Chapter 94: The Berserker’s Wrath

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The aftermath of the battle still hung in the air like a thick fog. Dabi and Loira sat on the cold ground, breathing heavily, their bodies aching from the intense fight against Zarek. Elder Wanka, his old but still formidable figure rushing through the hallways, finally reached them, his eyes scanning the room quickly. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the two.

"Where is Zarek?" Wanka's voice was sharp, filled with urgency. He glanced around as if expecting the Abyssal Knight to jump out from the shadows at any moment.

Dabi looked up, exhausted but alert, his brow furrowing. "He vanished… into the shadows. He fled."

Wanka's eyes narrowed as he closed his fist, concentrating for a brief moment. Then he shook his head. "No, I can still feel his energy… he's nearby. He didn't go far." His tone was absolute, leaving no room for doubt. He gestured for them to stand. "Follow me."

Dabi and Loira exchanged a quick glance, both weary but knowing that the battle was far from over. They struggled to their feet and followed Elder Wanka as he moved swiftly through the corridor. The oppressive energy in the air grew heavier with each step, the lingering presence of Zarek's dark magic guiding their way.

After a few minutes, Wanka came to a stop outside a large wooden door. The energy behind it was unmistakable—Zarek was inside, and he was still dangerous. Wanka pressed his hand against the door, and with a burst of his own mana, it swung open.

There, in the dimly lit room, they found Zarek leaning against the far wall, chugging a bright red recovery potion. His body was still bruised and battered from the previous fight, but the potion was rapidly healing his wounds. The sinister aura around him thickened as he recovered, his strength visibly returning.

When Zarek saw them enter, his eyes burned with fury. "I let you live earlier today," he snarled, throwing the empty potion bottle aside. "But you still come looking for death? You should have stayed away."

Without warning, Zarek pulled out another vial from his belt, the contents swirling with a sickly purple hue. Dabi's heart skipped a beat as he recognized it—the infamous berserk potion, a dangerous concoction that granted overwhelming power at the cost of reason and control.

"No!" Loira gasped, realizing what was happening, but it was too late.

Zarek downed the potion in one gulp, and immediately his body convulsed. His veins bulged, glowing with unnatural energy as his muscles swelled, his eyes blazing with raw hatred. His power skyrocketed, the air around him crackling with dark mana. The berserk state had amplified his abilities tenfold, and Dabi could feel the ground beneath him tremble from the sheer force of Zarek's transformation.

"This is bad," Dabi muttered, gripping his sword tighter.

Zarek's lips twisted into a maniacal grin as his voice boomed, "Thanks to my master, I have jumped through the ranks. In this berserk state, I've ascended to Master Rank!" His laughter filled the room like a dark chorus, each sound vibrating with malevolent intent.

Wanka's expression darkened. He knew this fight had become far more dangerous. "Stand back, both of you," he said, stepping forward with a grim determination in his eyes. "I'll handle him. Provide support when you can."

Dabi and Loira nodded, knowing Wanka was the only one who could hold his own against a Master Rank opponent in close combat. Still, they couldn't let Wanka take all the risks alone—they would do whatever it took to back him up.

Zarek wasted no time, launching himself at Wanka with incredible speed. His fists, now imbued with berserk energy, came down like hammers, aiming to crush Wanka with overwhelming force. But Wanka was ready. He moved with agility that belied his age, blocking Zarek's strikes with powerful counterattacks of his own. The clash of their powers sent shockwaves throughout the room, cracking the walls and floor as mana flared wildly between them.

Dabi watched intently, waiting for his moment. He could see that despite his newfound power, Zarek's attacks were reckless—he was trading precision for brute strength. Dabi raised his hand, summoning his space magic, bending the area around Zarek to distort his movements. Zarek stumbled as his punch missed Wanka by a hair, thrown off balance by the shifting space.

Loira, standing beside Dabi, focused her remaining mana into her hands, casting a barrage of elemental attacks at Zarek's exposed back. Water and ice shot forth, striking Zarek and leaving frost trailing down his armor. He roared in frustration, swiping at the air to dispel the magical attacks, but each one disrupted his focus and forced him to fight on multiple fronts.

Despite their combined efforts, Zarek's berserk state was pushing him far beyond his limits. He was relentless, his strikes coming faster and stronger with each passing second. Wanka blocked another devastating punch, but the force behind it made him slide back a few feet.

"He's too strong like this," Loira muttered, her face pale with exhaustion. "He's burning through his mana, though. He can't keep this up forever."

And she was right. Zarek's berserk form came at a high price—his mana reserves were being drained at an alarming rate. His attacks, while powerful, were becoming more frantic, less controlled. Sweat dripped down his face, and the glow in his eyes flickered as his strength began to wane.

Wanka, ever the tactician, saw the shift immediately. "Now!" he shouted to Dabi and Loira.

Dabi nodded, channeling his remaining energy into a powerful spatial lock, creating a barrier around Zarek to slow his movements even further. Zarek struggled against the invisible restraints, his mana flaring as he tried to break free, but the combination of Dabi's space magic and Wanka's pressure was too much.

Loira, with her last bit of strength, unleashed a wave of water that crashed into Zarek, pushing him off balance. His berserk state began to flicker, the energy coursing through him becoming unstable.

Zarek roared in fury, but his mana reserves were nearly depleted. His movements slowed, his attacks losing their bite. With one final, coordinated effort, Wanka rushed forward, landing a crushing blow to Zarek's chest. The berserker's body seized up, his mana sputtering out like a dying flame.

The battle was over. Zarek, panting and weak, slumped to the ground. His eyes, once filled with fury, were now filled with a twisted sense of defeat.

Wanka, still cautious, approached Zarek and used his aura to restrict his movements entirely, preventing any last-minute tricks. Zarek groaned, but the fight had been drained out of him. He lay there, helpless, staring up at his victors with a twisted grin.

"You… fools…" Zarek spat, blood dripping from his mouth. "You think this is over? It's not… it's far from over."

Dabi narrowed his eyes, stepping closer to the fallen Abyssal Knight. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Zarek laughed, a hollow, bitter sound that echoed through the chamber. "I am only a pawn," he sneered, his voice filled with venom. "A pawn of my master. He will send someone far more powerful… to capture the lowly gatekeeper."

Dabi's heart skipped a beat. He, who? What was Zarek talking about? Before he could ask, Zarek's laughter filled the room once again, loud and maniacal. "Haw haw haw! You don't even know who you're dealing with!"

"Who is your master?" Dabi demanded, his grip tightening on his sword.

Zarek's eyes gleamed with malice as he sneered, "My master is someone… you don't deserve to know."

Suddenly, Loira stepped forward, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Is your master… them?" she asked, her voice laced with dread.

Zarek's expression twisted into something even darker. "Ah… so you remember. Yes, my master is them. You managed to escape once, but they will get you… soon enough."

Loira's face paled, and her fists clenched at her sides. Dabi and Wanka both stared at her, confused by the sudden tension in the air.

"What are you talking about?" Dabi asked, his gaze shifting between Zarek and Loira. "Who are they?"

Loira remained silent for a moment, her eyes filled with a deep, haunting fear. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "The enemy… is very strong. They are—"

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And with that, the chapter end.