"Berserk state was originally a privilege given to high-ranking Baimon warriors. The God of War, Kampas, is fair, he provides both Baimon warriors and Priests a potential path to greater strength. Baimon warriors, tested in countless battles, can draw upon the power of Kampas's horn in warfare and combat. Through harnessing their own blood and rage, they enter a berserk state, significantly enhancing their combat prowess. Such figures are referred to as 'Berserker Warriors' by Baimon Beastmen. When they enter berserk state, they do not need the aid of priests performing the 'Berserk War Song'. We usually call this 'Self-initiated Berserk'," Helen said.
"Durian has the same effect," Liu Zhenhan thought to himself.
"'Self-initiated Berserk' from a Berserker Warrior unleashes far more combat energy than the berserk effect instigated by the 'Berserk War Song'. The main advantage is that once they exit the berserk state, they only experience slight dizziness, and their combat power essentially remains intact. This is something standard 'Berserker Warriors' induced by the 'Berserk War Song' cannot match. In battles with human armies outnumbering Baimon Beastmen by tens of times, heading into a berserk state is the most effective, yet reluctant method bestowed by the war upon the Beastmen," Helen explained, turning to Liu Zhenhan, "During our annual hometown hunting championship, I witnessed the performance of a Berserker Warrior from the Orephin tribe. After entering a self-initiated berserk state, the Orephin warrior resembled your earlier state. Veins bulging, muscles visibly straining like a mass of worms wriggling beneath the skin, the same frightening strength on show."
"I admit, I did have great strength." Liu Zhenhan looked down at the crushed coconut shell, feeling both amused and sad.
"Simultaneously, Baimon witch doctors can concoct certain potions that induce a berserker state. Nonetheless, those brews have substantial side effects," Helen continued, "I'm worried the Sub-dragon egg might have similar effects."
"What kind of after-effects will consuming the witch doctor's potion have?" Liu Zhenhan eagerly sought the answer.
"Aside from Baimon Berserkers achieving a self-initiated berserk state, the rest who enter the berserk state through potions and war songs are simply ordinary Baimon Beastmen. The overwhelming power brought about by the berserk state requires a stalwart will, unwavering faith, and a requisite level of sobriety to sustain. Ordinary warriors inevitably struggle to meet such high demands. That's where our Altar Sacrificial Ceremony comes into play. If Baimon Beastmen warriors are the sword of Kampas, we are the hands that wield them. Our Requiem that is part of the Spirit Communication War Song allows these ordinary warriors, who are oblivious to fatigue and pain and lost in a blind frenzy of killing, to regain their will and composure ----- we are Beastmen, not wild beasts." Helen sighed softly, her eyes averted, "After entering a berserk state, even with the comforting and beckoning Requiem, twenty percent of ordinary warriors with weaker constitution will undergo paralysis or even death due to their bodies being unable to withstand the high-energy exertions."
"Ah... It seems any substantial power comes with an inevitable cost…" Thinking it over, Liu Zhenhan felt a certain tightness in his chest. His thinking and speech were now fully oriented towards the Beastmen, moving away from his human identity.
"Among all the hundreds of families within our clan, from the 800,000 Piegel person vassal tribe, the number of warriors entering self-initiated berserk does not exceed twenty. Notwithstanding, your ability to enter a berserk state leaves me utterly overwhelmed. When I saw your tormented expression earlier, I could not help but wince in pain. How can our balanced God of War paradoxically let a frail Priest like you enter a berserk state when you are destined to be a Soul Singer..."
"Did I enter a berserk state? No, Helen, that's not right, it wasn't like that at all…" Liu Zhenhan attempted to recall his condition at that moment and insisted, "I didn't have any thoughts of killing or anger at all, just a burning sensation, it was unbearably hot! Apart from that, I felt nothing else!"
At this, Helen immersed herself into deep contemplation once again.
Seeing the increasingly somber look on Helen's face, Liu Zhenhan felt a tinge of unease.
"If it wasn't berserk state, then," Helen's face suddenly took on a troubled expression, "This could be troublesome."
After a long silence, Helen looked at Liu Zhenhan with an awkward expression, "Dear Richard, if it wasn't a berserk state but a 'pseudo-berserk state', then there is just one other possibility."
"What kind of damned situation is it?" Liu Zhenhan asked, staring at Helen.
In the aftermath of unnatural death of our magical beasts, on rare occasions, they might implant their original magical elemental prowess into the priest. This situation, throughout thousands of years, has only occurred twice according to the Sacrificial Code. This phenomenon, called the 'Curse of Blood Sacrifice', is the worst manifestation of the relationship between a magical beast and its priest," Helen explained.
"What does that mean?" Liu Zhenhan's eyes widened in shock. Regardless of how the word 'curse' was used, Liu Zhenhan was convinced he had not misinterpreted its meaning.
"A bond of unity should exist between a priest and their magical beast. A priest looks upon their magical beast as if it were their kin and it's very rare for a priest and their magical beast to harbor animosity towards each other. Over hundreds and thousands of years, the Baimon Codex has only documented two instances of priests who suffered the 'Curse of Blood Sacrifice'," Helen explained.