[{"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-88":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},1327868,1764,"Chapter 88 Baron Martoan (4)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-88",88,"\u003Cp>Baron Martoan (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Baron's request was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some Count was throwing a big banquet in two months, and all I had to do was attend with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that all...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, I'd like you to show off some tricks in front of people. Like bending steel with your bare hands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, he wanted to use me as a trophy to make himself look good at the banquet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you do it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does he take barbarians for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's no problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For reference, the reward for the request was a service fee of 1 million stones and lifting Dwarkey's labyrinth entry ban.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phew, this is what nobles are like?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasting that much money just to show off to others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Well, I'll just reap the benefits.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without Dwarkey's issue, it's a good deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1 million stones just for playing along for a day?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smelly sewer request was only 150,000 stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, alright. Then I'll take care of that friend's problem right away. Think of it as my favor to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The baron even showed his generosity by resolving Dwarkey's issue first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wondered what he would do if I didn't keep my end of the deal later...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I guess that's the kind of existence nobles are, where they don't have to worry about such things.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm realizing once again that I have a long way to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I've built up some strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I've even gained a bit of fame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I need to start planning for that side of things too.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need to gain power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like in the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like it's been since I woke up in this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Incidents that threaten my life don't only happen in the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_________________________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We gather at the meeting place again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's to confirm whether Dwarkey's labyrinth entry permit has been restored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So how did it go? Did that baron keep his promise?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I checked today, and there seems to be no problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But why does he look so pale?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huhu, it's just your imagination...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imagination my ass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that he's so shocked that his half-brother, Baron Martoan, didn't even remember him properly, let alone feel threatened by him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarkey's mental state has completely collapsed since yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, he's trying his best not to show it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarkey sighs deeply several times a day, as if the world is ending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope he comes to his senses before the labyrinth opens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, more importantly, here, take this. It's the reward I promised.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reward?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you guys come with me to negotiate with the baron?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hikurod takes out the 300,000 stones he offered as compensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decide not to accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it, why are we exchanging money like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't go there expecting a reward. And besides, negotiating with him was also for the team.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be awkward for me to accept it alone when both of them are refusing...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And it's not like I'll have any problems just because I don't have 300,000 stones right now.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's better to consider this a debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we continue to enter the labyrinth, there will surely be times when we exchange favors, give and take, and even have to make concessions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyway, thank you. It's not easy to swallow your pride as a warrior.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, well...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, hearing those words makes me feel awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1 million stones is too much to worry about pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll never forget this and will repay you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, why would you repay him? Bjorn, I'll definitely repay this debt tenfold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoever does it, just do it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, Bjorn is embarrassed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is she talking about? I'm being serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>__________________________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are 8 days left until the labyrinth opens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I've been doing during that time is simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides my usual routine of helping Misha train and reading hidden books at the library...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's paper made 150 years ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found out the production date of [Compendium of Rifts II].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just ordinary paper that was commonly used back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Phew, what the hell happened 150 years ago?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time when the game started.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The death of the first king.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the time when this book was written.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many questions keep overlapping with the period of exactly 150 years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It can't be a coincidence.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There must be some kind of connection between those events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's all I've found out so far, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's at least given me the motivation to move forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I need to focus on researching the history of 150 years ago.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who brought the players here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was their purpose, and who the hell is Auril Gabis? If I keep gathering clues, maybe I can eventually uncover the secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, onto the second thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, uh... we're doing that...? No! It's not that I don't want to, but it's a bit sudden...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened a bank account at Alminus Bank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And we designated each other as beneficiaries in case of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We plan to deposit a portion of the money we earn together into this account and use it as a shared fund.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that sense, let's put all 2 million stones we earned this time into this account.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eek? All of it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't have any immediate use for it, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh... you're not planning on using it for something strange behind my back, are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you take me for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We decide to keep the remaining 900,000 stones in cash after depositing 2 million stones each into the account.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's nowhere to use it right away, and...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since we've moved on from the days of barely scraping by, it's time to start saving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, and there was also this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're... Bjorn, son of Yandel?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While walking down the street, I coincidentally reunited with one of the barbarians from my coming-of-age ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His name is Karak, the third son of Fanun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We just asked about each other's recent situation and parted ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said he became an 8th-grade explorer and is working as a tank in a team of humans on the 2nd floor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about the others? Most of them are dead. There probably aren't many left besides you, Ainar, and me. As you know, it's not an easy place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, it seems like his personality has changed a lot since he formed a team with humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used to be much more simple-minded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If they had told us more about that place instead of clinging to outdated traditions, they wouldn't have died so much...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him express bitterness towards the ways of his tribe, I almost wonder if he's really a barbarian warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I felt sorry for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have gone through a lot to change like that, considering he was a warrior to the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Not all barbarians are the same.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to him, I realized something new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barbarians also grow mentally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They might still be weak in terms of knowledge like letters and numbers, but they gain wisdom as they survive in a changed environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Maybe there are even some seniors who have become almost like humans after several years—'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bjorn, what are you thinking about so deeply?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I end my thoughts at Misha's voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it would be a bit rude to be lost in thought when she just cooked and brought me food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Bjorn, you seem a bit taller...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It might be my imagination, but stand here for a moment!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...This is annoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I get up from the middle of my meal and measure my height. Misha chops the air from the top of her head to my chest and then nods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've definitely gotten taller! About this much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure you're not mistaken?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I can't believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving aside the fact that I can even grow taller here, how can she tell at a glance that it's less than 1 centimeter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, I'm good at noticing things like that. So you can trust me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...If you say so.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of arguing, I just nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I might have gotten taller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I've been eating a lot of meat lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...If I really did grow taller, should I eat even more meat?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it's true, it's worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A height that's naturally above average.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's the decisive reason why I chose a barbarian as a tank, not a dwarf. The [Gigantification] mechanism itself multiplies based on your base height.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It was exactly 1.771 times, I think.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now I have another reason to eat meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Don't just eat the meat, eat everything!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal, I check my backpack one last time to see if I've missed anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it's almost time to enter the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go, everyone's waiting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we head to the meeting place, I see my companions dressed differently than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarf is wearing heavy armor instead of a shirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dwarkey is standing there, holding a long two-handed staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, Rotmiller! Why don't you have a weapon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry, I put it in the [Treasure Vault]. I've gotten used to it, so it's more convenient to take it out when I need it than to carry it around all the time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mimic's ability, [Treasure Vault].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I used to think it was just a skill that replaced subspace storage, but maybe it's a very convenient essence for Rotmiller, who handles various equipment like crossbows, shields, and swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then please gather around me. I'm going to cast [Bonding].\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Dwarkey starts chanting, a green light spreads out and seeps into our bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's like forming a party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This spell is necessary for multiple people to enter the labyrinth and start in the same location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ainar used to wait in line at the guild from dawn...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm starting to understand why explorers make such a fuss about mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you have a mage in your team, you don't have to wait in line at the guild from early morning...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...and there are significant financial benefits as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On average, it would have cost 100,000 stones in fees for five 6.5-grade explorers to cast [Bonding].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's get going.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we walk together towards the Dimensional Plaza, I see more and more explorers on the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's a sight you can only see on the last night of every month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone looks like beggars when they return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Halt! I think we're lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way! We have to get to the labyrinth within the allotted time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, we encounter barbarians again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young warriors with their bare bodies, filled with nothing but anticipation and excitement, heading towards the labyrinth after finishing their coming-of-age ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Follow us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ask for my companions' understanding and help them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although I don't have any sense of tribal duty...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...I feel like I should do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? Thank you. If you tell me your name... what! Bjorn, son of Yandel?!! You're Little Balkan!!! I respect you!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, regardless of the young warriors' excessive reactions...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I give them various advice on the way to the Dimensional Plaza.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That they should be wary of fellow explorers, especially humans, since barbarian hearts are traded at a high price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That they should try to find other races as night companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That they should be careful of traps and stick to paths with light, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I generously share the knowledge that would have been helpful for me when I first entered the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I do that, can I become a famous warrior like you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I don't know about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ooh! Is that so! Alright! I'll definitely do everything you said!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's better for them if I do this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They're the kind of guys who only understand when you tell them clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarf quietly speaks to me as I watch the young warriors head towards the portal, engraving my advice in their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... you're very kind to your own kind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just did what I could. Isn't it harsh to have to learn everything through experience?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, that's true. Hahaha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that small talk as the last exchange, we also head towards the center where the portal is open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My vision becomes distant, and a brilliant, multicolored light covers it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, past events unfold like a panorama.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This is the fourth time, isn't it...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During my first entry, I reached the 2nd floor after defeating countless bastards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I entered a rift with the sole intention of becoming stronger. But it turned out to be a variant rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then it got even crazier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I formed a team, but we got separated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, the Floor Master started rampaging, and I barely made it back after practically stepping into the gates of hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope nothing happens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's no way something would happen again, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I throw away those thoughts before they even fully form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Phew, what kind of bastard is going to appear this time?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something will definitely happen again this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So let's brace ourselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_______________________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Entered 1st Floor Crystal Cave.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「TIP: The character has reached the maximum number of essences that can be absorbed. Hunt new monsters and level up!」\u003C\u002Fp>",2196,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","2278179a094ec3dba6cdd7adb1a622db67e1abfd396297ebf487a19134f1938b","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-89","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-87",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]