Chapter 16

Chapter 16

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 16

The sixth great extinction completely changed the world’s climate.

Most of the land turned into deserts, leading to the extinction of many life forms.

Even those who barely survived, eventually fell prey to the monsters that emerged.

Consequently, a significant portion of existing life forms became extinct. Yet, some species managed to survive.

One such species was the Bactrian Camel.

As creatures that originally lived in the desert, they persisted through the cataclysmic event.

Not only did they survive, but also evolved into formidable F-rank monsters.

Their necks bore evolutionary markers in the form of a mane. Each strand of the mane exhibited a resilience akin to sturdy wire.

The Bactrian Camel utilized these spine-like mane as a means of defense, launching them when threatened.

The utility of these spines extended beyond defense.

They acted as a sort of radar, enabling the detection of other monsters from a distance.

Thanks to this evolution, they managed to survive in the seething desert of monsters.

Scavengers traversed the desert riding on the Bactrian Camels.

These camels were unparalleled as a mode of transportation.

Dozens of Scavengers rode the Bactrian Camels, heading towards Archelon.

Though the distance was still considerable, it would soon shrink.

Pavilsa clicked his tongue.

“These persistent bastards! They’ve managed to chase us this far. Of all the groups, it had to be the notorious Black Shark Group.”

“Black Shark Group?”

“They’re a group whose power has suddenly increased tremendously. Their leader is a D-rank Awakened.”

“D-rank?”

“For a leader of a Scavenger group, that’s quite a high rank. With that level of skill, he could easily enter Neo Seoul, but for some reason, he chose to remain as the leader of the Scavengers.”

Pavilsa furrowed his brow deeply.

At that moment, Zeon and Kailey entered.

“Scavengers.”

“We saw it too.”

“Shall we move Archelon?”

“We should, but they’ll just follow again.”

“Should we fight?”

Kailey asked cautiously.

“I’ll handle this.”

The one who answered was Dyoden.

Pavilsa wasn’t surprised.

He had expected this kind of response from Dyoden.

Dyoden spoke to Zeon.

“You take care of the Scavengers.”

“Me?”

“Since you’ve received the treasure, it’s time to pay the price.”

Hearing Dyoden’s words, Zeon bit his lip.

He had fought monsters several times, but facing humans would be a first.

Naturally, hesitation crept in.

Seeing this, Dyoden sneered at Zeon.

“If you’re scared, just back off.”

“What would happen if I do?”

“What do you think?”

In Dyoden’s eyes as he gazed at Zeon, there was madness.

Even without a response, it seemed clear.

“I’ll fight.”

“Good choice.”

Zeon went outside the Archelon.

Watching Zeon, who walked alone towards the Scavenger group, Pavilsa commented,

“Are you really going to let that lad fight the Scavengers alone? It’s risky.”

“If he can’t handle that much, he might as well perish.”

“Hah! Still as reckless as ever.”

Pavilsa shook his head vehemently.

Despite not having seen him for a long time, Dyoden hadn’t changed a bit.

His fierceness drove everyone away, leaving him alone.

With folded arms, Dyoden observed Zeon’s departing figure. Kreion remained untouched.

It was evident he had no intention of intervening. But Pavilsa knew that this displayed Dyoden’s utmost confidence.

Pavilsa looked at Zeon with an expression of interest.

Kughiing!

“Aargh!”

“Ugh!”

The Camels and the Scavengers screamed as they plunged headfirst into the sand pit.

“What’s this?”

“This is insane!”

The camels Gawain, Klayne, and Mashimoto were riding, were the first to crash headlong into the sand pit. Yet, as Awakened, they propelled themselves mid-air, using the camels’ backs as leverage.

After landing on the opposite side of the sand pit, they turned to look back.

“What’s happening?”

“Unbelievable!”

“My god!”

The entire Scavenger group, except for them, were stuck in the sand pit.

The issue was the injuries they sustained, broken limbs and necks from the heavy camels crashing down.

A few subordinates managed to struggle out of the sand pit, but either dazed or incapacitated, they sat collapsed on the ground and could not do anything.

Gawain shouted at Zeon.

“You coward! You dug this sand pit in advance!”

“No need for words, Captain! A guy like that needs his head to be plucked off from his neck.”

Mashimoto, wielding his katana, charged at Zeon.

His katana emitted a crimson aura—an injected aura.

This surge instantly increased the cutting power of the katana several times over.

Mashimoto swung his katana with the intent to sever Zeon’s head in a single stroke.

Swoosh!

The katana sliced through the air, swiftly reaching Zeon’s neck.

But it failed to fulfill its goal, halted by a sudden wall of sand that surged upward unexpectedly, striking only the sand wall instead of Zeon’s targeted neck.

Crash!

Struck by the aura-infused blow, the sand wall burst, disorienting Mashimoto’s view. Thus, he became unable to see.

Amidst the scattering sand, Sand Missiles were interspersed.

Phwoom!

A Sand Missile pierced Mashimoto’s head.

“Mashimoto!”

Enraged by his comrade’s demise, Klayne charged at Zeon.

His scimitar also harbored a similar red aura.

“Hah!”

Zeon took a deep breath.

Everything had gone according to the plan he envisioned so far.

By creating the sand pit to cripple the enemy’s mobility and inflict maximum damage, He aimed to eliminate the leadership amidst the chaos.

That was Zeon’s plan.

It had gone perfectly until now. However, failing to execute the final act could ruin all his efforts.

Zeon raised his hand.

Instantly, five strands of sand rose around them, like creeping vines.

Zeon hurled the sand strands toward Klayne.

It was a Sand Blaster.

Klayne chuckled,

“Hah! I’ll cut this down in one stri—”

Rumble!

As he swung his sword, the Sand Blaster exploded entirely.

In the moment Klayne attempted to sever Zeon’s neck, a warning came from Gawain.

“Watch out below you!”

Klayne glanced downward.

At that instant, a condensed strand of sand shot up like a spear.

It was a Sand Missile.

The speed was so fast that Klayne couldn’t even think of dodging.

Boom!

The Sand Missile pierced straight through Klayne’s lower abdomen.

“Argh! You coward...!”

Glaring at Zeon with an indignant expression, Klayne collapsed, just like Mashimoto, losing his life.

“This bastard...!”

Gawain, who lost his strongest subordinates in an instant, rushed forward.

Zeon met Gawain’s gaze with cold eyes.

The showdown had begun.

It was time to draw the final stroke of the dragon he had envisioned.

[Translator – Peptobismol]