episode_0023

“Let everyone wear a mask. If things continue like this, I think it will be a hindrance.”

“”Yes, leader!””

Even after a harsh sandstorm has passed, sand particles are floating in the wind in this desert.

Sand kept getting into our eyes, nose, and mouth, so we wore special masks prepared by the inn owner.

‘oh. Is this good?’

The mask not only protected the mouth, nose, and ears, but even had transparent goggles to protect the eyes.

However, what was surprising was that it was comfortable as if it were not worn at all.

At this level, you can wear it even during battle, right?

-…It is. This is really interesting.

-This is enough! 5-star monster… attack!

-You don’t have to drink that damn sand anymore!

The mercenaries and I praised the inn owner for his good sense and set out to find our way with lighter steps.

“Hmm.. I’m sure this is the right path.”

According to the map attached to the request, this is clearly the correct road. But… it was hard to tell because everything was covered with sand.

‘I heard that if you walk this far from the village, there is a bridge you can cross… Ah.’

As I looked around, comparing the marked locations from the village, I was able to find a bridge crossing the cliff.

-Is it really this bridge?

-oh. No luck…

-Who made this mess?

“Damn.”

The mercenary members who saw the condition of the bridge swore in disbelief. And I also understood that feeling.

If you cross this bridge, it could be a quick shortcut to your destination. To interpret that differently, it means that if you don’t cross this bridge, you will have to go back a long way.

‘…No, what passed? This?’

As I approached the cliff, I took another look at the bridge, of which only traces remained.

As if a natural disaster had swept through, the sturdy wooden bridge was completely shattered except for the entrance and fell down a huge cliff.

A wooden bridge this thick wouldn’t be destroyed by just a sandstorm…?

Because it was the thickness of a tree bigger than my trunk. So what happened?

“…I can’t help it. Let’s go back.”

-Quaaaagh-! There is no luck!

-What should I do to break that leg?

-It’s fascinating.

I also understand how you feel… How long does it take to go back?

Even at a glance, the distance difference was such that it seemed like it would take more than three days to cover a route that could be covered in one day.

‘Ugh. What should I do? ‘I have to go back.’

There is nothing more I can do other than this. Because I have no choice but to go, whether it’s porridge or rice.

Let’s say we’re going on a desert trip. It was my first time in my life that I came to a desert like this.

…Looking at it, it seems quite strange and charming.

***

Even though it is fall, the sand reflects the bright sunlight and is hot.

The ground beneath my feet sinks, and just walking makes me feel tired.

Still, we moved forward without any regrets. Because we were already veteran mercenaries, not amateurs.

Just a little inconvenience cannot break our will.

“If we really fulfill this request… it is natural that we will regain our past glory, and we will develop beyond that.”

Hans, a good-looking guy, opened the introduction to relieve the depressed atmosphere sweltering in the sweltering heat.

-Isn’t it already better than the past? Tsk tsk…

-right. It’s not just pride… Even in the entire empire, there is no mercenary group with growth like ours.

-Now there is no need to worry about money. Not to mention fame!

Although it was only a short time, we had already surpassed our past glory and formed a strong friendship and trust.

The mercenary members laughed as they recalled their stable present and a future that would surely shine more brilliantly.

Deed…

“……..?”

As I was happily looking at that scene, I felt a very faint vibration beneath my feet.

A vibration so small that you wouldn’t even notice it unless you were paying close attention.

“…What is it?”

Cerise’s small mutterings are heard from behind. Ceris also looked around to determine the source of this vibration.

However, nothing can be seen around except the sparkling sand. All that is visible is the cliff and the canyon below.

And there were only cacti and large rocks that could be seen sparsely.

“…Pause for a moment.”

First, I made everyone stop, then knelt down on the floor and put my ear close to the sand.

Deddudeddd…!

When you put your ear close to the floor, you can feel vibrations from underneath the floor.

Until now, it was at a level where I suspected there was vibration, but after putting my ear to it and concentrating, I could definitely feel the vibration.

Kwakwagwa…

And… at the same time, a faint sound…

‘The sound of something moving… while crushing…?’

Deddudeddd~!

-…What…what is this vibration! Is it an earthquake?!

-No… there’s no way an earthquake could happen suddenly…

Now, the vibrations were so large that even the mercenary members could feel them.

Kukwakwakwagwang-!

And the sound of something approaching, crushing the sand and hard ground, becomes louder and louder.

At the same time, a huge amount of mana suddenly began to be felt from the bottom!

And that mana came closer and closer from the floor to the ground where we were standing now, leaving an even bigger reverberation.

“…Everyone prepare for battle! A monster is approaching..!”

“”……Ready for battle..!””

Like veterans, we did not panic and quickly began preparing for battle.

I took out the weapons I had stored away, lowered my posture, and prepared to move at any time.

‘…What on earth is coming?’

“First of all, don’t move! You must not send movement or vibration!”

If you are rushing towards something from the floor, you are probably following the movement and subtle vibrations flowing from the ground.

Luckily, I threw three shoe-sized chunks of rock that had fallen at my feet onto the sandy bottom a little away from the cage.

Kwagwagwagwang-!

-Kirrrgh-!

And as soon as the stone hit the floor, a monster so large that it could not be described in words jumped out.

“…Sand Worm..”

Sand worm. A mouth so large that it looks as if it could chew up an entire building, and teeth the size of a human face.

The length and thickness are believable even if several buildings were connected together.

The disaster that attacks from beneath our feet can be said to be a monster that represents the desert of death.

‘…3 stars. No… Is it 4 stars?’

Except for a few unique entities, most monsters have a set grade and do not exceed the margin of error.

However, in the case of sand worms, it is said that they grow bigger and stronger according to the number of years they have lived and the number of life forms they have consumed.

According to history books, there was a case in the past where a sand worm with strength comparable to a 5-star was exterminated.

And just looking at the size and amount of magical power, the sand worm in front of me looked to be at least 4 stars.

-…Suddenly a monster like this pops out?!

-Is this the desert of death?

-Don’t let your guard down! Then they get eaten alive..!

Among the monsters they had encountered so far, it was the monster with the most overwhelming size, so each mercenary member strengthened their resolve.

“…Everyone pay attention to the floor! Feel the vibration of the floor and get out of there! And attack the sand worm the moment it appears!”

Most sand worm attacks are attacks in which it jumps out from the ground and devours the target alive.

Since it is a monster that has a very short attack time, you need to aim for the moment and deliver a powerful attack!

-Kirrraaak-!

As I spoke, the sand worm dug into the sand again and disappeared into the ground.

gulp.

We were worried that even the slightest noise would interfere with our ability to perceive the vibrations, so we concentrated without opening our mouths.

Deeudeeuu…. Quagwagwagwang..!

The only thing that resonates in this vast desert is the sound of vibration and the sound of sand being crushed.

And the Sand Worm’s next attack point is…

“…Birong! Avoid it!”

Kugwagwagwang-!

As soon as Birong jumped up and evaded the attack, a sand worm jumped out of the spot.

“All, attack-!”

Liquid-sudden!

Absolutely! Quad Deuk!

-Search, you monster..!

-Quickly attack!!!

-…Eat this!

The mercenary members did not retreat in response to my instructions, but instead rushed at the sand worm and began to attack it.

“…Hmph!”

I also generated magical power and carved a slash into the sand worm’s body.

Come on!

-Keeek-!

And of all of them, it was Seris’ simple blow that caused the biggest wound.

While our attack caused small cuts and scratches, Seris’ sword strike was powerful enough to tear the sand worm’s hard body, causing blood and internal organs to ooze out.

Kugwagwagwang-!

“Back to position!”

As the sand worm dug into the ground as if running away, it settled down again following my instructions.

‘Let’s focus. Feel the flow of magic power and vibration.’

A subtle vibration and a flow of magical power.

The next destination is…

…Under me?!

“Ugh-!”

Kuwagwagwang-!

I was thrown away by the magic I felt right beneath my feet. A sand worm jumped out from the spot where I had been standing just a moment ago.

…I’m bored. If it had stayed still, it would have been eaten.

“…now!”

Ugh-!

He immediately stands up and delivers a slash filled with magical power. The attacks of the mercenary members that immediately followed also began to cause great damage to the sand worm.

Even if it is a weak and small attack, if the attacks accumulate, they can eventually collapse even a large wall.

“Haaaab-!”

I love you so much!

And, the core of the battering ram that brought down the wall was Seris. Seris jumped high in the air and slashed vertically across the sand worm’s entire body.

-Ki… ruh…

Kuung-!

“…I got rid of it..!”

Wow-!

After Hans’ shout, cheers from the mercenary members were heard.

The sand worm, which was bigger than a building, was split in half vertically by Seris’ attack and died.

“….Phew.”

I’m glad. We defeated the 4-star monster without any injuries. At this level… it would be at least a 4-star level or higher.

I sat down on a small stone on the floor and exhaled.

“…cough.”

…I tried to hold back as much as possible in front of the members. Since I was using so much magical energy, I couldn’t bear it.

I quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped away the blood.

“Dan…Blind?”

“……Hans.”

When I followed the voice and turned to the side, I saw Hans looking down at me with an expression of disbelief.

Sigh… That’s why I tried to hold back as much as possible.

“Can you please not tell anyone…”

“…Captain. I wonder why he never left his room at the inn…”

“Please. Hans..”

“…Yes. All right. I won’t tell anyone…”

“…Thank you.”

Hans looked confused and disbelieving as if he was remembering the past, but quietly left the room at my request.

I’m glad Hans caught me. If it’s Hans… I can really trust him.

Just like that, the day in the desert of death came to an end.