Chapter Fifty-Three: The Calamity of the Desert

The entire creature consisted of nothing but a massive head, over five meters in diameter, which remained perfectly intact. Harvey manipulated the void energy to seize it, catching all the other falling chunks of flesh and suspending them in midair as well.

Other than the head, which had to be handed over to claim the bounty, all these were evolution points. Consuming the flesh of a relatively powerful monster like this one would surely grant him a considerable amount of evolution points.

“It’s a pity you weren’t intelligent enough,” Harvey remarked with some regret as he gazed at the monstrous head lying lifeless ten meters away. “Otherwise, I would have given you a chance to believe in the Void.”

For sentient and rational beings, all he needed to do was reveal what the Void could offer, display some of its power, and persuading them to worship and join the Void was rarely difficult. But for creatures driven solely by instinct and possessing only low intelligence, even offering an opportunity proved far from easy.

Harvey didn’t dwell on it for long. Though he couldn’t win over this creature as a follower of the Void, at least it would provide him with a wealth of evolution points. As for its taste, he had no great expectations after it was cooked; he only hoped it wouldn’t be too unpleasant.

Dragging the monster’s corpse along, Harvey set off toward a city on Mogri Star. The city lay just over six hundred kilometers from where the creature had been slain. During his flight, he saw city after city, now abandoned and eroded by the desert winds into ruins.

There was an ecosystem on the desert surface; this desert beast itself was probably sustainable, but as its population grew, the species would inevitably expand its territory. Once it had tasted creatures from beyond the desert—regardless of their flavor—realizing there was ample prey outside, the monster beneath the sands would surely hunt beyond its original bounds again. That wasn’t cruelty; it was simply nature’s law. One could hardly condemn a wolf for hunting sheep.

But because this monster had preyed upon intelligent beings, it had sown fear among the people, prompting them to issue a bounty that ultimately brought him here.

After traveling more than six hundred miles, Harvey found the nearest desert town, vibrant with local culture. Its people all had crimson skin, and although Harvey hesitated to admit it, by his own standards, he found this race rather unattractive.

His descent from the sky, bearing chunks of flesh, alarmed the humanoids of Mogri Star. “Ahkwi chuen—” A burly man, nearly two and a half meters tall, approached cautiously and asked in a language Harvey didn’t understand.

Harvey ignored the words and simply dropped the monster’s head to the ground with a thunderous crash, sending up swirls of dust and sand. The townsfolk recoiled in shock, retreating more than ten meters.

Seeing their reaction, Harvey sighed inwardly. After a moment’s thought, he pointed at the head, then rubbed his thumb and forefinger together in the universal gesture for money, hoping they’d understand he wanted payment.

The sturdy man’s eyes widened in disbelief at the colossal head. He asked something again in his own tongue, but when he noticed Harvey’s flight and strange attire, and understood the simple gesture for payment, he responded with more words.

He spoke to Harvey, then quickly turned to his companions, instructing them to fetch the mayor. For ages, their people had suffered from the desert calamity, though few knew what form it truly took—when the calamity struck, it was always shrouded in sandstorms and only a vague outline could be seen. Fortunately, their mayor had lived for over two centuries; perhaps he would know more.

Seeing their messengers run off, Harvey decided to wait a little while. If this town couldn’t produce someone he could communicate with, he’d simply head for a larger city. Universal translators were common in the cosmos, and someone on Mogri Star must have one, or the bounty could never have been issued.

Ten minutes later, an elderly man with a face full of wrinkles and red facial hair came running barefoot across the scorching sand. Harvey wasn’t surprised at the old man’s vigor; these people all possessed strong life energy, and their feet were unharmed by the burning sands.

“Honored one, my name is Lykes, the mayor of this town. Was it you who slew the desert calamity for us?” the old man asked respectfully, his demeanor humble in the presence of the enigmatic Harvey.

“Yes. Take me to see your planet’s king, Orb Mogri, so I may claim my reward,” Harvey replied, now able to understand the language.

“Our king resides in Mogri’s capital, tens of thousands of miles from here,” Lykes explained. “I am too old to guide you there myself, but I can send word and have them dispatch someone to meet you.”

“You have relieved us of a great threat by ending the desert calamity. Please, allow us to honor you with a feast,” Lykes said, his respect evident.

At these words, those nearby realized that the monstrous remains truly belonged to the infamous desert calamity. Their gazes toward Harvey filled with awe, admiration, and gratitude.

“My appetite is enormous. If you were to host me, it would cost you dearly—I won’t take advantage,” Harvey said. “Just help me cook this desert calamity. Leave the head so I can claim my reward.”

“Certainly. We’re quite skilled at preparing sand-shell scorpions and will serve you the finest meal,” Lykes agreed readily.

Harvey deposited the remaining flesh on the ground, where over thirty strong men began hauling the meat toward a gigantic, round stone pit.

Sand-shell scorpions were heat-resistant but vulnerable to water. When alive, they burrowed deep into the sands, safe from moisture, but in death, a touch of water would shatter their shells.

“Brave one, I have already sent word. Once you’ve enjoyed your feast, the royal guard’s airships will arrive, and you may collect your reward,” Lykes informed him after giving the order to begin cooking.

He had no idea who this golden-armored man truly was, but anyone who could destroy the desert calamity and fly unaided had to be a formidable figure indeed. The best way to survive in the presence of such strength was to remain humble.

“Agreed,” Harvey nodded, accepting the arrangement without objection.