[{"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-669":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},1328046,1764,"Chapter 669: New World (4)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-669",669,"\u003Cp>The situation we’re currently in is very simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump-thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We acquired information about the location of a dimensional stele from Lek Aures’s acquaintance whom we met outside the city walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finding the dimensional stele, we lightly crossed the portal once to check it out, planning to return if it seemed unsuitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In short, that bastard tried to trap us, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lek Aures’s acquaintance Daylan vanished somewhere the moment he crossed the portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dimensional stele needed to return was nowhere to be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the way back was blocked...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daylan? Daylan, was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s not much information about Daylan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not even certain that his name is really ‘Daylan,’ and all we know is that he’s from Noark and has a ‘very, very common name’...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grip tightened involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether his name is truly ‘that’ name remains unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if it really is ‘that’ name...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘L, huh...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be the first time in a long while meeting ‘that one.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump-thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need to keep my wits sharp from now on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then can I safely get through this crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, in that sense...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He probably hasn’t gotten far—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop moving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped Ibaekho, who seemed ready to dash off searching for the vanished man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lowering my voice with a command, Ibaekho looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn’t help appearing so serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump-thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was genuinely starting to feel the danger of this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t act recklessly. First, find out where we are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s my principle when playingDungeon and Stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a strange place entering for the first time, you must be wary of everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, even with caution, failing the first try is the norm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Havelion, Briot. Check the surroundings for monsters or traps first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ordered the GM and archer to detect magically and physically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing detected yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, that means...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap. Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I approached the wall and knocked on the cave’s outer surface; only a dull sound echoed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Seems there’s no hollow space beyond...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully, I lifted my foot off the ground and stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Mud.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cave floor was covered in soggy mud, as if from a landslide on a rainy day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t seem to reduce movement speed or have any special effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the problem was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to get out of here first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right? If we follow the path, we might find something—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The entire cave might flood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pointed to the cave’s walls and ceiling as Ibaekho tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look. There are still traces of where water once filled this place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, really, I see the signs!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But saying it will flood now seems a stretch... We just need to get out before that happens, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is this guy so optimistic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know how long this cave is? What if it takes three whole days and nights to reach the exit? What if it turns into a maze and you wander for ages?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...So shouldn’t we move quickly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah... that’s right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before that, let’s do this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s form a new formation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A formation...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In a place like this, moving split into two groups is dangerous. Even one well-formed line in a narrow passage like this gives you more than half the advantage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now, we had moved together, but GM and I had felt out of place within Ibaekho’s team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from now on, that’s no longer possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Havelion, Ruinjes, Jaina. From now on, you three move in the safest center.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I positioned the core members in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lek Aures, follow at the rear. Enemies might appear from behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Leave the rear to me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The secondary tank was assigned to the rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such narrow passage maps, you must be most cautious about your back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, I could cover the front alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ibaekho, follow right behind me. Briot, you’re right behind him. You can fall back if battle starts, but until then, stay as far forward as possible to do detection. Got it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phew... basic positioning is done. Let’s move forward—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could move, Ibaekho approached, seeming to have something to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have more team members, but I’m still the one giving orders...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, so that was his complaint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, this is your first time outside the city walls, isn’t it? It’d be better for you to just follow my lead like before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, then handle it yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you think I want to hold the wheel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ibaekho, this situation is different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is not just outside the city walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were, I would have followed Ibaekho’s judgment as he has more information, like before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s different?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is a very crucial difference this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This place is new to you, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s our party’s first time entering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even my instincts are telling me this place is very dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And you want me to hand over the wheel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t have any information about this place, so we don’t know what variables might arise. Every decision here is critically important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In times like this, leave it to the right person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I phrased it mildly (?), but the meaning was clear: I can make better decisions than you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, Ibaekho didn’t look convinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The right person...? You mean the Baron?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at me as if it were absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t avoid his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? Don’t you think so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. I don’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho answered instantly with no hesitation, and I smiled a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I didn’t understand why he was so cocky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone could clearly see who was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was the one who endured all the hardships, organizing data every night, studying the field, and opening the Abyss Gate in original mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Ibaekho was a former soldier who came to this world only because of a cheat sheet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which one is the right person...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped closer and calmly said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last question, Ibaekho.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you really think you’re the right person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, he didn’t answer immediately this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was feeling the sting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference between him and me was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I silently waited until he answered, and finally, he looked away and shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Fine. Let’s try. You’re the most famous explorer in Rafdonia, so I’ll see your skills this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s more like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a very peaceful discussion to settle the ranks, we began moving in earnest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispers came from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell is up with Baron Yandel...? Ibaekho losing ground?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m surprised too... Ibaekho actually backing down...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>GM quietly whispered in response to Aures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn’t mean Ibaekho didn’t hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Like I’m some snake? When did I ever back down? I was just curious why he’s so confident!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hahaha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baekho! I didn’t say anything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho snapped, and they both shut up as if nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was funny, but I still gave a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quiet down. Even if nothing happens now, there’s no guarantee it’ll stay that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yeah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why are all the top explorers so fidgety?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only they were all like Amelia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely everything would be at peak efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I feel a slight breeze. Luckily, the exit seems close.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about twenty minutes, archer Briot said this, and shortly after, the exit appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s dark...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the cave, there was no better visibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outside was pitch-black, like the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s still night. We’ll see something once the sun rises.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho seemed unconcerned, but I wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...It doesn’t seem simply dark because it’s night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look. The light doesn’t spread far, like in the labyrinth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh... now that you mention it, that’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibaekho frowned, finally realizing the alien nature of the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh... does that mean this might be the labyrinth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well... we’ll have to find out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay. I’ll trust only the Baron. You said you’d handle everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Is he some kindergartner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came to this world way earlier than me, so his mental age should be higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, I’ll handle it, so be quiet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I put a finger to my lips, and Ibaekho frowned as if displeased but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, I focused on my task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We just passed one field and entered a new one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, we had to start searching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to my expectation of a river or lake nearby, no water could be found despite the search.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why is the cave filling with water?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rain wouldn’t cause water to pool here...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There must be some other reason...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking deeply about this, I continued searching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I roughly mapped the area around the cave entrance and marked coordinates so we could find it anytime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Havelion, current time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“9:18. The sun should have risen long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, so...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after a long time, no sign of brightening was visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The possibility that this isn’t outside the city walls has increased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meaning... we’re inside the labyrinth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, it’s possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dismissed my words as absurd or delusional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Auril Gavis once opened a portal connecting the labyrinth using a dimensional stele from outside the walls—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron, look at this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, archer Briot called me over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I approached and saw a man-made structure I hadn’t noticed before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) stele?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the stele Briot found was completely different from a dimensional stele.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a large monument similar to the one in the crystal cave on the first floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Havelion, can you read this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’ve never seen this script before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monument was carved with glyph-like characters resembling pictographs, which even I, capable of reading ancient languages, couldn’t decipher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Start an investigation. It might be some magical structure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left the stele investigation to the GM and the ruin scholar, then checked my map again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest area had no special features except for huge craters scattered around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe it’s more efficient to pick a direction and head straight.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While thinking of the next plan, I waited for the stele research to finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything momentarily turned bright white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kraaaakkkkkaaakkkk!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderous roar like the sky collapsing filled the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssshhhhhhhhhh—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy downpour started.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, it might seem like just severe stormy weather...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Kiyyeeeeek-!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, monsters appeared as the strange weather began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over there! Monsters are running this way...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first monsters we encountered since arriving here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, they weren’t a new species.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, I don’t know if that’s a relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brakiaistel! A Grade 5 beast-type monster using psychokinesis and water-element abilities!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM stood up and shouted a briefing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM’s information was accurate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one crucial detail was missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brakiaistel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s only a Grade 5 trash mob.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Graveyard...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It appears only on the 9th floor.\u003C\u002Fp>",1789,"2026-06-05T19:33:18.642Z",1,"novelbin.me","f8de2913c3fbabfc4a587e50f2c22cb4626d8e622c6b7b0e70579c8ce94ec047","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-670","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-668",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]