[{"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-54":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},1327831,1764,"Chapter 54","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-54",54,"\u003Cp>The Witch's Forest (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mean theyre those pillagers from back then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotmiller nodded at the dwarf's question. And this made the situation crystal clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There couldnt be such a coincidence that the guys whod been proudly pillaging on the third floor just happened to chance upon us here after being chased by monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know who they are, but they're definitely aiming at us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I dont know why theyd do this, but I agree. Maybe theyre pretending to be chased and trying to mix within our ranks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotmiller not only affirmed my words, he also added his own opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had the same idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S-, so, what do we do now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What to do? How to do it? Those were the questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, thanks to Rotmiller, we managed to find out about their scheme early in the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We should take advantage of this opportunity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take advantage? How do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was was no time to explain in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the other party had already arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"L-, light! There's a light!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In tandem with the male voice shouting, three men and women soaked in blood and sweat rushed into the radius of our torchlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you arent confident in your acting, just stay still and watch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispering that, I made eye contact with Rotmiller. He gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a reason why I got along well with this guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the dwarf who was worried to the bones seemed to understand exactly what I meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, let's start, slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dont come any closer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them rush in, I immediately grabbed my shield and went forward to block their way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"H-, hey, look! Our party got annihilated. Help! Well definitely pay!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A desperate yet urgent expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy was good at acting, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or was it a standard skillset for pillagers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Put down your weapons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, but therere monsters right behind us!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A human uncle in his early thirties pointed back to their trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A horde of orcs thatd come chasing them could be seen, staring at us from beyond the torchlight's range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chwi, chwiik!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the total number of targets increased, they were hesitating to approach, but we couldnt be sure how long thatd last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So come on, let us in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was evidently what the old man was going for, but so what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Its your choice. Either put down your weapons or get out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stubbornly repeated myself, but they couldnt answer easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a troublesome demand, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because in the labyrinth, your weapon is the same as your life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps they were even suspicious whether wed picked up on their acting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn't matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what choice they made, we had nothing to lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" Lets put them down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the decision was made, the man with the moustache dropped his weapon on the floor, and the other two also followed and threw theirs away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arent they being too greedy?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I was satisfied with their choice, I was also a little worried. They were taking such a big risk, what about us was worth that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no point in even trying to guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay then, slowly come forward. Stay apart from each other, as far as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, theres no need to be like this, right? We just wanted some help\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want help, do as youre told.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as they arrived one by one as instructed, Rotmiller approached and checked them for hidden weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" There doesn't seem to be any threat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right. Murad, you keep watch on them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, got it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarf stiffened and nodded his head, then marched forward at attention with jerking limbs like a North Korean soldier on parade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, a sigh escaped me\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, from their expressions, they didn't seem to sense anything awkward in our actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chwi, chwiik\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chwiik, chwiik, chwiik!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the dwarf with the trio of pillagers, we stepped forward to stare back at the orcs, and they soon turned around and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the orcs considered it a great risk to fight a group this large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As usual, all these monster bastards are clever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, well, compared to the adventurer bastards, they were nothing to write home about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any case, avoiding a useless battle was good news for us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since we were already facing a new problem, having to focus on the battle with the orcs wouldve been quite tiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoo, I really thought I was going to die\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the group of orcs disappeared, the woman of the trio plopped down on the floor, with a loud sigh as if all the wind in her lungs was leaving in a rush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, did she come to her senses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She got up from the floor with an apologetic look on her face and bowed politely to us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah! My name is Elisa. Thank you for saving us!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because of the exposed portion of her chest that peeked out through the torn top?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, khm. I am Hikurod Murad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarf coughed and turned his head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't seem like he was being shy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head was turned, but his eyes were still stuck at one place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it was Mr. Murad! And what's your name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am Bjorn, son of Yandel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, I see!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman whod introduced herself as Elisa came up to me and grabbed my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she bowed her head again, same as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this time, her breasts were further emphasized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah, I really survived this time thanks to you! What wouldve happened if I hadn't met you\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a bonus she squeezed out her panting breath and talked in a mellifluous voice that seemed to tickle my ear canals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that I looked at her again, this was probably why only she among the three had her top shredded to bits like this\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bjorn! Your eyes are glazing over!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha misunderstood the reason behind my focus and muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this wasnt the time to resolve the misunderstanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thered be a chance soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Name yourselves one by one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To clear their suspicions, I started with a simple and brainless perfunctory investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first person to introduce himself was the moustached uncle who was presumably the leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hans Argoda.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" Hans?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Its a common name. Do you know others with the same name as mine, perhaps?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, um, well Yeah, thats it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans A had been smashed in the head by my shield, and died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't seen Hans B since I accidentally got advice from him at a drinking party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I met Hans C today, so this moustached uncle here seemed to be following the same steps as A.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, he was done and it was the next ones turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My name is Irita Tason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tason, a blond spearman with a tall physique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I estimated his age to be in the mid-twenties, and I couldn't find any special features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had to mention one thing, maybe his politeness?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was a situation where I had to wonder if Id survive, but I managed to avoid my death thanks to you. Thank you again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the spearman, Tason, bowed ninety degrees to show his respect and humility, Elisa also started making a fuss in her characteristic, natural tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really! Who knows what wouldve happened to us if it weren't for you? Lord Reatlas mustve guided us to your side!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reatlas?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotmiller stiffened at that word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he carefully spoke to Elisha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps you, Miss Elisha\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, I havent told you my last name yet. My name is Elisa Behenk. And as you can see\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elisha shuffled her feet, checked her clothes, and cried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was originally a white outfit, but now it was torn here and there and covered in sweat and grime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" I guess you cant see? But, indeed, I serve Lord Reatlas!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ooh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really were a priest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the dwarf just let out a brief exclamation, Rotmiller closed his eyes and drew a brief sign of the God in front of Elisha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, this guy was a hell of an actor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May the stars of the twilight guide us\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, the stars of the twilight shall guide us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did she think herself successful at her ruse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elisha also smiled brightly and drew a sign. And the vigilant atmosphere surrounding us faded in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, at least that was how it looked like to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We all know she can't be a real priest, so '\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, what?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry! I shouldve helped you with your wounds first\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasnt an impersonator? An actual priest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I flinched at the unexpected development, Hans C pulled up his shirt to show a stab wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elisa chanted a prayer, and brought her white, glowing hand to the wounded area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssshhhh\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a point of fact, the wound healed really quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was true divine power. No matter how suspiciously I watched, I couldnt refute that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I be so sure if Id never seen it before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First of all, from the sound was different from potions, and also just by looking at the expression on that Hans C over there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didnt he look calm and gentle as if there was no pain at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May the stars of the twilight guide us\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What an unexpected development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotmiller, whod also gotten flustered for a moment, soon regained his senses and kept drawing the Gods sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a man witnessing a divine miracle right before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed a bit exaggerated to my eyes, but in fact, this was probably the normal reaction given how this world was structured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as demihumans grow up in their holy places, most human children learn to read and accumulate knowledge in the temples from an early age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight behind the title of priest, is different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah! So can we get our weapons back now, please?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elisha asked naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke as if shed realized only now that she didnt have a weapon at hand. Perhaps showing her divine power had been to lead to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It mustve been this trust in herself that had let her make the bold decision to throw away their weapons earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But so what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You cant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eh? Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she stared with a puzzled expression, I also responded naturally. Well, there was no need to reveal just yet that we already know their identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know that youre a real priest. But so what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was a barbarian who believed in the ancestors!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Id never received anything from the priests, so it wasnt strange for me to react like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elisa smiled awkwardly and looked at Rotmiller and Dwalky, the two humans in the party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like she was trying to get some help\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued in the same stubborn tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The weapons can be returned when you leave after giving us the reward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Re-, reward?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whyre you so surprised? Whether you're a priest or whatever, as long as you've entered the labyrinth, you're an adventurer. You have to follow the convention.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, yes I've heard of such a custom. Then how much should I give you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pretended to think for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About two million stones would work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" Wh-, what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elisa asked as if shed heard it wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I was aloof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isnt that an unreasonable request?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Um, no, this was reasonable enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some villains even rob people of their equipment in return for their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dont think of it as a waste, think of it as the price of your life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But we dont have that much money, you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would carry cash with them when they entered the labyrinth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that we got the expected answer, it was time for the next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Im not asking you to lower the price. At least wait till we go outside\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way. I don't believe in the promises of people other than my kin. If you dont have the money, pay in kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" In kind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, I think that mans armour should be enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I pointed to Hans C with my index finger, he frowned. But after a short and silent exchange of glances with Elisa, he sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh, yes, its npt a bad trade to save our lives with just this much. But instead, there are conditions. We will stay with you tonight until our fatigue is relieved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded willingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their intentions were obvious, but what was the problem? It wasnt like we were ever going to reach the point where this promise would have to be fulfilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Irita, can you help me, please?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans C, who took off his heavy armour with the help of the spearman next to him, handed the equipment to Rotmiller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alright, one bastards armour had been stripped off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, I think I'll start by taking everything I can grab'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, now that the price has been paid, could you please return our weapons to us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't take it any longer and smiled brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, I never thought things would turn out so well\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" Why are you laughing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans C looked at me and asked with a firm face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very rudely, I didn't respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, I never solved Misha's misunderstanding that my eyes were glued to Elisas form, hm? She was so sullen about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because even if I didnt tell her why out loud, she was going to find out soon enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You over there, Yandel, right? If you keep asking for more here, we'll be in trouble\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, no, that's not it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with my answer, my mace rose up and struck Elisa in the head,thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"L-, Lady Elisa!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doesnt matter which game it is, crushing the enemy healers skull first is common sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, the project isn't continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the advanced chapter for the Ko-fi subscribers. As someone emailed asking about it, here it is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry if some of you got your hopes up.\u003C\u002Fp>",2356,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","e6df6945391a2965e3544d943568356d009434f82bd85e54b0583e98b054e8ef","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-55","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-53",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]