[{"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-573":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},1328103,1764,"Chapter 573: Last Community (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-573",573,"\u003Cp>Misha Kalstein is a traitor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since that information first came out of Butterfly’s mouth, Fox tried to dig deeper into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably the same even if it hadn’t been at my request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether he liked it or not, Fox had to act together with Misha going forward. He wouldn’t want to stay in a disturbing state knowing there was a traitor among his comrades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it was a risky question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the second time you’ve spoken about Misha Kalstein, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly repeated the question in a strange tone while staring at Fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if piercing through his true intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quite interested, aren’t you? In that beast-woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...So what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh... just saying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe, by the time this roundtable ends, most members here will have the suspicion ‘Fox = Bjorn Yandel’s comrade’ firmly planted in their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, a lot of information about the basement first floor has already been leaked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, it’s almost certain now that this guy is inside the labyrinth...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Armin expedition team and the Hext clan have yet another reason to return alive as many as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a saying to hide the tree among trees and hide people among people. The more survivors there are, the less likely Versil’s identity will be exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that’s a story for later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I ask now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only Fox, but other members continued asking questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who gave you the code to enter the roundtable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Queen was curious about how Butterfly had gained access here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, Black Mask surprisingly joined the questioning for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was surprising he spoke at all, but more surprising was the content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think Misha Kalstein is a threat to Bjorn Yandel’s life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell is that about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s hard to understand why such a question was asked, but the situation wasn’t bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm... Everyone seems quite interested in Misha Kalstein.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to Black Mask stepping in, suspicion aimed at Versil lessened a bit. Or rather, the attention was spread out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I think that’s the last of the questions...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the question time ended, Butterfly gave a playful laugh and took a moment to ponder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, what should I do...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was Butterfly’s choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she answered Black Mask’s or Fox’s question, I could confirm the parts I was curious about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Queen’s question was chosen, we’d have to wait for the next round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was no third round, there was a chance we’d never hear the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since two of you asked, I suppose it’s only right to answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment Butterfly said that, a slight relief rose in me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it didn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes such contradictions exist in this world. Things you want to know, but don’t want to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, whose question should I answer first...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly trailed off for a moment, then smiled and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, it’s up to my mood. Since both questions are pretty similar, I’ll just answer both.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, it sounds like a kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the more so, the more suspicious I felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because, who ever loses in a 1+1 event?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every action has a reason, and that reason is usually related to one’s own benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...If that’s my first thought, maybe I’m too broken already?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know, but I opened my ears and focused on the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly, dragging the moment out as if enjoying the attention, slowly began to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Misha Kalstein returned to Bjorn Yandel’s side under someone’s orders. But that order isn’t related to Bjorn Yandel’s death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed to be talking about Ibaekho and the Resurrection Stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered if she was called a traitor for some other reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But how does she even know about that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Butterfly be one of Ibaekho’s people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Ibaekho was the one who gave me the invitation code, so it wouldn’t be impossible...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you tell us exactly what kind of orders those were?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, that? As far as I know, it wasn’t much. Just to observe nearby and relay information.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the compensation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, only that woman would know... Ah, but I shouldn’t lie. I’ll leave that to your imagination.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My guess is that the compensation was probably the Resurrection Stone itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho is a sly enough guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He probably scared me with talk about my fate to die, then gave me the Resurrection Stone asking me to be a spy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the real purpose was to hand over the Resurrection Stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, thanks to this conversation, I learned one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was there any other order besides that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. None that I know of.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho’s scheme ended with the Resurrection Stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he’s probably scheming something behind the scenes, but the chances that Misha was involved in that scheme are low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the problem is...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is Butterfly answering so kindly?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Butterfly Mask and Ibaekho were on the same team, it made a plausible hypothesis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho knows I’m the Investigator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s naturally trying to give me information.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wish was always the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted me to sever my attachment to this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he deliberately leaked information about Misha being a traitor or something like that. Perhaps just that alone would break my trust and make me suspicious of those around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a no-lose attempt from his perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can we move on to the next turn now? I think I’ve answered enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Butterfly’s turn ended, and Black Mask’s turn came next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What should I ask...? I don’t really know much, so I don’t have much to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone sounded somewhat sly, but everyone agreed with Butterfly’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because he spoke so little, he seemed even more secretive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he did have questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll go with this one. Why did you ask earlier if Misha is a threat to Bjorn Yandel’s life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butterfly seemed curious about Black Mask’s identity, and Fox was similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you currently inside the basement first floor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he suspected that this guy might be one of those around us...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the Queen asked questions unrelated to identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said before that Auril Gavis could cross to Earth thanks to dimensional magic. Where did you get that information?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, all three questions were quite interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, by importance, the Queen’s question was the best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the answers were up to the others to choose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short pause, Black Mask briefly opened his mouth to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have never been to the basement first floor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an answer to Fox’s question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, if he really wasn’t mixed among us, that was probably the safest answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that an answer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Black Mask’s turn ended, the Jester opened his mouth as if he’d been waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phit, finally it’s me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does he really like being the center of attention that much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, ask quickly! Everyone must have a bunch of questions!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to his self-satisfied voice made me want to leave him with no questions at all just to shame him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How sad. I myself have questions I want to ask him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phit! To say you’re sad is truly delightful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of the Jester’s annoying attitude, the turn quickly passed with a barrage of questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fox, Wolf, Goblin, Queen, Black Mask...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All members except me and Butterfly asked one question each, and the Jester seemed very pleased by that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five questions... This might be the record so far? Phit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough, just pick what to answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But... there’s still one who hasn’t passed yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the Queen’s urging, the Jester glanced at me. He seemed to expect me to ask something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like I was some elementary school kid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I don’t have anything I’m curious about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm... Is that so...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anything’s fine. If it’s an interesting story.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I added that because he looked a little too disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unconscious, but I thought it might be a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given his personality, such stories might actually produce more useful information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that’s how things went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interesting stories... well, that’s not bad either. Then I’ll tell you a fun story for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha... just ask or answer already.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Queen sighed looking at the Jester who was drawing aggro on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still, her eyes focused on the Jester.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, I was curious about what the Jester’s “fun story” was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Year 154 of Gaebyeok, August 2nd. The Noark faction, living underground in the sewers where no light had ever shone for a long time, came out into the world beyond the walls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus began the Jester’s “fun story.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The world outside the walls was completely different from what we’d heard. There was no witch’s curse, and beyond the horizon lay vast green forests and fields.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Noark people explored the vast, uncharted lands like pioneers, and soon settled down in a suitable place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Enough with that strange concept, just get to the point—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phit, don’t be like that. Listen carefully now. This is important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Noark people wondered why the royal family locked people inside the walls. Why they stopped people from going outside into the perfectly fine world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They pondered for a long time, and luckily found the answer. And only recently made a grave decision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jester tapped the table to raise attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally revealed the core of the story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m not quite convinced how the story up to here leads to this result, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They decided to invade Lapdonia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A great war was foretold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noark and the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their conflict, after Noark came outside the walls, took place only inside the labyrinth. Noark occupied the 7th floor and fought the royal army, slowly growing stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now that phase is moving into reality...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An invasion... is that certain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phit... do you think I’d lie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When then? When is it happening?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact of the Jester’s information was tremendous. All members stirred, eager to hear more details from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re curious, find out yourself! That’s the end of my turn. Well, if I tell something fun before this meeting ends, maybe. Phit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jester drew the line at a suitable point and stopped talking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bit disappointing. I thought he might take advantage of the mood and say more—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While quietly sitting and gathering my thoughts, the Jester looked at me and carefully spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How was it this time? Did you find it even a little fun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I didn’t quite understand the reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Looks like he spilled the invasion plan purely because of me...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why does he want so badly to get my attention and approval?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, I answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that your question now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was my turn to receive their questions and give answers.\u003C\u002Fp>",1792,"2026-06-05T19:33:16.709Z",1,"novelbin.me","cb892529e970478df6e7f928511939a2b02aa2d77d9dd5853c5fa33047d5b09e","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-574","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-753",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]