Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert

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[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 202

Originally, Zeon planned to leave the Steel Fortress the day after the Red Storm took over. However, for several reasons, he couldn’t depart immediately and had to stay longer.

The main reason was to stabilize the Steel Fortress.

In the desertified Earth, habitable land for humans was extremely limited. If fortunate, a settlement could grow into a large colony, but such cases were rare.

Most settlements were just small villages with a few dozen households.

To grow larger, they needed to secure water and food. Without these essentials, the population couldn’t increase.

Fortunately, the Steel Fortress had secured a water source, allowing for stable growth.

The fact that the Red Storm now controlled the Steel Fortress wasn’t a major issue for Zeon.

What mattered was that the Steel Fortress had become a safe haven for many people as it normalized.

It was uncertain how long humanity could survive on Earth.

The harsh environment was hostile, and numerous threats targeted humanity.

Eventually, humans might perish due to these external factors. However, Zeon wished that such a time would be delayed as much as possible.

The more humanity thrived, the later its end would come, and perhaps one day, Earth could be restored to its former state.

Though the possibility seemed slim, giving up entirely wasn’t an option.

If the Steel Fortress functioned properly, many more people would have a safe place to live.

That alone was a good enough reason for Zeon to stay.

Fortunately, during Zeon’s stay, the Steel Fortress quickly found its footing, as if it had always been that way.

This was all thanks to Deborah.

She skillfully unified the Red Storm and the original inhabitants of the Steel Fortress. All Urtian did was watch.

Even that was a significant help to Deborah.

Urtian’s duties were to procure food and protect people from external threats. He was useless in other tasks.

In fact, maintaining a passive observer role was more helpful to Deborah and the women.

Urtian scrutinized Zeon’s attire.

Zeon wore a coat-like robe.

Urtian knew what that signified.

“Are you planning to leave now?”

“I’ve stayed too long already.”

“Really? That’s a shame! You could stay a few more days.”

“I need to return to Neo Seoul.”

“I heard. You were betrayed by Lee Ji-ryeong?”

“Yes.”

“Haha! I knew something was off with your eyes.”

“I heard you lost too?”

“I fled like a cowardly dog. Haha!”

Urtian spoke nonchalantly.

Losing to a stronger opponent wasn’t shameful. The true disgrace was fleeing without putting up a proper fight.

“He’s S-rank.”

“I know. I saw him ascend in the dungeon.”

“Really? Either way, be careful. He might do anything to keep his secret hidden.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Zeon nodded.

He could already guess how Lee Ji-ryeong would react when he returned to Neo Seoul.

Betraying a comrade in the dungeon was an unforgivable act of cowardice.

If this became known, his reputation would plummet.

Even in Neo Seoul, where strength was revered, not many were foolish enough to blindly follow a coward.

Just then.

“It’s finished. Zeon, it’s done.”

Brielle suddenly shouted, running over with a small bottle in her hand.

Zeon smiled and asked.

“Is it finally complete?”

“Yes! This is the antidote for the Sun Flower.”

Brielle shook the bottle containing a transparent liquid.

The liquid was an antidote for the drug made from the Sun Flower.

Over the past few days, Brielle had locked herself in a room, researching the antidote.

Most of the addicts who followed Gawen had died, but a few were left, waiting to die, completely ruined.

Brielle had researched the antidote for them and finally succeeded.

Her face was filled with joy.

It wasn’t just for the Steel Fortress.

She also needed the antidote.

Although she had recovered significantly from the aftereffects, Brielle was still addicted to the drugs from Neo Seoul.

Without regular medication, she suffered severe withdrawal symptoms.

Fortunately, there were various materials here that couldn’t be found in Neo Seoul.

Using these materials, Brielle focused on her research and finally created the antidote.

Zeon asked.

“Does it work?”

“Who do you think made it? I’ve already given it to the addicts, and they all recovered without major side effects.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Now it’s my turn.”

“You’re going to take it yourself?”

“That’s why I made it.”

Brielle answered without a moment's hesitation.

The pure body of a High Elf was tainted by drugs. Because of this, Brielle couldn’t fully utilize her talents.

She believed she could soar higher if she could break free from this dreadful drug shackle.

After staring at the antidote for a moment, Brielle drank it.

She trusted that Zeon, who was by her side, would protect her.

As the antidote entered her body, a burning heat surged through her.

“Ugh!”

Brielle clutched her chest and collapsed.

Her face turned as red as a furnace, and steam rose from her body.

The antidote was battling the residual drugs inside her.

She sweated profusely, soaking her entire body.

However, Zeon wisely refrained from wiping her sweat or touching her.

He knew that merely watching over her was the best way to help Brielle in this situation.

After a while, visible changes appeared in Brielle’s body.

A foul-smelling liquid began to seep through her pores.

It was the residual drugs that had tormented Brielle.

The stench was so overpowering that it made Zeon and Urtian dizzy.

Just the fact that Brielle had maintained her sanity despite such potent drugs was enough to earn respect.

The pain was so intense that Brielle lost consciousness. Even then, the residual drugs continued to be expelled.

It took a long time for Brielle’s condition to stabilize.

Only then did Zeon reach out to pick her up. But someone else intervened first.

It was Deborah.

“Leave her to me.”

“……”

“She’s a woman, after all. You can’t undress her and clean her up. Let me handle it.”

“Please take care of her.”

“Don’t worry.”

Deborah carefully carried Brielle to a nearby house.

She undressed Brielle and meticulously cleaned off the expelled residual drugs.

After cleaning her and dressing her again, Brielle woke up.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Where’s Zeon?”

“He’s outside.”

“Oh!”

“My! You seem taller.”

“Really?”

Brielle stood up, doubting Deborah’s reaction.

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[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Indeed, she seemed a bit taller.

It seemed that breaking free from drug addiction had reopened her growth plates.

Brielle felt awkward with her slightly taller height. But soon, she started jumping with joy.

She had been stressed for a long time as her height had stopped growing, but now she had no more worries.

Brielle hurried outside to show her changed self.

Levin was also there, having arrived at some point.

Levin welcomed Brielle.

“Wow! I heard you completely overcame your drug addiction? That’s great.”

“I’m destined to become a great alchemist. This is just the beginning. Huh!”

“You seem taller too?”

“Yes! Even I was surprised.”

Brielle spun around, showing off her height.

Zeon smiled and said.

“It’s good that you’re completely free from the drugs.”

“Yes! I don’t have to rely on drugs anymore.”

A faint blush returned to Brielle’s pale face, thanks to her overcoming the addiction. However, the process had significantly drained her stamina, and she soon showed signs of fatigue.

Seeing her condition, Zeon spoke.

“We should stay here a bit longer.”

“It’s okay. I’ll recover soon.”

“You need to be more careful right after a drastic change. Let’s stay one more day.”

“Should we?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. I’ll do that.”

Brielle smiled brightly.

Perhaps due to her complete recovery from the drugs, she looked even more beautiful.

Levin gazed at Brielle’s face in a daze.

Urtian watched the two and commented.

“Such a lovely time.”

＊＊＊

Clang! Clang!

The sound of clashing metal echoed through the open space.

Dark Elf Duduyan and Half-Elf Eloy were clashing in the open space.

They swung their weapons at each other fiercely, as if they were mortal enemies.

Neither of them were pure Elves. Both were not warmly welcomed by other Elves, sharing a commonality.

Perhaps because of this, they felt a strange kinship and started dueling.

Both Duduyan and Eloy were Martial Arts Awakened.

Duduyan wielded two daggers, while Eloy used a spear named the Mad Gumiho.

Duduyan tried to close in for an attack, while Eloy kept a reasonable distance, pressing Duduyan.

Short-range and long-range combat.

They relentlessly exploited each other’s weaknesses.

Except for eating and sleeping, most of their time was spent in combat.

Thanks to this, their combat skills had improved immensely in just a few days.

“Huff! Huff!”

“Haa! Haa!”

The two women collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

Eloy was the victor.

Despite losing, Duduyan didn’t look upset at all.

Instead, she smiled, looking relieved.

It had been a long time since she fought with all her strength.

Her muscles ached from the intense exertion, and her heart pounded as if it would burst.

Still, she felt great.

Eloy grinned at Duduyan.

“You’re smiling like a pervert.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“If you look in the mirror, you’d see the same expression.”

“Really?”

“Exactly the same.”

“Damn! I must be a pervert too.”

“Hehe.”

“Haha.”

Both Duduyan and Eloy burst into laughter simultaneously.

Fighting had brought them closer, and now they were just like that.

They communicated through battle and deeply understood each other.

Duduyan asked Eloy.

“Are you leaving now?”

“I should.”

“You don’t plan to stay here at all?”

“I’m a high-ranking official in Neo Seoul, you know.”

“Why not stay here? You’re not that welcomed there anyway.”

“But it’s my home. I can’t abandon my home so easily.”

Despite everything, Eloy had lived in Neo Seoul for over twenty years. She couldn’t leave it now.

“That’s a shame.”

“I’ll visit again. Just don’t shut me out then.”

“That won’t happen. The Steel Fortress will become our home. Come anytime.”

“I will.”

Eloy smiled when a sudden sound interrupted.

Whee-oo! Whee-oo!

An urgent whistle echoed through the Steel Fortress.

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[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]