The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 241



Only Krnovel

Episode 241. The Star That Turned Its Back on the Light (9)

If someone notices that a friend they’ve been with for ten years has betrayed them.

You will be shaken with a sense of betrayal. Every time you meet someone else, you will vent your resentment. There might be a lot of empty liquor bottles rolling around on the floor for a while.

What if someone finds out that the parents they’ve relied on for decades aren’t their biological parents?

You will fall into an unavoidable confusion. It will be hard to erase the feeling of loss from having been abandoned once. You may even live with the suspicion that you were neglected and not your own child.

So what if someone realizes that the god they have served their whole life is fake?

If even the Paladins, who were known as the stars of the order for their special devotion, devout faith, and noble character, and among them the Arch Paladins, who were awarded the stigmata that allowed them to see the truth and were called the ‘stars that pierce the truth’, realized such a fact.

How will he react?

I wonder what kind of attitude he will show.

In the face of a truth that is completely unbearable, the reaction of the third seat of the Decagram, Hendark El Bernieta Elgarus, the ‘Star that Pierces the Truth’…

“… … .”

… … Extreme confusion and silent denial.

This old paladin was not a fanatic who blindly followed Elgar. He was simply a follower who accepted the absurdity of human affairs and humbly followed God’s will. He firmly believed that the fall of the church was simply a result of human imperfection, and that only the almighty Elgar had the great plan and good will to lead the world to light.

However, I have recently begun to have fundamental doubts. I have been desperately suppressing them due to the doctrine that does not allow for doubts and the position that I must set an example for people… … but now I cannot help but ask.

Is Elgar really a good god who protects ‘light and order’?

After the Holy War, the behavior of Elga and the chosen archbishop was far from light, order, and good. No matter how great the plan was, the sacrifices it demanded were too cruel and vicious. In the midst of all this, the topic that Khadim raised, ‘Elga is fake’, was like pouring oil on the fire.

Nevertheless, the ‘star that pierces the truth’ could not abandon his faith.

That is the path of denying one’s own life entirely. That is the path of giving up even the lives of one’s disciples. It is too far to turn back because one has come too far.

Inevitably, he had no choice but to turn away from the truth he had seen… … and rationalize his faith.

“Such a blasphemous question is not worth answering… … . Elgar is definitely the true god who has looked over this world from the beginning until now… … .”

But even that rationalization began to fall apart.

“Then why would a priest who saved the world and was revered as a saint say such a thing?”

“He too… … ‘Gordon who turned his back on the light’ must have had a weak side to him… … . My mentor said the same thing. ‘Gordon who turned his back on the light’ must have fallen from the harshness of his mission… … .”

“No, Gordon was an extremely strong and devout priest. If he thought it was wrong, he would not hesitate to stand in front of the crazy Archpaladin, and no matter how harsh the ordeal was, he would pray into the eyes of Elga. “He was probably a priest who was closer to God than anyone else, so he would have recognized the falsehood before anyone else.”

“How do you know that…?”

“I am the great warrior of Atala, who slayed the great evil with him 300 years ago.”

Hendark opened his eyes wide.

It was a story that was completely unbelievable. But still, the stigmata said that the warrior was telling the truth. A strong commotion shook the heart that was on the edge of a cliff.

Now, there is only one way left to keep the faith.

“You, you are… … not a demon… … but maybe a madman… … . A madman who has lost his senses and is crazy about blood and slaughter… … .”

Criticizing the author as a madman spouting empty truths.

The man who once lived a life that had nothing to do with madness harbored a fishy complaint.

“Do you know it now? I am the sharpest axe of Atala, the god of strife and wilderness. I am a warrior charged with the mission of destroying all that is evil in this world… … .”

“… … .”

“… … At the same time, he is a crazy berserker in order to slaughter the followers of a false god and demons who have gone crazy.”

The final recommendation fell through.

―――― Kuuuuuu… … .

Under the blazing sky that seemed ready to spit out lightning at any moment, the ‘Star of Elga’ and the ‘Champion of Atala’ prepared for their final clash.

Gooosh, gooosh, gooosh, gooosh – !!

The luminous stigmata and wild flash of light penetrated even the gauntlet covering the back of the hand, revealing a bright aura. The turbulence was transferred to the spear held, and in an instant, the ‘Meteor of Lucaon’ became a beacon that ignites the sun’s fire.

Hendark raised his burning spear.

“Elgashi, the radiant guardian of truth, brighter than the brightest light -!! “Let your star that pursues the truth destroy all lies on this earth – !!”

Instead of personally inflicting divine punishment on the unbelievers, the angry sun willingly granted his agent the power to judge the arrogant and false.

―――――――― Kuhooooooo – !!

The divine spirit that poured down like a waterfall connected with the blazing spear tip. The brilliance seemed to wrap around the divine spirit like a silken cocoon, and then in an instant, it burst into bloom. Leaving behind a holy sentiment, the figure of a holy knight with wings spread out like a cherub was revealed among the fluttering feathers.

‘Wings of Truth’, three pairs of wings that provide overwhelming attack and defense power to stars who pursue the truth. Stigmata, a deepening state using the ‘star that pierces the truth’.

This powerful blessing of Elgar, granted only to his followers, was the last bastion of Hendark’s faith. He naturally expected Khadim to also seek the blessing of the priesthood to stand against him.

The expectations were completely wrong.

“I will give you one week, the rest of my life.”

Guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu… … .

The silvery lump of iron glowed with a blue light, and a blue aura enveloped Kadim’s outline. The source of the blue light and vapor was the ten-pointed star pattern, created by crushing stars.

The stigmata were the effects of the ‘star that saves life’.

“W, what… …? How, how did you ‘the star that gives life’… … .”

Even though the colors were different, I recognized it at a glance. Just as Hendar muttered in confusion, the tip of one of his wings turned into powder and scattered.

Passs …

The power of Elgar’s sacred power varies in proportion to one’s faith. My faith was shaken by the onslaught of shock, and even my divine energy, which formed wings, was affected. But this was force majeure. How on earth can someone who does not serve Elgar use ‘Stigmata’…? … .

Kwa-Ang!!

It was not the time to be simply astonished. A blue flash of light flashed before my eyes, and the pressure of a thousand-pound lump of iron blew against me.

Hendark quickly closed his wings to defend himself.

――――― Kuwaaaaaang – !!

“… … Hmph!!”

In just one blow, one wing was shattered, and pressure was so strong that the internal organs could explode. It was an attack so powerful that it was worth defending against.

Hoong, hoo – ung!! Hoo – ung!!

The attacks continued one after another without any time to catch one’s breath. Its power and speed multiplied more and more. Hendark barely managed to catch it by exploding his spear blade, and then retreated, flapping his wings violently. His fluttering feathers turned into spear blades filled with light and rushed out.

Wedge, Wedge – Liquid!! Wedge – liquid, wedge – liquid!!

Each and every feather contained an explosive force. There was no room to escape the all-encompassing orbit.

Instead of dodging, Kadim slammed his hammer into the ground.

― …

The earth was crushed. A pile of dirt rose up like a tsunami, as if a giant’s palm had struck the surface of the water. The surface of the earth became a high barrier, and the waves became a strong headwind. The blade of the feather spear was swept away or blocked and disappeared, leaving behind only faint sparks.

An unrealistic defense that will make you believe your eyes. No matter how much I tried to flap my wings, the feathers were blocked in the same way every time.

“Whoaaahh …

The light warriors did not focus solely on extensive defense. They quickly broke through the many walls erected and charged fiercely. With the momentum of a fired cannonball, and at a speed faster than a fired cannonball.

Kuhwaaaaaaaang – !!

“… … “Suck.”

A wing gets caught up in it and disappears once again.

The price of human life is not the same. The week Kadim devoted had an effect greater than the hundred years of life sacrificed by the original owner of the stigmata. Nevertheless, the transcendent inaction has now reached a level where it overwhelms even the three-positioned star using the advanced level.

To make matters worse, the effects of stigmata did not stop only in the physical realm. The psychological toll it took was also enormous. Thanks to the use of Elgar’s miracles in the form of a non-believer to shake people’s faith, Hendark reached a state where his wings were crumbling one by one just by sitting still.

It was a battle whose conclusion was certain. Archpaladin’s appearance, which resembled a archangel, quickly changed to that of a bird about to be slaughtered. No matter where I looked, there seemed to be no way for him to win.

However, the ‘star that pierces the truth’ did not give up and face destruction.

“Whew, whoosh, whoosh… … .”

Hendark looked up at the sky. He barely succeeded in completing the Oui before he died. At the sight of his swooping presence, Kadim also slowly raised his head. Then what caught his eye was… … .

window.

A surreal-sized polearm made of glowing particles.

―――― Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

Suddenly, a magnificent window appeared in the sky. The diameter of the spear head alone reached several hundred meters, and it was difficult to even measure the length of the spear pole. It was a weapon that only the unknown gods of heaven could wield.

‘The Holy Spear that Destroys Lies’, the ultimate secret weapon created by the highest-ranking paladin by drawing out all of his faith, fighting spirit, and will to the very bottom. A weapon of destruction that guarantees certain destruction to all false beings.

A light shadow fell on Kadim’s face. But it was only a moment.

“It’s a pretty slimy giant soldier. I didn’t know there was something bigger than this hammer hidden away… … .”

“Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo…” … .”

“… … This one too, well, it’s not really a weapon that can be used to kneel.”

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh -!!

The enchantment engraving glowed brightly, indicating that the shock had been absorbed. The berserker resolutely attacked the ‘Star Crusher’. I activated ‘Hydra’s Tattoo’ and sacrificed another week of life as stigmata.

“Come… … . “Let’s compete to see which weapon is better made.”

“… … .”

Arch Paladin followed suit and raised ‘Lukaon’s Meteor’. As if connected by an invisible line, the giant soldier hanging in the sky was controlled by the movements of the new soldier.

――――― Kugugugugu… …

The tip of the spear aimed at the earth, a razor blade closer to polar lights than the blade of the spear, shone brightly.

In terms of size alone, Kadim’s appearance was no different from an ant protesting against a natural disaster. However, there was no fear at all in those shiny red eyes. On the contrary, he was burning with a desire to test himself and the limits of this masterpiece.

But Hendark wasn’t actually looking at Kadim.

Those eyes are staring at the sun that remains high in the sky even though it is sunset.

――――― Kuuuung… … .

A name that suddenly comes out like a sigh.

“Elgashi… … .”

The cloudy pupils contracted. So narrow that not even a single ray of light can penetrate.

“My light, my lighthouse, my sun, the stern guide of light who will one day lead us to the fields where the sun never sets, Elgazi… … .”

Her lips trembled thinly. Her tongue was as dry as the ground engulfed in flames. She forced out the question that would not come out of her throat, as if vomiting her intestines.

“The reason you have been looking at this world so closely… … To help and save the poor creatures… … Isn’t it true?”

No answer came back.

Hendark asked back.

“You… … “Are you sure you are Elgar?”

This time the answer came back.

―――――― Kuuuuuuu – !!

By spreading beams of light everywhere and burning the light flame.

That answer wiped away the last fragment of faith.

He made the knights who devoted their whole lives to God into traitors. He made them abandon their faith and choose belief. He made them abandon lies and choose truth. He made them abandon submission to the incomprehensible God and choose struggle.

Hendark made a decision.

“If you must condemn, condemn. If you are to judge, judge. If you are going to punish me, please punish me… … .”

If that’s your answer.

If it is your will to be enraged only by the distrust that denies you.

If it is your will to abandon these blind children to wander forever in the darkness of the abyss,

“I, Hendark El Bernietta Elgarus… … .”

He turned the spearhead so that the spearhead was facing the sky.

“… … In order to remain a ‘star that pierces the truth,’ I will turn my back on false light.”

And, with all his might, he threw the ‘Meteor of Lucaon’ towards the sun.

―――――――――――――――――――――― !!!

The sound of the waves ripping through the atmosphere, the fiercely shooting new soldiers, and the magnificent holy spears that went against the law of providence also soared. The momentum seemed as if it would pierce through the eyes of the gods that had existed since the beginning of time.

But that was just a momentary illusion.

――――――― Ugh!!

The punishment of heaven shattered the ‘Holy Spear that destroys lies’.

An out-of-spec transfer swallowed up an unequal transfer.

The will of heaven has destroyed the impudent will of man.

The destruction that guaranteed destruction on earth was nothing more than a weak trick in heaven. Immediately after breaking the blade that went against the heavens, the direction of the light of judgment was towards the star that went against the laws of nature. To be exact, towards the ‘stigmata’ that he had carved.

Hendark raised his hand. To humbly accept the divine punishment, as he had said with his three-inch tongue.

But, at that moment.

――――P-P-P!!

A heavy trajectory flew in and hit the back of my hand first.

In the blink of an eye, everything on my wrist disappeared. Not a gauntlet, not a finger, not a hand bone, not a hand leather, not a stigmata, not even a ‘star that pierces the truth’. The Heavenly Punishment, which lost its target, only pierced the ground.

― …

Hendark looks away in bewilderment.

“What are you doing?”

Kadim wiping the blood from his hammer and chanting passionately.

“The ‘stigmata’ must have been supposed to be compensation for the deal I didn’t receive. “What are you willing to offer to this strict guy?”

“… … .”

Woohoooooo… … .

A new decagram symbol appeared on the surface of the silver ingot, next to the enchantment mark. It was undoubtedly the stigmata, the ‘star that pierces the truth.’

The stigmata were removed using the special effects of the ‘Star Crusher’.

I was speechless. Hendark wore a sign of arrogance and grabbed his bloody wrist. But soon he realized that no matter what he said, he was alive because Kadim had given him the stigmata. Heavenly punishment is like a lightning strike, because it not only burns the affected area but also burns the entire body.

Still, I couldn’t smooth out the wrinkles on my face. Now that the judgment has been disrupted, the next target for that sun is clearly… … .

――――― T-huh!!

… … The side of the warrior who took the stigmata.

Execution was faster than expected. The light of the absolute being who judges creation was shot out. Hendark’s eyes widened as he felt that Kadim was about to burn and evaporate.

That intuition was wrong.

Goooow – !

――――――― ―――

The silver hammer was swung with full force, and a radiance exploded that drove away the darkness even within the pupils.

The light of the Absolute was canceled out by the masterpiece of a blacksmith whose will reached the heavens, and by the fighting spirit of a warrior who did not even fear the gods of heaven.

The gaze, forged with detachment, focused on the blazing sun.

“Don’t interfere, Elgar.”

Kadim scoffed with absolute arrogance that would never be allowed to a mortal.

“I’m talking, aren’t I?”

“… … .”

Under the stillness where all particles of things and all cells of life freeze.

The ‘star that pierces the truth’ looked brightly at its back blocking the sun.

For a moment, I had the illusion that the winter plain had turned into a wilderness.