Free Web NovelChapter 31: Chapter 26: Behind the Desert
Isabel single-handedly annihilated the Sand Worms occupying the oasis and reclaimed the desert’s only transit point. Unfortunately, the home the Bedu Tribe had built over generations was still utterly destroyed.
The once-verdant oasis was now reduced to a few collapsed sand pits, with everything else turned to rubble.
A white light shone from Isabel.
Wisps of black mist rose from the ground before her, coalescing into a hazy shadow. A dialogue box appeared above the shadow’s head, but it was filled with gibberish.
Gibberish also appeared above Isabel’s head as she engaged in an encrypted exchange with the other party.
Before long, the dark shadow dissipated.
Facing the computer screen, Isabel knelt on one knee. "My Lord, I used a Mourning Prayer to question the Dead here. They told me the Sand Worms attacked this place to seize the copper ore beneath the oasis."
"Sand Worms are fond of ore. They consume it, turning the Metal Elements into a part of themselves and thus strengthening their bodies."
"Most of the Mining Areas in the desert are occupied by different groups of Sand Worms. Only this place was protected by Divine Power, which kept them from approaching."
"When they discovered this place was no longer shrouded in Divine Power a short while ago, the Sand Worms swiftly attacked the oasis. To claim the copper ore, a small-scale war broke out among them. The twelve Sand Worms I disposed of were the victors of that conflict."
Luh Yao was delighted to hear this.
’There’s actually copper here.’
He had been worrying about the Garlic Tribe’s delay in unlocking the metal Refining skill tree; he never expected the opportunity would lie in the desert.
But Isabel’s next words were like a bucket of cold water dumped over his head.
"There wasn’t much copper ore here, and now the Sand Worms have eaten it all. Sand Worms are a type of Demon that can go for long periods without eating. When they encounter copper or iron ore, they feed in a frenzy until they’ve digested every last bit."
’The copper ore has already been eaten...’
Luh Yao looked at the worm carcasses on the ground, and an idea suddenly popped into his head.
’Since the Sand Worms ate the ore to strengthen their bodies, doesn’t that mean the copper is now part of their carcasses?’
Luh Yao issued a command.
*Check the carcasses and see if there is any copper.*
Before long, Isabel reported her findings.
"It is just as you said, My Lord. There are copper plates under the Sand Worms’ hides, and they are extremely durable."
’Just as I thought,’ Luh Yao mused.
’Without an Apostle, it would have been impossible to discover the Sand Worms’ secret.’
’No.’
’Without an Apostle, it would be fundamentally impossible to enter the desert and fight the Sand Worms.’
’For the Garlic Tribe to enter the desert and fight the Sand Worms with their own strength would undoubtedly be a suicide mission.’
’It was only because of Isabel’s existence that they could enter these dangerous, High Level regions.’
Next, the Hunters of the Garlic Tribe followed Isabel into the desert, arriving at the oasis. Upon witnessing the ground littered with the giant, snake-like carcasses of the Sand Worms, the little pixel people became incredibly excited.
"What powerful monsters! They must have been terrifying when they were alive."
"Their hides are thicker than a Sea Monster’s, and their bodies are even bigger!"
"Monster meat! Hides! And sturdy bones!"
"What a huge haul!"
Suddenly, an exclamation mark appeared above one of the pixel people’s heads.
"There’s something in the Sand Worm’s hide! This is copper! It’s copper!"
A line of text appeared on the screen.
[The Garlic Tribe has discovered copper.]
A brand-new resource was added to the resource bar at the top of the game interface: Metal.
The [Metal] tab currently only contained copper, which was displayed in red to indicate its scarcity.
The little people got to work, busily cutting up the Sand Worm carcasses and using camels to transport them back to the Garlic Tribe. The journey was long and there were many carcasses, so the tribe deployed all of its camels, with the Shaman personally commanding the transport operation on-site.
On this desert expedition, Isabel cleared out the Sand Worms along the way, reopening the passage between the Garlic Tribe’s plains and the oasis.
Traversing the desert was now only a matter of time.
Just then, Luh Yao suddenly saw a notification.
[To thank you for reclaiming the former site of the Bedu Tribe, Astrologer Shahan has taught the Mining Technique to the Garlic Tribe.]
[The Garlic Tribe has learned the Mining Technique.]
[The Garlic Tribe has gained prestige among other tribes for mastering a new technology.]
[The Garlic Tribe has discovered iron.]
[The Garlic Tribe has discovered gems.]
[The Garlic Tribe has discovered gold.]
[The Garlic Tribe has discovered silver.]
[The Garlic Tribe has discovered crystal.]
The string of notifications made Luh Yao turn his gaze to the tent beside the Divine Hall.
The former leader of the Bedu Tribe, now the Garlic Tribe’s "weather forecaster," was kneeling outside the Divine Hall, pressing his head to the ground in a pious show of gratitude to Luh Yao.
’So he was holding something back,’ Luh Yao thought.
’If Shahan was hiding his knowledge, could others be doing the same?’
’Perhaps they will only be willing to share all their techniques and experience after their most important goals—their deepest-held desires and expectations—are fulfilled.’
After learning the Mining Technique, some tribespeople gradually branched off, beginning to dig and quarry around stones. The use of stone became more widespread, the most direct change being the appearance of low, stacked-stone walls outside the houses.
In addition, the Garlic Tribe gradually learned the most primitive Refining methods. The little people would dig a large pit in the ground, pile it with firewood, and light a fire to extract copper, iron, silver, and gold from the ore.
Soon after, the words [Blessing complete. The fishing net has been integrated into the world.] appeared on the screen.
’I can send over a new tool now.’
Luh Yao stretched lazily, getting up to move his fingers and arch his back.
’Every step forward for the tribe’s civilization is paid for with their God’s sore back and aching muscles,’ he thought.
That winter, Isabel cut down every Sand Worm in her path, finally emerging from the vast southern desert into a brand-new world.
It was a city called Saniluo, with a level of civilization that far surpassed the Garlic Tribe.
Saniluo was built on the coast, controlling access to the sea. The city not only had neat rows of houses and straight, intersecting stone-paved roads, but also all kinds of well-stocked shops.
The city boasted a population of over ten thousand, and a number of fishing boats and sailboats were moored in its seaport.
The only problem was, the residents of Saniluo were not human.
It was a city inhabited by Ghost Souls.
At first, there were some minor misunderstandings between the Ghost Souls of Saniluo and Isabel. After Isabel slew nearly half of the city’s Ghost Soul soldiers, the Ghost Souls changed their attitude and gave her a warm welcome.
The people of Saniluo treated Isabel as an honored guest and told her about the city’s long History. The locals expressed their willingness to believe in Yao God and offer their Faith in order to receive Yao God’s protection and forgiveness.
The situation was stable.
"Saniluo City has always been warm and hospitable, and we especially respect and believe in powerful Gods. It is our honor to be visited by a noble Apostle such as yourself," said Chapman, the mayor of Saniluo.
"I must be honest with you, Lady Isabel. In truth, Saniluo is a cursed city."
"In the past, this place was incredibly prosperous. The city excelled at maritime Trade and agriculture, and its population was far greater than it is now. But after the Forest God we believed in fell, this place was struck by the Curse of another God."
"We were all executed and turned into Ghost Souls."
"That God then sent down a Totem that prevents the Ghost Souls of Saniluo from ever leaving, as punishment for our heresy. Aside from the Bedu Tribe in ancient times, no one has visited this place for many, many years."
