Chapter 470

After parting ways with Borin, Zeon continued wandering through the Goblin Market.

“This is an emergency shelter made in Neo Seoul. It’s crafted from the silk of Red-Eyed Spiders, so it’s both light and durable. If you ever get stranded in the desert or need to camp alone, this shelter will greatly improve your chances of survival.”

“This item was handmade by one of our Goblin Market artisans…”

The merchants’ voices rang through the streets of the market.

They all shouted to outdo one another, trying to catch the awakened ones’ attention, turning the street into a noisy commotion.

To Zeon, it was a familiar scene.

The market had always looked like this since the first time he came here.

No matter how often he saw it, it never got old.

Watching the Goblin Market reminded him of how resilient humans truly were.

Even in a desolate world like this, they had risen again like phoenixes, rebuilding civilization from the ashes. That tenacious vitality always impressed Zeon.

He sat in a quiet corner, silently taking in the lively scene.

Then, someone caught his eye.

Hair of pure silver that flowed down to her waist, silver lashes, and even her eyes gleaming with metallic light.

A pale face, as beautiful as a goddess’s.

Countless people passing by couldn’t help but glance her way, captivated by her beauty.

But none dared approach.

It wasn’t because of fear, but because of the mysterious dignity and pressure radiating from her.

Something about her presence made people instinctively feel that she wasn’t someone to talk to lightly.

So everyone simply stole glances from afar, no one daring to go near.

Thanks to that, the woman could browse the stalls freely, undisturbed.

“Interesting. To think they used ice magic to make something like this.”

What she was holding was a thermal flask, an item every raider carried.

By engraving a freezing spell inside, it kept the water cool even under the blazing sun.

It was a common item in the Goblin Market, but the silver-haired woman seemed strangely fascinated by it.

She stroked the flask gently, as if savoring the craftsmanship.

Then, a group of men surrounded her.

Even at a glance, they looked rough and mean.

Judging by their gear and weapons, they were raiders operating out of the slums.

They formed a circle around her, eyes gleaming with lewd intent.

The large man who seemed to be their leader smirked.

“You like that flask, sweetheart?”

“Not exactly. I just find it interesting.”

The silver-haired woman replied calmly, the flask still in her hand.

The man leaned in close, his foul breath brushing her face.

“What’s so interesting about it?”

“It makes me feel the desperation of humans. How desperate must one be to carve such a primitive spell into something this small?”

“Ha! What are you even saying? You sound like someone pitying humans, when you’re one yourself.”

The leader burst into laughter.

The woman frowned and waved a hand slightly.

“Your breath is foul. It would be better if you didn’t open your mouth in public.”

“What?”

“Humans brush their teeth for hygiene, but judging by the smell, you’ve never done that in your entire life.”

“You bitch! I was going to go easy on you because you’ve got a pretty face, but you dare insult me?”

His face, already brutish, twisted even further in rage.

Anyone else would have flinched under that expression. The woman didn’t.

The leader barked an order to his men.

“Grab her. Take her to my room. I’ll make sure she learns a lesson tonight.”

“Heh! Can I join in on that lesson?”

“I’m next after the lieutenant!”

“Damn it, my blood’s been boiling down there for ages. Let’s just get this over with.”

Their eyes burned with lust as they stared at her.

Nearby merchants clicked their tongues.

“Those damn hyenas again.”

“What’s the security force even doing? Not catching these bastards?”

The men surrounding her were infamous.

They called themselves the Red Wolf Raiders, but everyone else called them the Hyena Squad.

They’d barge into dungeons other groups had already entered, or steal missions right before completion.

Normally, a group like that would’ve been punished long ago. But the Red Wolves still ran free.

Because their leader, Max, had powerful backing.

He was the son of a high-ranking official from the East District.

No one wanted to make an enemy of that side.

Max relied on his father’s name to do as he pleased.

“Before the guards show up, grab her and get out.”

“Yes, sir!”

The Red Wolf men reached for the woman’s arms to drag her away.

But her feet didn’t move.

No matter how hard they pulled, it was as if she were rooted to the ground.

“Damn it! What the hell…?”

“She’s not moving!”

Their faces turned red as they strained uselessly.

Max looked at them with disgust.

“You idiots. Can’t even move one woman? Did you skip breakfast?”

“Captain, something’s wrong.”

“She really won’t budge.”

“What nonsense…”

Unable to stand it, Max grabbed her arm himself and pulled.

But like his men, he couldn’t move her an inch.

The silver-haired woman smiled faintly.

“Try harder. How do you plan to survive this harsh world with so little strength?”

“You little, ”

“Come on now.”

“Shut up, bitch!”

Max finally snapped and swung his hand toward her face.

Everyone watching expected her cheek to be smashed to pieces.

Crack!

“Argh!”

Instead, it was Max’s hand that shattered.

No one knew what she had done, but his bones were crushed and exposed through torn flesh.

“Captain!”

“You crazy bitch!”

His men, enraged by the sight, reached for their weapons.

Then, the woman whispered softly.

“Hold.”

“Ugh!”

“Kh!”

In an instant, the Red Wolf raiders froze where they stood.

Some invisible power bound them tight.

They tried to move their mana to break free, but it was useless.

Their bodies were locked as if chained in iron.

Max clutched his broken hand and screamed.

“You insane bitch! Release the spell right now!”

“Why should I?”

“Do you even know who we are? We’re with the East District! My father, ”

“Why bring up your father here? Aren’t you an adult?”

The woman clicked her tongue in pity.

Her calm disdain only enraged Max further.

He was a C-class physical-type awakener, his weapon a greatsword at his waist.

He drew it, aiming for her neck. But before he could swing, someone grabbed his arm.

“That’s enough.”

“What the hell? Who are you?”

“Like she said, you should keep your mouth shut. The smell really is unbearable.”

The man fanning the air with his hand was Zeon.

He hadn’t stepped in to save the woman.

He was saving Max and his men.

Because unlike them, Zeon could feel it,

That the silver-haired woman was no ordinary person.

The danger rolling off her was overwhelming.

If Max kept provoking her, the outcome would be catastrophic.

Unaware of that, Max roared.

“Die!”

He swung his sword at Zeon.

Clang!

The weapon exploded before it even touched him.

Zeon had intercepted it with a Fire Missile.

Then his fist sank into Max’s gut.

Boom!

“Urgh!”

The blow sent Max collapsing, vomiting up everything in his stomach.

Just then, the Goblin Market guards arrived.

“Freeze! Nobody move!”

“How dare you cause trouble in the Goblin Market!”

The Red Wolf men, emboldened by the guards’ appearance, began shouting.

“Those bastards attacked us first! Arrest them!”

“Hurry up and get us out of this spell!”

But the guards ignored them completely and turned to Zeon.

“Oh, Zeon sir. Didn’t see you there.”

“It’s been a while.”

“What happened here?”

“Isn’t it obvious? A pretty woman, and a spoiled brat who thinks his daddy’s power makes him untouchable.”

“Ah.”

The guards immediately understood.

Their captain barked an order.

“Arrest them all.”

“What? Do you know who my father is?”

Max lifted his head weakly, glaring at them.

“Who?”

“Aron Hallard, vice-captain of the East District elite unit, the Crow Battalion!”

“Oh, East District.”

“Now let us go and arrest that bastard instead! Or my father will make sure this market burns!”

“I’m afraid that won’t happen.”

“What?”

“Even if your father were here, he’d make the same call I’m making right now.”

“What nonsense, what, is he the Sand Mage or something?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“You’re not as dumb as you look. That man is the Sand Mage, Zeon.”

“Shit.”

Max dropped his head.

For all his arrogance, he wasn’t completely stupid.

Zeon, known as the One-Man Army, was not someone even his father could compare to.

The guard captain spoke firmly.

“The entire Red Wolf squad will be blacklisted. You’re banned from the Goblin Market.”

“Damn it!”

“Consider this mercy, for your father’s sake. If you have a problem, file a complaint through proper channels.”

“Fine! Damn it, fine! I’ll never come here again.”

Max turned and left with his men, not daring to threaten Zeon with empty words.

Even a fool knew that provoking Zeon meant disaster.

The guards saluted.

“We’ll take our leave, sir. Enjoy your visit.”

“Thank you.”

“Always an honor.”

They departed with their men.

Only Zeon and the woman remained.

The silver-haired woman looked at him curiously.

“Thank you for helping me.”

“I didn’t help you.”

“Then?”

“I helped them.”

“How amusing.”

“If you had truly gotten angry, not just they, but the entire Goblin Market, would have been destroyed.”

“And why do you think that?”

Zeon met her eyes and said quietly,

“Because you’re a dragon.”