The Berserker’s Second Playthrough Novel - Chapter 99

Chapter 99
Chapter: 99

Chapter Title: Judgment of Atala (2)

—

Kadim reconnected with Yubik, the Arena King, as they had previously arranged.

Yubik didn’t greet him with the loud laughter or sugary flattery of their first meeting, nor did he erupt in hostility. Instead, he consumed his alcohol in rhythmic, heavy swallows, maintaining a controlled and serious air. From their earlier interactions, Kadim recognized that this specific posture was the one the man adopted when he intended to talk business.

The stout merchant king finished a full bottle in one sitting and rose to fetch another himself.

“It feels somewhat impolite to indulge while my guest’s throat remains dry. Would you care for a drink? This batch was distilled from fresh ogre bones, marrow and all. It has a thick, lingering richness that is quite remarkable.”

“…….”

Kadim offered no response. Yubik didn’t seem bothered and kept drinking in silence. Once the second bottle was empty, he wiped his lips with a neutral expression and laced his meaty fingers together on the table.

“I’ve been informed that you paid a visit to the gladiators’ quarters at the arena. Were you hunting for Agon’s Furious Horn in those halls as well?”

That wasn’t the actual reason, but Kadim felt it was unnecessary to unravel the tangled truth. Yubik gave a small shrug.

“I suspect your search was fruitless. Agon’s Furious Horn has truly vanished into thin air. I entertained the thought that his subordinates might be hiding his location, but my own people found nothing to support that. Many witnesses saw him head back toward Agon… It’s enough to drive a man mad trying to solve the riddle.”

“……So, you are saying you have no way to reach him either?”

Yubik lowered his heavy chin in a gesture of regret.

A surge of irritation tightened Kadim’s powerful frame, looking as though he might crush the man where he sat. However, Yubik didn’t flinch and continued speaking in a level tone.

“Wait a moment. I didn’t say there was no path to finding Agon’s Furious Horn.”

“……?”

“Phew… Truthfully, this is a tactic I would never even consider under any other circumstances…”

He cast his eyes downward, lingering in a calculated silence before letting out a weary, sincere sigh to get to the heart of the matter.

“Our introduction was a bit rocky, but let’s set aside the bitterness and speak plainly.”

“…….”

“Indeed. I am determined to bring you into the arena as a gladiator. But unlike the common sellswords, you aren’t motivated by gold, status, women, or any typical desires, are you?”

“…….”

“The only leverage I have to sign you is to facilitate your own objective. That singular, dark obsession to locate Agon’s Furious Horn and end him. Whether you seek blood for a debt, the inherent Atala drive for combat, or the simple desire for a champion’s spoils—the motive is irrelevant to me. What matters is that I can provide the opportunity, and you can provide the talent.”

“……You are talking in circles. Tell me your terms.”

“I will flush Agon’s Furious Horn out into the open so you can confront him. However, the condition is that the duel must take place within the arena walls, not in some back alley. And because he holds the title of champion while you are a newcomer, you must win several preliminary bouts to prove you are a worthy contender.”

Deep lines of anger formed on the barbarian’s forehead. Yubik brushed the reaction aside with a hand, as if he had expected nothing less.

“I know, I know. You find the idea distasteful… but we must be clear on one thing. The strategy I’ll use to force Agon’s Furious Horn to show himself is incredibly dangerous for my own standing. I wouldn’t dream of risking it if it weren’t for the sake of bringing you into the fold…”

“……What is this method that causes you such concern?”

“That, I cannot disclose. If I told you, you’d simply go and attempt it yourself, wouldn’t you? Regardless, I want you to understand that I am putting my own name on the line to recruit you. So… if I am giving you what you want, you must give me what I want.”

“…….”

Kadim fixed a stare on Yubik that was sharper than a honed edge. Despite the intensity of that gaze, Yubik remained steady. He knew he was speaking the truth.

In the world of contracts, deception was a weapon, but the truth served as a shield. With a solid defense of facts before him, he could withstand the pressure of even this terrifying warrior.

Kadim realized the reality of the situation. It seemed that unless he agreed to play the part of a performer in that pit, there would be no chance of slaying Agon’s Furious Horn or retrieving Judgment of Atala.

Still, the choice weighed heavily on him.

It wasn’t merely his ego. Kadim finally grasped why the very thought of that arena filled him with such visceral loathing.

It took the sacred act of ‘struggle’ and turned it into a cheap amusement.

In the highest reaches of his spirit, an Atala warrior burned with indignation. Simply saying no wasn’t enough—he felt a holy drive to dismantle and condemn that house of sin that mocked combat, the tycoon who grew fat off the blood of others, Agon’s Furious Horn, the desert mystic, all of them…

Yet, there was another perspective within him.

In the dark corners of his mind, a different man whispered that none of this mattered. Why care if they made a show of the fight? In the logic of this world, it was just another event. His true existence lay beyond these borders, so he shouldn’t become so obsessed with playing the role of the legendary fighter…

You are not Kadim.

Divided by these clashing identities, he sat in silent turmoil…

Suddenly, a loud disturbance broke out beyond the entrance.

‘Hey, what do you think you’re doing?’

‘Who is this brat! How long have you been crouching there…’

‘Argh, get your hands off m—…’

Crash! Bang!

The doors to the private room flew open, and a cluster of people tumbled inside. It was the hired muscle guarding the hall—and Duncan.

Yubik narrowed his heavy eyes, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

“……What is the meaning of this? I gave strict orders that our discussion was not to be disturbed.”

“W-well, sir… this fellow was pressing his ear to the door…”

“I-it’s all a big mistake! M-mercy, great Arena King! I’m no spy—I’m Duncan Wheeled, the traveling partner of Kadim over there! I only wanted to listen in as his business manager to see if there was any way a modest merchant like myself could be of service…”

“…….”

Yubik shot a questioning look at Kadim, who gave a slight nod to confirm that Duncan was indeed with him.

Yubik let out a dry laugh and gestured for the guards to leave. Then, with a condescending smirk, he addressed Duncan.

“So, did you manage to hear enough to be useful? Is there something you can contribute?”

“Ah, yes, precisely! Well… your excellence clearly values things that go beyond mere coins, but for those of us walking the earth, money remains a necessity, doesn’t it? Surely a man as powerful as the Arena King wouldn’t be tight-fisted in such an arrangement…”

“…….”

Duncan began a rambling, elaborate pitch. The core of his message was simple: ‘If you’re turning my master into a performer, you’d better pay him a fortune.’ To Kadim, who hadn’t even agreed to the deal, the whole thing felt surreal.

But his perspective shifted as he listened to the specifics.

“Fine. What is your price?”

“Oh, n-no, we aren’t asking for the world! If my lord crushes Agon’s Furious Horn and takes the victory! And is crowned the new king of the arena! Then… gold enough to fill…”

Duncan laid out the full terms of his proposal, his voice shaking with nerves.

“…….”

“…….”

Yubik let out a scoff of contempt.

It was absurd. Given the merchant’s dramatic build-up, he had expected a demand for half the treasury, but the sum mentioned was almost laughable. To a petty trader who had never seen real wealth, it probably felt like a mountain of gold…

However, Kadim’s internal reaction was entirely different.

He understood exactly how devastating that proposal actually was. He looked at Duncan. The man’s lips were pale, and his legs were visibly vibrating from sheer terror. He looked too pathetic to be the mastermind behind such a massive con.

Yet, if the deal was signed and Kadim took the title… the tycoon who had profited so much from the games would lose everything he owned and fall into ruin.

In that moment, Kadim felt a rare spark of joy—something he hadn’t felt since being trapped in this digital reality.

He wanted to howl with laughter.

A deep, belly-shaking laugh that would ring through the room. To attempt such a suicidal gamble without flinching—the merchant had found some real courage. Indeed, judgment didn’t always have to involve blades and broken bones.

But laughing now would reveal the trap to the tycoon. He suppressed the urge and regained his mask of indifference.

Yubik shifted his weight and rubbed his hands together.

“Very well, that’s a small price to pay. If you actually become the champion, I agree.”

“……Th-thank you! Oh, Great King!”

“But first… the warrior needs to accept the terms.”

The fierce spirit within his heart stepped back. For the sake of a true reckoning, he would step into the den of filth. After a long pause of feigned hesitation, Kadim gave his word to become a gladiator.

Yubik’s eyes lit up with a predatory grin. However, he quickly composed himself and added a stern warning.

“Excellent… Oh, wait, I nearly overlooked the most critical point.”

“……?”

“When you finally stand across from Agon’s Furious Horn, you are free to break his spirit and his body. Cut him, humiliate him, do as you wish. But… do not kill him. If he dies, it creates a massive problem for both of us. The time isn’t right—save his life for later.”

What Yubik needed was the narrative of a rising star, not the death of a legend that would destabilize the local power structure. Furthermore, as long as Agon’s Furious Horn lived, Yubik maintained his leverage…

“If you respect that one rule, I will honor my vow to bring him to you and fill your pockets with gold. I swear this on the name of Lord Remillion. If I fail, you may take my life with your own hands.”

“…….”

“In exchange… you must swear on the name of Atala that you will fulfill your end.”

Having managed many Atalain fighters, Yubik knew that oaths were the only thing they feared breaking. Kadim scowled at the unexpected complication and the clever safety net.

But he quickly found a loophole.

“……So be it. I, Kadim, a child of the wild, swear upon the War God Atala that I will honor my word and never take the life of ‘Atala’s Great Warrior’.”

‘Atala’s Great Warrior’ was the common title the people used to refer to Agon’s Furious Horn. Hearing this, Yubik finally relaxed, his face blooming into a satisfied grin.

Despite his sharp mind and the liquor in his system, the Arena King was completely unaware that he had been played—twice over.

The arena stood as the pulsing heart of this massive desert settlement. However, it wasn’t always a place of chaos.

On the days when the reigning champion fought or during the grand festivals, the crowds were as massive as any imperial holiday. But on an average day, it was quieter than the market—populated only by the most bloodthirsty fans, desperate gamblers, travelers passing through, or idle loiterers.

But today felt different.

The champion wasn’t scheduled to appear, yet a massive throng had gathered at the arena gates. It wasn’t just the usual suspects; regular townsfolk were out in droves.

“What’s the occasion? It’s not a holiday…”

“Who knows. Maybe the Arena King finally lost his mind…?”

“Hey, quit shoving! That guy just cut the line!”

The queue began at the main archway and wrapped around the entire structure, growing by the minute. Low-level barkers blew their horns and clapped their hands, shouting to the masses.

“Step up, step up! Admission to the arena is free today! Completely free! No coin required! This is a one-time offer!”

“These aren’t some bottom-tier scuffles just because it’s free! This is a legendary show you won’t see twice! Get in line before the gates close!”

The primary reason for the turnout? No ticket fees.

Arena tickets usually started at 100 luden for the worst seats. That was a high price for a laborer to pay. But free? People came running from every corner of the city.

Of course, there was more to it than just the price.

“Hey, give me the details. Who is on the card today? What matches are we seeing?”

“Apologies! It’s all a surprise! You’ll have to get inside to find out!”

Usually, they shouted names and statistics to sell tickets, but this time the promoters kept their mouths shut. The public was confused; the serious gamblers grumbled about the lack of data and walked away.

But the promoters were already letting the secret slip through the cracks.

When their regular associates pushed for answers, they whispered the truth.

“Look, I shouldn’t be telling you this… but since you helped me out last week, just this once. Keep it quiet!”

“Just tell me! The suspense is killing me…”

‘The main event… features the one they call the ‘Demon Slayer’.’

“……!!”

Naturally, news that big couldn’t stay hidden for long.

The people of Agon were more obsessed with famous fighters than anyone else. The reputation of the Demon Slayer had already reached their ears. The rumors spread like a brushfire. Within two hours, everyone in the queue had heard the name.

“Is it true? The Demon Slayer is actually here…?”

“For real? The man who turned the Golden Highway into a river of demon blood…?”

“It’s probably just talk. No single man could kill that many monsters…”

“Well, they say the same about Agon’s Furious Horn or those knights from the empire…”

Anticipation, doubt, and frantic discussion…

The name of the Demon Slayer was on every tongue. Lured by the mystery and the hype, the line eventually circled the arena two more times. The promoters smiled to themselves, already imagining their bonuses.

Hours later, the gates opened and the people poured in.

The stadium was at least 60% full. A literal sea of people created a wall of heat under the sun. For a match that hadn’t even been advertised the day before, the attendance was unheard of.

“Just as I thought… Your eye for talent is unmatched! To bring in this many people so quickly…”

“Sir, the commissioner sends his apologies for missing the event. He sent this fine vintage in his stead…”

In the luxury boxes with the best view of the sand, mercenary leaders fawned over the boss, and secretaries bowed low. At the center of it all sat the Arena King, wearing a cryptic smile.

He wasn’t making a single luden from the gate—but that was beside the point. This wasn’t about the money.

The goal was to provide a massive audience for the statement he was about to make.

Under the burning sun on the elevated stage, the announcer raised his voice…

“Beneath this dusty ground and the scorching sun, we welcome all who have come to see the courage of our warriors! The winner will carve his name into history, while the loser will be nothing more than a stain on the sand…”

Gong—!

……The heavy ring of the gong signaled the start of the games.

The iron portcullis rose, and the fighters walked out. The spectators leaned over the railings, straining to see.

Then, a wave of confusion washed over the crowd.

“……Eh?”

“……What is this?”

“Wait, why are they… why do they look like that…?”

The hype from the promoters hadn’t been a lie.

In front of thousands of stunned eyes, a ‘match unlike any other’ was about to unfold.