[{"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-481":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},1327701,1764,"Chapter 481: Big Fish (4)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-481",481,"\u003Cp>There were six of them, the perverts peeping on our raid from afar. They were spread out along the passage leading to the monument…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Alright, it’s starting.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, there was only one objective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Find proof that they were trying to sabotage us. And if possible, prove that they were working for Count Alminus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Erwen reported that they were moving, a white smoke filled the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character is within the area of effect of [Veil of Betrayal].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura of the third phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The effects were simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Continuously decreases character’s Ability Power.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Continuously decreases character’s Physical stats.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The decrease is amplified by 50%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dreadfear’s Rage increases proportionally to the decrease.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition to the enhanced bonuses from the previous phase, a few new lines were added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character enters Stealth mode.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All characters within the aura entered Stealth mode and couldn’t see each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「All communication is blocked.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Communication was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Damage against non-monster targets is increased by 5 times, ignoring all Resistance stats.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a huge risk of friendly fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyiyeeeeeek!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This aura alone made normal team play impossible in the 3rd phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could you raid when you couldn’t even see your teammates?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you accidentally hit an ally with an attack skill, it would be a disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 3rd phase strategy was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I roared, even though no one could hear me, and charged towards Dreadfear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only we couldn’t see each other. Dreadfear wasn’t affected by the Stealth effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tanks would hold aggro in their designated positions, and the priests would spam AoE heals until the aura dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the standard strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, we didn’t have any priests, and I was the only tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But that’s the advantage of a Shield Barbarian.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could solo tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was an unexpected benefit to solo tanking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dreadfear, the Lord of Terror, has cast [Shell Game].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character is teleported to a random location.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he used his Shell Game, I could just run back and hold aggro again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It minimized the chances of the tanks making a mistake…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Are the others doing okay…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I trusted my teammates, but I was also wary of the saboteurs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would they do in the 3rd phase?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would definitely try to take advantage of the chaos and attack us while we were blinded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I was the most likely target, since my position was always fixed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But I haven’t heard anything yet… so they must be doing okay?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t be complacent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would see the outcome soon enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I focused on Dreadfear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Solo tanking was possible in theory, but it wasn’t easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still a Floor Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a growth-type one at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character’s Mental Power decrease has reached its maximum.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Status effect [Terror] applied.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first debuff activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump, thump, thump, thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart pounded in my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling fear crept up my spine, and stress overwhelmed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my Mental Power was high enough to prevent me from losing control and running away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is Erwen okay…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was a little worried, but I had to focus on myself first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second debuff was the real problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character’s Ability Power decrease has reached its maximum.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Status effect [Lethargy] applied.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lethargy, one of the thousands of status effects in the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It prevented MP regeneration and interrupted active skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those that were already active.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Gigantification] deactivated.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Iron Fortress] deactivated.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the interrupted skills had cooldowns, making it a very troublesome status effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third debuff was just as bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character’s Physical stats decrease has reached its maximum.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Status effect [Exhaustion] applied.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All Physical stats were reduced by 30%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stamina was fixed at its minimum value, and all actions consumed MP instead of stamina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The debuffs were stacking, making the fight more and more difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, I couldn't match his strength anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the worst was yet to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dreadfear’s Rage has reached its maximum.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreadfear's Rage gauge, which he had been steadily filling since the 1st phase…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dreadfear’s damage is doubled.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…had finally reached its maximum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attacks, which had been barely manageable, were now terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I could still endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The [Terror] debuff hadn't completely incapacitated me, and I could reactivate my skills after their cooldowns ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I could recover my MP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has cast [Soul Dive].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Soul Power is regenerated proportionally to the amount consumed.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, I could solo tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kyiyeeeeeek!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreadfear shrieked in frustration as I continued to hold aggro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ttak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard a sound behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a faint sound, something I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been constantly scanning my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body reacted before my mind could process the information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puk-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp pain shot through my back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a minor injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my experience as a tank told me...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'At least it didn't hit any vital organs.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was barely a scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn't mean I would let them get away with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swung my hammer blindly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't hear any sounds because of the aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a satisfying impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The light of trust dispels the darkness of fear.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Veil of Betrayal] temporarily deactivated.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bright light filled the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ugh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to check the catch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key to the 3rd phase was the tank and the healer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they could endure long enough, the [Veil of Betrayal] would dissipate, giving the damage dealers a chance to attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dreadfear, the Lord of Terror, has cast [Protective Shell].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the aura dissipated, Dreadfear retreated into a protective shell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a groggy state, and the standard strategy was to unleash all your attacks during this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned around and assessed the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen, Amelia, Bersil, Ainar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My teammates were all fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Three… two each…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three mangled corpses in the three passages Erwen had been guarding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And one captive and one corpse in the two passages Amelia had been guarding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, we were supposed to capture them alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Erwen killed them all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the state of the bodies, she hadn’t even tried to capture them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I wouldn’t reprimand her now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We didn’t have time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t look well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes were unfocused, as if she was in a trance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…It must be the [Terror] debuff.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the others seemed fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the one who let him escape, Barbarian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia glared at Ainar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…S-Sorry! I was trying to capture him alive…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar, who had been guarding one of the three passages leading to the monument, apologized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Amelia wasn’t going to let her off the hook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s so easy for you barbarians, isn’t it? Just apologize, and everything’s fine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar was confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was used to apologizing for everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was also surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t expect Amelia to be this angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your mistake could have gotten Yandel killed. Do you even—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I intervened and calmed Amelia down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She understands. Let it go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…We’ll talk about this later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia didn’t argue and backed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to check the captives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bersil, check on Erwen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Yes…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sent Bersil to check on Erwen, and then I assessed the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had captured two saboteurs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one Amelia had captured was completely restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were covered with a blindfold, and his mouth was gagged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered what she had done to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the second one…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…was the one who had attacked me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face, covered by a mask, was stained with blood. He must have been hit by my hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Uh… Uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at me, his eyes filled with fear, and started crawling backwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did he think he was going?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I approached him and hit him four times with my hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need his limbs to talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack, crack, crack, crack-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, Amelia would handle the interrogation...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't need to crush his limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amelia, take them and leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Are you really going to continue the raid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't have a choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We couldn't escape from Dreadfear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the special condition wouldn't activate if the captives were within range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the best option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Well... the chances of success are slim.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe 5%?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already received the fourth buff in the 2nd phase, and we hadn't even been able to properly attack him during the groggy state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's practically a failed raid.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we had a backup plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Amelia succeeded in the interrogation, it would be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel, be careful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See you outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sent Amelia away before the aura reactivated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then the light in the cave vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The darkness of fear consumes the light.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Veil of Betrayal] reactivated.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to continue the raid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A passage near the Great Sage Monument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia placed a torch on a stand and began the interrogation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She put on a pair of white gloves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And arranged her tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She checked the captive's belongings, looking for anything that might be useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She used to hate this kind of work... but not today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's a good thing.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was surprisingly soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sometimes, you needed someone to do this kind of work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... won't hear... anything...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, his limbs crushed, muttered something, but she ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no reason to let him know she could understand him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...He's terrified.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew from experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ones who talked the most were the ones who were the most scared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other captive hadn't made a sound since the interrogation began, but this one was screaming and struggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't ask any questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just continued the 'interrogation'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after a while...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...T-Tell me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a sign that he was close to his breaking point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia began her questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he married?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he have any children?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the last meal he had eaten before entering the labyrinth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He started answering her trivial questions, his defenses slowly crumbling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't hurt to talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia gradually increased the intensity of her questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's your name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Delbein...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flinched as she heard his answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hans Delbein...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wait a minute... Hans...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the name that made him so agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name he had said was like a plague, something to be avoided at all costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She found his superstitious beliefs endearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Is this okay?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt a sense of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>",1759,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","fe28f0030865a7cb051a6700423e5b0ddd2e5ade12e5bd0aa957f93a1d31b31f","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-482","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-480",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]