The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 10



Only Krnovel

Episode 10. The one who forges names (2)

“… … Phew, phew.”

Heavy breathing, a flushed face, broad shoulders and arms trembling, sweat dripping down from his forehead like a downpour.

Anyone could tell that Kadim’s condition was not normal.

“Why, why are you doing this, Your Majesty! Ah, no, how could someone who can even tear the devil to pieces do this… … Ah!”

There was something I could guess about. Duncan quickly ran to Kadim. Then I looked at the upper part of my chest, the area covered with a dry cloth.

It was as expected.

When I removed the cloth, the sticky pus that had accumulated in the hole began to flow out. The inside is so festering that it’s about to rot and crumble at any moment. It was a wound previously inflicted by a paladin’s spear.

‘Ugh, ugh… … .’

Duncan barely managed to suppress his nausea.

“Why, why didn’t you tell me until it got to this point! Instead of moving right away today, you should have stayed in the village for a few more days to recuperate… … .”

“… … Phew, phew.”

Kadim shook his head.

It was not a wound that would heal with just a few more days of treatment. Apparently, the ‘axe bottle’ had a blessing that would fatally wound the devil.

‘Damn, I should have realized sooner… … .’

Of course, such blessings have no effect on humans. But Kadim was an exception. He is a berserker whose strength comes from the blood of demons. If you drink blood, you may be affected, even if only briefly.

Duncan, who had no idea what the situation was, gave the wrong advice.

“I’ll get better!” Could it be that… … How about trying devil’s blood? I’m not sure, but it seems like you feel energized when you eat it… … .”

“… … .”

It’s because of the devil’s blood that you drink it. I had lung disease and was told to smoke. I tried to laugh, but instead I just coughed violently.

However, it was not as if there was no way to overcome the crisis.

‘Maybe today… … .’

Kadim looked at Duncan with bloodshot eyes.

“Whoa, hey… … “What was the shape of the moon yesterday?”

“Yes, yes?”

“The shape of the moon. Huh… … Was it a completely energetic old moon?”

“Uh… … Well, I think it was.”

“Then… … First, take the sword off your belt and place it next to me.”

Kadim’s unique trait wasn’t just ‘Blood Berserker’.

A night when the moon has completely disappeared. Another ‘unique trait’ of Khadim that can be used at midnight when only a cluster of stars flows into Sinab.

I didn’t know if I could somehow get through this crisis by using that.

But the problem is… … .

‘… … Damn, I need to hold on and not lose my mind until then.’

It was dusk, when the clouds were turning deep red. There was still a lot of time left until midnight. I had a feeling that it would be a time of bitter suffering.

I forced myself to swallow the porridge Duncan had brought to cheer me up. However, my stomach acid surged back up and I ended up throwing it all up. It only had the negative effect of making my intestines twist in a nauseous manner and my vision dizzy.

As a stopgap measure, Kadim held on to his consciousness by pinching his thigh. Before long, his thigh was completely dyed blue. Duncan fidgeted and kept checking the savage’s expression.

How long has it been like that?

The sun finally set and the night deepened. There really isn’t much left now. Kadim was panting heavily, holding the hilt of his sword with one hand and his thigh with the other.

But this world is not a comfortable cradle that can embrace the weary and tired traveler.

The dark forest bared its fangs.

– Awww… …

– … … … … Woooooooo!!!

– … … Woof, woof woof woof!

– Krrrrrr, woof woof woof!

An ominous howl was heard from afar, and soon they were right in front of us. There were more than one or two of them. A murderous aura surrounded the entire campsite.

“I, Your Majesty, this, this sound is… … .”

Duncan turned pale and his shoulders shook. He quickly became more like a patient than Kadim. Strictly speaking, I was the one who was closer to death right now.

“Whew… … Hide behind the campfire, peddler.”

“yes? Well, but, my body is… … .”

“Then, huh, you… … are you going to fight those monsters?”

Duncan ran behind the campfire without saying a word.

Kadim smiled bitterly. Even in this situation, he had no choice but to fight. He was barely able to raise his body after touching the ground with the tip of his sword.

‘Those fucking dogs… … They’ll come visit a little later… … .’

A strange blue light flashes between the sparsely grown trees. Fierce monsters with hair as stiff as metal.

– Woof, woof woof woof!

– Krrrrrr, woof woof woof!

A pack of razor-sharp wolves swarmed the campsite.

Kadim’s hand went to the side of her thigh. I reflexively pull out my hatchet and throw it. The ax blade, which had been shining in the light of the bonfire, passed for a split second and fell into the night sound.

Phew – bang!

– Kkaengkang!

It hit the front leg of the guy in the lead. A wolf that loses its balance and rolls on the ground. Without missing the opportunity, he advanced and plunged the sword into the nape of the neck. The blade wolf growled, trembled with its front paws, and then died.

Although he easily killed one, Kadim’s expression was not very bright.

‘Damn, I aimed for the forehead, not the legs… … . My vision is shaking… … ‘I can’t aim properly.’

Because my body was like this, I didn’t have the confidence to fight properly. It would have been easy to kill one or two, but there were too many of them.

Another wave of wolves rushing in without any regard for the enemy’s circumstances.

– Krrrrrr!

Sigh!

– Keng!

He clenched his fist and timed it right, hitting the lower jaw of one of them hard. The impact broke his neck, and the creature flipped over onto its stomach, never to get up again. Kadim used the same method to kill two more wolves in one breath.

But in the meantime, a wolf sneaked up behind him and bit his calf.

“Ugh!”

Phew!

– Kek!

The wound wasn’t serious because the knife was stuck in his skull right after he asked. The problem was that his already uncomfortable movements became even more uncomfortable. A deep look of concern appeared on the savage warrior’s face.

“Eek! Go away! Go away!”

– Crumbling, rumbling… … .

– Crrrrr… … .

Moreover, Duncan was already surrounded by wolves. He tried to resist by stirring the heated poker, but it didn’t seem like he could last long. If there is an opening, they will be bitten mercilessly.

Now it was only a matter of time before they would become wolf food along with the peddlers.

“… … .”

Eventually, Kadim’s hand went to his waist.

When I opened the water bottle lid, a foul smell spread out. In my current state, it was no different from drinking poison, but I had no choice. At least it was better than dying right away.

The barbarian gulped down the demon’s blood.

– Krug? Krrrrrr… … .

– Woof, woof woof woof!

– Krrrrrr… … .

The blade wolves sensed threats with their bestial sixth sense.

It was not the time to worry about the poor human hiding behind the campfire. Wolves surrounding a large human whose mood has changed.

– Woof, woof!

– Krrrrrr, woof woof woof!

The blade wolf, who was the leader of the action, gave the order to attack. The silver beasts charged at once, baring their sharp teeth.

But Kadim was no longer the invalid who couldn’t even throw an axe properly like before.

Tsk – Tsk!

A blade that cuts through the axis like a flash of lightning.

The wolves didn’t realize what was happening. The process was not clearly visible and the only result left was ‘a wolf with a split head’.

The bloodshot eyes stared straight at the pack of wolves. Kadim kicked the split wolf’s head and muttered dryly.

“… … “Those bastards who bite people will get away with it.”

– Krrrr, woof woof woof!

– Kkukkkkkkkk!

He decided to personally guide the spoiled brats.

– Woof woof woof! Krrrr, woof woof… …

puck!

– … … Gang!

He threw the hatchet and hit the loudest guy on the top of his head. Immediately afterwards, he grabbed the hilt of his sword and rushed into the pack of wolves. He cut off the whole head of one guy and pierced the belly of the guy next to it in one go.

Phew!

– Keheng, keheng keheng keheng!

A whirlwind of blood swept in, the gleaming blades cut through tough hides and into flesh. Blood spurted out, and squishy entrails burst out. There was no time for the blood to dry on the blade.

The wolves did not stay still either. However, the counterattack did not reach the enemy. Kadim skillfully dodged his claws and teeth and quickly dug in between the wolves. It was a movement so fast that not even an animal’s sixth sense could follow it.

– Keheng, keheng!

– Kiing, kiing… … .

In the end, the wolf pack soon curled its tail and retreated. Kadim wiped a drop of blood from his cheek.

‘Whew… That devil bastard, his quick movements were annoying, and as expected, he had this effect… ‘

The buff given by the ‘Blood Berserker’ varies depending on which demon’s blood was consumed. This time, it was probably the ‘Increased Agility’ buff. Thanks to this, Khadim was able to forget about his leg injury and display superhuman speed.

Unfortunately, it was an effect that would quickly go out like a burning candle.

“Huh, huh… … .”

As his blood flowed away, an even more terrible pain dug into his shoulder below. It felt like boiling hot iron was being poured into his festering wounds and iron rods were being driven into his fleshy body. It was an excruciating pain that no human could endure. Kadim collapsed, his shoulders shaking.

In fact, it was something that had already been expected. How could he drink blood again after suffering so much from the demon’s blood? If he hadn’t had the body of a strong savage warrior, he would have died of shock long ago.

– Crumbling… … ?

– Crrrrr, Crrrrr… … .

Beyond the wooden pillar, the blue light shone again. The wolves jumped out again as if they had been waiting. The peddler was startled and grabbed the lifeline by the shoulder.

“I’ll get better!” Get better! Are you okay? Hey, you need to come to your senses! Uh, huh? Behind, behind!”

The other wolves folded their ears and quietly made way for them. The leader of the razor wolf, who had been watching the bloody fight, appeared.

– Krrrrrr… … .

It was twice as big as a normal blade wolf. Its angry howl was so scary that it would make even the most courageous lose their will to fight. Sharp teeth like saw blades were revealed under its distorted nose. If it bit you, no matter how thick your arm was, it would be cut off in an instant.

But Kadim wasn’t worried.

A night when the moon overlooking the world has completely disappeared, a heart that beats like a war drum, and eyes that sparkle along with the flickering starlight.

Finally, it was midnight.

The great warrior of Atala, who came from the barren wilderness beyond the mountains, closed his eyes tightly and recited a devout chant.

“[Atala, the lord of all armies who knows no defeat. Put your blade in my hand. Bless the great warrior thirsting for battle. Let him quench his thirst with the red blood of his enemies. In the night when the eyes that look down on the earth have disappeared, I sharpen this blade in your blood-stained name.]”

Wooooow –

A dazzling red aura surrounded the sword. At the same time, a scarlet halo spread out in all directions. The dark forest was dyed as if it had been engulfed in the flames of war. Even the monsters were momentarily captivated by the atmosphere, forgot their wildness, and stood still.

Khadim’s second unique trait, ‘Forge of Names’.

A trait that borrows the power of Atala to give nameless weapons a ‘name’ and to grant special effects appropriate for that ‘name’.

It was a really insignificant trait in the game. There, you can easily obtain rare items with special effects attached, and you can even add special effects yourself with ‘Enchant’.

But now it was different.

In the real world of the game, it was difficult to find even ordinary, sturdy weapons, let alone rare items. The ability to grant special effects without any materials was a huge advantage. Without this, I would never have been able to get past the first half of the first round, when everything was lacking.

Anyway, I somehow managed to hold out until ‘midnight on a moonless night’, which is the condition for using the unique characteristic.

Now it’s time to think about what ‘name’ to give this sword and what ‘special effect’ to give it.

“… … .”

The effect that Kadim originally thought of was ‘self-healing’. In fact, that was enough until just now. However, now his body was so seriously damaged that even the weak ‘self-healing’ was no use.

[What ‘name’ will you give to this sword?]

An inner resonance that spreads not through someone’s voice but through a clear will. It was a familiar resonance, having felt it the first time as well.

Kadim decided on a name for the weapon. The only thing that could overcome the current crisis was ‘its effect’.

“mosquito.”

[…] … .]

“I will name this knife ‘Mosquito.’”

Uuuuuuung – !

A sword that gladly accepts and resonates with the new name.

The red energy that had been scattered like mist was compressed and sucked into the sword. The energy that had been wriggling like an earthworm and formed lines eventually remained on the sword in the form of red letters.

… … I can’t read it because it’s an ancient text, but it probably means ‘mosquito’.

The reason why Kadim chose that name was simple. Because the special effect you want will only appear clearly if it has that name.

Kadim tested his newfound effect.

– Krrrrrr… … .

Wedge – !

A trajectory extending towards the thick nape of the neck. The leader wolf quickly withdrew, but Kadim’s slash was faster. It lightly grazed the leather, and a drop of blood formed along the blade.

The swordsman greedily sucked up the drops of blood and offered them to the master holding the sword hilt.

Then, smoke rose from Kadim’s skin and his wounds slightly healed.

“Phew… … .”

‘Blood sucking’.

A special effect that restores health whenever you deal damage to an enemy.

“I think I’ll buy something now.”

– Krug, krrrrr… … .

“… … It’s still lacking in many ways.”

The berserker’s mouth curved like an old moon.

It was a smile that longed for more blood.