Chapter 186 A Barbarous Fury

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The Quicksand Binding posed an issue for the party, but Kieran had Alice assist with changing the environment to their advantage.

A sweltering Firestorm Burst bombarded the floor, battling against Dusvim’s conjured quicksand pit.

“Tch,” Dusvim clicked his tongue with a darkened expression. “That small bit of flame, and you think you’ll overpower me? Not a chance in hell!”

Dusvim raised his hand and clenched his fist. A powerful emission of sand broke through the thin, smooth outer layer before taking on the form of a serpent’s head as Dusvim made a strange hand seal.

“Sand Fall: Serpent’s Maw!”

This was an attack that no one wanted to defend against, but it fell upon Bastion’s shoulder as he arrived before Alice with a stoic expression.

“Guardian’s Bulwark!”

Bastion’s skill manifested immediately, acting as the first line of defense against Dusvim’s attack. However, Bastion was appalled by how quickly his Combination Skill was destroyed.

‘Oh fuck,’ Bastion screamed out in his mind.

Although he felt the threat of peril in this situation, Bastion activated another skill while grabbing Alice and jumping to the side.

“Boundless Aegis!”

BOOM!

The Boundless Aegis only lasted for one second before shattering completely. Fortunately, that one second sufficed. It granted enough time to evade the aftermath of Dusvim’s attack.

The sand couldn’t settle before Kieran suddenly appeared while cutting the remnants in half. “What’s the matter? Don’t tell with age your eyes have deteriorated. What are you aiming at?”

Whoosh! Boom!

Kieran suddenly took a false step where his body jerked backward but spun simultaneously. A rapid Accel Shift took Dusvim by surprise when Kieran’s body seemingly vanished for an instant.

‘What tricks is this damned youth playing? You think you can fool my eyes?!’

Dusvim’s attention suddenly shifted to his right side as he unhesitatingly slashed his sword.

Crrrr!

The piercing noise returned as Kieran’s fast-moving body was halted by a decisive blow. “Not bad at all. You’re not as slow as I presumed.”

“Now look who talks too much,” Dusvim scoffed.

At the same time, he whipped his leg toward Kieran’s head. With the power Dusvim instilled in this attack, he clearly wanted to take Kieran’s head off.

However....

Kieran revealed a gruesome grin while his body’s crimson aura bolstered abruptly.

‘With my new passive, it should be possible. Whatever the repercussions may be, I’ll accept them.’

“Abhorrent Paroxysm!”

Bang!

As if the floodgates on Kieran’s power had been unlocked, an exuberant sensation spilled off Kieran’s body in droves.

〈System: You have entered «Frenzy»!〉

〈Battle Alert: Your Strength has increased by 100%!〉

〈Battle Alert: Your Attack and Movement Speed have increased by 150%!〉

“When I said I would make you despair, I meant it. I studiously devoted myself to understanding my abilities until I chanced upon a source from which I could draw inspiration. Now, you will bear the consequences of enraging me—”

“Bite, Rasaha!”

Kieran looked up and noticed the sand instantly formed the image of a serpent’s open maw that leaked venomous sand!

Szzt!

The sand sizzled as Kieran evaded the attack with constant movement. The others were forced to do the same as Dusvim cackled hysterically.

“Dance, you little vermin. Scurry before your impending doom! No matter when you go, you will fall before the might of Rasaha!”

“Constrict, Rasaha!” Dusvim boomed.

The floor turned into many slithering snakes that trapped everyone in place. The restriction was like a fortified version of Dusvim’s earlier Quicksand Binding. The team’s immobility allowed the earlier attack to catch up.

“Agch!” Bastion screamed in pain as the venomous sand burned a hole through armor.

Ezra and the others clenched their jaws as awful sizzling noises came from their armors.

Sera and Camila barely managed to replenish everyone’s rapidly declining health, but that only served to prolong their suffering.

“No!” Kieran growled while glaring daggers at Dusvim.

Kieran now understood the roots of Dusvim’s malevolent actions. It all stemmed from him understanding a source that morphed his reasoning!

Kieran’s fury swelled to new heights due to the team’s suffering.

Did Kieran feel at fault? Not quite.

This situation was inevitable because Dusvim’s behavior was vile in nature regardless of Kieran’s prior actions.

Dusvim’s sinister cackles resounded throughout the sand cave while relishing in the despair before him. “Do you like how it feels? Everyone dear to you will fall because of your foolish actions. You will understand my pain!”

As Dusvim spewed his vindictive heart, Kieran gnashed his teeth while glancing at a skill in his skill window that seemed to tempt him.

Eventually, Kieran felt like he was under some spell.

An ominous voice spoke to him. “Accept the power. Without it, you are no True Berserker. Without this power, you can’t change a thing. Let the vengeance, bloodthirsty desires, and cruelty of a True Berserker thrive! Awaken the brutality!”

Slowly, a guttural growl sounded from behind the party as they noticed that Kieran’s aura had plunged into a chaotic state.

“Accept the temptations of the Maddened. Accept the True Berserker’s true nature. It is potent enough to solve all issues. Mighty enough to crush all dissent. Brutal enough to eradicate all oppression....”

“Who... are you?!” Kieran growled while clutching his head.

“Me? I am you,” the devilishly tempting voice responded.

“No, you are not,” Kieran snarled.

“Oh, but I am. You have accepted me, so we are now one. Do you understand? Without me, you are incomplete, so you can’t deny my existence! Ahahahahaha!”

Kieran’s mind grew hazy amidst the evil cackling.

A few seconds later, Kieran groggily swayed back and forth as the crimson gas seeping from his body blackened until it resembled aged blood that carried the scent of death.

〈System: «Vengeful Soul» has found a compatible «Source»!〉

〈System: Identified Source: «???» → «Seed of Vengeance»!〉

〈System: «Trait» and «Source» Assimilation have begun.〉

When this message appeared, it was like something shattered in Kieran’s mind, leading to his next action.

“Deranged.... Spirit.”

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

An incomparably barbarous fury far surpassing when he fought against Rautori leaked from Kieran’s body.