Chapter 139

Chapter 139

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 139

Eli’s abode was located in the deepest underground part of the North District, quite the opposite of Serian and the other district rulers who preferred high places.

Before Eli, someone was kneeling on one knee.

It was Mariel, the captain of the Thorn Attack Squad.

Eli asked with a serious expression.

“So you’re saying it’s the Crown of the Spirit King?”

“Yes! I clearly heard them muttering that.”

“The Spirit King, the Spirit King...”

Eli’s expression turned grave.

The Thorn Attack Squad had accompanied Borin’s Blue Leaf Task Force to the White Bear Caravan.

Officially, they were there to assist, but their real mission was to gather information and report back to Eli.

Eli was the second-in-command of the North District.

She effectively managed the district on behalf of Serian.

But no matter how well she managed, the glory always went to Serian.

After a hundred years of this, she harbored a deep inferiority complex toward Serian.

This inferiority complex made her more gloomy and drove her underground.

“How did Borin react?”

“It was the first time I’ve seen her so serious. She even said, ‘There might be the real Spirit King sealed inside that crown.’”

“There might be the real Spirit King sealed inside? The Spirit King...”

Even a low-ranking spirit would be a blessing, but if they could summon the real Spirit King, it could change the world, not just Neo Seoul.

A glimmer of greed appeared on Eli’s face.

“They’re auctioning off the Crown of the Spirit King?”

“Yes.”

“If Serian gets her hands on that crown, I’ll never be able to surpass her.”

Even now, the gap in power was vast. No matter how much Eli strengthened her influence in the shadows, the inherent difference in their powers couldn’t be closed.

Serian had the grace and power of a true queen.

Eli was an exceptional Awakened, but she couldn’t match Serian.

That was why she remained second-in-command.

Mariel asked cautiously.

“What will you do?”

“I need to get the Crown of the Spirit King before Serian does.”

“And then?”

“Leak the information to the Scavengers. Tell them there’s a treasure in the caravan that can change the world. They’ll definitely move. We’ll seize the crown in the chaos.”

“Understood.”

Mariel replied with a firm expression.

* * *

After leaving the White Bear Caravan, Zeon, Levin, and Brielle headed to Old Man Klexi’s shop.

“Give us some food.”

“Ah! I’m starving.”

Levin and Brielle were clamoring for food even before sitting down.

“Didn’t they feed you at the caravan?”

“Did you know about it?”

“How could I not know when you made such a fuss going there?”

Klexi chuckled as he answered Zeon’s question while preparing food.

“How were the items auctioned by the White Bear Caravan?”

“They all seemed quite useful.”

“I’ve heard they were more than that.”

“I didn’t win any bids myself.”

“Indeed, the true value of an item can only be known by its user.”

“Still, some items looked like they could be very useful.”

“Is that so? Then it’s no coincidence that those folks are on the move.”

Suddenly, Old Man Klexi frowned.

Zeon looked at him curiously.

“Which folks?”

“The Scavengers. We’ve detected unusual activity from them.”

“What do you mean by unusual?”

“They’ve suddenly become very active, as if following someone’s orders.”

Old Man Klexi frowned deeply.

Since the White Bear Caravan arrived, there had been a rapid increase in activity across Neo Seoul.

Klexi didn’t welcome these changes.

As people age, they tend to prefer stability.

The adventurous spirit and dynamism of youth fade away.

With temperatures fluctuating by dozens of degrees between day and night, anyone venturing into the desert without proper preparation was bound to freeze or burn to death.

Thus, those venturing into the desert had to be well-prepared.

The people who had left Neo Seoul were no exception.

Their preparation, however, seemed excessive.

They wore camouflage clothing that blended with the desert sand and were heavily armed with various weapons.

These individuals, with their faces hidden by masks or scarves, were not normal.

They were Scavengers.

The Scavengers moved stealthily, concealing their presence as they headed toward the White Bear Caravan’s fortress.

Greed filled their eyes peeking through their masks.

‘The Crown of the Spirit King.’

‘Shit! This is a chance to change my fate.’

‘If I get it, I can live in luxury for the rest of my life.’

Treasure blinds people.

The Crown of the Spirit King was valuable enough to do just that.

The information about the Crown of the Spirit King in the White Bear Caravan spread rapidly among the Scavengers.

Who started the rumor or provided the information didn’t matter.

What mattered was that obtaining the Crown of the Spirit King could change their fate.

Scavengers acted immediately upon receiving the information.

They knew the longer they hesitated, the further away the opportunity would slip.

In the distance, they saw the fortress standing tall in the middle of the desert.

They could see the Awakeneds standing guard on the fortress walls.

Without any particular order, some Scavengers stepped forward.

They were all long-range snipers.

“Hehe!”

“Let’s start.”

Some wielded large sniper rifles, while others readied their bows.

They simultaneously aimed and fired at the Awakeneds on guard.

The Scavengers were certain their targets would fall. However, the next moment, something unexpected happened.

Zing!

A blue barrier formed in front of the Awakeneds, deflecting the bullets and arrows.

The Scavengers recognized the blue barrier immediately.

“It’s a barrier.”

“Shit! No wonder their guard seemed lax.”

The Scavengers exchanged glances.

Normally, they would have retreated at this point.

Attacking already prepared guards would only increase their own casualties. But Scavengers were not known for their rationality.

“The barrier can’t be maintained indefinitely. It’ll disappear soon.”

“If we launch a full attack, we can break the barrier quickly. Attack!”

A few Scavengers incited the others, who quickly followed suit.

“Attack!”

“Charge!”

The Scavengers surged forward like wild dogs, racing to be the first.

More than a hundred Scavengers revealed themselves.

“It’s an attack!”

“The Scavengers are attacking.”

Thanks to the barrier, the Awakeneds of the White Bear Caravan survived and shouted out.

“Prepare for battle!”

“Get ready!”

Inside the fortress, the Awakeneds were fully prepared to face the Scavengers.

Alexandro and Damien watched the scene unfold.

“Just as you said, they attacked immediately.”

“Scavengers are the same everywhere. I knew they’d move as soon as they got the information.”

“I didn’t expect such a sudden assault. It means someone’s controlling them.”

“Probably.”

“It’s going to be a long night.”

“Yes, a tough night. I’m sorry, Captain, for dragging you into this.”

“Nonsense. Thanks to you, Yakutsk has come alive. Even if it were something worse, we wouldn’t blame you.”

“Then we’ll make sure to burn them thoroughly so no one has any regrets.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

At that moment, the Scavengers reached the fortress entrance.

Damien gave the order.

“Kill them all.”

[Translator – Peptobismol]