The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 163



Only Krnovel

Episode 163 Forest of Dreams (6)

Kadim thought.

In my heart, I want to knock out all my companions and go through this forest alone.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. Whatever it was, Ilenia was the only one who could serve as a guide. The peddler may not know, but the priest disguised as an archaeologist needed to come to his senses and guide the way forward.

But even as the moonlit night grew darker, she was still tormented by visions of the seething wilderness.

“Haa, haa, haa… … .”

Her hair was soaked with sweat and stuck to her cheeks, and she had taken off her damp tunic and was wearing only a thin, sleeveless cloth. The bright yellow eyes lost focus, and the thin lips puffed out. Even after pinching her thighs until she was bruised, she couldn’t avoid being like that.

Kadim looked at the night sky. Concurring with Ilenia’s illusion, the dusky moonlight was shining brightly like the sun. If we leave it alone, this place will soon turn into a wilderness.

I have no choice but to knock out Ilenia like Duncan… …

… … She hurriedly raised her palm and tried to stop him.

“Haa, wait a minute, mercenary… … . Haa, I… … I thought of something on my way here… … .”

“… … what.”

“Ha, that’s… … To verify it, I need to do an experiment first… … “Hey, could you please bring my bag?”

Kadim handed over the bag and looked at it. He wondered if it was trying to take out ‘something’ that it had hidden. However, what came out of the bag was something completely unexpected.

A bottle full of fragrant fruit wine.

Without a single comment, the archaeologist pulled out the stopper and blew on the bottle.

“Whoosh, woosh, woosh, woosh… … .”

Kadim frowned. What the heck, are you doing this to make it less painful? He didn’t understand at first, and was about to ask what he was doing.

The forest landscape changed.

Grumble, rumble, rumble… … .

The solid old tree trunks loosened and the green leaves turned bright colors. When the archaeologist finished emptying the bottle, the ordinary plants disappeared and only the surroundings were filled with swaying trees and pink bushes. Just like when he first entered this forest.

Ilenia blushed brightly and raised the corners of her lips.

“Whoa… … Wow, that’s a relief. My guess was correct… … .”

“What have you done? Explain to me why the forest has changed.”

“Ugh, just a moment… … . Ugh, I drank too much and my stomach feels sick… … .”

Ilenia mumbled an explanation while silently searching her mind.

To conclude, this forest is a place that should not have a ‘sense of reality’.

Kadim’s guess was only half right. It was not wrong to say that if you believe ‘illusion’ to be real, it will become reality. However, what you really should not believe in is not just ‘illusion’, but a larger concept that encompasses it.

“Yes, that is… … What I am saying here is that you shouldn’t believe in ‘reality’ itself… … . If you feel a sense of ‘reality’ in this forest, illusions will appear and they will become reality to you as well. On the other hand, if you don’t feel a sense of ‘reality’ in this forest, illusions won’t appear, and even if they do, they will be meaningless illusions… … .”

The evil thing was that those who entered this forest shared a sense of ‘reality’ and ‘fantasy’. No matter how much you denied the sense of reality alone, it was in vain if others felt the sense of reality. At first, the illusion only affected you, but as the illusion grew, it eventually became real and affected others.

The scale of ‘reality’ perceived by the party could be confirmed by looking at the forest scenery. If they felt a weak sense of reality, it would be an unrealistic forest scenery like now. If they felt a strong sense of reality, it would be a realistic forest scenery that they were familiar with.

That is, at first, no one will feel a sense of ‘reality’ in the unfamiliar scenery… … but as everyone gets used to this place and begins to feel a sense of ‘reality’… … a fatal illusion invades and even they gain reality… … and eventually it becomes a reality and harms everyone.

“At first, I believed what the mercenary said, but as time went on, I thought it was strange… … When the illusions first appeared, I thought they were ‘fake’ and didn’t believe them. But the illusions gradually grew stronger… … Eventually, it got to the point where I couldn’t tell the difference.”

“… … .”

“So I thought. Could there be another cause… … Then I got tired and dozed off for a bit… … and the illusion disappeared, and for a brief moment, I saw the same scene as now? After thinking about it for a while… … I came to this conclusion… … .”

The forest of delusion.

This forest clearly did not allow the awakened mind. The moment I realized it was reality, even the nightmare I had inside became reality and showed my teeth. The safest way to pass through this place was for everyone to maintain a dream-like state of mind at all times.

“But actually… … It doesn’t make sense, does it? When I wake up, I immediately feel a sense of ‘reality’… … . No matter how unrealistic the scenery is, how can you pass by it thinking it’s just a dream? I’m not some kind of sleepwalker… … .”

“… … So, are you saying you drank that much to distract from your ‘sense of reality’?”

“Hehehe, as expected, you’re quick-witted… … . That’s right, with the help of a moderate amount of intoxication… … you can become hazy even while waking up… … . Well, I was half-doubting it… … but fortunately, I think it worked… … .”

Illenia smiled languidly and stroked the cherry blossom-colored bushes. She finally regained her composure after wiping away her illusions with a slight intoxication.

On the other hand, Kadim’s face was as dark as ever.

“Who on earth did this trick to this forest? I can’t feel the demon energy, so I’m not a demon. “It feels like there’s too much malicious intent for it to just happen by chance.”

I closed my eyelids and looked into the darkness.

The priest of the forgotten god revealed an unexpected story.

“There are as many mysteries and miracles in the world as there are stars… … In order to keep reality and unreality intertwined in such a vast way, you will eventually have no choice but to borrow the power of God… … . And considering where this place is and whose dreams and fantasies are in charge… … “It is obvious what kind of god’s power was borrowed.”

“… … .”

“The mother who dreams a dream from which she will never wake up. The elven goddess who governs nature and rest, ‘Hesilia’.”

The empty pupils dilated.

It wasn’t an unfamiliar name. Certainly, in this game world, in addition to Elga and Atala, and the Forgotten God, there were also gods of the elves and dwarves. Although, since the setting was that the believers disappeared after the Age of Myths, there was no way to encounter them during the game or the first playthrough…

“So the elves used the power of God to make this place like this? To stop intruders?”

“Uhm… … well? There is no law that says they are elves… … . someone… … Because that power may have been borrowed without permission… … .”

“… … What does that mean?”

“So, if God’s transcendent mystery… … There is a being that is high enough to steal divinity… … If that being happens to come into contact with God… … Wouldn’t it be possible to do something like this even if you weren’t an elf? … “That was what I was talking about.”

“… … !”

As soon as I heard that, two strong candidates came to mind.

Dragon, and Melissa.

Dragons were naturally adept at inexplicable mysteries. Even if he had interpreted God’s mysteries and written them as he wished, it would not be surprising.

Melissa was also an archmage who had reached the peak in the use of mysticism. Although he was an atheist, it was quite possible that he had an academic approach to the power of God, given his keen inquisitive mind.

Moreover, I suddenly remembered that she had left behind a ‘fantasy of the past’ that seemed more real than reality in Vestana… … .

‘… … Melissa wasn’t very good at using illusion magic in the first round. Well, it’s possible she’s mastered it since 300 years have passed… … .’

It was unclear which one was correct. Only the priests of this forgotten god would know the truth. How could you possibly have made such a guess without any basis? But no matter how much I tried to think about it afterward, all I could say was that it was nonsense I said when I was drunk.

Damn it, I’m not drunk yet. Kadim frowned grimly at her. She asked helplessly about how to deal with the current situation.

“Either we all get drunk quickly and escape… … or we have to find the source of the sacred law. Somewhere in the forest, there must be some kind of sacred relic that maintains this fantastic sacred law… … . If we destroy it, this place will probably return to being a normal forest… … .”

“… … .”

“Oh, and when that guy wakes up later… … Please knock me out again, or give me some alcohol… … . This time, something worse than a root tunnel might pop out… … .”

When I heard that, another big question came to mind. Kadim narrowed his eyes sharply at her.

“Archaeologist, didn’t you guess earlier that just by feeling ‘reality’, the forest changes and the illusion becomes stronger? But why am I barely affected by the fantasy even though I haven’t been drinking?”

Ilenia suddenly stumbled. This time he seemed really drunk.

“Uhm, I guess… … ? Why did you do that… … ? Fantasy is also a part of reality anyway… … Is it because you are so adamant that you don’t believe it? Or, bam… … The mercenary was sober that he cut off his own arm… … Maybe he’s a strange person… … .”

“… … .”

After saying that, he collapsed on the ground, saying he was tired and needed to rest. As soon as he laid down with his bag as a pillow, his breathing became quiet. Kadim stared intently at his face, which was hidden by his messy black hair, and then turned away with a sigh.

However, Ilenia did not fall asleep right away.

After a while, she opened her eyes and stared at the warrior’s back. In the forest shimmering with dreamy colors, in the gaps of her consciousness stained with intoxication and fatigue, she chewed over the answer she couldn’t bring herself to say.

That’s in your unconscious mind, Kadim.

I guess it’s because I don’t consider this world itself to be ‘reality’.

*

Thanks to finding a way to deal with it, Kadim and his group have not suffered from hallucinations since.

Although the moment the peddler woke up, there was a risk that the forest would return to its original state… …

“Choose, Duncan. Either pass out again, or drink this whole thing.”

“……yes?”

“Fainting isn’t such a bad option. I’ll make sure to send you off more cleanly this time.”

“I’ll drink alcohol!!”

… … He immediately forced a choice between death and overcame the crisis.

Duncan, who was shaking at the inexplicable situation, became convinced after hearing the full story. I didn’t have to worry about anyone losing their sense of ‘realism’ after getting sober along the way. For some reason, Ilenia had brought a very generous supply of her alcohol.

The problem is that I have brought too much, even though I have enough.

“This is a wine from the North, made from silver grapes that have been exposed to eternal snow! This is a beer made from barley from the richest land in the Empire called Yorfen, and this is a fruit wine made from a hundred kinds of wild fruits… … .”

A feast of rare wines from all over the continent. It made me wonder if the purpose of coming to the Great Forest was to run a liquor business against the dragon.

Anyway, there will be plenty of good alcohol, and there will be inevitable excuses… … The group poured alcohol as if they were setting up a brewery in their stomachs. They even tasted Kadim occasionally, even though they didn’t necessarily need to drink it. For him, who avoids sweet things and things that are comfortable for the body, the only luxury he enjoys is alcohol.

I didn’t drink too much. Ilenia led the way, but she had to keep her mind alert to find the source of any possible threats or sacred laws. In order for him to get drunk in the first place, he drank so much that he had to empty several cans of alcohol… … .

As he made his way through the forest, the only sane person among the drunkards, Kadim suddenly had a feeling.

“… … .”

A tingling sensation, an urge for blood piercing my brain, and unfamiliar figures wandering on the other side of a distant forest.

The rest of the party was drinking at the campsite. Neither of them were drunk yet, but they seemed to be having trouble moving quickly. Kadim put his hand on Duncan’s shoulder and spoke softly.

“… … Duncan, I’ll have to go a little far away to check something. In the meantime, please take care of the archaeologist.”

“Uh, yeah, I’ll be better…” … .”

“If you get the chance, don’t forget the favor I asked you.”

A flash of consciousness came over Duncan. He put down the bottle of wine slowly. The massive figure floated away through the swaying trees.

There was an awkward silence in the bar for a moment. Ilenia looked in the direction where Kadim had left, sighing and sipping her drink. Duncan hesitated, trying to find something to say, and then asked why he had brought so much alcohol.

“That… … I heard the mercenary likes alcohol… … so I brought it so we could drink together and get to know each other better… … Phew… … .”

“… … .”

The depressed woman took another sip. Just like that, one sip became two sips, two sips became three sips, she passed four sips and before she knew it, one bottle, two bottles, three bottles… … .

After so much binge drinking, out of nowhere, complaining began.

“Sir, uh, uh, it’s frustrating! I just, uh, I just, I want to tell you everything I know… … But then, then uh, we’re in big trouble! I, I’m going to ruin all my plans because of those ‘watchful eyes’! W-Do you know what I mean, Sir?”

“uh… … “I don’t know.”

“Ah, no, sir, that’s why… … . I, ah, knowingly or unknowingly, helped Master Kadim a lot, went to the wilderness, went to the great forest, studied hard, guided the way, and, uh, here, figured out the secrets of the forest, and that… … That’s what it was, right?”

“Uh… … That, is that right… … ?”

“But why, why, don’t you trust me, Mr. Kadim? I have to go see the, d, dragon, but really… … . You never compliment me when I do a good job… … You just act cold and rude to me like I’m a con artist… … . Do you, do you know how much I, how much I’m upset, sir, even if you don’t say anything?”

“Uh… … Yes… … . I, I know that too. When I first met you, your Majesty, you were like that to me too… … My wife was like that to me when we first met… … .”

“Huh? Oh, uncle, are you married? Are you married? Hehe, why, why weren’t I invited to the wedding feast?”

“… … “I got married long before I met you, so how can I invite you?”

“Ah… … That, that’s right… … . I, I’m such an idiot… … . But later, when you get married again, I’ll definitely attend, so, please call me then… … ?”

“… … .”

… … Oh my god, Remillion.

Duncan was half entranced after seeing a side of the archaeologist he had never imagined. He was astonished and tried desperately to get it right. Only one person’s emptied liquor bottles were piled up at his feet.

The archaeologist, who had a lot on his mind, finally drank seven bottles of alcohol by himself before falling asleep. Incomprehensible babbling flowed from his crooked lips.

“Hehe, huh, okay… … kphes-dreb mag-sihren… … . Lambarlk-ta ph-sihebhra, hehe, hehehe, huh… … .”

“… … .”

And then, the bag that had been so thoroughly guarded was finally left defenseless.

Duncan shook his head and came to his senses.

Baron observed, the relationship between the two was clearly not as affectionate as he had first imagined. Perhaps Ilenia is helping in her own way, but Kadim is distrustful because of his suspicious side… … I think it’s roughly that kind of relationship… … . Judging from the way she complained, it didn’t seem like she harbored much malicious intent.

However, I couldn’t not follow Kadim’s order to secretly search my bag.

It wasn’t because of the promised reward. For a while, he had been nothing more than a plaything. He couldn’t guide the way forward and help Kadim, but he was seeing things and making mistakes, and he was getting in the way… … The pride that had claimed to be the ‘best guide’ was already mercilessly crumpled like a rag, rolling around in his cold heart.

At this rate, I couldn’t save face, even turning my back on my family. This was an opportunity that would never come again. I had to successfully reveal that woman’s secret and prove my worth.

Duncan took a deep breath and put on his cloak.

“… … Whoop.”

Flutter – !

A movement more secretive than a ghost was heading towards Illenia’s bag.