[{"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-515":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},1328192,1764,"Chapter 515: Natives (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-515",515,"\u003Cp>The monster claimed to be human and called us monsters. It was a ridiculous situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting? What did it say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It claims to be human and calls us monsters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh... what a stupid monster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Ainar, who laughed it off, the other teammates had mixed reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some found it amusing, like me. Some were curious. Others were slightly annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, Bersil, the mage, didn't show much of a reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was because she was a player. If Raven had been here, she would have been ecstatic, demanding to know more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little monster asked me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed to be picking up on our reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[They're discussing your claim to be human.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Is there anything to discuss?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Of course there is.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Who are you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It asked a fundamental question, and I thought for a moment before answering. There was a word that encompassed humans, barbarians, fairies, beastmen, and all other races.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We're explorers.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Explorers...?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Have you never heard of it?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little monster raised its right index finger and pointed downwards. It seemed to be the equivalent of nodding in their culture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Explorers... what are explorers?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[People who wander through the labyrinth, searching for new things and slaying monsters.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...So you're from beyond the island.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That's right.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pointed my index finger downwards, and the little monster tapped its finger twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was strangely entertaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems like this conversation will take a while. Everyone, stay alert.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We switched to a defensive formation and began building rapport with the little monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Want some of this?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What is it?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Jerky. Dried meat.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That's not what I asked.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Huh?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head, and the little monster asked, as if genuinely confused,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What does 'eat' mean?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was momentarily speechless, but it didn't seem to be joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It means chewing food with your teeth and swallowing it.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chewed a piece of jerky and swallowed it, and the little monster looked disgusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Ugh. That's strange. Teeth are for killing enemies...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Then you don't eat anything?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Of course not! How can you put something like that... inside your body?!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked strange, saying that with its tiny body and sharp fangs...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[S-Sometimes we accidentally swallow things while fighting... but usually, we don't!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was similar to how monsters behaved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So you can survive without eating anything?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Of course. As long as we drink enough life water, we humans can live forever.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Life water...?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, and the little monster took out a small ceramic bottle from its bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It drank from the bottle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This is life water.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Can I have some?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…………Sure.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed reluctant, but it handed me the bottle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, I had secured a sample.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bersil, do you recognize this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a moment... It has a high mana density...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't expected her to know, but Bersil immediately identified the liquid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... it's ground-up magic stones dissolved in water.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Magic stones?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. It's the same as the mana water used in the city. They're made the same way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana water was an essential ingredient for creating magic tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they drank this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hey, is this 'life water' made from magic stones... or rather, stones you get from killing monsters?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes... why? And I'm not 'hey', I'm Marupichi!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Alright, Marupichi. I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Strange name.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marupichi... or Maru for short, said that and then shyly(?) extended its index finger. I also extended my finger and touched it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are they doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know. Looks like a handshake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What information have you gathered? Did you find out the location of the village?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, right...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should have asked that sooner. I had been distracted by the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm working on it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see... It's probably not that easy. Even a child wouldn't reveal such important information to the enemy. Let me know if you need my help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suppressed my curiosity and focused on the important questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Marupichi, where's the entrance to your village?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Amelia's concerns, Maru, the kind-hearted child who had freed the explorers, didn't hesitate to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't the answer I had hoped for, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[There isn't one. Not right now...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Huh?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The adults closed it. No one can enter the village until they open it again... not even me...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, so that's why it was hiding in the bushes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Do they usually close the entrance?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No... Not unless it's the rainy season.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rainy season? Does it even rain here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense. If it was an underground village, there would be problems during heavy rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Then why is it closed now?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It's probably because of me.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Because of you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes. The adults think the captured monsters escaped...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought they would send out a search party, but then I realized they probably thought the explorers were still hiding inside the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would have sealed the entrance and started searching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's been about four hours since they escaped... They'll probably figure it out soon and come looking for us...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shared the information with my teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then we voted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The question is, 'How should we treat these monsters who claim to be human?' There are two options.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia asked, and I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can befriend them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can kill them all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, it would be an explorer-like choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_________________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Befriend them...? Monsters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others questioned the feasibility of such a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would we even want to befriend them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're the natives. They'll know a lot about this place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can't we just ask this one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, how much could a child know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To get high-quality information, we needed to talk to the adults.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia was still skeptical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that's the reason, we can just capture an adult and interrogate them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That might be difficult. This one was easy because it's a child. The adults might be more resistant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't you trust me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course I do. But we don't have to resort to violence yet. We don't even know how strong they are. And besides, you said we shouldn't kill anyone unless necessary, didn't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was when we were dealing with humans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So, if we can't befriend them, what's the next step?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia cut to the chase, and I answered without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were only two options, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We kill them all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see. Then I vote for befriending them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm also curious about them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We started voting, Amelia first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three votes for befriending them, and three votes for killing them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like my vote would decide the outcome again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to Marupichi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just as I was about to make my decision...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whiiiish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior's instincts detected a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone, somewhere, was attacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could even process the information, my body reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An arrow struck my shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...It actually pierced the shield.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hadn't gone all the way through, but the arrowhead was stuck in the plywood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed to be a pure physical attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Battle stations!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shouted and turned towards the direction the arrow had come from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters emerged from the bushes, armed with various weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'They're here to rescue the child.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrow must have been a distraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I realized their intentions, I dropped my shield. And then I grabbed Marupichi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eek!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was my new shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Let go! Let go of me!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It struggled and shrieked, but it was a perfect shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I charged forward, holding Marupichi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monsters hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Coward...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Using a child as a hostage...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn't attack me without risking the child's life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...M-Maura! Uncle Maura!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Don't worry! We'll save you!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like they all knew the child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why are they using honorifics? Is it a high-ranking member?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was the case, it would be even better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised Marupichi and shouted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Drop your weapons! Or the child dies!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia muttered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unexpected. I thought you would try to befriend them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? I am trying to befriend them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I replied, and Amelia asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...This is how?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is how we bond. We fight, and then we become friends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had done the same thing, hadn't we?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_________________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[He spoke our language.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How can a monster speak our language?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Could it be... what the Elder said... ?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monsters stared at me, hesitant to attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after about a minute...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump, thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large monster emerged from the bushes. It was at least 3.5 meters tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was carrying a large bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this was the archer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Are you the leader?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked, and the monster replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How can you speak our language? You're a monster.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Drop your weapons. Then I'll tell you.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My shield answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...F-Father! Don't! I'm okay...!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait... father?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! Look at Bjorn's evil grin! Those monsters are as good as dead!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Did I grin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't remember, but I focused on the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Don't interfere. Chichi.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[But...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I said be quiet!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…….]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shield shut up after being scolded by its father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, children shouldn't interrupt adult conversations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Last chance. If you want your son to live, drop your weapons—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Monster, I invite you to our village.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[………What?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought I had misheard, but he repeated himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I invite you to our village. Do you not understand? It's not a difficult word.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well... it wasn't about the word itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Do you really think I'll accept your invitation in this situation?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This monster seemed intelligent. I couldn't underestimate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were outnumbered, and if they ambushed us, we would be in trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't trust them yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You refuse my invitation...? How barbaric.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hanging corpses from trees is civilized?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Your companions are safe. We won't harm them. Lower your weapons.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I trust them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If you wish, you can keep my son—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I refused, and he didn't press the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just made a strange request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Then can you wait? Just for a moment.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he calling for reinforcements?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was a little uneasy, but I agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't sense any hostility from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...He seems less hostile now that I can speak their language.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about ten minutes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It's the Elder...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Make way.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monsters parted, and an old monster with a white beard approached us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Greetings. What is your name?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Bjorn, son of Yandel.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[A good name. Nui! Take the warriors and step back! I need to speak with them.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't know their culture, but the monsters obeyed the Elder's orders without question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Forgive me. This is a private matter.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Private... ?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word sounded strange, but the Elder just smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I haven't introduced myself. I am Brugrid, the Elder of this village.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Brugrid?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had heard that name before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Emily, do you know anyone named Brugrid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One of the Last Sage's companions had that name.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, that's why it sounded familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned back to the Elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be alarmed. It's just a handshake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then I realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said your name was Bjorn, son of Yandel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Elder was speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in ancient language, but in Lafdonian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a pleasure to meet you. You must be an explorer from Lafdonia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. How long has it been? Since you arrived here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was this guy?\u003C\u002Fp>",1884,"2026-06-05T19:33:16.156Z",1,"novelbin.me","381d84e33fcb78b6f64b4febd2137ed2b7bc7d5382075409edbac20bc4c53528","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-516","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-514",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]