ground started hatching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyiyeeeeeek!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kihihihi! Kihihihihi!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black smoke emerged from the cracked shells, forming screaming, giggling figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar shrieked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"E-Eek! Bjorn! W-What is that?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, she was afraid of ghosts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh! Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swung her greatsword wildly, but it passed through the smoke harmlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren't monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has been exposed to [Infiltrating Dread].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Mental stat continuously decreases.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Accuracy is greatly reduced, and there is a chance of attacking nearby allies.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura effect of the 2nd phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Erwen, where are they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Still there. They haven't moved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, they had noticed the end of the 1st phase, but they were still waiting...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were planning to skip the 2nd phase too—?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyiyeeeeeek!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has cast [Iron Fortress].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The effect of [Evolved Hide] is increased by 1.5 times.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the 1st phase, I activated [Iron Fortress] and blocked the attack with my sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Klang-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His physical attack power hadn't increased much...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something else I had to tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amelia Rainwales has cast [Abyssal Strength].\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"[Infiltrating Dread] causes Amelia Rainwales's attack to miss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia's dagger, its trajectory distorted by the aura, flew towards me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That damned aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Are you okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm fine, don't worry about me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tank's role was crucial in the 2nd phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was a ranged or melee attack, the aura targeted the closest person to the boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the standard strategy was to have multiple tanks and a healer, focusing on DPS.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had to make do with what we had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel, it's better to disable the aura—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm fine, just keep attacking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored Amelia's concern and stayed close to Dreadfear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't pleasant to be hit by my teammates' attacks... but it couldn't be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior's heart was unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would endure as long as he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Infiltrating Dread] causes Ainar Frenelin's attack to miss.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dreadfear, the Lord of Terror, has cast [Plague Spread].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stayed close to him, dodging his attacks and creating openings for my teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Resentment deepens.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 2nd phase buff activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「All aura effects are permanently enhanced.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five minutes had already passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had to minimize the number of aura buffs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Ability stat continuously decreases.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was getting anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreadfear became more and more difficult the longer the fight dragged on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's a glass cannon.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia and Ainar had been focusing on DPS, ignoring the aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Resentment deepens.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Physical stat continuously decreases.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Resentment deepens.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The decrease is amplified by 50%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Resentment deepens.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dreadfear's Rage increases proportionally to the decrease.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the fourth buff activated, his HP was low enough for us to move on to the next phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a little disappointing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...We should have ended it at the third buff...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our chances of success had decreased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I quickly dismissed the thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The raid wasn't our main objective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyiyeeeeeek!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Dreadfear shrieked in pain...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...the black smoke that had been swirling around him was sucked back into his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The hatred within Dreadfear awakens.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 3rd phase began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister! They're moving!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the fish had taken the bait.\u003C\u002Fp>",1814,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","584276d333dd65a6817d5e9f6aab6e76b08b42aa5311596097a4fadb6a1aebf5","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-481","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-479",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]