The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 159



Only Krnovel

Episode 159 Forest of Dreaming (2)

Kadim, Duncan, Ilenia, and Benson, a simple mercenary.

Four travelers heading to the great forest had an awkward reunion. Ilenia said that she and her husband needed to talk alone, so she crossed her arms around Kadim and briefly distanced herself from the others.

They had come to a place far enough away that even if they screamed, they wouldn’t be heard. Kadim immediately pulled away from Illenia’s arm and looked at her. Immediately afterwards, he made a fierce expression and shouted.

“I want you to explain when I became your husband.”

“… … .”

Ilenia hesitated for a moment, putting on her normal, business-like face. But she quickly changed into the mask of a cheerful archaeologist and bowed her head.

“Oh, sorry, mercenary! Were you very embarrassed? I happened to meet this guy who looked like a toad, and he kept flirting with me persistently! I thought if I lied and said I had a husband, he would just leave, but he never left me… … .”

“… … Didn’t you have a knife hidden up your sleeve? “If I had just made a moderate threat, he would have backed off on his own.”

“Huh? A sword? Oh, there is a similar relic… … . Oh my, but how can you just point it at people? This is something I kept hidden to only use in times of real emergency… … Hehe… … .”

“… … .”

That was not what a woman who had stabbed a big-time congressman with that transparent knife should say. As I was about to make a face of bewilderment, her bright yellow eyes glanced upward.

Following the gaze, I saw the brilliantly shattering sunlight. I could understand the intention behind the wink. Oh, yes, I still had to fool those damn ‘Elgar’s eyes’.

“Aya! Hey, look at this. Don’t think about it, the knife just cut its owner! Ugh, bitter… … .”

Next, Ilenia pretended to accidentally cut herself and showed her forearm. A single stream of red blood flowed, proof that it was not a self-immolation made with the ‘silver coins of a fallen nation.’ Thanks to this, you don’t have to go through the complicated verification process like before.

Suddenly, the eventful meeting in Galentana came to mind. And the fact that that meeting ended with Ilenia accepting ‘divine punishment’.

Kadim let out a ragged breath and assumed a calmer demeanor.

“… … Aside from those arms, is your body feeling any better? The last time I saw you, you didn’t look too good, maybe because of the ‘sunlight’.”

“Oh, your body? Well, I’m completely fine now! uh? But maybe… … “Did you just worry about me?”

“… … .”

“Wow, I’m so moved! The mercenary who coldly left without listening to me at first started worrying about me like this… … . If we become this close, I don’t know what kind of relationship we’ll have in the future, right? Hehehe… … .”

“… … .”

“Unlike the past, which is unchanging and final, the beauty of the present is that the threads of relationships continue like this and create unexpected patterns… … .”

“… … Enough with the nonsense, why did you crawl out again this time? Are you sick of the quiet life of being stuck at university again?”

Ilenia shows off a refreshing smile.

“Of course! After all, the greatest archaeological discoveries are made out in the open, not in dusty corners of rooms!”

“Then, following the shaman of the wilderness and the forgotten god, what is the topic you are exploring this time?”

Unlike Ilenia, who looked so cheerful, a heavy shadow was cast over Kadim’s face.

It was no coincidence that the ‘Forgotten God’s Priest’ disguised as an archaeologist had appeared here and now. What was bothering me was that he had appeared right before I went to find Melissa. Of course, their basic attitude was that of an assistant, and they may have come to help me just like before… … .

‘… … This time might be different.’

The one-eyed follower I met in Magul said. It is also important to them to identify the cause of the spread of demons and eradicate the source.

And Melissa is currently the most likely culprit presumed to have caused the demonic outbreak.

It didn’t matter whether it was intentional or a mistake. If this fact is revealed, the ‘Followers of the Forgotten God’ will most likely try to punish Melissa. No, not just them, but the Empire, the Alliance, the North… … All powers on the continent will be desperate to punish Melissa.

Kadim didn’t want that situation.

Even if Melissa was the culprit behind the outbreak, I wanted to hear her story first.

Even if Melissa was irreversibly broken, I didn’t want to leave the decision to someone else.

“… … .”

It was partly because of the request from the Matapju, and partly because of affection as a former colleague. But more than anything, the core reason was the guilt he felt for being the cause of her downfall.

If she hadn’t made the empty promise that she wouldn’t leave, or at least suppressed her impatience and left a proper farewell, Melissa might not have lived a life filled with nothing but pain and despair…

Self-blame is like an involuntary muscle. Even if I realize it’s not my fault, at some point it gets out of control. The only way to eliminate that impulse is to correct the cause on your own. However, if this ‘priest of the forgotten god’ were to intervene, there was a significant risk that he would antagonize Melissa and ruin things along the way.

I look at him with keen caution, wondering what purpose he says he came here for… …

… … Completely unexpected words came out of Illenia’s mouth.

“The topic I’m exploring this time is… … ‘Dragon’!”

“… … .”

While the savage stood frozen like an ancient stone statue, the archaeologist’s eyes sparkled like a boy who admires monsters.

“People are so simple, aren’t they? When you think of the Great Forest, all you can think of are the elves! You don’t even realize that there are incomparably great mysteries hidden there!”

“… … .”

“’Dragon’! The strongest creature on earth that no one but the heavenly gods can rival! The supreme being that can burn the oceans with its breath and destroy mountain ranges with its roar! In the distant mythical era, it is said to have reigned over the continent as a living, breathing ruin, but these days, it is not easy to even find its traces. However, I recently found an incredible clue!”

“… … .”

“It is written in an old book I found by chance, that in the not-too-distant past, there was a last dragon who was defeated by a human and went into hiding in the great forest… … “The name is, Rheupuh-Stran!”

For a moment I thought my cochlea was broken.

“… … what?”

“Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuy! Wow! It’s Tran! Haven’t you heard of it? “It’s a very famous dragon?”

“… … .”

It seemed to be a direct pronunciation of ancient text. No matter how many times I listened to it, I couldn’t get the pronunciation into my head. The only listener frowned with an indescribable feeling, but Illenia paid no attention and continued to ramble on about the legend of the dragon.

Surprisingly, it was a story that Kadim had heard before.

The legend of ‘Remillion’, a great man who united the torn eastern part of the continent and established an alliance.

Born 300 years ago as the son of a wealthy family, Remillion was a very brave and adventurous man. In his youth, he traveled around the continent and gained great fame by solving local problems. However, one day, the treasure he received as a reward for solving a problem turned out to be the cause of trouble.

“After all, it was the dragon’s favorite treasure! The dragon, Rheufuh-Stran, finds out about this and becomes enraged, kidnapping Remillion to his nest! Everyone thought he would just become food for the dragon like this!”

The story that followed was roughly similar to what I heard from Duncan a few months ago, except for the ending.

The kidnapped Remillion used a trick to defeat the dragon with the dragon’s treasure… … . He survived safely and received the nickname ‘the one who defeated the dragon and returned’… … . The scared dragon hid in the forest so as not to encounter humans again… … .

“… … And the record of that legend was passed down through time, and it finally made me follow in its footsteps!”

“… … .”

After a passionate speech, Kadim stared blankly at Ilenia.

Is this author a priest of a forgotten god, or is he really an archaeologist crazy about dragons? … It was such an outstanding performance that I was confused for a moment. But there was something more difficult than that. I swallowed the bitter feeling, thought carefully, and then asked.

“… … “Isn’t that dragon’s name ‘Lapustran’?”

“yes? Oh, no, it’s LOL Fuch-Stran… … . Uh, um, well, if I break down the pronunciation very, very briefly… … I’m not saying I can’t call it that, but… … Hmm, I guess not!”

“… … .”

When I first heard it, I was a bit hesitant, but now it’s confirmed. Kadim let out a hollow laugh.

“I don’t know why such a ridiculous legend arose. That Remillion guy wasn’t kidnapped, but entered the nest on his own. The dragon wasn’t defeated; it retreated of its own volition. Do you think it makes sense, based on common sense, to defeat a dragon with just a shield?”

“… … Yes? A shield? W-what shield?”

Kadim simply chewed on the coincidence without further explanation. How absurd. The great man who had formed an alliance and was revered as a god was actually the same stubborn brat he had encountered in the first round…

… … However, this wasn’t what was important right now. The story about that dragon is probably just camouflage to match the assortment anyway. The thoughts were the same because the real purpose was to be kept secret and not revealed.

There is no reason to go along with uncertain risk factors.

“… …Whether it’s Dragon or Remillion, I hope you find it on your own. I’m going to head back now.”

“Yes? Aren’t you, mercenary, also on your way to Daesurim?”

“Is there a law that says you have to travel together if your destination is the same? “I think we each have different wants.”

“Oh, but, mercenary, aren’t you curious about the, d, dragon? Wouldn’t you like to look for it together? It’s the strongest creature on earth… … . It howls, “Kwaaaaang”… … . And I told everyone that we were a couple… … If we get separated like this already… … .”

“… … .”

I was starting to get annoyed.

If there’s something you can’t say openly, prepare a way to avoid Elga’s eyes… … Why on earth are you wasting my time talking nonsense? … . If it weren’t for the help I received in the past, I would have broken at least one limb a long time ago.

Kadim turned his back coldly. Just as he was about to leave, he heard an absurd shout and immediately turned back.

“honey!”

“… … .”

Sending a shady look, Illenia hurriedly corrected her title.

“Oh, no, mercenary… … . Well, think about it again. Well, it would be quite helpful if you took me with you. I’ve done quite a bit of research on the Great Forest and know it well, right? Hey, it’s very dangerous if you just go there! Look, this is all data I gathered, but it’s not just a big place, there are a lot of troublesome pitfalls… … .”

Illenia took out scrolls and books from the bag she had brought. Judging by its large capacity, the bag seemed to be similar to an ‘inventory’.

But it was not the time to worry about such things.

Inside the open bag, I felt a noise that I couldn’t ignore.

“… … What did you put in there, you punk?”

Kadim threw the thunderbolt with a serious expression.

Parararararararaak, fur – oops!

A flash of blue-gray light struck the front of the bag like a bolt from the blue. Illenia showed no sign of surprise, smiled faintly like fog, and whispered.

“… … I’ll tell you when we go deep into the forest.”

*

Benson, a simple mercenary, bit his nails nervously. He was just wondering if he should run away right now and asked the person next to him.

“Hey, bro.”

“……yes?”

“that… … That rugged mercenary guy, that pretty-looking girl… … “Are you really married?”

The best guide, Duncan rolled his eyes.

“uh… … . Well, that… … As far as I know, ah, I know it’s not true… … Well, there could be something else that I don’t know about… … Even if we’ve only met a few times, uh… … If something between a man and a woman catches fire once in a while, it’s like a flame poured with oil… … .”

“No, no, no, so does that mean yes or no? “Could you please speak clearly to one side, yes?”

“Oh, probably not. Well, maybe… … .”

“… … Phew.”

Benson finally let go of the hour.

When the woman clung to him, I had a hunch from the savage’s shocked reaction. She no longer had to worry about being immediately ripped off by an angry barbarian.

‘But that woman seems to be interested in barbarians again…’ … ? It looks like it’s done in a quiet way, so it’s just a matter of taste… … . No, wait a minute, but am I such a monster that I can’t even beat the guy who ate me?’

Suddenly, I felt a surge of anger.

My pride as a male was completely cracked. Whether he was asking why he lied or whether she was asking him what he was lacking, it seemed like he would have to settle the matter with the woman alone. Well, since I’m still single anyway, there’s nothing to worry about, and I can get paid for this or that… … .

The problem is that if the woman joins them, she will have a chance only if she follows along.

Benson glanced at Duncan from the corner of his eye.

He was a truly pitiful man. He was small in stature, had a gaunt appearance, and what was that goat-like beard? … . That savage was hard to deal with, but Lee Ja seemed quite easygoing. He slyly invited him to join him and began to open the door for a brawl.

“Hey, bro. What is your name? I am Benson from Untana. Well, he was a mercenary who managed to blow it up there.”

“Oh, my name is Duncan Wheeled. Maltese… … I used to come from that background, but not anymore, and my occupation is a peddler… … .”

Duncan was such a stupid name. And you come from an obscure village and your job is a bundle seller? Even if you look at him, you can clearly see that he has never held a woman’s hand in his entire life and must have lived alone.

Benson shrugged his shoulders and laughed arrogantly.

“Hahaha, you’re doing a good job! By the way, why are you going to Daesurim? There’s no place to sell things here. Did you come here to look for those mercenaries and elves too?”

“Oh, no, I, I have other circumstances… … .”

“Hmm, is that so? Still, I don’t think you have any interest in elves at all? I wish I was born as a boss! I have to live with two or three fair-faced girls like elves by my side… … .”

“No, I’m not interested. I’m satisfied with just my wife… … .”

“… … “What?”

“I said that my wife was enough. We already have a son, well… … He’s eight years old this year, and I don’t know who he takes after, but he’s so bright and cheerful, hehe… … .”

“… … .”

Benson’s face scrunched up. His wrinkled eyes twitched like a fat caterpillar.

‘No… … That guy, that guy, that guy has a girlfriend too… … .’

The feeling of defeat, swarming like poisonous insects, gnawed away at the toad-like mercenary’s innermost thoughts.