The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 192



Only Krnovel

Episode 192. The Calamity That Kills the World (6)

World tree. The god of the elves who descended to earth, the top of his sacred body.

There, a fierce battle ensued that made a great fire no bigger than a candle, a tornado no bigger than a light breeze, and a major earthquake no bigger than an aftershock.

―――――― Kwagwagwagwagwa – !!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Kwagwagwagwagwang-!!

1 second, the dragon’s breath pierced through the giant fireball and struck the target point. 1.6 seconds, the wizard who evaded by teleportation fired hundreds of fire bolts. 3.2 seconds, the dragon charged through the pile of lightning bolts head-on and swept the road with its forelegs. 4.5 seconds, the wizard who was caught in the shock fell down, causing a white wave of hellfire.

――――― Kwarruruk, kwarrurururuk!

At 5.4 seconds, the dragon flapped its wings and blew the wave in the opposite direction. At 7.6 seconds, just before reaching the returning wave, the wizard distorted space and switched positions with the dragon. 7.8 seconds, the dragon facing the wave immediately devoured the flames in his mouth and swung his claws somewhere. At 8.7 seconds, the wizard, who had been torn apart by a predicted attack that was close to precognition, gritted his teeth and fired a pillar of fire to counterattack.

――――――― Stand up!

Kwa – ang, kwa – ang, kwagwagwagwang-!!

In less than 10 seconds, numerous deadly attacks capable of crushing heaven and earth were unleashed. Deadly paths that made survival impossible were burning, cutting, and stabbing each other. Nevertheless, neither side showed any signs of being harmed and continued to viciously wield murderous intent.

Dragon vs. Archmage, the two beings who were competing to be the strongest in the forest finally had a match worthy of the name.

In its aftermath, the flow of the atmosphere reversed, the colors of the sky were reversed, and the balance of the World Tree was shaken. It was a pity that, apart from the celestial gods, no being was strong enough to witness this historic battle.

At first glance, it was a close battle where it was hard to tell which side had the upper hand. However, as the battle progressed, the weight of victory and defeat tilted clearly to one side. The one who pushed the opponent who displayed transcendent skills and seized the opportunity to win the bloody melee was none other than.

It was the strongest creature on earth, a dragon.

――――――― Kwagwagwagwa – !!

“Ugh… … .”

―――――――― Phew – ugh!

“… … “Huh!”

Just as she was preparing to counterattack, a front leg struck her body right after turning her breath inside out. Melissa flew over the cliff and barely managed to return to her original position by teleporting.

Lapustran looked down at the red-haired woman with razor-blue eyes.

– What a trivial mystery. All this time, you’ve been claiming that you defeated the main dragon with just this little effort?

“Hehe… … Hehehehe, hehehehe… … .”

It wasn’t a special trick or trick. The dragon overwhelmed the archmage with just its strength, its basic ability as a creature that was stronger, faster, and harder than any other creature.

However, despite repeatedly allowing fatal blows, Melissa suffered no injuries.

“Hehehehehe… … Congratulations, Dragon.”

– … … .

“You just eliminated 20% of the remaining mana in this world.”

Melissa’s unique attribute, ‘Mana Protection’.

Thanks to her ability to convert damage into mana consumption, she was virtually immortal until the world’s mana ran out.

Lapustra wrinkled his nose and was about to reply that he would get rid of the remaining 80% in no time. Then he suddenly noticed something strange and his scaly face hardened.

– … … What is it, you? But why… … .

“Hehehe… … Heh, what, what do you mean?”

– … … .

I couldn’t say it. If they do that, it will be revealed that this is their goal.

Despite all of that effort, Melissa immediately saw through what was going on and flashed a sly smile.

“Ah, aha, why, why did you want to ask me why I didn’t chase after Kadeem when he went to ‘hell’?”

– … … .

“You mean, I’ve been thinking about it? At first, I tried to chase after him and catch him too? But even though it is a very unpleasant place… … As for Khadim, well, there’s no way he’ll die right away… … Anyway, as long as you’re alive, you can always get it back… … While you’re there, you don’t have to worry about running away… … “After thinking about it step by step, this is what came to my mind.”

– … … .

“Is there really a need to go and catch it right now?”

After seeing the magnificently slit pupils shaking, the corners of his lips twitched even more.

“Besides, if I leave now, you guys will definitely do something stupid with the ‘World Tree Dream’, right? Oh, I can’t stand seeing that. That’s where Kadim and I will be staying from now on… … So, Hahak, Hak, I’m going to kill you and your gang without leaving anyone behind and then go find Kadim.”

The plan went wrong.

The Archmage did not blindly pursue the warrior. She was ‘less crazy’ than expected. or… … The criminal may have become ‘excessively crazy’ and have a difficult standard to judge.

Lapustraan secretly cursed Kadim for having planned so confidently. However, the situation was not reversed even if his intentions were discovered.

– … … You are quite good at fantasizing and talking, but I don’t know if you have the ability to do so. So, how dare you ‘kill’ the main dragon with your mystery that is worse than a mere kindling?

“Yeah, exactly like this.”

Lapustran turned his head back.

Kugugugugu, Kugugugugu – !

Black flames, a pitch-black fireball absorbing light, were floating in the air. Although it was only the size of a fist and had no heat, its appearance was extremely ominous. It was a dagger forged secretly by Melissa, hidden in the black sky as a protective color.

“You said earlier that if you wanted to scratch your body, you had to bring the ‘deepest flames of hell’ to it, right?”

Most people don’t know this, but there are three main types of hellfire.

A red fire with the smell of sulfur, the ‘Flame of Gehenna’.

The white fire that rots any firewood it touches, the ‘Flame of Golgatha’.

And finally, rising from the innermost abyss of hell.

The black fire that destroys existence, ‘the flame of Grimoth’.

“… … So I brought it to try. I hope you like it.”

Gooooooooo – !!

Following the wizard’s gesture, the ‘Flame of Grimos’ flew in like a shadow. Even the air that touched the flame was erased, causing an unstable vortex to swirl around.

But there’s one thing Melissa didn’t know… …

– [Pa – Hel – Rune – Te – Ha – !!!]

… … A dragon’s vision is different from other creatures.

―――――― Blah blah blah – !!

Waves that froze even the vibrations of molecules spread out. The black hellfire hardened like an obsidian sculpture, and then shattered into pieces with a single kick from the dragon.

– … … I don’t really like it. It is a firework of extraordinary size, power, and simplicity compared to its wanton tongue.

I had already prepared for that hellfire. The red light indicating ‘danger’ was clearly visible in the field of vision and it was impossible to notice it. Lafuustran picked, blew his nose, and lowered his gaze arrogantly.

– Did you say you have no intention of running away to hell?

“… … .”

– Yeah, that’s better. Even so, I didn’t feel like leaving the final decision to that dusty henchman, but I guess I can just end it like this on the true dragon’s behalf.

The teeth, sharply interlocked, were revealed through the gaps in the scaly carapace.

– Myself, I will chew and swallow you without leaving even a single particle of bone behind, you little creature that is not even the size of a spark.

“… … .”

Melissa bit her lip and showed her agitation for the first time.

*

Lilia, Remillion, and the dark elves who served as escorts.

The core squad arrived safely at their destination, near Hesiliad.

There were still various difficulties after that, such as Inferno’s head falling off and blocking the path, or a huge crater appearing and forcing a detour far away… … but in any case, we successfully protected Lilia and reached our destination head-on.

No matter what anyone says, the greatest contributors to the success of the operation were Illenia and Duncan. If the two hadn’t acted as bait, they would still be breathlessly being chased by Inferno.

“Are you okay, guys… … ? Now all the infernos in the forest will be chasing them… … .”

“… … Don’t worry, Lilia. In my opinion, neither of them were ordinary. Perhaps the key to overcoming such difficulties lies with ingenious young people like them, rather than with veterans like us.”

Remillion calmly dispelled his worries. Lilia bit her swollen lips and nodded.

While waiting, other recapture squads also gathered one by one. Only about a third of them arrived safely. The damage caused by the sudden inferno was greater than expected. The faces of the survivors who lost their squad members were all covered in sorrow.

It was not a time to dwell on sadness. Remillion hurriedly selected the remainder of her squad and attempted to enter the city of Hesiliad at the same time.

But there were obstacles on the street that made it difficult to enter.

――――― Kwakwakwakwang, kwakwakwa – !!

A fierce battle between a dragon and an archmage that shakes heaven and earth and crushes the world tree.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh – !!

The hellfire that still burns, attached to the fragments of the World Tree that fell in that wave.

– Wow! – !!

– Shh, shhh… … .

“Oh no, no!! “Kwaaaaaa!!”

And the beasts and natural creatures that roam the streets, indiscriminately harming the elves.

The first two were somewhat expected, but the last one was a completely unexpected obstacle. Lilia was barely able to deduce the identity of the monsters.

“That’s a druid… … The guardians of the World Tree have been ‘naturalized’ like the tyrants of the forest. maybe… … “I guess that’s what happened when I ‘mimicked’ myself and went beyond my limits to stop the fire and save the citizens.”

““… … .””

The dark elves’ complexions darkened. Some of the shade was due to confusion, and most of the rest was due to fear.

– Kuwaaa, Kuwaaa!

– Kukugugugugugu – !

“Aaaaaaa!! “Please save me!!”

Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah!

It was something that could not be helped. Who could be resolute when they see a brown bear the size of a house full of murderous intent roaming the streets burning in hell and an old tree that makes its own carcasses to use as fertilizer? The dark elves began to slowly retreat without even realizing it.

Lilia looked around and made a firm decision.

“Everyone. From here on, I will go alone.”

““… … !””

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock. Remillion immediately stepped forward to stop them.

“What are you talking about, Lilia? How can you possibly break through a place like that on your own? I’d rather spread my wings and risk being noticed by the Archmage… … .”

“No, it’s okay, my friend the dragon. I know you’re pushing yourself too hard right now.”

“… … .”

That was right. Having repeatedly blocked Inferno’s attacks on his own earlier, Remillion was in a state where he could barely stand, let alone fly.

“We don’t have the strength to fight against those monsters anyway. In that case, it would be better to hide and not be noticed. Fortunately, I am on the small side, so I think I would be the least likely to be caught out of all of them.”

“Oh, no, Apostle Lilia! Don’t say that! “We will take you to the end, even if it means we die!”

“That’s right! If it comes down to it, we’ll risk our lives to draw the attention of those monsters… … .”

Only then did a few dark elves step forward, but the apostle’s gaze pierced through their minds. His eyes shook anxiously, and those were eyes that could not shake off the fear of death.

“… … .”

It is impossible to criticize that.

The death of a life carries the same weight as the end of the world to the person involved. Moreover, hadn’t they witnessed the deaths of countless comrades before they arrived here? Even if it was just empty words, the very act of stepping forward was admirable.

“You have already done your best. To avoid unnecessary sacrifices, I will do it alone from here on out… .”

however.

– Khuu …

There was just one eye that did not waver in the slightest.

“Ugh, what, what is this!!”

“A, a monster… …! Oh, when did we get a surprise attack… … .”

“Lilia! Apostle, protect the Apostle!!”

– Crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr… … .

What was shaking was Lilia’s eyes. His turbid, trembling gaze was fixed on the suddenly appearing black leopard.

“… … “Mr. Farneo?”

Only then did the boy druid release his disguise.

“Crrruk, huh, huh… … . Lily, Lilia… … . You’re safe… … .”

From where and how urgently she had come running, her face was covered in ashes, tears, and sweat. The dark elves who had come to stop the monster stopped in a daze. Parneo let out a deep sigh of relief at the sight of Lilia, then ran to the dragon who had taken on the role of commander.

“Huh, huh… … Friend of the Dragon, I am well versed in the geography of the streets, having originally lived here! As a Guardian, I am well acquainted with the inside of the World Tree, and as you just saw, I can quickly ward off threats by disguising myself as a black panther!! There is no one better suited to guard Lilia from here to the World Tree than I, I am!”

“… … !”

Remillion seemed delighted to have found a way out. On the other hand, the real dark elves, who had been wiping away their surprised hearts, responded with skepticism.

‘No, that brat, he spoke rudely to the Apostle… … .’

‘That guy, what about the other squad members? He’s here alone… … .’

‘Anyway, how can I trust the tree-skinned guy who followed the archmage, Apostle…? … .’

‘No way, that guy too… … Aren’t you going to turn into those monsters soon… … .’

Farneo clenched his fists and walked towards him.

“Old compatriots, I know full well what you are thinking!!”

Even though the glares were piercing like arrowheads, he didn’t take a single step back and shouted.

“You can curse me, call me a tree lizard that clings to the World Tree!! Or you can curse me as much as you want, call me a weed of the Great Wizard or a greenhorn!!”

““… … !””

“But, but!! My desire to help Lilia is sincere!! I am not a great apostle of God, but I sincerely want to help Lilia, a close friend I know!! Otherwise why would I have rescued her from her imprisonment? If Lilia is not just a tool for you!! Unless it’s just a tool to draw out the forgotten blessings of God and control the World Tree!! “I think you will understand what I mean, even if it’s just a little bit!!”

““… … .””

“If I fail to escort you and come back, tear me to pieces and kill me!! If he turns into a monster or defects to the Archmage’s side, curse him in the name of the forgotten god and tear him to pieces!! However, if you are not prepared for that much!! “Don’t you dare stop me with trivial suspicions!!”

A declaration that was almost like a scream. The boy’s words, blushing to the tips of his ears, were illogical. However, they contained a spirit that could not be measured by reason or logic. The dark elves could no longer spit out words and kept their mouths shut.

However, only one person still opposed the boy’s wishes.

“Lord Farneo… … You don’t need to do that. Farneo, you have already done enough ‘right things’. From now on, I will alone pay for my sin of deceiving you.”

Lilia smiled sadly. Parneo fought until his neck broke.

“No, no, no, Lilia… … . This, this… … “You don’t do it because it’s the ‘right thing to do.’”

Take a deep breath, take a deep breath, and move forward.

“This time, it’s not because it’s the ‘right thing to do’… … . Not because I pity you or because you can save the world… … I just do it because I want to do it, I just do it because I want to do it… … .”

Taking a breath, I placed my hand on my slightly trembling shoulder.

“So, this is what I want to do… … I want to protect you with only my will, so I can finally do it with my own strength, without relying on others… … .”

In the eyes of a girl who has lost over a hundred years of time, a faint glimpse of love passes by.

“… … This is the ‘struggle’ I have chosen, Lilia.”

In the eyes of the boy who was ready to fight, a flash like the sunset in the wilderness burned.

*

The flaming giant passed by the peddler indifferently.

– Gulp, gurgle… … .

Duncan, who thought he would be in hell when he opened his eyes, stared blankly at his heels moving away.

“… … hmm?”

And soon he realized why he had survived.

Infernos chase mana. I have no mana. However, there is mana in Ilenia’s gift. That guy’s target was Ilenia and the prize. That guy didn’t even notice his presence.

So if you just run away from here… …you won’t have to go to that horrible, horrifying hell!

“oh… … .”