– A few signals have been cut off. The alliance members are defenselessly suffering.
– As you know, disasters must be eradicated. We need to set aside things like this because we have to think about how to get our rewards.
Zzzzt-
– If we can’t take down the disaster, the world boss, there will be severe penalties imposed on the entire world.
– The Kraken rules the continent, demons cause dimensional rifts, and scorpions will turn the entire world into a desert.
– A desert, you say? How could anything be worse? At this rate, we’ll all die.
– We need you.
Zzap!
The magical orb containing the Challenger Alliance’s transmission spell shatters.
This one-time-use magical orb was sent to everyone in the alliance, including Black, who was busy managing the Black Moon guild.
As the owner of a bracelet, he was reluctant to go when he heard they were heading to eliminate the scorpion, having already received numerous rewards.
He had already achieved notable success, so going again wouldn’t look good for the guild.
However, the scorpion raid seems to be more challenging than expected.
Walking across the blazing hot ground of the desert, Black didn’t sweat a single drop, completely unfazed by the blistering sun.
His golden greatsword, worn on his back, absorbed sunlight and emitted even greater power.
“A desertification…”
‘…Perhaps it’s not as terrible as it seems.’
Thanks to Taebaek, the former vice guild master, he lost his beloved Black Destroyer but received a legendary weapon in return.
That guy uncle, the greatsword imbued with the emperor’s power.
This weapon charges with sunlight, increasing its effectiveness the more it’s charged, but it’s a weapon that carries a huge risk.
It’s not exactly a good weapon unless you’re fighting in the desert at noon.
But now that he’s directly in the desert ruled by that guy uncle, he felt a vastly different, immense power.
Whoosh!
The greatsword radiated an even more brilliant golden light.
Here, it can unleash powers even greater than the mythical Black Destroyer.
Beep!
A signal rings out.
It’s not the alliance’s signal but a communication from the Black Moon itself.
– Brother! What’s going on?
“I’ve entered for now. How about you?”
– I brought the elite and came from the east, but are we really pushing in?
“I’ve been sending repeated requests for cooperation, but there’s been no reply. It seems the same for their subordinates.”
He roughly understood the situation.
The empire called Desertetum, managed by that guy uncle, has currently captured the disaster known as Scorpio.
Once the disaster is perfectly suppressed, the damage will be nearly zero going forward.
From the moment the disaster was perfectly suppressed, the damage going forward is close to zero.
It’s something that should have been handled perfectly without worry, but the problem is the “penalty” that remains if we can’t capture the disaster—it could lead to desertification across the entire world.
The Alliance and users kept sending letters about it, but all we got were reassurances of safety, nothing on the exact situation.
-But isn’t this going to end badly? After all, that guy uncle is Lady Lily’s summon too.
“That’s true. But Lady Lily said it herself.”
“That guy uncle is not something he created but summoned.”
“He was once an emperor and a ruler who dominated half of the continent’s desert.”
“Sometimes there are cases where summons don’t listen.”
-Is that about Alpha bro? The robot spirit staging a coup?
“That’s just his own fault. Anyway, it doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.”
If we can’t capture the disaster, desertification will occur.
And desertification is exactly what that guy uncle, the Emperor of the Desert, loves.
If he’s plotting something while Lily is gone, now is the most fitting time.
“He seemed to have a lot of complaints on a normal basis, so he might see this as an opportunity.”
-Okay. Let’s get right in.
“What about the other guilds?”
-It seems like everyone is participating except for a few who are specifically dropping out. It’s a bit concerning that the angel isn’t joining, but… maybe it’s a blessing in disguise since they wouldn’t get any shares?
“Anyway, everyone start!”
-Yes!
With the signal, users who were scattered across the outskirts of Deserthum rush in like a stampede.
The goal is to enter the center for taking down the disaster Scorpio.
While countless sand soldiers and users are fighting, Black quickly maneuvers and slashes through the sand soldiers blocking his path.
Sure enough, as a greatsword infused with the power of the sun, it shatters upon contact, not resisting at all.
It’s clear that the charge he built up walking all the way here has a definite effect.
‘We’ll penetrate from here!’
Black continues to cut down soldiers and reaches the third outer fortress.
It’s evident that someone has already been here, as the traces are everywhere.
A giant sand soldier with its fists clenched and corpses scattered everywhere… no, users.
When a user dies, they move to the resurrection waiting area, so they’re not dead yet.
‘Ascension, Master of the Magic Tower… and most of the guild masters including the Moonlight faction.’
Seeing a bunch of guild masters of respectable guilds lying around like this suggests that the level of that soldier is on a totally different scale compared to those earlier, who were weeded out like grass.
It must be a different dimension from the soldier who just left.
The golden eyes within the soldier’s helmet glare at Black.
─Another strong opponent confirmed. Requesting additional support.
─As a special note, the sword imbued with the power of the sun…
─Request canceled.
─Connecting.
Buuuum!
The eyes, which were filled with fighting spirit, transformed into a gentle and questioning expression.
─Why is that here?
The tone changed from a robotic, stiff manner to a calm and gentle one.
“Who are you?”
─It is the Emperor’s sword. Why are you holding it?
‘Sword?’
Black raises the greatsword.
A golden greatsword engraved with the image of the sun.
The sand soldier’s eyes widen gently in surprise.
─Immediately return the weapon and step back. Intruding into Deserthum is a serious crime.
“What do you mean by serious crime? You’re the one hiding the disaster. No, more importantly, this was given to me by Lady Lily. Lady Lily.”
─Are you referring to… Lady Lily? Are you certain?
“Yes.”
She beyond the sand soldier, Serrek, swallowed nervously.
Even so, to hand over the Emperor’s weapon to an outsider without a word is a considerable insult, but since Lily said so, there was nothing more to say.
Having already been defeated once and trapped within Lily’s soul, the Emperor cannot refuse her will.
However, Lily usually doesn’t issue a forced command unless it’s really necessary.
─…I see. I understand. She gave it to you. She gave it…
Huff…
─Although it’s hard to believe, I will accept it. However, invading Deserthum is still a serious crime, so please step back.
“Why are you just leaving the disaster alone?”
─You will not suffer from the disaster.
“Isn’t it the disaster that is the one not suffering? What on earth is going on in Lily’s absence?”
─That statement is unacceptable. The Emperor and I have received grace from Lady Lily. We may follow her, but we would not inflict harm.
“Then show us the disaster.”
─The disaster is currently in a state where it cannot be shown.
Clang!
The greatsword shines with light.
In that instant, the power of the sun bursts forth and strikes the sand soldier, who extends his hand to create a sand wall in a round shape to block the attack.
They wield the same power.
The total amount of the received power is overwhelmingly in favor of Serrek, who is borrowing the body of the sand soldier, but the concern lies with the soul.
Crackle…
Unlike Serrek’s unstable soul, which could scatter at any moment.
“I’m increasingly beginning to distrust you. I feel like turning on a broadcast just to show it.”
“I feel like I want to turn on the broadcast and show it to everyone.”
Black, the user, is a half-immortal soul protected by the system.
Sigh…
─”This is your final warning. Just back off.”
“I’m the one giving the warning. Do you really need to see this situation to feel satisfied?”
─”That’s not going to work. I had a connection with Lady Lily and was going to send you back.”
The Sand Soldier glances around.
While several Guild Masters are in a faint state, no one is dead.
Even for immortal outsiders, there is some consideration for those who are reluctant to face death.
But, if you try to cross the line, I can no longer show you any consideration.
As the power of the sun flickers in Black’s sword, Serrek’s hand moves.
“…?!”
In an instant, the light of the greatsword disappears, transforming it into an ordinary greatsword.
And that light is completely absorbed into the eyes of the Sand Soldier’s helmet.
Woosh.
Black gazes absentmindedly at the sky.
─”Who do you think is the source of this power? Using That Person’s authority to take away a subordinate’s power is easy for me.”
“…Who the hell are you?”
─”Well then, I’ll take my leave…”
Crack!
It shatters.
Along with the black energy, the massive Sand Soldier crumbles, and a slender woman in a flowing robe lands gracefully on top of it.
A tremendous aura emanating from her, beyond comparison to just a few days ago.
With the appearance of the Heavenly Horse, Black stares at her in shock.
“What on earth is going on? What did you do to achieve such growth…?”
“Heavenly Horse.”
“Excuse me?”
Flap.
Due to her manipulation of the air, the remnants of the Sand Soldier are lifted.
The remains show no reaction.
“I underwent the Fourth Trial. I have truly become the Heavenly Horse in every sense.”
“…Did you kill them?”
“No. The connection was merely severed.”
Thud.
The remains drop to the ground without hesitation.
“Let me make one thing clear. I owe a debt to Lily. If this situation was planned by her and the threat of disaster is completely eliminated, I will withdraw immediately.”
“I’m of the same mind.”
“Alright.”
To that high Sun Palace.
“Let’s see what you’re hiding.”
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