The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 197



Only Krnovel

Episode 197 A flame that never goes out (3)

At dawn, the color of the mist rose in the rising air current. It went out in a thick layer like smoke rising from a chimney. The two women facing each other remained silent, and in the sanctuary surrounded by tree roots, only the sound of the World Tree’s power erupting for a long time resonated.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah – !

The sound of light hand clapping was added to the sound.

match!

Melissa calmly removed her palm.

Afterwards, he waved his hands or wiggled his fingers as if he were conducting. Of course, time did not turn back, flames rose, or pressure developed and crushed Lilia.

“Stop this nonsense, Melissa. “It is impossible to manipulate the dream of the World Tree as we please in the past.”

“Yeah… … Certainly, it seems that way.”

The true worldkeeper, Melissa completely lost control due to Lilia’s entry into the dream. She was now nothing more than a degenerate tyrant who could be subdued at any moment by Lilia.

But Melissa was incredibly calm.

An extremely contrasting attitude from before, when he was enraged. As if I had come to play, I sat down on the stump with my legs crossed and looked around carefully. Then I made eye contact with the blonde elf boy guarding Lilia’s side.

“Who are you? Ah, are you the black cat who took Lilia out of captivity back then?”

“… … .”

“You were taking care of the owner earlier, and now you are protecting the owner? Hmm, you’re pretty smart, aren’t you? But don’t you know exactly what kind of situation you are in?”

‘Black Panther’ Farneo frowned and looked away. All this time, I have been longing to become a first-tier guardian and have an audience with that fake world manager, but… … Realizing that she was the real culprit who had locked Lilia in her prison, she didn’t want to mix it up with her now.

Melissa laughed and laughed. She gazed lazily at Lilia and got straight to the point.

“Lilia, I’ll get straight to the point. Return the World Tree’s dream to its original state. Then, even after the world is destroyed, I’ll take care of you and that cat you’re raising.”

“… … Originally? Melissa, the ‘original’ state of the World Tree is exactly this.”

“… … .”

“Do you remember what I said before? The World Tree’s dream is not a refuge for the living, but a resting place for the dead. The power contained here will return to its roots. For the time being, there will be no rifts opening, no destruction of the world, and no one taking refuge here.”

“… … .”

“It’s time to wake up from this dream, Melissa. Your plan has failed, and you can’t touch us anymore.”

Her eyes were clouded with white smoke, her hair was bleached, her cheeks were pale and gaunt… She looked exactly like a girl with a bone disease, but Lilia had an unrivaled strength. In fact, she was the absolute ruler here and now.

Melissa detachedly delved into the blind spot of that fact.

“okay? But for that to happen, you have to stay here, right? Are you planning on living here for the rest of your life? “If you take even one step outside the dream, you will receive a huge welcome from me, right?”

“… … .”

“Think carefully, Lilia. If we channel all the power of the World Tree into its roots, nothing will happen here. You have to spend your whole life not being able to see the people you want to see, not being able to see the flowers you like, and just looking at those roots in a daze. “Are you really not going to follow what I say?”

The absolute is limited to ‘here and now’. The moment it comes out into reality, the scale of power is completely reversed in favor of the Archmage.

Still, Lilia answered without hesitation.

“huh.”

“… … .”

“Melissa, I lasted 150 years in a prison cell. Alone, locked in a dark place filled with thorns and vines, unable to lift a finger. “Compared to that, this is an environment comparable to paradise.”

For a moment, Melissa bit her lips in frustration. But in an instant, he erased the hint and struck at a deeper vulnerability.

“… … Hmm, ‘alone’ in a prison? “You weren’t alone, were you?”

“… … .”

Parneo thought those words were aimed at him.

The truth aimed at an even darker abyss.

“Letio, Archiel, Tevio, Serpio, Felsidor, Raviel, Hesider, Lugmundur, Caverio, and… … Was it Mael? Ah, I don’t even remember the names of the rest… … .”

“… … !”

A huge ripple appeared on Lilia’s face. The cloudy eyes shook as if they would break, and the flow of clouds flowing towards the roots of the World Tree stopped.

“Among these, the ones that survived are… … It was only ‘White Turtle’ Tevio. “Tevio was acquainted with you and me, and I felt sorry for him shivering while hiding in his shell, so I saved his life.”

“W-what are you talking about… … ? Why did my teacher suddenly lose his name… … .”

“Oh, you were that turtle’s disciple? But Lilia, you didn’t say anything to this cat, did you?”

“… … .”

The boy’s bewildered gaze fell on her, but Lilia was as frozen as a block of wood and could not say anything. Meanwhile, the archmage’s dagger, hidden behind a languid smile, was swung mercilessly.

“I’m afraid you’re not the first pet that Lillia has raised, Kitty. There have been quite a few guardians who’ve claimed themselves as Lillia’s pets and tried to get their masters out of the confinement. Well, you’re the first one to do it without dying.”

“… … !!”

This time it was Farneo’s turn to be shocked. Soon, a painful lament flowed from Lilia.

“I… … always, always stopped… … . I stopped anyone from coming near me… … . I dreamed of them failing and dying… … dozens of times… … . And yet why did everyone… … recklessly approach me, saying they would change the future by their own strength… … .”

The flow passed perfectly. Melissa crossed her legs on her other side and gently nipped at her chin.

“well… … I thought that was really weird too. I know for sure that if I get caught, I’ll kill you, but why do people always appear periodically trying to get you out, Lilia? “It’s not like you’re particularly good-looking or sociable, are you?”

“… … .”

“But a while ago, this thought suddenly occurred to me. I may have borrowed the name of the world balance keeper, but anyway, you are the real world balance keeper, right? So, there is something that only resides in Guardians… … It’s like a revelation from the world tree… … Risking your life to save the world balance keeper… … “I think there may have been some kind of ‘brainwashing.’”

Lilia stops in her tracks like a broken doll.

Melissa looked at her former sister in shock, then smiled and looked to the side.

“So this time, when I meet the cat that escaped you, I really wanted to ask you.”

“… … .”

“Tsk tsk tsk, meow. Entering her confinement, befriending her Lilia, and getting her out of there… … “Are you sure you did all of that purely out of ‘your will’?”

“… … .”

“No, well, you’ve already been thoroughly brainwashed anyway… … “I don’t know if I should ask.”

Parneo was also moved.

Clearly, he was shaken, without a doubt. He was more shaken than when he realized Lilia’s true identity. It was impossible for even an apostle who had lived for hundreds of years to keep his composure after hearing such words. It was even more impossible for a boy who had not even turned twenty.

However, even though he was shaken, the boy’s heart did not deviate from the right path.

“Do not obscure and deceive the essence of the matter with your snake-like tongue, Archmage.”

“… … hmm?”

“If that is the revelation of the Mother World Tree, then it is worthy of being revered as a guardian. Regardless of the reason, it is the ‘right thing’ to liberate it, even at the risk of death, rather than stand by and watch the dignity of an innocent life being trampled.”

“… … .”

“Of course, even if it wasn’t the revelation of the Mother World Tree, it doesn’t matter at all. Then it means that my heart that saved my close friend, Lilia, was pure and sincere. And at least, my heart testifies that this is right.”

“… … “Pa, Farneo.”

Lilia, who had stopped, regained her vitality with difficulty. Farneo firmly placed her hand on her chest and glared at her Melissa.

The eyes were burning straight. For some reason, they resembled the eyes of a girl outside or a warrior who had left the side. Melissa sneered silently.

“What a loyal cat you are… … But, Meow, if you want to stay by your master’s side, you’ll have to give up everything and be locked up here for the rest of your life, right?”

“That is something I had already decided to do when I rescued Lilia from the prison. A person called ‘The Great Warrior of Atala’ told me about it. “Do not act in a moment’s notice, but act only after weighing the sacrifices that must be made and preparing to fight in her own strength.”

“… … !”

“Yes, I have made all of those resolutions. I have long since abandoned my duty as a guardian, the honor I have achieved, and the relationships I have built. Your few words of discord will never be enough to break the ‘struggle’ I have resolved to fight.”

This time a huge ripple appeared on Melissa’s face.

The drowsy look disappeared and the naked face was revealed. A blank, expressionless expression resembling a pile of ashes. The convulsive, bouncing contortions agitated the muscles of the woman’s face.

Only after some time had passed did the ripples subside. The real Melissa somehow looked like she had a hole inside and all the poison had escaped. A feeble cry fell to the floor.

“Yeah, right… … . I guess… … it’ll be hard to get my dream of becoming the World Tree back.”

“… … .”

“I can’t help it, huh… … . If that’s the case… … .”

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah – !

Lilia barely managed to regain her composure, suppress her shock, and release the power of the World Tree again. Melissa sighed deeply, stood up, and brushed the dust off her clothes.

“Lilia, before I go, let me ask you one last question.”

“… … .”

“Could it be that you once, when I was dying at the end of my life… … For giving me your blood and bringing me back to life… … “Are you regretting it?”

Our gazes intersect as if we had met by chance in an open space in a large forest, a first meeting in the distant past.

Lilia fell silent. It’s hard for her to say it out loud, but her true feelings have always been close to saying yes. How many innocent lives have suffered and died because that one human woman prolonged her life?

But just now, for a very short moment, Lilia saw.

The face of an old sister hidden beyond the archmage who reigns as a tyrant.

‘Hmm? This is… … a magic circle of your own design? That’s amazing. I didn’t know you could use mystical characters in this way… … .’

‘… … No, it’s not that great. It’s a technique that anyone can apply as long as they can decipher the ‘Clesia’ series of characters… … Should I teach it to you?’

‘Really? I would really appreciate it if you would do that! Oh, by the way, my name is Lilia! What’s your name…?

‘No, this trick is really nothing… … I’m Melissa.’

The face of a kind, great, and foolish woman who enjoyed talking about magic more than anyone else, who looked only at one person with utmost sincerity, and who readily went to hell to take responsibility for her own mistakes.

Lilia answered like a sigh.

“No, I don’t regret it. Still, you are my sister… … . Even if I go back to that time… … “I’m willing to give you my blood, Melissa.”

“… … .”

After hearing that answer, Melissa closed her eyes and nodded quietly.

Suddenly, he tore the corner of his mouth open so that it reached all the way to his ear.

“Then, I will make you regret it.”

“… … !”

A shiver ran down her spine. Lilia screamed, her veins rising in her throat.

“Farneo!! Grab Melissa!!”

– Kkuu …

Parneo rushed forward in an instant. Just before the black panther’s claws touched him, the woman’s spirit scattered like flames.

Whoosh whoosh – !

Shinyoung reappeared in front of the broken hole that served as the entrance. Lilia gathered the power of the World Tree that she was releasing into the road and slammed the ground with all her might.

―――――Kuaddududduk – !!

The roots forming the wall woke up all at once. The turbulent rhizome closed the broken hole and violently surrounded the target.

Kkuddeuk, kuddeuk, kuddeuk – !

There were no blind spots in the network of roots. Melissa was instantly grabbed by her limbs. Lilia immediately used her power to manipulate the world to block all her mysteries and miracles, completely blocking her from escaping her restraints.

But no sooner had she taken that action, Melissa’s spirit dispersed like flames again.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

“… … !!”

Only then did Lilia realize the truth.

My heart sank. With trembling hands, I pulled out the roots that had blocked the broken hole.

――――― Kufuuuuu… … .

A flame that blackens one corner of your vision, as if your retina has detached.

Outside the dream of the World Tree, the ‘real Melissa’ was seen aiming at this world with the abyssal hellfire that would annihilate existence.

*

“That can’t be possible, Lilia.”

A voice filled with mockery.

“Why would I let my ‘real body’ into a dream that is completely dominated by you?”

――――― Kuuuuuuuu – !!

The sphere made of ‘Grimoth’s flame’ swelled at an alarming speed. The fist-sized sphere suddenly grew larger than the dream of the target, the World Tree.

Melissa glanced back, injecting mana into the sphere with one hand while shaking the thick record with the other.

“Thank you, Fake. It was an idea that came to me thanks to you. As a reward, I’ll let you see the destruction of the elves’ utopia up close.”

“… … .”

The girl, who had more than half of her body melted and was now a lump of ash, had her face distorted in bewilderment.

The woman did not steal her records and burn them. The moment her record was taken away, she spread the flames and reversed positions with her bare ‘alter ego’, pretending to burn it. When the ‘alter ego’ entered her dream and was in the middle of negotiations with Lilia, the real woman leisurely showed herself in the hall with her records and toyed with the despairing girl.

But now was not the time to worry about records. Perhaps because the negotiations had broken down, his future self seemed intent on destroying that ‘World Tree Dream’ altogether.

If that breaks, the destruction of the world cannot be prevented, and even her sacrifice will be in vain. The girl tried to stretch out her hand and absorb the sphere’s mana, but…

“Huh!”

“No, no, the audience shouldn’t interfere with the stage. They should just watch quietly.”

… … She failed because the woman noticed and stepped on the back of her hand. From then on, I could only helplessly watch as the burning destruction unfolded.

――――― Kuuuuuuuu – !!

The enlarged black flames swallowed up even the air they touched. An ominous whirlwind swept through the area.

“Lilia, did you think that if you just went in there, everything would be okay? “Ahahaha, hahaha, did you really think that I would be so oblivious to even a stolen dream?”

In a dark dream, an ultimatum was announced.

“Choose, Lilia. Either return the World Tree’s dream and crawl out of it, or make it your grave and watch the World Tree burn to the ground.”

The silence that followed.

No matter how much time passed, there was no answer from the dream of the World Tree. The only change was the fleeting appearance of a black panther’s shadow, forcibly pushed against the roots. Even that was in vain, as the target refused to leave, cutting the roots with its claws.

Melissa reluctantly decided that this skit would end in tragedy.

“okay… … “It wouldn’t be right if I died with that cat.”

The moment you snap your fingers, a huge black sphere is fired.

―――――― Kwakwakwakwakwa – !!

The signal of catastrophe was fired. The girl, the only audience member, took a deep breath. The black hellfire ravenously destroyed everything it touched. The light disappears, the air disappears, the wind disappears, the floor disappears, and the ashes disappear.

Then, finally, all hope was burned away and we reached the dream of the World Tree.

―――――― Write – Geez!!

It was cut in two by a flash of blood-red light.

Kuquagami, Kuquagami, Kuquagami light – !!!

The clumped flames split left and right and exploded. The pitch-black flames spread their flames viciously, but their firepower was overwhelmingly weaker than before. The signal flare of doom failed to explode, and only caused a little chaos on the stage.

Kufuuuuu… … .

The curtain of ash and smoke slowly cleared. The dream of a world tree that maintained its shape perfectly, and the majestic outline of the tall bones standing in front of it were revealed.

The eyes of the girl and the woman opened at the same time. I could tell just by looking at the shadow. They knew very well the identity of the infiltrator who suddenly twisted the ending.

The worst reactionary figure, or… … Juyeon holds the key to all events.

“… … “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting so long.”

The man with golden eyes put away his pitch-black axe. His red breath spread along with his bloody voice.

“I’m back with you, as promised, Melissa.”

“… … .”

The girl who had melted in the flames looked with glad eyes at the man who had returned safely from hell.

The woman who had been reduced to ashes looked with distraught eyes at the man who kept the promise he had carved into the dirt.