Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 272

Kuuwoooo!

It wasn’t Archelon’s cry.

The sound came from the sandstorm enveloping Archelon. It echoed like the roar of a colossal monster within the storm.

In fact, the sandstorm itself possessed the destructive power of a colossal monster.

Kwarrrung!

Lightning flashed repeatedly within the storm.

Blue and red bolts struck the ground like rain.

Wherever the lightning touched down, it blackened the earth and spread like a wave.

Screeee!

Kieeek!

Each time, the monsters hiding beneath the sand shrieked in agony as they were torn apart.

It was common knowledge that sand didn’t conduct electricity well. But the lightning that accompanied this sandstorm defied such conventional wisdom with its sheer power.

“What in the world?”

Lee Jung-ho’s unfocused eyes swung from side to side like a pendulum.

That’s how shaken he was.

Kwakwakwang! Flash!

Bolts of lightning poured down relentlessly.

Unless one was a lightning-element Awakened, it seemed impossible to survive under this ferocious storm of electrical blasts.

But that alone wasn’t what left Lee Jung-ho in such a state of shock.

Kuwawaang!

The terrifying sandstorm, darkening the entire world, was a disaster in itself.

Aside from the lightning, nothing else could be seen.

Numerous monsters were swept up in the sandstorm, disappearing without a trace.

They weren’t just swept away—they were ground down and erased by the relentless sand.

At that moment, Lee Jung-ho could see, in real-time, a giant scorpion that had been hiding not far underground being ground to dust by the raging sand.

Its exoskeleton, harder than steel, was ground down to fine particles, scattered like sand. The sight alone was enough to send chills down his spine.

Compared to this, the sandstorms Lee Jung-ho had experienced before were like a newborn baby’s tantrum.

Only now did Lee Jung-ho realize how sheltered he had been, living safely under Neo Seoul’s protection.

Kukukuku!

Archelon’s massive body shook violently, as though it would be blown away at any moment.

Even with its legs and head tucked into its shell, the colossal turtle was struggling.

Had Archelon been in its normal state, it would have raised a force field to protect itself. But, after suffering severe injuries, it no longer had the strength to do so. It had no choice but to face the storm with its bare body.

The fact that Archelon was enduring this much was only because it was Archelon. Any other monster would have been blown away or erased without a trace.

Flash! Kwarrrung!

Even atop Archelon’s massive body, the lightning bolts continued to rain down.

Kuuwooo!

Archelon let out a pained groan.

No matter how much of a defense-oriented monster it was, enduring this endless barrage of lightning was no easy task.

Had Archelon been in perfect condition, it would have detected the danger early and avoided the storm’s path entirely. But ever since it had been attacked by the Black Anemone, Archelon’s detection range had been severely reduced.

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As a result, it had no choice but to take the full brunt of the lightning.

Claire, her face pale, looked at Pavilsa.

“At least Zeon is here…”

Zeon stood atop Archelon’s shell.

Even someone as powerful as Zeon couldn’t block the lightning strikes hitting Archelon. But he could protect Archelon from the high-speed sandstorm that was grinding up all the monsters.

Gaaaang!

A sandstorm swirled around Zeon and Archelon.

This wasn’t the naturally occurring monstrous sandstorm.

It was a sandstorm created by Zeon’s authority.

Though it couldn’t compare to the monstrous sandstorm, the one Zeon had summoned was still powerful.

‘The key is the rotation.’

He had to match the speed of his sandstorm to the exact rotation speed of the monstrous sandstorm.

If the monstrous sandstorm had a rotational speed of ten, then his sandstorm also had to rotate at ten.

It was like fighting a wildfire with a backfire.

Just as a backfire is set to stop a wildfire from spreading, Zeon was using his own sandstorm to prevent the monstrous sandstorm from directly hitting Archelon.

Beads of sweat streamed down Zeon’s face.

No matter how powerful Zeon’s control over sand was, it couldn’t compare to the raw force of nature.

The same was true for other Awakeneds.

No matter how powerful a mage was at controlling lightning or gravity, their abilities were like ants compared to the real forces of nature.

What mattered wasn’t the raw power, but how efficiently it was used.

Even a small amount of power, used efficiently, could unleash great strength.

That was the state Zeon was in now.

Directly opposing a force greater than his own was foolish.

Instead of fighting against it, he diverted and dispersed the destructive force, letting it flow past.

Zeon concentrated, adjusting the flow.

His senses extended outward, spreading through the sand in all directions.

At some point, he felt as if he had become the sand itself.

It felt like he had become the god of the desert.

Kuwaaaa!

The monstrous sandstorm no longer felt terrifying.

Its howls now sounded like desperate screams.

Time dragged on, stretching into eternity.

* * *

Kuuuu!

The sandstorm, which had blanketed the sky in darkness, began to fade as if it had all been a lie.

The terrifying power it had displayed vanished as the storm dissipated, scattering grains of sand into the air.

The lightning that had poured down like rain had long since disappeared.

If not for the scorched earth, no one would have believed that such a fierce barrage of lightning had just torn through the land.

Claire wiped the cold sweat from her brow and muttered.

“This… was a sandstorm?”

“A true sandstorm. The kind that sometimes appears deep in the desert. We call it a CD.”

“CD?”

“Crazy Dragon. Think of it as the mad thrashing of an insane dragon.”

It wasn’t a standard term.

Only those who had spent long years in the desert, like Pavilsa and Kailey, knew this term.

“Are CD-level sandstorms common?”

“Absolutely not. If they were, there wouldn’t be a single living creature left on Earth.”

The sandstorm had shaken even the massive Archelon. Most monsters caught in such a storm would have been sucked up into the sky and torn apart.

If Zeon hadn’t used his power to counteract the storm, they wouldn’t have survived this lightly. Had they been fully exposed to the storm, even a monster as mighty as Archelon would have sustained fatal injuries.

Lee Jung-ho’s unfocused eyes shifted toward Zeon, standing atop Archelon’s shell.

Zeon was breathing heavily, having exhausted his strength.

His entire body was drenched in sweat, and his face was pale. He staggered, looking as though he could collapse at any moment.

‘Perhaps… this is my only chance to kill him.’

He had seen it with his own eyes.

He had witnessed just how fearsome Zeon’s power was in the desert.

The image of Zeon standing against a natural disaster like the sandstorm was burned into his memory.

‘Is it right to continue with the mission? Or should I take him out now while he’s weak?’

Unconsciously, Lee Jung-ho’s hand gripped the hilt of his sword.

Zeon had expended all his energy. He couldn’t even move a finger. Killing him now would be easier than flipping his hand.

Yet Lee Jung-ho hesitated, bound by Jin Geum-ho’s mission.

‘I may regret this decision for the rest of my life.’

Tuk!

The sword, which had been halfway drawn, quietly slid back into its sheath.

In the end, he chose to follow Jin Geum-ho’s orders instead of his own judgment.

Kuuuwooo!

Just then, Archelon, who had withdrawn into his shell to avoid the storm, poked his head out.

Once Archelon confirmed that the sandstorm had completely passed, he extended his legs and began to move.

The marks left by the lightning were still visible on his shell. But thanks to Zeon’s protection, his body had remained unscathed by the most dangerous part of the storm.

Archelon extended his neck toward Zeon, his large eyes blinking as if in gratitude.

Thump, thump!

Zeon patted Archelon’s snout a couple of times. In response, Archelon let out a big snort and began walking again.

Thud! Thud!

His massive footsteps echoed loudly.

Pavilsa hurried to Zeon, who was staggering back inside the shell.

“Are you alright?”

“I need to rest.”

“Yes, you must be exhausted from using your powers. Go get some rest.”

“Thank you.”

Zeon nodded and headed for the nearest empty room.

He paused for a moment in front of Lee Jung-ho.

“As you can see, I won’t be able to use my strength for a while. Please protect Archelon.”

“I understand.”

Lee Jung-ho responded with a stern expression.

Zeon looked at him for a moment before entering the room.

Boom!

As soon as the door closed, Lee Jung-ho climbed up onto Archelon’s head.

A gentle breeze blew.

The storm that had raged so violently earlier now seemed like a distant memory, as the wind caressed them softly.

“Hoo…”

Lee Jung-ho let out a faint sigh as he gazed forward.

There was nothing he could have done against the sandstorm.

In fact, no Awakened could have handled that storm.

There was no reason to feel ashamed or belittle his own abilities.

He just needed to do what he could.

Like dealing with the scorpions emerging from the overturned earth after the storm.

They were Ghost Scorpions, hiding in the sand and attacking with venomous stingers.

Among the monsters that inhabited the desert, they were considered lower-tier.

Ghost Scorpions were dangerous because they hid in the sand and attacked silently, making them difficult to detect in advance.

This area was home to a large population of Ghost Scorpions.

Many had been shredded by the CD-rank sandstorm, but a significant number remained.

The ones that had been hiding deep underground were now surfacing, responding to the vibrations of Archelon’s footsteps.

Ghost Scorpions operated more on instinct than intellect.

They instinctively knew that Archelon was injured and couldn’t raise a force field.

Under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t dare approach such a massive creature, but a wounded monster was worth the risk.

Sasasasak!

Countless Ghost Scorpions emerged from deep within the sand.

Like a tidal wave, they surged toward Archelon.

Kuuwooo!

Archelon roared and stomped on the scorpions, crushing them.

Dozens of Ghost Scorpions exploded at once. Any normal creature would have been terrified and fled, but Ghost Scorpions didn’t know fear.

To them, the only thing that mattered was their hunger.

With so many of their kind killed, they needed to breed.

And to breed quickly, they had to feed.

That’s why the Ghost Scorpions charged at Archelon with reckless abandon.

If they could bring down just one Archelon, they’d have enough food to feast for over a year.

The swarm of Ghost Scorpions began crawling up Archelon’s legs, trying to reach his main body.

Pavilsa, Kailey, and Claire all went pale at the sight.

At that moment, Lee Jung-ho unsheathed his sword.

Shiiing!

As he swung his sword, the Ghost Scorpions that had almost reached Archelon’s body were sliced in half, falling to the ground.

“I just need to do what I can.”

With an indifferent expression, Lee Jung-ho continued swinging his sword.

Each swing killed more Ghost Scorpions, cutting down the swarm that had covered Archelon.

The Ghost Scorpions tried to change targets and attack Lee Jung-ho, but it was futile. Any scorpion that came near him was sliced to pieces.

Their hard shells, venomous stingers, and giant pincers were useless.

Lee Jung-ho’s sword mercilessly cut down the Ghost Scorpions, one after another.

Pavilsa’s mouth hung open as he watched.

His arm was covered in goosebumps.

“It’s like a dance of death with that sword. Good thing he’s on our side, huh?”

Fwoooosh!

Each time Lee Jung-ho swung his sword, the wind from his blade howled like a typhoon.

He was venting his frustration at being unable to do anything against the sandstorm on the Ghost Scorpions.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]