Chapter 547
“Bite.”
The wind, which had been endlessly flowing, suddenly took shape.
Strong wolves lifted their heads and let out eerie howls, then, at Efdiram’s signal, they began to run.
Where they passed, the grass was flattened, leaving a trail that stretched endlessly across the vast field.
“Beric! Listen! I never really hated you!”
Efdiram drew her sword and ran alongside the wolves. Her golden eyes blazed with an indescribable emotion.
“But why the hell? What’s so special about Bariel—!”
Swish!
As Efdiram leapt forward, her robe billowed dramatically. The wind wolves opened their jaws wide, matching the arc of her sword.
Murderous intent radiated from her.
A transparent, deadly purpose: to strike a vital spot in an instant.
Clang!
Beric parried her blade and stepped back, then swiftly sliced through the wolves’ heads one after another.
The wolves shattered and fell apart under the blade’s gust, tearing at Beric’s skin. But he just grinned, protecting only his face.
“Hey! Damn it, I’m the one who should be talking! There’s plenty of good stuff in Bariel—why the hell would you want to eat that crap?”
“Don’t you know it’s natural to live as you were born?”
“You’re full of it! Then at least make some kind of deal! Ian! When you said you’d take charge of the northern region, you could’ve settled for something reasonable!”
Clang! Clang! Swish!
The fierce clash continued. If either lost even a bit of strength or focus, the other’s blade would slice their throat.
Both gritted their teeth, glaring fiercely at each other.
“I hated the arrogance of acting like the empire was the center of the world, so I refused. Who do they think they are, drawing lines on Gaia’s land?”
Screech!
The blades screeched as they locked. Beric felt Efdiram’s strength wane slightly and pressed forward with renewed force.
“That’s one way to see it. But—!”
Clang!
Boom!
Efdiram unleashed a magic orb, forcing Beric to step back and shake his head, now covered in dirt and grass.
“Isn’t it natural for the strong to make the rules? If you don’t like it, then win.”
“Yeah, Beric, your neck will bring new history to the Atan tribe, so it has to be that way. And Ian Hiel? I’ll bury his neck with yours.”
Efdiram’s provocation chilled Beric’s face. She’d crossed a line.
“Efdiram. I never really liked you.”
“Oh? That’s a shame!”
“Especially when you say such damn heartless things!”
Clang! Clang!
They charged again, swords flashing in a lightning-fast exchange of three or four strikes. But this time, something was different.
Ziiing!
Ziiing!
Beric’s black sword heated up, reacting to the magic. Then, on the final clash, a massive explosion erupted.
Kraaaang!
Efdiram’s sword shattered, and she reflexively raised a shield. The destructive heat was deadly—like it could melt everything.
Her fears were confirmed. One side of Efdiram’s shield cracked, and a sharp flame pierced her abdomen. She curled up in pain.
“How’s that? Feel your head sizzling a bit more?”
“…Damn you.”
Everything around Efdiram burned except where she stood. Through the choking smoke, Beric tied his hair back tightly and approached.
“Sorry, but there’s no time.”
“…”
Blood poured from between Efdiram’s fingers. She looked up at Beric and gave a faint, bitter smile.
The sudden change in her expression made Beric’s eyebrows twitch.
“You don’t know. The joy of living as you were born.”
“Cut the crap.”
“Watch closely, okay?”
Efdiram reached out, grabbed a nearby monster, and without hesitation, drank its blood. Then she tore off a chunk of flesh and chewed it.
Like a beast in human form. Beric watched silently, unsure what she was up to. Efdiram wiped the blood from her messy mouth.
“This is what happens when you follow nature’s way, idiot.”
The bleeding in her abdomen visibly slowed. Her complexion and breathing steadied, and the fatigue from battle seemed to wash away.
Beric was left speechless, slinging his sword over his shoulder.
“Do you get what I mean?”
“Yeah. I have to kill you before you get a chance to recover. So, goodbye.”
The monsters pouring in behind them were the lifeblood of the Atan tribe.
That was something Beric was allowed to use too.
“…You wanted to get stronger, didn’t you?”
“…”
“To fight, to kill, and ultimately become a perfect predator! I know what your identity is, because I was the same!”
Beric lowered his sword for a moment and thought.
She was right. He had wanted to get stronger. Joining as a child soldier in Bratz wasn’t just about survival—it was about becoming stronger. The violent clashes disguised as survival had given him some breathing room, but—
Was it really just because of the Atan tribe’s nature?
“I like to eat. But—”
The beginning of his desire to grow stronger wasn’t about instinct to survive.
“It’s because I want to protect.”
“What?”
His family, torn apart by his father’s violence—
His family, attacked again by robbers—
Ian, who said he needed him—
And himself, trying to survive—
That was the root of his feelings.
“I want to protect. That’s why I can’t choose the Atan tribe or leave Bariel.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I just realized that living for others is the stronger path than living for yourself.”
Swish.
Beric muttered this as he raised his sword high.
“Thanks. For telling me something good before I go.”
“Hah. Where do you think you’re going?”
Ziiing!
Ziiing!
“If you’re not Ian-level, you won’t get past me.”
“Beno!”
“Huh?”
Efdiram shouted as she cast a magic circle. Beno, her right hand.
Beric turned to see a man approaching, locking eyes with him up close. Cold, calm, but filled with loathing—unlike Efdiram.
Beric instinctively blocked the attack.
Kraaaang! Kaang!
Boom!
Unlike Efdiram, who was a mage, Beno was a magic swordsman—skilled in swordplay and specialized in offense.
Beno’s sword wasn’t just shaped by magic; it was magic freely transformed. Its irregular form aimed for Beric’s neck, proof of its versatility.
“Wow, huh?”
“How dare you, traitor to our race.”
“Speak properly, damn it! When were we ever on the same side?”
“Bite.”
Swish!
Efdiram joined in, summoning the wind wolves again.
For an ordinary person, maybe. But for Beric to face two opponents alone was tough. Beno could draw magic from Efdiram, and the monsters scattered around were like a source of energy.
“Damn, I have Ian too!”
“Shut up! Beric! This is really the last!”
“Die.”
Ssshh!
Beno’s sword sliced precisely across Beric’s right arm. It felt like a tendon snapped. The black sword shattered and flew away, and Beric staggered, losing his balance.
Swish!
Then Beno’s blade pierced clean through Beric’s abdomen.
“…!”
Thud!
As the magic sword vanished, a hole large enough for an arm remained in Beric’s stomach. Beno looked down and pressed his foot firmly on Beric’s head.
“You will die.”
“Damn it, you son of a—”
“If you don’t lick monster blood, you will die.”
Beno’s tone was mocking.
Keep resisting, keep denying.
Call us beasts all you want.
But no matter what, you’re still Atan. The more you deny us, the more you deny yourself.
“Beno. Enough.”
“Yes, understood. Are you okay, sir?”
“Uh, what about the others?”
“They’re coming.”
Kugugung!
Beric rolled his eyes and looked toward the hill.
Atan tribesmen were rushing down excitedly, mingled with monsters. It looked like a party—each covered in blood, wielding black swords that pulled monsters toward them.
“Here!”
Efdiram waved cheerfully, and the Atan tribe cheered back.
Beric flinched, lying low, and looked straight ahead. Two halves of a monster carcass lay within reach.
‘Should I eat?’
Eat to heal my wounds, then kill those bastards?
He shook his head. He couldn’t die here, but he didn’t want to eat that either. Somehow, eating it felt like it would sever his ties to Bariel.
“Ah.”
The pain grew sharper, his organs shifting restlessly, as if demanding action. Beric twitched his fingers, his hand reaching toward the monsters without realizing it.
At that moment—
Kugugung!
Flash!
Lightning struck down from the clear sky right in front of them. Efdiram hurriedly raised a shield, and Beno stepped in to protect her.
The dazzling light made Beric squint, but he immediately recognized what it was and muttered grumpily.
“…They came damn fast.”
Boom!
The thunder echoed through the cloudless sky.
There was only one person who could make this possible.
“Master Jearat!”
KRA-KA-BOOM!
It all happened in an instant—barely the blink of an eye.
Efdiram couldn’t believe his eyes as Jearat stood tall before him, lightning crackling in his hand.
When did he get here? No, more importantly—what was that in his hand? It was a magic sword, like Beno’s, but Jearat’s presence was overwhelming, as if a god had descended.
“Efdiram!”
“Damn it!”
Crackle!
With a flash, Jearat silently struck down the protective barrier with his lightning. Efdiram gritted his teeth, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and finally tumbled backward alongside Beno.
Shhhhhh!
Jearat glanced sideways at Berik, sword in hand.
…What a dumb mutt.
“I never told you to get yourself beaten up.”
“Damn it, don’t you know there’s no winning against a gang attack?”
“Get up. For the dignity of the Imperial Guard.”
“Ah, right. Dignity, huh? Sounds good.”
Jearat pulled something from his chest and tossed it to Berik. It was a magic amplifier from Akorella. He’d brought one just in case, but hadn’t expected to use it the moment they arrived.
Boom! Thud!
One by one, the Imperial Guard landed steadily behind them. The soldiers lined up, facing the onslaught of monsters head-on.
Jearat shouted with his back to them.
“All units!”
“All units!”
Clang!
“From this moment, we reclaim the northern territory. Exterminate the Atan tribe and the monsters. Not a single life shall pass beyond your line.”
Ziiing! Ziiing!
The guards placed their hands over their chests, saluting the palace. The pounding of their hearts beneath their palms was fierce and resolute.
“By order of His Majesty the Emperor, those who stand in Bariel’s path will be dealt with decisively. Remember this: we are the heart of Bariel.”
“We obey!”
“We obey!”
Tap tap tap!
The Imperial Guard simultaneously summoned their magic swords and charged into the swarm of monsters. They would stop the flood of beasts and slaughter every last Atan!
Among the ranks, Barsabe let out a fierce battle cry and sprinted forward at full speed.
“Hyaaah!”
“Hold the line! Everyone! Fight with all your breath!”
“Cut down the Atan first!”
“Imperial scum! Kill them! Ha ha ha!”
“If we kill them, this world is ours!”
The rear erupted into fierce combat, and here, the clash was just as brutal. Berik downed a potion in one gulp, tore his shirt, and wrapped it tightly around his abdomen.
“Round two, you bastards!”
“Berik, what about your sword?”
“Sword? Hell if I know!”
His black sword lay shattered and cold. Was he really going to charge in barehanded? Even a dumb mutt wouldn’t—
Ziiing! Ziiing!
“…!”
From Berik’s hand, a massive red greatsword erupted—larger than his own frame. Not the black sword, but Berik’s very first magic sword ever seen in this world.