Sand Mage of the Burnt Desert

Chapter 74

Deep into the streets of Sinchon, a building resembling the Colosseum would emerge.

It was nowhere near as large as the real Colosseum, but at least the exterior was almost identical. So people called this place the Colosseum.

In fact, there was a fighting arena inside, similar to the real one.

“Waaaah!”

“Kill him!”

Shouts erupted from the arena.

Hundreds of people gathered in the arena, watching the fight.

“Damn it!”

“Arghhh!”

Amidst the crowd’s watchful eyes, two individuals were fighting.

Both of them were ordinary people far from being awakened.

Yet they wielded weapons against each other fueled by malice. They were already covered in significant wounds. Nevertheless, they didn’t retreat but sought to kill each other.

The spectators in the arena were excited watching the two.

At the top of the spectator seats, a man sat in a separate section.

He was a black man wearing a worn-out baseball cap and sunglasses.

With forearms as thick as a woman’s torso, he possessed a robust physique reminiscent of a log.

He was chewing gum with his feet up on the seat in front of him.

He was Goran, the ruler of Sinchon.

Goran’s father was a foreign student who came to Seoul a hundred years ago.

After finishing his studies, he intended to return to his hometown in Kenya, but that was precisely when the world changed so drastically.

All means of transportation back to Kenya disappeared.

As a result, he had no choice but to settle in Seoul, where he eventually had Goran, his youngest son.

While today there’s a natural mixing of races, at that time, Koreans and Asians, in general, were the majority.

Natural discrimination was inevitable.

Naturally, Goran’s father raised his son enduring discrimination.

Growing up seeing such a father, Goran naturally developed a sense of hostility.

The boy full of hostility grew up to become the ruler of Sinchon.

Goran exclaimed loudly.

“Hey, cheer up. It’s a matter of family. Whoever loses will have their whole family wiped out. Haha!”

Hearing his voice, the two fighting men flinched.

Both of them were brought here by Goran because they owed him a debt they couldn’t repay.

In this fight, if one loses, not only they but their entire family would perish.

That’s why they fought desperately.

Goran laughed as he watched the two fighting fiercely.

“Haha! As expected, the most exciting fights are seeing stupid bastards fighting for their lives.”

Fights between Awakened or skilled combatants end too quickly to be exciting.

That’s why Goran threw his debtors into the arena.

With their family’s lives at stake, they fought desperately, which excited the people.

“Keuuk!”

With the loser’s scream, the fight finally ended.

A knife was stuck in the loser’s chest, and the winner was lying down, gasping for breath.

“Haa! Haa!”

The winner’s face was covered in tears and blood.

There was no trace of the joy of victory on his face.

Mixed with relief for surviving was the guilt of killing his opponent, twisting his face into a grimace.

As Goran got up from his seat, he asked his subordinate who was beside him.

“How many family members does the loser have?”

“Two men and three women, sir.”

“Kill all the men and send the women to the brothel.”

“Yes, sir!”

The subordinate answered and stepped back.

At that moment.

A man in a sleek suit and a ponytail approached Goran.

He was one of Goran’s confidants named Eaton.

He bowed his head and said.

“Boss!”

“What?”

“A guest has arrived.”

“Who?”

“It’s me.”

At that moment, behind Eitun, a man of immense stature like Goran himself emerged.

Seeing his face, Goran’s expression contorted like a crumpled piece of paper.

With crocodile-like rough skin, tattoos covering his face, and yellow eyes, these were unforgettable features.

In the slums, there was only one man with such characteristics.

“Crocker? Didn’t we agree not to see each other again?”

“That’s right.”

“Then why did you crawl up here?”

“The situation has changed.”

“If you can’t convince me, you won’t be able to return to the underground.”

Goran got up from his seat and approached Crocker.

Crocker emitted an imposing presence and physique that didn’t lose to Goran’s.

The two stared at each other from a distance where they could feel each other’s breath.

Crocker stared at Goran and said.

“We need a mana generator.”

“I think I gave you information about the mana generator a few days ago.”

“That’s right.”

“But?”

“We failed to secure it.”

“Failed? Fuck! I gave you the route, and you failed to steal it? And you’re telling me this now?”

“…!”

Instead of making excuses, Crocker gnashed his lips in frustration.

There was no room for excuses.

Goran and Crocker had a sort of symbiotic relationship.

Crocker supplied drugs to Goran, and Goran paid him in return with money or information.

The drugs Crocker handled were of very high quality and in high demand. Therefore, they turned into money.

That was why Goran joined hands with Crocker.

Goran asked.

“What happened?”

“The owner of the mana generator personally tracked us down.”

“The owner?”

“The location of the robbery seems to have been near his house.”

“So you were easily defeated by the owner?”

“He’s at least a C-rank or higher.”

“Hah! Is that your excuse? Even if he was B-rank instead of C-rank, you should have dealt with him. What if our relationship gets exposed because of this?”

“That won’t happen.”

“Fuck! You stupid bastard!”

“Be careful with your words.”

“Be careful? Is that what a failed bastard like you should say? I took a big risk stealing that information from the Goblin Market.”

“If you provide me the information again, I’ll double the drug supply.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I will go to Dongdaemun.”

“Hah! Now you’re weighing Johan and me?”

Goran glared at Crocker with bloodshot eyes. However, Crocker’s yellow pupils showed no sign of wavering.

There was no loyalty or honor between them.

Just a relationship that continued through deals.

Where to draw the line was entirely up to them.

If there’s nothing to gain, then it’s time to change trading partners.

“Argh! Tsk! This is why you can’t trust the underground bastards. Ha! These disloyal bastards!”

“If you can just get me a mana generator, our loyalty will be solid as a rock.”

“Promises must be kept. Crocodile bastard!”

“Don’t worry.”

Upon Croker’s firm response, Goran looked at Eaton.

“Do you have any spare mana generators?”

“I believe even the Goblin Market doesn’t have any.”

“Damn it! So, that thing is unique, huh? Is it that powerful?”

As far as he knew, Croker was a C-rank Awakened Martial Artist. Though his rank was low, he was not to be underestimated—a skilled fighter, especially familiar with fighting underground.

He was even capable enough to hold his own in underground fights, an environment notorious for its challenges.

For Croker to have been bested by someone tracking him underground was evidence of that tracker’s considerable skill.

“It’s definitely above C-rank.”

“Are you telling a bastard like that was coiled up in my area without permission?”

Goran’s eyes, hidden behind sunglasses, flickered.

Awakeneds above C-rank were rare.

They preferred to reside in the glamorous Neo Seoul rather than these grimy slums.

Given the opportunity to live in a clean city, not many chose the slums.

Those who did usually couldn’t enter Neo Seoul for some reason or another.

Goran and his subordinates were also unqualified.

They had been involved in crime from a young age, making them ineligible to enter Neo Seoul.

Thus, they aimed to dominate the slums instead.

To achieve that, a considerable amount of capital was needed.

Croker and his associates were crucial in resolving much of that.

The drugs they supplied were rare commodities, unattainable elsewhere.

Giving them up was not an option.

Goran told Eaton.

“You should go to that guy.”

“Negotiation or robbery?”

“Meet him first and then decide.”

“Understood.”

“And if possible, lure him to our side. A C-rank fighter could be a significant asset.”

“Yes!”

Eaton nodded. He wasn’t just a mere secretary; he was a strong Awakened, with a fair amount of cunningness.

Given that, he should be able to handle this task excellently.

—

“Slurp!”

Zeon made a noise as he ate his soup.

The soup, made from the meat of an unknown animal, was incredibly tasty.

Tonight, he chose not to eat at Old Man Klexi’s stall. Initially, he mostly went to Old Man Klexi’s stall, but now, he visited other places more often.

Zeon, having finished his bowl of soup, placed money on the table and stood up.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“Come again.”

“Yes!”

Even with the owner’s curt response, Zeon didn’t lose his smile.

If there was one pleasure for him, it was coming out at night to the market and enjoying a delicious meal.

Other than that, he lounged around at home with nothing much to do.

Yet, he didn’t feel bored.

This was the most enjoyable time in his life.

Having lived through tough times, the current peace was something he cherished.

Zeon wished this peaceful period would last as long as possible.

“Hey, kid!”

Suddenly, Old Man Klexi’s voice rang out as Zeon passed by his stall.

Zeon stopped and looked at Old Man Klexi.

“Yes?”

“You seem to be going to other places besides my shop lately?”

“It gets stale only eating at one place.”

“Does that mean my food isn’t good?”

“It’s alright.”

“It’s the best. The folks inside Neo Seoul probably can’t match this taste.”

“Probably.”

“You mocking me with that? It’s true.”

“Yes, yes!”

Old Man Klexi opened his eyes in awe at the sight of Zeon answering half-heartedly, he still wore a nonchalant expression.

“You little… When I’m talking to you, pay attention…”

“Can I go now?”

“Sit for a moment. Let’s talk.”

“About what?”

“Just sit.”

Zeon reluctantly took a seat.

“What’s this about?”

“Are you just going to keep loafing around?”

“Why?”

“Why? Because I have a job for you.”

“Job for me?”

“Are you interested?”

“If I’m not, are you just going to let me be?”

“This brat…!”

Old Man Klexi glanced at Zeon.

“So, what’s the deal?”

“Would you like to do a part-time job?”

“What kind of job?”

“Delivery.”

“So, what kind of delivery?”

“You have to do it if you hear about it.”

“Then I won’t do it.”

Zeon stood up without further inquiry.

He didn’t know much about Old Man Klexi, but Zeon knew he had a lot of subordinates.

Asking him, setting aside those subordinates, meant the task was either highly confidential or Old Man Klexi’s involvement must not be revealed.

There was a high chance of things going south.

There was nothing good about getting involved for no reason.

Zeon said.

“Get someone else to do it.”

“Hey!”

“I’m leaving.”

Zeon left without looking back.

Old Man Klexi clicked his tongue as he watched Zion leave.

“He’s so damn quick to catch on.”

He couldn’t let it be revealed that he was involved. That’s why he chose Zeon.

Zeon had a good sense and skill.

What’s even better was that there would be no issues cutting him off if things went south.

So, he subtly tried his luck, but Zeon, who caught on, rejected it outright.