Chapter 24

Chapter 24

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 24

Exion wasn’t an element of Earth.

It was something that had crossed over to Earth along with the other beings when the planet underwent such a transformation.

However, no one knew of its value, and it was treated as a simple hourglass.

The hourglass, unnoticed and ignored by all, found its way into Zeon’s hands as if guided by destiny.

Exion could be stored within the pores of one’s body and summoned whenever needed.

It was the ultimate weapon, compensating flawlessly for a Sand Mage’s weakness, who are completely rendered powerless when devoid of sand.

From the moment Exion was absorbed into him, Zeon sensed the latent heat processing within his body.

Exion was not able to integrate properly, burdening his body, causing a typical runaway reaction.

Without undergoing the proper assimilation process, it led to this runaway reaction.

Quickly restoring Zeon’s body to normal, yet risking collapse if left unchecked.

There was only one way to stabilize the overflowing energy: to expel the runaway energy.

Zeon asserted control, causing Exion, previously absorbed into his pores, to flow out.

Exion rippled around Zeon’s body like a cloud, each particle felt vividly connected to his nerves.

It was at this moment that Gigarain, sensing an unusual atmosphere, launched an attack on Zeon.

Flash!

Once again, a chain of lightning unfolded, filling the room.

Despite the intense surge of electricity capable of blinding a human, Zeon remained unfazed.

He manipulated Exion, creating a small dome around his body, shielding himself.

Zap!

The chain lightning struck Exion, yet Zeon within it remained unaffected by any shock.

Sand inherently didn’t conduct electricity.

Exion, the exclusive weapon of the Sand Mage, possessed a much greater resistance than ordinary sand.

As the chain lightning that filled the room dissipated, Zeon released Exion’s dome shape.

“Whew! This is amazing.”

Zeon marveled at Exion’s prowess.

To be so perfectly protected amidst such intense electrical currents—confirmed its potential as a powerful weapon based on its utility.

Thud! Thud!

When chain lightning didn’t work, Gigarain charged directly.

With Gigarain’s colossal body gaining speed, it was a truly terrifying sight.

But Zeon didn’t succumb to fear.

He had bravely confronted Gigarain even without using Exion. Having obtained Exion, he couldn’t imagine cowering in fear.

Thud!

Zeon propelled himself towards Gigarain.

Exion wrapped around Zeon’s trail like a meteor.

A sensation of abundance and vitality filled his body.

“Take this!”

Zeon extended his fist.

In response, Exion followed his fist and spun violently like a drill, exploding into Gigarain.

Bang!

A thunderous explosion, unlike anything before, rocked Gigarain’s massive body, causing it to tremble.

Despite the giant’s sturdy physique, a significant gash appeared, but it didn’t cease its movement.

The greatest advantage of a golem was its inability to feel pain.

With no fear, it ignored most minor injuries.

Zeon was well aware of this fact, having faced numerous golems on his way here, learning their weaknesses.

‘Its weak point is its joints. Especially the knees.’

Concentrating intensely, Zeon launched Gigarain.

He visualized a picture.

A picture of Exion being condensed into something as thin as a thread.

Now it was time to infiltrate Exion into Gigarain’s joints. But a challenge still remained.

The black barrier enveloping Gigarain’s entire body acted as a shield—an energy field.

it mitigated and blocked both physical and magical attacks to a certain extent.

For those who deviated from the standards like Dyoden, it would be nothing more than tearing apart a piece of paper, but for a low-rank Awakened like Zeon, it was an insurmountable wall.

Yet Zeon had a plan.

‘Focus everything on one point. Then rotate it to maximize its destructive power.’

Zeon concentrated all his mana into Exion.

Zoom!

Exion, transformed into a thread-like shape, fiercely rotated, penetrating Gigarain’s energy field.

Resembling a slender serpent, Exion laboriously traversed the energy field, finally infiltrating Gigarain’s knee joint.

The golem’s joints were vulnerable to sand.

Crack!

Zeon also saw the impending doom clearly, but he couldn’t dodge.

If he dodged now, he’ll be distracted and all his efforts would have been in vain.

Crash!

Gigarain struck down both its fists, which were raised high in the sky.

Even at this moment, Zeon was concentrating with all his might.

‘Found it!’

As Gigarain’s fist was about to crush him, Zeon finally located the core using Exion.

He attacked the core with Exion.

Boom!

At that instant, the core exploded, and Gigarain’s movements ceased.

Gigarain’s fists halted just above Zeon’s head.

He survived by just a few hair lengths.

“Ha!”

Zeon’s legs became weak and he collapsed to the ground.

He had done it himself, but he couldn’t believe it.

Even though he absorbed Exion, the fact that he had taken down a B-rank monster didn’t seem real.

“Did I really defeat this Golem? Haha! Unbelievable...”

It was so absurd that he burst out laughing.

However, Zeon knew.

The reason he was able to defeat Gigarain was not due to sheer skill, but was largely due to the difference in compatibility.

Displaying such strength against other B-rank monsters would have been impossible.

Tssss!

Exion, which had destroyed Gigarain’s core, flowed back and was absorbed into Zeon’s body.

As Zeon was lying on his back, breathing heavily.

Suddenly, an orange light emitted from his wrist inside the gauntlet.

Zeon was taken aback and removed the gauntlet, to see light emanating from the rank insignia on his wrist.

The third line was shining.

It was clear that he had advanced to D-rank.

“I’ve become D-rank?”

Pride swelled within him.

This achievement was accomplished solely through his own strength, without any aid from Dyoden.

He felt a sense of accomplishment.

As he advanced to D-rank, his stamina and mana were also fully recovered.

“Haa! Looks like I won’t die anytime soon.”

Zeon got up and looked at Gigarain he had defeated.

Gigarain remained frozen in the same position as it had attempted to strike him with both fists.

The golem with its core destroyed was nothing more than a lump of stone.

There was no part of it that Zeon could use, unlike the Sand Angler’s hide or the Queen Wolf Ant’s carcass.

Setting aside his regret, Zeon headed towards the door on the opposite side.

Now was not the time to worry about the golem he had defeated.

He needed to get to Dyoden quickly.

Fortunately, after Gigarain, no other golems appeared.

Thanks to this, Zeon could safely reach the dead-end of the passage.

There was a larger door than the chamber where Gigarain resided.

Zeon swallowed nervously.

‘If the door is this big, how big will be the thing that’s inside?’

Suddenly, fear came flooding back. However, Zeon resisted the feeling of fear and continued.

“I’ve already come this far, I can’t turn back now. Let’s go.”

Zeon exerted his strength to push the massive door.

The door opened unbelievably smoothly.

Upon glimpsing inside, Zeon widened his eyes.

The sight that unfolded before him was unbelievable.

A massive cluster of light was dissipating.

In front of it stood Dyoden, holding the Kreion.

Zeon didn’t need to ask. He knew.

The fading light was the owner of this temple.

‘Did he kill the god?’

A shiver ran down Zeon’s spine.

At that moment, Dyoden turned his head towards Zeon.

“You’re late, idiot!”

Gulp!

Instead of replying, Zeon swallowed his dry saliva.

[Translator – Peptobismol]