Berserk: The Prophet

late at night.

The summer heat makes it hard to fall asleep, and the sweat shed on the battlefield today has dried on my body.

The sticky feeling brings a humid and stuffy atmosphere...

The aches and pains all over my body from fatigue...

Even... all the muscles in my body trembled involuntarily.

None of these things made it easy for Gus to fall asleep; he still wasn't used to being alone.

When did my younger brother leave? It seems like he left around this time of year too. If we count now, it's been three summers already, hasn't it?

Gus recalled.

Today was really close; if it weren't for Gambino... I'd definitely be dead. Even now, thinking back on it, I still can't help but feel scared...

What exactly does death mean?

He had heard Uncle North say that when people die, some go to heaven and some go to hell.

He didn't understand whether his adoptive mother was in heaven or hell. And his younger brother... if he died, would he be in heaven or hell?

However, even if gods truly exist, they wouldn't offer any redemption to these mercenaries whose hands are stained with blood, would they?

Thinking of this, Guss suddenly felt relieved.

Since both my brother and I have blood on our hands, why not reunite in hell?

"Squeak—" "Cricket—"

The cicadas and crickets outside the tent continued their incessant chirping, making Gus's ears ring.

The sound seemed to abruptly cease and become much calmer, replaced by a series of footsteps, which of course did not escape Gus's ears.

Bathed in moonlight, a figure was cast over the tent flap.

"!" "Who is it?"

Just as Guss raised his question, the tent had already been partially opened by the newcomers.

By the moonlight, Gus could see who it was.

"...Dunoban?"

Dunoban grinned lewdly as he walked toward Gus.

Gus sat up from the bed, his naked body covered only by a cloth. Although he didn't know why this mercenary, with whom he had no connection, had come into his tent, he could clearly sense the other's ill intentions.

As Dunoban approached, he let out a chilling chuckle.

"Kid, can't sleep alone? I'll keep you company." His voice, tinged with alcohol, filled the small tent.

"What are you going to do?" Gus looked at him warily, his hands unconsciously gripping the blanket at his sides. His eyes were full of vigilance, ready to get up and fight back if Dunoban did anything too outrageous.

Dunoban, however, seemed oblivious to Guts's hostility, and continued to reach out with a wicked smile, as if he wanted to touch Guts's face.

Goston sensed something was wrong and quickly got up to grab the greatsword that was placed next to the cabinet.

Dunoban was enraged by his actions; the smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a ferocious grin.

"You ungrateful wretch! You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!" With that, he lunged at Gus, his large hands gripping Gus's wrists tightly.

Children cannot be compared to adults; Guts was completely under control.

"...What?" Guts was about to yell when a tattered cloth was used to gag him.

"Don't make a sound!!" Dunoban tightened the strip of cloth and tied it in a knot.

"I'm not going to eat you... If you just give in, it'll be over quickly."

"Hehe...this happens all the time in the army!"

Gus's eyes burned with fury as he struggled desperately, his bound body twisting and kicking wildly, trying to break free of Dunoban's hold.

Dunoban, however, took advantage of his physical strength and pinned Guts to the ground, pressing him down with one hand while his other hand began to wander.

Although he was still inexperienced, Guts was filled with humiliation.

Just when he thought he was about to fall into an unknown predicament, his younger brother's smiling face suddenly appeared in his mind.

A strong will to survive and a force to resist welled up from the bottom of his heart. He stopped struggling blindly and calmed down to look for an opportunity.

Dunoban lowered his guard slightly as Guts gradually calmed down. Guts seized the opportunity, and with a sudden upward thrust of his elbow, struck Dunoban hard in the face.

"Ouch...!" Dunoban winced in pain, letting out a muffled groan, and loosened his grip a little.

Guts seized the opportunity to break free and kicked Dunoban in the groin, using the momentum to grab the greatsword that was so close yet so far.

Cold sweat broke out on Dunoban's forehead, but as a seasoned mercenary, he reacted quickly and kicked Gus to the other side.

Guts was kicked and slammed into the box with a dull thud. A sharp pain shot through him, but he couldn't care less. He had only one thought in his mind: to get the greatsword.

"You bastard...you're quite the rare lynx!"

Enraged, Dunoban grabbed Gus by the neck and lifted him into the air.

Despite this, Guts tried to pry Dunoban's hands off his neck, but the hands tightened like iron clamps.

He felt increasingly difficult to breathe, and his vision began to blur, but the resentment and hatred in his heart grew stronger.

“Stop struggling, because I have already paid Gambino,” Dunopin said, explaining why he had come.

“...Hmm?” Upon hearing this, Guts’ eyes flashed with shock and anger, and he even forgot to struggle.

“You…you…lie…” Guts managed to squeeze out a few words from his throat, unable to believe that Gambino would do such a thing.

Gambino just saved his life on the battlefield today, how could he possibly betray him in the blink of an eye?

Looking at Gus's astonished expression, Dunoban's face twisted with pleasure. "Hmph, struggling is useless. Gambino took my money, so he tacitly agrees that I can do anything to you."

Dunoban pressed Gus back onto the simple straw mat. "I've bought you for one night! I gave Gambino three silver coins!!"

"This is the world of mercenaries, kid. Face reality!"

"You've been betrayed by Gambino!!"

The truth that Dunoban spoke of was like a sharp knife, slowly tearing Gus's heart apart.

...Lying...Lying!!

The sound of leather goods falling off rang out behind Gus. His young, dark eyes were filled with disbelief and sadness, and tears of resentment welled up in his eyes.

Just then, a series of hoofbeats and shouts of battle suddenly came from outside the camp, creating a great commotion.

Dunoban was drawn by the sudden sound of horses' hooves and shouts of battle outside the tent. He paused in his movement, a look of panic flashing across his face. He turned to look outside the tent, hesitating whether to go out and check the situation.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Everyone, get up and fight back!"

News of an enemy attack came from outside the tent. At this time, the mercenary group and soldiers were either drunk or ready to go into battle, so they had no time to react.