Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert-Chapter 500

Chapter 500

Frrrrip!

Like peeling the skin off an onion, the Imoogi’s shed began to peel away from its head.

As the translucent skin sloughed off, the first thing revealed was the small horn that had once sat on its forehead.

The horn, tiny and mismatched to its massive body before, had grown larger and sharper.

The shape of its face had also changed drastically.

Until just moments ago, it had maintained the shape of a snake, but now it had transformed into something far longer and far more powerful-looking.

It had taken on a form somewhere between a serpent and a dragon.

And along its snout, long whiskers had grown.

The pair of flowing whiskers gave it an imposing air.

Next, its enormous torso shed the old skin.

Beneath it, revealed, were scales glowing red as if they were brimming with flame.

Most striking of all were the sharp fins running along its back.

Jagged like sawteeth, the metal-like fins lined the Imoogi’s spine from top to tail, exuding a chilling, overwhelming presence just by sight alone.

Any monster that touched those fins would be sliced apart instantly.

The body covered in red scales seemed to have grown at least one and a half times larger than before. But there was one disappointing part.

There were no four legs—something a true dragon should have.

It had been chosen as guardian, but had not fully evolved into a complete dragon.

This was because the World Tree’s power was still insufficient.

But time would solve that.

As the World Tree grew larger and gained greater strength, the Imoogi would share in that spiritual energy proportionally.

When that time came, it wouldn’t be a half-formed creature like this, but a complete dragon for certain.

Knowing this, the Imoogi held no dissatisfaction.

Swish.

The Imoogi turned its massive head toward Zeon.

—I thank you.

Unlike before, it spoke with a clear voice that conveyed its will.

A sign that its spirituality had fully awakened.

Zeon smiled and said:

“Congratulations on becoming the World Tree’s guardian.”

—It is thanks to you.

“Your fate is now bound to the World Tree, isn’t it?”

—Yes. From now on, protecting the World Tree is my destiny. If I help it grow safely, I too will become the dragon I have long dreamed of.

“Aren’t you disappointed you didn’t become a complete dragon?”

—Not at all.

The Imoogi answered firmly.

After Earth’s destruction, it had gained spirituality.

By luck it gained the ability to fly and became a being feared by countless monsters, yet deep in its heart, a craving always burned.

The desire to become a dragon.

No one had taught it, yet its heart had always been filled with the longing to become a dragon.

But it was impossible through ordinary means.

It had not become an Imoogi through long training, but was a mutation born from Earth’s anomaly.

Thus, it did not know the proper method to become a dragon.

It only instinctively thought that eating a strong monster with spirituality and absorbing its essence might make it possible. That was why it had tried to devour Gaia. After Zeon made it give up, it believed becoming a dragon was forever beyond its reach.

Yet today, through Zeon, it came upon the World Tree and evolved one step further. Its rank had not risen, but by fully awakening its spirituality, it had evolved to the threshold of becoming a dragon.

Because of that, it realized the direction it should take.

To protect the World Tree and receive its power.

When it created a yeouiju through the World Tree’s power, it would finally become a dragon and command the winds and rains.

“Once more, congratulations on becoming the World Tree’s guardian.”

—From now on, call me Arisedon.

“Arisedon?”

—The World Tree gave me this name. It means ‘guardian of the world.’

“It suits you well, Arisedon.”

—I have been given the destiny to protect the World Tree and the world, and I will devote myself fully to it.

Zeon couldn’t help thinking it felt a little mismatched.

A legendary creature from the East—born from a destroyed Earth—receiving a Western-style name.

But he didn’t bother saying it out loud.

At that moment, Latricia and the high elves approached Arisedon.

“Latricia greets the Guardian of the World Tree.”

“We pay our respects to the Guardian.”

“Greetings, Guardian.”

As the high elves greeted him, Arisedon looked at each of their faces, marking them in his mind.

Fear no longer existed on their expressions.

Though his appearance was alien and terrifying, he was the guardian chosen by the World Tree.

They believed such a guardian would not harm them.

Just as they expected, Arisedon spoke with a gentle voice.

—It is good to meet you, noble beings. From this moment, I shall stand with you and protect this place. I hope you will devote yourselves wholly to the World Tree.

“Do not worry, Guardian!”

“We will gladly give everything for the World Tree.”

The high elves placed a hand over their chests and offered deep respect to Arisedon.

After watching them for a moment, Arisedon turned his gaze toward Tesserina.

Tesserina smiled.

“Congratulations, great being born of this land.”

—I thank you as well, great being from another world. Yet it seems your condition is not good.

“That’s right.”

—It pains me that I lack the power to help you.

“You don’t have to worry. Zeon’s going to help me instead.”

—That is good.

“Mm! You just focus on guarding the World Tree. Many beings will target it.”

—You need not worry. Protecting the World Tree is protecting myself. I will spare no effort.

“I’ll trust you.”

Tesserina nodded.

—I shall take a look around to see if anything poses a threat.

Arisedon rose into the air, soaring high as if testing his newly reborn body.

Tesserina murmured with a look of admiration:

“The dragons of this world are quite impressive.”

“Once he grows legs and obtains a yeouiju, he’ll look even cooler.”

“I can imagine that.”

Tesserina agreed with Zeon’s words.

A dragon from Kurayan and a dragon from Earth.

Different in form, yet similar in essence.

The fact they felt no sense of rejection toward him despite his different appearance said enough.

With this, the high elf village had gained a reliable guardian.

As long as Arisedon guarded the area, few beings would dare even approach the World Tree.

The high elf village had become far safer. But they could not allow themselves to relax.

Latricia spoke.

“Now that we have a guardian, we intend to cast a barrier to conceal the village. We will need Lady Tesserina’s help. Would you assist us?”

“If it’s something I can help with.”

“The relic will provide most of the power, so Lady Tesserina won’t need to exert herself much. You just need to help stabilize the barrier.”

“That much is no problem.”

Ciela’s necklace contained tremendous power.

The issue was that Latricia couldn’t handle that power alone. So they asked for Tesserina’s help.

Fwooooosh!

A brilliant light burst from Ciela’s necklace, spreading over the high elf village.

Under the immense force radiating from the relic, Latricia staggered.

At that moment, Tesserina stepped in.

She swiftly controlled the mana and restrained the relic’s power.

Though she was a chimera and couldn’t use her full strength, her casting speed and mana control were unchanged.

Tesserina quickly stabilized the relic’s power.

Latricia’s pale face regained color.

—We will help too.

—Together we can strengthen it.

The spirits also contributed their strength to stabilize the barrier.

Thanks to them, the barrier was completed quickly.

“Wowww!”

“A new barrier!”

The high elves let out cries of awe.

Compared to the barrier Tamulana had created using Varc’s relic, this one felt incomparably clear and pure.

The high elves were delighted with the feeling of being truly protected.

Latricia wiped her sweat and said:

“Whew—! For the time being, no one will be able to find our village or enter it.”

“With a guardian and now a barrier… our defenses are nearly as strong as Neo Seoul.”

“We still have much to improve. To protect the World Tree, we must become stronger.”

“You will.”

“Thank you, Lord Zeon!”

Latricia’s gratitude made Zeon look slightly embarrassed.

At that moment, Brielle came running toward Zeon from where she had been playing with the children.

“Zeon!”

—Zeon!

Riri flew beside her.

Both wore bright, excited expressions.

Brielle had been accepted as part of the high elf village and had succeeded Tamulana as the High Priestess.

Though the heavy duty weighed on her, seeing the high elves smile again made her truly happy.

Brielle hugged Zeon tightly around the waist.

“Thank you! Thanks to you, the village regained its vitality. I’ll never forget this.”

“It’s fine. No need for stiff words between us.”

“I really mean it.”

“Your responsibilities are heavier now, you know.”

“Mine? Why?”

“You’re the High Priestess.”

“Oh! That? I don’t have to worry about it for a while.”

“What do you mean?”

Brielle explained to the confused Zeon.

“There are still a few priests alive. They’ll handle my work for the time being, so I don’t need to worry.”

“Is that okay?”

“In the village meeting, we decided that what we need right now isn’t ritual service to the gods, but harmony with humans. And they entrusted that role to me.”

In the high elf village, Brielle was the only one with any connection to Neo Seoul.

She was the only one who understood humans well without losing her high elf identity.

They couldn’t keep the one meant to bridge high elves and humans confined to the village.

So it was decided she would spend half the year here and the other half in Neo Seoul.

“That’s good.”

“Yeah! Instead, I have something I need to do.”

“What is it?”

“Collecting Lady Ciela’s relics.”

“You think there are more relics?”

“Since the brazier and necklace came to this land, my mother and the elders believe other relics must be somewhere on Earth as well.”

“That’s possible. If even the evil god’s relics exist, there’s no reason other relics wouldn’t.”

“The other high elves must stay and guard the village, so I have to be the one to go.”

“I see.”

Zeon nodded.

Brielle’s eyes sparkled.

Life among her kin in the high elf village was nice, but adventuring with Zeon was far more fun.

Having lived like a human, life in the high elf village felt a bit dull to her.

Now that the village had stabilized somewhat, she intended to leave with Zeon.

“When you leave, I’m coming with you.”

“We’ll go to Tesserina’s place before heading to Neo Seoul.”

“You mean my sister’s home?”

“Yes. Her lair.”

“Then of course we have to go.”

Brielle already knew about Tesserina’s identity thanks to Latricia and Levin.

Which only made her more curious.

No high elf had ever entered a dragon’s lair.

Brielle wanted to be the first high elf to set foot in one. But Tesserina warned her:

“It’ll be very different from what you’re imagining. My lair is practically hell right now. Think carefully before deciding.”

“That’s why Zeon is going, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then of course I’m going too.”

“I’m coming as well.”

Levin answered at the exact same time as Brielle.