Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert

Chapter 54

The man was Zeon.

Seven years had taken the innocent away from him.

Lines had vanished from his face, and his gaze had deepened.

Even in his movements, there was a sense of ease, a mark of a strong character.

Zeon took out a leather pouch filled with water from inside his robe.

“You must be thirsty. Have a drink.”

“Ah! Thank you.”

Mandy accepted the leather pouch without hesitation, as she was suffering from a burning thirst.

She drank the water first, then handed the leather pouch over to Kim Sangsik.

After taking a sip, some of her strength began to return.

“Phew! Thank you.”

“Thank you so much. We thought we were going to die without a chance to even move.”

Both Mandy and Kim Sangsik expressed their gratitude to Zeon.

Zeon smiled and said.

“I’m glad you’re all safe.”

“But are there no others with you?”

“If you mean companions, there are none.”

“Are you saying you’re crossing the desert alone?”

Mandy’s eyes widened.

Even Pathfinder teams, considered to be elite, struggled to reach this point with multiple members. That’s how dangerous the desert was.

One couldn’t predict where and what kind of monsters inhabited the area.

Especially after the mana explosion seven years ago, the ecological system of monsters underwent significant changes, rendering previous data useless and making things even more dangerous.

Now, there was no safe place except near Neo Seoul. However, Zeon casually mentioned crossing the desert alone.

It was natural for Mandy to be suspicious.

Zeon said with a smile.

“I have a good sense. I can also sense monsters to some extent. So, if I feel something’s off, I always take a different path. That way, I avoid the habitats of monsters.”

“You don’t have a detection skill or anything?”

“Not at all.”

“If that’s true, you have an incredible sense. It would be a great help for survival.”

“Thanks to that, I’ve been able to survive until now.”

Zeon exuded the aura of a seasoned survival expert.

Only someone who had survived in the desert for a long time could possess such a nonchalant attitude.

Mandy gently bit her lip for a moment.

She knew nothing about Zeon. Still, she had no one else she could rely on right now.

She cautiously asked.

“Can you tell me where your destination is?”

“Why do you ask?”

“If by any chance you are heading towards Neo Seoul, could you take us with you?”

“Neo Seoul, you say?”

“Yes! We will definitely repay the favor. Please, take us to Neo Seoul.”

“It’s not an easy task. I don’t know if you’re aware, but the habitat of the monsters has changed significantly over the past seven years.”

“That’s why I’m asking you for a favor. Kim Sangsik and I both hold fairly decent positions within Neo Seoul. If you take us with you, you’ll be rewarded appropriately in Neo Seoul.”

Zeon’s identity and where he came from were unknown.

Under normal circumstances, she would never entrust everything to such an uncertain existence.

However, after losing everything due to Zahar’s betrayal, she had no other choice.

Currently, she couldn’t even determine Neo Seoul’s location.

It would be naive to think it would appear simply by heading north.

The desert landscapes were too similar, making it impossible to accurately navigate.

Moreover, they had lost all the trucks they came with. In such a situation, if they lost Zeon as well, they would wander the desert and eventually die of dehydration like mirages.

Their only hope for survival was Zeon.

Kim Sangsik also kneeled before Zeon.

“We implore you like this. Please don’t abandon us.”

Unlike Mandy, who was an Awakened, Kim Sangsik was just an ordinary person.

It was clear that if he was abandoned here, he would not be able to last another day.

Zeon sighed and said.

“Haa! There’s no other choice. Alright, I’ll take you to Neo Seoul first.”

“Really? Thank you. Once you take us to Neo Seoul, we will definitely repay you.”

Kim Sangsik’s face lit up with gratitude.

＊＊＊

It seemed like it had been an incredibly challenging day for Mandy and Kim Sangsik, as they both fell into a deep sleep.

Zeon watched them sleeping with a thoughtful expression.

“As expected, they’re from Neo Seoul.”

The two of them didn’t know, but Zeon had been observing them from the beginning.

To be precise, it started when Zahar and Team 7 arrived at the goblin village.

It happened shortly after he annihilated the goblins.

At a glance, Zahar and Team 7’s attire and equipment were sophisticated, far beyond those surviving in the desert.

Looking at clothing stained with traces of civilization made Zeon long for Neo Seoul.

Seven years ago, Dyoden disappeared along with Haeltoon.

Literally, they vanished without leaving a single trace.

The shock caused the desert’s terrain to change completely, and an unprecedented mana storm occurred.

Zeon was the only person who watched them until the end.

When both of them disappeared, Zeon felt a tremendous sense of loss.

After that, he wandered aimlessly through the desert.

Just like Dyoden did.

He had no particular purpose, no particular idea of what to do.

That’s how he lived for seven years.

Adding the one year he spent with Dyoden, he had been wandering the desert for eight years.

During that time, many events occurred, and those experiences had shaped Zeon.

Gradually, he felt the desire to return to Neo Seoul.

The encounter with the two people ignited that feeling within Zeon.

If their destination was the same, taking them along didn’t seem like a bad idea. It would be easy to enter Neo Seoul with them.

Zeon organized his thoughts, lying down on his robe.

He drifted into sleep, a deep sigh escaping him.

Kieeek!

The next morning, Zeon woke up to a strange sound echoing from afar.

Mandy and Kim Sangsik immediately got up, on edge.

“What’s that?”

“What’s that sound…?”

They displayed a tense expression, sensing hostility and danger in the distant sound.

Zeon replied nonchalantly.

“It’s the cry of a Wyvern. It seems like there’s a Wyvern nest not too far from here.”

“A… Wyvern?!”

“Oh my god!”

Both of them turned pale.

Wyverns were B-rank monsters, but their threat level was rated as A-rank or higher.

Unlike other monsters, their main stage was the sky, making them even more menacing due to the unpredictability of when and where they would suddenly appear and attack.

Zeon collected the improvised sunshade and wooden pillars he had set up all night.

“It’s better to leave before the Wyverns come here for prey.”

He skillfully folded the gear and loaded it onto the hump of the Bactrian Camel. Then, without any hesitation, he departed.

Mandy and Kim Sangsik hurriedly followed behind Zeon.

Especially Kim Sangsik’s face was contorted with anxiety, almost pitiful.

Just the distant sound of the Wyvern’s cry was causing his heart to beat intensely.

‘This place is hell. First Cyclops, now a Wyvern. How on earth did that person survive in a place like this?’

His gaze was fixed on Zeon, who was walking ahead.

Zeon moved forward with casual steps, seemingly unaffected even by the sand sinking up to his ankles.

Despite being a skilled Awakened, walking on the sand consumed a tremendous amount of energy.

Thinking about walking like this all the way to Neo Seoul made everything feel surreal.

“Heuk! Heuk!”

They hadn’t walked for long, yet sweat was pouring like rain, and rough breathing filled the air.

The face was reddening as if it would burst at any moment.

At that moment, Zeon turned around.

“It seems like it won’t work.”

“What?”

“You two can take turns riding the camels, it’ll help you save some stamina.”

“And what about you?”

“I’m used to the sand, so I don’t mind walking all day.”

Unlike the already sweat-drenched two, Zeon remained smooth and unaffected.

His face was unchanged, and not a single harsh breath escaped him.

His words were proof that he wasn’t lying.

“Thank you.”

Kim Sangsik couldn’t dare to refuse and reluctantly climbed onto the back of the Bactrian Camel.

Although he was exposed to the scorching heat once again, it wasn’t as unbearable as before.

Kim Sangsik was sincerely grateful to Zeon.

Zeon, as if it was nothing, continued to walk with casual steps.

Mandy was amazed as she looked at Zeon’s back.

‘His walk is really unique. How does he walk so smoothly without his feet sinking? It’s like the sand is pushing him forward on its own.’

It was truly an unusual way of walking.

She had never seen anyone walk like this before.

‘He must be an Awakened. Either in the Magic or Martial Arts realm. What’s his rank?’

There were Many things she was curious about.

For now, it was clear that Zeon was an Awakened.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so composed in the scorching sun.

What Mandy was truly curious about was the specific type of Awakened Zeon was.

Checking his rank could be done easily by looking at the wrist insignia, but Zeon was wearing gauntlets.

The gauntlets he wore covered up to his forearm.

Interestingly, there was a round, red gem embedded on the back of the hand, drawing attention.

Judging by the gauntlets, it seemed Martial Arts-oriented.

Such weapons were commonly used by Martial Arts Awakened.

However, to assert that Zeon was a Martial Arts Awakened, his aura felt off.

The color representing Martial Arts Awakened was red.

Due to the influence of their Awakened abilities, they were known for being active and passionate, reflected in the red color of their insignia.

On the contrary, Magic Awakened were symbolized by a cool blue color.

It was because their intellect prevailed over instinct.

That’s why it was usually not difficult to distinguish between Magic and Martial Arts Awakened. However, strangely, Zeon didn’t clearly exhibit such characteristics.

Although his attire suggested martial arts, his behavior and gaze seemed more aligned with Magic Awakened.

‘I’ll probably find out as we go.’

The distance to Neo Seoul was over a thousand kilometers.

Walking such a long distance would inevitably reveal his abilities.

Mandy tried her best to conserve energy while walking.

Fortunately, she had the ability to manipulate the wind.

When her body temperature rose from the intense sun, she could raise a gentle breeze to cool down, making it more bearable than Kim Sangsik riding on the Bactrian Camel.

At that moment, Zeon’s voice reached them as they continued to walk.

“Looks like it’s going to rain. Let’s go up there.”

“What?”

“Rain?”

Mandy and Kim Sangsik exchanged bewildered looks.

With not a single cloud in sight and the sun beating down so intensely, the idea of rain sounded absurd.

They thought Zeon had gone mad.

However, regardless of the two’s reactions, Zeon led them higher.

With no other choice, Mandy and Kim Sangsik had to follow Zeon.

They reached the summit of the highest sand dune in the area.

Boom!

Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, dark clouds gathered, followed by thunder and lightning.

Then, a heavy rain shower began.

“Is this… for real?”

“Oh my gosh!”

Unable to close their gaping mouths, the two couldn’t believe their eyes.

The torrential rain, pouring down with tremendous force, filled the lower ground.

If they hadn’t listened to Zeon and remained below, they would likely be struggling in the water by now.

It was a moment to be grateful for following Zeon’s advice.

Zeon smiled while looking at the waterlogged area.

His expression was strangely eerie.

He spoke,

“When it rains in the desert, creatures awaken. It just so happens that this place has the best terrain for them to inhabit.”

“Awaken? What are you talking about?”

“Those creatures.”

At that moment, from the waterlogged area, bubbles rose, and something emerged.

Like twisted wires, bizarre creatures with slender and elongated bodies wriggled, moving strangely.

The grotesque sight made Mandy and Kim Sangsik feel uneasy.

Mandy asked, clutching her stomach.

“Wh-what are those? I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“Those are Ghost Sandworms. They remain dormant during dry periods and awaken when supplied with moisture, searching for prey.”

“Ghost Sandworms?”

“They burrow into the prey’s body, control its brain and make it go seeking for water.””

“In the desert for water?”

“That’s why they’re terrifying. If you’re possessed by a Ghost Sandworm, you wander the desert endlessly, eventually dying from dehydration. Then they feed on the nutrients from the corpse and go back to sleep. When it rains again, they awaken.”

The most terrifying thing in the desert wasn’t powerful monsters like Wyverns.

It was these unseen threats that were even more frightening.

Mandy and Kim Sangsik couldn’t help but shiver involuntarily.

Zeon, walking towards where the Ghost Sandworms were, said.

“Wait here.”

“No, why are you going down to a place where such terrifying things are?”

“I’ve always wanted one of them.”

Zeon answered with a chuckle.