[{"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-544":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},1328221,1764,"Chapter 544: Ghost (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-544",544,"\u003Cp>The Ghost Busters — the gathering of wraiths held every month on the 15th, based on the city’s time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My routine here was almost always the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiiiiing—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, I’d turn on my computer and log into the community, then check how many people were in the chatroom called ‘Long Live Korean Independence.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No one’s here yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, I’d head to the free bulletin board to lurk and quickly scan the latest info, then return to the chatroom to chat with Baekho and Hyunbyeol until an hour passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Baekho left, I’d spend the remaining time talking with Hyunbyeol until it was time for the roundtable meeting, and naturally part ways from the chatroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click, click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was no different from the usual routine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, I smoothly opened the free bulletin board on my monitor and skimmed the titles of posts already starting to come in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like drinking morning coffee while reading a newspaper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without rush—relaxing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I flipped to the page pushed back already and checked the title of the first post today, I couldn’t help but utter a dumbfounded sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Closure of the Basement 1st Floor of the Laphdonia Royal Family.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell is this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click, click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking it might be just a simple clickbait post, I kept clicking the mouse button repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The title was irresistible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— OOOO.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, as expected, there was no main content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, posts like this get the first spot and then the content is edited in later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What mattered was the comments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d give at least minimal fact-checking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[arolf5205: Ah, I was gonna post this first.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[NIKAMOTO: This is going to be a hot topic again.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[AI_DIDIGO: Fact 1: 56% of the first posts on the day the community opens get over 100 comments and make it to the hot topic list.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[└Ki11Humans77: Wow, it’s Didigo. Please let me get a grade 3 essence in the next exploration.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[└MarkG: But what’s so good about being a hot topic?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[└Paweł: The admins give some GP. But I don’t think that’s the reason they keep doing this.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not accusations of baiting or trolling, but users chatting on other topics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From their reactions, I understood one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn, it’s really true.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closure of the basement first floor of Laphdonia’s royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was fact, and already common knowledge to many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly refreshed the post and scrolled down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The productive discussions always come later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It takes time to write.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Darkrealm93: \u002FN_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t\u002F But I don’t get the royal family. Why are they blocking access from the next exploration?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[└Akaistos: Haven’t you heard? It’s too dangerous.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[└Darkrealm93: I’m not unaware. There must be another reason.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[└WhyDoYouSniffShit: Obviously. There’s a war going on and people keep trying to desert by going to basement 1, so they’re pissed.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[└funkinthetrunk: But no one even knows how to get down to basement 1 yet, so what’s the point of banning entry?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[└WhyDoYouSniffShit: Exactly, stop wasting time on pointless things, just keep being cannon fodder.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I roughly understood the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s been a month since basement 1’s existence was revealed to the outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, two clans entered during the previous cycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I remember quite a few of those clans couldn’t enter.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many explorers returned to the city after watching their comrades head to basement 1.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No doubt they helped spread awareness of basement 1 further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some savvy ones probably already figured out how to get in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, they definitely did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So everyone was preparing to go down. That’s why the royal family is trying to block it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, if big clans knew how to enter, then the royal family must be aware of the method too...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmmm...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation’s unfolding quite interestingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued scanning comments and the flood of new posts for a while, then put down the mouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, I was deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the royal family banned it, people would generally avoid going down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, guess I just have to revise the plan and watch for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ran simulations in my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after some time passed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, they must be waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing significant time had passed in my daydream, I quickly snapped out of it and entered the chatroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oppa, you’re here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, hyung! You’re late again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I logged in, Hyunbyeol and Baekho greeted me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, I’m a bit late today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s okay. We weren’t worried anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head, not understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baekho grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feels like the main character always shows up late? Well, I don’t see that as bad. Actually, kinda cool...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s this guy saying now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled and sat on the empty sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, no issues with you two?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I’m fine, oppa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baekho, you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked indirectly whether they were good or bad without going into details, but unconsciously watched Hyunbyeol’s reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did this guy notice that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine. Hyunbyeol knows who I am anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, hyung! I’m not that clueless. I know it’s okay to talk in front of hyunbyeol. I’m outside the castle right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baekho casually shared his recent situation while Hyunbyeol quietly listened with an intrigued look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Baekho, are you really okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What would be wrong? We’re all from the same hometown anyway. I honestly felt a bit awkward when it was just the two of us chatting without hyunbyeol. It’s more fun talking with all three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still wondered if that was really okay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since he said he was fine, it wasn’t my place to say otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I secretly agreed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeah... talking in a trio really feels like something’s moving...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More precisely, it felt close to being back in Korea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talking about military service, politics, or craving kimchi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was the only one where we could have those conversations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life in this world was satisfactory enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were moments when I clearly missed such talks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, so how’s it there? Have you met the people of Noark?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It’s been about a week, and now we’re just exploring around to find out stuff. We haven’t found Auril Gavis yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Auril Gavis...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Hyunbyeol doesn’t know. I went outside the castle to find that guy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh... I see?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, Hyunbyeol carried herself like she was the best and didn’t get intimidated, but when something big like that came up, she seemed surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Haven’t seen that side of her in a while.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching that made me a little nostalgic, and Hyunbyeol glared at me sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wasn’t laughing just now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t say anything either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, I asked Baekho about what he was curious about outside the castle, and he kindly explained what he’d found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was a thoroughly unknown region even in the game, every little thing was interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those, one thing stood out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can farm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Laphdonia, outside the castle walls, living is possible without magic stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this only raised more questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why do they keep trying to sneak into the labyrinth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is Noark still at war?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why can’t they leave the labyrinth even going as far as making portals to the outside?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Baekho didn’t have a clear answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know. But there must be a reason. Most likely it’s deeply related to that Auril Gavis guy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably. Okay, let me know if you find out anything else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, hyung.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That topic ended for the time being, and there were about ten minutes until Baekho logged out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So we spent the rest of the time talking nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, I think I talked a lot about myself today. Next time, tell me about you, hyung. I’ve been curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it. I’ll tell you next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See you then!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baekho logged out when his time came, and nothing special happened while spending time with Hyunbyeol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since he seems so curious, he must be doing something interesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha... not really...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t change the subject. We’re about to read books now, give me some too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, then thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I comfortably took the book Hyunbyeol handed me and started reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been a bit curious since last time we stopped at an interesting part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is this so fun?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I giggled while reading, and when touching parts got emotional, my eyes welled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deeply immersed, Hyunbyeol lying on the sofa tapped my knee with her toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it time to go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reluctantly closing the book, I stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hyunbyeol tossed out casually:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s that fun, come again later. I’ll lend you more books then...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to bother. I have plenty of GP, I’ll just buy and read.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See you next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, I left the chatroom, stretched out, and loosened up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strictly speaking, stretching wasn’t really needed here...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But reading books had made it a habit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, it somehow refreshed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were plenty of things to do at the roundtable today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing a lion-mask that covered the whole face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beneath it, a neat navy suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking in the mirror dressed in that usual set, an inexplicable confidence welled up inside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if I had become someone who could do anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But regardless of that feeling, I coldly self-assessed my current condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Severe case.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phew, doing a concept for a whole year is tough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feels like my own concept is going to consume me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, of course, I’m not planning to stop now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tread, tread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After checking my outfit in the mirror, I walked down the hallway toward the roundtable room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, everyone was already there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fishsit, you’ve arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe... welcome, Mr. Lion Mask!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re last again today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring their greetings, I headed to my designated seat, then suddenly recalled what Baekho said earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The main character always appears late, huh?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the roundtable, Baekho was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I always tried to arrive as late as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if I tried to excuse myself, it wasn’t because I enjoyed arriving last to steal the spotlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real reason was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It would be weirder if I came early.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, those who arrive early chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could I do joining in?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not small talk and laughter, just making the mood awkward by sitting nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then... since everyone’s here... let’s begin...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there... some problem...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring greetings and lost in thought, the wolf cautiously glanced at me and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing special.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then... let’s get started. Everyone’s busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, the wolf took charge and led the meeting today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I didn’t care who did—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ugh, why does this mask turn me into such a mindset to the bone?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I figured it might be time to start being cautious and vigilant, but I decided to put that thought aside and listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to speak was Deer Antlers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The royal family has finalized the order to close basement floor 1. Anyone who disobeys and descends will be executed regardless of status.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Such a harsh punishment is unusual.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, but this only applies strictly to clans of a certain size. We believe ordinary explorers won’t be punished that severely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they just block clans from defecting, they can prevent the battlefield from collapsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn, those royal bastards never do anything helpful.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, starting from Deer Antlers, members quickly took turns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two notable things stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The unknown statues appearing on floor 3 can be enchanted with ‘Distortion’ magic and when defeated, yield three types of emblem fragments. These are the keys to basement 1.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The queen shared the method of entering the basement first-floor archive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fishsit, this might be good news for you all. Sadly, our elite team attacking floor 8 has failed and suffered heavy losses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jester.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just something to be taken lightly, but as soon as I heard it, I felt a lightning bolt in my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Failed to clear floor 8...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No proof, but it didn’t seem like a coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I unknowingly blurted out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kalheum.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the eight-floor rifts, the City of Light Kalheum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very field where Milayel, who dropped the Verdant Spear, appears as a rift guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I mentioned it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Fishsit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jester’s deflated laugh stopped abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do you know that, Mr. Lion Mask...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What, it was really there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then is the failure of the rift raid related to that guy appearing below?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking that while deducing, the jester quickly composed himself and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, ahem! I asked a silly question. If it’s Mr. Lion Mask, you probably have ears everywhere in Noark too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just left it alone but it seemed like he gave himself a convincing excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that why you should get famous first?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care if the jester made a fuss or not, the members’ eyes turned to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s already my turn.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, what info should I pull out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, I didn’t have to think about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now, if something interesting came up, I’d respond with info to keep the concept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I didn’t come to give info today.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, there was a change of plans. The royal family had just made a huge mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If things go on like this, newcomers will stop coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I had to act proactively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The queen gave the entrance method, so we can just skip that...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the royal family gave a death penalty, I wasn’t too worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because I know explorers well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The basement 1 archive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Explorers don’t care much about their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bjorn Yandel acquired two single number items there in two months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as there’s enough gold beyond that...\u003C\u002Fp>",2262,"2026-06-05T19:33:16.156Z",1,"novelbin.me","e498c61af1646de48bdde978a8d2c7273c6fc65f2b77bc7a4cd47ce0bad33088","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-545","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-543",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]