The Berserker’s Second Playthrough Novel - Chapter 55

Chapter 55
## Chapter: 55

### Chapter Title: Tongue and Teeth, and Jaw (3)

—

As previously noted, Kadim was well-versed in the tactics required to neutralize a demon specializing in charms.

‘The goal is simple: terminate its existence without falling prey to its mental traps.’

Kadim didn’t view his own willpower as fragile. However, much like a descent into insanity, the seductive pull of a high-tier enchantment demon was a force few mortals could withstand.

Because of this, he had taken precautions long before stepping into the woods.

He had consumed every drop of the blood belonging to the possession-type demon he’d previously defeated.

The potency of that blood had already been established during his encounter with the sorcerer. Just as he hoped, the ‘Mental Attack Immunity’ enhancement served as a shield, filtering out the bulk of the demon’s hypnotic influence.

Nevertheless, since that blood originated from a mid-tier entity and he was currently facing an upper-tier opponent, his protection wasn’t absolute. As the confrontation stretched on, Kadim felt the edges of his consciousness begin to fray and drift.

But he wouldn’t lose himself completely. To him, the demon’s pheromones were nothing more than a nauseating stench. The instant her tongue grazed his mouth, the lingering traces of the spell shattered, replaced by a surge of raw fury and loathing.

“Eh, eeeeh…”

Mesetis, her tongue now a severed ruin, crumpled to the ground like a broken woman, sobbing piteously. Her tears shimmered as they fell, a display designed to melt the resolve of any observer and force them to drop their guard.

Kadim saw through the facade immediately; it was a transparent trick.

Shhwick—splat, clang!

He drove Mosquito toward her neck, but Mesetis halted the blade with a single palm. Her once soft, pale fingers were now encased in a hard, obsidian-colored shell. The shock in her gaze died away, replaced by a burning, venomous spite.

—…I offered you a way out.
Her speech was no longer melodic and clear; it had become thick, distorted, and heavy.

He attempted to yank his blade back, but her strength was immense. He had to pivot the handle and deliver a crushing boot to her jaw before he could reclaim the weapon. Mesetis adjusted her mangled neck with a sickening crack and stood tall.

—Had you simply surrendered those limbs to me, I would have blessed you with my ultimate favor.
Chirrr—the black chitinous armor spread from her hand, racing across her skin. Her pale nakedness was soon hidden beneath a suit of unblinking, biological mail. She leaned forward, and the skin over her shoulder blades began to bulge and tear.

Krunch—!

The protrusions pulsed and tore through her back, unfurling into massive structures. Amidst a spray of gore and fluid, huge wings expanded.

These were not wings of feathers, but a horrific tapestry of interwoven human arms and legs.

—The time for talk is over. I no longer care for those pieces of meat. I will make her spend eternity in the pits of hell, lamenting the day she spurned me.
Her voice echoed with profound malice. Mesetis spread her macabre wings, preparing to strike.

Kadim cast a quick glance around the clearing. He felt not just the demon’s bloodlust, but a chorus of hostile energies rushing toward them, fueled by their queen’s rage. Taking on an upper-tier demon and her entire swarm simultaneously would be a grueling task.

He centered his focus.

The mark on his chest began to radiate a fierce crimson light, and the dormant enhancements within him jolted his nervous system awake. His sight was washed in a red hue, sparks of scarlet dancing in his dark eyes. A violent thirst for battle, far more intense than any low-tier blood could provide, flooded his frame.

The ‘Hydra’s Tattoo’ was manifesting its full, terrifying power.

He remembered the warning: this state wouldn’t last. He needed to end this quickly—a lightning-fast execution.

—Die!
As the demon lashed out with her wings, Kadim tightened his grip and lunged forward like a projectile.

Creeeak—slash!

A single, fluid movement tore through the wing structure instantly.

Against such overwhelming physical force, the layers of limbs were as fragile as parchment. Splinters of bone and thick blood erupted from the shredded tissue.

The remaining appendages on the wing struggled to knit the wound shut, but a second whirlwind strike made the effort pointless. Kadim vaulted over the ruined wings, closing the distance to the demon with ease.

—How can this be…!
Crunch—!

His blade bit deep into the armor on her wrist. Mesetis instinctively swung her opposite hand to retaliate. Her talons tore at his tanned skin, but he ignored the scratches. Kadim gave a grim smile and split her forearm down the middle.

—Gaaarghhh!!
Fragments of chitin fell like rain, and her muscles were peeled back like old cloth. Simultaneously, Kadim’s own gashes sealed themselves as if the flesh were living clay. The demon’s eyes widened in terror once more.

—What kind of monster are you! Why do you heal so fast…!
He didn’t bother answering her frantic questions. He moved to take her other arm, but the demon fought back. She retreated frantically, waving her hand in a desperate gesture. From the earth beneath his feet, severed hands erupted like reaching spirits.

Crunch, crunch, krunch—

They latched onto his ankles and shins like vengeful ghosts. Yet, they were far too weak to stop the momentum of a man in a berserker state. Kadim kicked them away effortlessly and brought his foot down with tremendous force. The earth shuddered and split, creating a wide crater.

——Boom—!

Gore bubbled up from the fissures like molten rock. The grasping limbs were reduced to a pulp. Kadim launched himself again, cornering his prey. A terrified Mesetis scrambled into a defensive posture.

“Hraaaah!!!”

—Hngh! Ngh!
Clang—ring! Crunch—!

Mesetis’s physical capabilities were formidable, truly reflecting her high rank. Even with one arm ruined, she managed to parry his blade, using her wings as a sacrificial shield to absorb his relentless blows.

But she was reaching her limit. The ferocity of the berserker’s assault left her no room to breathe. Mesetis could only huddle behind her cracking armor and tattered wings. Just as her defenses were about to fail, her followers arrived.

“Gaaargh, Lady Mesetis!!!”

“Grah, defend the Lady, graaaargh!!!”

—Screee, screeeee!!
Whoosh, whoosh—!

To his surprise, the minions were charging at him while engulfed in hellish flames.

It was a suicidal gambit, a final attempt to shield their master. Given their weakness compared to Kadim, it was their only viable move.

Unfortunately for them, it was useless. The ‘Hydra’s Tattoo’ provided a ‘Regeneration’ factor so potent it could outpace the damage from the fire.

Whoosh—!

“Gaaaahhh!!”

Kadim moved through the hellfire as if it were a light mist, cutting down the minions as he went. Embers flew, bodies were bisected, and blood hissed against the heat. Their desperate sacrifice turned to nothing but drifting soot.

The sheer volume of bodies was the only thing slowing his progress.

Kadim ground his teeth. The peak of his battle-frenzy was beginning to wane. He had no time for these puppets. He needed to clear this wall of fire and take the demon’s head immediately…

Then, the scene shifted into something surreal.

—…Stop. All of you, move aside for him.
The monstrous soldiers and animals froze, parting to create a path.

Mesetis had discarded her chitinous shell, returning to her seductive human form. She walked toward him with a light step and suddenly dropped to her knees.

—I will fight no longer. It is clear that no effort can best your blade or your magnificent strength.
“…”

—But… I beg of you, show me a shred of mercy and let this humble creature kiss your feet? Oh, I will submit to any whim you have. I offer you my body, my soul, my very life…
The transition was jarring. Kadim looked down at the demon with a sneer. The hatred was gone from her eyes; they were now filled with an obsessive, burning adoration.

He let out a sharp exhale of realization. He understood what had happened.

‘When I severed her tongue, I must have ingested a bit of her blood. And Mosquito was drenched in it while I was hacking at her limbs.’

The blood of an enchantment demon carried a powerful ‘Charm’ property. He had inadvertently put her under her own spell. There was a dark irony in seeing the demon enslaved by her own essence.

It was a pathetic display, but it provided the perfect opening. Kadim raised his weapon with cold intent.

“You wish to kiss my feet?”

—Ah, yes… please, I beg for the chance…
“The answer is no. I’d rather let a sewer rat touch my skin than a wretched creature like you.”

—…!!
As a look of total, soul-crushing rejection washed over her…

Shwick—slash!!

The sharp edge tore through the demon’s throat.

Blood sprayed out in several arcs. Her head tumbled into the dirt, rolling until it hit the base of a tree. Mesetis’s mouth twitched as if she were still trying to speak. But without her voice or her tongue, she couldn’t even manage a final breath.

The demon who had spent her existence craving worship and status died without a name or her horns, utterly despised by the one being she desired.

Standing over the battlefield, Kadim felt a familiar spiritual tug.

‘…Return to me.’

Thud!

Whoosh, whoosh, swoosh, thump—!

The throwing axe he had buried earlier tore out of the ground and flew to his hand. Kadim wiped the soil from the weapon. He made a mental note to be more careful with it in the future.

The first rays of dawn were piercing the canopy. The heavy demonic fog was dissipating, and the forest was beginning to look like itself again. His body was heavy with fatigue; he wanted nothing more than to sleep. But he still had work to do: hunting down the creatures that had been warped into ‘beasts’ by the miasma.

The corruption affected animals far more severely than people. Humans might deal with some lingering mental fog, but the animals were transformed into monsters. Kadim left the demon’s remains and began to sweep the area.

It wasn’t long before he came across an unexpected scene.

—Kijiiik, kijijik!
“Hngh…”

A thorn beetle, dripping with poison, was cornering two people. One was huddled on the ground, carrying the other.

He recognized the face. It was the woman from the hamlet. She had actually come back into the danger zone to find her spouse.

Prattle-prattle-slash, splat—!

—Squeee!
Kadim ended the beetle and walked toward them. Covered in blood as he was, the woman looked at him with sheer terror. He noticed the man on her back was missing an arm and was out cold.

“…Is this your actual husband?”

“A-ahh, y-you…”

“Don’t panic. I have no reason to hurt him now. Now that the demon is gone, he won’t be a threat even if he wakes up.”

She still looked terrified. Kadim put his axe away and gestured toward the path.

“Stay close. There are still predators in these woods. Once I’ve finished clearing the area, I’ll see you back to your village.”

She hadn’t opted for an easy lie or given up. To save her family, she had walked back into a nightmare, fighting through her own cowardice. That kind of grit earned his respect.

“…”

She bit her lip, searching his dark eyes. Gradually, her fear began to subside. Recognizing the sincerity in the barbarian’s voice, she nodded and stood up.

Kadim gripped his axe and took the lead. He would kill the remaining beasts, harvest the demon’s blood, and then escort them home. That was the plan.

But things rarely go smoothly.

Prattle-slash, shwick—!

—Squeeeik!
As he was finishing off the last of the creatures, he sensed something he hadn’t anticipated.

A loud noise echoed from a distance. Kadim narrowed his eyes, shifting into a guarded stance. He grabbed his axe and whispered to the woman.

“Get in those bushes and stay hidden. Don’t move until I tell you it’s safe.”

He turned and sprinted back toward where he had left the demon’s body. He could sense multiple people congregating there. They weren’t beasts—he heard human voices—but there was a strange energy that suggested they weren’t commoners either…

When he arrived, the situation became clear.

Figures in long robes were busy analyzing the area, handling the demon’s corpse with clinical efficiency.

“Get the container over here! The rest of you, stabilize the remains immediately! No, you—freeze the neck wound first! We’re losing too much blood!”

“Understood! Right away, Master Gayardo!”

“[Eldra, Xanik, Clessia…]”

They were mages from the Magic Tower.

They were moving like hunters claiming a prize. Kadim spoke, his voice low and vibrating with anger.

“Just what do you think you’re doing with my kill?”

The mages all turned at once, their eyes landing on the blood-soaked barbarian.