The Berserker’s Second Playthrough in the Game - Chapter 60



Only Krnovel

Episode 60 Sons of the Wild (3)

The silence did not break easily. Kadim continued to keep his mouth shut. Tundal let out a disheveled sigh and asked.

“Have you ever heard of the previous ‘Great Warrior of Atala’?”

“… … .”

“You don’t seem to know. Let me explain briefly.”

Tundal loudly clears his throat and adds an explanation.

“It was a long time ago. Before empires and alliances were even born on this land, there was a time of war when wars between kingdoms were incessant and darkness covered the wilderness and the realm of the devil. The people of the continent writhed in pain and longed for an end to the chaos and salvation. Then, unable to bear to watch, the great warrior sent someone to the earth to carry out his will. That person was none other than the former ‘Great Warrior of Atala.’”

“… … .”

“Unfortunately, not much is known about his life and achievements. The shamans of the wilderness who should have honored him disappeared and the legend was lost. Still, there are a few facts passed down. That he saved the continent from an unprecedented crisis after suffering, that he suddenly disappeared somewhere right after that, and… … “It was possible to give a blessing by giving a name to a weapon.”

“… … .”

“It is not difficult to discern the weapon he has blessed. “It gives you special powers like a paladin’s axil or an ancient relic, and your name is engraved on the weapon in ancient script.”

“… … .”

“… … Just like the weapons you are holding.”

Tundal stared at the ‘mosquito’ and the ‘salmon’.

Kadim stared blankly at the warrior before him.

It was obvious who the previous ‘Great Warrior of Atala’ was talking about. Now he had no idea what expression to make. So, Kadim simply wiped the expression off his face.

Tundal mistook that for a serious look. He leaned in closer and asked sternly.

“I’ll ask you again. Where and how did you obtain those sacred weapons? And there are… two of them.”

The question did not reach Kadim’s ears. I was filled with doubt as to how on earth he knew about himself. Judging by the fact that they say that the shamans of the wilderness have disappeared, I guess that’s not what I heard from them… … .

“… … “Who did you hear those stories from?”

“Are you talking about the ‘Great Warrior of Atala’? I heard it from our leader. He said it was a story he had heard from his father, his father’s father, generation after generation.”

“… … Then what is the name of the one who leads you?”

“I’ll tell you that after I hear your answer. Now it’s your turn to answer. I’ll ask you one last question. Where and how did you get that weapon?”

It wasn’t difficult to answer that I made it myself.

However, if he did so, the truth of his words would be questioned, and he would have to reveal that he was the ‘Great Warrior of Atala’. And if he proved that fact, it was clear that they would bother him to an incomparable degree.

So, Kadim did not lie, but he answered without giving any key information.

“The sword was taken from the enemy’s corpse, and the ax was picked up from the basement of a castle in the imperial territory.”

“… … .”

“Ask again. What is the name of the one who leads you? “Can I even become the chairman of the council?”

This time there was no answer.

Instead, Tundal lamented that the earth was falling apart and looked at him in disappointment.

“… … Every thing has its rightful owner. Especially when it comes to weapons like those left behind by the great ‘Champion of Atala.’ But how did you acquire them in such a way… … . In my opinion, you are a great warrior, but you are not the rightful owner of those sacred weapons.”

“… … .”

“Don’t take it too personally, brother. But the reason I’m telling you this is because I know someone who is far more worthy of those weapons than you. It might hurt your pride now, but when you meet him in person, you’ll surely agree with me.”

“… … .”

“As you might have guessed, he is the one who is leading us. By any chance, after the subjugation of the demons, would you be able to spare some time? If you have time, please come with us. He is a very busy man, not only with his abilities but also with his reputation, but I would like to request that he meet you in person.”

A strange excitement slowly rose in Tundal’s voice. What was strange was that there was no mockery or malice in his expression or tone. He seemed to genuinely believe that he was giving the right and good advice.

But it didn’t matter whether the words were malicious or not. Kadim gave a cold gaze like a dark cloud.

“… … So what, are you saying I should go and offer weapons to him myself?”

“Of course. Even if you don’t feel like it now, it will happen naturally when we meet… … .”

The dark clouds in my pupils collided and lightning struck.

Parallax, puck – !

The ax blade stuck between the crotch cut off the horse’s tail.

Tundal opened his eyes wide as if they were going to pop out. Kadim reached out dryly and retrieved the salmon.

Whoop, whoop, whoop!

“I refuse. If you desire this weapon and want it, there is only one way to do so.”

“… … .”

“To duel and take from my corpse, according to the precepts of the wilderness.”

A provocation whose meaning is as clear as the thrust of a blade.

Tundal took a breath and gripped the spear. He too had seen enough of his Khadim’s power and even briefly competed with him. The odds of winning are slim. Atallain’s duels usually end in someone’s death. A mix of fear and conflict made the facial muscles stiffen and the corners of the mouth tremble.

But Kadim could read.

Tundal’s eyes were shining brightly with joy.

‘… … ‘You crazy bastards.’

What was meant to be a threat ended up arousing the spirit of victory. If you fight with the leader of the centipedes, the rest of the beggars will attack you, thinking it’s right… … . He felt that his head was getting dizzy and painful.

Fortunately, Tundal did not attack. He cooled his fighting spirit with a bitter smile and shook his head.

“No. He ordered me not to cause internal strife, and I can’t break that order. During the subjugation operation, the tips of our swords must be pointed not at each other, but at those wicked demons.”

“… … .”

“I’m sorry. I failed to consider your position and made a foolish move. Weapons are as important to a warrior as limbs, so asking them to hand over all of them was, even in my opinion, an unreasonable request. “I would probably be that angry if I were you.”

“… … .”

“Forget everything I asked for. You’ve worked hard today, and soldiers will be stationed around the perimeter, so rest in peace. “When the sun rises, we will leave for Borden again.”

But it was such an abrupt change of stance. Rather than words coming from the heart, it sounded like something he said simply to fulfill his duty as the leader of the punitive force.

Kadim’s face scrunched up grimly. Tundal stood up with a stiff smile. The engraved scars twisted in the darkness. He barely shook the dirt off the hem of his clothes and left.

Finally, I leave you with these words.

“But if you want to find a worthy owner for those weapons, or if you are interested in the one who leads us, you are welcome to come visit me again at any time.”

“… … .”

The silence in the lonely bush.

Kadim quietly grabbed the sack. When he thought about it, it seemed like it wouldn’t be a bad idea for her to meet him at least once.

The great warrior of Atala made his decision. If you say something like that one more time, I will lift your head and go find the leader.

*

There was no significant income in Borden.

Flies and insects blooming like black spots in the breaking sunlight, soldiers with rotten flesh hanging from the cracks in their damaged armor, and villagers spilling their dark intestines from their split stomachs.

And then there are the ratmen with the heads of rats who stick their noses in there and rip out the internal organs.

– Squeak, squeak… … .

Phew!

– Snap!

The punitive force swept away the monsters without mercy. The sword slashing of Khadim and the warriors added a red hue to the brutal still life.

The sweep and search didn’t take long. Wherever you went, there were only rotting corpses and shabby monsters, no survivors or demons. The only thing you could find was a bunch of footprints of someone leaving the village.

Tundal frowned and rubbed his chin.

“Our paths diverged. While we were following the main road, the demons seemed to have led their creatures and advanced along a different path. They were probably targeting the 9th Gate defense line and Galentana.”

“Then… what would you recommend, Tundal?”

“… … .”

There was no choice. Even if we went back now and supported the defense line, the fundamental problem could not have been resolved. There is no choice but to remain faithful to the mission of subjugating the ‘central devil’.

“… … Like this, we head towards the next attack point, ‘Rodem’.”

There was no particular difficulty in the journey to Rodem. In fact, there were far fewer demons and monsters than on the journey to Borden. We only encountered them a couple of times during the whole day’s march.

Although it was an easy task for now, the soldiers of the Chassa Army began to look anxious. The fact that this place is so empty means that all the demons and monsters have flocked to the remaining defense line of our comrades.

At the same time, Kadim frowned. He too had left behind a useful guide and all the money he had saved in the defensive positions.

‘… … I guess I’ll just have to hope that Duncan survives on his own.’

Anxiety encouraged everyone to walk faster. The advance was carried out quickly as there was no interference from the enemy. Thanks to this, the punitive force was able to reach Rodem before the sun set.

But at the entrance to the village, Kadim and Tundal’s faces hardened at the same time.

“Wait, stop.”

When Tundal spread his palm, everyone stopped in unison. The soldiers in the center and rear who stopped late tilted their heads. As the sunset stretched across the edge of the sky and a reddish shadow appeared, Tundal cautiously looked at Kadim.

“… … Did you feel it too?”

“… … .”

Instead of answering, Kadim gestured towards the village. It means to go first and take a look. Tundal thought hard and shook his head.

“Let me go with you. I don’t know what kind of threat there might be.”

“… … .”

As good as it was, Kadim briefly agreed.

The other personnel were left on standby, and only Tundal and Kadim went out to scout the village. I lowered my breathing, muffled the sound of my footsteps, grabbed the handle of my spear and the hilt of my sword, and pondered the stench of demonic energy that was slowly becoming thicker.

As I had intuition, an unrealistic landscape unfolded in Rodum.

“Atala… … . What on earth is this… … .”

“… … .”

The sun slowly hid its eyes beyond the horizon, and the shadows that fell in its light were scattered in various directions. There were strangely carved trees everywhere, shaped exactly like people.

But that was not why Tundal was surprised.

There was no soil, rocks, water, or grass to be found here. To be exact, there was no different texture at all. Rolling pebbles, densely grown weeds, the ground and wells, the walls of private houses, puddles of stagnant water, broken gold dust flies, everything was unified with only one texture.

With the texture of hard, dried, and raised tree bark.

Kadim’s eyes shined sharply as he swept the wooden surface. It wasn’t unfamiliar. He had met someone before who colored everything around him with his unique personality.

A disgusting species.

That pesky demon must have run rampant in this town too.

“… … .”

If ectomas had appeared, their identity was obvious. Kadim quickly threw the salmon towards the strange trees.

Parallel, parallel, quasi-zick!

The pillar split and woody fragments flew out into the rainwater. Tundal was startled and gave a questioning look.

“Why is that? Why is that tree suddenly… … .”

“Hurry and destroy the trees like me while it’s time to talk. Otherwise, it will get annoying quickly.”

There was no need to add any further explanation. The strange events began to occur immediately.

Kkuddeuk, kkuddeuk –

A stiff friction sound, the trees of the Inyeong tree shook their thorny branches and took root. Two holes in the top of the tree were glaring. The red light streaming out was filled with fierce hostility toward living, moving life.

Kkuddeuk, kkuddeuk, kkuddeuk, kkuddeuk –

An army of over a hundred trees gathered at the same time, targeting the two people. Except for the branches and roots, they look no different from the farmers who started the uprising. Looking at it, one person was convinced and the other had a hunch.

Those aren’t just monsters that resemble humans.

The villagers were infected by the devil and changed like that.

“… … Oh, shit.”

Tundal hesitated and retracted his spear.

Parararararararack, Kwajijijik!!

However, as always, Kadim just threw away the ax without hesitation.