[{"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-489":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},1327709,1764,"Chapter 489: Pilgrim (7)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-489",489,"\u003Cp>Regret washed over me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I shouldn’t have done the Floor Lord raid…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had just accepted the compensation based on contribution… or if I hadn’t touched the Chaos Lord…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or if…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I hadn’t played that game.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hadn’t come here…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘None of this would have happened.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench. I balled my fists so tightly that my knuckles turned white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something I had to do before wallowing in regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not time for regrets yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After realizing how the stat boosts worked, a new possibility had emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked down the corpse-filled passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was slowly approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is convenient. I was wondering how to find you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he appeared…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I charged at him, roaring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a speed I had never experienced before, even with my Strength and Resistance-focused build.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like I had teleported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t need a weapon anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body itself was a weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harder than any metal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I punched him in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He retaliated with his Aura-enhanced sword, but his movements seemed sluggish to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dodged his attack and closed the distance, landing a series of punches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like I was using a cheat code.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t have any skills, but my base stats were much higher than when I was using [Gigantification] at full power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t think I would even be injured by his Aura attacks now…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no reason to take unnecessary risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept my distance and continued my one-sided assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t take long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe ten hits in total?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He collapsed to the ground, unable to fight back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was in a much worse state than when we had cornered him before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t regenerate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like my theory was correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s a chance that his regeneration skill has a limited number of uses…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he was a boss monster that could only be killed when he was alone…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I punched him one more time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head caved in like a watermelon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at the same time…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Dreadfear, the Lord of Terror, has been slain. EXP +100」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Floor Lord Kill Bonus. EXP +15」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a surge of experience points as his body dissolved into particles of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Is it… over?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it all for nothing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stood there, frozen in place…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「You have passed the trial perfectly.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The Nameless Pilgrim accepts defeat.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…the cave started to collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Fragments of distorted memories begin to converge.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was surprised, but I just watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing I could do. Running away wouldn’t change anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cave walls crumbled, the ceiling cracked, and even the forest outside began to distort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was collapsing, like a dying monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world shattered into a kaleidoscope of colors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just darkness, but a void where nothing existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard the sound of a fire igniting, and the darkness receded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was in a cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of torches flickered on the walls, illuminating a stone altar with a book on top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s this now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I approached the altar and opened the book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was written in ancient language, but I could read it without any problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If I had to depict terror, I would paint his face on a blank canvas. Centurion Dreadfear. The one who taught me the true meaning of fear…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I focused on the words, the letters blurred, and a strange sensation washed over me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I met him at the moment of my greatest triumph.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Memories flooded my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t afraid of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would die a glorious death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what I had always told myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But reality was different.\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>He had made a cunning offer to us, who had failed our mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, none of us believed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We closed our eyes, ready to accept our fate. A noble silence filled the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump, thump, thump, thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my heart pounded in my chest, yearning for life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this really the end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But betraying my comrades…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Believe me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did those words sound so… true?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman I had journeyed with was also looking around nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our eyes met, and I knew instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was about to give in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t have any proof, but I was sure of it. We had been through so much together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump, thump, thump, thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mind raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t breathe, and my vision blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled at me awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a surge of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seed of doubt had been planted, and it was growing, fueled by fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…If I have to kill someone… it should be her…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard her thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just a hallucination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We hadn’t gotten along. We had even argued during our last drinking session.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was the Earth Mother’s sanctuary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A revelation… it had to be a divine revelation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Earth Mother had revealed her wicked thoughts to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was convinced that she was planning to betray us, to sacrifice me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa… Haa… Haa…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I came to, I was holding a dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s eyes widened as she saw me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-You… you were thinking… about killing me… weren’t you…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-No! I wasn’t!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“D-Don’t lie! I can hear your thoughts…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stabbed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My comrades shouted at me, but I couldn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hadn’t done it, she would have done it to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha! Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Centurion Dreadfear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed, looking at me with a delighted expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well done. Who’s next?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, my body trembling,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“J-Just one… you said… if I killed just one…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t kill you. But… are you sure? If you put down the dagger, I’ll let them go too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mind went blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been tricked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump, thump, thump, thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart pounded in my chest. My comrades shouted at me, urging me to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To regain my senses and die with honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn’t hear them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept seeing ominous visions of the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had started as a delusion, but it had quickly become my reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t let go of the dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puk-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I came to, all my comrades were dead. I asked him if I could live now, and he said yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told me to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would spare my life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ran, not daring to look back. I ran for hours, until I reached the entrance of the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then I realized what I had done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-No… I… I’m not…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new fear consumed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was only one way to escape it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puk-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stabbed myself with the same dagger I had used to kill my comrades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As my consciousness faded, I saw the Centurion’s face in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew it from the moment I saw you. You would be a valuable asset.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at me with a serious expression and then called for a mage. The mage sprinkled a strange liquid on my dying body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A searing pain shot through me, as if my soul was being torn apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then a warm energy embraced me. But it couldn’t heal my shattered soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shed my human form and was reborn as a new being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being with infinite power and authority, but devoid of emotions and desires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An empty shell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This is unusual. He still seems to have some semblance of sanity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mage’s words made him approach me cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me. What is your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dreadfear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What? That’s my name—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt no fear anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has received a fragment of the Nameless Pilgrim’s memory.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Can now freely read and write ancient language.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fragmented memory, like a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the emotions and sensations were vivid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The book, having reached its final page, burst into flames and turned to ashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a presence and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was standing about ten steps away, staring at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dreadfear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or should I call him the Nameless Pilgrim?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had absorbed the Centurion and taken his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…What the hell is going on?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The raid was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had clearly felt the surge of experience points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then who was this guy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke, his voice echoing through the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why… weren’t you afraid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood his question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew how he had been born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must be curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We hadn't been driven by fear or hallucinations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had the [Prophet of Misfortune], who could see the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And we had the ability to read each other's emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that wasn't all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Centurion had used a skill to make us believe his words, and he had regenerated his HP when we were about to defeat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because none of us are as weak as you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered bluntly, and he nodded silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strange experience, having a conversation with a boss monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something I had to confirm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now tell me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A possibility that had emerged after everyone else had died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're all still alive, aren't they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before I answer that, I have a question. Why do you think so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because this raid is designed to be cleared solo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been playing [Dungeon and Stone] for almost ten years, and I had never encountered a boss that was impossible to defeat with a full party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Dreadfear's concept itself was a clue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear, hatred... but his title was 'Lord of Terror'. He was testing our faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That's surprising.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at me with a strange expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You understand the laws of this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laws?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just big data based on experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyway, what's the answer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It depends on your choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't the answer I had expected, but it sent shivers down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they weren't really dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What do you mean by 'choice'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly what it sounds like.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his hand, and two stone doors appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The Nameless Pilgrim offers you a choice.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had given me two options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you go through that door, you will regain everything you have lost here. As if awakening from a long nightmare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if I go through the other door?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everything will become reality. But you will gain something even greater than what you have lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, he was still playing his role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at him and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if I just crush your head?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a question any player would ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at me for a moment and then answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will gain even more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is also a rule of this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made my decision.\u003C\u002Fp>",1841,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","c5b0d4ba448f08e17f696c5777df6826da174a97c7f7bd473bf6351f11e25dd1","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-490","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-488",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]