Chapter 322

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 322

Thud! Thud!

Someone pounded on Zeon’s door early in the morning.

The noise was loud enough to make Zeon scowl as he opened his eyes.

He considered ignoring it and going back to sleep, but whoever was outside had no intention of stopping.

With a sigh, he rubbed his eyes and got up, heading toward the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

A woman’s cold voice came from the other side.

Zeon frowned slightly and asked again.

“And ‘me’ would be…?”

“This is Seo Tae-ran, the Mayor’s secretary.”

Zeon raised an eyebrow.

There was no reason for Seo Tae-ran to visit him this early.

Instinctively, he knew—something had happened.

Something urgent.

When he opened the door, he was met with the sight of Seo Tae-ran, dressed in a strikingly red outfit.

“What’s going on?”

“Come with me to City Hall.”

“City Hall? Has something happened?”

“You’ll find out when we get there.”

“I don’t have a choice in this, do I? You’re just telling me to go with you—”

“This concerns you as well. If you don’t come, you might regret it.”

Her words sounded almost like a threat.

Zeon’s expression darkened.

But he didn’t argue. Instead, he threw on his robe and stepped outside.

Seo Tae-ran was not the type to speak carelessly.

If she had personally come to fetch him, it meant something serious had happened—something that involved him directly.

Leaving Brielle behind, Zeon followed her outside, where a vehicle was already waiting.

The car carrying them drove straight into Neo Seoul.

Seo Tae-ran remained silent the entire ride, her expression tense.

Zeon sighed as he looked out the window.

‘Something serious must have happened. Again.’

He had barely finished dealing with the Northern District, and now this.

It was as if the world simply refused to let him rest.

He had always felt that fate had dealt him a difficult hand.

‘I guess I’m just not meant for a peaceful life.’

Ever since awakening his power over sand, trouble had followed him everywhere.

One crisis would be resolved, only for another to take its place.

And after solving that, yet another would arise.

Even coming to Neo Seoul hadn’t changed that reality.

‘Well… no use complaining. With great power comes great responsibility.’

Leaning against the window, Zeon closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, the car had arrived in front of City Hall.

Seo Tae-ran stepped out first and turned to him.

“This way.”

“Yeah.”

Zeon stretched his arms and got out of the car.

Even inside the elevator heading to the top floor, Seo Tae-ran didn’t say a word.

When the doors opened, Jin Geum-ho was waiting for him.

“Ah, welcome. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“…Are you seriously offering me a meal? Didn’t you summon me because something urgent happened?”

“That’s right. But skipping breakfast won’t do you any good. Sit down for now.”

Zeon frowned but complied.

As soon as he took a seat, a chef brought out a simple meal—coffee and brunch.

It looked modest, but to Zeon, it felt like luxury.

Coffee wasn’t an easy commodity to come by.

In this era, only a select few in Neo Seoul could afford to drink it.

“Try the coffee first. It was roasted just this morning—the flavor is at its peak.”

“I’ll have it after you explain why I’m here. What’s going on?”

Jin Geum-ho put down his cup and met Zeon’s gaze.

“There’s a problem at the mana stone mine.”

“The mana stone mine?”

“Not the old one. I’m talking about the new one we recently discovered.”

Zeon’s eyes narrowed.

The newly discovered mine was found by the Pathfinder team he had worked with.

More importantly, Levin had gone there to protect his friends.

“What kind of problem?”

“The expedition team sent to develop the mine was attacked by beasts.”

“Beasts?”

“Yes. They had started excavation, and then, out of nowhere, a horde of beasts swarmed in.”

“They should’ve been able to hold their ground against something like that.”

“Normally, yes. But the problem is—their base camp collapsed.”

“…What?”

“It’s absurd, I know. We had checked and confirmed that the ground was solid. Yet, the whole area caved in. Most of the expedition team fell underground.”

“What’s their status?”

“We don’t know.”

“Not a single survivor?”

“Some people managed to escape before the collapse, and they waited for days, but no one has come back up.”

That was unnatural.

Over three thousand Awakened had been part of that expedition, with hundreds more as support staff.

For all of them to fall underground and not a single one to re-emerge—

That simply didn’t make sense.

Especially considering Levin’s abilities.

As someone who could turn into a ghost, he should have been able to escape easily.

Yet, he hadn’t.

That could only mean one thing.

“The place they fell into is likely sealed with some kind of barrier.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Jin Geum-ho nodded grimly.

There was another problem.

The area where the expedition had fallen was now surrounded by the very beasts that had attacked them.

Making it impossible to approach.

Those who had escaped eventually gave up on the rescue attempt and reported the situation to City Hall.

Jin Geum-ho had received the report just that morning.

“That’s why I plan to send Old Man Go and the twins.”

Old Man Go—one of the Numbers.

The greatest barrier specialist in Neo Seoul.

If anyone could break through whatever was keeping the expedition trapped, it was him.

It was the best possible decision the city could make.

Zeon agreed.

“Good choice.”

“That brings me to my next request. I want you to escort them to the mana stone mine. Can you do it?”

“I have to.”

Zeon didn’t hesitate.

Mandy, Levin, and his friends Aaron and Dominic were down there.

Leaving them to die wasn’t an option.

Of course, Zeon had to go.

“Perfect. They’ll depart around noon. Use the time to prepare.”

“Got it.”

“Oh, and this time, Tae-ran and her subordinates will be joining as well.”

Zeon glanced at Seo Tae-ran.

She remained impassive as always.

Jin Geum-ho added,

“Don’t worry, she won’t be a burden. She may not look it, but she’s a skilled fighter.”

“I don’t doubt her abilities.”

“Good. That makes things easier.”

Jin Geum-ho took a sip of coffee and smiled.

As soon as he emptied his cup, Seo Tae-ran refilled it without a word.

Her movements were precise, almost mechanical.

Zeon turned to her.

“Have you ever been to the desert?”

“No. I was born and raised here.”

“Not even once?”

“There was never a reason for me to go. But don’t worry. I won’t slow you down.”

Even with her confident tone, Zeon still looked unconvinced.

* * *

When Zeon returned home, he informed Brielle about the expedition’s collapse.

Naturally, she packed her things immediately, insisting on coming.

Zeon didn’t stop her.

Levin wasn’t just anyone—he was family.

Brielle wouldn’t sit back and do nothing.

“Over three thousand people fell underground. We have no idea what dangers are down there, so take everything you might need.”

“Obviously. I packed all the potions and items I’ve made.”

“Good.”

“Levin will be okay, right?”

“He’ll be fine. It’s almost impossible to hurt him when he’s in ghost form.”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Alright.”

Brielle nodded and pulled her hat down.

Zeon turned to Gaia, who was floating beside her.

“Stay in my subspace until we reach the mine. I know it’ll be cramped, but bear with it.”

— Pii!

“Thanks.”

— Pii!

Brielle stroked Gaia gently.

“When no one’s around, you can sneak out.”

— Piii!

“Yeah, I’ll miss you too. Now, go.”

Gaia’s tail flicked before it disappeared into Zeon’s subspace.

Zeon turned to Brielle.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

Outside, Old Man Go, the twins, Seo Tae-ran, and her subordinates were waiting.

The twins greeted Zeon first.

“It’s been a while, Zeon!”

“Hey there!”

Zeon nodded.

“Yeah, long time no see.”

“We’re coming along too.”

“Looking forward to working with you.”

“Same here. And this is Brielle—she’ll be joining us.”

Zeon introduced Brielle to them.

The twins and Brielle already knew of each other, but this was their first time formally meeting.

“Hi! I’m Eun Soo-jin.”

“And I’m Eun Soo-young.”

“I’m Brielle. Nice to meet you.”

Brielle kept her greeting brief.

She didn’t show it outwardly, but she was wary of them.

She knew the twins had telepathic abilities.

If she let her guard down, they might read her thoughts and discover that she was a High Elf.

That was something she absolutely couldn’t allow—especially not with people she didn’t trust.

Old Man Go also greeted Zeon and Brielle.

“I can’t tell you how reassuring it is to have you with us. And you too, young lady…”

“Y-Yes!”

Brielle’s voice was small, almost hesitant.

At that moment, Seo Tae-ran interjected.

“There’s no time to waste. Let’s skip the introductions and move out. Lord Zeon and the girl will ride with Old Man Go and the twins. The vehicle is large enough that you won’t be uncomfortable.”

She had brought two armored buses.

One was for Zeon and his group, while the other was for herself and her subordinates.

Zeon nodded and stepped onto the bus.

Brielle, Old Man Go, and the twins followed.

As soon as they settled in, the twins wasted no time complaining about Seo Tae-ran.

“She’s the worst.”

“Seriously, she has no manners at all.”

“Why the hell is she coming along?”

“Ugh! Even ice is warmer than that woman.”

For whatever reason, the twins absolutely despised her.

Old Man Go sighed and scolded them.

“Enough. She might hear you.”

“So what if she does?”

“Yeah, like we care.”

“Still, without her, City Hall wouldn’t function properly.”

“Then she should just stay there! Why is she tagging along?”

“Exactly! She’s just making everyone uncomfortable.”

The twins pouted in unison.

Old Man Go glanced at Zeon with an apologetic look.

“As you can see, she isn’t very well-liked.”

“I understand.”

“That’s a relief.”

Old Man Go let out a deep sigh.

Tension was visible on his face.

This mission wasn’t just another expedition—over three thousand lives were on the line.

The only reassurance was that Zeon, the Sand Mage, was coming with them.

‘Never thought I’d be working alongside a Sand Mage…’

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]