The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 134



Only Krnovel

Episode 134 Five Pillars (11)

Of course, there was no way for Khadim at the auction house to help Duncan. The solemnity on his face was about to slowly change into resignation for life.

Things were turning out a bit strange.

The two wizards looked closely at Duncan’s movements and froze in shock.

Then, out of nowhere, he bowed at a right angle and apologized.

“I’m sorry, Conjurer! The smoke was so thick I couldn’t see you right away!”

“I’m embarrassed! Next time, I’ll definitely find out in advance and say hello!”

“… … .”

… … hmm?

It took 8 seconds for him to freeze in embarrassment at the unexpected reaction, 12 seconds for him to slowly lower his gaze towards himself, and 21 seconds for him to come to a realization that was a bit late when he saw the red robe.

After what seemed like an eternity to the two blue-robed wizards, Duncan finally realized what was going on.

‘Brown is the Apprentice, Sky Blue is the Seeker, Blue is the Invoker, Red is the Conjurer… … Ahh! I’m higher ranked than these guys!’

Information I read in a stolen book flashing through my mind.

Duncan was so small that he was looked down upon wherever he went, but size was of no consequence among wizards. The only thing that matters is the clothing that represents your magical rank, or ‘rank’. Moreover, the fact that he was not embarrassed at all and had a solemn expression on his face also contributed to the wizards’ confusion.

He was lucky to survive for now… … but if he retreated too quickly, he would surely be suspected again. Words have the power to change actions. Duncan recalled the advice he had learned from Kadim and lowered his voice.

“What are you doing, you guys?”

“……yes?”

“Can’t you hear me? I asked you what you were doing.”

The wizards were sweating profusely, wondering if they had made a mistake.

“Look, as you can see, we are currently manufacturing ‘magic stones’ for the newly enlisted apprentices to use. Currently, 32 low-level demons and 2 mid-level demons have been deployed, and once the magic furnace stabilizes, we plan to deploy 8 more low-level demons.”

“The magic dilution formula follows the type 2 magic stone formula, and the manufacturing department 3rd party is procuring the dilution materials. There are no problems with the process so far. If anything goes wrong, I will immediately report it to the higher-ups, Conjurer!”

“… … .”

Duncan glanced behind the wizards.

Grumble, rumble, rumble –

A gigantic, bizarrely shaped cauldron was boiling like a kettle. The hole through which the demon’s corpse was shoved also led to the cauldron. It seemed like it was something called a ‘magic furnace.’

I couldn’t understand anything else he said.

‘Magic Stone? The stone that supplies ‘mana’ from the heart of a wizard? Are you making it with that cauldron? Eek… … But why, why are you putting a demon’s corpse in it… … ? What is the dilution ratio, and what are those ingredients… … .’

Duncan suppressed his doubts and demanded further explanation. The wizards answered coolly, wondering why he was asking such an obvious question.

The core ingredient of ‘mana’ is Magi. Demon corpses are used as ingredients for magic stones to supply the magic energy. Dilution is the process of mixing other ingredients to prevent the wizard from being possessed by the magic power of the magic stone. Materials include monster bones and Minerals, human body parts imported from Magul, etc. are included… … .

Duncan’s face turned pale. He was speechless, shocked by the truth that sounded like a bad ghost story.

By that time, the wizards had also noticed something strange. They cautiously asked the high-ranking wizard whose behavior was very suspicious.

“By the way, Conjurer, why did you come to the control area…?” … ? I don’t think you belong to our manufacturing department… … .”

“… … Although it may be presumptuous of me to ask you your name and affiliation, the Lord of the Tower also gave instructions to record all the people entering and leaving the restricted area… … .”

Duncan’s eyelids fluttered. Wouldn’t it end up as an ingredient in this or that pot? I felt late regret, thinking that I should have missed it earlier.

But I couldn’t back out now. Her eyes widened, her voice lowered even further, and she patted her goat beard in a dignified manner.

“Do you really not know who I am?”

“… … .”

“He asked me if I really didn’t know who I was.”

“… … Yes, I’m sorry. If you tell me this time, I will gladly accept the punishment for the sin I didn’t know about and make sure to remember it.”

There was no trace of apology in the wizard’s tone. He was already half-convinced that he was not a high-ranking wizard.

Duncan laughed nervously.

“Ha, haha, how can you not know who I am…” … . Wow, I’m really missing the Invokers these days. “Really, really, if I personally explain it to you, will you really be able to handle it?”

“… … .”

“… … .”

Even with the brightly shining eyes and desperate attempts at bravado, it didn’t work. Duncan felt his ribs tremble and his balls shrink. Even the wizard on the left was already drawing up mana and muttering and reciting spells.

At that moment, the threat to life aroused my survival instinct.

Duncan suddenly pulled out the ‘Hellfire Dagger’ from his waistband and swung it.

Whoosh, whoosh – !

A stroke of red flame cut through the hazy curtain, and thick smoke burned into fierce flames. Duncan mutters quietly while looking at the wizards through the flying sparks.

“… … That’s it, I think this is enough of an explanation.”

I really didn’t know. Was this a sufficient explanation? I was just praying that the sword slash I had just shown was seen as some kind of meaningful magic. If we can’t do that, we’ll have to somehow stick this flame down their necks… … .

But it worked.

“… … Huh? This flame… … .”

“Isn’t this… … that thing… … ? That hellfire magic that Elder Oklamud is researching with his disciples… … .”

“What, then… this person is under the command of ‘The Dark Heat Wave’… … ”

“… … .”

That too, very well.

“… … “It’s too late to find out.”

I don’t know what they’re talking about, but I just went with the flow and watched. The wizards became lost in thought and immediately bent down again.

“sorry! Oh, I didn’t know you were sent by Elder Oklamud to inspect! Please forgive my rudeness!”

“I sincerely apologize! From now on, I will be especially careful not to forget the dignity of the Conjurer! So please, only report to the elder… … .”

“… … .”

Duncan looked down at them with a puzzled expression.

I didn’t know who Oklamud was or why they were so afraid, but somehow the flow came back. I swept away the ten years of burden and pretended to be relaxed again.

“Hmm, well, I’m glad you noticed it now. But you next to me… … “Didn’t you dare recite a spell in front of me?”

“S-sorry! I won’t do that again! Please forgive me just this once… … .”

“It depends on what you do from now on.”

“Just give us the order. We will do whatever we can.”

“Okay, then… … Let me give you a quick test to see how well you know your job.”

Duncan immediately asked the key questions: who on earth had devised the recipe for the magic stone, and who on earth had devised a way to replace the ‘ancient mana’ with ‘mana’ mixed with magic energy.

After a brief hesitation, the answer came out.

“Of course, it’s the predecessor… … No, isn’t it the Hyundai Tower Lord?”

It was a strange answer.

The modern tower master devised it? I heard that the ‘ancient mana’ was depleted over 200 years ago? Also, the fact that the previous and modern tower masters were confused was suspicious…

Duncan asked again with dark wrinkles etched between his eyebrows.

“… … yes. “Then, this time, please explain the life and achievements of the modern tower owner to the best of your knowledge.”

“… … .”

The wizards swallowed nervously, then began to explain obediently.

*

A dark forest in the evening.

The ground spider had already fallen without even leaving a trace of hazy lingering light. The sky covered with gray clouds looked heavy as if it would collapse at any moment. A girl magician was sitting on a flat tree stump with an expression as gloomy as the sky.

Red hair blowing in the crisp night breeze. His gloomy eyes remained fixed on the dirt floor. Melissa, the wizard, kicks angrily and talks to herself.

“Okay, no need… … . Such unruly barbarians… … . “I just have to throw it away as if it never happened and go back alone.”

Contrary to what he said, there was no sign of him getting up from his seat. On the contrary, with an even more gloomy look on his face, he slipped under her stump and sat down, hugging her knees.

Her only companion, Kadim, left Melissa. About an hour ago, she told me to get out of her sight right away.

Actually, it wasn’t something to say that much. The reason the conflict arose in the first place was very trivial. After hearing that Kadim said that he would look for a certain ‘wilderness shaman’ to join his party, Melissa asked this question.

‘Hmm, then… … . ‘Who is more important in achieving the goal you mentioned, him or me?’

‘… … There is no distinction between superiority and inferiority. Because you and she have different roles, and both are irreplaceably important.’

‘Ah – ha… … So you’re saying that even though I’ve been with you for several months… … I’m still the same level of importance as someone whose face you don’t even know?’

No matter how much he sarcastically tried, Kadim didn’t react. On the contrary, the more she talked, the more her emotions intensified, and all the complaints about past events came rushing in at once. Eventually, she couldn’t control her anger and impulsively told him to get out.

Of course, what I really wanted was for Kadim to take back what he said and apologize… … but instead, the blunt savage just disappeared right away.

“A savage like a fool… … A dullard with muscles packed tightly inside his skull… … .”

Melissa drew a scribble that looked like a stupid barbarian with her stick on the dirt floor. On the one hand, she hoped that Kadim would never come back, but on the other hand, she was worried about what would happen to her if she really did not come back. She, she herself, she had no idea how she was feeling.

At that time, a rustling sound was suddenly heard.

“… … Kadim?”

Melissa quickly turned her head toward the bushes.

It was not the image of a large barbarian, but rather had distinctively shining eyes and sharp teeth.

– Crrrrr… … .

– Crrrrrrr… … .

A pack of blade wolves approached her with great strides.

“Uh, uhh, uhh… … .”

My hair turned white. The distance was so close that there was no time to prepare magic. Melissa took her hesitating step back, muttering only one person’s name like an idiot.

“Kadim… … ? Kadim… … ? Kadim… … ? Kadim… … .”

– Crrrrrrr… … .

– Krrrrrrrrrr… … .

“Uh, where are you! Kadeem!! Kadeem!! Kadeem!! “Kadiyyim!!”

– Keuheung, keuheung!!

“Aaaahhh!!!”

Just before the beast’s teeth could pounce on her, an axe blade pierced through the night.

Parararararararack, ph-ph!

-Kang!

The wolf groaned and fell to the ground, blood and brain fluid gushing from its crushed temples.

Then a giant leaped out of the bushes. He retrieved his axe and swung it like a whirlwind, dealing with the remaining beasts. In an instant, the entire pack of razorwolves was reduced to a mixture of torn hide and crushed flesh.

Kadim wiped the blood from his eyes and approached the girl magician.

“I’m sorry, Melissa. I was just planning on clearing out all the monsters nearby, but I didn’t realize I missed some.”

“… … .”

Melissa coldly turned her back and was planning to snap at me and ask why I came only now. However, contrary to her inner feelings, sadness welled up in her eyes, and without realizing it, she jumped up and hugged the blood-stained giant in her arms.

“Huh… … Uh, where are you going, you idiot… … . Why are you so late… … . Why, why did you leave me alone… … .”

“… … Didn’t you tell me to leave with your own mouth?”

“T, but don’t go, don’t go… … . Ah, from now on, no matter how much I, ah, tell you to, leave, you absolutely can’t go… … . You have to stay by my side… … .”

“… … Okay, don’t go. “I am here.”

Promising not to leave, he patted the back of the girl who would later become an archmage, as if comforting a crying child.

The scenery before my eyes had completely changed into a guest room at an inn.

The warrior who failed to keep the promise he made 300 years ago stared blankly at the ceiling for a while.