Dotting the Dragon's Eye
The sixth Great Cataclysm had completely transformed the world's climate.
Most of the land turned into desert, and countless lifeforms went extinct.
Even the survivors fell prey to the emergence of monster beasts.
Thus, the vast majority of existing lifeforms vanished. Yet some endured.
One such survivor was the double-humped camel.
True to their origins in the desert, they not only survived but evolved larger and stronger, becoming F-rank monster beasts.
A mane symbolizing their evolution grew on their necks—each strand possessing steel-wire-like tensile strength.
Double-humped camels fired these mane strands to defend themselves.
But their utility went beyond mere defense.
They also functioned as a radar, detecting other monster beasts from afar.
Thanks to this evolution, they thrived even in the monster-infested desert.
Scavengers rode these camels to traverse the sands.
They were the ultimate mode of transport.
Dozens of scavengers mounted double-humped camels, charging toward Arkelon.
The distance remained vast for now, but it would close soon enough.
Pabilsa clicked his tongue.
"Those persistent bastards! They chased us all the way here. And of all groups, it's the infamous Black Sharks."
"Black Sharks?"
"They've suddenly swelled their ranks massively. Word is their leader's a D-rank Awakener."
"D-rank?"
"Pretty high for an Awakener leading a scavenger pack. With that kind of skill, he could enter Neo Seoul, but for some reason, he stuck to being a scavenger boss."
Pabilsa furrowed his brow deeply.
That's when Zeon and Kaili entered.
"Scavengers."
"I saw them."
"Should we move Arkelon?"
"They'd just follow again."
"Then... fight them?"
Kaili asked cautiously.
"I'll handle this."
Dayton answered.
Pabilsa wasn't surprised.
He'd expected as much from Dayton.
Dayton turned to Zeon.
"Take the scavengers."
"Me?"
"You got treasure. Time to pay up."
Zeon bit his lip at Dayton's words.
He'd fought monster beasts a few times, but humans? This was a first.
Hesitation was natural.
Dayton sneered at him.
"Scared? Back out then."
"What happens if I do?"
"What do you think?"
Madness flickered in Dayton's eyes as he stared at Zeon.
No answer needed.
"I'll fight."
"Good choice."
Zeon stepped out of Arkelon.
Watching him walk alone toward the scavenger horde, Pabilsa spoke.
"You're really letting that kid fight them solo? It's dangerous."
"If he can't handle that, he dies."
"Hah! Still as extreme as ever."
Pabilsa shook his head.
Long time no see, but Dayton hadn't changed a bit.
His brutality drove everyone away.
Dayton watched Zeon's back, arms crossed. He didn't even draw Clayon.
No intention of intervening. But Pabilsa knew that was Dayton's ultimate sign of interest.
Pabilsa eyed Zeon with curiosity.
What potential do you hold, kid?
"Hoo. That damn old bastard."
Zeon cursed Dayton while eyeing the rapidly approaching scavengers.
He'd figured humans would come someday, but not today.
At least his condition was decent, he had the gauntlet from Kaili, and he'd recently ranked up to E-rank Awakener.
With distance still between them, Zeon calmly surveyed his surroundings.
Dayton had taught him well.
Battle basics: assess the environment, analyze enemy strengths and weaknesses.
Then unleash imagination.
Paint a picture in your mind of efficient takedowns based on that intel.
Key was detailed visualization.
My weapon is sand. This entire desert is my arsenal.
His control was limited to nearby sand for now, but in the desert, that was devastating.
Zeon clenched his fist, glaring at the horde hurtling toward him.
Over forty, by rough count.
Robed like him, faces veiled, eyes only showing.
The leader exuded intense hostility.
Taller than the rest, arms crossed atop his camel.
No visible weapon.
Build, aura, attire—all screamed unarmed martial Awakener.
Confidence in raw power to forgo arms.
He was Gawain, the scavenger boss.
A D-rank Awakener.
Like most martial types, he boasted superhuman physicality and skills.
His was Shockwave—pummeling air barriers with bare fists to unleash blasts.
Hard to master, devastating power. None in his crew could match it.
Upon awakening, Gawain rallied desert vagrants into his band.
Most were brutal incompetents, but a few lucked into powers.
His right-hands: Clayng and Matsumoto, both martial Awakeners wielding scimitar and katana.
E-rank, a step below Gawain.
Lower rank, but crueler reputations.
A gruesome smile twisted Gawain's vicious face.
"Finally caught 'em. Heh heh!"
Mot clan's Arkelon was called a treasure vault in the desert. Rumors swirled of mountains of loot inside its shell.
Gawain targeted it.
The giant turtle worried him, but it was docile. High defense, no real attacks.
Avoid provoking it, hit the humans—victory assured.
Gawain raised his fist.
"Don't touch Arkelon. Kill everyone else. Treasure's ours."
"Kahaha!"
"Woooah!"
Scavengers roared.
As they neared Arkelon, a robed figure blocked their path.
Zeon.
Gawain scowled.
"What's that?"
A man barring Arkelon from the scavengers.
His vibe screamed challenger.
"Arrogant prick! Trample him."
Scavengers accelerated at Gawain's shout.
Zeon and horde closed fast.
Ten meters now.
Zeon doffed his hood, head rising.
Their gazes locked midair.
Gawain felt unease at Zeon's eyes. Too late to stop.
Then—
Kuuuung!
Sand before Zeon collapsed.
Flowing like quicksand, it carved a deep trench instantly.
Zeon's control formed a sand ravine ahead.
Ten meters wide, one deep—enough to topple charging camels.
Kuhihiing!
"Aaaak!"
"Kuh!"
Camels and riders screamed into the pit.
"What the—?"
"Crazy!"
Gawain, Clayng, and Matsumoto's camels plunged first. But as Awakeners, they vaulted off mid-fall.
Landing across, they turned.
"What is this?"
"Eek!"
"My god!"
All other scavengers jammed in the trench.
Heavy camels crushed limbs, snapped necks—grievous wounds.
A few crawled out, dazed, collapsing inert.
Gawain bellowed at Zeon.
"Cowardly shit! You dug a sand pit in advance."
"No talk needed, boss! Off with his head."
Matsumoto charged, katana forward.
Blade glowed red.
Aura infused.
Cutting power surged manifold.
He swung to decapitate Zeon in one.
Shuuu!
Katana split air, reaching Zeon's neck.
A bit more, and it'd sever like dry grass. But no.
Sand surged before him, walling up.
Blade struck sand, not flesh.
Kwaang!
Aura-shattered wall exploded, blinding Matsumoto.
He missed it.
Sand Missiles mixed in the spray.
Puuk!
One pierced his skull.
Matsumoto died without a scream.
"Matsumoto!"
Clayng raged at his ally's death, charging.
Scimitar red with aura.
"Hoo!"
Zeon inhaled deep.
So far, per his plan.
Trench to strip mobility, maximize casualties. Strike leaders in chaos.
That was his picture.
Perfect execution. Botch the finish, and it crumbles.
Zeon raised a hand.
Five sand tendrils rose like vines.
He hurled them at Clayng.
Sand Blaster.
Clayng scoffed.
"Hmph! I'll slice this crap."
Peopeopeok!
Blade burst the blasts.
As he pressed for Zeon's neck—
"Watch your feet!"
Gawain's urgent shout.
Clayng glanced down.
Sand condensed, lightning-fast strike.
Sand Missile.
Too swift to dodge.
Peok!
It gutted his abdomen.
"Kuh... Coward..."
Clayng glared resentfully, collapsing dead like Matsumoto.
"Raaah! You fucking dog..."
Gawain charged, bereft of lieutenants.
Zeon eyed him coldly.
Finishing stroke.
Time to dot the dragon's eye.