The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 220



Only Krnovel

Episode 220. Star Crusher (9)

Kadim was quite surprised.

Decagram’s ‘Stigmata’ is a powerful transfer that rivals the ‘unique characteristics’ of himself and his colleagues from the first round. He had clearly predicted that he would not die even if his head was cut off as long as he had life left. But I had no idea it would play like this.

Tsubaki, tsubaki… … .

A new head grew from the severed neck section. It looks exactly like a head rolling on the ground.

“Huh, huh… … .”

‘Shhh, shhh… … .’

There have been cases like hydras and schizophrenia demons before… … It was my first time seeing a pure human being regenerate its head. Even the fallen head and the regenerated head both functioned as if they were alive. A sight that can only surprise even a berserker who has seen the essence of all things in heaven.

But what Kadim felt was nothing.

“8.”

Compared to the shock felt by Vitales.

― …

“……ah.”

The consciousness was split between the decapitated head and the regenerated head. Vision, sensation, emotion, thought… … . My mind was overloaded as my awareness of the severed head permeated at the same time. But there was something else that shocked him more than existential confusion.

The power of the pagans has grown stronger.

Vitares thought that what he had seen so far was the opponent’s strength. That’s right, he had a power that surpassed even himself, who had exhausted his lifespan. Whether it’s a blessing from a miscellaneous god, a devil’s contract, or an ancient artifact… … I was sure he was using every means at his disposal to inflate his strength.

It was a misjudgment. It was just the power of his bare body. After activating the strange tattoo and turning his eyes red, the savage’s power went up a notch.

whopping… … To a level that overwhelms even the person who gave up his ‘thousand year’ lifespan.

“7.”

―――――Ugh – Ugh!

“6.”

―――――Ugh- Ugh!!

“… … Ugh!”

Currently, Vitares’ inaction was by no means limited. Ilshin’s power, which has brought out the full potential of the stigmata, has already reached a level that can compete with Decagram, who is five positions above him.

But, still… … .

“5, 4, 3… … .”

― …

“Ugh, ugh! Ugh… … .”

… … I was helpless.

Let alone repelling the ax blow, it was difficult to even chase the afterimage. Every time his head fell, a piece of his life was taken away. When they belatedly realized that the number the other person was reciting was their remaining lifespan, everyone’s eyes lit up at the same time.

However, even Kadim could not come to a conclusion within 10 seconds.

“2, 1… … .”

Because the ‘Star that Saves Life’ eventually chose the last resort.

“… … “I praise you!”

The moment he finishes his hurried mumbling, the atmosphere changes.

Hwioooooooooo – !!

Elgar’s divine spirit, which had been a mixture of blush and pink, completely turned deep red. A whirlwind like a firestorm swept through, burning the heads that were rolling around. The red-haired man standing at the center lost his human form in an instant.

Kududeuk – !! Kuddeudeudeuk, kudeudeudeuk – !!

The appearance changes to resemble a hybrid of an ogre and a giant, or a hideous creature made of muscles. Its size surpassed that of a mighty berserker, and its roar gave off a pressure that touched the soul.

“[‘7328’… … . I sacrificed all that was left of my life as a burnt offering to destroy you… … .]”

“… … .”

“[…] … Demon, tremble in endless fear and scream in endless fear. The star that burns eons of time and guides destruction has finally arrived at this place!”

Kadim gives a monotonous look. It was a failure to slaughter them before they were in vain. But the struggle so far was not in vain.

Because we finally got back the masterpiece of the old man, Sledgehammer.

One of the two exceptions where a warrior can drop his weapon, and that is when he acquires a new weapon. Atala’s judgment was put aside for a moment.

I grabbed hold of the sturdy sack. A grip that fits perfectly into your hand. Maintaining a strong grip, he lifted a silver metal piece weighing over 1,000 pounds. Unlike when Archpaladin was handling it with a whimper, the huge hammer was pulled very stably.

Krrrr… … .

The weight was solid but not dull, and the sense of weight was exquisite. At first glance, it looked like it was made in a crude manner, but I could feel how much the creator had thought about it for the user. Yes, it was just right for me, and he made it properly ‘big’, my lord.

The masterpiece soaked with the craftsman’s sweat and blood finally met its master. The iron trembled with joy, and the ‘Enchant’ engraving by the dwarf god also revealed a faint blue light.

Ugh… … .

Was it because his whole body turned into a weapon? Vitares was not overly concerned about losing his hammer.

“[Ha, what difference would it make if I took it now? In front of this magnificent body that Elga gave me, those pagan trashes are nothing more than cotton!]”

You’re talking well about the subject who rushed to steal this. Kadim ignored the sound of the performance and bared his teeth fiercely.

“Congratulations, lump. “Living longer than the designated lifespan of 10 seconds.”

“[… … .]

“And I mourn that I will die with my bones crushed by a cotton bat.”

A fierce flame burns in the eyes of the two great warriors, the light warrior and the paladin, at the same time.

Finally, the final clash that defied heaven and earth began.

Kwa-Ang!!

The burnt offerings of 7,000 years were never in vain. Vitares’s movements have clearly changed. He leapt, pulverizing the pavement, and in an instant he was in front of Kadim and threw out his fist.

Khadim swings a hammer against him.

――――― Kwak – Ah!!

Metal and bone collided, and a dizzying shock wave exploded.

In the battle of strength, the one who is slightly ahead is the fist. The metal’s trajectory was crushed and the berserker’s feet sank. Vitares continued to attack with momentum. The kwon-gol, wrapped in a wave of sound, stretched out one after another like an accelerated battering ram, attacking the opponent.

However, attacks with large movements can be easily reversed. Kadim responded moderately, retreated moderately, and looked for an opportunity. After capturing a suitable strike, he firmly planted his left foot and deliberately and lightly butted the hammer against his fist.

And at the moment of impact, he twisted his whole body and swung the hammer in the opposite direction.

――――――― Hoo-ung, kwa-ang!!!

“[Bam!]”

The impact hit the other side, sending Vitares flying far away.

He used his fist as a counter-force and one foot as a pivot to perform a spinning attack. The hammer strike, which had been multiplied by its weight, strength, and acceleration, contained the power to destroy a mountain in one blow. No matter how muscular the monster was, there was no way to withstand it.

However, the surging fury overshadowed even the damage.

“[Whew, whoosh… …]”

Vitales breathed like a demon crawling from the edge of hell. He charged again with ferocious momentum, flexing his muscles with the sole intention of killing his enemy.

“[Kaaaaaaak – !! Haaaa – !!]”

――――――― Whoosh – !! Boom, Boom, Kwa – Ahh!!

The air was distorted with each punch, and the earth was devastated with each kick. A random attack without even a trace of fighting skills.

However, it became impossible to counter the attack. The speed had increased to the point where it was difficult to counterattack, and the power had increased. For a while, the rampaging paladin’s one-sided offensive continued.

――――― Boom – ! Crunch, crunch!

Kadim narrowed his eyes. He was somehow able to avoid it for now, but it was difficult to hold out for long. The buff from the ‘Hydra Tattoo’ was slowly wearing off.

In fact, if he had activated another tattoo or summoned the divine power through Atala’s judgment, this problem could have been easily solved… … but he didn’t want to do that. He wanted to complete his revenge with just this ‘masterpiece’ without relying too much on the devil’s power or using other weapons.

The sacrifice of the immortal hammer master, even death.

And, to prove that the ‘struggle’ was not in vain.

There was a part of me that believed it. Being ‘enchanted’ means that this hammer also has some special effect. I didn’t know if I could inflict enough damage on that muscle mass if I used it.

But I couldn’t figure out what it was exactly, so I was just wasting time…

―――――――― Kwa-Ang!

Wow – !

“… … !”

… … When I hit the fist and saw the ‘Enchant’ engraving shining, I finally noticed the effect.

Kadim changed his stance.

――――――― Kwa – Ang!! Kwa – Ang!! Jjeng – !

Punching, kicking, beatings… … Instead of dodging all attacks, I countered them. I ignored the damage that was accumulating due to the force. With the determination to reform one’s bones, he did not take a single step back and continued to counterattack unconditionally.

To Vitales, it was just a ridiculous outburst.

“[How pathetic, you evil spirit!! When are you going to break my bones!! When are you going to break my bones!! Just blocking a single fist seems like a lot, so when and how are you going to break my bone with that cotton bat?!!]”

“… … .”

Fortunately, I didn’t have to watch the triumphant little girl for long. After three or four more hits to gather the impact, preparations were complete.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah – !!

Finally, when the remains of the destruction on the earth began to fade, the sky began to bear the wispy clouds of earth-spiders, and the imprint of the hammer began to shine with a dazzling light, brighter than the northern lights in winter.

Kadim swung his hammer resolutely.

“Exactly like this.”

WHWWWWW – !!

The moment the lump of iron touches the enemy, the accumulated ‘shock’ is released all at once.

“… … 100 million!?”

―――――――――― ―――― ―――

The result was something closer to an explosion than a blow.

The shock wave scattered distant clouds. A thunderstorm shook the earth dangerously. Vitares’ figure, which evaporated and disappeared for an instant, reappeared, skipping the moat and crashing into the castle wall.

――――― Quagwarts – !!! Quarrrrr, quarrrr… … .

The muscular mass of the figure pierced the wall as it was, and the high walls collapsed like a sand castle. Even after reaching the city, the rampaging momentum showed no signs of stopping. It was only after it had destroyed the outer guard post, penetrated the brick house, and torn apart the stone pavement on the street that its strength finally came to a halt.

‘Shock accumulation’.

A special effect that accumulates the impact received by the weapon and then uses up that impact at once to attack.

Kadim let out a laugh. I knew the effect would be quite powerful… … I didn’t know it would be like this.

The enemy flew too far. It took a year just to get there. After climbing over the collapsed castle wall, over the remains of the building, and walking through the shattered streets for a long time, I finally found Vitares again.

Molgol made of pressed meat dough. However, only Goltong remained and was talking loudly.

“[Pray… … Eat… … You… … . how… … What did you do… … .]”

“You know, I swung a cotton bat.”

“[Ugh… … What the, nonsense… … . That hammer… … The hell… … . What is that weapon’s… … name… … .]”

“… … .”

Kadim looked down at the hammer in his hand.

A ‘masterpiece’ of this caliber should have a name. However, no suitable name came to mind. For a moment, I really thought about calling it ‘Cotton Bat’… … But then I thought that the old man with the sledgehammer would tremble in the afterlife… … .

Then, a thought crossed my mind.

“You guys, you called yourselves ‘stars’.”

“[…] … Yes, demon. we are… … The Incarnation of Elgar… … . Risen to the ground… … Ten brilliant stars… … . Now… … Those who regret it… … late… … . Even if you knock me down… … In the end… … The remaining stars are you… … .]”

“Then, there’s nothing more to see.”

Kadim raised his hammer and thrust it at the smug face.

“I swear by the name of Atala that from now on, this hammer will crush all the false evil stars on this earth that claim to be stars.”

“… … !!!”

The dying star’s eyes widened. The pupils lost their normal orbit and were shaken. A heavy shadow swallowed the trembling star.

“The name of this ‘masterpiece’ created by the craftsman who fell innocently to the tyranny of the stars is… … .”

The final blow that crushes all life without even a single second remaining.

――――――― Phew – Ugh!

“… … I call him ‘Star Crusher’”

Beneath a crude lump of iron forged by a blacksmith who had not lived a hundred years.

Elgar’s brilliant star, which had an ambition to last for 10,000 years, has fallen.

*

While crossing the ruined streets and evacuation zones.

Kadim caught everyone’s attention.

His size and appearance attract attention just by his bare body. Additionally, he was carrying decorations. A bizarre decoration that cannot be ignored.

Two horribly pulverized corpses, and a hammer as big as a battering ram.

The citizens looked at him at the same time as if they had put it all together. Most of the reactions afterward were similar. Shock, fear, confusion, screaming, struggling… … . Thanks to this, the evacuation area that was barely able to find stability became a mess, and a new empty road was created in front of Kadim.

However, there was only one person who came closer.

Enrico Turis, the councilor who came to hear the commotion.

“Ka, ka, ka, Lord Kadeem… …? Is that Lord Kadeem?”

“… … .”

“Do you recognize me? I am the councilor of Remtana, er, Enrico Turis. But, but, those corpses… … .”

It’s been almost half a year since we separated, but there was no time to exchange greetings. Kadim also answered, skipping the formality of greeting.

“It’s a decagram.”

“… … What?”

“He was called Decagram, an elite Archpaladin of the Elgar Church. “This large piece of meat is 7 pieces, and this small piece of meat is 8 pieces.”

“… … .”

The moment when the plan you’ve worked so hard for comes to fruition.

He finally succeeded in confronting the Decagram with the ‘Demon Slayer’ tag. However, Enrico was unable to express his joy at all. He barely managed to continue speaking, feeling as dumb as an idiot.

“K,Kadim Lord… … truly alone… … defeated these, these guys?”

“No, I just lent a hand.”

“… … ?

“It was Old Man Sledgehammer who killed them, not me.”

Boom!

A heavy impact that shakes the ground.

“This ‘Star Crusher’, which he created with his life’s sacrifice… … brought down the stars that threatened this city.”

A thousand-pound lump of iron was buried in the ground. A soft blue light flowed from the engraved mark. Enrico was speechless, struck by the extraordinary shape and atmosphere, and the result of ending the empire’s asymmetrical power.

Meanwhile, Kadim calmly confessed his business.

“By the way, have you seen the peddler who was following me around, Commissioner? I’m sure we promised to meet again here.”

“… … .”

Enrico barely managed to come to his senses. He took a deep breath, took out a crumpled note from his bosom, and handed it to her.

“that… … First of all, there may be unnecessary misunderstandings… … You’d better take a look at this first, Lord Kadim… … .”

“… … .”

Kadim opened the note and read it with suspicious eyes.

And after a while, a deeper wrinkle than a crumpled piece of paper formed between his eyebrows.