Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert

Chapter 37

Zeon was engulfed in dark, fine sand.

It was the emission of Exion.

One of the benefits of releasing Exion externally is that it enhances skill and versatility.

Zeon wielded Exion, shaping it in various forms.

At times, he molded it into a protective shield-like shape, while other times, he fashioned it into wing-like undulations.

The sight of Zeon emitting Exion outwardly bore an uncanny resemblance to a deity, especially as he used Sand Strides, seemingly gliding on sand.

Despite witnessing Zeon playing with Exion, Dyoden remained silent.

Since the battle with Akaruk, a whole day would go by without him speaking even one word.

His gaze grew deeper, devoid of any expressions on his face.

To those unfamiliar, merely facing his visage was enough to induce trepidation.

However, having observed Dyoden for a long time, Zeon remained nonchalant.

Throughout his strides, Zeon tested Exion, pondering how to further enhance its utility.

The confrontation between Dyoden and Akaruk compelled Zeon to contemplate many thoughts.

Observing high-level combat significantly broadened Zeon’s understanding, even without direct involvement.

Throughout the fights, Zeon felt his heart race.

I want to fight like that.

I want to reach such heights.

Such desires spurred within him.

Though it had been a long time since departing from the mansion, the longing persisted, growing stronger.

That was why Zeon kept experimenting with Exion.

To reach a level akin to Dyoden’s, or even surpass it, there was no room for rest.

Dyoden’s strength wasn’t achieved overnight.

It was the outcome of relentless strife over a hundred years.

To catch up to someone like Dyoden, even moments for sleep or rest needed to be conserved.

Thanks to such efforts, Zeon’s prowess grew day by day.

While engrossed in playing with Exion, Zeon suddenly furrowed his brow.

It was due to an unbelievable sight in the distance.

As Zeon retracted Exion, he asked Dyoden.

“Am I the only one seeing a mirage right now?”

“It’s not a mirage.”

“So, it’s real?”

“Unless my eyes have malfunctioned….”

“Wow! That’s for real?”

Zeon widened his eyes, gazing ahead.

Far on the horizon, something massive was approaching.

Thick legs, four in number, larger than a three-story house, with curved tusks akin to a bow and terrifyingly protruding fangs.

It resembled the legendary Mammoth, yet far more intimidating and colossal.

It seemed like a small mountain moving.

However, a huge artificial structure was seen behind the Mammoth.

A warehouse on wheels, much larger than the Mammoth, lined up in succession.

It was akin to a train.

Tiny figures bustling atop the warehouses caught their attention.

Dyoden spoke.

“They are Caravans.”

“Really, Caravans?”

Zeon exclaimed, surprised.

Caravans were originally groups of traders traversing remote deserts or plains, transporting goods using camels or horses.

Even in the current era, Caravans existed.

They facilitated intermediary trade between colonies.

It was no easy feat.

The entire world had transformed into a desert.

And deserts were unforgiving to humans.

The scorching sun, searing sands.

Moreover, deserts teemed with all sorts of dangers, including scavengers.

Enduring all these adversities while shuttling between colonies was far from easy.

Some might argue that taking a plane or driving a vehicle would simplify things. But with a little knowledge about deserts, one would realize it’s an impossible task.

Even the sky harbored dangers.

Wyverns, Griffins, Unicorns, or forms of aerial monsters were prominent.

They wouldn’t hesitate to attack any other flying craft in their skies. Regular planes could never withstand their assaults.

Above all, the desert’s sky was laden with fine dust and polluted air, which would swiftly damage airplane engines.

The same was true for cars and various machinery.

The desert sand was the antithesis of mechanical devices. They could be repaired for short distances, but if operated for long distances, they’d completely break down.

For that reason, even in Neo Seoul, cars were only used when conquering nearby dungeons.

Moreover, any interaction with unknown colonies was nothing but a dream.

There were no landmarks in sight to serve as a reference in the identical landscapes.

Overcoming such adversities and engaging in intermediary trade between colonies could solely be done by the caravans.

How caravans navigated accurately through the vast desert towards colonies remained a closely guarded secret.

Even Neo Seoul’s efforts to unravel the caravan’s mystery ended in failure.

Initially, Zeon thought people were lying when he first heard about caravans. To him, it seemed impossible.

However, upon witnessing the caravan procession in person, he was convinced.

With a colossal Mammoth of that size, it seemed unlikely for Sandworms or other monsters to attack recklessly.

Although smaller than the ancient turtle Archelon of the Mott Tribe he had seen before, it was sizable enough to deter most other monsters.

Dyoden remarked.

“Encountering a caravan in the middle of the desert is never common.”

“Something that is extremely rare happened to us.”

“Indeed.”

Dyoden, with crossed arms, gazed at the approaching caravan procession.

As if noticing the two figures from the caravan, they approached directly.

Thud! Thud!

The ponderous footsteps of the Mammoth were palpable through the sand.

The stature of the approaching Mammoth was truly enormous.

It seemed not the size of a three-story house but perhaps the size of a five-story one. In addition, the pair of tusks protruding from its snout were truly enormous.

Pierced by those tusks, any monster would likely meet instant demise.

Kuuuuunngg!

Finally arriving before the two, the Mammoth raised its snout to the sky and let out a loud bellow. Subsequently, people descended from the massive warehouse atop the Mammoth.

Wearing turbans on their heads and loose garments to shield from the scorching sun, they sported the attire known as Deraara, worn by men residing in the Sahara desert in the past.

There was no better attire to endure the desert’s scorching heat.

“A traveler in the desert. I can’t believe my eyes.”

The man, who appeared to be in his fifties, seemingly the leader of the caravan, lowered the cloth covering his nose and mouth and let out an exclamation.

Although he had a bushy beard around his nose and mouth, his eyes were sharp and exuded dignity.

“My name is Beloff. What might be the names of the brave adventurers crossing the desert?”

“I am Dyoden.”

Beloff widened his eyes.

“Oh! Dyoden. I can hardly believe my eyes and ears.”

“Do you know me?”

“How could I not? The man who may be the strongest on Earth. Your name is widely known even in Kamchatka Colony.”

“Kamchatka Colony? Was there a colony in that place?”

“Haha! It’s natural not to know. Unlike Neo Seoul, it is much barren and smaller.”

Beloff chuckled, scratching his head.

Kamchatka Colony indeed existed in the former Kamchatka Peninsula.

The old Kamchatka Peninsula boasted mostly undeveloped natural landscapes. Naturally, the population density was extremely low.

Paradoxically, that is why many people survived during the sixth extinction.

Due to the scarce population, instead of competing against each other, humans opted to collaborate for survival.

Initially surviving in village clusters, the colony grew as Awakened individuals and survivors joined, drawn by rumors.

The size of Kamchatka Colony was merely one-tenth of Neo Seoul’s district.

Despite wanting to expand, they faced constant attacks from monsters, leaving no room for expansion.

Zeon, with a puzzled expression, asked.

“Monsters attack?”

“What’s so surprising about that? It’s natural for monsters to attack. To them, humans are merely tasty prey.”

“But Neo Seoul…”

“Neo Seoul is special. It’s the only colony in this world with such exceptional walls.”

The walls of Neo Seoul possessed great anti-magic powers. Hence, monsters hesitated to approach.

There wasn’t another colony on Earth with such walls, except Neo Seoul.

Other colonies engaged in daily battles with monsters. Due to these circumstances, expanding their territories wasn’t easy.

The Awakened individuals’ skills developed through wars with the monsters.

Particularly, they could all be considered specialists when it came to anti-monsters warfare.

Perhaps that’s why everyone accompanying Beloff emitted an unusual aura.

What was most impressive was their size.

To slightly exaggerate, they were all as big as brown bears.

They stood formidable, not in the least bit inferior even next to the colossal Dyoden.

Beloff said to Dyoden.

“Haha! It was fate that we met in the middle of the desert. How about joining us today as an honored guest?”

“Fine.”

“Haha! As fiery as ever.”

Upon Dyoden’s consent, Beloff burst into a hearty laugh.

Zeon glanced at Dyoden with an expression of surprise.

He expected a refusal, naturally.

‘He surely has a plan, right?’

Despite their outward appearance of mere brute strength, Zeon knew better. There had never been an action from Dyoden without reason. He formulated plans, acting accordingly.

It was a feat only possible with his remarkable intelligence.

Beloff guided the two onto the Mammoth-drawn massive warehouse.

Atop the enormous warehouse were canopies, chairs, and other arrangements for people to dwell.

The warehouse was stocked with goods purchased from Kamchatka Colony, where people lived above it.

Once they reached the top of the warehouse, Beloff exclaimed.

“Haha! Meeting a hero of the desert, we can’t just stay quiet. Bring out the vodka.”

“Vodka? Was there still some of that liquor remaining?”

“Hehe! It was difficult to procure from Kamchatka Colony. Turned out there was one last distributor of old Russian spirits. They aren’t produced anymore, but some of the old liquor remains.”

“Impressive.”

“Indeed! If we bring this liquor to Neo Seoul, we could earn a fortune.”

In the current era, liquor was a scarce commodity.

The grains used for liquor production had vanished entirely.

Now, even grains were produced in colonies’ factories. Due to the scarcity, they couldn’t even think about making liquor.

If anything, liquor was more valuable than diamonds.

Therefore, Beloff’s confidence was justified.

He offered a bottle of this precious vodka to Dyoden and Zeon.

Dyoden, who hadn’t tasted alcohol in a while, eyed it greedily.

Beloff looked at Zeon.

“I think your brother is still young?”

“I don’t drink.”

“In that case, let me offer something special to the brother. Try this smoked deer jerky. Once you taste it, you’ll never forget it.”

As Beloff gestured, a boy who seemed barely twelve approached carrying jerky.

He was a handsome boy with rich blonde hair.

“This is my son, Damian. Damian, offer the jerky to the brother.”

“Yes!”

The boy called Damian handed the jerky to Zeon.

Zeon stared intently at Damian’s face.

Damian seemed uncomfortable under Zeon’s gaze and slightly lowered his head, avoiding eye contact.

Zeon accepted the jerky.

“Thank you.”

“Yes, brother.”

Damian appeared quite shy.

He still couldn’t meet Zeon’s eyes directly.

At that moment, Beloff raised his glass.

“Come, let’s drink and eat together. Don’t worry about the monsters, my subordinates and the Mammoth will keep them at bay. Hahaha!”

Clang!

Dyoden clinked the glasses, and Zeon chewed on the jerky.

The deer jerky Damian offered differed vastly from jerky made from monsters.

It practically melted in his mouth.

It was so delicious, Zeon felt like he was dreaming.