The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 239



Only Krnovel

Episode 239. The Star That Turned Its Back on the Light (7)

Paxtan, the ‘Star that Calls Peace’, gradually began to resemble warriors who could not overcome the side effects of the divine power.

Bboo – ugh! Bboo – ugh!

“Big, big…” … . Hehehe… … .”

The plate armor was dented like scrap metal. The face was crushed, the bones were crushed, and the internal organs were crushed. The right eye’s blood vessels had all burst and turned red, and the left eye had completely burst, with only the sclera spilling out the vitreous body.

It was hard to believe that he had been beaten with bare hands. Not even a trace of his once blunt and strong appearance, like a golem, remained. Only a corpse, on the verge of being turned into meat dough, was left, rolling around on the dirt floor.

His extremely trained body and the blessings of the priests barely kept him alive… … The statute of limitations seemed to be running out. My body movements were becoming sluggish, and even formal resistance was fading away.

Kadim paused for a moment and furrowed his brow.

Killing this guy was simple. If I wanted to, I could suffocate him with my next punch. However, it was difficult to say that they had properly paid the price. Just before death, one might claim a spiritual victory by being a martyr while fighting for ‘peace’.

The end that the great warrior of Atala wants is for this guy to deny his twisted view of faith and die according to the ‘restrictions’ of the stigmata.

For a fanatic, spiritual annihilation would be a much more terrible punishment than physical death. Of course, he didn’t take on this troublesome act just for revenge. There was one thing I had to test when I came across Elgar’s star, but in order to do that, I had to break the ‘restrictions’ it kept and die.

In other words, it would be difficult if he stopped resisting altogether… …

“… … “What are you doing?”

“Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu… … .”

“Get up. “A guy whose name is a star must have already fallen before he can use it?”

… … The ‘Star that Calls Peace’ had already lost its will to fight.

It was inevitable. How could one maintain the ‘fighting spirit’ against a monster that could not be defeated even with bare hands? In fact, it was brave enough to not cowardly beg for one’s life.

Still, Kadim quickly found a solution. He had gained some experience in dealing with fanatic Elgas.

“Honestly, I’m disappointed. Even though other stars eventually shattered, they did not give up and stood up to me until the end. But you don’t want to fight even when you face the ‘demon’ who is said to be the root of all evil… … .”

“… … .”

“… … “Is your will for true ‘peace’ the only thing that has come to fruition?”

Sparks flew into his red-stained eyes. The face that was like a stone mask suddenly became distorted.

“Keuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu… … “Devil, you damn evil bastard!”

The ‘Star that Calls Peace’ stubbornly raised her rag-like body. Finally, my composure was broken, and emotions as hot as lava flooded inside me.

The ‘absolute peace’ that had become useless was released. Instead, Elgar’s divine power was called upon with full faith. The dazzling energy restored the damaged body in an instant and spread like a cloud in all directions.

―――――― Whioooooooo – !!

The power of a sacred weapon is usually proportional to faith. The entire world became completely white, covered with a thickly concentrated miraculous energy. Like a pure white paradise that has achieved true ‘peace’ without any conflict or discord.

The ‘Star of Peace’ willingly declared himself the guardian of that paradise.

“[Peace!! Love!! Demons!!]”

――――― Whoooosh, ph- ugh!!

The movement and blow accelerated several times more than before, and for the first time, Khadim received an effective hit. For now, it was just a tingling sensation in my forearm, but similar attacks followed one after another.

―――Whew, thud – !! Whoosh, whoosh, thud – !!

The iron pigeon flew in like a tempest and pecked its beak. Its flight was more powerful and faster than any other bird in the world. The symbol of peace became a mace that condemned discord and judged evil spirits mercilessly.

During Paxton’s fierce attack, he displayed extreme excitement, as if he was pouring out all the emotions he had suppressed throughout his life.

“[Love peace!! Long for peace!! Wish for peace!! Wish for peace!! Go to hell for peace!! Become a burnt offering for peace!! Everything!! Than the brightest light!! For a brighter light!! Everything!! More than the most peaceful haven!! Even more peaceful and peaceful!! For true ‘peace’ – !!!]”

―――――Whewwow – !Whewwow, whewwow – !!

Even so, he did not cross the last line. He still maintained his ‘mind to give eternal life’ to the enemy, and swung his weapon without breaking the ‘restrictions’ of the stigmata.

But once the fuse has been lit, it is clear that it will eventually explode.

Even when he was pushed back, Kadim was relaxed. He didn’t need to activate his tattoo or drink the demon’s blood to fight back. It was just a momentary flame that burned fiercely before going out.

I hit him back and got hit back, and I balanced things out. So that he could gain the courage to face a strong opponent, so that he could realize his unyielding fighting spirit. So that he could… … feel a true ‘fighting spirit.’

How fitting it would be for such a mad knight.

When the time was ripe, Kadim applauded with a wry smile.

“Great job… … That was an impressive performance. If you know how to fight, why were you just wagging your tail like a dog earlier?”

“[Shut up!! How can you talk nonsense like that even if you fall into hell? … .]”

“It is worthwhile to provide true education. “If you have that kind of ‘fighting spirit,’ then you are qualified to enter heaven, where wars and banquets never end.”

“[…] … what?]”

“For you, who have personally been taught by the Great Warrior of War, and who ‘fight’ with all your heart for true peace, the name Son of the Wilderness would be more fitting than Elgar’s Star. So, how about turning your back on that disgusting voyeuristic god and serving Atala?”

I was speechless for a moment.

Paxton opened his eyelids so wide that his remaining eyeball almost fell out.

A shock that cleared my mind, and confusion that messed up my brain stem. Elgar’s rising spirit suddenly subsided like a mirage.

I don’t think he was trying to persuade me to believe in Atala. Nevertheless, I felt a deep sense of humiliation, as if my soul was being thrown into a sewer. How dare he say that a peculiar heresy is more suitable for the brilliant star of Elgar, for the foremost agent of Elgar, for me, who devoted my whole life to Elgar and peace…?

“[This… … this… … this vile, blasphemous piece of trash aaaaaaaaaa – !!!]”

At that moment, Pakstan broke the ‘restrictions’ of the stigmata.

――― Kuuuuuu… … .

By the time I calmed down and said, “Oops,” it was already too late. The sun was burning so fiercely that the color of the sky was already changing.

The restriction of stigmata and the ‘star that calls for peace’ is that they must never have ‘murderous intent’.

Pakstan has always circumvented restrictions by suppressing his emotions, even when killing someone. However, it was impossible not to feel ‘murderous intent’ even towards a demon who denied fundamental beliefs… … .

―――――――― Ugh!!

… … Elgar’s ‘Heavenly Punishment’ came down from the distant heavens.

Not a demon who openly humiliates himself.

Only towards the ‘star’ that broke the restrictions of divine blessing.

Everything went according to plan. Kadim narrowed his eyes sharply at her.

I was extremely focused. Break down your sense of time into 1/1000th of a second. Heedless of the intense pain that threatened to burn his cornea, he observed in as much detail as possible the process of the ‘Never’s Punishment’ descending from the heavens and striking the target directly.

And soon… …he realized that his prediction was correct.

*

Hendark, the ‘star that pierces the truth’, looked blankly at the sky.

――――Ugh… … .

The sky sparkles with the sunlight of the end that judges creation.

The reason why ‘Heavenly Punishment’ was brought down… … I could guess. Someone must have violated the restrictions of the stigmata. And that fact naturally led to other realizations.

The one who gave me all the information about the stigmata, Kadim, came here.

And if it was the ‘Star of Peace’ that was just punished… … Now the only one who can stand against him is himself.

“… … .”

A deep shadow once again appeared in the wrinkles of his face.

I didn’t know that this day would come someday. No, in fact, I had predicted it from the first day I was dispatched to this front. But I didn’t know it would be today. My heart was rattling like a broken-down cart, and my mouth was as dry as a cracked wilderness.

… …Can I stand against that warrior with my own strength?

It was the wrong question. That was an issue that needed to be addressed as a later priority. The question that should take precedence over the probability of winning a battle was whether the battle was truly for the right value.

And he knew the answer very well.

Well, isn’t it the ‘star that pierces the truth’?

Even though the church was corrupt and rotten, he was the star of the church who always pursued the truth, held noble beliefs and faith like a spear, and guided those who had lost their way to the right path. Even though I have lost my light and have entered the threshold of a deviant path… … The insight to determine what is right is not far away.

If he defeats Khadim, the alliance will no longer have the means to stop ‘Elgar’s Star’.

It was obvious what would happen next. The remaining decagrams would be mobilized to massacre countless allies. It was ridiculous to ask someone to stop that, and then cause it yourself.

Hendark made a decision.

The new soldier held on tightly to the ‘Meteor of Lucaon’. He closed his eyes and aimed the tip of the spear at his neck. If the weapon exploded with maximum power, one would be able to leave this world without even knowing that one would die.

Woooooooooo –

But just before the spearhead exploded.

“… … Even if you are Noikjang, who has been through all the hardships, does that mean war is not easy?”

An ominous sign approached Hendark.

A middle-aged man with a shabby appearance wearing a stained bishop’s uniform. He was one of the military bishops loyal to Archbishop Erensko. Hendark looked at the figure and could not contain his astonishment.

In his hand he held a pure white box like the Ark of the Covenant.

“Still, do not lose courage, ‘Star that Penetrates Truth’. “Aren’t there disciples somewhere in this world who look up to you like a morning star?”

“… … .”

“To commend your efforts, the Archbishop has sent you a gift. I hope this will be an opportunity to cheer you up again… … Oh!”

Hendark rushed in like a beggar and snatched the box.

Cold sweat ran down my face and my hands were shaking. The smell of blood tickled my nose, and I could guess the contents before I even opened it. But this time, I didn’t hesitate to check. As soon as I opened the lid, what I saw was… .

… …eyeballs.

All kinds of eyeballs that were starting to rot and giving off a fishy, ​​musty odor.

There were some bigger than most fists and some as small as a pea. Most of them were too heterogeneous in size or shape to be considered human. The military bishop calmly shrugged his shoulders and explained.

“These are the eyeballs of rare monsters, including ogres and hobgoblins. “It may look a bit weird, but if you soak it in medicinal liquor and drink it, you will feel energized as if you were exposed to the morning sun.”

Hendark did not believe that.

There was no reason for sending a gift like that. He knew the wicked archbishop’s temperament too well. He removed the numerous eyes and searched through the box like a sledgehammer. Finally, at the bottom, he finally found it.

A pair of tiny eyes, shining like spotless lapis lazuli.

I recognized it as soon as I saw it. Who is the owner of these eyes?

A child who was particularly sickly, a child who always lagged behind in training, a child who was always anxious that he would not be able to become a holy man, but one day he succeeded in summoning a sacred spirit faster than anyone else, and his eyes sparkled as if he had the light of the whole world in his soul. .

‘S, Master! Master! I, I, I can become a knight, right? I, I won’t get kicked out of here, right? Right?’

Briden, that child’s eyes would never sparkle again.

The military bishop looked sheepishly and said.

“Oh, my. I’m sorry, sir… … . I was hoping you would notice after I left… … .”

“… … .”

“But isn’t it fortunate? This box isn’t filled with the eyes of all the disciples, and there’s only one right now. It’s all thanks to the grace of the merciful Archbishop.”

“… … .”

“Of course, I don’t know what will happen if the Lord doesn’t catch the ‘evil spirit’ and just waits for more time… … .”

Hendark’s face was distorted in a monstrous way, and he grabbed the pole of the spear until the bones in his hands were crushed.

The ‘star that pierces the truth’ eventually deviated from the right path and fell into the darkness.

*

There was no need to search for it. There was no need to wait long. As if it was a signal of divine punishment, it appeared right before my eyes as soon as I sat still.

Kadim looked at the paladin on the bright horse.

– WHEEWWWWWWWW-!!

“… … .”

He was wearing a helmet so his face was not visible. It was not hard to tell that he was hostile. His muscles were tense, his spearhead was dazzlingly bright, and his murderous intent was clearly blooming. No matter where you looked, he was not a regular person who came to have a proper conversation.

Still, it was an awkward relationship to destroy without any questions or answers. After all, we had already exchanged substantial trades twice.

Kukuuung… … .

Kadim got up from the corpse he had been sitting on. He lifted the Star Crusher with one hand and kicked the ‘Peace-Calling Star’ that had been reduced to charcoal by divine punishment.

“Have you come to seek revenge for the loss of your comrades?”

“… … .”

“Or are you here to give me the remaining compensation I promised? “I’ve already defeated 4 Decagrams.”

Silence weighing heavily on the vast plains.

The answer came after a long time, from behind a cold, hardened face, in a voice that cracked as if his vocal cords had been torn apart by a blade.

“In the name of the Lord of Eternal Light… … Elga… … I will punish you… … You most wicked demon… … .”

“… … .”

Kadim did not ask about Katabuta’s circumstances.

Yes, it was meant to be like this from the beginning. No matter how clean the fabric is, it becomes a rag when it gets dirty, and no matter how bright the star is, it loses its light when it gets covered in darkness. With his beloved disciples taken hostage, the noble Morning Star could not help but eventually become a malevolent star that pretends to be a star.

I had no regrets since it was something I had prepared for a long time. However, it seemed better to settle the remaining transactions neatly.

“The deal you proposed was to give three rewards in exchange for blocking Elgar’s stars.”

“… … .”

“Information on the stigmata, helpful relics, and help in the future. “I’ll take the two that I didn’t receive out of these.”

Kadim gestured to the back of Hendark’s hand. Then he lifted the Star Crusher slightly.

Stigmata, meaning to reap the ‘star that pierces the truth’.

This time there was no answer.

Hendark answered by raising his spear. All human suffering was erased from the star that had turned its back on its beliefs. All that was inside was the empty will to kill flowing out.

A desolate, cold wind blows across the blood-stained fields.

―――――― Kwa-Ang!!

The ‘Star that Pierces the Truth’, who turned away from the truth, and the ‘Evil Demon’, who saved the world twice, rushed toward each other.