[{"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-534":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},1328211,1764,"Chapter 534: Rainbow (1)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-534",534,"\u003Cp>The main street leading from the chief’s house to the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was sprinting down it at full speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—! Boom—! Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With [Giant Form] activated, each step sent out a noise comparable to a construction site, but I didn’t think it was really causing a nuisance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, it wasn’t the time to be sleeping now...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“F-Fire...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring water!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village was already in chaos trying to put out the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one here would be sensitive to the sound of a barbarian’s heavy steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, wait—maybe they’re not human?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same doubt I’d mulled over several times resurfaced again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Is this really okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Versil, riding on Ainard’s shoulder—a traditionally crafted mage’s mount—voiced his concern to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean by ‘okay’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not understanding, I asked back, and Versil looked behind us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames and smoke rising from the village center were swallowing the whole place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are quite a few villagers who aren’t warriors...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was softer-hearted than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Treating me like a human despite that fishy look on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I replied, annoyed, not wanting to be bothered while busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Versil closed his mouth tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, Misha took over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why on earth are you like this...? This isn’t like you, Bjorn...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not like me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the second time today I’d heard that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! I want to know too! What did you see down there to make you like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha’s words sparked Ainard’s curiosity as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fighting spirit may have waned, but his barbarian curiosity remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Human corpses.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To answer simply: that was all I saw down there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief showed the bodies and explained how they were obtained, hoping to clear up misunderstandings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up to here, no problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Since we have things to hide, we won’t hold you accountable for your ‘mistake’ of breaking village laws or your comrade’s intrusion. How about that?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said he would overlook Amelia’s trespassing and the fact that I smashed Nyuachichi’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange, isn’t it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My first night companion Hans A was exactly like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Fortunately, nothing happened while she was unconscious, so no complaints.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, I’d learned a lesson then:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a complete stranger treats you kindly, it means they have something to gain from you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And from experience, I had learned even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Why! Why did you harm Lady Elisa! What did we ever do...!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elisa, a priestess of Karui we met in the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hitting that suspicious woman’s head, I realized:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer is to split the suspicious ones’ heads first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I felt no need to drone on about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reasonable persuasion might be possible, but not necessary here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me. What did you see down there to make you do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like with the chief earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One word was enough this time too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just wanted to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A reason without basis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha murmured quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s... intuition?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A calculation based on unconscious big data from experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Intuition!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainard nodded as if satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, then there’s no helping it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His intuition is usually right. Thanks to it, I’ve survived more than once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elwen chuckled and agreed, while Versil added a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Surely... there must be a reason for that feeling. Honestly, I was uneasy about that chief myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White Hext and Muul Armin, who had been secretly eavesdropping nearby, also spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, they hadn’t known me long...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m relieved hearing you say that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron Yandel’s beast-like instincts are famous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed to trust my reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly because explorers generally think results justify means...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And explorers are superstitious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These guys were all a bit strange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly, it’s a relief. I couldn’t sleep for worry before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And they said it felt like a revelation? Ignoring that would be much more unsettling!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, yeah. Whenever you ignore your gut, bad things happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently everyone had felt the unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t meant to predict this answer, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn those monsters! Burn them all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, that motivated everyone and lifted morale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did all doubt really vanish with just one word from me? They firmly believed this was the right choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I wasn’t completely sure myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Funny bunch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words slipped out without me noticing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did someone hear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Funny is you, Yandel. You convinced everyone with nonsense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh? That voice...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come to think of it, you’ve always been like that. Always had a knack for making people believe you’re right wherever you go...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Emily?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning sharply, I saw Amelia, awake, looking at me while carried on Auyen’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re awake, say so. When did you wake up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A little while ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Body okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia jumped off Auyen’s back and started running.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think I get the situation. You’re trying to escape this village, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh... causing trouble while I was asleep. Tell me everything. What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a casual chat over tea, so I gave a quick briefing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The chief showed me the underground. Something felt off, so I hit his head. Then, I set the village on fire while fleeing. The chief is probably chasing us through the flames now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The report was complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia fell silent for a moment, then spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...That’s just like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I think that was the first time today someone said I was myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, your turn. What happened to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I went down underground, got caught, was interrogated, and that’s it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, I see...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No extra info, unfortunately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More info probably wouldn’t change much now anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mister, everyone’s here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the real problem began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This village was built underground like Noark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only way to leave the island was through the exit...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do we do now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door was closed, and all we could see was a rock wall blocking the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the chief could open or close the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officially, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Move aside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding my hammer, I approached the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Versil, a former mage, looked doubtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will this work... like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why I don’t trust eggheads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swung the hammer with all my strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character cast [Swing].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kraaaaangggg!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thick smoke around us momentarily dispersed from the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the wall was completely intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That didn’t work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, no luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A barbarian looking foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. There’s a way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether magic, skills, or whatever else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing physical is unbreakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it doesn’t break, it’s because the force wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, time for plan B.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elwen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hit it harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Elwen Fornaci di Tersia summons [Dark Spirit King Dichloe].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwak kwak kwak—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of dark orbs slammed against the wall with a roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the wall held firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it’s no use?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘[Swing] alone was never enough.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orbs cracked and chipped the stone a bit, but the rock had great regeneration, quickly restoring itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seems like it needs focused damage instead of burst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elwen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need for a long explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling her name again, a fierce glow gathered on her arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeah, for focused damage, nothing beats [Concentrated Shot].’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only downside is it takes a long time to cast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One second, two, three...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colors in the arrow grew deeper and more intense as time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yandel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t have to say it. I can see it myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was rapidly approaching from the smoke-filled village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first a dot, then it grew into a large shape in no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...They’re not letting us leave easily, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it was later than I expected, so no complaints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prepare for battle!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shouted loudly as I stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I leaned into my shield, the thing charging at us collided with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke scattered like an explosion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, our ranged dealers unleashed focused fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curses, wind blades, fireballs, arrows, energy waves—all shot swiftly in straight lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, none hit the target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic and psychic powers vanished into light before reaching the monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was somewhat similar to the [Speechless Curse] used by the Orculus captain, but there was a clear difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We could use skills against that thing before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If this isn’t the Essence of Stillness...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s only one skill with similar effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tol-Lapufa.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grade 1 monster Tol-Lapufa’s skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Cosmic Protection]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A broken OP skill that blocks all ranged projectiles in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Note that [Cosmic Protection] is a passive skill, so the chief’s active skills are unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could he even have a grade 1 Essence?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the weight on my shoulders, I ordered a ceasefire on ranged attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shooting now would just waste MP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...They’re probably losing MP too, but it’s not a long battle.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No reason to waste MP unnecessarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since we plan to head to the monster-infested land later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later than expected, chief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to start a conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even gaining a second was a benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone has to clean up the mess you made.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, I didn’t expect him to accept that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the chief didn’t seem willing to give me much time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s raining outside, so why the hurry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m too restless staying in the village.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop. I’m saying this for your sake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For my sake?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smirking, I heard the chief’s final offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not too late. Stop now and all that happened today will be forgotten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I were a trapped mouse, that would sound sweet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for me, it only strengthened my conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I was worried I chose wrong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would forgive someone who smashed a hammer on their face and set fire to their ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) village?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sane person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hadn’t decided to flee today, anything could have happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I think about it for a moment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feigning hesitation to buy time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the chief seemed to have learned about me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He responded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think I’m an idiot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...A little?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I’ll count to three. Decide by then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three’s too few. Make it four.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief counted without responding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I at least gained a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No point letting him count all the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he said “one,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dashed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elwen still needed time to finish her skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the fight was unavoidable...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the eyes of a veteran player who’s spent nine years mastering every combination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How strong a character trained for an eternity really is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Behe—laaaaaargh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the weaknesses were.\u003C\u002Fp>",1737,"2026-06-05T19:33:16.156Z",1,"novelbin.me","37fd88d8b1e509321fd787f2b98db2a9a96a8276c6afdf5d5c69d14882651148","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-535","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-533",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]