Chapter 16

The sixth Great Cataclysm completely changed the climate of the world.

Most of the land turned into desert, and countless lifeforms went extinct.

With the emergence of demonic beasts, even the creatures that had barely survived were eventually hunted and devoured.

In that way, the vast majority of existing lifeforms perished. Still, there were some that endured.

One of them was the Bactrian camel.

True to a creature originally adapted to the desert, it survived.

Not only did it survive—it evolved, becoming larger and stronger, turning into an F-grade demonic beast.

Around its neck grew a mane, a symbol of its evolution. Each strand possessed elasticity as strong as steel wire.

The Bactrian camel could launch this mane to defend itself.

And that wasn't its only function.

It also acted like a radar, allowing it to detect other demonic beasts from afar.

Thanks to such evolution, it managed to survive even in deserts teeming with monsters.

Scavengers rode Bactrian camels to traverse the desert.

They were, quite literally, the ultimate means of transportation.

Dozens of scavengers were currently riding Bactrian camels, charging toward Arkelon.

Though there was still some distance, it would quickly close.

Pavilsah clicked his tongue.

"Those persistent bastards! They really chased us all the way here. And of all groups, it had to be the infamous Black Shark Gang."

"The Black Shark Gang?"

"They're a group that suddenly expanded their power. I hear their leader is a D-grade Awakened."

"D-grade?"

"That's quite high for someone leading a scavenger group. With that level of skill, he could easily enter Neo Seoul, but for some reason, he chose to remain the leader of scavengers."

Pavilsah frowned deeply.

At that moment, Zeon and Keily entered.

"It's scavengers."

"I saw."

"Should we move Arkelon?"

"They'll just follow us again."

"Then… should we fight?"

Keily asked cautiously.

"I'll handle this."

The one who answered was Deioden.

Pavilsah wasn't surprised.

He had expected that kind of response from Deioden.

Deioden turned to Zeon.

"You handle the scavengers."

"Me?"

"If you've taken the treasure, you should pay the price."

At Deioden's words, Zeon bit his lip.

He had fought demonic beasts a few times, but this was his first time facing humans.

Naturally, he hesitated.

Seeing that, Deioden sneered.

"If you're scared, you can back out."

"And if I do?"

"What do you think will happen?"

There was madness in Deioden's eyes as he looked at Zeon.

Zeon didn't need to hear the answer.

"I'll fight."

"Good choice."

Zeon stepped outside Arkelon.

Watching him walk alone toward the scavenger group, Pavilsah spoke.

"You're really going to make that kid fight them alone? It's dangerous."

"If he can't handle that much, he deserves to die."

"Hah! Still as extreme as ever."

Pavilsah shook his head.

It had been a long time, but Deioden hadn't changed at all.

Because of his extremism, no one could stay by his side for long.

With his arms crossed, Deioden watched Zeon's back. He didn't even take out his crayon.

It was clear he had no intention of intervening.

Yet Pavilsah knew—that, in itself, was Deioden's greatest form of attention.

Pavilsah looked at Zeon with interest.

'What kind of potential do you have, kid?'

＊＊＊

"Ha… damn old bastard."

Zeon cursed Deioden as he watched the scavenger group rapidly approaching.

He had always thought the day would come when he'd have to fight humans—but he never imagined it would be today.

At least his condition was good, and he had the gauntlet Keily had given him.

And recently, he had advanced to become an E-grade Awakened.

Since there was still some distance, Zeon calmly surveyed his surroundings.

He had learned something while following Deioden.

The basics of combat: first observe the environment, then analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy.

Once he gathered that basic information, he would use his imagination.

He would visualize, in his mind, the most efficient way to defeat them based on that information.

The key was the level of detail in that imagination.

'My weapon is sand. This entire desert is my weapon.'

His control was still weak, so he could only move the sand around him—but even that was tremendously powerful in a desert.

Clenching his fist tightly, Zeon stared at the scavengers charging toward him at terrifying speed.

By rough estimate, there were more than forty of them.

Like Zeon, they wore robes covering their bodies and cloth over their faces, revealing only their eyes.

From the man at the front, an especially intense aura was radiating.

He was a massive figure, a head taller than the others, sitting on a camel with his arms crossed.

No weapon was visible.

Judging by his physique, aura, attire, and overall presence, he was clearly a martial-type Awakened.

One who didn't even use weapons.

That was not something one could do without immense confidence in their own strength.

He was Gawain, the leader of the scavengers.

Gawain was a D-grade Awakened.

Like most martial-type Awakened, he possessed overwhelming physical ability and powerful skills.

His skill was Shockwave.

It was an ability that generated a powerful blast by striking the air with his bare fists.

Not only was it difficult to master, but its destructive power was immense—none among the scavengers could match it.

The moment Gawain awakened, he gathered the drifters of the desert and formed the scavenger group.

Most of the scavengers who followed him were nothing more than vicious but incompetent thugs, but a few had been lucky enough to awaken abilities.

Among them, the ones who could be called his right and left arms were Kleing and Mashimoto.

Like Gawain, both were martial-type Awakened, wielding a scimitar and a katana as their primary weapons, respectively.

They were one rank lower than Gawain—E-grade.

Though their rank was lower, they were said to be even more brutal than Gawain.

A grotesque smile spread across Gawain's vicious face.

"Finally caught up. Heh… heh!"

In the desert, Arkelon—ridden by the Mott Tribe—was known as a treasure vault. It was widely rumored that mountains of treasure were piled inside its shell.

That was why Gawain had set his sights on Arkelon.

The giant turtle Arkelon was a concern, but it was known to be a docile demonic beast. Its defense was incredible, but it was said to have no notable offensive abilities.

So as long as they didn't provoke Arkelon and only attacked the people, they had more than enough chances to win.

Gawain raised his fist and shouted,

"Don't touch Arkelon—kill them all! Everything inside belongs to us!"

"Kahaha!"

"Uoooo!"

The scavengers roared.

It was just as they were closing in on Arkelon—

Someone in a robe was standing in their path.

It was Zeon.

Gawain frowned.

"What the hell is that?"

A man blocking the space between Arkelon and the scavengers.

Judging by the atmosphere, he clearly intended to face them.

"Insolent bastard! Trample him!"

At Gawain's command, the scavengers increased their speed even further.

In an instant, they closed the distance with Zeon.

Ten meters.

At that moment, Zeon pulled back his hood and raised his head.

Their gazes met in midair.

The moment Gawain saw Zeon's eyes, an inexplicable sense of unease crept over him.

But it was already too late to stop.

Just then—

Kuuuu!

Suddenly, the sand in front of Zeon collapsed.

Like quicksand, it flowed downward, instantly forming a deep trench.

Using his control, Zeon had created a sand valley in front of them.

It was only about ten meters wide and barely a meter deep—but it was more than enough to topple the charging Bactrian camels.

Kihiiing!

"Aaagh!"

"Ugh!"

Camels and scavengers alike screamed as they were thrown headfirst into the sand valley.

"What the—?!"

"Damn it!"

The camels carrying Gawain, Kleing, and Mashimoto plunged in first. But all three, as Awakened, kicked off their mounts and leapt into the air in an instant.

They landed on the other side and turned back.

"What the hell…?"

"Grr!"

"My god…!"

Every scavenger except them had crashed into the sand valley.

Worse, being thrown in together with the heavy camels meant broken limbs, snapped necks, and severe injuries.

A few subordinates barely crawled out of the sandy slope, but sat there dazed, unable to move.

Gawain shouted at Zeon,

"You coward! You dug a trap in advance?!"

"No need for words, boss! Bastards like him should have their heads taken first!"

Mashimoto charged at Zeon, katana drawn.

The blade glowed red.

Aura had been infused into it.

Its cutting power surged several times over in an instant.

Mashimoto swung his katana with the force to decapitate Zeon in one strike.

Shuuuu!

The katana sliced through the air and reached Zeon's neck in a blink.

Just a little further—and Zeon's head would be severed like a stalk of straw.

But Mashimoto's wish was not fulfilled.

The sand before him suddenly surged upward, forming a wall.

Instead of Zeon's neck, his strike slammed into the sand wall.

Boom!

The wall exploded under the aura-infused strike, scattering sand everywhere and disrupting his vision.

So he didn't see it—

That mixed within the flying sand was a Sand Missile.

Thud!

The Sand Missile pierced straight through Mashimoto's head.

He died without even letting out a scream.

"Mashimoto!"

Kleing, enraged by his comrade's death, charged at Zeon.

His scimitar was also imbued with red aura.

"Hoo…"

Zeon took a deep breath.

So far, everything had gone exactly as he had envisioned.

Dig a sand valley to strip the enemy of mobility and inflict maximum damage. Then, take advantage of their confusion to eliminate the leaders.

That was the plan he had drawn.

Everything had proceeded perfectly so far.

But if he failed to finish it properly, everything would collapse.

Zeon raised his hand.

At that moment, five strands of sand rose around him like vines.

He launched them toward Kleing.

Sand Blaster.

Kleing scoffed.

"Hmph! I'll cut through this in an instant."

Bam! Bam! Bam!

With a single swing, he shattered all the Sand Blasters.

He pressed forward, intending to take Zeon's head in the same motion—

"Watch your feet!"

Gawain's urgent voice rang out.

Kleing glanced downward.

In that instant, a compressed strand of sand shot upward like lightning.

A Sand Missile.

It was too fast to dodge.

Thud!

The Sand Missile pierced straight through Kleing's lower abdomen.

"Guh… you cowardly…!"

Glowering at Zeon with resentment, Kleing collapsed—dead, just like Mashimoto.

"Argh! You bastard…!"

Having lost his two closest subordinates in an instant, Gawain charged forward.

Zeon stared at him with cold eyes.

The final touch.

The moment to draw the eyes on the dragon he had already painted.