Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 343 (Part 1):

It was daytime. The desert, whipped by sandstorms, was hazy and pale that day, dust stirred up all around. Even the sunlight, normally so intense that it could dry flesh and bone, was obstructed by the veil of dust.

For a traveler passing through the desert—now that demonic beasts had attacked a village—this unclear visibility would surely cause unease. But that was a problem only for humans who relied heavily on their sight. For demonic beasts, it wasn’t much of an issue.

The creature crouched beneath the sand. The dry sand rasped against its outer skin, making a grating sound. Perhaps because of that sensation, it felt thirsty. The stomach that had once been filled with blood and chunks of flesh was now completely empty.

That was what humans were to demonic beasts. No matter how much they chewed and swallowed, they could never be sated; they triggered a maddening hunger. All that remained now was a famished instinct.

However, it knew. It knew the essence of power it had been lucky enough to obtain: the Red Scorpion’s core.

That core had awakened its bestial nature. It had revived some vital experiences and knowledge, ingrained as if part of its own body.

Humans were prey, but at times they could become more threatening than any demonic beast.

There were such humans. Humans who could dissect demonic beasts alive, making their hard skin, sharp teeth, and massive bodies meaningless.

Humans who possessed power different from demonic energy, humans who knew how to handle gleaming metal. They were strong even alone, and even stronger in groups.

The Palma Knights. Though it did not know their name, it knew they had appeared in this desert. It knew it was because of its attack on the village.

Facing them head-on would be dangerous even for it. After all, even the Red Scorpion hadn’t dared to do that.

But the Red Scorpion had evaded them for a long time, devouring countless humans in the process.

Surely, it could do the same. It was a demonic beast aware of its own demonic nature, capable of suppressing its instincts when needed.

Sshhk, sshhk. A strange sound escaped the demonic beast, not a vocalization from its mouth but a noise emitted from its body itself.

Its body trembled slightly. Hunger swept from its toes to its head, completely dominating it.

It sensed presences. Several humans were approaching from beyond, heading in its direction.

Since its first attack, the nearby humans who had lived in small groups had fled behind thick stone walls. There were countless humans there, but it could not invade that place.

It knew that the more humans gathered in one place, the more dangerous it was.

Still, a stone-walled haven was just that—an enclosure. Humans could not stay trapped there forever.

From time to time, humans ventured out from their hiding places in groups, moving toward other habitats. Humans with feet sinking deep into the sand, with bodies too frail to protect themselves!

They would encounter it in the desert—its domain.

Sshhk, sshhk. The sand around it shook. Fierce winds blew across the desert, as strong as a storm.

Its movements beneath the sand would be concealed by the wind.

As it gradually approached its prey, the creature’s eight eyes gleamed red.

*
“This should make me look tasty enough.”

Luke Jaeger lightly tapped his own cheek.

A sturdy adult man—tall, muscular, with plenty of flesh. The meat might be a bit tough, but to a demonic beast, he was a large, tempting morsel.

A knight chuckled and responded, “For someone like you, Commander, you’re young and your meat would be tender.”

“Hopefully the thing will notice and target our side.”

“That would be nice. Especially in weather that’s so comfortable for demonic beasts.”

Luke Jaeger moved at a relaxed pace, showing no particular tension on his face.

He was the Commander of the Palma Knights, who had subdued countless demonic beasts. His only worry was that the bait might not lure out the demonic beast.

“If we get a signal from the others, we must move immediately. In this weather, we might miss their signals, so be alert.”

“Yes, understood, Commander.”

The members of the Palma Knights were divided into groups of four or five, moving on foot without horses.

Fewer people would appear suspicious, more would be too large a group for the demonic beast to dare approach.

They chose to walk on purpose. If they were mounted, it would be easier to flee, so walking made them seem like slower, easier prey.

“Come on, just go for us,” Luke Jaeger murmured. His group had the strongest force, but that didn’t mean the knights in the other groups were weak. At the very least, if the demonic beast appeared there, they could send a signal and hold out until this group arrived.

But it would be far more convenient if it appeared right here, where the Palma Knights’ Commander was present.

They walked for who knew how long, the sandstorm growing fiercer.

The wind, mixed with sand, stung their faces and made it hard to keep their eyes open.

All of them had pulled their hoods down tightly and were carrying packs as they moved.

Before long, conversation dwindled. Even the Palma Knights had no way to stop the sand from flying into their mouths whenever they opened them.

They were climbing a large sand dune when a strong gust swept over it.

Chwaaah!

The cascading sand crumbled underfoot, causing them to slip. They lost their balance for a moment.

The five members, who had been walking at set intervals, were now scattered apart.

“Is everyone alright?”

The moment Luke Jaeger spoke those words, he frowned. He felt a vibration. It wasn’t natural—he sensed a tingling demonic energy.

His skin prickled. As he straightened up, something sharp shot out from directly ahead.

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