[{"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-556":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},1328083,1764,"Chapter 556: First Clear (1)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-556",556,"\u003Cp>Bellarios.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grade 3 monster possessing a skill specialized in magic damage defense—my only real weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The base stats this essence provides are as follows:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic resistance +200.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An extraordinarily high magic resistance level unseen in any other monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All attribute affinity +30.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water, fire, wind, earth, and so on. No matter what elemental skill is used, this affinity amplifies its effectiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s all there is.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two stats are all that Bellarios has.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything else were added, the balance would become weird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve always wondered if it would be better to have resistance instead of affinity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, affinity itself is incredibly valuable and a very important stat in this game...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless you raised Flame Baba or Earth Baba.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the Shield Baba hardly ever uses it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The only skill currently benefiting is Stormgush.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Classified as wind attribute, [Eye of the Storm] and the water attribute [Invocation] both gain some performance boost from affinity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though these skills will eventually be erased, so it doesn’t matter much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...The important thing is the skill.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a pity the stats don’t have dual stats or resistance values attached, but considering the skills, it’s not a big loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stats can always be filled in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(P) Ring of Circulation — When a grade 3 or higher monster dies within radius, there is a chance to increase stats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A passive that increases stats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In some ways, it’s similar to the Manticore’s [Inheritance], which increases stats by consuming magic stones, but there is a crucial difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ring of Circulation] has no limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, as stats increase, activation chance decreases, so after a total of 400, it almost doesn’t go up anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(A) Scale of Greed — Adds additional correction proportional to magic resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, the core of this essence is its active skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Deep Sea Giant has 35, Bayon has 20, Ogre 80, Bellarios 200.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add 40 gained by deleting [Inheritance].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And 8 obtained through potions while running the Rift...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Total 383.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that’s not the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add 30% from the Earth Dragon blessing to 383...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘497.9.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, just shy of 500.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But here’s why [Gigantism] is the core skill, again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Earth Dragon blessing wasn’t even part of the Shield Baba’s build.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The character cast [Gigantism].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The character’s physique grows, increasing threat and physical stats proportionally to size.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without using the [Transcendence] Gigantism or buffing stats further with [Wild Outburst].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, this is enough to surpass 500 easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The character cast [Scale of Greed].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I used the skill, blue scales sprouted over my thick barbarian skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! Bjorn is evolving into a Lizardman!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lizardman, huh? A bit disappointing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced down at my suddenly changed body and smiled slyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「The character’s magic resistance is over 500.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「All received magic damage is reduced by 50%.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Physical resistance increases proportionally to absorbed magic damage.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, I acquired the Barbarian Dragon Mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating the essence and briefly reveling in trying out the skill,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations on your achievement, Baron. However, for now, I ask that you resume the mission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jerome’s timely remark dragged me back to the hunting grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ugh, who else but a fool obsessed with the mission?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a bit annoying, but considering efficiency, it wasn’t a bad thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Defeated Bantao.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Defeated Elder Wyvern.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Defeated Flitwinder...」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, every grade 3 monster killed is a gain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After killing about seven, a thing like an angelic ring formed above my head, drawing in the fading light orbs from defeated enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the effect of [Ring of Circulation] activating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having seen it activate on Auyen a few times, it wasn’t particularly surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Magic resistance permanently increased by +1.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Natural regeneration permanently increased by +1.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But without a system message, I don’t know exactly what went up. I’ll have to check my stats periodically at the mana tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most likely, physical stats increased too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This time it was a close call. From now on, stick closer.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ring of Circulation] has an activation mechanism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a defeated monster is within 1m radius, the chance of increasing physical stats rises significantly; within 5m radius, it’s completely random.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If more than 10m away, it’s influenced by stats related to supernatural abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, naturally, I researched this myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pause! Squad 3 and temporary squad 4, relieve squads 1 and 2!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some time later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The headquarters ordered a shift change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights chatting cheered, but I was an exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah... I just want to keep stacking stats here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When else will I have a chance to kill so many grade 3 or higher monsters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want to soak up the benefits while with the expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron, since you have no prior experience leading troops, you might not know well, but discipline is discipline. It must be obeyed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander Jerome cut down my request sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said that once a precedent is set, someone will abuse it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since arguing won’t add any flexibility, I had no choice but to resign myself and turn away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Kwang! Pazzzz!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the stone door behind, as I moved up and down the towering bookshelves ferrying books, I could clearly see the battle unfolding below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights’ colorful auras flashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With priests’ heals pouring out over the battlefield, the knights swung their swords without fear of injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ihiliat Bendai Tiulon!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of mages combined spells and unleashed overwhelming firepower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was why I hurried to obtain this essence, even if it meant squeezing every last drop from my fountain pen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I must prepare for the worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There are way too many mages.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they turned against me now, I judged it would be hard to respond properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At least I could put up minimal resistance now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phew, speaking of which, I should feed essence to Amelia too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I feel awkward using my last fountain pen again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe if I wait, I’ll be lucky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, what are you thinking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you always so curious about what I’m thinking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha... I wonder why......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re silly......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While pondering, I kept fetching books, and soon the time came to switch shifts again, and the day ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such days repeated many times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 114 since entering the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4 PM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only eight hours remained until the rainy season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander, we’ve reached the last bookshelf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The end of the library assault was near.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I was a bit surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t expect to reach the library’s end content in just a week.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to us, who had hunted for over a month but only reached grade 3 or 2 monsters, this speed was incomparable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there’s a justification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their goal wasn’t hunting but progressing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike us who summoned as many grade 3 monsters as possible, the expedition took out only one book per floor and summoned monsters to increase floor levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Until further notice, all troops may rest freely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, the royal army, which never stopped summoning until late at night, halted all missions and ordered the troops to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the leadership was exempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, let’s begin the meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While everyone rested to recover stamina and mana, the leadership, including me, gathered for a meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All wore grim expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew from Hemsik that there were grade 1 monsters in the last book...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they didn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as suspected, grade 1 monsters appeared in the last book.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy commander’s voice was cold, stiff, and slightly trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it didn’t change what needed to be done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must inform you in advance that the commander has resolved to continue the mission even if the enemy is a grade 1 monster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I expected this, it caused some unrest among the expedition leadership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grade 1 monsters... will surely cause severe casualties.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I question whether this mission is worth that cost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood their feelings well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There have been sacrifices even getting here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander, seven soldiers have already fallen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven died during battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six were knights from the expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was a warrior from the Armin exploration team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how many priests there are, instant death leaves no chance to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘These days, losing limbs is common.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous summoning book alone produced two grade 2 and four grade 3 monsters, and now everyone participates in combat, not just some squads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, more than twenty limbs were lost in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Priests healed them all after the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if a grade 1 monster appeared in this situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If further casualties occur here, it will be a great loss even for the royal family—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight voiced concern, but Commander Jerome cut him off immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a sacred mission granted by the royal family. Therefore, we must carry it out, no matter what sacrifices follow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a military with strict hierarchy, once Jerome spoke decisively, the nervous knight fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy commander glanced around and resumed the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether to proceed with the mission is not on today’s agenda.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason Jerome gathered all commanders for a meeting was one:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Among the seven confirmed monster species, anyone may freely suggest which to summon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which summon would be the most rational choice?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the meeting officially began, various opinions emerged, and I silently evaluated them one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe Leviathan is the best choice. This isn’t the sea, right? Since Leviathan benefits greatly from aquatic terrain, the difficulty should be relatively low.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leviathan was immediately dismissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though a plausible argument, our team isn’t equipped to catch Leviathan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about Tol-Rapufa? It’s a monster specialized in defense, so if we invest enough time, I think it’s the option that would cause the least damage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was dismissed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though there are many knights, the expedition’s core dealers are mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This team can never break through its shell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think summoning Kashan is the right choice—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I think Ridger is a much better opponent than Kashan—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leadership exchanged opinions, sometimes contradicting or agreeing with one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to me, it all seemed pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grade 1 monsters are legendary beasts rarely fought directly, so their presented arguments lacked reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In the end, do I have to step in?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it’s game talk, I’ve hunted countless grade 1 monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meeting felt meaningless to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just watching them discuss who to summon to minimize damage showed no one considered failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all truly believed whichever of the seven they summoned, they’d win...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come to think of it, Baron, you’ve been silent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you have an opinion, Baron?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was wondering when to speak, but they set me up nicely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leadership at once showed strong interest and focused on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we summon one, it has to be Kashan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That blunt statement made their eyes shine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean the wolf from the prophecy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron, you share my opinion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some looked surprised; others pleased their opinion «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» matched mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I may ask, why must it be Kashan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expedition’s top-ranked mage asked with a somewhat condescending look, as if seeing a brainless barbarian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He was the one for Leviathan.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior mage lectured me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kashan is the most aggressive of the monsters mentioned. Our expedition will surely suffer great casualties.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bah, just because you know some magic and studied a little, doesn’t mean you’ve mastered it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if you have a reason to insist on Kashan over the others, speak up. If you fail to convince us—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m not sure why this old man seemed surprised that I said I had a reason after asking me to explain first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tol-Rapufa, Leviathan, or whatever—they’re not options.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What I mean is, Kashan is the only one we can catch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest? Not even in a million years.\u003C\u002Fp>",1971,"2026-06-05T19:33:16.709Z",1,"novelbin.me","59cd8cd55ab98c2d29802a508a7aef325fafc3aa9e9d7139c6e0a8f869d3a528","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-557","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-555",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]