Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert

Chapter 40

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 40

Hammerson glared at Zeon.

“Sand? Are you using sand as a weapon?”

“As you can see!”

Zeon shrugged his shoulders.

Hammerson’s gaze became even more menacing.

He grasped the scimitar with force and spoke.

“Today is your lucky day!”

“All your subordinates are dead, and you call it luck? Are you out of your mind?”

“Hmph! Those subordinates can be easily replaced in El Harun. But there’s no substitute for a Sand Mage and a Guide.”

In the Earth transformed into a desert, these two abilities were the most valuable.

Even in El Harun, where various races lived, there were no Awakened who could manipulate sand like Zeon.

Even if only Zeon could control it, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous asset in El Harun.

“You have to come with me to El Harun.”

“It’s an interesting proposition, but I’ll have to decline. I’m a bit busy, you see.”

“I’m not making a proposition. It’s an order.”

“In that case, I’ll decline even more. I’m not inclined to follow someone else’s orders.”

“Even if you refuse, you will eventually comply. El Harun has many fascinating items.”

One of them was an item that could influence the mind.

In Kurayan, using magic or skills to interfere with someone’s mind was strictly forbidden.

Anyone attempting to do so would face the collective wrath of the community and become a target for execution.

However, all such taboos disappeared when they migrated to Earth.

The world they encountered was different from what they had initially imagined, mainly due to hasty terraforming.

Either way, to survive in this transformed world, they had to let go of unnecessary regulations and taboos from Kurayan. Thus, items that could manipulate the mind were created.

If used, it could easily subjugate the arrogant Sand Mage. Of course, that assumed the premise of keeping him alive to bring to El Harun.

Nevertheless, Hammerson was confident.

He was a B-rank Awakened.

Moreover, he was of the Martial Arts category.

The rank insignia engraved on his wrist proved this fact.

He was in a different league compared to the subordinates who died in vain at the hands of Zeon.

Although his rank was B, equipped with El Harun’s items, he could wield a power comparable to A-rank.

That’s why he was chosen to be sent here.

Swish!

He rushed forward at a terrifying speed.

He didn’t want to give Zeon time to react.

However, Zeon was already prepared.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Dozens of Sand Blasters flew towards Hammerson.

Hammerson did not try to evade the Sand Blasters.

A light emanated from his chest, covering his entire body.

The hemispherical light repelled all the Sand Blasters.

Zeon narrowed his eyes.

‘An item? Or is it your innate ability?’

Swoosh!

In an instant, the rapidly approaching Hammerson thrust his scimitar.

He wasn’t aiming for vital organs like the heart or brain. As long as these two areas remained unharmed, he could save Zeon.

That’s why Hammerson’s attacks were fearsome.

Twisting his body, Zeon avoided Hammerson’s attacks while launching Sand Missiles.

“It’s no use.”

The hemispherical light covered Hammerson again.

Zeon didn’t miss that moment.

‘A tattoo, huh.’

A tattoo was faintly visible between the armor.

The light originated directly from the tattoo, amplifying Hammerson’s aura to create a protective barrier.

Zeon launched Sand Missiles again, but each time, they were blocked by the aura.

During this time, Hammerson’s sword strikes left a few wounds on Zeon.

Fortunately, the injuries were not deep, but they were enough to send a chill through Zeon’s spine.

Swoosh!

A red light emitted from Hammerson’s sword.

A Martial Arts Awakened.

Among them, it was the Sword Aura that only those specialized in swords could use.

“Even with one arm missing, you can still move sand, right?”

Hammerson intended to cut off one of Zeon’s arms to subdue him, to break his spirit.

Swish! Swish! Swoosh!

His sword instantly split into three, slashing across Zeon’s body.

Zeon spread his Sand Strides desperately to evade Hammerson’s attacks. But no matter how much he used his Sand Strides, he couldn’t shake off Hammerson.

Zeon bit his lip.

He caught a glimpse of the rank insignia on his opponent’s wrist.

The red glow of B-rank Martial Arts category.

In contrast, Zeon was D-rank.

Apart from the affinity difference, the disparity in abilities was too stark.

Moreover, his opponent was a swordsman who specialized in one-on-one combat.

It was already a heavily tilted playing field from the start.

But Zeon didn’t harbor complaints or grievances.

He knew that this era’s battles were like this. And he also knew that victory didn’t solely depend on having a higher rank.

The rank was just an indicator, not an absolute.

‘I’ll use everything at my disposal.’

Using his Sand Strides, he retreated while Hammerson pursued him.

As Hammerson stepped forward, Zeon deployed a Sand Mixer at his feet.

Graaaagh!

The sand spun rapidly, gripping Hammerson’s ankles.

“Hmph! Such skills won’t work on me.”

Having witnessed his subordinates fall prey to similar tactics, he was well-prepared.

He shook off the sand gripping his ankles and leaped into the air.

Zeon launched Sand Missiles towards Hammerson.

“It’s useless.”

Hammerson sneered.

He trusted in the Aura shield amplified through the tattoo.

By nullifying Zeon’s attacks multiple times already, he had proved its efficacy. That’s why he could charge at Zeon so recklessly.

“Looks like one arm won’t cut it. I’ll take a leg as well.”

Shiiek!

In an instant, his charge aimed his sword at Zeon’s arm and leg.

Zeon hastily erected a sand barrier to shield his entire body. But the sand barrier he created shattered under the power of the Sword Aura.

Zeon was left defenseless.

“It’s my victory.”

The moment Hammerson was confident in his victory.

Swoosh!

Without a sound, two figures rose up behind him.

Soldiers made of sand.

Sand Soldiers.

“What the—?”

Caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the Sand Soldiers, Hammerson attacked, spinning around in place.

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Kwaang!

With a deafening sound, the Sand Soldier shattered.

Hammerson wiped his chest and looked at Zeon.

“You had some believers indeed. But that’s it.”

Already having neutralized all of Zeon’s skills, his confidence soared.

As he attempted to charge at Zeon again.

Graaaagh!

Sand began to whirl around him.

Once again, Zeon unfolded the Sand Mixer.

“It’s useless.”

Just as Hammerson was about to launch himself into the air again.

Thud!

The previously shattered Sand Soldier reappeared and engulfed Hammerson in an embrace.

“What?”

For the first time, a perplexed expression crossed Hammerson’s face.

The Sand Soldiers swiftly dragged Hammerson into the whirling Sand Mixer.

He was already sinking into the sand up to his knees.

“Enough!”

Hammerson struggled to free himself from the Sand Soldier’s hold and escape the sand. But the more he struggled, the deeper he sank into the sand like quicksand.

He quickly unfolded the Aura shield to protect his body.

Kwagagagak!

The rapidly rotating sand pellets collided with the Aura shield, creating a sinister sound that echoed incessantly.

“No! Damn it!”

Hammerson’s desperate cry resounded.

His body was already swallowed by the sand up to his shoulders.

As much as the Aura shield protected his body from harm, it couldn’t last indefinitely.

Once his mana was completely drained, the Aura shield would vanish.

If that happened, he would undoubtedly be shredded by the sand rotating at high speed.

But Hammerson trusted in himself.

As a B-rank Awakened, he didn’t think his mana would be inferior to Zeon’s.

Especially with skills of this magnitude, the mana consumption would undoubtedly be immense.

And indeed it was.

Zeon’s face, after using skills repeatedly, had turned pale, and his mana was nearly depleted.

However, he had a cheat item in his possession.

The Elura’s Tear, an item that fully restored mana once per day.

Chemistry!

With a radiant light, his depleted mana was completely restored.

Zeon infused mana again into using the Sand Mixer.

For a moment, the Sand Mixer seemed to weaken, but then resumed its vigorous rotation.

Kwagagagak!

“Son of a…!”

Hammerson was completely swallowed by the sand.

His vision turned to darkness.

All that was audible was the sound of swirling sand.

Crack!

The Aura shield began to crackle within the darkness.

Now Hammerson’s mana was laid bare.

His Aura shield trembled rapidly.

“No, no!”

Hammerson’s complexion turned ashen.

At that moment, as his mana completely depleted, the Aura shield vanished.

With the obstruction gone, the sand rotating at high speed began to shred Hammerson mercilessly.

“Aaaargh!”

Hammerson’s agonizing scream echoed from within the sand.

The existence known as Hammerson vanished completely from this world.

Moments later, Zeon, noticing the sand stained with blood, slumped to the ground.

There was no sign of Hammerson’s life from anywhere.

“Haa! Haa!”

Zeon breathed heavily.

His complexion was pale.

Even after using Elura’s Tear, his mana had been completely drained.

If the combination of Sand Missiles, Sand Soldiers, and Sand Mixer had faltered even once, he would have been the one to die.

That’s how formidable Hammerson was.

Through their fight, Zeon keenly felt what he lacked.

It was specifically one-on-one combat skills.

Sand Blasters and Sand Missiles alone weren’t enough.

While the Sand Mixer was excellent as an area-of-effect skill, it wasn’t suitable as an one-on-one skill.

He momentarily set aside his contemplation and looked at Dyoden.

“Heheh! Elf bitch, where is El Harun?”

He was holding what seemed like a lump of mangled meat.

The lump was the female elf who had commanded the Elf rangers.

Around the female elf lay a desolate heap of defeated Elf rangers and Dwarf warriors.

While Zeon struggled against Hammerson, Dyoden had mercilessly slain both the Elf rangers and Dwarf warriors.

Dyoden tossed the female elf, whose breath had already ceased, as if she were a sack of goods. It was because her breath had already ceased.

His gaze fell upon the heavily battered Dwarf lying on the ground.

It was Gofrey who had brought the Dwarf warriors with him.

Gofrey’s limbs were brutally mangled.

“Keuugh!”

With a terrified expression, he looked at Dyoden.

The opponent was a monster that neither mana particle cannons nor the attacks of the Elf rangers and Dwarf warriors could penetrate.

Even in El Harun, such a monstrous entity didn’t exist.

As Dyoden crouched before Gofrey, he spoke.

“You, ground dweller. Tell me.”

“Urgh!”

“Where is El Harun?”

“Th-that…”

“If you speak, I’ll spare your life.”

“Really?”

“Heheh! What use do I have for your insignificant life?”

“Then…”

A fleeting look of conflict flashed in Gofrey’s eyes.

It was the moment he was about to speak about El Harun.

Boom!

Suddenly, his head exploded.

Blood and brain matter splattered in all directions.

Dyoden’s face was also splattered with blood and brain matter.

He muttered as he casually wiped away the foreign matter.

“It seems like they set a trigger to explode once anyone mentioned El Harun’s location. F**king other-species bastards!”

[Translator – Peptobismol]