The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 145



Only Krnovel

Episode 145 Demons and Archmages (7)

A reddish shade of light seeped into the dark vision.

Kadim slowly opened his eyes.

I twisted my upper body to avoid the sunlight, but I stopped because of the tingling pain in every corner. It felt like all my muscles and bones were put in a compression machine and then pulled out. In the end, I just lay on the bed like a corpse for a while.

When the pain became bearable, I managed to get up.

“Whoa… … .”

The place was the guest room of the inn where I was staying, the ‘Whale that Swallowed Gold’. I vaguely remembered passing out as soon as I returned from the Magic Tower yesterday. Fortunately, although I was very tired and had muscle pain, I had no other remaining injuries. On the way back, I stabbed the corpses lying in front of the Magic Tower with my blood demon and absorbed their blood.

Kadim relieved his stiff shoulders and neck. She slowly got up and walked to the window.

The sky after the typhoon had spread out a canvas that was eye-watering. The clouds, scattered like torn cotton balls, were soaked in sunlight and turned milky white. A gentle breeze, gentle waves and foam. A sight of leisurely banter, as if there had never been such a fuss.

But the city still retained its past memories.

Buildings with their roofs and exterior walls completely collapsed, luggage and furniture rolling around in a mess on the streets. Many people were busy repairing their homes and cleaning up their surroundings. For some reason, I occasionally saw beggars running down the street screaming. The city, which once shined cleanly in white, turned into an extremely untidy mess in just one day.

But that gentleman was the one who organized it. The area around Matap where the civil war broke out was completely scorched as if it had been carpet bombed.

The corpses and debris remained intact, as if there had been no thought to remove them with magic. In fact, the elders and many wizards were killed in droves, and the magic tower lord who was supposed to control the situation was also killed, so the remaining wizards must be in a daze.

After seeing that far, Kadim turned his back.

In fact, it didn’t really matter what happened to the city or the lair of the magicians. Just thinking about the facts I had learned yesterday was already heavy enough.

Kadim sits back down on the bed and falls into deep thought.

“… … .”

Many questions were answered, but just as many new questions arose.

Warrior, what on earth happened to Gale, why did Melissa go to the Great Forest, what is she doing there, how did she survive all this time, the rumors that the fat chairman told me weren’t all nonsense, how much should I explain to the Arch Paladin who gave me the lantern…?

As expected, the crack leading to another world summoned the demons.

“… … Phew.”

I couldn’t tell from sitting there. She would only know if she saw it. The next destination on the journey is the Great Forest, the largest forest on the continent where the elves and archmage hide.

In fact, it was not advisable to stay here for too long. He was the main culprit who killed the Matapju and the elders. He managed to escape yesterday during the chaos, but if the truth is revealed, it will be quite a headache.

Kadim was ready to leave immediately.

I checked that my inventory, weapons, and demon blood were all safe. I threw away my tattered clothes and shoulder pads and replaced them with new ones. I even changed my leather boots into new ones while I was at it, but then I suddenly realized that I was missing something important.

He walked around the corners of the room, waving his hands. Nothing caught his eye, and he felt no movement at all. Kadim frowned and ran out of the room.

The inn’s hall was also in shambles due to the typhoon. The innkeeper turned his head in a hurry as he was spreading plaster on the broken wall.

“Oh, are you okay, sir? I was worried because you went out in the middle of a typhoon yesterday… …. Did everything go well outside?”

“Nothing happened. “Have you not seen my companions?”

“You mean that short guy with a beard? Uh, well… … ? I even saw him following a customer yesterday… … Where did you go… … .”

“… … ?”

I clearly told you to hide well, but you followed me? What does that mean? I frowned even more, but fortunately, my worries were soon dispelled.

Duncan happened to enter the entrance naturally.

“Oh, Your Majesty! Are you awake? Are you feeling better?”

“What is it, Duncan? Where are you going… … .”

“Oh, oh! Okay, just wait a minute! I’ll be right back!”

But as soon as he came in, he ran out onto the road.

“… … .”

He thought about throwing an axe to stop it, but Kadim decided not to. His muscles were still not fully developed, so it was better to avoid any violent movements. He was sure that the ball was still attached, so he decided to just hold the neck until he got back.

After flipping a few gold coins, the innkeeper stopped what he was doing and immediately ordered some rum. As I heard before, the taste of rum was amazing. I emptied both bottles one after another, enjoying the rich oak scent and bitter flavor.

The walls and doors were damaged, so even the hall had a clear view of the street outside. While he was finishing his third bottle of rum, he saw the beggars running right in front of him, whom he had only seen at a glance.

“Ugh, ugh, ugh! Huhhhh… … .”

“Aaaaaaa!! “Freedom!!!”

“… … .”

Men, women, old people, children, allies, Atalans… … It was a group of people who had little in common other than being dressed like turtlenecks. I think I’ve seen similar guys somewhere… … .

Kadim asked. What on earth are these guys? The innkeeper scratched his head in embarrassment and explained.

“They are probably the ones who were captured in the magic cave or the magic tower. Being in debt, insulting a wizard, being possessed by a demon… … For various reasons. Yesterday, lightning struck so hard that the Demon Cave collapsed, and something serious happened to the Magic Tower, so it seems like everyone ran away… … .”

“… … .”

“But don’t worry too much! Even if he goes on a rampage like that now, it will be difficult to escape safely outside the city. “The wizards will take it back soon anyway!”

Well, that didn’t seem to be the case. There was no way the magicians would be in the right frame of mind to do that now. Kadim, who was half the one who had caused that trouble, took another swig from his bottle as he took a puff from his hand.

I simply hope that the released fugitives will have a better life than using magic stone materials.

By the time I finished the third bottle, Duncan came back.

“Ugh, ugh! Sorry I’m late, Your Majesty! Could you come out here for a moment?”

He looked like a rat, drenched in sweat. He must have been working at a dock or something. Kadim followed him obediently.

However, what the peddler showed was that there was nothing to be gained from just working at the loading dock.

In a dark alley, there was a pile of chests filled with gold coins. Duncan proudly banged on the lids like a pirate who had plundered a treasure ship. Kadim narrowed his eyebrows as he realized that the chests looked familiar.

This was the military funds that the dead elder, Oklamud, had brought to the auction house.

“… … Where did you get this, Duncan?”

“Of course I stole it from the magic tower, Nauri! “Don’t worry, we brought it without any regrets!”

“… … .”

“Here’s how I got these: I snuck into the Magic Tower yesterday to help you, and by chance I found some wizards carrying these. Then I remembered that you had spent a lot of money at the auction, and I thought, “Ah! This will help me raise funds again…”

Duncan was excited and told a tale of heroism. In short, he pretended to be a high-ranking wizard and stole the slush fund from the wizards. However, after realizing that Khadim’s face was dark, he gradually became quieter.

Soon, a heavy voice descended upon the alley floor.

“So, you disobeyed my orders to hide and acted on your own?”

“… … .”

“What would you do if you were discovered by wizards and taken hostage, or were used as a material for magic stones?”

The peddler hiccups and freezes.

For the first time in a while, I felt the pressure suffocating my breathing again. Duncan turned pale and spoke in a trembling voice.

“Sin, sin, I’m sorry, I’ll get better…” … . I did something beyond my means… … . Well, I won’t do that again next time… … .”

“… … .”

Kadim sent a crumpled look, then sighed. At first, he was a bastard the size of a soybean, but he’s changed a lot since then.

Anyway, there was nothing I could do about what I had already brought. Well, I couldn’t tell them to return it to the top. Kadim said indifferently, emptying the gold coins in the chest into his inventory.

“There is no next time. “Because this is the end of your journey.”

“… … !”

Duncan took this to mean that he would end his life’s journey immediately. He fell flat on his face and begged as if he was going to give up his gallbladder.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty! I have committed a great sin that deserves death! But, considering the kindness we have shown each other, can you please spare my life? I don’t mind if you take all this money… … .”

“… … No, what are you talking about? When you first met her, didn’t you promise to lead the way only to Vesta Na? “I’m done with my business here, so there’s no need to follow me anymore.”

“……yes?”

A moment of sudden surprise and freezing, followed by dry encouragement.

“Thank you for your hard work, Duncan. I guess I can use this money until I get my property back from Delutana. From now on, your life and the money you have saved are completely yours.”

“… … .”

“Where is your hometown? Maltana, you said? Your luggage is quite heavy, so I’ll carry it for you there.”

Not a single word could be heard properly. A bewildered expression suddenly appeared on his bearded face, like a fish dropped in the middle of the desert.

The peddler, who had regained his life after half a year, just looked up at the barbarian in silence for a long time.

*

The horse, whose eyes were stained with mucus and was so thin that it wouldn’t be surprising if he collapsed at any moment, was panting and panting.

– Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh… … .

“Whoa, whoa…” … . Yes, yes, good job. “Thank you so much for your hard work.”

A rider wearing olive scale armor gently stroked the horse. Even though his appearance had become shabby, this horse was by no means a shabby horse. Any courser would have to end up like this if they were to cover that long distance from Delutana to Vestana in just over ten days.

The rider’s name was Feldrick. He was a private in the Corps of Corps under Enrico Turis, the councilor of Remtana.

Although he was not even a captain in the tens, Feldrick was Enrico’s most trusted confidant. If not, he would not have been given such an important mission.

Feldrick held the reins tightly and reflected on the details of the mission he had received.

‘Feldrick, please deliver this letter to Cecilion and this letter to Lord Khadim. Cecilion is a renowned high-ranking wizard in the Magic Tower. He will personally help Lord Kadim access the records he wants. Oh, and tell Lord Kadim to stop by Del Ruttana once he’s done with his work… … .’

A promise Enrico made with Kadim a long time ago to help read the records of the Magic Tower. It was a very important task to help fulfill that promise. As soon as the mission was handed down, Feldrick carried out the order without hesitation.

However, his loyalty to Enrico was not entirely his only motivation. Feldrick gulped as he looked at the Hydra scale armor he wore.

‘Demon Slayer’ Khadim. His reputation was such that there was no one in the entire alliance who did not know about it, except for the eastern part, which had little interest in mercenaries.

‘I knew he was a great person from the beginning, but I didn’t know he would become such a famous person with such great fame… ‘

As Kadim’s fame grew, Feldrick found himself proud. He had seen the mercenary fight in the Twin Canyons, had briefly accompanied him on his journey to the Golden Road, and most importantly, had worn this armor made from the trophies he had hunted.

Of course, it was difficult to claim direct friendship based on that alone. Perhaps Kadim doesn’t even know his own name. But through this mission, he would be able to clearly imprint himself in the mind of the legendary mercenary.

Feldrick imagined. In the near future, the moment when the mission is completed successfully and a touching farewell is said to Kadim.

‘… … What is your name?’

‘yes. ‘This is Feldrick, Lord Khadim.’

‘Okay, thank you, Feldrick. I swear by Atala’s name. I won’t forget your dedication in coming so far to help me.’

‘I am greatly honored to hear you say so. If so, would you, Lord Khadim, perhaps engrave your name on this armour as a token of our friendship?’

‘Ha, that’s not difficult at all.’

And if you return to Delutana wearing that armor, how many people’s attention and envy will you attract… … Just thinking about it made the corners of her mouth rise to the sky.

Feldrick smiled broadly and then cleared his throat. The horse, unable to know its master’s intentions, exhaled heavily and hurried on.

– Purr, purr… … .

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sorry. Let’s go to the city and rest.”

And finally, Feldrick entered the city of miracles, Vestana, and saw.

Pedestrians running down the street screaming, and the city center becoming a scene of chaos.

“Kwaaaaaa!!”

“Run quickly!! “We have to run out of the city!!”

I thought I had come to a flagship city, not some miracle city. Feldrick was frozen in embarrassment, then he approached a citizen repairing the exterior wall and asked:

“Well, let me ask you something. Why, why is the street so messy? Was there a big festival or something last night?”

“… … It’s not a festival, it’s a typhoon. You seem to be a stranger. Don’t make a fuss and go away, Private Nari.”

“… … .”

I almost lost consciousness. She quickly shook her head to come to her senses.

Yeah, it didn’t really matter though. Even if the city was like this, as long as the Magic Tower was intact. Clearly, there was no way the weather would have been blown all the way there. I heard that it is reliably protected by a magical barrier… … .

But unfortunately, an even bigger mess unfolded near the Magic Tower.

The barrier disappeared without a trace, the earth was shattered and pulverized, the corpses were piled up like a mound, and the hems of their robes were dyed equally in a crimson color. It was a tragic sight so gruesome that it was hard to believe that it was not a typhoon but the end of the world.

Feldrick wandered through the ruins, barely able to catch a passing wizard and ask.

“Hey, I want to ask you something. I made an appointment in advance, but… … Cecilion, could you tell me where you are?”

“… … .”

The wizard pointed to a corner of the scene with a gloomy gaze.

“… … Stay over there.”

There was a body there, all dried up and drained of blood.

Feldrick collapsed on the floor, looking like a gambler who had lost all his money.