[{"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-638":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},1328015,1764,"Chapter 638: Strategy (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-638",638,"\u003Cp>I have never lived a life of shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that doesn't mean I was like the heroes in stories who always find the right answers and overcome every adversity gloriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I always did my best, yet there were always things I regretted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am a flawed and imperfect ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I am never ashamed to be that kind of person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haah...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, I feel ashamed of myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did so many faces come to mind the moment I heard the chairman’s proposal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Am I really going crazy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't even understand myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I hid under the blankets for a long time, thinking it over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Misha Kalstein.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it’s only natural she would come to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the first person to break through the walls around me and exchange genuine affection since coming to this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Elwen Fornaci di Tersia.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elwen is a bit different from Misha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s always a lingering sense of guilt in my heart, but that feeling is clearly different from a romantic one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most likely she came to mind because I know how she feels about me, so when marriage was brought up, she popped up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why, sometimes people prefer those who like them rather than those they like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Amelia Rainwells.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironically, Amelia, whom I first met as an enemy during my raider days, is the most trustworthy person I know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She is dependable and someone I can rely on in any situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite all that, she’s honestly quite cute sometimes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the problem is...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why aren’t these three the only ones who came to mind?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven, Hyeonbyeol, Ragna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Ainard—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, he’s just a friend.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the first three, he was only briefly in my mind, but to be honest, they all crossed my thoughts for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a teenage boy imagining grandchildren’s names just because someone smiled kindly, I abstractly pictured married life with each of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, I felt that life with any of them would be joyful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Am I really crazy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just don’t understand myself at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not that I want to be with any of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although as a noble it’s not institutionally impossible, I simply don’t want to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, why did multiple faces come to mind simultaneously?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After long pondering, I found what felt like the closest answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Maybe it was only natural.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still don’t have a firm heart for anyone. After what happened with Misha, I’ve been suppressing and burying those kinds of feelings as much as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that situation, suddenly bringing up marriage naturally makes you think first of those around you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those are all the women close to me, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeah, it’s not that I’m strange.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From others’ perspectives it may be mere rationalization, but once I reached that conclusion, my mind was at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snore! Snore-rumble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously falling asleep and waking the next morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quietly slipped out of the newly built building where the chief’s tent had been without anyone noticing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Busy this early in the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, I just wanted to take a walk...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I awkwardly smiled while scanning the surroundings, and Amelia chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. The others aren’t nearby. I convinced them to leave after they said they’d wait for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh... really...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someday you’ll have to give a proper answer. Everyone’s curious about what you’ll decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia said that as if she’d been waiting to say it, then turned away coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, maybe not so cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And... wherever you’re going today, don’t come back too late. If you plan to stay out, let me know in advance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stopping briefly to say that as she walked away, she reminded me of a nagging mom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that’s part of her charm too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ha... why did I bring up marriage at the table...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why one should be careful with words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They say a single word can repay a thousand gold debts, but it can just as easily cause the opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The chief is back!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The chief is heading into the city!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Open the gates!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought I’d just take a stroll, but arriving at the city gate, it opened and I ended up heading to District 7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>District 7, still a ruin because reconstruction hasn’t fully started.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Residents wrapped in blankets, lying like vagrants in front of collapsed houses, raised their bodies and looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A giant...! It’s a giant!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? The baron has come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron Yandel...!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe because of my reputation as a hero?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Residents who would normally be too scared to be near a noble’s procession showed a different attitude toward me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it wasn’t all good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s fine if they just pass by and offer thanks or blessings, but not everyone was like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“P-Please! Help my family! Our shop collapsed and if this goes on, next year’s taxes...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Begging or seeking sympathy was still better than—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron! Baron! What will happen to District 7? What about Viphron? What’s going to happen to that Viphron?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some demanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are rumors the royal family will abandon District 7! Is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They pressed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please say something!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many acted as if it was natural I’d answer as if they were claiming lost property.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...I can’t blame them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re struggling every day, and it’s frustrating not to hear any clear news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t believe the rumors. Reconstruction of District 7 will start soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take this and hang in there a bit. I’ll work to get more relief supplies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Viphron barrier? What’s so scary about that? Don’t worry! This city will never fall!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than scolding them, I gave encouragement and the answers they hoped for, then moved on through the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How far had I walked?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Is it there?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I was this far, I also visited the mage tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letters had already arrived at the holy land several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They said thanks to the royal family granting an extended special leave after the expedition, I had been continuing personal research in the tower’s lab and asked for a visit soon...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Impenetrable, my foot.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the tower, I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They claimed it had never been conquered by invaders in its long history, but that record was broken twice in recent years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once by me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time by Noark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Actually, it’s not that it’s impenetrable, just that politics were handled well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the entrance and exterior were battered, I heard the internal damage wasn’t too severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the invasion started, they used the barrier to buy time, took all data and research equipment, then used teleport magic with high-ranking officials and local leaders to evacuate the district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They said only the teleportation circle was broken...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, Noark also took everything and left, so the royal family only destroyed the magic circle to prevent its use and left the rest untouched—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you standing at the door? If you’re here, just come inside and wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven appeared behind me as I arrived at the lab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, make some noise when you come around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, what kind of tone is that to the baron? You’re short, too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you picking a fight as soon as you see me? Did something annoying happen on the way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Did something actually happen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t exactly a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than irritation, I was physically and mentally tired from the attention the residents were giving me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in first. Let’s talk inside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did you go? I thought you’d be inside since you’ve been so busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not far. I went to borrow something from someone I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some experiment tools. Want me to explain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, forget it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We entered the lab and took seats; Raven’s workspace looked very different from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It's a mess, right? The whole mage tower has been in chaos because of this. My master took care of things while I was away, but some things are still missing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, since we moved stuff to the lab in Karnon, not much was left here anyway. Want some drink? Still, you’re the baron.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Water will do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We spent the rest of the time chatting about recent events, drinking from Raven’s 1.8L flask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been quite some time since the expedition to the underground first floor, and many major things had happened since.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yandel, how come something like that happens right after you get back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I briefly explained the events in the city, and Raven listened with interest but occasionally laughed in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems you’re involved in all the incidents in this world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sad but undeniable truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, since he knows nearly everything I’ve gone through, denying it wouldn’t convince him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why does it feel like the whole world’s against me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was my name Hansu cursed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the serious question on my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way... that’s really unfortunate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven’s voice grew sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say you gave all the essences gained during the first floor expedition to regular explorers. Just by studying those you could have dominated this year’s academic awards for years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t mean to blame you. Honestly, when I heard your decision, I thought it was just like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first I wondered if he’d figured out the whole truth just from that, but in the end, no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You made that choice to save the city and its people, right? It’s not wise, but no matter what anyone says, I...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven looked shy and glanced sideways at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Personally... I think it’s cool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first time I saw that kind of look in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Respect, maybe?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh... really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But... you know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven looked so serious I didn’t even try joking as usual, and corrected me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be too disappointed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. That’s right. It’s for the greater good. If I acted selfishly, feeling that way might seem pathetic to you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no, that’s not it...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to explain this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Raven waiting for me to continue, I just confessed man-to-man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already secretly set aside the good essences.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, the question returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Set aside? What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as I said. If I spread the essences recklessly, the royal family wouldn’t be able to properly audit them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how I think about it, it was a very clever plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I was praising myself inside, Raven spoke in a broken tone like someone denying reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You touched the royal family’s loot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you out of your mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew this was a situation where such words could be said, but still I couldn’t help but tilt my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why all of a sudden? This isn’t the first time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We already had experience pocketing things in the underground first floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, so...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You even liked it then, didn’t you? Giving it the fancy name ‘Crown of Agony.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-That’s different...! And why do you tell me everything honestly after doing that!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hey, trying to back out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a little hurt by this attitude, but luckily I know how to handle a mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want to hide anything from you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That doesn’t work anymore!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must learn fast since he studied hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, don’t be too hard on me. If it’s found out, execution is the same either way, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! No! It’s different! If we keep it secret, it ends with just us, but this is too big!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm... that’s definitely true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Won’t you do research?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-That...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a dog in front of treats, Raven didn’t know what to do, then lowered his head and answered with a voice like an ant crawling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I guess I have to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, I thought so.\u003C\u002Fp>",1957,"2026-06-05T19:33:18.084Z",1,"novelbin.me","1771376d1ca2dfd9db157475364c5cae2bae40cad95b190aaf01d17df0a2739f","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-639","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-637",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]