PART 1:

The scorching heat of the sun penetrated through the curtains of the carriages treading through this desert called Tutankhum's Desert. The rolling wheels of the carriages was slowly stopping and everyone inside the carriages are starting to head outside.

"What a sunny day." 

A man with golden eyes and violet hair came out from one of the carriages and jumped down to the ground while saying his daily sentiment. Though a desert was commonly hot, This day was particularly hotter than the previous days. As for the reason. No one knows why.

All the passengers of the caravan immediately got off, Almost all of them carried a small wooden basket with snacks and beverages inside them. One of the passengers approached Viktor who was still staring at the sunny sky with his hands on top of him and said.

"Viktor.. "

Viktor who was suddenly mentioned, shuddered and immediately turned back to the source of the voice.

"Oh.. Leila.." 

"Osu..!" 

What greeted him with a wave was a woman with green eyes, In the continent of Terra. Women with eyes like these were considered to be very valuable due to their great affinity towards the wind element, and so. It was very rare to see the sights of these green eyes, and what's more from a woman, Since men with green eyes was a particularly normal sight to see.

The woman stood and bent his hips a little while waving and Viktor who was now in a blank state of mind due to him imagining his life with Leila. 

The figures he was imagining was him with Leila, and his two children playing joyfully in the house, and Leila bringing the dishes in while saying "Here's your breakfast darling..." Viktor's eyes were filled with a glint of lust while imagining the curvaceous body of Leila laying on his bed. 

"VIKTOR!" 

A rummaging sound echoed towards the scorching heat of the desert, and everyone who heard it turned back to find the source of such thunderous voice. 

"Ahhh..." 

And Viktor who finally snapped from his dreams, realized that Leila was standing in front of him wielding a pierce gaze of what seemed like anger. 

"S-sorry!" 

Viktor frantically clasped his hands together and bowed while repeatedly saying "Sorry" to Leila who was now assuming a neutral pose.

"It's okay already.. I'm just here to deliver some beverages, and also!" 

Viktor quivered by the sudden high pitched sound that came from her.

Just as he was thinking about possibilities of what's gonna happen to him. 

A loud explosion followed by a pillar of light, and a rummaging shockwave descended towards the calm desert, disrupting its previous calm manor.

"Wh-what is that?!" 

Everyone who turned back to find the source of the sudden thunderous explosion. Saw the intense light and frantically asked each other as to what was it, and where  it came from.

The intense pillar of light raged for about ten seconds or so. After a few blink of an eyes. It finally dissipated into smoke and to nothingness.

The radiance that the pillar emitted was changed by the previous daylight. The blue sky's visage has finally shown itself.

"Slackers!" 

A loud deafening shout shook all the astounded spectators and made them turn to find the source of the shout. And as expected, It was their master Bodin "The Caravan Master" As to how did he got this title, no one knows how.

"Stop daydreaming! Let's go already! We need to go back before sunset or else.." 

Bodin spoke in a dreaded tone, and everyone including Viktor already knew what would happen if they wouldn't be able to reach the next nearest town which is Drasilia before sunset. 

The sands which were very calm in daylight would quake and awaken the monstrous adversities hiding in this vast barren lands.

Myriads of monsters like Sand Hydra, Wolf Kindred, and the deadliest monster in the desert called Kalag would venture to the outside world to find preys, and if their caravan would happen to be seen. The next instance can already be predicted.

The spectators still stood steadfast. They didn't respond to their master's command. Instead, they fixated their gaze to the rising smoke not very far from their vicinity.

Bodin who had the appearance of a plump man and a particularly short stature. Sneered and bellowed once more.

"Are you going or not?! " 

"Y-yes!"

This time, Everyone who heard him bellow once again responded in a pressed manner, and immediately retracted their blankets that was placed on the ground to prevent the scorching heat on reaching their bums.

"Let's hurry, Viktor."

Leila also hurried up and took all the withdrawn beverages and snacks and immediately jammed them into the wooden basket and stood up.

Viktor was still in a starry state as he watched the smoke vanish and rise from the place where the pillar of light previously exploded.

"VIktor!"

What returned his mind to reality was a pressing shout.

"Ye-yes!"

Viktor stood up and in that instance, took all the withdrawn things and placed them back in their backpacks and immediately jumped inside the carriage.

But Viktor still couldn't shake off this particular feeling. It was like he was being drawn by something mysterious telling him to go to that place.

The carriages their caravan has numbered three. With three slaves and three carriers on board. All of them numbered to six people which was riding in each carriage.

Almost all of them still in a daydreaming state as they watched the rising smoke dissipate to nothingness.

"Hey.."

A small preaching voice broke the silent stupor between the people inside the last carriage. This was the carriage where Viktor and Leila was.

The one who spoke was the second lady in the carriage. [Rubis].

All of them except Rubis repeatedly blinked and turned their attention to her.

Rubis, which was in the middle of the pierce tug of war of gazes, broke the game and stated. 

"What do you think is the cause of that?" 

"I don't know, I was also wondering."

The first person who replied was Viktor, who was still daydreaming as to what was the true reason for that pierce explosion which aimed to shake the heavens.

"I think I have an idea.." 

Leila also responded in a catching tone, which made all of the spectators turn their gazes to Leila.

"What is it?" 

Viktor asked as he picked one of the apples in the wooden basket and carved his mouth unto it.

"Maybe some sort of Sand Hydras... Just maybe!" 

Since she was doubtful about her theory. She raised her voice and replied in a high pitched tone to emphasize the word "Maybe" which signifies that she wasn't sure about the true reason about it.

"That's impossible. Hydra's are nocturnal creatures, They can't be awake in broad daylight." The third person who replied was a stury built man named Jones. He was their merchant carrier, which carries all the heavy objects and places them to the place where their supposed to be. Because of this particular job. Jones body was honed to a mascular one.

"That's also a possibility.." Rubis' soft tone resounded across the silent carriage and all of them fell into deep thinking.

Though this desert was a desert so deadly that it was known to be "The Desert of Tombs" due to the vast people falling into the hands of monsters or even die of dehydration while travelling on these barren land. Which stretched up to unknown far, and borders not even known to man kind.

But they still traversed here. Knowing the dangers. Their master Bodin, chose this area of travelling just because it has the nearest shortcut to the nearest town Drasilia.

"Why not look into it myself." Viktor's monotone voice resounded and made everyone who heard his ridiculous remark turn to him and asked.

"Are you looking to die?!" Almost all of them said it the same time.

Well that's because It's very obvious. Just travelling on this lifeless land would cause death in mere hours when you're alone. Plus, the danger of Sand Hydra's and burrowers suddenly resurfacing and claiming your head would increase the mortality rate of the traveler. Truly worth the name "The Desert of Tombs".

All of them said it at the same time but Viktor's visage still hasn't changed. His face was that of a veteran warrior, Ready to die just for the sake of their city. It was enough conviction to drive them to swallow their own saliva.

All of them gulped at the same time, All except Leila and Viktor.

"Are you really going there?" Leila broke the silent stupor and said.

"Yes, but I don't know why.. It's just.. This feeling.. I can't shake it off.." Viktor said in a reluctant tone. 

"If you're planning to go there then take me with you." 

"Huh?!" Hearing Leila's comment. Viktor unconsciously raised his voice.

"Am I not useful? I'm a wind element healer and I maybe able to help you go there faster." Leila revealed a teary mirthful smile.

"I don't know why you're doing this, but please stop. " 

With that, Viktor stood up and crouched near the carriage entrance. 

"See ya.." With a wave, Viktor jumped from the carriage and ran towards the opposite direction.

"Viktor!" Leila shouted, and just as she was about to follow him. A loud shout echoed from behind that made all of them inside shudder.

"What the hell is happening there?!" 

It was the shout of their master. "Bodin"

"N-nothing! We're just startled by a cockroach" The one who replied was Jones. 

"Hah.. Getting startled by cockroaches. What a pussy." 

"I'm really sorry for the inconvenience." Jone's tone had a hint of apology in it and slowly seated himself down, while clutching the now teary Leila reaching her hands towards the now nowhere to be seen Viktor.

"It's okay, Leila. I know he would return. " 

Jone's said in a soft tone, but it still wasn't able to calm Leila down. 

After a few moments of confrontations. Leila finally calmed herself down and spoke. 

"Take care you damn Idiot.. Viktor.." 

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PART 2:

The vibrant prickly wind howled across the nearby surroundings. The fifty meter deep crater that was formed when he reflected the Sand Hydra's attack was still in a static state. 

Electric current charges were nearby and sent visible lightning marks across the fifty meter crater. Though the electric statics were small, It still reeks of danger since using a spell in the wrong element would cause the surrounding charges to discharge and create an after explosion.

He couldn't risk on doing that so he slowly stood up and found himself in the middle of the crater. 

The crater was deep but it was not impossible to climb up. The surrounding ground were steep but it was very possible to climb back up to escape this huge crater. 

So the young boy dusted himself off as he clutched his flaring head and touched something similar as liquid. The only thing that differentiated it from liquid was because it was sticky. 

The young boy looked at his hands that was clutching the pained head, and as expected. Blood was found. His head was bleeding but there was no danger of any further internal damage as his regeneration ability as an Avenger was enough to prevent anymore serious hemorrhage.

"Ughh.." The young boy cried in a low voice as he watched the bright sky outside, He turned his head side by side and scanned the surroundings. 

Though it was day. The light from the sun didn't reach the place the boy was and was filled with darkness. He couldn't see anything within the crater but was able to ascertain one thing.

He was alone inside this place. There were no breathing signatures and there were no signs of foreign life inside.

The young boy closed his eyes and said in a low voice.

"[Fly]" 

A low level levitation spell activated and the boy soared around the crater and scanned the surroundings. He stared back at the bright sky and proceeded towards it to escape the darkness of the crater.

Or so that's what's supposed to happen.

But the expected spell didn't activate and the boy's command to the elements was withered in vain. His words dissipated into nothingness as his eyes widened when he reached a conclusion. " His spell didn't work" This was the first time he experienced this anomaly.

Before he was reincarnated. The young boy was a great magician worthy to be called "Elements Prodigy" Because of his excellent skills and utilization of any elements mentioned in the elements table. He was crowned as the best magician in the continent. 

Because of his extreme talents. He neither felt loss nor anomaly in casting any magics, But this time he failed. He failed to cast a spell. What's more, a low leveled one.

"[Fly]" 

The young boy again whispered to the darkness around him, but still. 

His spell still didn't work. 

"[Move]!" 

He whispered again, This time desperately. But it's still the same. He repeated this exchange of spell invocations until he finally reached a conclusion. 

Somehow, His spells have been sealed. He didn't knew what happened, and the last time he remembered something was the time he defeated that Rank SS Sand Hydra by using [Mirror of Yata] to deflect it and how did he fell to the crater below, and that's it... Black out..

The young boy blinked his eyes, and gulped as he accepted his fate. He will need to use his physical strength as a child to escape the darkness of this crater. 

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

If he would've been a normal person. He would've given up and sat down until he die. 

But this time it's different. He was still newly reborn, and the time to die was not this time. He didn't want to die yet. He didn't want to think that the first thing that would happen to his life as an [Avenger] the thing that he dreamed on happening would be to die. 

"Ughh.." The young boy slowly carved his way out of the crater. 

Little by little....

This steps were little but filled with determination.. 

Slowly.. 

Step by step...

He took steps forward until his newly created body got tired...

After escaping the hell of that Sacred Place... He didn't expect that he would be in this peril...

His steps were heavy...

Like a man walking towards his executioner. 

The scorching heat of the sun finally bathed the young boy, and he fell down the second he came out from the crater.

Mental exhaustion, physical exhaustion and thirstiness combined to make him almost lost his consciousness.

"Hahh.. Hahh... hahh..." He was ragged as hell, but he didn't paid heed to it. The only thing that mattered was he was now out of that damned crater.

And then he felt it. 

A life signature that resembled a human approaching him. He tried to look into it, but his exhausted body wouldn't let him move nor even lift his finger. 

The visage of a man wearing a casual desert clothing, and carrying a small backpack approached him. 

"Are you okay kid?" 

That's the last thing, the young boy heard from the mysterious man as his consciousness was once again dyed in white.

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PART 3:

The enlivening sight of the city filled the passengers inside the city with vigor, They finally reached the town that they were looking to go to. The town of Drasilia. 

The structure of the town was a walled city. It was guarded with different runes of Anti-Evil and Anti-Monsters runes that served as a protector for the city. Long time ago when these mechanisms were still not in place. This now lively town was once called as "Silent City" It was filled with remorseful monsters and undeads that harbored extreme hatred for the living, and caused the nearby people to immediately evacuate themselves to protect their lives.

But since the innermost capital of the continent called Cartelis replied by placing Rank SSS anti-evil and anti-monsters protective runes, and drove the monsters and undeads inside the town to death. The peace returned to this prosperous city and was once again called "Butterfly of the Sands".

The form of the town's houses can be considered as the same as German styled Castles, With pointed roofs and multi inclined roofs, and extremely wide areas for recreation. The town itself was similar to a walled castle city. 

"Fellas! We've arrived! Ready the same measures as last time, and let's bail out!" Bodin filled with enthusiasm jumped out from his carriage and shouted as such.

The passengers immediately got off and at the same time noticed that Viktor Haines was missing. Thanks to Leila's group intervention. The other slaves didn't talked much about it and just pretended that no one disappeared. 

The team arrived at noon, of which in real time would be 11 o'clock PHT+8. The scorching heat of the sun was still there as they placed their stalls near the city wall. 

The slaves then proceeded to place their merchants on the ground adorned with carpets and neatly arranged the merchandise as a lively Bodin watched.

"Good.. Good... Good... " Bodin led a small smile as he commended the slaves for their fascinating works. 

Their noon was filled with happiness and Bodin didn't even took notice that one of his slaves were missing, until.

"Head count!" 

It was now evening. It was now time for the slave headcount and food giving. All of the slaves counted themselves in a steadfast attitude and all of them replied with enthusiasm except Leila, who was still worried about her friend Viktor.

[You Idiot.. Why did you do that... Come back please..] Leila pleaded herself to calm down as he worries over Viktor, and noticed the fixated gazes towards her. 

She didn't noticed that she still didn't replied in the headcount and shouted.

"Fifteen!" Leila shouted in a particularly high pitched tone, which made everyone in the room laugh. 

"What the hell are you doing? Leila? Are you daydreaming of the food that we will be eating today? " With Jone's comment. Everybody in the same room laughed except for Bodin who was irritated by Leila's late reply.

"Ughh.. Shut up.." Bodin snickered and diverted his gaze to the next slave. 

The Headcount continued until it reached Viktor's turn. 

But Viktor's not there.

Because of this, Bodin's temper soared up high and made him shout.

"Where's Viktor?!" 

"Did that wretched bastard escaped?!"

Bodin was filled with such anger that his cheeks were red. He diverted his gaze one by one to the counted slaves and when he finally reached Leila he said.

"Leila! Since you're Viktor's close friend here.. Why don't you tell me where he is?! "

Leila who was suddenly named shuddered, and beaded sweat formed unto her forehead, But he shook of such thoughts about Viktor's premise since she noticed that she still hadn't given Bodin a reply.

Leila gulped a mouthful of saliva, unto her was like a poison, It seemingly made her nervousness soar up the roof, and when she finally understood that she wouldn't be able to escape this premise, She shook of her fears and said.

"S-Sir! Vi-Viktor is searching for an important connection for us to have here in th-this city!"

Bodin's face was now filled with curiosity. As if his previous anger didn't exist in the first place.

"Connection, Huh..." 

Bodin's head nodded over and over as he understood the importance of obtaining connections as early as possible. That's because, Receiving support from a merchant association the earliest from the other caravans would warrant them the best interest, and profit as much as possible. 

Which means that his profit would potentially skyrocket if Viktor would be successful in acquiring connections. They would be exempted from additional city payments, and maybe even given discounts for the tax pays.

"I see.. I see.. "

Leila's previously mirthful visage returned as she breathed a sigh of relief. She understood that she managed to trick her master into believing that Viktor was trying to find connections throughout the town, Though she felt relieved. Her heart immediately sunk as she heard her master's next sentiment.

"When did he said that he would return? I wouldn't permit it if he would stay outside for two days! "

This time, Leila's forehead begun to form beaded sweats. Her once mirthful visage was once again turned into a pale one. 

"Leila.. Are you okay? Are you sick or something." 

Leila understood what her master had said, but ignored it since she was still focusing all of her mental power into thinking a new approach in answering her master's question.

If only she knew when would Viktor return, She would be able to answer this question immediately. But since she did, She hesitated to say so, But she immediately replied unto what's on her mind since the fixated gazes of the other slaves were now brimming with hatred.

They hated Leila, since she made Viktor escape. Leila didn't understood why do they harbor such hatred for Viktor. As for the reason, Leila thought of it, but was once again resurfaced by a small toned voice.

"Didn't you hear me? Perhaps I need to say it again.." Bodin's tone had a hint of mocking in it. It gave off a feeling that Bodin knew what had happened from the start. This attitude of Bodin agitated Leila's nervousness and was once more plunged into the abyss of thinking.

"Where is Viktor? " Bodin said in a monotone voice.

Leila still hasn't given her reply yet and racked her brain to find the most suitable reply to deceive her master, But the next reply made any approach to deceive impossible.

"Did he perhaps.. Escape?" 

As Leila expected, Bodin got the thread of the truth, and since Leila didn't reply, Bodin's previously calm visage immediately turned red and howled.

"THAT UNGRATEFUL MOTHERFUCKER! THE NERVE OF HIM TO ESCAPE ME! I'M THE ONE WHO BOUGHT HIM AND I SHOULD'VE BEEN HIS LIFE AND DEATH! HE CAN'T DIE WHEN I TOLD HIM TO! AND HE CAN'T ESCAPE WHILE I'M STILL ALIVE!" Bodin took a huge breath and made his lungs bloated, and once again shouted.

"IF THAT MOTHERFUCKER EVER RETURNS HERE WITH NOTHING, I WOULD EXECUTE HIM MYSELF, AND YOU LEILA! YOU'RE INCLUDED! SINCE YOU FUCKING LIED TO ME, YOU'LL BE INCLUDED TOO!" With this, Bodin's face returned to it's normal vigor, As if the calm after the storm.

"Hushhh.." Bodin calmed himself down, but again stared with killing intent to Leila, who was now having a pale face.

"Prepare your self! If you're not to be executed, You'll be sold as a prostitute! And well.. You've that gorgeous figure, and I expect that you'll be an expensive merchandise." With this, Bodin finally left the room and forcefully shut the door.

The already knew that their master was a ruthless one, But they still didn't expect that his attitude would go down this far.

Leila cried in a childish manner, As she hoped that her expectations wouldn't happen. Hoping that her best friend would be okay.

"WAHHH!!!!" Tears and at the same time, Mucus from her nose, poured down her face as she stumbled down the wooden floor of the room.

Almost all of the slaves wielded sympathy towards Leila, and hoped that Viktor would return to protect her.

"VIKTOR!!!" Leila shouted unto the ceiling as her cries intensified.

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PART 4:

The scorching heat of the sands radiated across the surroundings. It was the worst time of the day to travel on desert lands. What's more donned with his only desert clothing. 

"This heat.. Noontime." Viktor gauged by the intense heat that it was now noontime, This particular time of the day was the hottest one, Temperatures would soar up to 10 degrees up and would intensify one's thirstiness for water. But Viktor didn't even took a sip from his two water bottles.

Since the time he jumped from the carriage which was 9'oclock, until now noontime. He didn't even took a sip of water. That's because he planned to ration it. 

His goal right now was to reach that crater. He didn't know why would he try to accomplish such dangerous feats. His body just wanted to know what's inside that crater. 

"Woahh..." 

Viktor finally caught a clear sight of the crater, and saw it's huge area, Which made him unconsciously led out a sound of amazement.

"Thirty meters deep? No- Fifty meters?" 

"Just what kind of thing blasted that ground?!" Viktor gauged the deepness of the crater and wondered as to what kind of damage the crater suffered before turning into such depths.

"What is that?" 

Viktor caught a sight of a person, It had the visage of a small child donning a black gown. What's strange is he was near the immediate vicinity of the crater. 

Viktor immediately ran across the barren land, towards the vicinity of the small child. When he reached the area where the child was, He immediately checked him for any signs of life and sighed in relief as he ascertained that the child was still alive.

"This kid.. " Viktor carried the light kid with his two arms before him and watched the visage of the child. 

Viktor shook his head as he thought of "How cute" this child was and thought.

{No.. no... no.. This kid may be a shapeshifter, or a revenant, I must not be careful. ] Viktor immediately thought of the kinds of beasts that can change their figure of that of a human for a brief amount of time. 

Just as Viktor took a step forward, He remembered something. 

[Ahh!! The Cleansing Water!] The Cleansing Water was a water, A normal water with special attributes of cleansing. If this child was a monster as he expected. He would react to the Cleansing Water and would transform to his normal shape.

But his expectations were not met, and he sighed in relief.

{Thank God, this child was not a revenant. If he would've been, I would've already died.] Viktor sighed in relief as he knew that even him a Rank B Mercenary would not be able to defeat a Rank S Revenant nor a Shapeshifter, Since a Rank B without any battle items and magic tools, would be like a baby trying to walk by itself.

"But why would this human child be here without anybody? Did this child got lost or something?" Just as Viktor was about to take a step forward. A loud explosion before him uncovered and raised his alert level towards the roof.

"As expected! Cleansing Water would also attract these bastards!" Three Sand Hydra's with Ranks D, appeared before him. 

Defeating three Hydra's with his own weapon right now would be difficult but this doesn't mean that it's impossible to do. 

The Sand Hydras opened their horrendous mouths and burrowed through the sand.

Viktor replied by placing the child behind him and unsheathing his small knife. 

"Come!" The Sand swell as the Sand Hydra swum into it. Viktor braced himself for the incoming attack and prepared his signature shocking spell. [Statik Shiv]

His Statik Shiv finished charging and Viktor shouted to the still swimming Hydras.

"Come out.. Come out.. Wherever you are!!"

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END CHAPTER 1: What a long day to start.

This thread we call.. Destiny