The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 120



Only Krnovel

Episode 120. The Star That Pierces the Truth (5)

The devil is a cunning and intelligent being. However, when he first ascended, he often fell into arrogance and made mistakes.

However, this high-ranking devil did not commit such mistakes until the end.

Woohoo!

I packed only my black robe, living staff, and simple luggage and escaped the cave using teleportation magic. When I reached the forest road, I used the acceleration spell and ran without stopping. Rattling, the wizard’s hair hanging from the end of the spine shook like a puppet.

“Geuheuk, geuheuk… … .”

– Whoo, whoo… … .

How come, it didn’t occur to me that I should confront that savage once.

No, even now, as he was running away, the devil’s mind was filled with only such thoughts. The impulse inside me was repeatedly eroding my pride, telling me that the barbarian was no match for you, and that what you were doing after being promoted was nothing more than an escape.

Still, the devil suppressed his impulses and decided to trust his instincts.

The atmosphere that the barbarian gave off was extremely dangerous. The power of breaking down a curtain with a single ax was definitely not something to be taken lightly. And, ominously, doesn’t he look exactly like the berserker we saw 300 years ago? Even if the exact relationship was unknown, there was no need to take unnecessary risks.

As it turned out, the devil’s choice was right.

The savage was the berserker himself who stirred up the demon realm 300 years ago. No matter how hard the demon fought back, he would not have been able to avoid having his head split by the axe blade.

Furthermore, making a high-ranking wizard into a staff was a very dangerous thing to do. If the magic tower were to fall, it would be within touching distance. If the wizards of the elder council or the magic tower master had smelled it and come, even the devil would have been helpless. However, by running away at this point, he was able to avoid trouble on his own.

Rattling, rattling, rattling –

“Hehehe, hehehe… … .”

– Hooooo… … .

The demon took a breather after putting some distance between himself and the cave. No matter how fast his feet were, he wouldn’t be able to catch up easily at this point.

As the impulse gradually subsided and coolness set in, he was once again convinced that his choice was right. Now, he could establish a base somewhere secluded and gradually gather pain and despair. The devil raised his lips in a wry manner.

But… …the right choice may not always lead to the best outcome.

The irony of fate was leading to the worst inevitable destruction for the devil who had made a wise decision.

Dugugugugu, dugugugugu… … .

It suddenly felt like this. The sound of horse hooves resonating across the sky, and a flash of light approaching dimly.

– … … Hmm?

For a moment, all the nerves in my body trembled violently, as if an electric shock had struck me.

The feeling of a field mouse looking up at a predator, the heart of a candle facing the waves, the inner intuition that rings the alarm like crazy.

An extreme fear that he had never experienced before surged through him. The demon trembled in suspicion, then raised his head in a panic to find the cause. Then, the eyes that were pressed against his face all took on a grayish reflection.

There was no more after that.

Wedge – Awesome!

Rays of light falling down. An explosion of brilliant light. Scene being deleted.

―――――――――――――― KWAAAAAAHHHH – !!!

The surface rose like a swell. The trees nearby were charred and burned, and the demon that had been hit directly evaporated cleanly without leaving behind a single speck of dust. The wizard’s head in his hand also turned into powder and scattered into the air.

It was as if the wrath of God had been manifested with concrete firepower.

Kufuuuuu… … .

As the light faded and the thick dust settled, the ground, deeply cratered like a crater, was revealed.

A single shining spear was stuck in the center of the pit. It was not hard to guess that this weapon had triggered the preceding explosion. A winged horse made of dazzling light landed swiftly next to the spear shaft.

– Hooowoong… … .

And the rider riding on it, burning with white flames, dismounted.

“… … .”

The paladin retrieved his divine soldier, the ‘Meteor of Lucaon’, who had caused the simple apocalypse, and looked out toward the forest edge with dignity.

*

“Ugh, ugh, ugh… … Can’t we go a little slower, a little slower, ugh, your majesty?”

“… … .”

Despite Duncan’s pleas, Kadim did not slow down his running speed at all.

This guy can even use a weak teleportation spell. On top of that, it seems like it just evolved to a higher level, but it gave up the fight and ran away… … This mysterious demon was not an ordinary, cunning guy. I had to catch up and kill it before it could escape.

In an instant, I left the cave and ran down the forest path. Fortunately, there were traces of demonic energy left by him on the street. I tried my best to erase the traces, but I could not escape the sense of a barbarian. Kadim quickly followed behind the lingering scent.

“Ugh, ugh, me, your Majesty! Ugh, your Majesty… … .”

Even though the voices of the peddlers following behind me grew faint and distant, I ignored them for now and ran on.

But just before catching up with Magi’s footsteps.

Boom – !

Kadim put his heel down on the floor and quickly stopped walking.

“… … .”

Something… was strange.

The continuous magic energy had been artificially cut off. It was as if the devil had completely evaporated on the other side. It would not have been a reuse of the teleportation magic. There was no way that a guy who had just become a high-level devil could use that many hexes in succession.

In addition, there was pressure that could not be ignored.

It wasn’t the kind of pressure that a high-level devil could give. There was something on the other side. It definitely didn’t feel unfamiliar. The moment I vaguely recall when I felt this sensation… …

An extreme feeling of anxiety seeping into my skin.

It was a sensation I remembered not as a head, but as torn muscles and twisted bones. Even though endless years have passed since then, it was a nightmare that comes to mind as vividly as if it had happened last night. The more I tried to forget, the more clearly it was a trauma that lingered in my mind.

‘Hehehehe, hehehe… … .’

A girl wizard whose tongue was pulled out so she could not recite spells.

‘Ka, Kadim… … Come on, get away from here… … .’

A priestess of the wilderness whose entire body’s skin has burned and peeled off like a snake’s skin.

‘It’s not enough… … ! This is not enough… … ! Cry more, louder… … ! The Lord of Light is enjoying your suffering… … !’

And the eyes that sparkle strangely, filled with fanaticism.

Horrible images poured out one after another like a flood. However, when she realized that this was not the time, she quickly came to her senses. She heard the voice of a peddler who had barely caught up with her.

“Ugh, ugh, I, Your Majesty… … . Ugh, why are you doing this? Ugh, is there a problem… … .”

“Run, Duncan. As fast as you can, as far as you can.”

“Huh? Why all of a sudden, huh!”

Kadim grabbed Duncan by the back of his neck and threw him. Duncan, who rolled around on the ground, had a bewildered expression on his face, but was overcome by the strange warrior’s chill and ran away without knowing why.

Now they too have noticed their presence. The sight was getting closer quickly. It was impossible to fight against her with just her bare body. Without hesitation, Kadim grabbed the jet-black ax and recited a prayer.

“[Atala, God of Strife and the Wilderness, look down upon your champions, lead them into battle with torches, grant them the strength to stand against the unholy foes… … .]”

Whioooooooo… … .

A yellow whirlwind wrapping around the shoulders, full of power taking control of the muscles and skeleton. The Great Warrior’s eyes, embracing the energy of his fighting spirit, burned quietly like torches. Anger and fighting spirit rushed in like a landslide, covering the tension.

Soon, the enemy arrived right in front of us.

– Whoosh! Whoosh, whoosh… … .

A paladin riding a shining horse and wearing white flames like a cape.

The golden ten-pointed star pattern shined brightly on the pure white plate armor. His facial features were hidden by the helmet’s shield, but his strangely sparkling eyes were clearly visible. Gauntlets made of layers of iron held a spear that flashed like a tail of light.

Arch Paladin.

There was no doubt about it this time. This was not a 2nd team with good equipment and poor skills, but a real ‘Arch Paladin’ like the guy I met in the first round.

The swaying eyes turned to Kadim. A deep voice flowed out from behind the mask.

“Hmm, I was worried about how to find him since he didn’t even tell me what his facial expressions were like, but it turned out to be a useless worry. I never thought he would have such a striking physique and strength… … .”

“… … .”

“Anyway, it’s nice to meet you. I’m from the Elgar Order… … .”

Kadim ignored his fear and rushed forward without question.

Write – Ugh!

The axe swing, overflowing with murderous intent, cut down the knight’s words and horse at the same time.

-Wheeeeeeeeeh!

The shining horse had no physical substance, but the axe imbued with divine energy could cut through it. The shining horse’s body was torn in half and scattered into pieces of light. The knight, who had suddenly fallen from his horse, widened his eyes in surprise, but even then, he quickly swung his spear handle and countered the axe strikes that followed.

Sparks of brilliance and yellow dust from a gust of wind were intertwined.

―――― Chae – Ang!!

Standing in front of the vicious battle axe, the sharp spear looked no different from a wooden stick. However, the power it carried was not like that at all. Tingling, a heavy shock that is transmitted to the bones as soon as they collide. For now, Kadim took a few steps back, trying to gather himself from the aftermath.

The paladin took advantage of the gap and adjusted his stance. Khadim concentrated his divine energy on his forearm and charged again. He closed the distance in the blink of an eye, and when he was about three steps closer, he struck diagonally.

Phew – Yeah!

At that moment, the spear imbued with divine power shot out quickly like a flash of lightning.

A small explosion occurred at the tip of the spear where the axe blade had struck.

Kwa – Ah!

A violent recoil pushed the axe head away. Kadim’s body was dragged out along with it. But just before he was about to fall, I found an opening and kicked the bottom of his helmet with a strong kick.

Crunch – !

The head was completely tilted back and then back again. The knight was drooling, clutching his chin as if it was quite sore.

“Hmm, what is this… … .”

He managed to land a successful hit on the enemy without taking much damage. However, Khadim’s expression was not bright. He knew that the paladin had intentionally weakened the power of the spear.

“… … .”

Right behind the bastard’s back was a scorched earth that looked like it had been bombed.

Kadim clicked his tongue and spat out his thoughts as if he was chewing them.

“Is that mess in the back made with that spear handle?”

“… … That’s right. As I was coming, I saw the devil, so I quickly threw my spear. However, I confirmed in advance that there were no people around… … ”

“But why aren’t you doing your best here? “If you waste your energy, you will die.”

“that… … No, wait a minute, put the ax down first and tell me what I said… … .”

Kadim had no intention of listening.

Kwa – Ah!

He charged forward, kicking the ground so that it would crumble, and poured out a fierce attack. He did not know what the enemy was thinking, but he had no intention of hanging out with him. He had only experienced it once before, when he had let his guard down in front of the Arch Paladin and paid a heavy price.

Whoo – wow, boom! Whoo – wow! Wedge – Liquid!

The paladin also had no choice but to respond to the attack, unable to continue speaking. The pure white afterimage and the yellowish traces intertwined again and again, creating a passionate abstract painting in the air. The pressure from Kadim was so fierce that he could not endure it like this. In the end, the paladin infused more divine energy into the spearhead, strengthening the power of the explosion.

That alone changed the situation dramatically.

Kwa – ang! Kwa – ang! Kwagwagwa – !

The blossoming flower of annihilation, the staggering trajectory of the axe.

Kadim’s mouth stiffened. As expected, that Archpaladin was conserving his strength. Even the strengthened explosion was not powerful enough to change the terrain, so it was clear that its full power had not yet been revealed.

If the Paladin had launched a surprise attack with all his might, it would have been a huge disaster. He would have been caught in the explosion without any time to react, and would have suffered fatal damage.

After all, simply downloading the ‘Atala’s Divine’ wasn’t enough. Another buff was needed to crush that Arch Paladin. Hydra or Wood Demon’s Tattoo were no use, and I had to fight back by gathering at least one round of strength…

However, just as Kadim was about to activate Pevillatus’ tattoo.

Suddenly, the knight made an unexpected and impulsive move.

Iron ring, iron ring –

“I surrender. I think this is enough unnecessary disturbance.”

Archpaladin puts down his spear handle and even takes off his helmet and throws it away.

He even extinguished the sacred energy that surrounded his entire body like a flame. As the glow disappeared, the Holy Knight’s face was fully revealed. A middle-aged woman, her sweat soaked gray hair and mustache, her scars and wrinkles etched into her face here and there.

A heavy silence like a dark cloud fell. I couldn’t figure out what nonsense he was talking about. Kadim kept his mouth shut and only gave me a beast-like gaze.

As the standoff continued, the Holy Knight raised both hands and expressed his opinion again.

“It’s not a trap or anything. There is no one around to help me. Please put down your weapons too. “I didn’t come to fight you.”

Of course, I couldn’t just let go of the weapon.

Kadim pulled out the throwing axe from his waist and hurled it like a wall.

Pararaeraeraerarack, peck – ugh!

The axe blade was stuck squarely in the center of his wrinkled forehead. The dark axe handle wavered like a reed, and a stream of blood ran down the bridge of his nose.

However, the Holy Knight pulled out the lightning strike without much agitation and muttered.

“Ugh, it hurts a lot… … .”

“… … .”

“Don’t do that again. My face is already so blemished that my young disciples burst into tears whenever they see my face.”

“… … under.”

Kadim burst out laughing in embarrassment.