Berserk of Gluttony (LN) - Volume 8 - Chapter Aft

Afterword

THIS IS ISSHIKI ICHIKA. It’s been a while.

Finally, we get to Volume 8. This is where the story of Fate, his Gluttony, and his battles comes to an end. 

It’s been a long time. The story began serialization in 2017, and it feels like we’ve finally made it to the conclusion. Berserk of Gluttony was very much told from Fate’s point of view, and although I tried to keep the cast of main characters under control, they seemed to grow with each volume. 

In the final battle, we had a huge party consisting of Fate, Roxy, Myne, Eris, and Snow! They’d never fought as a party before. While I was writing, I did my utmost to make sure readers wouldn’t get confused. I also tried to bring together all the plot threads and make sure every­thing was wrapped up.

How’d I do? I hope you were satisfied.

I’m sorry that this volume took two years from Volume 7. I always meant to write, but then illness, an operation, and rehabilitation got in the way. Not to mention changing jobs. My whole life was in disarray. I felt like I was going to break, and at times, I thought about just giving up. I always came back in the end, though, and I kept on writing. I think the manga was a big support for me in this respect, so thank you, Takino-sensei.

When the anime was announced, I then knew I had to write an ending. While I was overseeing the writing of the anime script, I felt like the ending was unclear, and the story lacked impact because Fate’s journey wasn’t clear. By overseeing the script, I had a chance to see the story from an objective point of view, and I could tidy it up. The results of that paved the way for volume eight.

I decided to go back to where the series started and just go wild with battles. I felt compelled to write. As you can see if you’ve read the story, the volume starts with a battle and ends with a battle. I also threw in two new levels for Greed that I’d been keeping on the backburner. I got the idea for Level Zero when I was talking to my editor before the paperback release. It’s an idea that was five years in the making.

As much as I’d like to keep on telling this story, the paperback version ends here. In closing, I’d like to bring out a couple of cast members from Berserk of Gluttony to look back on it. I’ve got more pages than usual for this afterword, so I’m sure we’ll have lots to talk about. So without further ado, here’s Fate!

FATE: “Huh? Where am I?”

ISSHIKI: “Welcome, Fate!”

FATE: “Again? This seems to be something you do when a paperback comes out. I think I’m getting used to it.”

ISSHIKI: “That’s good.”

FATE: “Are you sure it’s not just a case of having too many pages in your afterword to fill?”

ISSHIKI: “I’m not listening! Ahem, well then, now that you’re here, please select who else I should summon.”

FATE: “Wow, that’s a tough call. Who’s a good pick?”

ISSHIKI: “Surely there’s only one.”

FATE: “Oh, that’s what you mean. So it’s a business thing. Sorry, Roxy.”

ISSHIKI: “You can read a room. I like that. Welcome, Myne!”

MYNE: “What?”

ISSHIKI: “Myne, I’d like you to rate Fate in this volume.”

MYNE: “Hmm…”

FATE: “Uh…”

ISSHIKI: “You look quite nervous, Fate.”

FATE: “Of course I’m nervous. It was the final battle! Well, how was I, Myne?”

MYNE: “Nine.”

ISSHIKI: “Out of ten?”

MYNE: “No. Out of a hundred.”

FATE: “Talk about harsh… What was so bad about it?”

MYNE: “You ditched me.”

FATE: “You mean when I went to the Distant Lands?”

MYNE: “Yes. Also, it was just you and Roxy together in your own world at the end.”

FATE: “You weren’t even there! How do you know that?”

MYNE: “Eris is mad too. Did I mention I’m mad? Who do you have to thank for even being able to follow Roxy in the first place?”

FATE: “I owe you both a debt of gratitude!”

MYNE: “Yes. Well, I guess that’s how it goes. When are you coming back?”

FATE: “Uh…shouldn’t we ask the author?”

ISSHIKI: “Hmm… I guess we’ll know when the Volume 9 paperback comes out.”

FATE: “So it seems.”

MYNE: “That’s not an answer! In that case, I know what to do to bring Fate back.”

FATE: “You’ve got to be kidding me. Nobody reading this even knows what you’re talking about.”

MYNE: “That’s not true. It’s standard now! You cannot refuse!”

FATE: “I’ll explain. She’s talking about wrath rice. It’s food made by Myne, for Myne. She tricks people into trying it, and it always ends in tragedy. Nobody is allowed to refuse what she puts out. She makes you eat the whole dish. Every last bite. And she always uses the weirdest ingredients.”

ISSHIKI: “Well, I’m not having anything to do with this. After all, this dish is designed to bring you back from the Distant Lands, Fate.”

MYNE: “Seeing as you’re here, you’re eating it too, author.” 

FATE: “Well, you heard the girl. I recommend giving up. Not like you can do anything else.”

ISSHIKI: “Seeing you tremble while you tell me that only makes me want to run away more.”

MYNE: “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

FATE: “What in the world is she going to get us to eat this time?”

ISSHIKI: “I pray it’s not poisoned.”

FATE: “Ha ha ha. You don’t get it. I wish it was as simple as poison.”

ISSHIKI: “I guess I really should make a run for it then.”

MYNE: “I’m back.”

ISSHIKI: “You were barely gone!”

Myne: “I figured this might happen, so I baked bread. There’s three to choose from. Take your pick.”

ISSHIKI: “Is one of these a trap of some kind?”

FATE: “Ha ha ha. You don’t get it. They’re all traps!”

MYNE: Argh!

FATE: “I’m sorry. I’ll take this one. Nom.”

ISSHIKI: “I’ll take this one, then. Munch.”

MYNE: “Then I’ll take what’s left. Chomp.”

FATE: “Mm! Delicious…is not the word I would use to describe this! What the heck?!”

ISSHIKI: “This flavor takes me back. It’s filled with the tastes of Berserk of Gluttony.”

ISSHIKI/FATE: “We did our best… Waaaaaaah! We really did our best!”

MYNE: “I tried baking all my memories into it. Are you awed?”

FATE: “I never know what you’re going to make. I guess I’m going to have to come back now.”

ISSHIKI: “Yep…”

MYNE: “Mission accomplished. See you all in Volume 9!”

ISSHIKI: “Don’t say things like that when it’s still unconfirmed!”

MYNE: “Bye-bye.”

And there you have it. The trio of Fate, Myne, and Isshiki. I hope you enjoyed it.

Daisuke Takino is still working on the Berserk of Gluttony manga, which is at Volume 9 at the time of writing this. Memil has just joined the Barbatos family, and chaos is about to ensue. Even as the author of the series, I’m loving the manga when I get to see it.

Finally, thanks to fame for the cover and insert illustrations. They’re always so charming. Also, thanks to my ­editor for their support, as well as everyone else who helped.

I can’t wait for the anime to be released. I really did my best as I oversaw its production. It was my first time, so I wasn’t always sure what to do. Thanks to all the people supporting its creation. It’s in a good place. I’d like to thank everyone involved. It will be a while before the anime airs, but I really hope you’ll watch it.

I look forward to meeting you all again somewhere down the line!