[{"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-557":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},1328084,1764,"Chapter 557: First Clear (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-557",557,"\u003Cp>Monsters also have something called recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, if you mention Bellarios to ordinary people, a hundred out of a hundred would respond that they've never heard of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when you talk about ogres, orcs, trolls, goblins, minotaurs,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>immediately, they form an image in their mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, what’s the difference between those two?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Folklore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my view, it’s about whether or not there’s a story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like Earthlings grow up hearing fairy tales like The Little Mermaid or The Nutcracker, the locals here grow up listening to such stories too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cunning goblin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ignorant orc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The labyrinth’s minotaur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest tyrant ogre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters that have stories often come with such prefixes, and that applies even to first-grade monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Have you all heard? We might have to fight monsters like Kashan and Leviathan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean the prophesied wolf and the sea god?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prophecy Wolf Kashan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sea God Leviathan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, they’re even called just by their prefixes, so at first, you might not know what they mean, only to look it up later and understand what they refer to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, that’s not the important part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...If we truly meet and defeat them, it would indeed be a legendary feat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m a bit worried. Is it even possible for us alone to handle such beasts...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone already knew they’d be hunting first-grade monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even within the expedition team, public opinion was split.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, you worry too much. Honestly, meeting them is so rare they’re treated like legends, but essentially, aren’t they just monsters? With our current strength, we can definitely handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, I hope you’re right...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were optimistic, others uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to confirm the mood, Jerome glanced around, then the mage waiting beside him quickly activated voice-command magic again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you say we can’t catch anything but Kashan... Baron, could you elaborate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s nothing more to say. Just take it as it is. So you decide whether to follow the mage’s words or the explorer’s.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my words, the old mage beside me chuckled heartily. Ah, though his mouth smiled, his eyes did not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand the Baron values experience, but we are people who have spent decades digging through records and gaining knowledge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I cannot accept that we have only one option. In the case of the most recently slain first-grade monster, only forty people participated in the battle. And...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mage shrugged his shoulders, glanced at the expedition troops gathered around, and only then did I realize where their confidence came from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think that because forty people did it, you can too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. The kingdom has carefully selected two hundred of the best talents, so there’s no way we can’t succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, let me check this. The forty you mentioned—are you talking about the Boat Clan disbanded decades ago due to dimensional collapse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mage looked slightly surprised at my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You know about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I didn’t rely solely on in-game knowledge and studied a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As far as I know, each of them was the kingdom’s top explorer. And they prepared for over half a year. For just one battle, they spent hundreds of millions of stones to buy all the necessary items.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We in our expedition also have plenty of supplies—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Vesillus, please do not interrupt the Baron.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jerome quietly silenced the old mage who was about to retort, which allowed me to continue more comfortably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You say supplies are enough? Impossible. Until just an hour ago, we never even imagined facing a first-grade monster. Or do you think potions and scrolls can take down such a beast?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mage sneered in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to the Baron’s logic, Kashan wouldn’t be any different, right? Both sides are equally unprepared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, I expected that reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without giving him a chance, I spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kashan is the first-grade monster with the lowest durability.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Kashan is also highly aggressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why it’s possible to catch it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...On what grounds do you say that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked for evidence, so I pointed at myself with my thumb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I’m here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can suppress the creature as much as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mage was momentarily speechless at my confident statement, so I quickly provided other rational reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, Kashan has no widely known strategies. That means it’s a creature you can catch without such preparations. Although there will be some casualties, with Kashan, we can surely win.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think about that, Sir Vesillus?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...If interpreted that way, any monster can be caught, and at the same time, none can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words only denied mine without any convincing reasoning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jerome said nothing further about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jerome nodded thoughtfully, lost in thought, while the old mage whispered like a schemer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander Saintred, how about asking everyone and deciding? Whether to summon Leviathan as I suggest or to follow the Baron’s plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put, he wanted to hold a vote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t stand that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious whether people would believe the barbarian or the old mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not a bad trick.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to stop that vote at all costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to open my mouth,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jerome’s solemn voice echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you passing responsibility to your subordinates because you can’t even choose between two options? Sir Vesillus, such a commander will never gain genuine trust from anyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I’m not passing responsibility; I’m only asking for opinions—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Same difference. A commander is one who decides and takes responsibility for that decision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jerome dismissed the old mage’s words and firmly ended the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, it’s decided.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Decided?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We will summon Kashan, the Prophesied Wolf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the atmosphere where no one dared speak, Jerome continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a decision I made entirely by myself, and I will take full responsibility for any consequences from this judgment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So prepare accordingly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other leaders could only say one thing in response to his charisma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nia Lapdonia...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh, the kingdom really has many talents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meeting ended,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>while I was sharing the results with our Squad 4 members, Jerome came to find me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron, can we talk for a moment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without needing to go somewhere secluded, everyone made way discreetly at the commander’s appearance, and the mage even cast voice-command magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha ha, I didn’t intend to disturb you this much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say a heavy head is a good head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Is there such a saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I made it up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jerome quickly got to the point after I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Vesillus told me not to worry too much because he’ll manage things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Manage...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There was friction between you and the mage tower, right? Maybe that’s why some deliberately refuse to acknowledge your words and act stubborn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Did he know about Kashan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not much more than everyone else. Actually, I just heard about the Boat Clan earlier too. I’m not an explorer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Then how did you know the mage deliberately refused to accept it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He might lack exploration experience, but he’s not ignorant of people. Besides, Sir Vesillus is easy to read.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking down stone gates and such, I thought he was a simpleton who only did the tough work and left headaches to the deputy commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Guess not.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those types are the hardest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They naturally distinguish when to use strength and when to use their head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a way, he’s similar to me...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, don’t hate him too much. Until we leave this place, whether we like it or not, we’re comrades.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. I wasn’t paying attention anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way... you’re having a tough time too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I don’t think of it as hardship...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guess you were born a soldier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha ha, Baron, how about joining the army? I think you’d adapt well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ugh, what a terrible idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still, it’s unexpected. I didn’t think we’d get along so well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe we could be friends from now on—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Baron.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Yeah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask a favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The more I see you, the more you remind me of someone from my memories. So, though it probably can’t be, ...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jerome ominously set the stage, then handed me an object he had between his arm and waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here, try this on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a helmet that covered the entire face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I’m, I’m hungry, so I’ll go first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Friendship? No chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll just avoid this guy as much as possible from now on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first-grade beast type, the Prophesied Wolf Kashan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was decided to summon him, we hadn’t started the raid right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First-grade monsters are not easy opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We need to be in perfect condition, with full HP and MP...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All troops, listen up! Sir Vesillus will now explain the characteristics of the monster we’ll face!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before planning strategy, understanding the patterns is essential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We can’t just pick and choose like when summoning third- or second-grade monsters, or we won’t be prepared for variables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, greetings, everyone. As you know, I’m Gahwyn Vesillus, the chief mage of the First Expeditionary Force. I’ll now explain the traits of the Prophesied Wolf, Kashan. First, the origin of his name is...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mage’s explanation, filled with theory and knowledge, was boring beyond words, but since our lives were on the line, everyone listened attentively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, everyone except one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rrrrgrrrr! Rrrrrrrrgrr!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Ainar, who was snoring deeply, and saw veins popping on the old mage’s forehead, but since I seemed bothered, he passed it over silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Later, I’ll have to explain things in barbarian style just for him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, after the theory lesson, the leadership meeting was held again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Positioning, what supplies to use, how to cycle damage during the raid, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We discussed for hours with no unexpected advice to give because there really wasn’t anything to fix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Saintred, have you ever fought a monster like this before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm... if you find anything lacking, tell me. I’m all ears.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh... that wasn’t a challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told Jerome I was just surprised because there was nothing to find fault with, and he smiled happily, humbly replying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good thing I took labyrinth ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ tactics in my youth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Labyrinth tactics? Do knights learn that when they become knights?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Generally, no. It was just that my father was a bit unusual.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the initial meeting, we all put our heads together and ran combat simulations, continuously thinking about potential variables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Being with many people like this feels like playing a tabletop RPG.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe because I’m used to playing Dungeon and Stone alone?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I find this kind of conversation somewhat enjoyable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s enough for today. Tomorrow we’ll mobilize everyone for a mock battle, so get some rest early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the planning done, the next day we all gathered before the stone gate, familiarizing ourselves with the routes and doing battle rehearsals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, you there! Your position’s wrong! You belong here, not there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, sorry...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kelt Avison—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wrong! Your name is a disgrace to humans!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think saying sorry is enough for military law? Are you stupid? Look! Even the barbarian Ainard knows his place!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I doubted how helpful the mock battle would be in real combat, I tried to be as strict as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You never know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might save someone’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...The Baron is truly a scary man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I couldn’t help but recall my days as a squire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be too upset, everyone. Don’t you know the Baron? He only says those things because he wants the best for us all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well... I’m sure his heart is breaking even while he acts that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably because I’d built good rapport beforehand, no one really rebelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s it. There’ll be no missions until noon tomorrow, so rest well and strengthen your minds!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the mock battle, we set up camp earlier than usual and went to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then at noon the next day—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All troops, to your positions!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To your positions!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Place the book on the altar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stood in their places, staring at the stone gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drdrdrdrdrdrdrdr-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone gate opened, flashing a blue light through the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And slowly from the darkness—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuuung—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A four-legged beast emitting a sinister aura appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has been exposed to [Ominous Prophecy].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Luck value is fixed at -200.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, let’s begin.\u003C\u002Fp>",2060,"2026-06-05T19:33:16.709Z",1,"novelbin.me","85dec61737e6fe31bccddbca4ec8d6f73ee5e65c327e61cfba23aa2ef24c92f9","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-558","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-556",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]