The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 21



Only Krnovel

Episode 21. Forest of No Return (1)

Duncan had a long-awaited opportunity to tell the story of the saga.

At first, I hesitated to speak because I thought I was going to wrinkle in front of a chrysalis. However, she said that he was a man who could not help it, so the more she spoke, the louder her voice became.

“At that moment, right then, I came down the stairs and swung the torch around, and didn’t an eerie aura pass by the back of my neck? When I followed you into the goblin cave, I immediately realized that it felt exactly the same. Ah, this is a demon. And it’s a very strong demon!”

“… … .”

The body of the demon of the Ice-type, which has no thoughts, is nothing more than a strange lump of flesh. If he felt an eerie aura, it would be because he was scared, but he didn’t point it out. For the peddler, it must have been an exciting adventure that he had never experienced before.

“I decided to approach the demon cautiously, cautiously, so as not to be caught. Even if you take away the demon’s mind, isn’t the demon a very cunning and evil being? It is possible that he has laid a trap… … .”

But the story became too long as he kept rambling on about his impressions of each moment. Kadim couldn’t stand it anymore and cut him off.

“Stop there.”

“… … I walked slowly and saw a disgusting lump of flesh that looked like some kind of troll’s stomach… … .”

“Just stop there.”

“… … “Yep, sorry, I’ll get better.”

“From now on, just answer the questions I ask you. How many horns did the devil have?”

“There was one that grew big and one that grew as big as a finger.”

It means that it was a mid-level demon evolving into a higher-level demon.

As expected, that possessed demon was quite powerful. If Malden had fallen according to the devil’s plan, he would have most likely completed his evolution into a high-level devil. It was fortunate that I found and killed him before that happened.

“Did you bring what I asked you to bring? I asked for one more thing besides the axe.”

“Yes, of course. “After stabbing the flesh, I took it without spilling a single drop.”

Duncan handed over a half-full leather canteen. Kadim opened the lid and sniffed. A foul, pungent stench rose from it. It was unmistakable demon blood.

The blood of the devil gives different buffs depending on its type and level. Among them, the blood of the Ice-type devil usually gives buffs that are more mental than physical. For example, it makes you immune to various mental attacks and debuffs… … .

Kadim was already immune to ‘Possession’. However, that was because he possessed a game character, and he was not immune to other debuffs. This blood would be of great help when he encountered demons or monsters that used mental attacks as their main weapon.

It’s a shame that we can’t block the most terrible debuff, ‘mania’… …

‘… After finding Melissa’s records on the rooftop, I should also find a solution to the madness.’

‘Madness’ was a problem that even the greatest geniuses of the previous era, wizards, priests, and shamans, could not solve. Although he had no idea what the current era would be like, Kadim decided to hope for at least a little hope. Anyway, hasn’t quite 300 years passed?

Also, for now, the dependency on demon blood has been somewhat reduced.

Kadim lifted his newly acquired weapon and looked at it again.

“… … .”

The head of the ax shines on a smooth gray-blue surface, and the ink-colored handle is curved to the optimal curvature. A weapon created to fly most efficiently and crush the enemy’s bones.

This was a weapon that he had never seen before, even during the first round of the game. Therefore, even Kadim did not know its exact name, grade, ability value, or special effects.

However, there were a few clues to guess.

‘The map clearly had the description ‘ancient treasure’ written on it… … .’

When it comes to ‘ancient treasures’, the time and place of creation were relatively clear.

A far distant past than the first round. A mythical era in which humans, elves, and dwarves fought to determine who was the owner of the continent. In the ancient dwarf kingdom, which conquered the frigid land of the north and melted the ice caps with the heat of a seething furnace.

‘If it was really an item made there, then it would have to be at least Unique or higher.’

In fact, the performance this ax showed was worth the price. Even considering that it is a possessed species and has lower physical power compared to other species, being able to kill a mid-level demon in one blow without a buff was a tremendous achievement.

‘Special effects… … It seems that strengthening the throwing power is definitely a thing, but I’m not sure if judo is a thing or not… … .’

Suddenly, he wondered why such a treasure was in such a place. Kadim asked the peddler a question.

“Did you notice anything strange when you brought the axe in? Um, well… … I don’t think there was anything in particular. The rock just moved with some force, and the hole underneath it was a bit deep… … Oh, that’s right, a chest! There was some kind of gray pattern drawn on the black chest that the axe was in!”

“What kind of pattern was it? “Draw it on the floor now.”

“Well, that…” … Uh, uh… … Because it’s dark! It was dark so I couldn’t see it clearly! I’m sorry, I’m sorry… … .”

“… … .”

He must have carried a torch, so it must have been dark and he couldn’t have seen it. It seems he doesn’t remember it very well. Kadim clicked his tongue briefly.

Something bothered me, but I couldn’t go back to Malden just to check it out with my daughter. She, Kadim, came all the way here, creating a sea of ​​blood. If she had been tracked, she would have been following closely, easily following the traces.

The topic of thought shifted from the ax to the pursuer. There was no need to say who the most powerful pursuers were.

‘Elgar’s Paladins… … . There’s no way the scene where the Paladin was killed hasn’t been discovered before.’

‘Paladin’, the lowest rank, was not a big problem. Even the ‘High Paladin’, who was just above him, would be able to deal with it just as long as he could get the devil’s blood.

The problem was the church’s high-ranking paladins, the ‘Arkpaladins’.

‘… … ‘You damn fanatics.’

Excessive power tends to lead to abuse and violence. The Elgar Order of the past was just and fair, but even then, the ‘Arch Paladins’ were an exception.

In the middle of the first episode, Kadim and his colleagues suffered a ridiculous misunderstanding and were chased by a crazy Archpaladin. Kadim ignored some signs that could give room for a chase, and was eventually caught up by Archpaladin, who discovered the signs, and fought head-on.

The results were disastrous.

The wizard and the priestess were horribly injured. Kadim fought until the end and was left half-dead. If it weren’t for the intervention of the priest who would soon become their companion, they would have all died on the spot.

But things ended up going well somehow. After the misunderstanding was resolved, I was able to defeat the crazy Arch Paladin with the help of my fellow priests and other paladins.

However, the near-death experience of the entire party being wiped out by just one person left an indelible trauma in Khadim’s mind.

‘… … .’

Of course, the same thing would not happen now as it did back then. How could the church’s asymmetrical power be unleashed just because of the death of a fledgling paladin?

Nevertheless, the anxiety in my heart did not go away. Because the worst situation always strikes unexpectedly.

Anxiety fueled nervousness. My steps unconsciously became faster. Scenes along the road flashed by.

After walking absentmindedly for a while… …

“Hey, I’m fine! Get better! “You can’t go that way!”

… … When he looked back, he saw a peddler running towards him, panting. Kadim slowed his pace.

“There, if you go there, you’ll come across a road adjacent to a border post. Ugh, ugh… … . You have to go back and take the side road over there.”

I inadvertently took it the wrong way. Kadim retraced his steps as instructed by his guide.

Soon a side road appeared, overgrown with vines and underbrush. It seemed like a road that had been abandoned for quite some time. I tried to carefully pass through the underbrush, but it became more and more dense, making it impossible. Finally, Kadim swung his axe ahead and cleared the way.

Duncan was chasing the wide back. How long had he been following it silently? He moved his lips for a moment and then asked hesitantly.

“Well, I’ll get better… … .”

“… … .”

The shadows cast a dark shadow over her face and she turned to Duncan.

“… … Oh, no. it’s nothing.”

Duncan was frightened and shut his mouth. Kadim glanced at him briefly as if he was going to see all the stars, and then continued forward.

*

“You’re too slow. Can’t you come a little faster, Ethan?”

“… … .”

– Hee hee hee hee, purr… … .

Ethan, a paladin of the Elgar Church, looked at his words.

The pupils were half-open. Saliva was leaking out of the corner of my mouth as I was biting roughly. The back of her neck was drenched in sweat, and her buttocks were swollen from the whipping.

It had to be that way. Because Helia’s mount earlier was no ordinary horse.

Ethan turned his gaze towards Helia’s words. I saw a horse with a body filled with dazzling light, no, a body made of dazzling light. It was a sacred mount given only to Archpaladins, the ‘Bright Horse’.

If the rider is capable, the horse can run hundreds of kilometers a day without getting tired. Helia’s capabilities were somewhat lacking, but not that much. Still, it was a speed that was impossible to keep up with in ordinary words.

“With these words, it is impossible to run any faster here, Helia. Rather… … Wouldn’t it have been better to stop by Malden? To gather information and find out the truth about the rumors about the Baron… … .”

“There was a royal advisory that the cult should not interfere in that territory. And now our first priority is to track down and subdue the demon that murdered Linton Felippus. Do not forget your duty, Ethan.”

“… … .”

Ethan looked like he was chewing shit behind his helmet.

He wanted to ask, in truth, what on earth do you think the duty of a paladin is? Do you think it is your duty to destroy holy relics by illuminating evil spirits on a par with great demons, or not reporting the fact in order to monopolize the credit, or to enter private homes and interrogate and kill women?

But the lips did not separate. If you ask such a question, that arrogant Archpaladin will brand you as an infidel and punish you.

Helia looked away from Ethan. She grabbed the reins again and said,

“Judging from the path, it’s clear that the demon is heading to the alliance territory. If we go this slowly, he’ll cross the border first, so I’ll chase after him first. You follow him while carefully looking for any traces of him that you missed.”

“… … .”

Helia kicked the saddle without waiting for an answer. The shining horse advanced like a ray of light, leaving behind a brilliant afterimage. Ethan’s tired horse snorted and stared blankly at her back.

– Purr, purr… … .

“… … .”

Ethan got off the saddle and grabbed the reins. I trudged along with his words and fell into blasphemous contemplation.

It was truly unfair. Why did Elgar give such powerful weapons and outstanding blessings to such a weak person rather than a faithful person?

‘… … God’s will is deeper than the deepest ocean, so much so that a mere minnow cannot fathom it… … .’

Even though he recited the prayer, the doubts that had once filled his mind did not easily go away. The face hidden behind the mask became extremely gloomy and drooped.

I was walking like that for a while.

‘… … hmm?’

Suddenly, the bushes dug up on the side caught Ethan’s eyes.

At first, I thought it was the traces of a monster or beast that had passed by. When I looked closely, it wasn’t. Traces of footprints that had been swept away could be seen among the crushed bushes.

“… … .”

I had an unusual premonition. He tied the horse’s reins to a suitable tree and took out his sword and shield. Lowering his body and being careful not to make a sound, Ethan quietly entered the side path into the bushes.

And the premonition soon turned into certainty.

Naturally, only the entrance was camouflaged with vines and underbrush. As we went deeper, traces of the underbrush being carelessly cut down appeared. It was definitely a sign of someone passing by.

The path continued endlessly. The bushes became denser and denser. Even in broad daylight, the shadows were thick, and the colors of the world were all dark green. Ethan’s steps became more urgent, as if he was afraid of losing track of the trail, and the regular metallic sound of his armor clashing resonated.

Iron ring, iron ring, iron ring!

And then Ethan discovered.

Tanned copper skin, a grim expression, broad shoulders and a huge build. The same evil spirit I had seen pushing through the bushes as a holy relic.

Ethan cried out in joy. Now that the target has been found, this tiresome chase is finally over.

It was uncertain whether it would be possible to subdue that evil spirit, but he decided not to worry about that. His role was to find the location and report it. After that, that Arch Paladin, who was crazy about success, would take care of it.

But a major problem arose.

“… … !”

The sound of the armor was made at the last minute, and the evil spirit also found himself.

A breathtaking encounter.

“… … .”

“… … .”

One second until our eyes met through the mask. 1.2 seconds until I felt my heart skip a beat. 1.3 seconds until I saw a large hand swing like lightning.

‘……uh?’

Parallelrack-!!

The axe thrown by the savage flew with such force that it could even tear through steel.