Chapter 387

The enhanced Sand Soldiers were powerful.

In the past, they would have already been destroyed and required resummoning. But even after killing a great number of Red Locusts, not a single one had been destroyed.

The teeth of the Red Locusts, which could chew through even the toughest monster flesh, failed to pierce the bodies of the stone-formed Sand Soldiers.

On the other hand, the attacks of the Sand Soldiers now carried weight.

With their entire bodies transformed into stone, their mass had increased accordingly, and with the added mass came greater destructive force.

Boom!

As proof, a single punch from a Sand Soldier blew the hard body of a Red Locust apart like a balloon.

“Nice.”

Zeon nodded and smiled.

An increase in power was always a welcome thing.

The enhancement of the Sand Soldiers meant that Zeon's strength had risen accordingly.

Boom!

—Kieee!

The last remaining Red Locust shrieked horrifically before meeting its end.

Having wiped out all the Red Locusts, the Sand Soldiers came to a halt.

They stood still like statues, silently awaiting Zeon’s next command.

“Dismiss.”

The moment he finished speaking, the Sand Soldiers crumbled back into sand. Gaia came over, wagging her tail gently.

—Pii!

“You think I got stronger? You're right. Thanks to absorbing the Rock Crocodile’s core, the Sand Soldiers have become more powerful.”

—Pii!

“Yeah, they’re going to be a big help from now on.”

—Pii! Pii!

“Okay, let’s head back.”

Zeon climbed onto Gaia’s back.

Her massive form lifted into the air as if it were a balloon, and in an instant, she accelerated.

Shoooo!

Like a meteor, Gaia soared through the sky.

At this speed, the wind resistance should have made it nearly impossible to stay upright. But Zeon, riding on Gaia’s back, felt no resistance at all.

It was as if an invisible barrier blocked the wind.

This too was one of Gaia’s powers.

Thanks to that, Zeon could comfortably stand and admire the scenery as if riding in a car.

In the distance, dawn was breaking.

The red sun rose, coloring the entire world in its crimson light, asserting its presence.

“Beautiful.”

It felt wrong to be seeing such a view alone.

He almost felt guilty enjoying it by himself. But there was no reason to look away from such beauty either.

—Piiiii!

Gaia let out a long cry, seemingly in high spirits.

Flap flap!

In the distance, monsters spotted Gaia and fled in panic.

Even the wyverns, tyrants of the sky, avoided Gaia upon seeing her.

—Piiiii!

Gaia let out another long call.

Zeon chuckled.

“Yeah, you’re amazing.”

While laughing and chatting with Gaia, they soon reached Neo Seoul’s skies.

Neo Seoul looked no bigger than a palm.

Zeon patted Gaia’s head and spoke.

“Thanks for the ride. I’ll go down on my own now.”

—Pii!

“Alright. Have fun. I’ll call you again if I need you.”

Zeon leapt from Gaia’s back and threw himself into the air.

He plummeted at terrifying speed.

But about a hundred meters above ground, a sandstorm rose and gently caught him.

Thanks to that, Zeon landed without a single jolt.

He touched down about two kilometers from Neo Seoul and casually began to walk, as if nothing had happened.

Though it was still early morning, people were already out building sand houses.

They mixed sand with a hardening agent to form bricks. The sight was now familiar.

People were so focused on their work that no one noticed Zeon.

Thanks to that, Zeon returned to the slums unnoticed.

He stepped into his home.

“Welcome back!”

“Zeon oppa!”

Brielle and Lemura greeted him warmly.

“Where were you?”

“I had something I wanted to test out…”

“Did it go well?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s great.”

Brielle smiled.

Zeon’s gaze turned to Lemura.

In just one day, her appearance had changed significantly.

Brielle had dressed her in her own clothes.

With a good night’s rest in a nice home, plenty of delicious food, and now nicely dressed up, Lemura’s natural beauty had begun to shine.

Lemura spoke to Zeon.

“By the way, I’m going back down to the Crocodile Den today.”

“So soon? You don’t want to stay longer?”

“I need to help Jetoya oppa. I’m worried about the others, too…”

The Crocodile Den was always overflowing with the sick.

The environment there was terrible.

Awakened ones like Lemura rarely got ill, but the weak and elderly lived with constant ailments.

Lemura couldn’t bear to be away from them for long.

Zeon said to her,

“I’ll take you.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll go too. I have something to give Jetoya.”

Brielle also decided to come along.

In the end, Zeon left home with the two of them.

* * *

Screech!

A vehicle came to a stop in front of City Hall.

Its luxurious appearance drew the attention of everyone nearby.

The door opened, and a short, elderly man wearing a hat stepped out.

The expressions of the Awakened guarding City Hall instantly changed.

They recognized the old man’s identity.

‘Xiaolun?’

‘Why is that old monster here?’

It had been ten years since Xiaolun last visited City Hall.

His sudden appearance, after a decade of absence, was enough to throw the entire building into chaos.

The head of City Hall’s security hurriedly approached to greet him.

“Master Xiaolun!”

“It’s been a while. Your name was… Kim Hyunjin, wasn’t it?”

“You remember my name? The last time we met, I was just a regular guard…”

“You were diligent and bold. I knew you’d go far, so I remembered you. Looks like you’re the head of security now.”

“That’s correct.”

Kim Hyunjin was stunned by Xiaolun’s remarkable memory.

The fact that he still remembered someone he’d only briefly encountered a decade ago was almost frightening.

Cautiously, Kim asked,

“But what brings you here? You weren’t on the visitor list…”

“I’ve come to see the Mayor. Let him know I’m here.”

“You didn’t make an appointment?”

“Do I need to go through that hassle just to see him?”

“Well… Understood.”

Kim replied while doing his best to hide his discomfort.

Xiaolun was not someone he dared speak freely to.

Though he wore a gentle smile now, no one could predict when that face might turn into that of a wrathful demon.

Questions could wait—first, he had to report this.

He sent his subordinates to inform Seo Taeran, the mayor’s secretary.

A moment later, one of them returned.

“She says to send him up immediately.”

“Got it.”

Upon hearing this, Kim led Xiaolun inside.

“Please follow me.”

“Thank you.”

Xiaolun nodded and followed Kim into City Hall.

“This place hasn’t changed one bit. Still as dreary as ever. You’d think there would’ve been some updates in ten years. Stubborn as always.”

“……”

Though the words grated on his ears, Kim said nothing.

Eventually, they reached the elevator.

“You can take this up.”

“Thanks for your trouble. Sorry for the early disturbance.”

“Not at all. Then…”

Kim bowed respectfully.

Xiaolun smiled and entered the elevator.

It swiftly took him to the top floor, where Jin Geumho’s office was located.

When the doors opened, a familiar face greeted him.

“Welcome, Master Xiaolun.”

Seo Taeran greeted him with a flat expression.

Xiaolun looked her up and down, clearly displeased.

“You haven’t changed.”

“When a person changes easily, it means death is near.”

Xiaolun frowned at her curt reply.

Few dared to speak so brazenly to the ruler of the southern district.

But Seo Taeran didn’t care one bit about Xiaolun’s authority.

She held just as much power as he did.

“Tsk. I suppose you’ll live a long time.”

“Thanks for the compliment. So, what brings you here this early? Normally, no one’s allowed in without an appointment. You’re only getting in because it’s you.”

“Do you really not know why I’m here?”

“How should I know?”

“Still sly as ever.”

“Not as much as you, Master Xiaolun.”

Taeran didn’t yield an inch.

Xiaolun finally gave up arguing and sought out Jin Geumho.

He spotted Jin Geumho’s back facing the large panoramic window.

Clearly, Jin Geumho knew he was here—yet he didn’t turn around. That disrespect stoked Xiaolun’s anger.

But he had come to ask a favor, so he suppressed it and spoke.

“It’s been a while.”

“Ah, you’re here? The sunrise was so beautiful I didn’t even notice.”

Finally, Jin Geumho turned around with a smile.

Though Xiaolun looked older, Jin Geumho was actually the elder.

Jin Geumho approached with a warm expression.

“It’s been about ten years, hasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“You haven’t changed. Good to see.”

“Pfft. All I’ve gained are wrinkles, but thanks anyway.”

“What brings you here so early? Have you had breakfast? If not, let’s eat together.”

“I’m fine.”

“Really? Our chefs are quite good, though…”

“I came because I had something to discuss.”

“Still as impatient as ever. Tsk.”

“Forgive me. It may not be much to you, but it’s an important matter for me.”

“Alright, let’s hear it.”

“It’s about the Pathfinder from the Sichuan colony.”

“How did you find out about that? So much for keeping a secret.”

“I know.”

“Know what?”

“That you deliberately leaked his presence. If you truly wanted to keep it secret, no one would know he came.”

“You give me too much credit. I’m not that meticulous.”

“Hardly. I know you better than anyone.”

Xiaolun glared as if to devour him.

Jin Geumho simply smiled and replied,

“Well, thanks for the compliment, I suppose. So, what’s the real reason? You want me to hand him over?”

“He’s from my homeland.”

“Oh? You’re from that area too?”

“You know that perfectly well, so don’t act like you don’t. It’s a nasty habit.”

“Tsk. Your tongue’s gotten sharp.”

“Hand him over.”

At Xiaolun’s demand, Jin Geumho’s smile deepened.

“Then what will you give in return?”