[{"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-492":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},1327712,1764,"Chapter 492: Declaration of War (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-492",492,"\u003Cp>Two days after the labyrinth closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I slept for a little over 30 hours…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last day had been tough, but I hadn’t exerted myself too much physically, so I felt relatively refreshed after a long sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snore—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went downstairs, still half-asleep, and saw Ainar sprawled on the sofa, just like I had left her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She’s a heavy sleeper…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went to the kitchen, and a simple meal was already prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Auyen prepared it for us, knowing we would be hungry when we woke up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…He’s more suited to be a butler than a navigator.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went to the front door and checked the mailbox. A mountain of letters had arrived while I was asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s all this…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them were invitations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were filled with flowery language and praise, ending with a request to meet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reminded me of the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had received similar invitations when I first gained fame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…There are quite a few clan applications too.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I skimmed through the applications, and the applicants were surprisingly high-level. The most impressive one was an explorer who had reached the 9th floor in his prime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even had a title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s a shame he’s a tank…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was planning to expand my clan, but for now, it was just a single team. And we didn’t need another tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sven Parab and Kaislan would be the tanks for the 2nd team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I should contact him when we’re ready for a 3rd team.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, I was proud that such a high-level explorer had expressed his interest in joining my clan, even though I hadn’t even contacted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My first team, Team Misfits, had been a ragtag group of newbies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…We didn’t have much back then, but it was fun.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled and continued sorting through the mail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, there wasn’t a single priest among the applicants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So even with this much fame, I still have to recruit a priest through achievements?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was ironic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had spent so much time and effort to get here, and yet I had never had a priest on my team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I needed a healer. Potions weren’t as effective anymore—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped as I saw a familiar crest on a golden wax seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘House Alminus…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly tore open the envelope and read the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a long, formal letter, typical of a noble family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gist of it was this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I would like to resolve the misunderstanding between us. Please visit me whenever you have time.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Count Alminus was extending an olive branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A misunderstanding…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the sudden change of heart?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only possibility was the Stone of Honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have realized that it was more beneficial to befriend me now that my influence had grown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t cared about the money in the first place. It was all about his pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, there might be other reasons…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll meet with him later…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went back to my room and slept until nightfall. And then, after receiving Amelia’s farewell, I climbed over the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. It’s easier to move alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, if you say so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wore an iron helmet and moved through the city, avoiding the crowds. I finally stopped in front of a tavern in a back alley of Commelby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This place looks like a construction site.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The building was dilapidated, practically falling apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tavern wasn’t even open for business, and the sign was rusted and barely hanging on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interior was even worse than the exterior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Construction debris and dust covered the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for the path leading inwards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Look at all those footprints.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I followed the footprints and found a staircase leading to the basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a steel door at the bottom of the stairs, but no guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't that kind of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I wonder what’s behind this door?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had always been curious about it in the game, so I decided to test its durability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak, creak, boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door, along with its hinges, came off the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was nothing behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s anticlimactic.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was disappointed, but then I noticed a small slot next to where the door had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I inserted the magic stone I had prepared and then swiped my ID card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was teleported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could only enter the black market through teleportation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why there were hundreds of entrances scattered throughout the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t believe I’m finally here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was in a small stone room, about the size of a closet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a door leading to a hallway, and the number 217 was written on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn, 217… It’s going to be a long walk to the main street.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to open the door when…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door swung open from the other side, and three masked figures entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, there was no welcoming committee in the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Did you damage the door before entering?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t expected them to notice, but I answered honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was curious what was behind it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’ll have to come with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if I refuse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wasn’t asking for your opinion. Get him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of the figures approached me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I regretted breaking the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I wanted to look around…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it couldn’t be helped. I would have to deal with them first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pushed them away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a casual gesture, like swatting away flies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they didn’t attack me. They just backed away, keeping their distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So you’re an explorer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re being informal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re just a nuisance. I’ll treat you accordingly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scratched my ear with my pinky finger, and he lowered his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Judging by your size, you’re either a barbarian or a beastman. And this is probably your first time here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you knew anything about this place, you wouldn’t have done something so foolish. Kid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were a little offensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who did he think he was, talking to me like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took off my helmet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to hide my identity anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A barbarian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t recognize me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He activated his Aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t faze me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the Pilgrim’s Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as I could use my skills, Aura was meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whizz!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thrust his sword forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grabbed the blade with my bare hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“······!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reaction was predictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel his surprise through the trembling blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked and pulled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I punched him in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…R-Reinforcements!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two tried to run away, but I grabbed them by the scruff of their necks and slammed their heads against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They were surprisingly weak.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wiped the blood off my hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a mixture of their blood and mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a deep cut on my hand from blocking his sword. I hadn’t activated [Gigantification], so my Physical Resistance wasn’t as high as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would heal quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, let’s see…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I bent down and removed the first thug’s mask. Or rather, I brushed away the shattered fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn’t recognize his face. His nose was broken, and his face was covered in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This place is more secure than I thought. I didn’t expect them to be this cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke, his voice hoarse,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“B-Bjorn… Yandel…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had finally recognized me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-What are you… doing here…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have some business to take care of. And I have a few questions for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s the boss…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had passed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dropped him on the floor and stepped out into the hallway. The onlookers flinched and backed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were customers, not staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They won’t know anything…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey! What’s going on here?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another thug appeared from around the corner, running towards us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-What the…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze as he saw the open door and the bodies inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt like a villain in a horror movie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Aaaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He started backing away, and I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where can I find the head of the black market?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I-I can’t tell you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll die if you don’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I threatened him, but he just closed his eyes, as if accepting his fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“K-Kill me… It’s better than… betraying them…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flicked his forehead, and he collapsed. It seemed like intimidation wouldn’t work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was a minor problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The alarm bells started ringing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Intruder! Intruder alert!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More thugs appeared, as if they were spawning endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I roared,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something would come out of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has cast [Gigantification].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has used a Transformation ability.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「[Primordial Cell] reduces Soul Power consumption of the skill by half, and increases the highest stat by 1.5 times.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black market was located somewhere underground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew its exact location, but it was a well-known fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a building the size of three soccer fields was located above ground, it would have been discovered long ago—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, that’s annoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When will they turn off that alarm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And where’s the main street?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This place is huge.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, there was an advantage to the building’s size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the cramped stone room, the hallways were spacious, and I could use [Gigantification] without any problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I charged through the hallway, my giant body taking up the entire space. The people I encountered could be divided into two groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“R-Run…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The customers who were here to shop, terrified by my appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop him…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the thugs who were trying to protect the black market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had sensed it when I saw the Aura user earlier, but the thugs were stronger than I expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Their average level is around 4th floor...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And some of them seemed strong enough to survive on the 6th floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering their infinite respawn rate, even I would be in danger if I fought them alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I was surprisingly calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn’t kill me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because of my strength, but because of something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…S-Stop! We have orders to capture you alive…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?! C-Capture him alive?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, the higher-ups had finally heard about my arrival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump! Thump! Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I increased my speed, and the thug in front of me shrieked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H-How are we supposed to capture that monster alive?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trembled and swung his weapon, but I just charged at him. He desperately changed the trajectory of his attack and slammed his weapon into the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an admirable display of loyalty… but also a foolish one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn't even scratch me with that attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, Baron Yandel! Stop! The higher-ups want to talk to y—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? This is getting interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had an invincible dodge skill now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I charged forward, ignoring their attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwang! Thud! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their weapons couldn't touch me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a whole new world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just had to run, and their attacks would miss automatically. It felt like I was a martial arts master who had achieved enlightenment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ran even faster, enjoying the feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shield wall!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thugs started forming a shield wall, trying to stop me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a desperate measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I died, the black market would be shut down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They might have a reputation for not fearing nobles, but they couldn't afford to offend a Baron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I repeat, do not attack!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The higher-ups knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they harmed a titled noble, they would be destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their only option was to kill me discreetly… but I had already encountered countless customers on my way here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had plenty of witnesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hiding behind shields, you cowards!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring me your leader! I, Bjorn Yandel, will judge you in the name of the royal family!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-We told you! The Chair wants to t-talk—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued to charge through the shield wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their numbers were increasing, and the shield wall was becoming more and more solid. Mages and ability users joined the fight, casting curse magic…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I was starting to feel the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hallway behind me was also filled with thugs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm, if I just surrender like this, they’ll underestimate me…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was contemplating my next move, a high-ranking thug appeared from behind the shield wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Baron! Please calm down and let’s talk—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have nothing to say to you villains!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…But you have nowhere to go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowhere to go?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t know barbarians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Okay, that’s it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swung my hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not at the thugs hiding behind their shields…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the wall on my left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was no path, I would create one.\u003C\u002Fp>",2135,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","5ea80ad22e539c2b5d02494b8eed8221968407bdfb83b3dad94f75352a01430b","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-493","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-491",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]