Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert

Chapter 90

Several days had passed since Johan and Kim Jae-kyung had visited, but there had been no movement in Dongdaemun.

At first glance, it seemed like they were intimidated by Zeon’s power, but Zeon knew better.

“They seem quite cautious.”

Speaking kindly, it could be seen as cautious, but speaking unkindly, it could be seen as sinister.

Sending Kim Jae-kyung was a test, and it was clear that Zeon was not to be underestimated.

It was uncertain how long it would take for them to fully understand the situation, but it didn’t seem like they would act quickly.

“Thanks to them, I’ve got some time, so I should prepare.”

As Zeon put on his robe, Brielle rushed in.

“Where are you going?”

“The Goblin Market.”

“I want to come too.”

“You too?”

“Yeah! I have something to buy.”

“Do you have money?”

“No!”

Brielle’s expression darkened.

She had no money but plenty of desires, so when Zeon went to the Goblin Market, she tagged along like a leech.

Of course, Zeon paid for everything.

Brielle looked up at Zeon with a hopeful expression.

“Think of it as an investment.”

“Invest? In you?”

“Yeah! If I make a big hit with alchemy, Zeon will benefit too.”

“So, have you had any success?”

“Well, I’m about to succeed. It’s almost there.”

Brielle explained defensively.

She looked up at Zeon in earnest.

Unable to refuse her, Zeon reluctantly agreed.

“Alright. Let’s go together.”

“Thank you!”

Finally, Brielle’s expression brightened.

She hurriedly put on her hat and headed outside.

Even though she had only been to the Goblin Market once, she led the way.

“Hehe! I hope I can find Ghost Dragonfly wings this time. Oh! What else do I need? Maybe a Mana Stone from a Sandworm? And…”

Zeon shook his head slightly at Brielle’s enthusiastic voice.

‘How did I end up with this crazy little Elf…’

If it had been Dyoden, he would have cut down Brielle at once, regardless of the oath.

He despised other races more than anyone.

But Zeon wasn’t Dyoden.

He didn’t dislike other races, but he didn’t particularly like them either.

Unless they directly harmed him, there was no reason for him to reject them.

Lost in thought, he arrived at the Goblin Market without realizing it.

“Wow!”

Brielle’s unfocused eyes suddenly regained focus as she ran towards a nearby shop.

She negotiated skillfully as if she had been there before.

“The High Elf has become human.”

Zeon had never seen a High Elf.

But he had met and fought countless regular Elves. Because of that, he knew how proud and dignified they were.

He couldn’t imagine how much more prideful the High Elves would be.

At that moment.

“Zeon!”

Someone called Zeon.

He turned his head to see a merchant from the Goblin Market looking at him.

“What’s up?”

“The Guild Leader has requested to bring you, Zeon.”

“The Guild Leader?”

“We call Yoo Se-hee the Guild Leader.”

“I see. I didn’t know. But why does she want me?”

“I don’t know the reason. She just told me to bring you as soon as she found out you had entered the Goblin Market.”

“Really?”

With a puzzled expression, Zeon followed the merchant.

After a while, they arrived at the office, and the merchant cautiously said,

“I brought Zeon.”

“Come in.”

Yoo Se-hee welcomed Zeon.

But Zeon’s gaze was fixed not on Yoo Se-hee but on the man standing next to her.

Tall stature, a suit that fit perfectly, a necktie tightening around his neck, and neatly combed hair.

‘He’s from Neo Seoul.’

Such attire couldn’t be found in the slums.

Those clothes were of no use against the desert sandstorms. Only Neo Seoul’s people, who blocked sandstorms with high walls and magic, wore such clothes.

The man smiled and greeted Zeon.

“My name is Tajik. As you might have guessed, I’m from Neo Seoul.”

“I’m Zeon.”

“Nice to meet you, Zeon!”

“Nice to meet you too.”

Zeon smiled and greeted him. But his eyes were deep in thought.

‘If a foreign figure appears in an inappropriate place, problems are bound to arise.’

He had experienced countless situations over the past seven years. This was one of them.

Thanks to such experiences, Zeon was able to conceal his thoughts with a smile.

Yoo Se-hee asked with an anxious expression.

“Are you doing well?”

“As you can see. But why did you call me?”

“I have a favor to ask…”

“What?”

“Do you have time now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Could you enter a dungeon for me?”

Yoo Se-hee went straight to the point without any explanation.

Zeon frowned.

Such behavior didn’t suit Yoo Se-hee’s usual demeanor.

“A dungeon?”

“Yeah! A dungeon. It’ll be a good opportunity for you too. If you do well, you might get some items.”

“Items, huh…”

“Yeah! What do you think?”

“…”

Despite Yoo Se-hee’s hopeful gaze, Zeon didn’t respond easily. It was because Tajik, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.

“Ah! Let me explain instead. Three days ago, an unidentified dungeon was discovered twenty kilometers away from Neo Seoul.”

“An unidentified dungeon?”

“Yes! However, due to a shortage of personnel for exploration, Se-hee is requesting your help, Zeon.”

“Are there shortages of Awakeneds? Neo Seoul should be overflowing with them.”

“That’s true, but unfortunately, at the same time, dungeons have been discovered elsewhere. And they are very large dungeons…”

“Naturally, Awakeneds from Neo Seoul would flock to large dungeons.”

“That’s correct.”

The larger the dungeon, the higher the probability of obtaining valuable items. Therefore, Awakeneds from Neo Seoul were focused on conquering large dungeons.

Besides, for various reasons, it was difficult to mobilize many Awakeneds from Neo Seoul.

“So, we decided to entrust this unidentified dungeon to the Goblin Market.”

“I see. But I don’t think I can enter the dungeon.”

“Is it because of Dongdaemun?”

“You know my situation well.”

“Haha! It’s not because of you, Zeon, but because Dongdaemun is under scrutiny.”

“Then I understand why I can’t enter.”

“What if I mediate?”

“What?”

“I can’t completely resolve it, but Dongdaemun will be somewhat restrained.”

“Is that possible?”

“I have a bit of a rapport with Johan. I think he’ll comply if I ask.”

“Amazing. To have such influence over Dongdaemun.”

Zeon expressed pure admiration.

Johan, as Zeon judged, wasn’t someone easily swayed by others’ opinions. He wasn’t someone who would listen to others.

So Johan agreeing to Tajik’s request meant that Tajik was either a great burden or a great figure.

“Would that be enough to make you feel like going in?”

“I’ll ask too. Zeon!”

Before Zeon could respond, Yoo Se-hee interjected.

For some reason, her expression seemed extremely desperate.

It was difficult to refuse when she went to such lengths.

“Alright. When will the raid team depart?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Understood. I’ll join tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you for accepting the unreasonable request! But I’ll definitely repay this debt.”

“Alright.”

Leaving a debt with Yoo Se-hee wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for Zeon.

As long as Zeon lived in Sinchon, he would inevitably be involved with the Goblin Market.

The problem was the man named Tajik.

His attitude towards Yoo Se-hee, the influence he wielded even in Dongdaemun.

Tajik was clearly someone formidable or backed by formidable forces.

That implied that even Neo Seoul was starting to take an interest in Zeon.

After organizing his thoughts, Zeon stood up from his seat.

“Then I’ll leave first. I have a few things to prepare.”

“If you need anything, feel free to buy it. I’ve informed the merchants, they’ll provide anything you need.”

“Understood.”

After giving a slight nod to Tajik as well, Zeon left.

As he disappeared, Tajik spoke up.

“He’s a remarkably calm person.”

“Who? Zeon?”

“Yes! He’s the most difficult person to read that I’ve ever encountered.”

“Is that so?”

Yoo Se-hee looked at Tajik with surprised eyes.

She didn’t know much about Tajik either. However, she knew he was a man trusted by Xiao Lun.

Xiao Lun, the leader of Neo Seoul’s southern part.

That name carried considerable weight.

He was a powerful figure within the top ranks of Neo Seoul.

Tajik was someone trusted by such Xiao Lun.

That meant Tajik possessed significant abilities and skills.

If someone like him acknowledged Zeon to such an extent, then Zeon’s value must be even more remarkable.

“If I break his spirit a little bit, I wonder if I can use him instead of the Crocodiles.”

Tajik muttered under his breath.

“What did you just say?”

“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”

There was a subtle smile on the Tajik’s lips as he answered.

***

Zeon paused for a moment and looked back at Yoo Se-hee’s office.

‘Tajik… I smell something rotten.’

Each person emits a different scent.

Some are innate, but others change depending on the life they’ve lived.

Those who have shed much blood have a bloodthirsty scent, and those who have dealt with dirty work emit a damp odor.

The fact that he emitted a strong rotten smell meant that he had likely done many dirty deeds.

‘This job probably has a lot of filth.’

Zeon shook his head.

That was the problem.

Humans are not the rulers of the Earth.

Perhaps they were in the past, but not anymore.

Except for the small areas where humans live, most of the Earth is controlled by monsters.

With both land and air routes blocked, communication between colonies was also severely limited.

In such circumstances, restoring communication networks between colonies was essential to gather strength. However, the colony leaders were entirely focused on their own survival and not on rebuilding communication networks.

In this way, when would they ever be able to eradicate the monsters and rebuild a world for humans?

Zeon believed it would be forever impossible.

At that moment.

“Where were you? I’ve been looking for you.”

Brielle was running towards Zeon.

She had bought so much that her back was piled with goods.

“What did you buy so much of?”

“Ghost Dragonfly wings, Mana Stones from Sandworms, and Fire Wolf fur. The Ghost Dragonfly wings are best hunted when the queen has just molted. They are very useful because they are hardly affected by gravity.”

“You don’t have to explain in such detail.”

“Really? But there’s still a lot left.”

“How did you pay for everything?”

“I just said your name, Zeon, and they gave it to me on credit.”

Zeon’s forehead crumpled at Brielle’s natural response.

This High Elf was integrating into the human world faster than he had expected.

In the end, Zeon said one thing.

“Next time, buy it with your own money.”