[{"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-485":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},1327705,1764,"Chapter 485: Pilgrim (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-485",485,"\u003Cp>Crack! Crack! Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I carved a path through the Imperial soldiers, advancing through the passage. The closer I got to the central area, the more soldiers there were, but the battles became easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had Bersil for healing, and my stats were continuously increasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, my stats were probably comparable to when I was exploring the 3rd floor…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has entered the Pilgrim’s Altar.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A purple fog swirled around the central area as Bersil and I arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be careful. Anything could happen from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few steps into the fog…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber where we had been raiding Dreadfear appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly assessed the terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber was empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in place of the monument, a large statue, over four meters tall, stood in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yandel, that’s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Witch’s Altar, probably.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like we had come to the right place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming that there was no one else around, I approached the statue and examined it carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bersil, do you recognize this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I don’t. The Witch in the books didn’t look like this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, they had to portray her as an evil being in the books.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right… I guess so… Then is this really what she looked like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t sure, but it seemed likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statue looked exactly like the girl I had briefly encountered after defeating Riakis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She looks… so young…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bersil reached out to touch the statue, as if in a trance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop. Something might happen if you touch it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, okay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bersil flinched and withdrew her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she asked cautiously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What are we going to do now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to investigate further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I examined the statue without touching it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was an inscription on the pedestal, but I couldn’t decipher it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ancient languages aren’t my specialty…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, Raven could read ancient languages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were pureblood mages inherently more knowledgeable than players?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a shame. It might have given us some clues—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to say that when…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One star, one sun, one moon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice echoed from behind us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On this land we look upon, all are equal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned around and saw a middle-aged man in knight’s armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will look up to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, he looked strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he the boss?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hoped he wasn’t an Aura user.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it disgusting? To think that filthy monsters are equal to us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hid Bersil behind me and raised my shield, and the knight chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I suppose it’s different for you. If you had any true convictions, you wouldn’t have betrayed humanity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made a strange sign of the cross, unlike any I had seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I, Argarsil Dreadfear, swear. By the Imperial Sword that protects this world, I will eliminate all pilgrims.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew his sword, its blade gleaming with a white aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Holy shit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this even balanced?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I saw the aura, my heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'There's no way I can win this in a normal fight.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no doubt about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with my boosted stats, I couldn't stand against a knight who could use Aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would bisect me before I could even get close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...That's why I have to find it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of despairing, I started thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I defeat him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'There has to be a way.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Dungeon and Stone] was a cruel game, but it wasn't unfair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had given me an opponent like this with my stats and skills sealed, there had to be a way to defeat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Think.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I calmly analyzed the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Argarsil Dreadfear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was definitely the boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then how could I defeat him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Leveling up isn't the answer.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would take too long to grind my stats by killing Imperial soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reaching a certain level, I had to kill ten soldiers to gain a single stat point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even if I hunted for days, I wouldn't be able to reach his level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Then... the altar?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at the Witch's statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe activating the altar would trigger an event that would help me defeat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But how do I activate it?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a step back and approached the statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached out and touched it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There must be a condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's an altar... so I have to offer something?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was thinking that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bring the captured pilgrims.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a voice answered from the fog,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Centurion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a disciplined response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of soldiers emerged from the fog, surrounding two captured women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Mister!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"B-Bjorn...! D-Did you come to save us...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they had been captured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had thought Erwen would be able to avoid detection...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was relieved that they were still alive, and I quickly analyzed the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...This seems to be part of the scenario.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen and Ainar had been captured, but they were still alive and had reached the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it a coincidence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like reuniting at the altar was part of the event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight kicked Erwen and Ainar, sending them flying towards us. Bersil quickly untied them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Th-Thank you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen apologized, and Ainar thanked Bersil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Bersil, they both had weapons and armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen had a dagger, and Ainar had a greatsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They didn't even confiscate their weapons...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the meaning of this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just wanted to see something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How strong your convictions are. You, who betrayed the Empire and the world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at us and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill each other. Before the Witch you serve.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he think he was some kind of demon lord?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, Dreadfear, promise you this. Those who prove their loyalty by slaying a fellow pilgrim will be absolved of all their sins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a twisted boss fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of soldiers surrounded us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Dreadfear, his sword drawn, stood before them, his eyes filled with arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment of silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of my companions were tempted by his offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can we trust you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"B-Bjorn?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainar looked at me, dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn't help it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed more time to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can you trust me...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreadfear chuckled, amused by my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Believe me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't a persuasive argument, nor did he provide any evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Centurion Dreadfear has cast [Persuasion].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Target's Trust greatly increases.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So his offer wasn't a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those who abandon the Witch will be spared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that was how we could survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a troublesome situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn't worried about my teammates betraying me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wouldn't do that, even if they could survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'If he's giving us an easy way out, it means the normal strategy is incredibly difficult...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could we all survive without sacrificing each other?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're having trouble deciding, I'll make it easier for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Centurion Dreadfear has cast [Ownership Revocation].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character is immobilized.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body froze as soon as our eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't move, no matter how hard I tried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...He's not meant to be fought directly.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had suspected it when I saw his Aura, but this was ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He approached us and stabbed me in the stomach with his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puk-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't a deep wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would heal with a potion, but the bleeding would be a problem if left untreated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then stabbed the other three as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that was what he meant by 'making it easier'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's your choice now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A painful death, or survival. I'm curious to see how strong your convictions are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed confident that one of us would betray the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump, thump, thump, thump—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When faced with death, people's minds raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had seen it countless times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ainar and Erwen are trustworthy... but...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What about Bersil?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a player, and we hadn't known each other for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could I really trust her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...No.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gritted my teeth and dismissed the thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was exactly what he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wouldn't have even considered it if I hadn't been in this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Think.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I closed my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't move anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To clear [Dungeon and Stone], you had to understand the developer's intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's forcing us to betray each other after we've reunited.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That seemed to be the fixed scenario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boss was too strong to be defeated in a normal fight, so the solution had to be something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in these kinds of missions, the outcome usually depended on the player's choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What happens if no one betrays the others?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do we all die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or does the Witch appear and activate the altar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't be sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why 99% of first tries ended in failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Five minutes have passed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've had enough time to think. I'll give you each a chance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body regained its mobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was the first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He threw a dagger at my feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pick it up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's coated in your favorite goblin poison. It will be a painless death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glared at him, and he smirked and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wish you were all like her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body froze again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked over to Erwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pick it up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said the same thing, and Erwen remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tense silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump, thump, thump, thump—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart pounded in my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans were strange creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though I trusted Erwen completely, a part of me couldn't help but doubt her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just one. Stab one of them, and you'll be spared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe she would choose to stab Bersil...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Get lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a vulgar woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, Erwen's turn also passed without incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pick it up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Ainar's turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Behel—! Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she regained control of her body, Ainar charged at him, roaring... but she tripped and fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then it was Bersil's turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's your turn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bersil crawled towards the dagger and picked it up with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at him, her body trembling, and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just one...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just... one person...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it.\u003C\u002Fp>",1704,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","6209c5b06a340dff6efebdf415cb53ade42048935839c05f564c259c16a66b7f","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-486","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-484",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]