Chapter 399: Finally.
Chapter 399: Finally.
Outside Scorpion City, thousands of Scorpion Men clad in metal armor stood in neat formation. Their weapons glistened under the three bright moons.
The three moons seemed to shine brighter and broader as if in anticipation of what was to come.
Their pale light bathed the endless desert in an eerie crimson glow.
The atmosphere was solemn.
Ahead of the soldiers were five giant Scorpion Men, their muscles bulging heavily. Their mere presence was entirely different from the common foot soldiers.
Each of them radiated overwhelming pressure.
Battle scars covered their bodies.
Their thick tails rested heavily behind them, occasionally striking the ground with dull thuds.
A couple of feet from there were massive Greater Dune Scorpions resting, waiting for the command of their masters.
The giant beasts remained completely still.
Their crimson eyes stared endlessly into the distance.
"What is happening? Why are the scouts not back?" one of the four Commander asked in a deep voice.
His tone carried both confusion and dissatisfaction. The other four Scorpion Commanders also had deep frowns etched on their faces.
They exchanged silent glances.
Something clearly was not right.
They might not have taken their enemies seriously, but that did not mean they would foolishly confront their enemies without understanding the situation on the other side.
Years of warfare had taught them never to underestimate an opponent.
Especially an opponent bold enough to openly provoke the Scorpion Clan.
They had sent dozens of scouts to find out the situation at their smaller towns, but to their shock, none of their scouts had returned.
Not even one.
It was as if every single scout had vanished into thin air.
"Is it possible those bastards have colluded with the humans?" one of the Commander asked with a deep scowl.
His sharp claws dug into the shaft of his weapon.
"Impossible!" The only General among the commanders shook his head, rejecting the thought before it could even manifest.
His voice was firm.
It allowed no argument.
It was not that he did not think their clansmen could collude with the humans, but he did not believe all five towns would collude with humans without their spies sending them reports.
They never received any information regarding such plots.
More importantly, even if the five towns colluded with the humans, at least they wouldn’t have been able to stop all their scouts from returning.
Those were the best among the best of their scouts.
Yet, none of them returned.
The more he thought about it, the stranger the entire situation became.
"Instead of waiting for the scouts to return, give me a battalion and I will give you results within the hour," the youngest Commander said confidently.
A newly promoted Level 38 Scorpion Man.
His dark reddish scales glistened with raw power. But compared to the other Commander, they were still pale to some degree.
He had only recently entered the rank of a Commander.
Unlike the others who had accumulated years of battlefield experience, he still possessed the confidence and fearlessness of a young Scorpion Men.
Looking at him, three commanders stared at him for a moment before they turned to look at their General.
The air charged with anticipation.
Everyone understood the youngest Commander’s intention.
He wanted to prove himself.
He wanted to earn recognition worthy of his new rank.
And what better opportunity than this war?
"Fine," the General finally nodded.
"Don’t act arrogantly against humans."
"They are cunning."
"You must not fall for their tricks."
"Lastly, I need you to send a report every half an hour."
His voice carried obvious concern.
Although he had confidence in the young General’s strength, experience could never be replaced by talent alone.
"Yes, General. I promise not to disappoint you," the young Commander responded, slamming his fist against his chest with a deep bow.
His voice was filled with confidence.
His eyes burned with a fighting spirit.
Without hesitating, he departed and walked to the thousands of Scorpion Men soldiers before raising his hand.
Instantly, his battalion roared in a loud voice.
The ground trembled.
Dust rose into the sky.
The desert itself seemed to shake beneath their overwhelming momentum.
"Humans thought they could provoke and look down on our King."
"But today, we shall show them why we’re the rulers of the desert."
His voice echoed throughout the battlefield.
Every soldier listened attentively.
"Men, rise and let us show the world we’re the strongest pincers of the clan!"
He roared.
Howl!
Thousands of Scorpion Men raised their heads and let out deep roars.
Their blood boiled with rage and anticipation.
Their tails struck the ground repeatedly.
Their weapons were raised high into the air.
Even those that were not part of the battalion were infected by the high morale. Some looked at their commander with anticipation.
Their hands twitched eagerly and their breathing became heavier. They couldn’t wait to tear the humans into pieces and drink their blood.
Unfortunately...
The young Commander walked confidently to his mount and climbed onto it. The gigantic Greater Dune Scorpion let out a low screech.
Its massive body slowly rose from the ground.
He raised his massive axe and pointed toward the distant dunes.
"Depart!" he commanded.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The ground trembled.
Dust rose into the sky as the battalion departed. Thousands of armored Scorpion Men surged forward like a crimson tide. The synchronized footsteps created an overwhelming spectacle.
Looking at the youngest Commander leading his battalion deep into the desert, the General did not have any change in his expression.
But inwardly, he was deeply worried.
This was not the first time their Scorpion Men had mysteriously disappeared without any traces.
First were three Elders.
Now, dozens of scouts.
Each disappearance made the invisible enemy appear even more terrifying.
Even though various thoughts were running through his mind, he was not scared.
Whatever it was that was hiding in the shadows, their army would crush it to pieces.
The Scorpion Clan had ruled the Bleeding Desert for generations.
They had overcome countless crises before.
This one would be no different.
At least...
That was what he believed.
In less than ten minutes, the battalion had vanished from their sight, and the area became extremely quiet.
Only the endless desert wind continued blowing across the battlefield.
....
....
Five kilometers from Scorpion City, Thoren stood atop his mount.
The Level 30 undead Serpent.
With the undead serpent standing straight and Thoren standing on top of it, this allowed him to see far deep into the desert.
From such a height, every movement across the distant dunes became visible.
The desert wind blew his silver hair gently. Strands scattered across his face, but he did not seem to care about them.
His black robe fluttered continuously beneath the cold wind. His gaze locked deep into the desert as if he was trying to unearth its secrets.
His expression remained calm.
Completely emotionless.
Only his sharp eyes betrayed the dangerous thoughts hidden within.
Just then, he saw dust rise into the sky.
The enormous cloud stretched across the distant horizon. It was impossible to make a mistake.
Seeing this, a slow predatory smile crept onto his face.
"Finally..." he grinned.
Without hesitation, he commanded the undead serpent to bring him close to the ground.
Since his opponents were coming, how could he not welcome them?
The gigantic undead serpent slowly lowered its towering body.
"Depart."
He sent the command through the mental link. Behind the undead serpent were thousands of undead servants waiting.
Their eerie eye sockets burned with soul fire.
With the command, they began to move slowly.
One after another.
*****
[AN:
100 Golden Tickets + 2 Chapters.
Message Chair + 2 Chapters
Magic Castle + 5 Chapters.
Golden Gachapoon. + 12 Chapters.
For Magic Castle, the bonus Chapter will be delivered within three days.
Golden Gachapoon, the bonus Chapter will be delivered within ten days.
]