[{"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-593":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},1328142,1764,"Chapter 593: RPG (1)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-593",593,"\u003Cp>The boss room we entered by climbing the guardian statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I called it a rift for lack of a better term, strictly speaking, it wasn’t really a rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mages said that the unique properties that a rift portal should have were completely absent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I just let it slide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, beyond the portal, unlike normal rifts, there was only the boss room standing alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This time it really is a rift...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the stone door that opened after defeating all guardian statues was a hidden rift portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well... the underground first floor is technically its own layer.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So a unique rift specific to a layer exists?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not really strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief said not to expect too much since he had never seen a rift generated during all that time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no way it doesn’t exist.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t doubt the existence of rifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not random but sometimes opens only at specific locations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I figured the underground first floor was such a case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be careful! If you get sucked in, there’s no turning back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the result of the wavelength measurement?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the mages gathered near the portal collecting various data, I stepped back and took a moment to gather my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I thought maybe there’d be rifts above the sixth floor...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my cautious internal guess was spectacularly off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, maybe it’s too early to say for sure?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe the portal randomly sends you to one of the rifts above the sixth floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Though honestly, it doesn’t seem likely.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gamer’s intuition said otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a high possibility the portal leads to the unique rift of the underground first floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than curiosity or excitement about what kind of rift it might be, worry weighed heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place isn’t like a game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No retries allowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We must succeed on the first try in an unknown rift where nothing is known — not the guardians, not the monsters, not the terrain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Yandel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah... Emily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia noticed my seriousness and gave me a worried look but didn’t speak, only handing me a waterskin filled with cold water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A leadership meeting was held where the mages shared their research so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apart from minor details, there were two major points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We observed no decrease in mana density or other phenomena at the rift portal. The likelihood of natural dissipation over time appears extremely low.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s enough time before entering the rift to think carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning there’s no need to rush a team in hastily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was what I expected, but hearing such a definitive statement was somewhat reassuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our investigation team believes the rift allows a maximum of five entrants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This part surprised me in many ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting a maximum capacity of five is one thing, but how did they know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can their investigation even determine that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t the case in the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious, I asked about the investigation process and got a somewhat deflating answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well... there was a mural on the inner side of the stone door... After in-depth discussions, our team concluded it likely indicates the total capacity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it wasn’t learned by magic but just a guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course... since it’s an interpretation from a subjective viewpoint, our team fully acknowledges the possibility that this interpretation might be wrong, and we ask for understanding on this matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell is this mage saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, I accidentally said it out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere grew awkward suddenly, but I didn’t add any excuses or corrections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s not very barbarian-like...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basically, they’re just covering themselves in case our guess is wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, then let’s pause the meeting here. I have something to discuss with the Baron, so please clear the room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief understood my signal and had everyone leave, then asked me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What would you like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as during the statue exploration, he expressed willingness to leave all exploration decisions to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The mages’ speculation makes sense, so I plan to form a team of five for now. Of course, I’ll also prepare additional teams as backups.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wise. Let me know when the lineup’s finalized—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before that, there’s one thing I want to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut him off and he looked at me with that unreadable, chilling gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With permission, I bluntly asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you planning to enter the rift with us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm, no point in lying clumsily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief internal debate, I answered honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can afford to die anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re perfect as a scout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First friend, first love, first farewell...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First times are special and long-remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I was no different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I had entered rifts countless times playing [Dungeon and Stone], memories of the first attempts in each remain vivid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Fortress, Glacier Cave, White Temple...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rifts I entered with no prior info.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Took extreme caution in the runs, but 99% ended with game over, losing my precious characters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hammer dwarf, sniper fairy, beast voodoo priest...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Data fragments lost just because I didn’t know better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that I regret it now, but those experiences naturally shaped one realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Getting wiped out on the first rift is normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except, of course, when you’re blatantly overpowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Judging by the underground first floor’s difficulty, we’re probably not overpowered.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the chief’s participation was a crucial matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant we could throw around Jerome Saintred, one of the strongest, recklessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, if I die, it benefits you too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Not sure how that benefits me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said awkwardly but couldn’t deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, does that mean refusal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I seriously wondered if I should give up here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you grant me one favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, the chief’s favor wasn’t much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his hidden intent was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You hold onto a few items and bring them to the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, you mean delivering Karui’s Heart. The [Heretic Altar] effect prevents taking it out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the biggest features of the [Heretic Altar].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You must periodically visit and register your equipment at the altar for it to follow you upon resurrection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it a fair deal for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe. But I wonder why you trust me enough to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief smiled, a bit less awkwardly than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, you’re the one who handed over the royal exploration commander’s body to some monster trying to survive. How could I not trust you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put, if I break the promise, I’m ready to be screwed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just so you know, this is the last time a ‘die together’ threat will work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is that a threat? I’m not forcing a promise, just saying if it’s broken, that’s what might happen. If you don’t want to, just refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh... logically, that’s true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having no comeback, I ended the conversation coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Then I’ll assume you’re coming and start \u002FN_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t\u002F picking the team.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do as you wish. But... aren’t you going out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For what? I have to come back and report anyway. Waste of time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Suit yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sat down and started pondering who else to bring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Two are set for now...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief and me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the mages’ speculation is correct, three more can enter the rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who should I pick?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I should definitely take a mage and a cleric.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utility from the mage and stability from the cleric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those two, you have half the team covered no matter what...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first choice was easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gahwin Vesillus. Let’s put that old man in the mage slot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the senior mage of the first exploration team, and I had clashed with him before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm... surprising?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s surprising about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gahwin Vesillus, currently head of one sect, served long as a military mage in his youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He has much exploration experience and skill to match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard he led the first-grade joint magic we saw earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly, I thought you’d take that mage girl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, you mean Raven?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven was a candidate too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had a lot of knowledge about the labyrinth and decent skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, her passion for unknown rifts was probably greater than the old man’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re not here to play around. If there’s a better mage, why choose otherwise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief just nodded at my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really cherish your comrades.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Did you hear what I said?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean ‘I don’t care if I die’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, he’s getting more cunning by the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the last two spots?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll bring a cleric for one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sven Parab the paladin was also a candidate here, but that idea was quickly dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vanguard is enough with just the chief and me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of healing and utility, the paladin can’t match a cleric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he has that insane intuition...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That ability is useless if there’s no other choice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing danger is one thing, but overcoming it is more important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone faces dead ends sometimes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re taking a cleric, then this guy is good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The archbishop of the Reatlas Church.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like a decent choice, so the cleric spot was filled by the archbishop the chief recommended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the last precious spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘We need a dealer.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the chief out during the expedition, the only dealer would be the mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So we needed to reinforce the dealer line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No matter how I think about it, no better choice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much thought, I settled on the final spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A truly unfortunate matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The last spot will be for my comrade, Elwen Fornaci di Tersia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no other dealer like Elwen in the entire exploration army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the lineup of the remaining members excluding the five chosen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gathered the five members of the advance party in one place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it’s necessary to get to know each other better before the expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘We can’t switch members once inside, so better observe well now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a possibility the final team could change depending on the interview results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Eden Hestia. Though lacking, I hold the position of archbishop of the Reatlas Church.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice to meet you. Is this the first time we’re talking directly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, I’ve heard much about the Baron from Sir Parab. Please take care of me inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Archbishop Eden Hestia gave a better first impression than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought he’d be a stuffy old man since I’d seen him reprimand Parab like a dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Admittedly, I’m not very knowledgeable about the labyrinth. I hope the Baron will teach and guide me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will. What holy spells can you use?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, I can use all the spells the Baron might know—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, so Star Origin is possible?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Baron, you seem quite knowledgeable about holy magic? Star Origin is difficult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? Too bad. How about Star Summon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that one is possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We then began the proper background check, and in the end, the cleric spot didn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The archbishop really was very capable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, it was the mage’s turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gahwin, list all usable spells.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gahwin Vesillus complained as if this was too much, but when I continued, he sighed deeply and gave in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we fail, the hundred or so people following us could all die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since it will take time, just the spells above third grade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about lower?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can handle all of them, except for unique spells.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, that’s impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps only the best were picked from those selected by the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The level was higher than imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dream team, so to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This might really be worth a try...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I, Elwen, and the chief introduced our abilities and made sure everyone understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, we had a training session on positioning and things to watch out for during exploration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since neither the archbishop nor Gahwin had much experience in teams smaller than five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was much to teach...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At least there’s no time limit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We stayed a few more days, cramming knowledge and thoroughly checking that no one had personality issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, preparations were complete today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go in first, Yandel. If the portal doesn’t disappear, we’ll follow immediately. And Tersia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If for some reason we can’t follow...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know. I’ll take good care of him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heh, who’s really taking care of whom?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked and greeted the rest of the comrades as the chief approached me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t know what danger lurks beyond the unknown portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Done greeting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to go in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has entered the 3rd Archive.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Field Effect — Role assigned.」\u003C\u002Fp>",2082,"2026-06-05T19:33:16.709Z",1,"novelbin.me","5476b64f5c2fa70d952ea32783691391d84c98f1fd0d53000a61516a70b4fbc5","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-773","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-772",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]