[{"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-501":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},1328178,1764,"Chapter 501: The Age of Exploration (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-501",501,"\u003Cp>Plan B.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An ominous premonition filled my mind the moment I heard those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But regardless…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So? Are all your questions answered now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, mostly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My animosity towards Lee Baekho had decreased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I preferred someone who was honest about their intentions, even if they were malicious, to someone who hid them behind a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're not going to tell me about Plan B, are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way. I need a trump card.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a little disappointing, but I understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't revealed everything to him either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had both shown our hands, but only partially. That was enough for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So am I your enemy, or your ally?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A collaborator, I guess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Collaborator?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, collaborator.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed curious about my choice of words. Well, it was better to be clear about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll help you return to Earth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I'll help you whenever you need it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad. But what if our opinions clash?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sounded unusually cautious, and I chuckled and shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we'll part ways. It's not a big deal. I'd rather avoid that, but like you said, you never know what might happen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You're very… casual about this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's why you can do whatever you want with your Plan B. I'll be doing the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Preparing for the worst-case scenario was a natural instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I believed that someone who didn't do that was a terrible collaborator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Collaborator… I like it. Let's do that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a little embarrassing, but I shook his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Hyung, I just got goosebumps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't mention it. Me too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both chuckled after the brief handshake and sat back on the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We should have done this sooner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt strangely… good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We continued our conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main topic was the 'hidden area', of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hyung, tell me. What did you do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know. It seems like a special condition was met, but I don't know what it was.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? That's a shame. But it wouldn't matter much even if you knew. You can only be inscribed on the Stone of Honor once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, you didn't know? You really don't know much about this game besides the stuff you can learn from playing it…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it couldn't be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had practically lived in the library for a while, but that was just common knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…It's almost time. I should be going now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We chatted for a while, and then it was time for Lee Baekho to log out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don't we meet up in the city sometime?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'd like that, but I can't for now. I'm going outside for a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Outside? You mean outside the walls?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. I finally figured out how to get out. I've been searching the city's underground tunnels for ages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait a minute, that sounded like valuable information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked him to tell me, and he nodded reluctantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's difficult to explain in words. I'll send you a letter before I leave. With the instructions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why you needed a veteran by your side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had unexpectedly obtained the information I had been seeking for so long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A way to escape the kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, back to the main topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But why are you leaving?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think Auril Gabis is out there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I'm going to look for him. He'll have the answers to most of my questions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, I should have asked him about Auril Gabis too. He would be more honest now that we were on better terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Well… I can ask him next time…'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be going now, hyung. See you next month!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay. Let me know if you find him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lee Baekho left, and I sat on the sofa, staring at the fireplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyunbyul returned after a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think I would just sit here and wait?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh… she hadn't?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had assumed she had been waiting outside the chat room because she always came back immediately after leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyway… you look happy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look like you've solved a problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah… really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was surprisingly perceptive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't deny or confirm it, and she chuckled and lay down on the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know where to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hyunbyul…? You're wearing a skirt…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So? I'm wearing stockings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>R-Right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it was okay?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt strangely convinced, and she chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're so considerate. Now, of all times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pulled out a book and started reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What's that? Where did you get it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't you know? It's all the rage these days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know how you can buy clothes and stuff in the community with GP?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghostbusters had microtransactions. You could buy clothes, furniture, and other decorative items. Of course, I had never used them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This book is one of those items.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it's blank?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, it's not. It's written by one of the forum users. It was so popular that they decided to publish it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow… that's interesting. Is it good?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want to read it? I have the previous volumes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She handed me a book, and I started reading. It was a modern fantasy novel, quite engaging from the beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn't focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…This is driving me crazy.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was she fidgeting with her feet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm stretching. My legs are numb.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Did I say anything?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, but your expression…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…I couldn't think straight in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned away from her and continued reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only sound in the room was the rustling of pages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oppa.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yeah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's almost time. Aren't you going to the Round Table?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, this novel was too interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't realized how much time had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly excused myself and left the chat room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I put on my navy blue suit and my Lion mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost time for the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly got dressed and walked through the hallway. Eight members were already there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're here, Lion. Pfft.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clown greeted me, followed by Fox, Crescent Moon, Stag Antlers, Queen, Butterfly, and Wolf…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Eight?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the newbies from last month, Black Mask, was missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She entered through the other door, glanced around the room, and then sat down at an empty seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome, Black…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goblin, who was sitting next to her, greeted her, but she just crossed her arms and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed like a tough one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went to my seat, and the door closed with a bang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten members… it feels strange. There are so many of us now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen muttered, and Crescent Moon replied in a gentle tone,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's understandable, Queen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crescent Moon, are you saying you don't feel the same?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wolf, the returning newbie, answered Queen's question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! There were over twenty of us when the Master was here! Ah, those were the days—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were too busy kissing up to the Master back then. Pfft.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just like you, Clown?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, you seem to have a thing for fairies. Obsessed with that NPC. So when are you going to visit me? Aren't you going to take revenge?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow! You two are enemies? That's interesting. Call me when you fight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft! Of course, Butterfly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ugh, this was chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Fox, and she, sensing my gaze, took control of the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we begin…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, let's. We're not here to chat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commotion died down, and all eyes turned to the person sitting next to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the traditional starting position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's Queen's turn first? That's unusual.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know. I didn't expect them to sit so close together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen, who was sitting three seats away from me, sighed and began the first turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a hot topic these days, isn't it? I'll talk about that. The Stone of Honor was created by Diflun Groundel Gavrilius, the Last Sage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jewel glowed green. The information was true, and less than half of the members knew about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were immediate objections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who cares who created it? Pfft.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heehee, that's right. It's not like he's a mage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And besides, everything mysterious is somehow connected to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen, who had anticipated the objections, didn't react emotionally and just added more information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then how about this? There are credible records that suggest the Stone of Honor itself has a hidden piece, Gavrilius's arrangement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hidden piece…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members seemed satisfied, and the turn passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Tribal Council will be held next month. And the Mage Tower Master will be representing the humans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crescent Moon also finished his turn without any problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The Mage Tower Master… representing the humans…'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't even know about the Tribal Council, and he already knew who the human representative would be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It must be because of his connections.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for the barbarians, all the other races had connections to the royal family. The other families in Melbeth were receiving support from their respective tribes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Misha Carlstain has joined Clan Anabada.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Fox's turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flinched as I heard the unexpected name, but I wasn't upset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's not like it's a secret. She probably thought it was okay to reveal it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she wasn't wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The information wasn't particularly valuable, but no one objected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bjorn Yandel was a hot topic these days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So she finally…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't she… his companion? Something must have happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft… Fox, you're good. I didn't even know that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fox's turn ended, and it was Goblin's turn, followed by Black Mask and Stag Antlers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there wasn't any shocking information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was starting to get bored…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehehe, my topic is similar to Fox's…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…when Butterfly spoke, and my body reacted before my mind could process her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Misha Carlstain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she going to say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I listened intently, and Butterfly grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's a traitor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard her words, but I didn't understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A traitor? From whose perspective? Lee Baekho's?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she had read my mind, she added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, from Bjorn Yandel's perspective, of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was she talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at the jewel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It glowed green.\u003C\u002Fp>",1679,"2026-06-05T19:33:16.156Z",1,"novelbin.me","12ba99e328fa55f598a95a1f3c1c01bdb4928e3055bb9d2ab3e32c22a3174e08","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-502","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-800",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]