Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert Chapter 622

The Shadow Tribe was known for their expertise in assassination and infiltration.

This specialization did not mean they were weak in direct combat.

Their unique ability to summon and shape shadows into formidable weapons made them dangerous opponents even in a head-on engagement.

Slash!

“Urgh!”

“Damn it!”

Confined within the narrow corridor, the awakened from the North District were relentlessly pushed back by the onslaught of shadow weapons.

Those at the forefront had already fallen victim to the shadow blades, while those behind struggled to advance due to the overwhelming obstacles.

“Get out of the way!”

Unable to tolerate the situation any longer, Borin of the Blue Fallen Leaves Special Forces attempted to push forward, but the sheer number of people packed into the confined passage rendered any movement impossible.

“Aaaagh!”

“Cough!”

The cries of the North District awakened echoed from the front of the corridor.

Borin felt her blood boil with frustration.

She yearned to charge forward and annihilate the Shadow Tribe instantly, but this was utterly unfeasible unless every single person obstructing the passage perished or was incapacitated.

However, if they were to wait for such a grim outcome, there was a significant risk that the Queen of the North District, Serion, might be captured or even killed.

She desperately needed to avert this catastrophic worst-case scenario, yet, in reality, no clear solution presented itself at that moment.

She raised her voice in a shout.

“What’s the situation on the elevator side?”

“They destroyed the elevator, resulting in a blockage midway.”

“Damn it! Is there no alternative route?”

“Terribly sorry.”

Her subordinate responded with a look of regret.

This location was Serion’s private residence.

To ensure her security, the number of accessible routes had been minimized to the barest essentials.

The possibility of this leading to such dire consequences had never been anticipated.

"We were too careless. We should have prioritized Her Majesty's safety more diligently."

Borin had never conceived that the Shadow Tribe would manage to infiltrate this place.

No, the very notion of the Shadow Tribe successfully entering Neo Seoul was something that should have been practically impossible.

El Harun, their homeland, was situated thousands of kilometers away.

Under ordinary circumstances, the likelihood of them reaching this location safely would have been exceedingly remote.

"Did they utilize the portal?"

Only then did the realization dawn upon Borin.

The portal, while a convenient mode of transport for Neo Seoul's inhabitants, could also serve as an entry point for adversaries.

Enhancing the portal's security measures could be addressed later; the immediate priority was rescuing Serion.

Yet, a breakthrough remained elusive.

It was at this juncture that a familiar voice resounded.

“Lower your heads.”

Upon hearing the command, Borin and everyone else in the corridor instinctively ducked as if under a spell.

Whoosh!

In that precise moment, an intense wave of heat grazed the backs of their necks.

A blazing streak of flame had shot overhead like a swift arrow.

The expelled flame arrow, compressed to the thinness of an actual projectile, possessed immense power.

Boom!

“Urgh!”

“Ugh!”

The Shadow Tribe members who had formed an impenetrable defense at the entrance were violently thrown backward, emitting muffled groans.

With the entrance now clear, the awakened individuals who had been crouching surged into the upper floor en masse.

It was the Shadow Tribe's turn to experience panic.

In a confined corridor, they could hold their ground despite being outnumbered, but in a vast, open space, that strategic advantage evaporated.

Regardless of their prowess in conjuring weapons from shadows, the awakened of the North District also commanded formidable abilities.

Furthermore, they significantly outnumbered the Shadow Tribe forces.

There was no logical reason for them to be on the defensive.

Having seized the initiative, the North District awakened relentlessly drove the Shadow Tribe into retreat.

Borin’s gaze rapidly scanned the surroundings.

She was searching for the individual responsible for unleashing the flame arrow and creating this vital opening.

Locating him proved to be an uncomplicated task.

"Zeon?"

The man casually navigating through the awakened, with flames dancing around both his hands, was none other than Zeon.

He was the very one who had shattered the blocked pathway.

Following closely behind Zeon were Hera and her contingent of subordinates.

The Shadow Tribe members who spotted them erupted in shouts.

“Hera! You traitor!”

“You’re aligning yourself with Neo Seoul?”

Fury surged through them, directed at Hera and the elven contingent.

Having coexisted in El Harun, the feeling of betrayal was amplified tenfold.

However, neither Hera nor the elves displayed the slightest hesitation or wavering in the face of these accusations.

“You journeyed here with the intent of carrying out assassinations, yet you dare to boast.”

Hera’s expression turned glacial.

Her decision to depart from El Harun had been made with the welfare of the elves as her utmost concern.

Even now, she held no regrets regarding that choice.

Consequently, they had secured a haven within the Steel Fortress and had also forged beneficial connections with the Forest of Beginning.

“Graaaah!”

Shrieking in anger, the Shadow Tribe charged towards Hera.

As Hera drew her rapier, she addressed Zeon.

“We will handle them; you proceed to Lady Serion.”

“Understood!”

In response, Zeon bypassed the charging Shadow Tribe members.

The Shadow Tribe attempted to impede his progress, but Hera, the elves, and the North District awakened formed a barrier, blocking their path.

Thanks to this, Zeon was able to infiltrate Serion’s residence without any hindrances.

The moment he stepped into the room, he found Serion in a piteous state, collapsed on the floor and drenched in blood.

Beside her head, Osollo was holding a peculiar scale and reciting an incantation.

A malevolent crimson aura emanated from the strange scale, flowing towards Serion’s head.

Zeon instinctively knew that dire consequences would follow the instant that red aura made contact with Serion’s head.

Without a second’s hesitation, he unleashed a rapid volley of Fire Missiles.

Boom boom boom boom!

The Fire Missiles impacted the red aura and the scale consecutively.

“Urgh!”

Osollo, whose concentration was entirely focused on wielding Bark’s Scale, could not react in time to block Zeon’s assault.

“Damn it! Just a little more and it would have been complete……”

Osollo’s features contorted in frustration.

To harness the power of the Evil God residing within the scale, even the slightest interruption was unacceptable.

Yet, at the critical juncture, Zeon had intervened.

If he wished to subjugate Serion into becoming a devoted thrall, the entire procedure would need to be initiated anew.

“Argh! Zeon!”

Osollo’s enraged cry was only natural, given that Zeon had disrupted his sacred ritual.

Observing Osollo’s reaction, Zeon exhaled a breath of relief.

He was now assured that his arrival had not been in vain.

Zeon unleashed dozens more Fire Missiles upon Osollo.

Boom boom boom!

Osollo deployed shadow whips, successfully intercepting every single Fire Missile.

“An attack of this magnitude cannot even inflict a scratch upon my person.”

“I am aware. That was never my objective.”

“What?”

“My sole purpose from the outset was to rescue Lady Serion.”

Before Osollo could comprehend the situation, Serion was already cradled in Zeon’s embrace.

While Osollo’s attention was divided, Zeon had swiftly seized her.

Osollo’s rage ignited upon witnessing Serion being snatched away before his very eyes.

“You vile creature!”

With a furious shriek, shadow spears erupted from his body, hurtling towards Zeon.

Zeon conjured a Fire Spear, intercepting the onslaught of shadow spears.

Boom!

The two abilities clashed, erupting in an explosion directly before Zeon.

During that fleeting instant, Zeon retreated, Serion held securely in his arms.

At this moment, confronting Osollo was secondary; Serion’s safety was paramount.

“Sir Zeon!”

Just then, Borin burst into the chamber.

Entrusting Serion to her care, Zeon commanded,

“Quickly, escort Lady Serion away from this place.”

“That man……”

“I shall handle him.”

“Understood.”

Without further ado, Borin exited the room.

She harbored a desire to exact vengeance on Osollo herself, but recognized that preserving Serion’s life was the overriding priority.

Boom!

At that precise moment, a deafening crash reverberated through the air, and a colossal breach was blasted open in Serion’s residence.

Sensing the deteriorating circumstances, Osollo had violently shattered the wall and made his escape.

Without the slightest hesitation, Osollo plummeted downwards from the high vantage point, many stories above.

Shhhhk!

Instantly, ebony wings unfurled from his back.

He had fashioned wings from the very essence of shadows.

Gliding through the air like a winged phantom, Osollo made his way towards Neo Seoul’s main entrance.

At this rate, Osollo would successfully evade capture.

Should he revert to his Lee Yeolsan persona, as he had upon his initial entry, passing through would be effortless.

The sentries at Neo Seoul’s primary gate remained oblivious to the unfolding events in the Northern District.

“Tch!”

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Zeon surged forward.

Within the confines of Neo Seoul, where sand was a rare commodity, maneuvering in such a fashion was akin to a suicidal endeavor.

However, Zeon possessed a unique advantage upon which he could depend.

Shhhhh!

A spatial rift materialized, expelling an immense quantity of stored sand.

Upon this torrent of sand, Zeon commenced his pursuit of Osollo.

“Damn it!”

Osollo’s visage twisted as he risked a glance backward.

Zeon, whom he had presumed incapable of following, was now relentlessly pursuing him at a terrifying velocity.

Osollo was acutely aware of the formidable might Zeon commanded.

After all, it was Zeon who had vanquished the Black Queen in El Harun.

He harbored no illusions of prevailing against Zeon in a direct confrontation.

Furthermore, this was Neo Seoul, not the familiar terrain of El Harun.

Every element of the environment and every individual here was inherently inimical to him.

Engaging Zeon in combat within such a hostile setting would be tantamount to self-destruction.

'At this juncture, my only recourse is to obliterate the portal.'

By now, the other denizens of El Harun were likely approaching the Steel Fortress with formidable numbers.

The initial strategy involved corrupting Serion to their allegiance and subsequently inciting the demi-humans of the Northern District to assault the Steel Fortress from within.

This elaborate scheme had been conceived after Del Roa abruptly recollected the portal's existence through a memory transference.

The Shadow Tribe, renowned for their preeminent skills in infiltration amongst the various races, had been tasked with this crucial mission.

However, their ambitious plan had been thwarted due to Zeon's unexpected intervention.

With Serion now safely recovered, the prospect of brainwashing her anew was rendered impossible.

Once hostilities commenced, Neo Seoul and the Northern District would undoubtedly dispatch reinforcements through the portal towards the Steel Fortress.

El Harun already found itself at a considerable disadvantage; the ceaseless arrival of reinforcements via the portal would obliterate any semblance of hope for victory.

If El Harun were to be denied the use of the portal, its destruction might represent the most pragmatic solution.

Having successfully extricated himself from the Northern District utilizing his shadow wings, Osollo swiftly reverted to his Lee Yeolsan form and proceeded through Neo Seoul’s main gate unimpeded.

By the time Zeon arrived at the gates, riding the crest of a sandstorm, Osollo had already vanished.

However, discerning Osollo’s intended destination proved to be no great challenge for Zeon.

'He's certainly heading for the portal's location.'

To make an escape from enemy territory such as Neo Seoul, utilizing the portal was an absolute necessity.

Conversely, if his objective wasn't to flee, his next move would undoubtedly be to obliterate the portal.

Zeon acknowledged that he would have acted precisely the same way if he were in Osollo's predicament.

Without hesitation, Zeon surged forward towards the portal.

In the distance, Osollo’s retreating form became visible.

The instant Osollo neared the portal’s vicinity, he propelled himself skyward.

Then, he prepared to unleash a skill at its full potency directly at the portal.

“What in the blazes?”

“Defend the portal!”

The awakened individuals who were guarding the portal only managed to shout belatedly, but Osollo's actions were swifter.

A colossal spear, forged from shadows, hurtled towards the portal.

At this trajectory, the portal was destined to endure a devastating impact.

The repercussions were utterly unpredictable.

Then, an unexpected event transpired.

Crack!

A searing bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, striking the shadow spear.

The shadow spear, which Osollo had launched with every ounce of his power, disintegrated upon contact with the lightning.

“What?”

Osollo’s eyes widened in astonishment at this entirely unanticipated turn of events.

In that precise instant, another lightning bolt descended, striking him directly.

Boom!

“Kgh!”

With a piercing cry, Osollo was sent careening backward, utterly overwhelmed.

A spectral figure materialized directly in front of the portal.

It was Levin.

“Gotcha.”