[{"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-664":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},1328041,1764,"Chapter 664: Companion (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-664",664,"\u003Cp>A vein bulging on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breathing heavily, tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Biting his lower lip and clenching his fists tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Ibaekho in a clearly furious state, the first thought that came to mind was how unfamiliar it felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh? Why isn’t he answering? Guess it’s for real?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was genuinely strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho was always arrogant and impulsive, acting on every whim without self-control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why did his anger seem unfamiliar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking for a moment, the answer came quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now that I think about it... he never really got seriously angry.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though we’d sparred and insulted each other before, it was more like roleplaying—just threats that had to be made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, I never thought I’d actually get screwed like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho perceived my action as an attack and reacted extremely sensitively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I had to quickly get a grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t even my doing...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than anything, I needed to understand what had happened quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...The returning magic circle was broken?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was true, I was in big trouble too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic circle was set to restoration magic, but it would take at least a year to repair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Trying to run away and then denying it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wasn’t running away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why were you moving away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Ibaekho’s retort, the GM cautiously intervened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s because there were signs of visitors at the entrance, so we were trying to fall back. It can’t be known that the Baron and I were outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No reason to lie. And if someone intentionally damaged the magic circle, we wouldn’t have time to be just standing here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha... so that’s the case?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the GM’s words, Ibaekho quickly calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that one phrase could soothe him, I wondered why he’d gotten so angry in the first place...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah, right, he has lie detection.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it didn’t work on me, the GM’s ability would have picked it up perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baekho, their words are probably true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crossbowman who had chased after Ibaekho appeared, backing up our innocence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The scent from inside and the scent from those two are completely different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho stepped back awkwardly at the archer’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The scent leads that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay, got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Ibaekho sprang forward like a rubber band toward the pointed spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he became the target of vented anger and didn’t even get a proper apology...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grabbed the GM and dashed toward the place Ibaekho headed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We needed to check it out too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who the hell was responsible for this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Running at maximum output through the forest, the archer soon cut past me silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why couldn’t he just keep quiet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Excuse me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is rudeness a trait of minor characters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t know, but after running for a while, I saw Ibaekho and the archer stopped at some bushes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were both bent over, inspecting the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like they were really determined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It seems like a plan targeted directly at us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch, so our info was leaked... who the hell is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t the Baron’s party run into someone at the old Noark fortress? Maybe it leaked from there—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cut the crap. It’s clearly our problem. Baron, don’t you think so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I wasn’t sure of the situation, but if someone was targeted, I thought it was more likely Ibaekho than me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what exactly is down there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, want to come see?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly approaching Ibaekho, I saw a corpse partially hidden by bushes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A horrifying body, half the flesh melted away exposing bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Looks like suicide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM, experienced as a veteran wizard, barely flinched as he scanned the surroundings and muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho nodded decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right? You think the same, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Cutting tails like this is a common tactic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you find anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Probably not a wizard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That makes sense. Wizards’ left ribs tend to protrude more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It’s a feature due to their hearts being much larger than normal people’s.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They spoke as if it was common knowledge, but I’d never heard of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Left ribs are larger...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No idea why, but I’d remember it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Might come in handy someday alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think the wizard who came with him went back, and this guy here likely damaged the magic circle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He came all the way here to destroy evidence, then died alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Looking at the yellow powder on the leaves, it seems they used powder from the strong acid fruit. By the way, that powder is a main component of the so-called ‘Blue Curse’...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know. It’s something the royal family uses often.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho’s voice dropped cold like a sharp blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...If the royal family were really behind this, they wouldn’t have used that stuff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who knows? They might have wanted us to think that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, to sum up the situation simply—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Ibaekho or I—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This unknown corpse guy sabotaged the magic circle to screw us over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which means—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shit, we’re screwed. Grandpa said it’d take at least a year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re stuck outside the fortress walls until repairs finish, whether we like it or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s nothing more to gain here. How about we head back to where we were earlier? I want to check the magic circle again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the GM’s request, we returned to the cave entrance. Ibaekho’s comrades were waiting there—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only grandpa follows me; the rest stay here. Okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright! No one gets in here, don’t worry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gatekeeper, archer, and the mysterious newcomer stayed at the cave entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I, GM, Ibaekho, and the doom scholar entered the cave as two pairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, maybe we got caught up in this friend’s fate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doom scholar muttered meaningfully but said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither the GM nor I spoke either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere was really awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho was deep in thought, lips sealed tight, and this uncomfortable silence lasted until we reached the magic circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...They really smashed it thoroughly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene showed gouges and scorch marks like dynamite had gone off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandpa said we have to wait no matter what. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I agree. There are ways to improve restoration power, but—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? There are ways? Tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Under current conditions, practically impossible—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll judge that. Just °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho’s demanding tone made the GM frown briefly, then he listed necessary items one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening quietly, I understood why he said it was practically impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldritch Force Core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soulwinder’s Mana Core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghoul Road’s Life Stone, etc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All required materials were rare byproducts only obtainable in the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And naturally, no one carried those byproducts around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha... why are they all so maniacal? I have plenty of well-selling stuff like ogre tendons, though.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...That’s what I said. Under current conditions, practically impossible—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm? Not completely impossible though?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Ibaekho’s sly comment, the GM tilted his head, and the doom scholar nodded to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, if this is your first time, you probably haven’t seen it yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Haven’t seen it? What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are monsters outside the fortress walls too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...That was news to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters outside the fortress walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what I heard, these monsters have some characteristics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, these three were the biggest points, and to me, the most important was number two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...They always drop byproducts when defeated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. It’s the complete opposite of the labyrinth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters outside the walls don’t disappear as light when they die but leave their bodies intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And maybe because of that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some byproducts I’ve heard of, I just tossed out because they were annoying. Ha... when will I get there...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho could easily get many byproducts while living outside the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, due to space, he only looted expensive materials like ogre tendons...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Crazy...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that gave me goosebumps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A hunting ground where distortion is guaranteed when caught?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In some ways, it’s as radical as the essence factory in the basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because hunting there and selling byproducts alone could make massive profits...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could I finish endless grinding in one go?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fact was too tempting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barbarians are just as obsessed with ‘byproducts’ as wizards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To raise ‘Spirit Imprint,’ monster byproducts are always needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which means—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could I effortlessly gather materials up to tier 9?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being trapped outside the walls was unfortunate, but it was definitely the perfect chance to raise the Spirit Imprint level, stuck for so long—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey Baron? What are you chuckling about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, then let’s get going? I’ll properly introduce you to the others later. We’re going to be together for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though uneasy with Ibaekho, logically it was better to stick together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He definitely knows much more about the outside world than us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So following him was the rational choice for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandpa and I already greeted Aures last time, so no need for that...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho briefly introduced his comrades as we stepped outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is our archer. Name’s Layton Briot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human, but his skills rival any fairy archer, they say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, though he added after seeing me,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh... but he’s no match for your fairy archer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, how can you beat someone who commands spirit kings and has consumed tiered essences?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about Kalstein from you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, nice to meet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Briot shyly offered his hand, but I ignored it and looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t very curious about this archer since Misha had already told me about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the mysterious newcomer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, and this is our team healer...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll introduce myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newcomer in a robe cut off Ibaekho and stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still pressing the hood low, unwilling to show her face...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I wasn’t sure, but turns out she was a woman.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder she seemed small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Name’s Jaina.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...And?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not wrong, but her sharp tone reminded me of Raven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this a thing with short girls?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled, then Aures, the team tank, laughed heartily as he approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha ha ha! Not sure how long it’ll take, but let’s do our best, Baron!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Maybe I can get along with him somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>",1700,"2026-06-05T19:33:18.642Z",1,"novelbin.me","39b6ec637c8335be4ff9f251568e500985fed122b7697a57367b923e616b29f4","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-665","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-663",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]