I’m Heading Out.

A Lunar Eclipse… in other words, a covering of the moon.

Beastfolk believed that phenomenon—when the moon vanished from the sky—happened because the moon’s mana poured down onto the earth.

In fact, on the day of a lunar eclipse, beastfolk became several times stronger than on any other day.

Lunar Eclipse was that phenomenon recreated in a simulated form as magic.

It was a spell that poured the moon’s mana into a target and boosted their physical abilities.

However, just like a real “lunar eclipse” phenomenon, it carried a risk that couldn’t be ignored.

“If you take in the moon’s mana, your mind gets excited and you become aggressive… a so-called berserk phenomenon happens. But—”

“Yeah, not a problem. I’m a berserker.”

“Mm. That’s exactly why I can cast this on you. And one more thing. I’ll give you these words, too.”

“Words?”

“…The opposite of reason is the wild. We’re taught that something like emotion is created by reason… that’s what we learn.”

The glow of mana gathering around Kuon’s staff grew stronger.

“Live or die. Cruel, primal logic reduced to only those two choices. Past reason and into berserk—beyond that lies the wild.”

“…Yeah. I think I get it.”

“If you’re a berserker, you should be able to reach that… I’m wishing you luck. Lunar Eclipse!”

An alien mana flowed into Kikori.

It spread to every corner of his body… and he felt something inside him swelling higher and higher.

“And take the rest of my mana, too.”

From the spot Kuon touched, mana filled the mana stone embedded in Kikori’s armor, and it began to glow faintly.

It wasn’t a full charge… but it was more than enough.

“Thanks, Kuon… I’m heading out.”

“Yeah. Go.”

With Kuon’s voice behind him, Kikori started running.

He felt incredibly, unbelievably refreshed.

He felt like he could see sights he’d never been able to see before.

Whether it was just a delusion born from the moon’s mana-fueled exhilaration, or whether he truly was seeing more—

Kikori didn’t reach an answer… He sprinted through the forest at full speed and burst out into the open plain.

None of that mattered.

Kikori threw himself into the battle that had begun in front of the Hero Gate.

“Ha—hahahaha!”

There, the massive body of the Goblin General turned toward Kikori.

It had noticed him. So what.

He’d already decided his opening move.

Pack it in—pack in killing intent. Load it with killing intent until there was nothing more to load.

Declare to the world that you would kill it.

Yes—this was the war drum that opened the battle. Strike it. Let it ring out. Let it shake your soul.

“Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!”

It rang out.

Kikori’s War Cry echoed across the field.

Driving his mind even deeper into berserk.

Kikori raised his axes—and his magic axe—and bared a brutal grin at the Goblin General.

“Charge! Mjol—NIIIIIIIR!”

Some of the mana charged into his armor flowed into Kikori.

As he deepened the berserk, Kikori drew back his lightning-wreathed axe and hurled it.