Serpent of the Scorching Sands
After Kalen Snowwhite joined us, our group of four set out for the southern gate—the entrance to the desert—packed with ample water and food, a camping kit, and robes to shield us from the occasional sandstorms.
And then...
"That's..."
"Yeah."
We saw people slumped against the walls near the exit or lying flat inside. Others limped back, some clutching broken weapons, others kneeling dazedly or collapsed face-down on the ground.
I knew what they were. Those who'd lost comrades during exploration. Those who'd made it back alone. Those who'd taken grievous wounds and collapsed from exhaustion.
Salennium Academy's "explorations" always put lives—your own and others'—on the line, so scenes like this were something everyone had to steel themselves for. If you didn't snap out of it quick, you'd die. Your comrades too.
"...Quite a few, huh."
"Yeah, lately, there've been way more people like that."
Just before passing them and entering the desert, someone grabbed my arm tight. I turned to see a third-year who'd been face-down on the ground moments ago.
"...Don't go. You can't head out now."
"Something happen?"
"Dunno... the monsters... No idea why Miasma Scorpions are showing up right at the entrance... I..."
He muttered that, released my arm, and slumped back down, staring blankly into space while mumbling to himself. Looked like he was overlaying me with the comrade he'd lost.
We pushed past them and into the desert.
"Why do they even go on these explorations, risking so much...?"
"Probably for reasons like ours."
"...Yeah."
A bit further in, we spotted people dragging wounded comrades toward the exit, sobbing as blood trailed behind. We passed them and pressed on.
The academy's southern field, the Scorching Desert, was vast. To reach the midpoint between the entrance and mid-depths—factoring in return time—we'd need a solid day and a half, maybe two.
Not everyone from Erhan's party came along. He said it'd be better if one stayed behind to nurse Bilrum while we were gone.
So, the ones venturing into the Scorching Desert were just me, Erhan, Silbi, and Kalen. Two of them first-years barely adjusted to this world.
Tackling "that thing" by crossing the Scorching Desert with this lineup? Utter madness. But I'm a pro at reckless stunts.
As we marched straight for the depths without hesitation, eyes occasionally turned our way.
Erhan trudged through the sand, leaving footprints, his face gloomy. Probably beating himself up as leader for failing to protect Bilrum. And mulling over those folks at the entrance too.
The kind of guy who worries about others before himself. The more I saw, the more he screamed "hero."
"Erhan."
"Y-Yes, Senior!"
"Come to think of it, right before the ambush—didn't you sense something?"
"Hm... Give me a sec..."
He crossed his arms, rubbed his chin, hummed thoughtfully, then spoke.
"I remember now. Back then, it felt like... someone was watching us."
Figured. That nailed it.
"That was a 'Search Eye.' They scouted your abilities beforehand, confirmed they could win."
"Us?"
"You're still 'weak' right now. Even your Hero Sword probably has brutal recoil when you use it."
"...Yes, spot on. Haha, it's weird—you know so much about me."
Of course I do.
I scanned him further. His gloves, sword, accessories—decent "newbie" gear for Act 2. Straight from the stuff the 'System' hands out if you blindly follow its path.
Not bad, but not great either.
"Anyway, Senior—thank you. For going this far for us..."
"Save the thanks till it's all over."
"Ah."
"Besides, I'm not doing this for gratitude. I'll claim proper compensation, so prepare yourself."
"Compensation... Got it. Whatever I can give, it's yours."
"Tch. Focus on what's ahead."
That's when Kalen, scouting front, turned back to report.
"...Adrian, looks like we're in the mid-depths. Three monsters ahead."
Monsters? Already? This was barely past the entrance.
"...What kind?"
"Cacti... and what seems like a 'Miasma Scorpion.' What now?"
Like any field, the entrance had just desert foxes or meerkats. Weak monsters started at the entrance-mid boundary. Regular ones from mid-depths on.
...Cacti, fine. But a Miasma Scorpion here?
"...That guy's words were true. Let's go. Miasma Scorpions don't detect foes right in front of them. I know the range—blitz straight through the shortest path."
"Understood."
"Kalen, be ready to deploy 'Ice Crystal Shield Art' anytime. Prioritize protecting Silbi. I can handle myself."
"Yes, sir."
She pulled her shield from her back, slammed it down, and positioned beside Silbi.
"Ah, uh... Senior Kalen?"
"I'll protect you."
"O-Oh... Okay!"
Silbi's face looked oddly flushed, but probably just the heat.
We all charged through the sandstorm, reaching the mid-depths marked by dunes and wind-carved rocks.
And on the sandy plain signaling the entrance's end...
"...Ah."
"Monsters..."
Cacti everywhere, plump fruits primed to hurl at us. Miasma Scorpions scuttling with tails raised.
—Grulk?
One Miasma Scorpion tilted its head our way. Purple venom dripped from its tail.
"Hm."
This distance should've been just outside its detection range, but it felt off—like the range had shifted.
"Senior, I can..."
"Save your strength. Hero Sword's your trump card. Waste it here, and you won't have it for the real fight."
Besides, we could handle a few of these easily. No need for a big battle.
I pulled a long staff from my inventory and muttered.
"Dealing with Miasma Scorpions is simple. First:
Low-Tier Wind Elemental Magic: Wind Blade
My signature spell now. Wind orbs formed at the staff tip and around me, unleashing razor gusts that severed the scorpion's tail in a flash.
No breather for its scream—I closed in. Kicked off the ground, staff reversed in one hand, dagger drawn in the other. Slid under the tailless beast, braced the dagger hilt with my staff hand, sliced it clean in two from below, then sheathed the dagger as I spun.
—Kieeeek!
Green blood sprayed as it dropped its tail, shell, and vanished.
"...Incredible."
"W-We always targeted the body..."
The two marveled, but Kalen just watched calmly, smiling faintly as I returned.
"Hard shells. Cut the 'tail' first, then hit the 'underside.' That's the standard. And Erhan."
"Yes, sir!"
"When you use 'Hero Sword,' your speed and strength skyrocket. Think you can read and replicate my moves in future fights?"
"Yes... I'll make it happen!"
Good. Still...
Miasma Scorpions shouldn't appear till deeper. Not at the entrance-mid boundary.
Even before mid-depths, cacti had popped up oddly early. Per that student's words...
Monsters' habitats shifting outward? Then...
It fit. Exploding casualties and injuries in recent explorations. "That thing" rampaging on newbies from mid-depths' middle. All checks out.
"Erhan."
"Yes, Senior?"
"When did Bilrum get hurt?"
"Two days ago."
Two days. Already...
Monsters pulling back a tier from their habitats. Newbies at the entrance hitting foes beyond their level—like Bilrum—skyrocketing incidents.
Shouldn't happen. Perfect magical design and ecosystem kept monsters in zones.
But they broke out. And now, Salennium's weakened defenses amid surging injuries make it prime for 'Darkness' to stir.
Familiar plot. 'Darkness' and 'academy.'
"...Act 3."
I scooped sand onto my palm. Amid the wind-swept grains, dark soil flecks mixed in. Crushed a pebble-like clump—black powder scattered.
Reason this point got tough early.
"...Not easy."
The undying puppet-existence. True 'demon' who fled post-Great War, evading seals.
Act 3's boss activated 'earlier' than canon.
* * *
Even if the boss moved now, prep was all we could do. Focus on the task at hand.
Scorching Desert: Entrance to mid-depths, half a day. But mid-depths sprawled huge. Mid to deep-end: three nights, four days one-way on foot. Deeper heart: even farther. Week round-trip, easy.
So, we camped first. Pitched tents, ate rations, lit a fire, took watches.
Desert night sky: stunning stars, glaring North Star. But temps plunged.
No campfire stories—Bilrum's fate hung over us. Silent night.
Next day, we dodged dunes, cliffs, monsters, delving deeper.
And reached a spot where 'normal' monster presences vanished entirely.
"...Here."
"Yeah, this is where we... got hit and retreated."
Mid-depths' midpoint. We halted.
"That feeling again..."
"Hm."
Unpleasant prying gaze, like being seen through. We were being watched.
"Everyone, eyes on the ground from now. Don't look up. Bilrum probably saw something else too."
Kalen added,
"Adrian, sir—something nearby."
"I know."
"It's... huge. Coming straight at us, nonstop..."
"I know."
"Sh-Should we evade...?"
No. To slay it, lure it first.
It cursed Bilrum.
"All hold position."
Rumble rumble rumble!
Earth shook; massive something scraped sand, closing fast.
"..."
Then, an enormous shadow blanketed us. Falling sand gauged its scale.
We looked up. A silver-scaled behemoth dwarfing dorm buildings. Massive...
snake.
"Here it comes."
I leaned on my staff, eyeing it.
—Shaaa...
Yeah. This one. The monster that petrified Bilrum whole-body.
Mid-depths' field boss.
"Basilisk."
This'll be fun.