[{"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-719":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},1327946,1764,"Chapter 719: Audience (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-719",719,"\u003Cp>There’s a saying among people in this world when dealing with barbarians: it’s like talking to a wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how calmly and logically you explain, they just don’t understand—that’s why people use that expression...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from my perspective, that phrase suits this knight more than the barbarian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it really felt like I was talking to a wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Knight, what’s your name? I’ve never heard of anyone like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I follow you, will I really meet the King of Ruin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard rumors that he’s bedridden because he’s ill? But he seems to be in good health, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch, trying to act all serious just because he’s a knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, when Raven asked where we were going, he answered properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I even told Raven to talk to him, thinking maybe he’d open up, but sadly, the result was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um... forgive me, but is His Majesty the King truly in good health...? Ah! I don’t mean to be disrespectful... I apologize.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? I told you, no good... Don’t make me ask again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, the knight kept walking ahead without a word, and we quietly followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, though silent, my mind was loudly working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No windows, so it’s underground, at least.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said “audience chamber,” so the place was probably the “Immortal Palace” among the famous twelve palaces known to be where the king resides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heart of the city Karnon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The royal castle at Karnon’s center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And among the twelve palaces within the castle, the very central one — the Immortal Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, they now call it the Palace of Ruin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I didn’t know such a place existed underground...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the knight, I carefully observed my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to memorize the route and look for escape paths just in case, but found nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We walked along an empty corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the process, I learned a few things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s a spiral structure.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first I didn’t notice, but we weren’t walking straight. The corridor curved subtly and formed a circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, it was like climbing a spiral staircase...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this length, wouldn’t it be better to just have an elevator? I saw a pretty good elevator earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Secondly, there was no elevator here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning, to get to the place with that elevator we used earlier, we had no choice but to walk this long corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why design it so inconveniently?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely the royal family isn’t short on money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, putting in one more elevator would’ve been economically wiser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, the answer came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...It’s for defense.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone from outside were to invade, this long corridor would be better than any trap or obstacle to buy time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes the primitive way is the safest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking the corridor for over three hours without a single word, the long spiral passage ended at a large cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven raised her head, dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The space itself was unremarkable, but one structure at its center ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) caught our attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A test tube.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A transparent test tube very similar in shape to those I’d seen at the Pantelion Research Lab on basement 1.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference from the lab’s tubes was just one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its overwhelming size far beyond that of any layer lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, it was mostly similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of wires connected to the tube’s base, and the tube filled with a mysterious liquid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight, who had been silent for so long, finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The King awaits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his words implied not to waste time on trivial things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, pointless questions like “What is this?” were skipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following him, we found an elevator on the opposite cavern wall and rode it upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the elevator doors opened again,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finally realized we had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I, your humble servant, come before the new era’s ruler.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very ‘audience chamber’ I’d tried thousands of times to reach but never set foot in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A throne placed on a raised platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the throne gave me a strange feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite having participated in many ceremonies like title grants and promotions, I’d always only seen the throne empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the chancellor, the kingdom’s second-in-command who represented the king and governed the country, never dared to sit on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, for the first time, someone was seated there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe that’s why—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My battle-hardened heart tightened with tension upon seeing that figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though nothing compared to Raven’s reaction beside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Your Majesty...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven immediately prostrated flat on the carpeted floor as soon as she saw ‘someone’ sitting on the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her stomach faced the ground, it was no different than a dog lying on its back showing its belly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gesture clearly expressing: I have no intention to defy you; I submit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, Yandel...! What are you doing...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven’s small reprimand pressed me as she kept her forehead on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did I realize my ‘rudeness.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now, I’d never experienced such situations because I always started as a barbarian...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason barbarians can speak informally and break protocol and still be forgiven\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is because their ancestors accomplished great deeds and earned permission\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the very king sitting on that throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, please!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obviously, speaking informally to the king means even barbarians die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I, your humble servant, come before His Majesty the King.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reciting the ceremony I’d seen countless times but never performed, I knelt and bowed my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because I’m a titled noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Raven, I don’t have to prostrate fully...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to my higher vantage point, I could sneak a sideways glance to survey the audience chamber’s interior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy silk curtains hung around the throne, hiding the king’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Possibly out of fear of assassination or outside observation, there were no windows, and except for the elevator we came in on, only one entrance existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two knights stood guard in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the unnamed knight who guided us here, these were identifiable by armor insignias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Guardian Knights.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An elite armed force, each individual possessing combat power exceeding at least a rank 3 monster, visible only inside the Immortal Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe because the full throne looked so unreal,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Guardian Knights made me fully realize,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeah, we really came to the Immortal Palace...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing I did after realizing this\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was to lower all plans involving combat or violent escape to the lowest priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this truly was inside the Immortal Palace, using force had to be saved as the absolute last resort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because when playing [Dungeon & Stone], many enemies entered the Immortal Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ninety-nine percent of my experience was during rebellion routes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But still, I never got to see the king’s face...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting aside the insane specs of the Guardian Knights, the Immortal Palace contained countless gimmicks designed to fight invaders, and when fully activated, it meant game over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with better specs and many allies, no one escaped without total defeat here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In some respects, this place was harder than the 10th layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since no matter what we did, we never cleared it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, with the king nearby, maybe taking him hostage would open a path...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then a phrase left by the former tribe chief echoed in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Who in this world would not fear that man? If the day comes that you meet him, you will understand me.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking the king hostage probably wouldn’t be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder the knight who guided us was standing guard before the king now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking the tense silence, the king’s voice sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A somewhat unexpected voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...I don’t remember. The age, male or female, even the voice that pierced my ears...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former tribe chief must have said that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why were you able to enter the forbidden chamber?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What came was a clear young male voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hint of age, illness, or weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me everything, my subjects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ruler’s voice commanding obedience, leaving no room for other thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven quickly replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We did not know it was a forbidden chamber, nor did we enter with malicious intent. The circumstances that led us there are...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven’s explanation was long and elaborate but captured the main point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon sensing the attack on the Ecliptic, we headed to basement 5 to catch the unprincipled Noark bastards. They fled and got swept into the ‘forbidden chamber’ by the collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her explanation excessively emphasized how dutiful we were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though to me it seemed pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An awkward silence followed Raven’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, the King of Ruin’s voice resumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My vassal, Bjorn Yandel, junior baron.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Junior baron? I’m just a baron, but I didn’t bother correcting him and listened silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a barbarian can read the atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As your king, I command you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill the woman beside you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king’s sudden order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, I would not obey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even knowing he was capable of taking all my titles, achievements, and comrades from me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just looked around, clueless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But was that enough for the king?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take the woman away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that word, the Guardian Knights near the entrance approached us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stood reflexively, a knight in front of the king gave a brief warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay still. His Majesty only wishes a private audience with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at Raven, she nodded frantically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A desperate plea: “I’m fine. Don’t cause trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, standing awkwardly, two knights led Raven outside the audience chamber, and finally the private meeting with the king began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, of course the guard knight stayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was like a wall anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough to consider it a private meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump, thump, thump, thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the king said nothing, just stared at me beyond the curtains, my whole body was overwhelmed by the feeling something bad was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Hah, should I have just obeyed the order? Now it feels like it was a test.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regret flooded my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha ha, don’t be so scared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The king spoke again, and my head went blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were chosen by her. If I kill you, she’d be angry. How could I do that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike earlier, his tone was relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the meaningful words ‘her’ and ‘chosen’...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bjorn, son of Yandel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the ‘language’ itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since we’ve met, let’s just talk frankly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The King of Ruin was speaking Korean.\u003C\u002Fp>",1738,"2026-06-05T19:33:18.959Z",1,"novelbin.me","222784ddd524b86a3e6c06b574151d4667f045403776e92c0d966644ba1eb0d2","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-720","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-718",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]