The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 204



Only Krnovel

Episode 204. The place swept by fire (3)

A clearing in the dark forest, late at night, when even the shadows take their breath away.

Crackling, the bonfire was burning quietly. Unlike the evil fire that had once swept through the forest, the flames were extremely peaceful. The spirits of the embers followed the light, peeking out their bright faces, then quickly running into the darkness after seeing the unfamiliar spirits nearby.

There were two people sitting facing each other in the fire. A peddler, looking around nervously, and a savage, silently staring at the fire.

It was the first time in about two weeks that the two had met since the day of disaster. The ostensible reason was that they wanted to rest and wash away the fatigue from the fierce battle, but in reality, it was more like a period of sorting out their emotions.

Duncan mumbled, not knowing what to say. Meanwhile, Kadim spoke first.

“How have you been? Have you been with the dark elves?”

“Oh, ah… … Ah, ah, yes! During the day, I followed them on patrols through the forest, rescuing stranded elves, and in the evening, I spent time with Remillion taking care of the injured. I, Your Majesty… … .”

“I am similar. “I went around killing forest tyrants or something to prevent them from harming the elves.”

“Huh? Oh, no, why… … You don’t even rest properly… … .”

“Because I promised to bear Melissa’s sins. “It may not be enough to repay the atrocities he committed against the elves, but he must still take some responsibility.”

A confession that suddenly hits you. The breathless questions continued without any time to take a breath.

“Duncan. “Have you heard anything about me and Melissa’s past from others?”

“… … .”

Duncan had no answer. Above the sound of the bonfire crackling, a voice that was somehow calmer than usual was overlaid.

“If you haven’t heard, there’s no reason to hide it now, so I’ll tell you everything. I’m a member of the group of warriors who defeated the great demons that ran rampant in the Demon Realm 300 years ago. Melissa was one of them.”

“… … !”

Kadim literally confessed his entire past in the first round.

Meeting Melissa for the first time in the eastern part of the continent, wandering around the continent and gathering other companions, crossing mountain ranges and crossing the wilderness to reach the Demon Realm, going through extreme hardships and defeating the Great Evil, then skipping 300 years, and everything. Even though I was reset, I ended up chasing Melissa’s traces… … .

The story continued in a flat tone. The disparity multiplied the shock of the content several times. Throughout the listening, Duncan could not help but feel his heart hardening like a stone and sinking into his stomach.

“… … “In the end, I killed Melissa with my own hands and burned her body.”

The moment the story reaches its conclusion, a silence comes over you as if your heart has stopped.

Even the flames that had been burning in vain lowered their voices. Even the starlight had dimmed, and the drifting feather clouds were fixed like blemishes left in the night sky.

Duncan looked at the food with a distorted face and finally spoke in a hoarse voice.

“No, this, this… … “Really, aren’t you doing this too much?”

“… … .”

“No, how…” … Remillion, how… … Such great misfortune to one person… … It is impossible for such malicious suffering to come without end… … . No, no, it’s better, how have you been holding up your joints all this time…? … ? This doesn’t make sense… … . No, this really couldn’t be like this if there was a God in the world… … .”

Kadim raised his head silently.

He too once had the same thoughts as the peddler. Why should it be me? Why should it be me who has been thrown into this strange world and played with such a wicked fate? But now, he had long since skipped the stage of letting out such meaningless sighs.

“There is a God, Duncan.”

“… … yes?”

“Without looking far, isn’t there the god of the elves who descended to the earth?”

“… … .”

“And there must be Elkanah, Atalana, and other gods.”

“Why, why?”

“So we can put an ax on those bastards’ heads and twist their heads.”

“… … .”

Looking at the peddler with his mouth open in confusion, the Great Priest’s eyes lit up in a detached manner.

“I didn’t bring up this story to brag about my misfortunes and buy cheap sympathy. The reason I’ve told you everything is because I have a favor to ask of you, Duncan.”

“… … .”

“After this, I will leave for the ‘wilderness’.”

Melissa wasn’t the only old colleague he had to meet.

The missions he was carrying were so many that it was almost overwhelming. He had to kill the demons, close the rift completely, save those who had gone to hell, find a solution to the madness, and even prepare to face the fake Elga. However, the most urgent task was to find the whereabouts of the old acquaintances he had not yet met.

“As I said, among my companions was a wilderness shaman who served Atala. “The fate of that person is still unclear, but I think it is highly likely that she left some trace in the wilderness.”

“… … .”

“However, we don’t know what else will happen on the journey there. My personal power is now comparable to the time when I killed the Great Demon, but I am not yet omnipotent enough to solve all the world’s problems. so… … “I ask this as an imperfect mortal, not as a great warrior acting on behalf of God’s will to fight.”

“… … .”

“As a guide, as a companion, and as a ‘very’ capable friend… Will you continue to accompany me on my path of struggle, Duncan?”

A pine wind blows from the far end of the sky, suddenly shaking the warm fire.

Duncan was speechless.

However, this stiffness was different from before. It was filled with a wave of emotion rather than a shock like a wall. I couldn’t help but feel excited. Finally, finally, from the great warrior who had saved the world twice, my worth was completely acknowledged and I was officially asked to accompany him!

Duncan clenched his fists and thought, Maybe he was born into this world at this moment, to hear these words from Iza.

“Of course, your lord!! If not me, then Duncan Wheeled, the greatest guide, the warrior acknowledged by Agon himself, the negotiator who deceived the king of the arena, the spy who revealed the secrets of the magic tower, the peddler chosen by a forgotten god, and the one who defeated the spirit of hellfire!”

“… … .”

“Don’t worry! Until the day when your majesty finds his old comrades and everyone gathers together as promised, I, Duncan, will risk my life to support you until the end! Whether it’s the wilderness, the mountains, the devil’s realm, or even the ends of hell, I will follow you unconditionally, so don’t worry!”

Kadim snickered and burst into laughter. It seemed like he had added more labels to his name. As we spent more time together, this mindless bluster began to feel more affectionate than unpleasant.

But after I babbled on and on about the Cheongsan River, Duncan thought about what I had said and was so shocked that he asked me one thing.

“uh… … Well, but… … I’ll just take back what I said about following you to the end of hell. Um, uh… … I guess it’s a bit… … .”

“… … .”

As the savage swallowed his inward laughter, the last night in the Great Forest gradually deepened.

*

There was enough delay.

The next morning, Kadim and Duncan prepared to leave the forest immediately.

In an empty lot where the sun did not reach, the wind laden with morning dew gently swept past the piles of ashes. Dust flying around, the smell of coal spreading thickly. It seemed like a rather shabby place to choose for a place to send off the heroes who saved the world.

However, the courtesy was not insufficient. To say goodbye, all the leading figures in the hectic World Tree retrieval operation gathered together in one place. Farneo, who was reinstated as a guardian, Remillion, who leads the dark elves, and even Lilia, who could not sleep for more than 15 days while restoring the World Tree.

However, her whereabouts have been unknown for some time now, and only Ilenia was absent. Whether she left first or went to take care of other business… … The exact circumstances are unknown.

Even if it’s only for a short time, the relationship leaves a deep trace depending on the depth of the relationship. There was an inexplicable feeling of gloom between those who left and those who stayed behind.

‘Black Panther’ Farneo was the first to come forward and offer his greetings.

“Thank you for your great teachings, Great Warrior of Atala. “I will keep the spirit of struggle that you have passed on to me forever, engraved in my heart until the day I die.”

“… … Yes, I hope Atala’s fighting spirit will be with you.”

“I owe you a great debt of gratitude, my dear friend. You lured the Infernos to save Lilia, didn’t you? I swear to the Mother World Tree that I sincerely thank you for your courage and dedication, and if you ever visit Hesiliad again, I will always welcome you with the utmost courtesy.”

“Ahhh… … Well, it wasn’t that difficult, hmm, hum hum… … .”

Next came Remillion, the first leader of the alliance and a close friend of the dragon. He looked bitterly at the warrior who had lost his close friend.

“… … When the roots of a relationship that has grown into a great tree are pulled out, the scars cannot be covered with anything. I sincerely condole with you for your sacrifice and loss, Lord Khadim. Also, I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude for saving my life so long ago, and for enduring great pain to save the world once again.”

“… … .”

“Oh, and… … That’s right, Lord Duncan. “Take this.”

“Hey, what is this necklace?”

“It’s an artifact that calls me. Didn’t I promise to grant you any request? If something goes wrong outside, break the beads hanging there. “I will fly straight away and help with whatever I can.”

“… … !”

Duncan’s eyes widen as he receives a necklace with golden beads.

Given Remillion’s status in the alliance, this was almost like summoning a god. Kadim saw the merchant’s eyes as he was trying to estimate the value of this enormous artifact as if he were selling it in passing… … but he just pretended not to see it.

And the last one is Lilia, the World Guardian and Apostle of the Forgotten God, and Melissa’s sister-in-law.

“… … .”

“… … .”

The pale dark elf woman could not speak easily and only twitched her lips. Kadim figured out the reason without difficulty. She was the only one in this place who shared the pain of losing the woman who had been reduced to ashes.

So, Kadim spoke first.

“I sincerely apologize.”

“… … yes?”

“The evil that Melissa did to you was unforgivable. Even if the evil deed was condemned by death, the pain it left behind will not disappear. She is the one who shares in her sins… … “I sincerely apologize for everything, and I will do my best to find a way to permanently close that rift.”

“… … .”

There was moisture in her clouded eyes, but Lilia quickly wiped it away and gathered her thoughts.

“… … No, you don’t need to apologize. The wounds that Melissa left me were deep, of course, but the joy she gave me was just as deep. “If you are going to bear the sins that my sister left behind, you should also bear the kindness that my sister gave me.”

“… … .”

“Take this. It is insignificant compared to your accomplishments… …but it will help you on your journey, warrior.”

Lilia held out a wooden dagger. At first glance, it was an ordinary wooden dagger, but its subtle turquoise color and familiar wood grain proved that it was an amazing new weapon.

“A dagger that mixes the ‘heartwood of the world tree’ with a fragment of the ‘dream of the world tree.’ When stabbed, instead of causing injury, it will put the target in a state of helpless slumber for quite a long time. No matter what the target is. A giant monster as big as Mt. Taishan, a high-ranking paladin pursuing Elgar, a high-ranking demon with dangerous powers, of course… … .”

“… … .”

“… … You too, warrior.”

The words clearly stated what purpose it was to be used for. Kadim nodded heavily and accepted the dagger.

With that, all goodbyes and business were concluded.

Any further delay would only result in unnecessary digression. It is impossible to write a new story without lifting the pen tip at the end. Kadim immediately turned his back and tried to pass by the thick pile of ashes.

But just before leaving, Lilia asked this question one last time.

“Warrior. Maybe… … Do you know what is left behind when the fire sweeps away?”

“… … .”

It was a rain gate. That’s right, the place they were right now was in the middle of the place where the hellfire swept away. Kadim looked around the area and answered bluntly.

“… …Wouldn’t there be ashes left behind? Right now, like they are scattered all over the place.”

“… … .”

The white-haired woman smiled inexplicably.

A smile that holds a secret as gentle as the spring sunshine that comes after the winter. He shook his head excitedly, closed his eyes, quietly clasped his hands together, and prayed softly.

Then light appeared.

―――― Uuuuuung – !

A blue glow that rises from the body of the World Guardian and covers the surrounding area.

The bluish-green mist fluttered like the hem of a child’s clothes soaked in grass while playing in the field, sweeping away the thick accumulated ash in one go. In the blink of an eye, the ash colony was swept away, revealing a fertile dirt floor.

Beads of light poured down on that fertile soil. The seeds fell like seeds, were planted, and grew in an instant, soaked in the energy of nature. Buds sprouted, cotyledons ripened, leaves bloomed, and flower bushes formed, and then a breeze blew as if envious of the dazzling growth… … .

Hooooooooo… … .

A whirlwind of white flowers swirled around.

The fresh fragrance and the spicy taste, the splendid temptation, attracted the small creatures that had been wandering through the forest, one by one, gathered. Butterflies danced in the dance of the petals, flitting about, and spirits rushed into the flower fields, competing to fill the empty spaces left by the scattered petals.

– Pok, pok… … .

– Poke, poke… … .

The ash-stained ruins were instantly transformed into a flower garden of gorgeous white jade flowers. Lilia held up a wandering flower spirit and looked at Kadim.

“Look, the ashes are nothing more than a fleeting remnant. In the places where the flames have swept through, new life eventually sprouts and grows.”

“… … .”

“So, Warrior of Revelation. Even though all you can see is ashes and soot, I hope you will not lose confidence that your struggle will bring new life. I hope that in places where there is no light, there will be primordial darkness, in places where there are many peaceful temptations, there will be the wind of struggle, and that the dream-like rest of reuniting with everyone you have longed for at the end of your journey will be there… … .”

“… … .”

The empty pupils had a faintly discolored shadow. Kadim quietly watched the chaos unfolding without saying a word.

I recalled the faint traces of the flames, then turned around and left with light steps.

“Oh, oh! My lord! Let’s, let’s go together!”

The peddler, who had been absorbed in viewing the flowers, hurriedly followed them. The wind blew more and more viciously, and the flower shower, which had been scattered like a pointillist painting, became thick like a white curtain. By the time the thick dance of flowers had subsided and the scenery was revealed again, the two people’s spirits had already disappeared like a spring dream.

Even after the guests who brought about the miracle left, the blooming life remained intact. Not only the spirits and flowers that were active, but even the grand sacred tree that grew upside down in the distance and supported the world.

Lilia looked back at the boy druid with whom she had promised to go see the flower garden together someday, with her excellent eyes.

“… … Farneo, do you understand now?”

Amid the fluttering flower petals and a dizzying scent that shook my heart, the girl buried in the pure white flower field I loved for the first time in hundreds of years smiled brightly and spoke.

“Why did I say that that day in the incarceration, I had a dream of the ‘Grand Druid’ coming?”