SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS

Chapter 649 One Eyed Monster!

The sun blazed mercilessly above the desert, its scorching heat baking the golden sands below. Ten days had passed since Kent and Grizzac began their arduous journey. Their once vibrant attire was now faded and dusty, their faces caked with layers of sand and sweat.

Kent squinted at the horizon, shielding his eyes from the relentless glare. "Are we even halfway there? It feels like we've been walking forever."

Grizzac, the old dwarf demon, gave a curt nod. "Aye, lad. At this pace, we've covered half the distance. Seven more days, give or take, and we'll reach the Shrine of Eternal Sands."

Kent sighed, kicking at the sand beneath his boots. "Seven days? Might as well be seven years in this infernal heat."

"Patience, boy. Great treasures don't come easy." Grizzac chuckled dryly, his voice raspy from dehydration.

As they trudged forward, Kent glanced at the old man. "You've been pretty tight-lipped about yourself. Care to share what drove you to this desolate desert?"

Grizzac sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of his memories bore down on him. "It's not a tale I like to tell, but I will be proud to share it with the person who killed the demon prince."

"Years ago, my people—the dwarf demons—were crushed under the heel of the greater demon clans. They coveted our lands, the very earth we called home, and we fought to protect it."

Kent walked silently beside him, sensing the depth of Grizzac's pain.

"They overwhelmed us," Grizzac continued, his voice thick with sorrow. "Our villages burned, our kin slaughtered. I was the leader then, but I failed them. I couldn't protect my people... or my daughter."

Kent's steps faltered. "Your daughter?"

"Aye," Grizzac nodded, his voice breaking slightly. "We were separated in the chaos. I searched for her, but the flames swallowed all traces. I've spent years wandering, searching, hoping..."

Kent placed a hand on Grizzac's shoulder. "You're not to blame, old man. You did what you could. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that guilt doesn't help the past—it only ruins the future."

Grizzac gave a faint smile. "Wise words for someone so young."

Kent chuckled. "I've had my share of struggles. But we'll make this journey worth it. Whatever treasures we find, I'll only take what I need. The rest is yours."

Before they could react, the sand collapsed beneath them. Both of them cried out as they slid downward, a torrent of golden grains swallowing them whole.

"Damn it!" Kent shouted, summoning his golden throne. He leapt onto it, trying to steady himself above the sinkhole. "Grizzac! Grab hold!"

The old man reached for the throne, but the sand pulled him down faster. "Too late, lad! It's got me!"

Their descent came to an abrupt halt. At first, it felt as though they had landed in a shallow pit, but the air grew heavy, oppressive. Then came the tightening—a whip-like grip that wrapped around their bodies.

"What the hell is this?" Kent gasped, struggling against the invisible force.

Grizzac's eyes widened in horror. "It's not a sinkhole... it's moving!"

The sands exploded upward as a massive pillar-like arm burst forth, its length stretching nearly a mile. The sheer size of it made the ground tremble as more limbs emerged, each one wild and covered in scales that gleamed like molten metal.

At the end of the mile long hands, a monstrous round shaped creature surfaced. It had no legs or body to speak of—only a globular form anchored to the ground like a tree. Atop its head was a single, massive eye in burning red colour. Below the eye, a gaping mouth stretched wide, filled with rows of jagged teeth that churned endlessly.

The creature let out a deafening roar, its voice a guttural symphony of hunger and malice.

"What the hell is that thing?!" Grizzac shouted in horror.

"Damn it!" Kent cursed, trying to get out of the one eyed monster's grip.

"Lad!" Grizzac shouted. "We're in its feeding zone. If we don't escape, we're as good as dead!"

The creature roared again, its massive eye focusing on them. The hands moved close as the monster prepared to consume its prey.

Kent gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "We're not dying here. Not this way."

Grizzac's voice trembled. "Then think fast, lad. It's about to feed."