[{"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-506":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},1328183,1764,"Chapter 506: The First Basement Floor (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-506",506,"\u003Cp>Verzak, the Lord of the Abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hidden field boss that appeared after the ninth Lord of Terror was slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I had a feeling this might happen… but I didn’t expect it to actually happen.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly gathered information from the explorers gathered in front of the portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Verzak had been summoned about an hour ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, there hadn’t been many casualties among the 1st-floor explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them had sensed the danger and moved to the 2nd floor on the 4th day…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But there must have been some who couldn’t escape, or didn’t want to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. So ten clans, including ours, worked together to rescue the remaining 1st-floor explorers and bring them to the 2nd floor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the explorers gathered here had been rescuing explorers near the portal until Verzak appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you don’t have to worry too much, Baron Yandel. By the 6th day, we could barely find anyone on the 1st floor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I see…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did a great job. It must have been difficult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It doesn’t matter if it was difficult or not. It was something that had to be done. And it’s nothing compared to what you did, Baron.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explorer looked up at me with respect, and I felt a pang of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t that kind of person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had known about the possibility of Verzak being summoned, and yet I had gone to the 3rd floor to pursue my own goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if you came from that direction, doesn’t that mean you were also rescuing explorers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the explorers suddenly asked, and before I could even answer…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, so that’s why!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He didn’t just bring them to the 2nd floor, he also guided them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron Yandel doesn’t even need guild achievement points… and yet he went to such lengths…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m ashamed. I was hoping to get some achievement points for rescuing them…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just smiled awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character’s Fame has increased by +1.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character’s Fame has increased by +1.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character’s Fame has increased by +1…」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「….」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care about the Fame, but at least it would serve as an alibi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If this is the way to the hidden area, there will be more people investigating my movements…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it couldn’t be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was used to enduring pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have something to discuss amongst ourselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, yes! Please ask me if you have any questions!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left the group of explorers and gathered my teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to hear their opinions on the current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the first person I asked was Amelia, the pillar of our clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Emily, what do you think we should do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s a little disappointing to give up now, even though it’s dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you think we should try to reach the hidden area?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would take a little over an hour to reach the stone tablet from the Goblin Forest portal at full speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t an impossible distance, even with Verzak roaming the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Amelia’s answer was firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It depends on how certain you are about your method. If it works, it’s worth a try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a valid concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the portal didn’t open after we went through all that trouble, we would have to come back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the longer we stayed on the 1st floor, the higher the chances of encountering Verzak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re in favor, as long as it works?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, so Amelia was conditionally in favor…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked the others for their opinions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think it’s worth a try, even if it doesn’t work. We’re not the same as we were back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I agree with the fairy! We came all the way to the 3rd floor, it would be a shame to give up now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me too. We should test it out. Even if it doesn’t work, we’ll know for next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen, Ainar, and Bersil were all in favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… will follow your lead, Clan Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me what you think. You’re a member of this clan too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My words seemed to have had an effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Auyen hesitated for a moment and then spoke cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… disagree. Verzak… he killed thousands of people back then… If something happens to you or the ladies, it would be a great loss for humanity—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was he talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re against it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes… I’m just expressing my opinion, so please don’t take it personally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three votes in favor, one against, and one conditional vote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't need to ask the last person, but I did anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me? Ah… I… I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha, who had been unusually quiet throughout the expedition, stammered for a long time before finally speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, she had reverted to her old speech pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I-It’s okay… either way… I-It’s dangerous… but if the portal opens… it’ll be good for you… and even if it doesn’t… it’s still worth trying… I-It’ll be helpful… either way…? I-I think…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she even trying to say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had just asked for her opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re abstaining?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-No…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what? Just tell me what you think.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reassured her, and she finally answered, avoiding my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think… it’s better to go… if you’re sure it will work…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she was also conditionally in favor. But why was she glancing at Amelia?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Was that really her opinion?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was suspicious, but I didn't press her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She needed time to adjust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay, then it’s decided. Three votes in favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you, Yandel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The clan’s will is my will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And vice versa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Clan Master’s vote counted as seven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it used to be six when we had six members, but it had increased to seven now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, that wasn’t important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A land of milk and honey awaited us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Probably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Entered the 1st-floor Crystal Cave.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We returned to the Crystal Cave through the portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a Dark Zone, so there wasn’t any light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as I lit the torch on my helmet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…a dark fog filled the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Field Effect - Abyssal Fog applied.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「All item effects deactivated.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Magic efficiency reduced to 1\u002F4.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Monsters exposed to Abyssal Fog evolve into superior beings.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, it’s been a while since I’ve seen this fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, I thought this cave would be my grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now I was back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay close. Follow my footsteps. There might be traps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I started running, leading the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a tactic only I could use, since I was both the guide and the tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a place where the leader had to take the most risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abyssal Goblin traps couldn’t be detected with the naked eye or magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard a click as I stepped on something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has triggered a [Random Trap].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A random skill below 5th-grade would be activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this one…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…was [Tail Flame], a 6th-grade skill, judging by the damage and the shape of the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yandel, are you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My overall stats were much higher than before, but there was one stat that had decreased significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need to increase my Magic Resistance…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My Magic Resistance had plummeted after I removed the Manticore essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could compensate for it by using [Gigantification], but my active skills were sealed here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine. It’s just an hour’s run.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just had to endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I roared and dashed through the trap-filled passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was one advantage compared to last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physical attacks barely tickled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic attacks were more painful now, though, so it was a wash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tadatada-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ran and ran, triggering traps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I periodically drank a potion, even though I wasn’t thirsty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t heal me instantly like it used to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The higher your stats were, the less effective potions became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character’s HP is below 50%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about 40 minutes of running…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…my passive skill activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Passive skill [Hero’s Path] increases all Resistance stats.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made things more bearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could increase my speed now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was thinking that, I heard my teammates whispering behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now I understand why he’s so famous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me too. I’ve heard stories, but… I didn’t expect it to be this bad…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia and Bersil, who had only heard about that day, were looking at me with a mixture of awe and horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, it sounds like they’re praising me…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I felt a little embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t had a choice back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides, I had the ability to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Are you all insane?! Do you think anyone will acknowledge this?! A hero?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Damn it… I’m going. Someone has to do it.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike those who had died triggering traps…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t have to worry about dying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I had been able to charge forward so recklessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character’s HP is below 40%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character’s HP is below 30%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character’s HP is below 20%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Passive skill [Hero’s Path] reaches its maximum effect.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time my passive skill reached its maximum effect…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…we arrived at our destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My HP was low, but that was all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t encountered Verzak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And my teammates were in perfect condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just because the process had been smooth didn’t mean the outcome would be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was… the destination itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hey, Baron Yandel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It’s the Giant! The Giant has brought his clan members here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did he find a way to open the portal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? Why were there so many people here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had thought this place would be empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a location that even low-level explorers had found before the 3rd day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I had even destroyed the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What are they all doing here? With Verzak roaming the floor?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hid my surprise and asked the nearest explorer,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, you. Baldy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you all doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head, as if he didn’t understand my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waiting for the portal to open? Someone might slay the Lord of the Abyss. Or maybe it will open right before the labyrinth closes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What if Verzak appears here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a risk we have to take! We’re searching for a hidden area!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His naive response left me speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As Baron Yandel knows…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…that’s what exploration is all about!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a sudden surge of disillusionment towards the explorer profession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had always known there were a lot of idiots in this field, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I may be so bold… do you know how to open the portal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t believe there were so many of them.\u003C\u002Fp>",1753,"2026-06-05T19:33:16.156Z",1,"novelbin.me","4dcb1ae96170d3ec1c7220d700e5914162738ed44f62316db815afbeef81a292","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-507","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-505",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]